Love is Triumphant (6 page)

vengeance."

"That's because you do not know me."

When he did not answer she turned her head and saw him peering into the distance. Following his gaze she saw two young women seated on horseback. One of them was waving.

"You know those ladies?" Rosina asked.

"The one waving is Miss Lettice Holden, and the lady sitting next to her is Lady Doreen Blakemore."

He waved back and they began to canter forward, followed by a groom who remained at a discreet distance as the young people met.

Rosina studied Miss Holden with interest. So this was the bride her mother had chosen for him.

There was no doubt of her wealth. It was proclaimed by the thoroughbred horse she rode and the elegant riding habit she wore. On one shoulder she sported a glittering diamond brooch. It was clearly valuable, but at this hour of the day, and on this garment it was out of place, and the effect was slightly vulgar.

Her companion was far more discreetly and elegantly dressed. She was the daughter of an earl, but it was her air of breeding that announced this to the world.

Sir John introduced the ladies to each other, and Lady Doreen immediately clasped Rosina's hand.

"I am so glad to meet you," she said. "I've heard such a lot about you."

"About me?"

"Papa is very interested in politics, and he admires Sir Elroy greatly. I know that they have dined together several times at the House."

By 'the House' she meant the Palace of Westminster

by the Thames, home to the House of Commons and the House of Lords. She too had breathed in a political atmosphere all her life, and she used the term as casually as Rosina herself would have done. It was an immediate bond between them.

As the four of them began to ride together, Rosina and Lady Doreen fell naturally into conversation, while Miss Holden joined Sir John just behind them.

Rosina could hear them laughing, and concluded that Sir John was very well pleased with his company.

For herself she found Lady Doreen charming. So far her closest friendships had been at school, but now school was behind her, and she must learn to be at ease in the social world.

Lady Doreen had made her debut earlier that year and was full of eager advice when she learned that Rosina had yet to 'come out'.

"You will find your life transformed," she said. "Balls, parties, lovely clothes." She added in a low, confiding voice, "And young men. Of course I shouldn't say that. Dear Mama would be shocked. Even after her debut, a girl is supposed to cast down her eyes while the men study her critically."

"But why shouldn't we study them critically?" Rosina wanted to know.

"That's what I say. We have our opinions too, and it is not just a matter for Papa to decide – whatever he may think," she added darkly.

"Is your Papa trying to make you marry someone that you do not care for?" Rosina asked, shocked.

"Not exactly. He's introduced me to several men that he approves of, and I always know that he's hoping I'll choose one of them. But he is too kind to force me.

"He recently encouraged a young man who was very dull but worthy, and he made it plain that he wanted me to accept him. But I simply
could
not, and I said so to Papa. He was most displeased, so I will have to wait for his annoyance to blow over before I can tell him that – well – "

She stopped and blushed.

"There is someone else?" Rosina suggested delicately.

Lady Doreen nodded, her blush becoming even more pronounced.

"He has not actually – that is, we have not – there are difficulties and his delicacy prevents him from speaking. But we each know how the other feels."

"I hope all goes well with you," Rosina said warmly. "For I most fervently believe that love is the only thing that matters – far more than wealth or advancement."

"Oh, so do I," Lady Doreen said fervently. "How wonderful that you understand! I feel that we are going to be the greatest of friends."

"I think we should be going now," Sir John called from behind them. "We shan't be forgiven if we're late for lunch."

"Nor shall we," Lady Doreen laughed.

They all exchanged farewells. As they were turning away Miss Holden called out roguishly,

"I am usually riding in Hyde Park about this time."

"I shall look out for you," Sir John assured her.

"Make sure you do," she told him. "I count on you."

Rosina decided that she did not like Lettice Holden.

It was wonderful how Lady Clarendon's manner to Sir John thawed when she learned of this encounter. On her return home Rosina told her everything, including how much in sympathy she and Lady Doreen seemed to be, although she left out some of the details of their conversation as unsuitable for a mother's ears.

