A Curious Courting (13 page)

About Lady Southwood were gathered the other matrons and several of Penrith’s friends. Rushton and Penrith moved between the groups, and once again Penrith admired his friend’s ease in mingling with the diverse elements in the room. Without a pause he could discuss hunting, Lord Byron’s latest cantos, Wellington’s retreat to Portugal, or any household matter the older ladies happened to be mulling over. In fact, the only difficulty Penrith could see at all was Rushton’s stiffness with Selina. Only the necessary greetings were exchanged between the two, and those with a constraint which surprised Penrith. He was given no time to consider this circumstance, however, as a late arrival was announced.

“Ah, Geoffrey. I thought we were going to be denied your company,” Penrith remarked cheerfully as he escorted the gentleman to his mother, and then introduced him to the others. When he presented Selina to Mr. Haslett, he experienced his second surprise of the afternoon.

“Miss Easterly-Cummings and I are acquainted,” Haslett announced as he raised her hand to his lips.

“Yes,” Selina murmured.

“It has been some years, however. In Bath, in ‘09 or ‘10, I believe,” the young man continued relentlessly.

“In ‘10, I am sure,” Selina replied, her eyes calmly taking in his exquisitely tailored blue coat and gray pantaloons. “We did not go to Bath in ‘09.”

“I didn’t, either, come to think of it,” Mr. Haslett said with a grin. “But I’ve been back every year since. You had a young cousin, and a mouse of a companion, as I recall.”

“Your memory is exceptional. I doubt that Henry’s is as accurate, Mr. Haslett. My cousin, Henry Forrester.” As Selina watched them shake hands, aware that Henry had not the slightest recollection of the man, she caught a look of astonishment on Mr. Rushton’s face, and she had to suppress a desire to laugh. She knew that Mr. Rushton could not imagine how the dowdy Miss Easterly-Cummings should ever have come into contact with the dapper Mr. Haslett, but she could tell also, from the look on the newcomer’s face, that he was about to tell his assembled audience. In an effort to forestall him, Selina offered her most charming smile and said, “Are you in the neighborhood for the hunting, sir?”

“I’ve been riding mostly with the Cottesmore, but Penrith suggested I stay at Oak Park for a few days and have a taste of the Quorn. I hope you will allow me to call on you.”

Selina knew a moment’s hesitation, but answered smoothly enough. “Certainly. Sir Penrith can direct you.”

“Tomorrow afternoon?” Haslett pursued with twinkling eyes.

“Unfortunately I can recall no prior engagement,” Selina retorted.

“Now I have found you, I have no intention of letting you disappear again.”

“I never disappear from Shalbrook, Mr. Haslett.”

“Good. I shall look forward to reminiscing with you.”

As the conversation became more general, Selina allowed her attention to be captured once more by Mr. Moreton, but she was aware of Mr. Haslett’s teasing, and Mr. Rushton’s mystified gaze upon her. Perhaps they were not, after all, as like as she had thought. Oh, they were both good-looking, with strongly defined features and a decided air of authority, but there the resemblance ended. While Mr. Haslett was light and airy, almost to frivolity, Mr. Rushton was heavy and grave, almost to sternness. But Selina had little doubt that they both led useless lives, after their own fashion. Certainly neither of them could compare with Sir Penrith’s good humor and open-heartedness, nor with his humane outlook or candidness. It was a great pity, she thought ruefully, that she was not in the least attracted to Sir Penrith. There must be innate rewards in holding a worthy man in high regard, whether or not he returned your affection. Obviously I have a defective emotional temperament, she mused as she donned the scarlet mantelet to depart; first there was Lord Benedict, then Mr. Haslett, and now...

JOURNAL. February 28. Gave Lord John a list of my requirements for the hunting-box, together with my ideas for its design. He is to get back to me in about a week with some preliminary sketches. Haslett has arrived.

Chapter Ten

Henry watched impatiently as Mr. Haslett lifted his cousin’s hand to his lips. It was a wonder to him that ladies tolerated that sort of thing, especially when Haslett had already made a most handsome leg to Selina. What more could one ask than such an elegant gesture? Not that Selina had asked Haslett to kiss her hand, of course. As a matter of fact, she had withdrawn it as quickly as possible without positive rudeness. Henry determined on the spot that he would never subject a lady to such silly treatment.

