A Match for Mother

by Mona Gedney, Kathryn Kirkwood, Regina Scott

  “Using me?” His brows shot up in surprise. “For what reason?”

  Claire was about to answer when the orchestra played the final bar. Her waltz with the earl had concluded, but she could not leave him without explaining. “I did not care to dance with Lord Dankworth. You saved me from that duty, and I thank you most gratefully.”

  The earl began to frown. “You jeopardized your reputation by dancing with an assumed rake rather than join Lord Dankworth in the waltz?”

  “Yes, indeed. And I shall be delighted to do it again, if the occasion arises. You are an excellent partner, sir, and I enjoyed myself thoroughly.”

  “As did I, my dear lady.” The earl dipped his head in a bow. “I shall not, however, embarrass you further by asking you to introduce me to your daughter. Instead, I believe I shall join one of the tables that Aunt Marcella has set up for a hand or two of whist.”

  The earl led Claire to the group surrounding her daughter and thanked her most politely for the dance. After she had given the proper response, he turned on his heel and left the ballroom, looking neither to the left nor the right as he strode out the door.

  “I must have a word with you, Mama!” Willow came immediately to Claire’s side and drew her quickly away to a secluded alcove. “Whatever were you thinking? We saw you dancing with ... with...”

  “The Earl of Sommerset?” Claire supplied the name that her daughter appeared so reluctant to utter.

  “Yes! I did not know that he would be in attendance, or I should certainly have warned you. He was the cause of a dreadful scandal last Season!”

  Claire smiled sweetly at her daughter. There were times when Willow’s sense of propriety interfered with her good sense. “I know, dear. Lady Bollinger told me all about it.”

  “Then why on earth did you consent to dance with him?” There was a disapproving frown on her daughter’s lovely face and Claire had the irrepressible urge to laugh. “Because, my darling, I did not care to dance with Lord Dankworth for fear I should die of boredom. And El Diablo is a simply marvelous dancer!”

  As the minutes ticked by, Claire found herself watching the door to the ballroom, hopeful that the earl should return to claim her in another dance. She had performed her duty on the dance floor with Lord Dankworth and she had found him to be every bit as tedious as she had imagined. She had also taken a turn round the floor with Lord Chatsworth, another older gentleman whom Willow had sent her way. Lord Chatsworth was a bachelor and after a few moments in his company, Claire had discovered the reason for his unmarried state. Though Lord Chatsworth had a pleasing appearance, his brainbox was filled with nothing but straw. While some unfortunate gentlemen of diminished capacity were charming in their own way, Lord Chatsworth was simply a dullard with nothing but his title to recommend him.

  At the end of the second hour, Claire came to the unhappy conclusion that the earl had taken his leave. Rather than stay and endure Willow’s further matchmaking attempts, Claire retrieved her shawl. She was about to plead the headache and depart when she saw the object of her fascination standing at the open doorway of the ballroom.

  Without realizing that she had done so, Claire’s eyes began to sparkle and a smile turned up the corners of her lips. The most interesting gentleman she had met this entire Season was back!

  Filled with a desire to speak with him again, Claire attempted to meet his eyes. But before he could glance in her direction, a lovely young lady hastily crossed the floor to claim his attention. She was Willow’s friend, Miss Dorinda Fellows, a true beauty and a flirt of the first water.

  Claire watched as Miss Fellows placed her gloved hand on the earl’s arm and smiled up at him charmingly. Even Willow, who had been raised to be charitable, had confessed only last evening that she feared dear Dorinda’s morals did not bear close scrutiny. Claire had been shocked at this criticism as Miss Fellows was Willow’s bosom bow, but her daughter had admitted that though they were still friends, she could not approve of Dorinda’s latest plans. It seemed that Lord Fellows had lost heavily at the gaming tables and now faced utter ruin. If his daughter failed to bring a wealthy gentleman up to scratch by the conclusion of the Season, he should lose the family estate. Dorinda’s response to this distressing situation had been to declare to Willow that she would stop at nothing to make a match that would save her father from financial embarrassment.

