She sighed; her prices alone ensured that most of her clients were older women with wealthy husbands. Their money could not compensate for the ravages of time. Sometimes it took all her expertise to disguise a drooping bosom or a tendency to embonpoint, and to hide those flabby upper arms and wrinkled necks.
This girl had no need of such help. Louise, or Madame Felice as she now called herself, would welcome the future Lady Isham with open arms, seeing in her the perfect model for her striking creations.
Madame put the last few pins into the fabric draped about her customer. Then she turned to Mrs Rushford. A shrewd judge of character, she was unsurprised to find that India's mother had chosen the most expensive items in her collection both for herself and for her younger daughter. It was with some difficulty that she managed to persuade the older woman that true elegance depended more upon simplicity and perfect cutting rather than ornamentation.
As India was quick to agree, Mrs Rushford kept her opinion to herself until they had left the showroom. Then she turned upon India.
'I fear we shall all look very drab,' she complained. 'What Isham and his relatives will think I can't imagine.'
'The size of the bill will convince him that we have spared no expense,' India remarked drily. 'How I wish that we might have paid for our gowns ourselves.'
'Nonsense! That would have been impossible, and you know it. Sometimes I wonder at you, India. You seem to have no notion of our circumstances.'
The unfairness of this remark left India speechless. She, above any member of the family, had put the clear knowledge of their circumstances first in making her decision to wed his lordship.
Mrs Rushford continued to complain as they made their way out to the coach. She had intended that her daughter's wedding should be the envy of the neighbourhood. Now it appeared that the marriage would be outshone by that of Beatrice Roade, which would take place in the following week. She too, would be wed before Christmas.
Isabel did not trouble to hide her dissatisfaction. 'Madame Renaud has surprised me,' she grumbled. 'I cannot understand her reputation. One might think that she had no notion... She does not seem to realise that India must consider Isham's standing in the world.'
'Mama, I'm sure she does,' India soothed. 'We did explain that we are still in mourning, and she respected your own taste.'
'Of course.' Isabel was mollified by the small white lie. 'You notice that she did hot argue with my choice for both myself and Letty?'
India hid a smile. The little Frenchwoman was a businesswoman. She must have been delighted with Mrs Rushford's extravagance; the wonder was that she had refused to allow her creations to be ruined by the addition of expensive lace. Even so, the bill was huge, and India felt mortified. Isham would now regard her as both greedy and irresponsible.
It would have been useless to attempt to explain these feelings to her mother, but the knowledge that she was dependent upon Isham's purse was humiliating. She walked over to the coach in silence.
Sir James's coachman was waiting by the door. Now he turned to Mrs Rushford.
'Lord Isham's compliments, ma'am. He begs that you will join him for refreshment at the Angel.'
'Of course, of course!' Isabel turned to her daughters. 'So thoughtful!' she murmured, her good humour quite restored. 'I am quite famished, I declare.'
India was amused. She wondered if Isham's friends had already left the inn. If not, her mother's face would be a study at the sight of her future son-in-law locked in the embrace of a demi-rep.
She was still smiling as she greeted her betrothed, and Isham looked at her in mock amusement.
'Has Madame Renaud succeeded where I could not?' he asked. 'You look vastly entertained, my love.'
India gave him a demure look. 'I was thinking how brave you were, my lord.'
'How so?' Isham was clearly mystified.
'I had expected to find your friend embracing you with enthusiasm here at the Angel. You did not consider taking refreshment at the George?' India's eyes were twinkling, but if she had hoped to disconcert him she was mistaken.
. 'Minx!' he retorted. 'Do you take me for a coward, India? In any case, the lady has departed, with her friend.'
'I'm glad to hear it,' she said solemnly. 'So difficult to explain away a lady hanging about one's neck! Mama would have been astonished!'
'I expect she would.' Isham began to chuckle. 'Should I have chosen the George, my love?'
'Not at all, my lord. I am persuaded that you are well able to explain away any untoward behaviour in the most unpromising of circumstances.'
