Lord Ilchester's Inheritance (8 page)

‘No, my lord, he won’t let me. I don’t like the look of him at all – he must have overdone it yesterday. His valet is taking care of him.’

Gideon marched straight in, he intended to convince Bishop to see the doctor when he arrived to attend to Miss Stanton. No – in future he would think of her as Sapphire – a strange and inappropriate name for a beautiful young lady with startling hazel eyes and russet hair. Some maggot had got into her parents at her birth, no doubt, and this accounted for the folly.

Jarvis stomped in from what was presumably the bedchamber. ‘He reckons as he will see you, my lord. Will you come this way, if you please?’

Mr Bishop was looking remarkably perky, his colour was good and his expression animated. A wave of relief washed over him – he had become inordinately fond of the elderly gentleman in the short time he had known him.

‘Come in, come in, my dear fellow, Jarvis is making too much fuss. I am a trifle fatigued after all the excitement yesterday, but not at all unwell, as you can see for yourself. So, my lord, why the long features?’

Gideon told him the whole sorry tale. ‘I have sent for the doctor, I hope you will let him examine you before he departs.’

‘I shall have no peace until I agree, what with you, my valet, Fullerton, and Jarvis making such a fuss about nothing. I am sure that Sapphire has suffered no serious harm from her fall, she will need to rest and keep the foot elevated for a few days, but she will be perfectly well after that.

‘Now, do sit down, my dear fellow, you are making me dizzy prowling around the room as you are. There is something I wish to speak to you about.’

Gideon folded himself onto a convenient upright chair, crossed his legs at the ankle and waited expectantly.

‘I told Sapphire that you were her legal guardian, this is fustian and we both know it. I stand in that role for all three of them. However, I have sent for my lawyer and intend to add a codicil to the effect that, at my demise, you will assume responsibility – I am making you the boys’ guardian. My great-niece is quite able to take care of herself and will be a very wealthy young woman.’

‘I should be honoured to be officially named, sir, but surely you would wish Miss Stanton to be involved with their upbringing? Unless you are anticipating kicking the bucket in the next couple of years, I’m certain she will be married by then. She and her husband would expect to raise her brothers.’

The old man smiled. ‘Exactly so, my dear fellow. My plan is faultless; if she wishes to remain with her siblings she will not contract a marriage. Therefore she will remain here and not leave me on my own.’

This seemed a selfish point of view, and not one Gideon expected from his host. The old gentleman looked remarkably smug, there was something else going on here that he was not privy to.

Gideon got to his feet and bowed politely. ‘I believe I see the doctor’s gig approaching down the drive. If you would excuse me, sir, I wish to speak to him before he visits your niece.’ He strode to the door and then remembered the other reason he had wished to speak to Bishop.

‘I would like to borrow your carriage, if I may, I think it best if I depart immediately after what took place today. Miss Stanton holds me in extreme dislike and will be delighted that I have gone.’

‘We must do as you see fit, my lord, after all you are a peer of the realm and must be eager to get away from us commoners.’

This outrageous comment made Gideon laugh out loud. ‘Indeed, sir, you have the right of it. I am far too top lofty to remain here. However, I sincerely hope that my invitation to attend the house party with my family will not be withdrawn.’

‘You can be very certain it will not. Please say your farewells to the children; they will be sad to see you go. Thank you for coming to see me in person – I cannot tell you how much it means to me to be back in contact with my relations, however distant they may be. A few weeks ago I considered myself quite alone in the world, now I have an abundance of family and am determined to remain on God’s earth for at least another decade.’

‘I’m delighted to hear you say that, Mr Bishop. Thank you for your hospitality. I shall take my leave very soon but will return with my mother and sisters next month to celebrate Miss Stanton’s birthday. By the by, I have left a note of the names and addresses of acquaintances of mine who live within an hour’s drive of here. I can guarantee that all of them are acceptable and several have daughters of a similar age to Miss Stanton.’

He had deliberately omitted from this list any family that had sons who might be considered a suitable match for his delectable cousin.

Chapter Eight

‘There, Miss Stanton, I have finished. A very nasty sprain, but fortunately no worse than that. Keep your limb elevated and remain upstairs for at least two days.’

Sapphire smiled her thanks. ‘I cannot believe something as insignificant as a sprain could be so painful. I thank you, Doctor Smith, and I shall endeavour to abide by your instructions.’

The doctor departed and she sent word to the nursery that she was ready for visitors. Her brothers had been prevented by Meg, the nursemaid, from immediately charging downstairs when they had heard about her ankle.

They burst in and were about to fling themselves on top of her when she held out both hands. ‘No, boys, you have to be careful and quiet. See, the doctor has bandaged up my ankle and I have it resting on a cushion. You cannot climb onto the bed because it will really hurt me.’

‘Can we sit on the floor beside you?’ David asked.

‘Of course you can, there are plenty of cushions and footstools you can bring over if you don’t wish to sit on the floor.’

