‘I hope so, too.’ He sighed. ‘Ah, well. I suppose there would be a deal of opposition to our marrying now. However, in a few months we will both be of age. Who knows but I might persuade you to change your mind by then? And such a show of constancy must weigh with my mother, as well as with the Pridhams. No, you will not make me give up hope just yet.’
‘Very well.’ Natalya knew she was being cowardly in not making her rejection absolute, but Freddie was looking so much more cheerful she could not bear to dash his hopes. Also, she was very sure his infatuation would soon fade. ‘Let us agree to remain friends, then. In truth, I should not like to fall out with you, Freddie, I have so few real friends in Bath and I count you as one of them.’
‘I am honoured you should think so.’
He was still holding her hand, but when he would have lifted it to his lips, she gently pulled away, saying with another smile,
‘We have been sitting together for a full quarter of an hour and I think you should escort me back to Mrs Ancrum, before she grows anxious.’
* * *
Tristan was determined not to stand and watch Freddie and Natalya going down the country dance, but he could not prevent his eyes from straying back to the dance floor. He had just decided to take a look in the card room when a jovial voice at his shoulder made him turn quickly.
‘If it isn’t Tristan Quintrell. Never expected to see you in this place!’
‘James!’ Tristan put out his hand, genuinely delighted to see his old friend. ‘Last time I heard, you were in the Peninsula. You had just made major.’ He looked around. ‘Is your wife with you?’
James Moffatt pulled a face. ‘You don’t think I’d come to a ball of my own volition, do you? Dolly is here somewhere, chattering with her friends.’
Tristan laughed. They had been at school together, but had lost touch in recent years and he was content to spend several minutes catching up on the past.
‘So, you have sold out,’ he said at last. ‘What brings you to Bath?’
‘Old wounds. Took a bullet in the leg, old boy, and one in the chest that just missed the lung. It has left me devilish weak, I can tell you. In fact, this is one of my first outings. Dolly decided retiring to Bath would be just the thing for us, so she packed up everything and moved us here. Had to sell my hunters. I don’t ride much now, y’see.’
He placed one hand on his chest, looking glum.
‘I did not bring any of my riding horses to Bath,’ Tristan replied. ‘I did not think I’d need ’em.’
In truth, he had not expected to be in Bath so long. He had anticipated being here a week or so, to make Miss Fairchild’s acquaintance and pursue his enquiries about her family. The only reason he had taken the house in George Street was in order to bring his mother and Katherine here, should an alliance between Freddie and Natalya prove inevitable.
‘I should like to explore the countryside around Bath,’ said the Major, interrupting his thoughts. ‘but Dolly won’t countenance any exertion until the sawbones says I am well enough and he’s not keen on my doing anything more than taking a gentle airing around the city at present. Dolly won’t even let me drive up to Lansdown, where I believe the view is well worth the effort.’
Tristan decided not to mention his recent ride there, fearing it might upset his friend. Instead he tried to give James’s thoughts a more cheerful turn.
‘That will wait until you are stronger. In the meantime, there are numerous entertainments to be had in Bath itself. The theatre, lectures, even balls such as this!’
The Major grimaced. ‘We have been here a few months now and I’m afraid it’s not the place for me. Too full of gossip and invalids! When the lease runs out at the end of the summer, I think we’ll be off back to Berkshire. Why are you here?’
‘Family matters.’ Tristan did not want to elaborate.
‘Ah, yes. That’s your nephew over there, ain’t it, Tris? Dancing with Miss Fairchild.’
‘Are you acquainted with the lady?’
‘I know of her. Local beauty.’
‘I can see that. Tell me something I do not know.’
‘Not much to tell. The Pridhams keep her closely guarded.’
‘What of her parents?’
‘I know nothing about ’em, old friend. Ah, here is Dolly now. She can tell you more.’
James smiled as his wife came up and took his arm. After pleasantries had been exchanged, he told her of Tristan’s interest in Miss Fairchild.