'Ouch! India, you terrify me! Excuses wither beneath your gaze.' He was laughing openly as he led them through into the private parlour.
If his guests had expected a simple nuncheon they found that they were much mistaken. Mine host, overcome by his lordship's patronage on two successive days and charmed by that gentleman's largesse, had spared no effort either on his own part or that of his cook.
The company sat down to a fine roast goose, accompanied by a number of different stuffings, a, selection of buttered vegetables, and a variety of side dishes.
India looked at Letty. 'Great heavens!' she murmured. 'The man might have been asked to feed an army.'
Henry had overheard her. 'Well, I for one am starving, India! We shall do full justice to this feast.' He made haste to seat the ladies, placing himself between India and her mother, and leaving Isham to sit at the head of the table with Mrs Rushford on his right and Letty on his left.
'Now we shall be comfortable,' he announced as he turned to Isabel. 'Ma'am, you cannot imagine how I dreamed of English food when I was in the East.'
Mrs Rushford smiled indulgently. 'Surely there were compensations, Mr Salton? We hear so much of the fortunes to be made on the Indian continent.'
'Yes, ma'am, that is true, but they are not so easily come by. Much of the trade is in the hands of long-established merchants. A newcomer may struggle for years to gain a foothold.'
'How long were you there?' India asked.
'Not long enough, I fear.'
'Then why did you return?'
'You will despise me, India, but I was homesick for England and my family. And I worried about my mother. Since my father died she has no one else, you see.'
'Surely your brother...?'
'Oh, pray do not mistake me, ma'am. Anthony is the soul of goodness, but he is not her own flesh and blood. Sadly, it makes a difference.'
'I expect it would.' India heard the note of reservation and once again she was puzzled. On the surface the two half-brothers appeared to be the best of friends. Was there some mystery in their relationship which was unknown to her? It would have been a breach of taste to question her companion. If there were difficulties she would be sure to hear of them in time.
'Did you see anything of the Indian princes?' she asked. 'We are told that their wealth is fabulous.'
'It is beyond belief,' he agreed. 'Rubies as large as pigeons' eggs, enormous ropes of the finest pearls, sapphires, diamonds and chests filled with gold and silver.'
'Then their countries must be prosperous?' India looked thoughtful. 'Yet I had heard that the poverty was extreme...'
'That is the dark side of the continent. Pray do not think of it. It would distress you.'
'But I'd like to know...'
'Are you quite sure? You can have no idea of the depths to which the human race can be reduced.'
India caught her mother's eye. Mrs Rushford was shaking her head vigorously and glaring at her as she framed a sharp rebuke. Then she thought better of it, aware of Isham's presence by her side.
'Dear India! Mr Salton, my daughter is inclined to take upon her shoulders the troubles of the world. Why, only this week she must rescue two of the most ragged urchins imaginable, and foist them upon Lord Isham. As you say, his goodness is beyond belief.'
'Why, ma'am, I believe I foisted them upon myself.' Isham had turned to Mrs Rushford and was smiling down at her, but there wa
s a slight edge to his voice. 'I am glad to see that you are concerned about the lads. Would it please you to come over to the Grange tomorrow? You may satisfy yourself as to their welfare and at the same time examine the alterations to the place. You may have some suggestions?'
India hid a smile. His lordship was a formidable opponent. Once again he had turned aside her mother's criticism in the most tactful way.
Mrs Rushford heard only the invitation, which she accepted at once.
With Isham's wealth at her command she intended to make herself as comfortable as possible. To date he had raised no objections to anything she suggested. For the first time since her marriage the Grange would be transformed to her own liking. From there she could lay her plans and set about finding a splendid match for Letty. Possibly even Henry Salton.
Now she turned to him again. 'I thought perhaps you had come to England to find yourself a bride,' she tittered. 'So many gentlemen return from the East with that purpose in mind.'
