Jo Beverley - Lady Beware

by Jo Beverley

  “Why not? Oh, you’re sodull !”

  “Then I don’t know why you’re here,” Thea snapped.

  “To seek your help! I’m dying for love, Thea.Dying! Fox is the only man I could ever marry. You can’t imagine how it is to feel such passion.”

  “Thank you.”

  The dry tone made an impression. Maddy frowned at her. “Well, you can’t,” she said in a less high-flown style. “Some people have grand emotions and others don’t. I’m sure it’s more comfortable.Please say you’ll talk to your parents. If they lend their weight, you know mine will give in.”

  Awash in her own forbidden longings, Thea wanted to help, but she said, “Will he make you a good husband, Maddy?”

  “The perfect one!”

  “But his regiment’s going to India. I’m not sure—”

  Maddy laughed. “Silly! He’ll sell out once our wedding is allowed, but there’s so little time. Please!”

  Thea had taken Foxstall in dislike, but she really had no reason. She’d been deeply prejudiced against Darien, and he was not at all as she’d thought.

  “I’ll try,” she promised.

  Maddy kissed her and hurried away. Thea sighed, but then her thoughts flew to Darien, who might still be with her mother. She could return. But no. Better not. Because she kept her promises, she raised the subject of Maddy and Foxstall the next morning over breakfast with her mother.

  Her mother grimaced. “In this case, Thea, I fear Margaret is correct. Of course she wants a title for Maddy, and a comfortable income. Why not, indeed? Poverty is not at all romantic. And there’s Marchampton, smitten. But now it’s said Marchampton’s father opposes it because of her behavior. I don’t know what will become of that girl.”

  “Perhaps Foxstall is the man for her, then.”

  “Sadly, no.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s not really suitable for maidenly ears, but you’re sensible enough to understand, dear. At Margaret’s request, we had inquiries made. Captain Foxstall’s string of conquests is long.”

  Thea tried to be fair. “Most men are not religiously virtuous, Mama, and can reform with marriage.”

  “Yes, but there’s a matter of extent.” The duchess sighed. “Even while paying attention to Maddy in London he was involved with other women.”

  “No!”

  “Very distasteful. Most were women on the fringes of society, but one—for your own ears only, of course—was Maria Harroving.”

  “Good heavens. But he was at the masquerade with Maddy.”

  Her mother shrugged. “He was also spending much time with Lady Harroving there.”

  “I remember Maddy saying she’d gone with someone else but had planned to meet Foxstall there.”

  The duchess shook her head. “No sense of decorum. If Margaret had asked, I would have advised her not to allow Maddy to attend. You could be trusted to keep the line, but given any opportunity, Maddy exceeds it.”

  Thea felt horrid guilt and it made her try harder. “But if that is Maddy’s nature, might not someone like Captain Foxstall be the right husband?”

  “Not at all. He drinks, he games, he is cruel. He’ll make anyone a terrible husband, but especially someone like Maddy. She doesn’t have an obliging nature. She’ll demand too much of him, and he’ll punish her. If Maria Harroving would marry him, it might suit, for she’s worldly wise and has ample money, but she has too much sense. His regiment goes to India soon, so it will all blow over and then we’ll look for a more suitable match. A firm older man who’ll treat her well but put up with no nonsense.”

  “Mama…”

  “It’s that or she truly will ruin herself, Thea, believe me.”

  Thea gave in. She’d done her best, but didn’t relish explaining that to Maddy, so she was relieved to leave London after breakfast, even though every turn of the wheels took her away from Darien.

  Despite what she feared was a broken heart, Thea was able to fling herself into the merry wedding celebrations. Dare claimed Brideswell was magical, and perhaps he was right. Everything felt lighter there, and even her future seemed promising. Thea found herself dancing around the bonfire hand in hand with two village swains. She wore her yellow dress and her hair down, amused by how astonished the villagers would be to learn that it was “country wear.”

  She thought of Darien the whole time and didn’t try to stop herself. She even imagined, during the ceremony, that she was saying her vows to him. For better or worse, for richer or poorer. That was what marriage was about, not the careful safety of equal fortunes and perfect security. Yes, now she truly knew her heart and mind.

  Because of this, she didn’t struggle against her mother’s decision to linger in London awhile on the return journey. After all, she hadn’t promised not to return until autumn. She’d simply assumed it.

  Thea arrived back at Yeovil House in a nervous fizz and she’d rather not have wasted it on Maddy, but her cousin arrived only hours after they did.

  “Thank heavens you’re here!” Maddy declared as soon as they were in Thea’s room. “I’m at my wit’s end.”

  “What’s happened?”

  “Mother won’t let me see him!”

  “See who?”

  “Don’t be provoking. Fox! Who else?”

  “But he’s in the north.”

  “No, he’s here! A fortnight’s furlough before they sail.” Maddy untied her complicated bonnet and tossed it on the floor. “We are determined to marry.”

