Bound by a Scandalous Secret (The Scandalous Summerfields)

by Diane Gaston

  ‘What of the second piece?’ Genna asked. ‘That was not pleasant.’

  ‘Beautiful.’ Vespery raised a finger. ‘But not pleasant.’

  ‘But there were so many surprises in it!’ Lady Tinmore cried. ‘Like those harsh chords in the minuet.’

  One thing Ross could say. Lady Tinmore had suddenly come to life. She had a personality after all. And emotion. Hidden, he supposed, because of her overbearing yet neglectful husband.

  Genna spoke up. ‘I thought I should be driven to a fit of weeping by those movements. Right when I was beginning to completely despair, that happy ending came.’

  ‘Yes!’ her sister cried. ‘Was that not marvellous?’

  Ross liked both the Summerfield sisters, he decided.

  Lord Tinmore appeared at the table, but he spoke only to Ross. ‘Rossdale, I was just telling your father, the Duke, that this was a most competently played musical evening. I am honoured to have been in the audience.’

  Ross saw Genna cover her mouth, but her eyes danced. Tinmore did not notice. His attention was only on Ross. He also did not see Dell pull his chair further back and slip away.

  ‘Kindly said, Tinmore,’ Ross responded.

  ‘I fear, sir, that I must bid you goodnight,’ Tinmore went on. ‘I already bade goodnight to your father and the Duchess. I hope that my years will excuse me to you and your family. Fatigue plagues me.’

  They were leaving? He’d hardly had time to speak to Genna.

  ‘Come!’ Tinmore snapped to his wife and Genna. ‘We must leave now.’

  Lady Tinmore rose. ‘I must thank the Duke and Duchess first.’

  ‘They do not want to be bothered, I assure you,’ Tinmore said. ‘I said all that was required.’

  All the life glimpsed a moment ago seemed drained from Lady Tinmore now. Genna looked red-faced with anger.

  This boor.

  Ross put on a smile he did not feel. ‘I must agree with your wife, sir. My father and the Duchess take great offence when guests do not bother to thank them. I will accompany your wife and her sister to bid their farewells. You rest here.’

  As Ross offered his arms to each of the ladies, Tinmore looked at Vespery and demanded, ‘Who are you?’

  Ross did not wait to hear Vespery’s reply.

  When they stepped away from the table, Genna murmured, ‘It was nonsense.’

  ‘What was?’ Ross asked.

  ‘He fell asleep during the whole concert,’ she said. ‘He did not hear it competently played at all.’

  Ross inclined his head to her. ‘I noticed. I could see from the back.’

  She giggled.

  ‘Want to hear more nonsense, ladies?’ Ross asked.

  ‘Indeed!’ Genna said.

  Her sister remained subdued.

  He stopped and looked from one to the other. ‘My father and the Duchess do not care a fig if you bid them goodnight.’

  Genna’s eyes sparkled. ‘Oh, you are trying to make me laugh out loud!’

  Yes. He definitely wanted to see more of Genna Summerfield.

  Because she made him want to laugh out loud, too.

  * * *

  The next morning Ross strode down Bond Street and entered a shop he had never set foot in before. Mori and Leverne’s Music Shop. He’d passed it countless times on his way to Gentleman Jackson’s Boxing Salon, but he’d never had a reason to enter it before.

  He had a whim to purchase sheet music to the Mozart pieces performed at the Duchess’s musicale to give to Lady Tinmore. It seemed the one thing that made her happy. He’d present it to Lord Tinmore for his wife and no one would think anything of that, not that any member of the ton would know of it. Tinmore would take it as a compliment to him, Lady Tinmore would receive some pleasure from it and perhaps Genna would also be pleased with him.

  He stood inside the door without a clue how to find the piece he desired. The music seemed to be arranged in aisles, filed in some order that escaped him.

  The clerk stood behind a counter at the far end of the shop, speaking to two ladies.

  As Ross approached one of the ladies turned and broke into a smile. ‘Rossdale!’

  Genna. And her sister.

