Francesca Shaw - The Unconventional Miss Dane

by The Unconventional Miss Dane (lit)

"And? What did she say? Marcus, I do wish you would not sprawl like that!,

  "She. said nothing." Marcus continued to sprawl, although his rather grim expression showed no desire to tease his sister.

  "Nothing? What can you mean? Marcus, you are going about this very badly--did she refuse to speak to you? Although it is not to be wondered at,~ with that minx Claudia Reed all over you at table last night--'

  "Antonia has gone," Marcus stated baldly, cutting his sister off in mid flow,

  "Gone! Gone where?" Anne sat down abruptly in the chair opposite.

  "I have no idea, although i would hazard either Bath or London."

  His sister's colour was high, rising to match her temper. "So you have thrown away the one chance you have of marrying someone who would suit you to perfectionm and hurt a sweet girl into the bargain!"

  "I offered for her before our first dinner party here, and she turned me down." This was compressing events somewhat, and made no mention of Claudia,s role in it all, but Anne was not to be deflected.

  "I suppose you thought she would fall into your arms for the asking?" she demanded hotly. "Afler all, everything else does, does it not, Marcus?"

  Startled by this attack, he pulled himself up in the chair and stared at her. "What can you mean?"

  "Ever since you were a boy, you have been admired and feted, for your rank and your fortune and your looks. You have never had to be accountable to anyone for anything, which is no doubt why that sweet girl has refused your suit. No, hear me out," she held up a hand as he opened his mouth to protest.

  "You are a good brother and uncle and an excellent employer, but you are aloof, sometimes haughty. I am assuming you love Antonia? Have you told her so,-or have you just presumed that the honour of being courted by the great Marcus Arlington is sufficient?"

  Marcus returned her angry look with one that was thoughtful, weighing what Anne had said, but before could respond ~ was a discreet tap at the door and Mead entered apologetically.

  "My lord, I regret the intrusion, but Welling is here, saying you required immediate speech with him."

  Marcus rose swiftly. "Tell him to wait, Mead, I will be with him directly." Turning to his sister, he added, "Will you be so good as to direct Dale to pack a valise for me; this will be news of Miss Dane and I intend to follow her." He kissed Anne's hot cheek. "Do not fret, my dear, ! have taken your strictures to heart. What you say may be true, but I do not despair of rescuing the situation."

  In the hall he waited only for three words from Welling, "London, my lord," before ordering the man to bring round his high-perch phaeton within the half-hour.

  Lady Meredith hurried out on to the steps as Dale was stowing the valise under the seat of the carriage and preparing to climb his ).

  "Me

  "Give my apologies to our guests, my dear, and tell them I have called away to Town by urgent business."

  "So she is in London, then?" Anne asked, keeping her voice low as she looked up into his serious face. "How will you find her?"

  Marcus bent down to touch her cheek. "Saye is hot on her Wail, he will mark where she is staying and then await me at the town house. I will find her, never fear."

  Anne, watching the sporting vehicle sway dangerously round the curve of the drive, prayed flint Marcus would not only find Miss Dane, but that having found her, could prevail upon her to receive him.

  As she walked slowly back into the hallway, Anne mused that once she would have been glad to see her haughty. brother brought low by love; now all she wanted was for him to be happy. With any other unmarried girl Lady Meredith would have had no fears, but Miss Dane was no ordinary debutante: she had a mind of her own and spirits to match.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The carriage jolted' over the London cobblestones, jerking Antonia's mind hack from the miserable circles it had been running round all day.

  Even in a swirl chaise, with no money spared in hiring postillions and making changes whenever the horses faltered, the journey had seemed interminable.

  In the country it would still be light at eight o'clock, but here, with tall buildings crowding all around and the press of humanity on the streets, the evening seemed well drawn in.

  Antonia had directed the postillions to Half Moon Street, hoping that her great-aunChad suffered no relapse and was therefore at her own home and not at Cousin Hewitt's. To her relief, the knocker was still on the door, a sure sign that her ladyship was in residence, and lights glowed from the windows.

