Francesca Shaw - The Unconventional Miss Dane

by The Unconventional Miss Dane (lit)

  "Ha! Like a pair of bookends!" And with no sense between ~them. Lady Granger snorted, wondering how her stolid but reliable son had produced two such as these. But then, that well-bred goose he had married. A moment of silence followed. Clarence finally broke it by clearing his throat. "Well, Grandmama--' he fiddled with his neck cloth '~ensible as we all are of your weakened' condition and mindful that your doctor has prescribed rest..."

  "Poppycock! I have dismissed the old fool, as well you know. Young Dr. Hardcastle--does me good just to see his handsome face--stands for none of that nonsense."

  "Be that as it may~ Grandmama," Clarence continued gamely, 'we were concerned that our cousin's presence might fatigue you. So we have come to offer her accommodation with us. For the week or two you are in London, coz," he added, turning to Antonia.

  "She stays here," the old lady snapped, causing another spasm of fright to course through Emilia's thin frame.

  "And I intend to stay for quite some time---months, in fact. So, of course, I could not possibly impose on you in Wimpole Street." Antonia smiled sweetly at Emilia. "And I could not possibly intrude into the household of a newly married couple." Mrs. Granger, thus addressed, was so discommoded that she dropped her reticule again.

  "Fool of a woman," Great-Aunt muttered quite audibly, then, raising her voice, added, "We have all the dress shops to visit--why, Anton'm needs a complete change of wardrobe--and I fully intend to buy all the latest novels and volumes of poetry so we may read together. And, of course, we must get out of London soon. Bath, perhaps, or Brighton. What think you, Hewitt? Only a house in the best area, of course, and at this short notice it will no doubt cost a pretty penny. But there, I cannot take it with me, can I?"

  Hewitt had raised a hand to cover his eyes and was murmuring gently to himself. Antonia thought she caught the words, "The money, the money..."

  Lady Granger tugged the bell-pull at her side. "Well, you may all remain here if you wish, but we were about to go out. Antonia, did I mention last night that I intend to take my diamond set to Garrard's to be cleaned and reset for you? We can do that on the way to the modiste's." Having thus completed Hewitt's anguish, she smiled beniguly on her grandsons and, leaning on Antonia's ann, crossed the room slowly but steadily.

  Antonia was surprised to discover, when they sat down later to luncheon, how effective a good shopping spree was in keeping a broken heart at bay. Her mind still flinched~ from thinking of Marcus, but her spirits were lighter and she found she could look forward to the next few weeks with pleasant anticipation.

  "I must go and lie down for a while, my dear," Great-Aunt announced.

  "No, no, I am not fatigued." She waved aside Antonia's concern. "Dr.

  Hardcastle has told me to conserve my energies. Why not take a walk in the park? Or would you prefer one of the grooms to drive you?"

  "Thank you, Great-Aunt, but I think I will walk. I have grown used to walking some distances since I have been in Hertfordshire and I confess I miss the exercise." Antonia dropped a kiss on the dry, papery cheek and went upstairs to put on her bonnet and pelisse.

  With one of her great-aunt's maids at her heels, Antonia set off briskly towards Hyde Park. Green Park was closer, but the more open expanses of the larger park beckoned and the afternoon was pleasantly sunny with a light breeze.

  Antonia had an enjoyable walk, wandering further than she had intended.

  She finally turned for home, much to the relief of Julia the maid, who was not used to lengthy excursions of this sort, when she slipped on a tussock and turned her ankle painfully.

  "Oh, Miss Antonia, are you all right, miss?" Julia's face was anxious as Antonia grimaced and robbed the side of her kid boot.

  "Oh! That was a nasty wrench, but I do not think it is sprained." She placed her foot gingerly to the ground and winced. "I shall manage well enough if I lean on your arm, Julia."

  The two of them had begun their slow progress homewards when there was the sound of carriage wheels behind them and a cry of, "Cousin! What has befallen you?" The two young women turned to see Hewitt in a new conveyance pulled by a somewhat showy bay.

