Thea's Marquis

by Carola Dunn

  "Not spoken with approbation, however!"

  He smiled. “One glass can do no harm. Why do you say you might ruin everything for Meg?"

  "Because I suspect Mr. DeVine has gathered his friends and neighbours with the hope of announcing his betrothal. He has been acting in a positively proprietorial way towards Meg these past few days. Do you not think it possible?"

  "In confidence, more than possible. Will told me he has received permission from your brother to pay his addresses."

  "That is splendid!” Raising the glass in a silent toast, she sipped the champagne. Bubbles tickled her nose as the wine slid down her throat like silk. “So you see, I do not want to spoil the evening for Meg by making a faux pas."

  "My dear girl, why the deuce should you make a faux pas? You have been consorting with the beau monde for weeks now without a slip of the tongue, let alone any unacceptable conduct."

  "But there are so many people here I do not know."

  "None are in the least likely to threaten you with bodily harm, as did Vaughn, and you managed to stand up to him most valiantly."

  The comparison struck her. “And I was net even pot-valiant, since for breakfast I drank nothing stronger than tea."

  "I should hope not!"

  "But I was terrified."

  "Whereas now you are merely bashful.” He gently removed the empty glass from her fingers, stood up, and offered his arm. “May I beg the honour and the pleasure of the first cotillion, ma'am? I have a wish to be seen standing up with the most elegant female in the room."

  She rose and laid her hand on his arm. “Do you like my gown?” she asked shyly.

  "It is superb."

  "Penny chose the colour, and it is so unusual I was not sure...."

  "Lady Kilmore has an unerring eye, but even she could not create such a dazzling effect were beauty not there to be adorned."

  The champagne bubbles sang in Thea's head. “That is the nicest compliment I have ever received,” she said. She was sorely tempted to throw her arms about his neck and cry aloud, "I love you," but that would cause just the sort of scene she dreaded. Already they were surrounded by couples taking their places in the sets for the cotillion.

  The familiar steps of the dance further raised her confidence. Glancing about, she saw Meg and Will in a nearby set, laughing with each other. Meg's eyes sparkled as brightly as the silver stars embroidered on her white net overdress.

  Penny and Jason stood under the archway to the supper-room. Penny's figure was visibly thickening now, but Jason's arm was about what was left of her waist and he had eyes for no one else. As Thea watched, he pointed at a bunch of mistletoe hanging from the arch above them, and when Penny looked up, he kissed her.

  "A pleasing sight,” said Roderick, following Thea's gaze. “I trust they are grateful for your part in their rapprochement."

  "Mine? All I did was explain their misunderstanding to Jason.” She blushed as she recalled ordering her brother to his wife's bed.

  Roderick regarded her quizzically, but to her relief the dance came to an end with a final flourish from flute and fiddle. Instead of asking the cause of her blush, which she knew him to be quite capable of doing, he requested the supper dance.

  Lord Stewart was waiting for her as they strolled to the side of the room. “I had hoped to have the first dance with you, Miss Kilmore,” he said, slightly disgruntled. “I looked for you but could not find you.” He stared suspiciously at the marquis.

  Thea hated to see him in the mopes. Gladly granting his request for the next country dance, she did her best to cheer him up while they waited for it to begin. He soon regained his spirits and partnered her with his usual agreeable manners.

  Will DeVine, her next partner, congratulated her with a grin. “You charmed Stewart out of the sullens very neatly.” Observing her surprise, he hastily retracted his comment. “Dash it, I beg your pardon. That sounds calculating, and I know you and your sister to be the least calculating of females. I've never met a girl as unaffected as Meg ... Miss Megan,” he confided, smiling fondly at his beloved, a few places down the set.

  By the time the supper waltz came round, Thea had stood up with Jason, Mr. Pritchard, two local gentlemen who had begged Will for introductions, and a second time with Lord Stewart. She had not sat out a single dance, and enjoyed even those with the two strangers.

  The only thing to mar her pleasure was that Roderick had also stood up for every set, with the prettiest ladies in the room, it seemed to Thea. Knowing he had been as polite, as amiable, as charming to each as he was to her, she thanked heaven that she had resisted the temptation to reveal her love.

