‘I shall not care about the others—as long as you are welcoming,’ the lieutenant replied, his admiring gaze fixed on Temper.
He couldn’t blame the soldier for being awestruck. He still caught his breath each time he saw Temper in one of her new gowns. But if the fellow let his eyes wander from her face down to her bosom, Giff would consider it cause to intervene.
‘I’m sure we will all do our best,’ Temper said coolly. ‘On another matter, I’ve recently had a letter from my sister in Bath, who tells me she has also met a soldier invalided home from India duty. A Captain Johnnie Trethwell. I know the area in which the troops serve is vast, but do you happen to know him?’
‘As a matter of fact, I do. He served, like Mundy, in the Queen’s Second Foot. I don’t know him personally, having never actually met him, but I have heard of him. He was something of an...oddity.’
‘Oh? In what way?’
Giff stiffened, sharing the concern he could hear in Temper’s voice. If her beloved sister had been enticed by a bounder, despite the fact that her aunt and friends were chaperoning her, he knew Temper would alert Gregory and have them on the road to Bath by morning.
‘He seemed to take to India almost as though he’d been born there. Oh, he amused the ladies at the cantonments, but he never quite fit in among the regiment. Learned to speak the language like a local, liked going off exploring in native dress.’
‘But he is...a gentleman.’
‘I don’t think he’d do your sister any harm, if that’s what is worrying you. Indeed, always very gallant with the ladies, was Johnnie.’
From the tone of his voice, Giff inferred that Johnnie Trethwell had a rake’s reputation, but didn’t trifle with innocents.
Looking reassured, Temper said, ‘I’m glad to hear it. My sister says he is quite the charmer. However...with India such an exotic and fascinating land, I wonder that you did not also wish to go exploring.’
Lieutenant Masters laughed. ‘It is exotic! What with the poisonous critters, dangerous animals, deadly diseases and the heat, life in the cantonments was hard enough. I never had any desire to explore beyond where my duties took me.’
‘I do envy you, though. I should love to visit foreign places,’ Temper said wistfully.
‘You must come out to India, miss. A lovely lady like you—there’d be a hundred officers waiting to snap you up like sugar candy.’
‘Oh, I don’t want to marry! I’d just like to visit and explore the countryside.’
Lieutenant Masters looked as if to speak, then hesitated. After a forced laugh, he said, ‘India contains dangers far beyond what you could ever imagine, miss. It would be a deadly mistake to go adventuring on your own. If you don’t wish to live in a cantonment with a husband, you’d be safer to remain in England.’
A shadow fell over Giff, making him turn towards the doorway. A man he didn’t recognise loitered there, swaying, his glazed eyes fixed on Temper.
‘Damme, you are ’s beautiful as y’mama, jes like Lord Theo said,’ he slurred. ‘Collington, pr’sent me to thish charmer.’
Before Giff could rise to shoo the gentleman off, Lady Sayleford said in a commanding voice, ‘Certainly not. You are inebriated, sir. You will quit this box at once.’
The man shifted his gaze to peer at Lady Sayleford. ‘Ol’ beldame,’ he muttered. ‘Wanna meet the Beauty. You, Theo—’ He waved a hand, almost oversetting himself. ‘C’mon, intr’duce me.’
Murmuring an apology to Lady Sayleford, Lord Theo jumped up and moved past Giff to take the man’s arm. ‘Wendemere, old chap, you’re in no condition to meet a lady. Come along, Lieutenant, let us escort this gentleman to...more suitable entertainment.’
The man pulled at his captive arm. ‘A’right, I’ll go.’ Looking back at Temper with a leer, he said, ‘Meet you later, Beauty. Wanna get t’know you very well.’
He was gazing blatantly down her bosom as Lord Theo and Lieutenant Masters each took an arm and pulled him out, Giff closing the door behind them, ignoring the other gentlemen trying to gain entry. They could hear Wendemere’s drunken protests fading as the two men walked him away.
Temper shuddered. ‘I feel that I should go home and bathe immediately. Lady Sayleford, who is Wendemere?’
