by Anne Ashley
Julian, too, appeared quite content to have another female residing under his roof. That easy charm of manner which he had displayed towards their guest on that very first evening continued, and had Jennifer not considered her friend a very level-headed young woman she might have feared that Serena was in grave danger of falling under the Marquis’s destructive masculine spell.
But no, Jennifer mused, studying her friend’s animated face across the breakfast-table. Serena, like herself, was far too sensible to be fooled by any peerless displays of gallantry, though it had to be said her expression brightened the instant his lordship entered a room, and she always appeared eager to converse with him on any topic he happened to raise; just as she was doing now.
His lordship, of course, was very knowledgeable in the ways of the fair sex, as the string of mistresses he had enjoyed over the years proved very nicely. Although Serena certainly didn’t fall into the category which would normally attract him, her appearance, under Mary’s expert fingers, was most definitely showing such signs of improvement that one might almost say that she looked quite pretty this morning, Jennifer decided.
Mary had encouraged her to wear her hair in a more becoming style, and now that the use of curl-papers had been abandoned, her hair lay quite naturally in soft waves. Her dress, on the other hand, had not improved. In her flight from the family home, poor Serena had been limited in how much she could carry, and Jennifer was heartily sick already of seeing her in the plain grey gown she donned during the day, and the unflattering pink silk she wore to dinner each evening.
‘Something appears to be troubling you this morning, my dear.’ Julian’s softly spoken remark succeeded in putting an end to her musings, and Jennifer turned her attention to him. ‘Do you not agree with what Miss Carstairs and I were saying about the sheer wanton extravagance displayed by our future king?’
‘I’m afraid I wasn’t attending. My mind was elsewhere.’
‘That you find our conversation not sufficiently stimulating to hold your attention is flattering to neither Miss Carstairs nor myself,’ he remarked, with wry amusement, ‘but I suppose we must admire your honesty. May we be permitted to know where your thoughts were precisely?’
She experienced not the least qualms over enlightening him. ‘I was thinking that it is high time Serena had some new dresses. I’m heartily sick of seeing her in the same clothes each day, are you not?’
There was just the faintest twitch at the corner of the thin-lipped mouth. ‘May I apologise on my wife’s behalf, Miss Carstairs. Her innate honesty can be quite ruthless on occasions.’
‘Truth to tell, sir, I’m heartily tired of wearing the same dresses myself,’ Serena responded, casting a pained glance down at the skirt of her grey gown. ‘I could, I suppose, add a postscript to that letter I’ve written to my parents, asking them to send a trunk of my clothes on to me here.’
‘No, don’t do that,’ Jennifer hurriedly countered, visions of insipid, fussily adorned gowns floating before her mind’s eye. ‘You are in need of a new wardrobe to complement that very becoming way you now wear your hair. Nothing cheers a lady up more than a new dress or two, and there are several particularly fine shops in the local town, where I’m certain we’ll find materials enough to cater for your needs.’
Julian hurriedly rose to his feet, as Serena looked about to protest. ‘As I know little of frills and furbelows, I’ll leave you ladies in peace. I promised to accompany Charles out riding, before his new tutor arrives.’
He paused for a moment by Serena’s chair. ‘You could do no better than to listen to my wife’s advice, Miss Carstairs. Perhaps I’m a little prejudiced, but I find her taste in dress impeccable,’ and with that he departed, leaving Jennifer staring suspiciously after him as the door closed.
‘What, I wonder, have I done to warrant that unexpected praise?’
‘He admires you, Jenny, obviously. And with good reason, I might add! You know precisely what suits you. You always look so charming and as neat as wax, whereas I—’
‘Have been induced, by your dear mama, I do not doubt, to dress in colours more suited to a schoolroom miss. Well, we can soon remedy that.’ Finishing the last dregs in her cup, Jennifer rose to her feet. ‘And there’s no time like the present.’
After ordering her carriage brought round from the stables, Jennifer wasted no time in ushering her friend upstairs to don outdoor clothes and, deaf to all protestations, then led the way outside to discover what promised to be yet another lovely early summer’s day.
