Melinda Hammond (6 page)

‘With no thanks to you! In heaven’s name, why did you not take the child back to her grandfather?’

‘She would have objected most strongly to that, and in any event I have no doubt she would have run off again as soon as I was out of sight. No, my dear, Stacey was determined to get to London. But you have talked to her, you must see that she is such an innocent she could not be allowed to travel alone.’

‘Are you
sure
she is such a babe, Vivyan? Perhaps she is set on entrapping you.’

Mr Lagallan smiled, a rueful look in his eyes.

‘Lord, Caro, when you have been in her company a little longer you will know that she is head over heels in love with this Mr Alleyne of hers. She has no thought of me, other than as a friend.’

‘A novel experience for you,’ she said, an answering gleam in her own grey eyes. ‘Well, we had best do what we can to unravel this coil. The girl must be handed over to her godmother, and if we can do that without a breath of scandal, we are home free. You are sure no one saw Miss Marchant in your company?’

Vivyan thought of the meeting on the road with Nathan MacCauley.

‘No one of consequence.’

‘Good. Then I think it will be best if we tell Lady Bilderston that it was
I
who came upon Miss Marchant and took her up with me.’

Well done, Caro, my love! I knew I could rely on you!’

She coloured faintly: even after so many years, she was not so impervious to his charms as she professed.

‘You had best go away now, Vivyan. We will expect you here for dinner, and in the meantime I must think how I am going to explain all this to Philip. I fear he will think I am run mad!’

But when Vivyan was shown into the drawing-room in Bruton Street some hours later, he found his brother and sister-in-law in apparent domestic harmony. Major Lagallan greeted his brother with his habitual good humour unimpaired.

‘Well, little brother, you have a novel way of settling down.’

Vivyan grinned. ‘Caroline has told you everything?’

‘Yes. And I have talked with Miss Marchant. She is clearly a gently bred young lady, albeit very determined to have her way.’

‘Aye, full of spirit! But such a babe, Philip. I could not leave her at Bath.’

No, indeed. But this young man she talks of, do you know him?’

‘Rupert Alleyne? No. I fear he is some young buck who whiled away a few idle weeks flirting with a pretty girl. The devil of it is she’s taken it to heart! But she is determined to find him, and confident that he loves her.’

‘You do not think that is so?’ put in Caroline.

‘I fear she is going to be disappointed.’ Vivyan broke off as the door opened, and he turned to see Miss Marchant enter.

Gone were the brown wool suit and the badly tied neckcloth, replaced with a fine muslin gown embroidered with dainty yellow flowers. Miss Marchant’s hair, freed from the confining ribbon, had been coaxed into shining red-gold curls about her head.

Mr Lagallan bowed.

‘My compliments, Caro. You have turned my wood nymph into a princess.’

Observing Eustacia’s blush, Caroline took her arm and gave her an encouraging smile.

‘I deserve no credit, Vivyan. I merely sent my maid to help Eustacia to dress.’

But this Miss Marchant would not allow.

‘Indeed, ma’am, you have been more than kind to me!’ she said. ‘You furnished me with soap, and a hot bath, and have treated me with such kindness, I cannot thank you enough.’

‘Nonsense, child. We are delighted to help you. Now, come and sit beside me, my dear, and we will tell Vivyan what we have decided.’

Major Lagallan cast a rueful glance at his brother.

‘It would appear that we are now mere auditors in this matter, Viv.’

Caroline frowned at him.

‘Be serious, Philip. Vivyan; Eustacia and I discussed the matter most thoroughly after you had left us. She has given me Lady Bilderston’s direction, and I have already sent a note to that lady, and received a reply that I may call upon her in the morning.’

‘And does she know the reason for your visit?’ asked Vivyan.

‘No. I shall take Eustacia with me, and we will throw ourselves on her mercy.’

‘If you tell her everything, she’ll probably be carried off with apoplexy,’ murmured Vivyan, grinning.

Eustacia giggled. ‘No, of course it would not do to tell her
everything!
We will say that it was Caroline who took me up when she learned I was determined to come to London. And Caroline thinks it would be best not to tell Godmama that I came here to find Rupert. Also,’ she fixed her anxious gaze upon Mr Lagallan, ‘I hope you are not offended, Vivyan, but Caroline thought it best if we say you and I had not met until now.’

Vivyan’s eyes danced.

