Dear Deceiver

by Mary Nichols

  ‘I do indeed, but Major Mountforest’s son is not of marriageable age, Dominic. You are glaringly abroad if you think that.’

  ‘Did you know I was betrothed to Sophie Mountforest when you first came to Bedford Row?’

  ‘No, I did not.’

  ‘But had you heard the story of Major Mountforest’s exile?’

  ‘A little of it.’ Words again, words piling up one upon another, making barriers and much as she would have liked to say the words which would tear them down, she could not. New structures would replace the old, as soon as she had uttered them. Teddy’s determination, and her own, too, to clear their father’s name would be one. Another was Sophie.

  ‘Now, could we please not talk of it,’ she said, suddenly brisk. ‘I was enjoying the ride.’

  ‘As you wish. We will talk of Suffolk and Cavenham and farming and horses, anything that takes your fancy. I would hate to spoil your enjoyment.’

  ‘Let us not talk at all,’ she said, seeing the heath stretched out before her, acres of open land, dotted with heather and gorse and a few sparse trees. In the distance was a group of buildings and horses grazing in a paddock which she assumed was their destination. ‘Let’s gallop.’ Suiting action to words, she spurred her mount forward and was soon surging ahead of him. Her hat fell down her back on its ribbons and her hair streamed out behind her as the horse carried her forward.

  For a moment he reined in to watch her. Slight though she was, she was a superb horsewoman—better than a great many men of his acquaintance—and obviously quite fearless; she had jumped a ditch with consummate ease and was flying on, and still he sat watching. His heart was beating so fast and hard he could hardly breathe; he wanted her, wanted to hold her in his arms, to feel her body close against his, to squeeze her into submitting to his kisses. Desire, strong and undeniable, surged within him.

  He thought he heard her laughter, carrying on the wind back to where he sat. ‘Come on!’

  He went after her then, digging his heels into Prince’s flanks, crouching over his neck, urging him to greater effort. Slowly he gained on her, but she must have heard him behind her, for she increased her speed. By God! She was going to outrun him. He could not believe it.

  He went after her in real earnest, but by the time he caught up with her, they were within sight of Bertie’s house and his efforts had deflated his desire. He almost hated her for frustrating him and yet, in the back of his mind, was a grudging admission that she had saved him from making a fool of himself.

  ‘I hope you have not ruined that horse,’ he said as they dismounted in the stable yard. ‘I never saw such a display of hellfire riding from a woman in my life!’

  ‘Of course I have not ruined him.’ She stroked Brutus’s neck. ‘He loved it as much as I did. I would never hurt a horse or any other living thing.’

  ‘Has Emma been giving you a hard time, sir?’ Teddy had come round the corner of one of the buildings which lined the yard. He was smiling broadly. ‘She can ride with the best of them, but she is so light, the horse is hardly aware of her on his back. It does give her a great advantage.’

  Emma turned and ran to her brother, flinging herself into his arms and hugging him. ‘Oh, Teddy, it is so good to see you again.’ She stood back to appraise him. In the short time they had been apart he seemed to have grown from a boy to a man; he was not only taller, but broader and more muscular, the golden tan of his Indian days had become a rugged, almost weather-beaten brown; he wore tough leather breeches and a cloth jacket. ‘My little brother has grown into a fine-looking man.’

  ‘Where is Mr Cosgrove?’ Dominic interrupted.

  ‘I believe he is in the house, sir. Shall I fetch him?’

  ‘No, I’ll find my way. You enjoy your time with your sister.’ Then, to Emma, ‘Be ready to return in an hour. We must be back before nightfall.’ He moved away, calling over his shoulder, ‘I’d appreciate it if you could give Prince and Brutus a rub, Woodhill.’

  ‘Yes, my lord.’ He grinned at Emma, grabbing Prince’s reins to lead him into an empty stall. ‘You do the bay and I’ll do the black. We can talk while we work.’

  She followed him, leading Brutus. ‘Your new life seems to suit you.’

  ‘It will do until we uncover the truth,’ he said, unsaddling Prince and picking up a curry-comb. ‘You’re quite the lady, aren’t you? I thought you were going to be a lady’s maid.’

