by Laura Martin
Standing outside, Harry forced a smile to his face as Miss Fortescue stepped down from her carriage. Despite the almost permanent sneer he could tell she was impressed by Halstead Hall. To him it was just home, but he knew it was one of the grandest residences in the country.
‘Miss Fortescue, welcome to Halstead Hall.’
She inclined her head, shot a look of disgust at Anna and allowed the butler to show her inside.
‘Please take your time to settle into your room. We shall meet for drinks before dinner, at seven in the drawing room.’
‘She looked happy to be here,’ Anna said as she watched her stepdaughter and a flustered young maid disappear into the house. ‘Remind me how you persuaded me this would be a good idea?’
Harry suppressed a grin. Throughout the arrival of the guests Anna had stood by his side, elegant and poised, but distant. He was reminded of the first time he’d met her at the Prendersons’ ball. It had taken a lot of work for him to slowly break down the barriers she’d erected around herself, but slowly he felt like he was getting through. Seeing her formal behaviour crack when there was no one else around warmed him, probably more than it should.
‘Just think, three days and hopefully we will know which of the Fortescue children is sending you those packages,’ Harry said, giving her arm a quick, reassuring squeeze. He had also noticed that she’d stopped flinching whenever he touched her now. Early on in their acquaintance she’d jumped every time he brushed against her, as if expecting something awful to occur because of the contact. Now she didn’t pull away at the slightest touch and seemed comfortable walking arm in arm with him.
‘How are we going to work out which of them is guilty?’ Anna asked, narrowing her eyes as another carriage appeared on the horizon.
‘It’s simple. We observe them, provoke them to anger and watch to see how they react, who threatens you, who seems to want to cause you the most harm.’
‘It seems a little unsubstantial,’ Anna said. ‘The Fortescues aren’t dim-witted, they will be on their guard while they are here.’
‘Then we confront them,’ Harry said with a shrug. ‘One by one, ideally in the company of the other guests, and we watch their reaction to that. I’ve dealt with enough scoundrels in my time to know if one is lying.’
Anna nodded slowly, but Harry could see she wasn’t quite convinced.
The next carriage was pulling up to the house and this time Harry didn’t have to force a smile on to his face. He recognised the coat of arms painted on its side and sure enough, before the carriage had come to a complete halt, Rifield was jumping down. Anna had initially been concerned at the idea of involving his friend in their attempt to uncover the perpetrator behind her persecution, but Harry had reminded her that Rifield would be perfectly placed to see what people were saying when neither Harry nor Anna was present. He had been glad when Anna had agreed.
Harry watched with curiosity as his old friend turned and took the hand of first an older woman, then a younger one and helped them alight.
‘Rifield,’ he greeted warmly, clasping his old friend’s hand.
‘Foxton sends his apologies,’ Rifield said as he gripped Harry’s hand firmly. ‘Been struck down with a bad chest and couldn’t make the journey.’
Sir Thomas Foxton was another of Harry’s old friends and meant to be making up the numbers this weekend as well as providing a little moral support. Although roughly the same age as Harry and Rifield, their friend suffered with repeated chest infections no doctor seemed to be able to cure, hence Harry wasn’t overly surprised by the cancellation.
‘I have brought Mrs Wright and her charming daughter, Miss Caroline Wright, with me,’ Rifield said. ‘Didn’t think you’d mind.’
Harry turned to the two women. He recognised them both, thought he had probably danced with Miss Caroline Wright at a ball the past Season.
‘Mrs Wright is a friend of my mother’s,’ Rifield explained, ‘and Miss Caroline Wright made her debut this year.’
‘A pleasure to meet you. You are very welcome at Halstead Hall,’ Harry said, greeting first the mother and then the daughter. ‘May I introduce Lady Fortescue.’
Anna stepped forward and greeted the newcomers formally, smiling at the young Miss Wright who recoiled away before she could stop herself.
