A Grand Deception
Gentlemen Of Worth [3]
Shirley Marks
(2012)
* * *
Rating: ****
Tags: Romance, Regency Romance, Romantic Comedy, Historical Romance
When Lady Muriel Worth, the Duke of Faraday's youngest daughter, travels to London to enter the Marriage Mart, she is more interested in academic than matrimonial pursuits. Certain she can juggle the society schedule and her numerous suitors, she plans to steal away for lessons with her Latin tutor whenever she can.
All goes as Muriel expects until the Earl of Amhurst arrives. London gossips link their names, and this causes complications not only for her reputation but for her heart as well.
It will take a proper Man of Circumstance to distract Muriel from touring Roman ruins and conjugating Latin verbs. To her dismay, the new Earl of Amhurst may do just that.
A Gentlemen of Worth Historical Romance
The Gentlemen of Worth Historical Romance Series:
Shirley Marks
This title was previously published by Avalon Books; this version has been reproduced front the Avalon book archive files.
London-April 1815
No one knew the real reason Lady Muriel Worth had come to Town. Not her closest friend, Susan Wilbanks, not her Aunt Penny, not even her father, the Duke of Faraday.
However, soon after arriving in London she did confide in Susan. Without her friend's help, Muriel could not have continued with her well-laid plans.
She had come to London to meet a man. A man she had been corresponding with in secret for the last four years. As if that had not been bad enough, she'd managed to slip out from under the protective wing of her aunt to meet him, on more than one occasion. She had only left his company minutes ago and returned to the place where her friend Susan waited.
Muriel slid through the narrow side doorway from the alley into the subscription library. She moved past other patrons who milled about with hushed voices. This gathering, however, felt far less formal than the flirtatious whispering in the crowded ballrooms she'd experienced nearly every evening over the last two months.
"How goes it, Sukey? We have not been discovered, I hope." Muriel exhaled, inspired and exhilarated by her recent meeting. She placed her books on the table with great calm and slid into the seat next to Susan. "I would like to increase my sessions to twice a week."
"You've gone from twice a month to once a week only a fortnight ago. However are you to explain another absence to your aunt, Mrs. Parker?" Susan placed a bookmark between the pages of her novel before closing it. "The subscription library is certainly acceptable once a week for you, but twice? I fear it will not fadge. And my mother would never believe it of me."
Anyone who knew Muriel, the young Muriel, could well imagine her need to go to the library, because at home it was where she spent most of her time. At the age of eleven, Muriel had watched her brother, Frederick, go off to Eton-and learned she could not attend because she had had the misfortune of being born female. She had so wished to learn Latin and then, perhaps, continue on to the Classics. Without a formal education or a tutor furthering her studies, such an endeavor would prove difficult.
The new Lady Muriel's behavior had been carefully fashioned to resemble her elder sister Charlotte's. Pleasant and agreeable, which young Muriel had never been. The new Lady Muriel still appeared to retain some interest in her academic studies but was clearly far more interested in finding a husband.
"I am fortunate you and your mother are staying with us." Muriel drew her reticule close. It contained her notes and the assignments she was to complete. "We have freedoms together I would not normally be allowed if I were alone."
"Mama and Mrs. Parker allowed us to remain at the subscription library unattended while they did some small shopping. We were to remain, keeping each other company. Which, you must own, we really have not." Susan removed her gloves from her reticule in preparation to leave. A line of worry creased her brow. "For you spend your time closeted with Signore-"
Muriel shushed her.
Susan fell silent and glanced around them, observing the other patrons to make certain she had not been overheard. "Oh, Moo, if we are ever found out, I fear I should never again be allowed to leave the house."
"Do not worry, Sukey, for you may tell your mother to place the blame entirely in my dish. Aunt Penny certainly will. Do you not understand? This is my first and best opportunity to obtain the level of instruction I crave."
"You have explained your reasoning to my satisfaction, and you have my every sympathy. That is why I agreed to help. I only fear what will happen if you are caught."
How that should happen, Muriel wasn't sure. Had she not taken every precaution to convince her aunt, and her father, that her extreme interest in academics was no more?
She'd spent the good part of a year feigning fascination with what ladies, at her age and position, usually did to occupy themselves. There were unaccountable hours wasted poring over fashion plates, fabrics, and colors while conferring with the dressmakers. Muriel did not even wish to hazard a guess at the time spent choosing new hats and shoes, much less the other worthless gewgaws that, she was told, every fashionable lady needed in her possession.
Just that morning, when Aunt Penny had suggested that Muriel don the decorative puce velvet bonnet instead of her practical straw hat, she had agreed with enthusiasm and without question.
"Tutelage under Signore Biondi means everything to me. I have made progress I never would have achieved without his instruction. I shall do what I must to continue, despite the risk," Muriel stated with staunch determination. "Even if it means pretending I am part of the marriage mart."
"What a hardship, to have suitors fawning over you, dancing with you, and paying court to you," Susan replied in what Muriel considered heavy sarcasm. "Do you not realize that that is exactly what every girl wishes for? And what is it you do? Disregard the entire convention. You encourage their attention, only to ignore their interest if it should become serious. How can you turn your back on all your suitors?"
