The house was being cleaned from top to bottom, if he dared to venture from his sanctum he would be stepping over footmen and maids scrubbing floors, washing paintwork and working on other domestic tasks. He was confident Harcourt House would look its best when the first guests arrived in ten days' time on the twentieth of the month.

  There was a loud knock on the door. He scowled at it. Who had the temerity to bang so loudly? 'Enter.'

  The door was shoved open with such force it crashed back against the wall dislodging plaster. He was on his feet, had vaulted over the desk before he realised what he'd done. His brother, in his cups, was standing there – well it would be more accurate to say he was just about upright within the doorframe.

  'If you think I'm going to do the pretty with a house full of the simpering daughters of cits you've another think coming. My father must be turning in his grave at the thought of having those sorts of people residing here.'

  'Ben, you're drunk. If you weren't you'd regret your outburst and impertinence.'

  Where the devil had his brother found sufficient alcohol to be in this state before noon? This was the outside of enough – he'd given Ben more leeway than he deserved to recover from the demise of his beloved parent but that would end now.

  'You will be going to school in the new year. You need to learn to behave like a gentleman and not a ruffian from the village. Go to your room and remain there until I give you leave to exit.'

  He'd expected Ben to lose his bravado, to apologise and beg to be allowed to remain at home but to his astonishment, the boy snarled something incomprehensible and swung a punch at him. He avoided the blow easily and grabbed him by the back of his jacket.

  'I said go to your room. If you won't go under your own volition then I'll escort you there.'

  He twisted his fist, making sure he had a firm grip and then, with his brother cursing and swearing and making wild threats, he marched him through the house to the astonishment of the servants that they passed. As they passed two of the younger, fitter footmen he told them to accompany them.

  'My brother needs taking care of. Make sure if he casts up his accounts that he doesn't choke on it. He's not to leave his apartment under any circumstances.'

  'Yes, my lord, we'll look after him.' The speaker, Jethro, hesitated and then continued. 'He's got into bad company. Several rogues have been seen hanging about the stables and his lordship has gone off with them a few times.'

  'Tarnation take it, why the devil didn't you bring this to me before now?' His brother stumbled and his knees buckled. Benedict transferred his grip and held the lad upright with his hands under his arms. His two men grabbed his brother's boots and they transported him like a sack of potatoes into his apartment.

  Ben didn't have his own valet – Mama hadn't considered him old enough as yet. Briggs, his man, attended to his needs when necessary.

  'Can I leave him to your care?'

  'You can, my lord. He'll come to no harm.'

  He nodded his thanks and went in search of his mother. He discovered her discussing festive decorations for the house with the housekeeper.

  'I need to speak to you, ma'am.' He looked pointedly at the housekeeper, she curtsied and left them alone.

  'How inconvenient, Benedict, this house party won't arrange itself you know. What's so urgent that you have to interrupt my conversation?'

  He told her and also that he intended to send his brother away after the festive season.

  'I knew he was running wild and have been waiting for you to step in and take control of the situation. You are head of the household and must make these decisions, not me.'

  'So, you think the correct solution will be to send him to school for a year at least?'

  'I think it exactly what he needs. He should be away from here, make friends his own age, and where better than at the school that both you and his father attended when his age?'

  'It has always puzzled me why Papa didn't send him when he was at an age to go.'

  'Ben was your father's shadow, they were thick as thieves and he wanted to keep the boy with him. Of course, as you were racketing about London you wouldn't have been aware of this.'

  He smiled ruefully. 'Point taken, ma'am. When he's sober you can be sure he'll be left in no doubt as to why he's going to school and what will happen to him if he behaves in this way a second time.'

  'Good, now, my dear, please let me get on with my work.' He was about to go when she asked him about the expected guests. 'Is there a young lady on that list that catches your eye? I gave you all the details I had about the family and the young ladies, so there should be enough for one of them to have piqued your interest.'

  'It's a matter of indifference to me which one I marry. She needs to be compliant, reasonably attractive, come from healthy stock and her dowry must be more than enough to clear our debts.'

  Instead of being shocked by his callousness she laughed gaily. 'I can assure you, my dear boy, every one of them will solve our financial difficulties. I can also say with absolute confidence that once you see them there is bound to be one that appeals more than the others.'

  He smiled and nodded. 'I think you have that about-face. I shall select the one that annoys me the least.'

  'You're quite impossible and I've no idea where you get your contrary habits from. You must be a throwback to some ancient ancestor because neither your father nor I have similar traits. Neither do any of us have your strangely coloured eyes.'

  'As I'm here, ma'am, could you kindly update me with your plans?'

  He wasn't in the slightest bit interested but he owed her his attention at least for half an hour. She regaled him with the details of the festive decorations that were going to be festooned around the place, about the various entertainments that would be taking place and was about to launch into a list of the menus when he called a halt.

  'Thank you, I do appreciate everything you're doing to make this a success. I give you my word that I won't let you down and I'll be married to one of these chits before the end of January.'

