A more sensible part of her viewed Mr. Langford’s request with the greatest suspicion. She did not believe that he had suddenly conceived a grand passion for her. And if he had, it would not explain why he wished to leave London. Something was very strange here.
“I am willing to do so,” she said slowly, when she finally answered him, “and to have you come with me. But may I ask why you wish to do so?”
“I cannot tell you.”
Well, that was a facer. And it did not improve her temper. Emily was tempted to tell him precisely what she thought of such high-handedness.
But she didn’t. There was something about the way he stood, the way he looked at her, that conveyed, more clearly than words could have done, how important this was to Mr. Langford. And Emily found herself trusting him.
“Very well,” she said. “When do you wish to leave London?”
“As soon as possible. And Miss Ashbourne, there is more.”
“More?”
“I wish to visit Mr. Canfield’s mills while we are there.”
Emily felt a blinding flash of revelation. She reached out and clasped his hand. It was most improper, most forward, but she could not help herself, any more than she could help the look of joy that came into her eyes.
“Truly? Do you mean it? Of course I shall allow myself to be routed! Of course I shall take you to see Mr. Canfield’s mills! Why should you think, how could you think, that I would possibly object to seeing you finally begin to follow in your father’s footsteps?”
That he looked most uncomfortable, Emily allowed herself to pretend she did not see. Instead she dwelt on the fact that finally Mr. Langford was willing to observe the situation for himself firsthand. Surely, once he did so, he would be wholeheartedly on her side.
So she was all affability as they returned to Mr. Langford’s carriage and tooled about the park for a short while. What did it matter what excuse he used? He wanted to see Mr. Canfield’s mills and that, Emily thought blissfully, was all that mattered.
Chapter 19
Athenia, Lady Darton, was not content to let matters rest. While Miss Ashbourne was not entirely unsuitable, it was clear to her that Philip could do much better for himself and it was her duty to make certain he did so. She knew what he owed his family, even if he did not!
Her first decision was to call upon Miss Ashbourne. She had seemed a sensible girl and not altogether pleased with Philip in the first place. If she could be persuaded to relinquish her pretensions, all would be well.
Unfortunately, Athenia arrived in front of the town house hired by the Ashbournes just as Philip and the girl returned from a drive. She was laughing as Philip handed her down and neither noticed Athenia. It was a circumstance that did not improve her disposition.
“Hello, Miss Ashbourne,” she said, a trifle shrilly. “And Philip. You appear to have had a satisfactory outing.”
If her manner was meant to overwhelm Miss Ashbourne, it succeeded. Instantly the laughter was gone from the girl’s face and she went pale. Good! Next Athenia turned her attention to Philip and was dismayed to see that far from being abashed, he brazenly slipped an arm around the girl’s waist and grinned defiantly at his sister-in-law.
“Come to meet my fiancée, have you?” he asked.
Athenia felt her mouth gape open. Philip had said something of the sort the night before but surely he had been roasting them? Surely matters had not truly gone so far? Hastily she shut it.
“Fiancée?” she echoed. Then, recollecting herself, she drew herself to her full height and said, condescendingly, “I have never liked such humor, Philip. It is not at all kind to the girl in question.”
He lifted his eyebrows at her. “Unkind to make you known to her before the announcement is sent to the papers?”
Dear God, he was serious! But perhaps the matter was not entirely beyond salvaging. After all, he said the notice had not yet been sent.
Athenia permitted herself a thin smile. “Do give over jesting, Philip. Miss Ashbourne is far too wise to agree to marry you.”
Something flashed in Miss Ashbourne’s eyes, something that gave Athenia a distinct sense of unease. It worsened as the girl said, “Am I?”
But Athenia was not easily daunted. She rallied. “Of course you are.”
“Why?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Why would it be unwise of me to marry Mr. Langford?”
