Bath Tangle (9 page)

‘I’m sure I never thought so! What put it into
your
head?’

‘Well, it crossed my mind, when Mrs Monksleigh was complaining of his having insisted on her sending the boys to Eton because it was where their father was educated, that he could not have
compelled
her to do so, which she vows he did, unless it was he, and not she, who was to bear the cost of it. Only consider what that must be! Three of them, Fanny, and Gerard now at Cambridge! I am persuaded Mrs Monksleigh could not have contrived it, even had she had the least notion of management, which she has not!’

Fanny was much struck, and could only say: ‘
Well!
’

‘It is not so wonderful,’ Serena said, amused. ‘Nor need it make you feel, as I see it does, that you have grievously misjudged him! He is so rich that I daresay he would not notice it if he were paying the school-fees of a dozen children. I shall feel I have misjudged him when I see him showing his wards a little kindness.’

‘Well, if he is giving a grand ball for Susan, I call it a great deal of kindness!’ said Fanny, with spirit.

Except for various formal notices in the London papers, they heard nothing more of the ball until the arrival of Lady Theresa’s next letter to her niece. Lady Theresa had taken her third daughter to the function, but it did not seem as though she had enjoyed it, in spite of the many compliments she had received on Clarissa’s beauty, and the gratifying circumstance of her never having lacked a partner. Any pleasure Lady Theresa might have derived from the ball had been destroyed by the sight of Cordelia Monksleigh, in a hideous puce gown, standing at the head of the great stairway to receive the guests. She had been unable to banish the reflection that there, but for her own folly, might have stood Serena, though not, she trusted, in puce. Moreover, had Serena been the hostess it was to be hoped that the company would have been more exclusive. What could have induced Rotherham to have given Cordelia Monksleigh
carte blanche
, as there was no doubt he had done, was a matter passing Lady Theresa’s comprehension. Had anyone told her that she would live to see That Laleham Creature storming Rotherham House (heavily underscored), she would have laughed in his face. But so it had been; and if Serena had seen her positively flinging her chit of a daughter at all the eligible bachelors, besides forcing herself on the notice of every distinguished person present, she might, at last, have regretted her own folly, wilfulness, and improvidence.

‘Well, well, well!’ commented Serena, much appreciating this impassioned missive. ‘I wonder what Mrs Floore will have to say about it? For my part, I can’t but admire the Laleham-woman’s generalship! To have stormed the Rotherham stronghold is something indeed! How angry Lady Silchester must have been! I wish I had been present!’

Mrs Floore, encountered on the following morning in the Pump Room, echoed these sentiments. ‘To think of my granddaughter at a party like that, for I’ve read all the notices, my dear, and there was never anything like it! Lord, Sukey will be as proud as an apothecary and I’m sure I don’t blame her! Say what you will, she gets what she’s set her heart on, my Sukey! And Emma being solicited to stand up with lords and honourables and I don’t know what besides! Depend upon it, Sukey will have got a lord in her eye for Emma already! Well, and if he’s a nice, handsome young fellow I hope she may catch him!’

‘I expect she will, ma’am,’ said Serena, laughing.

‘Yes, but I don’t trust her,’ said Mrs Floore. ‘She’s a hard, ambitious woman, my dear. Mark my words, if a Duke with one foot in the grave, and cross eyes, and no teeth, was to offer for that child, Sukey would make her accept him!’

‘Oh, no!’ protested Serena.

‘No,’ said Mrs Floore. ‘She wouldn’t, because I should have something to say to it!’

‘Very rightly! But I don’t think there is such a Duke, ma’am.’

‘It’ll be as well for him if there isn’t,’ said Mrs Floore darkly.

Serena left her brooding vengefully, and went off to change a book at Duffield’s Library, on Milsom Street. This accomplished, she left the library, almost colliding on the doorstep with a tall man, who fell back instantly, saying: ‘I
beg
your pardon!’

Even as she looked quickly up at him he caught his breath on a gasp. She stood gazing almost incredulously into a face she had thought forgotten.