'They do, ma'am,' he told her solemnly. 'There are many hundreds of men for every Englishwoman in the East. The ladies have us at a disadvantage in one respect, but it is a fearful country for a delicately nurtured female. The graveyards are filled with those who have succumbed to the climate and disease. Their children often join them.'
The subject was not to Mrs Rushford's taste. With a pitying smile she turned to Isham and began to discuss the alterations at the Grange.
'Do go on,' India said warmly. Henry had surprised her. For a young man he had shown unexpected sympathy for the plight of his fellow human beings in an alien land. 'It is a wonder that any woman would consider such a life.'
'I would not ask it of anyone I loved,' he assured her. 'Nor would you, I expect. Will you not tell me of the boys in Isham's charge? I have not seen them yet.'
Isham had heard the remark and now he shook his head in mock reproach. 'Brother, take care!' he warned. 'I would not have India believe that I have drowned them in the well.'
This brought a smile from the assembled company, but India felt moved to protest. 'As if I should!' she cried. 'Especially after you gave the sweep in charge and cautioned that dreadful woman.'
Henry threw up his hands. 'I stand corrected, Anthony. You have the staunchest of champions.' He turned to India with a low aside. 'Did I not tell you that he is a different man? It is due entirely to your influence...'
Once again India was troubled. Was Henry hinting at some shameful secret in Lord Isham's past? He must have seen some reservation in her look, for he made haste to dispel her fears. 'Must I continue to assure you that he is the best of men?' he chaffed. 'Who should know better than I?'
Strangely, India was unconvinced, though Henry was smiling. That smile broadened as Isham began to tease him.
'I'm not surprised that you haven't yet met the lads,' he said. 'They are up with the lark whilst you are still abed.'
Henry assumed a penitent look. Then he appealed to India.
'You see my problem, ma'am? I shall never measure up to Anthony's standards. He regards me as a lazy good-for-nothing.'
"I am quite sure that he does not,' India said warmly.
'There is not the slightest reason for you. to take an interest in the boys...'
'Yet Anthony has done so. Why is that, do you suppose?'
'I believe it was to please me. The circumstances were so strange...' She went on to explain.
'Great heavens, ma'am! The lads might have been burned to death in the factory fire...'
'It was fortunate that they escaped, but Joe, the elder boy, is quite resourceful. Now I have no fears for them.'
'You think highly of my brother, ma'am.'
'Naturally, since I have agreed to many him.' India had stiffened. She was not prepared to discuss her opinion of Lord Isham even with his brother.
Henry, as always, sensed her reserve. Now he engaged her mother in conversation and India was at liberty to glance across at her betrothed. It came as no surprise to find that he was fully occupied with Letty. For once her timid sister looked positively animated. There was no trace of reserve in her friendly manner towards his lordship. India felt oddly betrayed and very much alone to think that Letty, of all people, would change sides.
Then she took herself to task. She was behaving like a child. She should be grateful that Isham was doing his best to please her family. It was more than she might have expected, especially in view of her own ambivalent attitude towards him.
Suddenly she was aware of some altercation at the far end of the table.
'No apple dumplings?' Isham was announcing in astonishment. 'My good fellow, you have let me down!'
The landlord wrung his hands. 'My lord, if you had only said...if you had expressed a wish...'
'His lordship is funning,' India said serenely. 'The apple pie and the custard tarts will serve us very well.'
Mrs Rushford looked amazed. 'Hold your tongue!' she hissed. 'It is not your place to speak out in this way.'
India gave her mother a steady look. It reduced her to silence. India had made it clear that from now on she would not be dictated to. That conclusion was confirmed when Isham spoke.
'Quite right, my love. Landlord, you have done us well... I must wait in patience for my apple dumplings.' He laughed across at India as if to share some private joke.
Her daughter's new-found independence was not to be the only shock for Isabel that day. When the two gentlemen insisted on accompanying them back to Abbot's Quincey she found nothing strange in the suggestion, but India had begun .to wonder. Was Isham expecting further trouble on the road, perhaps from the Luddite mob? His sudden decision to visit Northampton at a time that coincided so exactly with her own seemed odd. He had not mentioned it on the previous day. On the journey home she was preoccupied.
