Edward’s own lips drew into a taut line as he replied, “She did not. But if you consult with Lord Kirkwood, I believe you will find she is to come with us.”
That was evidently a facer, Jeremy noted, seeing the lady’s look of astonishment and disbelief. No doubt, he thought grimly, it matched his own. In the midst of this discussion Lord Kirkwood appeared on the doorstep himself. “What’s this?” he demanded. “Why haven’t you all gone to the festivities yet? Is there some problem?”
“They wish Rosalind to go with them,” Lady Kirkwood said in frozen accents.
Kirkwood’s face darkened. “Do they? Nonsense!” His eyes met Edward’s.
“She has been pledged to accompany Miss Delwyn for the past week, you know,” Edward said quietly.
For a long moment the two men stared at one another. Then Kirkwood’s shoulders sagged and he said, “Well, if she is going, then let her go!”
“But the Marquess of Alnwick?” Lady Kirkwood protested softly to her husband. “He is due sometime this evening and you know how angry he was that Rosalind was out during the day.”
“The devil take Alnwick; we will think of something to tell him!” was the furiously whispered reply.
And then Rosalind herself appeared, dressed to go out with a silk shawl about her shoulders. With perfect equanimity Edward handed her into the carriage shared by his mother, Lady Delwyn, and Emmaline.
As they returned to the other carriage Jeremy asked, “How the devil did you manage that, Edward? What did you say to Lord Kirkwood?”
Hastings colored but answered evenly, “I hinted there was another suitor in view, one better placed. I also said that if he did not give that suitor a chance to court his daughter, I would raise a scandal over the affair.”
“So tomorrow when he discovers there is no other suitor, he will once again press Rosalind to marry that blackguard?” Jeremy asked heavily.
Edward merely had time to shrug in reply. He did manage to smooth over, however, the questions Sir Osbert and Lord Barnett naturally had over the scene that had just occurred. Fortunately they had not been close enough to hear what was said and Edward fobbed them off with a Banbury tale of warnings to make an early night of it. Soon enough they had reached the vicinity of the park and it was time to leave the carriages and make their way on foot through the press of the crowd to see the pagoda. “It stands some seven stories tall, I hear,” Lord Barnett told Mrs. Hastings as he guided her toward the goal.
“Quite right,” Edward agreed, “and it stands on a bridge over the canal.”
“There it is.” Rosalind pointed. “I do believe you can just see the top of it from here.”
When they were much closer, they were able to see the Japanese lanterns at the pagoda and the gas jets on the roof. Most of the ton had turned out for the spectacle. The time passed quickly in greeting friends and exchanging the latest on-dits, one of which was the news of Sir Osbert’s marriage. He and Anna delighted in the felicitations of everyone and the exclamations of astonishment at his renewed health.
All too soon the fireworks began. Immediately Rosalind played her part. Drooping against Edward, she said, in a faint voice, “Forgive me, Mrs. Hastings, but suddenly I find that I do not feel well.”
“Don’t worry, I shall take you home at once,” Edward said, picking up his cue. “Miss Delwyn, surely you will accompany us? You may be able to give Miss Kirkwood some comfort.”
“Of course,” Emmaline said in a tiny voice. “You will excuse us, Mrs. Hastings?”
“Yes, yes,” she said impatiently. “And I suppose Jeremy will wish to go as well.”
None of the four protested and soon they were making their way out of the park, but not toward the carriages. This time, for the sake of discretion, they wanted to hire a hackney. As they walked, Edward spoke rapidly to Barnett. “You must first go back to your quarters, Jeremy. I left some things there that Rosalind will need. And Emmaline. She does not mean to go back to my mother’s house tonight. You must fetch them.”
Jeremy’s face must have betrayed something of the astonishment he felt, for Rosalind asked innocently, “Do you mean to elope with Edward as well, Emmaline?”
Jeremy did not wait to hear her answer but flung himself away. “I shall meet you at the Cat and Hound within the hour,” he called over his shoulder. “You are to go nowhere until I arrive,” he told Emmaline and Edward grimly.
