A Suitable Bride (12 page)

*

‘I must warn you, my dear, that Lord Sheldon is coming this way with a determined look on his face.’

Grace was on her feet and heading for the maze before Aunt Sarah had finished her sentence. She wished to participate in all the events with just the two of them – and if she did change her mind it wouldn’t be to team up with this particular gentleman.

‘Wait for me, Grace, it’s most unseemly to go everywhere in such a rush.’

‘I apologise, I’m behaving like a schoolroom miss.’ She slowed her pace and linked her arm with her companion’s. ‘I’m sure that his lordship had no intention of inviting me to partner him in the treasure hunt. I cannot think what possessed me to dash off like this.’

Aunt Sarah patted her hand. ‘He’s gone now, so you can relax. I think we might be the first to arrive. I wonder how this will be organised as we might well have solved the puzzles before anyone else has even started.’

‘I would think that we probably just collect the clues and take them with us when we’ve completed the hunt and the time we’ve taken will be noted.’

They both signed in the book and were handed the first clue. This merely required them to reach the centre of the maze where they would find the next one.

‘This is a magnificent maze, Aunt Sarah, the hedges must be over two yards tall.’ She led the way towards the dark interior hoping that the time she’d taken to study the maze from an upstairs window would be sufficient to lead her to the centre without difficulty.

‘I think we should have taken the flag with us, Grace, I don’t like the thought of being lost in here.’

‘Yes, that’s quite true but it would also mean we were eliminated from the contest before we’ve even started. There’s a prize of a guinea for the winner and I’m determined to have it.’

She was about to move forward when her companion grasped her hand. ‘My dear, I apologise, but I cannot go in here. It’s making me feel quite ill. You must continue on your own and I’ll rejoin you when you’ve emerged. I can make my way surreptitiously around the outside and no one will know I’m not with you.’

‘The footmen with the book have their backs to us, if you go now you won’t be seen.’ She must complete this task on her own and hope she didn’t lose her way.

She closed her eyes and visualised the centre of the maze and the way the hedges had been laid out to confuse those within its walls. If she remembered rightly she must take the first path, and then turn right and right again and then straight ahead before turning left. This should lead her directly to the centre in no time at all.

Chapter Twelve

Bennett had no intention of playing fairly. Members of the family knew about a secret route to the centre of the maze. This didn’t require going past the footmen as the entry was at the far side, and invisible to anyone who didn’t know it was there.

There was plenty of time as it would take the girl at least half an hour to find her way to the centre where he would be waiting. He wasn’t sure exactly what he was going to do when he confronted her, but he was damn sure she wasn’t going to make a fool of him again.

He ignored the basket of clues placed neatly on the stone obelisk upon which the directions for escaping were carved. He sat on the moss-covered marble bench, crossed his legs at the ankle, then threw his arms over the back of the seat in order to give the impression that he was relaxed – when the very opposite was true.

The sun was warm on his face and he closed his eyes letting his mind drift. Despite his anger the warmth and peace of the maze worked its magic and the tension left his limbs. What was it about this girl that ruffled his normal calm persona? He couldn’t remember the last time he’d lost his temper and was rarely even mildly irritated since he returned from his soldiering. And yet in the space of two days he’d been snapping and snarling at the slightest thing.

The only explanation he could think of was that his decision to marry for expediency was unsettling him. Perhaps his altruistic offer to save the family through sacrificing himself in parson’s mousetrap had been a grave error of judgement.

‘Excuse me, Lord Sheldon, are you quite well? Do you wish me to send for assistance?’

This concerned enquiry jerked him from his reverie and he almost catapulted from the bench. How the devil had she arrived so quickly?

‘You startled me, Miss DuPont.’ He gathered his wits and scrambled to his feet.

Her smile diffused his irritation. ‘Obviously, my lord, and I beg your pardon for doing so. However, I’m mystified as to how you’re here before me. Is there a secret entrance somewhere?’

‘There is indeed, and I intended to surprise you – not the other way round.’ He reached out and removed one of the clues from the basket and handed it over to her. ‘This is what you’ve come for; I’d better leave you to continue your hunt.’

She read the clue and waved the paper in excitement. ‘We must go to the clock tower. I’ve not seen one, so must rely on you to take me. I’m quite determined to win this challenge and now you’re here you might as well assist me.’

He flipped the paper from her fingers and perused it. ‘Two hands aloft – well deduced, it took me a moment to work it out.’

She was already halfway down the path that led to the exit. ‘Come along, sir, there’s not a minute to waste.’

