‘I…that is…please be careful,’ Jane said, her words coming out in a rush. ‘If your business is part of what has gone before, you could be in danger and-’ She knew she was making a wretched mess of this and felt even more desolate.
Surprisingly, Alex’s grim expression had lightened considerably. One gloved hand covered Jane’s briefly as it rested on his sleeve.
‘Thank you for giving me hope, Miss Verey,’ he said very softly. Before Jane could even guess his intention, his arms had gone around her and he had kissed her hard on the mouth.
She was released, breathless and ruffled. ‘Oh! For shame! In the street!’
Jane had seen the stealthy movement behind at least half a dozen curtains, including the ones of Lady Verey’s drawing-room.
‘Yes,’ Alex said, his good humour apparently restored, ‘you will have to marry me now, Miss Verey! Think about it! I will see you tomorrow!’
And with a deplorably cheerful wave of the hand he turned and strolled away.
Simon Verey, crossing London Bridge, saw a slender, fair girl hurrying along in front of him, a covered marketing basket over her arm. He started forward. It had happened so many times in the last two weeks-he would see a fair girl and hurry to accost her, only to find that he was confronting a total stranger. But this time…
‘Thérèse!’
She turned and he was looking into the cornflower blue eyes that he remembered. His heart started to race.
‘Thérèse,’ he said again. He put out a hand but she flinched back. Her eyes were bright and angry.
‘Leave me alone! Why must you be forever pestering me? Coming to the house…upsetting Maman…fine gentlemen asking for her daughter.’ Her tone was scornful. ‘What do you think I am, monsieur? Because I am penniless and you are a rich lord-’
Simon was stung by the injustice of this. ‘That’s not fair! I only wanted to see you, to talk to you.’
She shrugged carelessly. ‘We have nothing to say to each other, monsieur! If you are in earnest, the best thing you can do for me is leave me alone!’
She turned to go, but Simon caught her arm, beyond caution. ‘It cannot be true that you do not care! I cannot be alone in feeling thus!’
For a frozen minute they stared into each other’s eyes and he saw the doubt and the hesitation and, behind it all, a flash of emotion so vivid that he almost pulled her into his arms there and then. He knew that he had not misread her. Thérèse did care, but-
‘It is immaterial how I feel,’ Thérèse said, so fiercely that Simon almost stepped back, yet so softly he could barely hear. ‘There are reasons why I cannot have anything to do with you, my lord-’
‘Is the gennelman bothering you, miss?’ asked a burly carter, and Simon dropped Thérèse’s arm, suddenly conscious of the attention their raised voices had attracted.
‘No, I thank you.’ Her composure was flawless. The moment of intimacy, when he had seen into her soul, might never have been. Simon felt triumph and despair in equal measure. ‘The gentleman is about to go. Good day, sir,’ and she walked away across the bridge, without a backward glance.
Henry Marchnight called late at Haye House that night and was met by Tredpole the butler, wearing his most lugubrious expression.
‘I regret that his Grace is unwell, my lord,’ Tredpole said, his face completely blank. ‘He is not receiving visitors.’
Since Alex had never had a day’s illness in all the time Henry had known him, he treated this with polite incredulity.
‘Come now, Tredpole, you can tell me the truth. Where is he?’
‘His Grace is in the study, my lord, but-’ Tredpole shook his head ‘-I would counsel against disturbing him!’
Light dawned. ‘You mean that he is foxed, Tredpole?’ Henry hesitated, suddenly aware that he might never have seen Alex ill, but he certainly had never seen him drunk.
The butler cleared his throat delicately. ‘A little cast away, my lord, and I have seldom seen him in a blacker temper-’
The door of the study crashed open making the hall chandelier vibrate. Alex, his hair ruffled, his clothes dishevelled, was leaning against the door jamb.
‘Tredpole? Where the devil are you, man? I’ll have died of thirst before I get that second bottle! Who the hell are you chattering to?’
Henry thought that he saw the butler wince. It was impossible to imagine the stately Tredpole chattering to anyone.
‘Lord Henry Marchnight is here, your Grace,’ the butler said austerely. ‘I was informing him that your Grace was not receiving.’
‘And I was telling him not to be such a damned fool!’ Henry said cheerfully. ‘How are you, Alex? Think I’ll share that second bottle with you!’