Her face very pale, Emmaline could do nothing but follow her friends to the street, where Edward quickly procured one of the hackneys hanging about hoping for fares. Nor did the fellow so much as blink when Edward gave as their destination the name of the posting house for the North road.
“Thank goodness for the stolid lack of curiosity of such fellows,” Edward said with a sigh of relief as they settled themselves in the carriage. He turned to Rosalind and said earnestly, “Now, Miss Kirkwood, it will take a little time to get there but you must not be nervous. Between us we have arranged everything and soon all will be well.”
“I cannot like an elopement,” she replied gravely, “but it seems the only answer. I wonder what marriage to Jeremy will be like.”
“Interesting, I haven’t the slightest doubt,” Edward told her coolly.
Emmaline leaned farther and farther back into the shadows of the carriage, unwilling to have either of her companions see her face. She was very much afraid that something of her distress must be showing, and indeed, if Rosalind’s faintness earlier had been feigned, Emmaline’s own was now very real.
19
THE Delwyns, Lord Barnett, and Mrs. Hastings were still watching the fireworks when suddenly the pagoda burst into flames and toppled over into the water. Sir Osbert was the first to realize that this had not been part of the planned spectacle. He immediately confided his suspicions to the others and said, “We had best get out of here before the crowd realizes what is afoot and gives way to panic.”
As a result, they were well away before the general exodus began. Mrs. Hastings was somewhat surprised to discover that her son had taken neither carriage, but was inclined to put it down to a filial concern that his elders not be crowded into one. “I think I should like to go back to the Kirkwood house first, before we go on to Green Park,” Sir Osbert said to Mrs. Hastings as he handed her into her carriage. “To collect Emmaline, if she is still there.”
“An excellent notion,” Mrs. Hastings said approvingly. “I shall come along as well since Edward will no doubt be with her.”
In spite of his earlier foresight, Sir Osbert had no suspicion of what was about to occur. He and Barnett discussed instead the pagoda and speculated upon how many persons might have been injured. Anna had chosen to ride with Mrs. Hastings, the two ladies well on their way to becoming fast friends, and they discussed the forthcoming wedding between Emmaline and Jeremy. Mrs. Hastings said nothing to disillusion her companion, for it was her sincere hope that the wedding would take place so that she need no longer worry about her son and his involvement with Miss Delwyn.
When they reached the Kirkwood household, it was Sir Osbert who left the carriage and rapped upon the door, which was immediately opened. “I believe Miss Kirkwood returned, sometime since, and I wonder if my daughter, Miss Delwyn, who was with her is still here.”
The footman looked a trifle startled. “But Miss Kirkwood has not yet returned,” he replied.
“Are you certain?” Sir Osbert asked, somewhat taken aback. “Please do me the favor to go and check with your mistress. Perhaps you simply did not see her return.”
The footman’s face betrayed none of his outrage at the suggestions that he might have been remiss in his duties. Instead he bowed and said, “If you will come inside, I shall endeavor to see if her ladyship will speak with you.”
Delwyn did so. After what seemed an interminable time Lady Kirkwood appeared. “Sir Osbert?” she asked. He nodded and she went on, “My footman tells me that you expected to find my daughter here. But you must know she has gone out with yours
.”
“Yes, yes,” Sir Osbert said impatiently, “but she was not feeling quite the thing and my daughter Emmaline, Edward Hastings, and Jeremy Barnett all volunteered to bring her back here. That was some time ago.”
“Perhaps they were delayed, their carriage caught up by the crowds,” Lady Kirkwood suggested.
“Perhaps,” Sir Osbert agreed doubtfully, “though our own had no difficulty reaching here.”
“Perhaps you would care to wait for your daughter to arrive?” Lady Kirkwood offered reluctantly.
“Yes, yes I should,” Sir Osbert agreed readily. “Will you excuse me while I inform my companions?”
“Of course,” she said graciously.
The footman held the door open while Sir Osbert quickly went down the steps and spoke to Mrs. Hastings. “It appears that they have not yet gotten here,” he told her. “I mean to wait until they do.”
