Love Engineered (12 page)

“It's a surprise to have you here, Mr Lucas. Jane said you were too busy with work.”

“I was. But I grew exasperated with a pressing issue and decided to come home only to find that my entire family were out enjoying themselves.” He turned a little away from her, as though to exclude her from any further conversation.

Louise didn't notice, or wouldn't let him escape. “I have always found if work was taxing, an evening such as this can provide an adequate amount of respite.”

She had rather hoped that he would ask her to dance, for the next was about to begin. But this wasn't to happen. He was cruelly pulled away from her by his elder brother to speak with a friend.

His mother took his place and said in a quiet voice to her whilst they looked at the dancers, “Charles seemed pleased to see you again.”

Louise immediately stared at her to see if she was in earnest. It appeared so. Her heart leapt.

“Do you think so? I think he was equally pleased to see Miss Hunter. I rather think she holds an affection for him.”

Mrs Lucas gave a tight smile. “Well, if she were – that would be hard luck for her. His family could never approve of her as a match. Not when there is a more – if you understand me . . .” she paused and tried to find the right words, “A more worthy and consequential lady in his acquaintance of whom we approve in every way.” To add weight to her words she took hold of Louise's hand and patted it.

Louise met her gaze. “I understand you completely.”

“I'm glad we comprehend one another on this matter.”

It took Louise a few minutes to fully absorb the conversation. She felt a swell in her heart that she met with his family’s approval. But at the same time was a little mortified that her feelings were obvious. Then she remembered the conversation with Jane when she had told her that she had made her sentiments for Mr Boyd plain. Perhaps it was for the best. For how else would he know of her feelings? She had learnt from an early age that most gentlemen were a little slow reading the signals from a woman. But now with his mother forwarding the match, she hoped that a happy conclusion was inevitable. She couldn't bear the thought of any other outcome.

She left that evening without speaking any more to Mr Lucas. But she was certain that, given a little more time, things would come to their natural conclusion. She had to be patient.

A few days later, Charles stood outside William Risinger's lodgings and rang the bell. A young servant boy answered and he was shown through. Risinger's room, one of about eight in the same building, was a little shabby, but respectable. It was oddly stark – but since there were no pictures on the walls, it was no surprise. There was a sweet tobacco smell wafting through; one he had come across before, but he couldn't remember where. He stepped around a number of wooden crates scattered on the floor, some half-filled with objects neatly packed in newspaper.

“Charles!” Risinger extended his arm and the two shook hands. “Now, what have you come to see me about? I can see purpose in your visit.”

“You're leaving so soon? I thought you were not going for at least six months.”

“Indeed, I have received my marching orders from Miss Thomas and alas I must go by Wednesday next week.” His voice was jovial, but his countenance betrayed a large amount of indignation.

“She has told you to leave?”

“Yes. And I must go.” He surveyed the room, a mournful look in his eye.

“But surely you do not have to leave because of her? You cannot relinquish yourself?”

“I do and I must. She has too much influence.” he shook his head.

“How can you let her triumph over you?”

“Yes, 'triumph'. That is an excellent description for it. You may think me weak, but a man in my position has little choice other than do what I'm bid by those with the money and power. She has made sure I have no other option than to leave.”

“Is there anything I can do to help you? I have little influence but I will gladly help in any way in my power.”

“I don't think so. I shall go earlier to America and I will prosper there, I'm sure,” he said with a forced smile.

“William, tell me why Miss Thomas treats you so? I would like to know. My sister is friends with her. Is she in danger? I would like to know for her sake.”

Risinger shook his head. “I will say, but I would rather you didn't go about telling everyone. I'm rather embarrassed, really.”

“You can be assured as a gentleman that I would never go about telling anyone your business.”

Risinger indicated that they should sit down. They did so in the armchairs by a small fireplace, where a single pitiful log had burnt itself out.

