The Passionate Friends

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The Passionate Friends Page 6

by Meg Alexander


  When the Reverend Truscott was announced, Judith was not informed immediately. Mrs Aveton received him in her salon.

  As always, he was quick to sense trouble.

  “What is it, ma’am?” he murmured.

  “You may well ask, sir. Your bride-to-be is behaving ill, I fear.”

  “How so, dear lady?”

  She was quick to put him in possession of the facts.

  “Judith was besotted with the creature, and he with her. Now he is returned, and I fear that she may change her mind.”

  It was only with the greatest difficulty that he forced a smile. He had drunk deep the night before at the house in Seven Dials, and his head was pounding. A day of debauchery had done nothing for his temper, but a man had to have some relief. The strain of leading an apparently blameless life could be borne for just so long, and the intervals between his visits to his trollop were growing shorter.

  It was unfortunate that he’d had to go away, but on this occasion he’d had a purpose other than bedding the wench. His mission had been successful, though her brothers were not, at first, as easily persuaded as he’d hoped.

  “Not murder?” the younger one had pleaded. “Won’t a beating serve?”

  “No! That won’t make an end of it!” He’d indicated the pile of gold upon the table.

  “It might make an end of us. I’ve no wish to dance on air at Newgate…” The elder of the two had shaken his head.

  “You aren’t thinking straight,” the preacher snarled. “I’m speaking of an accident.”

  “To three people?”

  “Three drunken sots. They might be run down by a cart or, better still, fall into the river.”

  “What do they want you for, Josh?”

  “Mr Ferris to you, my lad. And my quarrel with them is none of your concern. Haven’t I always paid you well?”

  “Aye, Mr Ferris, if that’s your name, which I take leave to doubt. But it were for smaller jobs. This gelt ain’t enough for what you’re asking us to do.”

  “Of course not! There will be more.”

  “How much more?”

  The preacher named a figure which brought an avaricious sparkle to both pairs of eyes. Then he leaned back, smiling easily, prepared to discuss the details of his plan. He was safe enough. He was known to them only under an assumed name, and they could not trace him.

  Now his look was bland as he confronted Mrs Aveton. They’d understood each other from the first, but even she had no idea of the lengths to which he was prepared to go to gain his objective. Inwardly, he was cursing his own ill luck. The fates themselves seemed determined to thwart him, but Judith should not escape. He’d have her and her fortune one way or another.

  “I must hope that you haven’t distressed our little Judith, ma’am,” he said mildly. “Nothing could be more fatal to our plans than to set up opposition.”

  “She’ll do as she is bidden,” came the sharp reply. “Now, as you may guess, she is sulking in her room. I have forbidden her to go out.”

  “Utter folly!” His voice was harsher than he had intended. “You have no notion of how to handle her.”

  “You think you will do better?” A snort of disbelief accompanied Mrs Aveton’s words.

  “Pray allow me to try. Won’t you send for her?”

  His glance followed his companion as she rose to ring the bell. He detested her. Aside from anything else, the woman was a fool. His lips twisted in amusement. Did she really believe that she would get her share of Judith’s fortune?

  An unpleasant surprise awaited her. She might storm and rage to her heart’s content, but she would have no redress. She could not force him to pay. Would she sue him in the courts? He thought not.

  He turned as Judith came to join them; walking across the room, he took her hand.

  “I hope I find you well, my love?” he murmured. “Are you, perhaps, a little low in spirits? You seem to have no smile for me…”

  She looked at him uncertainly.

  “Now let us sit down together,” he suggested. “Your mama has been telling me of her worries about your peace of mind. I have assured her that she is mistaken.”

  “Thank you!” she said briefly.

  “Come, you shall not be so stiff and formal. Mrs Aveton thinks only of your happiness and my own, my dear. I hope I have convinced her that nothing in your conduct could ever fail to please me.”

  Judith gave him a grateful look. “Then I may visit my friends?”

