Sweet Lass of Richmond Hill: (Georgian Series) (3 page)

‘Can you deny what I have said?’

‘She has my nose. It would have been better if she had yours.’

‘What nonsense! It adds
character
to her face. I think an aquiline nose is so attractive. Without it she would be insipid.’

‘You are determined to eulogize your daughter, Madam.’

‘Well, Sir, tell me if you can see one fault in her.’

Walter looked dubious and Mary cried triumphantly, ‘There, you cannot. You are as proud of her as I am.’

‘I admit to falling under the spell of our Maria. She has
returned from France even more delightful than when she went.’

‘Even the King of France was delighted by her.’

‘Oh, those sugar plums. He would have behaved so to any child.’

‘I don’t agree. He saw her, was enchanted by her, and wished to make her a present.’

‘I do not like to think of that man’s making gifts to our daughter … even though he thought of her as a child.’

Mary nodded. ‘A sad state of affairs. No wonder the French are displeased with their King. Maria was telling me that he never goes to Paris at all because the people dislike him so much. They feel differently towards the Dauphin and his young Austrian wife. At least our King leads a good life, although there have been rumours about his early indiscretions. Did you know, I heard the other day that he had kept a Quakeress before his marriage and had even gone through a ceremony of marriage with her.’

‘Rumours, Mary, to which it is unwise to listen and more unwise still to repeat.’

‘Well, here’s a more pleasant rumour. I have heard that he is inclined to be tolerant to religious minorities. The Quakers for one.’

‘So here we are back to the Quaker rumour.’

‘Well, is it not important to us? If he is lenient towards Quakers why not to Catholics? I think we are lucky to have such a king and he will do something for us. Oh, Walter, it infuriates me to think we have to go almost stealthily to Mass and lock the door of the chapel.’

Walter checked this flow by bringing the subject back to Maria.

‘Our beautiful daughter is seventeen. Is it not time that we looked for a husband for her?’

Mary sighed. ‘It’s true, of course, but I wish it were not so. I should love to keep her with me for a little longer.’

‘Well, there is no hurry, but we have our duty to her, you know. She will not have a big dowry.’

‘Her dowry will be her beauty and her charm, and have you noticed, Mr Smythe, that she has in addition to these the sweetest of natures?’

‘Your daughter is a paragon, I doubt not, Madam. Therefore, in spite of her small dowry I am sure she will make a most satisfactory marriage.’

‘But who is there here in Brambridge?’

‘No one worthy of her, I agree. That is why I have come to discuss with you the possibility of sending her to your rich brother at Red Rice for a visit. I am sure he will be eager to do all that is possible for his charming niece.’

Maria’s parents were right when they said that Henry Errington would be delighted to welcome his charming niece to his mansion in Red Rice. He had heard accounts of her beauty and when he saw her he was impressed.

He would invite some wealthy and eligible young men to the house if he could find them. That was the problem. He had wealthy neighbours with eligible sons, but they were Protestants and the most important quality the bridegroom must have was that he must be of the approved religion.

Still, he would do the best he could and he would invite his old friend Edward Weld to come and stay that he might ask his advice. Edward’s first wife had been the daughter of Lord Petre, and although unfortunately she was dead, Edward did entertain now and then at Lulworth Castle. Henry knew he would be pleased to help.

In due course Edward Weld arrived at Red Rice and Henry took him to his study to discuss the problem.

‘My niece is a delightful creature, educated as few girls are today and in addition lovely to look at and of an engaging disposition. I don’t feel it will be difficult to find a husband for her in spite of her lack of dowry.’

‘How old is she?’ Edward Weld wanted to know.

‘Seventeen.’

‘Very young.’

‘Yes, but my sister has another daughter and she would like to see Maria suitably placed. I wondered, my dear friend, whether you could help me in this matter.’

‘I’ll do everything I can, of course. What do you suggest?’

‘Perhaps you could invite me to Lulworth and include my niece in the invitation?’

‘Easily done. You and your niece are invited.’

‘We have great pleasure in accepting.’

‘Without consulting the young lady?’

