by Anne Millar
“Captain, as military men we should appreciate the value of presenting a bold front.” Judith felt her cheeks flush at the effrontery of the remark but John’s reply was even worse.
“Though in military terms it is unsound to allow the picquets to be revealed.”
Judith’s downcast glance was an involuntary reaction to the embarrassment, but when her head came up she was looking into the eyes of Thomas Stainford. John and Dundas had sidled away and a very flushed Mrs Slipton was making her own escape with a grateful lingering gaze at Thomas.
“Thank you Major.” It was the only thing she could say, however much she detested the fact that he always turned up to find her at a loss. “John should know better.”
He said nothing, hadn’t even smiled, but Judith knew he was enjoying his little victory. In that moment she conceived such an anger at him. “Now if you will excuse me.”
“More lambs to save, Judith?” Superiority was a creed to this man, to be effortlessly demonstrated at the slightest provocation.
“My guests to attend to, Major.” Though there was little point in snubbing him when he gave no sign of noticing that was what you were doing.
“I’m sure they are enjoying the occasion. At least some of them are. It’s quite an elaborate affair for a ladies’ afternoon at the mess?” Judith could hear the question in his intonation but she had no answer to give him.
“Would you prefer that Sir Theodore skimped on his guests’ comfort?” There really was no pleasing Thomas.
“Your guests, Judith. Surely?” He was throwing her words back at her. “As Sir Theodore’s betrothed?” Now he was twisting what she had meant, no doubt deliberately. What did he expect her to do, deny it?
“That’s right Stainford. As my betrothed.” Neither of them had seen Theodore Horsley approach though more than one pair of eyes in the room was now watching the trio with interest. Judith couldn’t have explained exactly what in his tone provoked her, but his claim to ownership was something she wasn’t going to accept.
“As someone who understands social obligation, Theodore.” Judith knew as she spoke that neither man would take the chance to ease back. Instead they’d square up to each other like a pair of stallions. She was surprised at the aggression she saw in Thomas though. He stood broadside on to Sir Theodore defying the smaller man to speak again. It didn’t take Judith more than one look to know Sir Theodore wasn’t going to. After his initial bluster he was out of his depth and painfully aware of the silence that had fallen across the whole room.
“Which includes the need for the host to circulate amongst his guests, Theodore.” She hated herself for caving in to her prescribed role as Theodore’s hostess but with Thomas behaving like a bully there was no other option if the embarrassing scene was to be terminated. “ And Major Stainford must have some duty to attend to.”
Thomas didn’t look as though he was going to acquiesce in his dismissal at first. He held onto her gaze as though Theodore Horsley didn’t exist, till Judith could feel herself colouring up. Theodore could see it too if his reaction was any guide. He’d gone quite puce and looked to be on the verge of exploding. In that instant Judith knew she couldn’t play this game any more.
“I’ll leave you to each other, gentlemen.” She would have turned and been gone, and to blazes with the conventions, except that Theodore reached out and seized her arm.
“Judith there is someone I would like you to meet, my dear.”
She could see Thomas react to the movement though Theodore’s action hardly constituted an improper gesture between a betrothed couple. But Judith knew that any resistance on her part was likely to cause Thomas to intervene. Did Sir Theodore understand the risk he was running? Perhaps he did for she could see sweat pouring down his face.
“Very well, Theodore.”
Theodore Horsley turned and with a totally unnecessary degree of ostentation waved imperiously at a servant. To Judith’s horror a man and woman came walking forward to where she stood.
“Judith my dear, I believe you already know the Viscount Alsbury and his charming wife.”
Chapter 14
Thomas couldn’t have more shocked if Caroline of Brunswick had stepped forward stark naked and pleaded with him to remedy the neglect that she suffered at Prinny’s hands. The questions came flooding at him thick and fast. Amara had warned him that Charles and Jane had returned to England, but the obvious course of action was for them to make for Penwick. Society was bound to be difficult for a married couple at the centre of the scandal of the year. Yet here they were being presented by Horsley like a proud farmer exhibiting prize stock.
No need to wonder about Horsley’s purpose, the man thought he’d scored over Thomas, his face showed an unedifying delight beneath the rank fear that betrayed his nervousness. What did he think Thomas would do? Strike him in front of ladies? Challenge him? It would be ridiculous to challenge a man for daring to invite your brother to a tea party. And however tempting the prospect of smacking Horsley silly Thomas was not about to throw away all his work with the regiment. So whatever he feared Horsley was quite safe, though if he thought this would save the regiment for him he was a fool.
He wasn’t the only one behaving like a fool either. Charles was standing like a cowed spaniel, neither coming forward to greet him nor backing away. For a grown man he was giving a damned fine impersonation of a lost sheep. Clearly at a loss to know what to say to someone who he’d put a pistol ball into at their last meeting with every intention of killing him. Nothing untoward about that, many men had done the very same, they just hadn’t travelled out of their way to meet their opponent weeks later.