  “Of course! I would not have you consider me an ogre. Why should I object when these visits give you so much pleasure? There can be no possible harm in your going about just as you would wish.”

  Judith smiled at him then, feeling that she had never liked him quite so much before.

  “You are very good,” she whispered.

  “Nonsense! A woman of honour must be the best judge of her own actions. Now, dearest, I have some boring details to discuss with your mama. Will you excuse us? I am somewhat pressed for time today, but I’ll call on you tomorrow.”

  “I shall look forward to your visit.” With another charming smile Judith left them. Once again he had smoothed over an ugly quarrel. She sighed, wondering why she found so little pleasure in his company. It must be a fault of her own character.

  “Well, ma’am?” The Reverend Truscott glanced at his companion. “Was I right?”

  “I suppose so.” The admission was made with some reluctance. “You are mighty clever, sir, but the girl puts me out of all patience. She will bear watching. I wonder that you allow her so much freedom. Pray heaven that you won’t regret it.”

  “It won’t be for long,” he promised. “Meantime, Mrs Aveton, you will oblige me by avoiding these unpleasant confrontations. Where shall we be if Judith takes against me? Very much out of pocket, I believe.”

  “She needs ruling with an iron hand.”

  “Agreed! But not just yet. This is the time to walk more softly. I know these stubborn natures…fight them and you won’t succeed. Now, a gentle appeal to honour and a sense of duty, and the game is yours.”

  Mrs Aveton felt a first twinge of misgiving. This man was too clever by half. She must keep on the right side of him if she hoped to keep him to their agreement.

  She nodded. “You may be right. I hope so.”

  “I am sure of it.” With an ironic bow he took his leave of her.

  As promised, Mrs Aveton followed his instructions, and when Judith announced her intention to go out that afternoon she made no objection, though she eyed her stepdaughter with some misgiving.

  Judith, who normally took so little interest in her own appearance, had chosen on this occasion to wear a new toilette, chosen as part of her trousseau. The soft blue of her woollen redingote became her well, as did her matching bonnet with its pleated ribbon trim.

  The sparkle in her huge grey eyes filled Mrs Aveton with foreboding. She had never before seen the girl so animated. With a faint flush of colour in her cheeks she looked almost pretty.

  She herself was in no doubt of the reason for this sudden change in Judith, and all her fears returned. Truscott might believe that his bride-to-be was tied handfast to him, but he was an arrogant creature, too sure of himself to think that he might fail in his objective. She lost no time in sending him a note.

  Judith alone rejoiced in her good fortune. Free for once to come and go as she wished, she’d crammed the pages of her manuscript into her largest reticule. Dan would give his honest opinion of her work, giving praise where it was due, but quick to detect any weakness in her story.

  Mrs Aveton’s surprising change of heart had not extended to the offer of the carriage, but Judith didn’t care. The day was fine, with a slight breeze blowing, but she wouldn’t have cared if the rain had pelted down. She hurried along, oblivious of the other pedestrians, and deaf to Bessie’s chatter.

  “Why, miss, I don’t believe you’ve heard a word I said! You’ll have me out of breath if you go at this pace!”

&n
bsp; Judith slowed, but clearly she was impatient to reach her destination, and Bessie said no more. Her young mistress was in the best of spirits, and it was a pleasure to see her looking so happy.

  That Mr Dan should never have gone away. If only he’d returned a year ago the young couple might have made a match of it. She chuckled to herself. They might still do so. With a fine disregard for the conventions she dismissed the Reverend Truscott’s offer out of hand. She’d always distrusted him, for all his smarmy ways. If she had the chance she’d see him off, and good riddance.

  Judith heard the chuckle. “What is it, Bess?”

  “Nothing, miss.” The girl was too wise to voice her thoughts. “It’s my belief I’m getting fat. I’m out of puff already.”

  “We’re almost there.” Judith turned the corner of Mount Street and ran up the steps of the Wentworth mansion. Then, as she lifted the knocker, doubts assailed her.

