by Anne Herries
‘I should be a poor dab of a thing if I let such an accident upset me,’ Susannah said. ‘If you could help me to the curricle and take me to the nearest hostelry. I am a little shaken—a glass of wine, perhaps, while they change the horses?’
‘Anything you wish,’ Toby said fervently. ‘I am much at fault, Miss Hampton. I cannot bear to think what might have happened…’
Susannah touched her fingers to his lips and smiled. ‘No more foolishness. Please help me to the curricle and we shall forget this, for I am as much to blame as you, sir. I teased you to let me drive.’
It was perfectly true, but Toby knew himself at fault. Had anything happened to her, he could hardly have faced her mama and friends—and he did not dare to think what Harry might say to him!
Susannah’s ankle was so much better by the time they stopped that she was able to get down with Toby’s assistance and hobble to an outside seat while he fetched her a glass of wine and had the horses changed. It was as she was sitting sipping her wine that a large, important-looking carriage swept into the yard and two ladies got down, making their way towards the inn. A gentleman followed them on horse back. He dismounted, spoke to the groom and then turned to go into the inn, stopping in astonishment as he saw Susannah sitting on the wooden bench, sipping her wine.
‘Miss Hampton,’ Harry said and frowned disapprovingly. ‘What are you doing here?’
Susannah smiled up at him. ‘We have had a little adventure, sir. Toby is finding us some horses, for the others are blown.’
‘An adventure! What nonsense is this?’ he demanded, for it was most improper for Susannah to be alone drinking wine in the sunshine at the inn. ‘Has Toby got you into some trouble, Susannah?’
‘It wasn’t his fault, truly,’ Susannah told him. ‘The horses were startled by a gun firing three times close by and they bolted—and then, just as he had them just under control, a farm cart came out and—’ She broke off as she saw the flash of anger in his eyes. ‘It was not so very terrible and Toby says—’
‘The young idiot may tell me himself!’ Harry said as Toby came towards them, looking awkward. ‘Miss Hampton tells me you let your cattle bolt? And you wish to be a member of the Four-in-Hand? It seems you cannot control a pair, sir! What have you to say for yourself?’
‘Nothing that helps,’ Toby said, looking guilty. ‘However, Miss Hampton was not much hurt and—’
‘Hurt? Susannah was hurt?’ He swung round, staring at her accusingly. ‘You did not tell me that you were hurt.’
‘I—I fell when the cart struck us and banged my head,’ Susannah said. ‘Everything went black for a moment, but I have recovered well enough now.’
‘You must go home at once and you should not be drinking wine in this heat, especially after a knock on the head.’ Harry glared at Toby. ‘What were you thinking of to bring her here?’
‘I had no choice. We had to change the horses and Miss Hampton wished for a drink.’
‘Then you should have given her water or a cordial,’ Harry said. ‘I shall take her home instantly in your curricle. You will take my horse and escort my mother and Miss Hazledeane. You will explain why I have left them to your care. Please see if you can escort them the short distance to Bath without causing more harm!’
Toby stared at him, his face red with embarrassment. Susannah threw him a look of sympathy and touched his arm as she followed Harry to the curricle. She tried not to limp, even though her ankle hurt, because she did not wish to bring another torrent of abuse down on Toby. Harry’s outburst had shocked her. Poor Toby did not deserve it and she was not pleased with Harry’s be ha vi our at all; he was arrogant, unfair and shockingly rude. It made her wonder if she really knew him at all. She had considered him the gentlest, kindest man of her acquaintance and it really was too bad of him to treat Toby so!
Because she was upset, she ignored Harry’s hand and accepted help from Toby’s groom, who was observing the shocking scene in silence. Susannah took her lead from him and kept a dignified silence as Harry climbed into the curricle with her and the groom jumped up at the back. She noticed the way Harry took the reins, how strong and powerful his hands were as he gave the order for the horses to walk on. It was odd that she had not noticed it in particular before. Perhaps it was because she had been spending so much time in Toby’s company that she now under stood the difference between the charming young man and his uncle.
