Claiming the Chaperon's Heart

by Anne Herries

  ‘I had none for this morning, other than to make you welcome. This afternoon I shall take you visiting and this evening there is a small dance, to which we are all invited. Will intends to accompany us so it will be all the family together. Tomorrow I shall be visiting some furniture warehouses and emporiums with Lord Frant. I am sure you could come if you wish.’

  ‘I shall be quite content here. Perhaps there is something I could do for you, Jane—flower arranging or keeping your correspondence in order. I did those things for Mama.’

  ‘Oh, the flowers perhaps, if you choose,’ Jane said, ‘but you are here to enjoy yourself, Sarah. You will soon make friends, and of course your name will be included on all my invitations once it is known you are in town.’

  ‘I must go up and fetch my shawl,’ Sarah said. ‘The duchess will be here at any moment and I must not keep her waiting.’

  Jane nodded and let her go. She wandered over to her desk but she had hardly settled to her letters when a small commotion in the hall told her that her mother had arrived. The next moment the door was flung wide and the duchess walked in; she was a delicate, pretty woman with good bone structure and hair that was still the colour of spun natural silk or white blonde as some called it. Dressed in the height of fashion, she contrived to look half her age and she had often been taken for Jane’s sister by strangers.

  ‘My darling Jane.’ Mama embraced her lovingly in a cloud of expensive perfume. ‘How is poor little Sarah? Such a terrible time she has had...’

  ‘Sarah is very well, I think,’ Jane said. ‘A little sad still, I believe, but ready to come out of mourning and be dressed by you, dearest. I think she would not wish to wear bright colours yet, but I know you will do the thing perfectly.’

  ‘Of course I shall,’ the duchess said. ‘No one has ever doubted my taste in such matters, Jane. She shall wear what suits her, but nothing loud or distasteful in a girl so recently bereaved—it is only a month since dear Seraphina died, is it not?’

  ‘Yes, it is,’ Jane agreed. ‘Sarah is just such a person as I can set up my own home with, Mama. We shall agree very well and I think our tastes are not dissimilar.’

  ‘Well, that’s as maybe,’ Mama said, a little smile playing about her lips. ‘Yet who knows? I may find husbands for you both long before then...’

  ‘Mama, no!’ Jane warned her but with a smile. ‘Please no schemes for me—and do not put pressure on poor Sarah. She has had enough of that from her uncle.’

  ‘Yes, indeed, I know it,’ Mama agreed. ‘I would not press her for the world—but if she should meet someone, perhaps who loves her but of little fortune, my dearest Porky will see her right. He would do anything to oblige me, you know.’

  ‘I know, dearest one,’ Jane said and laughed. ‘You have him wrapped about your little finger, do you not?’

  ‘Jane, it is no such thing,’ the duchess said, her eyes alight with mischief. ‘Porky likes to be generous. How could he spend a tenth of his fortune if I did not show him how? He has never been happier than now and tells me so every night and first thing in the morning.’

  ‘Yes, I know that to be true,’ Jane agreed. ‘And you are truly happy, Mama?’

  ‘Of course. Porky adores me, and that is rather lovely, Jane. I am very fond of him and I like to look after him. He needs me, you see; he was so lost and lonely before we married.’

  Jane smiled inwardly for the duke had a vast crowd of friends and legions of faithful servants to care for his every need—but perhaps, in adoring his pretty and mischievous wife, he’d found his happiness.

  Sarah came back downstairs and Jane went to the door to see them off in Mama’s smart carriage, with its cream leather cushions and shiny black paint. She returned to her parlour just as Melia came downstairs, dressed for walking.

  ‘Are you going out, Melia?’

  ‘Yes, with Miss Anne Smythe and her brother Captain Smythe,’ Melia said. ‘It was arranged at the party last evening. Do you not recall my telling you last night when I returned?’

  Jane was certain the girl had merely poked her head in to ask if she was well and then gone off to her own room. Looking at her closely, Jane thought she looked a trifle pale and heavy-eyed, not as fresh and lovely as when they had come to London.