‘Not at all. And do you think Lady Bilderston will take you in?’

‘Well, I hope so,’ said Stacey, wrinkling her brow, But if she will not, it does not matter, for Caroline has said I may stay here while we write to my grandfather, and
that
will give me time to find Rupert!’

* * * *

Miss Marchant’s sunny spirits were slightly more subdued the next morning as she accompanied Mrs Lagallan to Fanshawe Gardens. An elderly butler escorted them to the blue saloon and announced them in funereal terms. Entering a few paces behind Caroline, Eustacia nervously studied Lady Bilderston. She was insensibly cheered by the picture her godmother presented. Lady Bilderston had risen to greet them, and it was seen that she was of average height, but much more than average girth. However her countenance was kindly, and she immediately came forward, saying with a smile, ‘My dear Mrs Lagallan. I was in a quandary to know just why you should wish to see me, but as soon as Avebury announced you, I realized. You have brought my god-daughter to see me. How delightful!’ She turned towards Miss Marchant, holding out her hands. ‘So you are little Eustacia! Goodness, how you have grown; I think I cannot have seen you since you were an infant. Well, well, you are a pretty little thing, and no mistake. You have very much your mother’s looks, although her hair was a little less red than yours, I think. Come and give me a kiss, there’s a good girl.’

Somewhat dazed, Eustacia saluted the powdered cheek presented to her. Lady Bilderston invited them to sit down, ordered Avebury to bring refreshments, and sank once again on to the sofa.

‘How kind of you to visit me. Are you making a long stay in Town, my dear?’

‘To be quite open with you, Lady Bilderston, that depends upon yourself,’ replied Mrs Lagallan. Favouring the advantage of attack, she waited only for the door to close upon the butler before launching into the explanation of Eustacia’s presence in London. Lady Bilderston looked a little bewildered at first, and at the end of the tale she frowned at Miss Marchant.

‘It was extremely ill-advised to set out alone, my dear,’ she said, gently.

Emboldened by this temperate response, Eustacia said earnestly: ‘Oh, I know it was very wrong of me, Godmama, but I was so
desperate
to come here, and I could think of no other way! Pray do not be angry with me.’

The thing is, ma’am, what is to be done now?’ said Caroline.

Lady Bilderston looked nonplussed, and was relieved that the entrance of Avebury with a tray of refreshments prevented her answering immediately.

She had been a widow for some twenty years, and lived a very comfortable life in Town, making occasional visits to her friends and indulging in a very indolent lifestyle. The eruption into her settled world of an energetic young lady was not at all what she had envisaged, and would most certainly upset her comfortable regime. However, she had a kindly disposition, and found she was not proof against the look of hopeful anticipation on her god-daughter’s countenance.

‘Well, Eustacia must come to me, of course. Poor child. I can see that to be cooped up in the country when you are longing for balls and parties must be very frustrating. We will write to Sir Jasper immediately, and if he is agreeable, you shall stay with me for a long visit. Only,’ Lady Bilderston looked a little anxious, ‘you must understand, Eustacia, that I rarely entertain, nor do I go into society a great deal.’

Eustacia looked a little disappointed, but she rallied, saying, ‘Oh, oh, well, it is so very dull in Somerset that I am sure I shall find even the smallest party exciting.’

‘And if you would not object, ma’am, I should be delighted to take Eustacia about with me occasionally,’ put in Caroline, winning a grateful look from Miss Marchant.

‘Well, that is not to say we won’t take in a few select assemblies,’ said Lady Bilderston, mentally reviewing her acquaintances, ‘and then there is Snuffles, my little dog. I am sure you would enjoy walking him for me.’

Eustacia gave her a dazzling smile. ‘That would be delightful, Godmama.’

* * * *

‘Well, Stacey is not with you, so I presume Lady Bilderston has taken her in?’

Mrs Lagallan sank on to a sofa and eyed her brother-in-law with disfavour.

‘I shall never know why I allow myself to be embroiled in your scrapes, Vivyan!’

‘Because you can’t resist my charm! So, the old lady has accepted her, and there’s no scandal?’

‘Yes, Lady Bilderston has agreed that Eustacia can stay with her, at least until they have a reply from Sir Jasper. I was in a quake lest she questioned me too closely, but she has a most amiable disposition. I felt truly dreadful to be imposing on her, for she has not seen the child for years, and I was afraid at first that she would not own her. Of course, she thinks Eustacia is very forward, to have run away to London all on her own, but goodness knows what she would have made of the
true
story!’

