The Paradise Will (6 page)
‘It seems Mr Brook does not know the best way of dealing with his future wife,’ he murmured, half under his breath.
‘Indeed? And what would you suggest, Sir Giles?’ This was an entirely improper question and by voicing it, Alyssa knew she was straying into
dangerous
territory, but once again, some spark prompted her.
He did not answer immediately, giving her a lingering, contemplative look. He leaned back in his chair and, with quick dexterity, broke the bread on his side plate into small pieces with one hand. Eventually, his response came. ‘A
hypothetical
situation of course but, if we were betrothed, I would know how to deal with you.’
‘Oh? I am interested to hear your view – hypothetically speaking, of course.’
‘Very well … since you ask, I would employ a simple but effective
punishment
– one that ensured you lost interest in obstinacy.’
‘Now I
am
intrigued!’ she said, laughing. ‘What method you would use?’
‘Ah, I shall not be specific, but it would be pleasant enough to take your breath away.’
She stared, but his bland expression gave no clue to his meaning. Alyssa suspected he meant kissing her thoroughly and her skin started to burn at the surprisingly pleasant thought. He deserved a set-down, but then Alyssa
remembered
she was to blame for asking the question in the first place. Unbidden, her gaze slowly traced the line of his jaw and firm mouth. Warmth coursed through her veins and, for a moment, the breath seemed to be driven from her body. As his eyes met hers, a deep blush rose to her cheeks.
He returned her scrutiny without a word until he said softly, ‘But … we are only speaking hypothetically.’
‘Of course,’ she whispered, hypnotized by those low tones and his eyes coruscating in the candlelight.
The spell was broken by Rowberry arriving with the roast capons and, during these moments, Alyssa managed to regain a little composure. Sir Giles was apparently not a rake – there had been no leering glances or lecherous behaviour – but he might be a practised flirt and she would do well to remember it. Rowberry departed and once more, they were alone.
‘May I enquire how your cousin received the news?’ he said.
‘He was very angry. You see, for years he expected to receive Hawkscote.’
‘Tom never spoke of him with manifest affection.’
‘My uncle was fond of Piers but found the way he ran his life frustrating.’
‘So why did your cousin still think he would receive the estate?’
‘Oh, Piers can be remarkably thick-skinned when he chooses,’ she replied. ‘He didn’t believe Tom’s frustration would result in Hawkscote being willed to me.’
‘He does not sound a particularly perceptive youth.’
Alyssa looked at him quizzically. ‘Piers is the same age as I am, Sir Giles; he is hardly a youth.’
‘In my eyes, he is,’ he said, with a faint smile.
‘You are not Methuselah.’
His smile deepened as he observed, ‘Not yet, thank God! Do you hold your cousin in affection?’
‘Yes and no—’
‘An ambivalent answer, if I may say so, Miss Paradise.’
She laughed and his lazy gaze studied the dimple which appeared in her cheek. ‘Yes, but accurate! I like Piers when he abandons all pretension and reverts to his childhood character – fun-loving, adventurous, if sometimes exasperating. But since becoming an adult he has changed, and I am not enamoured of the altered Piers. He did not have a good role model in his father and was indulged by his mother; consequently, his general mien is one of bored selfishness. The will has only added to his cynicism, I’m afraid.’
‘Did he fly into a fury?’ he asked.
‘Yes, but I would have none of it – the situation is hardly my fault.’
‘Do you think he will contest, even at this late stage?’
‘He might, but he can’t really afford the legal fees. However, he’s not convinced all is lost and is coming to Dorset soon.’
Sir Giles raised his brows. ‘To what purpose?’
‘I don’t think even Piers knows that,’ she said, giving a little shrug. ‘Perhaps it will convince him there is nothing further he
can
do.’
‘I hope he will not make things more difficult for you.’
‘So do I, but I’m not sanguine – trouble seems to follow Piers!’ she said, lightly. ‘We have spoken of my circumstances; now can I ask you a question?’
‘Should I be on my guard?’ he queried, smiling. ‘You are so direct I wonder what you will say next!’
‘Oh, nothing too controversial! I simply want to know who Miss Caroline Nash is. You mentioned in London she would not approve of us dining together.’
Gil did not hurry to respond. He slowly sipped his wine, considering his reply. ‘Miss Nash is a close friend,’ he said, finally.
‘You mean there is an understanding between you?’
‘I suppose it could be described that way.’
‘That explains her opposition to us being alone.’
‘Yes.’ For some reason, Gil had never felt more uncomfortable in his life.
‘How awkward for you.’