  ‘What a surprise to see you!’ Genna said. ‘We came looking for the music from last night’s musicale, but the last copy was sold just this morning.’

  ‘I am terribly sorry,’ the clerk said. ‘The gentleman came early when the shop opened. You might try Birchall’s down the street.’

  ‘We did try there,’ Lady Tinmore said.

  So much for his idea of giving the music to her.

  ‘What are you here for, Rossdale?’ Genna asked. ‘Do not tell me you were searching for the same music.’

  Very well. He would not tell her. ‘I was considering a gift,’ he said.

  Her smile faltered. ‘Oh.’ She seemed to recover, though. ‘Perhaps we can help you. What sort of music did you have in mind?’

  He shrugged. ‘Perhaps something by Mozart. For the piano.’

  ‘Ah!’ said the clerk. ‘I have some over here.’

  ‘Help him, Lorene,’ Genna said. ‘You will be able to tell him what music is best.’

  Lady Tinmore acted as reserved as usual. ‘If you like.’ She lowered her lashes.

  ‘I would be grateful,’ Ross said.

  She riffled through the sheets of music the clerk indicated. ‘Here is one.’ She pulled out the sheet and studied it. ‘A piano sonata. Number eleven.’

  She handed it to him and he glanced at the page. He could follow almost none of it. ‘Do you have this music?’ he asked her.

  ‘No,’ she replied. ‘I merely think it would be a pretty one to play.’

  He handed the sheets to the clerk. ‘I will purchase this one.’ He gave his information to the clerk.

  Upon learning where the bill was to be directed, the clerk became even more solicitous. ‘Allow me to place this in an envelope for you, my lord.’

  ‘Did you want to look for something else?’ Genna asked her sister.

  Lady Tinmore shook her head.

  Ross, music in hand, walked with the ladies to the door. At the door, though, he stopped and handed the envelope to Lady Tinmore. ‘This is for you, ma’am,’ he said.

  ‘For me?’ Some expression entered her face.

  ‘Lorene!’ Genna broke into a smile.

  ‘But, why?’ Lady Tinmore asked.

  ‘For being the guest last night who most enjoyed the concert,’ he replied.

  And to give her some happiness since she certainly did not have that in her marriage.

  Ross opened the door and held it. Lady Tinmore walked out first.

  Genna paused and looked up at Ross. ‘Take care, Lord Rossdale. You might make me like you very much.’

  He grinned. ‘There must be worse fates than that.’

  Although what good would it do them to like each other? Unless they could spend time together.

  He was determined to figure out a way, but unless he made a formal gesture, he could not even call upon her. All he could do was wait until they saw each other by accident, like this, or were invited to the same parties. And who knew when that would be?

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  What was he thinking? They were together now. Ross could contrive to spend more time with Genna, even if her sister was also present.

  ‘Where are you ladies bound after this?’ he asked when they were out on the pavement.

  ‘I believe we will go home,’ Lady Tinmore said.

  Genna looked disappointed. Perhaps she wanted more time together, as well. He was not surprised they were of one mind.

  ‘May I escort you?’ he asked.

  Genna’s eyes pleaded with her
sister. The walk back to Curzon Street and Tinmore’s town house would be a short one, but to accompany them would be more enjoyable than if he simply left them here.

  Lady Tinmore lowered her lashes. ‘If you like.’

  Genna smiled.

  As did Ross.

  He offered his arm to Lorene, who, as a countess, had precedence. Genna walked next to her.

  They strolled past the shops on Bond Street and turned on Bruton Street.

  ‘Are you enjoying your Season in London?’ Ross asked in a polite tone.

  ‘Yes, quite,’ Lorene answered agreeably.

  He leaned over and directed his gaze at Genna. ‘And you, Miss Summerfield?’

  Genna appeared for a moment to be doing battle with herself. Trying not to say something she really wanted to say.

  Her words burst forth. ‘To own the truth, I am feeling a bit restrained.’ Apparently what she wanted to say won out. ‘There is so much to do and see here in town and, as I cannot go out alone, I am confined to the house.’

  ‘Genna!’ her sister chided.

