Pascale Duguay (15 page)

But hadn’t Julius been acting lover-like only since the night of the ball? Was it because he was resigned to his fate or could she hope that he was growing fond of her? Not very probable if she was to believe those ladies on the terrace the night of her engagement ball. She was nothing like the woman he had described on his list. Although he had said the list no longer existed, his thoughts may not have evaporated as easily. Again her mind wondered about the possibility that he may also have heard the rumour of an inheritance. Those same women had said his coffers were half empty. Was he just hoping that he could seduce her into filling up the other half?

If that were the case, he was doing a very good job of it. Patience smiled as she stretched out on the bed, allowing herself the pleasure of going over their more intimate moments. If he continued along this vein, she would find it very difficult to resist him. She might even get used to the fact that he was marrying her only for her money, if money there was!

The next morning, Patience set out alone before her aunt came downstairs. With any luck she would be back before that lady was ready for a round of morning calls or shopping expeditions, which Patience had quickly discovered seemed to compose the greater part of her aunt’s daily routine.

Letting herself out of the house quietly, she walked down the street until she came upon a hackney. She climbed aboard and told the driver the address she had been given. The driver set his horse in motion and headed down Oxford Street. Patience soon lost her bearings, as she had not been to this part of town yet. After some time, she was reassured when she recognized such names as the Bank of England and the Royal Exchange. This busy section must have been the business district, she realized, as they now stopped in front of an imposing brick building with an engraved sign reading “Clifford & Son” placed next to the massive front door.

She paid the driver and walked up the steps. Upon reaching the door, she stared at it, unsure what to do next. As it did not have a knocker, she pulled it open and found herself inside a large foyer. A young man wearing spectacles sat at a large desk at the other end. Upon seeing her, he stood and came to meet her.

“May I be of assistance, ma’am?”

“I am looking for Mr. Clifford Senior.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

Patience, not wishing to be turned away so soon because of her ignorance concerning such matters batted her eyes at him the way she had seen various ladies do to get a man to get them a glass of champagne.

“I am afraid not. But I would greatly appreciate it if he would see me this morning.”

The young man looked taken aback for a moment but finally smiled shyly before asking, “And who may I announce?”

“Miss Patience Bingham.”

The brown eyes behind the spectacles widened. The young man bowed deeply before saying, “If you will but sit down for a moment, I will be back directly.” He led her to the most comfortable chair in the foyer and hurried through the door behind his desk.

If she had but known the effect her batting eyelashes produced on men, she would have used the trick much sooner, thought Patience as she admired the various paintings adorning the walls.

The young man soon returned, biding her to please follow him as Mr. Clifford would be happy to see her now.

Patience was conducted to a luxurious room filled with bookcases and expensive looking ornaments and furniture. A short, rotund man rose from behind an imposing desk, and came toward her, his red face all smiles. Patience had a nice view of the bald spot on his head as he bowed over her hand.

“My dear Miss Bingham, it is an honour to finally meet you. Please, come and sit down.” Mr. Clifford led her to his desk and assisted her in one of the two chairs facing his. He sat across from her and opened a folder lying in front of him.

“I assume you have come regarding the will?”

“I have come to gather any information you may give me. You see, I have not been told of any will.”

“Didn’t your father inform you of the situation?” Mr. Clifford’s cheeks puffed up and took on a darker shade of red.

“I am afraid not. And I would be glad if you would enlighten me, as I gather this will concerns me?”

“It certainly does! Were you also unaware of your grandmother’s death?”

“If you mean my maternal grandmother, then yes. We have not been on speaking terms since my mother married my father. I believe my mother married against her parents’ wishes and they never spoke to her again. When she died giving birth to me, they did not even come to the funeral. All this I have heard through our servants, of course, since my father does not like to discuss such matters.”

“Then let me tell you how things stand. Your grandmother died a rich woman. As you are her only descendant, she made her will in your favour. The terms are as follows: should you wed before your twenty-first birthday, the money will go to your husband. But should you remain unwed by the time you turn twenty-one, the money will go to you.”

Her father’s behaviour suddenly made a lot more sense.

“And how much money is involved?”

“The sum reaches slightly over fifty thousand pounds.”

Patience gazed at Mr. Clifford in incredulity. No wonder her father wanted her to get married as soon as possible to Sir Rupert. Those two charlatans must have planned to split the money between themselves!

“I believe you are not yet twenty-one?”

“No, not until three weeks from now,” Patience answered with a feeling of doom. She barely listened to Mr. Clifford as he listed various financial options open to her. When he was finished, she made sure to give him Lady Westbury’s direction should he need to get in touch with her. Shortly after, Patience left the offices of Clifford and Sons in a daze.

Upon reaching the sidewalk, Patience looked uncertainly about her, not quite sure what to do next. She did not feel up to returning to her aunt’s house yet. That lady was sure to notice her shocked state and comment upon it. The last thing she wanted to do was discuss the matter with her. She suddenly very much wished for Miss Thimble’s presence and her wise counsel.

