Drawn to Lord Ravenscar

by Anne Herries

  Lady Dawlish was silent for a few moments, then inclined her head reluctantly. ‘Yes, I do see it, my love. I cannot quite like it, but if Lady Hetty also takes part...she is above censure. Yes, it might scotch most of the spite, but...will Judith see the sense of it? You know how stubborn she is about these things.’

  ‘Yes, she is stubborn,’ Lucy said, ‘but I think she may realise her mistake and be glad of a way to scotch the worst of the scandal. Besides, the marquis means to ask her to marry him.’

  ‘Judith to be his wife?’ Lady Dawlish sat up with a look of relief. ‘How wonderful that would be... Yes, I see now that this plan is the very thing. If the marquis’s sister is to race, then I see no reason why you should not, my love. And against an old friend...for you have known Paul Ravenscar all your life.’

  * * *

  Paul was thoughtful as he left Lucy that morning. He had meant to speak to her at once, to ask her if there was a chance for him, but when she’d told him of her troubles he’d known that he must wait. Lucy was naturally anxious for her cousin. He must do all in his power to pull Judith off safe and then...perhaps then the way would at last be clear for him to speak of what was in his heart...if only it were not too late.

  Chapter Nine

  ‘How dare they interfere in my affairs?’ Judith cried when Lucy spoke to her on her return to the house later that day. ‘No, it shall not be—I shall not give in so tamely.’

  ‘You are not withdrawing,’ Lucy said. ‘The wagers may stand and you may race against Major Carter—but it will be on private land and others will also race. Do you not see that it then becomes respectable?’

  ‘Why should I wish to be respectable?’ Judith asked, but Lucy could see that she was thoughtful.

  ‘Because you wish to set up your own salon in London. Do you think all those you wish to entertain would come if you blacken your name with this foolish nonsense?’

  Judith glared at her, turning away to look out of her bedroom window. There was some dampness in the air, though there had been no rain to speak of. For a moment or two she did not speak, then, without turning to look, she said, ‘Who else would race tomorrow?’

  ‘I am to race against Paul and Elver against his sister Lady Hetty—it is more in the nature of a time trial, but you may race Major Carter and I shall do my best to beat Captain Ravenscar.’

  Judith turned at that and she was smiling. ‘I have good friends,’ she said and swiftly crossed the space between them to kiss her cheek. ‘I was in such a mood last night, but as soon as the words were spoken I knew I had been a fool. A race on private land is one thing, on the road another—and I should have found myself on the edge of society, unless I married very well.’

  ‘You must thank Paul and the marquis,’ Lucy told her. ‘Elver came up with the idea and Paul thought of making it a time trial with others taking part. I think I shall enjoy myself, though I cannot believe I shall beat anyone’s time.’

  ‘Remember what I taught you and I do not see why not,’ Judith said and laughed, then her smile faded. ‘What does my aunt think of this scheme?’

  ‘She sees that it is a good plan—and she will be one of the guests at the picnic. Her presence and that of other friends of Elver’s must make it respectable.’

  Judith sighed. ‘Do you never tire of being respectable, Cousin? I vow I do sometimes. I suppose it was that that made me take the wretched wager. Yet I am glad to have it settled and I shall thank both Captain Ravenscar and Elver when I see them.’

  ‘I am happy that you agree to their proposals,’ Lucy said and caught her hand. ‘And I hope you win your race, I truly do.’

  ‘You are a good friend to me,’ Judith said. She hesitated for a moment, then, ‘I do not think you would take him, Lucy—but I shall warn you again to be careful of Daventry. He made love to me for three months and gained my love—and then he deserted me. I would not have him break your heart, dearest Lucy.’

  ‘I do not think he could, even if he tried,’ Lucy told her with a smile. ‘I love Paul...and I think, I believe he quite likes me. He felt guilty because his brother died, you see...but perhaps now he can see me not as Mark’s betrothed, but as a girl he was used to like very well.’

  ‘I shall not stand in your way,’ Judith said. ‘Had I known you cared for him I should never have flirted with him, Lucy.’