  ‘Is something upsetting you?’ she asked, thinking that Melia looked as if she’d been crying.

  ‘No, I am perfectly all right,’ Melia said but did not look comfortable. ‘I must go. My maid is waiting and I am to meet the others at half past eleven. I shall not be home for nuncheon, but I am not hungry.’

  Jane let her go. Melia was her guest but she was not her guardian and it was not for her to speak of propriety—at least not yet. Providing the girl took a maid with her, there was no reason why she should not meet her friends in the park.

  Sighing, Jane continued to look through the invitations that had arrived that morning. Most evenings they had their choice of at least three and quite often made an appearance at all three, though on the evening of an important ball or a private visit to the theatre she wrote apologies for her absence at some affair or other.

  Jane had been standing at the window lost in thought for a while when she heard a sound behind her and turned to see her brother enter. He looked so handsome and so dear that her heart caught; if Melia broke his heart she did not think she could forgive the girl.

  ‘All alone, Jane?’ he asked, seeming concerned.

  ‘Yes, for the moment. Mama has taken Sarah shopping and Melia has gone walking with Captain Smythe and his sister.’

  ‘Not out with Viscount Hargreaves today then?’

  ‘No, I think she was a little annoyed because she particularly told him where we would be last night and he chose to go elsewhere.’

  ‘Oh, I see... Yes, that would not please her.’ Will smiled at her. ‘It will be just the two of us for luncheon then.’

  ‘Yes, just like at home,’ Jane said and moved towards him. ‘Are you enjoying your visit, my dearest?’

  ‘Yes, I always enjoy the chance to visit friends, entertain them and purchase a few clothes. I have ordered three pairs of boots and two new coats—the last from Weston. I believe his style will suit me in the country.’

  ‘If you marry, your wife may wish to be in London more often, Will. Melia seems to love it in town.’

  ‘Yes, she does quite clearly,’ Will said, seeming thoughtful. ‘Well, we shall cross that bridge when we come to it. I hope you’ve given up this nonsense of living alone?’

  ‘Oh, I never intended to be alone,’ she said mildly. ‘Sarah will make an ideal companion—do you not agree?’

  ‘She seems a pleasant girl to me,’ he replied and laughed. ‘It is wrong to call her that, for she is the same age as you, Jane—and very much a woman.’

  ‘Yes. I imagine she has had to be. It seems she and her mother have had a hard time of it since her father died—and Sarah has had a worse one since then. Did she tell you her story?’

  ‘Yes, a little, but it was easy enough to read between the lines. I admit to feeling sympathy for her, Jane. You must make sure that she knows she is welcome to live with us for as long as she wishes—though she is too attractive to be unmarried for long.’

  ‘She has no portion, Will.’ Jane smiled inwardly for her brother had changed his tune concerning her cousin, whom he’d thought plain at the start.

  ‘Yet her good nature will attract suitors—and I would be glad to settle a dowry on her, if she would accept it.’

  ‘As would I,’ Jane agreed. ‘Mama would adore to have Sarah live with her, for she is much taken with her—but, as you say, I do not think it need be long before our cousin weds.’

  ‘A second cousin only,’ Will reminded her. ‘Sarah is Mama’s cousin, though we have been used to call her such...’

  ‘Yes, of course..
.our second cousin,’ Jane said and wondered why her brother had stressed the more distant relationship.

  * * *

  ‘You have perfect taste,’ Paul said when they had completed their tour of the furnishing emporium and made several choices. He led her out to his waiting carriage, helping her inside and then climbing in after. ‘I liked everything you picked and shall be happy with them, I know.’

  ‘We have accomplished but a third of your needs,’ Jane said and laughed as she saw his look. ‘Yes, I know. Gentlemen often consider such purchases as slow work, but it must be done if you are to be comfortable again.’

  ‘Yes, I know it,’ Paul said and laughed wryly. ‘I am forever in your debt, Lady March. I should not have known where to begin had you not lent me your aid.’

  ‘You are most welcome, my lord,’ she replied demurely but with a wicked twinkle in her eyes. ‘I have enjoyed myself a great deal this morning and shall look forward to visiting your house once the furnishings are installed.’