  Banishing her chagrin with an effort, she smiled up at him as he led her onto the floor. He was quite the handsomest man present, and no one else knew that he had only requested a second dance out of kindness.

  They did not talk as they whirled about the room. Light as a bubble, she swayed and swirled to his lead, the floor intangible beneath her satin slippers. Aware only of his blue eyes, the strength of his arm at her waist, she was bewildered when the music stopped.

  "Dizzy?” he asked with the sympathetic amusement that always heartened her. “Come and eat something, and you will soon feel more the thing."

  Together they joined the crowd heading for the supper-room. Still in her bubble, Thea saw Meg and Will ahead of them, surrounded by gentlemen begging to share their table. As the pair reached the archway. Will stopped and tenderly kissed Meg's cheek.

  The young fellows around them applauded. “Mistletoe!” “A kiss!” “Give us a kiss, Miss Megan,” they cried. And Meg, laughing, offered her cheek to one and then another, while Will stood by, his face like a thundercloud.

  * * * *

  "I was only having fun,” Meg wept, still trying the next morning to explain how she had come to deeply offend her suitor. “I did not mean anything by it. I love him! How was I to guess he would be so dreadfully angry?"

  Her mother rocked her. “You hurt him, dearest. Not that he did not have a right to be angry, for your behaviour was shocking."

  "I know. I'm sorry, Mama. What shall I do? I don't want to marry anyone but Will."

  "Don't despair, Meg,” Thea advised. Perched on the end of the bed, she regarded her sister's tear-blotched face with deep sympathy. She perfectly understood how a moment's lack of forethought could lead to disgrace. “Mr. DeVine is—"

  A tap on the door interrupted her. Meg's abigail came in, bearing a tray with a pot of tea and three cups. “There you are, my lady. There's nothing like a cup of tea. Oh, my poor Miss Megan!” She seemed about to burst into tears in turn, but pulled herself together. “Miss Thea, Lord Stewart's asking after you. He's in the library if you can spare him a minute."

  Thea had a sinking feeling she knew what the viscount wanted.

  "Go along, dear,” said her mother. “I daresay Meg will sleep for a while when she has drunk her tea. She had little enough rest last night and she has the journey home to face this afternoon."

  Reluctantly Thea left her sister's chamber and started down the stairs. Before she was halfway down, Will DeVine appeared in the hall below her. He was almost as wan as Meg, but he summoned up a smile that was a shadow of his usual jaunty grin.

  "Miss Kilmore, may I have the pleasure of driving you back to Town this afternoon?"

  Thea hesitated. He was asking her so that Meg could not possibly expect him to take her up in his curricle. On the other hand, he was willing to drive one of her family, which was surely a hopeful sign. He could have offered the place to Jane Lewin, or even his Aunt Anne or Uncle Reggie, if he wished to cut his connection with the Kilmores. Perhaps she might venture to speak on Meg's behalf.

  "Thank you, sir, I shall look forward to it."

  He bowed and moved aside, and she continued on to the library.

  Lord Stewart stood at a window, gazing out at the melting snow in the garden. He jumped visibly when Thea spoke his name.

  "My dear Miss Kilmore.” Tur
ning, he hurried towards her. “How good of you to grant me a few minutes when I know you wish to be soothing your sister's sorrows. I would not have requested a meeting but that I am going home for a few weeks, not back to London. It is my dearest wish that you—and your family, of course—will soon join me there to meet my children."

  "To meet your children?” Thea repeated stupidly.

  "I am saying this very badly. Believe me, it is no easier to propose a second time than it was the first! Miss Kilmore, your gentleness, your modesty, and especially the kind way you look after your young sister's welfare have convinced me that I cannot hope to find a better mother for my poor orphans. Nor am I insensible of your charm and beauty. I most sincerely offer you my hand and my heart."

  Though Thea had been half expecting an offer of marriage, her knees felt weak. She sank onto a chair and endeavoured to collect her thoughts. The viscount was a pleasant, personable man. His devotion to his children—she still was not sure how many he had—bore out her impression of his kindly nature. However, if she wed him, she might well find herself playing second fiddle. Was it worth it, to have a home and family of her own?

