At once I saw her decide to play the coquette rather than respond. “I am made low to see you at last only to find you attending another lady. You set me aside so easily. What has become of the courageous soldier who defended me against the torrential rain and large, crawling creatures we encountered in my brother’s drawing room? Has your new lady more wit? Beauty? Perhaps she displays her charms more freely?”
She pushed out her lower lip, and despite the likely intent, was not charming on her usually lovely face. I had not missed the sharpness in her voice that betrayed her pique, and the spitefulness of her last remark led me to believe she saw Miss Drummond as a rival. Perhaps, this evening spent with the young heiress was to be of some benefit after all and would teach the lady that I was not one of her puppies to dangle.
“Miss Drummond is the cousin to my friend’s betrothed. It is no hardship to stand up with her as she is indeed charming and witty.”
“I do not wish to hear of another who can be nothing to me.”
Her entire mien altered when a plain, round faced gentleman in green satin approached and bowed before her offering his arm. He was gone to softness at the waist and was lost beneath the emeralds and finery he wore. “My dear, I do apologize for leaving you unattended while Wearne and I dealt with a tedious matter.”
Assured of his own importance, the gentleman looked on with distaste as the absurd poet approached with punch for Miss Freethy and flicked a glance toward me. I held his gaze until he looked away.
“It does not signify,” she said in a flat tone, “but you did promise we would dance, my lord.”
I was ignored like her cup of punch, and she wrapped her arm through her partner’s with no further leave taking.
Proud to squire a woman who could shine all the others down on his arm, the man in green swung them about to affectedly mince his steps the few paces to the dancing floor nearby. “And I must not break my word.”
I did not care to be slighted by an obvious lack of introduction and my anger rose. She expected me to prostrate myself and beg for her attention! This I would not do even to secure a high-born wife with powerful connections. It was beneath my dignity. “Good evening, Miss Freethy.” I succinctly said to her back and bowed stiffly to show I still remembered I was a gentleman, even if she did not act as a lady.
She stiffened but continued along.
Miss Drummond acknowledged me again at her side without an ounce of censure for my recent desertion. I suspected that part of the reason she was not wounded over my wandering was that her mind was engaged elsewhere, as evidenced by the distant look in her eyes. Her head turned only when Miss Freethy’s chattering words carried to us.
Miss Freethy flirted with little subtlety, causing her partner to puff up from the admiration he likely accepted as his due, and then she listened with large, round eyes as if his description of his latest snuffbox purchase was utterly fascinating.
“What blather! Dull as ditchwater, but allowances must be made for Lord Stanbridge, I suppose. He is an earl with a great amount of wealth and property,” Miss Drummond murmured.
I caught her meaning and it darkened my mood further. Miss Freethy hoped to secure the title of countess and have access to even more wealth than her own dowry commanded.
As the realization sank in that my courtship was to end in failure, Miss Freethy offered me a smug look of triumph and then a slow, insufferable wink.
Cat was suddenly at my side. “Tony,” she whispered. “I have just learned—”
“If you are to tell me about Miss Freethy and Stanbridge, you are de trop, my lady.”
She grimaced up at me and tutted as she moved away.
Miss Drummond’s hand came to rest on my sleeve, offering a kind of silent support. I despised that Miss Freethy’s triumph was witnessed—as was my reaction. I twisted my arm from her petulantly and stood with shoulders back and faced Courtenay who was then introducing Miss Priscilla Dent to Lady Thorne, our friend Longtown’s betrothed.
* * *
The evening droned on and I doubted anyone was aware of my scattered thoughts and inner turmoil. In no small part, this was due to Miss Drummond’s stratagem of standing up with me through the remaining dances and discreetly recalling me to social obligations when we encountered people inclined to converse, but otherwise leaving me to my own thoughts.
I eventually noted her wilted appearance that even her fan could not revive. I procured her a glass of wine and took us through the doors out into the cooler air. Cat’s ball was a successful crush and the heat just as proportionate, reminding me of what I had left behind on Jamaica.
