Counterfeit Earl

by Anne Herries

  'You are very kind, Lady Simmons.' Olivia smiled at her. 'If my sister has agreed, I shall be happy

  to come.'

  'It is a very small affair. Nothing to compare with this, of course. But I like to gather a few friends

  at my table, and I have discovered that several of my close friends are visiting Brighton at the

  moment. I shall look forward to furthering my acquaintance with both you and Lady Ravensden.'

  She nodded and moved off. Olivia glanced up and saw her speak to Captain Denning for a moment

  before he continued towards their table.

  'I am told this is made with champagne and quite delicious,' Jack said, setting the delicate glass on

  the table in front of Olivia. He had also brought a flute of champagne for them both. 'You will

  forgive me if I do not eat? I dined earlier and I have no appetite.'

  'You should perhaps eat more for your own good, sir,' Olivia said, then tasted her syllabub. 'Oh,

  this is delightful!'

  'I am gratified,' Jack replied, a smile on his lips. 'Please do not scold me, Miss Roade Burton.

  Anne did so just now. I assure you, I am not so thin now as I was some weeks ago.'

  Olivia's gaze went to the scar at his temple. 'Have you been recently wounded, Captain Denning?'

  'At Badajoz,' he said, and his clipped tones warned her to ask no more questions.

  Fortunately, Olivia was saved from any embarrassment at the sudden silence that fell between

  them by her sister's arrival.

  Jack stood up as she approached. 'Lady Ravensden? You were pointed out to me earlier by mutual

  friends. May I be of service in fetching you some supper?'

  'You are Captain Denning, of course,' Beatrice said, giving him a warm smile. 'Lady Simmons

  spoke of you—and I believe you rescued my sister from a rather fierce dog?'

  'An unfortunate incident.' He inclined his head.

  'But easily solved,' Beatrice said. 'In answer to your question, Captain Denning, I will have a

  syllabub if you will be so kind.'

  Beatrice looked at Olivia as he went at once to fetch a glass of the creamy dessert for her.

  'I do not think him odd, dearest. One can see he has been ill, of course, but he certainly has an air

  of distinction, and his manners cannot be faulted. He is clearly a gentleman, and a brave soldier.

  Lady Simmons told me he had been mentioned in despatches. I believe he may be due for an

  honour or a promotion of some kind.'

  'A promotion? Do you suppose he means to return to his regiment once he has fully recovered?'

  'Lady Simmons did not say. I imagine Captain Denning has done more than his share for his

  country already.'

  Since the object of their very interesting discussion was making his way back to them, the

  conversation was turned. A ball was to be given at the Royal Pavilion quite soon, and would be

  even more prestigious than the one they had attended that evening.

  'I do hope Harry will be here for the Regent's ball,' Beatrice said. 'I shall write and tell him so.

  Surely he cannot still be discussing Papa's project?'

  'He will come if you write,' Olivia said. 'Shall we go home after supper?'

  'If you wish,' Beatrice replied. 'But here is Captain Denning...'

  They did not leave immediately after supper, however, for Captain Denning asked Olivia to stand

  up with him for the next set of country dances. After that, she was approached by two gentlemen

  she had known in London, both of whom were widowers some years older than Olivia, and both

  reputed to be looking for a wife.

  It seemed that Captain Denning's interest in her had been noticed and had encouraged others to

  come forward. Her portion was not-large, but ten thousand was not to be sneezed at, and, it

  seemed, some gentlemen might after all be prepared to take her despite the shadow of scandal

  attached to her name.

  She danced with both gentlemen, but when she left the dance floor afterwards, it was to see

  Captain Denning on the verge of departing. He smiled and nodded to her, then went out alone.

  Lady Simmons had left some minutes earlier with her family. Beatrice asked if Olivia was ready

  to go, and she readily agreed. Somehow the bright aura of room seemed to have dimmed with

  Captain Denning's departure.

  It was as they were being driven home in the carriage, that Beatrice spoke of what was on her

  mind.

  'You must not be upset if everyone was not kind this evening, dearest,' she said. 'In time they will

  forget and accept you. I think you will find it will be easier when Harry comes.'

  'Yes, I am sure of it,' Olivia said and smiled at her sister. 'Do not be anxious for me, Beatrice. I

  am not unhappy. It was a little uncomfortable at first this evening—but I managed to enjoy myself.'

  'You seemed to enjoy waltzing with Captain Denning.' Beatrice gave her a teasing look.

  'He dances expertly,' Olivia replied, then laughed. 'Oh, you know me too well! Captain Denning is

  obviously more accustomed to mixing in society than I imagined after our first meeting. And yes, I

  do like him, Beatrice. I like him very much.'

  Beatrice nodded, her eyes sparkling with mischief. 'He is the grandson of the Earl of Heggan—a

  very old Irish title. His father is Viscount Stanhope, and I understand the English title was granted

  to the family for service to the Crown some sixty years back. I believe the Viscount is not a very

  nice man—but he and Captain Denning have nothing to say to one another. And his maternal

  grandfather, Sir Joshua Chambers, who was a much nicer man, recently bequeathed a very

  substantial fortune to the captain.'

