The Rebellious Debutante

by Meg Alexander

  Amy laughed. ‘Mother won’t do that, and well you know it.’

  ‘I know.’ Perdita hung her head. ‘But I’d rather she did that than look so disappointed in me. I wish I were more like you. You don’t fly out as I do. You’ve even managed to charm Miss Bedlington, which must be the wonder of the age. Don’t you mind that awful school?’

  ‘I can stand it for another year,’ Amy reassured her. ‘Miss Bedlington doesn’t bother with me. I’ll never be a beauty, which is all that seems to worry her. Besides, I have my friends. They miss you, love.’

  ‘I miss them too. It will be fun when you make your come-out with the others.’ Perdita stirred uneasily. Her expression belied her words. It was clear that fun was the last thing on her mind.

  ‘I wish that Mother would send for me,’ she said at last. ‘I’d rather get my scolding over with, whatever the result.’

  ‘It may not be so bad,’ her sister comforted.

  ‘I don’t know.’ Perdita shook her head. ‘What can be taking the Earl so long? I thought that morning calls were to last no longer than a half-hour.’

  ‘They may be speaking of Wellington’s campaign,’ Amy suggested.

  ‘Some hopes!’ her sister cried. ‘Mother is being given a blow-by-blow account of what took place at Almack’s. It’s sackcloth and ashes for me, I fear.’

  Chapter Two

  Perdita was mistaken. She would have been astonished to find that her mother was, at that moment, engaged in a battle of wills with the redoubtable Earl of Rushmore.

  In the absence of the head of the Wentworth family from his home, Elizabeth had taken over the running of the household from the Countess. It had been a busy morning. She had managed to negotiate menus for the following week without offending the susceptibilities of the Earl of Brandon’s treasured chef. She had also studied the household accounts. Now she turned to a pile of correspondence. There were invitations to so many functions, some to accept and some to refuse. Always at the back of her mind was the problem of Perdita.

  Even so, she was startled when her visitor was announced. When she’d issued the invitation she had not expected him to call. Now, it seemed the Earl was intent upon an apology. Petty-minded, she thought scornfully. Perdita had been wrong, of course, but no man worth his salt would think it incumbent on him to pursue the matter. It was in no charitable frame of mind that she greeted her morning caller, but she offered at once to summon Perdita.

  The Earl regarded her with a quizzical expression. “I beg that you will not do so,” he remarked.

  ‘But, my lord, she must apologise to you. You are generous to waive the need, but it is necessary.’

  ‘Do you think so, ma’am? You must do as you think best, of course. Certainly it will give me the opportunity to explain to the young lady that the fault was mine alone.’

  Elizabeth stared at him. ‘Sir, this will not do. Perdita is at fault and cannot be excused.’

  ‘But nor can I, ma’am, nor can I. My remarks were not such as might be tolerated by any woman of spirit.’

  ‘Perdita is overly endowed with that particular characteristic,’ her mother observed drily. ‘I fear it will not serve her well in present-day society.’

  ‘You think not?’ The hooded eyes rested with interest upon his companion’s lovely face. Elizabeth was a famous beauty, but there was character in the set of that delicious mouth and her steady gaze. The girl had inherited more than her mother’s looks. The Earl began to smile and that smile transformed his somewhat saturnine countenance.

  Elizabeth was surprised. For the first time she was aware of Rushmore’s famous charm as his blue eyes twinkled at her. He was deeply tanned and as he threw back his head to laugh, she caught a glimpse of strong white teeth.

  She shook her head at him, and was about to speak when he lifted a hand to stay her.

  ‘I don’t mean to interfere in family matters,’ he assured her. ‘Perhaps you will allow me to explain. I am ashamed of my behaviour. I was bored and somewhat at odds with the world last evening. Life seems somewhat tame at present in the time of peace. For these past few years we have lived so close to the edge of existence. God knows, I had no wish for the war with France to continue, but we were not concerned with petty undertakings. Can you understand?’

  ‘I do indeed, my lord. I had the same experience many years ago. It takes some time to settle into a more staid way of life.’