“Thank you, Major.”
“I did not observe your discomfort earlier. Please accept my apology for my boorish behavior.”
“You have much to occupy your mind.”
She did not admonish me but instead presented a sympathetic attitude. A near comrade in arms could be no more welcome than Miss Drummond. We stepped out into the moonlight and she sipped her wine while we looked out over Cat’s garden lit by lanterns that glowed at intervals along the walks.
What she thought over, I knew not. Her attention was fixed on the empty wine goblet on the balustrade. For my part, my mind would not cease the torture of disappointed hopes of marrying extremely well and achieving my place high in the army and in society. Surely it would have been enough. I would have had my father’s respect at last. Instead, I must begin anew with the Season half-gone and the eligible ladies with not nearly the manifold of attractions as Miss Freethy’s noble connections, dowry, dazzling beauty, and charm.
* * *
I observed a couple conversing on a stone bench below the balcony where Miss Drummond and I stood in the shadows.
“My dear, you are ravishing and everyone worships at your feet. Who is this Tilney to you?” the earl’s voice carried to me above on the balcony.
“To me?” Miss Freethy’s voice was filled with practiced ennui. “He is nothing to me, I assure you. Merely a toy soldier for my amusement when the insipidness of island society threatened to overcome me, my lord.”
“We must keep you from such languor, my dear. I cannot have my future wife chasing redcoats or allow a redcoat to chase my betrothed. I have spoken to your brother about him. He has accepted my financial backing in his mining scheme. Whatever this Tilney could invest would be nothing in comparison. Wearne will make it clear to Tilney that his association is no longer welcome.”
“Thank you, my lord.” She gave her hand into the earl’s for a kiss. “You cannot know what it is like to be sought for one’s fortune. I tried to give him a hint and I made sure he was told I was not at home to his calls, but you know the temerity of a soldier. And he does so hang on Wearne’s sleeve. My brother has all but taken up chambers at his club.”
The earl made reassuring sounds. “Do not distress yourself so over this soldier, my dove. I have it on good authority that he will return to his regiment. I laugh at the sheer audacity of your toy soldier.”
As I grew angrier by each uttered word, particularly Miss Freethy’s falsehoods about me, I heard Miss Drummond’s soft voice. “Major, please.” My shoe scraped as I straightened from the balustrade.
The sound made Miss Freethy glance up. Not one to skulk in the shadows, I stood tall and looked down upon her. Miss Drummond was clutched to my side with her small hand resting over my heart. Her touch had gone unnoticed until the lady on the bench seemed arrested by it.
Then, and with much deliberation, I placed my hand possessively over Miss Drummond’s. At Miss Freethy’s gasp, I chose that satisfying moment to make my honorable retreat.
My retreat was not far however as others were pouring from the wide-open doors to the cool air. Miss Drummond’s hand moved to settle in the crook of my arm. We looked ahead, avoiding the other’s eyes.
Oh, to avoid a discussion of my complete humiliation that she has witnessed.
No, there was no reason for shame. Her expression was no longer pitying or sympa
thetic. Rather, it spoke of determination. Her bosom heaved in quick breaths and my mind was happily distracted from the scene below.
Miss Drummond came at me with a successful, flanking maneuver that left me flushed, caught as I was, admiring her fine figure. My eyes rose from the lovely distraction at her neckline and I braced for what was to come. “Major, I have a proposal for you.” She did not wait for my response. “Recently, I thought myself to have an understanding with a gentleman. His words, his countenance, his acceptance of my aunt’s invitations and frequent calls told me I was not wrong. My heart was engaged and I was prepared for him to make an offer, but then it all ended.