Then, as the carriage stopped outside their door, she gave a cry of joy. 'Mama, Giles is home!' She ran down the path to greet her brother.
Chapter Eight
Giles hugged her briefly, then disengaged himself and turned to greet Letty and his mother. He stood aside to let the entire party into the house, directing a look of enquiry at Isabel. The two gentlemen were unknown to him.
'Lord Isham, may I present my son?' Mrs Rushford said quickly. 'Giles has been away from us for some little time, but he will be delighted to make the acquaintance of India's future husband and also that of Mr Henry Salton, his brother.'
Giles looked far from delighted. His normally pleasant face had darkened and his bow was stiff. Civilities were exchanged, but on Giles's part they were perfunctory to the point of insult.
India could have slapped him, quite forgetting her own initial reaction to his lordship. Giles had inherited all his late father's charm, but none of it was in evidence. Now Isham would think her brother a country bumpkin who had no idea of how to behave in polite society. She gave him an angry look.
Isham appeared to be unaware of the young man's hostility. Now he drew India aside.
'With your brother so recently returned to you, you will not wish to visit the Grange tomorrow, as we had arranged. Will you let me know when it will be convenient? Mr Rushford will be most welcome to join you, naturally.'
She looked up at him then, and found that he was smiling. 'You are most forbearing,' she admitted reluctantly. 'Giles is...er...not himself today.'
'So I have another hill to climb?' Without waiting for her answer, he summoned his brother with a reminder that they were promised to dine with the local magistrate that evening.
The door had scarcely closed upon them before India rounded upon her brother.
'How could you have behaved so ill?' she asked. 'I was ashamed of you.'
'Ashamed of me?' Giles was scowling openly. 'What of you? I was never so astonished in my life as when I heard that you had agreed to wed that loathsome creature. Have you forgotten what he did to us?'
'I have forgotten nothing,' India told him. 'And he is not a loathsome creature. At least he behaved like a gentleman
, which is more than I can say for you.' Once again she was surprised to find herself defending her betrothed.
'Oh, children, pray do not quarrel.' Mrs Rushford had begun to weep. 'I will not have a scene. My health won't stand it. Giles, my love, you "don't understand...'
'On the contrary, Mother, I understand this matter all too well. India has sold herself to keep us out of penury. She will save this family where I could not. You must be very proud of her.'
India's face was ashen. She could not answer him. His words were too close to the truth.
It was the gentle Letty who flew at him. 'You know nothing of Lord Isham, Giles. You are judging him in ignorance of his character.'
Giles stared at her. Letty's face was pink with anger and her sudden outburst startled him. He recovered quickly.
'Must I bow to your superior judgement? Letty, I am surprised at you. Father's death must be laid directly at Isham's door, to say nothing of the fact that he has ruined us.'
'That isn't true!' The normally timid Letty refused to be silenced. 'Be honest, Giles! It was Father who gambled everything away. Isham did not force him to sit down at the tables.'
Giles began to pace about the room. 'That may be so,' he admitted grudgingly. 'Even so, he can have no place in our family. Great heavens, India, what do you see in him? An ugly fellow, if ever I saw one, and with a reputation to match. If you had to choose a wealthy husband there are others. Could you not have found someone else?'
India had recovered much of her composure. 'I doubt it, Giles. As you know, I had no offers...' She prayed that Giles would not discover that Isham had offered for either of his sisters, leaving the choice to them. In his present mood he was certain to ride over to the Grange and call his lordship out. He was unlikely to overlook the insult.
Mrs Rushford tried to stem her tears. 'My darling boy, you should not think unkindly of your sister. We all agreed...I mean, India did everything for the best.'
'You should have stopped her, Mother. You could have forbidden the match. In any case, I am the head of this family now. I might have been consulted.'
The Reluctant Bride Page 11