by Anne Herries
Caroline was to have twenty thousand pounds on her wedding day, and she would also be given some rather valuable pieces of jewellery, which were not heirlooms, but had been bought for her grandmother at the time of her wedding. It meant that, far from being almost penniless, his sister was now a considerable heiress. However, Tom had been forbidden to inform her of her good fortune. His grandfather had made that plain as they sat together the previous evening.
‘You are to say nothing to the gel or her mother—and certainly not to that aunt of hers, Tom. What you will tell your mother is that I shall not have my gel forced to a marriage she cannot like. I wish to be informed before anything is settled, do you hear me, boy?’
‘Yes, sir, of course. May I tell Caroline that, sir?’
‘You may tell her to come to me if she is in trouble,’ the Marquis said. ‘And make sure that her mother understands she must ask me before she gives permission for Caroline to marry. You are the head of your immediate family, Tom—but in this matter I stand on my rights as head of our family. You understand me?’
‘Yes, sir, perfectly.’ Tom gave him a smile of perfect good humour. ‘I can assure you that I have no wish to see Caroline unhappy. Indeed, I should forbid Mama to bully her into something she disliked.’
The Marquis nodded approvingly. He had hopes of this grandson, for there was a wrong done many years ago, a wrong that needed to be put right, and it was too late for him to do it himself. ‘And do not forget that I wish to see Caroline when she has the time.’
‘No, sir, I shall not forget.’
Leaving the Marquis to the ministrations of his faithful valet, Tom went out to find his groom waiting for him. He took the reins himself, allowing the man to sit beside him as they drove through the estate at a spanking pace.
He had promised his grandfather that he would give him an answer in three weeks. In the meantime, he intended to enjoy himself in London.
* * *
‘And what, miss, is that on your head?’ Lady Taunton looked at her niece in outrage. ‘I hope it is not your intention to leave this house wearing such a piece of nonsense? It is far too old for you and it makes you look fast.’
‘Oh, no, Aunt, does it?’ Caroline wore a face of innocence, her eyes as guileless as a babe’s. ‘And to think that Sir Frederick encouraged me to buy it—insisted that I wear it for him today. However, if you think I should not, I shall go up and take it off, though I believe he will be disappointed. You know, Aunt, I do not imagine that he would be interested in a milk-and-water miss—perhaps I should be a little bold if I am to capture his interest? But pray tell me if you disagree, ma’am?’
‘I imagine you think yourself clever,’ her aunt said and scowled at her. ‘Very well, my girl, make a show of yourself if you choose. If you get a reputation for being fast, you will ruin yourself, and then no one will offer for you.’
‘Oh, Aunt, if only I could believe you,’ Caroline said to herself and went quickly down the stairs as she heard the doorknocker.
Her aunt stood at the head of the stairs, watching as Sir Frederick entered and swept off his hat to her niece. He glanced up at her as she stood at the head of the stairs, a flicker of amusement in his eyes, for her annoyed expression told much. He bowed his head to her and then turned to look at Caroline.
‘You look beautiful, Miss Holbrook,’ Freddie said in a voice that carried to Lady Taunton, who snorted her disgust and walked away as Caroline laid her hand on his arm. ‘That hat becomes you well—and I believe I have lost our wager…’ He lowered his voice as they went out to the waiting carriage. ‘What would you have of me?’
‘May I have a little time to think?’ Caroline asked, her head to one side. Her eyes were filled with wickedness, making him laugh softly, for he sensed her mood of defiance. She really was enchanting, a girl of spirit! But could he be certain that she liked him for himself—if she liked him at all, that was? ‘What would you have demanded of me had I lost?’
‘I had thought of something entirely suitable,’ Freddie said, ‘but I take leave to keep my secret for the moment. I think you have the gambling spirit of your grandfather, Miss Holbrook, and I may win next time.’
Caroline tipped her head to one side, for she saw the mockery in his eyes. ‘Perhaps you have already won, sir,’ she suggested. ‘For you wished me to buy this hat all the time, did you not?’