  Claire sighed as she watched Miss Fellows converse with the earl. Dorinda plied her fan and posed quite charmingly, even going so far as to drop her handkerchief so that the earl should have to retrieve it. Her flirtation was obvious to all who observed her and Claire could not help but wonder whether the earl had heard of her desperate need to find a wealthy husband. It seemed unlikely, for Willow had been taught not to carry tales and she had mentioned that Dorinda had confided in none other.

  Just as Claire was debating whether or not she should intervene, the earl took his leave from Miss Fellows. He bowed, smiled politely, and removed himself to join the group surrounding his aunt, Lady Bollinger. Claire breathed a deep sigh of relief as Dorinda crossed the floor to Willow’s side.

  She appeared quite overset and Claire had no doubt that Miss Fellows was piqued at her failure to claim the earl in a dance.

  Lady Jenkins gave an amused laugh and leaned close to Claire. “Did you see that, Lady Radcliffe?”

  “See what, Lady Jenkins?” Claire’s expression was perfectly composed, though she was certain she knew what had prompted the lady’s interest.

  “Miss Fellows and the Earl of Sommerset. She was flirting quite shamelessly with him. It appeared that the gel was angling for a dance, but the earl wisely refused to take her bait. Perhaps he is not the rapscallion we have been led to believe?”

  “Perhaps not.” Claire smiled politely. “I had occasion to waltz with the earl, and I found his behavior most proper.”

  “You do not say! It is always possible he has reformed, of course, in the aftermath of his father’s death.”

  Claire merely nodded. She did not wish to be drawn into taradiddle with Lady Jenkins, who was reputed as the source of more than a few on dits. But before she could think of a suitable reply to make to discourage any further converse about the matter, Willow gestured to her from across the room. “Will you excuse me, Lady Jenkins? My daughter is signaling for me to join her.”

  “Of course. Run along, dear. And when you return, you must tell me all about your dance with the earl.”

  Claire felt a palpable surge of relief as she took leave of Lady Jenkins. She vowed that she would not return to this particular chair, now that she was warned of Lady Jenkins’s desire to quiz her about the Earl of Sommerset. Claire arrived at Willow’s side in short order and turned to her daughter with a smile. “You wished to speak to me, dear?”

  “Yes, Mama.” Willow appeared anxious as she drew her mother away from the group. When they were well removed from curious ears, she reached out to take her mother’s arm. “I need your advice, Mama, on a matter of the greatest importance.”

  Claire nodded quickly. “Of course. What is it, dear?”

  “I have just spoken with Dorinda and I fear that she may be up to some trickery.”

  “And this trickery concerns the Earl of Sommerset?”

  “Why, yes!” Willow’s eyes widened in surprise. “How did you know, Mama?”

  “I observed Miss Fellows plying her wiles on the earl. She appeared quite overset when he did not respond as she wished.”

  “That is it, exactly.” Willow assumed a frown. “Dorinda has set her cap for the earl and I know that she will use any means possible to gain her objective. I fear what she may do, Mama. Dorinda is desperate enough to cause a terrible scandal.”

  “I daresay you are right, dear. Perhaps I should keep a sharp eye on Miss Fellows.”

  “Would you, Mama?” Willow appeared much relieved when Claire nodded. “She is my friend and I should not like to see her reputation compromised.”

  Claire smiled at her daughter.
It was to her Willow’s credit that she was more concerned about her Dorinda’s reputation than she was about the possibility that her engagement party could be the scene of a scandal.

  “There is one other thing, Mama.” Willow looked anxious again. “Lord Dankworth complained that you did not appear to welcome his company. I told him that he was mistaken, of course, but I think it wise if you seek him out to assure him that you value his attentions.”

  “But I do not value his attentions. Lord Dankworth is a stuffy old bore.”

  “Mama!” A startled expression crossed Willow’s lovely face. “I have it on the best authority that Lord Dankworth is a prize catch. Why, there are a half-dozen ladies here this evening who have set their caps for him!”

  “Then I shall let one of them have him.”

  “But Mama...”

  “I do not wish to marry, Willow.” Claire interrupted what was certain to be an objection from her daughter. “We discussed the matter earlier this evening. Have you forgotten?”

