No young lady, under those circumstances, would appear confident. But as each fortuitous meeting had taken place between them, he had seen her confidence shine through. It was a quiet confidence, something that came from deep within herself, not something that relied upon her status or apparel. It was a very definite sense of self, so definite that he could almost feel it. In many ways, she was becoming almost as exciting to him as his anonymous watcher.
“I must admit that I shall be very sorry not to have your company this afternoon, but I do not blame you for excusing yourself.”
“I thank you and, if you will forgive me again, I think you must leave me,” she said and cast her eyes through the trees in the direction of Dandridge Hall. “For my mother is aware that I am out in the grounds walking.”
“Then I shall take my leave of you, albeit unwillingly.” He smiled and laughed and was pleased when she did the same. “But I am promised to the Earl this afternoon, and as you know, he will have his way.”
“Then might I say rather you than me, Sir.”
“You are very content in your teasing of me, are you not?”
“Yes, but only because you respond to it so very well.”
“Then I am glad to give you satisfaction, Miss Winfield.” He laughed again, all the while feeling his attraction for her growing. “But I will do as you ask and leave you.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” She seemed relieved, and he was by no means insulted by it. “Do enjoy your afternoon.”
“And do enjoy your walk,” he said and bowed before smartly turning to make his way back to the carriage.
When he arrived in the drawing room at the hall, it was to find the Belville family pretending, as they always did, that they were fully engaged in other things and not expecting him at all. They were not the only family he called upon to engage in the peculiar custom, but they did it with such exaggeration as to be painfully obvious.
For one thing, he was certain that no young lady expecting a potential suitor for tea would be so fully engrossed in sewing at the moment that he was due to arrive. And for two of them to be engaged in such a way was quite ridiculous.
And then there was the dreadful Countess; sat there staring so blindly at a book that it might just as well have been upside-down for all she would have noticed. Ariadne Belville, despite always being an attentive hostess, was a woman to whom he knew he would never be warmly drawn.
Not only was she so obviously a social climber, a woman of ambition, but her casual treatment of her own dear daughter was something that Rufus would quietly never forgive. He felt sure that his own dear mother, one lost to him so early in life, could never have dreamed of treating her only child so badly.
As far as Rufus was concerned, any mother worthy of the title ought to fight for her child against anything, as a lioness would fight for one of her cubs. And, in Rufus’ opinion, Ella Winfield was certainly worth fighting for.
As he sat down to the usual run of boring conversation led almost entirely by the Earl, Rufus let his thoughts drift to Ella. As much as they seemed to be developing an easy friendship, and a very welcome one, he could not quite believe that she would have any romantic inclination towards him. Ordinarily, when a young lady had such an inclination, she was rather more tongue-tied and shy.
But Ella Winfield was none of those things, and so he could only conclude that she might only ever rely on him for a little friendship, not to mention his secrecy in its regard.
The only time he was drawn fully back into the room, forced to sit in that moment and not let his thoughts wander, was when the Earl had made what he obviously thought was a casual inquiry about the evening he had spent with the Earl of Mortcombe.
“I trust you had an enjoyable dinner, Your Grace?” the Earl said in a manner he obviously thought nonchalant.
“Yes, very enjoyable indeed, thank you, Dandridge,” Rufus said with a forced smile as he began to wonder at his host’s determined interest.
Of course, the Earl might have nothing to do with whatever incident might have befallen him and his driver had he not turned around, but his question so very early on in their conversation certainly made Rufus suspicious.
And yet the Earl had been forthright, even pushy, from the start. He no doubt realised that Mortcombe’s daughter stood as much chance of marrying the Duke of Hillington as either of his own daughters and so, perhaps, his curiosity was quite natural if a little obvious.
“Good, good,” the Earl said without a shred of sincerity. “Yes, a very fine family.” It was clear that he was at a loss as to what to say next, and Rufus was tempted to leave him hanging there in embarrassment.
“But it must be said, a household would have to go a very long way to provide a meal such as the one you provided the other night, Dandridge,” Rufus said with a smile he did not mean for a minute.
Anything to move the conversation along and get him out of Dandridge Hall at the earliest opportunity. Afternoon tea really was going to be too long and boring an affair without his secret friend there to at least provide him with the amusement of a surreptitious glance or two.
“More tea, Your Grace?”
“Yes indeed, Lady Dandridge,” Rufus said and silently resigned himself to his fate.
Chapter 23
“Afternoon tea went well, Your Grace?” Henry said after he had been quiet for so long that Rufus had almost forgotten that the man was in his study. “At Dandridge Hall, I mean,” he continued.
“Yes, it went well,” Rufus said without commitment.
“You do not seem terribly sure, Your Grace,” Henry ventured tentatively.
