Greenways agreed to the suggestion and Sebastian ordered two pints of best to be brought over to the table. When they had been served and taken the head off their beer, Sebastian began to explain.
“My name is Sebastian Vernon, although you might hear me called Farndon.”
Greenways looked closely at the young man and mouthed, “Marquis?”
Sebastian nodded.
“I heard you described, my lord. I was told you were blond, tall, brown eyed and as beautiful as Lucifer himself. You match the description and you would have to be rich to buy that horse. So why have you sought me out?”
“Sir or Vernon here please. I am interested in your mistress, I am thinking of proposing to her. But I am concerned about a certain man who has been hanging around her. One Major Mallinder, note I do not term him gentleman. I have never met him personally but I have a grievance against him. I understand you may also have taken against the man and have been asking questions about him in certain quarters. I would like to compare notes.”
“Would Miss Alicia, know you are interested, sir? I thought I knew the names of all her beaux, but you aren’t one of them. I heard you had all the diamonds throwing themselves at you. I wouldn’t want to keep any secrets from her. But I’m prepared to tell you what I know about Mallinder.” Greenways took a swig of beer and wondered where to start.
“Miss Lambert is not aware of my interest, but tonight the whole of society will become aware, so you need not keep the secret for long. However I am concerned Mallinder might try to force Miss Lambert into marriage, when I make my interest apparent. I’ll tell you what I know of Mallinder. He beat up an ex-mistress of mine. Broke many bones and stole her money and jewellery. I tried to find him, but I got sent abroad and have been mostly abroad ever since. Does that fit in with what you’ve heard?”
“Sounds like the same man. I didn’t like him when I met him and the name triggered an old memory. A friend of mine, different regiment had a pretty daughter. That bastard seduced her and persuaded her to run off with him. Pimped her out and abandoned her destitute, she died in childbirth giving birth to his son. The child died soon after. What I don’t understand is how he can still call himself Major, and wear uniform, but his Regimental Sergeant-major hasn’t seen hide or hair of him these last four years. I asked at Horse Guards what his posting was, but all they gave me was a flea in my ear.” Greenways said quietly but with some heat.
“I understand he is living on credit and may be running out of even that. Whether or not Miss Lambert accepts my proposal, I am concerned about her safety. I think Mallinder to be so without honour, he is capable of anything, no matter how vile. I would appreciate if you would do your very best to keep her safe. Should, at any time, you wish to contact me day or night, you will be admitted to Langsdown House.”
“Oh one more thing Greenways, I believe there may be a man watching Miss Lambert and several more watching Mallinder. The government think he is tied up in something that smells bad. It might be in your interest to get on good terms with the one watching Miss Lambert. You can mention my name, it might help.”
“I’ll take your advice on that. I had noticed a follower but feared he might be Mallinder’s. I’ll do my best to keep Miss Alicia safe.”
“Mallinder might have shadows too, but I doubt he could afford to keep them on regular. It’s been a pleasure to meet you, Greenways. I’ll take my leave now. I have to change my clothes if I’m to get into Almacks tonight.”
Chapter Twelve
Relieved she had not seen the Marquis since their introduction, Alicia had no expectation of seeing him at Almacks that evening. She had attended several dances there and he had been elsewhere. She had no fear he would wish to further their acquaintance. Sally dressed her in a new cream coloured frock trimmed with pale green ribbons and threaded matching ribbons through her hair. She was fairly sure Major Mallinder had not obtained vouchers, so did not expect to encounter him either. Lady Sophia was to accompany her, but Sir Anthony had been invited to a card party by a friend.
Alicia’s dance card soon filled up, but she left the space by the waltzes empty as she had not yet had permission to dance them. Lady Sophia had discouraged any of her suitors from seeking permission to waltz with her, allowing Alicia time to have extra lessons in the dance. Alicia felt she looked her best in her new dress and had been extravagantly complimented by Sir Anthony when he had seen them off in their carriage. Alicia enjoyed dancing and chatting with friends between dances. She had been introduced to a new young man named Robert Lyall, whom she found very charming.
