Two Hearts

by Barbara Miller

  * * * * *

  Brand made himself useful by escorting Maria in to dine and from her learned that she did not like Captain Everson, though she would not say why. The more Brand thought about it, the more he was determined to look into the man’s military record. He wore the insignia of a captain but Brand had never heard of an Everson. Perhaps he was a fake.

  But even discrediting Everson could not mend the mistake he had made tonight. He had let his desire, delight and other emotions carry him away. He had both frightened and offended his dear friend, Grace. The worst consideration was not that he might have lost the chance to get her to marry him but that he might have lost her friendship as well. This was the first time in his life that he had fallen in love with a woman’s mind before her heart, and certainly before he considered her beauty.

  “How are you getting home tonight, Maria?”

  “Oh, I suppose we could call a hack but they are so hard to find late at night.”

  “My carriage can sneak along an alleyway as easily as a hack.”

  “Very well, I will signal you when we are ready to leave.”

  * * * * *

  Grace danced with a variety of men the rest of the night, including Robin but never with Brand again. He appeared to be having a good time. Spreading his good humor around. In truth he avoided looking at her. She could not say the same for Everson, who had not absconded to the card room as he had said he would but watched her. Why had she encouraged him?

  The answer was twofold. She wanted to teach Brand the lesson, that he could never own her or control her and she also wanted to plumb the mind of the soldier. She had found it very shallow and sad. But her ready compassion was nothing like love and she just hoped he had not misinterpreted her concern for interest.

  Finally, when the first to arrive began to say their adieus she went to find Maria.

  “I have a ride home for us.”

  “Good, now I remember why I hate balls. My head is spinning and I probably won’t get to sleep for hours.

  When they went down the steps to the street the carriage that pulled around its fellow and stopped for them was Brand’s. “What does this mean?”

  “Just get in,” Maria said and gave her a push.

  She almost landed in Brand’s lap. Grace immediately moved to the other seat.

  “Can you forgive me?”

  “You are a man, after all.”

  Maria got in then, so he said no more on the subject of forgiveness. “I see I am inherently flawed. I’m glad you thought of a defense for my behavior, since I have been at a loss as to why I should have taken leave of my senses.”

  “Much can be forgiven the sincere penitent or the insane.”

  “I shall keep that in mind for future reference. I had feared that the allure of the red uniform might prove too much.”

  “Like you I study people. He is a man of few expectations. He lives from day to day, not just on the field of war but here in London as well.”

  “I should have thought that would excite you.”

  “He didn’t want to talk about the war.”

  “I had once some thoughts of buying a commission but my father died, possibly to prevent it. He was a clever old fox.”

  “And your mother would have perished.”

  “I’m sure of it. But wars are not just won on the battlefield. Someone must grow the wheat for the flour, supply the taxes to buy forage and even bullets. We also serve. I do have a notion to find out more about war.”

  “Why?”

  “Nothing. Perhaps satisfy my curiosity but I will talk to someone other than Captain Everson.”

  “War is such a waste. So much easier to destroy than create.”

  “Do you still want to go ahead with the theater party?”

  “Yes, of course,” Grace said. “That’s puts me in mind of a question I wanted to ask.”

  “Ask away.”

  “Last night, when I mentioned the resolution scene it was obvious Marlowe had not written it yet.”

  Brand gave a snort of laughter.

  “Your concern was quite real.”

  “Was it so obvious?” Brand asked. “We discussed it after you left and I think you will be satisfied with the final scene. But are you sure you are not superimposing your personality onto Margaret.”

  Maria was snoring in the corner. Neither of them believed she was asleep, though Grace for one was glad for the pretense.

  Grace thought for a moment. “But I am not nearly as courageous as Margaret, could never face down a disapproving world. The sad fact is that in real life we don’t have obvious villains to contend with, just misguided fools like my brother.”

  Brand nodded. “So you cannot attack them with a sword.”

  “No. And knifelike words make no dent in them when they are armored by ignorance and self-importance.”

  “All the more reason for intellectuals like us to stick together.” He looked as though he were about to say more.

  “Friends, at least?”

  He reached for her and she slipped across onto the seat beside him.

  “I would say that tonight you have shown just as much courage as Marlowe’s heroine,” Brand replied.

  “What do you mean?”

  “By setting your own bounds, making your own rules. I respect you for that.”

  “So you don’t think me a stuffy blue-stocking?”

  “I think you are a woman of uncommon good sense. If you had let me run my length, our activities would have been reported to Wallace.”

  “Wallace is not the worry. Everyone thinks he is as much of a fool as I think him. It’s what the rest of society thinks of us that matters.”

  “Or more to the point, what they think of you. Men can get away with a great deal more, uncensored, than an unmarried lady. This could be dangerous, our friendship. But then you would enjoy the danger of it.”

  “I don’t know how dangerous it is. Tonight we were careful to tell none of the servants where we were going. Even if Wallace tortures them, they cannot let slip what they do not know.”

  “Still,” Maria said, as though just rousing herself from a nap. “I think it prudent for you to drop us in the alley rather than the front door.”