The girl was pert and impertinent and altogether impossible! Athenia’s face took on a pinched expression as she said, “You must see it would not do! The two of you are not in the least suitable for one another. You need a country squire or something of the sort, someone entirely conventional, Miss Ashbourne. Philip equally needs someone entirely conventional. Why, if the two of you married, as unconventional as you both are, it would be impossible! You would put yourselves beyond the pale.”
They did not at once answer and she pressed her advantage. “Mind you, there is also the question of money. A vulgar subject, I will allow, but Philip really should make a push to marry an heiress. And considering the location of the house which you hired, Miss Ashbourne, I think I may safely judge that you would do well to marry someone far better circumstanced than Philip. Perhaps even a wealthy merchant would do for you.”
Once again they did not answer her and Athenia congratulated herself on hitting on precisely the right manner in which to approach the pair. She began to think she had resolved the matter entirely.
Until Philip spoke, that is. The instant he opened his mouth and she heard his first words, Athenia knew there would be trouble.
“My dear sister, how sweet of you to take such an interest in my affairs,” Philip said, “but I am not quite a pauper. Money need not be my primary reason to marry. But in any event, I do wish you would not make a present of your thoughts to the entire street. Do you not think it would be better to go inside and talk there? That is, if Miss Ashbourne is willing to extend to you the courtesy of her house after your words to her.”
“Yes, of course I am,” Miss Ashbourne said instantly.
She smiled at Athenia who did not wish to be smiled at. It would have been better had the girl taken a pet. As it was, Athenia, who prided herself on her grasp of propriety, appeared to be the vulgar one.
With poor humor, Athenia followed the pair into the dingy house that did nothing to exceed her expectations. To be sure, Miss Jarrod was presentable—after all she knew Athenia’s mother—and Mr. Ashbourne was unquestionably a gentleman, but the manner in which he oozed affability could only set her teeth on edge.
Nor was there any way to graciously decline a discussion of her mother. And yet Athenia could not possibly imagine what might ever have drawn the two women together.
And there was no way to prevent Philip from drawing Miss Ashbourne aside to chat with her privately. Not when Mr. Ashbourne hovered about, joining in her conversation and refusing to care what his daughter did.
Athenia felt nothing so much as a profound sense of frustration and failure as she rose to leave the house. She would not, she decided, inform George of what she had intended. He was far too likely to twit her for her lack of success than to applaud the effort.
And then, suddenly, all fell into place precisely as Athenia wished. Miss Ashbourne turned a soulful gaze toward Lady Darton and said, almost tearfully, “Do you truly think it would ruin Mr. Langford if I married him?”
“Inevitably!” Athenia said, disregarding the gasps of outrage by Miss Jarrod and Mr. Ashbourne. “You are nothing like the sort of wife he needs.”
“How dare you talk to my daughter in such a way?” Mr. Ashbourne thundered.
“How dare you talk to my fiancée in such a way?” Philip echoed.
“Really, Lady Darton, I think Corinda must have taught you better manners than that!” Miss Jarrod protested.
Philip put an arm around Miss Ashbourne. She shook it off and pulled away from him. She even dabbed a handkerchief at the corner of her eyes.
>
“Oh, Papa, Aunt Agatha, I cannot think! It is all so very distressing. I cannot give Mr. Langford up and yet I do not wish to ruin him. I am so very confused! I wish to return home at once!” she said.
And then, even as everyone began to protest again, Miss Ashbourne fled the room. Athenia braved the storm of protest that broke over her head. It was not easy, but she knew her duty and bore it well.
Finally, when the clamor began to subside, she said, rising to her feet with dignity, “You are all overset and it is not to be wondered at. I shall take my leave. Please understand that I have done what I believe best both for Philip and for Miss Ashbourne. I wish her well, but with a husband better suited to her than my husband’s brother.”
Then, well satisfied, if a trifle overwhelmed herself at the success of her mission, Athenia left the Ashbourne household. She did not see Miss Ashbourne watching her from an upstairs window nor guess that the moment she was gone, the girl rushed back downstairs to speak again with Philip.