"I am willing to bear what I must to achieve my end. I do value my young men, though. They aid me in my subterfuge. Do not scold me because I have no interest in finding a husband and marrying." Muriel's father had offered his youngest the opportunity to travel to Town for a Season, as he had his two elder daughters. She had accepted. Only her goals differed from her sisters'.
Her father might have thought she was interested in making a match. Muriel thought being in Town was a perfect opportunity to further her studies.
"You don't wish to marry?" Susan's previous sarcasm apparently had fled, to be replaced by astonishment. "Ever?"
"I imagine someday I shall find the notion palatable, but I am fairly confident that that day is very far off." At present, flirting with young men and spending time attracting said gentlemen held very little interest for Muriel. "Have no fear, Sukey. I do not expect you to provide me with an excuse to meet with Signore Biondi for additional sessions. I shall devise other means."
Susan appeared relieved that she would not be included in further deceptive arrangements. It had been difficult, but not impossible, for Muriel to come up with an acceptable plan to slip away from those who would see her chaperoned at every moment.
Muriel's attention shifted toward the front entrance, where a handful of new patrons streamed in. "Here come my aunt and your mother. We shall continue our discussion later, when we are alone."
Once the four returned to Worth House on Hanover Square, Muriel and Susan headed for the cerulean blue parlor to take tea only moments before Aunt Penny's older sister, MaryLady Kimball-and her daughter, Constance, dropped by, quite unexpectedly.
"Do not speak of Signore Biondi in front of my cousin," Muriel cautioned Susan, and she quietly took a seat on the blue-and-gold-striped sofa. "Any secret she learns does not remain so for long."
Susan nodded, and Muriel knew her friend would not say a word.
"I must tell you the latest on dit." Constance turned breathlessly to face the two young ladies and motioned them near. "Mother and I attended the Wymans' rout last evening. Of course we saw Lord Phipps and Lady Gelsthorpe. Lady Rushworth and her daughter, Lady Harriet, were there. As you know, poor Harriet has been the gossip for the last fortnight because of Lord Gideon's relentless pursuit," Constance told Susan. "But that is not the most exciting news."
"Tell us, Miss Kimball." Susan fairly sat on the edge of her seat, waiting for Constance to impart the latest tittle-tattle. "I do not think I can wait a moment longer!"
"Do you know who else attended?" Constance took time smoothing her skirts to prolong the suspense. "The new Earl of Amhurst!"
"The new earl? What happened to the old one?" Susan turned to Muriel, who knew nothing to enlighten her friend, for an answer.
"He died, goose," Constance replied rather curtly. "From what I hear, the new earl is young, tall, handsome, and eligible. And he looked upon everyone as if they did not interest him in the least!"
"A picture of perfect ennui, eh?" Muriel thought her cousin's enthusiasm a bit much. And to display so much adoration for someone who held those around him in disdain ... well, she could not help but find a bit of humor in that.
A maid brought in the tea tray, and Constance leaped from her seat.
"Now I must find Mama and be off; we cannot stay for tea. I need to spend extra time preparing for Almack's. It's the first assembly of the Season, and I am sure the Earl will attend. I shall see you two tonight."
"No, I am afraid not, Miss Kimball. I have not procured vouchers," Susan confessed, sounding a bit low because she had been left out. The Almack Patronesses had not deemed her worthy enough to gather with others of the haute ton.
"That is a shame, Miss Wilbanks. I'm sure that Muriel will tell you all about him tomorrow." Constance paused at the doorway for a moment before spinning away from sight. "Farewell to you and-oh!"
A thunder of misguided footfalls and shrieks told of a near collision in the corridor. Susan's expression mirrored Muriel's confusion regarding the commotion outside the parlor where they sat.
"I beg your pardon!" a young male's voice cried out in surprise.
"And I beg yours," Constance replied, but she did not sound affronted in the least. "If I did not have to dash home this instant, I would have my cousin Muriel make introductions."
"I fear it is my loss." The gracious bow that must have followed was nearly audible. "I shall look forward to making your acquaintance next we meet, then."
Both half rising from their seats, Muriel and Susan stared at each other, wondering about the identity of the young man. His voice sounded very familiar.
"A bientot, monsieur." Constance's adieu faded with her gradual retreat and ultimate exit from the premises.
The butler directed the visitor with, "The young ladies gather in the blue parlor, sir. I shall introduce you at once"
"No need to bother, Ralston." A few moments later a dark haired, finely dressed gentleman wandered in.
"Sir Samuel!" Muriel cried, standing upon recognizing him. "How delighted I am to see you."
Susan followed suit and rose to meet him.
He held his hat and walking stick in one hand when he entered, greeting them with a most splendid leg. "I am most pleased to see you again, Lady Muriel." He bowed over her hand. "Your sisters insisted I stop by to pay my regards and catch up with family news."
"Both sisters?" Susan remarked. She stepped out from behind Muriel where she could be seen.
"Why, yes, I-" Sir Samuel Pruitt stopped in midsentence and gazed upon Susan as if he had never seen her before.