  ‘Do you think of taking Elver? I believe he truly cares for you.’

  ‘Yes, perhaps he does,’ Judith replied. ‘I am not yet sure...’ A sigh escaped her. ‘I should be a fool to turn him down in favour of another...but I cannot forget...’

  ‘I have thought you still care for Daventry.’

  ‘Yes, for my sins I feel something. I ought to loathe him and at times I do. I know if I married him he would never be faithful to me—and he might break my heart. I should put him from my mind...besides, I think it is you he wants, Lucy.’

  ‘No, no, I am sure he does not. Besides, I have decided that I should refuse him if he asked,’ Lucy said. ‘I liked him, for he can be charming—but I know my heart now. If Paul cannot bring himself to wed me, I shall not marry—at least for years.’

  ‘That would be a waste,’ Judith said and laughed. ‘Perhaps I should give him a nudge in the right direction?’

  ‘I wish you will not,’ Lucy said and blushed. ‘I have confessed my secret to you, Judith—but I pray you keep it to yourself.’

  ‘I should not dream of disclosing it to anyone,’ Judith said. ‘Besides, I rather fancy that Captain Ravenscar is a man who knows his own mind. When he has made it up he will not be swayed from his path. It was that about him that made me realise we should not suit. I need someone to spoil me and give me my own way...to rescue me when I have been too reckless.’

  ‘Yes, you do,’ Lucy said and smiled at her. ‘I can think of someone who would do just that...but I shall not tease you.’

  ‘I must change for tea,’ Judith said. ‘I shall ring for my maid—and you must too, Lucy, or we shall keep my aunt waiting and she is not best pleased with me.’

  ‘I think she forgave you soon after she scolded you,’ Lucy said and walked to the door. Looking back, she said, ‘Captain Ravenscar is coming to dinner this evening.’

  ‘I am glad that he has come to Bath,’ Judith said. ‘I was afraid you might take Daventry and that I am sure would have been a mistake.’

  * * *

  At dinner that evening Lady Dawlish was everything that was kind to her niece. She wanted an end to any discord between them and was pleased to find Judith her charming self, inclined to oblige her aunt in any way possible. They spoke little of the picnic the following day, but when they had all retired to the drawing room, Paul sat next to Lucy on a little sofa and told her that it was all arranged.

  ‘Elver was so casual that I almost believed him myself,’ Paul told her. ‘He explained that in the heat of the moment they had all misunderstood the wager and that it was always to have been on his estate. Indeed, he has given a silver salver as the prize and several other gentlemen and their sisters or female friends have entered the contest.’

  ‘Oh, how clever it is,’ Lucy said, looking at him admiringly. ‘You said you would bring her off and you have done it.’

  ‘With Elver’s help,’ Paul said modestly. ‘I had something of the kind in mind, but I was relieved when he came to us with the idea. I should not like to have seen your cousin in such trouble, for I like her despite her foolish, stubborn ways.’

  ‘I like her, too,’ Lucy said and looked a little shy. ‘I thought for a while that you might...but, no, it is not my affair.’

  ‘I did consider your cousin as a suitable wife, for I must marry for the sake of my father and the estate,’ Paul admitted, looking grave, ‘but I soon came to my senses.’ He hesitated, then, ‘I have something to tell you concerning Mark, Lucy...something
that has changed things for me a little. I believe you should know—but this is not the time.’ He glanced about him at the company. ‘We should be private when I tell you what I must.’

  ‘I do not understand you,’ Lucy said with a frown, but the tea tray had been brought in and her mother was calling her to help pass the cups.

  She left Paul and went to her mother, noticing that Judith got up and went over to him for a moment, before returning to her seat. Paul drank a dish of tea with them and then took his leave, promising to pick Lady Dawlish and Lucy up the next day. Judith was to drive herself to the picnic, with only her groom to accompany her.

  There was no more time for private conversation and the ladies retired soon after Paul left them. Lady Dawlish had invited him to stay with them, for there were enough bedchambers, but he had politely refused her invitation, saying that he was settled in good lodgings and quite comfortable.

