A Suitable Bride (14 page)

The sun was just sinking below the horizon bathing the water of the ornamental lake in rippling gold. The reflection made it difficult to see but she was certain she'd spotted Lord Sheldon striding in that direction. She picked up her skirts and raced after him. Should she call out? It would be most unladylike – but she no longer had a reputation to protect so she might as well.

‘Lord Sheldon, stop. I wish to speak to you immediately.’ Her voice echoed and she was certain that anyone within five miles would have heard her shout.

Her quarry certainly did as he shot round as if poked by a large hatpin. He didn’t walk towards her, but he didn’t continue on his journey either.

She arrived at his side breathless and scarcely able to speak coherently. He waited with narrowed eyes until she recovered but offered no comment.

‘My lord, I wish to know why you called me ‘my love’.’ This was a nonsensical thing to say, but she could think of nothing else and she could hardly ask him if he had come out here intending to fight with his brother over her.

‘You have run after me, screamed like a fishwife, and this is the reason? I scarcely know how to reply. I thought some further catastrophe had occurred.’

She was still floundering, unable to think of anything sensible to say when a third party joined them. The duke had overheard them. ‘I believe, Bennett, that Miss DuPont is here in order to stop you from assaulting me.’ His eyes glimmered with amusement as he looked at her. ‘Am I not right?’

‘You are, your grace. Although why I should wish to do so, I’ve no idea, after the way you’ve behaved towards me this evening.’

Before she could reply, or warn the duke, Lord Sheldon drew back his arm and punched his brother square on the nose. The duke staggered backwards clutching his face and for an awful moment Grace thought more punishment was to come.

‘You deserve to be horsewhipped, Beau, but a bloody nose will suffice. It’s too late to turn your charm on us, the damage is done. My future wife and I will leave here tomorrow and will not come back. What you did was unforgivable.’

The duke was holding a handkerchief to his injured nose and it was rapidly turning red. He offered no reply but his eyes were sad and she regretted with all her heart that she’d been the cause of this catastrophic rift between Lord Sheldon and his brother.

She was given no opportunity to offer her assistance to the injured man as her elbow was gripped firmly and she was marched away. She wasn’t a recalcitrant child to be dragged across the grass. ‘Let go of me, sir, I dislike being manhandled.’ She threw her weight back on her heels and he was forced to stop unless he wished to pull her over.

Once they were stationary she was ready with her question. ‘I wasn’t aware, my lord, that I was betrothed to you. I don’t remember you having asked for my hand in marriage – I can assure you that’s not something I would easily forget.’

His cheeks flushed and he looked uncomfortable. She allowed him no opportunity to respond but continued. ‘Indeed, sir, I’m as likely to accept an offer from a member of this family as I am to sprout wings and fly. I’m sorry that you’ve fallen out with your brother, but that’s not my concern. I intend to leave here tomorrow and I shall do so without your company.’

Chapter Fourteen

Grace opened the door to her sitting room and stopped in shock as Aunt Sarah rushed forward to greet her.

‘See, we have our supper, and what a magnificent one it is too. The only reason we didn’t get our food earlier was because dinner was delayed and the kitchen was too busy.’

‘I didn’t think matters could get any worse – Lord Sheldon has just punched the duke and he did it because I told him we had been denied food as well as being evicted.’

‘How dreadful! Well, I for one am starving and have no intention of letting this delicious repast go to waste. If his lordship wishes to fight with his brother then it’s no concern of ours.’

The food did smell appetising and Grace overcame her qualms. Eventually she was replete and pushed away her empty plate with a sigh of satisfaction. ‘That was absolutely delicious. I was half-expecting our supper to be interrupted by Lord Sheldon but am relieved that he listened to what I said to him and didn’t come.’

Her companion wiped her lips on a napkin and waited expectantly for the rest of the story. ‘You’ve yet to explain to me exactly what took place in the garden.’

When Grace had finished her friend was astounded. ‘Received an offer from Lord Sheldon and rejected it out of hand? Surely it was worth giving it a moment’s consideration…’

‘I couldn’t marry into a grand family such as this as it would mean spending the remainder of my life being treated as an inferior. For people like this birth is everything – what’s inside a person is of no account. And anyway, I’ve no wish to cause further difficulties for Lord Sheldon. Until I arrived a few days ago this was a close and happy family and I’ve ruined that.’

‘I shall retire. I wouldn’t have returned if Annie had not sent word that food had arrived. Goodnight, my dear, I shall see you at first light tomorrow.’

The door closed quietly leaving Grace to her thoughts. Then she noticed that her companion had forgotten her reticule. A few minutes later there was a soft tap on the door – Aunt Sarah must have come back for her bag. ‘Come in, I’ve been expecting you.’

‘Have you indeed? I’m relieved that you’re prepared to speak to me after what you said outside.’

