The Husband Season

by Mary Nichols

  Chapter Six

  It was gone midday when Sophie woke. Bessie had obviously found her asleep and left her. She rang her bell and climbed out of bed to draw back the curtains. The sun was shining and the road outside was busy. What had been planned for today? She could not remember.

  ‘You are awake at last,’ Bessie said, bustling into the room with a jug of warm water. ‘Whatever time did you come to bed?’

  ‘I don’t know. It was getting light.’

  ‘Did Master Edward come home?’ She emptied the water into the bowl on the nightstand.

  Sophie removed her nightshift and washed herself while she talked. ‘Yes. He had been at his club. He said I didn’t need him because I had Sir Reginald and Mr Fanshawe to escort me.’

  ‘That is true.’

  ‘But I didn’t want their escort. I needed him to shield me from them.’

  ‘Surely they would not harm you?’

  ‘No, of course not, but they won’t take no for an answer. It is as if they are in competition with each other to make me change my mind and that makes me cross. While they are hanging round me, what hope have I of attracting the man I really want?’

  ‘And who might that be?’

  ‘I don’t know. I haven’t met him yet.’ She said it firmly, but in her heart there was a tiny doubt. She pushed it away.

  Bessie laughed. ‘You are making too much of this, child. Let destiny take its course. You cannot force it.’

  She sighed. ‘No, I suppose not.’

  ‘What shall you wear today? It is very warm.’

  ‘The blue flowered gingham, I think.’

  She finished dressing and went down to the breakfast room, where her aunt was sitting over a cup of coffee, reading a newspaper. ‘There you are,’ she said, putting the paper down. ‘What time did Edward come in?’

  ‘Nearly dawn. He had been at White’s and was a little foxed.’ She sat down and poured herself a cup of coffee and took a slice of bread and butter.

  ‘What did I tell you? You worry for nothing. And is that all you are going to eat? Have some eggs. I have them sent in fresh from the farm.’

  ‘No, thank you. What are we going to do today?’

  ‘I think you should rest. You had a tiring day riding all that way yesterday and then sitting up half the night. I certainly intend to stay at home this afternoon. This evening we are booked to go to Ranelagh Gardens.’

  ‘With whom?’

  ‘Just about everyone who was at the picnic. We arranged it then. Did you not hear us discussing it?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘No doubt you were too busy entertaining your swains. I notice that it was Viscount Kimberley who managed to jostle the other two out of the way to ride beside you on the way home.’

  ‘Aunt, I hope you are not reading anything into that. His lordship knew I didn’t want them near me.’

  ‘Humph. You seemed to have much to talk about.’

  ‘We were having a perfectly ordinary conversation. Nothing more to it than that.’

  ‘I hope you can convince Cassandra of that, because she was looking daggers at you all the way home.’

  ‘Oh, dear, I didn’t think of that. I shall have to go and see her.’

  ‘It is my “at home” this afternoon, and she may come with her mother. You had better reassure her then, though if you have designs on the gentleman yourself, that is a different matter. You may employ whatever wiles you deem fit.’

  ‘I do not have designs on him, Aunt Emmeline, and you make it sound as though he would have no say in the matter. I am sure he is old enough and wise enough to know his own mind. Wiles would pass him by.’

  ‘Whereas you,’ her aunt added, ‘are neither old enough nor wise enough to know yours.’

  Sophie remained silent while she digested this. She knew her own mind—of course she did—which was why she would reject any man who did not fit her idea of a husband. Her first meeting with the viscount had been humiliating and she could not forget that, could not forget his half-hidden smile of amusement. She was never quite sure in their subsequent conversations if he was still laughing at her and whether the things he said were meant to provoke her into a response that would amuse him still further. It made her prickly. On the other hand, when he was talking about the mill and his care of the men, he hadn’t been laughing, nor even smiling. She had seen a little of the real Adam and she liked him for it.

  ‘I hope there will not be too many callers this afternoon,’ her aunt said. ‘I am excessively fatigued. And the weather is so hot.’

  ‘Can you not say you are indisposed?’

