“The Earl of Gorton? Then you must be talking of Lady Evelyn Godfrey!” Suddenly, Stuart sat up straight in his chair, the sherry in his glass coming dangerously close to slopping over the edge.
“You know the young lady?” Gabriel said, smiling as he felt his plan coming ever closer.
“I most certainly do, Gabriel. Although I must admit I do not know her terribly well.” Stuart said, and took a fortifying sip of his drink. “You see, my dear fellow, we are vaguely related. Second cousins or something, I believe.”
“Well, I say!” Gabriel said, more excited than ever. If Stuart knew something of the lady, there was a very good chance he could come in most terribly useful. “Are you really?”
“We are, Gabriel.” Stuart finished his sherry and rose to pour another. The two men always drank a little too much when they were together. “My father and the Earl of Gorton are cousins. I must say, the two families are not terribly close, and Gorton’s estate is on the very edge of the county. However, I do know something of dear Evelyn. She’s terribly nice, as a matter of fact.”
“And you see her from time to time?”
“I see her on occasion, my dear man,” Stuart said. “Whilst we are not terribly close, I would say that Evelyn and I are certainly beyond acquaintance level. We are family, but distant family. Put it that way.”
“So, am I to presume that you were not aware that your second cousin, or whatever the relationship might be, is engaged to be married to Richard Cunningham?”
“I did not know such a thing,” Stuart said and shook his head a little. “And quite what the Earl of Gorton is thinking in promising so nice a girl away to Lord Cunningham is beyond me.”
“As it usually is in these matters, Stuart, I daresay that money has changed hands.”
“Indeed, it is likely. I have a recollection that the Earl of Gorton is not particularly wealthy, so perhaps the old Duke has settled a healthy sum upon the outcome of the thing.” Stuart said and shook his head a little.
“You seem a little displeased, my dear friend.” Gabriel said, fishing for information. After all, if Stuart Penhaligon were not happy at the idea of a nice young lady being married away to Lord Richard Cunningham, then perhaps he might be all the keener to help Gabriel in his mission.
“Indeed I am displeased, Gabriel. Although I daresay I shall get over it in time. But I do care for dear Evelyn, although I shall not be awake night after night troubling myself over the matter. And yet, I should rather have liked to see her marry someone a little better than that.”
“Someone like me, perhaps?” Gabriel said, cutting straight to the point.
“And why should you marry her, Gabriel? What is she to you?”
“At the moment, nothing,” Gabriel said, honestly. “Beyond being uncommonly pretty, I know nothing else about her. We have not been introduced, nor are we likely to be given her current ties.”
“Then why should you want to marry her?” Stuart said. However, his initial confusion was slowly beginning to evaporate, and reality was beginning to dawn. “Oh, I see. You intend to use my poor relation as a pawn in the everlasting game of chess between the Farringtons and the Cunninghams. I must say, Gabriel, that is awfully hard. And to be so very open about your plan in front of me seems rather insensitive, I am bound say.” Although Stuart’s words were harsh, his tone was not. The men had been friends for so long that they were able to air their views honestly without their friendship suffering as a result.
“I do not intend to marry her simply for the sake of it, Stuart,” Gabriel said, knowing in his heart that he was perhaps dressing up the truth just a little. “But if I find her as pleasing in manner as I find her in appearance, I see no reason not to go after her. After all, would you not prefer to see your poor relation married to a friend and someone you know well would look after her? Or would you prefer to see her trapped forever with a man as unpleasing in his manner as he is in his appearance?”
Gabriel smiled to himself. He could see that his friend was slowly digesting the ramifications of what he was saying. However underhand Gabriel’s motives might be, he rather thought that Stuart might come to the conclusion that at least his second cousin’s interest might be better served as a pawn in Gabriel’s game, rather than a prisoner in Richard’s.
“You are right, of course, Gabriel.” Stuart sniffed. “And I do know it is true that the Evelyn would be better off as your wife than Richard’s. However, I should not like you to think that I am so easily won over. Nor so easily fooled.”
“I should not have you so.” Gabriel said and smiled as he bowed his head towards his friend.
“Good, as long as that is clear.” Stuart said and seemed pleased to have stamped his authority upon the thing.
The two men remained in quiet contemplation for some time, each of them slowly sipping at their drinks and closely regarding the flames of the fire.
Gabriel did what he could to hide a certain amount of self-satisfaction. As far as he could see, things were already in motion. The whole thing was beginning to move along very nicely, and very nicely in Gabriel’s favor. With Stuart at his side, Gabriel felt that there must be some way in which a suitable introduction could be made between him and the chestnut-haired beauty. Surely Stuart could come up with something rather low-key and family based that would exclude the Cunningham family without causing offense or suspicion.
Gabriel felt sure that if he could only secure some time alone with Evelyn Godfrey, he could win her over. After all, he had many advantages over Richard Cunningham. Their statuses, of course, were rather even. Even though Richard was not yet the Duke of Horndean, it was clear that he would be one day. In that regard, they were evenly matched. However, in terms of charm and handsomeness, Gabriel knew that he was, without a doubt, the hands down winner.