‘Caroline accepts the reasons behind it,’ he said, choosing his words carefully.
‘Then I hope for your sake she proves more accepting than Charles. The repercussions from Uncle Tom’s will seem never ending,’ said Alyssa, with a sigh.
Sir Giles gave her another searching look. ‘Miss Ravenhill seems charming. She must have been surprised to learn she was moving to Dorset?’
‘Yes, although she thinks it an adventure. Letty
is
delightful, and for one so young, she also gives her opinion unequivocally!’ She laughed. ‘However, I am hardly in a position to criticize her.’
‘It would not be wise,’ he observed, with smiling eyes.
The desserts arrived then, allowing Alyssa to glance surreptitiously at the ormolu clock on the shelf, and she was surprised to see that only ten minutes of the hour remained. She had not expected the time to pass so quickly.
His rich, smooth tones cut across her thoughts. ‘Have you met Ennis yet?’
‘Yes, I spent an interesting few hours studying the accounts – I did not realize there was so much involved in running Hawkscote.’
‘It is a responsibility as well as a challenge, but I have no doubt you will be equal to the task.’
‘You think a woman can run a large estate as well as a man?’ she asked,
incredulous
.
‘Why not? I am not so narrow-minded in my views on this subject as others. A woman can be successful with good advice.’
Alyssa was astonished, having anticipated he would have an intolerant view of women in business. ‘Ennis was helpful and not in the least patronizing – for which, I was grateful.’
‘Had he tried, I’m sure he would quickly have become aware of your
displeasure
!’ he said, flashing a grin.
‘Politely but firmly,’ she acknowledged, as she smiled and held his gaze. ‘We have arranged regular weekly meetings.’
‘A sensible way to progress. Please do not be afraid to ask questions, either of Ennis or of me. Have you met your tenant labourers yet?’
‘Yes, several. I admit I was shocked. They were all obviously undernourished, and they do not even own the land surrounding their house; it belongs to the estate.’
‘That is the usual way of things now, Miss Paradise. During the war, corn prices soared and farming expanded to cope with the demand. Large farms engulfed smaller ones and small tenant farmers suffered the most, I’m afraid. Enclosure of land was needed for progress.’
‘Couldn’t the smaller farmers apply for enclosure?’
‘No, because the high costs involved favoured larger landowners. Many small farmers were driven out and are now only labourers on land they once rented.’
‘But if profits are high, why don’t landowners provide better wages for these poor people driven from their livliehood?’ she cried. ‘It cannot be right to treat them so badly!’
‘Farming is much less profitable than during the war. The Corn Laws have helped a little but even with this protection, profits are down and there must be further progress if even large estates like Hawkscote and my own are to survive.’
‘Progress at what cost?’ she protested. ‘A cost to the labourers, no doubt.’
‘Whatever is necessary, otherwise there will be no jobs at all. Mechanization is the future and everyone will have to accept it eventually,’ he said, dismissively.
Irritated by the way he brushed aside the potential human suffering, she retorted, ‘I witnessed the poverty creeping through Oxfordshire, but here I am encountering it at close quarters. While I am custodian of this estate, I’ll do everything in my power to help those who work for me, and the local
community
.’
‘A philanthropic but unprofitable stance – Hawkscote will soon be bankrupt if you try to deal with social problems,’ he said, shrugging his broad shoulders.
‘Surely profit can be balanced against workers’ welfare?’
He eyed Alyssa across the table and said sternly, ‘Take my advice, Miss Paradise, don’t try any such thing.’
‘Oh, I would not be foolish enough to jeopardize Hawkscote’s profitability, but I can’t stand by and watch the children of those who work for me starve!’ she declared, her expression mutinous. ‘And if that means ignoring your advice, so be it.’
‘Your uncle advised you listen to me on business matters.’
‘I’m aware of that, but this is a moral issue.’
‘Dear God, are you always so stubborn?’ he exclaimed frankly.
‘Yes!’
After studying the flushed curve of her cheek and expressive eyes for a long moment, he drained his wine glass and murmured, ‘I thought you might be – that does not augur well for my future equanimity.’
Following this candid exchange, conversation during the remainder of the meal was meagre. After the desserts and sweetmeats, he stayed to take a glass of port while she retired to the drawing-room. When he came in a short time later, Alyssa watched as he conversed easily with Letty and admitted to confusion. It seemed Sir Giles possessed a sense of humour; he had apologized for his
curtness
in London; he had even expressed surprisingly liberal views on women in business, but he had also acknowledged he could be blunt, and his views on the plight of the labourers were heartless. And what was she to glean, if anything, from those curiously hypnotic moments during dinner?
