Jack of Hearts (2 page)

“He said the pay was good, Miss Heriot,” said Mrs. Collins, the housekeeper, “but he was that tired of just sitting around. We have a good stable lad, though, who can take care of things until you find a replacement.”

Anne sighed. It was one more thing to deal with, and she preferred putting her energy into the business of finding a husband rather than replacing servants.

“Thank you, Mrs. Collins. Will you inform the employment agency that I will start interviewing for a groom next week. And Mrs. Collins, I will need a footman to accompany me this afternoon.”

“Of course, Miss. I’ll see if William is free.”

Anne was just finishing up her breakfast when Sarah came down.

“I am sorry not to have joined you earlier Anne,” she apologized. “You know how long carriage trips tire me, and I didn’t sleep well. I am not used to the city noises yet.”

“You can have a day of leisure, Sarah. I can’t get to shopping till tomorrow. This morning I am interviewing maids, and this afternoon I am off to Smythe and Blaine’s. Oh, and I must remember to send Elspeth a note.”

“Does Mrs. Aston know why you are in town?”

“Yes, and she is as opposed to my plans as you are,” Anne admitted. “But she is eager to introduce me into Society. I think she is hoping that if she brings me to enough dances, I will meet someone and fall in love instantly.”

“Well, perhaps you will!” Sarah hesitated. “I know the two of you were good friends at school, but will the daughter of an army officer have entree into the important households?”

“Her mother was the daughter of an earl. And she has married the eldest son of the earl of Faringdon, father-in-law are very willing to take me under their wings.”

“Yet her husband was…ah…illegitimate, I believe?”

“His father recognized him a few years ago after the death of his heir. Of course, Elspeth and Val have been with the army all this time, but now that the war is finally over, Lord Faringdon is happy to have them in London with him.”

* * * *

As Anne gave her note to a footman later that morning, she realized how much she was looking forward to seeing Elspeth. They had met at school when Anne was sixteen and Elspeth a year older, and each recognized the other as a kindred spirit. Both were outsiders—Anne because of her father and Elspeth because she had been following the drum with her parents since she was five. And both were interested in more than the narrow educational pursuits of the gentlewoman, like watercolor or embroidery. They realized how lucky they were to have discovered each other, and also Miss Tillotson, one of the younger teachers, who encouraged Anne’s facility with mathematics and Elspeth’s with languages and history.

Anne had loved listening to her friend’s stories of India and of the many adventures she and her parents had shared in the army. She envied Elspeth for her interesting life, but even more for her loving family. Anne couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have two parents, let alone a father who quite clearly adored his daughter. Her own mother had died when she was three, giving birth to a stillborn son, and her father had withdrawn into himself. Always quiet, he gave most of his time and energy to his business. He had hired an older woman as Anne’s nurse, but when it became clear that her charge’s intelligence far outshone her own, Mr. Heriot had found Sarah Wheeler to be Anne’s governess. Sarah had encouraged Anne in her unorthodox passion for mathematics and had helped to create a stronger bond between father and daughter over the accounts and management of the Heriot business.

Anne knew her father had an affection for her, probably loved her in his own taciturn way, but the only warmth he ever displayed was in his approval of her assistance with business. Elspeth’s family had sounded like a fairy tale, and she was determined to create something like that for herself. She would likely not marry for love, she realized early on, but there was no reason she could not have a warm and loving relationship with her children.

* * * *

Anne set off for Smythe and Blaine early in the afternoon. Mr. Blaine was expecting her, and she was shown into his office immediately.

“Miss Heriot, it is delightful to see you again. Please sit down. Would you like some sherry? A cup of tea?”

“A sip of sherry, Mr. Blaine,” replied Anne with a smile.

“Here you are, then,” said Blaine, pouring them both a glass and taking a seat across from her. “I was very sad to hear about your father’s death, and I apologize again for not making his funeral.”

Anne’s face clouded over for a minute. “He went very suddenly and unexpectedly, Mr. Blaine, and the weather kept many away. But your letter of condolence was greatly appreciated.”

“I meant every word. Your father and I have known…knew each other for many years, and it was always a pleasure to see him when he was in town. A fine man, Robert Heriot,” said Blaine, shaking his head sadly. “But enough…what business brings you to London?”