‘Maria is the most obliging of young women. I only have to say that I wish to go and her to accompany me and she will wish to please me.’

‘I must say you make me eager to see this charming creature.’

‘I love the girl although I have only just made her acquaintance so to speak; she’s been in Paris so long and was only a child when I knew her before she went to France. I am not so sure that I’m all that eager for her to marry. I’d like to adopt her and keep her with me.’

‘Her parents would never agree to that, I’m sure.’

‘And I’m equally sure of it. But come into the gardens. I think we shall find Maria there.’

Maria was picking roses and her uncle was delighted with the impression she made on his friend, for he had seen that Edward had dismissed his praise of his niece as avuncular pride.

‘Maria, my dear, come and meet Mr Edward Weld.’

She looked up from the rose bush and the flowers, thought her uncle fondly, were not more lovely than she was, as setting down her basket she dropped an enchanting curtsey.

‘Mr Weld has invited me to Lulworth Castle, Maria, and has suggested that you accompany me. How would you like that?’

‘It sounds delightful and I shall be most happy to go with you, Uncle.’

‘There, Edward,’ said Henry Errington, ‘Your invitation is accepted.’

Edward Weld smiled, well pleased, and Henry noticed with pleasure that his friend found it difficult to take his eyes from Maria.

Before Edward Weld left the house he told Henry Errington that he wished to speak to him confidentially and Henry asked him to come with him into his library for this purpose.

As soon as they were alone Edward burst out: ‘You may have noticed how I feel about Maria. Henry, what chance do you think I should have if I asked her to marry me?’

‘You … Edward!’

‘Oh come, Henry, I’m not as old as all that, I am forty-four years of age. Maria is almost eighteen. A disparity, I admit, but I cannot help but love her and I – and you too – can assure her parents that I will cherish her and give her everything that – and more than perhaps – she has been accustomed to.’

‘I am sure you would, Edward. Have you spoken to Maria?’

‘Certainly not. I have spoken to you first, I should want Maria’s family’s permission before I spoke to her. Well, Henry?’

Henry was thinking: Edward Weld, a Catholic, a good living man, a rich man, the owner of Lulworth Castle, a widower who had enjoyed one happy marriage with a wife who had been the daughter of a lord. He was sure that Maria’s parents could find no fault with such a match.

‘There is one thing,’ said Henry, ‘my sister and brother-in-law dote on the girl. I doubt they would force her into marriage. The answer would depend on her.’

‘Perhaps she would be so delighted with the Castle …’

‘I doubt it. Maria would never be tempted by material gain.’

Edward looked a little uneasy. His health was not good; he was not of an age to shine in courting a young girl; he had hoped to dazzle her family with his wealth, but if that was of no account his chances would be small.

His friend laid a hand on his arm. ‘Maria is fond of you, I am sure, but I think though that she regards you in the light of an … uncle, which is natural considering you are my friend. Perhaps that will change. I should not declare your intentions immediately, but I will write to her parents and let them know what they are. In the meantime we will go to Lulworth as arranged.’

Lulworth! What a delightful spot. And Mr Weld seemed a different man in his own home. She wanted to hear all about the castle; she wanted to explore it. Would she allow Mr Weld to take her on a tour of inspection? She did not wish to encroach on his time because she was sure he had serious business which did not include wasting his time on a girl like herself. But no, Mr Weld would be delighted; he was gratified that she should be so interested in his home and he would allow no one to show it to her but himself.

‘It is not old … as castles go,’ he told her. ‘My family bought it little more than a hundred years ago, in 1641, for although the foundations were laid about the time the Armada was defeated, the castle wasn’t completed until some forty years later.’

‘It must be exciting to
live
in a castle.’

‘I find it so. Do you think you would?’

‘I’m sure I should.’

‘Well, who knows, perhaps you will.’

She laughed lightheartedly. ‘I hardly think so. I shall have to be content with our house which is very pleasant but by no means a castle.’

‘But perhaps you won’t live there always. Perhaps you will marry and er …’

‘Who can say? Have you a chapel in the castle?’

‘Yes. Would you like to see it?’