Tredpole moved noiselessly away to fetch a second glass. Alex stood aside with exaggerated courtesy to allow Henry to precede him into the room and gestured him to a chair.
‘Well, Henry?’
Henry raised his eyebrows. ‘My apologies for interrupting you! Seems you wish to go to the devil on your own!’
That won him a brief smile. Alex pushed the brandy bottle towards his friend.
‘I hear you were riding in the Park with Miss Verey this morning,’ Henry continued.
The smile vanished. Alex frowned. ‘You take a keen interest in Miss Verey’s concerns, Harry!’
Henry, his unspoken question resolved, relaxed and sat back in his chair. ‘Don’t be an arrant fool, Alex! I love Jane like a sister, but that’s all!’ He paused, then added, ‘Unlike you!’
Alex did not deny it. ‘How the hell did this happen?’ he said morosely.
Henry poured himself a generous measure. ‘No one is immune, Alex,’ he said. ‘Your mistake was probably to think that you were.’
Alex ran a hand through his hair, still frowning darkly. ‘I told her that I had decided it was a mistake to force Philip to marry her. Do you think Philip genuinely cares for Miss Marchment, Harry?’
‘Yes, I am sure that he does. Everyone has observed it. What did Jane say to that?’
‘She was very happy. Not so happy when I put forward my alternative, which was that she should marry me.’ Alex drank deeply. ‘What should I do, Harry?’
‘Don’t ask me, old fellow. You know I’m the last person to ask for advice!’ Despite the joking tone there was a deeper bitterness in Henry’s voice.
‘I collect you refer to Lady Polly Seagrave? You could put that to rights if you chose!’
Henry shrugged. ‘Maybe so, but we are talking of your romantic difficulties, not mine! I do not immediately perceive the problem, however. You proposed to Miss Verey and-what happened? Did she refuse you?’
‘Not outright,’ Alex acknowledged, ‘but who wants an unwilling bride? Not I! I am to wait until tomorrow to know my fate!’
‘Jane is scarcely indifferent to you,’ Henry said with a grin, savouring his brandy. ‘And she is very young. Give her time!’
‘I have-until tomorrow. This is damnably hard on my pride!’
Henry laughed. ‘Come on, Alex, your pride can take it! I see that you intend to spend the entire time three sheets to the wind!’
Alex grinned reluctantly. ‘It seems a sound enough plan, Harry! But perhaps a game of faro would be an alternative.’
Henry inclined his head. ‘Why not? I may stand a chance of winning for once!’
And they settled down to make a night of it.
Chapter Twelve
The following day saw huge excitement in Portman Square. Lord Philip had arrived at an improbably early hour and had asked, with barely restrained impatience, to speak with Sophia alone. He had followed this with a brief meeting with Lady Verey, after which both she and Sophia erupted into the drawing-room, where Jane had been pretending to read.
‘Oh, Jane!’ Sophia burst out. ‘It is so wonderful! The Duke has given Philip permission to pay his addresses to me and he has come at once to ask me to marry him! He is posting to Wiltshire in a couple of days to see my parents! Oh, Jane!’
/> ‘Jane, my dearest, dearest child!’ Lady Verey cried simultaneously. ‘I am so very happy for you! A Duke! Who would have thought it!’
Jane, who was hugging Sophia, eyed her mother with misgiving. ‘Whatever can you mean, Mama?’
‘Why, Lord Philip tells me that his brother wishes to marry you, you little goose! Surely that was the purpose of his meeting with you yesterday? Why did you say nothing to me? I knew he was developing a tendre for you! You are the most fortunate girl in all of London!’
Jane winced.
‘Philip says that we are to be married in four weeks and that he cannot believe his good fortune!’ Sophia burbled, her blue eyes huge. ‘I have written at once to my mama, begging her to return to Town with him and help me to choose my bride clothes! You will help me too, won’t you, Jane? Oh, Jane, we shall be sisters! I am so happy!’
‘I told the Duke that I would not marry him,’ Jane said.
There was a silence. Sophia’s smile faded and she stepped back, staring at her friend in disbelief. Lady Verey turned pale. A pained spasm crossed her face.
‘Jane? What are you saying?’
