Georgiana almost unconsciously averted her eyes against the left side of his face, then almost as quickly lifted them to make out the other, half-closed, dark eye, and the shiny, marbled stretch of skin over his forehead and left brow. Mottled pink and white skin wound its way down his cheek to touch briefly at the corner of his full mouth, and trail off under his jaw. It was a face, but it was not. It was half human, half beast. It was a bear’s dark eye in the face of a lion, on the body of a man. She saw, and felt, the pain which was etched into the odd tilt of his mouth, and recognised, as his eyes met hers momentarily, that it was more the pain of being pitied, than physical discomfort which distressed him now under that tense, yet outwardly calm demeanour.
His one dark eye seemed to reach out to her across the now silent room, and she felt herself redden. She could not withdraw her gaze from his for a moment, then recollected herself and dropped her head politely. Confusion at her own inexplicable desire to stare kept her eyes averted until the party had moved past them and the room had resumed a restrained chatter.
Lilly, her attention on the three gentlemen, bent her head to Georgiana’s. ‘Did you see him? So ill-looking! I must confess, Georgie, I am vastly shocked at his appearance, for once he was considered a very handsome young man! But did not you think him very ugly? Poor Captain Brandt, no wonder he does not come into society anymore!’
Georgiana said nothing, her generous heart full. The room murmured around them. The three gentlemen had been taken along by Sir Thomas, who had supplied them with madeira and introductions. Several of the young women stared openly at Captain Brandt, while Frederick Young and his sister were introduced. Georgiana noticed that Miss Young barely raised her eyes to meet the Captain’s.
After a few moments, Lilly clutched at her arm. ‘Oh, Georgiana, they are coming over here, look! Lady Young is bringing them this way! Oh, how shall I bear it? It is too, too wretched! I must go to Mama!’ She had risen and was gone before Georgiana could beg her to stay.
Three
This sudden withdrawal was not lost on the Captain, who watched after the young lady’s hasty departure for a moment, with an expression on the right side of his face which Georgiana could not read.
He made his approach, heralded by Lady Young. Ashamed that she had been caught staring earlier, she averted her eyes in modest confusion. Lady Young made some introductions, and Aunt Fanny warmly smiled, rose, and curtsied. Mrs Hall made a deep nod, from her sitting position, and Georgiana saw that she, too, stared openly at the Captain. She blushed for her mother’s indecorum, her friend’s rudeness, and the discomfort she thought the Captain might be feeling.
Aunt Fanny was delighted to meet him. ‘How do you do, Captain? I am so glad to meet you at last! My very intimate friend, Lady Selkirk, who is your relation, I believe, has charged me with making you quite at home while you are here! I have heard so much about you, I feel that we are quite friends already! And I confess myself more than a little curious to hear about your home, since I believe Thornleigh lies only two hours by carriage from my own home! I am at Northstead, you know, in the seaside town of Whitecliffe! Surely a carriage must pass quite close to you, on the road, if one is travelling north!’
She smiled indulgently, and did not seem to expect a reply to this intelligence of so tenuous a connection, so he gave none, but delivered Aunt Fanny a polite bow of acknowledgement.
This was sufficient for her, and she continued in the same vein with, ‘You shall do me the honour, I hope of coming to dinner at Grosvenor Street, Sir, this very week, and your friends too, if you have no other engagements.’
He looked ill-at-ease as he stood before them, Georgiana thought, as she eyed him through her lowered lashes, and she vowed to make him feel as welcome as she was able. It was obvious to her that he was out of his element in the throng of people, and she wondered why he would go to so much trouble to be present if he was so uncomfortable in company.
He answered her aunt immediately however, and with warm civility. ‘I would be honoured to be a guest of yours, Mrs St. George. You are very kind. Lady Selkirk has been so good as to recommend me into your care, for which I am grateful. It has been some time since I came into town and know but few people here. But I am remiss. Please, allow me to introduce my friends and brother sailors, Lieutenants Thomas Townsend, and Charles Hailsham.’
The two men bowed gallantly and smiled at the ladies, and if their gaze lingered just a little longer on Georgiana, and with a tad of speculation, it did not signify with her, so taken up as she was with trying not to notice anything unusual in the party of three gentlemen before her.
