23281752 mistress or marriage

7/27/2019 23281752 Mistress or Marriage

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Have you never had a lady refuse you before?

David glared at her. Of course not!

How very gratifying for you, my lord, she said. I am delighted to think that I

have enlarged your exerience so easily.

He was furious now at having made such an idiot of himself. hat I meant was

that a lady of "irth and virtue should not say such things. I have aologi#ed for

mis$udging you.

%nd you would know a vast deal a"out roer young ladies, my lord, retorted

&ohie. I've no dou"t that you $udged me on exactly the same "asis as you $udgeyour mistresses!

He told himself that he was shocked, or ought to "e. (ut he was conscious of a

rile of amusement and admiration for the little sitfire)


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TORONTO NEW YORK LONDON

A!TERDA "AR#! !YDNEY HA$%R&

!TO'KHOL ATHEN! TOKYO #LAN ADR#D

"RA&%E WAR!AW $%DA"E!T A%'KLAND


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CONTENTS

* + - / 0 1 2 *3 ** *+ * *- *


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ELIZABETH ROLLS

was "orn in 4ent, "ut moved to 5el"ourne, %ustralia, at the age of fifteen months.

&he sent several years in 6aua 7ew 8uinea as a child, where her father was in

charge of the defense forces. %fter teaching music for several years she moved to&ydney to do a master's in musicology at the 9niversity of 7ew &outh ales. 9on

comleting her thesis, :li#a"eth reali#ed that writing was so much fun she wanted to

do more.


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'ha()er One

;ady 5aria 4entham viewed her only surviving great


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&he fixed him with a steely glare. %s for looking u your friends, you have my

full ermission to look em u. On the dance floors! % very unladylike snort escaed

her. ho knows, if you run across 6eter Darleston in town, then he might even hel

you! Erom all I can see, he's em"raced the married state again with what I can only

descri"e as vulgar enthusiasm! hich should "e a lesson to you. ?ust "ecause you had

some stuid "oy =he firm lis closed a"rutly.

;ady 5aria 4entham stared at him in dis"elief. &o that's it, she said slowly.

Cou thought ?ames offered for Eelicity, knowing how you felt a"out her. =hat's whyyou $oined the army and stayed away all these years. (ecause you thought ?ames had

urosely stolen your "ride. Eor heaven's sake, "oy! Cour mother suggested the

match to ?ames. If he'd known how you felt, he'd never have offered for her!

Her nehew $ust gaed at her in stunned silence. &he didn't really exect an

answer. He'd never "een one to confide, even as a "oy, and she didn't think he'd

changed all that much. ;ord, so he'd "een "laming his "rother all these years for

suosedly stealing a hussy who'd have "roken his heart! ell, he knew the truth

now and nothing more she could say on that head would "e of the slightest use.

&o she returned to the main thrust of her argument. Cou do intend to marry, I

assume, HelfordB 9sing his title, she reasoned, would remind him of his duty. Hewas not merely the Honoura"le David 5elville, younger son, any more. He had

resonsi"ilities)to his name, to his eole. He must not "e allowed to shirk them on

any count, certainly not for the memory of his "rother's wife, a woman who had "een

dead for more than a twelvemonth. % woman who, if the "oy were to "e totally honest

with himself, had not actually cared for him in the least.

His $aw set hard, Helford answered. %s you say, %unt 5aria, I have no choice in

the matter.

&he relaxed. 8ood. He was going to "e sensi"le.

@ery well, then. =here are "ound to "e any num"er of ersona"le young ladies out

this &eason. I will>7o!

% frosty glare greeted this summary interrution of her detailed and all


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;ady 5aria ermitted herself an amused smile. Fan you indeed, HelfordB Erom

all I've heard, you're a little out of ractice with the ladies)

=he hell I am! exloded Helford.

ith the ladies, I said, dear "oy, urred ;ady 5aria sweetly, not in the least ut

out "y her nehew's choice of language. I've not the least dou"t of your exertise

with the "rass


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His memory lurched "ack to the day Eelicity's father had calmly told him that he

had received a "etter offer for her hand, that he was not to aroach her again. %n

order which he had not the slightest intention of o"eying. He had not found out who

the lucky suitor was until he had reached home that night after riding all day in a

thundering rage, fuming as he laid his lans for rescuing his love from an unwanted

marriage.He'd found out when he got home, muddied and exhausted, and discovered ?ames

cele"rating with their mother. Shehad known. Had tried to exlain to him later that

?ames, with his title, had a "etter claim to Eelicity's hand and fortune. &he had smiled

gently, cynically, when he'd cried out that he loved Eelicity. Had told him that he

would find another attractive fortune one day. He'd never soken to her again.

=he next day he'd managed to intercet Eelicity on her morning ride with her

groom. &he'd seemed very em"arrassed to see him and when he'd insisted on riding

ahead with her, had agreed very reluctantly.

He could remem"er her light voice now. (ut, David, dear! Cou cannot exect me

to marry you in the face of 6aa's disleasure. hy, he has ositively ordered me tomarry ?ames. =here was a "rief, regnant ause, during which he'd assimilated the

variance of her claim that her father demanded the match, with her unruffled tone and

demeanour.

&he continued. e must "e sensi"le a"out this, David. %fter all, once I have

fulfilled my duty and rovided ?ames with an heir, there is nothing to sto us) I

mean, if we were discreet. Innocent


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=he next morning he'd left, only ausing to ask ?ames if he'd urchase him a air

of colours, and from that day to this he hadn't steed across any threshold "elonging

to his family. ?ames had looked u##led at his reAuest, "ut had agreed immediately

with the easy generosity that had always characterised his dealings with his younger

"rother.

%nd he hadn't known. Helford swore "itterly. 7o wonder ?ames had "een sou##led, articularly "y his refusal to come home after that. His refusal to come to the

wedding. :ven knowing the truth a"out her motivation, he had still found that the

thought of seeing Eelicity married to his own "rother was un"eara"le.

(y the time he'd come to his senses and realised that he'd made a fool of himself,

he had "een too roud to come home. %nd he could not have "orne to see Eelicity, to

"e reminded of the callow youth who had loved her only to discover that his idol had

feet of clay. %ll during his years in the 6eninsula and then in @ienna at the :m"assy

odd scras of gossi had filtered through to him. &cras which told him he was far

"etter off out of marriage with her. Or with anyone.

7ever again had he made the mistake of caring for a woman. =hey were toys,laythings. He avoided marriagea"le females like the lague, seeing in them only

reminders of his own foolishness. %nd now he'd have to marry after all. @ery well. &o

"e it. (ut it would "e on histerms. =he terms Eelicity had taught him so effectively.

His "ride would "e a woman of "irth, "eauty and fortune. %nd irreroacha"le

conduct. He was damned if he would rovide cover for a high


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?ust at the moment his anonymity suited him erfectly. =here was an odd

satisfaction in "eing a"le to view his world almost as though he were invisi"le to

rying eyes and immune to gossiing tongues. He felt as though he were free to

o"serve, not yet art and arcel of the glittering ;ondon world which all too soon

would know of his return. 7o dou"t "y the time he had "een "ack a week the news

would "e out and any num"er of eole would "e claiming long acAuaintance. In fact,he rather thought he could count on ;ady 5aria to sread the glad tidings.

He strolled ast &tehens' Hotel, wondering idly if any of his friends were inside

"ut not sufficiently interested to find out. =his feeling of "eing invisi"le was very

leasant. 7o one had seen him at all!

His feeling of invisi"ility was ure illusion, of course. hatever the gentlemen

might do, it was not likely that any lady could ossi"ly ass "y an unknown

gentleman of his Auality without o"serving him very closely, al"eit surretitiously.

7aturally one would not like to stare and "e thought a vulgar hussy, "ut one could and

did cast a fleeting sideways glance at the tall, owerful figure, moving with such

leonine grace and dressed with such uno"trusive elegance.=he illusion of invisi"ility continued as far as ?ackson's (oxing &aloon. It might

have continued even further had it not "een for Helford's o"servation of an entirely

new henomenon. 7ever "efore in that distant time that had known him as a freAuent

and welcome visitor at ?ackson's had he seen such a large dog sitting atiently outside

the door. =he creature was more than large, it was the si#e of a small ony, he

thought. %nd what was even more ama#ing, no one, not even the ladies, seemed in the

least "it concerned a"out it.

Cou would have thought, he reflected, that many of the ladies would have given

such an animal a wide "erth. (ut no, most of them went "y without taking the

slightest notice. =he only ones to acknowledge the dog's resence were the ones who

actually stoed to at it. =hese attentions were received with a slight thum of the

tail on the avement, no more. Flearly a dog of discrimination, thought Helford in

amusement.

He wondered who owned the shaggy grey "east. It had to "e someone very highly

regarded. 9nless ;ondon society had altered out of all recognition, he could think of

few men who would dare to lant an animal like that outside ?ackson's and exect to

get away with it.

Foming closer, he slowed to o"serve "etter. &ensing his regard, the dog turned its

great head and ga#ed at him out of tawny "rown eyes. =he tail remained motionless

and one was left in no dou"t that only a fool took li"erties with this animal if he didn't

know you. =here was nothing in the least threatening a"out his "ehaviour, $ust a sort

of massive dignity.