“I suppose I am still a little troubled at the family’s curious treatment of Miss Ella Winfield.”
“Oh yes, I remember you mentioning the young lady before,” Henry said, his face wrinkled in thought. “Is there something in particular which troubles you about it? I have made some polite inquiries, Your Grace, but can find nothing which ought to stand in the way of any future plans you might have at Dandridge.”
“No, I have not seen anything further; I suppose it is what I am aware of already that plays on my mind somewhat.”
“Plays on your mind?” Henry seemed a little upended. “Surely there is nothing so serious that it should play on your mind, Sir?”
“She is very much kept out of that family, and I can see no reason for it.”
“But how is she kept out, Your Grace?”
“Are you aware that she is not permitted to take her meals with the family?”
“Not permitted? Are you quite sure, Your Grace?”
“Oh yes, I am certain of it.”
“But surely the Earl would not be so bold as to admit to such a thing himself,” Henry seemed incredulous.
“No, he is not a man who would be so honest, I think.” Rufus gave a dismissive laugh. “No, the lady mentioned it herself.”
“Did she really? How extraordinary,” Henry said as if still not quite believing it.
“It does not seem so extraordinary to hear it from her own lips,” Rufus said somewhat defensively.
“Perhaps not, Your Grace, it is simply that I cannot imagine under what circumstances a young lady might approach a Duke with such a curious problem.” Henry was staring right at him, and Rufus realised that he might have said just a little too much.
After all, it must now be instantly obvious to Henry that Rufus had indulged in more than just a passing conversation with the young lady, and certainly not one to which her own family was privy. But, of course, Henry was as discreet as the day was long, and Rufus knew that he could trust him entirely. And who would Henry discuss it with, at any rate? In all the years that he had worked for the Duchy, there was never a moment’s suggestion that he had once, not even once, parted with any confidences.
“I suppose the young lady was suffering a great upset when she mentioned it. You will remember that I told you how the Earl and Countess had all but dismissed her from the room the first time I went for
afternoon tea? Well, I must have failed to tell you that I happened upon her on my way out and sought to discover if the young lady was quite alright. She was naturally distressed and embarrassed that I had made any sort of approach. Anyway, I suppose I pressed a little too strongly, and she told me a little of her circumstances before she had gathered herself.”
As explanations went, Rufus knew it was particularly sketchy, and he had adjusted the timing of her admission to suit himself. However, it mattered not; Henry would surely not suspect anything amiss.
“I do not like to say it, Your Grace, but they seem to me to be a very fine family, and if what this Miss Winfield says is true, perhaps the Earl has a good reason for keeping her away from the rest. Without knowing the young lady better, I daresay it is impossible to attest to her character, good or otherwise.” Whilst he knew that Henry spoke sensibly and without any further information on the subject, still he wanted to defend Ella Winfield.
“Henry, I really cannot think that young lady anything other than good. And she certainly makes up for her family’s decided lack of manners.”
“Dear me, I had no idea that you had any objection to the Dandridge Estate.” Henry seemed so put out that Rufus felt quite guilty about it.
“I do not have any particular objections; I think my biggest objection is the treatment of that young woman. I can see no reason for it, and I can see no possible benefit in it either. It strikes me as completely arbitrary, and I cannot help wondering if there is not a little cruel streak running through that family.”
“But the girl’s mother is there, is she not? Surely she would not stand by if any cruelty was being practiced upon her only child?” Again, Henry spoke sensibly, and Rufus knew it.
Still, he stopped himself from giving Henry the full details. He did not need to tell him everything that Ella had told him about Ariadne Belville and the rest of the family. It would only perturb Henry further, and Rufus did not want to do that. In truth, he wished he had never embarked upon the conversation in the first place.
“Still, they do provide very good fare, it has to be said. I still cannot quite get over the amount of food at the Earl’s dining table last week.” He laughed amiably, trying to return them to their original footing.
There was something in Henry’s manner which disturbed him a little, and he could not help wondering if he had done or said anything to upset the old attorney. Henry had been quiet for a day or two, seemingly distracted by something.
Whilst they did not particularly involve themselves in one another’s day-to-day lives, Rufus felt sure that Henry would have told him if anything was troubling him to such an extent. Still, he could not stem the idea that something was amiss.
“I am pleased to hear that you were so impressed by the meal.” Henry laughed, and Rufus was a little relieved to hear it. “And I suppose it is only natural of a man of such great wealth to try to display it now and again. And his wealth is considerable, Your Grace, I can assure you.”
“Yes, and you have no need to assure me, Henry, for the Earl has assured me himself in a number of imaginative ways since first I met him.” Rufus laughed, but Henry did not.