‘I have observed that deep colours become you,’ he said. ‘I dare say that you are under the influence of others, but I should like to advise you on matters of dress, Miss Holbrook. Be bold in your choice, for it suits you. Do you know that you are considered an original? At this moment you may say and do almost as you wish, for you are the darling of society.’
‘No, am I?’ Caroline was astonished. She looked at him hard to see if he was quizzing her. ‘Are you funning, sir? I know that people have been amazingly kind, but I had not thought to cause a sensation. After all, I have very little fortune.’
‘Which matters not a jot in your case,’ Freddie said, enjoying himself immensely. He was beginning to accept that she meant what she said, and that artless as her manner was, it was genuine, not assumed. ‘I have it on the best authority that there are ten wagers on the books at White’s concerning you, Miss Holbrook.’
‘No? How terribly shocking,’ she said and gave a gurgle of delight. ‘Pray do tell me what they are for.’
‘No, no,’ he said. ‘For then you would make up your mind before you were asked and that would prejudice the wager.’
‘Oh, that would be even more shocking,’ she said, her eyes dancing with merriment as he handed her into her carriage.
‘Yes, indeed,’ he replied with a straight face. ‘Gambling is a serious business, Miss Holbrook. Fortunes have changed hands for a foolish wager when gentlemen have been imbibing recklessly. One gentleman placed a bet that he could shoot the king of spades in the eye when drunk one evening, I recall. He was an excellent shot when sober, but just a trifle off when in his cups. He lost a small estate in Kent that night.’
‘How awful,’ she said. ‘I do not think I should care to gamble so much on such a business.’
‘Come, come, Miss Holbrook,’ he said. ‘Where is your fighting spirit now?’
‘Perhaps if I were wealthy,’ she said, ‘but I should not be able to honour such a bet, for I have no property.’ She looked up at him. ‘Tell me, have you ever made such a reckless wager?’
‘I just told you of it,’ Freddie said and laughed. ‘But that was when I was much younger and more inclined to wildness. However, I did not much care for the place and I later won something I liked better.’
‘Are you usually fortunate at the tables?’
‘Oh, yes,’ he said carelessly as he drove them through the busy streets. ‘Observe that gentleman in the rather odd purple coat there to your left—but do not let him see that you are staring. I won ten thousand guineas from him the other evening. I offered to throw the dice for double or quits, but he would not take it.’
‘I dare say he could not afford it, sir.’
‘Oh, yes,’ Freddie said. ‘The fellow has more blunt than he knows what to do with. His uncle recently left him a huge estate—half a million, they say—though he will probably run through it before he has done.’
‘Then he is very foolish. I think that gambling for high stakes may be the cause of much suffering amongst the families of those who are addicted, but also unlucky.’
‘You are perfectly right, Miss Holbrook,’ Freddie said and looked serious for a moment. ‘A great friend of mine was ruined that way, and there was nothing I could do about it. Had he gambled only with me, I might have saved him, but he went to low dives where the stakes are sometimes too high. Only the most reckless would play in places like that, I think.’
‘You do not?’
‘No, no, I am a mild gambler, Miss Holbrook. I usually prefer wagers that are not always for money.’
‘Then my forfeit was not to have been monetary?’
‘No, indeed.’ He arched his brows at her. ‘But you will not coax it from me, Miss Holbrook. I am determined that I shall win next time. Have you made up your mind what you would have of me?’
‘I think…’ Caroline was about to say that she wanted nothing when they were accosted by one of the young bucks walking in the park. He came up to them, sweeping his hat off and smiling at her.
‘You look particularly lovely today, Miss Holbrook,’ he said. ‘But it was Sir Frederick I particularly wanted to address. Have you heard about the mill, sir? It is to take place on the Heath next Tuesday and they say that Gentleman George will win this time. Are you to attend?’
‘I imagine I may,’ Freddie said and frowned at him. ‘However, this is a matter for discussion at another time, Blakeny.’
