'That was magnificent, Jason, but it gave me the race!' said Edward. 'I feel most embarrassed, for you had me beaten. There was no more effort left.'
Jason laughed, then shrugged. 'Who knows? These things happen, and 'tis only a race, when all's said.'
'Thank God you removed her,' one of the other riders said. 'We were all so close there'd have been the very devil to pay if we'd all been trying to avoid her.'
'No harm is done,' Jason said, dismounting, and handing the horse over to his groom. 'He has taken no hurt, Jacobs. Don't drive him hard for a few days, but I do not think any sprains will develop.'
'No, sir, thanks to ye!' the man replied. 'In all my born days I never see such riding!'
Jason laughed. 'Fiddle, you old flatterer. Now, Edward, let's get some ale and a bath.'
Laughingly Edward agreed, and they made their way to the inn where they both had rooms.
*
Lady Lyndon and her party had no opportunity to congratulate Jason, but as they rode back to Lyndon Manor, they discussed little else. Then they had to prepare for the party that evening. Clare took especial pains to make herself as beautiful as possible for this meeting with Edward, and Isabella viewed her preparations with disapprobation.
'You are being foolish, Clare,' she warned. 'Father will not change his mind, and you are merely raising your hopes to be disappointed.'
Clare regarded her steadily. 'At least I shall see Edward and talk with him. Mayhap I am content with that. I prefer it to the dreary conversations I have been forced to take part in since we came to London!'
Isabella was almost ready, and with a final vicious tug of the comb through her curls, she almost flounced out of the room to go and ask her aunt if there were any tasks she could help with. But as usual Lady Lyndon had everything perfectly organised, and Isabella had only to greet the guests as they arrived.
Jack appeared early, and after paying his respects to Lady Lyndon stood to one side chatting to Isabella and Frances. Soon other young guests joined them and they settled in the main parlour, talking of the day's racing. Isabella knew most of them, and was so fully occupied that for a while she did not realise Edward had arrived and was talking quietly to Clare at the far end of the parlour. Frowning with annoyance she began walking towards them with the intention of separating them, when the task was done for her by Mr Aloysius, who had approached Clare. Edward politely gave up his chair and moved away as Clare gazed wistfully after him. Then she had to turn her attention to the fulsome praises Mr Aloysius was indulging in about the house. He glanced at her, and smiled significantly.
'It is delightful, but not, if I may say so, as delightful as you are yourself!'
Clare laughed in embarrassment, and tried to turn the conversation, but Mr Aloysius was not to be deterred from his laborious efforts at flirtation. Desperately Clare glanced over his shoulder and caught Lord Belvedere's eye. Correctly interpreting the appeal in her glance he smiled and approached, and Mr Aloysius in his turn reluctantly gave way.
Isabella had watched all this, and smiled in satisfaction. She did not realise Jason was standing beside her until he spoke.
'A pretty picture, is it not, youth and solicitous middle age?' he queried, and laughed down at her as she turned angrily to him.
Before she could answer supper was announced, and Lady Lyndon was inviting her guests to be informal. There was a general movement towards the supper parlour, and Jason took Isabella's hand and tucked it under his arm.
'You will have to accept me as a supper partner,' he said, then as she resisted he added mockingly, 'Do you fear that I shall abduct you?'
Unable to escape, Isabella reluctantly accompanied Jason into the supper parlour and seated herself beside him at the large table. Glancing round she was somewhat mollified to see Lord Belvedere beside Clare, who was smiling enchantingly at him, and laughing at his comments. Edward had contrived to be nearby, which annoyed Isabella, but then she noticed Jack beside Frances, talking gaily, and causing both Frances and others around him much amusement. Their end of the table was by far the noisiest, and the older people looked on indulgently as gale after gale of laughter reached them.
