Ruined by Ann Barker Page A

carefully dusted a chair so that Jessie could sit down, and soon returned with several volumes. ‘No doubt you will have read Mr Defoe’s Tour , but Misson’s Memoirs and Observations may not have come in your way. There is also a diary of a gentleman from Chapel–en-le-Frith which you might find interesting.’
    Jessie thanked Mr Long for his thoughtfulness and, for the sake of courtesy, opened one of the books in front of her. In fact, her mind was elsewhere. Part of her was very annoyed that she had chanced to meet Ashbourne. Had she not done so, then she could have continued with her expedition, none the wiser about the construction that some might have been placing upon her solitary expedition. On the other hand, had Raphael not been around, then Mr Wiley – and how appropriate his name was – would undoubtedly have pursued her into the shop and made himself obnoxious in some way. Raphael was right about her reputation, too. A clergyman’s wife, like Caesar’s, must be above suspicion. She had to admit, though, that she was rather flattered by Mr Wiley’s interest, however unwelcome. She knew that she was tall, but she had never seen herself as elegant, with a good figure and pretty hair!
    She glanced anxiously at the clock in Mr Long’s office, and wondered how soon Lord Ashbourne would return from drinking with Mr Wiley. When would Mrs Machin start to worry about her? Jessie had always been accustomed to thinking of Ashbourne as a rake. Would his ‘raking’ involve feeling obliged to sit drinking with Mr Wiley for the next hour or two? Would he even forget about her completely?
    She was just wondering how much she ought to pay Mr Long to close his shop and escort her home when she heard the sound of the shop door, and moments later, Lord Ashbourne strolled in. ‘Your chair awaits, ma’am,’ he said, with a sweeping bow. ‘Long, thank you for your help in this matter. Did you have the chance to peruse those books, Jez, or would you like me to purchase them for you?’
    She was about to say that she had no particular desire for the books, and already had a copy of Defoe’s account, when she realized that this would be Ashbourne’s way of thanking the man for his assistance. Accordingly, she nodded. ‘If you please,’ she said.
    ‘It has been a pleasure to serve you, miss,’ said the bookseller, as he handed her the parcel of books neatly tied up with string, together with an ample supply of writing paper. ‘I hope I shall be able to do so again whilst you are in London.’
    ‘Thank you. You have been very kind,’ she told him, as she prepared to get into the sedan chair. Lord Ashbourne had already asked for her direction and was giving it to the chairmen.
    It was only when they were halfway back, Ashbourne walking alongside the sedan chair, that Jessie wondered how her hostess would react to the sight of her guest being escorted home by one of London’s notorious rakes. Would she feel it incumbent upon herself to tell her brother? After her threats to do so when Jessie had entered the book-room, it seemed quite possible.
    There was nothing wrong in her accepting Ashbourne’s escort, Jessie told herself stoutly. After all, she had known him for nearly half her life, and had been companion to his sister for eight years. It would have been far stranger if he had not offered to escort her home. Nevertheless, she could not help remembering guiltily that she should not have been in town alone in the first place; and she was old enough to have known that.
    She was still rehearsing the various arguments when the chair stopped outside Mrs Machin’s house, and one of the chairmen opened the door at the front so that she could step out. While the earl was paying the men, the front door opened, and Dilly stood on the threshold. She looked a little flustered. ‘Please, miss, missus said to ask his lordship inside for some refreshment, as she’d like to thank him for bringing you home.’
    Jessie looked