A Marriageable Miss (11 page)

T
wo days later, riding alongside his grandmother’s landau as she took Helena and the now fully recovered Lottie for their first carriage outing through Hyde Park, it soon became apparent to Richard that their appearance seemed to be causing a good deal of curious speculation from promenaders and carriage-folk alike.

Reining in beside the landau, for what must have been the fourth or fifth time in a passage of less than a hundred yards, in order for his grandmother to conduct yet another protracted conversation with one or other of the occupants of a passing vehicle, the earl, shooting a quick glance at Helena’s surprisingly composed countenance, could not help but wonder what she was making of all this unforeseen attention. Despite his determination to remain coolly aloof from her, he would have needed to be totally blind not to have noticed that she was looking particularly fetching this afternoon, in her skilfully styled lilac-coloured carriage gown, with the wide brim of her matching bonnet framing her lovely face to perfection. Doing his utmost to keep his eyes on the carriageway and not on her, he was only too conscious of the fact that, had he not been bound by this disastrous agreement, such delectable temptation as she was proving to be might easily have been regarded as something of a challenge. As it was, however…Clenching his jaw, he tried to focus his attention on the animated chatter that was going on about him.

She, having been achingly aware of the earl’s reserved demeanour since the disastrous theatre trip, had made up her mind that, despite Markfield’s obvious lack of enthusiasm for the project, she would do her best to comply with whatever demands the countess might choose to make. With her father still being kept in a state of mild sedation, the few short conversations that she had been allowed to hold with him had, fortunately, precluded any necessity of discussing the unsigned contract.

Nevertheless, she knew that as soon as Dr Redfern deemed him well enough to resume his normal way of life, the matter was likely to be brought up straight away. By which time, hopefully, she would have devised a plan by which she might extricate herself from what was becoming a highly stressful association with the Standish family. Until that happened, there was little she could do but sit back, try to give the impression that she was enjoying herself and endeavour not to allow all the unanticipated admiration that had suddenly become her lot to affect her judgement. Fortunately, in that respect, her innate good sense told her that all this newfound interest in her had merely come about as a result of the details of her father’s extensive fortune being passed along the social grapevine. Never having previously encountered this particular brand of sycophancy, she could not help but feel rather amused at the lengths to which one or two of the individuals to whom she had been recently introduced were prepared to go to bring themselves to her notice. Compared with such patently false and effusive behaviour, Markfield’s current somewhat taciturn attitude towards her might even be considered rather refreshing!

Besides which, having spent the best part of the morning doling out chunks of bread and mugs of soup to the several dozen down-and-outs who haunted the chapel basement in Justice Walk on a daily basis, she was inclined to think that many of the countess’s acquaintances seemed to be little more than spoilt, over-pampered gossipmongers who appeared to have nothing better to do with their time than pull one another’s reputations to shreds. She could not help thinking that it was a great pity that some of them could not find something more worthwhile to do with both their time
and their money! In fact, when it really came down to it, out of the countless number of the so-called ‘polite society’ to whom she had been introduced, the only ones—apart from Lady Isobel and the earl himself, of course—who had treated both Lottie and herself with a kindly courtesy that was neither condescending nor ingratiating had been Markfield’s two ex-army comrades and his cousin Charles, all three of whom had behaved in the most charming and friendly manner towards them.

Having arrived at this rather disheartening conclusion, it was impossible to conceal her smile of delight when, on glancing casually across the park, she observed that Standish himself, clad in the most elegant riding jacket and mounted on a handsome bay, was riding down the Row in the direction of his grandmother’s carriage.

‘A fine afternoon, ladies,’ he said, doffing his hat respectfully, when he had finally reined in beside them. ‘I’ll join you, if I may?’

Then, after exchanging a few words of greeting with his cousin, he proceeded to take up his position on Helena’s side of the carriage, Markfield, he had been surprised to observe, having elected to ride on the opposite side, at their grandmother’s right hand.

‘I was so sorry to hear of your indisposition on Saturday, Miss Daniels,’ he said, casting a smile at Lottie, who was seated opposite Helena and the countess. ‘I trust that you are now fully recovered?’