“An unfinished piece of my father’s business. I believe you and he had talked of my marriage,” she added matter-of-factly.

Mr. Blaine’s eyes widened and his face grew pink. “Why, yes, he had told me of his thoughts in that direction.”

Anne’s eyes twinkled. “I am a Yorkshire lass, Mr. Blaine, and tha knows we don’t beat around the bush in Yorkshire. My father and I had no secrets, I assure you. I am here in London to follow out the plans that were interrupted by his untimely death.”

“He told me you were a practical young woman, Miss Heriot. But I thought you might reconsider your cousin, rather than pursue this course without your father’s guidance.”

“My father and I were in complete agreement, I assure you. He never planned to choose my husband for me, but to provide me with appropriate choices. I hope you will agree to do the same?”

“Of course, Miss Heriot.”

“Thank you,” Anne said, giving him her warmest smile. “I am here in London for a part of the Little Season to survey the field, as it were. Once I have narrowed down the choices, I will make my final decision in the spring. Now what I need from you is a list of all the titled gentlemen who are in need of my fortune!”

“That would make a very long list!”

“We will make it shorter by eliminating all the inveterate gamblers, drinkers, and hardened fortune hunters, my dear sir.”

Mr. Blaine went to his desk and pulled out a piece of paper from a leather folder. “I started just such a list more than a year ago for your father,” he said, handing it to Anne. “But there are some we will have to eliminate. George Brett has married, James Trevor died of a fever, and two others fled to America. And there are a few names I could now add to the list.”

“Who is the Baron Leighton?” asked Anne, pointing to an underlined name.

“A good choice, I think. He holds an old title, but the estate is very poor. He is a widower of about thirty-seven, I believe. A pleasant man…”

“But you hesitate?”

“He has a daughter, about fifteen years old.”

“I like children, Mr. Blaine. That is one of the main reasons I wish to marry, to have a family of my own.”

“Then we will put the baron on our preferred list.”

“What about Lord Beresford?” Anne pointed to another highlighted name.

“Married the daughter of a steel manufacturer in Sheffield just last month.” Mr. Blaine hesitated and then said, “There are two others not yet on the list.”

Anne’s eyebrow lifted inquiringly.

“Richard Farrar, the earl of Windham, is a delightful young man. He just came into the title. The late earl made some very hard decisions at the time of Waterloo. Sold all his stocks before final news of the victory came through and then went into the woods and shot himself.”

“How sad. So Windham was landed with all his father’s debts?”

“Yes. He is, as far as I can tell, a very responsible man with a highly developed sense of honor.” Blaine smiled. “And young and handsome to boot, Miss Heriot.”

“That is not my primary requirement, but it would certainly sweeten a bargain, wouldn’t it,” Anne responded with a grin.

“Then there is Jack Belden. Viscount Aldborough. He just inherited his maternal uncle’s estate in Suffolk. He recently sold his commission…” Mr. Blaine’s voice trailed off.

“Is there a problem? I promise you I do not require a husband to be young and handsome.”

“Jack Belden is twenty-eight, and though he is not handsome in the way Windham is, his looks seem to appeal to many young ladies.”

“Is he a rake, Mr. Blaine? That would not do for me either.”

“No, no,” Blaine reassured her. “Although it is true that before he joined the army he was known as Jack of Hearts, there seems to be no real harm in him. It is just that he is charming to young women. Evidently, each one is convinced that she and she alone holds his attention. I believe that a few of the more susceptible young ladies had their hearts bruised, but he is careful not to promise anything, from what I understand.”

“Let’s eliminate him,” said Anne. “If there is anything I despise, it is a professional charmer.”

“I may have painted him too black, Miss Heriot. And the stories I have heard are all from a few years ago. War changes men.”

“Not always for the better.”

“No, but Lord Aldborough is not a gambler or drinker or confirmed fortune hunter. In fact, you might regard him as a hero. He was one of Wellington’s reconnaissance officers.”

“Oh, all right, you may put him down. But I will only consider him if the others prove disappointing in some way.”

“Good. Then you have three excellent candidates!”

“Yes,” said Anne with a satisfied smile. “Now I must set about meeting them.”