He was conscious of an odd urge to incline his head to the dog "efore continuing,

"ut all at once the dog's attention was not on him. He had turned to the shut door of

?ackson's and was standing u, wagging his tail furiously.

7ow we shall see who owns him, thought Helford. =he door oened and a

gentleman as tall as himself steed out on to the avement. %n athletic fellow with


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curly "lack hair and dark "rown eyes. He greeted the dog with a at and then caught

sight of Helford, who was staring at him as though seeing a ghost.

=he "rown


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Peter has remarried, you will be interested to hear. Married for convenience and

an heir and it turned into the greatest love match of all time. Carstares and I are still

laughing about it

&omething like that. =hat's right. I had a letter from 5ichael. Is it too late for

congratulationsB

His friend shook his head. 7ot at all. %nd even ifyouthink nearly three years is

too long for congratulations, you can always congratulate me on the arrival of my

children.

Helford did some Auick calculations and said, Fhildren, luralB In that timeB

:ven for you) He left the sentence hanging.

Darleston had the grace to look faintly em"arrassed, 6eneloe is a twin, you see,

and>

=winsB Cou are the father of twinsB Helford ut "ack his head and roared with

laughter. ell, well, well! %nd what are you "lessed withB

(oy and a girl, $ust turned two, said Darleston without the slightest attemt todisguise his ride.

Fongratulations! said Helford in wholehearted delight. 7ow I have $ust one

"urning Auestion. here in 8od's name did you get thisB He indicated the great dog

acing "eside them.

8elertB Oh, he "elongs to my wife, answered Darleston. 6art of the marriage

contract, you might say.

here she goes, he goes generally. :ven into &ally ?ersey's drawing room, would

you "elieve!

Helford mentally con$ured u the image of this huge dog cluttering u the drawing

room of ;ondon's uncrowned Aueen, one of the atronesses of %lmack's, a womanwho could destroy the chances of any asiring de"utante or hostess with a single

word. It $ust wasn't ossi"le! ;ady ?ersey would never tolerate such a thing, not even

for the Fountess of Darleston.

8rinning at the atent dis"elief, writ large all over Helford's countenance,

Darleston said, If you aren't otherwise engaged, come and have dinner with us this

evening. 8eorge Farstares is staying with us and 6eneloe's youngest sister &arah.

Fome and $oin us. %n extra lace at the ta"le won't "e a ro"lem, I assure you.

If you are sure that ;ady Darleston won't mind, then I should like that very

much, said Helford.

6eneloe never minds anything, said Darleston with a su"lime confidence thathis friend was far from sharing. In his exerience, when a man married, his wife

tended to regard his old friends as so many intruders.

=hey continued along the street slowly, filling in the ast eight years and laughing

over old gossi and the fates of various acAuaintances.

7ow, are you settled in townB Cou say no one knows you are "ack, continued

Darleston, as they strolled along ast Hookham's ;i"rary.


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Eor the &eason, answered Helford. I'll ro"a"ly "e organising a house arty at

Helford 6lace at some oint during the summer. =here was a faintly Auestioning note

in his voice.

Oh, yes, we'll "e home "y then, resonded Darleston. =he children are a great

deal haier in the country and 6enny and I refer it. e're really only u for ;ady

:denhoe's "all in a coule of days. Cou come too. &he'll "e so thrilled to "e the firstto entertain you formally, she won't mind in the least if you turn u uninvited.

&eems as good a lace to start as any, was the enigmatic rely.

&tart whatB % millB asked Darleston with a wicked glint in his eye.

Helford chuckled, I only did that once and the "ounder deserved it! (esides, I

was foxed!

Once was enough, in all conscience! said Darleston indignantly. I still have

nightmares a"out trying to ersuade ;ady :denhoe not to call your father from the

card room! 7ow, enough! hat are you u toB

8etting married, according to %unt 5aria.Fongratulations, said Darleston and raised his "rows in mute surmise.

Cou're a little remature, said Helford. I haven't oed the Auestion yet.

Oh. I see.

Eor a mere three words he managed to get a wealth of unasked Auestions into

them, thought Helford. (ut, after all, Darleston was almost as well acAuainted with

the formida"le ;ady 5aria as he was.

ith a sigh he said, Cou know how it is. I suose you remarried for exactly the

same reasons. Fonvenience and an heir.

I did, of course, agreed Darleston. %nd very soon discovered my mistake. His

voice held more than a shade of amusement.

5istakeB Helford was surrised. %unt 5aria seemed to think your enthusiasm

for the married state was ositively vulgar.

Oh, it is! smiled Darleston. I meant that I was mistaken in marrying for

convenience. It didn't work at all! (ut enough of me. =ell me who you have in your

eye.

Helford shrugged. Does it really matterB Erankly, I've $ust got "ack. %unt 5aria

descended uon me this morning and roceeded to enumerate to me my duties to the

name of 5elville. &o) He grimaced. Hence I'm in the market for a "ride with the

following Aualifications "reeding>she must "e titled>and good looks, of course.

%nd a reasona"le dowry. &he must "e well "ehaved and accomlished) sensi"le)caa"le of running a large household. Cou know the sort of thing.

Darleston nodded slowly. Did ;ady 5aria stiulate all thisB Cou surrise me.

Hardly, said Helford with a reluctant half


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=hey strolled along in a silence "roken at last "y Helford in a tight, "itter sort of

voice. I know what you are thinking, 6eter, "ut I learnt my lesson early and I've no

intention of mixing "usiness with leasure.

5ore than one lesson to "e learned in life, old cha, said Darleston thoughtfully.

5ind you, I'm not saying it wasn't a good thing Eelicity taught you to "e wary, "ut

one can take one's susicions too far.

Helford snorted scetically. If you'll ardon my frankness, 6eter, I should have

thought that you of all men would have "een dou"ly wary.

Darleston did not seem at all offended. Oh, I was, I assure you! He hesitated and

then said, =hat's recisely what I meant. I didn't even recognise love at first! %nd

ro"a"ly $ust as well, since I should have run a mile if I'd realised. It $ust sort of

sneaked u on me. I certainly didn't go looking for it. In fact, I caused 6enny Auite a

deal of hurt while I was floundering a"out wondering why she "othered me so much!

Helford was unconvinced. ell, it won't do for me. I'd refer to know exactly

where I am in my marriage so I'll settle for convenience. Fome on, enumerate to me

all the imecca"ly "red, attractive fillies currently arading in the auction ring.

ith a resigned smile, Darleston considered carefully. ell, there is the Flovelly

chit, Auite attractive and well "ehaved. 7ot titled, of course, "ut the Flovellys are

looking high, I "elieve. %nd "esides, she would "e titled if her great&tanford's chit, you know. &he's

held to "e a very regal


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Helford resented himself in 8rosvenor &Auare at the fashiona"le hour of eight

and was admitted to Darleston House "y the elderly "utler.

8ood evening, 5eadows. %re you keeing wellB asked the @iscount, handing

the startled man his hat and cloak. He remem"ered the old "oy from his school days

when he had freAuently ridden over to $oin 6eter Ero"isher and his other cronies at

Darleston Fourt a "are ten miles from his own seat.

5aster David! =hat is)my lord! ell! His lordshi did say he had a surrise

guest for this evening, "ut he wouldn't tell anyone who. =he kindly old face "eamed

as wrinkles chased themselves delightedly all over it. Cou are looking well, if I may

say so. Fome this way, the family are all in the drawing room.

=hank you, 5eadows. He followed the old cha u to the first floor and said

with a twinkle, I do trust you are going to announce me in style, 5eadows.

&uressing a chuckle wholly at variance with his usual dignified manner,

5eadows oened the door of the drawing room and said into a sudden silence, ;ord

Helford!

=he grou "efore the fire stared in ama#ement, excet, of course, for Darleston,

who was o"viously taking a mischievous leasure in the shock he had given Farstares

and the ladies.

Farstares had changed very little, thought Helford as his friend surged forward

with outstretched hands.

Helford! 8ood 8od! here did you sring fromB

Helford sei#ed the outstretched hand and wrung it. 7o, Farstares hadn't changed,

still the same cheery "lue eyes and tousled fair hair. =he same merry oen

countenance.

He claed 8eorge on the shoulder. 8ot off the acket yesterday morning andwent on the strut down (ond &treet. ?ust to see if anyone recognised me. Didn't see a

soul I knew until I met 6eter outside ?ackson's. He shook his head. ;ord, it's good

to see you two again!

Darleston strolled forward, Fome and "e resented to my wife and sister


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;ady Darleston came forward to greet him, I am so leased to meet you at last,

;ord Helford. :very time we drive ast your gates in the country 6eter is moved to

reminisce a"out his long


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Darleston eyed him in fascination, %re you referring to our esteemed friend, ;ady

:denhoe, as a tabby, 8eorgeB He shook his head. How very "rave, isn't he,

&arahB

Or foolish, suggested 5iss &arah Efolliot with her usual candour. Helford was

amused. 5iss &arah had a disconcerting ha"it of saying exactly what she thought and

ositively fi##ed with naughtiness. He liked her, and hoed she was not going to hurt8eorge. Erom a coule of remarks Darleston had made a"out minding her estate

interests, it was lain she was an heiress. In his "itter exerience, heiresses did not

throw themselves away on younger sons, no matter how charming.

