A Country Miss in Hanover Square

by Anne Herries

  ‘Perhaps in the billiard room,’ Susannah suggested. ‘Invite him to play and you may have a chance to speak privately.’

  ‘You are always so easy to talk to,’ Toby confided. ‘I couldn’t talk to most young ladies the way I do to you, Susannah. You are a good sport! You under stand the way a man feels.’

  ‘I think we are good friends,’ Susannah told him with a smile. They were walking at a lei surely pace, leaving the formal gardens and the sound of laughter and voices behind. ‘I am beginning to enjoy myself at last. I felt terrible yesterday, but it is better today.’

  ‘You mustn’t let the old crusties upset you,’ Toby said. ‘They are curious, that’s all, mainly because Harry has never shown an interest in a young lady before. Not one he could possibly marry, anyway.’

  ‘Never?’ Susannah glanced at him. ‘Not even when he was first on the town?’

  ‘To my knowledge,’ Toby said. ‘My mother is de lighted that he is to be married at last.’ He pulled a face. ‘I suppose it is time, but I hope Mama does not start making plans for my marriage next.’

  Susannah went into a peal of de lighted laughter, and then stopped as she saw his face fall. ‘My dearest friend! Forgive me, please. It is just that I do not see you tied to a lady’s petticoats. I think you enjoy your freedom too much.’

  ‘Yes, for a few years yet. Besides, I dare say I would be lucky to get someone to take me, because I am something of a madcap,’ Toby said and grinned. ‘I suppose that is why I like you so much. You always tell me the truth and you make no demands. I suppose a wife might—’ He stopped and pointed ahead. ‘There’s the lake—fine, ain’t it?’

  ‘Yes, it is lovely,’ Susannah agreed, watching the play of sunlight on the water. Two swans were sailing majestically towards the far side. ‘Does anyone ever go on the lake?’

  ‘Boating, you mean?’ Toby grinned. ‘Harry took me when I was a lad, but I don’t think the boat house has been used in years.’

  ‘Oh…’ Susannah glanced towards the other side of the lake, at what was obviously the boat house, though it had been built in a very grand style that looked more like a Roman temple. ‘I thought I saw someone leaving as we approached, though I am not certain.’

  ‘You intrigue me,’ Toby said. ‘Shall we walk to the other side and take a look inside? It may be locked, of course.’ He offered her his hand. ‘Come, the path is narrow and some times a little slippery. Let me help you.’

  Susannah took his hand. However, they soon discovered that the path was quite dry and it looked as if someone had walked there recently, for the long grass had been flattened.

  ‘Someone must have been here more often than I thought,’ Toby said. ‘Perhaps Harry intends to have the boats out this season.’

  ‘Yes…’ Susannah’s keen eyes had spotted some thing lying in the tall grasses to one side of the path and she bent to pick it up. She saw at once that it was a woman’s kerchief. Toby was just ahead of her and had not noticed, so she slipped the scrap of lace into her pocket. ‘What fun it would be to spend an afternoon here. We could have a picnic and take turns on the lake.’

  Toby was striding ahead now that he knew Susannah was in no danger of slipping. He ran the last few steps to the boat house and tried the door, giving an exclamation of annoyance as he discovered it was locked after all. He found a large stone to stand on and put his face to the window, peering inside. Susannah stood beside him, watching as he rubbed at the glass.

  ‘I would not say anyone has been here for years,’ he said as he got down. ‘However, I dare say Harry would have it opened up if we asked him.’

  ‘Oh, yes, we must,’ Susannah cried, eyes spark ling. ‘I should love to go on the lake.’

  ‘We’ll ask him at tea,’ Toby said and grinned at her. ‘I usually find the summer visit rather a bore, but it certainly looks like being more fun this year—and that is down to you, Susannah.’

  Susannah laughed and took his arm. ‘You are such a good friend, Toby.’

  ‘It is a pity all females are not as easy to please as you.’

  They made their way home, arms linked, laughing and talking, in such accord that anyone who saw them together could not doubt the real affection between them.

  Standing at the back of the house with one of his grooms, Harry saw the couple and felt a twinge of regret. They looked so young and eager and he felt himself to be too old for Susannah, perhaps too set in his ways. She had promised to be his wife, but he was not certain that her heart was truly engaged. He knew that he could have offered for a dozen young ladies and been accepted, but only one had made him wish for her company on a permanent basis.