Mary, who had been invited to join the shopping spree, smiled knowingly as she took her seat in the carriage. ‘I’d save your breath to cool your broth, Miss Serena,’ she advised, ‘because it’s certain sure wasted on Miss Jenny. I’ve known her a good deal longer than you have, and can tell you that once she’s taken a notion into her head, there’s no moving her. You can support her…you can ignore her…but don’t ever try to stand in her way.’
This piece of sound advice earned her a seraphic smile. ‘How well you know me, dear Mary! And how sensible you are too! Little wonder I’ve tolerated that sharp tongue of yours all these years. Now, kindly bend that discerning mind of yours on what colours to choose for the new dresses.’
Thus petitioned, Mary gave the matter due consideration, putting forward such interesting suggestions on precisely what colours and styles would best flatter a Junoesque figure that by the time they had entered a certain shop in the small market town, Serena’s resolve was swiftly crumbling.
‘Very well, Jenny,’ she agreed, the last of her objections crushed by the very obliging Mrs Goodbody who was only too willing to display her finest wares for such a distinguished customer as the Marchioness of Wroxam. ‘Perhaps sufficient for two dresses, on condition that the money you are forced to dispense on my behalf is a loan only.’
‘Of course,’ Jennifer obligingly agreed, before her attention was drawn to a length of lovely amber-coloured silk. ‘Which you will pay back as soon as you have managed to acquire a position as a governess.’
Serena was not deaf to the wry amusement in her friend’s voice, but before she could extract the solemn vow she required to salve her conscience, Mary drew her attention to some lengths of fine velvet, ideal for making up into spencers.
For several moments Serena began to dwell on the delightful prospect of donning gowns which, although could never miraculously turn her into a ravishing beauty, would undoubtedly flatter a tall, full-figured lady who was not precisely straight out of the schoolroom, before the tinkling of the shop’s bell drew her attention.
Ordinarily she would have bestowed no more than a cursory glance on the slender, handsome woman who stepped inside the shop, had she not turned in time to catch a certain flicker in striking dark eyes as the stranger’s gaze fell upon the Marchioness, standing by the counter.
Half hidden by a mannequin, draped in the shopkeeper’s finest wares, Serena was able to watch the new customer without being observed in return, and saw her step lightly down the two steps to the shop floor. The hard, venomous gleam in her eyes vanished, and was replaced by a seemingly effortless smile, as she announced with every evidence of delight, ‘Why, Lady Wroxam! What an unexpected pleasure!’
It might have been Serena’s imagination, but she thought she could detect a slight stiffening in her friend’s slender frame before Jennifer turned to face the newcomer. ‘Unexpected, indeed, Melissa. Yet your arrival is most opportune. You may help me decide between the turquoise and kingfisher-blue silk for my friend here.’
Once again Serena detected the hard flicker in dark eyes, and thought perhaps her presence was resented, until she realised the unfriendly glance was directed over her shoulder at Mary.
‘Serena,’ Jennifer beckoned, ‘may I make you known to our nearest neighbour, Mrs Royston. Melissa, this is my very good friend, Miss Carstairs, who is staying with us at Wroxam Park at the present time.’
Serena, touching the tips of the fingers extended t
owards her, realised suddenly that this woman was none other than the sister of the man who had brought such trouble into her friend’s life.
‘You may not be aware of it, Miss Carstairs, but you have been singularly honoured,’ Melissa informed her, with a return of that seemingly effortless smile. ‘It isn’t often that his lordship has guests to stay at his country estate. I have been trying to persuade him for years to entertain more when residing at the Park, but his lordship is a gentleman of strict habit, and rarely changes his decisions about anything, unless it is to his own advantage to do so. I suppose also he attains all the companionship he requires from his near-neighbours… Which reminds me,’ she added, turning once again to Jennifer who was faintly smiling too, as though at some private thought. ‘I have decided to hold a small dinner-party early next month, and should very much like you and his lordship to be amongst the guests…and Miss Carstairs too, if she should still be with you.’
‘In view of what you have just told us, Melissa, I’m certain that his lordship will be only too delighted to accept,’ she responded, turning to Mrs Goodbody who reappeared from the back room, with a package in her arms. ‘I shall also require a length of this kingfisher-blue, Mrs Goodbody, and also some lengths of the velvet.’
