A Curious Courting

by Laura Matthews

  Chapter 18

  The rain continued through the night and into the next day. Rushton found a certain amount of humor in the necessity of his feeding his valet, who was mortified by such condescension on Rushton's part. “Don't fret, Victor. Miss Easterly-Cummings would find it marvelously amusing, and there is nothing I enjoy more than giving her a good laugh,” Rushton assured him.

  “But she won't know, sir."

  “All the more poignant,” Rushton replied, as he speared another bite of sirloin. “Do you know where my writing materials are?"

  “Certainly, sir. In the writing desk. I set them out as soon as we arrived."

  “I should have known. Victor, would you prefer to go home for a few weeks? You'd be more comfortable there, and not on the fidget about what you couldn't do.” Though the valet could not think of the proper words with which to accept this offer, Rushton clearly read the relief in his eyes. “That's what we'll do, then. I'll put you on the stage for London. Would you mind very much delivering several letters there for me before you go on?"

  “I feel sure I can manage that,” Victor said gruffly. “Thank you, sir."

  Rushton sat at the writing desk for some time, his chin in his hand, contemplating the blank sheet. The letter to the housekeeper in Curzon Street was a simple matter: have the house ready for his arrival in two or three weeks. The one to Cathford was much more tricky, but Rushton had a burning curiosity to find out if he had indeed meant Miss Easterly-Cummings. Eventually, he managed to ease in the question between mentioning that Lord John was designing his hunting-box and that he had bought the land from Miss Easterly-Cummings. Very neat, he decided. No hint of more than philosophical interest. Of course, there was the possibility that Cathford would miss the question altogether, but then Rushton could ask him when he got to town. For a minute he considered destroying the letter, since he would be in town so soon, but the urge to have the answer before then made him set it aside to go with Victor.

  The letter to Sir Penrith was the most difficult, especially stressing that the invitation must come from Lady Southwood as though it were her own idea. Nothing could be more fatal than to have Miss Easterly-Cummings think that he had engineered the whole thing. It would say more than he wished to at this point, and it might very well frighten her. There had been some talk, Rushton recalled, about Pen's sister Maria coming to town for Cassandra's Season, and of Maria being Miss Easterly-Cummings’ good friend. Rushton suggested that this might be another avenue for Pen to explore. Just see that she gets there, and I will be forever in your debt. I'll offer to have her cousin stay with me, so that she doesn't have to worry about leaving him here alone.

  On the whole, it was a very unsatisfactory letter. He was not able to tell Pen why he wished Miss Easterly-Cummings to come to London, though certainly the very request would stimulate the most rampant speculation in Pen's mind. Well, let it. There was no more Rushton could or would say on the matter right now. Fortunately, Pen was a patient man and not particularly prying, except perhaps in the case of Miss Longmead, and that had been more a matter of his inherent aversion to Rushton's leaving himself open to gossip.

  The three letters were duly dispatched with Victor on the stage that afternoon. Although Rushton drove past Shalbrook on his way to and from Leicester, he did not venture through the gates. He did instruct that a bouquet of daffodils be delivered there, with his note conveying his thanks for the previous evening. It would not do to present himself there every day, even on the pretext of teaching Henry to box. Now was the time to proceed very cautiously.

  Although he had not done so in some time, and then only for his mother's benefit, Rushton attended church the next day. Miss Easterly-Cummings and Henry arrived early and seated themselves in the family pew. Rushton arrived late and seated himself at the back. Bored as usual by the service, Henry saw him enter and excitedly nudged Selina in the ribs. She glared at him and would not allow him to whisper the startling tidings, so she did not discover for herself that he was present until the end of the service. There was a matter of parish relief which she had intended to discuss with the vicar, but Henry's tugging on her sleeve, and her own inclination, decided her to put it off for the time being. She would send him a note that afternoon.

  “Dr. Davenport, I doubt that you have met Mr. Rushton. He's building a house on the Ashfordby Road,” Selina said by way of introduction.

