A Debt From the Past (31 page)

Beth watched the door close. ‘Does he ever speak or smile?’

‘Sometimes,’ Alice laughed. ‘You run a very informal house, Beth, but it is different here. You treat your staff like old friends or a part of your family.’

‘They have all been with me for as long as I can remember, so, yes, they are like family to me.’

‘I realize that, but don’t try to become too familiar with the staff here. They wouldn’t understand.’

‘No, I can see that.’

‘Anyway, you can both cheer up because I have lots of invitations here. We shall now be very busy. I’ll sort out which ones to accept.’

Over the next week they went to concerts, afternoon tea and dinners where they endured entertainment during which the singers made them wince in pain and the pianists were little better. They also had many callers who were only visiting to prise information out of them after hearing rumours about the shooting in Hampshire. The girls were very relieved to have Alice and Grandfather with them, both experts at being evasive and giving very little away. Society was beginning to buzz with speculation about them, and they didn’t enjoy that at all.

‘We cannot stand any more of this!’ Helen declared after another distasteful visit during which they had been quizzed about their lives.

‘Now, now, my girls, don’t let them upset you,’ Grandfather soothed. ‘Those two ladies have marriageable sons who have been taking an interest in you. They were trying to find out if you would be suitable wives for them.’

‘What?’ Beth’s expression was one of horror. ‘I was not aware that anyone was showing an interest in us like that. You must point them out to us, for we would not want them in the family. I agree with Helen: we have had enough and wish to return home.’

‘You don’t want to leave and miss the grand ball to be given by the Earl of Huntswood and his charming lady, do you? If you disappear now, then society will say you are running away. That would keep them in gossip for weeks. They would consider you cowards, and I know you most certainly are not. Anyway, I hear that Alex has gone back to Scotland to see his girl, but James and Dan have arrived in town and are staying at their club.’ Grandfather smiled slyly after giving them this piece of news. ‘I think it quite likely they will be invited to such a prestigious occasion.’

‘Why have they not called?’

‘No doubt they have had business to attend to first, Helen.’

The girls looked at each other, sending a silent message, and then Beth said, ‘We will stay a while longer, for we would not want to be the cause of more gossip. When is this ball?’

‘Tomorrow evening.’ Alice walked around the girls, surveying them from every angle. ‘You must have the hairdresser tomorrow and decide on your gowns. We shall see that you outshine everyone else there.’

‘Oh, dear.’ Helen relaxed, amused now. ‘I fear you will have a hopeless task on your hands.’

‘You both have more beauty and grace than any of the other girls. Haven’t they, Father?’

‘Indeed. I shall be the envy of every man there when I arrive with you on my arms.’

‘You are a tease,’ Beth told him. ‘Oh, and you never did tell me where you hid those keys.’

‘I gave you a clue.’

She nodded. ‘That they were under my nose. Not much of a clue. It’s a large house.’

‘There’s a mirror on the landing just outside your rooms. You always check that you are tidy and your nose isn’t too shiny before going downstairs. They are behind that.’

‘I don’t recall that is what I do,’ she laughed. ‘But we never thought of looking there, though we have searched all the rooms.’

He grinned. ‘Now that is settled and you are staying for a while longer, I think we should have tea. Don’t you, Alice?’

The evening of the ball arrived, and the girls had to admit they were rather excited. Helen looked stunning in a pale green gown which brought out the green in her eyes. Beth was wearing a light shining shade of blue, also to match her eyes. Alice looked regal in dark red, and Grandfather elegant in full evening dress. He had been missing for most of the day and seemed very pleased about something.

‘Heads up, my dears,’ he told them when they arrived at the ball. ‘This is going to be a night to remember.’

The girls silently agreed, knowing that the gossip about them was going to be rife as soon as they entered the ballroom.

Alice shot her father a suspicious glance, then fixed a smile on her face, murmuring softly under her breath, ‘You behave yourself, Father, or we shall send you home at once.’

‘Stop worrying, Alice. I’m just a spectator tonight. All I’m going to do is dance with three lovely ladies, and a man of my age doesn’t often get to enjoy such a pleasure.’

The girls listened, but they were too nervous to wonder what they were talking about. They had little hope of having many names on their dance cards, and they could already sense that their entrance had caused a stir.

Suddenly, Beth lost all her nervousness as defiance swept through her. What right did some of these people have to whisper about them behind their fans? They had probably never done anything useful in their entire lives. She knew that was not a kind thought, but at the moment that was how she felt.

Grandfather led them to chairs in a prominent position where they could see – and be seen – by the whole room. Before sitting, Beth turned slowly and swept her gaze over the room.

Helen stood beside her and they remained standing for a couple of minutes, then smiled at each other and sat down.

‘Well done, my dears, you’ve just shown them you are not afraid of any of them.’ Grandfather grinned smugly. ‘Let the show begin.’

The orchestra was about to get the dancing underway, and Helen looked at her empty dance card. ‘I think those dancing lessons you gave us are going to be wasted. I doubt anyone is going to approach us.’

‘You’ll have partners,’ Grandfather announced with confidence and a wink. ‘You’ll see.’

‘Father, you are in a strange mood tonight, and I don’t trust you.’

The only reply she received from him was a deep rumbling laugh.

Suddenly, the noise in the room stilled and the girls looked around quickly to see the cause of the interest. Two tall, elegant men were striding across the middle of the dance floor and heading straight for them.

