The Marriage Market (9 page)

“Thank you, Mr. Wovington.  You look very handsome yourself, but then you always do.”  Miss Pursing ducked her head at her daring remark while James smiled down at her.  Mr. Davis glared at James from the edge of the dance floor.

The musicians called for a short break, and James suggested a stroll in the garden.  Miss Pursing studied her slippers for a moment.

“I do not know what to say, Mr. Wovington.  No one else is going out into the garden.  I’m not sure that my parents would approve.”

Wovington shrugged.  “Come, Miss Pursing.  What harm could there be in a breath of fresh air?  I’m sure that your parents would not want you to overheat yourself.  Perhaps you could catch your mother’s eye and indicate that you are going into the garden so that she’ll know where you are?”

But the young lady’s parents were occupied with guests on the other side of the room, and Miss Pursing could not catch their attention.  She hesitated a moment longer, but allowed James to escort her outside. 

The air was appreciably cooler outside, with moonlight the only illumination upon the stone path.  The daffodils were past their prime in the flower beds, but the magnolia trees were still blossoming.  James led the girl to a wooden bench tucked into a private corner next to a marble cupid.

“Shall we sit for a moment before returning to the hall, Miss Pursing?”  She nodded and perched on the edge of the bench, fixing her eyes upon the path.  Her arms and shoulders were as white as alabaster in the moonlight.  Wovington sat down beside her and was about to take her hand when they heard footsteps rapidly approaching on the path.   The music teacher suddenly rounded the corner and skidded to a stop.  He straightened his jacket and proceeded toward the couple at a more sedate pace.  Miss Pursing stared at him while James rose from his seat.

“Miss Pursing, I am very glad to have found you,” Mr. Davis said.   He nodded toward James.  “I do not believe that I know your companion.”  Miss Pursing made the introductions; James bowed while Davis nodded brusquely.  “How do you know Wovington, if you do not mind my asking?”

“My parents and I met Mr. Wovington at the Ladbrook’s home, sir.  We have been acquainted these past two months.  It was Mr. Wovington who introduced me to Mrs. Edwards.  Surely I mentioned him to you, Mr. Davis?”

“Oh yes,” Davis replied, stepping closer to James until they were a scant arm’s length apart.  “The gentleman who knows Mrs. Edwards’ agent.”  He looked James up and down.  “No doubt, sir, you are wondering why I have followed you and Miss Pursing outside?  I saw you quit the hall together, and came as soon as I could make my way through the crowd.” 

“You are right, Mr. Davis.  I would very much like to know why you have followed us,” James said with icy politeness.

“I am going to be frank.  You are not part of the neighbourhood, and perhaps are unacquainted with our ways.  Miss Pursing has led a very innocent and sheltered life here in the country.  She does not have the experience or the judgement to defend herself against men who would take advantage of her.  It may be the custom in your social circle, Mr. Wovington, to promenade alone at night with a young woman to whom you are not affianced, but in this society, such behaviour could damage a lady’s reputation.”

“Mr. Davis!” cried the young lady, jumping to her feet.  The two men glared at each other.

“What concern is it of yours, sir, that you insult Miss Pursing and me with your insinuations?  You misinterpret the situation.  It is quite innocent,” James said in a low, threatening voice.

“That may be, Mr. Wovington, but Miss Pursing is my friend as well as my pupil, and I will protect her reputation against those who do not care for her welfare as I do.”  Turning to the young lady and offering his arm, Mr. Davis said more gently, “I suggest that you return to the hall with me now.”

Miss Pursing looked from gentleman to gentleman, uncertainty written on her face.  Finally, she took her teacher’s arm.  “If you really think I should, Mr. Davis, I will come with you,” she said meekly. 

James inhaled sharply.  “This is preposterous,” he protested.  “Only a prude would misconstrue the situation.”

Davis turned upon James, his thin face angry and flushed.  “Call me a prude if you like, sir, but it is dark, you are unchaperoned, and the young lady’s parents are unaware of her whereabouts.  I will not allow Miss Pursing’s reputation to be besmirched by a roué such as you!” 

