With politics the overwhelming focus of talk during dinner, however, he couldn’t manage to lead the discussion into anything else. But before the evening ended, Ben was determined to bring the real Alyssa into the light.
* * *
A short time later, Maggie rose to signal it was time for the ladies to withdraw. Seeing his chance, before she could lead them from the room, Ben hopped up and went over to place a hand on her arm.
‘Maggie, I need your help,’ he said sotto voce.
‘Of course, Ben. What is it?’
‘Lady Alyssa. I need you to focus on her once the ladies withdraw and work your magic to get her to talk.’
Maggie patted the hand clutching her wrist. ‘She has been rather subdued. If she’s not used to political discussions, the conversation at dinner had to be rather daunting! My fault—I should have turned the topic to something else.’
‘That would have been difficult, with Giles, Davie and Christopher fired up to discuss strategy.’
‘I’ll make it up to you both and see if I can’t draw out your shy wallflower.’
‘Alyssa?’ Ben laughed, shaking his head. ‘I’ve never met a woman less like a shy wallflower in my life.’
‘Truly? She certainly appears...quiet. How do you find her?’
‘After suffering through too many overheated and under-stimulating parties during her Season, she’s decided she doesn’t fit into society. But when the topic interests her, she’s...completely different. I first encountered her while she was in the woods, sketching, and so absorbed in her work that she didn’t notice me at all. When I did catch her attention, she was entirely self-possessed and, unlike most single females, not a bit interested in impressing me. Get her to talk about her work. A London publisher wants to issue a book of her sketches.’
‘Publish them! How wonderful. I will certainly ask about that.’
‘She has a major talent and a most unconventional outlook. Quite unique.’
For no reason he could fathom, Maggie gave him a speculative look.
‘What?’
She shook her head, an odd little smile on her lips. ‘Nothing. I’ll do my best.’
‘Thank you, Maggie. I think you’ll find her as fascinating as I do.’
‘I’m sure I shall.’ With that, she turned and said, ‘Ladies, shall we? After the gentlemen settle the fate of the nation, they will join us for tea.’
With smiles and murmurs to their dinner partners, the other women rose and followed Maggie from the room. Except for Alyssa, who continued to stare down at the carpet and left without giving Ben so much as a glance.
* * *
Dinner had been even worse than she’d feared, Alyssa thought glumly as she trailed the others out of the dining room. While Lady Sayleford kept her mother occupied with commentary about society figures of their mutual acquaintance, the rest of the company had avidly discussed the upcoming Parliamentary session. Thanks to Mr Tawny’s brief description and what she’d gleaned from reading Lord Fulton’s newspaper, she at least knew who Lord Grey was and a few of the issues being addressed.
While the other ladies—led by the brilliant Lady Lyndlington, who seemed to have an intimate knowledge of every politician and every issue—were able to contribute an intelligent comment from time to time, she’d been completely lost.
If that were not intimidating enough, the Duchess was not only well spoken, she was the most beautiful woman Alyssa had ever seen. She’d always thought her mama would be the perfect model for any artist wishing to do the portrait of an angel, but she had to admit, the Duchess would make an even better one.
While these glittering butterflies danced and swirled with the conversation, she sat still and silent like a giant slug. They must think her as ignorant as a South Sea savage and wonder why on earth Ben Tawny intended to marry so uninformed and ill spoken a bride.
Only by shutting out the commentary flowing around her and reviewing in her head the various birds she still needed to sketch, mentally composing the most efficient itinerary to get to all of them before winter ended, was she able to keep her face from flaming with humiliation.
If tonight hadn’t convinced Tawny to call it off, she must quit London immediately after the wedding, before she embarrassed herself—and him—any further.
As they filed into the drawing room, Lady Sayleford directed her mother to a chair by the hearth with a plea that they continue the discussion begun at dinner. Wondering how long it would be before the gentlemen joined them, drank their tea, and she might finally seek refuge in her room in Queen Street, Alyssa walked over to the window.