After over an hour in his company, when Alyssa had expected her first unfavourable impressions to be confirmed, she had instead discovered Sir Giles Maxton to be an enigma.
The following afternoon, Alyssa was checking the linen cupboard with Letty and the housekeeper, when Rowberry announced they had visitors.
‘We are not expecting anyone,’ said Alyssa. ‘Who is it?’
‘Mrs Nash and Miss Caroline Nash, miss. I asked them to wait in the
drawing-room
.’
Letty grimaced. ‘Can we say we are not at home? We are not dressed to receive visitors.’
‘I suggested neither you nor Miss Paradise would be able to see them, but Miss Nash would not hear of it.’ Rowberry sniffed, his tone obviously
disapproving
of Miss Nash’s dictatorial manner.
‘Very well, Miss Nash must take us as we are if she arrives at short notice,’ said Alyssa, with a wry glance at her old gown. ‘Come, Letty, our visitors await.’
‘But I have a tear in my dress and we look positively shabby!’ she exclaimed.
‘What we are wearing cannot signify much – they would surely prefer not to be kept waiting. However, if you prefer, go and change and come when you are ready.’
‘No, I think I’ll accompany you after all. I want to see their reaction when we appear in these clothes,’ said Letty, chuckling.
They followed Rowberry down the stairs and Alyssa, recalling the scrutiny she had been subjected to earlier in the day, was not completely surprised Miss Nash had called.
Seated in church for morning service, Alyssa had presumed that the young woman near Sir Giles and watching her and Letty intently was the close friend he had spoken of. Caroline Nash was of medium height with a neat, elegant figure and dark hair; her features were attractive, but spoilt by an expression of such haughty severity that Alyssa could well believe Letty’s observation that Miss Nash’s glance could curdle milk. Determined to be friendly, Alyssa acknowledged her with a smile, only to receive another superior glare in response.
She was prepared for some scrutiny following the strange terms of Uncle Tom’s will, but many of the parishioners knew her from past visits, and those who did not were polite enough to study her from the shelter of convenient hymn books.
But Miss Nash made no attempt to disguise her critical appraisal. Alyssa endured it with composure, breathing a sigh of relief when she turned to murmur into the ear of the older lady next to her, presumably her mother. Had the inspection continued, Alyssa might have been tempted to react.
However, when
Mrs
Nash turned to stare and Alyssa was certain she had been the subject of their whispered conversation, it was too much. She repaid Mrs Nash for her blatant scrutiny with a beatific, simpering smile and fluttered her eyelashes. Unfortunately, Sir Giles chose that moment to glance over his shoulder and caught sight of her exaggerated expression. He raised his brows quizzically and a crimson blush stole into Alyssa’s cheeks; she fervently hoped he did not think she was smiling like a mutton-headed idiot at him! To her relief, she saw his gaze flick to the still-staring Mrs Nash and his lips give an infinitesimal twitch.
Alyssa would have stayed to speak to him at the end of morning service – he was watching from across the churchyard as the congregation dispersed – but Miss Nash and her mother were already heading her way, and unwilling to undergo an inquisition there and then, Alyssa urged Letty
sotto voce
to make haste to the waiting carriage.
Unfortunately, notwithstanding this hurried exit, it seemed she could not escape an interview with Miss Nash and her mother now. Alyssa opened the door of the drawing-room to hear Caroline announce in cool voice, ‘Ah, Miss Paradise! I am Caroline Nash – Sir Giles mentioned me, no doubt. I decided to call at the earliest opportunity.’ She waved a hand in the direction of the lady on her right, upon whose grey crimped curls sat a flamboyant bonnet with purple trimmings. ‘My mother, Mrs Eugenie Nash.’ Mrs Nash smiled fatuously as her daughter continued, ‘We live at Frampton Manor, five miles from here, and my father is Squire Nash – an important local dignitary.’
‘Sir Giles did mention you,’ said Alyssa smoothly, wondering if she had come on his bidding. ‘You are his close friend, I understand.’
‘Is that how he referred to me?’ declared Caroline, visibly annoyed. ‘We are more than friends – I expect an announcement regarding our betrothal to appear in the
Morning Post
very soon!’ She gave a clipped smile. ‘I was certain you would not mind us calling.’
‘Not at all,’ replied Alyssa, determined to be civil. ‘This is Miss Letty Ravenhill, my ward.’
Caroline inclined her head graciously. Mrs Nash remarked, ‘A pleasure, I’m sure.’
