Arabella (4 page)

             
Arabella dimpled and dipped her head, allowing him to think her shy, though she did not particularly care for his compliments.

             
'You are too kind, sir,' she replied.  'But do you not admire Nan's gown – I could never wear that shade but it looks well on her, do you not agree?'

             
'Oh, certainly,' he said easily and nodded to Nan.  'You are as pretty a picture, m'dear.'

             
'And shall we see some fine pictures this evening, sir?' Nan asked.  'I have heard much of the pleasure gardens, but do not really know what to expect.'

             
'Yes, indeed you may see several artists displaying their work in booths,' Sir John replied, preening a little under Nan's interest.  'There are pleasant walks to be had, besides music and dancing for those who incline to it…though I do not dance myself these days.  We shall have supper in one of the booths, of course, and listen to a concert.  And perhaps later there will be a firework display.'

             
'Oh, I should like that of all things,' Nan said and gave him a shy earnest glance.  'Or do you think it will be frightening, Sir John?'

             
'No, no, m'dear, nothing in the world to be frightened of,' he said kindly.  'I dare say it may seem so to a young lady fresh from the country, but you will soon accustom yourself to such sights.  And I shall be there so you need not be afraid of anything.'

             
'No – if you are there I dare say I shall not,' Nan replied and looked down at her hands folded in her lap.

             
Arabella was surprised at her sister's manner.  Was Nan setting her cap at Sir John?  Surely not!  He was kind enough, and very wealthy, but Nan could not want to be married to a man almost as old as her own father – and much fatter!

             
Arabella could not think of a worse fate.  She had the picture of a face in her mind and was determined she would not settle for anyone who did not measure up to her ideal.  There must be some handsome men in London who had no need to marry money!  She did so want to be married to a man she could love.

             
The gardens at Vauxhall were everything she had hoped for and more.  They were that night thronged with ladies and gentlemen parading in all their finery – and some of the clothes were so outrageous they had to be seen to be believed.

             
'Macaronis, m'dear,' Sir John remarked in a low voice to Arabella as he saw her astonished gaze following a gentleman dressed rather oddly.  'Italianate, I believe they call that style – but rather too elaborate for my taste and damned uncomfortable I should say.'

             
Arabella was hard pressed not to laugh as she imagined him wearing the short tight breeches of the Macaronis.

             
'They do look rather strange,' she replied, 'though I suppose it is the fashion?'

             
'For some,' he agreed, 'but I believe a man should retain some dignity.'

             
'Yes, I do agree,' Nan said.  She was walking on his other side and laid a hand on his arm.  'Tell me, sir – is that one of the booths where we may see some drawings?'

             
'I should imagine that you might find something by Hogarth; there are any number of imitators since his death, of course, but I believe he is still the best.  Or if his work is not to your taste we may discover a new artist, then we may patronise him and set him on his way to riches...' Sir John said and smiled down at her.  'Shall we go and see?'

             
'I think I should enjoy that above all things.'

             
Nan
must
be setting her cap at him!  Arabella glanced at Lady Mary to see how she viewed Nan's behaviour but found that she was otherwise engaged.  She had fallen behind them a little and was now talking to a young and handsome man that Arabella had not met before.  She wished that she might fall behind too, but found that she was being gently but firmly steered towards the booths displaying the pictures Nan had professed an interest in.

             
Arabella threw a glance of longing over her shoulder, but there was no help from her cousin.  Lady Mary was laughing and fluttering her fan as she gazed up at the young man, clearly enjoying the encounter.  It wasn't fair, thought Miss Impatience, she would far rather continue to stroll about the gardens than waste time looking at pictures.

             
However, when she saw that there was a set of Mr Hogarth's prints entitled
The Rake's Progress,
which was something she had wanted to see in its entirety, her attention was caught and she remained staring at them, smiling at their wicked humour after Nan and Sir John had moved on to look at another artist's work.

             
'Do they please you?' a man's voice said close at her ear.  'Shall I buy them for you?  They are but a copy but still amusing…'

             
Arabella jumped for she had not noticed anyone come up to her, and her heart jerked with fright as she looked up into the man's dark face and knew him.  By the expression of pure mischief lurking there, he had also recognised her and her eyes glittered with sudden temper.

             
'No, sir, pray do not waste your money – for I should not accept them from you.  I want nothing from you at all!'

             
'Nothing?'  Gervase's mouth quivered with suppressed amusement.  'What if I offered to cover that delectable body of yours in priceless jewels, my sweet?  Would you not smile for me then?'

             
'You are impertinent, sir!'  Arabella turned to follow Nan and Sir John, but he accompanied her.  'Pray go away, sir.  I do not know you and I do not wish to know you.'

             
'The first may be remedied immediately,' Gervase said.  'I am Roxbourne… and I know your name, fair nymph.  You are Lady Mary Randall's cousin and your name is Arabella Tucker.'

             
'Then I wish you would pay me the compliment of removing yourself from my company, sir.  As you must now realise, I am not without friends – and I do not care to be insulted by your attentions.'

             
'Such fire in those eyes,' Gervase said and chuckled.  'I appreciate the little play, Miss Arabella, but there is no need for it with me, I assure you.  I am not for marrying – but I would prove a most generous protector should you choose to go that road.  Marriage is a vastly dull and often dangerous enterprise for young women so they say.  For myself I would think it a pity if all that beauty should be wasted on some dolt without the wit to enjoy it to its full.  And it would be a shame to see you made old before your time with constant childbearing.'

