Miss Ridgeway's Privateer (Regency Belles & Beaux Book 3)

by Michele McGrath

  “Morgan, please take off Miss Lucy’s pearl necklace which is too heavy for her to wear with that gown. My dear, please wear these instead. They are mine and I wore them for the first time at my own debut. May they bring you success.”

  The case held a beautiful sapphire pendant surrounded by pearls on a fine gold chain. Matching earrings contained smaller sapphires.

  “Oh how lovely. May I indeed wear them since I am still in mourning?”

  “Mama says you may do so and few people in Ireland would dare to disagree with the judgement of an earl’s daughter.”

  “You will have a lovely evening,” Nell said. “I am so envious.”

  “Your turn will come soon enough, my love. I’m not in a hurry to lose my last daughter,” Lady Ridgeway smiled although there was a catch in her voice.

  The evening was indeed lovely but not at all as Lucy had expected it to be.

  Chapter Twenty

  The house on Lower Hatch Street had a small ballroom at the back. This room had been decked with greenery, brought in from the country. Dinner beforehand was elaborate but Lucy, wild with excitement, could only push some of the food around on her plate while she made conversation with her companions. Since these were the supposed Mr. Anselm, asked especially on her behalf, and Captain Clayton this proved to be rather difficult. Both seemed intent on engaging her attention and for a little while she struggled to listen and answer one without seeming rude to the other. Eventually she administered a swift kick to O’Rourke under the table. As he was fully aware of her difficulty he grinned and turned his attention to the lady on his other side. The diners included members of Lucy’s family whom she had never met, including Lady Mary’s younger brother and two sisters. They were polite people but stiff, as Lady Mary had been at their first meeting. Fortunately, they lived some distance from County Cork, so she would not be obliged to see them often once she returned to Kinsale.

  I am expecting to return to Kinsale? Lucy thought, how strange. The whole point of this Season and my debut is to receive eligible offers of marriage. Yet if I do, I can’t imagine accepting it from anyone except... Lucy’s eyes flew to the man sitting beside her. He met her glance and then frowned in puzzlement. She looked down, to hide the sudden surge of blood to her face. His proposition would certainly not be eligible; nevertheless, it is the one I would accept. I can’t weep now, at my own ball. Everyone has worked so hard, I mustn’t let them down.

  Lucy began to talk determinedly to Captain Clayton. He seemed pleased and continued to be an interesting companion. If I had met him first, I might have been attracted to him and he is eligible. I’m so unlucky. The one man I care for doesn’t want me and I’ll never love anyone else. She went out of the dining room on Captain Clayton’s arm and took her place in the line at the entrance to the ballroom ready to welcome their guests. It was a bewildering task trying to remember who was who in the mix of old army officers, ladies in tiaras, their sons and daughters. Only a few remained in Lucy’s memory and for the most diverse reasons, as she recounted to Nell next day. Commodore Musgrave was memorable for his full set of whiskers and his naval uniform; Bishop Mortimer with his black frock coat and white tie. Miss Fleming, the beauty of the party, shining in a pale pink gown and silver shawl. Mr. Reddinton, so tall and handsome, immediately asked her to dance with him.

  “May I, Aunt?” Lucy asked Lady Ridgeway.

  “For this evening only, Lucy, and certainly not the waltz. Lucy is in half mourning, Mr. Reddinton, following her father’s death, so I am sure you understand.”

  “Then I will claim your hand for the quadrille, if I may?”

  “It would be my pleasure.” Lucy watched him walk away. “Thank you Aunt.”

  “Mama and I discussed it. It is somewhat irregular but I remember how unhappy poor Maria was making her debut in mourning. Your father and the date of his death are not known here, so we have contrived a little. You must be more discreet when we are not in our own house.”

  “I will, Aunt. Don’t worry.”

  As was the custom, Lucy opened the ball with General Sir Percy Wetherby, the most distinguished male guest. Distinguished he might have been but he danced as if he was on parade in front of his troops. Lucy was glad when her duty dances finished. Mr. Reddington’s quadrille with was far more pleasant and so were a pair of country reels. She could not help wishing she could dance with Mr. Anselm, but of course clergymen never danced. She was sorry she had suggested this particular disguise to him. It was after supper when he approached her for the first time since dinner.

