That’s how she saw Vance and Stone—the embodiment of evil. Her mother, though tired and worried, seemed as strong as always. But she had a desperate look that Roxanne did not like. Something was seriously wrong.
Once Roxanne had settled her skirts, Tanner turned to her and took her hand, his calluses brushing her skin. “I said something the other night at the theater that offended you, indeed it made you ill. Was it the remark about gambling?”
“You were talking about risk and how it could be courageous, like you trying some new machine or Captain Harding setting sail in a storm compared to dicing your fortune away.”
“Yes, that is what discomposed you.”
“Your ears must be as innocent of town gossip as Holly’s. My father diced away his ready, or so I have been told by Captain Vance, and then sold out of the funds when the panic struck in ’18. Both those acts seemed wildly out of character for him. Then he shot himself. That was not like him at all, always so resilient and full of life. Sometimes I still can’t believe it.”
“So your brother said, though he omitted any talk of dice.”
“I should say Father enjoyed whist more than dice. That’s how he won the Silverloo, his yacht. We had such good times on her.”
“Are they sure it was not some accident?”
“He was too careful with firearms to have mishandled one even if he had been drinking. I wish I could feel resentment for him but all I feel is grief. I can take being poor because of him but to bear the stigma of blame for his death when it was the last thing I would have thought he would do… He was always so happy. No matter what fortunes befell us, he always said, ‘We’ve got our horses and each other.’ I never asked him for anything. He had no need to kill himself for me or Fredrick either, certainly not for Mother.”
“I’m sure no one thinks any of you are to blame.”
“I blame myself. If I’d known how desperate he was, I would have talked him out of it.”
“I didn’t know all of this before. My ignorance of London gets me in trouble all the time. But it never before led me to hurt someone.”
“It means much to hear you say that. I have been living a nightmare but don’t expect to wake from it. Of course you don’t know all the gossip and I should not have taken offense at your remark. It was a shock because I had been trying to forget. I was so happy that night and you took me by surprise.”
“Please forgive me.”
“Of course. Harding assured me you meant nothing by it.”
“That was good of him.”
“Upon reflection, I realized he was right. You are not the sort of person to hurt someone. You’re more the hero type, leaping to the defense of silly girls.”
“You are not silly. It was very unwise of Vance and your mother to come to your ball.”
“It’s the surest way to drive off suitors who might want to marry me. They’ll consider me as frivolous and ruinous as Mother. Oh dear, I had hoped not to speak ill of her. But there it is. How can Fredrick and I be so average with parents like that?”
“Perhaps they forced you to grow up early in your care of each other.”
“Perhaps. At least Fredrick came, and did you see? He danced with Holly. He seemed a little distracted. I’m sure he is inventing something important in his head this very minute.”
“Yes, I’m sure as well. Still, I’m sorry for what I said.”
“It was the truth.”
“Then I’m sorry it hurt you.”
“It’s like a raw wound. I stop my hearing and pretend all the whispering and giggles don’t hurt but they do. I never realized how much until all that gossip was magnified by those evil tongues.”
“But what do they say?”
“That there may be insanity in the family, with Father a suicide and Fredrick some mad recluse. I am a singularity. I don’t appear to be mad but they watch me for the slightest sign.”
“Ignore them. I want to see your brother’s inventions if he brought his plans. And these chits know nothing. They are jealous of your beauty and self-possession.”
“You are being kind.”
“I am being truthful, but look. Here they come to sup with us. Your brother has asked Holly, and Harding is doing his duty by your aunt. We shall have a merry time.”
Roxanne wished Tanner’s prediction had been true but her aunt, compelled by civility to send Vance an invitation along with her sister-in-law, had also asked them to eat at the head table to squash any notion of a rift between the children and their mother. This made any further conversation stilted.
When her mother got up to leave the table, Roxanne asked, “May I call on you tomorrow, Mother?”
She could not mistake her mother’s hesitation but Vance said, “Of course. Send a note round when you are coming.”
While the ladies went to the retiring room, Tanner turned to Fredrick. “I can’t tell you how helpful your sister has been. I still have businesses to run and cannot shepherd Holly to every event, so it is good that your aunt has chaperoned them both. Still, another pair of eyes.”
“So there is some danger in London?”
“Always. Before the ladies rejoin us, we must speak about what Roxanne thinks we are talking of.”
“What is that?” Fredrick drained his glass.
“Your high-pressure steam engine.”
“Oh, that. I have reached the limit of my resources. I need to make a cast that can only be forged with great heat.”
“So that’s your other reason for coming to London?”
“Beyond supporting Rox—much good it did—and taking care of my affairs. Yes. Do you know of a mill I could hire? I would need at least three workmen as well.”
“My foundry would do, I think.”
“Really. I could rent it and—”
“I was thinking of something more long-term. Come see me tomorrow with your designs.”
“Wonderful,” Fredrick said. “We must discuss this at length.”
“You have your plans?”