  Susannah had seen him. She waved and then broke from Toby and ran to him, her face glowing with health and the fresh air.

  ‘We have been to the boat house,’ she told him. ‘Toby says that you used to have boats on the lake, Pendleton—please may we have them this year? I should so like to go on the lake.’ Her eyes appealed to him, making Harry’s heart lurch. She was so very lovely, so sweet and innocent.

  ‘If you wish it, of course. I shall instruct the servants to make all ready, Susannah—but I think it will take a day or two for them to inspect the boats and make sure they are safe to use.’

  ‘Thank you so much!’ Susannah clapped her hands and turned to Toby as he came up to them. ‘Harry says we can have the boats. Is that not exciting? You must promise to take me in one as soon as they are ready.’

  ‘We shall have a picnic by the lake as we used to,’ Harry told her and smiled, because her enthusiasm was infectious. ‘The day after tomorrow.’ He offered her his arm. ‘Come, we should go in, Susannah. Mama told me that she wished for a few moments with you before tea—if you will oblige her. She is in her private sitting room. I shall take you up to her now.’

  ‘Oh…’ She gave him a tremulous smile. ‘I have hardly had time to talk to her since my arrival, because there are so many people and they all wish to talk to me.’

  ‘That is why Mama asked for a few minutes alone.’ Harry smiled at her. ‘There is no need to be nervous. She is already very fond of you…’ He hesitated for a moment. ‘Susannah…I too have been hoping for a little time alone with you. I know that we went driving this morning, but you needed to concentrate on your horses. I feel we need to talk. Do you think you might come down to the library a little earlier than usual?’

  ‘Oh…’ Susannah looked shy, her cheeks pinker than normal. ‘Yes, of course—if you wish it, Pendleton.’

  ‘I think we must talk privately,’ Harry told her and stopped walking. ‘Here we are—Mama’s sitting room. I shall take you in and then leave you to talk together.’ He carried her hand to his lips, drop ping a kiss in the palm. ‘Until this evening, Susannah…’

  Susannah discovered that Lady Elizabeth was as kind and gentle as she appeared, making her feel at ease and assuring her of her welcome at Pendleton.

  ‘I am sorry the relatives have been so particular with you, my dear,’ she told Susannah as they sat together in her elegant sitting room, which was comfortable and pretty, just like its owner. ‘You must know that Harry has never asked me to invite a young lady to this gathering before. Now that he has chosen a wife, they are all curious. Our little visit here is usually just for the family and a few of Harry’s gentlemen friends. Everyone was excited to meet you, naturally, but Lady Booker does tend to be rather out spoken, and she does not realise how her voice carries. I do hope you were not uncomfortable yesterday?’

  ‘A little at first,’ Susannah admitted shyly. ‘I was not expecting quite so many people—or such a magnificent house.’

  ‘Ah, yes, the house…’ Lady Elizabeth laughed softly. ‘It is rather awe-inspiring. When I first came here I was terrified. I almost broke off my engagement, for I did not think that I was suitable to be chatelaine of such a house. However, my husband was madly in love with me and he persuaded me that the house was not important. He promised me that we should spend only a part of our lives
here, and he kept his word.’

  ‘You were frightened at first?’ Susannah was surprised, for her hostess appeared to have been born to her role in life. ‘I have never stayed in such a large house before—and there are so many treasures. I am almost afraid to touch anything.’

  ‘Accumulated over the years and worth a king’s ransom in themselves,’ Lady Elizabeth agreed. ‘Harry is the custodian of Pendleton, Susannah. His duty is to preserve the estate and its treasures for his sons, and he takes such things very seriously. Per haps too seriously. He was very different as a young man, but he has had much to do to ensure that the estate is in good shape. How ever, I am very certain that he will not wish to live here all the time.’ She gave Susannah a reassuring nod. ‘His apartments are in the west wing. I have no doubt he will show you one day. If you wish it, I shall take you on a tour of the rest of the house tomorrow, after you return from driving with my son.’