  “Oh, dear.”

  “Don’t be like that. I know you don’t like him, but that’s because he’s strong meat for a delicate bloom like you.”

  Thea held her patience. “Maddy, if you want a kindly listener, don’t insult me.”

  Maddy stared at her. “No need to be vinegary, Thea. I’m desperate. I’d run off to Gretna, but then Father would probably not pay my full dowry. It’s most unfair that only part of it is fixed by law. The rest he added only by promise as he became wealthier.”

  “He might be persuaded after a while. When your marriage is happy and Foxstall proves admirable.”

  “Oh, for pity’s sake. Can you imagine living under that scrutiny, afraid to act boldly or have a quarrel?”

  Thea shook her head. “Maddy, what do you want from me?”

  “Sympathy. But I see the well’s dry.”

  “I truly do sympathize, but I don’t see what I can do. No words of mine will persuade your parents to see things differently, and my parents feel as yours do. He is not obviously an ideal husband.”

  “He’s the one I want,” Maddy said mutinously. “Mother’s just hoping I’ll give in and take March, but I won’t.”

  “Certainly not, if you don’t love him.”

  “I love Fox.” Maddy leapt to her feet. “Iadore Fox. I can hardly bear a moment away from him!”

  Thea watched this volcanic performance, recognizing her own feelings, though she’d never behave so wildly.

  “Promiseyou’ll help me,” Maddy said.

  “To do what?” Thea asked cautiously.

  “I don’t know yet, but when I think of something.”

  “I’m not going to help you to elope.”

  “You aresuch a dull stick. But as I said, that wouldn’t serve. Just promise.”

  Thea wanted to get rid of her. “If I can, I will.”

  Maddy grabbed her bonnet and put it on. “Iwill marry Fox. I thought of having your hound instead. But really, in comparison, he’s almost as dull as you are. You two really should make a match!”

  “Dull?” Thea asked with a laugh. “When he almost murdered a man before my eyes?”

  “I’m sure it was a very dull murder,” Maddy said and flounced out.

  Thea hoped that meant she wouldn’t see her again for a long time. She did spend a few moments wondering if she should warn her mother or aunt—but of what? Maddy said she wouldn’t elope, and her reasons made sense. She was underage, so there was no other way for her to marry Foxstall. She
could write secret letters and even slip out for clandestine meetings as much as she wanted. Thea was sure she’d been doing such things for years. And if Maddy felt for Foxstall as she felt for Darien, Thea truly, deeply sympathized.

  When would Darien visit?

  He didn’t come that evening. When he didn’t come the next day, Thea set out in the afternoon to wander fashionable London with Harriet in the manner of an angler trailing a fly across water. She went to Hatchard’s to peruse the latest novels, and walked the length of Oxford Street until Harriet was beginning to mutter. She saw no sign of Darien other than a painting in a shop window.

  That certainly absorbed her for a while. He was truly splendid in full hussar magnificence, on a prancing gray horse, ready for battle. Others paused to admire it, too, and Thea even heard one woman say, “Brother to that madman, you know, but this one, Lord Darien, he’s a regular hero.”

  Everything was going so well and she wanted to share that with him. That night she and her mother went to the theater, but again, Darien was nowhere to be seen. By then, Thea thought it safe to ask her mother.

  “I believe he’s visiting the Duchess of York at Oatlands.”

  “Excellent,” said Thea, and she meant it. Not only because that was another sign of his social progress, but because there was a reason she hadn’t encountered him.

  But the next day he returned to Town—there was a brief note in theGazette —and still didn’t call at Yeovil House. That evening, before dinner, where the French ambassador and some other diplomatic people were to be her mother’s guests, even the duchess noted his neglect.

  “I do hope to see Darien soon. But it is excellent that he’s so busy, and with eminent company.”

  Busy avoiding her, Thea had to conclude. It was possible that he was being noble, but what if he’d realized he didn’t want an extravagant duke’s daughter for a wife? She couldn’t stand the uncertainty, but she could hardly march round and knock on his door, tempting though that was.

  Chapter 33

  The next day, after a fruitless morning spent waiting for some sort of news of Darien, Thea received a plea from Maddy.

  Dearest, dearest Thea,

  I’m so sorry for losing my temper, but I truly am suffering, and it’s made worse with Fox in Town. I’m allowed to go nowhere without escort, and of course my maid doesn’t count. Mama says if you accompany me she’ll allow an excursion. Thank heavens for your golden reputation! There’s an interesting bookstore I’ve heard of, quite within walking distance of our house. Do say you’ll come and escort me there or I’ll slit my throat.

  Your loving cousin,

  Maddy.

  Thea shook her head, but she might as well be useful to someone. She told her mother, ordered the carriage, and was soon on her way to Maddy’s house with Harriet in attendance. Once there, she sent the coach home with orders to return in two hours.