  Rushmore smiled again. There would never be anything staid about this woman or her family. ‘Then, ma’am, may I beg that your daughter be excused from making a totally unnecessary apology? She is very young, and I would not humiliate her. Summon her if you must. I will assure her of my regrets and ask her pardon.’

  Elizabeth threw up her hands. She knew when she was beaten, but she frowned in mock annoyance. Then she caught Rushmore’s laughing eyes, and her own lips curved in a smile. The more she knew of this man the better she liked him for his refusal to attempt to crush Perdita’s spirit.

  ‘That would be going too far, my lord. You are most generous, but Perdita may not be so lucky on the next occasion. Let us leave matters as they are. It will do my daughter no harm to reflect upon the wisdom of keeping a still tongue in her head, for a time, at least.’

  ‘And will it last, ma’am?’ Rushmore grinned at her.

  ‘I think it highly unlikely, sir.’ Elizabeth regarded her visitor for a long moment. ‘Will you tell me something?’ she asked at last.

  Rushmore bowed. ‘Most certainly, if I can.’

  ‘Why are you here, my lord? It cannot be to enquire about Perdita’s health. You know quite well that she did not turn her ankle. Nor have you come for an apology. Is there something else?’

  Rushmore was silent for a time, and Elizabeth did not speak. She guessed that he was attempting to come to some decision. Then he looked up at her.

  ‘I’d like your advice,’ he told her bluntly. ‘I find myself in something of a quandary.’

  Elizabeth’s face did not betray her astonishment, though she could think of no possible subject upon which she could advise this powerful man.

  ‘Go on!’ she encouraged.

  ‘Well, ma’am, I seem to have acquired a ward—a girl of the same age as your daughter, and I don’t know what to do with her.’

  Elizabeth hid a smile. ‘A serious problem, I agree. How do you find yourself in this position, sir?’

  ‘Her father was my closest friend. He was killed at Waterloo. The girl has no other relatives, I believe, so I promised to look out for her.’ Rushmore’s face grew sombre. ‘I could not refuse a dying man.’

  ‘Of course not, but must this be a problem for you? Perhaps your own female relatives might take an interest in her?’

  ‘They won’t be given the chance,’ Rushmore told her grimly. ‘The girl is a considerable heiress. I won’t leave her to their tender mercies. They’d have her wed to some impecunious younger son before she could draw breath.’

  Elizabeth felt it wiser not to comment upon this remark.

  ‘Have you met the young lady?’ she asked.

  ‘Not yet, ma’am. I’ve written, of course, and had some duty letters in return, but it is most important that I see her without delay. The child must have suffered in her loss. She and her father were very close. I understand that her mother died in childbed.’

  ‘That is a tragic story,’ Elizabeth said quietly. ‘Where is your ward now?’

  ‘She is at school in Bath, but I can’t leave her there.’ Rushmore ran his fingers through his hair. ‘What am I to do with her?’

  Elizabeth smiled at him. He was clearly at a loss and there was something endearing about his air of distraction. This was a problem well outside his previous experience.

  ‘Then you have no plans for her?’

  ‘I’ll have to bring her out, of course—give her a Season, I suppose. I’d like her to marry well. That is why I went to Almack’s. It wasn’t very encouraging.’

  ‘May I ask why you have c
ome to me? Perdita can have given you no good impression as to how I raise my daughters.’

  ‘Miss Wentworth is no milk-and-water creature, simpering and swooning, and making sheep’s eyes at the men.’

  It was Elizabeth’s turn to laugh. ‘And that is a recommendation in your eyes? Such girlish nonsense is thought to be attractive?’

  ‘Not to any man of sense. Your daughter, ma’am, is the first intelligent girl I’ve met since my return from the Low Countries.’

  ‘For heaven’s sake, don’t tell her so,’ Elizabeth exclaimed with feeling. ‘Between you and her father there will be no controlling her. Now, sir, what are we to do about your ward? I’ll help you in any way I can.’

  Rushmore rose, walked over to Elizabeth and kissed her hand with courtly grace. ‘I felt that you would not fail me,’ he said more cheerfully. ‘I’ll go to Bath and make myself known to her. If she’ll agree to stay at school until next year, it will give me time to look about me. You have the entrée to Almack’s, ma’am, so if I could persuade you to use your influence with the patronesses?’