Eventually they were settled to their satisfaction and after being reassured that she was perfectly well, apart from being stiff, bruised and having a sprained ankle, they told her all about their riding and how much they loved their ponies. She found it rather unsettling that they mentioned Ilchester’s name a dozen times during their tale. ‘Ned and Billy are going to give us lessons every single day – Lord Ilchester thinks we will be off the leading rein in no time at all,’ David said.

‘As soon as I am able I shall come down and watch you. When you are proficient enough we can go out together in the mornings. I shall also continue your swimming lessons.’

The rattle of cutlery and crockery heralded the arrival of her eagerly anticipated, but very delayed, breakfast. ‘I am sharp-set, boys, I do hope they have brought up enough for all of us. If they haven’t, then I fear I shall not feel inclined to share.’

For a second they looked shocked and then giggled. ‘We had our breakfast ages ago, but I am quite hungry again, aren’t you, David?’

Two of the new parlourmaids staggered in with loaded trays – more than enough for half a dozen starving people let alone the three of them. After they had eaten Sapphire sent the boys out to play with their puppy. ‘Jenny, I wish to speak to Lord Ilchester. Do think you could find him for me?’

Her maid returned with the news that his lordship was speaking to her brothers and would come and see her after that. What seemed like an interminable time later there was a sharp knock on the door. Sapphire had dismissed Jenny, what she had to say to this gentleman was best said in private.

As far as she was aware it was perfectly in order to entertain a member of one’s family in one’s own sitting room without causing eyebrows to be raised.

‘Come in, if you please.’ She was relieved that her voice didn’t betray her nervousness. Her initial fury had abated, and he
had
apologised most handsomely, but she wished to have matters right between them, especially if he was leaving later today. Also he had begun to sprinkle his conversation with unnecessary, and inappropriate, endearments and she wished him to stop that at once.

The door slowly opened, somehow she had expected it to be thrown back dramatically, and Lord Ilchester stepped in looking remarkably smart for a man who had arrived with no change of raiment.

‘You have changed your jacket, my lord, am I to take it your valet and baggage have arrived?’

‘How observant of you, Miss Stanton, they have indeed. I must admit I looked a trifle shabby, I am famous for my sartorial elegance, a veritable tulip of fashion as you can see.’

His jacket was superbly cut, but a plain dark green, nothing flamboyant at all. His waistcoat was grey silk and his shirt points and neckcloth nothing out of the ordinary. Then she saw he was having difficulty hiding his amusement at her expense.

For a second she intended to give him a severe set down for his teasing, then she laughed instead. ‘I do so enjoy the company of a gentleman with a sense of humour.’ She waved airily towards an armchair a suitable distance from her daybed. ‘In fact, my lord, if you had not abandoned me without ascertaining how I did, I might almost like you.’ He made no move to follow her gesture.

‘I should not have done so, but I was furious with you. Didn’t you realise that jumping over a gate without ensuring there was no one passing by was the height of foolhardiness? If I had not pushed Tom and Merry into the hedge they could have been killed.’

A wave of nausea engulfed her and for a moment she thought she might disgrace herself. She swallowed hastily, took several deep breaths, and the danger passed. ‘I had no idea we had come so close to a catastrophe. Small wonder you were angry and decided I should walk home.’

‘Promise me you will never do anything so stupid again? I might not be your guardian, but I am head of the family and believe I have the right to an opinion on this matter.’

‘Of course I will not do it again. And on another subject entirely, sir, as you now have your man and your luggage, why don’t you stay until your stallion is sound?’

He had been leaning nonchalantly against the wall but at her suggestion he appeared to lose his balance. He recovered smoothly and his smile made her feel decidedly peculiar.

‘Unfortunately, I have already bid my adieus to your brothers and your uncle so can hardly remain after that.’

‘That is doing it too brown, sir. I am quite certain you do exactly as you please with little regard for anybody’s opinion on the matter.’ She should not have said that – what had got into her today?

He didn’t bother to answer until he was settled opposite, and then he folded his arms and pursed his lips before replying. ‘I cannot tell you how happy it makes me, my dear, to know you hold me in such high opinion. For I am thoroughly disliked at home and my staff live in constant fear of being dismissed, and my family of being locked in the attic on a diet of bread and water.’

She put her finger on her lips as if considering his outrageous statement. ‘In which case, my lord, the longer you remain here the better it will be for those at Ilchester Abbey.’

‘You are without doubt, miss, an impudent baggage. I believe that it behoves me to stay here until I have shown you the error of your ways.’

His lips twitched, but for a horrible moment she had thought he was serious. ‘I think, Lord Ilchester, you would have more success teaching a pig to fly.’

How long this enjoyable badinage could have continued before she said something outrageous was debatable. He laughed at her silliness and then his expression sobered as if he thought it inappropriate. He was going to leave, and she had something she wished to ask him before he did so.

‘My lord, as you are now going to stay until Sultan is fit, could I prevail upon you to do me an enormous favour? Although the estate is in good heart, and the factor and my uncle’s man of business are honest hard-working men, I fear Canfield Hall is lagging behind in terms of improvements and innovations.

‘Would you be willing to ride around the estate and see what might be done to improve productivity and the lot of our tenants and workers?’