“Not on me but upstairs. I sneaked in the back way and changed.”
“Come tomorrow afternoon. I know Sir John and Captain Harding are taking them by carriage to Kensington Gardens.”
“Harding? He’s from Exeter, isn’t he?”
“Yes, Roxanne seems to know him well. Can you vouch for him?”
“Not personally but he is well thought of, at least by all those who don’t engage in smuggling. Rox must have met him on a shopping expedition.”
“He seems a complete gentleman to me, yet not a good candidate for her hand.”
“I’m quite sure Rox will choose her own husband. She may ask my advice but whether she takes it…” Fredrick shrugged his skepticism.
They walked past the door to the card room on their way back to the ballroom and it was plain that the four gentlemen who were standing around drinking had been imbibing their late supper.
The phrase, “No better than she should be”, stopped Tanner in his tracks.
“They could be speaking about anyone.” Fredrick grabbed his sleeve.
“But I hear she has an income, if you can stomach the scandal.”
“Are they talking about Holly?” Tanner asked. “What scandal?”
“She wasn’t even palatable before her mother showed up. Now I’d not have her for all the gold in India.”
“No, they are speaking of Rox. Tanner, no.”
Tanner wrenched his arm out of Fredrick’s grasp and marched into the small salon. The gentleman in question saw him coming but had no idea one of Tanner’s hands about his throat would carry him backward into a pillar with very little aid from his own faltering feet.
“Tanner,” Fredrick pleaded. “You can’t do this here.”
“I know,” Tanner said to the sputtering fool in front of a shocked audience. “I’m told it’s not polite to just smash your face in, so you will meet me for those words at a time and place of your choosing. Name your friends…if you think you have any.�
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“Or apologize, Dalrymple?” Fredrick suggested as he tried to pry Tanner’s fingers from around the man’s throat.”
“He’s not apologizing, Fredrick. Will you act for me? I shall ask Captain Harding as well.”
Fredrick used both hands in his attempt to pry away Tanner’s. “Perhaps he could apologize if he could breathe.”
Tanner loosened his grip and waited, though his large hand was still within strangling distance of the man’s throat.
“Dalrymple, do you apologize for this misunderstanding?” Fredrick demanded
The man coughed and squeaked.
“Just nod,” Fredrick prompted.
The young man nodded and Tanner lowered his arm, sending him out of the room from the sheer force of his glare. The rest of the men present looked nervously at each other, avoiding eye contact with Tanner.
“We are promised for the next set of dances,” Fredrick said lightly. “Let’s go.”
“Must we? I was looking forward to thrashing him, or someone.”
Fredrick nearly dragged him from the room. “Tanner, your wit will be the death of you or someone. You are like a cocked pistol with a hair trigger. One never knows what will set you off.”
“I wasn’t joking. How could you hear such things said in your aunt’s house about your sister and not take exception to them?”
“Although it’s perfectly all right for you to assault people in my aunt’s house, I may not do so. Besides, Dalrymple is all mouth. None of the rest of that set are worthy of Rox and I shall tell her to avoid them.”
“I see. You bide your time and squash their chances if they should ever ask for her hand.”
“I don’t have much power but I know when to use it. You could wield your wealth like a club. I think I admire you more because you don’t.”
“And use my fists instead?”
Fredrick laughed. “There’s a time and place for everything. I take it from that display, you have feelings for Rox.”
“Yes, but I have a way of saying the wrong thing. Am I correct in now thinking my recent violence may have made the gossip worse?”
“It will be interesting to find out once word of your challenge gets about.”
“Perhaps she will think it a great joke.”
“Let’s hope so. I doubt that Aunt Agatha will.”
Chapter Six
Half an hour later, Roxanne was contemplating how perfect Holly and Fredrick looked together when they danced. His black evening clothes contrasted just as vividly against Holly’s blush-pink gown as Harding’s dress uniform. Of course it was a country dance. Neither she nor Holly would ever be approved to waltz. She now wondered if she had done the wrong thing by throwing Captain Harding at Holly.
But Fredrick was only playing at having a good time, doing his brotherly duty for her friend. Unless he was with his plans and parts, he was not happy. What kind of life would that be for Holly? Of course, Harding had a riskier occupation and was frequently gone on missions.
She must stop thinking about this or she would go mad. Holly must make her own decisions and it could not be something forced on her by her brother, or even someone pushed in her direction by Roxanne.
“What is it, Rox?”
She jumped at Tanner’s voice then laughed. “Shall I never live that name down?”
“Dance with me and I will school myself to recall your Christian name.”
“We have already danced twice.”
“Who makes these rules and who keeps score?” he complained then glared at a knot of matrons in the corner of the salon. “Well, there is not a rule against talking to unattached girls when no one else wants to dance with them. Come and sit with me.” He took her arm and led her to an unoccupied sofa.