  Lucy said goodnight to her mama and Judith came to her room with her. ‘I gave him to understand that I was looking elsewhere,’ she said. ‘Captain Ravenscar said that he quite understood and had not considered either of us bound to the other.’

  Lucy did not reply, because she already knew that Paul did not consider himself committed to her cousin.

  ‘I shall think about taking Elver seriously,’ Judith said and kissed her cheek. ‘Sleep well, Cousin. You must not be tired tomorrow, for you will wish to win your race.’

  ‘Yes, perhaps,’ Lucy said. She would like to at least keep up with Paul when they drove against one another in the time trial, but for her it was only important to drive well and to see Judith’s reputation restored.

  She went to bed and, after a few minutes during which she wondered what Paul could possibly have to tell her that concerned Mark, drifted into a deep sleep and did not wake until her maid came in to draw the curtains.

  * * *

  Lucy and Lady Dawlish were helped into the curricle that Paul was driving the next morning. He told her that she was to drive his horses and phaeton at the picnic, because she had driven them before, while he had arranged to borrow a rig from a friend.

  ‘Havers’s horses have less tender mouths than mine,’ he told her. ‘He offered them to me when he understood the plan. I believe he is a friend of yours, Lucy?’

  ‘Yes, I like him well,’ Lucy agreed. ‘We have met several pleasant friends here in Bath, but Mr Havers is very pleasant.’

  ‘I understand that Daventry left Bath more than a week ago,’ Paul said, arching his brows. ‘I had imagined he meant to stay with you for the length of your visit here?’

  ‘He had intended it, I think,’ Lucy said, a faint flush in her cheeks. ‘I believe he discovered he had business elsewhere. I dare say he is a busy man.’

  ‘Yes...’ Paul looked at her intently and she could not meet his eyes. ‘Well, I think this little affair should be amusing—do you not agree?’

  ‘Yes, I believe so,’ Lucy said. ‘I only hope that I shall not disgrace myself.’

  ‘Oh, I do not think it,’ Paul replied with a smile. ‘You are not yet as skilled as you will be in time—for it was my intention to continue our lessons when we have the leisure. However, I think you will find that you make good speed if you let my horses have their head.’

  ‘All I care is that she conducts herself with discretion and does not hurt herself,’ Lady Dawlish said, glancing over her shoulder. ‘I cannot see Judith behind us. Do you think she is all right? I hardly like to think of her driving herself alone.’

  ‘She has her groom, Mama,’ Lucy said. ‘I am sure there is no need to worry.’ She looked round and caught sight of Judith’s phaeton some distance behind them. ‘She must have been delayed, but she is coming now.’

  ‘Good,’ Lady Dawlish said in tones of long suffering. ‘I pray that all goes well today, for my nerves will not stand much more.’

  ‘You must not fret, Mama. Judith is a good driver.’

  Lucy was well aware that her mother was not speaking of her cousin’s driving ability, but there was no point in dwelling on the scandal that had been neatly averted by the marquis and Paul’s contriving.

  * * *

  The marquis’s estate was large and well managed, his house a sprawling, early Georgian manor that had been enlarged over the years, but retained its elegance. Ahead of them was a queue of carriages of all kinds, several of them sporting rigs. Lucy judged that there would be many more entrants for this infamous race than even Paul and the marquis had bargained for. Several light rigs were being driven by ladies, always accompanied by a gentleman or a groom. It seemed that Judith was not the only female that liked to drive herself.

  When first Lady Dawlish and then Lucy were helped down, before a groom took the vehicle away, Judith had caught up with them and she saw with a little shock that Daventry was with her.

  He came up to them as Judith’s phaeton was led away.

  ‘What a famous idea,’ he said and bowed over first Lady Dawlish’s hand and then Lucy’s. ‘It seems that I returned just in time, for I should not have liked to miss the fun. Had I known previously, I should have brought my phaeton and joined the challenge.’