  ‘No. I go out so little and my callers are important to me. How else am I to hear all the gossip and keep up with what is going on?’

  * * *

  Mrs Malthouse arrived early without Cassie. ‘She is not quite the thing today,’ she told them. ‘I think she was out in the sun too long yesterday. One forgets that though it is cooler in an open carriage when it is moving, the sun is just as hot. And walking in the park did not help.’

  ‘I am so sorry to hear that,’ Sophie said. Her friends were evidently not as robust as she was; Lucy was carriage sick and Cassie could not tolerate the sun. Their childhoods had obviously not been spent out of doors trying to keep up with a brother. ‘I must go and visit her. Is there anything she would like me to take her?’

  ‘I should not go today,’ Mrs Malthouse said. ‘She is not in a mood to be sociable.’

  Emmeline sent Sophie a knowing look as if to say, ‘I told you so.’

  ‘Will she be well enough to come to Ranelagh Gardens tonight?’ Sophie asked. ‘It will be cooler by then.’

  ‘She says not, but I shall try to persuade her. Now is not the time to withdraw from society. Lord Kimberley is not fixed to be in town beyond the next two or three weeks and she cannot afford to waste time being ill.’

  ‘I don’t suppose she is ill on purpose, Mrs Malthouse,’ Sophie said.

  ‘No, of course not. But if she does come tonight, I hope you will not monopolise his lordship as you did yesterday. It was very unfair of you.’

  ‘I did not ask him to ride with me and could hardly be rude to him when he did.’

  ‘Why not? You managed to rebuff Sir Reginald and Mr Fanshawe without much trouble. Very put out they were, especially after they had rescued you when you were lost and about to ride straight into the river.’

  ‘That is nonsense. Did they think I could not see the water, or that I was so poor a rider I would allow my horse to plunge straight in with me on its back? And I was not lost. I simply took a wrong turn. I could easily have found my way back to the party. No doubt they wanted to make themselves look like heroes.’

  ‘Be that as it may, your riding back with the viscount was certainly noticed.’

  Sophie opened her mouth to protest, but they were interrupted by the arrival of more callers and the conversation came to an abrupt end. The room was soon full of friends and acquaintances, many of who had been on the picnic and were to be part of the company that evening. Reggie and Richard arrived together and, after bowing to their hostess and acknowledging others, came straight to her side.

  Fortunately she was able to excuse herself with a polite smile on the grounds that she must help her aunt, who was wilting in her chair by the open window.

  ‘Is there anything I can get you, Aunt Emmeline? I think everyone has some cool cordial and cake, and now I can look after you.’

  ‘Thank you, child. Do you think you can fetch my big Chinese fan? You will find it in the top drawer of the chest in my bedchamber. I need something bigger than this little chicken-skin one to move the air in here.’

  ‘Of course.’

  She was passing Mrs Malthouse when she heard her saying, ‘Such an accomplished fli
rt for one so young, and Emmeline seems not strong enough to rein her in. I fear for Vincent.’

  ‘I heard she had been riding in the park in Sir Reginald’s high-perch phaeton, just the two of them,’ her listener added. ‘It can’t be true, surely.’

  ‘It is. She told Cassandra so herself. I would not have her at Cassandra’s ball, but the invitation has been made and accepted and I can hardly retract it. She is Lady Cartrose’s niece and Emmeline has been my friend for many years.’

  Pink with mortification, Sophie went on her way. It was so unfair! She was not a flirt. It was not her fault Reggie and Richard dogged her, and as for Vincent, she had hardly spoken half a dozen words to him. She was rapidly coming to dislike London and everyone in it, but if she asked Teddy to take her home, everyone would think she was running away in shame. That she could not bear.

  Putting her head in the air, she made for the stairs and her aunt’s room, where she found the fan and returned to her aunt.

  ‘Thank you, child. You are a good girl.’

  ‘Mrs Malthouse does not think so.’

  ‘Bear her no mind. She is simply jealous that her daughter does not attract the attention you do.’

  ‘I wish I did not.’

