The Paradise Will (7 page)
‘You may, of course, tell Sir Giles – I would not ask you to keep it from him.’
‘Naturally, I shall tell him. I expect he will have much to say to you on the subject.’
‘Oh dear, do you suppose so?’ asked Alyssa, with another innocent look.
‘He will deliver some words of wisdom on your behaviour!’
‘I hope most sincerely that he does,’ said Alyssa solemnly. ‘Now, may I offer you refreshments?’
‘Thank you, no – we have another call to make and must not detain you any longer.’
‘That is a pity! Now I have secured your confidence, I hoped to give further details of Mr Esidarap’s adventures; I declare there is enough to write a novel. Are you certain you will not stay a little longer and take a glass of ratafia?’
‘Well, I would like to hear—’ began Mrs Nash.
‘No, Mother!’ snapped Caroline, glaring. ‘Have you forgotten the other engagement we have planned?’
‘I must have because I cannot recall anything.’ She suddenly caught sight of her daughter’s face and blustered, ‘Oh! Now I remember. Yes! Yes, we should be going at once, my dear!’
‘Making your acquaintance has been enlightening, Miss Paradise,’ said Caroline drily, rising to leave.
‘For me also. Should I look forward to further guidance soon?’
‘I shall offer advice whenever I think it necessary.’
‘Then I must learn from you, Miss Nash.’ Alyssa turned to Letty, saying, ‘We may rest easy, Letty. Thanks to Miss Nash and her mother, we have every hope of being accepted into society.’
‘How reassuring,’ said Letty, smiling benignly at their visitors and then murmuring, ‘So pleased to meet you.’
‘Good day,’ said Caroline, turning on her heel and urging her mother to hurry.
Not until Alyssa heard their guests depart did she allow herself to dissolve into laughter and tears were soon streaming down her face.
Letty, too, was helpless and when she could speak, said, ‘Oh, Lyssa! You should not have done it, but it was extremely funny, all the same! How on earth did you invent Mr Esidarap? I thought Mrs Nash was going to choke on her astonishment.’
‘I c-could not endure such appalling conceit any l-longer without exacting a little revenge,’ said Alyssa, wiping her eyes as her laughter finally began to subside. ‘But, in spite of finding it amusing, I am also angry. How
dare
they suggest we need their patronage? Such pompous nonsense! And I was determined to be civil at the outset too.’
‘What will Sir Giles say? Will he guess it is all a fabrication?’ asked Letty.
‘If not, then he doesn’t possess the intelligence I credit him with. How unfortunate he has chosen such a disagreeable, arrogant woman to be his partner. I suppose I shall have to apologize at some point – I would not like him to think I make a habit of inventing stories – but he shall also hear of the behaviour that provoked me.’
‘Should you explain to Mrs Nash and her daughter?’
‘No. If Miss Nash decides to apologize for her arrogance then I will do
likewise
, but since I don’t anticipate an apology, I shan’t enlighten them. Caroline Nash is no fool; she may have guessed but was unwilling to question me.’
‘But won’t her redoubtable mother tell half the county?’ said Letty, still
chuckling
.
‘No, poor Mrs Nash will have to keep quiet when she would rather tell the world! They are too nosy and meddlesome to stay away, Letty, and if the story became known, they could no longer associate with us.’ Alyssa laughed. ‘Let us see how Sir Giles reacts; it will not be long before he hears.’
Sir Giles heard that afternoon. He had called at Frampton Manor and was discussing farming business with Squire Nash in his study. The squire was jovial of countenance, ample of girth and renowned for his easy good humour. He loved his wine, billiards and even the occasional card party, but irritated the distaff side of his household with his blithe refusal to appreciate the importance of social nuances, saying while he did not enjoy tinkling teacups and gossip, he had no objection to his wife and daughter indulging as much as they wished.
He breezed in to the social gatherings held in his drawing-room, smiled, murmured a vague greeting at the ladies gathered there and ambled out again, happy to leave the wagging tongues wholly to his wife and daughter. Living in a female-dominated family, he was always pleased to snatch any opportunity for male conversation.
