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Amanda blinked the tears back fro, but in truth she had barelyto recover her spirits Oh, how she yearned to escape Ashton Grove, all its problems and sad memories, and lose herself in the distractions of London!

Though her younger brother had lately arrived to add to her anxieties, Althea res depressed and raw after Maht be rid of the troubleso to ease the tensions between them

All her life, she reflected with another pang of grief, she’d been wrapped in a protective cocoon of love and affection spun by herthe floodtide of events by a happiness and security she’d taken for granted until the catastrophes of the last two years—losing first Grandmama, then Aunt Felicia, then Ma for supportive female company had been sharpened by her difficult relations with her cousin, the only female relative left to her

Small wonder she yearned to reach London, where she would be staying with Lady Parnell, her mother’s dear friend whom she’d had known since childhood Perhaps the affection of this corief and fill so losses

‘So you will speak to Althea?’ she pleaded, hoping against hope Papa ht be able to head off this new coood, you know What would Aunt Felicia say if she knee’d allowed Althea to pursue a most unsuitable friendship with a common sailor?’

‘Yes, I know I h’

Her chest squeezing in a surge of love for her kindly sire, Auide her, Papa You knoell as I you haven’t the heart to repriht need it!’

‘I suppose I have been too indulgent But you’re quite right—it is hter and counsel her as best I can’

‘Perhaps you could chat withoutpresent She’d probably beon Well, I suppose I es in the dinner plans’

‘I’ll escort you out,’ Bronning said, rising and co to take her hand ‘One of my prize mares is about to foal I think I’ll take myself down to the barn and check on her’

Accepting her father’s ar hall to the marble entryith him, her concern about Althea soard of her, there wasn’t much else she could do but leave the matter in Papa’s hands

They had just reached the grand entry when the front door was thrown back so violently it banged against the wall Staggering across the threshold, A off the footman who sprinted over to take his coat

Her father stopped abruptly and eyed his only son with alare, what’s amiss? Have you suffered an injury?’

With his red face and bleary eyes, hair in disarray, neck-cloth coe did indeed look as if he ht have been in an altercation—a fear A odour of spirits wafted to her

Her initial concern turned swiftly to irritation as she recalled her brother had not appeared at dinner last evening Most likely he’d not returned ho and today ga—at some low tavern

A glance at her father’s face confirmed he had just reached the sarin and a pained sadness, and unconsciously he raised a hand to press against his chest

Fury swept through her and she could have cheerfully throttled her brother How could George be so stupid and thoughtless as to make his dramatic entrance in such a deplorable condition? It was alitate and disappoint his already sorely troubled father!

‘Papa, why don’t you head out to the stables and check on your , now,’ she said to her brother, pleased she’d ed to keep her tone even hat she really wished to do was shriek her displeasure into her feckless brother’s ears

Contenting herself with giving George’s arm a sharp pinch as she took it, she steered hi over her shoulder to Papa, who hesitated before finally approaching the butler for his coat, she began half-pushing, half-pulling her brother upwards

‘I hope I shall not contract so to haul you about,’ she snapped as she finally succeeded in wrestling him up the stairs and into his room ‘How can you still be so drunk at this hour of the afternoon?’