A Suitable Bride (9 page)

‘In which case, my lady, I’ll also hold my tongue. But be very sure if you are unwise enough to make disparaging comments about me then I’ll not hesitate to reveal your secret. I think, on reflection, that you will understand that my not being a member of the
ton
is of far less importance than you being about to lose your home, estate and everything else.’

Her words appeared to resonate with Miss Peabody and she attempted a feeble smile, but her mother was not to be cowed by such threats. She drew herself up to her considerable height and stared down her long, aristocratic nose at Grace. ‘Breeding, Miss DuPont, is far more important to the quality than money garnered from trade. You will be ostracised if your secret becomes known whereas we will be offered sympathy and financial help if ours is revealed.’

There was little point in continuing this conversation. ‘I bid you good day, madam, I have better things to do than waste my time with you.’ Grace stalked past the two of them not sure who had had the best of the encounter.

*

Bennett watched her go and wondered what had occurred between Lady Peabody and Miss DuPont to make the girl look so distressed. He strolled across to the anteroom intending to greet his guests and perhaps illicit some useful information whilst doing so.

As he reached the door he could not help but hear the strident tones of Lady Peabody as she spoke to her daughter. ‘I wish you to have nothing to do with that young lady and I shall speak to your brother and give him the same instruction. I cannot think that foisting her upon us like this is to anybody’s benefit. I shall be writing to Lord Peabody this very afternoon to express my displeasure.’

He hurriedly stepped into the shadows as both women emerged and made their way towards the dining room. What had this remark meant? The girl was obviously Lord Peabody’s goddaughter and not hers, Madeline must have been given incorrect information. This would explain why her ladyship had not bothered to visit Miss DuPont while she was forced to remain in her apartment.

However, it didn’t explain why she’d taken the girl in such dislike. Then his lips curved and he smiled wryly. This young lady was an original and obviously her forthright manners and unconventional behaviour wasn’t to Lady Peabody’s taste. God knows what the wretched woman would say when she discovered Miss DuPont intended to enter her stallion in the races next week.

He would do his best to counteract any negative comments by asking his sisters to befriend the girl. Once the house guests were aware Miss DuPont was warmly regarded by the family she would be accepted by everyone else. In this way his conscience would be clear and he could get on with the business of finding himself a wife from the assortment of young ladies his sisters had provided for him. Somehow he rather thought that he’d already made his choice and that however lovely, well-bred or impeccably mannered the other contenders might be, a red-headed, green-eyed girl had already captured his heart.

Chapter Nine

After getting thoroughly wet Grace returned to her apartment with her good humour restored. There was nothing like a romp with one’s dogs to restore one’s equanimity. If the weather improved she would ride this afternoon and thus avoid the necessity of mingling with the other ladies.

Despite her firm stand with Lady Peabody she was dreading having to pretend she was something she was not. It would be better to avoid going down for midday refreshments as well however hungry she might be. If her first encounter with the others could take place when the gentlemen were present there was less likelihood of being treated to an inquisition.

Her companion left Grace to her own devices for which she was grateful. She was certain Aunt Sarah would be busily gathering useful information about the other house guests. The more they knew about everyone the easier it would be to find a man who would suit her.

Her ride was uneventful and Rufus behaved impeccably. She’d hoped that one or other of the gentlemen would decide to go out as well, but in this she was disappointed. She handed the reins to Peterson, the groom she’d brought with her, and made her way back to the side entrance.

The house was eerily quiet and for a moment she was taken aback. Then she checked the time on the long case clock that ticked noisily in an alcove in the grand hall. Good grief! Drinks would be served in the drawing room in less than half an hour and she still had to change – no wonder the house was deserted.

She picked up her skirts and ran up the stairs ignoring the startled expressions of the footmen who waited to open and close doors. On bursting into her bedchamber she discovered not just Annie, but Aunt Sarah and two other maids twittering and exclaiming.

‘There you are at last, Grace, you’ve scarcely got time to dress. It will be an absolute catastrophe if you are late on your very first public appearance.’

‘Don’t wait for me, Aunt Sarah, I’ll be down as soon as I can.’

Her riding habit was removed and she quickly pulled off her boots and breeches. She needed a strip wash as she could hardly appear reeking of the stables. Despite her hurry she was still horribly tardy and it was perfectly possible the guests would have gone into dinner without waiting for her.

She paused on the stairs to compose herself. There was no point in rushing in red-faced and out of breath as this would only draw attention to her lateness. When she was sure she was calm she continued on her way relieved to hear voices coming from the drawing room. The duke would consider her rag-mannered for keeping his guests waiting for almost twenty minutes and she would be unpopular with the chef as well.