"You remember my friend Miss Susan Wilbanks, do you not?" Muriel gestured off to her side.
"Oh, yes, of course." Sir Samuel reached out for Susan's proffered hand and bowed over it. "Excuse me for not recognizing you. Last we met, you were merely Miss Susan, but now you have grown into a very lovely Miss Wilbanks."
Susan thanked him for the compliment with a shy smile and a soft blush.
"Leave your hat and stick with Ralston," Muriel bid him. "Aunt Penny would insist. You cannot deprive us of your company now. I insist you stay."
He glanced at the laden tea tray that gave every indication they had yet to pour out. "I have no wish to intrude."
"Nonsense," Muriel cried. She made space for him on the sofa. "You will sit here, between us. We shall learn all your news, and you shall have all of ours."
Sir Samuel agreed to join them. He left the ladies for only a moment to dispose of his accoutrements and returned to the parlor.
"Now we may begin." Muriel busied herself with the teacups, pouring a bit of milk into each. "Gusta and her husband just welcomed a daughter six months ago. They named her Sarah"
"After your mother? How nice." Sir Samuel accepted his tea.
"Little Michael is thrilled with his new sister, but then, he is only just two years old. I imagine he'll be delighted with any playmate," Muriel continued. "And Char-Char and Sir Philip are expecting their first child any time now."
"My siblings have not yet reached the age to marry," Sir Samuel informed them. "I do so look forward to the days when my family can celebrate new additions." He smiled at the prospect.
Could he have any inkling of Muriel's true feelings regarding wedded bliss? Muriel wondered. As much as she may have appeared to be entertaining the idea of marriage, she had no intention of taking that step.
"Allow me to come to the primary reason for my call, besides relaying good wishes from your sisters," Sir Samuel began. "You have previously expressed an interest in seeing the bit of Hadrian's Wall that runs through my family's property up north." He was quick to continue before Muriel could speak. "You need not remind me that I have promised to show it to you someday-and I shall. If such things still appeal to you, I thought you might like to see the nearby Roman ruins, since we are both in Town."
"Here? You mean, in London? Would you? Could you?" Muriel tried to curb her enthusiasm and nearly dropped the teapot in her excitement. "Take me there, that is?" She regained her composure and continued in a much calmer fashion. "I still regard such things ... as interesting, even now."
"If Miss Wilbanks would care to join us"-he glanced in her direction-"I'm certain Mrs. Parker will think our small party should not look at all odd if we were to travel unchaperoned."
"What do you think of Sir Samuel's idea, Sukey?" Muriel held out a cup. She did not believe her friend would disappoint her by refusing.
Susan accepted the teacup, glanced at Sir Samuel, and gave in. "Very well."
Muriel really must do something for her most accommodating friend. "And by the sound of your encounter with my cousin Miss Kimball, only moments ago, she, too, will be delighted to accompany us if we should extend an invitation."
"Excellent! How delightful that your cousin should share your interest," he remarked. "We shall make a splendid party of it, then."
Muriel had no objection to her cousin accompanying them, though she actually thought that Constance would not find their group's destination as interesting as she would Sir Samuel's company.
As for Muriel, she could hardly wait. However did she think it was possible to hide her true self when an exciting excursion such as this came along?
It was so much easier for Muriel to defer to her abigail, Lydia, and to Aunt Penny regarding the appropriate wardrobe for Almack's. It was beyond comprehension how two grown women could fuss over a gown when all that was suitable for Muriel during her first Season was white. What a silly to-do they were making. In her wardrobe there were a dozen white gowns from which to choose-and for Muriel, one was not any different from the next.
Muriel
dressed in her gown of white silk. This one was embossed with small white flowers and boasted a pale green ruffle at the hem that matched her sash. She made the expected show of excitement, exclaiming, "There could not have been a finer choice for my first appearance!"
She secretly hoped that her aunt had not seen beneath her duplicity and observed how truly boring Muriel believed the whole social scene. The parties went on and on, night after night. But she endured dancing and the gentlemen's attention, knowing that this would ensure her continuing residence in Town.
Muriel entered Almack's on the arm of her father. She stood tall and held her head high. Lady Castlereagh, a Patroness of the establishment and an acquaintance of her father's, had the honor of introducing her to the other guests.
That evening, and it had only begun, Muriel made the acquaintance of more young men than she'd met in the last two weeks. She smiled, charmed to make each of their acquaintances, or so she told them. The introductions seemed to go on forever, and she knew that once they came to an end, she'd be obligated to step out onto the dance floor with many of the gentlemen.
She abhorred dancing and thought it a waste of time. Not that she was ill-equipped ... on the contrary, both her sisters, Augusta and Charlotte, believed Muriel was quite graceful and made the complex steps look effortless.
Over the last five years, she had suffered through many lessons, prior to Augusta's, then Charlotte's, coming out, with a third round of lessons before her own presentation to the ton.
During one of the dance intervals, Constance, who was ever-vigilant to the comings and goings of the guests, alerted her friend Lady Amelia Whipple and Muriel to a noteworthy arrival.
"Mind you do not both turn and gawk at his lordship at the same time, but that is him, over there." Constance pointed from behind her fan.
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