“Perhaps they went to my house,” Mrs. Hastings suggested sensibly. “I shall go there, and if they did I shall send word round to you straightaway.”
“Thank you,” Sir Osbert said warmly. “Barnett will no doubt accompany you so that you need not brave the streets alone.”
Anna reached out her hand to her husband and asked, “What should you like me to do, my love? Wait here with you or go with Mrs. Hastings?”
“Wait here with me,” he answered promptly. She stepped out of the carriage to join her husband just as Lord Barnett came up to them, drawn by curiosity. “What the devil is going on?” he asked.
Quickly Sir Osbert put him in possession of the facts and he agreed with alacrity to accompany Mrs. Hastings home. “You keep the other carriage here,” he said.
When they arrived, Emmaline’s maid was waiting with a note in her hand, addressed to Mrs. Hastings. She wasted no time in opening it. Lord Barnett seated himself opposite and waited for her to read it. When she was done, Mrs. Hastings crumpled the note and said to Barnett in a voice that was scarcely above a whisper, “I was afraid of this. They have done it. My son and Miss Delwyn have run off together.”
“Nonsense,” Barnett said sharply as he came to his feet. “That is absurd. Miss Delwyn is to marry my son. They are in love with one another.”
“That is what I thought,” Mrs. Hastings retorted. “Until Emmaline disabused me of the notion. She has fallen out of love with your son and into love with mine. But she has been afraid to tell you or her father because of the shock to his system and your threat to your son.”
“Nonsense,” Barnett repeated. His face was a trifle pale, however, as he added, “I had no desire for the poor girl to be driven to lengths such as this. But are you sure?”
“See for yourself,” Mrs. Hastings said in tragic accents then burst into tears. Gingerly Barnett read the note aloud:
My Dear Mrs. Hastings,
You have been very kind to me, but I can no longer stay under your roof. You need have no fear, however. Edward will see me safely into my father’s care after we have done what we must. Whatever occurs, you must not be angry with Rosalind and Jeremy. Later, I shall send round for my things. By then everyone will understand that marriage between myself and Jeremy is out of the question. In view of your many kindnesses to me, I could not bear to face you again, after this. I remain, however,
Respectfully yours, Emmaline Delwyn
“There! You see?” Mrs. Hastings sobbed again. “What else can she mean save that she cannot face me after running off with my son. And no doubt Jeremy and Rosalind are helping them. That is why the girl was not at the Kirkwood household.”
Lord Barnett was not entirely convinced. He said as much, then added hastily as a fresh wave of crying overtook the lady, “Well, but even if it is true, whatever are we to do about it? We haven’t the slightest clue as to where they have gone.”
“The North road, I’ve no doubt,” she retorted impatiently. “Headed for Gretna Green. It is just the sort of thing that might seem romantic to a foolish girl like Emmaline.”
“Why don’t you ask her maid if she knows anything,” Barnett suggested reasonably. “If she does, it will save us a great deal of trouble.”
Fortunately, Mary had anticipated that she might be wanted and in a matter of minutes she stood facing the pair after making a neat little curtsy. “Yes, ma’am. She did say that she meant to go to her father. But I overheard her say that first she would be going to the Cat and Hound Inn. She was talking to herself and didn’t see me and I thought that odd enough that I ought to remember it.”
“You see?” Mrs. Hastings demanded of Barnett. “That’s right on the North road. We must go after them at once. Yes, and send word round to her father at the Kirkwoods. Perhaps he can talk some sense into her even if we cannot. Come, hurry! There may yet be time to stop this folly.”
Barnett could not have disobeyed even had he wished to, and he did not wish to. Bitterly he noted that this was more than a little his own fault for pressing his son and Emmaline into a betrothal that neither obviously had wanted. If they caught up with the eloping pair, at least he could tell Emmaline that he would no longer force the point with his son and that she was therefore not obliged to take such a disastrous step.