  ‘So I am, only Dominic—Lord Besthorpe—told everyone I was their cousin.’

  ‘Whatever for?’

  She unsaddled Brutus and rubbed him down with firm, sure strokes and tried to explain but he obviously did not understand; the ways of Society had been difficult enough for her to comprehend, a boy such as he was found them impossible.

  ‘Seems to me the Marquis has taken a shine to you,’ he said. ‘I said so before, remember?’

  ‘Don’t be a goose.’ Her answer was a little too sharp. ‘He is engaged to marry Sophie Mountforest—our cousin.’ She laughed suddenly in case she gave away her feelings. There was no need for him to know of her unhappiness on that score. ‘I’ll wager that surprises you.’

  ‘No, it does not. She is staying here. The head groom told me Mr Cosgrove’s mother invited her to stay to be near Cavenham House. Doesn’t want to let his lordship out of her sight.’

  ‘Did you know she was our cousin?’

  ‘I guessed. Top-lofty, ain’t she? Came round to the stables yesterday and ordered me to saddle up a horse for her as if she owned them and me too. I very nearly told her the truth then and there.’

  ‘Why didn’t you?’

  ‘We have to have proof of Father’s innocence first. I do not want the Viscount to wriggle out of his responsibilities.’

  ‘Have you met him?’

  ‘Not yet.’

  ‘I have. He’s very like Papa, except his mouth. It is thin and mean. He has a way of pressing his lips together when he is vexed that makes me think he will not give way without a fight.’

  ‘Neither will I.’

  ‘It will not be easy, Teddy. I have heard the popular version of the story and everyone believes Papa was to blame.’

  He looked sharply at her. ‘You don’t, do you?’

  ‘No, of course not, but it is going to be difficult to prove anything.’

  ‘You seem to have learned more than I have. I do believe it was fate that sent to you the Besthorpes and we should take advantage of it.’

  ‘Oh, Teddy, I could not, truly I could not. They have been so kind to me and…’

  He looked at her sharply. ‘And what?’

  ‘Oh, Teddy I am so tired of all the deception, the lies. Besides, I am sure the Marquis knows, he keeps quizzing me, trying to make me confess.’

  ‘You haven’t let the cat out of the bag, have you?’

  ‘No, but Mrs Morton was at Lucy’s ball.’

  ‘Mrs Morton?’

  ‘You remember, John’s mother. She was looking at me through her quizzing glass as if she were trying to place me.’

  ‘Oh, her!’ He dismissed the lady without a second’s thought. ‘She only saw you for a day in Calcutta, I doubt she would make the connection. And if she had said anything to Lord Besthorpe, he would surely have faced you with it before now.’

  ‘Yes, I expect you are right.’ But remembering that tense conversation she had had with Dominic after seeing Mrs Morton, she wasn’t sure at all. He seemed to have a facility for finding things out and saying nothing until he chose the moment. Look how he had waited to tell her he knew all about Captain O’Connor and Lucy, just when she had forgotten misleading him.

  ‘James Mountforest is a murderer, hiding behind the goodness of his own brother,’ he said. ‘I am not such a paragon as Father was. I think he deserves to hang.’

  His vehemence frightened her. ‘Oh, Teddy, they would never do that, not after so long, even if we could prove it. And it may avail us nothing. I heard the Marquis’s aunt say Lord Mountforest may have been able to bre
ak the entail so that Sophie can inherit.’

  ‘What do I care for that? Did you suppose that all I want is to be the next Viscount? No, Emma, it is more than that, it is a question of honour. I owe it to Papa.’

  ‘I was afraid you would say something like that.’

  He dropped his brush to take her by the shoulders and gently shake her. ‘What is the matter with you, Emma? Have you gone soft on me?’

  ‘No, of course not, but we must also think ahead, to what might happen as a result. We must plan what we will do.’

  ‘The outcome will be a disgraced Viscount who must acknowledge us as his kin. I am sure there ought to be a legacy of some kind to Papa, which he never collected. I’ll warrant James Mountforest has been using it. If there is not, he is bound to recognise us and look after us financially. I mean to have a stud farm of my own.’