The younger man looked at him and then flushed. ‘Oh, I see what you mean, Rathbone. But I’m sure Miss Holbrook isn’t offended over a small thing like that.’
‘No, indeed,’ Caroline said, but Freddie merely frowned and flicked the reins, moving on. ‘I truly did not mind, sir.’ She glanced at him sideways and saw that he was frowning. ‘Why are you annoyed?’
‘It was not the subject for a young lady’s ears. That young idiot should have known better than to speak of it in your presence.’
‘Oh, pooh,’ Caroline said, and on impulse, ‘I should like to see a fight—will you take me to watch it, please?’
‘No, indeed I shall not,’ Freddie said. ‘The scene of a bare-knuckle fight is not the place for a young girl. It is out of the question.’
‘But you must,’ Caroline said because she was piqued by his attitude. Why did gentlemen always think a lady was too delicate for such things? She had seen her brothers scrap when they were young and had been none the worse for her experience. ‘You promised me a forfeit and that is what I want…to come with you to watch the fight.’
Freddie turned his head to look at her in disbelief. Did she know what she was asking? ‘You cannot mean it, Miss Holbrook? It would be most improper and your aunt would have a fit if she heard of it.’
‘Well, she need not,’ Caroline said. ‘I shall not tell her, and neither will you—so how will she know?’
‘Because everyone would talk of it,’ he replied and shook his head at her. ‘There would be a terrible scandal and you would be ruined. No, I shall not do such a thing. I do not think you have considered the consequences.’ He gave her a severe look. ‘This is foolish in the extreme.’
‘But you know that paying a gambling debt is a matter of honour,’ Caroline said, tipping her head to one side. Her eyes were bright with devilment; though in her heart she did not particularly wish to see the fight, she was determined to get her own way. He could not wriggle out of it, because his sense of fair play would not allow it. ‘And there is a solution…if I came dressed in a youth’s clothes and hid my hair, everyone would think I was your groom.’
‘I do not believe that you dare,’ Freddie said, but there was a sudden gleam in his eyes. The plan could just work. Her boldness amused him, and he found the idea appealed to him, against his better nature. Indeed, the idea was so intriguing that he decided to see if she would actually dare to carry it out. ‘How would you slip away—and where would you get the clothes?’
‘I imagine the fight is to be held early in the morning? I could slip out and perhaps return before my aunt had risen.’
‘Yes, I dare say…’ Freddie was caught—this was beyond anything he had expected from her and he was tempted to see just how far she would go. ‘Of course, I could give a parcel of clothes to your maid, if you truly wish to go through with this—but think carefully. Supposing you were discovered?’ He raised his brows at her.
‘Both Mama and my aunt scarcely ever rise much before noon. I dare say we might be back home before then.’
Freddie gazed at her doubtfully. It was madness and he knew that he should refuse, but he had always paid his gambling debts… No, no, that was merely an excuse. He could not wrap this in clean linen. In truth he was tempted by the prospect of discovering whether she was really as bold as she claimed.
‘If you gave your maid some of your own clothes for me, it might work,’ he said. ‘You may change back into them after we have left the fight, and then go home as if we have merely been for a drive together…if you truly wish to take the risk?’ His eyes were intent on her face.
Caroline was on fire for the idea had appealed to her. It would be an adventure and she had been feeling restricted by her aunt’s constant grumbling, the need to behave circumspectly at all times. ‘If the clothes are suitable for a groom and I dirty my face, no one will even notice me.’
‘How will you slip out of the house?’
‘Oh, I shall manage it,’ Caroline said. ‘I have done it before…at home in the country. It may not be quite as easy in town, but I dare say I can manage it.’
‘Very well,’ Freddie said. ‘We shall make another wager, Miss Holbrook. If you play your part I shall take you to the fight, but if you change your mind you will owe me a forfeit.’
‘I think you will owe me yet another forfeit,’ Caroline said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Her head was up, her face alight as she challenged him. He thought her more lovely than he had yet seen her. ‘I shall be there—and you must be on time, sir. I do not wish to miss anything.’