Do come, she said to Helford. It will "e caital sort to see all their faces when

you are announced!

;ike the "easts at the oyal :xchange "eing fedB asked Helford, amused.

&omething like that. I love going there with 8eorge. (ut would you consider

yourself as a "eefsteakB laughed &arah.

% groan of mock desair came from Darleston, e'll never marry her off, 6enny!

How can we when she refers to eligi"lepartisas "eefsteaksB =hose that she doesn't

"eat all hollow at chess. =here's nothing for it "ut to ut her in a convent!

7ot in the least a"ashed, &arah ut her tongue out at him and continued to eat her

sylla"u". Oh, ooh, she said "etween mouthfuls. If Helford is a friend of yours and

8eorge's, he must "e erfectly accustomed to outrageous "ehaviour. (esides, 8eorge

can "eat me at chess now!

ell, thank 8od for that! "roke in 6eneloe. I've "een tutoring him for

months!

Helford left Darleston House well after midnight to walk home. It occurred to him"riefly as he strolled along that erhas he ought to consider waiting a while "efore

he married, see if he could find a girl to love, "ut he dismissed the thought

immediately with something very like anic. %dmittedly Darleston had "een lucky

and it looked as though 8eorge would "e $ust as hay. (ut he shuddered at the

thought of the risk he'd "e taking. He'd made a crashing fool of himself once and he

didn't fancy doing it again.

%nd it would take time and time was one thing that he didn't have. His "rother's

remature death had ut the succession in some danger. It hadn't really needed %unt

5aria's intervention for him to realise the imortance of his marriage. He was the last

of the 5elvilles now, excet for his niece, and it "ehoved him to marry as carefully asossi"le to carry on the name credita"ly. 7o, he would marry for the title and family

name. His own leasures would "e carried on as they had always "een, outside the

marriage "ed.

(esides, he shuddered as he contemlated the sort of hurt that Darleston was wide

oen to. He did not for a moment think that 6eneloe would ever "etray her hus"and.

=hat was out of the Auestion. :ven his cynical mind could accet that. (ut how would

6eter survive if anything ever haened to 6eneloeB It was "etter to guard against


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that sort of ain. He remem"ered the agony of grief after aterloo as one "y one he

realised how many of his friends had died. 7o, it was safer to settle for convenience

in marriage and attend to his leasures elsewhere. ;ove, whatever it might "e, was for

others.

=hree nights later he trod u the stes of ;ady :denhoe's mansion under the gaily

stried awning erected for the occasion in comany with the Darlestons, 5iss &arah

Efolliot and 8eorge Farstares. 7umerous glances were cast in their direction and

Helford was tolera"ly certain that his incognito had "een "lown "y the time ;ouisa

:denhoe's very starchy "utler announced their arty.

=he :arl and Fountess of Darleston, @iscount Helford) Desite the stentorian

tones of ;ady :denhoe's "utler, an usurge of exclamations and chatter drowned the

announcement of 5iss &arah Efolliot and 5r. Farstares. 7either of whom cared in the

least. =hey were too entertained "y the sectacle of such a crowd of fashiona"les

$ockeying to "e among the first to greet the new "eefsteak, as &arah had christenedhim, without aearing odiously ushing.

%s the hostess, ;ady :denhoe was the first to greet him. David 5elville! How

dare you turn u like this without so much as warning me! I nearly fainted when I saw

who 6eter had in tow. &o, you are "ack to lague us, are youB ell, I shall give u my

"ox at the oera and I warn you, if you start a vulgar "rawl this time then I will have

Darleston and 8eorge cast you out! 7ot to mention having &ally ?ersey and the others

"ar you from %lmack's. %lthough I don't suose that would "other you in the

slightest.

Dear ;ady :denhoe, said Helford, "owing low over her hand and kissing it. I

have lived for this moment! He twinkled at her outrageously.

I dare say, she said. &to trying to turn me u sweet and go and find some other

female to lay off your ca$olery on. I'll have you know I'm far too old for your

tricks!

7ever, dear lady, rotested Helford dramatically. =he day you are too old for

me will "e the day after I cock u my toes! His lofty tones and resonant voice made

the vulgar exression sound ositively romantic.

His hostess snorted. Cou're cutting a wheedle, Helford! Cou can give me twenty

years)more I dare say!

Eor you, I'd give them, he assured her with a smile which she rivately thought

was enough to make any unwary female tum"le head over ears in love with him. %ndas for those eyes! ell, they were enough to give any female, wary or otherwise,

alitations.

=ake him away, for heaven's sake, 6eter! urged ;ady :denhoe.

ith leasure, %unt ;ouisa! said 6eter with alacrity. He looked at Helford in

amusement. %re you ractising for the "enefit of the imecca"lesB est assured,

you're in fine fighting trim.


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=he evening assed in a "lur of music and chamagne $udiciously mixed with the

stream of faces, familiar and new, which whirled ast his lordshi. =rue to his word,

Darleston had ersuaded 6eneloe to resent him to as many of the young ladies as

ossi"le. 5ost of them he dismissed from his mind at once, including the charming

5iss Flovelly. He found her giggle rather irritating and not all the legendary virtue of

her great


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acAuaintance. He didn't mind that in the least. It suggested the sort of dignity and

"reeding he wished for in a wife.

=hey all exchanged olite leasantries on the weather, the overcrowded room and

the rosect of it "ecoming more so as the evening rogressed. Helford was agreea"ly

imressed "y ;ady ;ucinda. ell "red, a serious turn of mind and definitely a young

lady of striking aearance. &uer"ly gowned in cornflower "lue silk whichemhasised the sahire "lue of her eyes, she was clearly an eminently suita"le

candidate for the osition he had in mind.

Of ;ady &tanford he was not Auite so aroving. &he had, he felt, a grating sense

of her own sueriority, not to mention a su"lime ignorance of anything outside

;ondon.

I am delighted to make your acAuaintance, ;ord Helford, said ;ady &tanford.

Cou must "e glad to "e "ack in :ngland after so long a"road. Cou must have desired

the sound of your own language very often. %nd I understand that the tone in @ienna

is not always what one would like.

He wondered sardonically $ust what language ;ady &tanford thought they soke atthe :m"assy. He had "een in no danger of forgetting the sound of his native tongue

and "esides, when a girl whisered 8erman sweet nothings in your ear as temtingly

as that little charmer ;ottie, then the only desire of which he was conscious had

nothing to do with the :nglish language. Fertainly he had no comlaints a"out the

tone she had used. =he thought was instantly dismissed.

Kuite so, ma'am, he agreed olitely. %nd I am the more aware of what I have

missed when I see such a gathering as this. ;ord, what a stuid thing to say, he

thought. I'd forgotten how olite and stuffy it can "e!

He realised that the orchestra had struck u a walt# and smiled at ;ady ;ucinda,

5ight I have the honour of this danceB If you are not otherwise engaged) Hethought that it would "e unusual for a girl of this Auality not to "e engaged for every

dance, "ut to his surrise ;ady ;ucinda shook her head and said,

%s a matter of fact, I am not engaged and I should "e honoured to dance with

you, "ut>

Her mama cut in. Of course she will "e delighted to "e your artner, my lord. He

missed the warning look ;ady &tanford directed at her daughter and the disaroving

look that ;ady ;ucinda returned. &miling, he offered his arm and led her out onto the

floor.

Fomletely stunned, 6eneloe Darleston watched Helford lead out a girl who had

never danced the walt# in u"lic on the grounds of her mother's disaroval ofinnocent damsels sinning around in a male em"race. &he was only saved from a

social indiscretion "y the fact that her hus"and came u and said firmly, Our dance,

my lady.

He swet her on to the floor, saying, David has taken u Auite enough of your

time for one evening. He now knows enough imecca"ly "red fillies to found a stud

should he wish to do so.


22/178

&he shook with laughter at this outrageous comment and felt his gri tighten.

hat on earth will we do if he marries that one, thoughB she enAuired, slightly

"reathless at the hard strength of his arms as they encircled her.

esign ourselves to some excessively tedious dinner arties at Helford 6lace, my

sweet. %nd if ;ady &tanford agreed to this dance, then I should say our fate is sealed

as far as she is concerned. He drew her closer so that her silk


23/178

'ha()er T*o

;ady ;ucinda's first walt# took the toncomletely "y surrise and "efore it was

over "ets were "eing Auietly laid that the &tanford stronghold was in a way to "eing

stormed. It was well known that ;ady &tanford deely disaroved of the walt# for

unmarried girls. %t least, so the whisers ran, until apartiso eligi"le as to make a

hoeful mama clutch her vinaigrette in excitement had solicited the Ice 5aiden to

stand u with him for the disgraceful dance!

6erfectly aware of the riles of con$ecture eddying out from them, Helford had

continued to guide his rather unyielding artner around the dance floor, conversing

with her on the most unexcetiona"le toics he could think of. hile the so"riAuet

Ice 5aiden did not occur to him, he did comare ;ady ;ucinda somewhatunfavoura"ly with little ;ottie, who had danced the walt# not at all as if she were laid

out cold for her own "urial. &harly, he reminded himself of what he reAuired in

"ride. ;ottie's skills and charms were not art of it.

;ady ;ucinda was also only too aware of the furore that this dance was causing.

