Ruined by Ann Barker Page B

at the maid, unable to conceal her expression of astonishment. Given the earl’s reputation, and Mrs Machin’s close relationship with members of the clergy, it seemed to her that it would have been just as likely for that lady to throw open her doors to Beelzebub himself. Then she reflected with a sinking feeling, that the invitation would very likely be in order to warn the earl not to come near the house or its occupants ever again. Quite how Ashbourne would respond to such a command she could not imagine. 
    She was just beginning to wonder what her own feelings would be in such circumstances when the earl turned towards Dilly with Jessie’s books under one arm and said, ‘Thank you, I would be delighted.’
    ‘But surely, you need to get back to Brooks’s,’ Jessie protested, as the chairmen left.
    ‘Not at all,’ he responded with a smile. ‘I can think of nothing that attracts me more at this moment than meeting a new connection of an old family friend.’
    Mrs Machin’s house was neat and well-kept, but not fashionable in its appointments, and Lord Ashbourne, in this modest exclusively female establishment, somehow looked more fashionable and more masculine than ever. Dilly, clearly quite overwhelmed at admitting such a well-dressed, titled gentleman, became more flustered, took the books from him, attempted to take his hat and cane, which he had intended to retain as was proper for a brief visit, then released them. In the confusion, his cane fell to the floor and Ashbourne bent to pick it up. Dilly suddenly realized that she should not be permitting a visitor to do this, and bent over herself in order to get it. In so doing, in Mrs Machin’s small hall, she found her face rather close to his. Quite forgetting all her training, she gave a little scream and ran back to her own quarters.
    ‘I did nothing!’ protested Ashbourne, opening his free hand in a disclaiming gesture. ‘You saw that I did nothing.’
    He didn’t have to do anything; he just had to be, Jessie reflected ruefully as she ushered him into Mrs Machin’s presence. That lady was seated with a piece of embroidery on her knee, but at their arrival she laid aside her work and stood up. On her face was an expression of outrage.

Chapter Seven
    ‘M rs Machin,’ said Jessie tentatively. ‘I must beg leave to introduce Lord Ashbourne to you. Raff, this is Mrs Machin, my kind hostess.’
    ‘Your servant, ma’am,’ drawled Ashbourne, bowing with consummate elegance.
    Mrs Machin took a deep breath. ‘Lord Ashbourne, I cannot say when I have been more shocked,’ she said, causing Jessie’s heart to sink into her boots. Then, to her visitor’s relief and surprise, she went on, ‘That foolish girl! She has no notion of how to behave! To go off to the kitchen without announcing you!’
    ‘Think nothing of it, ma’am,’ answered the earl, taking his hostess’s hand and raising it to his lips. ‘She was surprised, that is all.’
    ‘You are very generous, my lord,’ replied Mrs Machin, positively bridling. ‘Pray be seated, and tell me how it is that you have come to meet my sister-in-law-to-be this morning. Miss Warburton, will you be so good as to see if Dilly is getting wine, or if she has neglected her duties in that respect as well?’
    As Jessie left the room, she heard her hostess bemoaning the fact that she had no butler who would doubtless have taken the visit of a nobleman in his stride. On her arrival in the kitchen, Jessie found that Dilly was already preparing a tray, so she went back to Mrs Machin’s neat drawing-room. Mrs Machin was sitting upright, an air of suppressed excitement about her. Jessie now noticed that although she was dressed in her most usual attire of grey silk, the gown that she had on was embellished by a rather frivolous pink shawl that Jessie had not seen before. Ashbourne was sitting very much at his ease, his hat and cane on the floor next to his chair, one leg crossed negligently over the other.