‘My, my! Are you planning on having a whole new wardrobe, your ladyship?’
‘No, Melissa. These purchases are for Miss Carstairs. Unfortunately one of her trunks was mistakenly left behind in Hampshire,’ Jennifer responded, lying quite convincingly, Serena thought.
‘Woe betide my servants if they forget mine when I set forth on Friday!’
Jennifer raised her brows in exaggerated surprise. ‘From where do you get your energy, Melissa? Only just recently returned from Italy and now off again on another trip!’
‘Oh, I’m not travelling nearly so far this time. Just into the next county to spend a week or two with my aunt. She has been unwell of late. In fact, that is why I’m here today. I wish Mrs Goodbody to make some slight alterations to my new carriage dress before I leave.’
‘In that case I shan’t take up any more of the good lady’s time.’
Turning to the proprietress, Jennifer informed her that she would return the following day for the remainder of the purchases. ‘And do not forward the bill to my husband, Mrs Goodbody. I shall settle the account tomorrow. There are one or two other items I wish to purchase,’ and with that Jennifer exchanged swift farewells with her neighbour before leading the way outside.
For a while no one spoke, then Serena, having studied the package which Mrs Goodbody’s young assistant had carried out to the carriage, and had placed on the seat, cast a suspicious glance across at her friend, who appeared lost in admiration for the passing countryside.
‘This parcel is rather bulky. Did you, perchance, buy some lengths of material for yourself?’
Green eyes glinting with unholy mischief met Serena’s suspicious gaze. ‘No, I did not. The contents of that parcel are yours and yours alone.’
‘Oh, Jenny!’ Serena was genuinely appalled, for she was not so foolish as to suppose there was only sufficient for two dresses hidden beneath the wrapping. ‘What on earth have you purchased?’
Jennifer frowned for a moment in an effort to remember, and then turned to Mary. ‘What did we select in the end, can you recall?’
‘The gold silk and the russet. Also the lavender and the kingfisher-blue… No, the kingfisher-blue is being collected tomorrow, together with the lengths of velvet. I believe there are also several lengths of muslin, and a selection of laces for trimming in the parcel.’
‘What a memory you have, Mary!’ Jennifer was genuinely impressed. ‘You must remind me tomorrow to collect the remainder of our purchases. Such a pity our spending spree was interrupted! I was just beginning to enjoy myself.’
These latter remarks turned Serena’s thoughts from the appalling problem besetting her of how precisely, and when, she was going to manage to repay the money for the materials, and she gazed intently at her friend. ‘Am I correct in supposing that you do not care very much for Mrs Royston, Jenny?’
‘I much preferred her brother,’ she admitted, and then smiled as Serena darted a faintly wary glance at the carriage’s third occupant. ‘I have no secrets from Mary,’ she assured her. ‘Like yourself, she is completely trustworthy, and would never disclose to a living soul that it was I who was responsible for the break-up of my marriage.’
Serena experienced a surge of sympathy, just as she had done when Jennifer had taken her into her confidence a few days before. Although her friend had spoken about that time in her life with little emotion, anyone with the least sensibility would have known that she still retained bitter regrets and deep shame for the way she had behaved.
‘Do you suppose Mrs Royston holds you entirely responsible for what happened, Jenny?’ she asked gently, and watched slender shoulders rise in what might have been a shrug of complete indifference.
‘At the time I wouldn’t have said so, no. I believe I mentioned that, although Melissa appeared deeply shocked at finding me and her brother in such a compromising situation, she was immensely kind, and accompanied me part-way back to the Park. But,’ she frowned suddenly, ‘since my return I have sensed a certain resentment in her attitude towards me. She never fails to allude to my adulterous behaviour, as she did today by making the point that his lordship rarely changes his mind about anything, once it is made up. Which, of course, was simply her way of letting me know that Wroxam is never likely to forgive or forget the humiliation I inflicted upon him. I believe she was fond of her half-brother. So perhaps she does blame me for his moving away. I do not know, of course, but I would imagine that Geoffrey found it extremely difficult, after what had occurred between us, to face Wroxam again. No doubt that is why he decided to live abroad permanently.’