“Servant, Forrester,” Haslett said, turning to him. “I wouldn’t have recognized you from when we met in Bath. You’ve shot up like a weed.”

“Yes, sir,” mumbled Henry with a flush of embarrassment.

“And it seems that Bath has done wonders for you. I remember…”

Selina interposed to say, “Won’t you sit down, Mr. Haslett?”

Haslett smiled down at her. “I had hoped to convince you to come driving with me, Miss Easterly-Cummings. We are having our first taste of spring weather, and it would be the greatest pity to miss it.”

The relief in Henry’s eyes did not escape his cousin, and though she would have preferred not to have a tête-à-tête with Mr. Haslett, she immediately agreed. “I won’t be above an hour, Henry.”

“How can you be sure?” Haslett quizzed her.

“We were only acquainted for a few weeks, sir. I shouldn’t think we would have more than an hour’s worth of conversation between us,” she laughed.

“Thirty-five days, to be exact, and I can squeeze well over an hour out of that, to say nothing of the years in between. Don’t be alarmed if we’re a little longer, Forrester.”

Selina regarded him skeptically. “If I remember your driving correctly, Henry had best send out a search party if we’re gone very long.”

“My driving has improved with age, as you have,” Haslett responded smilingly. “Come, Miss Easterly-Cummings, we are wasting precious minutes... and my horses will be very cross with me if you don’t honor them with your presence.”

Such foolishness, ever mingled with flirtatiousness, was precisely how Selina remembered him. Probably it was why he had been so appealing when she met him, a delightful change from the cares that weighed her down at the time. Nothing was of any importance or seriousness to him; life was a meal to be tasted to the full—the delicacies enjoyed and the pits discarded. “I’ll just get my wrap.”

Selina could see no marked improvement in his driving, and the bays were not particularly well matched, but the day was indeed unseasonably fine and she had spent the morning over her books, so she leaned back against the padded seat to enjoy herself.

“You must direct me,” Haslett said as he approached the gates. “I am not yet familiar with your neighborhood, though I intend to become so.”

“Take your right, then.”

“Will we pass the land you sold to Rushton?”

“No, that is in the other direction.”

“I should like to see it.”

“As you wish. The road leads only to the village, however.”

When they arrived at the vale, Haslett drew in the horses and sat contemplating the land for a moment. “Yes, very nice. Too bad I didn’t see it first. The hunting was excellent this morning, and I wouldn’t mind having a box in this area.” He gave her a speaking glance, which she attempted to ignore as he inexpertly turned the horses to retrace their path. After he had them trotting easily on the straightaway, he asked abruptly, “Why did you leave Bath without letting me know? And why did you give me the impression that you lived in Hampshire?”

“I never said I lived in Hampshire.”

“Oh, I know you didn’t, but you made every attempt to have me think you did. I thought we got on very well together. Was I wrong?”

Selina studied her hands before answering. “It was a most enjoyable time for me, Mr. Haslett. Without your company, I doubt that I could have convinced Mrs. Morrow to attend so many lectures, and concerts, and plays.”

“Nor the Assembly Rooms; don’t forget those. Pity we didn’t waltz in those days. I should like to waltz with you.”

“I don’t know how.”

“Don’t tell me they still frown on it in the countryside! It’s all the rage in London. Even the old fogies are wearing down, what with dancing parties in the mornings to learn it. You’d be very good, you know.”

“Thank you.”

“Miss Easterly-Cummings, did I... do something to upset you in Bath? Say something which you took amiss?” He glanced at her, his frown half real, half mocking.

“I don’t know how to answer that, Mr. Haslett. It seemed wisest to end our acquaintance when our holiday was ended.” Selina did not meet his eyes.

“I tried to find you, you know. Stopped in to see my friend Wetherby in Hampshire and asked if he knew any family named Easterly-Cummings. I never thought to ask Penrith. Well, it stands to reason I didn’t expect you to be in Leicestershire when you only spoke of Alton and Winchester.” Drawing in the horses to a walk, he eyed her reproachfully. “Have you ever been to Alton or Winchester?”

“No, but I had a friend in Bath who lived near Four Marks.” Selina made a nervous gesture with her hands. “I’m still not quite sure why I did that, Mr. Haslett. There were personal reasons; I never meant to deceive you, just to obscure my identity. Being in Bath, well, I could be anonymous for a change. No one knew me, you see. Sometimes it is very trying living in a small community such as this where everyone knows your business. I hope you won’t hold it against me.”