  "I have turned my ankle, Hewitt, there is no cause for

  Hewitt jumped down from the carriage. "But you must ride back with me, dear cousin, I insist."

  Antonia's first instinct was to refuse, but the thought of hobbling conspicuously across the Park was not appealing and her ankle was now throbbing.

  "Thank you, Hewitt. Is there room for my girl?"

  "No!" Hewitt looked appalled at the thought of having a maidservant in his new carriage.

  "Very well. Julia, I am afraid you will have to walk straight back to Half Moon Street, now!"

  "Yes, miss." The girl bobbed a curtsy and watched as the carriage bowled off down the graveled drive. Humph! She'd rather walk any day than sit squashed up with old frog-face and his wandering hands. And if she hurried there would be time to put her head round the basement door of number twenty and see if Tom the under footman was about.

  "Hewitt, do take care," Antonia remonstrated as Hewitt took a curve so close the carriage rocked. She suspected that he had chosen both horse and curricle for their showy looks rather than quality, and was not entirely certain as to his abilities to control either.

  "We!!" if you are nervous I will slow down, one would not wish to frighten a lady. " He reined back and leered at Antonia, who placed her parasol firmly on the seat between them.

  Antonia averted her gaze from his florid features and began to talk of the magnificence of the shrubberies and the greenness of the grass despite the warm weather.

  Her determined horticultural commentary was rudely interrupted by Hewitt's exclamation. "That's a damn fine bit of horseflesh!"

  Antonia turned automatically, but she had no need to follow her cousin's pointing whip. The ma~ificent black stallion emerging at a controlled walk from one of the side paths was turning all heads in the vicinity. But after one glance, Antonia's attention was riveted not on the horse but on the rider.

  Marcus Arlington was controlling the spirited animal with one hand, the other at his hat brim acknowledging greetings from many of the passers-by.

  "Drive on, Hewitt!" she demanded sharply, but her cousin had reined back almost to a standstill and was not listening. "Stop gawping, Hewitt, it is only a horse!"

  What was Marcus doing here! It was only two days since that disastrous dinner party at Brightshill--now here he was riding through Hyde Park, as cool as a cucumber. One thing was clear--he had not followed her, for how could he know where she had gone after all the precautions she had taken to cover her steps?

  Antonia's heart was thudding in her chest so loudly she felt sure, it would be audible to her cousin sitting alongside her. She could not take her eyes off Marcus, sitting erect in the saddle. His boots were burnished to the black sheen of the animal beneath him, his riding clothes were immaculate. His hair was caught by the slight breeze as he raised his hat and her fingers clenched against the desire to nan her fingers through it.

  "It is Lord Arlington, is it not?" Hewitt demanded. "I wonder if he would tell me where he got that animal?"

  "Please, Hewitt, take me home, my ankle is painful and I am sure it is swelling."

  "What? Oh, sorry, my dear." Hewitt, recalled by her sharp voice, started and let his hands drop. The bay, feeling the lack of control, broke into a trot and the carriage lurched. Antonia, thrown off balance, gripped Hewitt's arm with both hands and was still in that position when. Marcus saw them.

  He urged the stallion forward with the pressure of his knees and came alongside the curricle as Hewitt once more gained control.

  Hewitt just managed to doff his hat without dropping either it or the reins. "My lord."

  "You have the advantage of me, sir, no doubt Miss Dane will introduce us. Miss Dane, your servant, ma'am." He replaced his tall hat and raised one eyebrow. "I, had not looked to find you here, Miss Dane."

  "And indeed, why should you, sir?" An
tonia riposted, chin high and leaving one hand resting on her cousin's arm. "Allow me to make known to you my cousin, Hewitt Granger. Mr. Granger, Lord Arlington."