‘Harrison, please ask the maids to make up two more rooms and escort Mrs Wright and Miss Caroline upstairs. We will meet for drinks at seven in the drawing room,’ Harry addressed his efficient butler.
Once the two women had disappeared inside Rifield turned to Anna.
‘Lady Fortescue, I have heard so much about you,’ he said.
‘Hasn’t everyone?’ Anna sighed. ‘Lord Edgerton tells me I’m quite notorious.’
Rifield threw his head back and let out a hearty chortle.
‘I’m intrigued to find out who our villain is this weekend,’ Harry’s friend said. ‘It’d all be rather exciting if it wasn’t so ghastly.’
‘You wouldn’t be so keen on this weekend if you knew our guests of honour well.’
‘The Fortescues? They do have a bit of a reputation. I’ve met the new Lord Fortescue and his younger brother, but never had the pleasure of Miss Fortescue.’
‘She’s husband hunting,’ Anna said, a wicked gleam in her eyes, ‘and you’re just the sort of man she’s looking for.’
‘Now I see why Edgerton was so keen to get me here.’
‘There’s no denying it, you’re bait, old friend,’ Harry said, clapping Rifield on the back.
‘I am completely at your service, madam,’ Rifield said with a theatrical bow.
‘And now I must go and change for dinner,’ Anna said, bidding the two men farewell.
They watched her go, both standing in silence as she glided gracefully up the stairs and out of sight.
‘I see why you’re infatuated,’ Rifield said quietly. ‘There’s something rather enchanting about the notorious Lady Fortescue.’
‘I’m not infatuated,’ Harry protested.
‘Good. Then you won’t be mad I decided to invite Miss Caroline Wright to this little party.’
‘You’re interested in her?’ Harry asked. In all the years he’d known Rifield he hadn’t known him to favour any young woman, despite his romantic views on life.
‘Good Lord, no. She’s pleasant enough, I’m sure—my mother certainly approves of her, and you know how difficult she is to impress. No, I brought Miss Wright here for you to get to know.’
‘Why on earth would you do that?’ Harry asked.
‘She’s exactly what you told me you’re looking for—respectable, reliable, amiable. Perhaps a little dull, but she’s generally well liked. And I can’t see you being burdened by falling in love with her.’
Harry exhaled loudly.
‘Don’t be like that. She’s just what you say you want.’
‘You’re worse than a meddling mother,’ Harry said. This wasn’t the first time Rifield had introduced him to some young debutante. Normally on paper they looked perfectly pleasant, but in the flesh there was something missing, some quirk that irked Harry more than it should. ‘And bringing her here for this weekend, what were you thinking?’
Rifield shrugged. ‘If she’s the one for you, then why waste time?’
‘Has it escaped your memory that I’m currently engaged to Lady Fortescue.’
‘Pretending to be engaged,’ Rifield corrected him.
‘I can hardly court Miss Wright while the world thinks I am promised to Anna.’
‘Don’t worry, I explained the situation to Miss Wright, she’s understanding.’
‘You did what?’ Harry forced himself to lower his voice. ‘What did you tell her?’
‘Just that you had proposed to Lady Fortescue to save her from a scandalous situation, not of your own making, of course. And that
once the scandal had blown over you would both be going your separate ways.’
‘Rifield, I know you have the best of intentions...’
‘Always, old chap. Just want to see you happy and settled.’
‘But I do wish you hadn’t invited Miss Wright. This weekend is going to be difficult enough without having to pretend to be interested in a dull debutante.’
‘Not pretend, Edgerton. Miss Wright could be the woman who becomes your wife.’
The idea sent an unwelcome shiver down Harry’s spine. He knew he was meant to be looking for someone respectable and amiable, but the idea of actually having to choose a wife made him shudder every time he thought about it.
‘Just give her a chance, Pershore,’ Rifield said, calling his old friend by his family name just as he had in the army before Harry had inherited the title. ‘You might find you like her. I’ll keep an eye on Lady Fortescue while you woo Miss Wright, although by all accounts Lady Fortescue doesn’t need anyone to defend her.’