‘Serena!’ he said, his voice shaking. ‘
Serena!
’

More than six years slid from her; she put out her hand, saying as unsteadily as he: ‘Oh, can it be possible?
Hector!
’

They stood handfasted, the gentleman very pale, the lady most delicately flushed, hazel eyes lifted wonderingly to steady blue ones, neither tongue able to utter a word until a testy: ‘By your leave, sir! by your leave!’ recalled them to a sense of their surroundings, and made Major Kirkby drop the hand he was holding so tightly, and step aside, stammering a confused apology to the impatient citizen whose way he had been blocking.

As though released from a spell, Serena said: ‘After all these years! You have not altered in the least! Yes, you have, though: those tiny lines at the corners of your eyes were not there before, I think, and your cheeks were not so lean – but I swear you are as handsome as ever, my dear Hector!’

He smiled at the rallying note in her voice, but his own was perfectly serious as he answered, in a low tone: ‘And you are more beautiful even than my memories of you! Serena, Serena – ! Forgive me! I hardly know what I am saying, or where I am!’

She gave an uncertain little laugh, trying for a more commonplace note. ‘You are in Milsom Street, sir, wholly blocking the way into Duffield’s excellent library! And the spectacle of a gentleman of military aspect, standing petrified with his hat in his hand, is attracting a great deal of attention, let me tell you! Shall we remove from this too public locality?’

He cast a startled glance about him, coloured up, laughed, and set his high-crowned beaver on his fair head again. ‘Oh, by God, yes! I am so bemused – ! May I escort you? – Your maid – footman – ?’

‘I am alone. You may give me your arm, if you will be so good, but were you not about to go into the library?’

‘No – yes! What can that signify? Alone? How comes this about? Surely –’

‘My dear Hector, my next birthday, which is not so far distant, will be my twenty-sixth!’ she said, placing her hand in his arm, and drawing him gently away from the entrance to the library. ‘Did I never go out without a footman in attendance when you knew me before? Perhaps I did not, since I was in my Aunt Theresa’s charge! She has the most antiquated notions! How long ago it seems! I was barely nineteen, and you were so proud of your first regimentals! To what exalted heights have you risen? Tell me how I should address you!’

His free hand came up to press her gloved fingers, lying so lightly in the crook of his left arm. ‘As you do! The sound of
Hector
on your lips is such music as I never hoped to hear again! There were no exalted heights: I have no more imposing title than that of Major.’

‘It sounds very well, I promise you. Are you on furlough? You do not wear regimentals.’

‘I sold out at the end of last year. You might not be aware – my elder brother has been dead these three years. I succeeded to the property at the time of Bonaparte’s escape from Elba, and but for that circumstance must have sold out two years ago.’

‘I did not know – pray forgive me!’

‘How should you?’ he said simply. ‘I never dreamed that I could hold a place in your memory!’

She was struck to the heart, realizing how small a place had been held by him, and said haltingly: ‘Or I – that you should recall so clearly – after so – long!’

‘You have never been absent from my thoughts. Your face, your smiling eyes, have been with me through every campaign!’

‘No, no, how can you be so romantical?’ she exclaimed, at once startled and touched.

‘It is true! When I read of your engagement to Lord Rotherham – how can I describe to you what I suffered?’

‘You saw that notice!’

‘I saw it.’ He smiled ruefully. ‘I was used, whenever a London newspaper came in my way, to search the social columns for the sight of your name! Absurd of me, was it not? The
Morning Post
that included
that
announcement was sent to me by my sister. She knew I had been acquainted with you, and thought I should be interested to learn of your engagement. She little guessed what passions were roused in me! I had prepared myself for your marriage to another; I could have borne it, I hope, with better command over my own sensations had it been any other than Rotherham!’

She looked up in surprise. ‘Did you dislike him so much? I had thought you scarcely knew him!’

‘It was true: I met him perhaps three times only.’ He paused, and she saw his well-moulded lips tighten. After a moment, he said: ‘I have always believed that it was
he
who separated us.’

She was startled. ‘Oh, no! Indeed, it wasn’t so! Why, how could it have been possible?’

‘His influence over your father was brought to bear. I knew him for my enemy, Serena, from the outset.’

