Sally James (2 page)

Prudence considered her cousin. Netta was a sturdy, plain child, taking after her father in looks, with no promise of the ethereal although faded beauty of her mother. It was clear that at the moment she had no idea she also took after him in other ways, with her down to earth, outspoken common sense, and lack of sensibility in her comments on other people. She would have rejected with scorn the very suggestion that she had more in common with his political activities than the social round which occupied her mother, when Lady Frome was feeling strong enough to face that.

'Shall we ride in the Park before breakfast?' Prudence suggested now, and Netta agreed enthusiastically.

Long before her mother was awake, therefore, on the following morning, Netta and her cousin were cantering in an almost deserted Park, attended by Woodward, an elderly groom who had taught both of them to ride. He restrained Netta when she suggested a gallop, telling her that she would be breaking one of the rules if she did, and although she pouted she obeyed.

'Do hurry up and get married, Pru,' she said with a sigh. 'Then we can go back to Horton Grange and I can gallop on the downs as much as I please.'

Prudence laughed. 'I've no intention of marrying just to please you, Miss! And I shall take my time choosing. I insist on any husband being rich and amiable as well as handsome. He must adore me and be ready to do everything I want.'

'Have you anyone in mind yet?' Netta asked with a giggle. 'I cannot say I know anyone with all those virtues. At least you won't be tempted by him!' she added in a different, angry tone, indicating with her whip, and Prudence looked to where she pointed.

The man from yesterday was riding towards them, mounted on a magnificent black horse. He was alone and Prudence, before she recollected herself, thought how splendid he looked in his severe, military-style coat.

She swung away down a side path before he reached them, her heart thumping uncomfortably loudly in her breast. To her intense relief he did not attempt either to follow or to greet them, and after a while she began to breathe more easily.

'Shall we go home now?' Netta asked, and Prudence, reluctant to run the risk of meeting him if they made another circuit of the Park, willingly agreed.

They reached Grosvenor Square a few minutes later, and dismounted outside their door. Woodward was taking the reins of their horses, preparatory to leading them round to the mews, when the door of the house next door opened and a yapping, bustling ball of animated fluff hurled itself down the steps and began a furious attack on the heels of the horses.

It was all Woodward could do to retain his seat and hold on to the other horses, who were tugging in fruitless efforts to escape the attentions of the dog. Prudence and Netta instinctively stepped forward to help Woodward by taking the reins, just as a young girl, weeping hysterically, threw herself into the melee and tried to pull the dog from under the horses' hooves.

This sudden eruption completed the chaos. Netta's mare, a spirited but nervous creature, reared, dragging Nctta off balance. Prudence grabbed at the mare as Netta stumbled, fell sideways, and, as the horses were brought under control, lay frighteningly still.

Chapter 2

Handing the reins to Woodward, Prudence dropped to her knees beside her cousin. She was pale but still breathing, and already a lump was developing just above and behind her ear. Oblivious to the hysterical tears of the other girl, Prudence looked round for help and saw Tanner, her aunt's butler, coming hurriedly towards her followed by two footmen.

'Tanner, thank Heavens! Carry Miss Netta into the morning room, and send for Doctor Baron. She was kicked, I think. Woodward, there's no more you can do, take the horses round to the stables.'

She rose to her feet, suddenly noticing that she was trembling violently, and took a deep breath to steady her nerves. As she began to follow the footman who was carrying Netta's limp form her hand was seized and she 1ooked round, startled, to find a pretty, dark-haired girl a couple of years younger than herself, with tear stains on her cheeks and her hair in disarray, opening and closing her mouth wordlessly.

'What is it?' she asked, bewildered, and the girl burst into a flood of tears, incapable of speech.

Then Prudence noticed the dog which had been the cause of the trouble, cowering behind the girl's skirts, and realised what the girl was trying to say.

'It was your dog?' she asked, and the girl nodded vehemently, picked the animal up and hugged it close to her, and then found her voice.

'I am so very sorry! Oh, I wouldn't have hurt her for the world! Fifi is not used to town, you see, and it is so noisy, and noise excites her. She slipped through the door before anyone could prevent it. Your sister will be all right, won't she? Oh, dear, I do hope she will not be too badly hurt. Mama will kill me if she is! Please, is there anything I can do? I do so want to make amends!'

