Improper Miss Darling

by Gail Whitiker

  ‘Of course not, but your brother obviously doesn’t care and given that your parents have not forbidden the match, I don’t see what business it is of ours.’

  He stopped, frowning. ‘May I speak honestly, Miss Darling?’

  ‘I wish you would.’

  ‘Then I will tell you that my parents are not pleased with the engagement and that they would very much like to see it come to an end,’ he said bluntly. ‘Particularly my father.’

  Emma turned to look at him. ‘Is that why he was not at dinner the other night?’

  ‘No. His doctor has restricted him to bed, but I am not entirely sure he would have come had he been feeling well enough to do so. He has very strong opinions about the obligations owed to one’s family.’

  Emma wished she could have said she was surprised, but how could she when Lord Stewart was echoing her own concerns about the inequality of the match? ‘Why did your father not voice his concerns when your brother first made him aware of his intentions to approach my sister?’

  ‘Because Peter didn’t tell him of his intentions until it was too late,’ Lord Stewart admitted. ‘Now, relations between them are strained to the point where it is difficult for either of them to speak about the situation with any degree of rationality.’

  ‘I am sorry to hear that,’ Emma said slowly. ‘Does the countess also object to the marriage?’

  A pained expression flashed across Lord Stewart’s face. ‘That is not as simple a question to answer. My brother holds…a very special place in my mother’s heart. Above all, she wants him to be happy.’

  Emma supposed it was not an uncommon failing of mothers, to wish their children well, but it was obviously a feeling not shared by her husband. And their antipathy towards the marriage at so early a stage did not bode well for Linette’s future relationship with her in-laws. ‘What did you hope to achieve by mentioning this to me, Lord Stewart?’

  ‘Before I answer that, I would ask you a question.’ He stopped by the base of a large tree and crossed his arms over his chest. ‘Is your sister marrying my brother for love or for what she stands to gain by becoming his wife?’

  It was only because the nature of the question caught her so completely off guard that Emma did not immediately take offence to what was a highly impertinent enquiry. ‘Of course she loves him. Linette is not in the least mercenary. She would never marry if her heart was not fully engaged. You cannot be expected to know this, of course, but she has spoken of nothing but your brother since the day the two of them met.’

  ‘I feared as much,’ he said. ‘Love is always harder to discourage than gain.’

  ‘But surely it is not your place to discourage the relationship,’ Emma said. ‘If they are truly in love—’

  ‘Oh, I believe they both think themselves in love, Miss Darling, but will it last? You strike me as being a sensible young woman, one who knows what the world is all about. And it is not about kindness and love. It is about establishing one’s place through the acquisition of power and wealth. Love plays very little part in that.’

  Emma said nothing, not at all sure she liked being coupled with this man when it came to their feelings about matters of the heart. She might not dream about finding romantic love for herself, but that did not mean she belittled it when it came to others.

  ‘Does that also apply to your forthcoming engagement to Lady Glynnis?’ she asked boldly. ‘Is that union also based on the premise of what each of you stands to gain, with no consideration for love or other feelings?’

  He raised one dark eyebrow. ‘I did not come here to discuss my relationship, Miss Darling.’

  ‘No, but in being so cavalier about my sister’s, it seems only fair that I should ask you about the basis for yours. I may be sensible, my lord, but if I were ever to marry, I would hope to do so for love rather than gain.’

  ‘Very well. My betrothal to Lady Glynnis was arranged by our parents and accepted by the lady and myself as being eminently sensible. Our interests are similar, our natures compatible and our desires and goals identical. And we happen to like and respect one another.’

  ‘So, all in all, a very convenient partnership,’ Emma said.

  ‘You could say that.’

  ‘Do you love her?’

  He clearly wasn’t expecting the question and Emma knew from the look on his face that he wasn’t pleased about being asked. ‘You don’t believe in mincing words.’

  ‘Not when the issue concerns me as deeply as this one. Do you love the lady you are planning to marry, Lord Stewart?’

  He took his time, suddenly more interested in the antics of a robin pulling a worm from the grass than he was in giving her an answer. Finally, ‘If being comfortable with a lady and enjoying time spent in her company is an indication of love, then, yes, I suppose I do.’