Mrs Moffatt regarded him with her bird-bright eyes.
‘Why, she is quite a mystery, my lord! No one knows anything about her father, but I heard tell that her mother’s family has quite cast her off. Some say she was born the wrong side of the blanket, but the fact that Mrs Ancrum has taken the chit under her wing suggests otherwise. She is a pretty-behaved gel and whatever the truth may be, the Pridhams look after her pretty well.’ Her gaze flickered over the dance floor. ‘I’m surprised she is standing up with your nephew again. That will give the Bath tabbies something to gossip over in the Pump Room tomorrow!’
Major Moffatt laughed. ‘As if they needed something! But tell me, Tris, do you ever see anything of young Framlington? And what of Naismith…?’
Tristan smiled, but was relieved at the change of subject, and by the time they parted the next country dance was well underway. He turned his attention back to the dance floor, but there was no sign of his nephew, or Miss Fairchild. His eyes raked the benches at the side of the room and he finally spotted them sitting together in one corner of the room. He could only see Freddie’s profile, but Natalya’s lovely face was smiling, and as he watched she put her finger to Freddie’s lips, then reached for his hand.
Tristan swung away. He felt winded, as if he had taken a blow to the gut. Could anything be clearer? For all her protestations to the contrary, Natalya obviously cared a great deal for Freddie. Jaw clenched, he moved blindly towards the door, but his pace slowed before he reached it. He could not leave. Freddie might very well partner Natalya for another two dances before the night was out, if he was not checked. He remembered Dolly Moffatt’s words. People were already watching, speculating about the young couple. For them to stand up together for a third time would send the gossipmongers into a frenzy.
The music had stopped and he turned in time to see Freddie escorting Natalya back to Mrs Ancrum. Tristan made his way through the milling crowd until he was close enough to catch Freddie’s eye. He watched as his nephew excused himself and came across.
‘Well, Tris, did you want me?’ He was grinning, clearly pleased at the way his evening was progressing. ‘I was about to ask Miss Spinhurst to stand up.’
‘Henry Grisham is there before you,’ Tristan replied, glancing across the room. ‘I thought we might play a hand of cards.’
‘At a ball?’ Freddie laughed. ‘Come now, Tris, is there no one you wish to dance with?’
Tristan took his arm. ‘Humour me.’
‘Very well.’
With a shrug, Freddie followed him into the card room. They found an empty table in one corner and commenced a game of piquet.
‘Tell me,’ said Tristan, studying his cards, ‘how many other ladies have you danced with this evening, besides Miss Fairchild?’
‘Why, none, as yet.’ Freddie quickly selected a discard and threw it down. ‘You cannot blame me for taking this opportunity to dance with Natalya. When her aunt is present, she is allowed only two dances with any man. Natalya is kept far too confined.’
‘Perhaps with good reason.’
A frown crossed Freddie’s cheerful countenance. ‘Natalya is the woman I intend to marry, Tris. I’ll not hear a word against her.’
‘Neither do you want to incur censure.’
‘There is no one here who would do so. Devil take it, Tris, Mrs Ancrum sees no harm in our dancing together.’
&n
bsp; ‘She may not do so, but you may be sure the Pridhams will, when they hear of it.’
Freddie looked mutinous. ‘Natalya deserves to enjoy herself and, if she wishes to dance with me again this evening, I will not deny her!’
Tristan frowned at him. ‘You young fool, do you not realise that your attentions will reflect badly on the lady?’ He saw the boy’s face darken and said more gently, ‘You would not wish Miss Fairchild to become the object of gossip and speculation, would you?’
He saw that his words had hit home. Freddie’s boyish face grew serious.
‘No, of course not, but…’ He stopped, then said in a furious under-voice, ‘We are merely dancing, Tris. Surely no one can think anything wrong with that!’
‘This is Bath, Freddie. Most of the people here love nothing more than to see the most innocent events in a scandalous light.’