"So you think John is much taken with Miss Holden?" she asked eagerly.

"He certainly seemed happy to ride beside her for some time," said Rosina.

"Excellent. It will be a splendid match. You and he must ride together often and doubtless you will meet her again."

"We certainly shall. She as good as informed him so, in a manner that I thought rather forward."

"It may have seemed so to you, my dear, but depend upon it, he had given her reason to feel confident. You and he must go out often."

"I thought you were afraid he was going to sweep me off my feet," Rosina observed, not entirely pleased with the way this conversation was going.

"Oh, that's all in the past. He's going to marry Miss

Holden. We must do what we can to expedite matters."

But before she could take any action, there was a development.

Rosina came downstairs the next day to find her mother talking to Sir John, obviously excited over something that had just arrived in the mail.

"An invitation Mama?" she said, smiling. "But we have many invitations. What is so exciting about this one."

"It's from Earl Blakemore," her mother exclaimed. "He's giving a dinner party, and we are all invited. You must have made a great impression on his daughter yesterday, and this is the happy result. I've always hoped that we could get to know him better. He's such an important man in the House of Lords, and he could help your father so much."

"Then we must certainly get to know him better," Rosina agreed. "Nothing is more important than Papa winning his seat, the Liberals winning the election, and Uncle William giving Papa a Ministry."

"Oh darling, you sound more like a politician every day."

"In this family I could hardly help it," Rosina said gaily.

"I know dear, but it sounds slightly alarming in a young girl. You should be thinking of your debut, planning a guest list."

"But I am, Mama. We must make sure the list includes everyone who can be useful to Papa."

She said this with an impish look that made her mother laugh, but she was also half serious.

"And after that we must see about finding a husband for you."

"Mama!" she protested with a chuckle, "there's no need to say that as though I were some plain Jane, past her last hope."

"I don't believe anyone could think that," Sir John said wryly.

"Take no notice of her, John," Lady Clarendon said, smiling. "She's only fishing for compliments."

"Well you won't have any trouble finding me a husband if Papa is made a Government Minister," Rosina said wryly. "The men will flock around me."

"My love, you're so cynical."

"But it's true. There's no better dowry for a girl than a powerful father. Isn't that so, Sir John?"

She gave him a challenging look, reminding him that he alone knew what she was really talking about.

"I'm the wrong person to ask," he said lightly. "I've never been on the catch for a husband."

Lady Clarendon gave a little scream at this witticism.

"What a wicked thing to say! I just hope you'll tell Rosina that she really must not speak so frankly in company."

"Oh, but we're not in company now, Mama. I say what I like in front of Sir John."

"But perhaps you should not," her mother said, wide eyed.

"Why not? We're old friends, and I'm not on the catch for him, so it doesn't matter if I shock him."

"Ignore her ma'am," Sir John said, grinning. "She's trying to terrify us, but don't give her the satisfaction of succeeding."

"She terrifies me all the time," Lady Clarendon said with an alarmed glance at her daughter.

The dinner party was only three days away, so clearly they had been invited as an afterthought. Rosina supposed that her mother was right, and her meeting with Lady Doreen was in some way connected.

This suspicion was reinforced by the discovery that Sir John had also received a last minute invitation. Doubtless Miss Holden would also be present.

It was Rosina's first really important dinner party. Since she was not yet officially 'out' she was not, strictly speaking, supposed to be invited to join such exalted company. But it was normal for a debutante to attend a few events prior to her ball, so that she could become used to society.

Her dress was a vision of tulle and satin, in a delicate shade of pink. How different she already looked from the schoolgirl she had been recently, she thought. Now she could show off her tiny waist and elegant bosom.

But there was more than her grown-up figure to mark the change in her. Her eyes held a sad, angry knowledge, which should not have been there.

