A Suitable Bride

by Fenella J Miller

  ‘Here you are, my lord, there are five guineas in there and I wish all of it to be wagered on my winning every race I enter. No doubt Rufus remains an outsider because the gentlemen believe he’s too strong for me and I won’t be able to control him in a race. They are in for a disappointment.’

  Her eyes flashed and it took all his strength of will not to close the gap between them and take her in his arms. He caught the purse one-handed. ‘I’ll take care of this matter immediately, Miss DuPont. And I can only apologise again for my brother’s behaviour and give you my word that you will be treated with the utmost respect for the remainder of your stay.’

  ‘I would be more impressed, sir, if the duke had come himself to apologise. However, I care not for the opinion of anyone here. I intend to remain in my apartment in future and shall only mingle with your guests when I participate in one of the events.’

  He shrugged as if unperturbed by her news. ‘You must do whatever you wish, but I can assure you that…’

  Her friendly smile had been replaced by a look of disdain. ‘Thank you for your offer, Lord Sheldon, but we both know that I’m unwelcome here. Whatever your assurances to the contrary, I’m not one of you and have no intention of being treated like a poor relation.’ She barely inclined her head. ‘Goodnight, my lord. Don’t let me detain you any longer.’

  He bit back his sharp retort and deliberately bowed low. ‘Goodnight, Miss DuPont, I look forward to seeing you at the cricket matches tomorrow afternoon.’

  How was it that he could love a young woman to distraction and yet still want to put her over his knee? Being married to her would certainly not be boring. His momentary anger at her incivility dissipated and he was smiling by the time he reached the side door that led to the stable yard.

  He sent a lad to find Peterson, telling the man to meet him by the paddock in which his horses were being kept. Five minutes later the man arrived. He touched his cap and waited politely to be told why he’d been summoned.

  ‘I’m not sure if word has reached yet, Peterson, but your mistress is now remaining here. Matters have been smoothed over and his grace has made it clear he regrets his actions.’

  ‘I’m right glad to hear that, my lord, the longer we stay here the better as we’ve nowhere else to go.’ The man scowled, realising he’d revealed too much.

  ‘Tell me, I want to know why Miss DuPont has sent me to give you this purse to wager on her winning all the races. Why should someone as rich as she is be so eager to gain more money? And why have you nowhere to go?’

  ‘It’s like this, my lord, Miss Dupont don’t get on with her parents – they want her to marry a toff and gain them entry into the grand houses. That’s why she was sent here. She ain’t interested in folk who think her not good enough for them. She doesn’t intend to return to her family home but find herself somewhere she can live quietly with Miss Newcomb until she comes into her inheritance.’

  The man looked relieved that he’d been able to tell this secret to somebody. ‘Thank you for being so frank. Take this purse and get the wager entered – no doubt you know who’s running the book. This information shall remain confidential.’ Bennett could see the ghostly shapes of the horses at the far side of the field and called softly to them.

  ‘They won’t come to you, sir, right choosy they are.’

  The stallion was looking towards them and Bennett called again. This time Rufus broke into a canter and halted a few feet from him. ‘Come along, old fellow, time you got to know me.’ The animal snorted, tossed his head and vanished back into the darkness. ‘He’s a magnificent beast. Winning here will improve his status as a sire. I’ve heard good things about the DuPont Stud.’

  He looked round but found himself alone – the groom had obviously regretted revealing so much and made himself scarce before he could be asked anything else. Bennett was well satisfied with this conversation as it explained a lot about Grace.

  Persuading her to change her mind while she was at Silchester Court was highly unlikely, so he would allow her to depart and then renew his courtship once she was settled in her cottage. After being brought up in the lap of luxury he was certain she would find living in straightened circumstances extremely unpleasant.

  *

  After an exhilarating ride at dawn Grace returned to her apartment and had barely completed her ablutions when Aunt Sarah arrived.

  ‘I was up early because I thought we were leaving. I’ve only just discovered that you changed your mind.’