‘Very much. At home we have to worship in the priest’s house. Papa has made a chapel there. It must be wonderful to have your own chapel.’

He laid his hand on her arm and she showed no objection. She thinks of me as an uncle, he thought despairingly. And how lovely she was! How young! How full of health and vigour.

On the way to the chapel he pointed out the round towers at each corner of the building, battlemented and made of Chelmark Stone. She was deeply interested in everything and delighted when he pointed out how the chapel had been built in four sections to make a cross.

She thought the views from the park were delightful, looking across the Dorset coast as they did, and she suggested climbing to the top of one of the towers for a better view.

She led the way up the narrow stone spiral staircase. The way was steep; it was years since he had been up there; he followed her, trying to keep up, trying to hide his breathlessness, and when he finally stood beside her at the top of the tower she turned to him in alarm and cried: ‘Mr Weld, are you feeling ill?’

‘No, no …’ he gasped.

‘But you are. Oh dear, how careless of me! I
ran
up those stairs. Pray sit down. Yes, you must, Mr Weld.’ She insisted he be seated on a stone ledge and she knelt beside him, looking
up at him anxiously. He thought how beautiful she was in her concern and he loved her more than ever, but hopelessly, he thought. He had meant to impress her by his castle and all he had succeeded in doing was showing her that he was an old man.

‘I am all right.’ He made to stand up.

But she would not hear it. She was charmingly authoritative. ‘Oh no, Mr Weld. I insist.’

‘
You
insist.’

She blushed. ‘I am sorry. But I really am a little anxious.’

‘I find it delightful that you should care for a poor old man.’

‘But of course I care. And you are
not
an old man.
I
have been stupid. I ran up those stairs. Mamma says I am sometimes thoughtless and I’m afraid I am.’

‘I … I find you charming. I would not change you.’

‘Careless or not?’ Her laughter rang out.

‘And what are you thinking of me?’

‘That is was very kind of you to allow me to come here with Uncle Henry and to show me your beautiful castle and …’ She had paused to look at him. Then she added severely: ‘But I can see I shall have to make you more careful in future. There! I’ve been impertinent again.’

‘Please go on … being impertinent.’

‘Do you know, Mr Weld, you are not in the least like an uncle. Do you feel rested now? Shall we go down?’

He rose and said: ‘One moment. Let us look over the parapet so that you can see the countryside.’

She stood with him so close that a strand of her long hair blew across his face.

Ask her now? Say: ‘All this is mine. Share it with me.’ If she were mercenary … but she was not. She was just sweet, innocent and infinitely desirable.

‘Maria,’ he began.

She turned to him, her eyes shining with pleasure in the beautiful landscape.

‘Yes, Mr Weld?’ she prompted.

‘You like … all this?’

‘Certainly. Who could help it?’

‘You would like to live here?’

‘I think it’s the most delightful spot.’

‘Then …’

She looked at him expectantly.

‘No,’ he said. ‘I am too old … and you are too young.’

Then she understood.

She was bewildered. She wanted to get to her room and think.

There was a letter from Mamma. Mr Weld had offered marriage. Mamma and Papa had thought a great deal about this offer. Uncle Henry could vouch for Mr Weld who was a good man and belonged to one of the foremost Catholic families in England. He was devoted to Maria; he did not ask for a dowry which, Maria would realize, was a great consideration, poor Papa’s affairs being what they were. Mr Weld had already proved himself a good husband to a lady of high rank. It was flattering that he should wish their dearest Maria to take her place, so Maria should think very seriously about this. It was not that they would
force
her to marry where she did not wish; they would not even
urge
her to do so; but what they would do was ask her to think very carefully of her position. She was not rich; she had little to offer but her beauty; there were the boys and Frances to consider. And while Mamma and Papa would not for one moment suggest that she
accept
Mr Weld’s offer if she did not wish to, they would be very
happy
if she decided to be wise and do so.

Maria read that letter over and over again.

Mr Weld was so kind, so good, so very anxious to show her that he would understand perfectly if she refused his offer. Uncle Henry obviously wanted her to make his old friend happy; and she wanted to please everyone.