He ran to catch up with her – he seemed to be doing a lot of that lately. ‘Miss DuPont, where’s your companion? I can’t possibly accompany you unchaperoned.’

‘Fiddlesticks to that! I gave you my word I’m not here to seek a husband – even one as toplofty as yourself. Miss Newcomb is waiting for me at the exit so, unless you intend to inform your cronies that we were alone in here, no one will be any the wiser.’ She pursed her lips and stared at him. ‘And anyway, it’s rather too late for you to be complaining about decorum, my lord, as it was you who accosted me and not the other way round. What exactly were your intentions?’

His neckcloth became unaccountably tight and he ran his finger around it. He was hoist by his own petard and could think of no way to wriggle out of this awkward situation without looking ridiculous. He shrugged and smiled. ‘I’d better own up to my misdeeds. You were seen running away from me and this caused considerable hilarity in the billiard room at my expense. I decided I would wait for you and...and I’ve no idea what I intended to do.’

Her delighted burst of laughter was totally unexpected. ‘If you hadn’t fallen asleep and had hidden behind the bench you could have jumped out at me – that would have sent me into hysterics. However, I apologise for causing you embarrassment and promise to do better in future.’

They emerged from the exit together and the look of astonishment on Miss Newcomb’s face when she saw them made up for the earlier missed opportunity.

‘My lord, I didn’t expect to see you with Miss DuPont.’

‘I’m sure you didn’t, madam, but here we are. We’re determined to claim victory in this event and are on our way to the clock tower which is on the far side of the stable block.’

One by one they deciphered the clues, sometimes Miss Newcomb providing the answer, sometimes himself, but far more often it was Grace who deciphered the riddle first. By the time they collected the final piece of paper an hour and a half had passed.

During this time more than the puzzles of the treasure hunt had been solved – he now understood why this particular young lady was making him behave so out of character. For some inexplicable reason his heart had decided she was the one for him when his head was telling him the opposite.

*

Grace handed in their clues delighted they’d managed to accomplish the task in so short a time. ‘That was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, thank you both for helping me.’

Lord Sheldon had been quiet for some time and she rather thought he’d lost interest in the whole proceedings. However, he smiled. ‘It was my pleasure, Miss DuPont. Now, if you would excuse me I must spend time with my other guests.’

She watched him stroll away unsure exactly how she felt about this gentleman.

Aunt Sarah took her arm. ‘I doubt that any other team will complete the hunt so quickly, my dear, so I think you stand a good chance of being the winner.’

‘I hope so, we need all the gold we can accumulate before we leave here. By the way, did you send your letters to your friends yesterday?’

‘I did indeed. There’s a silver plate by the front door for any guests to place their correspondence and the duke franks them. I expect I’ll get replies sometime next week.’

Grace was still thinking about Lord Sheldon’s strange behaviour. ‘I’m at a loss to understand why his lordship decided to join us and then left so hurriedly. Did I do something to offend him?’

‘Not whilst we were solving the clues, I thought we all got on splendidly considering who he is. But you must remember, my dear, that he can’t be seen to be giving you more attention than the other young ladies or this will give rise to speculation.’

‘Good heavens! Anyone who thinks so must be touched in the attic, for I’m the least eligible young lady present.’

‘You are one of the prettiest girls, one of the liveliest and almost certainly one of the richest – all you lack is pedigree. I know of several impecunious aristocrats who have married beneath them in order to fill their coffers. Why should Lord Sheldon not do the same?’

Grace snorted inelegantly. ‘Aunt Sarah, this is one of the foremost families in the country. Only a girl with an impeccable background would be acceptable.’ She had no wish to discuss this further as she had better things to think about than a tall, blue-eyed gentleman. ‘I’m wondering if I should join the card tables each evening as I’m sure there’s money to be won playing Loo.’

‘There’s also a risk that you would lose. I should avoid gaming, my dear, and stick to the things that you know you excel at.’

They found a secluded arbour in the rose garden and as soon as they were settled Grace removed the itinerary from her reticule.

‘Tonight there’s to be a musical evening and it says here one must enter one’s name on a list in the drawing room if one wishes to perform.’

‘I hope you’re going to play. I doubt that there are many young ladies as proficient as you on the pianoforte.’

‘I’ve no wish to draw any more attention to myself. It wouldn’t do to appear to excel at the ladylike pursuits as well as the outdoor ones. I shall attend and appear suitably appreciative of the performances of others.’

She ran her finger down the paper. ‘See, there’s to be a cricket tournament tomorrow and there’s to be a prize for the winning team.’