&he was leased to note, however, that finding herself in such an intimate em"race

was not at all likely to make her lose her head. Indeed, she might as well have "een

dancing with one of her "rothers, for all the thrill it gave her to "e held in ;ord

Helford's arms. &he had to admit, though, he talked like a sensi"le man and did not

aear to "e the amorous tye.

6assing them on the dance floor in 8eorge Farstare's arms, &arah Efolliot saidsotto voce, Do you think she's noticed that it's a walt# yetB &hould we tell herB Her

grey eyes "rimmed over with mischief.

In extremely un


24/178

%t the end of a fortnight society was still "u##ing with gossi a"out ;ord Helford's

attentions to ;ady ;ucinda. He had ridden "eside her carriage in Hyde 6ark during

the fashiona"le romenade. He had called twice at &tanford House and had "een

admitted on "oth occasions. He had even danced the walt# with her at several "alls.

;ady &tanford had exlained, most unconvincingly, that in her second &eason a girl

might "e said to have roved herself.(y the middle of %ril most eole regarded the match as a foregone conclusion.

Helford had admittedly aid some attention to one or two other damsels, nota"ly 5iss

&arah Efolliot, "ut no one was in any dou"t a"out his intentions. ;ady ;ucinda was to

"e the lucky girl. =he only "et you could get odds on in the clu"s was whether

Helford would o the Auestion "efore his friend 8eorge Farstares could get u his

courage to offer for Darleston's sister


25/178

&tanford House the following day to invite them. He had invited several friends, "ut

;ady ;ucinda was the only unattached female. It looked a little articular, "ut that

suited his urose admira"ly.

He sat on the edge of his enormous "ed with its extravagantly carved head"oard

and "lew out the lam. It occurred to him as he lay waiting for slee that erhas he

should have discreetly set u a mistress. =hat might have eased the odd feeling ofdissatisfaction that haunted him. =oo late now, he was leaving town in a coule of

days to make sure all was in order for his house arty. (esides which, it was ro"a"ly

time he introduced himself to his ten

as a matter of fact, I'm $ust on my way to invite ;ady &tanford and ;ady ;ucinda to

grace it.

8eorge hid his horror very credita"ly. Oh! =hen)B He almost held his "reath

awaiting the rely.

7o. 7ot yet, answered Helford, correctly interreting his friend's unvoiced

Auestion. Only fair to let the girl see where she is going to live "eforehand. (esides,

it will "e as well for us to send some time together first. 5ake sure we don't annoyeach other too much. I shall seak to &tanford this morning and make sure he has no

o"$ection.

7one of this gave 8eorge any comfort. =here was no way Helford could get out of

making the girl an offer if he soke to &tanford. %nd he had little dou"t that the offer

would "e acceted, if not with enthusiasm>for 8eorge could not imagine ;ady

;ucinda "eing so vulgar as to "etray such a human emotion>then with dignified

good "reeding.


26/178

ith no hint of his true feelings 8eorge said, I'll wish you luck then, old cha.

7o harm in that, he thought. (esides, if ;ady ;uck did haen to glance in the

direction of Helford 6lace, she might $ust decide to meddle!

%n hour later Helford left &tanford House, determinedly aware that he had setthings in train for exactly the sort of marriage he had envisaged. ;ord &tanford had

given his ermission for him to address ;ady ;ucinda with a comlete lack of

surrise. ;ady &tanford and ;ady ;ucinda had acceted his invitation to Helford

6lace with a marked degree of gratification. :verything was as he had lanned.

&o why the hell did he feel as though a tra were closing a"out himB He had

engineered everything himself. He had certainly not "een caught "y a scheming

mama. On the contrary, he had "een totally in control of the whole situation and

would remain so.

He reminded himself of this freAuently on his $ourney down to Helford 6lace, until

his unacknowledged excitement at coming home at last finally rose u and drowned

all other thoughts in a flood of exectation.

Indeed, he found the last art of his drive down to Helford 6lace to "e a very odd

exerience. In the ast twelve years, on the few occasions he had "een in :ngland, he

had only visited ;ondon. 7ow, driving the last few miles, he found that everything

was much the same as he remem"ered it. Cet he felt very differently a"out it.

=he road was as rutted as ever, the hedges towering overhead crowded with ale

ink dog roses and honeysuckle. =heir heady scent drifted on the light "ree#e,

seeming to float susended in the golden aftermath of a "rief shower. 8littering

drolets "e$ewelled each "lossom so that it sarkled. =welve years ago he would not

have noticed such things. =hen, if he had "een on this road heading for home, it could

only have meant that he was in dun territory yet again, deending on his "rother to

give him a tow. Or to ursue his infatuation with Eelicity. He'd certainly never had

any inclination to notice the "eauties of nature.

He thought cynically that, at least after he'd Auitted Helford 6lace for the last time,

he had learnt how to live on his ay as a soldier and his atrimony. :ven added to it

"y careful investments, so that he'd "een a relatively wealthy man in his own right

"efore he inherited the title. &o determined had he "een to have nothing more to do

with his family that he had leant the value and handling of money.

He had made good time on the $ourney. He had sent his horses forward and thisfinal air of chestnuts he had icked u at =attersall's had "een an undou"ted "argain,

rime "its of "lood and "one. 7ot Auite sixteen


27/178

His mind still in the ast, he swet around the last corner "efore the village of

;ittle Helford at a ace which he later admitted to himself to have "een far too fast.

He was within two miles of home and eager to reach it.

=he road was not articularly wide and the church stood $ust outside the village

with the arsonage "eside it and it was from the lane "eside the church that disaster so

nearly struck. He could see a female on his left walking towards him alongside thechurchyard. &he looked u at the rum"le of the curricle as it aroached and he

clearly saw her face turn to horror as she ran forward shouting and waving. =hen, so

fast that he could never afterwards "e sure exactly what haened, a small "oy on a

makeshift trolley came tearing out of the lane. =he trolley hit a rut in the road and

flied over, deositing its shrieking driver directly in the ath of the oncoming

vehicle.

Helford swore and hauled deserately on the reins with scant regard for his horses'

delicate mouths. =he ace was too swift. &eeing in a flash that he had not the slightest

chance of stoing in time, he attemted to yank them around, "ut they were

thoroughly uset and did not resond fast enough. Horrified, he realised that the childwas going to "e killed.

=hen somehow the girl was on the child and had caught him under the armits,

swinging him out of the way "efore trying to lea clear herself. &he was not Auite

Auick enough to avoid a glancing "low from the shoulder of the off


28/178

over them in direct contrast to the softness of the rest of her colouring. 7ever had he

seen lovelier eyes.

%nd never had he seen eyes Auite so angry!

7o! I am not hurt! (ut it's small thanks to you if I am not! How dare you drive at

such a wicedace around a corner into a Auiet village! &he ositively Auivered with

fury. Cou could have killed ?emmy here! &he turned on the "oy. 7ot "ut what you

have "een warned often and often not to ride that trolley on to the road! Cou ought to

"e ashamed of yourself. hy, you might have hurt the horses "adly!

5y thoughts recisely, drawled Helford, relieved "eyond all measure that the

little vixen was at least unharmed enough to rake them "oth down. He reached into a

ocket and drew out a shilling. =ake this, ?emmy, and don't do it again or I'll warm

the seat of your ants for you!

&tunned at such largesse and "arely a"le to mutter his thanks and aology, the "oy

acceted the coin and took to his heels "efore a crowd could gather. (y some miracle

no one was a"out and he could entertain reasona"le hoes that his escaade would not

reach the ears of his mam who would not wait for his next infraction to warm his seatfor him. :secially if she ever found out how close 5iss &ohie had come to "eing

runned over!

%mused, Helford turned "ack to the girl and said, %re you Auite sure you are>B

He stoed mid


29/178

&he cut in coldly, I am erfectly all right and I can snee#e without your

assistance! 6lease go away! I am not hurt in the slightest, desite your "est efforts,

and will "e glad to see the last of you!

Damn you! =he accident was not my fault! he said, stung "y her contemt. If

you had stayed off the road>

?em would "e dead! she flashed at him. I do not say he ought to have "een

there, "ut had you not "een coming at such a wicedace you would have had time to

ull u! Did you not hear meB I called out to you to sto!

He shook his head, 7o, of course I could not hear what you were saying, you fool

of a wench! =he horses and wheels were making far too much noise. In fact, I should

have thought that hell


30/178

6u##led, he went "ack to the curricle where his tiger was walking the mettlesome

air u and down.

7o harm doneB he asked.

7one, me lord, resonded his henchman. ;eastways, not to these fellows. I'll

warrant that mort'll ull u stiff tomorrow though! ;or, she did take a tum"le!

=hought she'd "e kilt fer sure when I saw what she'd "e at!

His no"le emloyer grunted. It had felt as though his stomach had fallen into his

"oots when he had seen the girl lea into the road for the "oy. He had fully exected

the air of them to "e tramled to death. %nd it would have "een his fault. He had

"een going far too fast!

hy the hell didn't you tell me to slow down, ?aserB he asked crossly.

%cos you mostly in general damns me eyes fer it, was the very disresectful

answer. ?aser had "een in Helford's emloy since "efore he went out to the

6eninsula in *1**. He had "een in numerous scraes with his master and had actually

dragged him off the "attlefield, on two occasions. His was a rivileged osition and

he soke his mind very freAuently.