“Now wait just a minute, Davis,” James said, grabbing hold of the teacher’s shoulder.  Davis swung his fist at James, who ducked and struck a blow to Davis’ midsection.  Davis bent double, gasping for air.

“Stop it!” Miss Pursing cried.  She rushed to her teacher’s side and slid an arm around his shoulders.  “How are you, Mr. Davis?” she asked, bending to peer into his face.  “Has he hurt you very badly?”

“Come now, Miss Pursing, he cannot be much injured.  I hit only him once, and that was in self-defence,” James protested, coming closer to inspect his rival.

Miss Pursing turned on him.  “Mr. Davis is a musician, sir, not a hooligan.  He was only trying to defend my reputation, which is obviously of little concern to you.  And how did you repay his concern?  By assaulting him.  He may have damaged his hands, and his hands are precious.  He is a very gifted musician, you know.”  Miss Pursing turned back to her teacher.  “Come, Mr. Davis, let us return to the hall,” she said, tucking her hand under his elbow.

James stepped forward to take Davis’ other arm, but Miss Pursing waved him off.  “No, Mr. Wovington, kindly leave us alone.  We do not require any assistance from you.  As a matter of fact, I would prefer that you refrain from calling upon me or my family in the future.  Obviously, your morals are too worldly for simple country folk like us.  Good evening, sir.”  The couple departed, Miss Pursing murmuring words of consolation to her teacher as they walked away. 

James stared after them until they were out of sight.  Running a hand through his hair, he muttered, “That could have gone better, James, my boy.”  How quickly Miss Pursing’s opinion had turned against him.  He had meant to improve his friendship with her that night, perhaps even to steal a kiss.  Well, that was no longer a possibility.  Apparently their friendship was over.  Thank heaven it had not progressed too far.  The girl was obviously a tartar under that mask of demureness.  Musing on the fickleness of women, James left to look for David and Victoria.

Chapter Nine – Miss Margaret House

Extract of a letter from Mrs. David Ladbrook to Mrs. Joseph Greene:

April 15, ______

“Dearest Jemma,

I received your response to my account of the Pursings’ ball an hour ago.  I agree with your opinion that the disagreement between Miss Pursing and Mr. Wovington was based upon a trifle, but Miss Pursing’s mind is quite shut against Mr. Wovington, and he has no intention of pursuing a relationship with her.  As a matter of fact, he says that he has sworn off young ladies.  He declares that he will remain a bachelor all of his life and will only socialize with married women ‘because they know a thing or two about life.’  Of course, he is upset right now, and needs a cooling-off period before trying again.  All the same, I think that he might be tempted by a lady who is more mature and worldly than our little Miss Pursing.  By the way, her Papa has announced her engagement to Mr. Davis.”

__________

Springtime had come, and the ploughing and planting were well underway.  David and Victoria took advantage of a dry afternoon to go riding together.  Victoria was not an experienced rider, so David was giving her lessons.  They were ambling along a country track when they heard the drumming of horses’ hooves galloping toward them.  Victoria’s calm old mare would have stood her ground against a cavalry attack and did not give way, but David’s more high-strung mount skittered off the path.  Two hounds broke out of a nearby copse, clamouring as they came.  Three riders, two gentlemen and a lady, followed immediately after them, riding cross-country.  The gentlemen galloped neck and neck with the lady riding on their heels, her skirts streaming over her steed.  The gentlemen approached a hedge and took it in stride.  They did not look back to see how the lady fared, but they hardly needed to; she sailed over the hedge with ease and continued in close pursuit.  The dogs dashed back and forth before the hedge, seeking an opening.  They found a way through, and the party was lost to view as quickly as it had appeared.

“How marvellous, David!  Who were they?” Victoria exclaimed. 

“The Houses, my dear.  Ralph, Timothy, and their sister, Margaret.  They live at Mowbray Manor in the next county.  They’ve been away visiting relatives in Scotland.  I didn’t hear that they had returned.”

“What magnificent riders they are, particularly Miss House.  Did you see how well she sat her horse?  What confidence she showed taking that jump!  I wish that I could ride half so well.”

