Improper Miss Darling

by Gail Whitiker

  She set the sketchbook aside and slowly stood up. ‘Thank you for collecting the rest of my packages and having them sent home, Alex. And for having the trap fixed. It was very good of you to go to all that trouble. You really shouldn’t have bothered.’

  ‘It was no bother. You couldn’t have driven the trap the way it was and I didn’t like the idea of your packages sitting at the side of the road where anyone could have taken them.’

  ‘I doubt a thief would have been interested in painting supplies,’ Emma said drily. ‘But I was glad to have them returned. If you have a moment, Papa would like to thank you as well. He was most grateful for everything you did.’

  ‘Never mind that, how are you feeling?’

  ‘Did you not receive Papa’s note?’

  ‘Yes, but I wished to know for myself that you are feeling better. You took a nasty spill.’

  His concern was flattering, but Emma knew better than to let herself read too much into it. ‘I am much better, thank you. Even the swelling has gone down.’

  To her dismay, he brought his hand to the back of her head and gently felt for the lump. ‘So it has. There is only a slight swelling there now.’

  Emma took a short, hard breath. His hand was warm, his fingers gentle against her scalp. The urge to close her eyes and lean into his hand was overwhelming—and indefensible. ‘The result of…frequent applications of cold clothes,’ she said in a halting voice. She took a step back and watched his hand fall away. ‘Shall we return to the house?’

  * * *

  Not surprisingly, it took only a few minutes to gather everyone in the drawing room. Aunt Dorothy and Linette were already there, the latter refurbishing a bonnet, the former embroidering handkerchiefs. Her father arrived shortly thereafter, and upon seeing Alex, stretched out his hand in welcome. ‘Lord Stewart, how very good of you to call.’

  ‘I thought to enquire after Miss Darling’s health, but she has informed me she is fully recovered.’

  ‘Mercifully, she is, but it is extraordinarily kind of you to be so concerned. And I must ask you to let me know the cost of repairing the trap. I was grateful you repaired one wheel. There was certainly no need to replace all four.’

  ‘We will not talk about cost where the safety of your family is at issue,’ Alex said. ‘I was told it was only a matter of time before the other wheels went the way of the first and I would not have been able to live with myself had an accident occurred that I had had the knowledge to prevent.’

  ‘Nevertheless, it was an exceedingly generous thing to do,’ Aunt Dorothy said. ‘Without the trap, we are quite housebound. And though there is little enough to be had in the village, it is nice to be able to get there when one is in need.’

  There was a clatter of boots in the hall, followed by the appearance of Ridley at the door. ‘Have I missed all the excitement?’

  ‘Not a bit. Your timing is, as always, excellent,’ Mr Darling drawled. ‘Lord Stewart, my son, Ridley.’

  Alex bowed. ‘Your servant, sir.’

  ‘Lord Stewart,’ Ridley said. ‘A pleasure.’

  Emma glanced at her brother in surprise. Was it her imagination or did he actually sound a little in awe?

  ‘Lord Stewart stopped by to see how Emma was feeling,’ Linette explained.

  ‘Really? Ah, well, you’ve no worries there,’ Ridley said. ‘Emma’s head is as hard as mine. Takes more than a little bump to keep either of us down. Isn’t that right, Em?’

  Emma could have cheerfully murdered him. ‘I dare say it does.’

  Alex just smiled. ‘I understand you’re an artist, Mr Darling.’

  ‘I am. Gave up chasing the bar to paint portraits of aristocratic gentlemen like yourself,’ Ridley quipped. ‘I find it far more entertaining.’

  ‘But not nearly as respectable,’ his father muttered.

  ‘Now, Percy, let’s not start in on that again,’ Aunt Dorothy said. ‘Ridley has assured us that he is making a good living, and as long as he is in demand, he will no doubt continue to do so.’

  ‘Speaking of which, I’ve decided what I am going to give you as a wedding present, Linny,’ Ridley said. ‘How would you like a formal portrait of you and your fiancé in a setting of your choice?’

  ‘Oh, Ridley, that would be wonderful!’ Linette said, clapping her hands together. Then, with an anxious glance at her father, added, ‘It would be all right, wouldn’t it, Papa?’