  “I must talk to you, is there somewhere we can go where we will not be overheard?”

  “Come with me.” She led him to the morning room, empty and unused at that hour of the day. “What is it?”

  “I was talking to Bishop Mortimer just now. As soon as I was introduced to him, he congratulated me on my escape from the pirates and expressed surprise in seeing me in Dublin so soon. He hadn’t expected me to be here before next month at the earliest.”

  “What do you think it means?”

  “Anselm wrote a letter to the church authorities in Ireland which went at the same time as yours to your grandmother. It’s unusual for them to respond quickly, but in this case they must have. Is there anything you haven’t told me about Anselm? Did he come from a prominent family?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “If he has been ransomed and is coming here, then I must be gone before he comes. The good Bishop may not be an intelligent man, but he will be amazed to discover two curates called Anselm bound for Dundalk.”

  “How soon?”

  “Next week, if I can find a ship.”

  “My debut is in three days time and there is to be a party in the Viceroy’s apartments afterwards. I’ll make sure you are included with us, please stay until then.” The gilt edged invitation had arrived the previous week and stood propped up in pride of place on the drawing room mantelpiece. Lucy thought that the occasion would not be complete without O’Rourke.

  “No, don’t do that. Bishop Mortimer is certain to be invited and if I’m there as one of his followers, it will provoke less attention. If he won’t take me, I’ll revert to my old ways and break into the place!” He laughed at the sight of her face. “Don’t worry; he likes me, so there should be no difficulty. It would be better, though, if I didn’t go at all.”

  “Why not?”

  “Anselm and you are the only people who know me as a privateer. If I go before he comes, he can’t unmask me. If he is delayed until the end of the Season, which ends on St. Patrick’s Day, you should be safely away in Kinsale. Let’s hope he is. It’s unlikely anyone would go there to question you about me but people need sufficient time to forget that you did not denounce me as an imposter. It would ruin you if the truth came out, my dear.”

  “If I’m asked, I shall plead that you saved my life and in return you pledged me to secrecy. How could I betray you?”

  “A thin excuse, Alannah. That won’t save your reputation.”

  “Or I could say that you threatened my friends in Saint-Malo, if I didn’t do as you told me.”

  “Better but you will need to improve on the story. You have been too friendly to me.”

  “Perhaps you could pretend to threaten me?”

  “Clergymen rarely threaten their flock, except from the pulpit. That would cause questions to be asked immediately. I should be seen as little as possible with you while I remain in Dublin.”

  “Don’t do that, please. Let me see you while I still can. I’ll miss you when you are gone.”

  “You’re flirting with danger, you know.”

  “Didn’t you once say to me ‘Don’t you like life with a little spice of danger’? If Anselm is not due until next month, what do three more days matter?”

  His eyes suddenly gleamed. “Is that a challenge? I accept. I’ll stay for three more days and go to your party.”

  It could not be said that Lucy was in high spirits for the res
t of the evening. She chattered and laughed with the other guests but she could not afterwards recall what they had talked about. Only one memory came to her mind, Captain Clayton bowing over her aunt’s hand and asking if he might call on them tomorrow. Lady Ridgeway was very pleased to agree and as she escorted Lucy to her bedroom when the ball was over, she complimented Lucy on making a hit.

  “Several young men asked my permission to call; Captain Clayton was merely the last of them.”

  “That’s nice, Aunt.”

  “He’s rich, you know Lucy. As his wife you would have an eligible position in society. Mr. Reddington is not so wealthy, but he too is well able to support you. Both appear to be very taken with you and I shouldn’t be surprised if they try to fix their interest. You’re lucky. There are fewer men in Dublin than females so many young ladies do not receive a single proposal in their first Season, never mind have a choice among their suitors.”

  “You seem very sure they will propose to me, Aunt. Perhaps they merely enjoy my company?”

  “No doubt that is true, my dear, but I have married off two daughters already and I recognise the signs. I would be surprised if these gentlemen are trifling with you. What do you think of them?”

