‘Quite soon, I think. Rushmore believes that the weather will hold for the next day or two. You see no objection?’
‘Oh, no, my love! Your cousin will take good care of you, and Rushmore will accompany his ward. The carriage is at your disposal, naturally, but I imagine you will prefer to ride?’
‘Oh, yes, I’ve missed it so. We were out each day in London, riding in Rotten Row. Shall we be able to hire good mounts in Bath?’
‘Most certainly, Miss Wentworth.’ Rushmore was standing by Perdita’s side. ‘Will you leave it to my discretion?’
‘Only if you promise not to mount me upon a slug,’ she said mischievously.
He laughed at that. ‘I should not dare,’ he replied as he offered Miss Langrishe his arm. ‘Shall we join the others?’
Rather to Perdita’s surprise, Thomas had managed to secure the best table in the refreshment room. Now he was awaiting their pleasure with the offer of small savouries, a selection of patties, ices, and beverages ranging from tea and coffee to lemonade, orgeat, and wine.
Miss Langrishe accepted only a glass of wine. ‘Lord preserve us from the efforts of the cook here,’ she whispered to Perdita. ‘All his offerings taste like sawdust.’
Perdita smiled. ‘You have high standards, Aunt. Will you not try a pastry boat? The filling is delicious.’
Her aunt shuddered. ‘I have too much regard for my digestion, Perdita. Your cousins must be blessed with stomachs of cast-iron. Look at their plates, my dear.’
Perdita giggled. ‘Perhaps it’s time that we discussed the picnic…otherwise, between the three of them, they are likely to clear the tables.’ She turned to Rushmore. ‘Sir, I wonder if you will explain what we have in mind.’
The Earl kept his suggestions brief, but they were received with undisguised pleasure. Only Louise looked a little hesitant.
‘What is it, my dear?’ Miss Langrishe was all concern.
‘It is just that…well…I am not the most experienced rider in the world,’ Louise confessed. ‘I could not manage a spirited mount.’
‘But there is not the least need for you to do so,’ Thomas assured her quickly. ‘We shall choose a steady mare for you and you may ride at your own pace. Henry and I will be beside you in case you feel a little nervous.’
He could not have made his feelings more obvious if he had shouted them aloud. Perdita frowned at him, but then she caught Rushmore’s eye. Noticing his bland expression she was strongly tempted to give him a sharp set-down. He shook his head at her.
‘Never interfere with the blossoming of young love,’ he whispered sententiously. ‘It is a fragile thing.’
Perdita felt a little spurt of anger. ‘I fancy this is all a game to you,’ she said furiously.
‘No, Perdita, you are quite mistaken. This is not a game to me. I have my objectives, certainly, but I don’t propose to tell you of them here and now.’
‘More mysteries?’ she said scornfully. ‘What an exciting life you lead, my lord!’
‘I hope to make it even more exciting in the future, my dear. However, at the moment we are discussing our expedition to the countryside. To date, I am required to find three horses for you ladies, one of which, I am warned, must not be a slug.’
‘Make that two!’ Perdita told him crisply. ‘Amy will not thank you for finding her some ancient nag incapable of breaking into a trot.’
‘It may surprise you to hear that I had not thought of doing so.’ Rushmore refilled his glass in a graceful toast to her. ‘What an astonishing family you are! I had thought your sister merely a jolly schoolgirl.’
‘And now?’
‘Now I find that she has a head upon her shoulders. It is a refreshing change.’
‘Pray don’t attempt to patronise her, sir.’ Perdita was furious.
‘I had no intention of doing so. It was meant as a compliment. You are both a credit to your parents, Perdita, as I told your mother.’
‘She did not say so,’ Perdita answered doubtfully.
‘No, she was cross with you at the time.’
‘And you were not?’ she challenged.
‘No, I had a curious mixture of emotions.’
‘Of which amusement was uppermost, I must suppose?’
‘No, it was not. I was surprised, I will admit. I had expected to encounter yet another simpering miss. You disabused me of that idea.’
‘I…I have a hasty temper, sir, and your remarks—’
‘Were unforgivable, I agree. You were right to give me a set-down. I deserved it.’ Rushmore smiled down at her. ‘We began at odds with each other, my dear. Since then I have been trying to recover my character in your eyes.’