So, that afternoon, when there was an imperative knock at the door to
interrupt
his conversation with Sir Giles, he said ‘Come in,’ but his face evinced annoyance at finding no refuge, even in the sanctum of his study.
Mrs Nash, agog with excitement, rushed in, exclaiming, ‘My dear, you cannot conceive what we have just heard! Indeed, it is too shocking and never was I in greater need of my smelling salts!’ She hesitated, having suddenly noticed the visitor sitting in the winged chair opposite her husband’s desk. ‘Oh, Sir Giles. I-I am sorry, I did not realize … I came straight in without speaking to the servants. So foolish of me.’
‘Don’t trouble yourself, Mrs Nash. It is a brief visit only and I shall be leaving directly,’ said Gil.
‘No you won’t, by God!’ cried the squire, good-naturedly. ‘Take another glass of Madeira, Giles. I’m outnumbered by females in this household so sensible conversation from you is always welcome. Help yourself.’ He pushed the decanter towards his guest and said, ‘Now Eugenie, why are you in such a taking? What gossip have you heard which warrants smelling salts?’
Mrs Nash flashed an uneasy glance at Sir Giles. ‘I cannot remember, Henry. It has quite gone out of my mind.’
‘Gone out of your mind?’ repeated the squire, in amazement. ‘Deuce take it, you only mentioned it a moment ago and it was important enough to send you rushing in here. Nothing wrong with your memory usually: you remind me of things often enough.’ He shook his head and winked at Sir Giles before speaking again to his wife in a genial tone, ‘Come, come – you must recall it. Giles will not mind hearing, I’m sure.’
‘Oh dear!’ she said, wringing her hands, ‘I don’t know if—’
Caroline, entering with a satisfied smile on her lips, said, ‘I am pleased Giles is here, Mother. We have permission to tell him after all and I know Father will not breathe a word.’
Alyssa’s story was retold, with Caroline remembering to intersperse it with asides on the perpetrator’s moral corruption and Mrs Nash helpfully providing a running commentary on how her daughter would never be tempted into gambling or, heaven forbid, walking down St James’s dressed as a man. ‘It made my blood run cold to hear of it!’ she declared in conclusion, gripping her
handkerchief
melodramatically.
However, the news was not received in the manner they expected. Sir Giles remained silent, while the squire roared with laughter and slapped his hand on the desk in delight. ‘By God, Miss Paradise sounds resourceful! Those young bucks would have been astounded to know they had a woman in their midst!’
‘Henry, I am surprised at your attitude!’ declared his spouse, ‘I thought you would be appalled!’
‘Not in the least,’ he said, chuckling. ‘It’s a mild tale compared to some from my youth and there’s no damage done at the end of it. What do you think, Giles? Do you appreciate Miss Paradise’s sense of adventure, or are you shocked?’
Gil had said nothing, his expression remaining inscrutable, but he had cleared his throat and taken a long draught of Madeira when it was revealed Mr Esidarap had attended an orgy.
At the squire’s question, he raised his brows quizzically and said, ‘No, not shocked, but Miss Paradise continues to surprise me. She appears a spirited young woman and I find that refreshing.’ He turned to Caroline and declared softly, ‘So, you have already visited Hawkscote. How odd Miss Paradise confided this at your first meeting – what prompted her to do so?’
‘I cannot imagine. We conversed amicably for several minutes before she spoke of it,’ said Caroline, displeased to hear Alyssa described as refreshing.
‘Oh yes, everything was friendly between us,’ agreed her mother. ‘Caroline commented on their gowns at first – they were very shabby – then Miss Paradise told us that they had been
helping their servant!
As you may imagine, we gave some morsels of advice.’
Anger was visible on Giles’s features but quickly masked, and he remarked sardonically, ‘I expect that was well received.’
‘She recounted this extraordinary tale afterwards,’ said Caroline. ‘Of course, I do not believe it.’
‘So it’s not true?’ asked the squire, disappointment in his voice.
Caroline sniffed. ‘I don’t think so, but it would hardly have been proper to question her further.’
‘But she was most persuasive, Caroline!’ protested Mrs Nash. ‘Indeed, she said expressly it was your offer to protect her from gossip that encouraged her to tell us!’