  Susannah looked at her thoughtfully. ‘Do you think that I would be a worthy chatelaine of a house like this, ma’am?’

  ‘Please, you must call me Elizabeth in private.’ Lady Elizabeth’s smile was warm. ‘If you make my son happy, that is all I ask, my dear. As for the rest—I shall always be near at hand if you need me. I should not dream of interfering, but if you wish for help I am always ready to give it. I can teach you the things you need to know. Besides, the servants are so well trained that you will hardly need to do anything except keep your accounts and inspect the menus.’

  ‘Oh…’ Susannah blushed. ‘I shall try, but I am sure there must be much more to marriage.’

  Lady Elizabeth smiled gently. ‘Harry will teach you, my dear. My son is meticulous in all things.’

  ‘Yes, he is,’ Susannah agreed. She could not tell her kind hostess that Harry’s attention to detail and preference for perfection were exactly what frightened her. ‘I am not certain that I can live up to his example, ma’am.’

  Lady Elizabeth went into a peal of laughter. ‘Oh, my dear, do not put my son on a pedestal. I assure you that he has his failings, as you will no doubt discover before too long.’

  ‘I know that he has a temper some times…’

  ‘He is also very untidy and he can be both arrogant and blind to some thing that is under his nose. However, he is very dear to me and the kindest of men.’

  ‘Yes,’ Susannah said and smiled. She liked Harry’s mother very well indeed, and this little talk had made her feel better.

  Susannah chose a simple white evening dress, which she wore with a spangled stole and a string of seed pearls. She had some pearl earrings her mama had given her and she chose those to finish her ensemble. She was trembling inside as she left the apartments she shared with her mother and Amelia and made her way to the library.

  Entering, she saw that Harry was standing by the fire place. He was dressed in a coat of blue super fine and pale cream breeches, his cravat a miracle of his valet’s art and set off by a magnificent diamond pin. On the little finger of his right hand he wore a diamond ring that sparkled in the light of the candles. He smiled as she entered, his gaze intent as she walked towards him.

  ‘You look beautiful, as always, Susannah. Thank you for coming so promptly.’

  ‘I knew you were waiting for me,’ Susannah said and smiled at him a little un certainly. ‘You wished to talk to me?’

  ‘Yes.’ Harry reached for her hand, taking it and kissing it, as he had earlier. Susannah felt a tingle down her spine as she looked up and saw his hot gaze. She could no longer doubt that he had feelings for her. ‘I wanted to give you this…’ He took her left hand and slipped a beautiful diamond-and-emerald ring onto the third finger of her left hand. ‘I ought to have given you a ring sooner, but I had this made specially and it arrived this afternoon.’

  ‘Thank you. It is lovely, but…’ She hesitated, gazing up at him earnestly. ‘Are you certain that I am worthy to be your wife? I know you offered and I accepted, but…are you perfectly sure that you truly want me?’

  ‘Worthy…’ Harry frowned. ‘I suppose you mean this wretched house and its treasures? You will discover that they are a liability we have to cope with as best we can. If I could please myself, I should sell them and live modestly, but we are merely the custodians and must preserve them for the future.’

  ‘Your mama explained,’ Susannah told him shyly. ‘She said that she too felt overcome when she first came here and almost broke off her engagement.’

  ‘Yes, she told me that too.’ Harry laughed wryly. He moved closer, reaching out to touch her face. His fingers stroked her cheek lightly, sending little shivers up and down Susannah’s spine and making her long for something that she did not under stand. ‘How can you doubt that I want you, Susannah? I have thought that perhaps it was not fair to expect so much of you. The house is a responsibility, of course, and I am older…’

  ‘But I care for you,’ Susannah said impulsively. ‘Surely that is more important than any other considerations?’

  ‘My wise little love,’ Harry said in voice made deep by emotion. ‘I shall speak to your mama about the date of the wedding, but we shall not rush, for we need to know each other better, I think.’

  Susannah looked at her ring. The emerald was a bright, clear green and flawless, the diamonds surrounding it brilliant and white.

  ‘It is beautiful,’ she breathed. ‘I have never seen anything as lovely. Thank you so much for giving it to me.’

