by Carola Dunn
Miss Alice would have been surprised to discover just how much information she had disclosed. Not that she had mentioned either Lord Alton or Mr. Collingwood, but the existence of a half sister of questionable gentility, carefully concealed by Lady Bardry, was no longer a secret. And a connexion of Miss Alice was by extension a connexion of Lady Bardry. One in the eye for dear Henrietta, thought Lady Ariadne triumphantly.
Only, if her brother took it into his head to offer for the chit, then Miss Godric would become a connexion of the Charworthys, and that would never do. Lady Ariadne decided that George must be ordered to keep an eye on Miss Alice, even if it meant throwing him into the company of Sophie.
* * * *
Hester, meanwhile, was determined that her presence in London should not imperil her sister’s chances of contracting a brilliant alliance.
When Lord Alton had arrived in Paddington the morning after Albert’s appearance, he was pleased but not surprised to find the entire family, even Jamie, ready for a reconciliation. He had expected Hester’s influence and their own good-natured friendliness to prevail. It was not long before Albert’s story had been explained to him and his advice requested.
“This will require some thought,” he told them. “If I can prevail upon Miss Godric to join me in my curricle for a turn about the park, I shall have time to consider and to discuss with her what is to be done.” It was part of his plan of campaign, to accustom the ton to seeing an unknown lady up beside him before he stunned them with the news that this was his bride.
Hester would have none of it. “I should not dream of exposing myself thus to the world,” she said adamantly. “Someone would certainly enquire who I was, and that would be the end of Allie’s comfort. You cannot have considered, sir.”
“Well then,” he proposed, resigned, “allow me to drive you about the country lanes while we consider Albert’s position. I assure you I do my best thinking while handling the ribbons.”
“But I ought to—”
“Oh, go on, Hester,” interrupted Jamie. “If there is anything Bessie and Dora cannot do, we will manage it between us.”
She allowed herself to be persuaded and ran off to don her best pelisse, which, though fashioned from cheap cloth, was elegantly styled and sewn by Alice’s talented hands. Tidying her hair before donning her bonnet, she was suddenly light-hearted. Of course he was only being kind to her for Alice’s sake, but if it meant she saw him often, she would enjoy his company while she might.
Albert’s fate was not quickly decided. Lord Alton found it necessary to call every day for consultations, and after a week of fine weather, he and Hester were thoroughly conversant with all the highways and byways to the north and west of Paddington. Nor did an unexpected fall of snow put an end to his visits. That was the day he met Alice at his sister’s house and went to convey news of her to her anxious family.
On that occasion it was finally decided that Albert should become a stableboy at the Phoenix Yard. His old master, Hardy, was situated just around the corner in Harley Mews, but once it was explained to the boy that the sweep no longer had any claim on him, he ceased to shiver in his new shoes and looked forward to the prospect of shouting rude remarks after him with impunity.
Lord Alton had not revealed to the Godrics how much he had had to pay the master to redeem the young “apprentice,” nor how much to the stable owner to take him in. “I threatened Hardy with the law,” he said. “Even today such treatment is illegal, though commonplace. Bennet’s Select Committee is turning up some horrifying evidence, and we hope that before too long the use of climbing boys will be banned.”
“Our sweep in Henley used brushes,” Hester assured him. “It seems quite unnecessary to subject small children to such dreadful experiences.”
They were sitting by a cosy fire with a pot of tea. James and Geoffrey were gone out sight-seeing, Robbie was away across the field with his new friends, and Susan was confined to her bed with a miserable cold.
“Phoenix Yard is where I stable my cattle in town,” said Lord Alton, “I’ll have my groom keep an eye on the lad. It is very close to Hanover Square.”
“You are not far from Holles Street, are you?” Hester asked. “I could wish we were a little closer so that Alice might come here on foot. A mile and a quarter is no distance in the country, but a vast gulf in London, it seems.”
“I shall call on Lady Bardry and bring Miss Alice to see you one of these days,” promised his lordship. “And I shall do my best to keep an eye on her for you. I have not been going about in society a great deal recently, but I suppose we will frequently be invited to the same parties. and I shall make a point of attending.”
