*
Miss Everard was a thin, lively woman who looked closely at Eugenie when they were introduced.
'Pretty enough,' was her verdict, 'and so why have you not yet become betrothed? Never mind, we'll soon remedy that. Some better gowns and your hair cropped, and a slight touch of rouge. How many unattached, eligible men are there within twenty miles of Beechcotes? How often are there Assemblies in the district?'
'I haven't the faintest notion of either!' Eugenie replied, laughing.
'Then we'll have to go to Bath for a few weeks, or Cheltenham, if you don't catch someone during the Season. But I'm sure we can find someone, unless you are too particular. I may not be able to catch a duke – not that there are any around who would suit you – but maybe a marquess or an earl. Plenty of them about. Do you want a title, or would a plain mister with twenty thousand a year be acceptable?'
'Neither,' Eugenie said firmly. 'I won't marry for a title or money.'
'Oh, I see, one of the blue stocking fraternity.'
'Sorority,' the Duke muttered, and Eugenie burst into laughter.
Miss Everard looked puzzled for a moment, then gave a shout of laughter. 'Oh yes, very clever, Jerome. But whatever word we use, Eugenie, are you against marriage?'
'Not with the right person, one I can love. Like Arabella loves my uncle.'
'If you are so romantically minded, it will be more difficult, but not impossible. Why, if I were twenty years younger there are a dozen men I could fall in love with, if I made a slight effort and determined to ignore any of their irritating habits. And as for those, a cunning and determined wife can soon change them.'
Eugenie decided that if she could ignore Miss Everard's attempts to marry her off, she could enjoy her company. The journey to Beechcotes, in the Duke's chaise, was far less tedious than her other journeys. Miss Everard soon instructed her to call her Diana, saying that being Miss Everard when in the company of a pretty young girl made her feel too old. The name Diana did not, Eugenie thought, at all suit Miss Everard, but she was happy to abandon formality. Diana was remarkably well read, and somewhat wistfully said that since she herself had failed in the marriage stakes, reading had been her main solace.
'But I do this sort of thing, chaperoning young girls, quite frequently, and that has many compensations, and prevents my becoming a total recluse. Now, Jerome said a little, but I understand you had quite an adventure coming back to England after your parents died. Tell me.'
To her surprise Eugenie did. She told Miss Everard far more than she had revealed to either her uncle or Arabella, making most of it as amusing as she could. She could see that Diana was not deceived.
'You had a horrid time of it. Many girls would have given in.'
'How could I give in? I had to get back to England, and I would have done even without Hugues' help.'
For a moment she was afraid she had been led to an indiscretion, but Diana shook her head.
'Don't be concerned, child. Jerome told me all about the Earl's other life. It was fortunate for you that you met him.'
'Yes, and I will be eternally grateful to him. It made the journey so much easier and faster.'
'Are you in love with him? Is that why you refuse to consider anyone else? It is quite normal for girls to fall in love with a man who rescues them from some danger or helps them in some way. You need not be ashamed to tell me.'
Eugenie considered this, and decided to keep her own counsel. Heaven only knew what Diana would do if she suspected the truth, and she needed no attempts to force the Earl into making her a declaration. If he had ever wished to, he had had plenty of opportunities.
'I think he is in love with Natalie Hamilton,' she said.
'That flirt? Never! He has more sense. She's a wet-goose, and he needs an intelligent wife. When this war is over and he stops being a hero with his forays into France he'll make a name for himself in politics, you'll see.'
Eugenie wondered rather bleakly whether intelligence was the prime virtue the Earl wanted in his wife. Fortunately Diana changed the subject and demanded to be told all about Beechcotes and the neighbourhood, saying that she had once visited Bath with a former charge, but did not know the country round about. That passed the remaining time before they reached the house, and there was no further opportunity for talk until it was time for dinner.