Lost in her thoughts and feeling subdued, she did not speak once during the short drive back to Bath. She risked a glance at Harry’s face once, but he still seemed angry and she discovered that she did not wish to talk to him. He had scolded her for drinking wine and he had unfairly abused Toby. She hunched her shoulder towards him, deliberately keeping a distance between them. He was too bad! To stay away so long and then return just when he was not wanted, earlier than promised. If he had not come until the day after tomorrow, as his letter said, he would have known nothing of their adventure.
Outside the house in the crescent, Harry brought the horses to a stand still, tossed the reins to the groom and offered Susannah his hand, giving her no chance to ignore him. To have done so would have been the height of rudeness, and, even though she was still a little bruised by the un fair ness of his attack, she would not go to such lengths to show displeasure. She allowed him to help her down, thanking him in a small, polite voice.
‘Forgive me if I have offended you,’ Harry told her. ‘I was perhaps a little abrupt, but I was shocked and anxious. Had anyone else drawn up and seen you…someone may have seen you in passing. It is not as bad as it might have been, for it was the middle of the day—but you might have found yourself severely censured. To sit outside an inn alone with only my nephew as your escort—’
‘And his groom!’
‘A groom!’ Harry dismissed the man. ‘It could have meant a loss of reputation, Miss Hampton.’
‘It was my suggestion. We needed to change the horses and…you were unfair to Toby, sir. It was not his fault, truly it wasn’t.’
‘You are on intimate terms with my nephew. Am I to take it there is an understanding between you?’ Harry glared at her.
‘No! Of course not. How could there…?’ Susannah turned away abruptly as the tears threatened. How could he even ask such a thing? He must know…he must know she would never do any thing improper. The groom had rapped at the door; as it opened, Susannah went inside, managing not to hobble until she had pushed the door to after her. She went slowly upstairs, hoping that her mother and Amelia had taken their walk to the Pump Room, as they had talked of doing. She did not want to have to explain why Harry had brought her back—or perhaps she ought to think of him as Lord Pendleton, for she doubted he would make her an offer now. In his eyes she had disgraced herself!
Susannah went into her room, throwing herself down to weep until the tears were finished. When her maid came, she asked if she could put a cold compress on her ankle and the girl obliged. She wanted to summon a doctor, but Susannah refused. Quite enough fuss had been made already over a sprained ankle!
She felt hurt that Harry could accuse her of behaving badly—and to ask if she had an understanding when he must know she cared for him was the limit. She was so angry with him she almost wished that she had fallen in love with Toby just to spite him. She dashed her angry tears away as temper gave way to distress.
How could Harry think that she would wish to marry anyone but him?
In the morning Susannah’s ankle was still sore. She explained it to her mama by saying that she had twisted it when getting down to walk for a little at a beauty spot and made nothing of it. She claimed that she was pleased to have a day sitting quietly at home.
‘I have an appointment for tea this afternoon,’ Amelia told her. ‘Should I cancel it, my love? I shall sit with you if you are lonely, for your mama also has an appointment and I think hers is more important than mine. She has been asked to go driving with Lady Elizabeth this afternoon.’
‘I shal
l do very well with a book,’ Susannah said. ‘Please, you must both keep your engagements. I have none until this evening when we attend the theatre and I shall be glad to rest my ankle.’
‘If it is no better, I shall have the doctor brought in when I return,’ Mrs Hampton said. ‘Unless you would like him now, dearest?’
Susannah insisted that her ankle would be better after a day of rest and that she would be able to ac company them to the theatre that evening. Amelia and Mrs Hampton were reluctant to leave her alone, but after more objections they went and Susannah settled down to her book. She had read no more than a chapter when she decided that she was far too restless to concentrate. Oh, why had Harry been so horrible to her the previous day? She had longed for him to come so much and now it was all spoiled!