“I suppose he merely wishes to display himself and his family in a good light. It cannot be an easy thing to have the interest of a Duke. By which I mean it must be a little intimidating, Your Grace.” Henry’s tone was full of its customary kindness, and Rufus mellowed a little.
He felt a little shabby in mocking the Earl of Dandridge and his family when Henry was so much more tolerant and forgiving.
“Yes, you are quite right, Henry. You must forgive me, for I think I am a little out of sorts today. I have probably had one too many rich dinners this week in the homes of hopeful fathers.”
“Oh yes, of course, Your Grace.”
“But you have not asked me how I got along with Lady Caroline,” Rufus said conversationally.
“Have I not, Your Grace?” Henry said and raised his eyebrows. “You must forgive my oversight.”
“There is nothing to forgive, my dear fellow. You are already so busy with matters of the Duchy that the matter of my matrimony cannot always be at the forefront of your mind.”
“And yet it is an important matter, Your Grace.” Henry removed his pince-nez and rubbed his eyes. “And did you get on well?”
“Yes, when I finally got there.”
“Finally got there, Your Grace?” Henry said quizzically.
“Yes, I had something of a curious journey.”
“How so, Sir?” Henry seemed suddenly all interest.
Rufus suffered a moment’s indecision as to whether he should tell his attorney what had occurred. Surely there could be no real secret in it since he did not know who sought to upend him or even who truly sought to warn him about it. And perhaps if Henry knew the details, he might look at it under a different light and somehow come up with some suggestion or answer that would help Rufus work things out a little better.
“Henry, this might seem a little curious, but I received a warning this week that I ought to be careful on my journey to Lord Mortcombe.”
“Warning?” Henry’s eyes flew wide open. “But how was the warning made?”
“It was in an anonymous note, Henry. It was a simple thing which suggested that I ought to take care as I crossed the county.”
“I beg your pardon, Your Grace, but might I see the note?”
“I am afraid I have discarded it, Henry.” Rufus was surprised at the ease with which he lied, but he did not want to risk Henry seeing that little sketch of the mask and deducing that it was somehow connected to the mysterious woman he had been so very interested in at the ball. “But it really said no more than I should have a care,” he went on.
“And did something … happen … Your Grace?” Henry seemed to be greatly disturbed by the news.
“No, nothing in particular. Well, nothing happened to me, as such. I was cautious, of course, and as we came to that rather thick woodland on the ordinary route, I thought I saw a flickering light in the distance. Taking no chances, I turned my driver around, and we took an alternative route.” He laughed dismissively, not wanting to distress his attorney any further. “And the truth of the matter is that it might just be some ridiculous hoax. After all, there could be any number of explanations as to why somebody might be in the woods at that hour and, being dark, only natural that they would need a light of some sort. I suppose I was just overly cautious, but I made the dinner, and I daresay, given all your hard work in the matter, that that is the main thing. Really, Henry, you must not look quite so distressed about it all. I am sure that it is nothing.”
“I am sure you are right, Your Grace,” Henry said most unconvincingly. “But do you have any idea at all who would send you such a curious note? Do you have any reason to suspect anybody of your acquaintance of writing it?”
“Honestly, I do not. Really, Henry, I almost wish I had not mentioned it. As I say it all out loud, I realise that some silly joke or other has been played upon me, and I feel rather embarrassed about it all.”
“Well, as long as you are sure, Your Grace,” Henry said and raised his eyebrows.
“Henry, believe me, I am quite sure,” Rufus said, determined never to raise the subject with his attorney again.
After all, he did not want to have the poor man worried; he had enough on his plate in his determined search for a suitable bride for him.
Chapter 24
“Ella … I mean, Miss Winfield,” Violet said as she burst into the morning room so suddenly Ella almost dropped her teacup. “Forgive me, Miss Winfield.”
“It does not matter, Violet,” Ella said and put her cup down and turned to give her full attention to her overexcited, pale-faced maid. “Has something happened? Are you quite alright? Really, Violet, you look unwell. Here, sit down next to me.” Ella patted the seat on the couch vigorously, and Violet plopped down onto it.
“Oh, Miss Winfield. Forgive me for bursting in on you in this way, bu
t I have just heard something which has frightened me.” And as Ella studied her face, she realized that Violet really did look frightened.
“You must tell me what has happened. You must tell me what you heard immediately.” Ella took both of Violet’s hands in her own and held them firmly. “And you must speak freely, my dear.”
“Just an hour ago, I saw Mr Henry Mercer climbing out of a carriage at the front of the hall, and I realized immediately that he must surely be coming to speak to his Lordship,” Violet began breathlessly. “And sure enough, before twenty minutes had passed, the housekeeper told me to deliver the tea tray that the cook had put together to his Lordship and Mr Mercer in the study.”
“I wonder why Mr Mercer was here,” Ella said almost to herself.
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