But her aunt was speaking again. ‘I shall be only too happy, Sir, to enlarge your circle of acquaintance here. Why, you must come and dine with my sister and I, and my nieces, this very week,’ she repeated her invitation. ‘But may I present my sister, Mrs Hall, and my niece, Georgiana. My other niece, Elizabeth, you see there, at cards. Poor dear Julia, my youngest niece, is at home, not yet being out in general society, but I am sure you shall meet her, too, in time,’ she added. ‘But where do you stay, Sir? Are you in Stevens’ Street?’
Georgiana met Captain Brandt’s one good eye and one half-closed eye with a look speaking kindness and warmth.
‘Yes, Stevens’ Street, Ma’am.’
He turned to bow to Georgiana, and she endeavoured immediately to remove all traces of pity from her countenance. It was not a difficult task. His eyes were so proud as he looked at her, and so full of resentment, that she balked somewhat, unnerved. She was sure the resentment she found in his face was not directed at her, but all the same, it left her shy again, and uncertain.
‘I am pleased to meet you, Captain,’ she said quietly.
Mrs Hall was eyeing Captain Brandt with an odd look which Georgiana could not fathom. She fluttered her fan and simpered at him. ‘I do hope you will sit with us, Captain, and your friends too, of course. Do not feel that you must stand on ceremony with us! I am sure Georgiana will be glad of some conversation. She is so shy you know, so very quiet! So well behaved! But I am a doting mama, you see, and wish her to have the stimulating conversation that we so little meet with at home, confined as we are. La, ours is such a quiet life, at Loweston! Do sit down captain, there, next to Georgiana.’
‘Mama!’ cried Georgiana, her cheeks now a thorough crimson at her mother’s obvious manoeuvrings. ‘I am sure Captain Brandt has obligations to Lady Young, if he is here as her guest! Please, Captain, do not feel you must entertain me, as I have full faculties for entertaining myself. Do go with your friends, Sir, for they have gone to Sir Thomas even now.’
Captain Brandt inclined his head and gave her a serious smile which he may have intended to made his face look a little less imposing, and yet tilted it on such an angle that she was moved for him once again. He grimaced oddly, and she wondered if he was in pain.
He spoke in a low voice. ‘You are very kind, Miss Hall. But I fear your mother will think ill of me if I do not incline myself to her wishes, and, since I can think of no more pressing engagements at this time, I should be delighted to sit here and rest a moment, if you will have me as companion? I do not vouch for being very entertaining, but perhaps you can improve my knowledge of the people here, and to whom I ought to be introduced and so on? You see, I am somewhat of a dunce in society; it has been three years since I was last in town for a season, and I suspect I have lost my knack for being in polite society.’ He lowered his cream breeches into the chair beside her, without waiting for her assent, as if he intended to stay for some time.
‘Oh!’ said Georgiana, quite surprised at this speech, but not unwilling to respond kindly to such a genteel and open manner. ‘You are very kind,’ she said, smiling a little, ‘but I know so little of the people here, that I feel I can be of no use to you as to information. Perhaps Lady Young…?’
‘Lady Young has kindly introduced my friends and I to several people, almost none of whom I can remember now! Perhaps you can help me? But
first tell me, Miss Hall, have you been in town long?’
‘We have been here this last eight weeks, Sir. We are staying as guests of my aunt.’
‘And have you been to the Pantheon, and Almacks? I believe these are the pinnacles of a successful London season for any young lady.’
For a moment, she thought he was sporting with her, but a quick look at his countenance told her that he spoke quite seriously. ‘If my aunt wishes us to attend her, we go anywhere she goes, Sir, for she is most generous to my mother and we are indebted to her generosity and kindness.’ She paused. ‘If it were just for myself, I prefer the theatre, musical performances, and private balls.’
‘You do not attend public balls then? Perhaps you do not like a crush as much as other young ladies seem to?’