  “No, but Philip and I have reached the conclusion that you have not as yet met your perfect match. I would not be so bold as to choose for you, Mama. You know I would not! We are simply endeavoring to present suitable gentlemen to you, that is all. I really do have your best interests at heart, Mama. Surely you cannot doubt that!”

  “I do not doubt it, dear.” Claire gave a resigned sigh. It would not be so simple as she had thought to convince Willow to cease her matchmaking efforts. “We shall discuss this again, when we are in private. In the meantime, dear, please do not send any more gentlemen my way. I cannot succeed in my observation of Miss Fellows if I am distracted.”

  Willow nodded quickly. “Of course, Mama. I did not think of that. I promise that I will not...”

  Claire turned to her daughter in alarm as Willow abruptly stopped speaking. “What is it, Willow?”

  “Dorinda was standing by the French doors to the garden, but now she is gone.”

  “Then I shall go after her straightaway.” Claire gave her daughter a reassuring smile. “No doubt she is simply taking the air on the veranda.”

  “Shall I ask Philip to accompany you?” Willow looked a bit anxious.

  “No, dear. I am quite capable of crossing the floor under my own steam. You must go and enjoy your evening. It is a party for you, after all.”

  “Thank you, Mama.”

  Claire smiled as she watched her daughter walk away. At least she would be safe from further matchmaking efforts on this night. But Willow had been correct in her observation. Miss Fellows was indeed absent from the ballroom. Thankful that a widow of her standing could come and go as she pleased without the necessity of a chaperone, Claire made her way to the French doors and stepped out onto the wide veranda that overlooked Lady Bollinger’s pleasure gardens.

  Miss Fellows was nowhere in sight on the veranda. Claire did not think she would be so bold as to enter the gardens alone, but she stood at the rail and scrutinized the vista that was spread out below her, watching for any sign of movement on the garden paths.

  As she watched, a slight breeze caressed her heated cheeks and Claire sighed with pleasure at escaping the overheated and crowded ballroom. It was a romantical evening with the stars glittering brightly overhead and the perfumed scent of night-blooming flowers wafting gently up from the foliage below. She stood lost in thought for a moment, leaning against the rail and surveying the gardens with unseeing eyes. But then her senses sharpened as she heard loose stones crunch on the path that led to the fountain. Someone was in the gardens below, enjoying this lovely evening.

  Claire frowned slightly as she caught sight of a gentleman alone. Did he choose to be so, or had he failed to convince the lady of his choice to accompany him?

  Flambeaux shed light on the path at intervals and Claire waited for the gentleman to enter the nearest circle of illumination. She gave a gasp of surprise and shock as she recognized the features of the Earl of Sommerset. How odd to discover him all alone in Lady Bollinger’s gardens!

  No sooner had the earl gone round the bend in the path than Claire heard the sound of pursuing footsteps. These were lighter and much softer than the earl’s had been, and Claire surmised that they belonged to a lady. As the female figure passed by the very same torch, Claire gave another gasp of shock. It was Dorinda Fellows and she was clearly pursuing the earl.

  There was nothing for it but to follow them. A scandal would result if the earl and Miss Fellows were observed together in the darkness. Thankfully, Claire was a suitable chaperone and her presence should provide the appearance of respectability. But what if the earl did not wish to be rescued from Miss Fellows’s attentions and had arranged for their assignation in the garden?

  Claire squared her shoulders and walked resolutely down the steps, heading toward the path that the earl and Miss Fellows had taken. She would be very quiet so as not to make her presence known to them. If she discovered that she was in error and that their rendezvous had been previously arranged, she would simply retrace her steps.

  Rounding a bend, Claire stopped in mid-step as she heard an unusual noise. It sounded like fabric tearing, and she parted the thick leaves of a flowering tree to discover the source of the noise. What she saw made her press her hand tightly to her lips to stifle a shocked cry. Miss Fellows was standing at the edge of Lady Bollinger’s garden pond, deliberately ripping the bodice of her lovely ball gown!

  A disapproving frown crossed Claire’s face as she realized the ramifications of Miss Fellows’s act. No doubt the silly chit was intending to blame the Earl of Sommerset for her own devious action!