Prudence regarded the girl, who had once more dissolved into a spate of weeping. She clearly could not be left alone in the street in such a state, and no one from the house next door was visible.

'You had best come in with us,' she said at last, both impatient with this torrent of words, and anxious to follow Netta.

The girl, with a muffled word of thanks, followed closely on Prudence's heels as she went into the house. There she found that Miss Francis, Netta's governess, had been summoned, and was capably dealing with a pair of flustered maids, a footman who, having carried Netta indoors, did not know what else to do, and Tanner, who was hovering behind her proffering feathers and hartshorn and brandy all at once.

'Biddy, pull yourself together and fetch a bowl of cold water and some clean rags. Agnes, fetch some towels and a pillow from Miss Netta's room. Charles, you may go, I have no further need for you. No, thank you, Tanner, no brandy. Please set the other things on this small table beside me, and if you can bring Dr Baron to me as soon as he arrives? Meanwhile, I think you had better try to ensure that Lady Frome is not disturbed with the news until after we have the doctor's diagnosis. We do not wish her to suffer undue anxiety. Ah, Netta, my child, lie still. No, don't attempt to sit up. You have been hit on the head and must lie quietly until the doctor has examined you. Who is this? And what is that dog doing here!'

'Oh, I beg your pardon,' the girl said in a whisper. 'Is she going to be all right? It was all my fault! Or rather the fault of naughty Fifi here. She ran out of the house, you see, and startled the horses. My name is Charlotte Ashley. We've just come to live next door, and Fifi isn't used to town traffic. Oh, I do hope she will be all right!'

'I am sure she will. But she ought to be kept quiet. Ah, Biddy, thank you. Put the bowl here. Prudence, my dear, I think that Miss Ashley ought to go back home now. They may be puzzled at her absence. I will send for you if I need any further assistance.'

Prudence, seeing that Netta was recovering her senses, nodded and drew the still agitated and protesting Charlotte out of the room.

'I feel so very responsible!' she was gasping, and seemed inclined to dissolve once more into tears. Prudence spoke hastily to avert this.

'It was an accident, you could not help it. I think you should go home now and lie down to calm yourself.'

'But I should not have a moment's peace until I knew that she was better!'

'Why don't you call later today and ask how she is?' she suggested, and Charlotte, a smile breaking over her face, nodded eagerly.

'Yes, I'll do that. Oh, I do hope that we shall be friends. What is your name?'

'I'm sorry. I'm Prudence Lee, and she is my cousin, Netta Frome. You have just come to town, I believe?'

'Yes, I've never been before. Mama says it is time Emily – Emma, I mean, and I found husbands,' she confided with a shy smile.

'Emma? Is she your sister?'

'No, I've no brothers or sisters, and Mama is not my real mother. She died when I was born. Papa married again two years ago, and Emily – Emma, that is, is Mama's daughter. She is much older than I am, four and twenty. Papa died a year ago,' she added wistfully, and Prudence felt a surge of sympathy for her.

'My parents died years ago,' she said briskly. 'I am fortunate to live with my aunt and uncle. Now I think you ought to go home in case anyone is wondering where you are, but do come back later when I can tell you how Netta is.'

Charlotte nodded, and with a shy smile ran down the steps and towards the next house, where she plied the knocker gently. Prudence waited to ensure that she was admitted and then, seeing Doctor Baron approaching in his barouche, waited for him and escorted him to the morning room.

He examined Netta's head, where the lump was already the size of an egg, and then cheerfully told her that she would be as right as rain in a day or so.

'But you must take this dose and then stay in bed for today, and I will come and see you again tomorrow before you get up,' he said sternly.

Netta, unusually pale, smiled and promised to be a model patient. Charles was summoned to carry her upstairs, and Prudence went with her to administer the medicine, tuck her up in bed, and sit with her until she dropped into a doze.

By this time Lady Frome had been informed by her excited maid of the calamity, and declaring the news had disturbed her too much for her to stir out of bed that day, was demanding Prudence's presence in order to hear how it had occurred.