*
Eugenie enjoyed Diana's company, and also the time she spend reacquainting herself with her home and the estate. Her uncle had done wonders, she thought, having retrieved much of the furniture and other belongings Tonks had looted from the house. Her tenants welcomed her back, and praised the new bailiff the Duke had installed. He had, they told her, listened to their complaints and requests for repairs, and had attended to them promptly, unlike Tonks who had ignored them while increasing the rent.
They welcomed her back, and more than one hoped she would be staying with them for a long time. Then they rather slyly asked whether she contemplated marriage. She laughed and shook her head. If she ever married and lived at a husband's home, and she could not envisage it, she would not sell her own home, but keep it and visit it regularly, she told them, and they seemed satisfied.
She had been at home for a month when she received an invitation to Lady Emily's wedding. 'We are having it in Somerset,' Lady Emily wrote, 'and it's not very far from your home. I have written to Hugh Fitzjames, and suggested he and Jane break their journey with you, if you are agreeable, and then come on together. We can, of course, provide you with beds here, as it's to be a small affair. Do come.'
She wondered whether it was a good idea to be in the Earl's company, but they would not be alone if his sister was accompanying him to the wedding. She considered refusing, saying she was going to be otherwise engaged, but Diana had seen the invitation, and was urging her to accept.
'It will be quite acceptable for you to travel together, as his sister will be with you. It is just the sort of affair where you might meet a suitable man. I have met Lady Emily, and she is a delightful girl, though I do not know her future husband. Have you met him?'
'Sir Frederick Quainton? Yes, I met him in London. He is a very pleasant man, but I believe Emily had to fight to make her father agree to a betrothal.'
'Why? Is he unsuitable?'
'He isn't rich, and he's not in any way important.'
'Then she must be in love. She could have caught anyone, she is so lovely.' Diana sighed. 'I once wished to marry someone, but my father objected. He was neither rich nor titled, and I was very young, only sixteen. Of course, it would never have done, but I mourned for him for years, and no other man remotely came up to him.' She sighed again. 'He was so very handsome, but only my father's huntsman.'
Eugenie managed to suppress her astonishment. The notion of Diana in love with one of her father's servants was incredible. She supposed a sixteen-year-old might ignore the expectations of society, and have romantic notions of love in a cottage, but surely Diana had always been sensible? Eugenie considered some of her own menservants. A couple were quite good looking, one of the grooms and a new footman the Duke had engaged, but she could not envisage having romantic feelings for either of them. It wasn't because they were servants, without any fortune but the wages she paid them, rather that she could not remotely imagine what life with them would be like, except that it would not be the kind of life that would satisfy her. Eugenie suppressed a laugh.
Diana then began to make plans for the journey to Lady Emily's home, saying she would order a hamper to be sent in the post chaise, so that they did not have to venture into unknown inns for meals.
Eugenie laughed. 'It's only a few hours, Diana. I doubt we'll feel the need for sustenance.'
'You may be delayed.'
'We'll be quite safe, Diana. You need not fret.'
'I won't be with you. You cannot know what might happen. How would you manage if one of the horses went lame and you had to wait while one of the grooms rode for a replacement? You are taking your own groom
s, are you not?'
'The Earl is bringing some.'
'I suppose that will be enough.'
'Yes, surely it will.'
This didn't altogether pacify Diana. 'But what if you are held up by a highwayman?'
Eugenie suppressed a grin. 'I expect the Earl will have a pistol, and be quite capable of using it, but we are not going across Hounslow Heath. Somerset is not known for its highwaymen.'
Diana was still not satisfied. 'But I cannot be happy. You need men you know. Perhaps you should add another groom, that burly one, what is his name?'
'If you mean Ted Evans, he may be large, but he is the clumsiest groom I have ever known! The others try to keep him out of the tack room, because he manages to knock things over.'
'I still won't be with you, and as I am not included in the invitation, I can't very well accompany you.'
Was she simply jealous at not being invited to the wedding?
'Lady Emily hasn't met you, and it's to be a very small affair.'