  ‘I don’t see why not,’ Ridley said before his father had a chance to object. ‘The aristocracy all have portraits painted of themselves and as you are going to be the daughter-in-law of a peer, why shouldn’t you have one done too?’

  ‘I think it is a very generous offer,’ Aunt Dorothy said. ‘And we all know Ridley will do an excellent job.’

  ‘Although you may wish to wait until they are actually married before starting on the work,’ Alex said.

  Emma sent a suspicious glance in his direction. ‘Why would you say that?’

  ‘Because it takes a good deal of time to paint a portrait and getting two people together at a time convenient to both during the preparations for a wedding can be challenging. However, once they are married and living in the same house, it will be much easier to arrange sittings.’

  ‘Very sensible, Lord Stewart,’ Aunt Dorothy commented. ‘And I think a portrait of the newly married couple will make a fine wedding gift. Who knows, Ridley, perhaps Lord Stewart will commission you to do one of himself and his lady once they are married.’

  ‘I should be delighted.’ Ridley glanced at the other man with interest. ‘But forgive me, my lord, I was not aware you were to be married.’

  ‘My mother was a bit hasty in announcing the engagement,’ Alex acknowledged. ‘I have not yet actually asked the lady for her hand.’

  ‘But what woman in her right mind would turn down the opportunity to become a countess?’

  ‘I doubt that is of concern to Lady Glynnis,’ Linette said. ‘She is already the daughter of an earl and has no need to marry in order to acquire a title or status.’

  ‘Lady Glynnis?’ There was a brief pause before Ridley said, ‘Lady Glynnis Pettle?’

  ‘Yes, that’s right.’

  ‘Do you know her, Ridley?’ Linette asked, blue eyes bright with excitement. ‘I thought you might given that you are moving in such high society now.’

  ‘I do not move in high society, Imp,’ Ridley replied. ‘I merely bump into them every now and then. But I have heard the lady’s name mentioned in conversation. I believe it came up in regard to a charity auction she and Lady Trilby’s daughter were arranging.’

  ‘Oh.’ Linette’s disappointment was plain. ‘Then you are not acquainted with her.’

  ‘I am not.’ Ridley put his hands on his knees and got to his feet. ‘Well, if you will all excuse me—’

  ‘Where are you off to now?’ his father asked. ‘You’ve been out more than you’ve been in since you arrived home.’

  ‘Oh, leave the boy be, Percy,’ Aunt Dorothy said. ‘You can’t expect him to keep you apprised of what he’s doing every minute of the day. Think how you would have felt had your father treated you that way when you were Ridley’s age.’

  ‘My father did treat me that way and it certainly didn’t do me any harm,’ Mr Darling said. ‘You’ve seen what happens when young men are left to their own devices. Ridley gave up a perfectly respectable occupation to become a painter.’

  ‘I did not give up an occupation,’ Ridley said in frustration. ‘I simply decided not to become something I didn’t want to be. If you can’t understand that, we have nothing more to talk about.’

  He left, slamming the door behind him.

  ‘Oh dear,’ Aunt Dorothy said. ‘I didn’t mean to upset him.’

  ‘I shouldn’t worry about it, Aunt,’ Emma said, aware of Alex standing quietly off to one side. ‘I suspect Ridley didn’t want to tell us where he was going because he is off to visit a young lady in the village.’

  ‘I beg your p
ardon? Which young lady?’ Mr Darling demanded.

  ‘Miss Harkness, most likely. Or Miss Stone. I know they were both very excited about the prospect of Ridley coming home for Linette’s wedding.’

  ‘And why would they not be excited?’ Aunt Dorothy said, relief colouring her voice as she picked up her embroidery. ‘Ridley is such a handsome lad. Always has been. Reminds me of a young man I knew once. Albert, his name was. Did I ever tell you about him, Linette?’

  Linette smiled. ‘No, Aunt Dorothy.’

  ‘Almost married the dear boy, I was that smitten with him. And he wasn’t near as handsome as your brother. Still, it wasn’t meant to be and I suppose it’s just as well. Your uncle came along soon after and he was far better off than poor Albert.’

  Emma only just managed not to smile. Aunt Dorothy must have been at the sherry again. She tended to reminisce when she’d had a drink or two and she obviously didn’t care that Lord Stewart was still in the room.