“I was sadly mistaken in his character. My father became aware of Lord Tollier’s sordid reputation and his financial woes that drove him to visit our neighborhood for the sole purpose of capturing my affections and my father’s consent. He came to me—after my father withheld his permission. His Lordship proposed a romantic elopement in the night. And I might have foolishly gone, but for my father packing me off to my aunt’s where she recalled me to my duty and affection to my father and also opened my eyes to the defects in Lord Tollier, who had not acted with honor nor was motivated by affection for me.”
I now feared where this pitiful tale was taking us. She thinks to salve my wounds in mutual loss?
“Miss Drummond—”
“Hear me, sir, please.” She glanced up at me and then out across Cat’s garden.
I waited, not hiding my wish to escape, ungentlemanly though it was.
“I come to the point. I assure you. Major, I have no desire to return to my aunt’s home or my father’s house where everyone suspects I nearly eloped with a cad.” Playing with her fan, she swallowed nervously before she looked up, squarely meeting my eyes, and, with resolution, spoke. “I propose we become engaged. You were obviously seeking a wife who would do you credit as you pursued promotion in the army and wish for a place in the haut ton. Instead, you will be mocked when Miss Freethy’s engagement to the Earl of Stanbridge and the substance of the conversation we overheard becomes common knowledge. The pair of them will certainly contrive to spread it about. I would not come empty-handed. We both can benefit from our alliance.”
I stood like one turned to stone; my brain shouted for an about face and quick march, while my body was utterly overpowered and unable to respond to orders.
The frustration and ire that had been building through this dreadful night against Miss Freethy and her earl now found a target. My father’s voice echoed in my head, and I heard myself say in a cold, cutting voice: “Do you really think I could replace a woman of superior connections, wealth, and status in the highest circles for someone whose connections are with trade? Who is a Miss Drummond to a Miss Freethy?”
She winced. Her fingers gripping her fan hard enough to snap the sticks. But she rallied. No words; just a curtsey as she left me alone on the veranda.
* * *
I left General Sir Richard Pierson after a long meeting regarding the recruitment efforts for the 36th Foot and decided I had earned a reward for my diligence over a fortnight through a storm of humiliating speculation connected to Miss Freethy, her betrothed, and me. I wanted to believe the talk that Miss Drummond had accurately predicted on the terrace would all go away, especially as Sir Richard had cleared his throat a few times and seemed uncomfortable in my presence.
The marriage of the Marquis of Longtown and Lady Amy muted the talk of the “toy soldier,” but it rose again when my appearance at the most anticipated wedding of the season drew everyone’s attention. I stoically presented myself to my friend and his new bride at their wedding breakfast to wish them well.
Longtown assured me, “Something will come along and distract the gossips, my friend. Perhaps I can fight a duel over my lady’s honor while abroad?”
Longtown’s jest made me smile and we parted with well wishes on both sides. I could not help glancing at Miss Drummond who stood nearby with her aunt and cousin, looking sweet in a lavender gown. She was, like me, the recipient of dashed hopes and rendered pathetic to all in her neighborhood. I gave some thought, again, to her outlandish proposal, which after time, did not carry any repugnance. But would it serve to pursue it? I recalled my brutish behavior to her that night.
Her eyes rose to regard me and she seemed not a whit concerned that I was looking back.
The lady confounded me.
I knew she felt things deeply after revealing her hurt and humiliation over Lord Tollier. Her proposal rankled because she made it while my pride was bruised and because I chose to be offended by a lady making such a request.
Now, I was beyond my anger and merely curious. She did not look as if my grossly offensive retort from the night of Cat’s ball had turned her into a bitter enemy. It was her very unpredictability that drew me.
I watched her face lighten and her eyes dance with merriment before I realized I had taken steps in her direction. I halted abruptly behind the crowd seeing off the newly wedded pair. Uncertain about my own intentions by approaching the lady, I faltered.
She waited.
Indecisiveness had never plagued me before nor did uncertainty, but my presumption and conceit had laid me low recently. I knew one thing for a certain: I did not wish Miss Drummond to see that she thoroughly routed me.