‘No one who need concern you,’ the Countess said. ‘A younger son with no expectations, Lord Alfred Wendemere is a gamester, drunkard, womaniser and general embarrassment to his noble family. Indeed, if it weren’t for his impressive lineage, he wouldn’t be received anywhere. Not a man I would trust to escort you around a dance floor, much less on a stroll through the park.’
‘He behaved worse than a randy ensign after six months at sea,’ Mrs Moorsby said indignantly. ‘Can’t she just refuse to know him?’
Lady Sayleford sighed. ‘He’s the Duke of Maidstone’s middle son, so his presence in society is tolerated. But even his family understands why matrons with innocent daughters do not invite him to their events. He usually confines himself to women of the demi-monde—or the more reckless married ladies.’
‘So he targeted me because of Mama’s reputation,’ Temper said flatly.
After a short silence, Lady Sayleford said, ‘I’m afraid that’s likely. You will have to accept the acquaintance, if he turns up in a sober condition at some respectable entertainment, but nothing more.’ She smiled. ‘By now, I’m sure you’re adept at gracefully turning away invitations to dance or dine from persons you don’t wish to know better.’
Temper laughed. ‘I’m not sure about graceful, but I can certainly be forceful!’
‘And I’ll be nearby to make sure he accepts his dismissal,’ Giff said, having taken an instant dislike to any man who would approach Temper in such a disgraceful state—to say nothing of staring at her as if she were a harlot! If Lord Theo and the lieutenant hadn’t dragged him off, Giff would have been tempted to remove him, not just from the box, but out to the street, where he could administer a quick lesson in what happens to boors who insulted ladies under his escort.
‘The play’s about to resume, so please, Giff, don’t open the door again,’ Temper said, interrupting his belligerent thoughts. ‘I’d prefer that it remain closed for the intervals as well. I came to enjoy the theatre, not to exchange idle remarks!’
‘With Lady Sayleford’s leave, I can certainly do that. I should not like to exclude any of her friends, though.’
‘My friends all know I dislike chatting during the performance and are unlikely to seek me out. A drawing room is the proper place for conversation, not a theatre box! Besides, we achieve all we need to simply by being present, where Temperance can be seen and admired. Making gentlemen who wish to speak with her wait until later is not a bad thing.’
‘The unattainable lady thereby becoming even more fascinating,’ Mrs Moorsby said.
‘Exactly,’ Lady Sayleford replied.
‘A closed door it shall be, then,’ Giff said, pleased that Lady Sayleford had acquiesced. Though he didn’t think Temper needed to become any more fascinating, now he wouldn’t have to endure watching a steady stream of gentlemen try to impress her. Freed from playing the guard dog, he could relax and simply enjoy the performance—and the simple pleasure of watching an enthralled Temper enjoy it.
* * *
Late the following afternoon, Giff made an unannounced stop at Vraux House, hoping to find Temperance. Fortunately, Overton informed him that Miss Lattimar was indeed at home and escorted him into the small parlour.
‘Giff, what a pleasant surprise,’ she said as she entered. ‘Were you expecting to see Gregory? He’s paying a visit to the solicitor, as I imagine Overton told you, but should return shortly.’
‘Actually, it was you I came to see—thinking I might catch you between calls and shopping excursions,’ Giff said, rising as she entered.
‘Mrs Moorsby and I made another contribution to the profits
of the linen drapers, modistes and bonnet-makers this morning,’ Temper said, her smile as warming as sunshine and bright as the yellow gown she wore.
He took a moment to bask in it while she continued, ‘One ride at the Promenade Hour was enough for a while and we haven’t a large enough acquaintance yet that we do much calling, so you find me here this afternoon. But is something amiss? I didn’t think I’d see you again until the Randalls’ ball.’
‘Nothing amiss, but by chance at my meeting today I learned of something I thought might interest you. Perhaps,’ he added with a grin, ‘it will make up for your disappointment with the unforthcoming Lieutenant Masters.’
Temper sighed. ‘How...selfish of him, to have so vast a knowledge of India and yet be unwilling to share it!’
‘To be fair, most ladies probably wouldn’t be interested. He likely thought you were just being polite.’