  The gentlemen exchanged stiff half-bows. Hewitt was conscious that Antonia's hand was still on his ann. His lordship might be astride the best bit of horseflesh in the

  Park, but he, Hewitt Granger, was driving the finest looking woman abroad that day! His chest swelled with self-importance and he patted Antonia's hand pro prietorially.

  Marcus's face showed nothing but the bland amiability of a gentleman introduced to a new acquaintance but

  Antonia, knowing him so well, was aware of a watchfulness in his eyes.

  Some devil in her made her lay her free hand on top of Hewitt's. "You will forgive us, Lord

  AIYmgton; we have been out some time and I am fatigued.

  Hewitt dear, lake me home now. "

  Marcus's lip curved in an unpleasantly satirical smile.

  He did not believe a word of that, and Antonia knew it.

  "In that case, ma'am, I would not detain you." To her chagrin Marcus tipped his hat once more and cantered off without asking for her direction. Not that she would have given it to him anyway!

  Hewitt, meanwhile, was recovering from the shock of finding Antonia so affectionate, given that usually she was at best disnu'ssive to him. He had just enough sense not to press matters in the Park, but resolved to call at Half Moon Street the following day and pursue his advantage.

  As they bowled along Piccadilly, he reflected that maters could not have fallen better. Antonia's reappearance had been a severe shock to one who had come to his grandmother's money as his by right. He highly the old lady valued her niece: now, if Antonia accepted him, he would have it all: the money and the

  He did not like Antonia, she too opinionated for him, but he did desire her.

  As they turned into Half Moon Street, he resolved to pay a visit to that little actress he had discovered in Covent Garden. A trifle coarse at close quarters, but she bore a startling resemblance to his cousin and his passions were stirred. Antonia was glad to descend from the carriage at her great-aunt's house. The footman helped her down with care and she waved Hewitt goodbye as she limped up the steps on James's arm. To her relief, her cousin showed no desire to accompany her into the house; she had been concerned that she had overdone things in the Park and that he would try and follow up her unexpected warmth.

  But no, she reassured herself, Hewitt was too stupid to notice.

  The following morning her ankle was still stiff. Lady Granger, having failed to persuade her niece to allow her physician to examine it, had insisted that she spend the morning resting with it supported on a footstool. The old lady had driven out to visit an ailing acquaintance, promising to return in time for luncheon.

  Antonia obediently settled down to read the latest volume of Lord Byron's work. Many -ladies would have considered it far too shocking for hn unmarried girl to read, but Lady Granger had thoroughly enjoyed it and had no qualms in passing it to her niece.

  Despite the disconcerting tendency of Marcus's face to appear in her imagination every time she read a description of the hero, Antonia was engrossed in "Manfred' when Hedge threw the door open and announced, "

  Mr. Granger, miss. "

  Antonia groaned inwardly, wishing she had given instructions to Hodge that she was not at home. But then he would have denied all visitors.

  Hewitt bustled across the room crying, "Dear Cousin! How is your afflicted, er..." he boggled at naming part of a lady's anatomy and finished lamely 'injury? "

  "Much better, thank you, Cousin," Antonia replied coolly. Why was he here? "Please, sit down and allow me to ring for some refreshment."

  Hewitt showed no inclination to sit, instead striking an attitude which displayed an inordinate amount of crimson silk waistcoat. "What a striking waistcoat," Antonia said weakly, eyeing the garment with horrid fascination. In combination with trousers in an assertive shade of canary yellow the whole ensemble this early in the morning made her feel quite bilious.

  "I knew you would admire it," he beamed. "I thought to myself, a woman of taste such as my cousin Antonia will admire this garment. In fact, I would go so far as to say I donned it especially for you." His expression was doubtless supposed to be a roguish twinkle, but it emerged more like a leer.

  "Really?" Antonia was lost for words: She was beginning to feel increasingly uncomfortable and wished she could reach the bell-pull to summon Hodge.