He nodded. ‘I should be delighted to do so, Miss Stanton. However, it would not be civil of me to do so without informing Mr Bishop.’ He stood up and strolled to the door, calling back as he exited. ‘You must dress for dinner tonight. I have my evening rig here and will be disappointed if I cannot wear it.’

She yelled her reply at his departing back. ‘In case you haven’t noticed, I’m unable to leave this daybed and must not put any weight on my foot for two days.’

He reversed and turned to stare at her through narrowed eyes. ‘Shouting is most unladylike, Miss Stanton. I am not an imbecile, I’m well aware of your infirmity. I shall, of course, carry you down.’

Before she could protest at his high-handed suggestion he vanished and she could hear him whistling merrily as he walked away. The man was too fond of having his own way and she was not going to allow herself to be carried about the place like an unwanted parcel.

There was only one way she could prevent him from carrying out his unacceptable suggestion and she was determined to put this plan into action and thwart his schemes.

It was difficult to settle with her book after he had gone. Her ankle throbbed unpleasantly and she needed the commode. She stretched out and rang the little brass bell, relieved when Jenny and a chambermaid came at once.

*

Gideon reached the gallery and for an insane moment was tempted to slide down the polished banister. By rights he should be in a sombre mood, after all, his parent had only been dead just over four months. However, he had never felt so invigorated in his life. There was something inviting about Canfield Hall and he was more than happy to remain for another few days.

He informed the butler of his change of plans and the man seemed inordinately pleased. There was something havey-cavey going on and he was determined to discover what it was. His host was having a nap and could not be spoken to, but he was assured a message would be taken as soon as Mr Bishop was awake.

In fact, he had had no intention of departing today, and had been certain Sapphire would ask him to stay on. His luggage was being unpacked at this very moment, the carriage would already be unharnessed and put away. In his note to his mother he had said he would be staying for a day or two but had also given her the good news of the invitation to join the Bishops for the house party next month.

Now was as good a time as any to check his stallion’s progress. He was halfway to the stable when the fog in his brain cleared and he saw what his elderly relative was about. The intention was for Sapphire to become his wife – that way she would remain with her brothers.

A surge of excitement made him catch his breath. Was this why he felt so happy? Was it possible that he already had warm feelings for his cousin? They had been acquainted barely twenty-four hours – could he have fallen in love so quickly?

His head was spinning. He didn’t know if he was confusing desire with a genuine emotion. There was no doubt at all that he found her desirable, would love to share his bed with her, but was this the same as being in love? All this was new to him, he had never had the slightest interest in any other young lady even though he had met dozens of hopeful debutantes over the past few years.

He needed to get away from here, clear his head, but that was impossible at the moment. Both the horses that had pulled the barouche would also go under saddle, but they could not be ridden so soon after their long journey. Fortunately there was nothing up to his weight in the stables.

He would walk around the lake. He was about to head off in that direction when a puppy of indeterminate ancestry shot through the archway hotly pursued by the twins. He had the foresight to reach down and snatch the wriggling animal from the path before it vanished into the bushes.

‘He ran away, sir, he’s a very naughty puppy.’ Tom held out his arms and Gideon handed him the little dog.

‘Silly is ever so sweet, but he doesn’t come to his name,’ David said.

Gideon dropped to his haunches beside them. ‘I’m not surprised if you have called him that. You have only had him a few hours, boys, it will take him a day or two to learn his new surroundings and understand that his name is Silly. It might be better to play with him in a loose box where he can’t escape until he is accustomed to you both.’

They nodded solemnly. ‘We will do that, won’t we Tom? Are you going now? Your carriage isn’t ready yet.’

‘I have decided not to leave until Sultan is sound. I’m going down to the lake, would you like to come with me? I notice that there is a rowing boat and punt in the boathouse. I thought we could try one out together. But first you must inform your nursemaid. Remember, you must never go near the water on your own, even when you can both swim properly.’

They trotted off obediently and he heard them talking to the nursemaid, moments later they reappeared with her. ‘I beg your pardon, my lord, but are you quite sure you want to go boating with these two little rascals?’

‘I am quite sure, thank you. However, it might be wise if you accompanied us just in case you are needed.’

The girl looked relieved to be included in this jaunt and he didn’t blame her. He was probably the last person she would wish to trust her precious charges with. He glanced at his smart apparel. ‘Boys, I think we need to change into something that won’t matter if it gets wet. If I remember correctly, the last time I was in a boat I returned extremely damp.’

There was no argument on this point and they scampered off to change leaving him to follow at a more stately pace. The boys would wait on the terrace if they were ready before him and vice versa. Ellis, his valet, wisely made no comment when he was asked to find garments that would not be ruined if immersed in lake water.

His appearance on the terrace in bare feet and shirtsleeves sent the children into fits of giggles. Immediately they sat down and stripped off their own stockings, boots and waistcoats. ‘Now, lads, are you ready for your adventure?’

They frolicked around him like a pair of overeager puppies, asking innumerable questions for which there were no sensible answers. What had possessed him to suggest this activity? He would have been better off taking them for a sedate walk through the woods.