She was on her feet and staring at her visitor in horror. ‘What are you doing here? I thought it was my companion returning – if I’d known it was you I wouldn’t have invited you in.’

*

Bennett kicked the door closed behind him hoping that being closeted with his beloved girl would compromise them both and force her to accept his offer. She was wise to his move and dodged around him and threw the door open again.

‘Go away, my lord, I’ve no wish to speak to you.’

‘I’ve come to tell you that the duke has reconsidered his demand that you leave and you are now free to stay. My sisters and brothers are circulating through the guests making sure that everyone is aware the whole episode was a dreadful misunderstanding.’

She didn’t appear particularly pleased to hear this. ‘The fact that your brother has a broken nose could not have gone unremarked. How have you explained that away?’

‘He was drunk as a wheelbarrow and walked into the boathouse. The first is true – the second appears to have been accepted. And his nose isn’t broken, merely a little bent.’ What could he say to convince her? There was little point in pursuing his courtship as she’d made it perfectly plain she wanted none of him. However, he wasn’t going to let her go without a fight. If he could somehow persuade her to remain here he was sure he could change her mind.

‘My brother heard you reject my offer, and now he knows you’re not here in the hope of becoming my wife his objections to your remaining have been removed.’

‘How typical of someone like him – he cares little for anyone’s feelings and will only be happy if you marry a young lady with an impeccable pedigree.’ She stopped and he was almost sure her eyes filled. He wasn’t mistaken – for all her protestations she did have feelings for him. All he had to do was wait and she would be his.

‘I’m sorry that I misled you about the food – that was an unfortunate misunderstanding.’ She gestured towards the half-empty trays and his stomach rumbled loudly. He hadn’t been fortunate enough to find himself anything to eat and was sharp set.

‘Forgive me, but if you’ve finished with that meal I’ve not eaten since first light.’ He didn’t wait for her to refuse but moved swiftly to the table and filled up a plate.

‘Do help yourself, my lord, I’d hate to think that you were going hungry on my account.’ She pointed to the jug of lemonade. ‘I’m sure you would prefer wine with your meal, but you’ll have to make do with that instead.’ She turned to go towards her bedchamber. ‘I’ll leave you to eat. Forgive me, I have to be up very early tomorrow and it’s already past ten o’clock.’

‘Please, don’t go. If you retire I’ll have to take this to my apartment to eat and then I’ll get no second helpings.’

‘Very well, I’ll remain until you’ve finished.’ She picked up a book and took it to a chair on the far side of the chamber. She couldn’t have made it clearer – she wished to have nothing else to do with him and he didn’t blame her.

This was an unmitigated disaster. How could he have found the young lady he wished to spend the remainder of his days with only to have her slip from his grasp? He came to a decision. There was one slim chance of getting her to stay. If he could convince her that he’d accepted her rejection and was looking elsewhere for a wife then maybe she’d remain.

‘It’s a great shame that you are leaving tomorrow as I was looking forward to beating your stallion in the races that start on Saturday. In fact, one of the younger gentlemen is running a book on the result.’

He had her full attention now. ‘I didn’t know such a thing would take place. If I did decide to stay, would it be possible for me to place a wager?’

He continued to eat trying not to show his excitement. After a suitable pause to swallow his mouthful he replied. ‘You couldn’t, but one of your men could. As far as I recall Rufus is considered an outsider – Lucifer is favourite.’

‘Then I’ll stay and put my guineas down as a wager for my stallion to win all the races that he’s entered in. Which reminds me, my lord, I believe that I’ve yet to be awarded my prize from the treasure hunt.’

He dipped into his waistcoat pocket and tossed her a golden coin. ‘Here you are, I collected it for you as I was, please correct me if I’m wrong, part of the team.’

She gave him the first genuine smile of the evening. ‘I’m sure that as a member of the family you don’t wish to have the prize divided. I’m assuming that, in the unlikely event that I come second to you, you’d be happy with the applause and donate the prize money to myself.’

He refilled his plate and tucked in with relish. She could hardly send him packing whilst he was eating. She returned to her place at the far side of the chamber and left him to his meal. He couldn’t help thinking that for a young lady with a massive fortune she was remarkably interested in acquiring money. He would make some subtle enquiries with her outside men and discover why this was. ‘I shall convey the fact that you no longer intend to leave to everyone downstairs. Why don’t you give me your purse and I’ll hand it onto your groom so he can put his name down in the book?’

She hesitated and then nodded. ‘Just a moment, I’ll fetch it from my bedchamber.’ She vanished and he heard her rummaging around. He could hardly contain his excitement that his ploy to keep her here had worked.