  “They are both pleasant young men and I like them.”

  Lucy realised she must have sounded unenthusiastic because Lady Ridgeway asked,

  “But?”

  “I am not in love with either of them.”

  “Love often comes, Lucy, after you are married. Few people experience more than attraction on such a short acquaintance. Love at first sight is only to be found between the pages of a novel. No need to brood on this any further tonight, though. We are In Dublin for some months, let us see what happens.”

  Lucy sighed but said no more. Strange how my silly dreams are coming true when I no longer want them to. I am no heroine in a book but I’m sure that love at first sight happened to me when Patrick touched me all those months ago in London.

  Lucy was very busy over the next few days as she prepared for her presentation. Sir Edgar had already attended the Viceroy’s levée and the next important event was the ‘Drawing Room’, the scene of the debutantes’ presentation. Her presentation dress, which Lady Mary had ordered as soon as they arrived in Dublin, was delivered the day after the ball. It was an elaborate gown of white silk, with an embroidered bodice and small train. All debutantes had to wear tall ostrich feathers on their heads which horrified Lucy She thought she would be bound to lose one of them at the ceremony until Morgan and Lady Ridgeway showed her how they could be pinned to her braided hair. Then Lady Mary produced a small tiara to hide the pins. It was a simple affair of pearls with a scattering of small diamonds and Lucy exclaimed with delight when she saw it in the looking glass.

  “How lovely.”

  Lady Mary smiled at her. “This is the smallest of the family tiaras. Both my daughters wore it at their presentations and so did Charlotte and Maria.”

  “Thank you, Grandmama.”

  “Take good care of it,” Lady Ridgeway said, “or Nell will scratch your eyes out. It’s her turn next.” Nell giggled as she watched.

  “Of course I will.” Lucy smiled. “Nell will look quite charming when she wears it. I hope to be there to see her in all her glory.”

  Several bouquets arrived at the house on the evening of the presentation. Captain Clayton’s was among them, as was Mr. Reddington’s and a young ensign’s whom she had met only the previous night.

  “Which will you carry?” Nell asked her, agog with curiosity.

  “Whichever you choose on this special occasion will carry a message to the giver,” Lady Ridgeway warned her. “It shows a preference, so be careful to make the right choice.”

  Lucy turned over all the bouquets. “If I chose simply because of the flowers, I would pick Captain Clayton’s. It’s by far the most beautiful, but if my choice will be taken as an indication of my interest then I can carry none of these.”

  “Captain Clayton and Mr. Reddington have never been away from our door since your ball,” Lady Ridgeway objected.

  Lucy nodded. “I know and that is why I can’t choose between their offerings, so I will take this one.” It was the smallest of all, white roses and daisies in a simple holder and had been placed at the back of the others. No visiting card accompanied it, merely a note which said ‘In memory of starlight on the sea’. As soon as she saw it, Lucy recognised the giver and had intended to carry it from the start. If she must display a preference, then she would follow her heart, even if this was the last time she would ever do so.

  “What a strange message,” Lady Ridgeway remarked, reading the note. “Who can have sent it to you?”

  “Whoever he is, he is a poet,” Lucy dissembled. “That gives me a reason to carry it this evening. If I don’t know whose it is, I can’t be accused of causing anyone pain.”

  It has to be Patrick’s. He is the only one with whom I have seen starlight on the sea. Of course, as Mr. Anselm, he cannot openly send me flowers, but he expects me to know that these are his.

  “Well reasoned, Lucy,” Lady Mary rose to her feet. “If you are not yet sure, it’s better not to raise false hopes. Come now, it is time for us to go.”

  A carriage waited for the party. The distance to Dublin Castle was short but walking was unthinkable, for the weather was inclement and their dresses must be protected from the elements. As the carriage approached the gate of the castle, Lucy was surprised to see a great crowd of people lining both sides of the road. They wore thin, ragged clothes and many of them were shivering in the cold.

  “Who are they, Grandmama?” Lucy asked.

  “The Dublin poor.”

  “What are they waiting for?”

  “They like to watch the fine carriages, the men in their uniforms and the ladies’ dresses.” Lady Ridgeway added. “It’s a spectacle for them.”

