Flirting with His Forbidden Lady--A Regency Family is Reunited Laura Martin (bill gates best books .TXT) 📖

‘I will speak to Mr Ashburton.’

‘It will be better just the two of you, of course, but if he is unsure we can arrange a little trip out for all the guests.’

‘Yes, Mother.’

The door to the drawing room opened behind them and Lillian, their hard-working maid, stepped into the room. She was one of three servants they still had after having to dismiss the rest over a year ago. Lillian did most of the cleaning and general looking after the house. Mrs Turner was both cook and housekeeper now and saw everything ran smoothly. Ben was a young lad who saw to any heavy work as well as looking after the horses. In her father’s time they’d had a butler and a dozen servants, but now it was a stretch to afford just these three.

For the duration of the house party her mother had instructed Mrs Turner to hire some local boys from the village as footmen and a maid to help her in the kitchen, but Beth knew it was an expense that could break them if she didn’t secure a proposal soon.

‘A carriage is approaching, my lady,’ Lillian said, straightening the cushions as she spoke.

‘Thank you. Come, Elizabeth, we should greet our guests. Hopefully everyone will arrive in good time.’

The next hour was spent smiling and chatting to the select few guests her mother had strategically invited to the house party. Beth knew a lot of thought had gone into the guest list to make it an interesting mix of people to keep Mr Ashburton amused and the party a success. Her mother had made certain there were no other attractive eligible young ladies to make his eye wander and to make it easier to push her and Mr Ashburton together as much as possible.

The Potterton sisters from the village had made the list, two spinsters in their mid-twenties, accompanied by a mother who was cheerful and friendly but despaired of what to do with her daughters. Mr Williams and Mr Ralph, two young gentlemen Lady Hummingford knew from her friendship with their mothers. They were pleasant enough gentlemen, high in spirits, and Beth had met them on a few previous occasions so felt comfortable in their company. Lastly were Lord and Lady Melbon, the viscount and his wife from the neighbouring estate. They would not be staying, of course, but would come for the various dinner parties and excursions out. Lady Melbon was a difficult woman to get to know, quiet and withdrawn, but her husband made up for it with his loud anecdotes and opinion on everything.

Once everyone had arrived and been shown to their rooms, with the exception of the Melbons, Lady Hummingford had arranged for some light refreshments to be served. It was such glorious weather Beth suggested they carry a couple of tables and chairs outside and have the tea and cake on the lawn, shaded by the silver birch trees that grew along one side.

She was just supervising the moving of the tables by the two young new footmen when she felt a presence behind her.

‘Is now really the time to be having a spring clean?’ Josh asked, his eyes flitting backwards and forwards over the proceedings. The two young men were willing enough but clumsy and new to taking orders and had to be told where to put everything at least twice, which made for a farcical show.

‘I thought we might have tea and cake on the lawn, but we don’t have any garden furniture.’

‘Ah. I see. Under the shade of the trees?’

‘Exactly.’ Beth sighed as one of the footmen put a table down in full sun.

‘How many seats do you need?’

Beth counted up the guests in her head.

‘Eleven.’

Without another word Josh had hoisted a table into the air, picking it up and carrying it as if it were no heavier than a packet of letters. Beth watched in surprise for a moment before hurrying after him.

‘Put it down, you can’t do that.’

He grinned at her, ignoring the instruction and transporting the table to the spot in the shade she had indicated. Quickly he organised the two young temporary footmen to reposition the second table and then sent them to fetch the chairs.

‘Sometimes it is easiest just to do something yourself,’ he said, smiling at her in a way that made her heart flip in her chest.

Friends, she repeated to herself silently. Just friends.

Once the chairs were positioned, he surveyed the scene and then selected a chair. If Beth sat next to him, they would be the only ones on that side of the table. He gestured to the empty chair and watched her as she hesitated.

‘What if I promise to be on my best behaviour?’

‘I’m not sure your best behaviour is anything to boast about, Mr Ashburton. I know you, remember.’

‘We’re alone, Beth—you said you would call me Josh.’

She inclined her head, watching the house for any sign of movement. Her mother should be out here by now; if it were any other gentleman she wouldn’t leave Beth unchaperoned for so long, but, given her previous difficulties in identifying Leonard Ashburton, it wouldn’t surprise Beth if her mother thought she were sitting outside with Leonard and not Josh.

‘So how do I compare?’ Josh asked, closing his eyes and stretching out his legs. If he leaned his head back his face was in the sun and he looked like a cat basking in its warmth, a satisfied look on his face.

‘Compare to what?’

‘To the other men you’ve kissed.’

‘I’m insulted. You forget I’m a gently bred young lady. One does not go around kissing strange men.’

‘Except me.’

‘A terrible lapse in judgement.’

‘Of course...’ he paused for a moment then continued, still with his eyes closed and his head back ‘...but you still haven’t answered my question.’

Beth fiddled with a stray strand of cotton from her dress, trying to resist the urge to tug on it, knowing it might result in