“Miss Lambert I am especially pleased to meet you. I am from Staffordshire, which I understand you also know well. I am only the second son of Sir Rodney Lyall, but I have a small estate of my own.”
She thought him handsome although he was quite slight in stature. He had dark wavy hair and hazel eyes and when he smiled he had a mischievous dimple. She thought he had been quite taken with her and was pleased when he asked Lady Sophia if he could call. She danced the next set with another of her admirers, Lord Cosgrave who so far had not found the courage to ask for her hand. Alicia had already decided to reject him if he proposed. She liked him, but felt no more than friendship for him. He was a fairly good dancer and Alicia would be sorry to hurt his feelings, but knew she could not love him.
While she danced with Lord Cosgrave, she was aware of a hum of interest around the room, as the dance patterns turned she could see two men had entered and were standing talking with Lady Jersey. One was Lord McKinlay, but the other looking spectacular in the old fashioned dress insisted upon by the patronesses was Lord Farndon. His eyes were scanning the room as if he was looking for one particular person. His eyes reached her on the dance floor and their eyes met for a second and he smiled in return. Alicia dragged her eyes away from his splendour and concentrated on the dance steps, trying to make desultory conversation with Lord Cosgrave.
At the end of the dance he returned her to Lady Sophia and Captain Redgrave took her hand for the next set. He had received her rejection of his proposal with good humour, but was still hoping she might change her mind when she got to know him better. Alicia wondered who Sebastian would dance with, but he did not take the floor. Lord Stephen asked one of the wallflowers to dance and took the place next to Alicia in the set.
Meanwhile Sebastian was conversing with a number of acquaintances while Lady Jersey escorted him around the room. They had been gradually progressing in the direction of where Lady Sophia was seated, but as they stopped to converse with a number of people, it didn’t look like they had any particular objective in mind. As the set came to an end Alicia returned to Lady Sophia’s side, where she was conversing with Lady Henderson and seated herself. She could rest and watch the other ladies dance the waltz.
“Sally, please would you present me to Miss Lambert as a suitable partner to waltz with,” intoned the Marquis in a mellow voice. He bowed over Miss Lambert’s hand as Lady Jersey said, “Yes certainly, I believe you have already been introduced to Lord Farndon. You are fortunate Miss Lambert. Sebastian dances divinely.”
Alicia had been drawn to her feet by Sebastian. She looked hopelessly at Lady Sophia, wondering how to refuse one of Almacks’ patronesses. But she had no help from that quarter as Lady Sophia was herself being led smiling to the dance floor by Lord McKinlay. Having no alternative, she placed her hand lightly on Sebastian’s arm and allowed herself to be led to the floor.
“I believe you have not danced the waltz publically before Miss Lambert? I am honoured to be your first partner,” Sebastian smiled down at her.
“I fear we shall look very odd together, my lord. I am so much smaller than you; perhaps you should choose another partner.”
“But I particularly wanted to dance with you, Miss Lambert. It would look like you wanted to snub me if you turned away.”
Alicia could not think of anything polite to say in return so said nothing.
“We both know you would like
to avoid dancing with me. So I did not give you the opportunity to tell me your card was full and allow you to reject me. I wish to thank you for your discretion in not repeating any of the conversation you overheard in Chalcombe’s library. It would be on everyone’s lips by now if you had spoken a word.”
“I was asleep, Lord Farndon.”
“My father believes that, but I am certain you heard every word. You are a clever girl, Miss Lambert so I trust you will forgive me if I am very direct. You have made one mistake.”
“And what was my mistake, Lord Farndon?” Alicia asked through gritted teeth.
“Attempting to snub me! If you have a strong aversion to my person, then you may tell me straight out. Now answer me this honestly did you want to refuse to dance with me?”
“Yes, my lord,” Alicia stated defiantly.
“Why? We have not been introduced before meeting in Lord Chalcombe’s library. I can understand you might want to rush away then, because you were embarrassed by what you had overheard. I have thanked you for not gossiping, so why did you not wish to dance with me?”