‘Ah, I begin to understand,’ said Gil, drily. He leaned back in his chair and stretched both legs out in front of him, crossing one exquisitely booted ankle over the other and pushing his hands into the pockets of his breeches before continuing, ‘Why would you think Miss Paradise needs your assistance, Caroline? Surely that was high-handed?’
Caroline detected the hard edge in his voice and grew indignant. However, she fought against showing her irritation, clasping her hands together instead and remarking calmly, ‘I offered association with my good name to benefit her; you may call that high-handed, I say it is generous. Do you condone her past then?’
‘It is not for me to condone or condemn it. I know nothing of her past, only what I learnt from Tom.’
‘Surely every fibre of your being is revolted by this amoral tale?’
‘Good God, Caroline – stop being so prudish!’ exclaimed her father in
exasperation
, ‘You make too much of the matter!’
Gil looked anything but revolted. He smiled enigmatically, the laughter lines at the corners of his eyes creasing as he did so. ‘But you have just told me it is not true. I cannot feel revulsion for something that did not happen.’
‘Oh! But you intend to question her?’ cried Caroline, frustrated.
‘You can be certain I will.’
‘That is something at least. I said you would enquire about her past
iniquities
.’
His smile grew. ‘Did she respond?’
‘She said she hoped you would try,’ said Mrs Nash.
He grinned, murmuring cryptically under his breath, ‘
Touché
, Alyssa.’
‘I beg your pardon, I did not hear what you said,’ protested Caroline.
‘No matter; rest assured I shall quiz Miss Paradise severely at our next
meeting
.’
‘Good,’ said Caroline, mollified by the thought of Alyssa receiving a cutting invective.
Squire Nash drained the remnants of his glass and said convivially, ‘Now, Gil, don’t be too hard on the girl! Whether this tale is true or false, she sounds a lively miss and I’d like to meet her. Far too many young women these days with not an ounce of spirit and Miss Paradise appears a mite different.’
Giles smiled at the squire. ‘She is.’
When Gil drove away, he struggled with a desire to turn his carriage towards Hawkscote, but decided against it: the evening was growing late.
Miss Paradise had occupied his thoughts a great deal since they had dined together, although he preferred not to dwell on why he had spoken of his remedy for her obstinacy. Her defence of the workers’ situation had led him to question his own conscience. When had he last visited his labourers? Not for many months, and he felt a pang of guilt at the realization he no longer knew how his employees lived, or how much they were paid individually; he was only aware of wage outgoings as a whole. Alyssa’s comments had made him determined to rectify this. Of course, Caroline would not approve of illiterate labourers
receiving
any consideration.
Caroline. His dark brows drew together in a frown as he recalled her sadistic pleasure in retelling the story. He knew why – she wanted him to echo her outrage and utterly condemn Alyssa. Well, she had been disappointed; he found the episode highly amusing and succeeded only through iron resolve and a gulp of wine in containing his laughter. He could not recall when he had last felt so animated and entertained, and in that respect, Alyssa was unique. Propriety dictated she should not have invented the anecdote, but he had no doubt it had resulted from provocation. Caroline’s conceit was becoming insufferable.
He grinned as he savoured again the image of Alyssa telling Caroline and her mother Mr Esidarap’s story, and considered his next dinner appointment with Miss Paradise could not come soon enough.
Piers surveyed the south lawns of Hawkscote and moodily reflected again on his misfortune. He’d had a damnable time of it in London. Once his creditors
discovered
he was not to receive his uncle’s estate, they had beaten an insistent path to his door and Piers was only too pleased to leave for the country. He was
accustomed
to being short of ready money, but it was a new and unpleasant
experience
to be dunned so assiduously by tradesmen, acquaintances and even friends.
The clock chimed four and he wondered where Alyssa was. Rowberry had asked him to wait in the drawing-room while she completed business with her agent, but that was half an hour ago, and, having arranged to meet James Westwood for dinner, he could not stay long. Still, he wanted to announce his arrival and cast his eye over Hawkscote. It was over a year since he had visited Tom and even then, he had only stayed a week. By the end of that time, his uncle’s comments about his lifestyle had hit their mark and Piers was anxious to leave. At least he and Tom had separated on good terms, for which Piers was grateful – Tom had died before he could see him again.
