“I think your conditions are most fair and right, my dear friend. And I promise you, if you choose to help me, there shall not be a more cared for and privileged young lady in all of the North of England.”
“Well, I daresay I ought to get my brains on it then,” Stuart said. He gave a rather comical grimace, and both men laughed.
Chapter Four
Lady Evelyn Goddard had not attended an afternoon of tea and bridge at the family home of Amelia Merriweather for a very long time. The two had got along admirably in their youth but had found themselves gravitating towards different circles in society as they grew older. When the invitation had arrived at Gorton Hall asking Evelyn to attend Amelia’s smart townhouse in the centre of Halton, she was keen to respond.
Evelyn was keen to know how her old friend was keeping and what was new in her life. She was also full of curiosity, as one is after not seeing another for a few years. At three and twenty years, Evelyn rather thought that she had not seen Amelia since they were both but eighteen.
Evelyn wondered if Amelia and Stuart Penhaligon were still great friends and, if they were, might her distant cousin not also be in attendance? Evelyn had always thought Stuart rather fun company and, what he lacked in seriousness, he made up for in charming manners and a seeming kindness.
Evelyn had dressed carefully for the afternoon. Whilst tea and bridge in a townhouse in Halton was not necessarily the society event of the calendar, it was still a rather fine afternoon. The Merriweather family were well respected in society, and their home was well attended by many in the county.
In the end, Evelyn had chosen an ivory gown with a pale green overlay. There was a darker green banding beneath the bust, as well as at the floor-length hem. Whilst the gown was of a simple cut, Evelyn knew well that the shade of green she had chosen suited her complexion very well indeed, and contrasted nicely with her chestnut tresses and blue eyes.
As Evelyn took one last glance in the mirror before quitting her room and heading for the carriage, she wondered vaguely what the point of taking such pains really was. After all, she had been promised to Lord Richard Cunningham, and there would be no escaping the engagement now.
As Evelyn walked rather ponderously down the stairs, she wondered why she had thought of escaping. In truth, although she found herself to have little in common with Richard Cunningham, it had not occurred to her that she might want to escape the engagement.
The carriage ride over to Halton took a full forty minutes, and Evelyn began to think it little wonder that she and Amelia had gradually grown apart over the years. It was certainly much easier to keep contact with someone who was but a five-minute journey away, or even a ten-minute one.
However, all in all, Evelyn was very much looking forward to the afternoon. It would be the first engagement she had attended for some time that did not include either her parents, Richard Cunningham or both. From the moment her father and the Duke of Horndean had begun to get their heads together and hatch a plan for the union of the two households, Evelyn had scarcely had a moment to herself.
Not once had her parents enquired after her own feelings on the matter, nor even her opinion of Lord Richard Cunningham. In truth, it had not occurred to her to make her feelings known in any case, since she, like so many other young women in her position, had very little say in the matter. Evelyn rather thought that if your opinion could do nothing to change the outcome, there was little pleasure in giving it. And, of course, there had been the question of money.
For as long as Evelyn could remember, her parents, when alone, had often discussed the downturn in the fortunes of the Gorton Earldom. Her father had inherited a home and a title in decline, and it had continued in that fashion ever since.
While she did not know the sum, Evelyn felt sure that whatever monies her father had been offered were great enough to ensure that she herself had no say.
In truth, Evelyn did not despise her parents. She had a very ordinary regard for them and loved them well enough, despite being able to see their faults. While she had not, in her heart, been the least bit happy to discover that she would be marrying the pale and rather uninteresting Richard Cunningham, it had never occurred to her to find some way to rebel against it. After all, she had never met a young man she had particularly preferred to Richard. So, at three and twenty, if she were to be married, it might as well be to him as any other.
“Oh, my dear Evelyn, how truly wonderful to see you again.” Amelia Merriweather had greeted her at the very door of the townhouse and thrown her arms around her neck, kissing her cheek over and over again.
“And how lovely to see you too, Amelia.” Evelyn giggled, being suddenly reminded of exactly how exuberant Amelia always was in her greeting. “I was so surprised to get your invite, and so very pleased I almost cried,” Evelyn said, honestly.