‘You are right, damn you.’ Freddie sighed. ‘Oh, well, when we have finished our game, I will engage both Miss Grisham and Miss Spinhurst to stand up with me this evening. That will throw the tabbies off the scent.’
‘It will help, certainly,’ said Tristan. He put down his cards. ‘My trick, I think.’
* * *
The play continued and after an hour Freddie threw down his cards in disgust.
‘You win again,’ he said, giving Tristan a rueful look. ‘That’s three games in a row. I beg your pardon, I have not really been attending to the cards.’
‘It does not matter. At least you are not making a cake of yourself in the ballroom.’
‘True.’ Freddie cocked his head, listening to the music. ‘If I am going to solicit Miss Grisham’s hand, I should go and do so for the next country dance.’
‘Very well. But you will oblige me by not standing up with Miss Fairchild again.’
‘But she has already promised to dance The Maid of Seville with me.’
Tristan shrugged. ‘Then another beau will have an opportunity to stand up with her.’
‘You do not understand.’ Freddie leaned across the table, saying earnestly, ‘Have you not noticed? The gentlemen do not dance with her, some discouraged by the Pridhams, others because they are afraid of associating with a lady whose birth is shrouded in mystery.’ He added bitterly, ‘If I do not stand up with her again, she will be obliged to sit out, or to suffer dancing with the likes of Lord Fossbridge!’
‘Very well, I will take your place.’
‘You!’
‘Yes. I was not going to dance tonight, but if it is the only way to salve your conscience, then I will do so.’
For a moment he thought Freddie would object, but then the boy grinned.
‘I have to say I’d as soon you danced with Lya than anyone else, Tris. And it will give you a chance to get to know her better.’
* * *
As they strolled back to the ballroom, Tristan had to admit the idea of standing up with Natalya appealed to him. Freddie went off to find himself a partner and Tristan moved to the side to watch the set that was currently forming. He saw Colonel Yatton leading Natalya out on to the dance floor. The boy was right, Tristan admitted to himself. Most of Natalya’s partners were elderly friends of the Pridhams or Mrs Ancrum.
Freddie had secured Jane Grisham’s hand and as they joined the set, Tristan saw the smile that Natalya gave them. He forced himself not to scowl. She looked serene, not at all jealous to see her beau standing up with another lady. He turned away and went to sit beside James Moffatt on the benches at the side of the room. By heaven, she must be confident of her power over Freddie!
* * *
It was time. Tristan crossed the room towards Mrs Ancrum. Natalya was one of the little group surrounding the old lady, but she had her back to the room and did not see his approach. Mrs Ancrum beamed at him.
‘Ah, here is your next partner, my dear, come to carry you off!’
Natalya turned, the laughter dying from her face.
‘Oh. I thought Freddie…’
He bowed. ‘Plans have changed. I hope you will do me the honour, Miss Fairchild?’
He offered his arm to Natalya and as they walked away, he heard Mrs Ancrum chuckle. ‘Lord, how I enjoy watching the young people enjoying themselves!’
Neither of them spoke as they took their place in the set that was forming. Tristan noted the becoming flush to Natalya’s cheeks. Brought on, he thought bitterly, by flirting with Freddie, even while he was dancing with another lady! He recalled the way she and Freddie had sat out earlier, deep in discussion. How she had taken his hand. The memory sliced into him like a knife.
Natalya cast a doubtful glance up at him. ‘Have I done something to offend you, my lord?’
‘Apart from making up to my nephew?’
She flushed, but her chin lifted a fraction. ‘Freddie and I are friends.’
‘That is very plain to see!’
If he had thought the music would drown out his words, he was mistaken. She glared at him.
‘What do you mean by that, what are you implying?’
‘That your sitting with your heads together for half an hour will set tongues wagging.’
The movement of the dance prevented them saying more and Tristan was thankful. A ballroom was no place for an argument. When they came back together, he forced himself to apologise.
‘I beg your pardon, Miss Fairchild. It is not my place to reprimand you.’
The smile on her lips did not match the wrathful sparkle in her eyes.