Gazing into the darkness outside, caught up in her glum reflections, it was several minutes before she realised her hostess was addressing her.
‘Sorry, I’m afraid I wasn’t attending,’ she said, turning to Lady Lyndlington, feeling her face redden in truth. ‘Could you repeat that, please?’
Lady Lyndlington smiled. ‘I wanted to apologise for allowing politics to completely dominate the discussion at dinner. I failed in my duties as hostess in not insisting we talk about something else, but with the new session about to begin, and so much at stake, I’m afraid I was quite as hopeless as the men. They are just now coming back together after having been apart for several weeks and are eager to plan for the session ahead. Having cut my teeth on politics, I became as carried away as they were. I am sorry!’
Surprised that her hostess would apologise, Alyssa stammered, ‘H-how kind of you, but it’s not at all necessary. It’s my own fault that I know too little to contribute to the conversation.’
‘Of course it isn’t,’ the angel-as-Duchess said, coming over to join them. ‘I knew almost nothing myself before Davie came back into my life—my first husband was not at all political. The Hellions are so passionate about their work, you will soon learn. I hope you’ll become enthusiastic about it, too, since it’s so important to Ben. But even if you don’t develop an interest, I know you’ll be proud of the vital task they are doing for the nation.’
At least with that, she could agree. ‘Yes. Even as ignorant as I am, I realise what a great vision it is they wish to accomplish. I am proud to be associated with men who are willing to work selflessly for the betterment of the nation.’
‘We were so preoccupied with politics, we never got to what Ben wanted to discuss—your work, Lady Alyssa,’ Lady Lyndlington said. ‘He tells me that your sketching is of such high quality, a publisher wishes to put out a book featuring it.’
‘Y-yes.’
‘A published work!’ the Duchess echoed. ‘How impressive! I’ve never known anyone clever enough to have a book published. Please, won’t you tell us more about it?’
‘Very well—if you truly wish to know.’
‘Certainly we do!’ Lady Lyndlington said.
Perhaps Tawny’s friends really would appreciate her, Alyssa thought, their encouragement warming her. Though she wouldn’t get her hopes up just yet. It was only natural that they would politely try to include the woman who was to marry one of their husbands’ best friends.
‘If I can complete all the sketches by the end of January—and if the publisher still wants them—they may become a book.’
‘How exciting! You shall become famous!’ the Duchess said.
‘Hardly,’ Alyssa replied with a chuckle. ‘Waterman doesn’t know the sketches were done by a woman, of course. To get them published at all, I shall have to remain “A. Lawrence”—one of my mother’s family names, as “ Lambornne” is too recognisable.’
‘Naturally,’ Lady Lyndlington said drily. ‘No man would be enlightened enough to publish drawings by a female, regardless of how exceptional they are.’
‘How did the publisher learn about them?’ the Duchess asked.
‘A...a friend who believed in their worth initi
ally brought the drawings to his attention. Once I have the sketches completed, I shall have to find another agent to contact the publisher to arrange the transaction, Duchess.’
‘Aggravating, but necessary, I suppose,’ the Duchess agreed. ‘And you must call me “Faith”, as the others do. Only my former mother-in-law and the solicitors still call me “Duchess”.’
‘And you must call me “Maggie”,’ her hostess added. ‘With our men such close friends, we cannot stand on formality.’
‘Very well, I should be “Lyssa”, then,’ Alyssa said, tempted to abandon caution and respond to their warm friendliness and what appeared to be genuine interest. Maybe...maybe they truly could become friends. Which would be...delightful. Other than her mother, she’d never had a female friend.
‘You haven’t told us what you sketch,’ Maggie recalled her.
‘Birds.’
Maggie’s eyes widened. ‘Like Mr Audubon? One of Father’s friends subscribes to his portfolios. They are magnificent!’