Freddie laughed, for she was undoubtedly a temptress. Would it be possible to take her to such an event and return her to her home with no one the wiser? That, of course, was his responsibility and he would certainly find it a challenge.
‘I dare say you attend the ball on Monday evening?’ She nodded. ‘You may oversleep and forget the fight if you wish. I should not blame you.’
‘You will not win your forfeit so easily,’ she said, her face alight with excitement. ‘We shall talk about this again, sir—but now you must pull over, for I see some friends and we must not ignore them.’
* * *
Caroline said goodbye to Sir Frederick at the door of her aunt’s house. She asked him if he would care to come in for some refreshment, but he refused, saying that he had another appointment. She smiled at him, giving him her hand, which he kissed gallantly before returning to his curricle.
Caroline went into the house. She was still feeling pleased with herself for she had made him give her her own way, and, though she knew the escapade might cause her problems, she was excited at the idea. It was a long time since she had done anything so rebellious and at times had been feeling rather constricted at having to behave in the ladylike manner that was expected of her. Why did ladies always have to be so particular in their behaviour when gentlemen could do much as they pleased? There was so much she would have liked to do that was forbidden her. It was not fair and she was tired of being scolded by her aunt for things that were completely trivial.
‘Caroline,’ her mother’s voice called to her as she walked up the stairs. ‘Come here, my love. We have a visitor.’
Mrs Holbrook was standing in the doorway of the parlour she used most while a guest in her sister’s house. It suited her because it was small and prettily furnished, and so seldom used for entertaining by her sister that she might think it her own. She looked very pleased with herself, almost excited about something.
‘What is it, Mama?’ Caroline’s heart skipped a beat. ‘Is it Nicolas?’
‘No, it is your brother Tom,’ Mrs Holbrook said, seizing her daughter by the hands and drawing her into the room. ‘He is in his chamber changing, for he has just this minute arrived—and with good news. Bollingbrook has settled the most pressing of his debts. There—what do you think of that?’
‘I think it wonderful news,’ Caroline said, surprised and pleased. ‘I am so glad for him, Mama. Do you know why Grandfather decided to do something for him?’
‘I have no idea,’ Marianne said with a frown. ‘After the last time we visited him I thought he would not wish to see any of us again—but Tom says that he has asked part
icularly for you, Caroline. It would be wonderful if he were to do something for both you and Nicolas.’
‘Oh, Mama, why should he?’ Caroline said. ‘It is quite enough that he has helped Tom to recover from his debts. Besides, Nicolas has found a life for himself and we are well enough as we are, are we not?’
‘If your grandfather means to do something, you should visit him,’ her mother said, hardly listening to her daughter’s disclaimer. ‘I know you are engaged for the next three weeks or so, but after that you might go down for a few days. I would stay here, of course, and you could always return. Your brother intends to visit Bollingbrook again in three weeks. He could take you down, and perhaps your grandfather would send you back in his own carriage. Yes, that would be quite acceptable, Caroline.’
‘I have no objection to visiting Grandfather,’ Caroline said. It would be pleasant to spend a few days with the Marquis. ‘But you must not expect anything more, Mama. I dare say Grandfather thought it his duty to help Tom, but I do not need anything. I am quite content as I am.’
‘Do not be so foolish,’ Mrs Holbrook said and frowned at her. ‘Louisa tells me that there are prospects of a marriage between you and a certain gentleman—but nothing is sure, Caroline. I dare say you would receive many more offers if you had a decent dowry.’
‘From fortune hunters?’ Caroline raised her eyebrows. ‘Surely I may find someone who truly cares for me, Mama—and if I should not, it is hardly the end of the world. I may stay at home and be a help to you.’
‘Do not be ridiculous,’ her mother said and looked cross. ‘It is as Louisa told me. You are too stubborn for your own good, my girl. I cannot afford to keep you in a home of my own, and your brother will not want us once he decides to marry. Louisa has offered me a home with her once you are settled; though I am not sure that would serve. However, you must marry, Caroline. Besides, every woman wants a home, husband and children.’