             
'How dare you, sir!'  Arabella glared at him and tossed her head.  She itched to slap him, but that would cause a scandal and she dare not do it – here in public!  If only she might be alone with him for two minutes - how he should suffer!  'I do not wish to hear such things from your lips.'

             
'Come, Arabella,' he murmured.  'Your eyes betray you.  You are no modest society miss to faint at a little plain speaking.  I can read your mind.  You find so much of this boring, don't you – all the polite conversation that means nothing?  You want some excitement in your life … and I can give you all that you want, sweeting.'

             
'I have already told you that I require nothing of you, sir.  Please leave me alone or I shall be forced to call for my friends.'

             
'Your sister seems to have captured Sir John's attention, but come – we shall join them.' He gripped Arabella's arm and steered her to where Sir John and Nan had turned to look for them.  'Good evening, Fortescue.  Trust you to steal a march on the rest of us – two of the prettiest young women to come to town in an age and you have them both to yourself.  I ask you, is this fair?'

             
'Roxbourne…' Sir John was not sure whether to be flattered by this unusual attention from a man who would of a rule hardly deign to notice him, and jealousy because he had commandeered the more beautiful of the two.  'May I introduce you to Miss Tucker and Miss Arabella – unless you have already met?  I believed they knew no one in town.'

             
'We met briefly on the road,' Gervase replied easily.  'However, I do not believe I have been formally introduced to Miss Tucker.  Your servant, mistress.  I trust you are enjoying your first visit to London?'

             
'Yes, indeed, sir,' Nan said.  'Sir John has been most kind and instructive concerning some pictures I was anxious to see.'

             
'Ah yes,' Gervase said.  'I believe Miss Arabella was also interested in some pictures.  We fell into a discussion of them and then realised we had met before – is that not so, Miss Arabella?'

             
Arabella ground her teeth.  It was clear from his manner that Sir John was a little overawed by the marquis, who was obviously of some importance.  She was forced to be polite to him now that they were with the others, but she would get her own back another time!

             
'I believe
you
must be right, sir,' she replied.  'Nan, the marquis is very knowledgeable about paintings.  Pray take my place and let me walk with Sir John for a little.'

             
Her request was accompanied by such a sweet smile that Sir John bowed and hastened to offer her his arm, forcing Gervase to step back and permit the exchange.  However, he gave no outward sign of disliking the arrangement, and when Lady Mary came up to them a few minutes later offered them a place in his own supper booth.

             
'Sir John has already made arrangements, my lord,' Lady Mary said regretfully.  'We should have been glad to sit with you otherwise.'

             
'Then I must leave you,' he said and kissed her hand gallantly.  'For I see my friends and would not have them think I had deserted them – perhaps you would allow me to accompany you to Ranelagh another evening?  Or the theatre and supper afterwards?'

             
'We should be delighted,' Lady Mary said.  'It is pleasant to see you returned to town, sir – please call on us.  We are always at home on Thursdays and Sunday afternoons for tea.'

             
'I should be delighted, ma'am.'  He threw a mocking glance at Arabella, bowed over Nan's hand and left them.

             
'How fortunate that we should meet with Roxbourne this evening,' Lady Mary said, looking excited.  'He sometimes gives the most wonderful parties at his house.  And he has asked me to be his hostess in the past, although Lady Eliza had that honour last year – but I am told on good authority that he is no longer interested there.'

             
'No, indeed,' Sir John agreed.  'I heard she was looking for a new protector – though I think she will find no better than Roxbourne.  He is always generous with his friends, at least that is what they say.'

             
'Oh, indeed, yes, I know it to be true,' Lady Mary agreed.  'But as I heard it, Roxbourne told her that their arrangement was at an end.'

             
'You surprise me, ma'am.  I had thought they were well suited.'

             
'They say she is cold,' Lady Mary whispered something in his ear and he gave a shout of delighted laughter, a roguish expression in his eyes.

             
He offered his arm to her, releasing Arabella who dropped behind to walk with her sister.  Nan glanced at her.

             
'Roxbourne's manners are a little free,' she remarked, 'but he seems to have taken a liking to you, Arabella.  He was asking all kinds of questions about you until our cousin joined us.'

             
'I hope you told him to mind his own business,' Arabella retorted.  'I cannot like him, Nan.  Indeed, I hate him!'

             
'Surely not?'  Nan's brows arched.  'I own he has a bold look, but I have noticed several men looking at you in just that way this evening.  Before we came to London I expected we would find more refined manners here, but the gentlemen ogle one so and even Sir John makes bawdy remarks – though he is truly kind.'

             
'Yes, he is kind,' Arabella said.  'You seem to like him well, Nan?'

             
'I like him well enough,' Nan replied with a faint blush in her cheeks.  'He would be generous to his wife I dare say.'

             
'Nan?'  Arabella stared.  'You would not think of it?'

             
'Why not, pray?  He is wealthy and would be a comfortable companion.  He has a house in the country that he visits a few times a year.  I dare say he might do so more often if encouraged.  Besides, once his wife is with child, he might think it best if she stayed there alone until after the birth…'