  The two men exchanged polite greetings, but Rushton did not remain long in conversation with the vicar, a man for whom he had developed a severe dislike in the course of one lengthy, boring and intolerably condescending sermon. As Rushton walked off with Selina and Henry, he shook his head. “If that is a sample of his usual fare, I don't think I shall bother to return. No wonder Pen's family have asked him to speak to the man."

  “Have they?” Selina asked with a smile. “I cannot think it would do the least good, though the gift is certainly in Pen's hands. Dr. Davenport is oblivious to criticism; he is, in fact, unaware of any. He's Henry's tutor, you know."

  “Intolerable! Henry, you have my most profound condolences."

  They had arrived at the end of the churchyard and Rushton looked about for their vehicle. “Didn't you drive?” he asked incredulously.

  “We were driven here, but we prefer to walk home.”

  “But it's several miles!"

  “I know. Usually it takes that long to regain my composure after one of Dr. Davenport's sermons,” Selina replied seriously.

  Henry said, “We have the phaeton when it rains, of course, but today appeared fair enough."

  “Come with me to the inn and I will drive you back.” Selina began to refuse, but Rushton continued, “Henry might like to take the ribbons."

  A gleam appeared in Henry's eyes and Selina sighed. “Very well, Henry. You go with Mr. Rushton and I'll see you later."

  “Nonsense. You are to come with us,” Rushton declared.

  Selina raised a disapproving brow. “Mr. Rushton, I wish to walk home, and, in case it has never been pointed out to you, a curricle will only hold two people."

  “I had intended to stand up behind."

  “Like a tiger?” Her eyes danced. “I would really have loved to see it, Mr. Rushton. Perhaps you will show me another day.” With a casual wave of her hand, she turned and walked through the gate and down a path leading across the fields.

  “Your cousin is the most vexing woman I have ever met,” Rushton growled as he and Henry set out in the opposite direction.

  “Well, you know, she's a bit stubborn and all, but I have always admired her for doing just as she pleases. If she wants to walk, she walks, and no amount of polite pressure will deter her. Sir Penrith often offers us a space in their carriage, but Selina is never one to accept out of a feeling of obligation."

  “Do you really enjoy walking miles after church?"

  “Not as much as Selina does, but I don't mind. At first, I was just so grateful to be able to walk that I would go anywhere. There's not much one can do on Sundays anyway, you see, so spending the time walking home is rather fun. Selina teaches me the names of trees and birds and such, or we play guessing games. But you mustn't think she minds walking alone! I've never known her bored by her own company. She says walking gives her a chance to think about things.”

  “She goes walking alone?"

  “Scamp usually goes with her, and sometimes I do. Generally she stays on Shalbrook land; there's more than enough to make for good, long walks."

  Rushton ended by allowing Henry to drive his team all the way to Shalbrook. They caught only the barest glimpse of Selina far across the fields, but Henry had a marvelous time. It was not at all the way Rushton had expected the day to turn out.

  Courting was turning into a very heavy business, Rushton decided, as he drove the grays into the stableyard at Shalbrook. If he didn't know of Lord Benedict, and probably Geoffrey Haslett, as previous suitors of Miss Easterly-Cummings, he would have said of a certainty that she had never been courte
d before, and had no interest in being courted in the future. Probably the latter was true, anyway. It was just as well that he had the excuse of coming to give Henry a boxing lesson. The way things were going, Rushton was not the least certain that he wanted to court the young lady, after all.

  Coming out of the stables to stand at the horses’ heads, Morris greeted Rushton as a now familiar visitor. “Fine day, sir. Shall I unharness them and give them a good rubdown? I've no time for these public stables, though I will say Joe Evans runs one as well as could be expected. You'll be a while, then?"

  “I expect so. Miss Easterly-Cummings and her cousin are at home, I take it."

  “Yes. Out riding they was earlier, but unless they be walking, you're like to find them in the house."

  “Thank you."