  Eyeing her even more warmly, Hewitt crashed to her side on one knee and seized her right hand in his fleshy paw. "Miss Dane! Cousin! Antonia!

  Be mine, I beseech you! Say you will consent to be Mrs. Hewitt Granger!"

  Antonia stared down appalled at the thinning crown of his head bent over her hand, then struggled to her feet with a painful lurch, attempting at the same time to extricate her hand. Hewitt, misinterpreting her gesture, staggered to his feet and seized her in his arms manfully.

  "No!" she cried as his lips descended inexorably towards her face, but the sound was muffled by Hewitt's ample chest.

  There was a discreet cough behind them and Hodge's voice announced,

  "Lord Arlington, Miss Dane."

  Antonia, scarlet with mortification, attempted to free herself, but Hewitt clung to her hand until she freed it with a sharp jerk. "My lord, good morning. Please sit down." She was amazed at how calm her voice sounded, for inside she was trembling and, in truth, felt a little queasy. Her ankle throbbed, but that. was nothing compared to her utter revulsion at Hewitt's embraces,

  Steeling herself, she raised her eyes to Marcus's face, hoping to see some sign ~of jealousy, some sign that finding her in the arms of another man was painful to him.

  Lord Arlington stared back, his face a polite mask. Notby one whit did he betray surprise, dismay or the slightest sign of jealousy in finding the woman to whom he had recently proposed in the arms of another man,

  "How kind of you to call, my lord," Antonia continued desperately. "May I offer you some refreshment? Hewitt, please ring the bell before you sit down."

  "Thank you, Miss Dane." Marcus sat back and crossed his legs, smiling politely at both the cousins, "How pleasant to see you again, Mr.

  Granger: I was wondering where you had acquired the striking animal you were driving yesterday."

  So you can avoid the same dealer, no doubt, Antonia thought sourly. She was hoping that Hewitt would leave, but at such flattering attention her cousin settled himself comfortably and began to prose on about his search for the perfect driving horse.

  Marcus caught Antonia's eye and allowed one eyelid to drop into an unmistakable wink. Antonia, despite everything, could hardly contain the laugh that bubbled up her throat. Marcus could have asked nothing better calculated to encourage Hewitt into a display of pompous conceit--and now Marcus was inviting her to enjoy it with him.

  With a struggle she controlled her expression. Beside her Hewitt, conscious for the first time that his lordship's attention was not solely on him, ground to a halt. Antonia spoke hurriedly in the sudden silence. "How did you know my direction, my lord?"

  "Your direction? Why, I had not come to see you, Miss Dane, but Lady Granger." Marcus smiled. "No, this is merely a pleasant coincidence--did you know, Mr. Granger, that Miss Dane and I are neighbours in Hertfordshire?"

  "No, I was not aware of that," Hewitt answm~! rather shortly. "I was also not aware that you were acquainted with my grandmother." He disF~ked the thought that any of his most wealthy relative's business was not known to him.

  "I have never had the pleasure of meeting her ladyship, but she and my grandfather were great friends. When I heard she had risen from her sickbed and was receiving once again, I naturally hastened to pay my respects. I would not have wished to, shall we say, leave it too late."

  "I can assure you, my lord," Antonia snapped, 'that my great-aunt is in the best of health. Touching though your concern is, there was no need to hasten to her
side as though she were on her death bed. "

  "But she is very frail," Hewitt added hastily, as if to reassure himself. At that moment the lady herself entered, looking not a day over sixty in a mauve silk creation that combined the latest fashion with great dignity. Both men leapt to their feet, but she ignored her grandson completely, fixing Marcus with a gimlet stare before allowing him her hand.

  "Well, well there was no need for Hodge to tell me who my caller was!

  Just like your grandfather, another handsome dog. Sit down, can't stand people hovering about! What are you still doing here, Hewitt?

  Every day you are cluttering the place up, every day. Go to your club, why don't you, if you can't stand to go home to that simpering peahen your brother married."