What exactly could Diana do if any of the calamities she was envisaging happened? Eugenie set herself to calm her fears, and when the Earl and Lady Jane arrived she drew the Earl aside and explained the situation to him. They were to stay at Beechcotes for one night and set off early the next morning.
'I'll tell her not to worry,' he said, and did so later that evening, after dinner.
To Eugenie's surprise and amusement Diana accepted the Earl's assurances where she had rejected the identical ones from herself. The power of being a man, she thought in exasperation, but then told herself to be thankful that anything had calmed Diana's fears. She had other things to think about, mainly how she would manage being for several hours in the Earl's company. It was both an enjoyable prospect, and one that would test her ability to hide her feelings for the Earl. She now, privately, admitted to herself that she loved him, had indeed done so from almost the first time she had met him. She must, however, disguise this, for he showed no sign of returning her regard, and if he so much as suspected it she would be totally humiliated. She must treat him simply as a friend.
*
The Earl elected to ride, and Eugenie wished she could have joined him, but it would have been impossible to leave Lady Jane to ride alone in the chaise. She had hoped to talk with him, but there was no opportunity. They did not even stop to consume any of the food Diana had insisted on sending. They were taking no maids, as Lady Emily had promised her own maid would attend them. The Earl had brought his coachman and two grooms, and could, no doubt, make do without a valet for two days. Both grooms, Eugenie was amused to see, were armed with pistols. Diana need have no fear of them being worsted in any attack.
The Priory, Lady Emily's home, was a revelation. It was huge and rambling, and Eugenie longed to explore it. As she led the girls to their rooms, Lady Emily tried to explain it.
'It was originally Elizabethan, with the wings making the letter E. Then someone later built a wing across the back, joining them and creating two courtyards. Others built on extra wings, mainly out to the sides, then my grandfather tried to unify it by adding a new frontage and those curving wings. That, of course, makes the original parlours, which were small to begin with, rather dark.'
'It's fascinating,' Eugenie said.
'I'm afraid I am too busy to give you a tour, but I'll ask my brother Sebastian to show you some of it.'
'Oh, there's no need,' Eugenie said.
'Then what will you do for the rest of the day? We are having dinner at town hours, so there is the entire afternoon. Besides, he is looking forward to meeting you. Both of you,' she added when she saw Lady Jane looking as though she felt neglected. 'I'll send Sal, my maid, and when you have unpacked she will show you to the rose drawing room, and I'll tell Seb to meet you there.'
The girls were together, with Lady Jane having a bed in the dressing room off the main bedroom. It took a long time to unpack, since Lady Jane had brought a considerable number of gowns, and wanted Eugenie's reassurance that the ones she planned to wear were suitable.
'I meant to wear this one for dinner tonight,' she said, 'but would this other one be more appropriate?'
By the time she had decided on which gown for which occasion both Eugenie and Sal were feeling somewhat drained. When they had reached the point of what she was to wear for the return journey to her home Eugenie felt like screaming. The chit would undoubtedly change her mind half a dozen times, and she wanted to explore the house.
'That's it, then,' she said firmly. 'Sal, please can you show us to the drawing room now?'
It was in one of the new wings, and on the way Eugenie caught fascinating glimpses of other rooms, a huge dining room, an enticing library, more drawing rooms and a study where an elderly gentleman was seated at a desk, writing.
'That's his lordship,' Sal whispered, and hurried them past. 'He'll be thankful when this wedding is over.'
Sebastian was waiting for them in a somewhat dark room, part of the original Elizabethan house. He was a sallow looking youth, a year or so older than Lady Emily, and seemed to have been doing nothing while he waited. He was friendly enough, though, and showed no hesitation in conducting them over the house.
'I want to be an architect,' he told them, 'and this house provides me with plenty to study of the different periods. I don't need to travel all over the country to do that. But I wish I could go to the continent. Perhaps it will be possible in a few years. I want to build large, important public buildings, not individual houses.'
