The Rakehell Regency(287)

What on earth had upset him so? She had assumed he would be pleased she was taking such an interest in Ashton Manor considering it was not even her own. Glad that she was being a good stepsister to young Bertie.



Pamela furiously told herself she didn't give a fig what he thought. He was not her keeper, and she would do as her conscience dictated, no matter what anyone said.



The 'shameless flirt' remark also rankled. She had meant that women of her social standing simply did not ally themselves with humble vicars, no matter how good the living or how ambitious the man might be. She was sorry if she had wounded his pride, but younger sons like Gareth could not be proud. Why should Jonathan be so peeved with her?





Chapter Fourteen



It was Pamela's turn to be peeved when they arrive at Jerome Manor and Jonathan was immediately taken over by the two youngest girls, Ellen and Georgina, two young blond beauties who she was relieved to discover were only fourteen and fifteen, though they looked much older.



They teased Jonathan, dug into his pockets for sweetmeats, and generally romped with him like a pair of frisky puppies. She looked at them with undisguised envy, wishing she had such an easy relationship with Jonathan.



But then that would have been even more fuel for gossip. Besides, had he not invited her as his particular friend to both Stone Court and Bath? The girls were young, no threat to her at all. They obviously admired the handsome young man, but were far too immature. They were lovely, but no decent man would avail himself of such under-ripe fruit.



On the other hand, some men would like them simply because they were so young and innocent. Not to mention the fact that most men would want to marry well. Just because they were so young now was not to say there wasn't already an understanding between the families. A decade or more was often nothing between husband and wife in such arranged marriages.



Pamela was surprised at the intimacy. The Jeromes were certainly very wealthy. Why throw one of their beautiful daughters away on a mere clergyman? she wondered pettishly.



Their cousin Samuel Jerome was there, resplendent in gold braid, showing off his new uniform.



"It will be faded and covered in stains by the time I ever get back," he said with a rueful grin, but she could tell from the twinkle in his eyes that he couldn't wait to go. "Thank you for the thoughtful contributions to my kit. And yes, of course I would be delighted to take things over to your friend when I go."



Pamela was impressed with the quiet, sober young man with raven hair. She had seen him at several balls and was now sorry that she had not sought to get to know him better. Both he and Gareth Cavendish seemed very decent. If they were not as witty as some of the others like Timothy Bridges, nor were they as predatory, and certainly not so wearing.



As she spoke with Samuel, she was ever conscious of Jonathan's eyes upon her. The comment about being a flirt still rankled. How dare he judge her so about Gareth Cavendish? She was being kind for his sake, and selfish for Bertie's. He had no right to comment on how she chose to live her life.



Yet a vicar could be expected to know the difference between right and wrong, she thought, relenting in her anger after an hour or so. She hated feeling at odds with him. She had quarreled with him once before, and had felt wretched about it. She did not want to damage her newfound intimacy with him again.



Jonathan too had calmed down, and mustered some control over his seething jealousy. Having young Cavendish as her steward and man of business would be the best possible solution to all her problems. He had no reason to be jealous. It wasn't as if he had any right to be. Or ever would have that right.



When Pamela had a quiet moment, she approached the pianoforte, where Jonathan had been playing instrumentals whilst the others in the party amused themselves with cards.



"Miss Ashton," he said, inclining his head toward her politely. "May I take it that your coming here means you did not hold my extremely thoughtless and unfounded remark from before against me?"



"It is that of which I have come to speak."



Jonathan gave a tight smile. "I'm fortunate that you wish to talk, and not simply slap my face and storm off in high dudgeon. It would be no less than I deserve."



"No, not at all. Actually, I was just coming to elicit your honest opinion."



He glanced up at her with mild amusement. "I think you know me well enough by now to be certain I shall never give you anything less, even if it is badly expressed."



Her brows knit into a small frown. "Very well, then. Was it really so wrong of me to offer Mr. Cavendish a post at my stepbrother's establishment? Or am I to look forward to being heaped with opprobrium by others in the district?"