“Where shall I start?” Risinger said. “I suppose with her father, Sir Robert. He was a good friend of my own dear father. The two knew each other from childhood; my father moved to Devon to a nearby village when he was twelve. My father was summoned to be a playmate for Sir Robert. This is a common occurrence, you may know that already. They paid his family well and at least he received the same education as Sir Robert and they stayed friends for their entire lives. My own father married and two years later I was born. Sir Robert was naturally my godfather.

“I saw little of Sir Robert through my childhood; we moved to Exeter when I was a baby and he was too busy with his own matters to bother to see me. But occasionally when we would all visit him he seemed pleasant enough. When Sir Robert died, I had just started at Cambridge. Miss Thomas visited me there, and I was pleased to get to know her. As a child a little younger than me, she was singular and distant, but she seemed to have cast off these childhood eccentricities and was civil and attentive. But I did notice sometimes how spoilt and selfish she was.

“Through her own insistence we became friends and her visits became more frequent. She asked me to visit her in Devon many times. I couldn't always go but went when I could. On one such visit, I discovered something about her which, well . . .” He paused and raked his hand through his hair.

“The second night of my visit, there was a storm. I've never been one to sleep through such noise, and it kept me awake for a long time. I was restless and made my way to the kitchens in order to get refreshment. I didn't want to disturb the servants, they were worked so hard and paid so little I felt sorry for them. I returned to my chamber, and was about to close the door when I heard talking and laughing. I looked out into the hallway and by the moonlight coming in through a great window I saw Miss Thomas and a man embracing in the doorway of her chamber. They didn't see me. I was shocked. Surprised. But my bewilderment was surpassed when the next day I saw the man in question was one of the grooms.”

Charles let out a deep sigh and closed his eyes for a short time.

Risinger continued, “You may well sigh like that Charles. It became clear after a few days that Miss Thomas had frequent visitors to her bedchamber. Why would a woman of her wealth and power marry? She would no longer be mistress of her estate or of her life. Instead, this way she could retain her position and her night-time visitors could attend to her other needs. It wasn't until a few months later I visited Devon again that one night my worst fear was realised.”

“What happened?”

“For some time I saw her watching me when she thought I didn't notice. She became over friendly with me. Taking hold of my hands and not letting go for a long time. That sort of thing. One night she drank a little more wine than normal and propositioned me. She demanded that I visit her bedchamber. I couldn't. I have high moral standards, of course. It would go against everything I was ever taught, or believe in, even if I were attracted to her. She is, after all, a very beautiful woman.”

Charles had listened quietly but couldn't hold back any longer. “It's amazing to me how she manages to convey such maidenly graces, when she holds such carnal knowledge and behaves in such an immoral way.” He thought back to the last time he had seen her at the Assembly. While she was laughing and dancing, her lackeys were ordering his friend out of the country. He felt his heart quicken in anger.

“Yes, but I suppose she lies even to herself. When she propositioned me it was like . . .” he paused again to find the right words, “It was like she was another woman, a different woman; as if she were possessed. I'm not sure if it was the wine or not.”

“What happened then? When you refused, I mean?”

“She was angry. Told me if I didn't do as she wished then she would make me pay. I didn't believe she meant it, especially with the amount of wine she had drunk. I thought she would forget about it the following morning.”

“And did she?”

“No. She gave me one last chance. But I refused again.”

Risinger stood up, went to the window and looked out.

“She ordered me off her estate and her last words to me – I shall never forget – she said, “You will live to regret your decision forever, Mr Risinger.” I haven't regretted it but she has made my life extraordinarily difficult.”

He remained at the window. After a while, Charles said, “Thank you for telling me. I'm shocked, but your disclosure has confirmed my worst suspicions about her. I had already noticed that she speaks and acts in a most unladylike manner sometimes. It's almost as though the mask slips on occasion.”

Risinger turned around. “I knew you were a perceptive man. There is one more thing you should know. Miss Thomas has not had so many lovers for such a long time without consequences of her actions.”