  Dan might be out. She hadn’t promised to come today; in fact, she hadn’t given him any idea of when she might return. She’d scarcely hoped that it would be so soon. Then the door opened and Dan came hurrying towards her, both hands outstretched in welcome. She placed her own in his and he grasped them warmly.

  “What luck!” he told her. “I’ve been waiting for you since this morning. Truscott is still away?”

  “No, he is returned, but he has given permission for me to call upon my friends.”

  “Good of him!” Dan’s tone was sardonic.

  “Indeed it was! Without his intervention I should not have been allowed to leave the house. Mrs Aveton has learned of your return.”

  “Then should you be here?” he asked stiffly. “You won’t tell me that my old enemy has lost any of her loathing for me?”

  “Oh, Dan, may we not forget about her just for once?” Judith pleaded. “I’ve brought my manuscript. I hoped that you would read it…”

  “Forgive me!” he said quickly. “I should know better than to remind you of that harridan. Come into the library. Then we may be comfortable.”

  He settled her into a chair, handing her the book he’d been reading. “Tell me what you think of this. Scott is all the rage, I hear. Have you read his poems?”

  She shook her head. Then she opened her reticule and handed him a sheaf of closely written pages.

  Dan took the opposite chair, and began to read with total concentration. He was soon absorbed in the book, and as she looked at the red-gold head, bent over work which was hers alone, a surge of affection filled her heart. She longed to throw her arms about him, and to hear again those words of love which had meant so much to her all those years ago.

  Now her own decision to send him away filled her with bitter regret. She and Dan should have faced the storm which broke about their heads. He would have done so, and gladly. She had been the weaker partner. She hadn’t thought so at the time, believing that she must protect him from Mrs Aveton’s insinuations. She’d been a fool, but she and Dan had been so young. Even so, she should have listened to his pleadings.

  Better by far to have faced the world beside him than to find herself in her present situation, loving Dan as she did, and promised in marriage to another. She could cry off, even at this late stage, but it would avail her nothing.

  Dan had changed. She’d tried to deny it both to herself and to him, but it was true. He was no longer the eager lad who’d believed the world well lost for love. It was only to be expected. Their parting had been bitter, and even now she could not bear to think of his reproaches. The look of agony on his face had cut her to the heart, but she had held to her decision, believing it in his best interests.

  Perhaps it was. She glanced at him again. She would have known him anywhere, but there was a certain maturity about his manner which was new to her. Not by a word or a gesture had he indicated that he now thought of her as anyone other than an old friend. Indeed, on occasion his formality had startled her.

  What did she expect? She was promised to another man. If Dan had loved her still, his own sense of honour would have prevented him from telling her so. He didn’t, and for that she must be grateful. He, at least, had found peace of mind in these last few years. She could only wish him happiness. Then she heard a chuckle, and raised an eyebrow in enquiry.

  “Judith, this is very good! I can’t put it down. You haven’t lost your sense of fun, I see. How cleverly you seize upon the foibles of our world.”

  “Perhaps I haven’t been very kind…”

  “At least you have been honest. Your insight frightens me. I shall have to watch my p’s and q’s.”

  Judith laughed. “Not you!” she protested. “I don’t intend to ridicule my friends—”

  “No, no, I didn’t mean that! Your characters are not recognisable, but I’m much amused by your comments on some of our present follies. You are a dangerous woman!” His smile robbed his words of all offence.

  “Then you must keep my secret. No one else has seen the book.”

  “But, Judith, you must publish it! It would be a great success.”

  “No, I can’t do that. Think of the scandal!”

  “What scandal? Other women have been successful authors. It’s more than a hundred years since Mrs Aphra Behn published her plays and novels, and what of Fanny Burney?”

  “Madame d’Arblay? That was different. Her father was an author and he encouraged her. Besides, did she not publish anonymously at first?”

  “You might do the same.”