Sitting down on one of the
chaises
next to her mother, Caroline observed, ‘We knew you would be anxious to see us.’
‘Anxious?’ repeated Alyssa, puzzled.
‘Why, yes, because of our connections! My mother and I are at the pinnacle of local society and, since you need our patronage to enter it, we decided to call immediately.’
Mrs Nash nodded. ‘There are people you need to be aware of. The Baileys from Dorchester – extremely well connected, you know – Mrs Bailey is a friend of Lady Jersey,’ she cooed. ‘Then there are the Barringtons, of course … oh, and the Westwoods! Indeed, we must not forget the Westwoods – such a venerable family!’
‘Thank you, Mama,’ interpolated Caroline firmly, with a speaking look. ‘There is no need to give a complete list of our acquaintances.’ She turned her hard gaze back to Alyssa. ‘After seeing you in church, I told Sir Giles I would call as soon as possible.’
‘That was kind,’ murmured Alyssa, sitting opposite and making a mental note that he had not instigated this visit after all.
‘Yes, we are well known—’ began Caroline. She stopped suddenly and stared with distaste at her host’s faded, worn dress. ‘Miss Paradise – your gown! It is so—’
‘Shabby?’ suggested Alyssa, with a rueful smile. ‘I apologize for our
appearance
but we were helping the housekeeper complete an inventory of the linen cupboard when you arrived. There was no time to change as I did not wish to keep you waiting.’
There was silence until Mrs Nash said in a shocked voice, ‘Surely there was no need to assist your servant? Organizing the linen cupboard is not something you should be concerned with.’
‘Mrs Farnell was grateful and it allowed me to say which linen I wanted replaced,’ said Alyssa quietly. ‘Don’t you and your daughter undertake such tasks?’
‘Certainly not!’ declared Caroline. ‘I would oversee the work but nothing more.’
‘Then we differ, Miss Nash. I have never before in my life had so many servants. At home, we often assisted our maid with chores and it will be difficult to break the habit.’
Caroline laughed incredulously. ‘I suppose you will help the kitchen maid with the summer preserving!’
‘Perhaps – I have done so before.’
‘A quaint idea,’ said Mrs Nash, with a titter, ‘but quite unsuitable for a lady in your position, or indeed Miss Ravenhill’s. You must defer to Caroline’s
judgement
on these matters; she knows exactly how a lady of fashion and breeding behaves.’
From under her lashes, Alyssa saw Letty struggling to contain her amusement and scrupulously avoided meeting her eye in case doing so caused her own mirth to bubble over.
‘Thank you,’ said Alyssa, gravely. ‘I fear I have lacked guidance in recent times. You see, I am often tempted to behave unconventionally.’
‘I am not surprised,’ said Caroline. ‘Giles has told me of your uncle’s will – dining alone with a stranger should disconcert any respectable young woman’s sensibilities and you must be unconventional to agree.’
‘Indeed you must,’ agreed Mrs Nash, nodding. ‘Caroline would not
contemplate
it! However, if the arrangements cannot be altered, they must be endured, and you must therefore align yourself with Caroline from the start, Miss Paradise. That way no harm will come to your reputation.’
There was a moment’s pause before Alyssa said, in a dangerously quiet voice, ‘I have no idea what you mean.’
‘Mama means you should cultivate my acquaintance as well as follow my advice. Then, by virtue of association, you will take credit from my good name,’ explained Caroline, without a hint of irony. ‘I carry sufficient authority and
influence
to limit gossip while you meet these ridiculous terms.’
Alyssa stared. Suddenly, a gleam of devilry appeared in her eyes. ‘Oh, dining alone with a man is of little consequence to me,’ she began, insouciantly. ‘Compared to other situations I have been involved in, it is extremely tame.’
‘What situations?’ said Mrs Nash, who was a woman of insatiable curiosity.
‘Alyssa, do you think you should speak of this?’ said Letty. She had no idea what Alyssa was planning but wanted to join in any raillery of these visitors. ‘Miss Nash and her mother might find it shocking.’
‘I am a woman of the world: I doubt I could be surprised,’ retorted Caroline.
‘Ah! Then I shall be blunt,’ said Alyssa. ‘My past conduct has been deplorable. I had such a wild youth my parents despaired of me. I took to gambling—’
‘Gambling!’
‘Indeed, Mrs Nash. Not by design; I simply found I had passion and a skill for games of chance, and was drawn to them like a moth to a candle.’ Alyssa clasped her hands together and sighed. ‘I indulged in raucous card parties, playing for such high stakes I blush to recall them now. My mother wept and my father berated me, but all to no avail – I won, and then lost, a fortune.’