  ‘I beg your pardon, I quite forgot to send a message to your room last night. One of my maids will come and unpack for you later. I must tell you why we’re staying.’

  Instead of being shocked by the news that all their money had been put in a wager on the races her companion was thrilled. ‘How exciting! I’m so glad you decided to remain until the races and other competitions are completed. This will allow time for my friends to respond and with luck we won’t be obliged to live in that derelict farmhouse with your horses.’

  ‘I should like to have one more practice at my batting and bowling before the tournament this afternoon. I doubt that anyone else will be there at this time in the morning. If the racket outside in the passageway in the small hours is any indication, most of them will still be abed.’

  The house was quiet, but everywhere sparkled and there was no evidence of there having been any sort of party last night. They left through the side door and made their way round to a secluded part of the lawn.

  ‘The grass is still wet, Grace, it’s fortunate we had the foresight to put on our boots. Now, my dear, do you wish to bowl or bat?’

  Aunt Sarah hit a cracking shot and Grace prepared to run after it but was forestalled by one of three young gentlemen who had obviously come out to join in the fun.

  Two of them were Lord Sheldon’s twin brothers – but she hadn’t been introduced to the third.

  One of the twins caught the ball and threw it back to her and she was obliged to jump in order to catch it. ‘Miss DuPont, forgive us for interrupting you at your practice but we have a proposition for you both.’ He grinned and tapped his chest. ‘I’m Peregrine and that’s my younger brother, Aubrey. This other fellow is Edward Buchanan.’

  She curtsied and they all bowed. ‘I’m intrigued to know what you are going to propose, my lord. Do you wish to join in our practice?’

  ‘If you’ve no objection, we’d love to. But first, we’re putting together a team for this afternoon’s tournament and each team must have at least three young ladies in it. My sister Giselle is already down and we’d like you to join us too.’

  ‘We’d be delighted, wouldn’t we, Aunt Sarah? As each team has to have only eight members and not the usual eleven – who is to be the other one in our team?’

  Lord Perry answered. ‘We haven’t decided, but you can be sure he will be an excellent player.’

  The gentlemen removed their topcoats and waistcoats and rolled up their shirtsleeves and Grace soon discovered she wasn’t quite as skilful as she’d thought. After a further hour dashing about she was hot and dishevelled but couldn’t remember having had such a good time before.

  ‘I think that’s enough, my dear, I’m quite exhausted.’

  ‘I’m calling a team meeting at one o’clock in the library,’ Lord Perry said as he recovered his garments. ‘It’s a great shame ladies can’t play in breeches, it would make it so much easier.’

  ‘Actually, I believe I have the perfect solution, my lord. I have a garment that will fulfil the proprieties and yet allow me to run more freely.’

  ‘Good show – we’d better be getting in – don’t want to let the opposition know we’ve acquired the best two lady players available.’

  The three gentlemen bowed and wandered off slapping each other on the back and laughing gaily.

  ‘I’m looking forward to this afternoon, but I believe I’ll need a rest before the tournament. I’m quite exhausted – I’m not as young as I used to be.’

&
nbsp; ‘Nonsense, you’re in your prime, Aunt Sarah. We must hurry, I’ve no wish to be seen in such disarray.’

  ‘I assume you were referring to your divided skirt, the one you had made up for riding astride. Do you have a second one that I could borrow for this afternoon?’

  ‘I do. However, as I’m considerably taller than you it will need to be turned up. It will be a simple task to ensure the skirt will fit you. Do you have a suitable top to wear with it?’

  ‘I can find something, don’t worry, my dear. I’m going to wash and change before I join you for breakfast. I hope they send up a full tray as I find myself sharp set. All this exercise has given me an unladylike desire to eat.’

  At one o’clock precisely Grace and her companion made their way to the library both wearing a divided skirt, a smart white top and a serviceable spencer. Their footwear was sensible boots. The doors were open and the sound of voices drifted out.

