page42 (1/2)

‘Trust me, my dear,’ Lady Parnell said firmly ‘In all the tile out a young lady like he did you tonight And since losing his beloved wife several years ago, Melcombe has never remained for the ball after the dinner No,a triumph Oh, hoish your dear in, and I can’t wait to see who you captivate next’

Chapter Twenty

Teeks after the Ravensfell ball that had launched Amanda to immediate success—a fact evident from the details Althea artlessly read to hi—Greville arrived in London to lemere

Over those teeks, Bronning had ih still forbidden to ride out, he ell enough to e the books and consult with Farmer Smith, whom Greville had prepared to take over as assistant and supervisor during his absence

Eager to begin planning for his own future, Greville had set off as soon as he’d ensured all was in place Though he’d still not made up hisunder the surface, adding urgency to his desire to be aas the titillating knowledge that, afterher absence, he would once again be within calling distance

After checking his baggage at the inn, Greville headed to his cousin’s ho himself for the interview to come

Thinking that after his ranted hi his heels in an anteroom for some time, he was pleasantly surprised to be summoned to his cousin’s library within minutes after the butler left to announce his arrival He was further heartened by the sreeted him and the warm handshake he offered

‘You’re looking very well,’ Engle him to a chair ‘I understood from my Navy contacts that you had been rather badly wounded in that action off Algiers’

‘Yes, I’ ht recover ashore and in comfort’ A vision of A in her arms would be comfort indeed! ‘Life aboard a ’

‘You may thank your sister Joanna for that Not even your valet seeone when you left Blenheht ate’

‘Myof Blenhem Hill could hardly have inspired you to take much interest in what happened after you’d rid yourself of a bad bargain’

‘Haven’t we all o back and live through those days again? But the way you conducted yourself aboard ship wasn’t one of those titon told me It seems a stint as a co irresponsibility’

Greville blinked in surprise ‘You’ve spoken to Captain Harrington? I understood the Illustrious was still at sea’

‘She and the vessel she captured arrived back in British waters last week When I expressed my desire to Admiralty to speak personally to the man who knew the details of my cousin’s service at sea, their lordships su a marquess—and a h, and I don’t think you ever believed this, I truly do realise it is the quality of the man, not his title that matters’

Greville aze squarely ‘I’m pleased to hear it’

‘I believe you’ll also be pleased to hear what the Navy Board has decided After investigating the circumstances of your impressment, they inforations to the Navy An official letter to that effect will be dispatched to the Coastal Brigade station, with the lieutenant in charge instructed to notify you when it arrives’

Picturing Belcher’s disapproving face, Greville thought the lieutenant would probably command Porter to deliver the letter to Ashton Grove on foot—and hide his peg leg