  ‘It is why you came to London, surely?’

  ‘Not to have Sir Reginald and Mr Fanshawe on my heels all the time. Why couldn’t they stay in Norfolk?’

  ‘Because you are here, my dear.’ Her aunt laughed. ‘And do you know, their attention is a good thing in a way—it attracts other men to find out what they are missing.’

  ‘There is something smoky going on, and I wish I knew what it was. I’m told Lord Gorange is in town as well, though I have not seen him.’

  ‘It may just be coincidence.’

  ‘I hope so, I really do.’ She looked up as Teddy came into the room. He was sober and perfectly groomed. Going from one to the other of her aunt’s guests, he smiled and exchanged a few words before moving on and eventually reaching her.

  ‘Well, sis,’ he said, smiling disarmingly at her, ‘all present and correct. Am I forgiven?’

  ‘Yes, if you accompany us to Ranelagh Gardens this evening and stay with us. No going off and leaving us, especially if Reggie and Richard are hovering about.’

  ‘They only want you to change your mind.’

  ‘Well, I’m not going to.’

  ‘Is that a promise, sister, dear?’

  ‘It most definitely is.’

  ‘Good, but do not let them know that. Keep them hovering, as you so inelegantly put it.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because it amuses me to see them squirm.’ He turned towards the door as a newcomer entered. ‘Ah, here is Viscount Kimberley. Now, you may encourage him as much as you like.’

  ‘Teddy, what are you up to?’

  ‘Nothing at all. I only have your happiness at heart.’ He turned to Adam. ‘Good afternoon, my lord. I believe I owe you my thanks for looking after my sister so well yesterday.’

  ‘It was a privilege and a pleasure. Good afternoon, my lady, Miss Cavenhurst. I hope I see you well.’

  ‘Very well, my lord,’ Sophie said. ‘My brother decided not to ride back to Richmond after missing me on the road.’

  ‘No reason to,’ Teddy said. ‘She had so many admirers vying for her favours, I was de trop.’

  ‘I would have expected you to be extravigilant under the circumstances,’ Adam said.

  ‘Why? I have known Reggie and Richard since boyhood. They would not harm a hair of her head.’

  ‘They were prepared to subject her to gossip.’

  ‘Stop it!’ Sophie cried. ‘Please do not fall out over it. I came to no harm and I do not blame Teddy for not wanting to make that ride twice in the heat. It is over and done with and he will be escorting me to Ranelagh tonight.’

  ‘Do you go?’ Teddy asked Adam.

  ‘I have not made up my mind.’

  ‘Oh, please do,’ Sophie said, knowing how disappointed Cassie would be if he did not go, and would no doubt blame her for frightening him off. She would have to do something helpful to bring them together, and then Cassie would realise she had no designs on the gentleman and be her friend again. She had no idea she was being manipulative and would have denied it hotly if anyone had suggested it.

  ‘We are to meet at the Rotunda at eight o’clock for supper,’ Lady Cartrose told him. ‘Please join us.’

  ‘Yes, do,’ Teddy added. ‘It is a fireworks night. They are quite spectacular, you know, and these are to be especially fine to honour the new princess.’

  ‘Very well. I will be there.’ Adam bowed and left, and after that everyone left one by one.

  ‘I am going to rest,’ her ladyship said, rising. ‘I suggest you do the same, Sophie. And as for you, Edward, stay at home today if you please. I want you here when the carriage comes round.’

  He laughed and bowed and held out his arm to escort her upstairs, then he returned to Sophie, who was looking out of the window at the carriages, carts, horse riders and pedestrians that thronged the road. She turned when he entered. ‘Teddy, what is going on? What are you up to?’

  ‘Nothing, sis. What can I be up to? I have been remiss and been scolded and am penitent. What more do you want?’

  ‘I want to know why Sir Reginald and Mr Fanshawe are in town and buzzing round me. I have turned them down and they know I will not change my mind.’

  ‘Perhaps they don’t.’

  ‘Teddy, have you encouraged them to think otherwise?’

