Lessons in Solving the Wrong Problem - Charlie Cochrane Page 0,14

it most amusing that we were working independently. He asked if we were trying to get one up on each other and said he wished he could be in the room when we confessed the fact of what we’d been up to.” Jonty spread his hands. “Alas I feel he’d find this scene an anti-climax. Anyway, Papa said that he wasn’t aware of anything untoward about the family although he didn’t know them that well. He said that Lord Michael had a bit of a reputation.”

“What sort of a reputation? His portraits suggest a man of strong character.”

“Does that mean a tyrant?” Time for Jonty to raise an eyebrow. “Not quite. A determined man, certainly, used to getting his own way. Perhaps typical of his generation. Rather aloof with his offspring, so the present Lord is said to be determined not to act the same with his offspring. Papa says he’s met both the son and the daughter and they seem sensible, well-balanced individuals. Mama said she had little to add, though, which I thought odd if Henry was an old suitor.”

“That’s because she’d told it all to me.” Orlando’s smug grin needed wiping off his face with either a slap to the bottom or a juicy kiss to the lips. Neither strategy was appropriate for the setting. “I think they’d decided between them to apportion the information, so that neither of us would feel they had won.”

“But how could she have known all this when you called…ah, no, I’m being stupid. She’d have anticipated my call. Very perceptive, that woman.”

“Yes. There’s also the matter of your father not being there at the time. She promised to consult him and when he didn’t return the call with any information, I simply assumed he had nothing to add.”

“Devious pair, aren’t they? So what did Mama have to say about the family Byrd?”

“That Henry had been charming in his youth, although she’d preferred the middle brother, Richard. Much more spark to him.”

“He probably played a practical joke on her. She’d have liked that.” Rather like Jonty’s sister Lavinia was reputed to have chosen her life partner after he’d thrown a frog at her when they were younger. “Maybe she simply likes the name.”

Mrs Richard Stewart. Mrs Richard Byrd. They both had a pleasing ring to them.

“That did cross my mind. She also told me that Richard—the Byrd one, not your father—reminded her of his mother Genevieve, whom she’d met a couple of times and whom she felt was a bit of a kindred spirit. Practical, sensible woman, with no nonsense about her was what it all amounted to.” Orlando, staring into the fire, nodded sagely. “I think your mother perhaps recognised a similar maternal instinct to her own.”

“All of which doesn’t sound like the sort of person who’d be showing emotional imbalance. I’m sure Mama would have dropped subtle hints on that score, ensuring you—we—were adequately warned.”

“The only thing resembling a warning concerned our hostess.”

“Imploring you to bring that chastity belt?”

“Behave.” Orlando lowered his voice, even though the bedroom walls were sufficiently solid to allow confidential discussion. “Your mama simply believed we might not receive as warm and homely a welcome here as we’re used to with the Stewarts.”

“In which she appears to be quite correct. As usual. Although I can’t help but suspect her ladyship has hidden depths. Perhaps her upbringing has constrained her into keeping them hidden. Not unusual among ladies of quality.”

“Then let us hope we see them come to the fore. Although not,” Orlando added with a wince, “in my direction.”

***

Dinner featured a joint of beef of a quality Orlando had rarely tasted and roast potatoes that were a poem, crisp on the outside and fluffy inside. An apple charlotte with cream for dessert presented a challenge to the waistline of his trousers, but he overcame it nobly.

“I believe you are an expert on Shakespeare’s sonnets?” Beatrice had asked Jonty early in the meal, over an excellent clear soup.

“For my sins, I like to think so. Although who could really be an expert except the bard himself? We simply don’t know what was going on in his mind or in his life when he wrote them.”

“Yes, very well put. We also don’t understand the life of a typical Tudor man or woman,” Beatrice said. “Did words mean then what they mean now? Was behaviour different? Would what we think scandalous be commonplace?”

Jonty almost dropped his spoon and Orlando could guess why. Where did this surprisingly bold piece of