'Here we all go, waltzing off to the marriage market,' she thought. 'Mama has set her sights high for me, because she doesn't think Sir John is good enough for me – not that I'd want him anyway. And he is pursuing an heiress. I thought better of him, but
et tu Brute!'

'And the Blakemores, of course, want Lady Doreen to marry a man of higher rank than herself. But she, at least, gives love its proper place, and will hold out against them. I must do my best to support her.'

Then she sighed and murmured, "Poor Miss Draycott! What chance did you have in this grasping world?"

She and her parents travelled to Blakemore House together. Sir John was delayed by a meeting and would be following later.

As the carriage rumbled through the London streets

Lady Clarendon said,

"I'm so glad that you struck up a friendship with Lord Blakemore's daughter."

"Nobody could help being her friend," Rosina said. "She is delightful."

"How fortunate! And even if she were not, it would still be advisable for you to seek her friendship."

"Mama!" Rosina said, half laughing, half protesting. "I do wish you would stop scheming for five minutes."

"When you're a mother, scheming is necessary," Lady Clarendon insisted, unperturbed. "You'll find that out one day."

The carriage had stopped. Looking out, Rosina saw that Blakemore House was magnificent. She knew its reputation as one of the finest residences in all of London.

The Earl was a great man, and his patronage could be very useful. This was the first time Sir Elroy and his family had been invited. Although wealthy, they were not of great social importance. But now that he might become a Minister, his value was enhanced.

As they entered through the grand front door, with stone lions sitting on each side of it, Rosina's eyes widened at what she saw. There was no doubt that these palatial surroundings were very agreeable.

The butler admitted them and led them down a large passage with magnificent pictures on the walls.

Then he opened the door and announced in a stentorian voice,

"Sir Elroy and Lady Clarendon, and Miss Rosina Clarendon, Your Lordship."

Following her father and mother into the drawing room, Rosina thought it was one of the most attractive and magnificent rooms she had ever seen.

There were several windows looking out on to the garden. There were so many flowers which not only made the room look lovely, but also scented it.

The Earl greeted them. He was a man in late middle age with a large head of grey hair, and an imposing manner.

"Good to see you, Clarendon," he said heartily. "My love, allow me to introduce – "

As they all exchanged the proper pleasantries Rosina began to look around her, and saw that their hostess was glittering with diamonds and bracelets.

She began to feel that both she and her mother were somewhat inadequately dressed. Each of them wore a necklace and a brooch, in contrast to the Countess who seemed to be smothered with jewels.

Rosina's father was a prosperous man. Although his fortunes had originally been founded on his wife's dowry, he had risen in his profession and now earned large fees as a lawyer.

But Rosina began to realise that the Blakemore's wealth was on another level entirely.

Then, before anything else was said, the door opened and Lady Doreen came hurrying in. She was petite and exquisitely dressed in a fashionable gown of pale blue silk. Her fair hair was arranged in a way which made it seem almost like a coronet, and her jewels were clearly worth a fortune.

"And here is my daughter, who always manages to be late," the Earl said in a fond voice.

"I'm sorry, Papa, but I was riding and forgot the time," said the charming young woman.

"My daughter rides better than any man," the Earl said. "And she can forget everything in favour of a horse."

"Mine is the same," Sir Elroy said, drawing Rosina

forward. "But I understand that you two young ladies have already met on horseback."

"Indeed we have," Lady Doreen said, embracing Rosina. "I am so glad to see you again." To the others she said, "We are already such good friends."

"But of course," the Countess said. "You will always have so much to talk about. Horse lovers can talk their heads off, sometimes until dawn is breaking."

They all laughed, and Lady Doreen drew Rosina aside.

"Wasn't it clever of me to arrange this?" she said. "Now we can see each other often. I knew from the first that we were deeply in sympathy, and it will be like having a sister to confide in."

"What about Miss Holden?" Rosina could not resist asking. "Can you not confide in her?"

Her companion made a face.