Gayle Buck (5 page)

Lady Caroline was acceptable in every way. Her birth and her upbringing qualified her to preside at the foot of any of the grandest tables in England. Her ladyship’s dowry was very respectable, especially when measured against Lord Hathaway’s close-held ambition to deepen his already well-filled coffers. In addition, he considered that Lady Caroline’s graciousness of manner and her beauty made her one of the true notables of the age.

The crowning point in Lady Caroline Eddington’s favor had been her advanced age. Her ladyship was no longer a giddy young girl, but a woman seasoned and steady. Lord Hathaway of all things disliked unnecessary levity, and in Lady Caroline he thought that he had found a lady of settled nature who would be immune to the silly romantic notions so prevalent among young misses just presented into society.

Lord Hathaway was satisfied that he could not do better than place his ring upon Lady Caroline’s slender finger. In the eighteen months that he had courted her, there had been nothing to sway him from that opinion.

While it was true that Lady Caroline on occasion displayed a breeziness of spirit that was foreign to one of his more temperate nature, and that she had an unfortunate knack for utterances of opinion that at times ran completely counter to his own considered words of wisdom, Lord Hathaway was not deterred. These faults could, he believed, be laid straightaway at the door of an overindulgent father and a negligent brother. Lord Hathaway’s opinion was formed and strengthened by certain delicate conversations he had conducted with Mrs. Burlington, who had given him to understand that as a young girl Lady Caroline had been so shamelessly spoiled that it had resulted in an unfortunate wayward tendency.

However, Lord Hathaway believed that by bringing the proper guidance and a firm hand to the matter, a gentleman could soon persuade Lady Caroline to a recognition of her faults, which would subsequently lead to her complete rehabilitation. Since Lord Hathaway was equally convinced that he was possessed of considerable powers of persuasion, he had every faith in himself as being the gentleman best qualified to take on the task of Lady Caroline’s gentle reeducation.

Unfortunately, Lady Caroline had failed to recognize the same indisputable fact. She had consistently turned aside his measured proposals for her hand. However, her rejections were always couched in the friendliest of language, and Lord Hathaway dared to think that she was not as indifferent to the rightness of his offers as she would like him to believe. In turn, he was most civil in receiving her dear opinions of the matter, yet always ready to trundle forth whatever counterargument seemed most appropriate. Their exchanges therefore did not satisfy his lordship, but neither did they deter him.

Now, as Lord Hathaway made his bows, he alluded to the crux of their long-standing cordial disagreement. “My lady, you are as stunning as ever. You must know it is still my hope that I may one day be gratified to have you at my side as my beautiful lady wife.”

Lady Caroline, who had held out her hand to his lordship upon his entering the drawing room, deliberately disengaged her fingers from his grasp. With a light laugh she said, “My answer is still the same, my lord. We shall continue better just as we are, as comfortable acquaintances. Pray be seated, Lord Hathaway. You must not stand on such ceremony with me, you know.”

Lord Hathaway bowed slightly before he lifted his coat-tails and seated himself on the settee beside his hostess. “You are always most gracious, Lady Caroline. I have always held the opinion that it is one of your best qualities.”

Lady Caroline acknowledged the compliment with only a wry smile. “I am sorry my aunt is not present at the moment, for I know that you are quite a favorite with her.’’

At once Lord Hathaway blew out his cheeks in a fashion designed to show the proper concern. He prided himself on his correctness at such times, though in this particular instance his solicitude was sincerely engaged. “I trust Mrs. Burlington has not taken ill? Such an estimable woman. One does not like to see such worthiness of character suffer.”

As his lordship was speaking, the butler quietly entered carrying the tea tray. Simpson was followed by a footman who brought in the tea urn. The butler remained to offer a selection of biscuits and cakes on a salver in turn to Lady Caroline and Lord Hathaway.

Lady Caroline shook her head. “No, indeed. My aunt was finishing her correspondence when your name was announced. I am certain she will join us ere long.” She declined the biscuits and cake quietly, saying that she preferred simply to take tea.

Lord Hathaway chose several biscuits, his penchant for sweets a healthy one. As he made his last selection, he said with an attempt at heavy humor, “Then certainly I must seize these few unchaperoned moments in order to persuade you to the advantages of my suit, my lady.”