  Rushton was ushered into the library, where he found Selina and Henry poring over a letter. His arrival was greeted with enthusiasm by the latter, and a warm smile by Miss Easterly-Cummings, who extended her hand to him. “We have just had a letter from Lady Southwood. What a dear woman she is. Actually...” She paused bemused, as he raised her hand to his lips. “Ah, actually it is rather a joint effort with her daughter Maria Franmore, who was my closest friend when we were young. Cassandra is having the most delightful time in London."

  “Well, tell him the important part, Selina,” Henry said impatiently. “Lady Southwood has invited Selina to stay with them for a few weeks—to see London and be at Cassandra's ball."

  “Isn't that kind of her?” Selina asked. “Imagine thinking of me, when she has so much to do in preparation for Cassandra's ball. I shan't accept, of course, but it makes me feel..."

  “Not accept!” the two men exclaimed in unison.

  “But of course you will, Selina,” Henry protested. “You are not to stay here on my account. It is time you had some fun."

  “I have promised to be in town shortly myself,” Rushton told her, “and I had thought of inviting Henry to come with me. I shall only be a few weeks, and it would do him no harm to acquire some town polish. You could keep an eye on him,” he suggested quizzingly.

  Selina regarded him with astonishment. “Take Henry with you to London? Whatever for? He is far too young to attend parties, and gaming houses, and ... and all the other places I am sure you frequent."

  “I promise you I have no intention of leading him astray, Miss Easterly-Cummings. He is not too young to attend Astley's, or see the Tower, or explore the maze at Hampton Court,” Rushton returned stiffly. “He would enjoy visiting Jackson's and Manton's, and seeing Westminster Abbey."

  “Mr. Rushton,” Selina said slowly, enunciating each syllable carefully, “I cannot picture you bear-leading a lad of sixteen in London. The imagination buckles under such an outrageous load. And I fail to see any humor if this is a jest. It is unfair to raise Henry's hopes by even mentioning such a scheme."

  Somehow, it had not occurred to Rushton that she would see anything absurd in his taking the boy under his wing. He had, in fact, thought, when he had thought about it at all, that she would see it as a sign, perhaps more pointed than he wished to give, of his interest in her. To have the tables turned on himself in this way was hardly pleasant. Resisting a desire to shake those slender shoulders, he asked, “Would you deny Henry the treat of seeing London, Miss Easterly-Cummings? Of meeting the other boys who will be there on Easter holiday? Of viewing the world through other eyes than yours?"

  “I deny Henry very little, Mr. Rushton. Take him with you! Show him the cockpits and the prizefights. Have an ice with him at Gunther's. Take him to a balloon ascent and a fair. You will have the most enchanting time. And don't forget to take him with you to Covent Garden or Drury Lane. I'm sure your friends will be most amused by your latest acquisition. Perhaps others will scout out their nephews and cousins to sport them about town, too. You can start a new fad."

  “Selina,” Henry said brokenly, “I am sure Mr. Rushton meant no harm. He didn't think of what a nuisance it would be to have a b-boy with him; he was only being kind."

  “I thought so,” Rushton remarked evenly, his temper well under control now. “At sixteen, I considered Henry old enough to amuse himself without my constant attendance. There will be other young men there, for him to explore London with and taste the delights that fellows his age find most intriguing. I had not intended to abandon him to his fate, or act as his nursemaid. I shall not be so preoccupied as to be unable to provide him with guidance, but if he isn't old enough to scout about town on his own, I would not consider taking him."

  “He may go if he wishes, and if he feels capable of managing on those terms,” Selina replied with a notable lack of enthusiasm.

  “Won't you come and stay with the Southwoods?” Henry begged. “You have often spoken of all the things you would do if you ever got to London, and this is your chance."

  “This is not the time to visit them, Henry. No one wants a house-guest when they are preparing for a large entertainment."

  “But they've invited you!” Henry protested.

  “Probably Maria is being impulsive. We have written of seeing one another this summer, and she is eager to show off her family to me. But that can wait. She plans to return to Oak Park with Lady Southwood at the end of the Season.” Selina laid a hand on Henry's sleeve. “If you wish to go, Henry, then you should go. I trust you will behave yourself and not cause Mr. Rushton any trouble."