  ‘That will take lawyers and legal arguments and a great deal of money which we do not have. And, Teddy, it smacks very much of blackmail.’

  ‘You think we should let him get away with murder?’

  ‘Papa did.’

  ‘Only because he married Mama and she did not want to come back to England. Why do you think he told you the story? Not to amuse you, you can be sure of it. He wanted us to clear his name and I intend to do it. I had not thought you so pudding-hearted.’ He picked up the curry-comb and began work again, making the horse quiver with delight. ‘Find out what you can and let me know.’

  He looked up as Dominic strolled into the stable with Sophie. She was dressed in a pink spotted muslin with a high waistline, puffed sleeves and was hanging on to his arm with both hands, looking up at him with her mouth slightly open. It was a stance which said, ‘He’s mine. Don’t anyone try taking him from me.’

  ‘He’s ready, my lord,’ Teddy said, surprisingly coolly considering they had just been discussing the Marquis and he might have overheard. ‘He’s a rare beast. You are fortunate to have such a one. I am surprised Mr Cosgrove has not tried to have him off you.’

  Dominic laughed. ‘Oh, he has, but Cavenham Prince is not for sale. I hear you had a fine success at the races last month?’

  ‘Yes, my lord, we did tolerably well.’

  ‘From what I hear, it was more than tolerably well. Mr Cosgrove made a killing. I hope you made something out of it yourself.’

  ‘Indeed, I did. I make no secret of the fact that I would like a stud of my own and anything I make goes towards that.’

  Sophie uttered something that sounded very much like a snort. ‘Just because you can ride doesn’t make you capable of running a stables, boy.’

  ‘You cannot blame him for having ambition, my dear,’ Dominic said, mildly reproving. ‘I admire him for it.’

  ‘I think I shall tell Bertie he is nursing a viper in his bosom, learning all he can from him in order to stab him in the back.’

  ‘Mr Cosgrove is already aware of my intention…’ Teddy paused and then added, almost insolently, ‘Miss Mountforest.’

  Emma, worried that her brother would go too far, stepped forward. ‘Is it time to return, my lord? The horses are ready.’ She gave Teddy a meaningful look and he set about resaddling both mounts.

  ‘Why don’t you stay for supper?’ Sophie said to Dominic. ‘I am quite sure Miss Woodhill can find her own way back.’

  ‘I would not dream of asking her,’ he said. ‘It will soon be dark and the heath is dangerous at night.’

  ‘Then send the bratling with her. I want you to stay with me.’

  ‘No, Sophie, I cannot. My aunt and Lucy are expecting us. Come over and see us whenever you like.’

  Emma turned to say goodbye to her brother and led Brutus out into the yard, leaving the engaged couple to their argument. Sophie had reclaimed Dominic sooner than she had anticipated and the day had been spoiled for her. She did not wait for the outcome of the altercation, but found a mounting block and was soon sitting in the saddle.

  ‘My God!’ She heard a shriek of laughter from Sophie who had come out of the stable with Dominic, who was leading Prince. ‘She is riding astride! It’s disgraceful! Dominic, I forbid you to ride with that Jezebel.’

  Dominic was so startled by her outburst, it was several seconds before he recovered enough to remonstrate with her, but before he could say more than, ‘Sophie, you have gone too far’, Teddy, a ball of rage, dashed forward to face her.

  ‘You will not call my sister by that dreadful name. Apologise at once or I’ll…’ He was standing so close to her, his fists clenched in anger and his nose only inches from hers, that she stepped back in alarm.

  ‘How dare you speak to me like that, boy! Dominic, don’t just stand there, do something.’

  Dominic had quickly recovered his composure and was anxious to defuse the situation. ‘What must I do? Cross swords with him at dawn because he defended his sister? I would think him a poor tool if he had not.’

  ‘Don’t be silly. He’s nothing but an impertinent stable boy, how can you duel with such a one?’

  ‘So, if he were a gentleman, you would expect me to do so?’

  ‘Now, you are making fun of me.’

  ‘Not at all, but I think, my dear, you should apologise to Miss Woodhill. It was a very unkind thing to say.’

  ‘I will do no such thing. If she flaunts her legs like that, then she is a demi-rep, and everyone knows what that means.’