‘No! Recollect how young you were! His manners are not conciliating, and that abrupt way he has, and the frowning look, made you think he disliked you. My father would not countenance the match from worldly reasons. He thought us, besides, too young, and – oh, I suppose he had even then set his heart on my marrying Rotherham!’

‘Had he not allowed Rotherham to persuade him into the belief that we were not suited to one another, I cannot think he would have been so adamant! His affection for you was too great to admit of his sacrificing you to mere worldly ambition.’

‘Perhaps he did think that, but that Ivo put it into his head I will not allow! Good God, Hector, why should he have done so?’

‘When I read the notice of your engagement, I knew the answer to that enigma!’

‘Nonsense! That came three years later! Ivo had no thought of marrying me
then
!’ She flushed, and added: ‘I jilted him, you know.’

‘I did know it. For you, it must have been painful indeed; for me – a relief I cannot describe to you! I knew then that your
heart
had not been engaged, that the match was made by your father,
de convenance
!’

She was silent for a moment, but said presently: ‘I hardly know how to answer you. Papa most earnestly desired it. He
promoted
it, but no more than that! There was no compulsion no pressure exerted to make me – Hector, if it distresses you, I am sorry for it, but I should be sorrier still to deceive you! I was very willing: I fancied myself in love with Ivo. There! It is out, and you know now that I was not as constant as you.’

He said, in a moved tone: ‘It is what I always loved in you – your honesty! that fearless look in your eyes, a frankness so engaging – ! But you
did
not love Rotherham!’

‘No – a brief, bitterly fought campaign, that engagement of ours! I behaved shockingly, of course, but you may believe he was as well rid of me as I of him!’

Again he pressed her hand. ‘I couldn’t believe that. That you were well rid of him, yes! His temper, so peremptory and overbearing –’

‘Oh, yes, but my own temper, you know, is very bad!’ she said ruefully.

He smiled. ‘It is like you say to so, but it is not true, Serena.’

‘I’m afraid you don’t know me.’

‘Don’t I? If ever it was bad, there must have been great provocation!’

‘I thought so, at all events,’ she said, a gleam of fun in her eyes. ‘I always think so, whenever I lose it! That was one of the questions on which Rotherham and I could never agree!’

‘I cannot bear to think of you subjected, even for so short a time, to that imperious, tyrannical disposition!’

She could not help laughing. ‘I wish he might be privileged to hear you! He would think it a gross injustice that you should have no pity for
his
sufferings!’

‘I can believe it! Do you ever meet him now?’

‘Frequently. There was no estrangement. We are very good friends, except when we are sworn foes! Indeed, he is my Trustee.’

‘Your Trustee!’ he said, looking as though he found the information shocking. ‘I knew how much attached to him Lord Spenborough was, but that he should have placed you in a position of such embarrassment – Forgive me! I should not be speaking to you so!’

‘You mistake: I don’t find it embarrassing! To be sure, I was in such a passion when I first discovered how it was to be – But there were circumstances enough to enrage me! Never mind that! As for meeting Ivo, in the old way, neither of us has been aware of any awkwardness. It is the popular notion that I should be cast into blushes in Ivo’s presence, but either that’s a great piece of nonsense, or I am a creature sadly lacking in sensibility! I can’t be shy of a man I’ve known all my life! Since my father’s death, too, he seems sometimes to me like a link with –’ She broke off. ‘But, come! We have talked enough of
me
! Tell me of yourself! I long to hear of all your doings in Spain!’

‘I don’t think I could ever hear enough of you,’ he said seriously. ‘Nothing of any consequence has befallen me. Nothing until today! When I saw you, it was as though these six years and more had never been!’

‘Oh, hush! I too was conscious of just that feeling, but it is nonsensical! Much has happened to both of us!’

‘To
you
! I know well how great a tragedy your father’s death must have been to you. To have written to you would have been presumption: I could only
wish
that I had the right to comfort you!’

As always, she was rendered uncomfortable by spoken sympathy. She said: ‘Thank you. The shock was severe, and the sense of loss must remain with me for long and long, but you must not think me borne down by it, or out of spirits. I go on very well.’

‘I know your indomitable courage!’