  As soon as the carriage steps were let down, Antonia hurried up to the front door, which opened as she reached it as if in greeting. But it was not for her--Hodge, her g~. eat-aunt's long-serving butler, was in the process of bowing out a portly young gentleman. Antonia would have recognised her cousin Hewitt Granger anywhere by the expression of smug self-satisfaction playing on his fleshy lips and took some pleasure in seeing his face change at the sight of her.

  They had never enjoyed a happy relationship: Hewitt was deeply suspicious of Antonia's position in his grandmother's affections and had been only too pleased to see her 'depart to Hertfordshire. But at the same time she was uncomfortably aware that Hewitt Granger found her attractive. He never lost the opportunity to touch her, squeeze her hand or stare blatantly at her figure in a manner that left her feeling somehow soiled.

  Even as he regarded her now with suspicion and dislike in his pale eyes, Hewitt's tongue ran wetly over his full red lips.

  "Antonia! What are you doing here? We did not look to see you in London again. Perhaps you sent a missive which has gone astray?" One gingery brow rose haughtily in an attempt at superiority.

  "Good evening, HewitC' Antonia dismissed him--and his questiOns--coldly, turning to the elderly butler with warmth. " Good evening, Hodge. I trust I find you well? How is the lumhago? Better, no doubt, in this warm weather. "

  The old man beamed back, for she had always been a favourite with him and he -had missed her sorely these last months. "Much better, thank you, Miss Antonia. And may I say what a pl--'

  "Now look here," Hewitt interrupted rudely. "I do not know what you think you are about, Antonia, but you cannot go in there." He moved to block her entrance with his bulky body. "Grandmother has been very ill, she cannot possibly see you and certainly not at this hour. You must go to an hotel."

  Antonia glimpsed the expression on Hodge's face, the almost imperceptible shake of his head. "Fiddlesticks, Hewitt! I am here at Great-Aunt's invitation. Now do step aside and let me past. You have grown so stout since we last met; I cannot but feel it will do you no good, especially in this warm weather." She regarded 'his em purpling face with cloying sympathy. "You really look rather hot and agitated~uite puce, in fact. Goodnight, I will not detain you any longer."

  Hodge curbed the smile that was beginning to dawn on his face and said urbanely, "Your usual chamber is prepared, Miss Antonia. And Cook has your favourite supper all ready."

  Antonia, even knowing this was untrue, could detect no falsity in the but let tone. With a sweet smile at Hewitt, who was gobbling like a turkey cock, she slipped neatly into the hall. Her cousin was further discommoded by two footmen running down the steps to collect Antonia's luggage from the chaise: Thus comprehensively ignored by everyone, he clapped his hat on his head and strode off towards Piccadilly.

  Hodge beamed at Antonia. "I will ring for Mrs. Hodge and have your chamber prepared directly, Miss Antonia. Do you wish to go in directly to her ladyship?"

  Antonia twinkled at him. "You said just now that my room was already prepared, Hodge. Was that an untruth?"

  "Merely a slip of the tongue, Miss Antonia," the butler replied blandly. "Her ladyship will be delighted to see you, if I may make so bold. She is in the blue par lout shall I show you up?"

  "Thank you, no, Hodge. I know the way." Antonia whisked upstairs, happy to be back in the reassuring familiarity of her old home. It only lacked Donna to be quite like the old days, but her companion, when Antonia had announced her intention of
fleeing to London, had reluctantly agreed to remain behind and supervise the Dower House.

  Antonia paused, one hand raised to tap on her great-aunt's door. She remembered the uncharacteristic blaze of fury on Donna's face when she realised the exigencies to which Lord Arlington had driven her beloved girl. Antonia had left in the gig with Miss Donaldson's furious instructions to Anna ringing in her ears: "That man is never--~-never--to be permitted to cross this threshold again! Do you understand?" ~

  Antonia tapped firmly on the door, for Great-Aunt's hearing was not what it was, and peeped round the edge, somewhat concerned that she might give Lady Granger a shock, for the old lady was in her eighties and her health was uncertain, despite the recent improvement.