Lady Caroline choked on a laugh, Lord Hathaway’s uncharacteristic and exaggerated archness of expression having taken her by surprise. She quickly recovered, but her eyes continued to gleam. She poured tea for Lord Hathaway and gave it to him before filling her own cup. “Indeed, sir! I am, however, already well-versed in the advantages you speak of. You have labored mightily these last months to perfect my understanding of just those same advantages, after all. But I fear that despite your labors I shall continue to decline the honor you wish to bestow upon me.”

Lord Hathaway smiled in his turn. He held up an index finger. “Ah! But I may yet surprise you this afternoon, my lady. I believe—no, I am certain—that I have hit upon a new approach that must persuade you to the validity of my arguments.”

Lady Caroline set aside her unfinished tea and composed herself with resignation. She clasped her hands in her lap in an attentive attitude. “Then I am ready, my lord. But I must warn you that it will be a wasted effort on your part.”

She noticed that Lord Hathaway was steadily tucking away the biscuits in a concentrated manner, and a glimmer of hope entered her eyes. “Perhaps you would like a nice slice of sweet cake to accompany your tea, my lord? It is really quite good today. A rum poppyseed, which as I recall you commented favorably upon on the occasion of your last visit.’’

Lord Hathaway hesitated, torn by his weakness for such a fine treat. He could always be assured of the most superlative concoctions at Berwicke Keep, which was in direct contrast to his own cook’s glaring deficiency in that area. But staunchly he decided not to give way to temptation. “I most reluctantly shall pass on the cake this afternoon, Lady Caroline. One must discipline oneself, you know.” He complacently patted the rounded expanse of his waistcoat.

“Yes, indeed,” Lady Caroline agreed, pronounced amusement in her eyes. “Perhaps, then, a bit more tea. Simpson, pray see to his lordship. We must not neglect our guest.”

Lord Hathaway covered his cup with his hand to discourage the butler’s attempt to serve him. “No, no. I am well-satisfied.” He smiled, saying with ponderous playfulness, “If I did not know your gracious ways so well, my lady, I might suspect you of attempting to put me off.”

“I am not one to fly in the face of the inevitable,” Lady Caroline said with fine irony, well aware that it would go completely over his lordship’s head.

True to form, Lord Hathaway bowed from the waist, acknowledging what he took to be a vast compliment to his determined character. “I am happy that you understand me so well, Lady Caroline.”

Lady Caroline sighed, knowing from old that there was little point in delaying Lord Hathaway from his purpose. His lordship would but stay longer so that he could fully expound his arguments. “That will be all for the moment, Simpson. I shall ring when I require you again. Pray remind my aunt that Lord Hathaway has called upon us. I am certain that she will not want to miss his lordship’s visit.”

“Very good, my lady,” the butler said, his voice faintly threaded with the ghost of sympathy. He crossed to the drawing-room door and went out.

The door was not yet completely closed before Lord Hathaway launched the newest salvo of his campaign. “As I have informed you many times in the past, Lady Caroline, I have found you completely acceptable to me for a wife. Your illustrious birth, your beauteous countenance, your gracious—’’

Lady Caroline threw up her hand. “Pray spare my blushes, sir!” She had no wish to hear herself or her virtues cataloged in the ponderous fashion that Lord Hathaway inevitably employed. More gently she said, “I shall accept your compliments better if left unsaid, my lord.”

Lord Hathaway inclined himself in another short bow. “Your modesty does you credit, my lady. It is but another of those numerous virtues that I so esteem in you.’’ He began an oft-repeated discourse upon how well-matched he and Lady Caroline were.

Lady Caroline gave the tiniest sigh. She glanced at the clock on the mantel above the fireplace. She wondered where her aunt could possibly have got to. Even though she did not often see eye to eye with Mrs. Burlington, she could at least rely upon her aunt to appropriate a measure of Lord Hathaway’s gallantries. His lordship was too well-bred not to direct a few of his compliments to Mrs. Burlington, and, too, when her aunt was present, Lord Hathaway felt compelled to restrain some of his dry ardor.

It occurred to Lady Caroline suddenly that perhaps her aunt was deliberately not making an appearance. In the past, Mrs. Burlington had always tended to practice a stifling chaperonage. It was, then, rather odd that she had not already acted upon the knowledge that Lord Hathaway had come to call.