The thought flashed in his mind that Charles was as surprised as he was himself, that this meeting had been orchestrated without his brother’s knowledge, but one look at Jane gave the lie to that theory. She was smiling, but in the way that proclaimed she was pleased with herself. Far, far too obviously enjoying her reunion with the man her husband had shot to redeem her honour. Unless she had kept the secret from her husband, as she had with so much else, they had both known whom they were coming here to meet.
Which made no sense at all. There was no possible benefit to either of them in this. Yet here they were, Charles plainly embarrassed but still standing waiting. For what? For Thomas to step forward and reconcile with him? Not a likely ending. Thomas knew he had to break the line of thought before the anger grew in him that a Stainford, and his own brother at that, could allow himself to be made to play such an insipid part as Charles had.
One person whose face plainly betrayed her surprise was Judith. She stood stock still without responding to Horsley’s introduction: which was shocking for someone as focused on proper standards as Judith. She was watching Thomas like a hawk, and he knew instinctively that were he to respond in anger she’d intervene to stop him without thought of the cost to herself.
That at least he could spare her, by ending this farce as abruptly as it had been begun. Thomas turned on his heel and without a word strode out of the mess, the crowd parting for him, people hopping out of the way if they had to. His mind was raging, not against Charles or even Jane. Plainly, and for some inexplicable reason they were pawns in this. It was Theodore Horsley who was the target for his rage, and not just because he had brought Charles here for this ridiculous confrontation.
That such a lumpen, misbegotten creature should even think to bed with Judith’s sweet beauty was a travesty. Thomas knew if he broke stride or stopped for a minute he would turn around and turn Sir Theodore into the pulp he deserved to be. So the guests were left to scurry and skip out of his way.
“Well, your brother the Major didn’t seem pleased to see you, my lord.” If Florinda Horsley had seen the face that Judith pulled at her remark she would have shrivelled. As it was she could take her amusement from the shrug that was Charles Stainford’s only response to her sarcasm. Judith felt unexpected sympathy for him welling up inside her. Of all the images Thomas’ brother could
have conjured up the one she saw in her mind’s eye was a lost puppy uncertain what his master wanted him to do.
Jane Stainford was another matter. “Thomas was too precipitate in leaving. Then he always was impulsive.” Judith heard a possessiveness in the words that grated on her and must be anathema to Charles. No husband wanted to hear his wife speak of another man in such a fashion.
“He had cause, Jane.” Even someone a self centred as Jane would have heard the reprimand in her husband’s words. Maybe there was steel inside Charles after all and Judith’s instinct was to side with him.
“Thomas must have been surprised to see you.” To judge by Jane’s reaction her intervention was particularly unwelcome. There was a sneer in Jane’s response to her that was totally unnecessary.
“A welcome surprise I would have thought, when provincial society is so limited.” The woman paused as if a thought had just struck her. “Thomas hasn’t seen me since Frécada.”
By the way Charles’ face went white Frécada must have been the Spanish hamlet where the infamous incident took place. Before Judith could make any attempt to smooth over Jane’s hideous mistake her husband had snapped at her. “How dare you, madam.”
The rest of the room had been taking that detached view of proceedings that people adopt at a social gathering where exciting and scandalous events are expected to unfold. That is to say they were pretending disinterest whilst taking care to make sure their backs would not be turned at the critical moment. Now the veneer of indifference was falling apart faster than a lace dress dragged through a hedge.
Particularly when Jane’s reaction to her husband’s raised voice was to turn archly to him and hiss. Even the Horsleys blanched at this and Judith was left with no idea what to say or do. How did you deal with someone whose respect for the conventions was non existent? Charles was clearly as much at a loss as the rest of them, and the slump of his shoulders signalled a man who understood his limitations in dealing with his wife.
“We mustn’t let the Major’s rudeness wreck our afternoon. Must we Judith?” Florinda Horsley’s transparent appeal made Judith angry in a way that Jane’s awful behaviour had failed to manage. Jane was behaving dreadfully but Florinda was malicious and calculating in implying that the blame for Thomas’ withdrawal attached to Judith. Thomas was perfectly entitled to withdraw when faced with a brother who at their last meeting had shot him, and a sister in law whose reputation was such as to be unfit for society. A reputation fully deserved if this behaviour were any indication.
“I think it’s too late for that, Lady Horsley. Though for many of Theodore’s guests this little drama has been the highlight of their afternoon.” Cold fury that she had been inveigled into being part of the Horsleys’ nasty little plot was replacing the lost helplessness Judith had been feeling. “Why did you think this was a good idea? At all?”
“Theodore thought he could bring the estranged brothers together.” That emphasis on Theodore was a warning not to criticise. Florinda Horsley was not about to tolerate dissent from her son’s betrothed. Judith wasn’t about to tolerate subterfuge either: This had been a pathetic attempt at revenge on Thomas for the way he’d handled the regiment. The only thing Judith didn’t understand was why Charles had connived in it. Jane’s motivation was quite simple, the way she’d simpered at Thomas and dismissed her husband showed clearly which of the brothers she preferred.
“Charles and I had hoped for more generosity of spirit from Major Stainford. If Viscount Alsbury could show the spirit of forgiveness his brother might have reciprocated with more panache.”