“Do you mean . . . ?”

“Yes, she has a child, a daughter,” he said. “It was a few years ago. She does not look after or acknowledge the child herself, of course; it’s being brought up by a family in a village near her estate. A childless couple.”

“But who is the father? Why doesn't she look after the child? Surely she should at least support it, even if she does not acknowledge it.”

“I do not believe she knows who the father is. It could be one of many men I suppose.”

“How did you learn of this?”

“It was by chance, actually. A few months after I was seen off the Glazebrook estate I ran into a former footman of hers in London. He told me. He said he left her service because she made demands on him, and he a happily married man who was devoted to his wife. It seems no man is safe around her. I can assure you though, I looked into what this man told me. I tried to obtain proof of the adoption, but it seems Miss Thomas has paid off many people in order to hide her mistake. They would all speak to me in private, and confirmed it; but officially, they would admit nothing.”

Charles stayed silent. It was too much to take in. This woman (he couldn't call her a lady now) had fooled him. On the outside she was all modesty, charm and affability. But he knew the truth. He scolded himself; he was the one who had introduced her to his sister. It was most regrettable.

“I see what you're thinking. You cannot believe that a lady could abuse her position so; could behave in such an unseemly and immoral way.”

“I find it all incomprehensible. But I do not understand why you find it embarrassing. You have followed your principles – you always did when we were at school. You were the perfect pupil. Everyone said it.”

“Thank you Charles, your kind words are gratefully received. Many gentlemen who might find themselves in the same position wouldn't have chosen the moral path I have. Indeed, if I had given into her, I'm sure she would have adorned me with gifts and money until she grew tired of me, then I would be in a much better position than I'm in now.”

“You honour yourself by not giving in to her.”

Risinger gave a small tip of his head. “Thank you. I always try to do the right thing.”

Charles didn't stay much longer. They agreed to meet one more time before Mr Risinger was to travel to Liverpool. Charles decided that he must take immediate action. He wasn't going to allow his sister's reputation to be sullied by Miss Thomas. He must put a stop to their friendship without delay. He would also demand that Miss Thomas relinquishe her stranglehold on his friend.

He decided to go straight to see her and concluded that there was no reason to delay, even though the hour was late. But unfortunately when he called, she wasn't at home, having gone out for the evening.

Overnight, he didn't lose his determination and called again mid-morning. Again, she was out and he started to wonder if she was ever at home.

. . .

When she arrived home from a day visiting friends, Louise was pleased to hear that Mr Lucas had called that morning as well as the night before, although she was a little dismayed that she had been out both times. It was unfortunate luck. She was told he would return later that afternoon in the hope that she would speak with him. Her heart murmured the reason why he had called on her, and although things were moving faster than she expected, there wasn't a doubt now in her mind that this was what she wanted. He obviously wanted to see her; calling twice within such a short period of time wasn't to be sniffed at.

A thrill went through her. She tried to remember the times she had watched in amusement all the other women at balls, at social events and such, where they flirted and tried to gain the attentions of the one gentleman they admired. She tried to remember the small encouragements they gave to the men. What subtleties did she need to perform to show this man that any special notice he showed her was welcome and that his addresses to her would be accepted?

It was a new sensation. She liked it. Succumbing to her feelings – giving into them – was delicious. She felt free, unrestrained, for the first time a real woman.

Perhaps his mother had spoken to him with discretion, dropping hints that she was willing to receive and accept his affections. She would soon find out, because as she stood near the window on the second floor, she heard the bell and hurried herself to the drawing room to receive him.

The servant announced Mr Lucas, and Louise curtsied her welcome. He in turn gave a curt bow and they both waited for the door to close before either spoke.

She began in an eager voice and to fill the awkward silence. “Mr Lucas, I'm very pleased to see you,” she said, stepping forward a little. He seemed surprised and took a step back, but there was no further escape, he was right by the door.