'How interesting,' Eugenie managed. She wondered whether novice architects would be employed for such major projects, but decided not to ask. 'What are the gardens like? Were they designed at different periods?'
'My great-grandfather redesigned them,' he said. 'There isn't time to explore them today, but perhaps tomorrow, after this wedding that is absorbing everyone's attention. Then my grandfather became involved. They both spoiled it, in my view. There are grottoes and imitation ruins, and an ornamental lake with an island on which there is a miniature Scottish peel house. Or that is what he said it was. I simply can't imagine why he wanted such a thing. He'd never travelled to Scotland, as far as I know, but I suppose he'd run out of ideas for something original.'
'He – he must have,' Eugenie replied, not knowing whether to laugh. 'Have you been to Scotland?
'No. There seems to be nothing but scenery, and what use is that to an architect? It does not inspire me at all.'
'So you don't intend to design gardens?'
'The surroundings of my projects will be formal gardens,' he said, 'so there will be little scope, even were I to be interested in horticulture.'
'I see.'
To her relief the dressing bell rang and Sebastian said they had an hour to change before dinner. Eugenie breathed a sigh of relief. And then she began to smile. In an hour she would see the Earl again.
*
Chapter 14
Lady Emily wore an apple green silk dress, and looked delightful as she entered the little church. The ceremony was short, and the bridegroom, who had looked petrified at the beginning, was now grinning in delight. The bride and groom rode back to the house in a flower bedecked barouche drawn by team of six grey horses, while the rest of the guests followed, some walking the short distance, the older guests driving in their own carriages.
Eugenie and Lady Jane walked with the Earl, and were joined by Sebastian, who grumbled under his breath all the way about the nonsense of such festivities.
'Why can they not tie the knot quietly, and in private, instead of all this unnecessary show and spurious jollity?' he asked. 'Or even better, not bother with it at all, and simply live together.'
The Earl laughed. 'That would make many things difficult,' he said. 'This involves a vow before God and friends. What you suggest would be something easy to break, and bad for society.'
'Society! Who cares about society?'
'I do,' Eugenie snapped. She was tired of the boy – and she considered him a boy
even though he was older than she was – posturing so sullenly with his ridiculous notions. And after a glance at Lady Jane she was startled to see the girl nodding in agreement with him. Could this possibly have an effect on her the next time she thought she was in love, and persuade her she need not even fly to Gretna?
Sebastian shrugged. 'Oh, I see you have old-fashioned notions, Eugenie. I'm sure Jane here agrees with me.'
'Who gave you permission to use our names?'
'Why, do you object? Is this another of your antiquated views?'
'Is this how you treat guests to your house, by insulting them? Perhaps you should read a few books on etiquette in order to discover how to behave as a host!'
'If you disapprove of my behaviour, I will leave you to fume in privacy.'
He gave a mocking bow, and left them to run past the curving wing of the house while they went on to the front door where Lady Emily and her new husband were greeting their guests.
The Earl was chuckling to himself, and Eugenie glanced at him suspiciously.
'What is it?'
'I was admiring your fiery spirit, Miss Eugenie,' he said, and she glared at him.
'Why? And as you have been calling me by my name for months, why change now?'
'I enjoy a good argument, particularly when my side wins. As for your name, I realise now how much I must have offended you by being over-familiar.'
There was no time for a reply as they had reached the bridal couple and had to give their congratulations. Lady Emily kissed the girls, and then lifted her face to the Earl's, which he took as an invitation to kiss her, despite the laughing objections of her new husband.
'At this rate she will have been kissed by every red-blooded male around, while I have to wait my turn,' Sir Frederick said.
'Never mind, my love, your turn will be for the rest of your life,' Lady Emily said, and to the cheers of a couple of young men standing waiting to greet her, she reached up and planted a kiss on his cheek.
Eugenie and the Earl Page 16