  ‘I hope we’re not tardy, Aunt Sarah. We should have left longer to get here – I’d forgotten just how vast this place is.’

  ‘You’re not last, Miss DuPont, I have that distinction,’ Lord Sheldon spoke from behind her.

  Her heart flipped. She should have realised he would be the eighth member of the team.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Grace could hardly refuse to be on the team at this juncture – she would just have to do her best to ignore Lord Sheldon. Although this was going to be difficult as he was a rather large gentleman and quite the most attractive man she’d ever seen.

  ‘Then we shall be tardy together, my lord, and Lord Perry will hardly scold his older brother.’

  ‘He’d be unwise to try, Miss DuPont. My brother didn’t tell me you and Miss Newcomb were to be on his team. I take it that playing cricket is another one of your skills.’

  ‘My companion is the expert, but I believe I won’t let the side down.’

  Lord Perry greeted them enthusiastically. ‘At last, we feared you three were not coming. Now, I must tell you in what order you will be batting and whereabouts I shall position you in the field.’ He nodded approvingly at Grace’s attire. ‘An excellent solution, ladies, I doubt that any others will have such an ingenious skirt.’

  Aunt Sarah appeared to understand the technical terms and joined in the discussion and Grace was pleased to notice all the gentlemen listened to her contributions with respect. Grace was to bat last and would be fielding somewhere in between the two sets of wickets. That was all she required to know – the rest would surely be better seen than talked about.

  She moved away from the group to gaze through the window. There were already teams making their way to the designated playing area and she was pleased to see that their team would have the advantage, because the other ladies would be hampered by their skirts.

  The meeting came to a conclusion and she was called over. Lord Perry addressed them all once more. ‘There are four teams participating in the tournament and we have been drawn to play first against Lord Peabody’s eight. Whoever wins will play the winner of the other match tomorrow – unless, of course, there’s time today.’

  The gentlemen led the way from the library and Lord Sheldon walked with his brothers, having paid her no more attention than he did Aunt Sarah. Lady Giselle joined Grace at the rear of the group.

  ‘I’ve adjusted my ensemble too.’ She raised the hem of her plain blue gown. ‘Look, I’m wearing a pair of my brother’s old breeches so if I take a tumble I’ll not reveal anything I shouldn’t.’ She pointed to the gathering crowd. ‘I think the entire party is out here to watch. The duke’s playing in one of the other teams so we won’t be against him unless we win our first match.’

  ‘You sound relieved, my lady, is he a skilled player?’

  ‘Miss DuPont, he’s fiendish and can hit a ball for six every time. I can’t tell you how competitive my family is. My sister’s in his team. I’m rather surprised that Bennett is with us, I heard that he was to join Beau, but I’m glad he hasn’t.’

  The grass had been close-cropped by the small flock of sheep kept for that purpose and Grace was unsurprised that the surface had been swept clear of droppings. It wouldn’t do for any of the players to step in something unsavoury.

  Lord Perry and Lord Peabody were doing something in the centre of the field and then beckoned them over. ‘I’ve won the toss and decided we should bat first. Bennett is to be one of the umpires and a crony of Peabody’s is to be the other. You three ladies are batting last so must sit with the rest of the team and wait until it’s your turn to go in.’

  There had been chairs brought out from the house and the spectators and other teams were arranging themselves. ‘I can’t believe the ladies in Lord Peabody’s team intend to play with their bonnets on,’ Grace said. ‘Quite ridiculous! By the way, Aunt Sarah, I asked Peterson to put my last guinea on us – we stand to gain six more if we win. He told me he’d got excellent odds for the horse races and if fortune favours us we shall leave next week with over a hundred guineas.’

  ‘Splendid, my dear, with what I have saved we shall have more than enough to survive in comfort until you reach your majority next year.’

  She watched the match progressing with growing interest. Lord Sheldon had opened the batting and although five wickets had fallen he was still there striking the ball well and scoring an abundance of runs.