* * * *
Had she only known it, Lady Darton’s efforts fit in perfectly with Harry Langford’s plans. He arrived in front of Lord Darton’s town house just as Athenia was leaving Miss Ashbourne’s lodgings.
Harry made something of a production of having his baggage unloaded. The front door was open well before he had mounted the steps to rap on it. Within moments, several footmen appeared to carry his luggage in and still Harry took his time paying off the coachman and going inside. It was as if he wished the whole street to take note of his appearance.
Inside he was informed that neither Lord nor Lady Darton were at home, but both were expected at any time.
“No matter,” Harry said airily. “Show me to my room and let me wash off my travel dirt.” When this request produced an expression of confusion, he frowned. “Did my brother not tell you to expect me?”
“No, sir.”
“Oh, the devil! No doubt he wasn’t certain I would be able to come. And I did not stop to answer him, for by his letter, I concluded the matter was urgent.”
“Matter, sir? Urgent?”
Harry merely looked at the fellow as if the man had spoken out of turn. Which of course he had. Even a trusted family retainer ought to have known better than to overstep his bounds in such a way. The man colored up and hastily looked away.
“I shall fetch the housekeeper, sir,” he said and went to do so.
The other servants, Harry noted with satisfaction, looked at one another with even more confusion than before. Good. It would cause them to spread the word even quicker.
Despite the absence of Lord and Lady Darton, the household was an efficient one and the housekeeper quickly summoned to decide on a room for Captain Langford. And by the time the master returned, Harry was waiting for his brother in the library.
George seemed very happy to see him. “Harry! What a surprise! What a wonderful surprise! What the devil are you doing here?”
“Why, George,” he said, in a booming voice as he clasped his brother’s hand, “I came at your request!”
Since this was accompanied by a speaking look, George immediately fell in with the scheme. “Oh, yes, yes, of course. Just didn’t expect you quite so soon. Wasn’t sure when you would get away. Er, remind me, again, why I asked you to come?”
This last was said softly, so that the servants outside the room could not hear. Harry grinned, unrepentantly and said, his voice as loud as before, “You seemed so worried about Philip, that I requested leave and came at once.”
George frowned and motioned for his brother to take a chair, one well away from the door. “Yes, well, I am concerned,” he admitted, “and should be glad of your advice. Philip seems to have entangled himself with a most unsuitable young lady.”
“An opera dancer?” Harry hazarded lightly, pretending ignorance.
George shook his head. “Worse. A reformer.”
His eyes were dancing but Harry managed to keep his expression sober as he said, “How shocking!”
“You may jest about the matter,” George retorted, “but I tell you the girl is a hoyden! Accosted me outside of White’s!”
“Obviously you had best buy her off at once,” Harry suggested.
“You cannot buy off a reformer,” George snapped. “The only thing they wish to hear is that you mean to fall in with their plans. And heaven help you if you don’t! Buy her off? Easier to buy off Philip. And the devil is, he won’t listen to me. Especially since I had her thrown into Bedlam.”
“You had her thrown into Bedlam?” Harry echoed, his voice betraying a hint of glee.
George shifted uncomfortably. “Yes, well, how was I to know she wasn’t mad?”
“How indeed?”
“And the devil is, I can’t seem to make Philip see sense!” George added irritably. “Athenia means to try her touch with the girl but I haven’t any great hopes in that direction. Not a girl to listen to common sense, I should say.”
Harry shrugged. “Perhaps you’d best make up your mind to accept the match, then. Is the girl’s background really so impossible?”
“No,” George admitted slowly. “Her aunt was even once a bosom bow of Athenia’s mother. Until she disgraced herself by almost running off with Sir Thomas Levenger. Before he became respectable. You know that family was never quite the thing! And I fear she has influenced her niece, Miss Ashbourne, the object of Philip’s attention. Her breeding is sound, but Miss Ashbourne is a shockingly unconventional girl and we have had enough of that in this family!”