‘I wouldn’t be so sure,’ Harry murmured. Anna was fantastic at projecting a strong façade to the world, but underneath she was just as vulnerable as any other young woman. As she had been widowed three times it was easy to forget she was still young, still only a few years older than Lydia.
‘Just think, in three days’ time you could have found out who is sending Lady Fortescue those ghastly packages and secured yourself a wife.’
* * *
Anna hesitated before knocking, her hand hovering a few inches from the wood. She’d asked one of the many housemaids which room was Lydia’s and the young girl had directed her to a quieter wing of the sprawling house. Now she was here she wasn’t sure what she was going to say, but she’d promised Harry she would try, so she steeled herself and knocked.
‘Come in,’ a soft voice said.
The room was beautifully decorated, the walls covered in wallpaper of an oriental design and the curtains and bedsheets matched. Lydia was sitting on the window seat, gazing out over the countryside, only turning to face Anna after a few moments. She was still wearing the dress she had been earlier that day, despite there being less than an hour until dinner.
‘We didn’t get a chance to talk earlier,’ Anna said, stepping into the room and closing the door behind her.
The woman in front of her looked a little like Harry, she had the same dark hair and piercing blue eyes, but her features were much softer, her frame more petite. Although she wasn’t as thin as some young debutantes, she looked a little frail and her skin had the translucent quality that hinted at an indoor lifestyle.
‘Harry’s told me about you,’ Lydia said quietly. ‘He admires you very much.’
‘He is almost alone in that regard.’
Lydia cocked her head to one side, regarding Anna for a moment before motioning to a chair. Anna sat, aware that she felt a little nervous. It was important to her that she didn’t fail Harry in this, not because he would blame her, but because he had done so much for her and asked for so little in return.
‘I am not a popular woman in society.’
‘He didn’t tell me that,’ Lydia said.
Anna shrugged. ‘You’ll probably pick up on some of the dislike these next few days.’
Immediately Lydia looked away. ‘I’m not sure I’m going to come down tonight. I feel a little unwell.’
‘I understand,’ Anna said. ‘For a long time I wished I could just hide away for ever.’
‘I’m not hiding.’ Lydia paused. ‘Did he tell you what happened? Did he tell you what everyone thinks of me?’
Anna shook her head. ‘I can guess enough, though. Thousands of women go through the same thing. Some scandal, some disgrace, the man gets off lightly, boys will be boys after all. The woman is ripped apart by the gossips.’
‘Is that what happened to you?’
Laughing, Anna shook her head. ‘No, society thinks I murdered my husbands.’
Lydia’s eyes widened and for the first time Anna saw a hint of a smile on the young girl’s face.
‘Ridiculous, isn’t it? But I had three husbands in the space of six years, and my stepchildren from my last marriage really did not like me. A rumour was started and I was the perfect target.’
‘You must think me overdramatic,’ Lydia said quietly. ‘You’re dealing with all of this and I—’ She broke off, her voice wavering.
‘Not at all.’ Anna stood and crossed the room, sitting down next to Lydia. ‘I spent months hiding away in my uncle’s house. For a while I thought I would never attend another ball or accept another invitation ever again.’
‘What changed?’
‘I was given the right motivation to start socialising again. My uncle asked me to chaperon my young cousin and it was something that I wanted to do.’
Lydia nodded, her gaze wandering until it focused on a spot somewhere in the distance.
‘No matter what your brother says, what anyone says, it is perfectly fine for you never to socialise again, if that is what makes you happy,’ Anna said, trying to find the right words to make Lydia see she was in control of her own life. ‘But if it doesn’t, if you want to go to balls and socialise and dance until the early hours, then a little malicious gossip is not a good enough reason to hide yourself away.’ She paused, allowing the young woman time to digest her words. ‘It’s your life, Lydia. Only you know your hopes and dreams, and only you can change your future.’
‘I don’t know if I can bear it,’ Lydia said quietly. ‘Walking into a room and knowing everyone is talking about me.’