  All that was Visible was the top of a most elaborate lace cap showing over the back of a heavily brocaded wing chair. A small fn'e flickered in the grate despite the warmth of the evening and an embroidery stand and a basket of silks had been pushed to one side.

  "Is that you, Hodge?" Lady Grangeifs voice was still as strong and commanding as it always had been. "Has that fool of a grandson of mine gone? Thinks I do not know why he comes round! Sits there prattling on and all the time measuring me for my coffin with those wishy-washy eyes and wondering about my will! Pshaw! Does he think I am a fool?"

  Antonia smiled to herself. The old lady was as outspoken as many of her contemporaries brought up in the more robust manners of the reign of the second George. She was quite likely to use intemperate language and could be open in her admiration for a comely young man in a way that caused blushes and giggles amongst younger women.

  Antonia adored her great-aunt and was about to call her name when the old lady demanded, "And bring me my brandy, Hodge! Take away the taste of that bloodless sherry wine Hewitt pressed upon me."

  Her niece picked up the tray from the side table and carried it round, carefully placing it before her aunt.

  "Good Gad! Antonia, my child, is it really you?" Lady Granger held out her arms and Antonia went into them, enveloped in a cloud of rose scent, rice face powder and lace. "It does my heart good to see you."

  "I am sorry to come with no warning. I hope it is not a shock, Great-Aunt." Antonia sat on a footstool beside Lady Granger and took her hand. She was shocked at how thin and papery the skin felt, but under her fingers the pulse beat strongly and the old eyes were bright and shrewd.

  "Reading your letter, I was so happy that you are feeling better, that I wanted to take up your invitation immeAiately?It sounded false even to her own ears and Lady Granger was not fooled.

  "Now tell me the real reason you are here," she demanded. She tipped up Antonia's chin with a bony fingertip and peered into her face. "Some man has made those shadows under your eyes, I suppose. Who is he?"

  Even used as she was to her great-aunt, Antonia was taken aback by her direcmess and answered honestly, "Marcus Arlington."

  At that moment Mrs. Hodge entered to enquire whether

  Antonia wished to eat her supper with Lady Granger and, receiving an affirmative answer, gathered up Antonia's pelisse 'and bonnet and bustled out.

  "Arlington, eh?" A mischievous glint it Lady Granger's eyes. "And is he as handsome a dog as his grandfather, I wonder? Now there was a man with a fine leg in a pair of satin knee breeches. A man with a true damn-your-eyes attitude to life!" She cackled reminiscently. "I nearly married him, but he was too much a rakehell, even for me."

  "He is handsome, right enough," Antonia admitted rue. fully. "And arrogant, and a rake..."

  "And you love him, I suppose?"

  "Yes." Antonia raised her face to her great aunt, tears starting in her eyes and her lip trembling,

  The old lady held up an admonishing finger. "Do not dare cry, girl!

  Remember who you are and keep your pride. They are none of them worth a single tear, and I should know."

  Antonia bit her lip until the tears stopped and began to believe the rumours she had heard about her great-aunt: that she had been a great beauty, the mistress of powerful men--even, it was hinted, one of the highest in the and.

  The bright eyes suddenly froze on her face~ ~Why have you run away, girl? Has he been playing fast and loose with you? Have you permitted him any ! iherties? "~ She remembered Edmund Arlington and his winning ways with the ladies. If his grandson had seduced her Antonia, he would find himself down the aisle before the week was out, if she had to take a shotgun to him herself.

  "No," Antonia denied, blushing hotly, remembering how close she had come to yielding to the urging of his hard body on the riverbank that night, remembering her responses to his mouth on hers in the conservatory.

  "Indeed, miss!" Great-Aunt took a sip of her brandy and fell silent as Mrs. Hodge brought in a light collation, laid the table and departed with a neat cur my

  She brooded quietly as her great-niece ate hungrily, then, when Antonia finally pushed away the plate, asked, "What is the matter then, that you have come to me?"