‘Ah! Miss DuPont, we are both fashionably late. Allow me to introduce myself.’ The tall, dark man was a replica of Lord Sheldon so there was no need for him to tell her he was the Duke of Silchester.

She curtsied. ‘Your grace, I apologise for keeping everyone waiting. I’ve no excuse at all.’

‘And neither have I, so we will both be in disgrace together. Shall be brave the opprobrium of the assembled company or go straight to the dining room and pretend we’ve been there the whole time?’ He offered his arm and she placed hers upon it.

She couldn’t stop the bubble of laughter escaping and so they walked in together and instead of being received with frowns and disapproval everyone smiled and nodded.

The butler was hovering anxiously at the far end of the room and the duke signalled he should announce dinner. Grace expected to be led to the front of the queue and then lead the procession – after all wasn’t she on the arm of the duke?

Instead those nearest went through first and then everyone else made their way through the doors, across the passageway and into the biggest dining room she’d ever seen. ‘Good heavens! You could dance a minuet on the table.’

‘I hope you weren’t thinking of doing so, Miss DuPont? My very expensive, and highly sought-after French chef, would pack his bags and leave immediately if we delayed dinner a moment longer.’

‘In which case, your grace, I’ll save my performance for later.’

She’d expected him to release her hand so she could find herself a seat but he was guiding her to a row of empty chairs at the far end of the table. Only then did she notice that although guests were seating themselves in a higgledy-piggledy fashion anywhere they chose, these seats had been left vacant.

‘I cannot possibly sit here, I’ve caused enough tongues to wag already.’ She tried to pull her hand free but his grip was too strong.

‘You will sit where you’re told, young lady. And I choose to have you sitting with my family.’ Although his tone was playful there was no mistaking the steely glint in his eye.

‘Beau, you’ve brought Miss DuPont with you, how splendid.’ The young lady who’d spoken was obviously related to Lord Sheldon and the duke, for she had the same dark hair and remarkable blue eyes.

Grace’s hand was finally released and she dropped into a deep curtsy. ‘I am delighted to meet you, my lady. His grace insisted that I come, although I would far prefer to be somewhere less conspicuous.’

‘I am Madeline, my sister Giselle is just about to sit down next to my brothers, Peregrine and Aubrey. You are to sit between me and Bennett tonight.’

This informality was decidedly unsettling and the thought that she would be sitting beside Lord Sheldon even more so. Was there still time to escape? Then her chair was pulled out for her by a waiting footman and she had no option but to take her place knowing she was the very last person in this enormous chamber that deserved to have this position.

‘I’ve never seen so many people sitting around so large a table in my life before. How many are there, Lady Madeline?’

‘With family, there are sixty-three – I think the most there’s ever been in here, and that wasn’t in my lifetime, was eighty.’

The dinner was to be served
à la française
and the first course, which had more removes than she could count, was already positioned down the centre of the table. This meant that guests could help themselves to whatever they fancied.

Normally she had a robust appetite but tonight she was overawed by her surroundings and uncomfortable being in such a prestigious position. Although the intention had been to smooth her passage into this grand gathering she was aware she was being surreptitiously scrutinised.

‘I shall give you a little of everything, Miss DuPont, as you seem reluctant to serve yourself.’ Lord Sheldon picked up her empty plate and carefully placed a small amount of all that was within his reach.

When the food was placed in front of her the appetising aroma made her mouth water and she forgot her nervousness. ‘Thank you, my lord, I’ve not eaten since breakfast and then I only had toast.’

She risked a glance in his direction and he was smiling. ‘In which case it’s fortunate there are four courses each with a dozen removes.’

She scarcely noticed what she ate but it was all quite delicious. Lady Madeline was charming and they discovered they shared the same anniversary.

‘May Day is an auspicious time to be born, Miss DuPont, so I’ve been told.’ She leaned across Grace and spoke directly to her brother. ‘Miss DuPont and I are exactly the same age, Bennett, isn’t that amazing?’

Apart from their first brief exchange Grace had avoided any further conversation with him believing that if she showed she was indifferent to him, and wasn’t making a play to attract his attention, she would be less unpopular with the other guests.

‘Quite extraordinary; but this information could have waited until we were able to converse without you being obliged to yell at me across Miss DuPont.’

Grace flattened herself against the back of her chair so they could talk more readily and her movement was seen by his lordship.

‘There’s no need to do that, Miss DuPont, I’ve no wish to converse with my sister at the moment. However, as I have your attention I should like to speak to you instead.’