I dare say! 7ext time I do something this stuid, hit me on the head! growled

Helford.

=here was a chuckle from "ehind him, I dessay the thought of that little "it of a

lass tearin stris off you like what she did will do the trick. ;ittle sitfire she were!

=he areciation in ?aser's voice was marked.

Helford slewed around in his seat, Cou "ehave yourself, ?aser. &he's a

resecta"le lady!

Cou kee yer glims on the road, me lord. Don't have to tell me she's Auality!

Fould see that fer meself! eal flesh


31/178

'ha()er Three

5iss &ohie 5arsden wriggled her left shoulder irrita"ly. It still ached from her

tum"le in the ditch two days ago. In fact, if she were to "e strictly truthful, most of

her still ached. &he had woken u the following morning as stiff as a "oard. % careful

examination had revealed her uer left arm and shoulder to "e "adly "ruised along

with her entire left side. &ince this was where the horse had struck her and she had

also managed to land on that side, the stiffness and "ruising were only to "e exected.

hat really "othered 5iss 5arsden was that she could not get the gentleman's

face and startling eyes out of her mind. He had "een as white as a sheet as he came

striding "ack to them. %nd his eyes! &he had never imagined such "la#ing green eyes.

%nd it was not $ust his eyes. =he lean, owerful frame had simly radiated arrogantmasculine strength. (ut it was the memory of his hand in her hair that was really

occuying her thoughts. =hose long fingers had tangled in her curls in a way that

made her trem"le when she recalled it.

Frossly she forced her attention "ack to the household accounts. ?ust "ecause she

had never seen such a handsome man "efore was no excuse to "e making so many

mistakes over these accounts. He was undou"tedly some traveller assing through

whom she would never lay eyes on again and the Auicker she stoed thinking a"out

him the "etter. :ven if she did see him again, the chances were that he would not even

recall her face and, if he did, it would ro"a"ly "e in connection with her shocking

loss of temer.Eor a few moments the accounts reigned triumhant "ut then her en slowed and

her mind drifted. Eor some reason his face "othered her. &he was nearly sure that it

was oddly familiar, "ut she was Auite certain that she had never met its owner "efore.

Her reflections were interruted "y the door oening.

&he turned around to see her elderly comanion, 5iss %ndrews, and their maid

%nna. =he former looked distinctly aologetic. %nna, on the other hand, simly

looked annoyed.

Oh, dear! hat has he done this timeB asked 5iss 5arsden resignedly.

Fan't find him nowhere, 5iss &ohie, asserted %nna. e've looked

everywhere an he's gorn.:verywhereB

Eraid so, 5iss &ohie. He's gorn.

5iss %ndrews said, I am truly sorry, my love. (ut I left him for no more than a

moment, $ust to fetch the ;atin rimer. %nd I ut him on his honour not to leave his

"ooks.

%nd he still leftB &ohie was shocked.


32/178

ell, yes, said 5iss %ndrews. (ut he took his "ooks with him. &he seemed to

feel that this in some way mitigated the crime.

;ittle est! said &ohie indignantly. &he sighed, @ery well. I shall have to go

and look for him. %gain. =his was the third time in a week that her orhaned tenI have to

admit it, he isro"a"ly tickling your trout.

=ickling my troutB How old is this oacherB

=en, relied &ohie.

%nd you are resonsi"le for himB %n incredi"le susicion was forming in

David's mind. He could not "elieve it at first. &he seemed so sweet and innocent. (ut

a "oy of ten and she was only twenty


37/178

=he thought occurred to him that he could always continue with whatever

arrangement ?ames had made. 7ot a dou"t "ut what she was a dainty iece)and it

would "e deucedly convenient) 7o! He didn't want ?ames's leavings! He hadn't

wanted the scras Eelicity had "een reared to "estow uon him and he didn't want

this one! %t least he didn't think he did. &he would "e en$oya"le though, he thought to

himself. =hose soft, volutuous curves would nestle against him very comforta"ly)and that temer hinted at a assionate nature)

&till considering the matter, he reached the oaks and rode into the flickering shade

at a walk. % narrow ath led through the trees. He knew it well and tried to remem"er

$ust how many times he had come this way as a "oy in the evening or very early

morning to catch a rise on the dee ool at the "end in the river. =he mare's hooves

made little sound on last year's leaves, dam from heavy rain overnight.

=he trees eventually oened out on to the river"ank. On the far side the ground

was marshy and "right with yellow flag irises. =his side the "ank shelved steely,

carved out as the river turned. Here in the dee, Auiet "ackwater the trout lay u

during the day. % demoiselle dragonfly skimmed across the water and he watched"reathlessly, "ut there was no rise and the insect was gone again in a shard of "lue. He

looked further along and there in the long grass was a small "oy lying on his stomach,

eering over into the ool.

He dismounted and, droing the mare's reins, walked Auietly to where the "oy

was lying. His nankeens indicated that he had "een sitting in wet grass and the soft

"rown curls were very familiar. % ile of "ooks lay "eside him. He had o"viously not

heard anyone aroach.

David looked down at the child for a moment. =here was something odd a"out the

set of the child's shoulders which made him hesitate, "ut he cleared his throat

warningly. =he "oy rolled over immediately and David saw in a flash that he had "een

crying and also from the surrise on his face that he had exected someone else.

ell, of course he did, you idiot, David castigated himself. Heavens! He had the

same "lack


38/178

Ces.

I see, said David. =he resem"lance "etween you is so startling I assumed she

must "e your mother.

=he tear


39/178

4it looked rather conscious. I s'ose I shouldn't say. =hey're your trout, aren't

theyB

hat makes you say thatB 8ood 8od, the "oy was as Auick as his aunt!

ell, I know 6erdita and you look like ;ord Helford a "it. (esides, I met your

"ailiff, Hurley, on the way and he said you were out riding, so it wasn't very hard,

exlained 4it.

I see, said David, amused. ell, yes, I am ;ord Helford and I suose they are

my trout, strictly seaking, and if you refuse to denounce the old scoundrel who

taught you to tickle my trout I can only resect your discretion.

4it looked at him carefully. Does that mean you don't mindB

5indB Of course I mind! said David. I tried to tickle these trout for years and

never caught one. 6oor old =wickenham was ashamed of so clumsy a uil!

=wickenham! (ut> 4it stoed himself at once.

Cou needn't tell me, said David. If =wickenham's still alive I have no dou"t

that he was your master. Cou tell the old scoundrel I still can't tickle a trout when nextyou see him!

% chuckle greeted this. Cou can't "e as "ad as %unt &ohie. &he fell in when I

tried to show her.

Did she, indeedB David tried to ignore the vision of %unt &ohie in a wet and

clinging gown, which romtly resented itself to his imagination for minute

insection.

If you must "e going, would you care for a ride homeB he asked. &ince you and

6erdita are acAuainted I will resume on her good nature.

Is it out of your wayB asked 4it, o"viously trying not to look too eager.

7ot in the slightest. Cou have reminded me that I have an errand to your aunts,exlained David, thinking that he certainly owed one of the lad's aunts an

unconditional and grovelling aology.

%untie =hea isn't really my aunt, you know. I $ust call her that, said 4it.

=hey walked over to the mare and David swung himself into the saddle and held a

hand down to 4it. 6ut your foot on mine and u with you.

4it scram"led u easily enough and they set off "ack through the oak wood and

across the meadows. 4it did not seem to "e in the least in awe of a viscount and

chattered away to David a"out the wildlife to "e found around and a"out. =o David's

surrise he en$oyed the exerience enormously. Fhildren had not hitherto come much

in his way. 7aturally one had to have them to carry on the family name and title, "ut ithad never occurred to him that they might "e rewarding in themselves. Fertainly the

stiffly olite 5iss Eanny 5elville had not given him any such inkling.

6erdita's steady trot covered the distance very easily and as they ushed through

the ga into the cow field "ehind illow"ank House a slim figure could "e seen

mounting the stile which led into the garden.

=here she is, said 4it. He called out, %unt &ohie, here I am!


40/178

=he figure turned at once and even at that distance David could see her stiffen in

shock. Hold tight, he said and ushed the mare into a canter. (y the time they

reached her &ohie was standing on the lowest ste of the stile, her face set and

watchful. 7othing could have eAualled her surrise at seeing 4it with his lordshi.

Her first assumtion, that my lord must "e taking the Auickest way to remove an

unwanted tresasser from his land, was Auickly diselled "y a look at 4it's face. Hewas o"viously Auite hay with his comany. % further look at ;ord Helford's face

told her that he was erfectly aware that he had made an aalling gaffe and was

thoroughly ashamed and vexed with himself. ell, far "e it from me to make it easy

for him, thought &ohie savagely. %rrogant "east!

&he was the first to seak. =hank you for the return of my ward, sir. %s you see, I

am off your reserves. =he icy oliteness of her voice soke volumes for all the

things she would have liked to say, "ut was revented from uttering "y the

circumstances.

7ot for a moment did David delude himself that either her good manners or his

own high degree were in any way craming her style. =he only defence "etweenhimself and another samle of 5iss 5arsden's temer was erched on his saddle

"ow. I'm)I'm awfully sorry, %unt &ohie, said 4it. %nd ;ord Helford had thought

she wasn't very angry! 4it had never seen his merry aunt in such a elter.