  The gentlemen in her team continued to be dismissed and although they had a satisfactory score of more than a hundred she was dreading her turn. Aunt Sarah scored a satisfactory six runs before she returned to her seat and Lady Giselle took her place. So far none of the bowlers had managed to dislodge Lord Sheldon so she would be obliged to bat alongside him very soon.

  His sister was out first ball to great cheering from the spectators and derisive shouts from the opposition. She collected her bat and began the long walk to the centre. She was met by Lord Sheldon before she reached her position.

  ‘We have a decent score, so don’t worry if you’re out without making any runs.’

  ‘I’ll try and hit it towards one of the young ladies who are spending more time chatting to each other than concentrating on the game.’

  He grinned making him look less austere and much younger. ‘I’ve been doing exactly that which is why we have such a good total.’

  Grace took her position and watched the bowler draw back his arm and throw the ball. She swung her bat and brought it round with such force the ball flew into the air and vanished over the heads of the spectators. She was so surprised she forgot to run, but fortunately there was no need as she’d scored a six.

  Shouts of ‘bravo’ echoed around the field. This game was easier than she’d thought. She hit the second ball with equal force and this time aimed it in the direction of the three young ladies. As she began to run she watched with horror as the ball struck one of the girls in the chest.

  The young lady toppled backwards and her companions screamed. Pandemonium followed as an elegant lady in an extraordinary hat, which looked as if it had a fruit bowl attached to it, joined in the racket. Grace dropped the bat and was preparing to run over and offer her assistance when Lord Sheldon arrived at her side.

  ‘No, you must remain where you are. The game will continue once the girl has been helped from the field. Don’t look so worried, little one, it wasn’t your fault. They should have been paying attention and it was Lord Peabody’s job as captain to see that they did. I’ll go and see as I’m one of the umpires.’

  He strode off and as soon as he arrived at the scene the racket ceased and the unfortunate girl was carried from the field. She watched with amusement as the other two went with her refusing to return and finish the game.

  Grace noticed that despite her agitation the girl’s mother had not come out to investigate but remained fussing and flapping until her daughter was returned to her side. She was relieved to see no serious harm had been caused by the blow but was at a loss to know how the game could continue when the opposition had only five m
embers remaining in the team.

  Lord Perry had now joined his brother in the huddle where the accident had taken place. He jogged over with a broad smile on his face. ‘Excellent news, Miss DuPont, Peabody’s team has conceded defeat and we’re through to the final without having to field and all due to your excellent batting.’

  This was doing it too brown. ‘My lord, I hardly think I’m to be congratulated for almost killing one of the other team.’

  He shrugged. ‘Serves her right for not paying attention. Anyway, she was merely winded and made more of a fuss than was necessary. I’ve a feeling there might be difficulties for the duke’s opponents as it looks as if the three young ladies in that team have also withdrawn.’

  Lord Sheldon strolled across to join them as they made their way from the field of play. ‘It would appear that my brother’s team doesn’t have to play so the final will take place in fifteen minutes. I hope you’re not thinking of withdrawing from our team?’

  ‘I was considering it, but I’ve decided to play on. However, I wish to make a suggestion, Lord Perry.’

  ‘Go ahead, I’ll be happy to accommodate you if I can.’

  ‘Might I suggest that if you win the toss our side could field first this time? Then it’s quite possible I won’t have to bat again if Lord Sheldon performs as well a second time.’

  He nodded. ‘Excellent notion, I should have thought of that myself. Are you to be one of the umpires again, Bennett?’

  ‘I believe my brother and I are to share the privilege. Don’t place our ladies together as Peabody did with his? I’m sure Beau will target them if we do.’

  Grace was positioned at a safe distance from the batsmen and had ample opportunity to look around. The cricket field had been made from an area of the park that was edged at one end by shrubbery and trees, (where the spectators were sitting), the opposite boundary was the lake. The other two sides had a border of long grass and she noticed the ground sloped away in this direction so that only the top half of the fielder standing there was visible.