‘You are quite correct, my lord, it is not your place.’ That determined little chin lifted even higher and she said icily, ‘Not that I admit to any action that warrants a reprimand! Talking to your nephew, in full view of everyone, cannot be considered fast.’
She danced away from him, her black curls bouncing. She was right about that. Talking with Freddie was in no way improper, but that intimate gesture, when she had reached out and touched Freddie’s mouth… The thought of it sent a bolt of pain crashing through him and he almost missed his step. Confound it, he was jealous of his own nephew!
He thrust the thought aside, horrified, and tried to concentrate on the complicated movement of the dance. By the time he and Natalya were together again he had regained his composure. She responded to his attempts at conversation warily, but when he led her back to Mrs Ancrum they were able to part with perfect civility, if not in any friendly fashion. Her response to his nod was a frosty curtsy before she turned away to smile at Colonel Yatton, who had come up to claim her hand for the next dance. Jaw clenched, Tristan strode off to the card room with never a backward glance.
* * *
Tristan glanced at his watch. It was so late he might as well remain until the end of the ball. He waited while Freddie escorted Natalya and Mrs Ancrum to their carriage, then they walked back to George Street together. Freddie, naturally enough, was ecstatic.
‘What an evening! To dance the first dances with Natalya, then to be allowed to stand up with her again! I was sorry not to stand up a further time, but I see now that your dancing with her has answered very well.’
‘Oh?’ Tristan glanced at him warily. ‘What did Miss Fairchild tell you of our dance together?’
‘Why, nothing, only that you understand one another better now.’
What the devil did that mean? Tristan wondered why she had not told Freddie of his disapproval. The boy was sufficiently infatuated to take her side in any argument. But she would know that Freddie did not like to be at odds with anyone. Perhaps she was so sure of him she could afford to keep silent.
‘But you were not dancing the whole time you were with Miss Fairchild,’ remarked Tristan, trying to sound casual. ‘What did you discuss, when you were sitting out together?’
Freddie waved a hand. ‘Oh, this and that. There is so little chance to talk, you see, when she is chaperoned by Mrs Pridham.’ He ga
ve an ecstatic sigh. ‘Is she not an angel, Tris?’
‘I do not feel qualified to judge.’
‘No? But you have danced with her. She has grace, beauty and intelligence. She is more accomplished than any other woman of my acquaintance!’
‘A veritable paragon, then.’
Freddie stopped. ‘Yes. She is, Tris!’
Tristan took his arm and gently moved him on. ‘And has she agreed to marry you?’
‘Oh, well, you know, not yet, but she will. I am confident she will. Only she thought it best to wait a few weeks. Until she is of age, you know.’
‘The devil she did!’ Tristan bit back any further comment. He did not know what to think. Was she a cunning little vixen, who had Freddie wrapped around her finger and meant to wed him, or was she waiting to see how much she was worth and if she could aim higher? If she discovered she was a considerable heiress, would she drop him flat?
There was also the possibility that she was the love-child of some unknown gentleman. It had crossed his mind more than once that the Pridhams might be playing some deep game, intent on catching a rich husband for their niece.
‘Perhaps you should invite Mama to come to Bath,’ Freddie mused. ‘I am sure she will love Natalya, do you not think so?’
Tristan thought Katherine would be horrified at the thought of her only son marrying a girl whose respectable birth was not assured.
‘I think we should wait a little for that,’ he replied cautiously. ‘The house in George Street is hired for the season, so there is no rush.’ He knew his nephew was going to argue and said quickly, ‘I will sound out the Pridhams. If you are serious about offering for Miss Fairchild.’
‘More serious than I have ever been about anything in my life before. Dash it, Tris, have you not been listening to me?’
‘I beg your pardon, Freddie, but it is very sudden. You have known the lady for such a short time.’
‘I have known her since January, and it is now May!’
‘Yes, yes, but you were only in Bath for a small part of the year.’
‘What has that to say to anything? I fell in love at first sight!’
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