  Brand nodded and thumped the roof of the coach when it got to the alley that led back to the stable yard. “Much as such clandestine arrangements go against the grain, I’m not sure I have the patience for another round with Wallace.”

  “Certainly I have not,” Grace agreed. “I mean to use my key to the back door and creep up the stairs.”

  “Until tomorrow,” Brand said as he helped them both out of the coach.

  “Tomorrow.”

  Grace got a sense of accomplishment by getting past her brother snoring in the salon. Wallace was an irritant but Brand was the problem. More than ever, she was convinced that marriage was no part of his plan. Would she be content with just friendship, knowing he might hold her back from finding someone who could make her completely happy, who would give her marriage and children? As she had predicted, she did not get to sleep for many hours.

  Chapter Thirteen

  To protect her riding horses from Wallace, Grace had them both saddled the next morning and even old Lightning brought out on a lead by Hanson. The plan was for Hanson to walk the old hack to the park and let him graze while Grace rode with Brand and Robin.

  When those two arrived, Brand consulted with Hanson and Grace whispered to his nephew.

  “How did it go at the theater?”

  “Splendid. Everyone thinks I make an excellent footman. They laughed at my line.”

  Grace hid her confusion since Robin’s line was not intended to be humorous. Brand rode over to her so she did not have time to analyze Robin’s problem.

  “I see you have taken measures to make sure Wallace does not interrupt us.”

  “Not unless he means to have one of the carriage horses saddled. I thought of something that might be more effective than bribing him.”<
br />
  “What?” Brand asked as he helped her to mount.

  “I’m thinking of hiring a footman strong enough to throw him out.” Grace arranged her dark green skirt over her boots.

  “Where would you find such a person?”

  She smiled. “I thought Mr. Stone might know.”

  Brand hesitated before mounting his colt. “Odd how when one needs some shady help or advice one thinks of Stone.”

  “Indeed? When have you had occasion to consult with him?” She saw his brows come together but then he smiled.

  “I was jesting but I don’t think it will do.” He led the way into the alley for the short walk to the park. “Even if you get your brother out of the house, what’s to stop him from pushing past your aged butler and crashing your theater party anyway?”

  “But I cannot hire a new butler. It would break Finch’s heart.”

  “Now that I think of it, why are all your men servants so ancient?”

  “I never had the heart to turn any away though I have a mind to buy a farm so they can retire there. And then, Hanson was fired by Wallace because he thought he was too old.”

  “Always taking someone else’s cast-offs.” Brand smiled. “Like that old horse you baby.”

  “I take umbrage at that. Lightning is my first horse. If I had left him in Yorkshire, Wallace would have sent him down the road long ago. The poor thing was old already when I brought him up to London. I really must buy that farm.”

  “He seems fit enough, though I don’t think you want him ridden anymore. I could have one of my grooms walk him by slow stages to my estate. And he could pasture there until he dies.”

  “You would do that for me?” Grace asked.

  “I would do much more than that.” Brand looked worshipfully at her. “Now let me tell you why hiring the new footman really won’t wash. Stone would find you some retired boxer or worse. Even if he got rid of Wallace you would not then have the heart to send the man off.”

  Grace sighed. “You are right, of course. I shall just have to annoy Wallace into leaving which may be difficult since he is the expert at being a pest.”

  They both fell silent until they reached the eastern gate and decided to take the south ride first. Hanson would graze Lightning near the gate.

  “There is one alternative,” Brand said as they began a measured trot.

  Grace noticed that Sable had learned to pace himself to the mare’s shorter gait. “What is that?”

  “Move the theater party to my house. That way my mother can attend which would please her no end. And now that you planted the idea of her seeing the play I almost have her talked into letting me carry her to the theater.”

  “Oh Brand, it would mean so much to her to be the center of society again. Her mind is sharp and witty. She does not hesitate to say the things I only think. We would have such a good evening.”

  Brand smiled triumphantly. “And Wallace would never be able to crash a party at my house. For then I could have him arrested.”

  “I shall have to send everyone a note. Is it all right to make your mother the reason for the change of place?”

  “Yes, that is what I would do though I am no way as practiced at prevarication as you. Spring holiday. There is no such thing. How did you think of it?”

  “Robin looked so pathetic. I thought she swallowed it rather well.”

  “Yes you were very convincing. The boy is not to be yanked back to the country. However there is one fly in the ointment.”

  “What is that?” Grace asked, kneeing Dawn to get closer to Brand’s mount.

  “We will have to put up with my sister for the theater party.”

  “At least she behaves herself. And it will be something of a treat for your mother to have her whole family together.”

  “A treat?” Brand furrowed his eyebrows but nodded, then looked around. “Speaking of Robin, where did he get to?”

  “I thought he was talking to Hanson.” Grace turned to scan the park behind them.

  “I don’t see him. Here he runs off to let us have some privacy and we have wasted it talking about horses and relatives.”

  “What else have we to talk about in Hyde Park?”

  “Any number of things. Us for example.”