  ‘Well, it is true,’ Genna protested hotly.

  They had reached Berkeley Square.

  Ross deflected the impending sisterly spat. ‘Shall we do and see something right now?’ he asked. ‘Here is Gunter’s. Shall we stop and have an ice?’

  Lady Tinmore’s brows knit. ‘I do not know if we should.’

  ‘It would be respectable,’ Ross said. ‘I would not have asked otherwise.’

  ‘Oh, let’s do, Lorene.’ Genna pleaded. ‘It will be fun.’

  Lady Tinmore looked as if she were being dragged to a dungeon instead of the most fashionable tea shop and confectioner in Mayfair.

  ‘Very well,’ she finally said.

  Genna skipped in apparent delight.

  ‘The day is overcast, though, as well as being chilly,’ Ross said. ‘Let us not eat in the square under the trees. We should go inside.’

  They entered the shop and sat at a table.

  A waiter stepped up to serve them. ‘Sir? Ladies?’

  ‘What would you like?’ Ross asked Genna and her sister.

  ‘Not an ice,’ Lorene said. ‘Not on such a cold day. I shall have tea.’

  Genna huffed. ‘I do not care how cold it may be, I am having an ice!’

  The waiter handed them cards that had the flavours printed on them. ‘Your choice, miss.’

  Genna read part of the list aloud. ‘Barberry, elderflower, jasmine, muscadine, pistachio and rye bread…’ She handed the card back to the waiter. ‘I shall be adventuresome. I will try the rye-bread ice.’

  ‘Rye-bread ice,’ repeated the waiter in a voice that showed her exotic choice was commonplace for him. ‘And you, sir?’

  ‘Pineapple,’ Ross said.

  The waiter bowed and left.

  ‘Pineapple?’ Genna looked at him in mock disapproval. ‘That is not very daring.’

  ‘It is what I like,’ he explained.

  ‘But how do you know that you will not like another flavour better unless you try it?’ she asked.

  ‘Genna fancies whatever is new and different,’ her sister said.

  ‘You make me sound frivolous,’ Genna complained, but she turned to Ross and laughed. ‘What am I saying? Lorene is correct! That is me! Liking whatever is new and different.’

  Therein was her charm. ‘And you are eager to see new and different sights while you are here?’ he asked.

  ‘I am eager. Not very hopeful, though.’ She frowned and her face tightened in frustration. ‘I think I might be content to do anything but stay in the house.’

  ‘Genna!’ her sister again chided. ‘You must not say such things. They can be misinterpreted. You’ll sound fast.’

  ‘Oh, I think Lord Rossdale knows what I mean,’ she said with confidence. ‘I just want to do things. The places I see do not even have to be new. Something I’ve liked before and wish to do or see again would be fine.’

  ‘Like what?’ he asked.

  ‘Well.’ Her mouth widened into an impish smile. ‘Like having an ice at Gunter’s.’

  He liked her humour. ‘What else?’

  Lady Tinmore answered for her. ‘Genna wishes to see Napoleon’s carriage at the Egyptian Hall.’

  Ross laughed inwardly. He wanted to see Napoleon’s carriage, as well.

  ‘I do wish to see it!’ she protested. ‘Who would not?’

  ‘It has created quite a stir,’ he admitted.

  Genna gave Lorene a smug look. ‘See, Lorene, I am not the only one.’ Lorene folded her arms across her chest and glanced away.

  He had no idea what to do with sisterly disputes. He had no brothers or sisters. It was one of the reasons his father was so eager for him to marry and produce an heir.

  Perhaps if his mother had lived it would have been different. Perhaps there would have been little sisters or brothers for him to spat with.

  Genna went on. ‘I would love to see everything in the Egyptian Museum. I also want to see Astley’s Amphitheatre, the menagerie at the Tower, and—’ She paused and looked away. ‘I want to see the Elgin Marbles.’

  She was game for everything.

  Like his mother had been.

  Until his father inherited the title and the burden of that responsibility fell upon him. And her.