“Horses run in their blood, Victoria.  Their family have been members of the hunt for generations."

“What is the family like, David?  Tell me about them.  Is there a Mrs. House?”

“A second Mrs. House, my dear.  The first Mrs. House died soon after giving birth to Miss Margaret.  Mr. House has a second family with a younger wife, and they all live together at the Manor.”

“Really?  They sound like quite a crowd.  Do they all get along?”

“From what I’ve heard.  But I believe that the older children are often away.  I know that the old man has been trying to get Ralph, the eldest son, to take more interest in the estate.  Rumour has it that he has been looking for a suitable wife for Ralph, and wants the boy to settle down.  Ralph and Timothy had quite a reputation for their wild ways when they were growing up.”  

“And what about Miss House?  How old is she?”

David thought for a moment.  “I think that she must be twenty-two.”

“And she is not married yet?”

“No, although she has never wanted for suitors.”

“What is the problem, then?  She seemed attractive, at least from a distance.  Does she have some character terrible flaw?”

“Indeed, she is quite handsome.  As to a flaw, the only thing I have heard against her is that she is head-strong.  I suppose that she has not married because she has not yet met anyone to her liking, but she has dowry and looks enough to make her a good catch when the right man comes along.”

“Well, I do not know how anyone can find life in the country boring, David.  Our neighbours are always doing something interesting.  I think it’s time you introduced me to the Houses, don’t you agree?”

David turned his horse onto the track for home, Victoria’s mare plodding placidly behind him.  “We can call on them tomorrow if you like,” he said with a shrug.  “You’ll find Mr. House, Sr. interesting.  He’s quite an old rascal and likes a beautiful woman just as much as he likes a solid piece of horse flesh.  Better stick close to me when we go calling.”

“Whatever you think best, David,” Victoria said, smiling at his back. 

Twenty-four hours later, David and Victoria were seated on a couch across from Mrs. House and her baby.  The diminutive young mother wore a pretty white cap that framed her delicate face.  With pink cheeks and a porcelain complexion, she was a rosebud of a woman.  As Mrs. House poured and handed out the coffee, Victoria was reminded of the tea parties she used to have with Patricia when they were children.

“How good of you both to call upon me.  I heard all about you from the rector, Mrs. Ladbrook, and have been longing to meet you.  So has my step-daughter, Margaret.  She will be joining us shortly.  She was just out riding, and is changing her clothes.”

“Thank you, Mrs. House.  I look forward to meeting her, too.”  Victoria gazed about the room and added, “I must say that you have a beautiful home.  There was an especially lovely floral screen by the entrance on the way in.  Did you or Miss House make it?”

Mrs. House smiled proudly.  “That is a piece of my work, Mrs. Ladbrook.  Thank you, I am very pleased with it.  With the children so young, I am often at home and have my little projects to occupy me.  My step-daughter is not much interested in domestic pursuits.  She has a very full social life.”

As if conjured by the mention of her name, Miss House strode into the room.  She was of medium height, but her erect carriage made her appear taller.  Her hair was raven black, and with her high colouring and vitality, she was a handsome woman.  Her clothes were well-cut in the latest fashion and accentuated a trim figure.  David stood as she entered.

“There you are, Margaret dear.  Of course you know Mr. Ladbrook, and this is his new bride, Mrs. Ladbrook.”

“Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Ladbrook.  My, aren’t you pretty.  I see that the gossip is true, for once.  How do you do, Mr. Ladbrook?  You are looking quite fit, sir.  Marriage agrees with you,” Margaret said, studying the gentleman with her head cocked to one side.  She sat, and Mrs. House poured out a cup of coffee for her.

Victoria said, “David and I were out riding yesterday afternoon, Miss House.  We saw you and your brothers galloping by at a distance.  I am quite envious of your riding ability and your skill at jumping.”

“I’m afraid I didn’t see you, Mrs. Ladbrook, or we would have stopped.  I was riding Dancer yesterday.  Capital hunter and an excellent jumper.  Father bought him for me last Christmas.  Are you a horsewoman, Mrs. Ladbrook?”