  He strolled back to his study and decided to take a closer look at the information about the families that he'd been given. There might well be something about one or two of them that made them ineligible in his opinion.

  After perusing pages of neatly written script he'd set two families aside as being unsuitable. One he'd heard of as having made their money in slavery. That made them beyond the pale as far as he was concerned. The second, unfortunately the richest of the lot, had only one child – Theodora – and he thought they would be over-invested in this girl and become intrusive.

  Far better to marry a girl from a larger family so the parents had others to concentrate on once they'd got her settled. It didn't occur to him that part of the deal his future father-in-law might insist upon was that they were included in his circle.

  He had a sudden urge to remove himself from this bustle and aggravation. In a few weeks he would be a married man, would no longer be able to enjoy the clubs and hellholes of London, spend time with his cronies without a care in the world.

  The weather was excellent and there were still ten days before the first guests arrived. He could be in Town in two hours. He deserved a final fling. An hour later he was snug inside his carriage, his valet sitting opposite, heading for his recently abandoned apartment in Albemarle Street.

  The family had a house in Grosvenor Square but it was rented out presently as his father had abhorred London and his mother was not given a choice. When his sister was of age, naturally, they would have to claim it back and have her presented at court as was customary with the ton.

  For now, he rented a smart set of rooms, fully serviced, along with several of his friends. His tenure expired at the end of the year but this week it was still his to use. He wondered if his latest ladybird would be available tonight.

  *

  Thea was resigned to her fate. The only glimmer of hope was that she might escape an unwanted liaison with an arrogant aristocrat because her parents had promised she could make the decision herself. She was a beanstalk of a girl, too tall and too thin, and if it wasn't for her bosom she doubted any gentleman would realise she was a female. Her russet curls and dark green eyes were an attractive feature but red hair wasn't fashionable. She was often accused of being Irish as if that was somehow a major disadvantage.

  They usually spent the festive period at home and it seemed strange that the house was being put under holland covers, that trunks were being packed, and the staff given leave to visit their families if they wished.

  She'd carefully not mentioned the thorny subject of her dogs – if she asked directly, they would obviously forbid her to bring them, but she'd secretly made arrangements with Billy for him to ride Sinbad and for the dogs to accompany him. Unlike the luggage cart, which would leave the day before they did, the groom with her stallion and dogs would depart the day after. She wanted there to be no chance her parents would discover her perfidy.

  The other secret she'd kept from her mother were the changes she'd had made to her wardrobe. The gowns, in her opinion, were now elegant, understated and quite perfect. It bothered her not one jot that the majority of other debutantes would be in the first stare of fashion, their gowns an insipid pastel, made hideous with rouleaux, unnecessary bows and decoration.

  After her initial dismay at this unexpected excursion Thea was actually looking forward to it. She rather thought it would be amusing to watch the other girls vying for the attention of the aristocrat looking for a suitable wife. It should be simple to remain in the background unnoticed.

  They set out on a fine, crisp, winter's day and she settled into the corner of the carriage leaving the opposite squab for her parents; she then closed her eyes and let her mind drift not wishing to be drawn into conversation.

  'Dora, you're wool-gathering again,' her mother said sharply. 'I've spoken to you several times and you've not answered me.'

  'I beg your pardon, Ma, I slept little last night and was dozing. What was it you asked me?'

  'Firstly, I've told you a hundred times not to address me as Ma but to call me Mama. Is that too much to ask?'

  'I'm sorry, Mama, I'll do better in future.' She looked across at her father. 'Do I have to call you Papa or are you still happy to be called Pa as usual?'

  'You must be guided by your mother as she's the one who knows the rules of the grand folk. I'm just a plain, hard-working man who has made his blunt through canny business moves. I don't aspire to be anything but what I am.'

  'Joseph, how can you say such a thing? Are we not on our way to stay with an earl?'

  'We are, love, but I'd much rather have remained at home. Don't look so worried, I shan't say or do anything to spoil your plans for our Dora.'

  How she loved her father, he understood how things were but was prepared to do something he wasn't comfortable with because he loved her mother so much. It would have been better if there had been other children as then their attention wouldn't have been so focused upon her.

  'If Dora marries an earl then doors will be open to us in a way that could never happen if she remains a commoner. It's not just for me, my dear, it will also enhance your reputation and garner you new customers.'

  'I'm not fussed about much, but I draw the line at allowing gentlemen, who've never done a day's work in their life, to patronise me and my family.'

  He now had Thea's full attention. She'd never heard him speak so freely and even her mother appeared surprised by his vehemence. 'Promise me, Joseph, that you'll not cause a fuss. This is Dora's big chance to become a countess.'

  They were discussing her as if she wasn't there, as if her opinion was of no account. She was about to interrupt, to state clearly her views on the matter of an arranged marriage, but held her tongue. Although she'd promised not to do anything to offend Lord Harcourt, she was going to do nothing to please him either.

  The only thing she'd compromised on was to leave her men's attire at home and her side-saddle was travelling in the luggage cart. The journey to Stonham was more than a hundred miles and therefore would necessitate two overnight stops.