“I don’t think you are the sort of man I wish to be friends with.”
“An excellent answer; short and to the point, Miss Lambert. See we are getting on famously, smile everyone is watching us. Which gets me back to your mistake, what could be more interesting to a man who is fawned over and every girl tries to attract, than for you to snub him? You should have behaved like the others if you wished to discourage me.”
“I admit the mistake, my lord. You are correct I should have thrown myself at you and disgusted you. Could you not pretend I have done so and then ignore me?”
“Why should I do that Miss Lambert, when you are the only girl in town to interest me?”
“So what am I my lord, an antidote, a bluestocking or on the shelf? I assume it is the last because I should have come out three years ago and am all of twenty and one.”
“But you were not out, so that doesn’t count and I find you extremely desirable so you are far from an antidote. I think you very pretty and my taste has always been considered excellent. You are well educated, but have other interests and ride well, so you fail to fit the criteria of a bluestocking. It might interest you to know my grandmother put you top of the girls she invited to her dinner party. Her opinion only confirmed what I had already concluded from examining your notebook and sketches. You eavesdrop and I sneak a peek at other people’s private notebooks. You see I think we would be well-matched.”
Alicia was appalled he had looked at her sketchbook. He must have seen the portrait she had drawn and she wondered what conclusions he had drawn from it. He clearly still had not recognised her as the girl in Cambridge. What could she say to discourage him?
“Am I not entitled to my own opinion on that, my lord? I have told you I do not think you are the sort of man I wish to know, should that not be sufficient for you?”
“In what way do I offend you, Miss Lambert? Does my person disgust you? Perhaps you prefer men with dark hair or blue eyes? I believe I am considered a good catch. Would you not like to be a Marchioness?”
“You know perfectly well your person does not disgust me Lord Farndon. You saw the portrait I did of you. I have no particular preference for blue eyes or any other colour. Nor do I have a yearning for a title. It is your character that makes you unsuitable to me.”
“Exactly how does my character offend you, Miss Lambert? I am generally considered good company and held to have good manners. I fear you must explain how I fall short in your estimation.”
Alicia said nothing. The conversation was not going how she had hoped. She felt she was being played with, like a cat plays with a mouse. Her heart was beating fast while held by Sebastian and she breathed in the sweet smell of male musk under the scent of sandalwood soap he used. She found it very hard to think, when he was so close and her body was so distracted. Eventually she decided to speak her mind and hope he would be insulted and accept she was in earnest.
“I think you asked me to dance just so you could tease me, because of that portrait and because I didn’t gush all over you. I think I piqued your vanity, my lord. You are a rake and a drunkard and not at all the kind of man I wish to marry.”
“I drink rather less than most of the men in town. The last time I got drunk was in June on my thirtieth birthday. I admit I have been a rake but may one not reform? I promise I would be a faithful husband. There are advantages to having a reformed rake as a husband. I’m sorry Miss Lambert, you are going to have to do better to persuade me, that you wouldn’t be happy as my wife.”
Alicia decided to skip over the mention of his birthday. She knew perfectly well she had never seen him inebriated since that day. His moderation had been mentioned by a number of people in her hearing. In a society where many men were seen in public well the worse for drink, his determination to always appear sober was commented on. He was smiling down at her looking like a little boy who expected to be chastised.
Alicia looked away, all too conscious of the effect his smile was having on her and making her heart race faster. She felt flushed and other things she didn’t want to enumerate. He looked like he intended to kiss her and she could remember how pleasant his kisses had been.
“You have a very kissable mouth, Miss Lambert. Are you so sure you would not like to marry a rake? I believe you might enjoy it.”
“You should not say things like that, Lord Farndon!” she said drawing back a little and her eyes blazed with anger.
“But how else is a rake supposed to speak, Miss Lambert? Should I tell you what else I would like to do with you? Should I tell you how I wish there was a terrace to this ballroom so I could whisk you away and make love to you?”