  Henry cast a despairing glance between his two elders, torn between a strong desire to visit the capital and an equally strong desire to please his cousin. This should surely be the time for him to keep his promise to show Selina respect, to accede to her authority. With a pathetic attempt to subdue his contrary emotions, he turned to Rushton. “It is very good of you to even think of taking me with you, sir, and I ... I thank you most sincerely. I could not impose so on your good nature, however, and I shall have to decline."

  “Oh, Henry, you gudgeon,” Selina said mournfully. “I am not asking you to make sacrifices. Please go with Mr. Rushton. Impose on him! Eat him out of house and home! Use his horses and his carriages. Take up his time showing you about. He deserves to be repaid for all his thoughtful intervention in our domestic matters."

  Rushton had just decided that he was crazy to have ever considered Selina as his wife. With a tongue like that, he would not have a moment's peace for the rest of his life. He caught a glimpse of her shaking shoulders as she turned away, and for a moment he thought she was crying again, but no, a gurgle of laughter escaped her, and soon she was laughing outright to both his and Henry's astonishment. When she had regained sufficient composure to face them she said, “Forgive me! On the surface it is a ludicrous notion, you know. Why on earth would Mr. Rushton want to be unnecessarily saddled with a youngster? And in London, of all places! I am not used to thinking of your acting on generous impulses, sir. It is really very kind of you and I am sure Henry will enjoy himself tremendously. And I don't think you would be unduly hampered by his presence. He's quite able to look after himself, as you suggested."

  “And you think perhaps I would not lead him astray?” Rushton asked gravely.

  “That I am not so sure of,” Selina said wryly, “but, do you know, I feel I may trust you. Oh, you will take him places that I would not go, but that is not to say that Henry shouldn't. Did I ... offend you, Mr. Rushton? I have a way of doing that, haven't I?"

  “Yes, my dear lady, you do. Just once,” he declared in imitation of her previous performance, “I would like to have an interview with you that did not consist largely of wrangling. Just out of curiosity as to whether it could be accomplished, you understand. If I were to present myself here tomorrow at two to take you driving, would you endeavor to satisfy my whim?"

  Selina dropped her eyes from his. “Yes."

  “Very well. You may expect me."

  “You will have a good meal before you come, won't you?” she asked impulsively.

  His eyebrows rose in wonder, but he merely shrugged.

&n
bsp; “Certainly, if you wish it. Henry, shall we get on with our lesson? Until tomorrow, Miss Easterly-Cummings."

  JOURNAL. March 30. Should have waited for the post before going to Shalbrook; Pen's letter warned me that Miss E-C would hardly consider it commonplace for me to invite Henry to London. I have urged the boy to convince his cousin to go to the Southwoods', but I see little chance of his success. The best-laid plans and all that ... Lord John comes with the plans Friday.

  Chapter 19

  “I thought I might show you my first endeavor in the vale,” Rushton suggested as he handed Selina into the curricle. Although the sun shone, the air was chilly and she wore the scarlet mantelet which he thought delightful on her. “Shall I put the rug about you?"

  “No, thank you. I'm perfectly warm. Have you done something in the vale already?"

  “Yes, but I intend for it to be a surprise. I've been organizing for the construction, too. Lord John has given me a list of the various trades we'll have need of, and I have found a personable young man in Barton who has undertaken to arrange for the hiring. He has been instructed to use neighborhood people wherever possible, of course,” he assured her.

  “I'm glad."

  “It was part of our agreement. His name is Drew Norton. Do you know him?"

  “Yes.” Selina watched his large hands as they lightly guided the pair through the Shalbrook gates and left onto the road. “If you had asked my advice, I would have recommended him."

  “Hmm. It gave me great satisfaction to find him on my own,” he retorted.

  “I'm sure it did. Have you seen Lord John recently?"

  “No, he's to come Friday. Construction will probably begin just when I am to leave for London."