  'You have been busy!'

  Beatrice laughed. 'Lady Simmons was most informative. I believe she is extremely fond of

  Captain Denning, just in a friendly way, you know. I found her a very pleasant companion.'

  Olivia bit her lip. 'I have been given to understand their relationship is rather more intimate...'

  'I believe it may have been before Captain Denning went out to the Peninsula,' Beatrice agreed.

  'These things happen, Olivia, and should not be held against either party. Besides, Lady Simmons

  stressed that he had been kind to her when she was very unhappy, and that they have been family

  friends for years.'

  Olivia digested this information in silence. Beatrice had clearly formed the opinion that the affair

  between Lady Simmons and Captain Denning was over.

  Well, perhaps it was. Robina had only repeated what she had heard from someone else. She

  would not allow the rumour to cloud her judgement of either Lady Simmons or Captain Denning,

  she decided, as their carriage drew up outside the house.

  Later, as Olivia was undressing, she pondered on the reasons behind Lady Simmons's kindness to

  a girl she did not know. She had not only made it possible for Olivia to dance the waltz with

  Captain Denning, it seemed she had gone out of her way to make friends with Beatrice and pass on

  some very interesting information.

  Why? Olivia might have suspected some devious purpose had she not instinctively taken to Lady

  Simmons. No, she must acquit her new acquaintance of having some unkind motive! So why had

  she pushed Olivia and Captain Denning together?

  No obvious solution presented itself to Olivia, as she dismissed the maid Beatrice had sent to help

  her, ran a brush through her hair and climbed into her very comfortable goose-feather bed. Then

  she leaned over and blew out the candle on the cabinet beside her, a
smile on her lips. It had been

  a pleasant evening after all.

  For some reason she fell asleep almost at once. Her dreams were sweet, and featured strongly a

  certain gentleman, though in the morning she was unable to remember them at all.

  Chapter Four

  The next morning Beatrice again felt a little sleepy, but roused herself to go shopping with Olivia.

  They visited a fashionable milliner and purchased new bonnets, then bought gloves and a silk

  scarf for Olivia to take home as a gift for Nan.

  Returning to the house for nuncheon, they found cards from several acquaintances of Beatrice's,

  and from two ladies who both had nephews known to be looking for a wife of some independent

  means.

  'I can only think these cards were left for your benefit,' Beatrice said and laughed. 'Neither of the

  young gentlemen in question has a feather to fly with, I dare say. Your true situation must be

  beginning to filter through the grapevine, Olivia.'

  'As if I would marry a fortune-hunter,' Olivia said with a frown. 'But I suppose ten thousand

  pounds does make me a little more acceptable.'

  'Oh, depend upon it,' Beatrice quipped, smiling naughtily at her. 'There are several gentlemen I

  could mention who would be pleased to take you for a great deal less.'

  Olivia laughed as she heard the teasing note in her sister's voice, then shook her head. 'You know I

  shall marry only if I fall in love the way you did, Beatrice.'

  Beatrice smiled in a satisfied way but said nothing more. Olivia found herself blushing. She could

  not hide anything from her sister, but it would be foolish of her to make too much of Captain

  Denning's kindness the previous evening. He had neither said nor done anything to suggest that he

  had a tendre for her. As for Olivia's own feelings—that was another matter entirely.

  Olivia knew that no other man of her acquaintance had ever made her feel the sensations which

  had flooded through her at his touch. Even as she struggled to deny it, her heart was telling her that

  she had at last found a man she could love.

  No, no, it was quite ridiculous! She could not have fallen in love so suddenly. Why, Captain

  Denning was not even handsome—in the accepted way. Yet she had met many gentlemen who

  were perfect Adonises, and none of them had made the faintest impression on her unruly heart.

  Besides, she imagined that much of the Captain's gaunt look would disappear once his health

  improved.

  Oh, what did it matter? Of course it could not. She had no reason to imagine that Captain Denning

  saw her as anything more than a pleasant dancing partner.

  * * *

  Beatrice and Olivia received three more callers that afternoon: Mr Reginald Smythe, Mr John

  Partridge, a rather worthy man with a substantial fortune of his own, and Lady Rowland, who had

  a young nephew of whom she was reputed to be fond. Each of them accepted an invitation to stay

  for tea, and Lady Rowland issued an invitation to a card party the following week.

  'It is just a small affair,' she said. 'But I should be happy if you and your sister would care to

  attend, Lady Ravensden.'

  'Yes, I believe we may manage it,' Beatrice replied, glancing towards the mantelpiece, where a

  growing number of invitations had been tucked into the elegant frame of the large mirror. 'Lord

  Ravensden should have joined us by then. He has been delayed by business.'

  'Ah yes,' Lady Rowland nodded. 'I was sure that must be the case. There were rumours that it was

  otherwise—but people have such unfortunate tongues at times.'

  'That explains your mixed reception last night,' Beatrice exclaimed after their visitors had supped

  their tea and departed. 'How vexing! People must have imagined Harry disapproved of my

  bringing you to Brighton. I shall write at once and...'