  ‘I’ll do so gladly, but the girl must have a sponsor. My younger girl comes out next year. I wonder…? Would you care to have me present the girls together?’

  Rushmore’s harsh face lit up. ‘Ma’am, I can think of nothing more suitable. You are too good. I should be at a loss myself. I suppose there must be gowns to consider and bonnets? Faced with such decisions I’d consider the provisioning of an army much less onerous. You will not find it tedious? I’m aware that I’m placing an extra burden on your shoulders…’

  ‘It will be a pleasure,’ Elizabeth told him truthfully. ‘There is little enough we can do to serve the dependents of those men who gave their lives for us. It will be a privilege to be allowed to help in some small way.’

  ‘Then we are agreed?’ Rushmore’s smile transformed his face. ‘I am much in your debt, my dear ma’am. Naturally, expense will not be a consideration… You will not hesitate to let me know how I can help? There must be something I can do.’

  Elizabeth returned his smile. ‘Not for the moment, my lord. We have many months ahead of us before your ward leaves school. You say she is in Bath?’

  ‘Yes! At Miss Bedlington’s Academy. I do not know of it, do you?’ He was surprised by Elizabeth’s startled look. ‘What is it, ma’am? Is something wrong? If the place is unsuitable she must leave at once.’

  ‘It is a respectable establishment,’ Elizabeth said with some reluctance. ‘I know it well. My younger girl is there.’

  ‘Miss Wentworth also attended the school? That gives me an excellent opinion of the place. Clearly there was no attempt to crush her spirit.’

  ‘Er…no! At least, the attempt did not succeed.’ Elizabeth’s tone was hollow. She had no wish to supply the Earl with details of Perdita’s stay at the Academy, nor to inform him that her daughter had been expelled.

  Then she heard a laugh of pure delight. Rushmore had understood her perfectly. Now he rose to take his leave of her.

  ‘I’ll go to Bath at once,’ he promised. ‘I must get to know my ward and tell her of your kindness. There will be many details to discuss. When may I call on you again?’

  ‘Not for some months, I fear. My husband is ordered to his Mediterranean station. We sail for Gibraltar in ten days’ time.’

  Rushmore nodded. ‘You will be glad to escape the English winter, I make no doubt. Then, ma’am, I shall look for your return.’ He handed her his card. ‘Letters to this address will find me if you have need of my assistance, or if you change your mind.’

  ‘I won’t do that,’ she told him simply. ‘We have one great advantage, sir.’

  ‘And what is that, may I ask?’

  ‘I imagine that the girls already know each other. My Amy is a friendly little creature. She will be glad to have her schoolfriend stay with us throughout the Season. Then neither girl will find it quite so daunting.’

  Rushmore kissed her hand again. ‘You have lifted a great weight from my mind. I am deeply in your debt, ma’am. I hope you will not hesitate to command me in any way you wish.’

  He did not wait for her to summon a servant to show him out. ‘I have taken up far too much of your time,’ he said. He bowed again and strode into the hall.

  Knox stepped forward at once with his hat and cane. It was unfortunate that the Earl should have chosen that particular moment to glance at the ceiling, at the exquisite work of Robert Adam. On this occasion his eye was drawn to a movement on the first floor. Two faces were gazing down at him.

  Perdita drew back at once, but not before she had become the recipient of a ravishing smile and an extravagant salute. Then the Earl was gone.

  ‘Insolent creature!’ she muttered. ‘I suppose that he is well pleased with himself after treating Mother to a diatribe about my behaviour.’

  ‘Well, at least he’s gone,’ Amy pointed out. ‘And you weren’t asked to apologise… That’s something!’

  ‘I don’t trust him,’ Perdita remarked in a gloomy tone. ‘He’ll have thought of something much much worse.’

  ‘Oh, don’t be such a goose! What could be worse?’

  Perdita soon found out. Summoned to the study without delay, she could not believe her ears.

  ‘You mean I am not to sail with you and Papa?’ she cried. ‘Oh, Mother, you promised…’

  ‘That was before I realised that you have learned nothing in these past few months, Perdita. It was much against my judgment that we agreed to give you a Season after your expulsion from the Academy. It was a mistake. You are not yet ready to take your place in society.’