  ‘Do they?’ Emma asked mildly, looking down at the toe of her riding boot, peeping out from beneath her well-spread riding skirt.

  Dominic turned to Sophie, his jaw hard and his eyes glinting angrily. ‘That’s enough! You have gone too far, Sophie. Miss Woodhill is my kin and I hold her in the highest esteem. Do you think I would have her anywhere near my sister if she were anything but impeccable in every way? Now, please apologise.’

  Sophie knew she had overstepped the mark. ‘Very well,’ she said, looking up at Emma with an expression of such fury, it belied her words. ‘I will say sorry to Miss Woodhill.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Emma said, though Sophie had not been speaking directly to her, but to Dominic.

  ‘But that does not mean I will forgive the impudence of her brother. If you won’t do anything about him, I shall speak to Bertie. I’ll make sure he dismisses him.’ With that she flounced into the house.

  Emma expected his lordship to go after her, but instead he turned to Teddy. ‘Don’t worry, she will calm down, and Mr Cosgrove is not such a sousecrown as to give you the bag when you are making him so much money and he knows half the country’s racing owners would gladly take you on.’

  ‘Thank you, my lord.’

  He leapt into the saddle. ‘Come, Emma, it is time we left.’

  ‘I am sorry that happened,’ Emma said, as they rode side by side. ‘My brother is sometimes a little hot-headed.’

  ‘It is I should apologise on behalf of Miss Mountforest, Emma. I do not know what came over her.’

  ‘It was not your fault and I thank you for defending me.’

  ‘And why would I not?’ he demanded. ‘I meant what I said. You have my complete trust.’

  ‘Oh, my lord, I…’ She stopped. How could she ever tell him the truth now? How could she admit his trust had been misplaced? She could not. ‘I am truly sorry for being the instrument of a quarrel between you and Miss Mountforest.’

  ‘I beg you, think no more of it. Sophie, like your brother, is a little headstrong. She will soon come about. You’ll see, she will be over to Cavenham House tomorrow or the day after, all smiles.’

  And he was right. Sophie arrived next day accompanied by Mrs Cosgrove in the family barouche, driven by Bertie. They joined Dominic and Lucy for tea, but Emma kept to her room.

  It was the first of many visits. Sometimes Sophie came in the barouche with her hostess, sometimes in a phaeton with Bertie, sometimes she rode over, accompanied by a groom. She always made herself completely at home, as if she were already the mistress of Cavenham House.

  She issued orders and instruction
s to the servants, gave Lucy advice about her wardrobe which incensed her, and fetched in an architect and designer to look over the old house with a view to modernising it. In no time at all she had alienated all the servants, who grumbled bitterly among themselves, though, loyal to their master, not one of them complained to Dominic.

  Observing the proprieties, she did not stay overnight at Cavenham House, but if Bertie were there to accompany her back home, she would frequently stay for dinner. On these occasions, Emma pleaded a headache and her meal was sent up to her on a tray, but she could not do that every time and sometimes she had no choice but to go down to dinner, which they ate at five o’clock.

  On these occasions, she spoke very little, answering when someone asked her a question, sometimes venturing a remark to Lucy or Mrs Standon, whom she had come to like for her forthright, no-nonsense approach to everything, but generally she tried to merge into the background, unnoticed. She was so successful in this that Sophie hardly saw her.

  She certainly did not see her the afternoon Emma came upon her and Bertie in the conservatory locked in each other’s arms, kissing each other with a passion that appalled her. How could they do it?

  She crept silently away, but she could not stop thinking about it. Why did Sophie need anyone else when she had Dominic, who was so good and generous and loving to her? Did he know what was going on? Ought he to be told? Should she tell someone else, Lucy or Mrs Standon? In the end, she decided to do nothing; it would hurt Dominic dreadfully and she could not bear that.

  Dominic, sensitive to her every mood, could not help observing how quiet and subdued she was and assumed it was Sophie’s insults which had upset her. He wished with all his heart he had not allowed Sophie to come to the stables to see him off that afternoon. He could not understand her outburst. It was almost as if she were jealous, but that was silly; he had never given her the slightest justification for it. And she could not read what was in his heart, could she?