  ‘My, how passionately you speak.’

  ‘Would you have me quote sonnets?’ he retorted sarcastically. ‘Proclaim my undying love in the manner of poets and kings?’

  ‘I would have you speak of nothing you did not feel,’ Emma said. ‘But neither will I listen to you condemn two people who so obviously are in love simply because you put no stock in the emotion. Your brother has proposed to my sister and been accepted. Were he to break it off now, he would suffer the consequences of his actions and she would be left heartbroken.’

  ‘Perhaps, but if your sister were to cry off, she would be thought flighty, but not socially irresponsible,’ he countered. ‘Indeed, proceeding with this marriage would be the more socially irresponsible of the two options.’

  To a degree, he was correct, but Emma had no intention of letting him think she agreed with him on this or any other front. Or of letting the remark go unchallenged. ‘Why do you dislike Linette so much, my lord? Apart from having spent a few hours in her company, you know absolutely nothing about her.’

  ‘Whether I like her or not has nothing to do with it. My brother’s birth is such that he should have done better.’

  ‘Then your parents should have stopped him from proposing to her!’

  ‘And I’ve already told you they had no idea he intended to do so. And even if they had, it would not have made any difference.’ He turned away so she might not see his face. ‘My mother can deny him nothing. Even when she should.’

  They were past the point of polite discussion now. They were arguing—and as someone who disliked conflict intensely, Emma knew they would achieve nothing by it. ‘Lord Stewart, you are the heir to your father’s title and estates. As long as you marry well, what does it matter how your brother settles his affairs?’

  ‘It matters a great deal. I do not wish to see Peter take stock of his life in ten years’ time and come to regret what he did in a youthful burst of passion. I would rather see him suffer now than in the future.’

  ‘Suffer? You think your brother will suffer from being married to Linette?’

  ‘That’s not what I said—’

  ‘But it is what you meant.’ Dear Lord, the arrogance of the man! Did he really expect her to ask Linette to reconsider her acceptance of Mr Taylor’s offer? To throw over the man she loved for the sake of…what? Lord Stewart’s misplaced notion that his brother might be happier for it in the long run? ‘Lord Stewart, I…appreciate the concern you must feel for your brother, but you must also understand that the concern I feel for my sister is equally great,’ Emma said, forcing herself to speak in a calm and rational manner. ‘I believe her to be deeply in love with Mr Taylor and I could not counsel her against marrying him when I know how unhappy it would make her.’

  ‘Then you will not encourage her to think on it again.’

  ‘I will not.’

  ‘You could be sparing them both a great deal of heartache and embarrassment.’

  ‘Apart from the fact of Linette’s birth not being as lofty as you might like, she will not embarrass you or your family. She is good and loving and I know she will make your brother an excellent wife. I cannot do what you ask, my lord, n
or am I sure your brother would thank me for doing so,’ Emma said quietly. ‘You saw how they looked at one another the other night. You heard how he spoke to her.’

  ‘Lies can be convincingly enacted, Miss Darling. So much so that, sometimes, we only see and hear what we wish to.’

  Emma’s mouth hardened. ‘I like to think I see what’s there, my lord.’ How dare he suggest that Linette would lie about her feelings! Linette, who was no more capable of deceit than a child. ‘Now if you don’t mind—’

  ‘Excuse me, Miss Darling?’

  A man’s voice interrupted, one Emma did not recognise. Until she looked up and saw the newly appointed vicar of the church in Little Moreton approaching. ‘Mr Tufton?’

  John Tufton was a handsome young man with a shock of light brown hair and warm brown eyes. He had come from a parish in Sussex to take over St David’s and was at least thirty years younger than his predecessor—a fact that had not gone unnoticed by the single ladies in Little Moreton. ‘Good afternoon.’ His smile was somewhat hesitant as he glanced from Emma to her companion. ‘I hope I haven’t come at a bad time?’

  Aware that he couldn’t have come at a better one, Emma said, ‘Not at all, Mr Tufton. Lord Stewart was just leaving.’

  ‘Lord Stewart?’ The vicar’s eyes widened. ‘I was not aware you resided in the parish, my lord.’

