A Suitable Bride (11 page)

He kicked Lucifer and his horse shot through the gathered riders, scattering them in all directions. He didn’t think the scream had been from Grace, but something untoward had occurred and he needed to investigate.

It would be foolhardy to arrive at speed so he slowed his horse and entered the wood at a trot. There was no sign of Grace but Miss Forsyth lay weeping on the ground. He dismounted and quickly tethered his horse to a nearby branch.

‘Miss Forsyth, are you hurt? What happened?’

The girl’s sobs abated and she turned a piteous tear-stained face up to him. ‘My lord, Miss DuPont insisted that we gallop although I’d told her I was unsafe. She has gone and she ignored my cry for help.’

He gently ran his hands along her legs and arms and was satisfied she was unhurt. ‘Allow me to help you up, my dear, then I can carry you back to the house if you’re unable to walk unaided.’

She held out her hands and he pulled her to her feet. Immediately she collapsed with a squeal of pain. ‘I fear I’ve broken my ankle, my lord. I cannot bear to put my weight on it.’

‘Then I’ll carry you. I won’t offer to put you up on Lucifer as he doesn’t take kindly to other riders.’ He scooped her up and set off for the house. He was met by the other gentlemen. He explained what had transpired, but when he saw the looks of disapproval and heard their mutterings he instantly regretted his frankness. He only had this young lady’s account of what had happened and on reflection he rather thought the young lady had told a tale that suited her.

He approached his brother Perry. ‘Here, take Miss Forsyth up with you. I need to find Miss DuPont.’

His burden successfully transferred he strode back to his mount and vaulted into the saddle. The more he thought about it the less likely the given explanation seemed. Grace would never have put a less experienced rider at risk – something else had happened and he had a bad feeling about it.

He kicked his horse forward and, with his heart pounding, he pushed Lucifer into a gallop. As they thundered down the path he prayed he wouldn’t find the girl, who already meant too much to him, lying broken on the ground.

Chapter Eleven

Grace couldn’t employ the standard method for halting a bolting horse of circling them as the path was too narrow, so all she could do was sit tight and hope he slowed down of his own accord. The branches whipped past her face, her hat became dislodged and her hair was in no better state.

There was a clearing ahead if she remembered rightly and this would be perfect for her purposes. She threw her weight back and transferred both hands to the inside rein. As the frantic animal emerged into the sunlight she applied all her strength to the single rein and wrenched his head round managing to dislodge the bit from between his teeth.

Being an expert horsewoman she regained both reins and circled him a few times until he calmed. She was leaning forward patting the horse’s lathered neck when Miss Forsyth’s mount erupted into the clearing. Its sudden appearance caused Bruno to shy
and she was pitched headlong into the bushes.

As she’d had the good sense to hang onto the reins her horse didn’t take off again. She was unhurt, merely snagged in the brambles, and matters weren’t improved by Bruno pushing his big head in to investigate.

‘Get out of the way, you idiot, haven’t you caused enough trouble already?’

To her astonishment the animal laughed at her. Then Lord Sheldon’s face appeared above her. ‘I’m glad to see you’re unhurt, Miss DuPont, but mystified as to why you think the debacle was my fault or that I’m an idiot.’

She was too cross to bandy words with him and surged to her feet ignoring his friendly comment. ‘I take it that my erstwhile companion is not injured. She attempted to barge past and my horse bolted. I heard her fall but could do nothing about it.’

Ignoring his outstretched hand she fought her way out of the brambles glad she’d had the sense to wear gloves. ‘If you would be kind enough to assist me to remount, my lord, I shall return to the stables. I’ve had more than enough excitement for today.’

She turned her back on him and presented her bent leg and was thrown up with more vigour than was strictly necessary. ‘Thank you for your assistance, my lord. Do you wish me to lead the loose horse back or will you do it yourself?’

‘You take him, I’ve wasted enough time already and wish to catch up with the other gentlemen.’ He handed her the reins of the second animal, remounted and vanished without another word.

Although she’d offered to lead the horse back she now realised it was going to be impossible as there wasn’t room on the path for the horses to be side by side. She wished now she’d not been so curmudgeonly, had thanked him for arriving so promptly – but now she was left with an insurmountable problem of her own making.

She leaned across and tied the horse’s reins around his neck so he couldn’t tread on them. ‘Right, let’s hope you have the sense to follow me and don’t wander off.’