  Whatever she had been about to say was lost as the front door bell pealed. Voices were heard in

  the hall, one of which caused Beatrice to rise joyfully to her feet. She looked towards the door in

  anticipation as her husband entered, still wearing clothes that were travel-stained.

  'So there you are,' she cried. 'I was about to write to ask you to come with all speed...'

  'Such impatience, my love,' Harry murmured, his eyes full of wicked mirth. 'Am I to conclude that

  I have been missed?'

  'Harry, you wretch!' his wife said, giving him a reproving look. 'You must know you would

  always be missed—but it was for Olivia's sake that I meant to write.' She recounted her sister's

  unfortunate reception at the ball the previous evening. 'So you see, if it were not for Captain

  Denning, Olivia would have had an unhappy evening.'

  Harry frowned. 'What fools people are! Forgive me, Olivia. I should have realised. I shall set

  things straight immediately.'

  'I believe people are already beginning to change their minds,' Beatrice said. 'But we shall be

  more comfortable now you are here, dearest.'

  He smiled at her. 'We shall give a dance of our own, Beatrice.'

  'I had thought of a dinner...'

  'Nothing so paltry,' he murmured. 'We may as well make a little stir, my love. Give the gossips

  something to talk about, why not?'

  'Well, if you think so.' Beatrice looked pleased with the suggestion. 'We are dining with Lady

  Simmons and Captain Denning this evening. I am sure she would find you a place at her table...'

  'We shall not trouble her this evening, Beatrice. You and Olivia must go, of course. I shall make

  my presence known in Brighton and do whatever needs to be done to scotch any undesirable

  rumours.'

  It was but a short distance to the house at which Lady Simmons was staying under Lord

  Wilburton's protection. Harry, however, insisted on the two ladies being conveyed there in their

  carriage.

  'A sedan chair is all very well,' he said, 'but I prefer you to have your own servants about you, my

  love. Especially when I cannot be with you.'

  Beatrice did not object to his care of her as she might have once. She was feeling oddly lethargic

  and found that she enjoyed being fussed over a little.

  'If you still feel tired in the mornings you should tell Harry,' Olivia said as they were being driven

  to their hostess's house that evening. 'It is not like you, Beatrice. You were always so full of

  energy.'

  'I have become spoiled and lazy,' Beatrice replied, but her eyes did not quite meet those of her

  sister. 'Please do not say anything to Harry just yet.'

  Olivia was thoughtful as she saw the faint blush in her cheeks. She suddenly realized what the

  cause of Beatrice's odd tiredness might be. However, she did not mention the possibility to her

  sister. If Beatrice were with child, she would naturally wish to tell her husband first.

  Olivia felt a slight pang of envy. She had felt none when Beatrice married, rejoicing in the

  happiness of both her sister and Harry. Now, though, she was aware of feeling something she had

  not experienced before. How wonderful it would be to be married to a man she loved and

  anticipating the birth of his child!

  Had she really imagined she would be happier living her life as a spinster? She saw now that it

  was only because she had thought herself unable to fall in love...as she undoubtedly had.

  Every hour that passed was making it clearer to Olivia that she had somehow tumbled head over

  heels into a deep and passionate love. She had bee
n waiting all day for the moment she would

  meet Captain Denning again. How foolish she was!

  She must not betray herself! Olivia's cheeks felt warm as the groom helped first Beatrice and then

  her from the carriage. It would be humiliating if she were to show too plainly that she had given

  her heart to a man she hardly knew—and yet instinctively she did know him. He was the one man

  she could ever love.

  She must not let him guess her feelings had gone so far. She must be friendly, welcoming to any

  advances he might make—but they must come from him. Olivia's pride would not allow her to set

  her cap at Captain Denning. No, she would keep a little distance between them, be a little

  restrained in her responses to him.

  They were entering the house, being greeted by their hostess for the evening. Olivia smiled and

  curtsied slightly as she was introduced to Lord and Lady Wilburton, then to Miss Rose, who was

  Lady Simmons's companion.

  'How lovely to see you again,' Anne Simmons said. 'Do come into the withdrawing-room and meet

  more of my friends.'

  Olivia went through the motions of meeting various ladies and gentlemen, but her gaze was drawn

  immediately to Captain Denning. He looked even more distinguished that evening in a coat of

  bottle green, which suited his colouring. How could she ever have mistaken him for a

  gamekeeper?

  His expression softened a little as he saw her. He had been staring into the distance, as though not

  really a part of the company. Now he came towards her.

  'Miss Roade Burton, good evening. It is pleasant to see you again. I was speaking to Anne earlier.

  She thought as it was your first visit to Brighton, you might like to see some of the places of

  interest—a drive to the Downs perhaps? Anne suggested a picnic and a visit to a particularly fine

  church she admires...'

  'How kind of Lady Simmons to suggest it.' It was exactly the kind of outing Olivia would most

  enjoy, and would give her time to get to know her new friends a little better.

  'We should go in a party, of course. If Lady Ravensden agrees.'

  'I am sure she will,' Olivia said. 'Lord Ravensden arrived this afternoon. I believe he would wish

  to accompany us.'

  'That would be perfect,' Jack replied. 'Lord Ravensden may drive his wife if he so wishes, and I