‘My opinions can be of no great interest to you, my lord.’ Perdita felt once again that they were reaching dangerous ground. She rose and gave her hand to Crispin, the youngest of her cousins, overriding his objection that he was the worst dancer in the world.
‘Then you must learn,’ she assured him. ‘You won’t improve by standing about like a statue. It takes practice, that is all.’
‘A strong-minded lady!’ Rushmore observed as the young couple walked away. ‘With that face one might expect her to trade upon her looks alone, but she does not.’
‘She is very dear to me,’ Miss Langrishe replied quietly. ‘It is Perdita’s passion for justice which gets her into scrapes. Appeal to that and you will always have her by your side. Like her father, I cannot see it as a fault.’
‘They are a delightful family, are they not, ma’am?’
‘They have great charm. Partly it is their openness and their interest in other people. One can always be sure that the girls will tell the truth, however painful it may be for them.’
‘I don’t doubt it.’ Rushmore’s eyes had never left Perdita as she and Crispin circled the floor. ‘You will think me foolish, Miss Langrishe, but I would describe her as “lion-hearted”.’
‘I don’t think you foolish, Adam. I won’t insult your intelligence by pretending that I have not understood you, but are you quite sure?’
‘I was never more certain of anything in my life. I love Perdita. I think I’ve done so from the moment I set eyes on her. I want to ask her to be my wife, but there may be obstacles in the way.’
‘Such as?’
‘The gap in age…her parents may not like it. Unlike some others, they are sure to consider her happiness before all else.’
‘As you will do, if you love her, but this is nonsense, my dear. There cannot be ten years between you. She would not be marrying a greybeard.’ Miss Langrishe studied his face. ‘Is Perdita aware of your feelings for her?’
‘No, ma’am. Unlike Mr Verreker, I shall not make her an offer without her father’s permission.’
‘I expected nothing less of you, but you will have a lengthy wait, I fear, before Perdita’s parents return to this country.’
‘It is no matter, ma’am.’ Rushmore’s smile transformed his face. ‘It will give me time to plan my campaign.’ He gave his companion a rueful look. ‘What do you suppose would be her answer if I were in a position to offer for her now?’
‘She would think you had run mad,’ Miss Langrishe told him bluntly. ‘Go slowly, Adam! Perdita’s pride will be offended if she believes that you are making game of her. First persuade her to be your friend before asking more of her. Her love may come unbidden.’
Rushmore took her hand and raised it to his lips. ‘I must hope that she will be as good a friend as you are, Miss Langrishe. At least you do not frown upon my hopes.’
‘Of course not! You will make a vastly entertaining couple, sir, though I have no doubt that battle will be joined at regular intervals. You have my blessing, but I warn you. Perdita must not be hurt. I make as strong an enemy as a friend, you know.’ Her look was filled with meaning.
He laughed at that. ‘Another strong-minded lady? I don’t doubt that either.’ Then he grew serious. ‘You need have no fears on that account. I would defend Perdita with my life.�
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Chapter Eight
As Rushmore had predicted, the weather continued to hold fair and two days later the party assembled at Laura Place for their expedition.
Perdita inspected her mount with unaffected pleasure. As he had promised, the Earl had chosen the best of what the local livery stable had to offer, both for herself and for Amy. Blaze was a mettlesome chestnut and his half-brother slightly darker in colour except that he lacked the distinctive white flash which had given Blaze his name.
‘Well, Miss Wentworth, will they do?’ The Earl was smiling down at her.
‘We could not wish for better,’ she announced warmly. ‘May I take Blaze? He seems so friendly.’ For an instant she rested her cheek against the horse’s massive head, and he made no move to pull away. ‘Amy, shall you be happy with his brother?’
‘Will I not!’ Amy was already in the saddle. ‘Is this not the best scheme in the world? How I’ve missed our rides in London.’ She bent to pat her horse’s neck. ‘Lancer is so fresh…he’s longing for a gallop.’
‘But not through the town, I beg of you, Miss Amy!’ Rushmore’s smile robbed his words of all offence. ‘Let us take it slowly until we reach the open country.’