Her impulse was to check him. She subdued it, afraid of wounding him, and walked on beside him with downcast eyes while he continued talking of her father. That he truly understood the extent of her loss, and most sincerely entered into her feelings, she could not doubt. He spoke well, and with great tenderness: she would rather he had been silent.

He seemed to realize it, and broke off, saying: ‘It is painful for you to talk of it. I will say no more: what I feel – all that I cannot express – you must know!’

‘Yes, I – You are very good, very kind! How glad I am I should have chosen to go to Duffield’s this very morning! Do you make a long stay in Bath?’

‘I came to visit my mother, and arrived only yesterday. There are no calls upon my time, and I had meant to remain with her for a few weeks. Since my father’s death, she has resided here. The climate agrees with her constitution, and she derives benefit from the baths. She is a sad invalid, and seldom goes out, or – But are you living here too, Serena!’

‘For a few months only, with my mother-in-law.’

‘Ah! I knew that Lord Spenborough had married again, and feared that you must have been made unhappy.’

‘No, indeed!’

‘You live with Lady Spenborough? You like her? She is kind to you?’ he said anxiously.

‘Very!’

‘I am very much relieved to hear you say so. I was afraid it might not be so. To have had a mama thrust upon you at your age cannot have been agreeable. Too often one hears of mamas-in-law domineering over the children of a previous marriage! But if she is
truly
motherly to you I can believe that you may be glad
now
that the marriage took place. Her protection must be a comfort to you.’

Her eyes began to dance, but she said demurely: ‘Very true! I look forward to presenting you to her. I hope you will not think her
very
formidable!’

‘Will you let me call on you?’ he said eagerly. ‘She will not object to it?’

‘I am sure she will receive you most graciously!’

‘There is something quelling in the very word!’ he said, smiling. ‘As for
dowager
, that conjures up such a picture as might terrify the boldest! If she should wear a turban, I shall shake in my shoes, for it will remind me of a great-aunt of whom, as a boy, I lived in dread! When may I call on her? Where is your direction?’

‘In Laura Place.’ She looked round her suddenly, and burst out laughing. ‘Good God, do you know how far we have walked? Unless my eyes deceive me, we have reached nearly to the end of Great Pulteney Street! If I have at least led you in the right way it must have been by instinct! I have no recollection even of crossing the bridge!’

‘Nor I,’ he admitted, turning, and beginning to retrace his steps beside her. ‘I have been walking in a dream, I think. I could wish we were at the other end of the town, so that I need not part from you so soon. My fear is that when you leave me I shall wake up.’

‘Major Kirkby, I begin to think you are turned into an accomplished flirt!’

‘I? Ah, you are quizzing me! I never flirted, I think, in my life.’

‘Good gracious, will you tell me that there is not
one
beautiful Spaniard left mourning your departure?’

He shook his head. ‘Not one, upon my honour!’

‘I had no notion life was so dull in Spain!’

‘I never saw one whom I thought beautiful,’ he said simply.

They walked on, and were soon in Laura Place again. He parted from her at her door, lingering, with her hand in his, to say: ‘Tell me when I may call on you!’

‘When you wish,’ she replied, smiling at him.

His clasp on her hand tightened; he bent to kiss it; and at last released it, and went striding away, as though he dared not trust himself to look back.

A minute later, Fanny was greeting Serena with relief. ‘Oh, I am so glad you are come in! I feared some accident had befallen, for you have been away this age and more! Good God, dearest! What has happened? You look as if a fortune had dropped on you from the sky!’

‘Not a fortune!’ Serena said, her eyes very bright and sparkling, and a smile hovering about her mouth. ‘Better than that, and by far more unexpected! I have met – an old acquaintance!’

‘
That
would not make you look
so
! Now, be serious, love, I do beg of you!’

‘Oh, I cannot be! You must hold me excused! Did you ever feel yourself a girl again, in your first season? It is the most delightful thing imaginable! I have told him he may call on us: pray be so obliging as to like him! It will be a study to see his face when I present him to you: he pictures you in a turban, Fanny!’

Fanny let her embroidery frame drop. ‘
He?
’ Her face brightened suddenly. ‘Not – Oh, Serena, you don’t mean you have met that young man again? the man you told me you had loved – the
only
man you had loved?’