‘They are indeed,’ Alyssa said, enthusiasm for the topic dissipating the last of her reserve. ‘During my second Season, I endured the company of the most boring fellow ever, because he promised to take me to the library of his cousin, the Duke of Northumberland, who was a subscriber. I was enthralled! Not that I am by any means Audubon’s equal, but I had already begun a series of watercolour sketches of the birds in Mr Bewick’s book. A wonderful resource, but the illustrations are all in black and white.’
‘Bewick’s A History of British Birds?’ Faith asked. ‘My brother and I loved that book, and always carried it when we were tromping about in the woods at Wellingford.’ She sighed. ‘Where I spent some of my happiest days.’
Alyssa shook her head. ‘I can’t picture you tromping about in the woods.’
‘Can you not? If you had a Season in London, surely you heard me criticised—the “little dab of a duchess” with the “countrified ways”.’
Alyssa stared, wondering if the Duchess were teasing her. She couldn’t imagine anyone criticising so beautiful and charming a lady. ‘You’re not serious, surely.’
‘You truly hadn’t heard? You must be the only one ever to attend a society function who hasn’t, then.’
‘Well, to be fair, I didn’t really listen much to what was said around me,’ Alyssa admitted. ‘Gossip, and talk of fashion and jewellery and houses and servants...it was all so boring. And the rooms so hot and overcrowded, all I wanted was for the event to end so I could get away.’
‘I understand completely!’ Faith said. ‘I can’t tell you how many times I wished I could escape, slip back to the town house and into some of my brother’s old clothes, and go for a punishing gallop!’ She sighed. ‘But with everyone watching everything I did, all the time, I seldom had the opportunity. Maggie and I often ride in the mornings here. While you are in London, you must join us.’
‘I should like that,’ Alyssa said.
‘So, it is your watercolour sketches of birds the publisher wishes to turn into a book?’ Maggie asked.
‘Yes. While I was viewing the Duke’s folio, I mentioned my sketches to his librarian, who asked to see them. He was impressed enough by the watercolours that, unbeknownst to me, he contacted a publisher. With the tremendous success of Audubon’s folios, he felt there might be interest in a colourised edition of British birds and the publisher agreed.’
‘How exciting! But does it not take hours to complete such sketches? You must spend a great deal of time in the woods. How lucky you are!’ Faith said.
‘It does take time. Using Bewick as a guide, I make several preliminary pencil sketches of birds I expect to see, then observe them in the wild and use pastels to add in the colouration. Once I’m sure I have the right hues, I do a final sketch of the bird in its habitat, in flight or on a nest, and return to the studio to paint.’ She gave them an apologetic look. ‘I’m afraid I’m far more at home tromping through the woods than sitting through a dinner party. As was evident tonight.’
‘Might I ride out with you, if you intend to sketch hereabouts?’ the Duchess asked. ‘I promise not to interrupt your work.’
‘I’m afraid you would be terribly bored,’ Alyssa said. ‘My mother requires me to bring a maid if I’m anywhere but on Aldermont land and the poor girl just hates it.’
‘Out in the woods, where I might ride and explore at leisure?’ Faith exclaimed. ‘I would love it! Take me when you go next and leave the maid at home.’
‘Imagine, Faith, we shall be able to claim as a friend an artist who commands public attention for her work!’ Maggie said. Turning to Alyssa, she added, ‘No wonder Ben is fascinated by you.’
That comment extinguished Alyssa’s enthusiasm as quickly as cold water poured on barely caught kindling. ‘Did Ben not tell you how we came to be engaged?’
‘I’ve hardly seen him since we got back,’ Maggie said. ‘If he informed Giles, my husband hasn’t yet passed the story along to me.’
‘Of course not, silly,’ Faith said. ‘Men never enquire about what one really wishes to know. Though he’s one of the kindest, most principled men I know, Ben has quite a reputation with the ladies. He’s never indicated any desire to trade admiring the many for devotion to just one, so you must have bedazzled him.’