Piers thought he knew the house and gardens well, but in truth he had never paid attention to the fine detail of either, partly because of his youth and, more recently, believing with nonchalant arrogance they would belong to him one day and he could inspect both at his leisure then. Now the prize had been taken away, he perversely found himself studying the room and its contents with an
avaricious
gaze. He strolled over to inspect a painting, leaning one hand on the mantelpiece as he did so, and noting with satisfaction it was by Gainsborough.
Piers hoped some plan to win the estate would present itself while he was in Dorset. He had the glimmer of an idea which seemed impetuous even to him but he had not yet discounted it. His musings were brought back to the present abruptly by a slight noise behind him. He jumped and his hand gripped the carved wooden fire surround – someone else was in the room. Impossible! He was alone, no one had entered from the hall, yet the sound had emanated from the other side of the room. Slowly, he looked over his shoulder.
‘Hello.’
Before him, in the middle of the room and having materialized seemingly out of thin air, stood a slim, young woman in a grey silk gown; it was she who had apparently uttered the single word. He blinked, thinking his brain was deceiving him, and her large eyes, a peculiarly beautiful shade of greenish-grey, regarded him steadily as he stood in mute astonishment. Fair hair, dark brows and lashes and a dainty mouth upturned in a smile completed the vision. Piers rubbed his eyes and looked again, half expecting the image to have disappeared. However, still the girl gazed back, her figure infused with an almost ethereal calmness.
Finally, he struggled into speech, and whispered, ‘W-where have you come from?’
‘Did I startle you?’
‘Are you
real
, or some kind of apparition?’
‘Oh, I’m real enough!’ said Letty, with a laugh.
‘Then how the deuce did you get in here?’ said Piers, exhaling slowly as he began to recover.
Letty indicated the panelling. ‘There’s a secret passage behind there. I was exploring it, came into this room and found you here.’
‘Of course! Devil take it, I thought I was going mad!’ He raked his fingers through his hair. ‘I’d forgotten about that dam— I mean, deuced passageway! Lord, haven’t been through there since I was a boy.’
‘You know of its existence then,’ said Letty, surprised. ‘I suppose I should ask what you are doing here.’
‘Waiting to see Miss Paradise.’
‘Oh, I see. Do you live locally?’
‘No.’
She sat down, looking at him quizzically. ‘I didn’t think I had seen you before.’
‘I have seen
you
,’ replied Piers, his eyes roaming over her face and recognition dawning.
‘You have? When?’
Placing his hands on the chair in front of him, Piers said, ‘Unless I am very much mistaken, you are Miss Letitia Ravenhill.’
‘You have the advantage of me then, sir, for I cannot guess your identity. Indeed, you might be an escaped convict or some other nefarious creature, here to steal bounty. But, no – you cannot be. You are too well dressed and your expression is too benign for that, although it is sullen. Why do you scowl so?’
‘I am not scowling!’ cried Piers, affronted.
‘Yes, you are. It does not suit you,’ remarked Letty cordially. ‘Why, if only you would remove those furrows from your brow, you could be described as
pleasant-looking
.’
He gasped. ‘Well, of all the—’
‘You are about to say that my manner is unbecoming, but I still don’t know your name.’
‘I’m Piers Kilworth. I saw you at my aunt’s – that is to say, Alyssa’s mother’s – funeral a few years ago.’
She studied him with interest. ‘So
you
are Lyssa’s cousin. I don’t remember, but I have heard about you recently.’
‘Nothing good, I’ll warrant,’ he said, his mouth twisting into a sardonic smile as he walked over to sit near Letty. ‘I’m the black sheep of the Paradise family, you know – totally irredeemable.’
‘I’ve heard nothing very bad, Mr Kilworth.’
‘Surely you can call me Piers, in view of our connection through Alyssa?’
She shook her head. ‘That would not be right – I do not know you. Indeed, we should not be alone, but I suppose it must be considered unexceptional as you are Alyssa’s cousin.’