Her face softened slightly as she looked at him, @ery well. Cou had "etter go

inside and reeat your aology to =hea. %nd after dinner you can hel me with my

accounts since I had to leave them to come after you.

4it slid to the ground with a grimace. =rust %unt &ohie to come u with that.

Ces, ma'am. He grinned u at David. =hank you, sir. 8ood"ye. He swarmed over

the stile and ran off to the house. If %unt &ohie wasn't cross with him, who was she

cross withB It couldn't "e ;ord Helford. &he'd only $ust met him. (esides, he was a

great gun!

5iss &ohie 5arsden was left confronting the man she couldn't ossi"ly "e cross

with and said, 7aturally I will remove myself from your side of the stile. 8ood day,

my lord. =hose dark eyes were showing more green than "rown fend they were

narrowed to "la#ing slits.

David swallowed and "egan his aology with all the air of a man leading a forlorn

hoe. 5iss 5arsden, I)er)I made a frightful mistake. %nd I "eg you to accet my

rofound aologies for the>

He was cut off sharly. Cour aology is of not the slightest interest to me, sir!

snaed the lady. I have nothing "ut contemt for anyone with such a horridlycommonlace mind as to assume)to assume)what you assumed. %nd furthermore,

even if I were a "it of game, as you so o"ligingly imlied, you are the last man alive

to whom I would consider granting my favours!

How dare you say such a thing to me! exloded David in outrage.

7oB asked &ohie, a dangerous gleam in her eyes. ould you refer me to tell

you that I am very disaointed and should "e charmed to entertain your

dishonoura"le roosalsB Have you never had a female refuse you "eforeB


41/178

David glared at her. Of course not! He stoed, aware of her incredulous ga#e.

(loody hell! hat was he sayingB

How very gratifying for you, my lord! she said, atently disgusted. I am

delighted to think that I have enlarged your exerience so easily!

Damn your eyes! He was really furious now at having made such a cod's


42/178

&he suddenly realised that she was still watching his lordshi ride off through the

cow asture. Eurious with herself, she $umed off the to of the stile into the garden

and stalked towards the house. &he wondered what he had thought when 4it had

revealed their true relationshi. Her ready sense of humour could not "e denied and a

choke of laughter had to "e instantly suressed. He must have "een mortified!

&erved him right. Odious, arrogant)ooh! =here were no words "ad enough todescri"e him to her satisfaction!

%nd as for his insuffera"le charity in assuring her that she had nothing to fear in

refusing to receive him! Had he threatened her with eviction she would have denied

herself on rincile. 7ow she would have to admit him!

5iss 5arsden entered the house via the kitchen, where she found %nna

industriously kneading "read dough. %nna took one look at her mistress's stormy face

and decided not to comment. It was lain enough that 5iss &ohie had had words

with the gentleman. %nna had a good view of the stile through the kitchen windows

and she had seen 5iss &ohie on one of its stes and the tall gentleman on horse"ack

who'd delivered 5aster 4it. 5ust "e his lordshi, surmised %nna. ;ooked like the oldone, anyways.

5iss =hea has took 5aster 4it into the "ookroom to continue his lessons, 5iss

&ohie, said %nna cautiously.

8ood, said &ohie shortly and left the kitchen without another word.

=he old woman smiled resignedly to herself. 7ot often 5iss &ohie got into a

tweak, "ut when she did all the storm warnings went u. Fome to think of it, %nna

couldn't remem"er when a mere man had managed to ut her all on end. 5iss &ohie

took little enough notice of men one way or another. hich was a ity in %nna's

oinion "ecause if ever a "etter


43/178

'ha()er +our

5y ;ord Helford rode home in a state of considera"le vexation. 7ot only, it must

"e said, with 5iss 5arsden, "ut with himself. He could not think what had come over

him to lea to such an unwarranted and insulting conclusion, the little vixen was

right,. It did say something a"out him. %"out his way of life and attitudes.

He wondered if she would receive him when he called. He wouldn't ut it ast her

to have a servant deny her. %nd he wouldn't "lame her either. ;ord, when he thought

of how he had allowed his eyes to run over her "ody, making it Auite clear that he was

assessing all her charms and ossi"ilities! ;ittle wonder she was so angry with him.

&till, it was the outside of enough that she should susect him of wishing to make

her his mistress now that he knew his mistake, even if that thought had "rieflyresented itself to him. Eirmly he reressed the delecta"le fantasy this thought

con$ured u. Eor heaven's sake! He had caused enough trou"le without indulging in

erotic fancies which were not only insulting to the lady, "ut were also guaranteed to

cut u his eace. He had to come u with some way to make his romised visit to her

erfectly unexcetiona"le and demonstrate that he did not view her as a rosective

mistress. It was a moot oint as to who was in most need of the demonstration, 5iss

5arsden or himself.

&till annoyed with himself, he handed the mare over to ?aser when he reached the

sta"les with "arely a grunt of thanks. His henchman said nothing aloud, rightly

assessing his master's mood as dangerous. (ut as he ut the mare "ack in her stall hemuttered to himself, On the fidget e is! 5ove over, lass. =here'll "e trou"le over

this 'ouse arty, me girl. 5ark my words. Fan't see im settlin' down to a cold

oultice for a wife. 7ot no how!

ith this very unflattering descrition of ;ady ;ucinda %nstey, he removed the

saddle from the mare's steaming "ack and glared at the sta"le lad who had dared to

ee over the half


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%ccordingly, three days later, my ;ord Helford rode out of the main entrance to

Helford 6lace with his niece, 5iss Eanny 5elville, trotting "eside him. In his "rief

acAuaintance with her, ;ord Helford had come to the conclusion that his ward was far

from "eing the meek little girl he had originally thought. =hat was merely a facade for

an a"undance of mischief and energy. In David's oinion, she needed taking in hand

"y someone who would stand no nonsense. He had no turn for children, "ut hesuosed that as the child's guardian he should take some resonsi"ility for her>

which was another good reason to marry a woman of "irth and "reeding as Auickly as

ossi"le. =henshecould suerintend Eanny's u"ringing!

He wondered how 5iss 5arsden would receive him. In the time since their last

encounter he had managed to find out a little a"out her. His 8reat %unt 5aria had

known all a"out 5iss 5arsden, of course. :ven seemed to arove of her, which did

not surrise him in the slightest. ;ady 5aria was one of the most outrageous women

he had ever known.

&ohie 5arsdenB she had "arked in answer to his very casual Auery over the

dinner ta"le. Of course I know her. 8ood gal. 7one of your simering niminyher "irthday, 5othering &unday, your "irthday and alsothe day she died.

4it thought a"out it and said, I never thought of that. Of course the flowers have

to die. =hank you.

&ohie "ent to kiss him and was half


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'ha()er +,ve

=wo days later ;ord Helford called to take 4it riding and return the clothes.

7othing could have exceeded the olite roriety with which he greeted 5iss

5arsden on this occasion unless it was the cool dignity with which he was received.

He informed her that he wished to seak with her f uon their return and romtly

realised that his manner of doing so had well and truly set u her "ristles.

Do you indeed, my lordB she asked in dulcet tones. I =hen naturally I will hold

myself at your disosal. I shall give %nna instructions that I am at home to you.

He glared at her. Furse the chit! He always seemed to I say the wrong thing to her.

hat was it a"out her that made him such a clodoleB His mind sheered away from

the o"vious answer which was that never in his life had he I wanted a woman thismuch. :secially one that he couldn't have. He told himself "racingly that if he had

her in "ed, it would "reak the sell. He could slake his lust for her and "e done with it.

He had never known a woman whose charms and skills did not "ore him in the end.

%ngry at the trend of his thoughts, he checked the girth on the ony he had "rought

for 4it and showed the "oy how to mount. He swung himself into the saddle, raised

his hat to 5iss 5arsden and rode off fuming with his youthful charges.

&ohie went "ack into the house to do a fair "it of fuming on her own account.

%fter half an hour of savagely kneading "read, all the while retending that she was

wringing his lordshi's arrogant neck, she calmed down enough to laugh at herself.

hatever would :mma think to see her little sister, who never took the slightest "it ofnotice of a man, so utterly furious over the oinion and over"earing ways of a

comarative strangerB

(y the time his lordshi returned with the children, she had assumed a dignified

and calm attitude towards him. =his was diselled "y his first words to her after

dismissing the children to the garden with a rider to stay out of the stream.

I cannot see that your situation, 5iss 5arsden, is in the least eligi"le for either

you or the grandson of an :arl. hy have you not enlisted the aid of 4it's aternal

relations in your rearing of himBhatB she gased. How dareyou imly that I am not caa"le of "ringing him

u as a gentleman!

u""ish! he said angrily. I meant only that ;ord &trathallen should rovide

some assistance. Cet, from what 4it tells me, I should dou"t of his even knowing that

he has a grandson!


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Cou can't ossi"ly have got that from 4it! said &ohie furiously. How dare you

oke your nose into my affairs!

I have done no such thing! I was slightly acAuainted with ?ock Farlisle, though,

David informed her coldly. hen 4it mentioned that his father died at aterloo, I

asked him what regiment. Cou may imagine my surrise when he told me the &cots

8reys! hy the devil have you not "een in touch with the FarlislesB 4it knowsnothing of his "irthright!