Knowing he could not comprehend of her indisposition, and the difficulties of getting through a crowd, she said easily, ‘Mama prefers smaller, intimate house parties, given by great ladies like Lady Young. My sister, Elizabeth, is the same, so we do not go to many public balls. It is true I prefer smaller gatherings.’ She quickly searched her mind for subjects on which to engage her companion. ‘But do you like the theatre, Captain? Have you seen Mrs Siddons yet? We went last week; she was most impressive!’
He smiled and his face tilted once again. ‘I’m afraid I have not had the pleasure. And are you to remain here until the end of the month? London is so hot in summer; perhaps it is fortunate that the season is shortly to finish. You will leave then? Go home?’
‘Yes, we will return home to Derbyshire in three weeks, Sir. And you? How long do you stay in town?’
‘I hardly know.’ He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. ‘I have some business here— everything depends on that, I believe. But who is the young lady at the pianoforte? She plays and sings very well, does she not?’
Georgiana craned her neck to see the lady who had now gone to the pianoforte and was singing a lovely Italian song. ‘Oh, but that is Miss Anne Young, Lady Young’s daughter. I believe you were introduced to her earlier.’
‘Yes, of course. And the gentleman next to her is her brother, Frederick, I believe.’
‘So, you do remember! And those ladies who sit at cards, just there, are my friends, Miss Osbourne and Miss Esme Osbourne. Their mother is the handsome lady in the green gown, next to them. And that gentleman who just passed us is Mr Tom Laidlaw, who is here with his younger sisters; you see them sitting there, at that far table. And that lady there is Mrs Selby, who sits with a Mr Lovett, who is friend of her husband’s. Mr Selby never attends assemblies and house parties for he has the gout, I am afraid.’
‘Your protestations that you cannot assist me with names, I cannot now believe, Miss Hall. I perceive you are teasing me, and know everyone here!’ he accused gravely.
Georgiana smiled. ‘A mere handful of names cannot possibly constitute “knowing everyone”, Captain! I truly have exhausted my limited breadth of knowledge of tonight’s attendees.’
He turned the unscarred side of his face away from her momentarily, in order to observe the room, and she was able to discreetly observe his profile. How strange, she reflected, that in profile, he looked as he must have once looked, handsome and not alarming at all, but when he turned back, it was like a different person staring at her. His mien was serious, almost resentful. His one good eye was very dark, and she tried not to look at his other, for fear he would think her impertinent.
‘Lady Young informed me that there is to be dancing shortly. Look, they are clearing back some chairs now. I hope— that is, may I have the pleasure of a dance, Miss Hall?’
Georgiana’s face clouded, and he immediately became wooden, all the tension back in his shoulders and face. ‘I see. Forgive me. You and your young friend there, Miss Osbourne, share the same disinclination for my company. But you have, at least, been the more forbearing. Forgive me,’ he repeated awkwardly, and half rose from the chair.
Before she understood herself, she had lifted her hand in a small gesture. ‘You misunderstand me, I collect, Sir,’ she said quietly, so her mama should not overhear. ‘I did not mean— you see, I am not inclined to dance, or that is, I do not have Mama’s permission to dance tonight,’ she finished unhappily, ashamed to give offence, and afraid he would think it due to his face, rather than her circumstances.
‘What young lady must ask permission to dance? I am afraid I do not understand, but if it so, then apply to your mama; however, if you truly do not wish to dance, I shall press you no further.’
She lowered her eyes in distress, and spoke in a low voice. ‘I am not an ideal partner, Captain. I take much pleasure in dancing, but I have a limp, which makes dancing more difficult, and even with a willing partner, I am slow and my gait a little uneven. I would not wish to suspend your pleasure in dancing, by allowing you to take such an unfit partner as myself, without giving you warning. Besides that, Mama has expressly wished me not to dance tonight.’
He sent her a look which was compassion mingled with anger. ‘And why, if your partner is willing, does your mother deny you the pleasure of dancing? Ah, but I think I can answer for it that she will not mind you dancing tonight, after all. One moment, Miss Hall.’
He stood, and stepped around an astonished Georgiana’s feet, and approached Aunt Fanny and Mrs Hall, who had both been straining unashamedly to hear the low conversation next to them.