  ‘It pales into in significance beside your beauty,’ Harry said. He reached for her, drawing her close and kissing her softly on the lips. ‘I have been wanting to kiss you all day, but it is difficult to be alone with you while everyone is here. Perhaps you will allow me to teach you the ways of love, dearest? You are very young and I prefer to take things slowly.’

  ‘Do you, Harry?’ Susannah’s eyes were bright with mischief. She felt a surge of confidence as she saw the heat in his eyes. ‘I rather think I should like you to kiss me again, please.’

  ‘Minx!’ Harry laughed and drew her hard against him, kissing her in a way that took her breath and was very different from the first kiss. She trembled as she felt a rush of desire, awakening feelings she had not realised existed. ‘You will get more of that if you tease me, miss!’

  ‘Shall I?’ Susannah asked and giggled. ‘Then I must think of ways to tease you, sir.’

  ‘What happened to Harry?’ he asked, his eyes on fire. ‘You used my name just now and I like it. I think you will lead me a pretty dance, Susannah, but you have found the way to my heart and I am never happy unless you are near. I suppose we must go and face them all now, my love. My fond relatives have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of my bride. It is our duty to entertain them.’

  ‘Did you know that Toby calls them the old crusties?’ Susannah said innocently. She laughed as she saw his expression. ‘Yes, it is too bad of him, isn’t it?’

  ‘He will lead you into trouble or you him,’ Harry said and looked resigned. ‘Come along then, Susannah. Dinner awaits us….’

  Now that she was wearing the ring, everyone decided that their engagement was official. Before this evening the relatives had been watching her curiously, but now the barriers were down and they all tried to talk at once, wanting to be the first to wish her hap pi ness. Susannah thought she would drown under the weight of congratulations. Everyone came to kiss her and the gentlemen shook Harry’s hand. Lady Elizabeth presented her with a small gift, which turned out to be a beautiful pearl necklace.

  ‘I thought he might give you the ring this evening and I brought this with me just in case,’ she told Susannah. ‘I am so pleased, my dear. Everyone is happy that Harry will be settled at last. We had begun to think he might never marry.’

  Toby’s mother, Lady Sinclair, added her good wishes. ‘I am very fond of my brother. I have been telling Harry to find a bride for the past two years. He could not have chosen better, Susannah. I am so pleased that you accepted him, my dear. I shall look forward to having a sister.’
/>
  Since everyone seemed of the same opinion, Susannah was carried through the evening on a wave of excitement. Harry’s relatives had accepted her; they were willing to give her a chance to prove herself and she knew that she must not let them down.

  ‘I wish you all the hap pi ness in the world,’ Toby said and kissed her cheek. ‘I have a gift for you. I shall give it to you tomorrow.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Susannah smiled and glanced at Harry, surprising an odd look in his eyes. He looked serious…no, there was some other emotion in his eyes, but she was not certain of its meaning.

  Toby moved on and she saw him talking with Amelia. Susannah found herself alone for the first time that evening.

  ‘You must be very pleased with yourself. Pendleton is a wonderful catch for a girl like you.’

  Susannah turned as she heard Miss Hazledeane’s voice. It was clear that she was both annoyed and jealous, her eyes hard with dislike. Susannah wondered if she had hoped to catch Harry for herself.

  ‘I am very fortunate,’ she said, keeping a fixed smile in place. For some reason her eyes were drawn to a lace kerchief tucked into the sash at Miss Hazledeane’s waist. She knew at once that it was exactly like the one she had found near the lake. ‘Have you lost a kerchief? I found one near the boat house this afternoon. It is in my room.’

  ‘It cannot be mine,’ Miss Hazledeane said and, if anything, her look of dislike deepened. ‘I do not know why you should think it. I have never been there.’

  ‘Oh…’ Susannah frowned—she would swear that the kerchief matched the one Miss Hazledeane had and her perfume was the same as that which lingered on the kerchief. ‘I must be mistaken, then.’

  ‘Yes, you are. Besides, my kerchief is a gift from Lady Elizabeth, so if you found one it is most probably hers.’

  ‘Perhaps…’ Susannah was thoughtful as the other woman moved away from her. It had been clear to her from the beginning that Lady Elizabeth’s ward did not like her. However, why stress the point that it was not her kerchief so strongly? There could be no harm in her having dropped it near the boat house.