Richard Cunningham had never been a handsome man and looked a lot less like his own father than his younger brother, Oscar, did. Both Cornelius and Oscar were brown-haired and ruggedly built, whereas Richard had the slight and angular features of the true aristocrat. His face was pale, slim, and somewhat aquiline, and his hair was a washed-out and rather faded looking red. It was not the vibrant red of Lady Evelyn Godfrey’s handsome mane, but more like the last carrots of the season. With his pale green eyes and insipid complexion, Richard Cunningham always had the look of a man who was sickening for something.
Richard Cunningham was very much his mother’s son, taking his coloring and build from Prudence, the Duchess of Horndean. She too was most unpleasingly pale and insubstantial, and Gabriel had always wondered quite why it was Cornelius had chosen her over his Aunt Verity, who was reported by his father and every portrait of her that hung in Calgarth Hall, as a famous beauty.
“Alright,” Stuart said, piercing the silence quite suddenly and making Gabriel start in his seat. “Following certain conditions, I shall help you.” He gave Gabriel the sort of grin he had given him when they were boys, and it was clear that he was enjoying a certain amount of power over his old friend.
“But of course, Stuart,” Gabriel said, and laughed. “And do tell me your conditions.”
“I shall arrange an introduction for you, in a manner I have yet to decide. In fact, I have no idea how I am going to go about it, so you shall have to await the details.” Stuart said, shrugging and smiling honestly. “Anyway, since I rather care what happens to poor dear Evelyn, I shall decide in your first meeting whether or not I continue to help you. After all, if I see no particular regard between you, then I see no moral justification for continuing to act in a way most likely to upend the life and peace of mind of my cousin.”
“That is perfectly understandable.” Gabriel said, and smiled. As much as Stuart was laying down his rules, Gabriel already knew he had won.
“If, however, I truly think that Evelyn would be better served being married to you, and that is what she seems herself to want, then I shall do everything in my power to assist you and ensure that the whole thing comes to pass just
as you would wish it to be.” Stuart inclined his head towards his friend, indicating that his speech was over.
“I think your conditions are most fair and right, my dear friend. And I promise you, if you choose to help me, there shall not be a more cared for and privileged young lady in all of the North of England.”
“Well, I daresay I ought to get my brains on it then.” Stuart said. He gave a rather comical grimace, and both men laughed.
Chapter 4
Lady Evelyn Goddard had not attended an afternoon of tea and bridge at the family home of Amelia Merriweather for a very long time. The two had got along admirably in their youth but had found themselves gravitating towards different circles in society as they grew older. When the invitation had arrived at Gorton Hall asking Evelyn to attend Amelia’s smart townhouse in the center of Halton, she was keen to respond.
Evelyn was keen to know how her old friend was keeping and what was new in her life. She was also full of curiosity, as one is after not seeing another for a few years. At three and twenty years, Evelyn rather thought that she had not seen Amelia since they were both but eighteen.
Evelyn wondered if Amelia and Stuart Penhaligon were still great friends and, if they were, might her distant cousin not also be in attendance? Evelyn had always thought Stuart rather fun company and, what he lacked in seriousness, he made up for in charming manners and a seeming kindness.
Evelyn had dressed carefully for the afternoon. Whilst tea and bridge in a townhouse in Halton was not necessarily the society event of the calendar, it was still a rather fine afternoon. The Merriweather family were well respected in society, and their home was well attended by many in the county.
In the end, Evelyn chosen an ivory gown with a pale green overlay. There was a darker green banding beneath the bust, as well as at the floor-length hem. Whilst the gown was of a simple cut, Evelyn knew well that the shade of green she had chosen suited her complexion very well indeed, and contrasted nicely with her chestnut tresses and blue eyes.
As Evelyn took one last glance in the mirror before quitting her room and heading for the carriage, she wondered vaguely what the point of taking such pains really was. After all, she had been promised to Lord Richard Cunningham and there would be no escaping the engagement now.
As Evelyn walked rather ponderously down the stairs, she wondered why she had thought of escaping. In truth, although she found herself to have little in common with Richard Cunningham, it had not occurred to her that she might want to escape the engagement.
The carriage ride over to Halton took a full forty minutes, and Evelyn began to think it little wonder that she and Amelia had gradually grown apart over the years. It was certainly much easier to keep contact with someone who was but a five-minute journey away, or even a ten minute one.
However, all in all, Evelyn was very much looking forward to the afternoon. It would be the first engagement she had attended for some time that did not include either her parents, Richard Cunningham or both. From the moment her father and the Duke of Horndean had begun to get their heads together and hatch a plan for the union of the two households, Evelyn had scarcely had a moment to herself.
Not once had her parents enquired after her own feelings on the matter, nor even her opinion of Lord Richard Cunningham. In truth, it had not occurred to her to make her feelings known in any case, since she, like so many other young women in her position, had very little say in the matter. Evelyn rather thought that if your opinion could do nothing to change the outcome, there was little pleasure in giving it. And, of course, there had been the question of money.