*
Isabella did not have many moments to observe the others, for she found herself fully occupied in talking to Jason. After having helped her to the various dishes that were spread lavishly before them he smiled at her with a curious expression, and murmured that he was gratified to discover she was not always such a termagant as she appeared on their first meeting.
'Indeed, sir! I wonder you dare refer to that! You ought to be heartily ashamed of your conduct then!'
'Indeed? Why should you think that?'
'It was hardly the conduct to be expected of a gentleman,' she said reprovingly.
He smiled provokingly. 'I had not gained the impression you considered me such.'
'I might revise my opinion,' Isabella said tartly.
'I wonder what might cause you to do that?' he mused.
She looked at him speculatively, and despite herself an answering gleam of amusement crept into her eyes.
'I would not dare to suggest aught to you, sir. Indeed, if I did, I am sure you would do it just to aggravate me.'
'I must apologise to your sister on a suitable occasion,' Jason continued, 'and I do apologise now to you for causing you distress. But methinks I was misled.'
'Misled? How?' Isabella demanded quickly.
'One does not frequently meet genteel young ladies alone.'
'Clare was not alone. She appeared to be so, which was my fault.' She blushed slightly as she made this admission. 'Even so, that does not excuse your behaviour,' she admonished.
'Am I then never to contrive to make the acquaintance of any girl who attracts me? What a dull life I should lead if that were so.'
'I have not the slightest interest in how you behave with the sort of woman you mistakenly supposed Clare to be!'
He raised his eyebrows, and smiled. 'Have you not? That is indeed gratifying, if true!'
Isabella, feeling her temper rising, looked away from him and forbore to answer, but Jason continued imperturbably.
'Methinks your sister is in safer company now. My uncle was never the sad rake I am.'
Isabella cast a dark look at him, and he laughed.
'Mayhap I assume too much, for I do not know all my uncle's history, but I have never heard aught to his discredit. There is no necessity for rescuing Mistress Clare from his attentions.'
'So I am aware,' Isabella answered coldly.
'That is what I thought. My uncle, on the other hand, might prove to be the one in need of rescue. After all, he is just the age to lose his head over some pretty chit just out of the schoolroom. He is probably old enough to be her father, but is by no means in his dotage!'
'You are impertinent, sir,' Isabella said shortly. 'Clare is always surrounded by penniless young rakes. Can you wonder I worry about her? It is a pleasant change to see her in the company of someone so kind as your uncle.'
'And eligible?' he murmured gently. 'As your cousin Frances is eligible?'
'I cannot understand you,' Isabella replied, inadequately, since she had indeed been considering Jack's chances of success with Frances, seeing him on such good terms with her.
'Do not play the innocent! It does not become you. Is not cousin Jack a penniless young rake? Can Frances be safely left in his care?'
'You are intolerable!' Isabella flung at him furiously.
'The truth frequently is. But let us cry truce,' Jason suggested calmly, helping her to a portion of pigeon pie. 'After all, I know little of your family, and have not met your cousin, though I have heard his name mentioned at Court.'
Isabella glowered at him, then decided there was little to be gained by her anger. She took a deep breath, and spoke quietly.
'Jack is more like a brother to us,' she explained. 'After his parents died, mine cared for him, and he spent a good deal of time with us while we lived in Brussels
, though there was little contact with us while he was at Oxford. 'Twas not as though he could come home every holiday.'
'And Edward Willis? I understand he is your neighbour. He is certainly a most accomplished rider.'
'It is all he has to commend him,' Isabella snapped. 'But he should not have won that race. You were well in front, had that child not ruined it for you.'
Jason smiled and shrugged. 'Yes, I think I could have won that race, but he is none the less an excellent rider. Why do you dislike him so?'
'Dislike him?' Isabella was startled.
'You do not speak highly of him, and the looks you have been giving him – '
Isabella glared at him, and he broke off, laughing.
'Well, mayhap I had best not say, or you will continue giving me such looks, and believe me, I could not entertain the thought of going through life with the fair Isabella never once allowing me the privilege of seeing her smile.'