‘Then walk in next to me. I will guarantee you people will be too busy wondering who I am going to marry and murder next to think about the scandal between you and your young man.’
Slowly Lydia nodded and Anna felt like shouting for joy. There was still a sadness about Harry’s sister, something deep-seated and almost melancholy, but she could see her words had penetrated through to Lydia’s mind and hopefully the young woman would at least consider them before deciding what to do.
‘Shall I help you dress?’ Anna asked.
‘Would you?’
‘Of course. I often help my cousin, Beatrice, get ready before a ball.’
Together they selected a demure white dress with a bright blue sash and carefully Anna helped Lydia into it. Aware of the minutes ticking by, she styled the young woman’s hair simply but elegantly, sweeping most of her locks back and securing them at the back of her head, leaving some wisps to frame her face.
‘Ready?’ she asked as Lydia inspected herself in the mirror.
There was a moment’s hesitation before Harry’s sister nodded, then arm in arm they left the room.
Chapter Twelve
The conversation was flowing in the drawing room and Harry took a step back to watch the assembled guests. The Fortescues were huddled together in one corner, heads lowered as if discussing something important. Another group, much more friendly in demeanour, stood in the centre of the room as Rifield entertained them with tall tales from his time at university a decade ago.
The only people missing were Anna and his sister. Every few seconds he found himself glancing at the door, wondering who would come through. He barely dared to hope Lydia might decide to join them, but perhaps the safety of a small group in a familiar environment might entice her.
‘You seem distracted, Lord Edgerton,’ Miss Wright said as she slipped away from the main group and came to his side.
‘Not at all.’ He flashed a sunny smile, at the same time finding his gaze wandering again to the door. Even if Lydia didn’t show, then Anna should be here by now.
‘Mr Rifield told me a little of your situation,’ she said, touching him lightly on the arm to bring his attention back to her. ‘I think it is wonderfully selfless what you are doing for Lady Fortescue.’
Harry blinked, unsur
e how to answer.
‘I know the engagement is not real,’ Miss Wright whispered, leaning in so only he could hear her words. ‘There aren’t many gentlemen who would risk their own reputations for a stranger.’
‘It seemed the right thing to do,’ Harry murmured.
‘You’re too generous, I’m sure, Lord Edgerton. Mr Rifield said that Lady Fortescue was about to be embarrassed and you stepped in and proposed to save her from scandal. Is that what happened?’
‘More or less,’ Harry said vaguely.
‘I admire your discretion,’ Miss Wright said, in a tone that hinted that she wished she could know more.
‘How did you find your first Season, Miss Wright?’ Harry asked, trying to move the conversation on to safer ground.
‘Tolerable. I enjoy the balls and the socialising, but now the Season is over I am keen to focus on my charity work.’
‘What do you do?’
‘My mother and I are patrons of an orphanage in Bath.’
Rifield was right, Miss Wright was just the sort of young woman he should be considering for a wife. She was well liked in society, from a good family and even did charity work. Why then did he find the idea of spending more than a few hours in her company completely unappealing?
Harry opened his mouth to compliment Miss Wright for taking on such a cause, but before the words left his tongue he was distracted by a movement at the door. As he turned his head he saw Anna stepping into the room, dressed in a simple pale green dress made of fine silk, cinched in at the waist with a white ribbon. As always she looked poised and elegant, with no hint of the nervousness Harry knew she must be feeling deep inside. Her expression remained serious as her gaze swept over everyone in the room until her eyes met his. It could have been his imagination, but he was sure he detected just the flicker of a smile, a crinkling of her eyes, as she spotted him, and then as if nothing had happened she moved on. Harry watched as she stepped to one side, glancing behind her. To his amazement Lydia followed her into the room, looking nervously at Anna for reassurance. Anna took his sister by the arm and whispered something in her ear. He couldn’t believe his eyes when Lydia actually smiled and for the first time in over a year he felt a little surge of hope.