Susannah frowned and put her book aside. She got up and went out into the garden at the rear. It was not a large garden, but it was pretty and she knew Amelia had plans for the borders, which would mature the following spring. She felt wistful, as if she had lost some thing without knowing what it was. She found a bench in the garden and sat down, watching some birds squabbling over a piece of bread they had found.
‘I trust you are feeling better, Miss Hampton?’
Susannah jumped and turned, startled by Harry’s voice. ‘Who let you in? I did not know you had been admitted.’ Her voice was harsher than she knew and he frowned.
‘Would you have for bid den me if you had?’ Harry asked. ‘For give me. I wished to speak with you alone—but if you would rather I went…’
‘No, do not go…’ She blushed as she saw his look. ‘I dare say Amelia and Mama will be back soon.’
‘Your maid told me to go through into the parlour and I saw you out here. I think we are permitted the garden, for we may be seen from every window in the house. However, I shall not stay long. I came only to enquire if you had seen a doctor. Toby told me that you were unconscious for a short time.’
‘Barely a minute,’ Susannah told him. ‘I did not wish to alarm Mama, and I am perfectly well. She does not know that I fell—only that I twisted my ankle a little.’
‘I see—do you think that wise?’
‘I wish to save her anxiety. I am perfectly recovered.’
‘And yet your ankle is still a little sore.’ His expression was serious, even severe. ‘I came here to apologise for my outburst yesterday, Susannah. I was shocked to see you sitting there, apparently alone, and I fear that I was too harsh.’
‘I do not think I deserved such censure.’
‘No, you did not—but you must admit that you were careless of your reputation.’
‘Perhaps…’ Susannah glanced away, her cheeks pink. ‘Your mother sent a note, inviting Mama to drive out with her this afternoon. They know each other a little…’ She hesitated, then, ‘I hope you still mean to invite me to stay at Pendleton, sir?’
‘I do not withdraw my invitations or my friend ship lightly, though others may,’ Harry said. She glanced at him, but his friendly smile was missing. ‘I shall see you tomorrow. I am glad you have recovered from your fright.’
‘I was not frightened at all, even when the horses bolted,’ Susannah told him, lifting her head high. ‘It was an adventure and I enjoyed it—even if you do not approve of my be ha vi our.’
‘I see…’ Harry inclined his head curtly. ‘I see that I have made you angry. Please excuse me, Miss Hampton.’
Susannah sat on long after he had gone, the tears trick ling down her cheeks. She had quarrelled with him again and she did not know why. She wanted him to like her—to love her—just as she did him! She had not meant to do anything improper, but she was very much afraid that she had lost Lord Pendleton’s good opinion. He had stood by her when the Marquis of Northaven attacked her, but this time he seemed very angry indeed.
Harry was angry as he walked away from the house, though he could not have been certain why he felt so very aggrieved. His business had proved more complicated than he could have expected, for Miss Hazledeane was not quite the meek child he had imagined. She was twenty, beautiful with dark brown hair and greenish brown eyes that some called hazel. She had thanked him for his care of her brother, but seemed reluctant to accept him as her guardian. How ever, when he told her that they were to go to Bath for a few days before going on to his mother’s estate she had accepted with a good grace.
‘I hope I shall not need your help for long, sir,’ she had told him with a flash of her re mark able eyes. ‘When I am one and twenty I shall have a small bequest that was left to me by my maternal grand mother. It is enough so that I can live independently. In the meantime, I would be glad to set up my own house hold—if you could arrange for me to have whatever Frederick left me.’
Harry had explained that she would be lucky to have a hundred pounds, and after that she had been more amenable to his plans, but it was clear that she was a lady with a mind of her own.
He shrugged—he had not asked to be her guardian and would have preferred to hand her over to a relation. However, he had given his word to keep her safe and he would do so—at least until two months’ time when she gained her independence.
Miss Hazledeane was a mere in convenience, but the matter of Susannah was more difficult. Before they all left London he had been on the verge of making a proposal and it had been in his mind to do so as soon as he saw her again. Now he was not sure how he felt. Indeed, she seemed to have abandoned her feelings for him. She had been seeing a lot of Toby and he was beginning to wonder if the pair were not better suited.