  ‘Naturally, I shall offer you the chance before anyone else,’ he said. ‘However, I must tell you that I am about to leave town for a few days. We attend the races at Newmarket and in my absence I hope that most of the redecorating will be done...’

  ‘Ah, yes, that is best,’ Jane agreed. ‘A house is not your own when invaded by builders.’

  ‘Very true,’ he said ruefully. ‘I confess it is the first time I’ve attempted it. I’ve never owned a house in England before—and in my palace in India all was done before I saw it...’

  ‘Your palace?’ Jane stared in surprise. ‘Do you own such a thing, my lord?’

  ‘It was given to me by the father of the Prince I rescued—a small palace by his estimation, but a palace all the same, with pleasant gardens, cool tinkling pools and trees to shade you from the heat of too hot a sun...’

  ‘India sounds fascinating,’ Jane said. ‘I have sometimes thought I should like to travel again...’

  ‘You travelled to France or Spain with your husband, I dare say?’

  ‘Yes. Harry warned me it would be hard at times, and it was—but I would not have changed it for the world. I loved my husband and that time was precious; it mattered not to me that we sometimes lived in cramped and draughty quarters.’

  ‘I think I envy Lord March,’ Paul said softly, but Jane hardly caught the words and blushed at what she thought she heard.

  ‘So when do you hope to return?’ she asked. ‘Would it be of use to you, sir, if I visited some other warehouses alone and asked them to send certain items on approval? You may view them at your leisure and reject anything you dislike.’

  ‘If you choose as you have today, items of quality and taste, then I am certain I shall not need to return them,’ Paul said. He hesitated and then went on, ‘I am always in your debt. You must tell me if I can do anything to please you, my lady.’

  ‘Then I shall use the time to good purpose,’ she promised. ‘I enjoy shopping and will perhaps find some items I shall need when I set up my house in Bath. My cousin has arrived in town and she seems happy to make her home with us—until she marries, of course.’

  ‘I shall look forward to making her acquaintance.’ Paul took her hand and kissed it as his carriage halted before her door. ‘And now I must thank you again and leave you, for I have things to attend before I leave.’

  ‘I enjoyed your company,’ Jane said. ‘Have a pleasant visit and enjoy the races, Lord Frant.’

  Paul smiled and helped her down, escorting her to her door, which was opened as she reached it. Returning to his carriage, he was thoughtful. Jane’s taste matched his own perfectly, and his feeling that she was the only woman he would ever wish to marry had grown steadily throughout the morning they had spent together.

  He had fortune enough to please any woman, and his birth was good—though her father had been of higher rank. Yet there was nothing to stand in the way of a match between them in that regard—but could he turn her heart towards him? Jane was pleasant, friendly and he believed that she enjoyed his company—but would she ever trust her heart to him?

  He was a man who faced reality and he had to admit that not once had she shown any warmer feelings towards him than that of a pleasant acquaintance. Perhaps it was hardly surprising. She had loved once and lost tragically. Could she let go of the past and give herself in marriage again...had she even thought of it, or of him, in such terms?

  Paul was rueful as he reviewed her manner and words in his mind, but nothing she had said or done could convince him that he was more to her than an acquaintance.

  How could he make her fall in love with him? He was not sure it was possible. He’d tried compliments and that had seemed to cause her to draw back. She was not a vain woman and flattery would be useless. He sighed as he realised that love either happened or it did not...

  Sighing, Paul turned his thoughts. He had an appointment with his man of business. Spencer had investigated the affairs of the late Viscount Hargreaves, and would tell him if anything could be salvaged—and if not they must discover a way of making it seem to be so...

  * * *

  Jane found Melia and Sarah sitting in the front parlour together when she had taken off her pelisse and bonnet. Sarah was reading and Melia was sitting at a table with a pack of cards, playing patience, but without much evidence of being in that mood, for she threw them down with a sound of disgust.

  ‘I cannot make them come out,’ she cried. ‘It is a useless game. I am glad you are back, Jane, for Sarah said we should not ring for tea until you came.’