‘Yes, you may be right,’ Serena agreed. ‘But his lordship has at least one thing to be thankful for—neither Mrs Royston nor her brother ever breathed a word about the affair. I never heard the least rumour, except about your disappearance, of course.’
‘Wroxam’s continued silence is quite understandable,’ Jennifer responded, after giving the matter a moment’s thought. ‘He’s a very proud man. I know of only one person in whom he ever confided—his good friend Mr Dent.’ Once again she shrugged. ‘And I can only assume that Melissa’s lips have remained sealed out of regard for Julian. After all, they have been friends since childhood. No one seeing them together could fail to see her fondness for him.’
Mary cast a disapproving look across the carriage. ‘To be sure, Miss Jenny, there are times when I think you see what you want to see, and no more. The way that woman behaves when she visits the house, anyone would think she was the Marchioness of Wroxam.’
‘And you, Mary,’ Jennifer countered, ‘can be quite bigoted when you take someone in dislike. You made up your mind not to like Mrs Royston the first time you set eyes on her.’
Mary didn’t attempt to deny it. ‘She’s evil, that one. Her eyes are cold and soulless. And I’ll tell you something else, Miss Jenny, she don’t like you. Her friendliness is as false as her smiles!’
‘I’m inclined to agree with you,’ Serena put in. ‘There is something about her I don’t quite like. And I certainly wouldn’t trust her, Jenny. Perhaps Mary is right, and she is in love with his lordship. Not that I believe for a moment that her feelings are reciprocated,’ she added hurriedly. ‘As they have known each other throughout their lives, his lordship has been granted ample opportunity to cement a closer bond between them than mere friendship, had he ever chosen to do so.’
‘Perhaps,’ Jennifer conceded, sounding a little doubtful, and received a questioning glance from her friend. ‘Melissa married Josiah Royston, a man more than twice her own age, shortly after her father died. I seem to recall Geoffrey telling me that the only reason his sister married Royston was for his money. Seemingly, their father died leaving heavy debts, and it was only by marrying Royston
that Melissa was able to retain the family home. Wroxam, of course, was rich enough to have settled the family’s debts, but as he had only just attained the age of two-and-twenty at the time, perhaps marriage never entered his head.’
‘Has she been a widow for very long?’ Serena asked, after digesting what she had learned.
‘Oh, yes. She had been a widow for well over a year when I first met her. Her sigh contained a deal of sympathy. ‘Whether one likes her or not, one cannot help but feel sorry for her. She lost her mother when she was very young, and didn’t deal very well with her stepmother, I understand. She spent much of her formative years with the aunt she intends to visit at the end of the week. It was only when her stepmother died that she returned to the family home, but even then she continued to spend many weeks each year with her favourite aunt. Since Geoffrey’s departure she has spent most of her time in that big house living quite alone. I suppose that is why I don’t resent her close friendship with Wroxam. She must be very lonely.’
‘If that is so, why then hasn’t she married again?’ Mary suggested, voicing the very question which was passing through Serena’s mind. ‘I might not like her, Miss Jenny, but I’d be the first to admit that she’s a handsome woman. I’m certain most gentlemen must find her most attractive. Which makes me wonder whether she’s been waiting for just one certain gentleman to make her an offer… If so, then your return, Miss Jenny, must have come as a bitter blow.’
‘If your suspicions are correct, Mary, then Melissa has good reason to dislike me. Nevertheless, if his lordship does think of her as rather more than just a friend, then it is up to him to do something about it, and start proceedings for our divorce.’
‘Oh, no, he won’t do that, Miss Jenny…at least, not now,’ Mary responded, with a secretive little smile, which did not go unnoticed by at least one other occupant of the carriage.
Serena turned her head to stare out of the window as the carriage passed through the estate’s western gateway. Like herself, Mary obviously suspected that his lordship’s feelings for his wife were very strong. She also suspected that Jennifer was not so indifferent to him as she would have people suppose. There was no denying, however, that her manner towards him was certainly guarded, courteous rather than friendly.