Sally James (18 page)

At that moment a commotion was heard in the hall and Sir Roderick's loud and angry voice came to them.

'Upstairs at once, miss! I'll not suffer this defiance any longer! You'd be put on bread and water for a month if I didn't hope to be rid of the task of controlling you soon. I hope you'll mind your husband better than you do me!'

Georgiana's answer was inaudible and Lord Fordington, eyeing Isabella's face, over which expressions of consternation, amusement and embarrassment chased one another, stifled a chuckle.

'This was where we started,' he murmured. 'Do you think we should disclose our presence?'

'What in the world has she done now? Oh, I expect she and Lydia went riding without a groom and have been caught. I had better go and prevent them from waking Fanny.'

With an apologetic smile she whisked out of the drawing room, briskly and inaccurately informed Sir Roderick Lord Fordington wished to speak with him, then that his wife was asleep and she would take Georgiana up to her room.

Without waiting to listen to his confused reply she ran swiftly upstairs after the indignant figure of Georgiana and warned her not to wake her mother.

'Why in the world did you defy her instructions?' she demanded when they were safely in Georgiana's bedroom. 'And where is Lydia?'

'We took her home,' Georgiana replied sulkily. 'Father and William met us as they were on their way home from Brighthelmstone, and were furious. I cannot see why! I have often ridden alone.'

'Against your father's orders,' Isabella reminded her. 'And we were responsible for Lydia, remember.'

'I did it for Lydia,' Georgiana protested.

'Did what for her?'

'Oh, you wouldn't understand! She is desperate. She had to do something!'

Gradually Isabella, by patient but persistent questioning, wormed the whole story out of Georgiana.

'Lydia had heard about Mother Weaver, that she could make love potions,' Georgiana confessed reluctantly. 'She wanted to get one to give to Ninian because she believes he is just infatuated with Charlotte.'

'And you helped her? Why, how can you contemplate giving some horrid potion to Ninian, whether she believes it works or not?'

'It isn't a potion! It is some sort of token, it cannot
hurt
anyone. It cannot be poisoned if that is what you imagine. She – Mother Weaver – said for it to be most effective Lydia had to give it to the man of her choice at full moon in the Priory ruins. She said for a potion she needed something from the man as well as the woman, a hair or something, but naturally Lydia could not provide that. She had to let that odious old hag cut off some of her hair and take some nail parings which she put in some sort of brew and then made into a paste, which she rolled into a stick she said represented Lydia. She said it would harden in a day or so. Lydia simply has to make Ninian take it from her hands.'

'How could either of you be so gullible?'

'I am not! Well, I do not really believe it will work, but Lydia is so desperate she will clutch at any hope. I thought it was better to humour her than let her despair,' Georgiana added self-righteously.

'She will only feel more thwarted when it does not prove effective,' Isabella pointed out.

'You will not try to prevent her, though?'Please, Isabella, it will at least do no harm and it gives her hope! She would never forgive me if she knew I had betrayed her to you and blighted all her hopes!'

Chapter Ten

When Isabella accompanied Lady Sharman to Priory Dene on the day before the ball she found the house transformed. Huge tubs of plants had been imported from the gardens and glasshouses and the great hall resembled an enormous stone conservatory. Garlands of flowers and greenery were hung all about the rooms where the party was to take place, and Lady Fordington was happily directing the servants who scurried about to do her bidding. She emerged from a discussion about the colour scheme in the winter parlour to greet Lady Sharman.

'My dear, I have your room prepared in the quietest part of the house and you shall retire immediately to rest. I do hope the journey has not been too much for you?'

'I am merely tired, but feel it would be wise to rest if you would not think it impolite,' Lady Sharman responded, and she was escorted upstairs by Charlotte who appeared from the recesses of a green grove and smiled in welcome at the new arrivals.

'Charlotte will attend to Lady Sharman, my dear Isabella. Pray come with me and say whether you approve of the decorations in the picture gallery,' Lady Fordington said, and led Isabella up the wide shallow stairs at the back of the hall and through a magnificent pair of doors into the long gallery that stretched the full width of the house. There, with the lavish use of tubs and boxes, separate enclosures had been devised, and as Isabella expressed her admiration Lord Fordington emerged from one of them and came towards her.