Hester would have been surprised to hear otherwise, but she was glad to be certain that someone she trusted would have a care for Alice’s welfare. And she did trust him. The mortification she had felt at the revelation of his peerage now seemed a ridiculous misunderstanding, and the gift of fifty pounds was the act of a generous and considerate gentleman. It was unthinkable that Alice should reject him!
Albert went off happily with Lord Alton, ten pounds heavier than when he had arrived and with a tinge of pink faintly visible in his cheeks.
“Oi’ll niver fergit yer, miss, God stroike me dead if Oi does,” were his parting words. Dora and Bessie were so relieved to see the last of him that they scarcely murmured when Robbie turned up next day with a three-legged cat.
“He’s called Mosquito ‘cos he bit me,” he announced. “He’s not as beautiful as Gumby, but he’s very friendly.” Mosquito, who turned out to be a female, was black and scruffy. Far from biting any of her new family, she lived up to Robbie’s words and insisted on snuggling on the lap of anyone who was kind enough to sit down. Failing that, she was quite willing to make do with the best armchair. However, she paid for her first night’s lodging with the remains of three mice deposited neatly on the kitchen hearth and gratefully accepted a bowl of cold porridge for breakfast.
“You may keep her,” Hester agreed, “as long as you don’t let her into the parlour. Black hairs show dreadfully on that light brocade, and it is not our furniture, remember.”
“Thank you,” said Robbie joyfully, and departed in a hurry before he could be reminded that it was time for his lessons.
Lord Alton brought more welcome guests that Saturday, in the persons of Mr. Barnabas Rugby and his wife.
Bella Rugby was the daughter of a Hampshire baronet and had met her husband when he was staying at Alton Court. Her parents held Lord Alton responsible for her marriage to a mere lawyer, particularly as they had cherished hopes of the earl himself as son-in-law. In view of his exalted rank, they had not been able to bring themselves to cut his acquaintance, especially as he had continued a very good friend of the young couple. But though reconciled to Mr. Rugby, who after all had the manners of a gentleman and was decidedly plump in the pocket, they still behaved with pointed coldness to his lordship whenever they met.
After several years of wedded bliss, marred only by the lack of children, Bella was at last increasing. A quietly self-confident young woman of six or seven and twenty years and no more than sixty inches, she was radiant with happiness and bubbling with high spirits. She was more than willing to make friends with the country mouse who had somehow succeeded in tearing her childhood friend from the pursuit of fashionable flirtations and high-flying Cyprians.
Hester took to her at once, though she was shy with Bella’s husband. After all, at their previous meeting she and Jamie had walked out on him in a huff. He showed no disposition to resent the occasion, and she was soon at her ease with him also. Their planned half-hour visit stretched to an hour, and then they were persuaded to stay for tea.
“Has Susan been permitted to frequent the kitchen here?” asked Lord Alton. “You must know, Belia, that young Susan is a notable pastrycook.”
“She is still far from well,” said Hester. “In fact, if you will excuse me, I must go and see how she does.”
“May I come wi
th you?” Bella requested. “I have heard so much about your family, and the others are all out.”
“She is not infectious,” Hester said, seeing Barney’s anxious look. “She took a chill and is very slow to recuperate. I am afraid the air here does not suit her.”
“Let me sit with her. When one is confined to one’s bed, a fresh face often acts like a tonic.”
Hester fetched some barley water and a custard, and the ladies went upstairs. They found Susan restless, but when she saw she had a visitor, she sat up and looked more cheerful.
“Do you go down and entertain the gentlemen, and I will see that she eats her custard,” suggested Bella. With a conspiratorial smile at Susan, she waved Hester away.
Hester found the gentlemen discussing the haste with which the Royal Dukes were repudiating their mistresses and scrambling after German princesses, now that the direct succession to the throne was broken. They dropped the subject precipitately on her entry, as not being fit for her ears, and enquired after Miss Susan.