  Still, at least her anecdote had served to take the attention away from Ridley and Emma was definitely grateful for that. Her suggestion that he had gone to see a young lady in the village had been pure fabrication because she was quite sure his reasons for leaving had nothing to do with having to be anywhere. His expression had changed the moment Lady Glynnis Pettle’s name had been mentioned. And the tightening of his jaw indicated something far more troubling than a mild case of surprise.

  Ridley had been distressed by the mention of Lady Glynnis’s upcoming marriage to Lord Stewart. And the reasons behind that were neither pleasant to contemplate, nor possible to ignore.

  Chapter Six

  Emma felt nothing but relief when Alex took his leave shortly thereafter. Not because she wished to see him gone, but because the effort of having to pretend that everything was all right was definitely wearing on her nerves. She had no idea if Alex had noticed the change in her brother at the mention of Lady Glynnis’s name, but he was not a stupid man and she knew better than to underestimate his powers of observation. Until she knew why Ridley had left so abruptly, she was happier keeping Alex at a distance than she was at having him close.

  They walked outside together and found the bay waiting patiently, his reins having been tied to the hitching post. ‘Strange,’ Alex said. ‘I don’t recall leaving him tethered.’

  ‘That’s likely Jenks’s doing,’ Emma said with a smile. ‘He isn’t used to horses being left to their own devices. Certainly none of our horses are so well behaved.’

  ‘Thunder is unusual in that regard, but it does come in handy when one takes a spill in the hunting field,’ Alex said, patting the big bay’s neck. ‘Nothing worse than having to trek miles back to the house on foot, especially in the rain.’

  ‘That cannot be good for one’s boots.’

  ‘Most definitely not.’ Alex untied the horse’s reins. ‘Emma, my brother tells me there is to be an assembly held tomorrow evening at a house on the outskirts of the village.’

  ‘Yes, at Mr and Mrs Jacobs’s. Linette mentioned it to me the other day.’

  ‘Were you planning to attend?’

  ‘I thought I might. The Jacobs are good friends,’ Emma said. ‘They have a large house and they enjoy holding dances in it. We always have a good time.’

  ‘Then perhaps I shall see you there.’

  Emma gasped. ‘You’re going?’

  ‘Yes. Do you find that strange?’

  ‘Well, yes, I suppose I do,’ Emma said, at a loss for a tactful reply. ‘It will surely pale in comparison to the elegance of the soirées you normally attend in London.’

  ‘Perhaps, but I thought it might make for an interesting diversion. There is not a great deal to do here in Little Moreton.’

  Emma sighed. No, there really wasn’t, especially for a man like Alex. To him, Little Moreton must seem almost paralytically boring because it wasn’t his world. His world was in London, with the beautiful Lady Glynnis Pettle at his side. An assembly at the Jacobs’s would be, at best, a pale imitation of what he was used to. ‘Well, I dare say you’ll find something with which to amuse yourself,’ Emma said. ‘There will be cards for those who don’t like to dance.’

  ‘But I do like to dance,’ he told her. ‘In fact, I hope you will reserve a dance for me. A waltz, if I may be so bold.’

  Stupidly, her pulse quickened. He wanted to dance with her…and not just any dance: a waltz, that most intimate of ballroom dances. He would be required to take her in his arms and to twirl her around the room, with one hand at her waist and the other holding her hand. And throughout it all, she would be expected to remain calmly indifferent and commendably aloof.

  She had to remain that way. There would be far too many eyes watching them to permit any other kind of expression.

  ‘I shall make a note of it on my card,’ Emma said lightly. ‘Until tomorrow, Lord Stewart.’

  He stared at her for a long time. Then, with a brief but unusually genuine smile, he swung up into the saddle and touched the brim of his hat. ‘Until tomorrow, Miss Darling.’

  * * *

  No sooner had Alex disappeared than Emma went in search of her brother. It was better she face him down than let her thoughts dwell on Alex. In that direction dwelt heartache and disappointment. The less time she spent longing for the unattainable, the better.

  Ridley was another matter entirely. Emma was convinced there was more going on between her brother and Lady Glynnis than he was letting on, and for everyone’s sake, she had to find out what it was, though Lord knew if he’d tell her. Her brother could clam up tighter than an oyster when it suited him.