“Do you have an entree into Society, then, Miss Heriot? It would be far better if you make your own choice before I open any preliminary negotiations.”

“My old school friend is Mrs. Valentine Aston and has offered to introduce me.”

“Aston?”

“She is married to the earl of Faringdon’s son.”

“Oh, yes. That will do very well for you. You won’t get a voucher for Almack’s due to Aston’s, er…”

“Illegitimacy?”

Blaine blushed. “Yes, that is what I meant. But the earl has done a good job of making it clear that he would make Aston his heir if he were able to. Mrs. Aston can introduce you to most of the
ton
, and you will have every chance to meet all three men.”

“I am sure there will be gossip about my presence in London, Mr. Blaine. But I do not want you to make any approaches to any of the men before I make my decision.”

“Of course not.”

Anne got up and held out her hand. “Thank you so much. It will be a pleasure to continue to do business with you, Mr. Blaine.”

* * * *

After Anne left, Blaine knocked on his partner’s door, opening it even before he heard a “Come in.”

“What did the Heriot heiress want, George?”

“A husband, to put it as bluntly as she did! She is as forthright as her father and of the same practical bent.”

“Vulgar?”

“Not at all,” Blaine protested. “Would you expect Robert Heriot’s daughter to be? There was not a vulgar bone in the man’s body. No, she is a very attractive young lady who knows exactly what she wants. I liked her very much. Any one of her candidates would be a lucky man to have her to wife.”

“So you’ve made a list, have you? Who are they?”

“Windham, Leighton, and Aldborough.”

“Well done, George. Any one of those should suit.”

“They all meet her criteria, but I would like her to find some happiness in this bargain. I have a few reservations—not that I told her, of course. If she doesn’t want a drunkard or a gambler, then they really are her best choices, but…”

“To take on Leighton’s daughter could be difficult?”

“Exactly.”

“And Windham?”

“I stressed his sense of honor. But I did not tell her it led him to break off his engagement with Lady Julia Lovett.”

“Was his heart given, do you know?”

“I am not sure, and it has been almost a year.”

“And then there’s Belden,” said Smythe dryly.

“Yes, and then there’s Belden,” Blaine sighed. “If Miss Heriot is out to buy herself a husband, then some might say we ought to pin a sign on Belden—
Caveat emptor
. Let the buyer beware!”

“So it is marriage or bankruptcy, Stebbins? My cousins out to beg and me God knows where?”

“I am afraid so, my lord.”

Every time someone addressed him as “my lord,” Jack Belden almost looked to see who had just walked in the room. He had been Viscount Aldborough for five months now, but five years wouldn’t be long enough to get used to it. Damn his uncle for getting pneumonia, and double-damn him for producing only girls.

“I’m not ready to set up my nursery, Stebbins,” he complained.

“Even so, my lord…” That Jack Belden was not ready to be leg-shackled was no surprise to Joshua Stebbins. His client was notorious for his charm and address, but although he readily bestowed them upon one young lady and then another, he had been very careful never to go so far as to place his own heart or hand in any danger. Word was that before he left for Spain, he had become persona non grata in many a mother’s eyes, no matter how their daughters lit up when he entered a ballroom. But then, what could you expect from someone a quarter Spanish? mused Stebbins. Had his mother been Spanish, rather than his grandmother, he might well have qualified for Don Juan. Given his uncle’s debts and his reputation, he would never find a bride among the nobility now.

“No sensible father will give me his daughter’s hand, no matter what sort of dowry she has.”

“Not among the nobility, my lord. But a man in trade…”

“A Cit’s daughter! I don’t want to marry some vulgar offspring of a jumped-up unknown, Stebbins.”

“It is the only solution I can see, my lord.”

Jack groaned, “Unless I could raise a stake and win at vingt-et-un every night, I suppose you are right.”

“Perhaps it does not have to be as bad as you think, my lord. I had dinner with an old friend of mine last night, who acts as a solicitor for the Heriot family.”

“Robert Heriot? Isn’t he the cloth manufacturer from Yorkshire? He was most generous in supplying Wellington with funds, I believe. If it hadn’t been for Rothschild and a few like him and Heriot, the army would have starved!”