For as long as Evelyn could remember, her parents, when alone, had often discussed the downturn in the fortunes of the Gorton Earldom. Her father had inherited a home and a title in decline, and it had continued in that fashion ever since.
While she did not know the sum, Evelyn felt sure that whatever monies her father had been offered were great enough to ensure that she herself had no say.
In truth, Evelyn did not despise her parents. She had a very ordinary regard for them, and loved them well enough, despite being able to see their faults. While she had not, in her heart, been the least bit happy to discover that she would be marrying the pale and rather uninteresting Richard Cunningham, it had never occurred to her to find some way to rebel against it. After all, she had never met a young man she had particularly preferred to Richard. So, at three and twenty, if she were to be married, it might as well be to him as any other.
“Oh, my dear Evelyn, how truly wonderful to see you again.” Amelia Merriweather had greeted her at the very door of the townhouse and thrown her arms about her neck and kissed her cheek over and over again.
“And how lovely to see you too, Amelia.” Evelyn giggled, being suddenly reminded of exactly how exuberant Amelia always was in her greeting. “I was so surprised to get your invite, and so very pleased I almost cried.” Evelyn said, honestly.
“Oh, what a wonderful thing to say! You dear, dear girl. How I have missed you.”
“And how I have missed you. We really must not let such a great length of time lapse again, my dear Amelia. We must remain vigilant upon the thing.” Evelyn said, feeling her spirit suddenly soar at their reunion.
“Yes, we really must remain vigilant,” Amelia said, taking her hand and leading her through to the drawing room. “But I must be entirely honest, my dear Evelyn, it was dear Stuart’s suggestion that I invite you.” Amelia said as she propelled Evelyn along.
“Stuart? Stuart Penhaligon?” Evelyn said, knowing fine well that Stuart Penhaligon was exactly to whom Amelia was referring.
“The very same. He is a regular here, you see. Anyway, we had been speaking about you, and Stuart said what a nice idea it would be to invite you for an afternoon of tea and bridge with everybody else. I must say, although it was his idea, I am inordinately glad that he suggested it.”
“And so am I.” Evelyn said, cheerfully. “Is he here today? I really must thank him.”
“He most certainly is, Evelyn. I do believe he is currently engrossed in a game of bridge. But he and his bridge partner are not terribly well matched, so I daresay they shall be freed up for conversation in no time at all.” Amelia said, whispering and giggling at her kindhearted mockery.
Evelyn found she had truly missed Amelia and realized that she had never met another friend with whom she could talk so freely and laugh so much. She really would have to remain vigilant and see to it that she kept friends with Amelia from now on.
As they entered the drawing-room, Amelia was surprised by quite how many people were in attendance. There were several tables set up for bridge and countless other small groups sitting on couches and armchairs having tea and conversation. The atmosphere was so terribly warm and friendly and Evelyn realized how greatly her life seemed to lack such things at that moment. There was nothing cozy or inviting about the events she attended with Lord Cunningham, and any visits to Horndean Hall, the seat of the Duchy, were austere and full of anxiety. In truth, Evelyn tried very hard not to think of the fact that Horndean Hall would, without a shadow of a doubt, one day be her home. And it would be her home forevermore.
“Oh look, my dear, there’s Stuart. He’s looking over, you see?” Amelia said, inclining her head to indicate where Evelyn’s cousin sat playing bridge. Evelyn looked over, and immediately caught Stuart’s eye. He smiled and waved over before beckoning her to the table.
“I say, Evelyn, how wonderful to see you.” He said, enthusiastically.
“It is wonderful to see you also, my dear Stuart,” Evelyn said, peering over his shoulder and looking doubtfully at the hand of cards he was doing little to hide. “But I believe I have you to thank for my presence here today, or so Amelia tells me.”
“Well, I thought it a great shame that the two of you see so little of one another. After all, I always remember you being such happy friends.” Stuart gave her broad smile. “Oh, I do wish I were better at bridge.”
“I dares
ay you do, cousin.” Evelyn said with a wince as she once again studied his cards. The man sitting at Stuart’s side began to chuckle. Evelyn turned her gaze upon him and felt a little unsettled. Surely she recognized him from somewhere.
Rather obligingly, Stuart’s bridge partner turned his cards so that she might study them also. Laughing, Evelyn slowly shook her head.
“Gentlemen, I think it would be quicker and quieter if you simply gave up now.” Evelyn said, and laughed.
When Stuart and his companion laughed heartily, Evelyn found herself suddenly pleased. She had always known herself to be possessed of a very keen wit, and rather a talent for comical phrasing. However, in the long and boring months of her engagement to Richard Cunningham, Evelyn had felt it necessary to very much diminish her own interesting character. After all, her mother and father had both impressed upon her the importance of not overshadowing one’s future husband socially. When she had been in Richard’s company but twice, Evelyn realized that it was almost impossible not to overshadow him socially. However, she did what she could to avoid it.
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