She raised her eyebrows. ‘That may be true about “most ladies”, but I asked him to share his observations quite pointedly. Several times. If he wasn’t able to tell I truly wished to hear them, that doesn’t say much for his intelligence.’ She sighed. ‘More likely, he didn’t know what to say to a female with such odd, unmaidenly interests. The stories he normally tells are probably tailored for the ribald enjoyment of an officers’ mess. Poor Lieutenant! But you said you had something to make up for that disappointment?’
‘Are you familiar with the Travellers Club?’
Her eyes lit. ‘Oh, yes! Founded by Castlereagh in 1819, after the opening of Europe at the end of the Napoleonic Wars. A place where gentlemen who have travelled abroad might meet for discussion and to entertain foreign dignitaries. How I wish I might listen in on some of those conversations—or attend the lectures of the Royal Geographical Society. But, alas, they both are open only to men. Who seem, like Lieutenant Masters, to want to keep all the fascinating details to themselves! What about the Travellers Club?’
‘Lord Lansdowne—he’s currently Lord President of the Council, you know, the man through whom my committee works to funnel information about our reform efforts to the Privy Council—is a long-time member. He’s currently hosting a Lieutenant Williamson from the army of the East India Company. Williamson accompanied Alexander Burnes and Henry Pottinger on their surveys up the Indus River, and was initially supposed to speak to the Travellers Club here in London. But after he suffered a relapse of tropical fever, Lansdowne moved him to Trenton Manor, the country property he rents in Highgate Village. Williamson isn’t yet recovered enough to return to London and deliver a formal lecture, but he has improved enough to receive company. Lansdowne is hosting a small reception at Trenton Manor tomorrow afternoon, where members of the Travellers Club and other interested persons may meet and chat with Williamson. Lady Lansdowne will offer tea for any ladies who accompany the gentlemen. Would you like to go with me? When I told him of your special interest, Lansdowne confirmed that you would be welcome to listen in on the conversations with Lieutenant Williams.’
‘Oh, Giff!’ Temper cried, leaping up. He thought for a moment she might fling herself at him and, sucking in a breath in mingled alarm and anticipation, braced himself to resist the wave of sensation an embrace would generate.
But at the last moment she skidded to a halt, her cheeks colouring. Dropping her arms back to her sides, she said, ‘As my enthusiasm in jumping out of my chair indicates, yes, I would love to go! Lansdowne will let me listen in? Imagine, being able to speak to someone who has actually travelled by dak and elephant, seen tigers and leopards, dusty villages and a maharaja’s palace! Thank you so much for thinking of me.’
He smiled, delighted to have been able to bring such a look of joy to her face. He found himself wishing he could offer something every day that would make her so dazzlingly happy.
‘Mrs Moorsby will accompany us, of course—she can enjoy tea with the other ladies while I attend Williamson’s discussion. Might I ask Miss Henley, too? I think she would enjoy the talk—or at the very least, a chance to ride out of London.’
‘I believe Lady Henley and Lady Lansdowne are friends, so she may already be planning to attend. The park at Trenton Manor is said to be very fine, with lovely views down towards London. If the weather is pleasant, I imagine the ladies will stroll around the park while the gentleman talk with Lieutenant Williamson.’
‘Can you stay for tea now and tell me more?’
‘Regrettably, I must return to the House. More meetings. But I wanted to let you know about the opportunity, so you would have time to prepare.’
‘Then I mustn’t keep you,’ she said, rising from her chair. ‘I cannot wait until tomorrow! I’ll send Miss Henley a note, inviting her to ride with us, if her mother is not attending. And let Mrs Moorsby know, of course. What time will you call for me?’
‘It’s not far to Highgate. Leaving Vraux House at noon should be sufficient.’
‘I’ll be ready,’ she promised as she walked with him to the door. ‘Thank you again, Giff. It...it means a great deal to me that you take my plans and dreams seriously. Everyone else seems to think them just foolish, childish fantasies.’
He might not think voyaging the world wise and suspected that, in the end, marriage would win out over exploration, but he didn’t question her passion for her dream or her commitment to achieving it. ‘I’ve always taken your plans seriously.’