  Jason and Penny would welcome her to live with them, and she loved them dearly. Yet she would always be a poor relation, playing second fiddle there, too. A spinster of five and twenty, with a meagre dowry, could not afford to be choosy.

  But she wanted Rod!

  She became aware that Lord Stewart had taken her hand and was patting it anxiously. “Miss Kilmore, dear lady, I fear I have taken you by surprise, shocked you. Shall I ring for a glass of wine, or your vinaigrette?"

  "No, sir, I thank you. I am very well, and most sensible of the honour of your obliging offer.” Raising her eyes to his concerned face, she knew she had to give the Marquis of Hazlewood one more opportunity to abandon his prized bachelorhood. “But I fear I must refuse."

  "My dear, I wish you will take some time to consider. I am aware that it is a great responsibility. If you wish to make the children's acquaintance before you come to a decision, that is quite understandable and can be arranged without committing you to anything."

  "You are very kind, my lord. I do not think I shall change my mind. Pray excuse me. I must speak to my mother."

  "Most natural. Allow me to express once more my fervent desire to make you my wife.” He kissed her hand and opened the library door, accompanying her into the hall. “I believe I shall go for a ride now. Mr. DeVine has generously invited me to stay at Goff's Acre tonight so as to be able to leave for home early on the morrow. However, if you have not enough time to reconsider my offer before your own departure, you can always inform me by letter."

  Under the eyes of the interested footman stationed in the hall, they mounted the stairs together.

  Thea paused outside the door of Meg's chamber until she heard Lord Stewart's chamber door click shut as he went to change into riding dress. Then she sped back down the stairs.

  "Do you know where Lord Hazlewood is?” she asked the footman.

  "His lordship is in Mr. DeVine's study, miss.” His expressionless face conveyed as clearly as words his curiosity about such carryings-on among the gentry. No doubt the servants would dub Thea as wayward as Meg after her sister's misbehaviour last night. “Down the right passage, miss,” he directed her, “and the second door on the right."

  As she hurried down the corridor, she tried to plan exactly what she would say. She would ask for his advice, but what she really wanted was for him to cry, “You can't marry Stewart, because I want to marry you."

  Second door on the right. She knocked.

  "Come in.” It was Will's voice, full of gloom.

  She opened the door. Both Will and Roderick were slouched in their chairs, their feet on the desk. When they saw her they hastily lowered their legs and jumped up.

  "I beg your pardon,” she said, “I do not mean to interrupt. I just wanted a word with Lord Hazlewood, but it can wait."

  "Not at all,” said her host courteously, waving her to his chair. “I was thinking of going for a ride.” He trudged out, even his gait expressive of dejection.

  Too agitated to sit down, Thea passed the chair and stopped before a bookshelf. She found herself facing such titles as A Short Essay on Agricultural Improvements and Observations on the Barrenness of Fruit-Trees. She took down the latter and flipped through it blindly.

  "I'm sure Will would be happy to lend it to you.” Roderick's amused voice came from close behind her.

  With a gasp, she shook her head and pushed the book back between its companions.

  "Are you come to plead Miss Megan's case?” He smiled as she turned to him. “I have already put in a good word, you know. She was simply misled by youthful exuberance."

  "Yes. Thank you. No.” She made a gesture of hopeless confusion.

  He caught her hands in his. “What is it, Thea?"

  "Lord Stewart has asked me to be his wife."

  Dropping her hands, he swung away to lean heavily with both fists on the desk. “My dear Miss Kilmore, I cannot possibly advise you. You must do as you see fit."

  She stared blankly at his back. His anger would be preferable to the coldness in his voice. Shivering, she slipped past him and fled up to her chamber.

  With relief she recalled that he was not to drive her back to Town. She needed time to regain her composure before she would be able to face Rod again.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Unlike Thea's misery, Meg's gloom was of brief duration. By the sixth day of January, her resilient spirits were restored to their usual exuberance.

  "Is it not a splendid notion to perform Twelfth Night on Twelfth Night?” She waltzed around the drawing-room with an imaginary partner, her skirts swirling. Her gown was of palest pink crêpe lisse, with wild roses in a slightly darker pink set on around the hem, some in bud, some open to show a circlet of gold stamens.

