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Lady Charlotte Valance slapped her riding crop down on the desk and said, “Send your blasted man from the room, and wipe that smirk from your face unless you want me to do it with the back of my hand and yes, Teddy, I am being perfectly serious.”

If Peaches had to lay a wager on which of them would come out the best from this confrontation, it would be the petticoat currently pacing up and down Teddy’s study. Lady Charlotte had two inches on Teddy, and it always went to the ones with the reach. What’s more, she was only attended by the one spaniel – always a sign she meant business. 

Anyone with sense would have jumped to it, and that would have been the end of Peaches’ ringside seat.

But Teddy was in a difficult mood, which meant he said, “Peach has my absolute confidence. There is nothing you can say to me that you can’t say in front of him.”

“Oh, I wager I can think of a few things,” Lady Charlotte tapped the crop against her palm with a sharp, snapping sound. “Go on, boy, get gone. Dismissed.”

“Don’t listen to her, Peach. Lotte, this is my house. You can’t just barge in with your hounds and start ordering my people about.”

“Don’t you play the little Lord with me, Teddy, I made you cry when we were children and I can do it again. If you want your man a witness to that, then by all means, let him stay.”

Teddy rubbed his eyes. “What am I supposed to have done now?”

“What has he done now, he asks?” Lady Charlotte said to the air, to Peaches, to anyone. “What has he done now? As though it were not blindingly bloody obvious.”

“Is it something to do with the stables?”

“No, it is not to do with the stables. It is not even remotely connected with the stables. What I am piqued about, my Lord Forthenby, what I am, in fact, furious about is the girl. What,” she took up her riding crop, poking him in the chest with every third word, “have you done to that girl?”

It was a fair question.

“Peach,” said Teddy in tones of despair. 

Fat chance. 

“Yes, my Lord,” she said in the least helpful way she could muster. 

“Could you kindly remind my cousin of the hour,” he sighed, “and where the door is located?”

Peaches glanced at her fob and said cheerfully, “It’s just coming on for half past two, my Lady, and there’s only the one door. You came in by it.”

Teddy threw himself back in his chair. 

“Sure you still want your man here, sweet cuz?”

“Oh, by all means, Peach, do stay for the show. And, Lotte my dear, please do not hesitate to say any little thing that crosses your mind. It’s not as though I’ve drunk more than my measure and wish to go to bed.”

“Then perhaps you should be more temperate in your habits.”

“Or perhaps you could get to the damned point before you give me a headache.”

“In which case,” and for the first time since she had stormed into the room, Lady Charlotte stopped sweeping up and down its length in dramatic strides, “in which case, my Lord, why am I given the distinct impression that your fiancé detests you utterly?”

Teddy ran his hand through his hair. “Lotte—”

“Well?”

He took a deep breath. “I am aware of the situation.”

“Teddy—”

“And while regrettable, I’m afraid it is the result of a series of misunderstandings that are too complicated to go in to now.”

She tapped a foot. “I’m waiting.”

“By all means, wait away.”

Lady Charlotte folded her arms and did precisely that.

“With all the love in the world, Lotte, what business is it of yours?”

“Because the poor child is clearly distressed.”

“And your motives are entirely disinterested? I do understand.”

“Disinterested?” the crop slammed down onto the desk. “I am speaking in simple humanity. I saw you at supper, and Edward Aloysius Percival…”

“Not the full name, Lotte. It’s too an hour late for the full name.”

“St John Valance, I am quite ashamed to own you kin. If you don’t wish a wife, then—”

“Then I can send her over to Long Farrindon to live with you and Nell, is that it? What, were you hoping she’d take a liking to the place?” 

“How dare you?” A flush spread over Lady Charlottes cheeks, her eyes bright with fury and mortification.

“I’m ain’t a fool, Lotte. Don’t take me for one.”

“How dare you even imply –”

Teddy laughed, or rather, Lord Forthenby laughed, short and unkind. “Don’t tell me how to run my household and I will pass no comment on yours.”

She looked appalled. “What has happened to you, Teddy?”

“I’ve had quite a rough quarter, but you can call it wedding nerves if it makes you more comfortable. I take it you’ve met my father-in-law?”

“You deserve him and worse. I’m disgusted with you. Heel, Peregrine,” snapped Lady Charlotte, and sailed from the room in high dudgeon.