Isabella chuckled suddenly. 'Forgive me, I had not realised how ill I was treating you, but our meetings have been associated with events that have aggravated me.'
'Then we must remedy the situation! Now, tell me about Brussels. I was abroad myself, but mostly in The Hague.'
So he steered the conversation into innocuous topics, and Isabella found herself enjoying the conversation, particularly when he began to describe the scenes at Court, making her laugh when he mimicked the extravagant absurdities of many of the courtiers.
*
Chapter 6
When supper was over, the younger guests began dancing in the main parlour, while the older ones retired to play cards. After the first dance Isabella stood chatting with some friends when she felt a touch on her arm. She turned to find Jack at her side, an unusually serious-looking Jack.
'Isabella,' he said softly, so that only she could hear, 'I must speak with you. 'Tis urgent,' he added to forestall her questions.
She regarded him closely. There was a strained look in his eyes, and with a murmured excuse to the others she walked away with him. Jack led her through an unoccupied parlour and out onto a terrace that ran along the entire back of the house.
'We can be private here.'
'What is so urgent and so secret?' Isabella asked curtly, shivering slightly, for the April evening was chilly.
Jack sighed. 'I have been a confounded fool!' he muttered.
Isabella laughed shortly. 'It is not the first time, I think!'
'I know it,' he responded dolefully. 'I would not have approached you could I have thought of another way.'
'Is it money as usual?'
'Yes. I am completely at a stand.'
'Father has helped you in the past, and cannot continue to do so,' she warned. 'He has many calls on his purse to right his estates.'
'I know, and I will not approach him. He has been so generous in the past. But I hoped you might have some idea. You always contrived to get us out of scrapes when we were children.'
'Well?' she asked, still terse, but secretly flattered he should value her ingenuity.
'My income is small, insufficient for me to live as my birth and title demand,' he began.
'You could contrive if you did not squander it,' Isabella pointed out.
'I have tried to economise, but you cannot know how plaguey difficult it can be! When one's friends are spending money, one must pay one's way!'
'Aye, that I understand, but must you have such extravagant friends?'
'Would you prefer me a hermit? That is the only way else. And advancement comes through influence. 'Tis the only way I shall ever improve matters, by obtaining some post at Court.'
'I doubt if your friends would be of much help to you there! If you retrenched for a few years, and spent the time looking after your estates, mayhap your income would increase in the future.'
'You do not understand,' he said angrily. 'It is now the King is giving away posts. I cannot afford to be away from his Court.'
'You will have to if you are to make a recover.'
'That is not enough, in any event. I am desperate.'
'Then marry an heiress, if you can,' Isabella suggested.
'Do you think I do not intend to do that? But that takes time, and I do not have time. Isabella, please do not desert me now!'
'Tell me the whole,' she commanded.
*
'I was put to considerable expense coming to Court,' he said slowly. 'I realised I was increasing my debts, and so I tried to right matters this afternoon by wagers on the races.'
'Oh Jack! Will you never learn?' Isabella exclaimed.
'It is the only way. If I could but have won on that one race, my debts would have been cleared, and I would have had some in hand.'
'Where did you obtain the money for the wagers?'
'I – I borrowed it from a friend,' he said reluctantly.
'And you must pay it back soon.'
'Naturally, a debt of honour must be paid. The others can wait awhile. If only I had prospects I could borrow elsewhere, but there is no money coming to me, and I cannot sell more land! If I can announce a betrothal soon, Isabella, that will satisfy my creditors, but some money I must have within a week!'
'I have no money, and even if I had I would be reluctant to lend it to you, Jack. I wonder your friends do!'
'That is beside the point! I hoped you would have some idea to help me, though I realised I would have to endure a sermon! 'Twas not entirely my fault. The race should have been a certainty!' Jack protested angrily. 'I would have won, but Jason Marlowe lost the race deliberately!'