Eventually she arrived at her destination but was somewhat surprised to find no anxious crowd, no grooms, awaiting her arrival. Now there was room she reached over and pulled the spare horse’s reins over his head so she could lead him into the yard.

Peterson, her own groom, strolled round from the rear of the yard and stopped in surprise when he saw her – then hurried across the cobbles. ‘Did you take a tumble? Are you hurt? We thought you’d gone on with the gentlemen, miss, I didn’t expect you back for an hour or more. Why have you got an extra horse in tow?’

Grace dismounted puzzled that word of the mishap hadn’t reached the grooms. She quickly explained what had happened, but omitted to repeat what had taken place between her and Lord Sheldon, and her groom was shocked.

‘Didn’t hear a word about it, miss, otherwise I’d have been out to look for you. You want me to send the boy to find your hat?’

‘Yes, if he has time. I’d better try and repair some of the damage before I venture into public view.’ She pulled off her leather gloves and quickly twisted her hair into some sort of shape, and then rammed the few remaining pins into it praying it would remain in place until she could get back to her chamber.

As usual the passageway was quiet when she stepped through the side door. However, she could hear the murmur of voices coming from the main reception areas so decided to take the backstairs and hope she didn’t meet any servants coming down with full slop pails, or worse.

Annie was pottering around in the dressing room when Grace arrived and was suitably dismayed at her mistress’s dishevelled appearance.

‘My word, miss, you’ve quite ruined your new habit and I doubt that I can repair it. It’s a good thing you’ve got a spare one with you.’

‘Has Miss Newcomb called in this morning?’

‘Yes, miss, she said to tell you she’ll see you when luncheon’s served at noon.’

Freshly gowned in a delightful green sprigged muslin, her hair freshly arranged, Grace made her way to yet another dining room in which a cold collation had been laid out for the ladies.

When she walked into the room she’d expected to be greeted with friendly smiles, nods and the occasional good wishes, but instead she was stared at with opprobrium. There were more than a dozen ladies present and all of them gave her the cut direct.

She was tempted to run out, but something prompted her to stiffen her shoulders and ignore the disapproval. There could only be one reason for this – Lady Drusilla and her daughter had spread their falsehoods and blackened her name.

‘Grace, come away, you’ll do no good remaining here,’ Aunt Sarah whispered from beside her.

‘No, I’ll not be driven out. I’ve done nothing wrong and I’m as entitled to eat as anyone else. Are you going to join me?’ She half-expected her companion to refuse.

‘Of course I am, my dear, we can take our plates somewhere more convivial. There are tables set out on the terrace for anyone who wishes to eat
al fresco
.’

The assembled ladies moved away as if they were in danger of contamination and muttered, in small, disapproving groups, in the far corners of the room. Whilst they piled their plates with an assortment of delicacies Grace explained what had actually transpired. Then they headed for the French doors at the far end of the room.

‘That was most unpleasant, my dear, I just hope Lord Sheldon puts matters straight before this evening. I’ve no wish to experience something of that nature again.’

‘They’re like sheep, they follow the leader and don’t think for themselves. I’m heartily sick of all this nonsense and cannot wait to leave. I don’t fit in with the
ton
– I’m not one of them and never will be.’

Grace was enjoying her lunch when she saw the gentlemen returning from their ride. The three Sheldon brothers led the pack and the rest struggled along behind. ‘I think the duke’s horses are going to be excellent competition for Rufus. I don’t think there are any other animals in the same class.’

‘I doubt that the younger brothers will be so gentlemanly as to hand the prize over to you so let’s hope you beat them in the races. Look – there seems to be some activity over at the maze. Shall we go down and investigate when we’ve finished our repast?’

‘I seem to recall there’s to be a treasure hunt this afternoon and we must enter together. I expect that the young ladies will hope to entice a gentleman to accompany them, but we are made of sterner stuff than that and can accomplish so simple a task without the assistance of a man.’

*

Bennett dismounted and slapped his mount on the neck. ‘I hope you two intend to enter the treasure hunt which begins at two o’clock. It’s obligatory to ask one of the hopeful young ladies to join one’s team – do you have anyone in particular in mind, Aubrey, Perry?’

‘I thought I’d ask your Miss DuPont, old chap, she is a damn sight more interesting than any of the other young ladies our sister invited.’

‘That reminds me, I’d better make sure the true story of the fall is circulated or things might be rather unpleasant for Miss DuPont.’ He saw his brothers exchange a knowing look and glared at them. ‘I’ve told you, I’ve no interest in that young lady and she has even less in me. She certainly didn’t come here in the hope of becoming my wife, I think she’s got some other scheme in mind.’