  "He does not love me and I cannot hear to be near him and his mistress a moment longer," Antonia burst out, getting to her feet and crossing to the window to look out on the street below. It was full dark now, except for the lanterns at each doorway, and she failed to notice the wiry figure in riding clothes standing in the shadows regarding the house. After a few moments, Saye detached himself from the darkness and hurried away in the direction of Grosvenor Square.

  ~"Keeping a mistress, is he? Clumsy fool to let you know! Young men these days are losing their finesse--his grandfather would never have paraded his fancy piece in front of a girl he was courting. Has he made you any sort of declaration?"

  "He has proposed marriage and I have refused."

  "Glad to hear you have that much spirit,. girl! And'I am glad you had the sense to come to me although, with the Season over, Town is thin of company." Lady Granger mused on the available men who might take Antonia's mind off her broken heart. Marcus Arlington was very eligible, she sighed to herself. She doubted her niece would ever make such a good catch again, but the important thing was that the child he happy.

  "Come back and sit by me, child. You may stay as long as you wish, we will be comfortable together." Antonia her head in the old, lady's lap and felt her hair heing gently stroked. She shut her eyes and let the wise old voice wash over her. "You will forget him in time, child. You are young and heautiful and there are plenty more fish in the sea."

  The following morning brought Hewitt and his younger brother Clarence, accompanied by his wife of a few months who, Antonia decided, after the briefest of acquaintances, was a total ninny.

  The ladies had scarce finished their breakfast when the knocker sounded the arrival of the unwelcome party. Lady Granger was not pleased at the early interruption. "What lhave done to deserve such fools. for grandsons I do not know," she confided to Antonia, not bothering to keep her voice down. "Neither of them has a thought in his head, but that does not stop them sticking their heaks into my business at every turn."

  The unbecoming mottling of Hewitt's complexion showed he had heard at rleast part of this condemnation, but he swallowed his anger, bustling forward to kiss his grandmother's hand and enquire condescendingly after her health. Clarence followed his elder brother. Although two years separated them, they were as alike as twins with their florid complexions and bulky figures.

  Clarence turned to his cousin and presented his wife with the air of a man showing off a rare jewel. Em'ilia Granger was at least ten years younger than her husband. She was blonde and fluffy and simpered up at Clarence, who swelled with pride at the blatant adoration in the shallow blue eyes.

  Antonia marvelled that any woman could regard her cousin with adoration until Mrs. Granger opened her mouth. "Have you been in London before, Miss Dane... oh, yes, silly me, I quite forgot... Clarence told me you used to live here. Oh, dear, I am a goose!" She giggled inanely, a noise not unlike a guinea fowl at its most irritating, and prattled on.

  "We are just a little early, are we not? But dea
r brother Hewitt was so set on visiting. He said last night..."

  Even a woman as stupid as she could not fail to recognise the fury with which 'her brother-in-law was regarding her. Emilia flushed unbecomingly and subsided into silence. Hewitt glowered at her until he was certain she would prattle no more and turned his attention once more to Antonia.

  Gad! His cousin was a handsome woman! Perhaps her complexion had caught the sun too much for fashion, but with her dark hair and flashing eyes it gave her an exotic look. Hewitt's mind drifted to a dark beauty he had encountered the other night in Vauxhall Gardens and the pleasures that had followed after the exchange of more guineas than he normally expended.

  Antonia, catch' rag his eye, shifted uncomfortably and moved closer to her great aunt, who was ~sniling at her visitors, "Sit down, sit down!

  Do not hover about like a flock of pigeons! What do you want, Hewitt?

  You were only here last evening."

  Emilia, scared out of her remain' rag wits by this terrifying old lady, squeaked and dropped her reticule. The contents fell out and she scrabbled at her feet to pick them up, her cheeks scarlet. The two men sat firmly, one at each end of the sofa opposite their grandmother.