‘Oh, yes, thank you, sir,’ came Lottie’s stammering response. Unlike her cousin, she had not yet fully mastered the art of polite conversation and to find herself being singled out in such a manner still had the effect of causing her to blush quite dreadfully.

‘I’m very glad to hear it,’ he replied, with a sympathetic nod. ‘These theatres are apt to get oppressively hot at this time of year, I’ve found.’

Then, turning his attention to Helena, he went on, ‘It was a pretty boring piece of work, anyway, if my memory serves me aright. I myself had the misfortune of attending a performance earlier in the week and must confess that I failed to understand the plot entirely—and as for that soprano!’ Leaning towards her,
he lowered his voice slightly. ‘I swear I was forced to stick my fingers in my ears on more than one occasion!’

Hearing Helena’s soft chuckle of amusement at Charles’s airily unrepentant condemnation of the opera house’s lead singer, the countess leaned forwards and shot her youngest grandson an admonishing glare. ‘You know very well that the purpose of our visit was not to watch some trumpery opera,’ she reproved him. ‘We went in order that we might be seen by as many people as possible and, all in all, I would say that we succeeded in our aim!’ Then, looking up at Markfield, she added, ‘Would you not agree, Richard?’

The earl, who had been engaged in a slightly surreptitious contemplation of Helena’s beaming countenance whilst, at the same time, envying the ease with which everyone—apart from himself, it would seem—had the ability to cause her face to light up in that entrancing way, found himself having to hurriedly redirect his attention to his grandmother’s question. Having rather lost the thread of the conversation, he was reduced to making a trite comment regarding the press of people outside the Prince Regent’s box.

‘Be that as it may,’ returned the dowager, ‘our presence cannot have failed to make some sort of an impression and, given our reception during the past hour, I have the distinct feeling that today’s little excursion has set a good few more tongues wagging. Furthermore, we have Lady Kettlesham’s supper party this evening, which is certain to add a little more grist to the rumour mill! It will, doubtless, turn out to be one of her usual tame sort of affairs, although I understand that she is to include dancing on this occasion. That usually gets the wheels spinning very nicely, I’ve always found!’

Manfully stifling the groan that threatened, Richard deigned not to respond. But then, finding himself unaccountably eager to witness Helena’s reaction to his grandmother’s words, he was unable to avoid casting yet another covert glance in her direction.

Although she was sitting quite still, her expression perfectly composed, he could tell by the rigid set of her shoulders and by the fact that her hands were clasped tightly in her lap that she was
not completely at ease with the situation in which she now found herself. His heart contracted and, sighing inwardly, he forced himself to redirect his attention to the carriageway. Had he been in a position to do so, it would have given him the greatest pleasure to inform his grandmother that he was putting an end to this dismal charade but, financial considerations apart, this would necessitate him having to renege on his promise to Helena and, until her father began to show some sign of recovery, he could not find it in himself to add to her difficulties. Nevertheless, since he was already having to summon every ounce of his will-power to keep his wayward emotions in check, the thought of having to continue with this fabricated courtship was enough to make him want to turn tail and head back to the relative tranquillity of his Surrey estate! For, despite all his best efforts to maintain a cool head, it was becoming disturbingly clear to him that every minute he spent in Helena’s company looked set to steer this ridiculous scheme towards a very different conclusion from that which had been originally agreed upon.

The sound of his grandmother’s voice calling for the coachman to pull over once again jerked him back to reality and he was obliged to rein in to allow her to greet yet another of her associates.

‘Sally Jersey!’ she exclaimed, giving an enthusiastic wave to one of the occupants of a smart phaeton that was approaching them. ‘The very person!’ Then, turning to Helena, she exhorted her to do her very best to impress her ladyship, adding
sotto voce
, ‘Her ladyship is considered the most amenable of the Patronesses at Almack’s and I have known her since she was a girl, so I have every hope of persuading her to oblige us.’

