Melinda Hammond (13 page)

‘So, miss — this is how you spend your time in London!’

Chapter Eleven

The two young people jumped apart and turned to look at the elderly gentleman standing in the doorway. Miss Marchant recovered first, saying joyfully,

‘Grandpapa! I had no idea you were here!’

‘So I see,’ said Sir Jasper, his countenance relaxing slightly as he noted her evident pleasure in seeing him. He allowed her to help him to a chair.

‘Pray, sir, sit down here and tell me what has brought you to London?’

‘You have, blister it!’ he declared, glaring at her from under his bushy grey brows. ‘You were supposed to be staying with that fool of a governess near Bath, and the next moment I get Bella’s letter telling me she’s invited you to stay and asking me to send on your clothes! Well, of course I agreed to it – often thought Bella should have put herself out more for you – but how did you get here, lass, eh? Your governess could tell me nothing of that, save to say that you had set off alone! Your Aunt Jayne is prostrate, thinking you have abandoned your family, so as soon as the doctor told me I was fit to travel, I set off to see for myself just what sort of scrape you had fallen into.’

‘No scrape at all, Grandpapa,’ Eustacia said soothingly, dropping to her knees in front of the old gentleman. She possessed herself of his hands and turned her expressive green eyes upon his face. ‘Oh, Grandpapa, it is such a tale that I could not put it all in a letter to you, but really, there was no need for you to post all the way to Town; I am sure Lady Bilderston told you I was perfectly safe.’

‘Bella is a soft-hearted old fool!’ he exclaimed, disposing scathingly of Lady Bilderston. ‘Safe? Ha! What is your godmother about, to leave you alone with this young man?’

‘What? Oh, of course, I had forgotten about Rupert.’ Eustacia sprang to her feet. ‘Grandfather, this — this is Mr Rupert Alleyne. You will remember we met him at the assemblies in Burnett — at least, Aunt Jayne met him, but you were recovering from your last illness, sir, and did not attend. Mr Alleyne was staying with his uncle, Sir Tristam, at Burnett Lodge.’

‘Eh? Alleyne, did you say?’ Sir Jasper peered at the young man. ‘Hmm, I know your uncle, of course, but that’s no reason for you to be alone here with my granddaughter.’

‘No, sir, but you see, I can explain—’

‘Hush, Rupert, perhaps it would be best if you left us,’ interposed Eustacia. Mr Alleyne looked stubborn.

‘No, Stacey, I think I should—’

‘What’s going on here, will someone tell me?’ demanded Sir Jasper, banging his cane on the floor.

‘Yes, Grandpapa, all in good time, but first Mr Alleyne is leaving.’

‘Oh no I’m not!’ declared that young man, with such force that both Miss Marchant and her grandfather stared at him. He ran his tongue over his dry lips. ‘It is not right that you should deal with this on your own, Eustacia. Sir Jasper, it — it is very fortuitous that you have arrived, sir, for I — I want to marry your granddaughter!’

Two pairs of eyes were fixed upon him. Eustacia clasped her hands together and lifted them to her mouth.

‘Oh, Rupert, no!’

Mr Alleyne nodded, his face very pale.

‘Yes, Eustacia. I came here today to tell you that this shilly-shallying must end.’ He turned back to Sir Jasper, standing before him with the air of a schoolboy determined upon confession.

‘You should know, sir, that it is all my fault that Miss Marchant came to London. She set out to find me, unworthy as I am, because I had — had given her to believe that I loved her, which I do, of course!’ he added quickly. ‘I — I left Somerset in the belief that it would be better for us both if we parted, but Eustacia has shown such — such
devotion,
such unswerving loyalty, that—’ He broke off, biting his lip. ‘Sir Jasper, it is my dearest wish, and Miss Marchant’s, that you allow us to be married at the earliest opportunity.’

Eustacia stared at Rupert, tears starting in her eyes.

‘Oh, Rupert!’ she whispered.

He gave her a strained smile.

‘I know I should have spoken sooner, it was cowardly of me to put it off.’

Sir Jasper tapped his cane again.

‘Are you telling me that this — this
liaison
started in Burnett?’

‘Grandpapa—’

‘Yes, sir. I behaved reprehensibly towards Miss Marchant. I should have called upon you then, but I thought, I thought it too soon, that our affection would not last.’

‘Grandfather, I think we should talk,’ said Eustacia, her face as pale as her kerchief.

‘Plenty of time for that later,’ declared the old man, waving away her arm as he pushed himself out of his seat. ‘Alleyne — I remember you now: I knew your father, too, many years ago. Fine man.’

