Lady Beware (27 page)

Even her name caused a moment of paralysis, but then Darien found his voice. “I don't know. I've kept Frank informed, but it's in his hands when to try his luck again. A good part of me wants him to tell the Dynnevors to go hang themselves, but love knows no reason, does it?”

“I thought it was ‘love knows no laws.'”

“That frequently proves the case,” Darien said, suddenly realizing that he'd worked through his problem. Dare Debenham was Thea's beloved brother, therefore to be cherished. “There is no enmity between us,” he said. “From what Austrey says, you can't help but be happy with Lady Mara, but I offer you my good wishes anyway.”

He held out his hand, and they shook. If Debenham looked a little puzzled, so be it.

“What will you do in the summer?” Debenham asked, as they both turned toward the door. “I know my mother would be delighted if you visited Long Chart.”

Such temptation, but it would break the pact.

“Impossible,” Darien said lightly. “First I must see out this sitting of Parliament, which looks likely to last till Christmas at this rate. Then I go on to pummel Stours Court into civilized shape. If I have any life left in me after that, there's a godforsaken spot in Lancashire that's mine to deal with.”

“I often rejoice,” said Dare as they strolled into the hall, “in being a younger son.”

“I was one once,” Darien said, but he made it light and they parted, smiling.

W
hen it came time to travel to Lincolnshire for the wedding, Thea recognized a flaw in her bargain with Darien. She'd forgotten that the journey would take them through London. It was the only sensible route, and they had to gather up Dare and the duke there and stop for the night.

They arrived in the late afternoon and would leave the next morning, and did not plan to attempt any social event, so Thea thought she was safe. Except from her own ravening temptation.

She hadn't counted on her mother summoning Darien for a recounting of events, nor had she any warning. If she had, she wouldn't have been with her mother in the small drawing room when Darien was announced.

His eyes met hers—and lingered.

Hers ate him up.

How could he be different? She hadn't forgotten him, but it was like seeing him for the first time, but now more relaxed, easier in his smiles. More handsome.

He bowed. “I hope you enjoyed your time in the country, Lady Thea.”

“Yes, thank you, Darien. Will you go into the country when Parliament prorogues?”

Their eyes, the air between them, said other things. He still cared and so, by all that was holy, did she. If her mother hadn't been present, all questions between them might have ended in violent explosion.

When the footman returned to say that Miss Debenham was below, Thea seized on that and escaped. She found Maddy in a reception room in evening finery.

“When I heard you were here I had to stop by. You could have told me!”

“We're only breaking the journey.”

Maddy grasped Thea's arm. “You have to persuade your parents to speak on Fox's behalf. Everyone's still fussing over Darien, and he's a Cave! There's nothing disreputable about Fox's family other than lack of title and money.”

“You know Mother doesn't put huge weight on things like that.”

“Then she'll take up his cause, won't she? I mean, when the poor man was wounded so horribly to protect us all, it is atrocious to be shunning him!”

“I don't think anyone's shunning him, Maddy. He's in Lancashire.”

“It's the same thing!”

Thea shook her head. “Sit down. Calm down. Would you like tea?”

“Tea! How can I drink tea? Do you have wine?”

“Wine?” Thea echoed in surprise.

“Why not? Oh, you're so
dull
!”

“Then I don't know why you're here,” Thea snapped.

“To seek your help! I'm dying for love, Thea.
Dying!
Fox is the only man I could ever marry. You can't imagine how it is to feel such passion.”

“Thank you.”

The dry tone made an impression. Maddy frowned at her. “Well, you can't,” she said in a less high-flown style. “Some people have grand emotions and others don't. I'm sure it's more comfortable.
Please
say you'll talk to your parents. If they lend their weight, you know mine will give in.”

Awash in her own forbidden longings, Thea wanted to help, but she said, “Will he make you a good husband, Maddy?”

“The perfect one!”