Mrs Hall became suddenly upright in her seat and welcomed her assailant in a loud cheerful tone. ‘Why, Captain Brandt, I do hope my daughter is entertaining you with her sweet ways. She is such a quiet girl, you know. So shy! So biddable! So obedient in everything!’
Captain Brandt bowed. ‘I have asked Miss Hall for the pleasure of a dance; as you can see, the music is just now being struck up and the space cleared. But she is too obedient Ma’am, for she says you have forbidden her to dance!’
Mrs Hall blushed furiously and cast a guilty glance at Georgiana. ‘Why, wherever did you get that notion, child? Forbid you? La, where you get these ideas I know not! You know it is your duty to accept an offer to dance, if you are not engaged! But,’ she added sotto voce to Georgiana, and pulling ungently at her arm, ‘does the Captain…have you…?’
Georgiana’s cheeks were pink, but she kept her countenance. She knew full well to what her mother referred. Her dark eyes sparked. ‘Yes, Mama. He has no objection.’
She wondered at her mother’s sudden change of heart, but did not wait to ask. Across from them, Lilly was being led out by Charles Hailsham. Georgiana rose, and Captain Brandt took her hand. Her limp was slight, but leaning upon his arm, it was insignificant. He led her to the floor and they took the bottom couple.
The music jigged sweetly, and she was glad of its being a slower country dance. Her partner supported her when they met in the figures, without seeming to do so, as if he had been used to such a partner before, and she found herself becoming less self-conscious with him as the dance progressed. Her uneven gait seemed not to slow her at all, and she progressed though the sets, happy to be dancing. Her partner was attentive, without making her feel a burden. He was, she decided with surprise, almost as good a partner for her as her Cousin Henry!
The Captain did not venture much conversation during the course of the dance, but she perceived his good eye on her; the other, she dared not notice, for it seemed at once formidable and yet pitiable, and she did not wish to pity him. God only knew he must have had pity enough!
Across the room, she was dimly aware of the eyes of her aunt and mother upon her, and when she glanced at them, once or twice, was taken by an uncomfortable impression of congratulatory glee on the face of her mama, and complacent satisfaction on her aunt’s. She had not sufficient time to consider the cause of such expressions however, before she was swept along on her partner’s arm, and another figure of eight danced. Her white gown swung prettily about her and she began to feel that she did not have a limp at all, but glided along as if on the air beneath her, with his guidance!
At those moments when he was next to her, she felt overpowered by his height, for he stood over six feet, which was excessively tall to her own mere five foot nothing in her little white kid leather shoes. Georgiana had always been short; her mama had lamented her lack of stature many times as if being short was a personal affront which she, Georgiana, had manufactured in order to displease her parent, but Georgiana did not mind being small. Her beloved aunt was of similarly small stature, and had the same dark features as her niece. Georgiana was proud to take after her in both character and looks.
She had particularly inherited her aunt’s dark, animated eyes; they were one of the greatest advantages that nature had bestowed upon a young girl who had been otherwise born to bear the burden of a disordered limb. And yet, by no means was beauty her only endowment, for to beauty had been added a compassionate soul, a natural understanding, and as much of a propensity for kindness and good-natured affection for those around her as had her aunt. Georgiana’s dark eyes, often commented upon by young men and old alike, were her best feature, glistening with sensibility and natural intelligence.
She watched her partner now, from those glistening eyes, but covertly, as he moved smoothly around the figures. As they came together again and she limped slightly into the promenade, she felt his strong grasp beneath her gloved hand and she unthinkingly leant upon his arm a little, as if he were Henry, to relieve the dull pain in her hip. At once he was solicitous for her health. ‘Are you fatigued, Miss Hall? Are you in pain?’ His voice was low with concern.
Embarrassed, and yet deeply gratified, she pulled away from his arm immediately, and made her way to the bottom position once again. ‘Thank you, Captain, but I am not fatigued.’
He inclined to her inferred wish for silence on the point by saying nothing, and did not press her, but after a short time he added, ‘You dance well, Miss Hall. You have a natural feel for music, I think. But there,’ he added moments later, ‘it is over.’ The couples bowed and curtsied and Captain Brandt accompanied her to her seat.
Beauty and the Beast of Thornleigh Page 4