Roxanne felt sure there was also a rule against them sitting together when not under the gaze of a relative but she let it pass. “So did Fredrick tell you about his steam engine? He uses a small one to work the bellows for his forge.”
“Yes, and that he is trying to cast a heavier pressure vessel and about his applications for compact steam engines. We need to talk at length. I can help him at my foundry.”
“Ah, that is what I wish above all. We drive to Kensington tomorrow. It would be the perfect time for you to meet.”
Tanner smiled down at her. “I wonder why I didn’t think of that.”
“By your look of mock surprise, I see you did think of it and scheduled a meeting already.”
“Am I so readable?”
“Not always. I don’t know you as well as I know Fredrick but generally I can figure out what people are thinking, see the wheels turning in their heads, so to speak.”
“What about Harding?” Tanner bent his gaze on the captain, who was dancing with any female Lady Sherbourne introduced to him.
“Poor fellow. Aunt Agatha is making shameless use of him to entertain those misses, even though the men of the ton shun us. Harding keeps wishing for another war so he can get a better ship, as if hunting down smugglers and pirates is not dangerous enough.”
“So you are sure of your…feelings about him?”
“There is nothing between Harding and me if those are the words you are fumbling for. I know Aunt expects me to find a husband among the ton but frankly I think this has all been a huge mistake. There is no one I can talk to amongst that set.”
“Except me? Or am I just a cit to you?”
She turned toward him and laughed. “You’ll be happy to know I hold you above them in my esteem. You work and have good sense besides being Holly’s brother. Of course you understand me. We are like-minded souls.”
“I’m happy you think that’s the case, for I have something to confess to you.”
“What have you done now?” She was prepared to upbraid him but perceived a glint of humor in his eye.
“Challenged a guest for making disparaging remarks about your income.”
“To a duel? But Tanner, you could be killed.” She grasped his sleeve before she realized what she was doing, then let go of him. “You must cry off from it. Whatever he said about my income was probably true and not worth your life. Promise me you will not go forward with such a challenge.”
He patted her hand in a comforting way. “Your brother persuaded Dalrymple to apologize.”
“That fool? His is one of the few names I remember of the ton because he is such an idiot.” Though she seldom employed her fan, she plied it now since anger overheated her, replacing the chilling fear of Tanner being shot.
“I thought it ill-advised of him to criticize you in your aunt’s house. So you don’t mind that I defended you?”
“Not if you used your fists, but I should think he would run shy of a fight with you. Only if a mouth was a dangerous weapon could he consider himself well-armed.”
Tanner chuckled his agreement. “But that’s the unfortunate point. In this nest of vipers, a mouth is a dangerous weapon. There are likely to be repercussions.”
She found herself unable to repress a giggle. “That does it. Tell me all or I will wrest the truth from Fredrick.”
Tanner complied and reduced her to laughter again.
“So you are not angry with me?”
“What would a ball be without a little excitement? Besides, I don’t plan to find a husband among these fops.”
“What about Sir John? He might draw back.”
“Strangely enough, it almost comes as a relief to know Vance will refuse Sir John if he asks for my hand.”
“I didn’t think you would accept Sir John anyway.”
“I don’t feel anything for him except sympathy. He is past his prime and has foolishly let his son take over his affairs.”
“He’s a knight. Not a grand enough title?”
“Don’t tease me. As if I care. But I would hate to be the one to refuse him. His intentions are kind and he does speak knowledgably on some matters.”
“Horses and hunting.”
“Yes, but there is one area in whic
h he falls short.”
“What is that?”
“He never argues with me, no matter how much I provoke him. And that is a problem.”
Tanner grinned. “How dull. Are you willing to wait for your freedom?”
“In two years, I’ll be twenty-one. What I don’t want is to be a burden to my brother.”
“How could you ever be a burden?”
“It’s worse being in the way. If he marries, his wife will keep house for him.”
“That’s not being in the way.”
“When you are used to running a place, even a small place, you can’t ever hand those reins over. Clearly I must do something with my life. Perhaps I should become a governess.”
Tanner coughed. “Spare me that image.”
“I know a lot. I think I could be a good governess.”
“No mother would hire you. You’re far too pretty.”
“Is that a compliment, and an unsolicited one as well?”
“It was and I meant it. You should have a life, be able to travel or do what you want.”
“There is an obstacle to all those goals—marriage. I begin to hate the idea.”
“So once you get your freedom, you will keep it?”
“I think freedom is an illusion. We spend our whole lives building cages around ourselves with our choices.”
“I never thought of it that way.”
“Your business is part of your cage. But you enjoy work so you do not wish to escape it. Mother, Vance, my aunt and even Fredrick are part of my cage. A husband would be the biggest bar of all.”
She noticed her aunt looking in her direction and wondered if this was a signal that she was supposed to mingle. Then she realized this discussion of marriage and her views were working against her where Tanner was concerned. Why did she always say the wrong thing? Marriage to him could be heaven. But how could she enjoy a lovely future when her mother was stuck with Vance?
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