  "You are merry as a cricket,” said Penny drily, her knitting needles clicking away.

  "He is willing to forgive me.” She stopped before Thea and sank in a deep curtsy. “Do you not think he is willing to forgive me? Lady Lewin invited us both to the theatre before ... before that night, but he could have found an excuse to cry off. Could he not. Mama?"

  "I daresay,” said the dowager, smiling. “He is a gentleman of considerable address."

  "I shall dazzle him,” said Meg, twirling again, “and not spare a single glance for any other gentleman.” She paused by the window and peeped out. “Oh, here is the Lewins’ carriage come to fetch me."

  "Come, then, darling.” The dowager folded her embroidery and set it aside. “I shall see you off. I want to be sure your abigail understands that she is to wait for you at the Lewins'."

  They went out.

  "I hope she is right,” said Thea. “How odd it will seem to see my little sister wed."

  "Do you regret having refused Lord Stewart?” Penny asked.

  "No. Especially since we heard that he is already betrothed to an impoverished widow with two daughters! I might have regretted it, simply for the sake of his children, if he had offered for Mrs. Wilmington, but this Mrs. Philpots sounds ideal for him."

  "True, but seriously, do you not wish to be married?"

  Thea sighed. “Before you came to Newkirk, I held the lowest opinion of marriage. My parents did not precisely provide an example of domestic felicity! Seeing you and Jason so happy has changed my view. I should like to be wed, but not to a man I do not love and who does not love me."

  "Forgive me, Thea dear, if I am wrong, but I believe you have already given your heart—to Lord Hazlewood. Will you not tell me what is wrong? You restored harmony between Jason and me, and I cannot remain aloof when you are unhappy."

  "He has only called once since we came home, and that such a short, formal visit!” Her voice wavered. “Oh, Penny, I told him Lord Stewart asked for my hand, thinking that if he loved me he would advise me to refuse, even insist that I refuse. But he just told me coldly to make up m
y own mind. He doesn't love me. He only befriended me because he is a gallant gentleman and I needed his aid."

  "My dear, I cannot answer for his feelings, but how could he possibly guess that you care for him when you led him to believe you were considering an offer from another man?"

  Thea winced. “I have been as caper-witted as Meg, have I not? I did see a parallel with her behaviour, before I went to him, but I rushed on without reflection. What shall I do?"

  "For a start, make sure he is aware that you rejected Lord Stewart."

  "Yes, of course. But I cannot be so forward as to tell him that I love him unless he gives some sign of reciprocating my feelings."

  "No, it would be shockingly vulgar to set your cap at him,” Penny agreed, “and quite dreadful if he gave you a set-down. Let me think. Suppose you were to—"

  "Oh, hush, Mama is coming back."

  Jason came in with his mother. “I'm away,” he said, bending over the back of Penny's chair and putting his arms around her, “if you are sure you don't mind, love?"

  "A fine thing it would be if I were to stop you going to meet Lord Hazlewood, when he has so kindly agreed to advise you on finding a good bailiff!"

  "I only wish he had accepted my invitation to dine here, but he was already engaged for dinner. He chose Brooks's because he is to meet someone else there later, I collect. He is a busy man and I must find a factor soon. I shall not be long gone, not more than a couple of hours.” He leaned down to kiss Penny's cheek, waved a farewell to his mother and sister, and departed.

  "Drat,” said Penny, “I've dropped three stitches."

  * * * *

  Rod was agreeably impressed by Jason Kilmore's serious intention of improving his estate. He had always considered the baron a fribble, his determination to buy back the farms his father had sold nothing more than a matter of pride. Though they had spent ten days in the same house, he had had little to do with the fellow, being occupied in courting Thea.

  Like his own, Will's courtship had ended in disaster, but before that, apparently, he had shown Kilmore around the Goff's Acre farms. Kilmore had been impressed enough to ask advice about hiring a bailiff, and Will—damn his eyes!—had referred him to his cousin. Hence this reluctant meeting in the reading-room at his club.