She grinned. ‘Perhaps by the time I meet the requirement of having voyaged at least five hundred miles from London and back, the Travellers Club will be ready to admit lady members!’
Laughing, he let Overton show him out.
Chapter Eleven
But as it happened, Temper’s maid came to inform her Giff waited below, not at noon, but just after ten the next morning. Horrified that she must have mistaken the time for their excursion, she rushed down to the parlour.
‘I’m so sorry, Giff!’ she cried, halting just inside the threshold as Newell turned from where he’d been pacing in front of the mantel. ‘I can change my gown in a trice. I must have truly been in alt, to have got the hour so wrong!’
‘No, you didn’t mistake it. We weren’t to leave until noon, but I just found out there will be a preliminary hearing on the anti-slavery bill this afternoon. Apparently the drafting team completed a revision last night and want the other members to read it and comment. It’s not imperative that I be there—this isn’t a final vote, but...’
‘Of course you must be there,’ Temper said at once, recognising the pull of conflicting loyalties in him—the duty he’d pledged to protect her and his responsibilities to his committee. ‘Our coachman will have no trouble finding Trenton Manor and, in the middle of the day, we don’t need a gentleman to escort us. Miss Henley will be travelling with her mother, but Mrs Moorsby and I will be perfectly safe going on our own.’
He looked at her anxiously. ‘Are you sure? I shall regret missing the reception, but I could on no account let you miss it. Not after having offered you so perfect a treat! Truly, if you do not feel comfortable driving to Highgate alone, I will accompany you as planned.’
‘I’m sorry you will miss the reception, too—’ more disappointed than she would let him know that she wouldn’t be able to share the experience with him ʻ—but your presence at the committee meeting is far more important. With several footmen and the coachman to watch over us, we shall be fine. You tend to your important work.’
He studied her face. ‘You are sure?’
She smiled at him. ‘Absolutely. And I promise to take careful mental notes, so I may regale you with wonderful stories of the Hindu Kush!’
‘Thank you for understanding,’ he said quietly. ‘Most ladies would be put out at having a gentleman cancel on them at the last minute. My mother would have a fit of the vapours.’
‘You clearly don’t know the right ladies,’ she teased, wanting to bring the smile back to his face. ‘Besides, I intend to sai
l the Indus myself, some day. Compared with that, an afternoon jaunt to a village barely outside London is no more hazardous than a walk in our back garden.’
To her delight, he seized her hand and kissed it. He probably knew as well as she it wasn’t wise, but she revelled in the thrill of it just the same. ‘Thank you, Temper,’ he said again, releasing her fingers. ‘I shall hold you to your promise of giving me a full account. Perhaps tonight?’
‘Go on to your committee,’ she told him. ‘I need to go decide which of my gowns makes me look most like a lady explorer!’
* * *
Late that afternoon, her mind afire with Lieutenant Williamson’s captivating descriptions of his India travels, Temperance walked with Miss Henley towards the outer edge of the garden surrounding Trenton Manor. The impromptu event had attracted a larger number of guests than she’d anticipated, both gentlemen interested in listening to the Lieutenant—to her surprise, Lord Theo among their number—and ladies and gentlemen who gathered on the terrace to take tea and stroll through the garden. Too enthused after the end of the Lieutenant’s presentation to want to descend from the plane of high adventure into the mundane world of London society, she’d slipped her arm through her friend’s and marched her off.
‘Sorry to steal you away from returning to your mama,’ she said when, after traversing several circuitous paths, they’d reached the outermost walk.
‘No need for apologies,’ Miss Henley said. ‘I could tell you were bursting to discuss Lieutenant Williamson’s stories and wouldn’t be able to abide chatting about everyday society events with Mama’s friends.’
Temper smiled. ‘Although I shall have to be careful. Lady Henley allows me your company because you’ve led her to believe I will attract potential suitors for you to impress. Bad enough that I just refused all offers to have any gentlemen escort us. If she discovers that I’ve dragged you beyond where we might expect to encounter any, she will probably curtail our friendship forthwith.’
The Earl's Inconvenient Wife Page 12