‘I told the Duke that I would not marry him,’ Jane repeated, wishing that the ground would open up and swallow her whole. It was not precisely true, but she did not want her mother becoming carried away and announcing the two engagements at the same time. Besides, her heart was sore that Alex had apparently disregarded their conversation and decided that the marriage would go ahead. Why had he told her that he would wait for her decision when he evidently intended to ride roughshod over her feelings?
Lady Verey eased her way backwards into the elegant Louis Quinze fauteuil and sat down rather hurriedly. Sophia went swiftly to the sideboard to fetch her a drink.
‘Time…’ Lady Verey said faintly. ‘You need time…overpowered by excitement…accustomed to the idea…Thank you, child,’ she added, as Sophia pressed the glass into her hand.
‘I am sorry, Mama,’ Jane said, taken aback that her mother had not pressed for the marriage more stridently. She seemed more saddened than angry. And Sophia-
‘Oh, Sophy, I am so sorry!’ Jane was overcome by remorse. ‘I am so selfish! This is your special day and I would not spoil it for all the world!’
‘Never mind that,’ Miss Marchment said severely, showing her practical streak. ‘I am so very happy that nothing could spoil my mood! But I wish to know what it is with you, Jane-we were all so very sure that you are in love with the Duke, you see!’
‘All?’ Jane repeated faintly, sitting down rather suddenly in much the same way as her mother had.
‘Yes indeed, dear child!’ Lady Verey sat forward, fixing her daughter with her wide myopic eyes. ‘We have all observed it! Sophia and I were quite certain and even Lady Eleanor was coming round to the same view! And Sophia will tell you that Lord Philip is quite convinced that the Duke is smitten by you! Tell her, Sophia!’
‘It’s true, Jane!’ Sophia said eagerly, coming to kneel by her friend’s chair. ‘Lord Philip said that Henry Marchnight, who as you know is well acquainted with the Duke, said that-’
‘Wait, wait!’ Jane besought. ‘Has everyone been discussing this?’
‘Well, yes, my love!’ Lady Verey frowned a little. ‘It was quite clear to me at Malladon that Lord Philip and Sophia were set fair to make a match of it and when I mentioned it to Eleanor Fane she told me that I was not to regard it, for she was sure that Alex Delahaye intended you for himself! They say that he has never attached himself to any woman since the death of his first wife,’ Lady Verey said triumphantly, inadvertently making the situation worse. ‘She was a great beauty, of course, but we all know that her behaviour scarcely graced the Delahaye name!’
‘I believe, however, that the Duke was most sincerely fond of her,’ Jane said dolefully.
Lady Verey stared. ‘But since she is dead, my love, you have no need to think of her at all!’
There was a rustle and Sophia took Jane’s hand in hers.
‘Dear Jane,’ she said gently, ‘tell me what is the matter!’
‘He does not love me, Sophy!’ Jane let out a desolate sigh. ‘He is still in love with his dead wife! Oh, I seem to amuse him and he indulges me, but I know he is only wishing to marry me to honour the pledge to his grandfather!’ She turned to look at her mother. ‘So I will not marry him, Mama, for all that I love him so much!’
Sophia’s eyes were huge. ‘So you do love the Duke! Jane, are you sure? He is so…frightening!’
‘Oh, he is not so bad when one gets to know him a little! Yes, of course I love him!’ Jane said crossly. ‘I love him but he does not love me and I will not marry a man who does not love me!’
‘Heigh ho!’ Lady Verey said philosophically, getting to her feet. ‘Fine sentiments, my girl, but you have forgotten a couple of things!’
Both girls looked up at her inquiringly. ‘One!’ Lady Verey enumerated. ‘If Lord Philip has told us you are betrothed to Alex Delahaye he will have told everyone and it will be all over Town! Two! If Alex Delahaye wishes to marry you, I defy even you to withstand him!’ And so saying, she swept grandly from the room.
Word of Sophia’s engagement spread like wildfire that day, mainly because Lord Philip was proclaiming it from the rooftops. It was something of a sensation. The little country miss, with no money and nothing to recommend her but her pretty face, had caught the younger brother of a Duke who was a hardened rake to boot. Not everyone was kind. Jane knew that Sophia missed none of the nuances, though she smiled bravely throughout until her face ached. Nor was Jane able to do much to help, for many of the malicious remarks made reference to her own short and ill-fated courtship by Lord Philip, so that Jane ended up being the butt of the spite as well.