“Oh, what a wonderful thing to say! You dear, dear girl. How I have missed you.”
“And how I have missed you. We really must not let such a great length of time lapse again, my dear Amelia. We must remain vigilant upon the thing,” Evelyn said, feeling her spirit suddenly soar at their reunion.
“Yes, we really must remain vigilant,” Amelia said, taking her hand and leading her through to the drawing room. “But I must be entirely honest, my dear Evelyn, it was dear Stuart’s suggestion that I invite you,” Amelia remarked as she propelled Evelyn along.
“Stuart? Stuart Penhaligon?” Evelyn said, knowing fine well that Stuart Penhaligon was exactly to whom Amelia was referring.
“The very same. He is a regular here, you see. Anyway, we had been speaking about you, and Stuart said what a nice idea it would be to invite you for an afternoon of tea and bridge with everybody else. I must say, although it was his idea, I am inordinately glad that he suggested it.”
“And so am I,” Evelyn said, cheerfully. “Is he here today? I really must thank him.”
“He most certainly is, Evelyn. I do believe he is currently engrossed in a game of bridge. But he and his bridge partner are not terribly well matched, so I daresay they shall be freed up for conversation in no time at all,” Amelia said, whispering and giggling at her kind-hearted mockery.
Evelyn found she had truly missed Amelia and realised that she had never met another friend with whom she could talk so freely and laugh so much. She really would have to remain vigilant and see to it that she kept friends with Amelia from now on.
As they entered the drawing-room, Amelia was surprised by quite how many people were in attendance. There were several tables set up for bridge and countless other small groups sitting on couches and armchairs having tea and conversation. The atmosphere was so terribly warm and friendly, and Evelyn realised how greatly her life seemed to lack such things at that moment. There was nothing cosy or inviting about the events she attended with Lord Cunningham, and any visits to Horndean Hall, the seat of the Duchy, were austere and full of anxiety. In truth, Evelyn tried very hard not to think of the fact that Horndean Hall would, without a shadow of a doubt, one day be her home. And it would be her home forevermore.
“Oh look, my dear, there’s Stuart. He’s looking over, you see?” Amelia said, inclining her head to indicate where Evelyn’s cousin sat playing bridge. Evelyn looked over and immediately caught Stuart’s eye. He smiled and waved over before beckoning her to the table.
“I say, Evelyn, how wonderful to see you,” he said, enthusiastically.
“It is wonderful to see you also, my dear Stuart,” Evelyn said, peering over his shoulder and looking doubtfully at the hand of cards he was doing little to hide. “But I believe I have you to thank for my presence here today, or so Amelia tells me.”
“Well, I thought it a great shame that the two of you see so little of one another. After all, I always remember you being such happy friends.” Stuart gave her broad smile. “Oh, I do wish I were better at bridge.”
“I daresay you do, cousin,” Evelyn said with a wince as she once again studied his cards. The man sitting at
Stuart’s side began to chuckle. Evelyn turned her gaze upon him and felt a little unsettled. Surely she recognised him from somewhere.
Rather obligingly, Stuart’s bridge partner turned his cards so that she might study them also. Laughing, Evelyn slowly shook her head.
“Gentlemen, I think it would be quicker and quieter if you simply gave up now,” Evelyn said and laughed.
When Stuart and his companion laughed heartily, Evelyn found herself suddenly pleased. She had always known herself to be possessed of a very keen wit and rather a talent for comical phrasing. However, in the long and boring months of her engagement to Richard Cunningham, Evelyn had felt it necessary to very much diminish her own interesting character. After all, her mother and father had both impressed upon her the importance of not overshadowing one’s future husband socially. When she had been in Richard’s company but twice, Evelyn realised that it was almost impossible not to overshadow him socially. However, she did what she could to avoid it.
“I say, why don’t you join us for some tea, Evelyn?” Stuart said, nodding and smiling politely as he and his bridge partner forfeited their game to their extremely worthy opponents.