'Charlotte Ashley!' she exclaimed. 'I wonder if it can be Lady Mottesford who has taken the house? Ashley is her name. Did the child mention her family?'

'She said her parents were both dead, her papa a year since, and that he married again two years ago,' Prudence said.

'It certainly sounds like them. I wonder what Lady Mottesford is like? No one knows anything about her, where she comes from, or what family. I suppose I must call on her when I am able to get about. How tedious. Now go and see how my poor Netta is, dear Prudence. I must rest, it has been so agitating.'

Two hours later Charlotte reappeared, full of renewed apologies, to ask how Netta was. When Prudence told her Netta was still asleep, she was clearly not reassured, and her lamentations were beginning to try Prudence's patience. It was with relief that she heard Tanner announcing Sarah and Mrs Buxton had called, and remembered her promise to walk in the Park with them.

They came up to the drawing room and Charlotte was introduced. When the accident had been explained to them, and Prudence apologised for not being ready to walk out with them, Sarah, taking pity on Charlotte's obvious embarrassment, suggested she joined them if her mama permitted.

Half an hour later the four ladies were sauntering in the Park, the two younger ones together while the elders waved to some acquaintances and stopped to talk to others.

'Do you know many people?' Charlotte asked rather timidly.

'Not very many,' Prudence admitted ruefully. 'It's my first Season, too.'

'I'm not looking forward to all the parties,' Charlotte confessed, 'but Mama says I have to find a husband this year because she will not be able to afford another Season. Papa left most of his money to my cousin, the new Lord Mottesford, you know.'

'I suppose the estates were entailed,' Prudence said cheerfully.

'Oh, no. Just Trelawn Manor and a few farms, which was the original estate. Papa had a great deal more, but Mama said he believed that his heir should have most of his fortune. He left me my portion,' she added with a slight sigh, 'and I have some money from my own mother, but I don't think it is very much.'

'Don't you know?' Prudence asked, startled at Charlotte's odd mixture of ignorance and sophistication.

Everyone knew the Season was organised mainly for girls to contract suitable marriages, but most girls did not talk so openly about the necessity of finding a husband. Yet most of them knew exactly how large their portions were, and how much inducement it could be for prospective husbands.

'Mama says it is not enough to attract a fortune hunter, or anyone important,' she replied now. 'Prudence,' she added hesitantly, 'do you believe love always comes after marriage?'

'Why should it?' Prudence asked bluntly. 'I can imagine some matches where it does, when perhaps people have not known one another well beforehand, but not always. If you thoroughly disliked someone, for instance, I do not see how marriage to them would alter that. I should think it would increase the dislike.'

'Yes, that is what I thought, despite what Mama says,' Charlotte said with a slight sigh, and Prudence eyed her with some concern. Already she was beginning to feel a protective sympathy for Charlotte, who seemed so gentle and so unprepared for the rigours of a London Season.

'Well, you are very pretty and should have no difficulty in attracting a man who will love you,' she said bracingly, and then, when Sarah dropped back to walk with Charlotte, joined Mrs Buxton and spent the time with her commenting on all the latest fashions.

The following day Prudence and her aunt returned from a visit to their dressmaker to find that Lady Mottesford had left her card.

'I must be neighbourly,' Lady Frome said with a slight sigh, 'although I cannot feel any enthusiasm yet for visiting or entertaining. Not until poor dear Netta has completely recovered.'

'Doctor Baron said she was much better and could get up tomorrow,' Prudence reminded her. 'There is no lasting harm.'

'I must invite them to our small dance next week. I will leave cards tomorrow, and perhaps I can visit during the next few days. Will you send the invitation, my dear?'

Prudence, accustomed to dealing with her aunt's correspondence, duly sent off the invitations and received Lady Mottesford's acceptance. But when Lady Frome called a couple of days later she was informed that Charlotte's mama was indisposed, and unable to leave her room, and her daughter Emma was unfortunately out.

'Oh, dear, it is most irregular, not having met her,' she sighed the evening before the dance. 'I wonder if she will come?'

'Charlotte says she is much better and looking forward to it,' Prudence consoled her.