Pompous, self satisfied and utterly deluded: that described Theodore Horsley to the inch. It was completely repulsive to see Charles Stainford standing there like a whipped dog waiting to be directed in his next task. Almost preferable to see Jane preening herself at being the centre of so much attention.
“I think Thomas showed commendable panache, Theodore. It was perhaps unfortunate that you had not discussed your intentions with him before taking this action.” There, she’d said it clearly, leaving no possible room for misunderstanding, and from the faces around her there was no misunderstanding. Florinda Horsley had gone red and you could see the urge building in her to denounce outright such base ingratitude. Something else there as well though, a hint of triumph that Judith had weakened her own position. As if Judith had ever had the illusion that she was a desired daughter in law.
Jane Stainford beat Theodore Horsley to the outrage trigger, and she couldn’t resist the chance to do some damage along the way. “Well really Judith. What a silly thing to say. I always thought you were fonder of Thomas than you ever admitted. It must have been disappointing for you when he chose to follow Charles and me to Spain.”
She’d hit her mark, and both of them knew it when Theodore Horsley dropped his voice a couple of octaves for his own denunciation of Judith’s temerity. “Major Stainford may have duties to perform with the East Mercian Loyal Volunteers Judith, but henceforth he will not be welcomed at social occasions such as this. I will not allow my betrothed to be exposed to such unedifying behaviour.”
Judith realised she was dealing with jealousy pure and simple, stoked by Jane Stainford’s malice. If anyone was responsible for the dreadful scene it was Theodore Horsley, and as for his use of the word ‘allow’. “Theodore, Thomas Stainford was every bit as much our guest as anyone else here, and he deserved better than this. I must go and apologise to him for your behaviour. If you have the courage you should accompany me.”
Three flabbergasted faces turned to her, only Charles Stainford maintained his demeanour of waiting for the earth to swallow him up and put an end to his misery.
“Judith, you will do no such thing. I forbid it.” A toad that was the only description she could think of for Theodore, self important and over inflated.
“Judith, my dear, you should consider this very carefully. You have much at stake.” Florinda Horsley was more cunning than her son but every bit as malicious.
Completing the horrid trio Jane Stainford had nothing to say, but the triumph in her face as she savoured the rift between Judith and her betrothed told Judith everything she needed to know about Jane’s dislike for her.
Judith emerged from the officers’ mess on her own, Theodore having failed to respond to her challenge that he accompany her to make his apology. Thomas was standing a little way off surveying the horizon. He must have heard her footsteps as she walked up behind him but he neither turned nor made any acknowledgment that she was there. Daunted for once Judith hesitated, but there was no point in coming this far and not speaking.
“I’m sorry for what was done, Thomas. It was wrong.”
If she expected gratitude to greet her words she was to be disappointed. When he turned to her Thomas’ face showed no softness whatsoever.
“Did your guests enjoy the spectacle, Judith?”
Only someone who knew him well could have detected the trace of self pity, but Judith heard it and it was enough to tip her into retaliation. None of this was anything to do with her, not Theodore’s jealousy, not Jane and Thomas’ sordid attraction, not Charles’ pathetic appeasement. For none of it was she to blame, yet in an unfair world all of it came tumbling in on her to deal with.
“I think they did, yes. It’s not every day that a far away scandal is brought to your own doorstep to be resurrected. So you and your brother and his wife will be the talk of the county. For a few weeks anyway. People will pretend to have been here when they weren’t. Just to impress their friends. Satisfied?”
She could tell they were heading for an almighty row by the way he stared back at her, and she didn’t care. Thomas Stainford needed to be set down, to understand how much trouble he brought in his wake.
“Why didn’t you warn me Judith? I expected better of you.” So he could ignore what she said and assume, just assume that she had known of Theodore’s plot?
“Why did you fight Charles?” That wasn’t what she meant or wan
ted to ask. What she really wanted to know was how he could have been so shallow as to follow Jane to Spain and then connive to cavort with his brother’s wife. What was wrong with her that he had preferred to follow that trollop?
“It was the only way.”
As an answer it lacked certain key criteria. Like making sense. Or containing some relevant information. Or even enlightening his listener.
“Damn you Thomas Stainford. You never cared for anyone but yourself. You deserve to be disinherited. I hope...” She stopped herself before telling him what she hoped for his future, or how short she wanted that future to be. When he returned to Spain it would be only too possible for hasty words to come true and it would be too late to take them back then. Instead Judith walked away, to where her brother had come out and was standing waiting for her.
“Sis. You’ve upset everyone. Why are you doing this? Why is it so hard just to do what Theo wants?”
It would have needed the soul of a saint not to take pleasure in John’s state of funk. He could obviously see all his edifice of arrangement and advantage about to come tumbling down around him. And how he deserved that. Judith didn’t have the soul of a saint, particularly now so she simply shrugged and walked past him.
“Judes.” John had taken her by the arm to stop her. “Do you know how much is at stake?”
“Is that why they sent you out to bring me back? Or was that your own idea brother?” She could see Thomas watching them and the last thing she needed was him to intervene. “Don’t worry, John, I’ll go back in and sooth the ruffled feathers. I think Theodore got what he wanted anyway.”