  Judith shook her head. “Suppose the truth came out? You forget, I think, that I am to marry a parson. It would be considered unsuitable.”

  “I have not forgotten,” he told her savagely. “That is but one more reason why you should not wed him.”

  “Oh, Dan, you promised that we should not speak of it. Give me the manuscript. I wrote it for my own pleasure, but I’m glad you think it entertaining.”

  “It’s more than that, my dear. May I not keep it for a day or two?” Dan was anxious to chase away the frown which had appeared between her brows. “I want to know what happens next.”

  “Very well, but it must be our secret. Now tell me, how does your own work go on?”

  “I keep busy.” He gave her a rueful look. “Sometimes I wonder if my plans will ever get a hearing.”

  “They will,” she comforted him. “You are still determined that you won’t use your connections?”

  “I don’t want charity.”

  “But it wouldn’t be that. If your ideas are sound, and I’m sure they are, they should be put to use. After all, even the most willing of acquaintance would not support a scheme to build an unseaworthy vessel.”

  “Doubtless my Lords of the Admiralty have no plans to build at all. After all, we are at peace…”

  “But not for long, or so you believe. Dan, there must be other men who think as you do. Perry and Sebastian are of the same mind,” Judith paused for a moment. “Shall you think me interfering if I suggest another scheme?”

  “I’ll try anything.”

  “Then why not write direct to Admiral Nelson? Perry met him but the once, yet he is Nelson’s man for life.”

  “Another connection?”

  “Not at all. The Admiral is unlikely to remember a lowly first lieutenant. In any case, you need not mention it. Why not send him your drawings, and leave them to his judgment?”

  The look of affection in Dan’s eyes made her heart turn over.

  “How like you to think of others rather than yourself,” he murmured. “When did you decide on this idea?”

  “It just came into my head,” she told him hurriedly. She could not explain that he had been constantly in her thoughts since the day he had returned.

  Dan rose to his feet and held out his hands to her, drawing her up to face him. His eyes were sparkling.

  “Clever Judith!” he said tenderly. “Why could I not have thought of that myself?”

  “Then you will do it?” Her words were almost inaudible. He was much too close, and she fo
und that she was trembling. How well she remembered the touch of those loving hands, and the way the small pulse beat in his throat. She swayed, and he slipped an arm about her waist.

  “Judith?” Whatever he had been about to say was lost when the door flew open and Elizabeth hurried into the room.

  After a first quick glance she gave no indication of her surprise at finding Judith in Dan’s arms.

  “Why, there you are, my love!” she cried. “This is an unexpected pleasure. We hadn’t hoped that you would be able to escape again so soon.”

  Judith grew scarlet with embarrassment, but Elizabeth was apparently blind to her discomfiture.

  “Won’t you join us in the salon?” she coaxed. “We are but this instant back from driving in the Park. Prudence is not so tired today. She will be glad to see you.”

  In silence Dan and Judith followed her. Whatever lingering confusion remained in Judith’s breast was soon dispelled as she was greeted with delight.

  Prudence, she thought, was looking better, and she said so.

  “I am obeying orders,” came the dry reply. “Between Sebastian and Dr Wilton, I find myself wrapped in swansdown. As for you, my dear, I think you have no need of any doctor. How well that shade of blue becomes you!”

  Judith blushed at the compliment, and her colour deepened when she found Dan’s eyes upon her. He seemed to be in full agreement.

  Elizabeth was quick to break the silence which followed. She tugged sharply at the bell-rope.

  “Judith, you shall not go away without a visit from your godchild. Kate has learned a poem…”

  Perry groaned in mock dismay. “Again? Judith, would you care to hear my version? I can repeat it word for word.”

  “What nonsense!” Elizabeth beamed upon her husband. “Don’t allow Perry to deceive you, my dear. He is so proud of her.”

  “And don’t forget our little Caroline,” Perry teased. “I’m sure her chatter must mean something.”

 

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