  Claire felt her anger rise at this outrage. The earl had already been accused of two scandals during the past Season. Another such incident, during this current Season, should certainly dash any good will he might have left among the members of the ton. If he did riot marry Miss Fellows straightaway, the earl should be cut by the gentry and nobility alike and his reputation would be irrevocably ruined.

  Before Claire could step forward to confront Miss Fellows, footsteps sounded on the path. The earl came into view and his eyes widened as he caught sight of Miss Fellows’s dishabille.

  “My dear Miss Fellows! Are you hurt?” The earl rushed forward with a frown on his face. “Tell me the name of the gentleman who treated you so shabbily and I shall demand satisfaction in your name.”

  Miss Fellows smiled quite calmly, an act so incongruous in light of her disarray that Claire could not help but gasp. And then she began to shriek. “How dare you take such liberties with me! Unhand me, sirrah!”

  As Claire watched, Miss Fellows whirled on her heel to return to the ballroom, no doubt intending to claim that she had been accosted by the earl. But before she could gain more than a step, Claire moved forward to stop her.

  “Lady Radcliffe! You must save me!” Miss Fellows managed to sound quite desperate as she threw herself into Claire’s arms. “He ... he tore my gown and attempted to ravish me! Now I am compromised and I shall be ruined unless he agrees to marry me!”

  Claire knew that she must act quickly to defuse this unfortunate situation. The earl looked quite ready to explode at this unfair charge and Claire gave him a warning glance. “But the earl cannot marry you, my dear Miss Fellows, as he is already engaged to me.”

  “You ... you are engaged to her?” Miss Fellows turned to the earl, her eyes wide with shock. “But ... I did not know!”

  The earl glanced at Claire and his lips twitched with amusement. “That is most understandable, Miss Fellows. I also find it difficult to believe.”

  “It was quite sudden and most unexpected, but I have no doubt that we shall soon become accustomed to our happy decision.” Claire gave the earl what she hoped was a convincing smile. “Do not be concerned, my dearest. Poor Miss Fellows is quite understandably overset and I am certain that when she returns to her senses, she will thank you kindly for saving her from tumbling into Lady Bollinger’s pond.”

  Miss Fellows pulled back
to frown at Claire. “But I did not fall!”

  “Yes, Miss Fellows, you did.” Claire removed her shawl and draped it around Miss Fellows’s shoulders, tying it firmly in place to cover her torn gown. “I was standing here the entire time, you see, and I observed you catch your lovely gown on that branch beside the pool. When you attempted to free yourself, you came dangerously close to a most unpleasant dunking. You owe my dear fiancé your thanks for rescuing you most handily.”

  Miss Fellows hesitated for a moment, staring into Claire’s determined eyes. Then she nodded quickly and turned to the earl. “It all happened so quickly that I was confused. Please accept my apology, Lord Sommerset.”

  “Of course.” The earl nodded gravely, but his eyes were twinkling as he glanced at Claire once again. “You will see to the repair of Miss Fellows’s lovely gown, my ... my dear?”

  Claire dipped her head in assent as she turned to Miss Fellows. “I have no doubt that one of Lady Bollinger’s maids shall be able to mend your gown, my dear. And you shall wear my shawl for the remainder of the evening so that none shall know of this unfortunate incident.”

  “Thank you, Lady Radcliffe. You ... you and the earl are truly engaged?” Miss Fellows looked as if she could not believe this turn of events.

  “Yes indeed, Miss Fellows.” Claire smiled brightly at the thoroughly flustered girl. “It happened only this evening, you see, and we have not yet seen fit to make our announcement. We did not think it kind to draw attention to ourselves at my daughter’s engagement ball. We prefer to keep it a secret for some time longer, perhaps until after dear Willow and Philip are wed. I do hope that you will not give us away?”

  “N ... no. I shall not.” Miss Fellows shook her head.

  “Allow me to assist you, Miss Fellows.” There was a hard gleam in the earl’s eye as he grasped the girl’s arm. “We shall go round by the side entrance. From there it is only a few steps to the ladies withdrawing room.”

  Their return to the mansion was accomplished in silence and the hall was deserted when they made their entrance.