  She found him in the conservatory, sitting on a stone wall, his sketchpad open in his hands. ‘Ridley?’

  He flushed and quickly turned the page over. ‘What do you want?’

  ‘Only to talk. I was concerned when you left the drawing room so abruptly.’ She sat down on the wall beside him. ‘I wondered if someone had said something to offend you.’

  ‘You mean other than Father demanding to know where I was going?’

  Emma laughed. ‘He did not demand that you tell him.’

  ‘He would have,’ Ridley muttered, ‘had Aunt Dorothy not stepped in to intervene. Thank God she’d been at the sherry again. I doubt she would have said anything if she’d been sober.’

  ‘Probably not. But you and Papa have never seen eye to eye about the proffering of information.’

  ‘And I doubt we ever will. He doesn’t seem to understand that I’m not a child any more,’ Ridley grumbled. ‘I’m old enough to do as I please and I don’t appreciate having to account for my whereabouts every time I set foot outside the door.’

  ‘But you didn’t have anywhere to go, did you, Ridley? You just wanted to leave the room. Why?’

  ‘No particular reason.’

  Emma shrugged. ‘As you wish.’ She glanced at the sketchpad. ‘What are you drawing?’

  ‘Nothing. As you can see, the page is blank.’

  ‘I mean on the one you just flipped over.’

  ‘Oh, that. A poor rendition of a folly I came across on Lord Garrickson’s estate,’ he said in an offhand manner.

  ‘Lord Garrickson,’ Emma repeated, impressed. ‘You are moving in illustrious circles these days, Ridley. Hobnobbing with Lord Bickerson. Accepting commissions from Viscount Huston. And now whiling away the hours on Lord Garrickson’s estate. No wonder you’re acquainted with people like Lady Glynnis Pettle.’

  Nothing altered in Ridley’s face. Not so much as an eyebrow flickered. But Emma saw his fingers tighten on the piece of charcoal. ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’ve already said I don’t know the lady.’

  ‘But I believe you do and better than you would have any of us believe,’ Emma said softly. ‘And not just as a result of hearing her name mentioned in conversation.’

  ‘It would be impossible for me to give you an accounting of all of the people I hear spoken of in a day, Emma.’ Ridley began to sketch the wicker chair opposi
te, making quick, bold strikes with the piece of charcoal. ‘We would be here until doomsday.’

  ‘But we weren’t talking about a lot of people. We were talking about Lady Glynnis Pettle. Now stop prevaricating and tell me the truth, Ridley. Have you met the lady or not?’

  He hesitated briefly. ‘What if I have?’

  ‘Why didn’t you want to admit it in front of Lord Stewart?’

  ‘Because it’s none of his business.’

  ‘None of his business? Ridley, Lady Glynnis is going to marry Lord Stewart. I would say that makes it his business, wouldn’t you? And since there is no getting around the fact that you and the lady are going to be in the same house together, I suggest you stop playing games. Now, what’s the real reason you didn’t want Lord Stewart to know that you were acquainted with Lady Glynnis?’

  Ridley sighed in exasperation. ‘Damn it, Emma, you are no less a badger at four-and-twenty than you were at six. Even then you refused to let anything go.’

  ‘Then you should know better than to try to keep things from me now.’

  ‘I wasn’t trying to keep anything from you. I simply didn’t want to tell Lord Stewart that I knew Lady Glynnis, because…I didn’t want him to know that I had painted her.’

  Emma blinked her surprise. ‘She sat for you?’

  ‘Remember I told you a lady had hired me to paint a portrait of her as a gift for someone else? Well, that was Lady Glynnis.’

  Emma stared at her brother in bewilderment. He had run out of the room as though the hounds of hell were after him…because the woman Alex was going to marry had hired him to paint her portrait? ‘You’re not making any sense, Ridley. You are an artist and Lady Glynnis wanted her portrait painted. Where is the harm in admitting that you were the one she hired to do it?’

  ‘Because I was afraid such an admission would have spoiled the surprise.’

  ‘What surprise?’

  ‘Did I not just tell you the portrait was to be a gift?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Did it not occur to you that the person Lady Glynnis had in mind for the gift might just be Lord Stewart?’