“No, you know you shouldn’t and you should stop looking at me like that. Everyone will think you are being very particular in your attentions.”
“But I intend to be very particular in my attentions, Miss Lambert and I can be very persuasive. Tomorrow I will call at two and take you for a drive in my curricle. We can take up Greenways to chaperone you and you can explain more, why you don’t think we’ll suit. Now smile and curtsey the music has ended.”
Alicia belatedly curtseyed to the Marquis and took his offered arm. She blushingly returned to Lady Sophia who was just reaching her seat.
“I will call at two to take Miss Lambert for a drive, Lady Sophia. I hope that is acceptable. It has been a great pleasure to dance with you, Miss Lambert. I look forward to driving with you tomorrow.”
Alicia remained silent, stunned.
“Alicia will be honoured to drive with you tomorrow, my lord. She has no other engagements,” Lady Sophia said to fill the silence.
Sebastian bowed over Lady Sophia’s hand and then bowed to Alicia lifting her hand to his lips and bestowing a sweet kiss. It seemed to Alicia that the whole ballroom was silently watching them. He smiled down at her, his smile stretching into a grin. He flashed a grin at his grandmother and half bowed. Alicia sat stunned watching as the Marquis turned and walked to the door, pausing to thank Lady Jersey and bow over her hand. Lord McKinlay followed in his wake.
As the door closed behind the two friends, the silence was broken as all the ladies and most of the men discussed the incredible behaviour of the Marquis. A lot of hopes had been dashed for no one could misunderstand that the Marquis had declared his choice. Lady Sophia was nearly as shocked as Alicia, but was in no doubt the Marquis was serious. She had never even hoped Alicia could do so well. She turned and congratulated Alicia and asked what they had talked about.
“He flirted with me Lady Sophia, most dreadfully. Whatever am I going to do? He said he thought we were well matched.”
“Do? You should smile and say yes. Don’t you know how fortunate you are to make such a good match? I never even hoped for something so outstanding!”
Alicia could say nothing more for her next partner was coming towards her. He was a young man with sandy coloured hair and a few freckles.
She took his arm as he led her to the floor.
“Miss Lambert, you have made a conquest there. You’ve caught the season’s prize, Farndon, no less. All the old tabbies are taken aback and the girls are ready to swoon with chagrin at being passed over. He couldn’t have chosen a nicer girl. You have my congratulations.”
“I think congratulations are a little premature. He has not proposed nor have I accepted.”
“Farndon couldn’t have made his intentions clearer if he had knelt at your feet, Miss Lambert. You can’t be thinking of refusing? Sebastian Vernon is a great gun, top-sawyer too. I’d give my eye teeth for those chestnuts he drives.”
“He invited me to drive with him tomorrow.”
“I’m only sorry I didn’t ask you myself. Was planning to get round to it, but I know I’ve no chance if Farndon’s the competition.”
The rest of the evening sped by as one partner after another congratulated her and quizzed her about Sebastian Vernon. All Alicia thought of was how it had felt to waltz in Sebastian’s arms and what he had said to her. A couple of disappointed mothers said something unkind about Alicia to Lady Sophia.
“I thoroughly approve of my grandson’s choice. Alicia Lambert is a lovely girl and Sebastian can count himself lucky, if she accepts his suit,” Lady Henderson said staunchly in her defence. Luckily for Alicia she didn’t hear any of the conversation.
At last the evening was over, and Alicia returned home with Lady Sophia. Lady Sophia was busy planning what Alicia should wear for the drive tomorrow, but Alicia was very quiet. It had all been too much for her. She went up the stairs as if to her own funeral, fearing she would be unable to sleep. She was mistaken, yet she dreamt not of waltzing around a ballroom, but of being back in Cambridge. Her body was being caressed by a beautiful rake, only this time she didn’t bite his lip and flee to her own room.
Lady Sophia waited for her husband to return to tell him the news. He was not very late, nor did he seem at all surprised.
The Marquis' Mistake Page 9