‘Good gracious!’ exclaimed Mrs Nash, her eyes wide with astonishment.
‘That is indeed an unfortunate story,’ said Caroline in a curt voice, ‘but—’
‘Oh, my dear Miss Nash, there is more,’ cried Alyssa, hurrying on. ‘Now you have allowed me association with your impeccable character, I must tell you the whole! My story did not end there, for I was not sated – my passion became an all-consuming craze and when I travelled to London to stay with a distant
relative
, there was worse to come.’
‘Worse …’ murmured Mrs Nash, faintly.
‘
Much
worse!’ said Alyssa, with dramatic emphasis and casting her eyes upwards momentarily.
‘What happened?’
‘When I was no longer satisfied with the stakes and company open to a woman, I disguised myself as man and visited the gaming hells of St James’s!’
Mrs Nash’s mouth fell open. ‘
Disguised yourself as a man
! Extraordinary! And gaming hells – how awful!’
Alyssa shook her head. ‘On the contrary, I enjoyed the excitement; there was no end to my yearning for adventure. With my adopted disguise of a rich novice from the country, Mr Jack Esidarap’ – she giggled like a schoolgirl, adding confidingly – ‘that is Paradise backwards, Mrs Nash, and I thought it exceedingly clever of me to think of it – I continued on my path to perfidy. Disguised as Mr Esidarap, I attended prize fights, all-night Faro and Hazard games and even walked down St James’s past the bow window of White’s Club.’
‘Good God!’ cried Caroline, spurred into speech.
‘Oh, no one saw through my disguise,’ said Alyssa, with an elegant shrug. ‘I knew what it would mean for a woman to walk in view of the gentlemen’s clubs – she would be ostracized forever – but dressed as a
man
, I was nothing out of the ordinary. Of course, I only did it for a bet!’
Mrs Nash made a curious strangled sound and dropped her reticule.
‘Oh dear,’ said Alyssa, in a concerned tone. ‘Do let me retrieve your reticule, Mrs Nash. You are not finding my revelations too shocking, I hope? I warned you my past is colourful.’
The elder woman’s complexion had turned puce. She took her reticule from Alyssa, shook her head and valiantly managed to stammer in a choked voice, ‘Oh n-no! Indeed, it is m-most illuminating!’
‘Well, to return to my story’s conclusion, I realized it was time to stop when I unintentionally found myself in – er – perilous circumstances.’
‘Not a – not a
duel
, surely?’ squeaked her main inquisitor, leaning forwards.
‘Please, Mother,’ exclaimed Caroline, revolted.
‘Bah! Nothing so tedious!’ said Alyssa, with a nonchalant wave of her hand. She lowered her voice to murmur conspiratorially, ‘No, Mr Esidarap found himself at a most unsuitable revelry at a private club and was forced to leave immediately.’
‘Oh! Gracious! Can you mean … surely you cannot mean an – an
orgy
!’ said Mrs Nash in awed whisper, pressing her handkerchief to her mouth in a vain attempt to smother a gasp.
Alyssa nodded slowly. ‘I see I need say no more – you are obviously a woman of great understanding, Mrs Nash,’ she declared, with a guileless look. ‘I leave the details to your imagination. The experience brought me to my senses, and I left London. Fortunately, my parents welcomed my return and even were willing to forgive my sins. Mr Esidarap was no more from that day onwards. He
disappeared
, vanishing forever into the folklore of notorious London gamesters. My parents and I – we never spoke of it again.’ She shook her head sadly, ‘I settled down to the quiet life I now enjoy although occasionally some remnants of that unconventional character come to the fore and will not be gainsaid.’
‘I won’t hear a word against you,’ said Letty, with a grin. Turning to their
visitors
, she added sweetly, ‘Alyssa is the dearest, kindest creature.’
‘You are very good, Letty,’ replied Alyssa, with a heavy sigh, ‘but perhaps Miss Nash, having heard my story, does not think even her reputation can save my tarnished character.’
‘I have never heard such a tale,’ said Caroline. She was more sceptical than her mother but it was too much, even for her, to accuse Alyssa of telling a Banbury story.
‘Nor I – the most extraordinary thing,’ agreed Mrs Nash. ‘How fortunate you came to your senses in time.’
‘Indeed it was, but I must ask you never to mention this to anyone. It pains me to remember, and I only recounted it because of your generous offer to protect me from gossip.’
‘Oh, I will not breathe a word,’ declared Mrs Nash.
Caroline protested. ‘But Giles will want to hear this!’