After waving down an approaching hackney, she gave the driver Miss Thimble’s direction before climbing in the carriage. They sped away, this time toward a very different part of town.

“Will you be wishing for me to wait, ma’am?” asked the driver as Patience stood on the side of the road examining her surroundings with some curiosity. “This neighbourhood’s better than most, but I wouldn’t advise for a lady of your quality to be hanging round here for too long unattended.”

“Thank you, sir. That would be most kind of you,” she said before entering the rundown building. Finding the correct door number on the second floor, she knocked against the peeling paint and moved slightly away from the door so she could be seen easily through the peephole. She heard the sound of footsteps followed by a startled cry. The door was thrust open and a scream of “Patience!” suddenly resonated in the hall as Miss Thimble pulled her inside the apartment, nearly choking her in a rough embrace. When that lady finally released her, Patience found four additional pairs of eyes trained on her.

“This is Miss Patience Bingham,” announced Miss Thimble to the two boys and two girls assembled in front of the door.

The oldest, a girl no more than ten asked, “Did you really used to keep a snake in your room?”

Patience laughed at the unexpected question. “Yes, I did and much more besides. I see your auntie has been speaking about me.”

“Auntie tells us stories when we do our lessons well. Yours are the best!” piped in her younger brother.

Miss Thimble coloured up at that.

“No need to be embarrassed. I am only pleased my antics can be of use!”

After Miss Thimble had shooed the brood away back to their lessons, they sat at the kitchen table with a cup of tea.

“Your new charges look adorable,” said Patience.

Miss Thimble beamed at her. “They are little darlings and so intelligent! It is a pleasure to be around them.”

“I am glad to see you are still here. I was afraid to discover you had gotten another post already.”

“No, nor do I intend to. I am very happy here. Oh, we do not live in the first style, but we may soon be able to move to a better neighbourhood.”

“How so?” inquired Patience.

“Although I hate to admit it, your father is very much responsible for our good fortune. The extra money he gave me upon my hasty departure allowed my sister to start the milliner’s shop she had been dreaming of for so long. While I take care of the children, she is free to pursue her dream.”

“But what about you? What about your dreams? Wouldn’t you rather be free to do as you wish?”

“But I am, dear! Were I at liberty to live cosseted in a little house of my own somewhere, I would soon die of boredom. Like you, I need to be doing something, and that something happens to be caring for and instructing children. So the arrangement between my sister and me suits us both perfectly.”

“I guess I came here on a loose errand then,” said Patience with a mock sigh. “What will I do with the large sum I am about to inherit?” At Miss Thimble’s stunned expression, Patience burst out laughing. She then spent the next few minutes filling in her old governess with her adventures since they had last seen each other.

At the end of her recital, Miss Thimble was holding on to her head. “I am so glad the children were not present to listen to this story. It will be many years I think before I dare to divulge that one! As for you seeking my council, I am afraid I cannot offer you advice aside from agreeing to your original recourse. You must speak with the Earl and tell him about the will.”

Patience nodded. She had known it might be the case, but was glad to have her doubts assuaged nonetheless.

“Thank you for listening to me. It feels wonderful just to be able to finally share the full story with someone I can trust to be impartial. Now what about that money of mine? Are you sure I cannot tempt you with a little cottage by the sea?”

Miss Thimble laughed. “No, I thank you. But if you do wish to help, maybe you could do something for my sister. Although not a gift of money as such. My sister is very proud, you see. It took all of my persuasion to get her to accept my financial help in the first instance. But perhaps if you were to let your aunt know of a new milliner shop containing the most darling little hats? Your aunt’s patronage alone could set my sister up for life!”

“You may be sure I will do that!” Having witnessed first-hand the enormous sums her aunt spent on her attire, she had no doubt this arrangement would work out perfectly for all concerned.

As promised, the hackney was still waiting for Patience when she parted from her friend. On the return ride to her aunt’s house, she stared unseeingly out of the hackney window until a disturbing thought crossed her mind. What if her father had her watched? Was he waiting for the first available opportunity to snatch her away? She suddenly paid more attention to her surroundings, taking note of the many people milling about the streets. Coming out all this way by herself might not have been such a good idea after all. She was glad to reach the safety of her aunt’s house. From now on, she would make sure to never venture out alone, at least not until she was either married to Julius or past the age of twenty-one.

The following evening Julius murmured in her ear, “You look distracted. The play is not to your liking?”

Patience nearly jumped at the sound of his voice. She shook her head, and forced her mind back to the stage, disgusted with herself. Here she was attending her first play at the theatre, and she had not retained a word of the performance. With her father sitting on her other side, it was hard to forget the things she had discovered yesterday. And what about Julius? They were due for a serious discussion. If he was not aware of her situation, she would have to tell him the truth before the marriage took place, the sooner the better. But here was not the place, at all events.

She felt his hand cover her own, bringing her back to the present moment once more. She almost gave a shudder at the heat that coursed up her arm when his thumb started to stroke the inside of her wrist. Whatever else may be happening in her life, the attraction she felt whenever Julius touched her had not decreased in the least.