“But his regiment's going to India. I'm not sure—”

Maddy laughed. “Silly! He'll sell out once our wedding is allowed, but there's so little time. Please!”

Thea had taken Foxstall in dislike, but she really had no reason. She'd been deeply prejudiced against Darien, and he was not at all as she'd thought.

“I'll try,” she promised.

Maddy kissed her and hurried away. Thea sighed, but then her thoughts flew to Darien, who might still be with her mother. She could return. But no. Better not. Because she kept her promises, she raised the subject of Maddy and Foxstall the next morning over breakfast with her mother.

Her mother grimaced. “In this case, Thea, I fear Margaret is correct. Of course she wants a title for Maddy, and a comfortable income. Why not, indeed? Poverty is not at all romantic. And there's Marchampton, smitten. But now it's said Marchampton's father opposes it because of her behavior. I don't know what will become of that girl.”

“Perhaps Foxstall is the man for her, then.”

“Sadly, no.”

“Why?”

“It's not really suitable for maidenly ears, but you're sensible enough to understand, dear. At Margaret's request, we had inquiries made. Captain Foxstall's string of conquests is long.”

Thea tried to be fair. “Most men are not religiously virtuous, Mama, and can reform with marriage.”

“Yes, but there's a matter of extent.” The duchess sighed. “Even while paying attention to Maddy in London he was involved with other women.”

“No!”

“Very distasteful. Most were women on the fringes of society, but one—for your own ears only, of course—was Maria Harroving.”

“Good heavens. But he was at the masquerade with Maddy.”

Her mother shrugged. “He was also spending much time with Lady Harroving there.”

“I remember Maddy saying she'd gone with someone else but had planned to meet Foxstall there.”

The duchess shook her head. “No sense of decorum. If Margaret had asked, I would have advised her not to allow Maddy to attend. You could be trusted to keep the line, but given any opportunity, Maddy exceeds it.”

Thea felt horrid guilt and it made her try harder. “But if that is Maddy's nature, might not someone like Captain Foxstall be the right husband?”

“Not at all. He drinks, he games, he is cruel. He'll make anyone a terrible husband, but especially someone like Maddy. She doesn't have an obliging nature. She'll demand too much of him, and he'll punish her. If Maria Harroving would marry him, it might suit, for she's worldly wise and has ample money, but she has too much sense. His regiment goes to India soon, so it will all blow over and then we'll look for a more suitable match. A firm older man who'll treat her well but put up with no nonsense.”

“Mama…”

“It's that or she truly will ruin herself, Thea, believe me.”

Thea gave in. She'd done her best, but didn't relish explaining that to Maddy, so she was relieved to leave London after breakfast, even though every turn of the wheels took her away from Darien.

Despite what she feared was a broken heart, Thea was able to fling herself into the merry wedding celebrations. Dare claimed Brideswell was magical, and perhaps he was right. Everything felt lighter there, and even her future seemed promising. Thea found herself dancing around the bonfire hand in hand with two village swains. She wore her yellow dress and her hair down, amused by how astonished the villagers would be to learn that it was “country wear.”

She thought of Darien the whole time and didn't try to stop herself. She even imagined, during the ceremony, that she was saying her vows to him. For better or worse, for richer or poorer. That was what marriage was about, not the careful safety of equal fortunes and perfect security. Yes, now she truly knew her heart and mind.

Because of this, she didn't struggle against her mother's decision to linger in London awhile on the return journey. After all, she hadn't promised not to return until autumn. She'd simply assumed it.

Thea arrived back at Yeovil House in a nervous fizz and she'd rather not have wasted it on Maddy, but her cousin arrived only hours after they did.

“Thank heavens you're here!” Maddy declared as soon as they were in Thea's room. “I'm at my wit's end.”

“What's happened?”

“Mother won't let me see him!”

“See who?”

“Don't be provoking. Fox! Who else?”

“But he's in the north.”

“No, he's here! A fortnight's furlough before they sail.” Maddy untied her complicated bonnet and tossed it on the floor. “We are determined to marry.”