  ‘I do not.’ Lord Stewart’s voice was less than conciliatory. ‘I am here visiting my brother.’

  ‘Ah, yes, Mr Taylor. A most excellent gentleman. I made his acquaintance last week. I, myself, am newly arrived in Little Moreton and so am calling upon all of my parishioners in an attempt to get to know them better,’ Mr Tufton said. ‘There is generally so little time after Sunday service.’

  ‘Of course.’ Lord Stewart’s mouth lifted in a sardonic smile. ‘Everyone rushing home to enjoy their dinners.’ He turned to Emma, his expression growing even more cynical. ‘Well, I shall take up no more of your time, Miss Darling. But I hope we may continue our conversation in the near future.’

  ‘Only if the subject differs from what we spoke of today, Lord Stewart. Mr Tufton,’ Emma said, turning to smile at the parson. ‘Perhaps you would be good enough to make your way to the house. I know my father and my aunt will be pleased to see you. I shall collect my things and join you there.’

  ‘Excellent. And I do hope we will see you and your family at church on Sunday, Lord Stewart?’

  ‘I really couldn’t say.’ Lord Stewart’s eyes briefly connected with Emma’s. ‘There are so many other things of importance to concern oneself with when in the country.’

  With a brief nod, he whistled for his horse. Emma didn’t say a word as the elegant creature trotted obediently to his side. It made no sense that she should be annoyed that even the horse seemed to fall under his spell. Instead, she turned her back on him and walked purposefully towards her easel, heavy in heart and low in spirit.

  Poor Linette. What would she say if she knew what her future brother-in-law was saying about her? Linette had gone to Ellingsworth Hall in fear of Mr Taylor’s parents, yet now it seemed it was his brother who offered the biggest threat to her happiness. He did not want the marriage to take place. And where his father did not have the courage to show his displeasure and his mother hadn’t the heart to, it seemed Lord Stewart had more than enough of both. He intended to march in and destroy his brother’s and her sister’s chances at happiness by spouting duty and obligation and all the other things that obviously mattered to him far more than love.

  It was just as well the vicar’s arrival had put an end to her artistic endeavours, Emma thought moodily. Her creative urges had vanished, leaving her no more able to see the beauty in the lily pond than she could in a warty frog. She was angry and upset, yet she knew that directing her anger at Lord Stewart really made very little sense. Had she not questioned the inequity of the match herself? Was she not the one who had expressed concern over Linette’s ability to take responsibility for her decisions? The one who had told her father that Linette was changeable by nature?

  Why, then, was she angry at Lord Stewart for having said exactly the same things?

  * * *

  Mr Tufton did not stay long. A quiet gentleman with agreeable manners, he was careful not to wear out his welcome. After enjoying a cup of tea and a slice of seed cake, he spoke to Emma’s father and Aunt Dorothy, saying how pleased he was to meet them and how much he looked forward to seeing them on Sunday. Then, after exchanging a few words with Linette and offering congratulations on her betrothal, he left.

  Emma was not sorry to see him go. Not because she disliked the man. There really wasn’t anything about Mr Tufton one could dislike. But the entire time he had been seated in their parlour, Emma had lived in fear of his bringing up Lord Stewart’s visit and that would have been awkward since she had no intention of telling Linette Lord Stewart had called.

  ‘Had he come to talk about the dinner?’ Linette would surely have asked. Or ‘Had he come to speak to her father about the upcoming wedding?’ And the thought of having to tell her sister the truth made Emma shudder. Such an admission would only have brought on grief and uncertainty, and tears were most effective at destroying harmony in a house.

  Then her brother Ridley came home—and that fragile harmony vanished for good.

  * * *

  He arrived at eight o’clock in the evening. Dinner was over and they were all sitting quietly in the drawing room when the door burst open, causing the dogs to start barking as though the four horsemen of the Apocalypse had appeared, and then Ridley blew in like a westerly.

  ‘Well, here I am,’ he announced dramatically. ‘The prodigal son returned. Have you all missed me dreadfully?’

  ‘We can scarce speak for emotion,’ Mr Darling said in a dry voice.