I shed my misgivings and presented myself.
“Miss Drummond, how do you do?”
Large, changeable eyes observed me and I could not determine her disposition.
“I fare well, Major.”
“Will you come a little aside with me?” I barely waited for her consent before I took her arm carefully. Struth, I saw her as fragile enough to break if I handled her less than carefully. I led her from the crowd.
“Are your wishes altered after my words that evening?”
She blinked.
Aha! It was my turn to put her off-balance.
She fluttered her fan and was silent for a full minute. “If you refer to my proposal, I am less confident but still willing.”
“Fair enough. May I call on you tomorrow?”
She contemplated for a time and then looked up accepting the possibilities of a courtship. “You may. Might I suggest a walk in the park with my cousin and your friend?”
* * *
Miss Drummond and I strolled slowly, widening the distance to Courtenay and Miss Dent. My long, purposeful stride was deliberately shortened to match Miss Drummond’s. She was not a dawdler; merely short.
I halted our progress. “I am inclined to accept your proposal if you have not elected to withdraw it.”
“Are you remorseful for how you spoke to me in our final moments the night of the ball?”
“The very moment it left my lips but it was only after Longtown’s wedding that I felt the full import. You did not appear as if my earlier behavior affected you which made me admire you profoundly in that moment. I was very wrong, you know.”
She responded just as softly as I spoke the last. “How so?”
“About you. You are a superior woman. I was cruel and you were queenly.” And, because I felt she should know the full extent of who and what I was, I further revealed, “It is likely I will behave in such an ungentlemanly fashion again. I come over ugly when I am angered. For years, I have sought to govern this defect, but there is something dark inside me that rises up and vanquishes good intention.”
“It is a weakness, to be sure, and my cousin warned me that you were a difficult man whom she felt took advantage of Major Courtenay’s goodness.”
A cold weight seemed to fill my insides at her words, but she continued.
“That, however, is Prissy’s opinion. My own is that we all have flaws and your longstanding friendship with Major Courtenay has done him an equal amount of good.”
“Well not equal, perhaps,” I spoke with levity.
She did not return my smile but remonstrated. “Yes, equal. Priscilla is unaware that she owes you the debt of twice plucking her Felix
from the jaws of death and bolstering him through his family loss. Of a time years before, when you drove off the bullies from Felix and your other friend, Longtown, while at school.”
How did she—
“Lady Cat was my cousin’s nearest neighbor before she was married. I am no stranger to Courtenay Manor and we exchange letters.”
I was bowled out and she was merry upon seeing my jaw drop.
That would mean she was—
Rapid recalculations filled my brain. Not just Miss Dent’s cousin. Courtenay Manor. Not just an out of the schoolroom, shy miss of a cousin who needed a ball escort…
Courtenay! Courtenay knew this when he begged his favor!
I looked ahead on the path and spied my friend and his betrothed grinning knowingly back at us. And Cat! She was co-conspirator.
“I do apologize. It seems our friends desired us to be acquainted and now we are.” I patted her arm reassuringly.
She narrowed her eyes in thought, seeming to do some rapid calculating of her own, and then a wry smile appeared. “Cat promised that if I came up to Town, she would cheer me up. It never occurred to me that she would send all the way to Jamaica in her efforts.”
And with that, I could appreciate the humor in our situation, which Cat and Courtenay contrived together.
I asked cautiously, “Did you by chance visit the Courtenays during the holidays and encounter something in your bed that made you shriek in terror?”
I covered my eyes and groaned when she giggled. I remembered that Cat and Bet had the most annoying younger friends and Mrs. Courtenay had forced Sinclair, Felix, and me to stand up with them to practice dancing one long, tedious afternoon. My own partner had called me a poker and pinched me when I refused to move. I had repaid her and then some.
* * *
After we talked through our shared history with the Courtenay family and I told her how my friend and Cat had bamboozled me, I felt I could ask the one burning question I had left. “Why propose to me?”
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