“Oh, dear.”

“Don't be like that. I know you don't like him, but that's because he's strong meat for a delicate bloom like you.”

Thea held her patience. “Maddy, if you want a kindly listener, don't insult me.”

Maddy stared at her. “No need to be vinegary, Thea. I'm desperate. I'd run off to Gretna, but then Father would probably not pay my full dowry. It's most unfair that only part of it is fixed by law. The rest he added only by promise as he became wealthier.”

“He might be persuaded after a while. When your marriage is happy and Foxstall proves admirable.”

“Oh, for pity's sake. Can you imagine living under that scrutiny, afraid to act boldly or have a quarrel?”

Thea shook her head. “Maddy, what do you want from me?”

“Sympathy. But I see the well's dry.”

“I truly do sympathize, but I don't see what I can do. No words of mine will persuade your parents to see things differently, and my parents feel as yours do. He is not obviously an ideal husband.”

“He's the one I want,” Maddy said mutinously. “Mother's just hoping I'll give in and take March, but I won't.”

“Certainly not, if you don't love him.”

“I love Fox.” Maddy leapt to her feet. “I
adore
Fox. I can hardly bear a moment away from him!”

Thea watched this volcanic performance, recognizing her own feelings, though she'd never behave so wildly.

“
Promise
you'll help me,” Maddy said.

“To do what?” Thea asked cautiously.

“I don't know yet, but when I think of something.”

“I'm not going to help you to elope.”

“You are
such
a dull stick. But as I said, that wouldn't serve. Just promise.”

Thea wanted to get rid of her. “If I can, I will.”

Maddy grabbed her bonnet and put it on. “I
will
marry Fox. I thought of having your hound instead. But really, in comparison, he's almost as dull as you are. You two really should make a match!”

“Dull?” Thea asked with a laugh. “When he almost murdered a man before my eyes?”

“I'm sure it was a very dull murder,” Maddy said and flounced out.

Thea hoped that meant she wouldn't see her again for a long time. She did spend a few moments wondering if she should warn her mother or aunt—but of what? Maddy said she wouldn't elope, and her reasons made sense. She was underage, so there was no other way for her to marry Foxstall. She could write secret letters and even slip out for clandestine meetings as much as she wanted. Thea was sure she'd been doing such things for years. And if Maddy felt for Foxstall as she felt for Darien, Thea truly, deeply sympathized.

When would Darien visit?

He didn't come that evening. When he didn't come the next day, Thea set out in the afternoon to wander fashionable London with Harriet in the manner of an angler trailing a fly across water. She went to Hatchard's to peruse the latest novels, and walked the length of Oxford Street until Harriet was beginning to mutter. She saw no sign of Darien other than a painting in a shop window.

That certainly absorbed her for a while. He was truly splendid in full hussar magnificence, on a prancing gray horse, ready for battle. Others paused to admire it, too, and Thea even heard one woman say, “Brother to that madman, you know, but this one, Lord Darien, he's a regular hero.”

Everything was going so well and she wanted to share that with him. That night she and her mother went to the theater, but again, Darien was nowhere to be seen. By then, Thea thought it safe to ask her mother.

“I believe he's visiting the Duchess of York at Oatlands.”

“Excellent,” said Thea, and she meant it. Not only because that was another sign of his social progress, but because there was a reason she hadn't encountered him.

But the next day he returned to Town—there was a brief note in the
Gazette
—and still didn't call at Yeovil House. That evening, before dinner, where the French ambassador and some other diplomatic people were to be her mother's guests, even the duchess noted his neglect.

“I do hope to see Darien soon. But it is excellent that he's so busy, and with eminent company.”

Busy avoiding her, Thea had to conclude. It was possible that he was being noble, but what if he'd realized he didn't want an extravagant duke's daughter for a wife? She couldn't stand the uncertainty, but she could hardly march round and knock on his door, tempting though that was.