‘Thank you, sir.’

‘He had several estates, I believe. Are they still in the family?’ He shot a fierce glance at Mr Alleyne, who nodded.

‘Yes, sir. We have properties in Berkshire and Dorset, as well as the hunting-lodge in Leicestershire, and of course the estate in Yorkshire . . .’

‘Splendid, splendid. And you are his eldest son?’

‘His only son, Sir Jasper.’

‘Excellent! Well, well, I think we can clear up this business now, if the two of you are so set upon the match. If my Stacey came all the way to London to find you, sir, she must be serious about you! Well then, Mr Alleyne, give me your hand! You have my blessing.’

Somewhat bemused, Mr Alleyne took the proffered hand. Eustacia gave a little whimper.

‘Well, well,’ exclaimed Sir Jasper, smiling now, ‘a fine day’s work! I will compose a notice for the
Gazette,
and—’

‘No!’ Eustacia’s cry brought her grandfather’s eyes upon her. Flushing, she said more quietly, ‘Grandpapa, I — I think we must wait until Rupert has had time to discuss this with his father. I — I would not want him to think we are in unseemly haste to wed.’

‘Hmm, I suppose you are right,’ agreed Sir Jasper. He smiled at his granddaughter. ‘Now, I expect you are wishing me elsewhere, eh, puss? Very well, I shall go and find your godmama, and give her the good news!’ He nodded towards Mr Alleyne. ‘I’ll give you ten minutes alone with my granddaughter, but no more, or we shall have all the tongues a-wagging!’ Then, chuckling to himself, Sir Jasper walked slowly out of the room.

Eustacia gazed across the room at Mr Alleyne.

‘Well,’ said the young man eventually, ‘there it is. We are engaged.’

‘Yes,’ agreed Eustacia, in a hollow voice.

‘I did not think it would be so easy,’ he confessed. ‘I - I think my father might be a little harder to persuade.’

‘Yes.’

Rupert looked at her, his eyes narrowed.

‘Stacey — what is it, are you ill? This is what you wanted, is it not?’

Pulling herself out of her reverie, Eustacia summoned up a bright smile.

‘But of course! I came all the way to London just for this moment!’

Mr Alleyne took her hand.

‘Good,’ he said. ‘I’m glad I’ve made you happy.’ Gently he kissed her lips, then drew back, flushing and laughing. ‘Sorry — I mean — I must go!’

With another half-smile he left the room, and for several minutes Eustacia did not move, merely stared at the door. Then, with a sob, she fled to the seclusion of her bedchamber.

* * * *

It could not be expected that such news would remain a secret. Lady Bilderston made only her closest friends privy to the engagement, and in the strictest confidence, so that by the time Eustacia arrived at Almack’s a few days later, everyone was congratulating her. Even Miss Pensford, in her cool way, told her how fortunate she was.

‘Mr Alleyne is the most charming young man in London, Eustacia. I hope you will make him happy.’

‘At least as happy as you will make Vivyan!’ retorted Miss Marchant. She was immediately sorry for her outburst, but Miss Pensford was in no way discomposed.

‘There is a difference in our circumstances,’ came the cool reply. ‘Yours is very much a love-match, whereas Mr Lagallan and I are marrying for far more practical considerations, therefore there is no reason why our union should
not
be a success.’

Eustacia stared at her.

‘Do you feel nothing for him, then? Surely you must agree he is the most handsome gentleman in Town?’

‘To be truthful, no,’ replied Helen. She added, not meeting her friend’s eyes, ‘I — I do not find dark men attractive.’

Unable to think of a suitable reply that would not seriously jeopardize their friendship, Miss Marchant left her, but their conversation came to mind again when Vivyan approached Stacey later that evening.

‘I have come to beg a dance with you, while I still may,’ he announced, his dark eyes glinting.

‘You have heard, then.’ She tried to smile, but was uncertain of its success.

‘Yes. Caroline told me. She had it from Lady Trentham this morning. Congratulations.’

Thank you.’ She stole a glance up at him. ‘You sound a little . . . angry.’

‘Do I? My apologies. I am perhaps a little disappointed that you did not tell me yourself.’

‘It — it was meant to be a secret. My grandfather arrived in town three days ago, and Rupert immediately approached him, but it was agreed that nothing should be announced until Rupert has had the opportunity to talk to his father.’

‘I see. And where is the fortunate bridegroom tonight?’

