The Rakehell Regency(285)

Pamela stared at the dejected young man facing such an uncertain future. "That is most distressing to hear," she said sincerely. She paused for a moment and found herself offering, "You would be more than welcome at Ashton Manor when you do return home."



He stared at her in surprise.



Jonathan, sitting nearby, dropped his teacup and saucer, and immediately began to mutter under his breath as he tried to mop up the mess.



"I mean, I know it's not much for a man with your good breeding and education, but since my father died we've felt the lack of a good firm hand over our affairs. I do my best for little Bertie, of course, but our steward is old. And the solicitors are always in London, and can't possibly understand the estate so well as someone who is local and lives right here. Someone with both legal and accounting degrees.



"Please, when you return safely, as I'm sure you shall, do come to see me. The gate house is large and will be comfortable once it's given a good cleaning."



He looked almost appalled at the notion. "Miss Ashton, I never meant to imply--"



"No, I know you didn't. But what's the point of having money and a fine home if I can't help others?" she said with an airy wave.



She knew many people would frown upon what they saw as her encouraging the handsome young man, but she was not doing it for that reason, even though he was assuredly most attractive, night to Jonathan's day. It just seemed the right thing to do.



"It's far too generous of you, and your family--"



"Will listen to my recommendations," she said firmly. "They're hardly interested themselves. It's evident you love the land, love Somerset. My father did too. Until my stepbrother is old enough to appreciate the legacy he's been left, it's my duty and pleasure to maintain it for him. After all, I loved it long before he ever even came here. I too know what it's like to be at odds with my relatives, and feel dispossessed through an accident of birth."



She knew Aunt Susan would be livid if she could hear her now, but it was no less than the truth. She knew her father had remarried for her sake, or so he had thought. But her stepmother had never made any attempt to be more than civil to her, and had wasted no time at all in installing her son as the heir.



Because Bertie was a boy, her father had arranged matters around him even though she was the eldest and a child of his own blood. Jonathan was right, it was unfair. Just as it was unfair that Gareth Cavendish was being cast out in the world alone, his reputation in tatters thanks to his wastrel eldest brother Edmund and his criminal brothers Charles and James. If she could help, she would.



She saw Vanessa smiling at her encouragingly, though everyone else was looking at her in stunned surprise.



"Thank you, Miss Ashton. It's more than I could have ever hoped for." He stretched out his hand and shook hers manfully, no fine drawing room manners in evidence.



She was relieved. All would be business between them, and friendship, but certainly not romance.



He chatted to her for a time longer about the estate, but there was none of the sly innuendo or flirtatiousness she received from the other men about the neighborhood. She enjoyed his lively mind, and was pleased with her impetuous decision, which had surprised even her until she had told herself to allow her instincts to guide her.



Now all she would have to do was tell her aunt and stepmother. But not quite yet. Not until Gareth came home from the war.



"Well, as I said, I shall be more than glad to write to you in the meantime, with news, and information about the estate and your new home. If you choose to accept the post, that is. You many change your mind. And I know it must pique your pride to take a situation from a woman, but--"



Gareth shook his sleek dark head. "A young man like me has no pride left, I'm afraid. It's a luxury I can ill afford."



"I'm sure not."



"I'm not perfect, Miss Ashton," he said in a lower tone. "I do have other sins, but I'm trying to be better. My father set us all a very poor example, and died wenching in the local tavern. You will have some idea, then, of the sins I seek to combat against. Thus far I am winning, but I did lapse for a time as a younger man. Though nothing that could ever compare with the scandal Edmund has caused."



Pamela blinked and felt herself blushing. She felt several pairs of eyes upon her. "Well, thank you for being so candid," she said, lest he think she was offended. "And let us hope you shall make a better end than he did."



Henry had caught the tail end of the conversation as he had passed by with his teacup for a refill. "I can think of a few worse ones," he said with a droll laugh.