  But Aunt Dorothy was already on her feet, anxious to greet her favourite nephew. ‘Ridley, dear boy, of course they’ve missed you. And I haven’t seen you in an age,’ she said, kissing him soundly on both cheeks. ‘But what have you done to your hair?’

  ‘It’s all the rage in London,’ Ridley said, grinning. ‘What do you think, Em?’

  Emma looked up. ‘That you look like Caesar and you know what happened to him.’

  ‘Darling Emma,’ Ridley said fondly. ‘I can always count on you to say the nicest things. And here is little Linette,’ he said, turning to his sister and pulling her to her feet. ‘Who I vow is even more beautiful than when I left.’

  ‘Don’t be silly, Ridley, you’ve only been gone a few months,’ Linette said, blushing.

  ‘Nevertheless, there does seem to be an additional bloom on the rose and I suspect that has much to do with the fact you are soon to marry the venerable Mr Peter Taylor,’ Ridley said. ‘Well done, Linny. If all goes well, you might just end up a countess.’

  ‘Highly unlikely,’ Emma drawled, ‘given that there is an older brother in line for the title.’

  ‘Ah, yes. Alexander the Great.’

  Emma blinked. ‘I beg your pardon?’

  ‘Alexander Taylor. Lord Stewart,’ Ridley explained, flopping down in his favourite chair. ‘The lads call him Alexander the Great because he’s a cracking good rider and a dashed hand with a whip. I won’t mind having him as a brother-in-law, I can tell you.’

  ‘You must be hungry, Ridley,’ Aunt Dorothy said. ‘Shall I ask Cook to prepare something?’

  ‘You may indeed. I did stop for a bit of overdone beef on the way, but I wouldn’t mind a slice of Mrs Dunstan’s excellent apple pie if there is any to be had.’

  ‘I’m sure that can be arranged. Ring for Jenks, would you, Emma?’

  ‘So, when are the nuptials to take place?’ Ridley enquired, fondling Rory’s silky head.

  Linette blushed. ‘We haven’t set a date yet.’

  ‘What? I thought you would have been anxious to reel him in.’

  ‘Really, Ridley!’ Aunt Dorothy exclaimed. ‘The man is hardly a fish to be landed.’

  ‘Of cou
rse not. He’s already been hooked and I am very proud of my little sister for having done so. Imagine Linette snapping up the youngest son of an earl. It certainly trumps anything you or I have been able to pull off, Em. Unless there’s something you haven’t told me?’ He grinned. ‘Turned any gentleman up sweet yet?’

  ‘If I had, I’d know better than to tell you,’ Emma said, returning to her chair. ‘You would likely tease the poor man to death.’

  ‘Naturally. What are brothers for?’

  ‘To tell you the truth, I haven’t quite worked that out.’

  ‘All right, stop bickering, you two,’ Mr Darling said. ‘Ridley, how are you going on with your studies? Finding the intricacies of the law to your liking?’

  For the first time, Ridley looked a little uncomfortable. ‘Actually, I’ve been meaning to write to you about that, Father.’

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘There’s something I have to tell you. And I don’t want you getting upset because I have given this a great deal of thought.’

  Her father’s eyes narrowed. ‘Given what a great deal of thought?’

  ‘My decision to become a solicitor. Or rather, my decision…not to become one.’

  His father dropped his book. ‘Not become a solicitor. Why the devil not?’

  ‘Because I’m really not cut out for it.’

  ‘Indeed! Then what, pray tell, are you cut out for?’

  ‘Painting,’ Ridley announced decisively.

  Aunt Dorothy frowned. ‘Painting?’

  ‘Yes. As in portraits.’

  ‘Of what?’ his father demanded.

  ‘Of society’s most beautiful and aristocratic families.’ Ridley stood up and affected an elegant bow. ‘Of grand lords and titled ladies, of cherubic daughters and stalwart sons. And of their noble dogs and horses, of course,’ he said, leaning down to scratch Ranger behind the ear.

  There was a moment of stunned silence before Linette said, ‘Goodness, Ridley, whatever possessed you to do such a thing?’

  ‘Indeed! Giving up law to dabble in paints and brushes?’ his father said stiffly. ‘I thought you had more sense.’