Isabella gasped. 'What are you saying? You cannot imagine he placed the child there deliberately! 'Tis ridiculous!'
'Of course not! The other race. Marlowe is a damn good rider, and should have won easily. There must have been some trickery!'
'Jack, you are demented!' Isabella exclaimed in horror. 'Jason Marlowe may be – '
She was interrupted by a low laugh behind her, and swung round in dismay. A tall figure loomed up beside her, illuminated by the faint moonlight.
'Some other time I would be enchanted to hear what you think I am, but for the present your cousin's accusation concerns me to the exclusion of all else,' Jason drawled.
'How long were you listening?' Isabella demanded angrily, but Jason ignored her.
'You aver I cheated, Sir Jack?' he asked calmly.
Jack, horrified his incautious remarks had been overheard, could not reply, and after a brief pause Jason went on smoothly.
'I have a great dislike of being accused of dishonourable conduct.'
'Then what do you call listening to private conversations?' Isabella put in sharply.
Jason glanced at her. 'Be so kind as to leave us. I would speak alone with your cousin.'
'I will not! You had no right to listen to us.'
'I had no choice, since you conduct private conversations where anyone may hear you. If you will not have the decency to retire, then you shall hear what I have to say to your cousin, but I beg you will remain silent! You may be thankful, Sir Jack, I was the one who heard you. I will be content with a private apology, and your assurance you were wrong in your belief.'
Jack breathed deeply, not knowing how to reply. He did indeed half believe his wild accusation, for he was near crazy with worry over his debts, and intensely bitter about the day's losses. But it would appear craven to withdraw his accusation, especially in front of Isabella. He remained silent, but not so Isabella, who was fuming because of Jason's words to her, but also from fear for Jack.
'My cousin had no intention of repeating his words about you,' she asserted. 'It was but a private opinion he expressed, and an ill-considered one.'
'I requested you to remain silent!' Jason said coldly, and Jack was also stung into speech.
'Can you not permit me to conduct my own affairs, Isabella?' he demanded.
Attacked by them both, she was silent, but only for a moment. Speedily recovering, she turned first on Jack.
'You were
only too anxious to have my advice on the conduct of your affairs a while since! Well, since you reject my offer of help in this matter, I will make no offer on the other. As for you, Mr Marlowe, no man speaks to me as you have done without regretting it!'
*
She swung on her heel and marched back into the house, clenching her fists tightly as Jason's low laugh followed her.
'A doughty warrior, your cousin,' he remarked.
Jack, smarting under the humiliations, chose to regard this as an insult, and sprang to Isabella's defence.
'I do not require your opinion on my cousin, Mr Marlowe.'
'But I require your apology. Do you intend to offer it?'
'I have no proof there was no trickery,' Jack said slowly.
'Only my word,' Jason said curtly. 'But I can see a young cub like yourself, intent only in trapping some heiress into marrying you, would not know how to accept the word of a gentleman!'
Jack glared at him. 'You would dangle after Mistress Frances yourself,' he said, unwisely.
'I did not mention the lady, but your aspirations towards her are a trifle obvious. I recommend a less crude approach if you wish to succeed,' Jason advised.
Mortified that his as yet only partly formed plan of attaching Frances to him had been perceived, Jack lost the last vestiges of caution. He recalled scraps of gossip he had heard.
'You would marry her yourself, I suppose! And this is as good a way of disposing of me as any, you imagine! I know your reputation as a swordsman, and I'm told you shoot better than most men! Well, we shall see. I had no intention of repeating my suspicions to any but Isabella, and that was not intended either, but she would never repeat it, and you had no cause to challenge me. But it serves as an excuse!'
'You might not intend to repeat it to your next confidante,' Jason remarked softly. 'But if you give me your word, and apologise, I will believe you still a gentleman.'
'Apologise to you? Indeed I will not!'
'Then name your friends!'
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