Upon the suspicion, Lady Caroline took advantage of Lord Hathaway’s having paused to draw breath to say, “You are most kind, my lord. Do you know, I have but this moment realized that my aunt has not put in an appearance for tea. I shall go at once to find her, for I know that she will not wish to let you go without saying good-bye.”

Lady Caroline rose from the settee, but found to her astonishment that Lord Hathaway detained her by the simple expedient of taking hold of her wrist. She looked at him in considerable surprise. “My lord, whatever are you about?”

Lord Hathaway also stood. He wore an unusually determined expression. His brows had lowered over his rather prominent orbs and his full mouth was half-pursed, which served to give a fishy effect to his countenance. “I had not planned to put into effect my newest form of persuasion so soon, my lady, but you bear all the appearance of haring off before I am ready.”

“Whatever can you possibly mean?” Lady Caroline asked in growing astonishment.

His lordship portentously cleared his throat. “My dear Lady Caroline, it occurred to me sometime previous that those gentlemen who could have been most expected to exert some influence upon you were singularly inept in doing so. However, I am made of sterner stuff, as you will quickly gather.”

Lady Caroline stared at his lordship in continued astonishment, but a gathering of anger as well. “This is unlike you, my lord! I am not used to insult from you. I shall not continue to suffer it kindly, and so I warn you. Unhand me at once.”

Instead of heeding her icy command and proffering a profuse apology, as she had expected him to do. Lord Hathaway pulled her clumsily into his arms.

“My
lord!”

Her shocked tone fell on deaf ears. Lord Hathaway was determined to present his case. “You are in need of a firm hand, Lady Caroline. I have thought so for some time. I am the master for you, my dear lady, as you shall agree before I leave here this day!”

With this grand declaration, Lord Hathaway lowered his face toward hers. Lady Caroline realized his intent and quickly turned her head. His lordship’s dry lips slid over her cheek. At the same time, Lady Caroline brought her hand up smartly against his face.

Her eyes blazed up at his stunned expression. “Let me go this instant or I shall scream!”

“A pretty scene, I swear,” an amused voice drawled.

Chapter Six

As one, Lady Caroline and Lord Hathaway realized with equal measures of horror that the drawing room door stood open and they were being regarded by the stunned Simpson and a tall gentleman dressed with a negligent elegance that bespoke the Corinthian.

Lady Caroline flushed to the roots of her hair. “Miles!” she uttered in mingled disbelief and laughter.

Lord Trilby advanced leisurely into the drawing room. “Yes, it is definitely I,” he agreed. He turned his cool gray gaze on Lady Caroline’s companion, who had begun to sport an interesting shade of purple about his face and neck. “Lord Hathaway, good day to you. I apologize for interrupting your tea with Lady Caroline. Simpson did not inform me that it was a private party, or I would have sent in my card first.”

Lord Hathaway breathed heavily with his embarrassment. “Not at all, my lord.” He realized that he was still clasping Lady Caroline about the waist, albeit quite loosely, and he removed his arms hastily. “Not at all what it appears, you know.”

“Isn’t it?”

Lord Hathaway, goaded by that gentle ironic voice, snapped, “No, it is not. I hold her ladyship in the upmost regard—”

He stopped abruptly as the Earl of Walmesley’s brows rose. Renewed red crawled up his neck from under his cravat. He well knew that if he had chanced on such a scene he would have thought exactly what Lord Trilby’s stiff-necked manner appeared to convey. He had privately always considered the earl to be something of a fashionable fribble compared to himself, and it cut him to the quick to be the object of the gentleman’s censure. “I assure you, I meant no disrespect to the lady.”

“Indeed?” Lord Trilby made of it a derisive question.

Lord Hathaway blew out his cheeks. There was no reasoning with the fellow, he thought. His perception of himself had been badly shaken and he resented the author of that discomfiture. He made a stiff bow to Lady Caroline but completely ignored the Earl of Walmesley as he stalked from the room.

With grim satisfaction Simpson closed the door, leaving his mistress with one who he thought could be better trusted to toe the line with her ladyship.

“That is a most pompous donkey,” Lord Trilby observed. “I don’t know why ever you receive him, my dear.”