It was tempting to say nothing and let that rosy illusion stand, since Tawny apparently hadn’t informed his friends of the truth. Doubtless, an omission meant to protect her honour and reputation.
But it seemed dishonest, somehow, in light of the ladies’ open acceptance, to reinforce such a lie—if they were truly to be friends.
Though they probably wouldn’t want to be, once they knew the circumstances. Buoyed by the heady feeling of being liked and accepted, Alyssa had to struggle with herself to confess what she knew they deserved to hear.
‘I wish that were the case, but it isn’t,’ she said bluntly. ‘Caring for Mr Tawny as deeply as you both do, it’s only right that you know the truth. Which will also explain how he came to offer for a woman so clearly unsuited for being the wife of a politician.’
The two ladies exchanged a look. ‘We do care about Ben,’ Maggie said. ‘But we would not press for details that are private between you and your intended.’
‘Taking me to wife, he’s going to need your help in meeting his social obligations. You should understand why he took so puzzling a step.’ Girding herself for rejection, she took a deep breath. ‘It’s not a very edifying tale.’
While the two ladies listened without interruption, Alyssa quickly related the history of the wager, Ben’s intervention, her insistence on challenging the perpetrators—and the calamitous conclusion, when members of the house party discovered her at the inn, tarnishing not the names of the rogues who’d tried to ruin her, but of the honourable man who’d tried to save her.
‘I did initially refuse his proposal,’ Alyssa explained. ‘But when he tracked me down at my father’s house, he insisted that if we did not wed, and the story got out that he’d seduced a lady of quality and refused to marry her, the charge would seriously damage his reputation and quite possibly compromise his political career.’
Maggie nodded thoughtfully. ‘Yes, it could very well do that.’
‘So you see, though I like to think we share a mutual respect and fondness...’ no need to mention the barely controlled passion that flared between them ‘...this is hardly a love match. The only way I could salve my conscience about robbing Mr Tawny of his freedom was to insist he use my substantial dowry to further his political career.’
‘Fondness and respect are a good beginning,’ Faith said. ‘That’s what I felt for Davie, long before I realised I loved him.’
Alyssa didn’t even want to consider going down that path. But neither did she feel comfortable admitting she’d given Ben Tawny permission to live his private life as
before, seeing such ladies as he chose. A circumstance which would make it foolish in the extreme for her to allow herself any feelings warmer than friendship for him. ‘I think we will rub along tolerably well. Especially since, with a bequest left by my aunt, I intend to travel a great deal to pursue my sketching, while Mr Tawny will of course remain in London, continuing his work with Parliament.’
‘You’ll both go your own ways?’ Faith asked.
‘Yes. That’s the bargain we struck.’
Maggie nodded. ‘A sensible way to start.’
Start, continue and end, Alyssa thought. Better to stay far from London, where it was too easy to be drawn in by his accommodating friends. Where she might conceive the dangerous notion that she fit in with them. With him.
‘You mentioned that, initially, your mother and Lady Fulton intended to put it about that you and Ben had been secret sweethearts?’ Maggie asked. ‘If you truly want to protect him and his career, I suggest that you let us spread that notion around. Just in case any hint of the scandal should surface in London.’
‘Yes, what better way to get your revenge upon the wretches who wanted to ruin you, than have it be thought you’d both ended up in a love-match?’ Faith said. ‘Ben can be the impetuous suitor, pressing you for a promise you weren’t quite ready to make at Dornton. But after he followed you to Aldermont Hall and once again begged for your hand, you could no longer resist.’
Alyssa sighed. ‘Romantic, if entirely untrue.’
‘It fits the facts of your interactions and that will protect both your reputations, should any gossip surface,’ Maggie said. ‘And it will give Ben the chance to play the ardent lover.’ She laughed. ‘He should love that.’
As long as he didn’t try to play the part with her, Alyssa thought. But then, he’d given her his promise not to ‘beguile’.
Convenient Proposal to the Lady Page 14