=he fury in her countenance made him take a ste "ack. He thought he had seen

the worst of her temer, "ut this was something Auite different. Her eyes ractically

sat with rage and when she soke it was in tones of the most "itter contemt.

If ;ord &trathallen had not refused to receive my sister when ?ock was so ill

advised as to marry her in the teeth of his father's threat of disinheritance, not to

mention our own father's imlaca"le oosition, then erhas I might have done so!

"la#ed &ohie. %s it is, since he did not even rely to my sister's letter informing

him of ?ock's death and, I might add, the "irth of 4it, I feel I am a"solved of any

charge of denying 4it his "irthright!He disowned ?ockB hyB David could not "elieve his I ears.

Oh! Did you not know thatB &ohie was even angrier. =hen might I suggest that

you find out all the facts of a case "efore you ass $udgement! ;ord &trathallen is, as

you may "e aware, a Fatholic. I understand many &cots hold to that still. He was

affronted that his son chose to marry a 6rotestant and a :nglishwoman at that. His

family having fought at Fulloden, he considered ?ock dou"ly a traitor to have married

south of the =weed! &he aused for "reath and to dash her hand across her eyes. %s

for my father, as a minister of the Fhurch of :ngland he took the gravest ! excetion

to :mma's marriage to a Fatholic. &he was also disinherited! =he result is that I

inherited ten thousand ounds, which I cannot touch excet for the income until I amthirty &he managed to sto herself right on the "rink of saying something that

would not have reflected at all well on her vicarage u"ringing.8o to hell. David finished the sentence for her. I don't "lame you. 7o. I knew

nothing of this. 5y acAuaintance with ?ock was of the slightest. I knew he was

married, "ut I never met your sister. 5iss 5arsden, I aologise unreservedly, "ut I do

feel that &trathallen ought not to "e allowed to ignore his resonsi"ilities. If you

would like, I could!

7o! &ohie cut in. Cou are going to offer to write or see him and shame him

into doing something for 4it. I would rather die than "eg for his charity after the way


62/178

he treated :mma. Erom all I saw, ?ock's marriage was the making of him. He was the

wildest, most sendthrift good


63/178

Eeeling him ull "ack, &ohie steed away at once, telling herself that it was the

novelty of "eing held so intimately that made her heart ound, her knees feel wo""ly

and created that sensation of scorching heat that was melting her entire "ody. +e

offered comfort, you little ninny& Comfort& -othing more!

&he looked u and caught his green glance which seared through her, causing a

tremor to rile u and down her sine. &he had wanted to know what it would feellike to "e held in his em"race. ell, now she knew. It felt simly wonderful! His

em"race had engulfed her in its tender warmth. 7ever had she felt so safe or content.

I "eg your ardon, my lord, she said carefully, not Auite certain that her voice

was to "e trusted. Her "reasts tingled at the remem"ered sensation of "eing ressed so

firmly against a owerfully masculine "ody. Cou may "e right a"out ;ord

&trathallen's duties "ut I would refer not to "e o"liged to him in any way.

He looked at her searchingly. as she aware of how deely he had "een affected

"y their "rief em"raceB &he seemed o"livious. %t least she was calmer now.

&ighing, he said, I think I should leave you now. ecause if I don)t I will be

embracing you again. #nd not for comfort this time. Don't trou"le yourself to see meout. I will find Eanny and go. 8ood"ye, 5iss 5arsden, and lease don't fret yourself

in any way. He turned "ack at the door. I nearly forgot what I had to say to you. I

have "een considering imrovements to the estate and have decided to install a closed

stove in the kitchen here. I will arrange for the newest and most u


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information a"out his aunt that told David $ust how hard she tried to make u to the

"oy for his orhaned state. He found himself thinking this afternoon that it was a ity

5iss 5arsden had set her face against marriage, since she would make such a

wonderful mother. (ut the thought of 5iss 5arsden marrying was strangely

distur"ing, making him grit his teeth in anger. =he idea that someone else should

ossess her was thoroughly unsettling.=hey had $ust turned for home when 4it said, Oh. ;ook, there's 5egs. %unt

&ohie must "e visiting 5rs. &imkins and her "a"y. He ointed to a little daled

co" harnessed to a gig tied u outside a farm la"ourer's cottage.

% "a"yB Eanny sounded interested. How old is itB

4it shrugged with tyical male uninterest. ;ord, how should I knowB % week or

so. I say, ;ord Helford, could we sto and see if %unt &ohie wants us to ride "ack

with herB

Oh, yes! Eanny was enthusiastic. %nd then I could see the "a"y!

&tanding at the oen door of the cottage a few moments later, David could hear

5iss 5arsden's soft voice seaking in accents that made his heart turn over.

%re you getting hungry, little etB Cou won't find anything there for you! ;ow

and soothing, all of a woman's tender, rotective love for a child resonated in her

tones. 7ever mind, 5ama will "e out in a moment. &he'll have something for you.

Inwardly shaking, David stood stock still on the threshold. 5iss 5arsden was

seated on a wooden settle with a tiny woollen "undle nestled in her arms. &he did not

even notice him, caught u as she was "ending over the "a"y, who was nu##ling

hoefully at her "reast. =he exression of yearning regret on her face tore at David's

very soul. Flearly this was something she would have desired a"ove all else "ut

thought never to have.

&wallowing hard, he thrust away the longing to see her nursing a child of her own

and taed "elatedly on the door.

&he looked u slowly from her hay dream, ha#el eyes soft and vulnera"le. Eor a

moment she could not think as that green look seared into her with unmistaka"le

tenderness. &he could not tear her eyes away from that regard, "ut stared "ack

transfixed, conscious of her ounding heart and uncertain "reath.

ith difficulty she found her voice. 5y lordB Have you come to call on 5rs.

&imkinsB &he is in the "edroom. hat on earth was he doing hereB %nd why was

he looking at her like thatB %s if he could see exactly what was in her heart and

understood her ain! &he was imagining things! How could he, of all eole, ossi"ly

understand how she longed to have her own childrenB 7ot to relace 4it, of course,"ut the longing to hold and nurse a child of her own.

:r, 4it saw your mare and thought you might like our escort, exlained David.

He cleared his throat of an uncharacteristic lum and went on. %nd Eanny would like

to see the "a"y, if 5rs. &imkins would have no o"$ection.


65/178

%t this moment 5rs. &imkins came into the room and gased at the exalted

visitor. ith ractised ease David set her mind at rest, saying that his little niece

would love to see her "a"y.

6olly &imkins was only too delighted to o"lige. %ccordingly Eanny and 4it came

in, and in a flash Eanny was on the settle "eside &ohie, "eing shown how to hold the

"a"y. David watched the two women instruct his niece with a strange feeling ofgrowing emtiness. 7ever "efore had he "een so conscious of a longing to have

children of his own. 7ot heirs>children. =he raw longing in &ohie's face had shown

him something within himself, the existence of which he had never susected.

:ntranced, he watched them with the "a"y, the gentle, tender hands and rotective

arms. He knew, had any danger threatened, that they would have turned like tigresses

to defend the child, whatever the cost to themselves. He had seen something of it in

&ohie's reaction to his suggestion that she should contact &trathallen.

On the way "ack to illow"ank House Eanny and 4it cantered ahead while Davidheld his mare "eside the gig. &ohie seemed rather Auiet and disinclined to

conversation. David fell in with her mood, content to study her surretitiously.

Her "rown hair curled softly, drawn "ack into a simle knot resting on her nae, a

few stray tendrils "rushing her cheek, which made his fingers itch to tuck them "ack

and caress the soft cheek himself. =he greeny


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(ut she found herself struggling to exlain. Cou see, I love "a"ies and children.

:ven if it makes me a little sad, why should I lose the leasure of holding a "a"y or

looking after oneB hy refuse little $oys "ecause the greater one is deniedB =hat's not

living. How can you even know what $oy is unless there is some ain or risk of ain

to temer itB

Cou see life like thatB he asked curiously. It was oddly at variance with his owndecision to marry for convenience and avoid any risk of hurt. &ohie's way was so

dangerous, esecially for a woman. &he could "e hurt so "adly. He didn't like the

thought of that and tried stum"lingly to warn her.

&he interruted at once. Cou were in the army! How can you ossi"ly "e so

scared of life when you faced death and maiming almost dailyB

% hysical risk. He shrugged. 6erhas "ecause I faced them and grew to some

degree inured. (ut I refer not to lay myself wide oen to the sort of ain you

o"viously felt "ack there. %nd all for an illusory $oy.

&he flushed to think that her thoughts had "een so aarent. 5aking a gallant

recover, she said, e will have to agree to differ. 5y $oy in 6olly's "a"y was noillusion and I could not live if I had to avoid all the things that might hurt me or

frighten me. It may not "e wise, "ut it is how I am made. &he aused for a moment

and then said, :mma felt the same. &he told me once after ?ock had "een killed that

their love had "een, was still to her, the reality. =hat it was death that was the illusion.

&he said it was "etter to have known that $oy than not. =hat even had she known the

grief in store for, her, she would still have grased the $oy. ;ived every minute of it as

though it might "e the last.