‘Oh, it is not to be borne,’ Sophia stormed, her good nature quite banished by a particularly sharp remark from Miss Brantledge. ‘I declare I will make Philip live in the country all year round if people cannot curb their tongues! To suggest that I stole Philip from under your nose is the outside of enough!’
Both girls were feeling on edge by the time they reached Lady Marfleet’s ball that evening. Jane was very grateful that Lord Philip had decided to postpone his departure to Wiltshire and was there to give her friend some much-needed support. Smoothing down her lilac and silver dress, she wondered whether Alex would also be there. It seemed like days rather than hours since she had parted from him and she knew that he would be awaiting her answer. Her nerves tightened at the thought.
‘Miss Marchment!’ Lady Jersey, malice incarnate, billowed up to them as soon as they entered the ballroom. ‘I must congratulate you, you sly little puss! And Miss Verey! I hear your own triumph is to be announced soon! Such a relief for your dear mama that you will not be eclipsed by your friend!’ And with a sharp little smile she glided away to spread the gossip.
It was, in fact, at least three-quarters of the way through the evening when the Duke of Delahaye finally deigned to make an appearance. Jane had not been short of partners and Lord Blakeney was particularly attentive. Nevertheless, she found that she had missed Alex’s company more than she had imagined. It did not make her feel any happier, especially when her first view of him was with Lady Dennery hanging on his arm and whispering in his ear. Jane turned a particularly brilliant smile on Lord Blakeney, who blinked with surprise.
‘Is this not most enjoyable, my lord?’ she gushed, making sure that her smile was even broader as they whirled past the Duke and his fair companion. ‘I declare I could dance all night!’
‘’Pon my word, Miss Verey, I could partner you the whole time too!’ Blakeney said, quite carried away by her enthusiasm. ‘Splendid idea! Are you free for the next?’
The next dance was a progressive country dance which Jane had intended to keep free for a well-earned rest. Now, seeing Lady Dennery persuading Alex on to the floor, she scorned the idea. So this was what he meant when he said that she should not concern herself with Lady Dennery! He intended to carry on
as he had before and she was supposed to close her eyes to it! The hurt and anger rose inside her.
It was some time before the movement of the dance brought her together with Alex and by then Jane had had plenty of time to think about how she would deal with him. Accordingly, she gave him the very slightest of acknowledgements when he greeted her and she smiled ravishingly at Lord Blakeney further down the set.
‘How do you do, your Grace? I was-’ Again she broke off as Blakeney passed in front of her and she paused to exchange a few words.
Alex was speaking. Jane turned a vague, questioning face to him. ‘I beg your pardon, your Grace, I was not attending…’
‘No.’ Alex sounded quite expressionless. ‘I was only observing that Blakeney is a universal favourite! Only last week it was Miss Dalton who was waxing poetic about him!’
‘Oh, he is most charming!’ Jane agreed airily. ‘Lord Henshaw has also been most attentive this evening-’
‘Spare me a recital of your admirers, Miss Verey,’ Alex said, with the first hint of irritation he had shown. ‘I had thought to claim the right to banish such suitors!’
Jane raised her brows. ‘Had you, your Grace?’
It was the perfect moment for Blakeney to claim her again, as the figure brought him back to her side and obliged Alex to move on. For the rest of the dance she was aware of his inscrutable dark gaze resting on her from time to time and there was something calculating in it that made her very nervous.
The dance ended and Jane very prettily accepted Lord Blakeney’s escort back to her mother’s side. They did not get far.
‘Sorry to cut you out, old fellow,’ the Duke of Delahaye drawled, blocking their way, ‘but Miss Verey is promised to me for the next. Miss Verey…’ There was a very definite challenge in his eyes.
Jane picked up the gauntlet, taking his arm a little gingerly and allowing him to steer her to an alcove at the side of the dance floor.
‘Now, Miss Verey,’ Alex said pleasantly, ‘you will explain to me why you are playing Blakeney on your line just to thwart me.’
Miss Verey’s Proposal Page 19