'I need some refreshment,' he remarked after greeting her. 'Come and take some wine with me before you return to Woodings.' He took her arm and again she felt the shock, the tingling of his touch. 'My study is about the only safe refuge. We will go there. Where is Ninian?' he enquired of his stepmother.

'Resting,' she replied briefly. 'I have had no opportunity yet of thanking you for your aid to my poor boy,' she said in a low voice to Isabella. 'I dread to think of what might have happened if you had not been there. Yes, what is it?' she added, as a maid appeared and stood waiting to claim her attention.

'Cook wants to know about the ices, Ma'am,' the girl said, and with an apologetic smile to Isabella Lady Fordington bustled away.

'Good,' Lord Fordington said briefly. 'Here is my study. I have news,' he added as he closed the door and went to pour a glass of wine.

'About the dice?' Isabella asked eagerly, taking the glass and sinking into a deep, comfortable armchair.

'My friend came today. He discovered a fiendishly clever way of weighting the dice unevenly by shaving off a tiny portion of one side. It was undetectable without any precise measurements, but he has made those now and is convinced. Furthermore, he has heard of a scandal several years back when Sir Frederick was suspected, but not accused because no one could prove any deceit. It was then that Sir Frederick won a great deal from a young man who later shot himself. It would appear he has been very cautious ever since, until recently. I discovered he made some unfortunate speculations and badly needs money if he is to maintain appearances.'

'What will you do?'

'Nothing until after the ball. It would not do to ruin it by creating such a scandal now. I have not told my stepmother, for she favours Sir Frederick and would not be able to maintain silence. Ninian and Charlotte know, for they are both to be trusted implicitly. What do you think of Charlotte?'

'Delightful. Your action was drastic, my lord, and I hope will be effective! Lydia has not entirely despaired, according to Georgiana, so it would be wise if Ninian does not relax his vigilance.'

'I will take care of that.' He strolled across to look out of the window. 'Isabella,' he began, and then paused. Isabella turned to look enquiringly at him, but he was staring out of the window.

'My lord?' she asked, and Lord Fordington suddenly turned and faced her.

'Isabella,' he began again, but was interrupted by his stepmother's entrance into the room.

'Why can the servants not get on with their tasks without constant reference to me?' she demanded, sinking into a chair and holding out her hand for a glass of wine. 'I declare I shall be thankful when you marry at last, Justin, and your wife can relieve me of all the worry! Though doubtless I shall have to teach her everything, which is more tedious than doing it myself.'

'I think my wife will have her own ideas on that, when I acquire one,' he added dryly.

'I must return to Woodings,' Isabella interjected, embarrassed. 'I have no doubt you are wishing to be rid of me.'

Lady Fordington made polite disclaimers, but was obviously paying more attention to her preparations for the ball, and it was Lord Fordington who escorted Isabella outside to where the gig, with Ned holding the reins, awaited her. He handed her into it and after a few friendly words with Ned stepped back to wave them on. Wondering what he had been about to say when they had been interrupted, Isabella fell into a reverie which lasted until they came within sight of Woodings. From then on she was too busy putting the finishing touches to her own gown and helping Georgiana with her preparations to have time to spare for useless conjectures.

* * * *

On the following day they drove to Priory Dene in the large travelling carriage and arrived to find many of the guests already installed in the drawing room. Lord Fordington had time for little other than a brief greeting, but Lady Sharman, to Isabella's relief, looked well and happy, talking animatedly to some friends she had not seen for several years who were at present staying in Brighthelmstone.

Lydia sat beside her mother, her eyes large and sad in a pale face. She attempted to chatter brightly, but when she forgot her expression was bewildered and dejected. Ninian was careful to stay on the far side of the room and Charlotte, in an enchanting rose-coloured gown, flitted about gaily, returning every so often to Ninian's side and appearing to enjoy some secret joke with him.