  ‘It is a little past our time,’ Jane said. ‘Forgive me. We were longer than I’d imagined—but it was so pleasant that I quite forgot the time...’

  ‘I do not know how you can find choosing furniture for that man pleasant,’ Melia said with a sulky look. ‘He but uses you, Jane. You should not allow it.’

  ‘Oh, I do not think myself used,’ Jane replied, determined not to lose her patience with the girl, even though she found herself resenting Melia’s tone concerning Lord Frant. How could the girl be so ungrateful after what he’d done for her? ‘Like many gentlemen he does not care to spend his time choosing furnishings and I am happy to do it for him—besides, I have seen a few pieces that I should like for my own house when my brother marries.’

  Jane saw a guilty flush in Melia’s cheeks and suspected that she no longer wished to be Will’s wife.

  ‘Is the viscount to marry?’ Sarah looked up from her book.

  ‘Oh, in time,’ Jane said and glanced at Melia. ‘I do not think it is imminent, though I had thought it might be...’

  Melia’s cheeks grew red. She got up and went over to the window, looking out at the street below. ‘Did you know that Lord Frant and Viscount Hargreaves go to Newmarket?’

  ‘Yes, Lord Frant has just this minute told me. You had it from Viscount Hargreaves, I dare say?’

  ‘Yes...’ Melia avoided her eyes. ‘He mentioned that he might be leaving town soon.’

  ‘They leave tomorrow for Newmarket...for the races, I think. Afterwards, they will buy young horses for the stables they intend to set up.’

  ‘Yes, so I believe,’ Melia said and sighed. ‘I understand they will buy land together in Ireland...’

  ‘Ah, I did not know that,’ Jane said. ‘It appears you have been privy to more information than I...’ She rang the bell and when a maid appeared asked for tea to be served. ‘We must prepare for this evening...just music and cards. We do not dance until Mama’s ball next week...’

  Of its own volition, a sigh left Jane’s lips. She had hoped that Lord Frant would attend the duchess’s ball, but if he were in Newmarket—or even Ireland—he would miss it...and that meant the prospect of dancing, of being held close to a man’s chest, held little appeal for Jane.

  Chapter Nine

 
; ‘It seems that I have the means to pay for my share of the stables,’ Adam announced from the doorway of the inn chamber. ‘The letter arrived this morning. I shall have five thousand clear when everything is settled—enough for the three thousand needed and a decent house in Ireland, should I wish it.’

  ‘With your winnings these past two days you have enough to live on for a while,’ Paul said and smiled. ‘It seems your fortunes have changed, my friend.’

  ‘Yes, thank God!’ Adam looked elated. ‘When I placed that bet of a hundred guineas it was my last, leaving me barely enough to settle my score here had I lost it.’

  ‘You are braver than I.’ Paul chuckled. ‘I do not think I could have placed such a bet.’

  ‘You are not a gambler,’ Adam said wryly. ‘You have courage, Frant—but you would not gamble your life on the fate of a horse. If it had lost, I fear there would have been nothing left but to put a ball through my head.’

  ‘Then I thank the fates for making your horse win,’ Paul said, his brows rising. ‘I should not want to lose a friend on such an account...’

  ‘Well, it seems that for the moment I am saved.’ Adam grinned at him. ‘We should take a look in at Tattersalls today, Frant. We may be able to purchase some decent stock.’

  ‘Young horses with good bloodlines that we can rear ourselves,’ Paul said. ‘But we need also a good mare to breed from—and one or two horses that show promise of good form in the near future.’

  ‘Will you race that beautiful horse of yours? The one the Prince gave you and you brought with you on the ship.’

  ‘I fear my poor Suleima fared worse than I did on the journey,’ Paul replied. ‘One day I hope to race him, but it may be that I shall simply keep him for stud purposes.’

  ‘None other could match him in the race you rode in India...’

  ‘No, that is true,’ Paul said. ‘I was offered riches to sell him, but I wanted to bring him home to England...’

  ‘You intend to settle here then?’