He had their full attention and had no alternative but to expound his theory. ‘It seems there’s a DuPont Stud, a couple of the gentlemen here have heard good things of it. It’s an unusual name so that has to be the same family. Miss DuPont has come to attract new customers for their business venture.’

They looked at him as if he was speaking in tongues. ‘That’s fustian, brother. Where did you come up with a half-baked notion like that?’ Perry said.

‘Running a stud is a man’s business – I hardly think a gently born young lady would be involved. No, Bennett, she’s here for the same reason as all the rest – she’s hoping to snag herself an aristocratic husband. Possibly not yourself, but there are several other suitable candidates she might have her eye on.’ Aubrey wandered off with his twin and Bennett could hear them laughing at his expense.

He’d sent his brother’s man of business away to make more extensive enquiries about the DuPont family. Her faults, and they were too numerous to catalogue, should outweigh her advantages but for some obscure reason not one of the other far more suitable young ladies appealed to him as much as Grace did.

His lips twitched. Already he thought of her by her given name and he didn’t even
know
the names of most of the young ladies present. He was almost certain he’d seen her eating her lunch with her companion on the terrace if he hurried he could change and be back in time to ask her to be his partner in the treasure hunt.

He didn’t, of course, want to escort her for a romantic reason, but merely to discover on what pretext she was here. On his way back from his apartment he bumped into Beau.

‘What is it about that young lady of yours, Bennett, that puts the cat among the pigeons so readily? The house is humming with her latest exploit and she doesn’t come out of it well.’

Once he’d explained the facts his brother patted him on the shoulder. ‘We know nothing about this girl, don’t do anything that would put you under an obligation to offer for her until Carstairs returns.’

‘Devil take it, Beau, I don’t even like the chit and she certainly doesn’t like me. I can assure you that even if I was stupid enough to make an offer, she wouldn’t accept.’

‘As head of the family it behoves me to remind you to be vigilant. I think you’re correct in your opinion about Miss DuPont, but there are several other scheming minxes here who wouldn’t hesitate to compromise you in order to get an offer. I’d prefer you to remain unmarried and our coffers unfilled rather than have you make an unwise choice.’

‘I intend to invite Miss DuPont and Miss Newcomb to join me in the treasure hunt. That way I’ll be safe from the machinations of the others.’

‘True enough, Bennett, but singling her out in this way might give the wrong impression to your guests and it’s far too soon for you to know if any of the other young ladies might make you a suitable bride.’

‘I assume that you won’t be joining in? Remember, I’m not the only eligible bachelor living under this roof. It’s possible that the majority of the young ladies here are secretly hoping to become a duchess rather than a lady.’

His brother laughed. ‘I’ve no intention of becoming leg-shackled. There’s not a young lady in the country that wouldn’t bore me to death within a month of being wed. No, I’ll leave that tomfoolery to the rest of you. I thank the good Lord every day our parents had the good sense to produce a plethora of heirs and thus leave me free to remain a bachelor.’ He grinned. ‘My ladybird in Town provides me with all the entertainment I need.’

‘In which case, as your heir, I’d better get on with the task of finding myself a wife. I’ll bear your comments in mind, Beau, and make sure I’m not alone with any of our unmarried guests. However, as Miss DuPont is chaperoned I shall be safe with her.’

As he rounded the corner the two ladies jumped to their feet and dashed away towards the maze. Unless he cared to shout, or run after them, they would have entered the treasure hunt without him. He had no intention of taking part with anyone else so he ducked back the way he’d come and made his way to the billiard room where he would be safe from predatory mamas and their daughters.

Aubrey turned from his position at the window. ‘What have you done to offend those two ladies? When the companion spotted you and told Miss DuPont she was on her feet and off like a rabbit from a fox.’

‘The young lady in question has no more desire to further her acquaintance with me than I do with her.’ He unclenched his fists and forced his mouth into a resemblance of a smile. ‘I’ve no intention of joining in the treasure hunt so have come to play billiards.’

He moved away from his brothers and pretended to be occupied in selecting a suitable cue. How dare the girl ran away from him and make him a figure of fun? He glanced around the assembled company and several of the gentlemen present smirked in his direction. This wouldn’t do – this wouldn’t do at all.

The slender cue snapped in two and he hurled the broken pieces against the wall and strode off, ignoring the laughter behind him, and headed for the maze.