‘Actually, my lord, I believe I’ve eaten something that disagrees with me.’ Grace pushed her napkin against her mouth as if she was about to cast up her accounts. Her intention had been to slip away unnoticed and thus avoid the necessity of being seen talking to him. Unfortunately he believed her and his expression changed to one of concern.

‘Come with me, sweetheart, there’s a retiring room close by.’ Her chair was pulled back with her still sitting on it. She had no option but to jump to her feet and hurry off as if she was indeed feeling unwell.

The fact that he had his arm resting lightly around her waist did nothing to improve her composure. He was such a kind man and she had ruined his dinner with her foolishness. She couldn’t allow him to remain in ignorance of her deception.

They were now in the comparative privacy of the corridor, but the sound of conversation, cutlery and the clink of glasses was still audible. She stepped away from him and removed the napkin. ‘I’m not feeling nauseous, my lord, there’s no need for you to be concerned on my behalf.’

He stared down at her his expression unreadable. ‘In which case why did you wish to run away?’

‘I didn’t want to talk to you.’ His eyes widened and his eyebrows rose. ‘No, you don’t understand. This is all such a dreadful muddle.’

‘I’m waiting. Explain yourself.’

Her heart was hammering and her hands were clammy and she wished she could take to her heels and run away. There was no option but to tell him the truth – not who she was – but why she didn’t wish to be seen as his favourite.

‘I’ve already become a talking point with your other guests, by being singled out by you and your family I will be unpopular with the young ladies who have come here with the express purpose of ensnaring you.’

‘And you are not here for the same reason?’

‘No, I’ve come to find myself a husband, but not you. I thought perhaps that Mr Peabody might suit.’ Good grief! What had prompted her to tell him such an intimate detail?

‘Look at me, if you please, my dear. I don’t wish to converse with the top of your head.’ Reluctantly she met his eyes. There was something dangerous flickering behind his bland expression. ‘That’s better. Now – I thought myself the most eligible of fellows, that every young lady present was desperate to attract my interest. What is it you object to? Why am I not your choice?’

‘You are a very attractive gentleman, with all the required attributes. However, I’m looking for a younger gentleman, one closer to me in interest and temperament.’ This was a half-truth, but she could hardly tell him he was arrogant and dictatorial and she wanted a more malleable husband. Nor could she tell him that she was so far beneath his touch he wouldn’t even give her a moment’s notice if he knew her true circumstances.

He nodded. ‘A reasonable explanation, Miss DuPont, and I thank you for being so honest. However, I fear you will be disappointed if you’ve truly set your sights on young Peabody. His mama has taken you in dislike and I believe he’s unlikely to go against her wishes.’ His smile was bland but there was something unnerving about him. It was as if he was toying with her, playing a game she didn’t know the rules to.

She tilted her head and gave him stare for stare. ‘Thank you for your opinion, my lord, but please don’t let me detain you. I’m returning to my apartment as I’ve no wish to spend the evening being grilled by the other guests.’ Not allowing him the opportunity to reply, she spun and hurried towards the stairs that would lead her to safety.

*

Bennett watched her go through narrowed eyes. He had asked Beau to wait for her so she wouldn’t be castigated for holding the company up. He had then included her in their family group in order to improve her standing with the other guests and this is how she repaid him.

There could be no other young lady present who would have the temerity to reject him as a suitor in favour of a nonentity like young Peabody. Tarnation take it! If she wanted none of him then so be it – he would dismiss her from his mind and concentrate on finding himself a suitable bride from the other young ladies. He must also make sure Beau and his sisters no longer paid her any special attention, she could sink or swim amongst the society misses on her own.

His absence must have been remarked but he’d been gone for a few minutes only and hopefully the fact that he’d returned unaccompanied was explanation enough. His brother looked enquiringly in his direction.

‘Miss DuPont was unwell, I directed her to the retiring room. She doesn’t intend to return.’ He turned to his sisters, wishing there wasn’t a conspicuously empty place beside him. ‘Although I’ve been introduced to everyone here, can you tell me which of the candidates you think is the most appropriate?’

It appeared there were four young ladies who not only had the necessary pedigree and fortune he needed, but also had the other necessary attributes.

‘I’ll make a point of speaking to those you’ve mentioned this evening. Is there to be dancing tonight, Madeline?’

‘Yes, Giselle has offered to play the pianoforte and the carpet has already been removed from the far end of the drawing room. There will also be cards for those who don’t wish to participate and no doubt some of the gentlemen will escape to the billiard room.’