Having commanded her driver to draw up alongside, Lady Jersey greeted the countess with a welcoming smile. ‘So, you are back on the town, Lady Isobel—and with a new protégée in tow, I hear! I dare say you are hoping for vouchers?’

Then, consumed with curiosity to view for herself the young lady about whom she had heard such glowing reports during the past few days, she leaned forwards and directed her attention
towards Helena who, holding her breath, forced herself to sit in unruffled silence as her ladyship’s frowning gaze travelled from the top of her bonnet right down to the tips of her shoes and back again to scrutinise her face.

‘She’s certainly pretty enough to take,’ said Lady Jersey finally, as she sat back in her seat. ‘Her father’s occupation is something of a drawback, however—although I have it on authority that, apart from being extraordinarily well heeled, the fellow is also extremely well thought of in his circle—which does, of course, put the whole matter in a slightly different light!’ Pursing her lips in thought, she paused for a moment, as she endeavoured to come to a decision. ‘I dare say that under your sponsorship the girl will do,’ she murmured, almost to herself. Then, with a decisive nod, she went on more positively, ‘I shall have the vouchers sent over to Standish House tomorrow morning. I trust that you have not forgotten that our supper dances are held every Wednesday evening throughout the Season?’

At Lady Isobel’s affirmative nod, she then turned her attention towards Standish and the earl who, having drawn their mounts to one side during the interchange between the dowager and herself, were now in the process of exchanging sardonic grins at the prospect of being obliged to rig themselves out in the regulation satin knee-breeches that were the obligatory mode of apparel at the highly regarded venue.

Favouring them with one of her famously flirtatious smiles, Lady Jersey informed them that both she and her sister patronesses would be more than delighted to welcome two such well set-up gentlemen into their elite company. Then, after signalling to her driver to move on, she cried, ‘Now I really must be on my way—you will remember to have someone arrange your subscriptions, won’t you? I forget the charge, but no doubt Mr Willis will advise you.’

And, with a casual wave of her hand, she continued her progress along the carriageway towards the exit at Stanhope Gate.

‘Still monopolises the conversation, I see,’ grunted the countess. ‘And, as for asking me if I remembered when the balls were held! Does she suppose that I am in my dotage?’

Not waiting for a reply, for none was expected, she called to her coachman to turn the carriage and make for home, muttering to Helena that, if they didn’t leave at once, they would scarcely have time to change in readiness for the coming evening’s entertainment.

‘I’ll be off, too, if you’ll excuse me,’ said Standish, as he wheeled his horse round and made ready to leave. ‘Delighted to have met up with you this afternoon, dear ladies, and look forward to seeing you again in the not too distant future.’ Then, with a quick wave of his hand, he rode back towards his lodgings in Knightsbridge.

Richard, seizing the opportunity, transferred his position to Helena’s side of the carriage and, as soon as they were on the move again, leaned over to enquire as to her father’s current state of health.

‘Doctor Redfern tells us that he is improving daily, sir,’ she replied, conjuring up a smile of sorts. ‘He says that he has every reason to hope that Papa will soon be his old self again.’

‘He calls regularly, then—the doctor?’ asked Markfield, adopting what he hoped was a casual tone.

‘Oh, yes! Every day,’ she returned. ‘Sometimes, more than once, if he can spare the time. We count ourselves most fortunate that he keeps us on his list, in view of his growing popularity.’

Doubtless because he, too, gets his bills paid on time, thought Richard sourly, as he recalled Helena’s use of that very phrase in regard to the celebrated Madame Devy. But then, despite his earlier resolve to keep a tight rein on his feelings, it proved impossible to prevent the hot spurt of jealousy that ran through him at the thought of Redfern’s constant attendance at the Wheatley residence.

Fortunately, since the journey from the Hyde Park gates to Cadogan Place was less than two miles, the countess’s well-sprung landau covered the distance in record time and they very soon found themselves at Helena’s door, relieving the earl of the necessity of commenting further on the doctor’s dubious visiting practices. Quickly dismounting, he handed both ladies out of the carriage and escorted them up the steps where Hayward, with his usual impeccable sense of timing, was waiting to admit them.