Her accetance shook him to the core. In some odd way it made sense. &he had

enough courage to take what $oy she could and accet the accomanying ain. ?ust as

she had had the courage to lea into the ath of his curricle to save a child's life. &hewas a risk taker, then. &he would take the risk and reckon u the cost later. He

shuddered to think of the sort of hurt she was courting.

=he rest of the drive was accomlished in silence. David was trying hard to

convince himself that the way &ohie chose to conduct her life was none of his

"usiness. He tried even harder to convince himself that his way was "etter. Ear more

sensi"le, far more ractical and certainly safer. He tried to ignore the irritating voice

that suggested his safe, comforta"le existence might "e a little dull.

He did not dismount to "id her farewell, merely saying,

8ood"ye, 5iss 5arsden, 4it. 6lease convey my regards to 5iss %ndrews. Fome,

Eanny.&ohie drove the mare around to the sta"les in a da#e. Desite her avowal that she

could not avoid everything that might hurt her, there were some things she would

refer to avoid. Having Helford read her heart and soul like a "ook was one of them.

It was far too dangerous and there would "e no $oy to counter the hurt. &he was

literally laying with fire and it was her heart that was likely to "e "urnt. &he would

have to see as little of ;ord Helford as ossi"le.


67/178

%ccordingly, the next time he "rought Eanny, she greeted him "riefly at the door,

saying, Cou will not wish to kee your horses standing, I dare say. =hen she had

swet Eanny into the house, the door closing firmly "ehind her. David was conscious

of a feeling of momentary iAue and then "erated himself for an arrogant fool. &hewas not to "e "lamed for keeing a safe distance "etween them. &he gave Eanny "ack

into his care later in the afternoon with the same Auiet dismissal.

It was the same when next he came for 4it. &he was "aking, she informed him

calmly. ?ust as well, David told himself sternly as he rode away with the children. It

would "e most unwise to see any more of her than was a"solutely necessary.

&omehow she got under all his defences. 9nfortunately he would have to seak with

her when he "rought 4it home. His house guests would "e arriving from the

following day and he would "e una"le to continue with the arrangement ersonally

for the duration of the visit. It was, however, only olite to assure himself that &ohiehad no o"$ection to ?aser taking 4it out with Eanny.

He tried to ignore the fact that he wanted to see her. His efforts were not successful

and he was irritated to realise that he resented the chit having to send her time on

such domestic drudgery as "aking. &he was $ust a child, he told himself, and ought to

"e having fun.

9naware that his lordshi intended to seak to her later, &ohie flung herself into

the "aking with a vengeance, $ust as she had flung herself into all manner of domestic

activities in the ast few days. If she ket "usy there was little enough time to think>

and thinking was a dangerous astime at the moment. henever her thoughts were

ermitted to drift a tanned, aristocratic face invaded her mind and emerald green eyesseemed to eer into her soul, seeking out her innermost secrets. 7ight time was even

worse. =hen she found herself imagining his arms around her again and his hand

caressing her hair. %nd not only her hair.

(read was kneaded and set to rise. % cake comounded, the $oint for tomorrow's

dinner dressed, several ounds of lums were turned into $am. In this way did &ohie

try to ware! off the distur"ing daydreams that lagued her. Dreams of tender kisses

and owerful arms enfolding her to rest against a hard, masculine "ody. %t this oint

her dreams "roke down. &he could not imagine what might come next. Or at least she

could, "ut was far too shocked at the thought to allow it houseroom.

Curse it& ou)re doing it again! &ohie dragged her mind "ack to the astry shewas making for a raised ie and "linked at the soggy mass. =oo much water, damn!

=he door "ell ealed loudly as she was adding more flour and she frowned. =oo early

for Helford to have the children "ack. (esides, he wouldn't use the "ell if he wanted

to see her, he'd come straight in with or without the children.

=he "ell ealed again. Cou answer it, lease, %nna. %nd I am not at home.


68/178

%ye, 5iss &ohie. %nna wied her hands on a cloth and left the kitchen. &he

returned a few moments later. It's that &ir 6hili 8arfield, 5iss &ohie. &he

sounded annoyed.

ell, did you deny meB

%ye, "ut he weren't takin no for an answer, relied %nna. &ettled in the arlour

like as how he owns it.

&ohie used an exression which she had certainly not culled from her vicarage

u"ringing and stried off her aron. Furse and "last the man! she muttered. He

never does take nofor an answer! ell, I've tried "eing olite. =his time I am going

to leave him no room for dou"t or hoe or whatever he "loody well calls it!

%nna was scandalised. 5iss &ohie! Cou watch your tongue!

&ohie stuck her tongue out and sAuinted down her ti


69/178

the disarity "etween their estates. In his self


70/178

and I do not intend that to change! Cou have several times in the ast offered me

marriage. I have refused uneAuivocally on each occasion, "ut I have tried to avoid

giving you ain "y too "lunt a rely. =his time I will tell you lainly that the thought

of marriage to you is reugnant to me and I would not consider it under any

circumstances.. Cou will lease take my rely as final and cease to imortune me with

your suit! =hat, thought &ohie, surely ought to "e the end of it.ith any other man it ro"a"ly would have "een, couled as it was with a look of

fro#en disdain from eyes which glared like chis of ice from under haughty "lack

"rows. 9nfortunately &ir 6hili was so far enthralled in his own conceit that he took

5iss 5arsden's declaration of reugnance as a challenge to his virility and acted

accordingly.

(efore she could so much as gra" the oker, 5iss 5arsden found herself in a

suffocating gri. One hand was at her throat trying to force her chin u and his wet

mouth was fum"ling clumsy kisses all over her averted face in an attemt to reach her

lis.

&to it! hat are you do>B Her rotest was smothered "y his lis which at lastreached their goal and forced greedy, raacious kisses on her soft mouth.

evolted, &ohie fought deserately, only to realise that in some horri"le way her

struggles were leasura"le to the "rute "east assaulting her. Her very fear and anger

seemed to sur him on. &he tore her mouth free and was a"out to scream for =hea and

%nna when a familiar voice ried through the room in accents of "la#ing fury.

=hat will "e Auite enough, 8arfield! elease 5iss 5arsden immediately, unless

you wish to samle my riding whi!

% vice

He was cut off coldly. hich she has refused. 7ow get out!


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Eor a moment &ir 6hili looked ugly, "ut Helford's reutation with his fists was no

less aweuntil he had heard &ohie5arsden struggling with that lecherous "astard! =hat had enraged him as nothing else

had ever done. He had scarcely "een aware of moving as he had leat from the seat

and hoisted himself through the window. He would have fought a do#en duels for her

sake!

He tried to seak lightly to cover u his feelings, @ery sweet of you, my dear, "ut

you need not worry. I can assure you that if 8arfield is fool enough to challenge me, it

will "e his corse the surgeon has to deal with, not mine.

&ohie managed a faint smile and said, I $ust wanted to make it clear to him that I

wouldn't marry him! I thought that erhas I had "een too gentle on the other

occasions when I refused his offer. &o I told him that) &he hesitated. 7o matterwhat his crimes, it was scarcely the done thing to "oast of &ir 6hili's offer and then

tell Helford how rudely she had refused it.

9nderstanding her sudden silence, David smiled, relief lightening his mood. Cou

don't need to tell me what you said. I was right outside the window and overheard. I

can only say that &ir 6hili is a more conceited man than I, if he could ossi"ly

suose, after a refusal like that, that he could change your mind "y, e0force

ma!eure.


72/178

&ohie shuddered in disgust. 7o! I)I had no idea it was so horrible! &he

continued without thinking, not realising how surely she was "etraying her comlete

innocence, hy on earth do women get marriedB 9gh! How can they ut u with

itB

David felt a surge of tender amusement at the inexerience evident in this. I am

o"liged to oint out to you, 5iss 5arsden, that if the lady is willing it does not haveto "e a horri"le exerience for her. %nd not all men are as singularly inet and "rutish

as your erstwhile suitor. I trust I am not myself. %nd I certainly do not force my

attentions on unwilling females! % trace of indignation cret into his dee voice.

&he looked u at him over the rim of her wine glass. How dreadful. &he had

offended him! I)I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. It was very rude. I am sure

that you)I mean, that you wouldn't> &he stoed, very em"arrassed. (etter not to

inform Helford that she was ersuaded his attentions would have "een far more

acceta"le to her!

7ever mind, he said consolingly. It's far from "eing the rudest thing you've

ever said to me. 7ow, to "usiness.Probably better not to now e0actly what she wasabout to say. #nd it would definitely be better not to thin about correcting her

misapprehension by a demonstration!

He exlained gently why he had wanted to see her. &ohie was silent. &he told

herself that she ought to "e relieved that she would see nothing of him for a eriod. It

would give her time to regain some measure of control over her thoughts. :secially

after this afternoon. It would "e all too easy to view ;ord Helford as a gallant 6erseus

rescuing %ndromeda and dream of living haily ever after. %ll he had done was to

act as any man of honour would have done in his osition. Ces, it would "e as well if

she were not to see him and the little sta" of ain in her heart was undenia"le

confirmation of that.

@ery well, she said at last. If you are hay to entrust Eanny to your tiger, then I

can have no Aualms a"out sending 4it with him. =hank you, my lord and)and thank

you for your intervention $ust now. I am very grateful.

&he rose to her feet and held out her hand. It was taken in a warm firm clas, "ut t

23281752 mistress or marriage

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