“Not if you will allow me to take up where we left off,” he replied, coaxingly.

“You don’t mean that, Mr. Haslett. That was years ago, and people change, times change. That summer in Bath is a very pleasant memory, and should stay that way.”

He regarded her thoughtfully, and then laughed. “I shall never forget poor Henry in his Bath chair coming rolling down the hill at me with you in hot pursuit, and your mousy companion having hysterics. It was a sight one sees only once in a lifetime!”

After she had shared in his laughter, Selina remarked, “I’m glad you didn’t relate it at Sir Penrith’s, though. Henry has never seen it in quite the same light as you and I, as you might expect. Nor would I if any harm had come to him. You were very quick-witted.”

“I had to be to avoid being run down,” he protested, still laughing. “By far the most stupendous introduction I have ever had to a lady. Your cousin walks very well now, I noticed.”

“Yes, there is only the merest trace of a limp. He is very fortunate.”

“Your companion is not with you any longer?”

“No, she left several years ago, but she joins Henry and me when we go on holiday most years.”

“Where do you go now that you have abandoned Bath?”

“Oh, to Tunbridge Wells, or Margate, or one of the other watering holes.”

“And you never come to London?”

“I haven’t been there since I was a child.” Selina watched a tiny yellow-hammer winging through the branches of a barren tree, its flash of color enlivening the scene. “Perhaps one day I shall go again.”

“You should, you know. Bath is nothing compared to London. Every night during the Season there are two or three balls or routs to attend, and the theater and concerts are infinitely better. Lady Southwood or Penrith could procure you vouchers for Almack’s, and though it is a little dull, you meet absolutely everyone from the ton, sooner or later. I understand Miss Southwood is to have her come-out this Season, so you would know someone.”

“No, no, Mr. Haslett. I said I might one day go there. I have not the least intention of going this spring!”

“But why not?” he asked, astounded. “It is the perfect time for you to go, can’t you see? Your friends will be in London, and I shall be there to escort you about.” He took her hand and pressed it. “There is no need to take up where we left off, my dear ma’am. We shall begin all over again.”

Selina shook her head. “No, Mr. Haslett. I am not going to London this spring. There is more than enough for me to do here, and I have no desire to leave Shalbrook.”

“Then I suppose I shall have to take lodgings in Leicester or Barton so that I may see you,” he said mournfully. “And I had so hoped to enjoy London after a very dull winter.”

“You are absurd, sir. I would not for the world keep you from London and I feel sure you have no intention of denying yourself your pleasures there. Am I to be like the trout that got away? You have exaggerated my importance from the very fact of having misplaced me. Take your hunting instincts to the fields, Mr. Haslett, for they are misguided in being aimed at me.”

“Ah, you think this is just sport, do you, Miss Easterly-Cummings?” he asked sternly. “I’ll have you know I had every intention of offering for you in Bath.”

“I know.”

Her voice came so softly that he dropped his hands in surprise and the horses took off at a spanking pace. Several minutes elapsed before he had them under control once more, and his decision to bring them to a halt was perhaps wise in view of the following discussion.

“You mean, you thought from my behavior that my intentions were serious?”

Selina shook her head and forced herself to meet his eyes. “I heard you tell someone.”

“But I didn’t...” Haslett broke off in confusion, the dawning of enlightenment in his eyes.

Once again studying her hands, Selina explained, “I was often restless during those days in Bath. Henry’s progress was so erratic; Mrs. Morrow was nagging at me to stay on indefinitely; I had sustained a decided disappointment but a few months previously. Even the household was topsy-turvy, with the footman coming down with a stomach disorder and the housemaid called home to her sick mother. And you were indeed acting as though your intentions were serious.”

Selina shifted her gaze to the stream that ran along the side of the road, gently lapping around the rocks and gurgling against the banks. “I took to walking in the mornings. There was no need to be accompanied; no one was about at that hour. I have always thought best when I walked, and I had so many things to decide. Would it indeed be beneficial to Henry to stay there? Was Shalbrook too damp for Mrs. Morrow? If you were to ask me to marry you, did I want to accept? Oh, any number of things. One morning I wandered as far afield as Charles Street.”