  No doubt anyone else on their way to visit relatives, or indeed, to this very house party would have their personal servants with them. Theirs were travelling with the luggage as on this particular occasion her parents agreed they could manage very well without them for two nights.

  Both the hostelries her father had reserved for them were excellent, the food delicious, the chambers pristine and it was no hardship at all to stay there. She was sharing with her mother – it would never do for a young lady like her to sleep alone in a place like this. Pa was next door.

  'Mama,' she said as they were approaching their destination, 'you didn't comment on my travelling ensemble. Do you approve of the changes I had made?'

  'You have impeccable taste when it comes to gowns, my dear, and I was well aware that you were altering what that woman had begun. I'm certain that your unique style will make you stand out from the other insipid misses.'

  Only then did Thea realise she'd possibly made a catastrophic error. Her vanity, her desire not to look ridiculous, meant that she'd not thought it through. Now her mother mentioned it, she would have been better looking ridiculous as this illustrious Earl of Stonham would then quite definitely have ignored her. The very last thing she wanted to do was draw attention to herself.

  She was distinctly unimpressed by Harcourt House. Their own abode was of a more modern construction, not bigger, but in better repair, and with every modern convenience including water coming directly to the kitchens – a luxury indeed. The grounds of Tiverton Hall were finer than these and the gardens prettier.

  'That's good news, Joseph, we're the only carriage arriving at this time. I feared that we'd come with several others and that wouldn't do at all.'

  Their carriage was the best that money could buy, as comfortable as any vehicle of this sort could be, but Thea was still glad to disembark. She did hate to be enclosed, having to remain stationary for any length of time.

  'Look at that, my dear, a positive herd of footmen are rushing to help us step out of the carriage,' her father said with a wry smile.

  Both doors were opened, the steps let down, and Pa descended on the right and she and Ma were handed out on the other side. She wouldn't have been surprised to see a red carpet leading from the turning circle to the door – but that would be quite ridiculous.

  Her father offered his arm to her mother and they walked ahead, she fell in behind as was proper. No one could fault their appearance, they all dressed as anyone in the ton would do. Ma was wearing a burgundy pelisse over a matching travelling gown, her stunning bonnet was lined with the same material and her half-kid boots had been dyed to match.

  Pa, an impressive man at any time, looked magnificent in her opinion, in his immaculate green topcoat, shining hessians and grey silk waistcoat. She glanced down at her own ensemble satisfied that she looked every inch the daughter of a gentleman with very deep pockets indeed.

  They were bowed in by the butler and the housekeeper.

  'Welcome Mr, Mrs and Miss Watson to Harcourt House. You are the first to arrive. Madam, sir, her ladyship will receive you now in the drawing room,' the butler said.

  'No, she will not. Have us conducted to our chambers immediately. We shall come down in fifteen minutes.'

  Good for Ma, she wasn't going to be ordered around by this supercilious servant. No sensible woman would wish to appear the first time with her bonnet on. Thea was quite sure he'd tried to trick them into doing something inappropriate.

  'Very well, madam.' The butler said decidedly disappointed and Thea disliked him on sight.

  Two footmen led the way to the far side of the house, through the door into a narrow corridor – obviously they'd been relegated to an inferior place. She didn't give a fig but was angry for her beloved parents. No on was going to treat her family as if they were of no importance.

  Her parents had an apartment, clean enough, well equipped, but in need of refurbishment. 'At least the fires are lit in your sitting room and in the bedchamber, Mama.'

  'It's no more than adequate,' Pa said. 'I'd not put any guests of mine in such a place.' He for a moment looked so fierce she didn’t recognise him but then he was his old self again.

  Ma's maid was waiting and had hot water ready. Thea left them to their ablutions and walked into her own chamber. She was shocked. When she'd had a governess, Miss Bentley, her room had been far larger, smarter and warmer than the one she'd been allocated.

  She waited until the footmen had departed and then investigated the other rooms. As she's suspected, all but one apartment was bigger, more luxurious and warmer than the ones they were to live in for the next three weeks.

  It couldn't have been made plainer. The earl wasn't interested in her. For some inexplicable reason his rejection made her determined to get his attention. He would offer for her and then she would have great pleasure in turning him down. That would give him his comeuppance.

  Chapter Three

  Benedict had told his mother he'd meet the guests at dinner, that she could welcome them herself. However, he found himself a corner of the first-floor library, by the window, where he could view the arrivals and not be seen himself.

  The carriage approaching was in every way superior to anything he owned. He frowned and tried to recall the order of arrivals today. The first was the Watson family so this must be them. This particular family had no connection, even a remote one, to any important bloodline but to him this was no drawback. Three of the others his mother had invited on his behalf had cousins, aunts or grandfathers linked to the ton.

  The team of four matched chestnuts pulling the coach were sublime. Not only was this fellow rich, he also had a good eye for horseflesh. Watson had made his wealth from shipping and manufacturing and had no ships involved with the slave trade. The girl, Theodora, an unusual name, was eighteen years of age and although out, hadn't been presented.