“Yes, that would be terribly nice,” Evelyn said, smiling. For a moment she looked about her for any sign of Amelia.
“Well, just have tea with us for a moment, and then you can while away the rest of the afternoon in non-stop gossip with your old friend,” Stuart said, gently taking her elbow and leading her to a small arrangement of a couch and two chairs. It was close enough to the fire to be pleasing, yet not so close as to be overpowering.
“Evelyn, please do allow me to introduce my great friend to you,” Stuart began the moment they had reached their seat. “This is Gabriel Farrington.”
“I’m very pleased to meet you, at last, Lady Godfrey,” Gabriel said and bowed expansively, never once taking his eyes from hers.
Evelyn felt her mouth go a little dry and was quite unable to look away from him. Whilst he was extremely handsome, he was not classically so. Indeed, her cousin’s friend was rather unusually handsome. His hair was a rather rare shade of blond, being almost the gray of an old man’s. However, it was certainly not gray, but unusual nonetheless. His eyes were also very pale, in fact, such a pale blue that they were almost gray. And yet, despite the paleness of his hair and eyes, his complexion was a very pleasing contrast of tanned and smooth skin.
Evelyn could not help thinking that his fairness was very much more interesting and appealing than that of her fiancé.
“And I am very pleased to meet you too, Mr …” Evelyn faltered, suddenly recognising the name. “I do beg your pardon, it is Duke, is it not?” Her slight error did not disturb her in any way, for Stuart Penhaligon had not entirely introduced the man correctly. It was rather unlike Stuart to make such a mistake, and something about it rather prodded at her suspicions.
“Indeed it is, my dear lady.” Gabriel Farrington spoke in a wonderfully deep and resonant way, and yet his voice was not at all loud. He was, in fact, rather quiet. “I am the Duke of Calgarth.” And once again, he bowed.
“I believe I saw you, Sir, at the wedding of Lord and Lady Borden’s daughter,” Evelyn said, beginning to realise why he was quite so familiar to her.
She had seen him from afar at the event but had noticed him most particularly because she had the deepest sensation that he was, on occasion, staring at her. Of course, good manners would prevent her from asking him about it.
“Indeed, I do remember seeing you there also. You have rather an unusual shade of hair. Quite unforgettable, in fact.” He smiled, and Evelyn felt herself suddenly a little warm. He really did have the most intense gaze, and Evelyn could not tell if she felt disturbed by it or rather drawn to it.
“As do you, Sir,” Evelyn said and raised her eyebrows a little as she smiled at him.
“Tell me, Evelyn, how are you enjoying life in the world at the moment? It must be almost a year since I last saw you,” Stuart said, using a chastising tone, almost as if the rarity of their shared company was somehow her fault.
“I am well, Stuart, and pleased to see that you look to be also,” Evelyn said and meant it. “But you can hardly prod at me for my lack of company, Sir, since you know where I live as much as I know where you live.”
“Very well said, Lady Godfrey,” the Duke said, and once again she looked up to find him staring right at her. “You are right not to allow him sharp comments of any kind.” And with that, he laughed.
Evelyn looked at him for a moment and found herself pausing just long enough to enjoy the deep rumble of his laugh. It was at such a wonderfully low and deep pitch that she felt she could almost sense it in the walls of her chest.
“You will be pleased to know, Sir, that whilst I do not see my second cousin very often, when I do see him, I let him away with nothing.” She smiled, looking from the Duke to her cousin and back again.
“It’s all perfectly true,” Stuart said, shaking his head humorously. “She is a terror.”
“Oh, Stuart!” Evelyn said and looked up to see Amelia striding towards them. “Oh, here comes dear Amelia.”
“Might I join you all?” Amelia said, beaming. “I really must have some time with Evelyn.”
As Amelia sat with them and a maid brought a tray of tea things over to the little group, Evelyn found herself very much enjoying her afternoon. Whilst direct conversation with the Duke of Calgarth was minimal, Evelyn maintained a curious perception that he did, indeed, spend the entire time looking right at her.