‘Here you are, my lord, there are five guineas in there and I wish all of it to be wagered on my winning every race I enter. No doubt Rufus remains an outsider because the gentlemen believe he’s too strong for me and I won’t be able to control him in a race. They are in for a disappointment.’

Her eyes flashed and it took all his strength of will not to close the gap between them and take her in his arms. He caught the purse one-handed. ‘I’ll take care of this matter immediately, Miss DuPont. And I can only apologise again for my brother’s behaviour and give you my word that you will be treated with the utmost respect for the remainder of your stay.’

‘I would be more impressed, sir, if the duke had come himself to apologise. However, I care not for the opinion of anyone here. I intend to remain in my apartment in future and shall only mingle with your guests when I participate in one of the events.’

He shrugged as if unperturbed by her news. ‘You must do whatever you wish, but I can assure you that…’

Her friendly smile had been replaced by a look of disdain. ‘Thank you for your offer, Lord Sheldon, but we both know that I’m unwelcome here. Whatever your assurances to the contrary, I’m not one of you and have no intention of being treated like a poor relation.’ She barely inclined her head. ‘Goodnight, my lord. Don’t let me detain you any longer.’

He bit back his sharp retort and deliberately bowed low. ‘Goodnight, Miss DuPont, I look forward to seeing you at the cricket matches tomorrow afternoon.’

How was it that he could love a young woman to distraction and yet still want to put her over his knee? Being married to her would certainly not be boring. His momentary anger at her incivility dissipated and he was smiling by the time he reached the side door that led to the stable yard.

He sent a lad to find Peterson, telling the man to meet him by the paddock in which his horses were being kept. Five minutes later the man arrived. He touched his cap and waited politely to be told why he’d been summoned.

‘I’m not sure if word has reached yet, Peterson, but your mistress is now remaining here. Matters have been smoothed over and his grace has made it clear he regrets his actions.’

‘I’m right glad to hear that, my lord, the longer we stay here the better as we’ve nowhere else to go.’ The man scowled, realising he’d revealed too much.

‘Tell me, I want to know why Miss DuPont has sent me to give you this purse to wager on her winning all the races. Why should someone as rich as she is be so eager to gain more money? And why have you nowhere to go?’

‘It’s like this, my lord, Miss Dupont don’t get on with her parents – they want her to marry a toff and gain them entry into the grand houses. That’s why she was sent here. She ain’t interested in folk who think her not good enough for them. She doesn’t intend to return to her family home but find herself somewhere she can live quietly with Miss Newcomb until she comes into her inheritance.’

The man looked relieved that he’d been able to tell this secret to somebody. ‘Thank you for being so frank. Take this purse and get the wager entered – no doubt you know who’s running the book. This information shall remain confidential.’ Bennett could see the ghostly shapes of the horses at the far side of the field and called softly to them.

‘They won’t come to you, sir, right choosy they are.’

The stallion was looking towards them and Bennett called again. This time Rufus broke into a canter and halted a few feet from him. ‘Come along, old fellow, time you got to know me.’ The animal snorted, tossed his head and vanished back into the darkness. ‘He’s a magnificent beast. Winning here will improve his status as a sire. I’ve heard good things about the DuPont Stud.’

He looked round but found himself alone – the groom had obviously regretted revealing so much and made himself scarce before he could be asked anything else. Bennett was well satisfied with this conversation as it explained a lot about Grace.

Persuading her to change her mind while she was at Silchester Court was highly unlikely, so he would allow her to depart and then renew his courtship once she was settled in her cottage. After being brought up in the lap of luxury he was certain she would find living in straightened circumstances extremely unpleasant.

*

After an exhilarating ride at dawn Grace returned to her apartment and had barely completed her ablutions when Aunt Sarah arrived.

‘I was up early because I thought we were leaving. I’ve only just discovered that you changed your mind.’

‘I beg your pardon, I quite forgot to send a message to your room last night. One of my maids will come and unpack for you later. I must tell you why we’re staying.’

Instead of being shocked by the news that all their money had been put in a wager on the races her companion was thrilled. ‘How exciting! I’m so glad you decided to remain until the races and other competitions are completed. This will allow time for my friends to respond and with luck we won’t be obliged to live in that derelict farmhouse with your horses.’

‘I should like to have one more practice at my batting and bowling before the tournament this afternoon. I doubt that anyone else will be there at this time in the morning. If the racket outside in the passageway in the small hours is any indication, most of them will still be abed.’

The house was quiet, but everywhere sparkled and there was no evidence of there having been any sort of party last night. They left through the side door and made their way round to a secluded part of the lawn.

‘The grass is still wet, Grace, it’s fortunate we had the foresight to put on our boots. Now, my dear, do you wish to bowl or bat?’

Aunt Sarah hit a cracking shot and Grace prepared to run after it but was forestalled by one of three young gentlemen who had obviously come out to join in the fun.