Hester poured tea and sent Bessie with a cup for Bella. Robbie appeared, a sixth sense common among small boys having warned him that food was in the offing. He made his bow to Mr. Rugby.
“How do you do, sir? Is it true you don’t know any highwaymen?”
“I’m afraid not. I am the wrong kind of lawyer.”
“Hard lines,” commiserated Robbie. “How about sailors?”
“I am acquainted with one or two. Do you wish for an introduction?”
“No thanks; they’d only say I’m too bloody young.”
“Robbie!”
“Sorry, Hester. I forgot you were here. Geoff says it’s all right to swear when there are no ladies present.”
The gentlemen collapsed in laughter, watched by a resigned Hester and an indulgent Robbie.
“Lord Alton said he’d take me to the docks to see the ships, and maybe on a paddle-steamer,” he continued, careful to address his remark to Mr. Rugby so that Hester would be unable to accuse him of dropping a hint. Fortunately, his lordship was wide awake.
“I had not forgot, Rob. You have been in London less than two weeks.”
“Oh, that’s all right, sir,” said Robbie magnanimously. “Jamie said he’d take me to the Tower of London to see the wild beasts, and he hasn’t yet either.”
“I must see if I cannot beat James to the mark. Barney. how does one go about taking passage on a steamboat?”
“I’ve not the least idea. Now if you had a secretary, David, as I keep telling you, you might expect him to keep abreast of such useful information.”
“You are right, of course; you are very right. Rob, I shall hire a secretary.”
“But you’ll come with me yourself, will you not, sir?”
“Yes, yes, dear boy. I should not dream of fobbing you off with a mere hireling.”
“Good,” said Robbie, relieved. “It will be a great lark. Hester, Mr. Rugby has not met Mosquito. Can I bring her in, only for a minute?”
“Oh no, you know how she sheds. Perhaps Mr. Rugby would permit you to take him to the kitchen to be introduced.” If Mr. Rugby was surprised, he gave no sign, and followed Robbie out. He could be heard making some cheerful comment in the hall. Hester turned to Lord Alton.
“How very kind your friends are, my lord.”
“David.”
“David,” she repeated obediently, flushing faintly. By dint of avoiding his name and title altogether, she had not so far made free with his Christian name. “I wondered if you will be at Lady Orpington’s soirée tonight,” she went on. “It will be Alice’s first dress party, and I know she is sadly nervous. Jamie saw her yesterday.”
“I shall be there, but it will be no big affair. The season is barely started, and London is still very thin of company. In spite of that, I daresay Miss Alice will be swamped by admirers. I scarce look to be happy enough to obtain her hand for a dance.”
“I am sure she will save one for you. She must still have little acquaintance in society.”
“With a face and figure like hers, she will not long be wanting. How are James and Geoffrey? They are generally absent when I call.”
“They have not yet exhausted the sights. Every day they come home with tales of new wonders.”
“And have you no curiosity to see those wonders?”
“There are certainly a number of places I should like to go, including Rob’s wild beasts at the Tower, but I cannot bring myself to walk through those excessively busy streets.”
“Hester, allow me to escort you in my carriage. I assure you it will not be remarkable. If you wish, perhaps we might take up Alice and her cousin, the freckle-faced chit, and I daresay my nephew George could be prevailed upon to accompany us. In general the ton are shockingly ignorant of the monuments and points of interest of the city, and it would do them good. Come, you cannot refuse me.”
Hester was not sufficiently conversant with the foibles of society to know whether Lord Alton might with propriety invite her sister without her. Considering the proposed party, she saw that she would be acting the part of a chaperone. It seemed unexceptionable, and she was loath to put a rub in the way of his lordship’s wooing, though she had rather not be present to see it. Other considerations aside, it sounded like a delightful outing.
“Thank you,” she said. “I shall look forward to it. I take it you are not as uninformed as the generality of the ton upon the subject?”
“I shall purchase a guidebook,” he answered, smiling. “I shall speak to Lady Bardry tonight and arrange a date. Is there any time that would not be convenient for you? Then with your permission I shall call tomorrow afternoon to discuss our plans.”