  ‘You cannot see the Elgin Marbles,’ Lady Tinmore said. ‘No one can. They are stored away until Parliament decides whether or not to purchase them for the British Museum.’

  They were stored at Montagu House.

  Their ices and Lady Tinmore’s cup of tea were brought to them.

  Genna dipped into hers eagerly. And made a face, but she took another spoonful and another.

  Ross’s spoon was poised to taste his. ‘How is it?’

  She put on a brave smile. ‘It is—it is—it is…’ She faltered. She finally laughed. ‘It is quite dreadful, actually.’

  Her sister murmured, ‘Of course it is.’

  Ross pushed his untouched pineapple ice towards her. ‘Here. Have mine. I only ordered it so you would not have to eat alone.’

  She looked at it longingly, then pulled it the rest of the way towards her. ‘Oh, thank you! I love pineapple ices.’

  Her sister stood and Ross quickly stood, as well.

  ‘I believe I will choose some confections to bring to Lord Tinmore,’ she said.

  ‘Shall I assist you?’ he asked.

  ‘Not at all. The clerk will help me.’

  There was a clerk behind a counter who had just assisted someone else.

  Ross sat again as Lady Tinmore walked away.

  ‘She is purchasing confections for Lord Tinmore,’ he repeated, finding it difficult to believe.

  Genna’s countenance turned serious. ‘She tries very hard to please him. An impossible goal, I believe.’

  He thought he ought to be careful what he said. ‘Tinmore is very…critical…of her.’

  She swallowed a spoonful. ‘He is an awful man, but do not say so in front of her. She will defend him.’

  He was puzzled. ‘She has a regard for him?’

  She shook her head. ‘Not in the way you mean. She is grateful to him for marrying her. She married him so that my sister Tess, my brother and I would have a chance to make good matches and not be required to be governesses or ladies’ companions, or, in my brother’s case, to stay in the army and be sent some place terrible like the West Indies.’

  ‘She married him for you and your sister and brother?’ Marrying for money took on a different meaning in that case.

  She nodded and glanced over at her sister. ‘Although I never wanted any of it. I won’t use his dowry, no matter what Tinmore thinks.’

  ‘Surely
you wish to marry, though,’ he said.

  She scoffed. ‘With no dowry, I cannot expect to marry, but that does not trouble me. I do not wish to marry.’

  ‘How would you live, then?’ he asked.

  Young ladies of good birth had few choices in life except to marry. The few they had were dismal. Ladies’ companions or governesses, as she’d said.

  ‘Well, if you must know, I wish to make my living as an artist. Like your Mr Vespery.’ She took another spoonful.

  ‘You wish to paint portraits?’ That was how Vespery made his living.

  ‘I would prefer to paint landscapes, but I doubt that will bring me enough money.’ She shrugged.

  He smiled. ‘Ones with purple skies and blue grass?’

  She laughed. ‘I doubt that sort of landscape would bring me any income at all!’ She glanced down at her almost finished ice. ‘I have so much more to learn, though. I do not even know how to paint in oils.’

  Maybe Vespery could be persuaded to give her lessons, Ross thought. But would Tinmore allow such a thing?

  She smiled and took the last bite. ‘I can always become a lady’s companion. I would make a good one, do you not think?’

  He grinned. ‘You would keep some lady on her toes, that is true.’

  Lady Tinmore walked back to the table, a small package in hand. Ross stood.

  ‘I believe we should go, Genna,’ she said.

  Genna rose. ‘Thank you, Lord Rossdale. That was a lovely interlude.’

  ‘My pleasure.’

  It was his pleasure, a pleasure to have a candid conversation with an intelligent young woman who enjoyed new experiences as much as he did. He was not going to leave their next meeting to chance. After he delivered Genna and her sister to the town house on Curzon Street, he would make another call nearby. The Duchess of Archester was planning a ball in two weeks’ time. He would wager she could be persuaded to invite the daughters of her old friend, Lady Summerfield.

  * * *

  After Rossdale left Genna and Lorene at their door and the footman carried away their cloaks, Lorene turned to Genna. ‘Do you not think you are acting a bit too free with Lord Rossdale?’