Amy laughed. ‘It shall be as you say, my lord. Our cavalcade will proceed with all decorum.’ She glanced behind her. ‘Lord, what a crowd we are! Do we need quite so many grooms?’
The Earl regarded her gravely. ‘Miss Langrishe’s chef is on his mettle,’ he announced. ‘Though he disapproves in general of eating out of doors he intends to prove the haute cuisine is not beyond his powers even there…’
Amy giggled. ‘So we have a full staff for our alfresco picnic? I wonder if he has sent along the family silver?’
‘I should not be the least surprised. I suggested that the White Hart could well provide sufficient for our needs in the way of food and drink, but I was turned down out of hand.’
‘A new experience for you, my lord?’ Perdita observed mischievously.
‘On the contrary, Miss Wentworth. It has happened all too frequently in recent weeks.’ He was laughing down at her and she blushed, turning away quickly before he could offer to help her to mount, and accepting the assistance of one of the grooms.
Amy led the way, accompanied by Henry. She knew Bath well, and took the road to the north-west, out of the town. The gradient was steep, but they rode at a leisurely pace until they reached the heights above. There Amy stopped and threw out her arm in an extravagant gesture.
‘I love this place,’ she cried. ‘Is it not a perfect jewel, set in the bowl of the hills? It was so clever of the Romans to discover the warm springs. Did you know that they called it Aqua Sulis?’
Her enthusiasm brought a smile from the rest of the party, though Henry could not resist the opportunity to tease her. He grimaced.
‘Are we to have a history lesson?’ he cried. ‘Lord, Amy, I hope you ain’t got your heart set on going to see the ruins.’
She gave him a disarming grin. ‘Not today, you Philistine! Come on, I’ll race you to that far copse of trees!’
Henry needed no second challenge and they set off at a speed which made Louise turn pale. With Thomas on one side of her and Crispin on the other she was minding instructions from the two young men as to how best to control her horse. From that height it seemed a long way to the ground. She longed to close her eyes to shut out the distance she might fall, but determination won the day and her fears soon lessened as the mare walked on at a steady gait.
‘Well done, Miss Bryant! You are a natural, I believe.’ Thomas voiced his encouragement.
Louise managed a rueful smile. ‘You flatter me, Mr. Wentworth. I fear I am a nervous rider. I had a bad fall as a child and would not try again. I am not so brave, you see.’
‘I don’t agree!’ Thomas said stoutly. ‘You didn’t refuse to join our party, though you had every reason for doing so. It takes courage to do the thing you fear.’
‘I’m told it is the only way to conquer those fears,’ she said quietly. ‘I’m glad I came. It is so pleasant to be out of the town and in the fresh air, enjoying this lovely countryside.’
‘And also the company of your friends, I hope?’
She coloured a little. ‘Of course! I do not need to tell you that. Amy and Perdita have been so kind to me, and I cannot speak too highly of Miss Langrishe.’
‘I’m glad of it,’ Thomas said simply. He caught his brother’s eye and saw that Crispin was longing to join his cousins in their gallop. ‘Miss Bryant, do you feel confident enough to ride with me alone if Crispin leaves us?’
‘Oh, yes!’ Her warm look caused his heart to skip a beat. ‘I feel quite safe with you.’
Crispin kept a commendably straight face, though he winked slyly at his brother and ignored the answering frown. A jerk of Thomas’s head sent him off at a gallop to the distant wood to join Amy and Henry.
‘We are losing our party one by one,’ Rushmore observed. ‘Do you long to try out Blaze, Miss Wentworth?’ He and Perdita were bringing up the rear of the party. ‘I have sent the grooms ahead to our destination, but at this pace it will take some time for us to reach them. Please don’t feel that you must stay behind to keep me company.’
Perdita gave him a suspicious look. Was he teasing her? ‘I don’t!’ she announced in withering tones. ‘I am thinking of Louise. She must not be made to feel that she is the only female who cannot ride her horse at speed.’
‘Very commendable, my dear!’ Rushmore’s eyes were twinkling. ‘May I hope that your charitable intentions will extend to me today?’