Once again, Harry was thrown into confusion. He was certain of his own feelings, but there was a reluctance to be married simply for the sake of wealth and position. He might have married long ago if all he required in a wife was compliance. He had this foolish notion that his wife should love him, at least as much as he loved her—and he knew that he would die for Susannah if it were necessary. While he would not expect such heroics from her, he did want her to feel that she could not happily live without him.
Perhaps he expected too much. After all, she was beautiful, charming and much admired. Most men would be satisfied with that. He knew that he must be a perverse creature, but he wanted so much more.
Chapter Six
Susannah was able to visit the theatre with her mother and Amelia that evening, but she did not enjoy it as much as usual, be cause as the seats were filling up she saw Harry Pendleton come in with two ladies. Her mother identified them as Lady Elizabeth and her ward Miss Jenny Hazledeane, whom she had met briefly that afternoon.
‘Miss Hazledeane is very beautiful,’ Susannah said and sighed. There was some thing about the other girl that made her feel an instant anti pa thy, though she knew it was unfair, for they had never met. She would not allow herself to dislike the other girl just be cause she was holding Harry’s arm as if she were on intimate terms with him! She would instead make an effort to be friendly when they were introduced. ‘Do you not think so?’
‘Yes, she is,’ Mrs Hampton agreed, looking reflective. ‘I thought her a little cold, even reserved, but perhaps I do not know her well enough to judge. We only spoke for a moment. No, I was wrong to say it. She is in mourning for her brother, who died recently. His death left her alone in the world and that is why she has come to stay with Lady Elizabeth. It is hardly to be remarked if she had nothing to say for herself.’
‘Has she no one at all?’
‘No one. Her brother was once a great friend of Lord Pendleton. He was ill and Lord Pendleton is in charge of his estate.’
‘Oh…’ Susannah was thoughtful. ‘Do you imagine she is an heiress, Mama?’
‘I have no idea,’ her mother said and glanced at her. ‘You may be certain that the gossips will find it out if it is so—but it cannot matter. Lord Pendleton is not in need of a fortune. Besides, Lady Elizabeth was most kind to me, Susannah. She said that she would be pleased to have me visit her often in the future.’
Susannah frowned as she saw the satisfied
look in her mother’s eyes. Undoubtedly the two mothers had settled it all between them. Susannah was torn between a pleased feeling that an announcement was expected and annoyance that Harry should have taken her for granted. Before she left London she had been on fire for a proposal, but now she was un certain. His anger at the inn—and when he called on her the next day—had made her feel that he must have a shocking temper. It was grossly unfair to give Toby such a set-down! He had also been very sharp with her! Surely she had not done anything so very terrible?
She tried to put their quarrel out of her mind, but she dreaded the interval, for she suspected that Harry would visit their box. Her heart sank when he did just that, accompanied by his mother and the beautiful Miss Hazledeane. The introductions were made and Susannah received a warm kiss on the cheek from Lady Elizabeth.
‘I am very pleased to meet you, Susannah. I may call you Susannah, I hope? My son has told me many nice things about you, my dear.’
‘Oh…thank you,’ Susannah said and a faint blush warmed her cheeks as she looked at Harry. His expression was un read able, though she did not think he was angry. However, he did not give her the warm, intimate smile she was used to receiving from him and she missed it. Had she lost his good opinion completely? ‘You are very kind, ma’am.’
‘You must have tea with me soon, privately, so that we may have a comfortable gossip; it will be best when we are at home,’ Lady Elizabeth said and turned to the other lady, bringing her forward. ‘I think you have not met Miss Hazledeane? Jenny is going to make her home with me for the time being. She recently lost her brother, as you may have been told, but we have decided she shall not go into official mourning since her brother expressly forbade it. So you must not think the less of her for wearing colours.’
‘Miss Hazledeane—’ Susannah dipped a small curtsy ‘—I am truly sorry for your loss. I have no brother, but should be sad to lose him if I had. You must be very distressed.’