Julius shifted slightly so that his thigh pressed against her own. He bent close once more and blew softly into her ear. Patience was not able to retain the gasp that escaped her lips. As the sound coincided most fortuitously with a noisy scene in the play, it did not go farther than their own box. Her aunt and father both turned to look at her.

Lady Westbury leaned across her brother. “Is everything all right, dear?”

“It is my fault,” Julius responded. “I kicked your niece’s ankle by mistake.”

“I am fine, Aunt,” Patience said somewhat breathlessly. “The Earl took me by surprise.”

Seemingly satisfied by this explanation, both returned their attention to the play.

Julius lifted an eyebrow and smiled mischievously at her. Yes, he most certainly had taken her by surprise.

The following morning as bright, cheerful sunlight poured through the bay windows of Lady Westbury’s smaller salon, Patience idly checked her new collection of pots lining the windowsill and listened with one ear to her aunt exclaiming at length over last night’s play. Not having heard a word of the performance, first because of her worries over her father and the will, followed by Julius’ seemingly innocent but highly stimulating touches, Patience answered with short vague replies.

“Are you all right, dear? You seem a bit listless this morning.”

“It is nothing, Aunt. I simply did not sleep very well last night.”

“I suspect it was the excitement of the play. Although I must say your father rented the most abominable little box. What is the point of going to the theatre if there is not enough light to show off our gowns after all the trouble we went to in order to select the perfect outfits for the evening? I should have known better than to entrust Robert with the task. In any case, no matter how many times I have attended the theatre, I find it always leaves me a little breathless and restless.”

“It certainly seemed to have that effect on me as well,” Patience said, remembering the feel of Julius’ hand as he used every opportunity to touch her: the removing of a particle on the back of her neck, repositioning a stray curl behind her ear, the heat of his palm against her lower back as he guided her out of the box.

“Mr. Philip Rutherford,” announced the butler, breaking into her thoughts.

Philip strode into the room looking as dashing as ever. His impeccable coat of blue superfine and tight buckskin breeches contrasted nicely with the studied disarray of his golden locks and loosely tied cravat.

“Good morning, ladies. Dare I hope I am not in your black books since having brought my great-aunt to visit you the other day? You must believe me when I say that had it been in my power, I would not have inconvenienced you with her presence. Unfortunately, one soon discovers that Lady Courtland cannot be refused, especially if one happens to be related to her.”

“Do not let it worry you, dear boy. I can well believe that you did not have any say in the matter!” said Lady Westbury. “At all events everything turned out for the best. Lady Courtland seemed much taken by Patience.”

“As she should be!” pronounced Philip. “Which reminds me, my great-aunt sends her thanks for the mixture Patience so kindly made for her. She would also like a copy of the recipe if that should not be too much trouble.”

“Of course not!” said Patience. “If you will but wait a moment, I will go up to my room and write it down immediately.”

Patience soon returned with a folded sheet in one hand.

“You are a gem!” Philip said taking the proffered sheet. He folded it neatly before placing it in his breast pocket. “Now if you will but do me one more favour, you will make me the happiest of men. Should your aunt not disagree, may I take you for a walk in the park?”

Patience, not wishing to be alone with Philip, was about to decline when her aunt spoke up, “You have my full approval! Do go, dearest. I am sure a walk will do you wonders on such a fine day.”

Patience was left with no choice but to comply and within a few minutes found herself being driven to the park. After helping her to alight, Philip left his curricle in the care of his groom. He offered Patience his arm, and they set off on one of the walks. Patience had reassured herself with the thought that she would be safe from any unwanted declaration from Philip since they would be surrounded by a crowd of people. But unlike her last visit, the park was nearly empty of occupants. Although her maid was following at a respectful distance, she did not feel reassured in the least.

For the next few minutes, they strolled in silence. Philip seemed happy simply to be in her company and enjoying the scenery.

“I cannot tell you how glad I am to be finally alone with you.”

Deciding that to be straightforward was her best course of action, she said, “Mr. Rutherford, I do not think it wise for you to keep seeking me out. Your cousin would not approve, as you very well know.”

“Do you think me so chicken-hearted as to be afraid of Julius? I refuse to let my cousin dictate my behaviour!” Philip suddenly stopped and turned to look into her upturned face. “But I sincerely do wish to apologize for that day in the garden. I did not mean to cause you any discomfort. I have but the highest regard for you.”

“And I am sure my fiancée holds you in the highest regard, also,” the Earl of Rutherford said, taking them both by surprise. “Just as she would for any member of my family.”

Philip looked gloomily at his cousin as the Earl grabbed hold of her free arm. Patience suddenly felt trapped between the two men. She sincerely hoped their exchange would not result in a tug of war.

“If you do not mind, I would like to return home now.”

“Certainly! It will be my pleasure to escort you,” the Earl said.

“Thank you, my lord.”

“If that is your wish?” asked Philip.

“It is,” Patience replied in a firm tone.

Philip bowed stiffly before striding toward his waiting carriage.