“By all means. David, I heard what you and Mr. Rugby were speaking of when I came down, and it reminded me of the time you told me about the Regent’s creaking corsets. There is a rumour that he has now abandoned them. It is shockingly indelicate to ask, I know, but is it true?”
“I’m very much afraid it is. Prinny has left off his stays. The loss of his daughter quite took the heart out of him, and he has lost interest in appearances. Temporarily, one must hope. I believe he is a horrid sight! Well, Barney, how is Mosquito?”
Mr. Rugby entered with his arm about his wife’s waist.
“In fine feather,” he declared, “having lunched upon a sparrow. Master Robbie cannot approve of her catching anything but mice, and of that he seems uncertain. I must say I find it hard to believe she can catch anything. at all with one limb missing.”
“Nor does Mistress Dora approve of feathers in the soup,” added Bella. “In fact, Mosquito received a rare trimming from all sides. Hester, Susan ate the custard and is sleeping. The poor child seems to miss her grandfather excessively, and Miss Alice not a little.”
“She was always particularly fond of Grandpapa,” Hester agreed, frowning, “and a good deal in Allie’s company, of course. Do you think she is pining?”
“I would not put it so strongly. But I have noticed before that some children take it very hard when they are parted from familiar things and places, like a wildflower that withers away when you transplant it to your garden, despite the tenderest of care. I hope you will not think me interfering.”
“Of course not, Bella. I am grateful for your insight. I must consider what to do for the best.”
“And we must be on our way. Barney, David, bless you for introducing me to Hester. We shall meet again soon, my dear.”
Even as she pondered Bella’s analysis of Susan’s ailment, Hester silently echoed these words. Her worry receded before the joy of finding a new friend. She could not ask for a better friend than David Fairfax, but between a man and a woman so much must remain unsaid, and since she had foolishly lost her heart to him she had had to be even more circumspect. Nor could she trouble a gentleman with day-to-day worries about her family. With a female friend, she could speak openly, discuss her problems, ask advice. A new world opened before her, and she even wondered momentarily whether she might
confess to Bella her love for Lord Alton, though the idea was soon dismissed.
She was completely unaware that no confession was necessary. Bella had not been in the same room with the pair for more than ten minutes before she would have taken her oath on their mutual attachment. The secret was safe with her. Fond as she was of David, she had no intention of setting him up in his own conceit and rendering his task too easy. Let him court Hester in form and lie awake nights wondering whether his lavender lady would ever return his affection. Knowing Bella’s love of the romantic, her husband had not failed to report the bunch of withered lavender that had worked its amazing transformation on his friend.
He, too, was now convinced that the affair was serious. Not that he had any inkling of the lady’s feelings, but the astounding sight of the Earl of Alton on terms of intimate friendship with a grimy eight-year-old had clinched the matter in his eyes. David was in love!
Chapter 12
By the time Lord Alton arrived on Sunday afternoon, Hester had made up her mind about Susan. For once the whole family was present. His lordship had brought Alice, and even the invalid was below stairs, bundled up in a quilt.
“I’m going home to stay with Grandpa,” she cried joyfully as Bessie ushered in the visitors. “Hester had a letter from him yesterday saying he misses us dreadfully already. Jamie is to take me on the stage on Tuesday.”
Alice’s eyes filled with tears. “Oh, Susan, you will be so far away. Only think how you will miss Hester and the boys.”
“Allie, dear,” said Hester, embracing her, “it is all settled. Susan is not well here, and we will see if she goes on better in Henley. Excuse me, Lord Alton, for not greeting you at once. One forgets that you are no longer one of the family as you were in Henley.”
“Must I break my other leg to regain my position? I wish you will not ask it of me, for then we should be forced to forgo our outing. Miss Alice and I laid our plans last night at Orpington House and persuaded Miss Bardry and George to join us. I have purchased a guide, but perhaps James and Geoffrey now feel themselves qualified to instruct us on where to go.”