‘Right on time,’ the elderly man muttered.

Beth and Helen leapt to their feet, smiling with delight. They curtsied gracefully when the men reached them.

‘We hope your dance cards are not full,’ James said, taking Helen’s card from her.

Dan took Beth’s card and began to write his name in every space. She watched him, wide-eyed, looking from Dan to the card and back again. ‘I don’t believe it’s proper to dance all evening with the same partner. People will talk.’

The orchestra starting playing and he held out his hand. ‘Do you care?’

‘No,’ she laughed, feeling quite light-headed with pleasure as he led her into the first dance. ‘Has James claimed all Helen’s dances as well?’

‘That was his intention.’

‘Did Grandfather know about this?’

‘We saw him today.’ Dan smiled down at her. ‘You dance beautifully, Beth.’

The use of her shortened name jolted her because he had always been quite formal when speaking to her, but he was a different man tonight, and she felt completely at ease with him. ‘It is easy to dance well with such an accomplished partner.’

Alice and her father danced close to them. ‘Told you you’d have partners, didn’t I?’

The evening became a blur of happiness for the girls. As expected, they caused quite a stir, but they didn’t care. They were spending a few hours in the company of the two men they had become far too fond of. They would not admit to more than that. It was going to be hard enough to say goodbye to them when the time came without examining their feelings too deeply. After all the tension and danger, the men were enjoying themselves, and so were they.

Grandfather was finding the whole evening a delight. ‘You’re the envy of every female here. They’re a couple of handsome devils, and to add to that there is an air of mystery about them. A potent mixture, don’t you think?’

The girls agreed as they watched them make their way back after collecting drinks for all of them. This was going to be a night they would always remember.

‘Are you going to let me dance with my girls?’ the elderly man asked when the music began again.

‘No,’ both men said, leading their partners back on to the floor again.

The door to the garden was open to allow fresh air into the crowded ballroom, and Dan guided Beth outside. She shivered slightly in the cool evening. ‘What are we doing out here? Has the heat in there become too much for you?’

‘We are here because I have no intention of doing this with the curious eyes of London society on us.’ Dan hesitated for a brief moment and then said, ‘Elizabeth Langton, you are a remarkable young lady. I fell in love with you the moment we met and I cannot imagine my life without you. Would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?’

Beth felt so breathless she had to draw in air quickly. She had never heard such a long speech from this man of few words. She had felt that he liked her, but she had no idea his feelings for her were more than that.

When she didn’t answer, he said, ‘I am sure you must have concerns, for you know very little about me, so before you answer I will make some things clear. I will never interfere in the running of your estate. You have been in complete charge, and that is how it will stay. I will be by your side to help if needed. I will continue with my profession as a barrister, and I have already resigned from any investigative work. Will you consider my proposal?’

‘I have already considered it.’ Beth took a deep steadying breath. ‘I love you, Dan, and accept your proposal of marriage. I never dared hope that this would happen. I am so happy!’

Dan drew her into a passionate embrace. After some time she gazed up at him.

‘I would not want a long engagement.’

He swung her round, laughing. ‘Oh, you are such a wise girl. We will marry quickly. But before that you will have to meet my family. My father is a judge and I have a younger brother who is a lawyer, but don’t worry about them – they will love you as I do.’

‘So that is why you had influence with the court officials.’

‘It helped.’

James danced Helen around until they reached another room. He guided her through the door and closed it firmly, then leant against it. ‘It’s quieter in here so we can talk. I’ve been giving a lot of thought to your request for a job at the school. You said you would do anything – is that so?’

‘Yes,’ she nodded. ‘I don’t mind what it is, James.’

‘The job I have in mind could be very demanding, but I’m convinced it would be perfect for you.’

‘I don’t care how demanding it is. I would love to be a part of your school. What is the job?’

‘You would be helping me to run it as my wife.’

She stared at him, sure she hadn’t heard correctly. ‘Are you ... are you asking me to marry you?’

‘That was a clumsy proposal, but, yes, I am asking you to marry me, Helen. I’ve grown to love and admire you very much as I’ve watched you handle each crisis with courage and intelligence. I believe together we will make a success of the school – and be happy.’ He studied her intently. ‘Would you like me to go down on my knees and plead for your acceptance?’

‘No!’ she laughed, throwing her arms around him. ‘The proposal was perfect; I just wasn’t expecting it. James Sharland, I love you, and it would be a joy and honour to be your wife.’

‘Thank heavens for that!’ James breathed a sigh of relief, wrapping her in a strong embrace.

Helen looked up at James, her eyes shining with happiness. ‘Grandfather said this was going to be a wonderful night. The rascal knew, didn’t he?’

‘I told him today. Now, we had better join the family as they will be on tenterhooks waiting for news.’

When they reached the others, Dan and Beth were already there, and when the girls saw only smiling faces, they hugged each other briefly.

Grandfather was so excited. ‘We will have three weddings in the family. This is indeed a wonderful night and a fitting end to all of our troubles. My boys have found lovely wives, and I couldn’t be happier about it.’

‘I think Edward would have approved of the way things have worked out, don’t you, Dan?’ James asked his friend.

‘Without a doubt. We have kept our promises to him, and all past debts have been paid.’

The two men smiled at each other and then led their future wives on to the floor to dance the rest of the night away.