‘I’m considered an excellent bowler, my dear, would you like to practice as I can’t recall you playing this game before.’

‘I can throw a ball, but I’ve never tried to hit one with a bat. I wonder if we can find the equipment without having to ask.’

They headed for a quiet part of the grounds and Aunt Sarah began her lesson. After a highly enjoyable hour or so Grace believed she had the requisite rules in her head and the skills to be able to join in.

‘We must go at once and sign the list and make sure that we’re included in one of the teams. Gentlemen have an unfair advantage in this game as we shall be sadly hampered by our skirts. I’d no idea cricket could be so aggressive.’

‘It’s part of the fun, my dear. I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed today – whatever the outcome of this visit I shall look back on these few weeks with pleasure. I doubt that either of us will ever have such entertainment again.’

‘Oh, please don’t say that. How dreary you make our future sound. Once I have access to my trust fund we’ll be able to do whatever we want. God willing the war with France will be over by then and we can travel on the Continent.’

‘We shall have to hurry, Grace, if we don’t want to be tardy. I doubt that his grace will cover for your absence a second time.’

‘I shall be ready in good time. Come to my sitting room in one hour and we’ll go down together.’

Annie had hot water waiting and within the allotted time Grace was ready. ‘I’m not sure about the amount of bosom on display, do you think I should put in a
fichu
?’

‘No, miss, it’s not nearly as low as some I’ve seen here. I think that colour is perfect on you.’

‘I know that debutantes should dress only in white, but I’ve no wish to look like a ghost. Jonquil is an unusual shade for an evening gown, but not too bright, so I don’t think it will offend the matrons.’

Her maid fastened the stunning amber and diamond necklace in place. ‘There, that finishes the ensemble perfectly. I think Miss Newcomb has just come in so you’re ready in perfect time.’

Grace decided the evening was too warm to require her to take her matching gossamer wrap. She stared down at her silk gloves and frowned. ‘I don’t care what the rule is; I’m not going to wear these tonight. It’s far too hot for gloves.’

She quickly peeled them off, shook out her skirts and whisked into the sitting room where her companion was waiting. ‘That’s a delightful gown, Aunt Sarah, russet silk is perfect on you. However, I’m not as fond of your matching turban with the egret feather.’

‘I wish to blend in with the other matrons, Grace my dear, and I noticed that many of them are similarly dressed. They tend to forget to whom I’m affiliated and I can pick up a lot of interesting gossip.’

Grace did a quick twirl sending her skirts out in a cloud around her ankles. ‘Do you like this ensemble? It’s slightly more daring than last night’s gown but I’m feeling more confident and believe I can carry it off.’

‘Jonquil is ideal with your colouring – as long as a young lady doesn’t wear bright colours I don’t think anyone can object. I noticed that several girls were wearing pale blues and pinks last night. You look quite delightful and I’m sure you’re by far the prettiest girl here.’

*

Bennett had spent an excruciatingly tedious afternoon talking to some of the hopeful debutantes. None of them had anything pertinent to say and all they did was simper and giggle and flutter their eyelashes at him. Madeline, looking enchanting in a pale green confection, was waiting for him in the drawing room.

‘Beau is to announce the winners of the treasure hunt before we go into dinner. I’m sure you already have a good idea who that will be.’

‘The speed with which Miss DuPont and her companion solved the clues was remarkable. I doubt that anyone else would have matched their time.’

‘They were a full half an hour ahead of every other competitor. Your Miss DuPont has entered her name in all the competitions. She was seen practising for the cricket tournament and if what I’ve heard is true, she and Miss Newcomb will be an asset to any team.’

‘Is she to perform tonight?’

‘Her name isn’t on the list – I doubt that anyone so skilled in outdoor pursuits is likely to be as good at the more ladylike activities.’ His sister paused and her eyes widened and he turned to see what had caught her attention.

It was as if a fist had punched him in the chest. For a second he found it difficult to breathe. Gliding across the grand hall was the most beautiful young woman he’d ever set eyes on. Grace looked like a princess – put every other hopeful young miss in the shade.

He no longer cared who she was or why she was here – his mind was made up. He would have no other for his wife and would spend every available moment from now on courting her until she fell in love with him.

As he stepped forward intending to waylay her, a hand dropped on his arm. ‘No, brother, she will not do. I must speak to you in private.’

Beau’s expression was grim and Bennett’s stomach roiled. He was about to refuse to accompany his brother but decided against it. ‘Very well, but I’m telling you now, there’s nothing you can say that will deter me from making her an offer.’