Chapter Five
“I am so pleased that you could come today, Evelyn. Having seen you last week at Amelia’s, I began to realise that we really do not see enough of each other. Are we not family, after all?” Stuart said, greeting Evelyn warmly as she attended his house for afternoon tea.
“You are quite right, Stuart. And I must say, I really have missed your rather silly company. You do so make me laugh.”
Gabriel sat in the dark and oddly comforting drawing room at Harbury Hall. As he stared into the flames of the fire, he listened intently to the exchange between Stuart and Lady Evelyn outside in the entrance hall.
He had to admit to himself that he rather liked the sound of her voice. So many young ladies these days had shrill voices and seemed to laugh at everything in such a high pitch. However, Lady Evelyn spoke in a somewhat deeper tone, and there was something warm and almost liquid about it.
Much apart from wanting to orchestrate the first piece of vengeance of his very own making upon the Cunningham family, Gabriel had to admit that he did find himself rather attracted to Lady Evelyn.
“Do come in, I have already sent for tea,” Stuart said, ushering her into the room. “And, of course, you have already met my dear friend, Gabriel.” Stuart spoke in such a nonchalant manner that Gabriel almost laughed. The more discreet he tried to be, the more obvious he sounded.
“Indeed, I have,” Evelyn said, in a trailing voice which suggested suspicion. “Good afternoon to you, Duke,” she said, eyeing him keenly.
“And good afternoon to you too, Lady Godfrey. How very nice to see you again.” Once again, he bowed deeply and was careful not to take his eyes off hers throughout. It was a manoeuvre which had worked well for him over the years, and Gabriel thought he would do well to change nothing about his approach.
“I must say, I am rather surprised to see you here,” Evelyn said, and Gabriel thought that he could still detect a suspicious tone in her voice. “After all, Stuart hadn’t mentioned that you would be coming.”
“No, I am afraid I turned up rather without invitation,” Gabriel said in the most nonchalant manner he could summon. “Your cousin and I have been great friends for many years, Lady Godfrey, and I often turn up unannounced to see if he is free to offer me tea or sherry, or something similar.” He gave a little laugh, and Stuart joined in.
“And how long have you known my cousin, Sir?” Gabriel wondered whether Evelyn realised quite how interrogative h
er tone was.
As she spoke, she sat down in the chair opposite him and absently untied the ribbons of an extraordinarily pretty little bonnet she was wearing. For a moment, Gabriel could hardly answer the question she had asked him, for something about the act of her removing her bonnet and her beautiful hair coming into view had rather affected him.
“We have known each other since school, My Lady,” Gabriel said, keen to answer her questions without seeming to give in to her.
“Oh, then you went to Eton,” she said and made her question a perfect statement.
“Indeed I did.”
“Then I would say you are acquainted with my fiancé, Sir?”
“Your fiancé?” Gabriel said, holding her gaze steadily. He was suddenly aware that Evelyn Godfrey was watching him closely for a reaction. Not only was she extremely beautiful, but she was also a rather skilled and admirable adversary. She became more interesting by the second.
“Yes, Gabriel, my cousin is set to marry Lord Richard Cunningham,” Stuart said and pulled a face.
“Oh, so you are aware of my engagement, Stuart?” Evelyn said, her eyebrows knitting together in thought. “I hadn’t realised you had seen my father of late.” Now it was Stuart’s turn to be gently questioned.
“I have not seen the dear old Earl of Gorton for longer than I care to think about. But I do not live behind sealed walls, my dear. There are many in society who know well of your engagement, and I am as privy to gossip as the next heartbreakingly handsome Earl,” Stuart said and laughed.
“Yes, I should have remembered,” Evelyn said and laughed also. “As I recall, you have always been rather partial to a little gossip, Stuart.”
“He certainly was at school, My Lady,” Gabriel joined in, rather keen to get her on his side. As much as her sharp intellect interested him, Gabriel did not want her to be overly suspicious. After all, if she had any idea what he was doing, the young lady would most certainly leave.
Regency Romance Collection: Regency Fire: The Historical Regency Romance Complete Series (Books 1-5) Page 3