  “How cold and wretched they must be, standing there without shelter in this bitter wind,” Lucy said.

  “It’s their choice and they think it’s worth the wait, but here we are.”

  The carriage drew up in front of the viceregal apartments, the home of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland during the Social Season. Lucy received an impression of flaming torches lighting up the dark courtyard and then she was inside into a blaze of light and colour. A red carpet and red walls, gilt mirrors and paintings; people whom she did not know. She felt herself shrinking a little as she followed her grandmother and her aunt down the corridors to an antechamber. Young girls, in the same pale dresses and feathers, milled around chattering in subdued tones, while they waited for their turn to be presented. Lucy looked anxiously at Lady Ridgeway.

  “Do I look all right, Aunt? I’m afraid my plumes are going to fall down any second.”

  “Everyone thinks like that,” her aunt reassured her, “but they never do. Morgan is an expert and you look charming. There is Amy Edmondson over there with her mother, go and say how do you do to her. I will fetch you when it is time for you to meet the Viceroy.”

  Obediently Lucy went over to talk to Amy, a pleasant girl but one with few ideas in her head. Cecily Woodford, who joined them after a few minutes was no better. Since both of them were extremely nervous, Lucy was almost glad when her aunt appeared to claim her.

  Lady Mary, as an earl’s daughter, was to make the presentation while Lady Ridgeway waited for them in the withdrawing room. Lady Mary looked her over critically as they moved to the doorway.

  “Head up, Child, and smile.”

  At the entrance to the throne room, Lucy’s train was taken from her arm and let down behind her. She heard her grandmother’s name announced followed by her own. She walked down the aisle to where a man and woman stood before matching red and gold thrones beneath a canopy. As she stopped before them, she kicked her train away, as she had been taught and sank into her curtsey. She rose and the Duke of Richmond, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, who represented his Majesty the King, came forward and kisse
d her on the forehead. A step backward and a few steps to the side; she repeated the drill automatically. His wife, the Duchess, greeted her but afterwards Lucy could not remember what she had said. Then it was over, she went through the doors on the opposite side of the room. Her train was placed over her left arm again and she was free to join the merriment of the other debutantes and their sponsors.

  Almost immediately she was joined by Captain Clayton, who told her that he had been waiting for her. Giddy with relief that she had done nothing wrong, had not fallen or acted oddly, she allowed him to lead her into the supper room and fetch her refreshments. Sipping a glass of ratafia and nibbling on a small cake with the others, she felt happy. Captain Clayton was attentive, the other girls were as relieved as she was and in high spirits.

  Whatever happens next, at least I have been presented. That’s what I hoped would happen in London and now it has. She had a sudden sense of anticlimax and a riot of new emotions, one after the other. I feel different than I did before. Now I wonder if the effort was worth it. All that trouble for a few seconds with a man and woman I have never met before. They won’t remember me and I’ll probably never see them again. How ungrateful I am to Grandmama who gave me the chance. She became aware that Captain Clayton was saying something to her and she turned towards him,

  “I’m so sorry, could you repeat what you just said; it’s so difficult to hear.”

  The din in the supper room made any conversation difficult, but indeed she had not been attending to him. He moved closer to her and murmured,

  “I asked your grandmother if I might call on her tomorrow afternoon. Can you guess for what purpose?”

  Lucy dropped her eyes, to hide her blush. “No I can’t,” she lied as her heart beat faster.

  “To make a request which I hope you will grant me.”

  She looked up at him and smiled, wondering if her aunt’s words were correct. She did not love him but, if O’Rourke left, she preferred him to all the other young men she had met in Dublin including Mr. Reddington. If he did offer her marriage and she accepted, could they possibly be happy together? She had an answer almost immediately. Bishop Mortimer was making his way through the crowd, with O’Rourke at his side. Her heart gave a great leap and started to beat so fast that she thought everyone must hear it. The Bishop came up to her, bowed over her hand and congratulated her on her presentation. She glanced over his head at O’Rourke who smiled at her and echoed his sentiments. The prelate mumbled a few more pleasantries before he moved on but O’Rourke did not follow him.