  ‘But, Mother, I would have apologised to the Earl. Indeed I would! Anything but this.’

  ‘His Lordship did not wish for an apology—’

  ‘No, I expect he wouldn’t,’ Perdita cried bitterly. ‘He’d prefer to ruin my life with his demands.’

  ‘Nonsense! You are quite mistaken. For reasons which I find it difficult to fathom, his lordship did not take offence at your behaviour. You don’t deserve such charity—’

  ‘And I don’t want it from him!’

  ‘Perhaps not. You will not find me so charitable. For reasons which are known to you, I can’t send you back to school, so you will go to Aunt Beatrice for the winter.’

  ‘To Bath? Oh, Mother, please! It is a dreary place. I’d rather die!’

  ‘That option is not open to you,’ Elizabeth said austerely. ‘Now let us have an end to these dramatics. We are not condemning you to a life of solitary confinement.’

  ‘It will be almost as bad!’

  ‘Don’t put me more out of patience with you than I am already, Perdita. Aunt Beatrice is the kindest of women. She may not care to attend the Assembles, but there is still the Pump Room…’

  Perdita threw her eyes to heaven, and Elizabeth was hard put to disguise a smile.

  ‘No one insists that you drink the waters, my dear.’

  ‘But, Mother, they are all decrepit. One cannot walk about the place for fear of falling over bath-chairs…’

  ‘The Pump Room is not the only place to visit. You may go to the Sydney Gardens—’

  ‘Almost as bad!’ Perdita announced in dismal tones. ‘Papa had promised to show me the Barbary apes, and to take me into Spain. Besides, you can see Africa across the Straits.’ Her look at her mother was beseeching. ‘Don’t punish me like this!’ she begged. ‘I will be good! I will!’

  Elizabeth was torn, but she had resolved that she would not weaken. ‘Then show us that you mean it, my dear. Go to your aunt and spend the winter with her. You will be close to Amy and your friends, and the libraries and shops in Milsom Street will save you from a living death. Perdita, your Aunt Beatrice loves you dearly. She has been hoping for this age to have you stay with her. Can you not be generous with your time?’

  Perdita was too distraught to speak, but she managed a brief nod. Open attack would have brought a sharp response from her, but an appeal to her better nature wa
s something else.

  ‘Very well, then,’ her mother continued. ‘You will travel with Amy when she returns to school, and Ellen shall go with you.’ Her raised hand quelled the expected objection from Perdita. ‘I am sending Ellen to help out. Your aunt’s staff must not feel that you are an added burden.’

  Perdita was reduced to silence.

  ‘There is one other thing I have to say to you.’ Her mother’s tone was inexorable. ‘You will not, I hope, attempt to persuade your father into altering this decision. Have I your word on that?’

  Perdita nodded again. She was close to tears, but her own pride made her blink them back.

  ‘I won’t ask him,’ she choked out. Then she fled to her room.

  Amy found her huddled in the window-seat, weeping as if her heart would break.

  Amy was dismayed. Her strong-willed sister seldom gave way to tears. ‘What is it, love?’ she cried. ‘Mother can’t be thinking of sending you back to school?’

  ‘I’m sure she would, if Miss Bedlington would have me, but you know she won’t. Still, I am to be sent to Bath, to stay with Aunt Trixie.’

  ‘That isn’t so very dreadful,’ Amy comforted. ‘Our aunt is such a dear.’

  ‘But I wanted to sail with Father. Both he and Mother promised. It was to be my treat, and I’ve thought of nothing else for these past weeks.’

  ‘You could speak to him,’ Amy suggested.

  ‘No, I can’t. Mother made me promise…’

  ‘Well, I could speak to him.’

  ‘No, that would be almost the same thing. Oh, Amy, this is all the doing of that hateful creature, Rushmore. I can’t think what he told Mama, but it was probably some heavily embroidered tale about our conversation.’

  ‘He is a swine!’ Amy agreed. ‘Imagine a man like that attempting to damage your reputation! What a cur!’

  ‘He is all of those things. I would have apologised, you know, in spite of what I said, but it wasn’t enough for him. He wants to ruin my life!’