Vivyan dropped down beside her and took her hand.

‘Poor Caro, did you have to work very hard to persuade her? Never mind. Your part in the matter is over now, so you may be easy.’

‘No, I may not!’ retorted Mrs Lagallan. ‘I have told Lady Bilderston that I will take the child out with me now and again, for I could see that the poor woman was wondering just how she was to entertain a lively young girl every day of the week! Besides,’ she admitted, ‘I like Eustacia, and I am very much afraid that when she finds this Rupert Alleyne, she is going to be dreadfully hurt.’

The smile left Vivyan’s eyes.

‘I think so, too. But I’m hoping that the novelty of going into society might help her forget her infatuation. I’m glad you have befriended her, Caro, you may need to prevent her from embarking upon some other madcap scheme.’

* * * *

Mrs Lagallan made her second visit to Fanshawe Gardens a week later, when she invited Eustacia to drive in the park with her and take advantage of the mild spring weather. Miss Marchant was in excellent spirits, and lost no time in describing the whirl of activity that had engulfed her since their last meeting, ticking off on her fingers the dressmakers, milliners and seamstresses she had seen in the past seven days.

‘Goodness!’ exclaimed Caroline, laughter bubbling in her voice. ‘Poor Lady Bilderston will be worn out by so much unaccustomed exertion!’

‘No, no, for Godmama handed me over to Cardwell, her dresser, and it is she who has taken over all the arrangements. I admit I was terrified of her at first, for she can be a little sharp, but once she realized that Godmama wanted her to have the dressing of me, and that she was to spare no expense, she became quite excited about the matter. We have been to
dozens
of warehouses, and she has harried Godmama’s poor seamstress into making up a few gowns for me immediately, because although we have had a reply from Grandpapa, and he has said I may stay, my trunks have not yet arrived.’

‘Well, if the walking-dress you are wearing is one of her choices, then I think Lady Bilderston’s dresser has excellent taste,’ agreed Caroline. ‘That shade of green is perfect for your colouring.’

Eustacia blushed, and thanked her for the compliment, but there was a slight crease between her brows as she added, ‘I don’t know when I am to wear all these new gowns, for Godmama tells me that she lives very quietly, and that I am not to expect to be going to parties every night. But if I do
not
go into society, how am I ever going to find Rupert?’

‘I am sure Lady Bilderston does not mean to keep you as a recluse, my dear.’

‘No, of course, but if we are to go to only a few very select parties, I may never meet Rupert!’

‘Calm yourself, child. I have no doubt that if he is in Town, you will see him sooner or later, if not at a party then here in the park, or at the theatre.’

Eustacia looked doubtful. ‘Yes, but I feel so helpless, just waiting to run into him! I thought perhaps I might ask Vivyan to make enquiries at the clubs, for he is very likely to be known in one of them, don’t you think? Caroline, would you be kind enough to ask Vivyan if he would do so?’

Caroline smiled and patted Stacey’s hands.

‘Better still — you shall ask him yourself, for here he is coming towards us, and Philip is with him.’ She directed Miss Marchant’s gaze to the riders approaching, and Eustacia could not suppress a little thrill of pleasure when they turned their horses to walk on either side of the open carriage. She thought she had never seen two finer horsemen: Major Lagallan with his tall, upright figure was mounted on a beautiful long-tailed grey, the perfect foil for Vivyan and his rangy black hunter. Vivyan tipped his hat to Stacey, and smiled down at her.

‘How is Lady Bilderston treating you, wood nymph?’

‘She is all kindness, and Grandpapa has agreed to my staying in Town for the summer.’

‘Excellent. I can see by your looks that you are enjoying yourself in London.’

She cast a sparkling look at him.

‘Oh, I am! It is very strange, but — when I look out at the stars at night, I feel so happy, just to know that Rupert is in the same town, looking up at the same sky. Is that not wonderful?’

‘It makes me feel a trifle queasy!’

She laughed. ‘That is because you have no romance about you.’ She cast a quick glance at Mrs Lagallan, who was deep in conversation with her husband. ‘But, Vivyan, I do not know how I am going to find Rupert. Can you go to the clubs, and find out if he is known there?’