‘But you just said you had heard about me.’
‘From Alyssa, yes, but I will judge you myself now.’
‘What has she told you?’ asked Piers, curious to hear what this forthright girl knew.
‘Do you want the truth?’
‘Of course. After receiving one jolt with your unexpected appearance, I believe I can withstand another,’ he said, ironically.
‘That you were a charming boy, who has grown into a self-indulgent man, wasting his talents on a sybaritic lifestyle.’
Piers gave a chuckle and folded his arms across his chest. He said, mockingly, ‘A sad but correct indictment! I cannot fault Alyssa except in one thing: I have no talents to waste. My only aptitude is for spending money, at which I am
exceedingly
good.’
‘Have I offended you?’
‘No,’ he said, shrugging.
She looked at him from under her lashes. ‘I-I do not believe you should speak in that way,’ she faltered, ‘saying you have no talent – everyone has, you know.’
He shook his head. ‘Not I. At least, none I have yet discovered – apart from the one I mentioned.’
‘Bah! That is not a talent; any fool can squander money.’
‘So I am a fool then?’
She blushed but tilted her chin defiantly. ‘For getting into debt – yes.’
Regarding her with a fascinated eye, he asked, ‘Are you appointing yourself my moral guardian, Miss Ravenhill?’
‘No. If you are stupid enough to gamble and while away your life to no purpose that is your business.’
Piers stirred uneasily in his chair. With very few words, this doe-eyed slip of a girl had succeeded in making him feel ashamed. He pushed away the thought and said in a cutting voice, ‘Don’t flatter yourself you would have success
lecturing
me – my uncle and Alyssa chastized me for years, and to no end.’
Letty did not answer but studied his expression and, with a devastating smile, said eventually, ‘Oh dear, it is too bad!’
‘What is?’ he replied, blankly.
‘You are scowling again, Mr Kilworth,’ she declared, shaking her head. ‘An unfortunate habit, far worse than wasting money.’
He fell silent for a long moment, watching her. ‘You’re a curious young woman. You appear from nowhere to speak of morality, and then admonish me for scowling! What am I to make of you?’
‘Whatever you like – I am not your conscience, or your keeper.’ Looking hurriedly away, she smoothed her hand over the skirt of her gown. ‘I-I’m sure Alyssa will be here any moment,’ she said, adding, ‘where are you staying?’
‘With James Westwood and his family, outside Dorchester.’
‘We have heard of the Westwoods; Mrs Nash told us of them.’
‘Mrs Nash? I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting that lady – a gap in my knowledge, for which I apologize.’
‘She is the mother of Caroline Nash, Sir Giles Maxton’s friend, and a
grande dame
of local society,’ said Letty, with a shudder.
‘Ah! I take it she does not meet with your approval?’
‘She’s an interfering sort, as is her daughter.’
He grinned. ‘I’m sure my cousin dealt with them accordingly.’
‘She did,’ said Letty, with an answering smile.
‘Has Alyssa met Sir Giles yet?’
‘She dined with him last Saturday.’
‘Hmm. And have you seen any of the estate?’ asked Piers.
‘Only a fraction, but Ennis, the land agent, introduced us to the labourers,’ said Letty. ‘Alyssa is with Ennis now – he invited her to attend when the wages are paid. She takes her new responsibilities seriously.’
‘Why must she be so tediously righteous?’ protested Piers with a sigh.
Letty chuckled and said, ‘She wants to learn more about the property she has acquired.’
‘How obliging of you to remind me of my disappointment,’ he muttered.
‘Oh, pray do not take refuge in sulking,’ pleaded Letty, reproachfully. ‘I find it dreadfully lowering to be with a person who is miserable for no good reason. Charles has the same effect on me.’
At this comparison, Piers leapt to his feet and paced about the room,
expostulating
, ‘Charles! Good God, don’t, I beg of you, draw parallels between me and that prosy bore! We are not at all alike.’
‘Well, you don’t appear to be a prosy bore—’
‘Thank you!’ he threw over his shoulder.