  Maddy truly was finding restriction difficult. She was ready and in a fever to be off. “It’s like being in prison,” she complained as soon as they were outside. “Thank you, thank you!”

  For a prisoner, she was in fine looks. Her bright blue outfit suited her to perfection, her color was high and her eyes bright.

  “You haven’t brought your maid?” Thea asked.

  “I knew you’d bring Harriet, and Mama doesn’t trust Susannah. With reason,” she added with a giggle.

  “So what is this special bookshop?” Thea asked as they walked down the street.

  “Thicke and Stelburg. Not a fashionable place, but I’m told it carries books that are just a little bit naughty.”

  “Maddy!”

  “Oh, don’t fuss. This isn’t some great scandal. They’re like Minerva novels, but the imprisoned heroines and lusty heroes get up to a little more than kisses. Caroline has one and it’s great fun. If I have to live in durance vile, I need amusement.”

  Thea resisted the urge to exclaim “Maddy!” again. This was harmless enough, and if it distracted Maddy from Foxstall, it would be worth it.

  Maddy shared society gossip all the way, but when they arrived at the address, Thea paused. The shop was not appealing. The front was narrow and the windows so dirty it was hard to see what few books were on display in there. Maddy walked in, however, so Thea had to follow.

  It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the gloomy interior. To her right, a morose-looking man hunched behind a small desk, absorbed in a book. In front of her, long rows of shelves stretched toward the dim back of the building, lit occasionally by smoky lamps. Maddy had disappeared.

  The place stank of wood rot and moldy paper, and Thea wanted to find these books and get out of there. She crossed the shop, floorboards creaking, peering down each aisle.

  There were customers—all male, but at least they looked respectable. She saw young men who were probably students, and older ones who looked like scholars. One was a clergyman.

  Thea didn’t feel afraid, but where was Maddy? Sometimes these shops were warrens, but this one looked simple enough, and Maddy’s blue gown should shine like a beacon.

  She was tempted to call Maddy’s name, but the silence was so firm she couldn’t quite bring herself to, so she went down an empty aisle looking for cross-aisles or unseen parts of the store. The only crossway was at the very end.

  She walked back up another aisle, having to squeeze by a disapproving scholar, until she arrived at the front again. She gave up and went to the desk.

  “My cousin, sir. A lady in blue. Do you know where she went?”

  The man looked up, sniffed, and silently handed her a folded, sealed sheet of paper.

  Heart suddenly thumping, Thea snapped the seal. A glance showed her Maddy’s flamboyant writing and the first words.

  Do forgive me, Thea.

  The wretch! Aware of the man’s interest, she went out into the fresh air before reading further.

  Do forgive me, Thea, for the ruse, though I do think it a very clever way to gain my freedom. Don’t worry. Your part is over. You may do as you please for the next two hours and then pick me up at the bookstore and take me home, with Mama none the wiser.

  And I will be with Fox, ensuring our future!

  I know you will help me, but if you think to do otherwise, remember that the pot shouldn’t call the kettle black. Silver feathers were found in the Harroving linen room. No one knows of it yet other than Fox and me. I’m sure you want it to stay that way.

  Your loving cousin,

  Maddy.

  Thea wondered if her eyes were bulging.

  “Loving cousin”? Maddy wasblackmailing her.

  But then her knees turned weak. Dear heaven, had silver feathers really been found there? She had noticed that the poor owl had been a bit the worse for wear.

  Found by whom? Presumably by the laundress, who’d told Lady Harroving, who’d told her lover.

  Clearly her own connection had gone no farther yet, but it only needed someone to make a point of it.

  “What’s the matter, milady?” Harriet asked. “Where’s Miss Maddy?”

  There was no hiding it. “Gone, Harriet. Oh, dear….”

  “Kidnapped? Shall I get help?”

  “No! Hush, I must think.” Thea started walking so as not to attract attention. “She’s slipped away. Up to one of her tricks. But what should I do?”

  “Go right back and tell her mother, milady.”

  Thea hadn’t truly been asking for advice. “No, I can’t do that. Hush.”

  Had Maddy decided to elope anyway? She had to prevent that. But if she told Aunt Margaret, Maddy would ruin her. Yes, she might actually do it.

  Maddy could simply be enjoying a tryst. That was wrong, but not worth taking risks to prevent. If she knew where Foxstall was lodging, she’d go there and find out. If they’d left in a post chaise, she’d know the worst and she’d have to act. If Maddy was there with him, it would simply be embarrassing.

  “Milady…”

  Harriet’s complaint made Thea come out
of her thoughts. “What?”

  “Where are we going, milady?”

  Thea looked around. She was in a new street, and if she wasn’t careful she’d get lost. How could she find out where Foxstall was staying?

  Darien. He might know. But she couldn’t go to his house.

  But then she remembered him taunting her about being confined by cobwebs. Very well. She’d brush this one aside.