Harry’s eyes seemed to dance with amusement. “And Philip is captivated with her? Our brother most sober and conventional, after you? You had best make up your mind to accept the match,” he repeated. “But not, I pray you, until after I return to Spain.”
George eyed Harry thoughtfully. “Something smoky going on,” he said, at last. “And I know you won’t tell me what it is so I shan’t bother to ask.”
“Excellent brother!” Harry said approvingly.
“Yes, well, can you at least tell me how long you mean to be here, in London?”
“I don’t know,” Harry answered promptly.
“Well, while you are, you may as well make yourself useful and try to make your brother Philip see some sense,” George said shortly. “Assuming, that is, that Athenia cannot succeed in prying the girl away from him. She might, there’s no saying she won’t, for Athenia’s a remarkable woman and once she sets her sights on a thing, it’s as good as done. But I don’t mind telling you I have my doubts this time. The girl is most unusual. Most unusual, indeed. So if Athenia don’t succeed, you’d best have a go at it.”
“Oh, I mean to,” Harry said. “No one shall doubt I came to try to dissuade Philip from disaster. Whether he will listen to me or not, however, is another question entirely. Now, tell me, this matter aside, how is Athenia? And how are the children?”
As Harry had known he would, Lord Darton happily settled in to tell his brother about his wondrously intelligent and spirited offspring. And Harry was able to lean back in his chair and relax, knowing that, for the moment, no more questions would be asked of him.
Besides, he liked to know what his nephews were up to. It helped to remind him how fortunate he was that he had no children of his own.
* * * *
Harry strolled into White’s as though he had not a care in the world. Or, rather, as though he were pretending to. His friends noticed that he asked, with some urgency, if any of them had seen his brother Philip. And when Philip, himself, entered the club, Harry was seen to abruptly break away from these friends and stride, with great purpose, to where his brother stood.
“Philip!”
“Harry! What the devil are you doing in London?”
“Come to see you, of course.”
“George?”
“Yes, well, on that head, perhaps we ought to speak in private.”
“There is no need,” Philip countered grimly.
It was as good as a play, both men
knowing their lines perfectly. Harry was the epitome of concern, Philip the outraged brother, resenting every hint of criticism of his behavior as the conversation continued.
“Anything you wish to say, you may say here, Harry. Though I tell you frankly, I’ve no need of your brotherly advice, were you considering offering any.”
“Philip, the devil take it, you can’t wish me to bandy a lady’s name about here, in public.”
“I don’t wish you to bandy any lady’s name about at all. And blast George for his impertinence in saying anything at all to you about the matter!”
“Come, now, Philip, you must understand his concern. He is our eldest brother, after all.”
“That does not give him, or you, the right to attempt to interfere in my life!”
“You surely cannot expect us to merely stand by and watch as you make a fool of yourself,” Harry protested.
Philip pushed past his brother, saying, “You must excuse me, Harry, I’ve friends waiting to see me. And if you are worried, you needn’t be. Nor need George. I mean to escort the lady in question back to her home in a day or two and neither of you need watch me, as you say, make a fool of myself over anyone!”
And that was that. The entire club was privy to the manner in which Philip Langford stalked, tight lipped, to another room. And how he did not speak to his brother again for the entire evening.
As for Captain Harry, more than one of his friends shook their heads over his preoccupation that made him lose more than was his wont at cards. And they all pretended not to notice as he muttered to himself under his breath.
It was all too fascinating for words and a good many people treasured up what they had seen and heard or been told of, to repeat to friends, or wives, on the morrow.
No one saw, or would have paid any note if they had, Philip arrive on Sir Thomas Levenger’s doorstep a short time later. He was admitted at once, as a favored guest, and soon explaining to Sir Thomas precisely what he meant to do and why. He knew that Harry would have given his consent, had he been asked.
And when Philip left, an hour later, he had the advantage of the elder man’s wisdom and advice. Now he felt prepared for his visit to the country and Canfield’s mills. And he also found himself wondering just what sort of adventures Sir Thomas might have had in his salad days!
The Reckless Barrister Page 15