At almost the last moment before dinner was announced Sir Frederick Hill appeared. He stared suspiciously across the room at Ninian, who responded with an impudent smile, and then turned a grim countenance towards Lord Fordington, who had moved forward to greet him. Fortunately before much could be said dinner was announced and they were separated.

Isabella found herself seated between two strange young men, both of whom appeared to find her conversation enthralling. She knew she looked her best in the new green gown, with her hair twisted in a knot at the back of her head, and one curl escaping over her shoulder. Her only jewels were some diamond eardrops, but Lady Sharman had lent her an emerald and diamond necklace, and the stones glittered on her ivory skin and turned her eyes into a vivid shade of green.

Georgiana wore a simple but beautifully cut gown of white taffeta with a filmy gauze overskirt, trimmed with pale-blue flowers. A thin gold chain with a pendant sapphire of slightly deeper blue and matching earrings completed a deceptively simple toilette and Isabella, judging she would be the loveliest girl there, wondered whether Lord Fordington would choose the romantic surroundings to make his offer.

Because of the ball dinner was not quite so protracted as usual, and the guests had not long left the dining room before the first of the other guests, invited for the ball only, began to arrive. It was a warm clear night, and the moon was bright, casting a silvery radiance over the gardens. The row of windows from the red dining room and the main drawing room which opened onto the terrace stood open, and the guests found it a welcome diversion to stroll outside into the cooler air after the exertion of dancing.

Isabella found herself in such demand she had little time to spare for ensuring Georgiana behaved with decorum. The ball was spread out over so many rooms it was impossible to know where anyone was and after a while, reflecting that both of Georgiana's parents and her brother were there, Isabella abandoned herself to the strange sensation of being openly admired and courted. To her relief she was able to avoid Sir Frederick Hill, finding herself whisked away by another partner as he bore down on her with the obvious intention of asking her to dance.

She saw Georgiana and Lydia and Diana occasionally and hoped Lydia had forgotten her foolish notion of giving Ninian the love token. Georgiana had earlier that day implied Lydia did not really think it would be effective. Recalling Lydia's intense dislike of the ruins in broad daylight, she did not think the girl would venture to them alone at night. Isabella tried to forget her problems, enjoying the moment and resolutely trying not to dwell on the thought of Lord Fordington's taking Georgiana aside at some time during the evening and proposing to her.

Some time later Isabella was talking with Mark when the musicians struck up a waltz, and she found Lord Fordington at her side.

'Will you dance with me?' he asked and Isabella, suddenly breathless, nodded. He swept her onto the floor and she surrendered to the ecstasy of having his arms about her, firmly guiding her steps. He was an excellent dancer and Isabella, despite her very limited practice, was graceful and had a natural rhythm. Soon she forgot to think about the steps and floated as if on air.

'You appear to be in great demand by the more discerning young men,' Lord Fordington said teasingly, and Isabella glanced quickly at him, then dropped her gaze to the ruby pin he wore in his cravat.

'Everyone is most kind,' she said quietly.

'Kind? I would call them self-interested. Why do you rate yourself so insignificantly?'

'I do not,' Isabella was beginning, startled, glancing up at him and then away, disturbed by the warm look in his eyes. 'After all, I am a mere governess,' she added with attempted lightness.

'Hardly "mere"! I would have called you an exceptional one,' he returned with a laugh, and then, to Isabella's relief, talked of other things. It was too painful to listen to his compliments, knowing she could never expect anything more from him.

As the waltz ended he guided her swiftly through the drawing room and onto the terrace, and they strolled slowly along it towards one end which was almost deserted.

'Hosting a ball in one's own home is most onerous. It is the first moment I have been able to step out,' he remarked ruefully. 'Do you dread the thought of being hostess to such a gathering?'

'Since I shall never have to,' Isabella began, and then paused, startled. A slender figure had slipped out of the last window opening onto the terrace and swiftly vanished into the darkness beyond it, swallowed up almost immediately by the trees. Isabella's thoughts were chaotic. She was certain it was Lydia. Did the child after all intend to carry out her mad scheme to force the love token onto Ninian?