  ‘Certainly not. It is not my fault you are so comely.’

  ‘Fustian! And I hear Lord Gorange is here, too. It cannot be coincidence.’

  ‘I don’t know what else it is.’

  ‘And why did you say I may encourage Viscount Kimberley?’

  ‘Well, my dear, he is obviously a better bet than Reggie and Dick.’

  ‘A better bet!’ Her voice rose. ‘Another of your gambling terms. I am not a prize to be won or lost in a game of cards, Teddy.’

  ‘Sorry, I meant he is richer and a member of the nobility—quite a catch, in fact.’

  ‘He is also a widower who adored his wife and is determined not to marry again.’

  ‘How do you know that?’

  ‘He told me so.’

  ‘A rather intimate conversation for so slight an acquaintance, don’t you think?’

  ‘Not at all. He makes no secret of it.’

  ‘I fancy you could make him change his mind.’

  ‘I am not even going to try. As I told Cassie and Lucy, I have no intention of playing second fiddle to a dead wife.’

  He simply laughed, chucked her under the chin and wandered from the room. Sophie decided she might as well follow her aunt and rest, ready for the evening to come.

  * * *

  Determined to put an end to rumours of being a hoyden and a flirt, she dressed demurely in white muslin trimmed with blue ribbon for the evening excursion. Teddy, as contrite as it was possible for someone so devoid of remorse to be, was in attendance as he had promised. When they sat down to a light supper, she sat between her aunt and brother, much to the chagrin of Sir Reginald and Mr Fanshawe. She smiled across the table at Cassie, who was sitting next to Viscount Kimberley, but Cassie ignored her and began talking very fast to Adam. He appeared very attentive and spoke quietly to her, making her blush.

  * * *

  It was the same after supper when they strolled about the grounds, waiting for the fireworks to begin. With such a large party, they were bound to become separated. Cassie and Lucy went off, arm in arm, escorted by Vincent and Adam. Sophie stayed close beside her aunt, whose pace was exceedingly slow. After a while her ladyship begged to sit down and they found a bench where they were joined by Lady Mart
indale and Mrs Malthouse.

  ‘Do go and join your friends,’ her aunt said. ‘Augusta and I and her ladyship will have a comfortable coze here until the fireworks begin.’

  Thus dismissed, Sophie went in search of Teddy, but could not find him. It was nearly dark and the lanterns had been lit in the trees along the main pathways but more distant walks were in deep shadow, making her shiver a little. She did not find her brother but came upon Cassandra and the viscount, dogged by a determined Vincent. She had no idea how they had managed to lose Lucy, unless she was with Teddy. She fell into step beside Vincent, allowing the other two to go a little way ahead. Cassie was still talking too much, hardly pausing for breath. Adam was smiling indulgently and putting in a ‘Quite so’ or ‘Indeed?’ every now and again.

  ‘It is much cooler now, isn’t it?’ Sophie said to Vincent. ‘So much more comfortable.’

  ‘Yes, thank goodness. Cassie cannot stand the heat.’ He turned towards her. ‘You, on the other hand, Miss Cavenhurst, seem to thrive on it.’

  ‘Do I? I suppose it is because I would rather be out of doors than in.’

  ‘You enjoyed the picnic, then?’

  ‘Yes, very much. Did you?’

  ‘Oh, yes, especially the cricket. I never expected to see a young lady hitting the ball with so much gusto and making runs.’

  ‘Teddy taught me. Sometimes I used to dress in his outgrown breeches to play when I was a child. It is so much easier when one is able to move freely.’

  ‘Did you really? What did your parents say to that?’

  ‘So long as it was only in the grounds of the estate they did not mind. Of course, it had to stop when I grew older.’ She knew she was shocking him and was enjoying it.

  ‘But you don’t do it now?’

  ‘Oh, no, that would be decidedly improper.’

  Adam, in a pause in his one-sided conversation with Cassie, turned towards them; she could tell by his smile that he had heard her. ‘I think it is time to make our way towards the fireworks,’ he said. ‘All the vantage points will be gone if we leave it much longer.’