‘He is here, somewhere.’ She looked about her. ‘Yes, over there — in fact, he is dancing with Helen.’ For a moment she watched them; they were laughing, their fair heads almost touching. Mr Lagallan voiced her thoughts.

‘They make a handsome couple.’

‘Yes. Yes, they do.’

He did not miss the wistful note in her voice, and glanced down at her.

‘What ails you, brat?’

She sighed. ‘I fear I have enjoyed a surfeit of parties. I feel . . . stifled, somehow.’ She gave him a brief smile. ‘Is it not ironic that now I have achieved everything I worked for, I should want something different? If I was in the country, I should go for a long ride, and gallop away these crotchets.’

‘You can ride in the park.’

‘Yes, at a very ladylike pace!’ She laughed at him as they separated for the movement of the dance.

When they came back together, Vivyan said: ‘I think I have the answer! We should have an outing, the four of us, to celebrate our forthcoming nuptials. A ride and a picnic. There is some very fine countryside around Hampstead, where we can enjoy a gallop. A friend of mine owns a property with a pretty little park near Driver’s Hill, a few miles north of Hampstead, and I am sure he will allow us to picnic there. A note to him tomorrow would secure permission. What do you say?’

Eustacia’s stammered reply was lost as they separated once more, but he did not need to hear it, reading her answer in the eloquent look she bestowed upon him.

For the remainder of the dance Eustacia set her mind to arrangements for the planned treat. As soon as the music stopped, she dragged Mr Lagallan off the floor to put the idea to Helen and Rupert.

‘The town is growing so hot,’ she declared. ‘I long to ride out into the country.’ She looked up at Vivyan. ‘Do you think that Caroline would agree to come along, to act as chaperone? I am sure Godmama, and my grandfather too, will feel obliged to accompany us in the carriage if she does not.’

Faced with such enthusiasm, the others agreed to the scheme, and Vivyan promised to make the necessary arrangements and ask his sister-in-law to accompany them.

The timing was fortuitous. The good weather held, and on a sunny morning Miss Pensford and Mr Alleyne rode into Fanshawe Gardens to meet Eustacia. The carriages carrying the picnic had gone on ahead, and once Eustacia was mounted upon her long-tailed grey, all that was left to do was to await the arrival of Mr Lagallan and his sister-in-law. A few moments later, three riders were seen approaching.

‘Here are Caroline and Vivyan now — and the Major is with them!’ Miss Marchant held out her hand to him, smiling. ‘Well, sir, we are honoured that you should join us!’

He grasped her fingers briefly and smiled at her.

‘I thought I might come along and help Caroline contain your high spirits.’ He cast an appreciative eye over her mount. ‘She looks a lively little mare, but you seem to have the measure of her. I look forward to seeing her in action once we reach open country.’

‘You shall, sir! I own that I too want to try the mare’s paces. So far I have only been able to canter in the park.’

At last the little party set off, keeping a sedate pace. Once Oxford Street had been negotiated, they kept to the quieter side streets and lanes as far as Tottenham Court crossroads. Vivyan and Major Lagallan led the way, with Mr Alleyne riding alongside Miss Pensford, while Caroline and Eustacia followed with Lady Bilderston’s groom riding at a discreet distance behind them. Eustacia kept up a constant flow of lively chatter, but Mrs Lagallan observed how often her eyes strayed to Rupert Alleyne.

‘Miss Pensford appears to be a nervous rider. I think Mr Alleyne is concerned for her.’

Eustacia glanced at her companion.

‘I beg your pardon? Oh, yes - yes. Rupert is the most considerate of men. Did you think I might be jealous? I have known Helen for so many years, I have no fear that she will flirt with Rupert.’

Mrs Lagallan tried unsuccessfully to stifle a sigh. ‘Yes, she has every virtue.’

Eustacia bit her lip. ‘Caroline — forgive me if I am impertinent, but - Vivyan does not love Helen, does he? So why is he going to marry her?’

‘He says it is time he settled down.’

‘But she will make him miserable!’ cried Eustacia, before she could stop herself.

‘I think you might be right,’ agreed Caroline, ‘but now he has offered for her, he will not go back on it. We must hope that we are wrong. After all, many men are perfectly happy in such marriages.’

‘But not Vivyan! He has too much spirit, he is so — so
alive!’

Caroline smiled.

‘I said very much the same thing about him, many years ago, when he was a boy. But he is not a child now, Stacey. He has made his choice.’

As they left Tottenham behind them and headed north on the Hampstead road, the two ladies moved up to join the other riders. Mr Lagallan raised his crop, pointing towards a stretch of open country to the right.