  A splash from the end of the Serpentine brought Brand’s head around.

  Grace pursed her lips. “You don’t think?”

  “Don’t I?” Brand whirled his colt and cantered off.

  When they galloped up to the gathering crowd on the bank, Robin was standing in one of the shallower areas up to his waist in water and trying to lead his uncle’s hack out. The creature was plainly terrified. The laughing, pointing crowd was not helping. Captain Everson had been attracted by the commotion and did a running dismount that Grace thought dangerous considering his infirmity.

  “Don’t just tug on the reins,” Brand said. “You can’t pull him out.”

  Robin whirled toward them, his face bright with shame. “I have to try.”

  “A rump strap is what you need, lad,” Everson advised.

  Grace said, “I’ll dismount and you can use my reins.”

  “Are you sure about this?” Brand asked as he dismounted and helped her down.

  “Well I know I can hold my mare by the halter but not your colt.” She was already unbuckling the long leather reins.

  Brand helped her, then knotted the ends and threw them to his nephew. “Drape them around the rump as though you are training a yearling.”

  Everson led his horse over. “If you can hold my mount, Morewood, I’ll go in and help the lad.”

  “Certainly not,” Grace said. “Not with your injury.”

  Brand sighed. “Everson, take my colt. The sooner we get the beast out, the sooner the crowd will disperse.”

  Everson took the stallion’s bridle. Brand jumped into the water and grabbed the other end of the contrived strap. “Pull it up against his hocks. Mind you don’t get kicked.”

  “Right.” Robin got the strap in place and eased his tugging on the horse’s bridle. It moved forward in fits and starts then but it did move. “I think the bank is too steep here,” the boy shouted.

  At that moment Grace’s mare whinnied to the hack and it plunged forward and climbed the bank regardless of the steepness. Brand missed grabbing the wet reins but the animal did nothing but run to Grace’s horse for sympathy. Of course this irritated Sable but a sharp word from Everson settled the stallion.

  They each had two horses to hold for a few moments but she ducked her head under her mare’s chin and smiled at the soldier. “Thank you so much.”

  “All in a day’s work for me. I just hope Lord Morewood won’t be angry with me about his ruined boots.”

  “Why would he be angry at you?”

  “You don’t think he’d have leaped in there if I hadn’t come along, do you?”

  Grace felt the puzzlement on her brow. Now why would Everson think that?

  “I shall walk him back,” Robin said as he scrambled up the bank and took charge of the animal.

  “What were you trying to do, anyway?” Brand asked.

  “Jump the corner of the Serpentine. I wanted to see how he would do over water.”

  Everson choked on a laugh.

  Brand just stared at him and nodded. “Well, now you know.”

  “I’m very sorry,” Robin murmured.

  “Other than making a fool of yourself there’s no harm done. But if you had pulled such a stunt near the deep part, the beast might have drowned you. Even though I don’t value your worthless hide your mother might have been upset.”

  Robin cast Grace a long-suffering look before he nodded. “Are you going to tell her?”

  “I have already said I leave such disclosures up to you.”

  Everson parted from them at the gate promising to deliver to his cousin the change of plans for the theater party. Grace turned to Brand. “You are the best of uncles to Robin. Had you said you valued him, he might have felt bad
. But you put the love behind your words where it would not embarrass him.”

  “Did I? I wish his parents had not forbidden me taking a hand in Robin’s upbringing.”

  “I am surprised they do so. Surely your attention would invest you in Robin’s future more than if he were a stranger to you.”

  Brand frowned. “At the time in my life that the statement was made to me, I would indeed have been a bad influence on my nephew.”

  “But you are different now.”

  “Am I?”

  * * * * *

  After they returned to the house and Brand left, Grace was still puzzling over his last remark but shoved it aside in her mind to compose her letters of dis-invitation. It was right that she should send them since it was her party, but it would cause talk, the two of them sponsoring the event jointly now. She shrugged off the bother of it as she ran up the back steps. When she walked into the breakfast parlor, Wallace was still snarling at Maria. But her companion did not seem to be much discomposed. In fact she looked like she had been enjoying the argument.

  “What the devil do you mean by keeping all those children in the house?” he asked.

  Grace was expecting to be attacked for riding with Brand again. Instead her brother mounted a different hobby horse.

  “That infant kept me awake half the night.”

  “You’re a father,” she said as she took off her hat and sat to accept a cup of tea from Maria. “You should be used to hearing babies cry.”

  “Not here. What will the neighbors think?” He ran a hand through his rumpled hair.

  “They must live somewhere.” Grace sliced open her letters as she half listened to her brother.

  “Why here?”

  “Wallace, you have five noisy children. I would not have thought you would even notice our few.”

  “Such maids should be turned off without a character.”

  Grace finally looked up from the letter she was reading. “Just what are you doing pestering my maids? They have work to do and you should be nowhere around them.”

  “I just don’t understand how so many could have come up pregnant. It’s the sign of a lax employer.”

  “Well, stay away from them or you will have people saying you fathered one or more of those babes.” Grace reached for a piece of toast and the pot of jam.