‘Certainly, my lord! I should not dream of urging you to venture more than a trot. The consequences of a fall must be uppermost in your mind!’ She was baiting him deliberately. The Earl was a noted horseman, as she well knew.
‘True! It would be disastrous, especially in view of my advancing years. I will try to keep my seat, but there are other ways of suffering a heavy fall, Miss Wentworth. I fear that your advice has come too late.’
Again Perdita was aware of some hidden meaning behind his words, but she refused to acknowledge it. Was Rushmore attempting to flirt with her? She would have none of it.
She changed the subject hastily. ‘Has Mr Verreker returned to Bath?’ she asked. ‘I had hoped that he might have been to see you.’
‘I have heard nothing yet. Louise cannot give me his direction. She does not know it. I have been wondering how she and this creature keep in touch, if she cannot send to his lodgings.’ Rushmore frowned. ‘Surely she cannot be receiving letters at the Academy? Miss Bedlington would know of it.’ He glanced at Perdita’s face and was suddenly enlightened. ‘Won’t you trust me?’ he asked gently. ‘I believe I have the right to know.’
Perdita flushed with embarrassment. ‘Oh, it’s all such nonsense, sir! It sounds like the plot of some Gothic novel…’
‘Well?’
‘Well, I’m afraid that they leave letters for each other within a hole in some tree-trunk in the park.’ Perdita looked away, expecting an explosion of rage. Instead, she heard a shout of laughter.
‘Oh, no! And she takes this mountebank seriously? That is the outside of enough! Gothic indeed! How right you are to think it nonsensical!’
‘I expect she felt that she had no choice,’ Perdita told him quietly.
‘There is always a choice, Perdita.’ Rushmore’s face grew serious. ‘She might have insisted that Verreker spoke to me before allowing matters to go so far. This underhand way of going on merely confirms my opinion of him.’
‘But you don’t know what pressures have been brought to bear on her. He sounds a plausible rogue. Doubtless he convinced her by an appeal to her affections.’
‘So you are coming round to my way of thinking?’
‘Yes, my lord. I cannot think it right to behave as he has done. If he has used Louise’s love for him to persuade her into folly, it is a shameful thing.’
‘I doubt if he knows the meaning of the wo
rd, my dear.’ He was silent for a time, and then Perdita broke into his thoughts.
‘Is there nothing we can do?’ she asked.
‘We can wait. If Verreker is the type of man I think him, his return will not be long delayed. His absence might cause Louise to think more carefully, or to seek the advice of her friends. If Verreker is to win his heiress he must not lose influence over her. He may also have another consideration in mind.’
‘And that is…?’
‘These charming rogues spend most of their time in dun territory. I should not be surprised to learn that he is penniless and deep in debt. His need for a rich wife may be of the utmost urgency.’
Perdita considered his words. ‘Then, sir, why not ask Louise to leave a note for him? She could explain that you have agreed to see him, and it might…er…flush him out.’
‘An excellent idea! My worry has been that he would persuade her into further folly, such as an elopement.’
‘Oh, no!’ Perdita stared at him in horror. ‘That would ruin her in the eyes of all her friends. She would not be received…’
‘It could happen, especially if he believes that I shall oppose his suit. You know her better now, Perdita. Tell me, would she agree to such a course of action?’
‘Oh, no!’ Perdita said decidedly. ‘Louise is a gentle soul, but she has a stubborn streak, and she does know right from wrong. She is already a little ashamed of what has happened…not of falling in love, of course…but of not informing you about Verreker from the first. I think she was overtaken by events. Everything happened so fast.’
‘A whirlwind romance, in fact?’ The Earl’s tone was dry. ‘I am not surprised. Speed is of the essence with these fortune-hunters. They can’t afford anyone the time for close scrutiny of their lives.’
‘We may still be wrong about him,’ Perdita said cautiously.
‘I don’t believe that, and nor do you, I think?’
‘No!’ she admitted. ‘The more I hear, the more convinced I am that you are right.’
She was rewarded with a brilliant smile. ‘Am I to believe my ears?’ he teased. ‘The redoubtable Miss Wentworth offering an olive branch?’
The Rebellious Debutante Page 13