The carriage, which had been sent to the stables, was soon brought round again and the two on their way. A boy had already been dispatched with a note for Sir Osbert. Grimly Barnett wondered what his friend would say when he learned what was afoot.
As it turned out, Sir Osbert almost did not. It was a different footman who opened the door to the boy with the message and he thought the lad had mistaken the house. Only when the boy hotly insisted that Sir Osbert was inside did the noise bring the first footman, who immediately recognized the name and accepted the note. He lost no time in presenting it to the gentleman involved.
With a frown, Sir Osbert accepted the missive the footman held out to him and said to Lady Kirkwood and his wife, a trifle uneasily, “Pray excuse me. Perhaps it is word that the young people are all at Mrs. Hastings’ home.”
He read rapidly, turning paler by the moment. To the two ladies he said shakily, “Forgive me. I must be off at once.”
“What is it?” Anna asked with concern.
“Mischief, I’ve no doubt. Is there mention of my daughter as well?” Lady Kirkwood said icily.
“I’m afraid there is,” Sir Osbert said quietly. “An elopement is afoot. Mrs. Hastings and Lord Barnett are on their way to stop it—as shall I in a few moments.”
At once Anna was on her feet. “I’ll come too,” she said. “My presence may help to allay gossip. We are fortunate in that everyone will be out late tonight at the celebrations and it will not seem odd if we are seen returning home past midnight. Does the note say where we are to go?”
“The Cat and Hound Inn,” he said grimly.
“On the North road!” Lady Kirkwood cried, fanning herself rapidly. “I knew it! Rosalind is eloping with Edward Hastings and your daughter and Jeremy Barnett are helping them. I knew there would be trouble! And my husband not even here to help. What shall I do?”
Sir Osbert spoke quietly. “The note merely says that I am to meet Barnett and Mrs. Hastings to prevent an elopement. Perhaps Emmaline is eloping with Jeremy.”
“Why should she do that?” Anna asked in bewilderment. “They have both your blessing and Lord Barnett’s.”
“Yes why should they do that. No, sir, you are mistaken,” Lady Kirkwood said in stentorian tones. “Hastings came just this morning to tell my husband that in the face of our own plans for Rosalind, he meant to court her. When my husband refused permission, he laughed and made threats of scandal if we did not allow him to see her. But we never dreamed he would go so far as to elope! Though I own I wish you were right. Let me send for Rosalind’s maid and see if she left us a note.” A few minutes later that girl curtsied meekly to the three and said, when asked, “No, m’lady. She did say, though, that if you are to wonder, I should tell you that she might not be home when you expected.”
As Lady
Kirkwood pressed a hand to her now-feverish brow Sir Osbert said firmly, “Anna and I must be off, Lady Kirkwood. You are not to worry about a thing. We shall catch up with them and bring your daughter home to you straightaway, and I promise you there will be no scandal. When your husband returns, you may tell him so.”
20
EMMALINE paced the floor of the small parlor Edward had thoughtfully bespoken at the Cat and Hound. It did not ease her agitation that both Rosalind and Edward appeared to be entirely calm. They were only waiting, Edward had said, until Jeremy arrived for the final arrangements to be made and everyone to be on their way.
Jeremy, when he did arrive, looked even paler than Emmaline. He brought the parcels that Edward had sent him for into the room and then looked at Rosalind. That young lady rose to her feet but did not even blush in the slightest as she placed a gentle hand on his arm and said, “I know we must be leaving soon and I assure you I shall be ready in a trice. But there is something I must do first and I pray you will excuse me.”
Jeremy would have stopped her but Edward was also on his feet and saying, “I shall go see to everything, Jeremy, so that there need be no delay.”
Then they were both gone from the room and Emmaline and Jeremy were left to face one another. She could not bear it, however, and turned away. Faintly she said, “I must wish you well on your journey, Jeremy, and hope that this will solve both your problems and Rosalind’s. I hope you will be happy together.”
“And you?” he demanded roughly from behind her. “I suppose you are to elope with Edward? And that is why there is a parcel here for you as well as for Rosalind?”
The Counterfeit Betrothal Page 15