  ‘I believe the race may be oversubscribed already,’ Lucy said, looking doubtfully about her. ‘I do not know how many of these people intend to enter...’

  Paul turned to look and frowned as he saw her speaking with the earl. He came up to them, holding out his hand to Lucy in a manner she could only think imperious. However, instead of feeling annoyed, she was grateful to take it and looked up at him in a pleased way.

  ‘Come, Lucy,’ he said. ‘We must join the other competitors. How do you do, Daventry. I did not expect to see you here today.’

  ‘I went away to attend to some business and make up my mind about something,’ the earl said. ‘I returned as soon as I could—as I told Miss Lucy I should.’

  There was something challenging in his manner as he spoke. Lucy frowned, for he was not telling the whole truth and seemed to imply something that was not true, but she could hardly tell him so in front of company.

  There were so many people milling around that she was glad when Paul moved them along to where the picnic itself was being held. She saw that two long tables had been set out with plates of delicious foods: small pastries, cold meats, relishes, new potatoes in melted butter, peas, little pies and quiches. Also a variety of little cakes, sugared almonds and plums, and marchpane for the ladies. Footmen in livery were circulating with trays bearing hot canapés and iced champagne, and set on the table was a silver salver and a blue-and-silver scent flask, also a silver hand mirror and a case for cheroots. Prizes for ladies and gentlemen, it seemed.

  Apart from the ladies and gentlemen, a quartet of musicians was playing and some children were toying with a hoop and a ball a little further off. Lucy thought the marquis had done very well to turn it into a pleasant social occasion for all, though she was not sure he had intended so many people to turn up for the event.

  When the marquis announced that there were to be ten races, each to start ten minutes apart, and each consisting of one lady driving against a gentleman and judged by time, rather than who came in first, there was some cheering. Lucy was a little surprised that so many ladies should have wanted to test their skill, but so it was and she heard some very excited voices on all sides as people picked their chosen candidate for the winner.

  ‘How well it has turned out,’ Paul said, looking down at her. ‘And it seems the weather will keep fine for us.’

  ‘Yes, indeed.’ Lucy laughed softly. ‘It is just like it used to be at home, Paul...do you not think so?’

  ‘Yes, I believe it may be,’ he said. ‘Shall we make a private wager ourselves?’

  ‘Yes, if you wish it?’

  ‘If I win, you must pay me a forfeit—and if you win, I shall give you a light rig y
ou can drive yourself, and a pair of horses.’

  ‘That is a large bet,’ Lucy said, feeling overwhelmed. ‘What is it you wish from me?’

  ‘Shall we say a kiss?’

  Lucy’s heart hammered wildly in her breast, her cheeks flaming as she inclined her head. She sensed that Paul intended to say more, but the marquis had begun to explain the rules of the race and they were forced to listen.

  There was to be a prize for the winning time by a gentleman, another for a winning time by a lady and an overall prize for the fastest time of all.

  Lucy felt a flutter of excitement herself. She ate a small pastry and sipped her flute of champagne, but was too busy looking and listening as she heard laughing voices taking wagers on who would win the various prizes.

  What had Paul been going to say to her? And why did he wish to kiss her?

  The marquis and his sister were to drive first since they were the hosts of the picnic and wanted their own challenge out of the way so that they could attend to the needs of their guests. One of the marquis’s own grooms was to ride with each contestant to direct them on the route so that it would be fair to all.

  Lucy stood under the shade of a tree on a crest, for it afforded an excellent view of the route, though at one point it disappeared into some trees and then emerged again a little distance from the spot where the picnic was held. The start-and-finish line was where all the guests could see and cheer their favourite on.

  * * *

  The marquis achieved a creditable time of twenty minutes and fifteen seconds, his sister Hetty did rather better since she came in on twenty minutes exactly.

  Not certain of the route, Lucy thought their times could hardly be beaten, but then another pair took their chances and the gentleman was back in just under twenty minutes, the lady taking almost five and twenty. And so the contest went on. Lucy found that she was to drive second from last and Judith was to follow her.