‘—but before he went back to London, Charles cast a damper over everything with his sulks. I would not like to see Alyssa made unhappy again by
unwarranted
petulance on your part, Mr Kilworth.’
He stopped his pacing and stared. ‘My dear girl, I’ve had every expectation removed by a single sweep of my uncle’s pen – under the circumstances, I hardly think my resentment is unwarranted.’
‘Some initial anger was understandable but you should not still be wallowing in self-pity. Why do you behave like a spoilt child?’
‘No one
has spoken to me in this manner before – not even Alyssa!’ he exclaimed, a fierce rasp in his voice.
‘Perhaps if they had, you would not act as you do,’ observed Letty, offering a serene but knowing smile.
He glared and a deep frown gathered on his brow. He was about to voice a biting riposte but, observing Letty’s smile and charming features, Piers suddenly seemed unable to sustain his rancour. His sneer died away, his bellicose manner softened and his mouth began to curve in genuine amusement. Taking a step towards her, Piers laughed and said in a low, husky voice, ‘Why, Miss Ravenhill, you are the most—’
His reply was cut short by the door opening to admit Alyssa. She halted on the threshold, her surprised glance flicking between the two occupants. ‘Piers! I did not expect you so soon.’
Swiftly, he moved away from Letty and drawled, ‘Hello, Coz.’
‘When did you arrive?’
‘A short time ago. Didn’t Rowberry inform you?’
‘I asked not to be disturbed and came straight here from meeting Ennis,’ she explained.
‘I left London sooner than anticipated and wanted you to know I am in the area. Once it became known I could not settle my most pressing debts, it became a little uncomfortable there.’
‘No doubt an unpleasant experience,’ said Alyssa. She sat at the bureau and looked through the letters which had arrived earlier, adding, ‘You have clearly introduced yourselves. Has he made himself agreeable, Letty? Piers can be
irascible
or engaging, depending upon his mood.’
‘He has been tolerable, I suppose.’
‘My behaviour has been exemplary under the circumstances, Coz – Miss Ravenhill gave me the most appalling shock earlier and my heart almost required a surgeon’s ministrations.’
‘Oh, what fustian!’ cried Letty, laughing, ‘Sir, you are untruthful – your heart was never in danger when I appeared from the passageway!’
He shook his head. ‘I defy any gentleman not to be overset when confronted by such a charming spectre!’
‘I wish I had seen your face at that moment, Piers,’ said Alyssa, smiling. She put the letters on the desk, and looked into her cousin’s face. ‘Let me be frank – what do you hope to achieve by coming here?’
‘I’ve no clear notion, Coz. Before I left town, that dusty old scribe Bartley confirmed there are no substantive grounds to contest but, as I told you, I’ve a mind to cast an eye over things. However, I have recently discovered my visit may hold unexpected compensations,’ said Piers, his gaze resting momentarily on Letty.
‘But you may not meet Sir Giles for some time,’ said Alyssa, who thought it wiser to ignore this last, veiled comment.
‘I intend to call and introduce myself. Have you any objection?’
‘Several, but none you will regard. Please don’t engage in impolitic
conversation
with Sir Giles, Piers.’
‘Whatever my faults, you can’t accuse me of bad manners,’ he drawled. ‘I would never display such a lamentable lack of subtlety.’
‘Unlike Charles,’ murmured Letty.
Piers laughed. ‘Lord, yes!’ He raised his brows quizzically and added, ‘O-ho, has Charles been endearing himself to the locals already? Ah! No need to offer any confirmation – I see by Miss Ravenhill’s expression I am correct. Really, he employs the most cow-handed methods! What do you see in The Brook Bore, Alyssa? You, my favourite cousin, are above him in so many ways; consider
carefully
before throwing yourself into Charles’s dreary embrace.’
‘I am your
only
cousin, and I don’t think I should discuss my feelings for Charles with you,’ said Alyssa, colouring. ‘He has gone to London.’
‘Thank God!’ he said, with pithy disregard for circumspection. ‘At least I shan’t have to endure his company.’ He yawned theatrically. ‘You see, I find even discussing him soporific. Tell me, is the estate still lucrative?’