Love in the Highlands (10 page)

In the following days the whole neighbourhood opened its arms to them. There were dinners, lunches, dances. Something happened every night.

Sir James invited them to his estate, so that he could show them his horses which, everyone agreed, were the best for miles around.

The Marquis seemed to think so too, for he studied the horses with admiration, and spent a long time discussing them with Sir James. Nobody noticed that now and then the Marquis regarded him with cool hostility that sat oddly with his friendly words.

Lavina, glancing across at them from a few yards away, saw only that the Marquis seemed at ease, and was reassured.

When she was alone with her father she could not help saying to him,

"You know, Papa, I think this visit to Scotland is doing us all a great deal of good, but most especially the Marquis. He is becoming almost human."

Her father laughed.

"What do you mean by that?" he asked.

"You know exactly what I mean," Lavina replied. "He was laughing and talking about the horses and going from one to another. He found them as marvellous as we did and I thought he was becoming almost human."

"He was certainly very amusing at dinner last night after the ladies had left the room," the Earl said. "He told us stories which I had never heard before and some of the jokes, while not for female ears, were extremely witty and amusing."

Lavina stared.

"Lord Elswick knows jokes that are unfit for females?" she echoed. "I don't believe you, Papa."

"My dear, every gentleman knows jokes that are unfit for females," her father declared firmly.

"Good heavens! You too?"

"I do after listening to Elswick last night," he said mischievously.

Sir James produced a dainty, spirited little mare for Lavina to ride, and accompanied her on a short trip around his grounds.

"We'll go for a longer ride together tomorrow," he said. "At least, I hope you'll want to."

"But are you not going fishing tomorrow?" Lavina asked. "I'm sure that Papa and Lord Elswick – "

"They're going fishing," Sir James answered. "But I'm not."

The expression in his eyes made Lavina look away because she was blushing.

"I – I don't think I can," she said, wishing she were free to flirt with this handsome young man.

"You could if you really wanted to," he said. "Surely your 'lord and master' would not object to an innocent ride?"

"My lord and master?" she echoed in astonishment. "Whoever do you mean?"

"You told me that you were betrothed to Lord Elswick."

"Which makes him my fiancé, not my lord and master."

"Isn't it the same thing?"

"Certainly not!" she said indignantly.

"But does he see it that way? To my eyes he looks like a tyrannical kind of man."

"I do not permit him to order me around," Lavina said loftily.

"Then you'll come riding with me tomorrow?"

"Yes, I will."

Impulsively he seized her hand and kissed it.

Despite her confident words Lavina was a little unsure exactly how Lord Elswick would react. So that evening, just before everyone went up to bed, she wished him a good day's fishing, and informed him that she would be riding with Sir James McVein.

"I hope you enjoy the day, ma'am."

"You do not object?"

"Why should I? You will of course be properly accompanied by a groom – "

"Well, I – "

"In fact, I'll mention it to Sir Ian immediately." He gave her a smile. "Just in case you should happen to forget."

He went off immediately to speak to Sir Ian, and returned with the news that two of the McEwuan daughters would also be accompanying them.

Then he told her that he hoped she would sleep well, and went up stairs, leaving her fuming.

The following day she and Sir James set out on horseback, accompanied by Isabel and Geraldine McEwuan, and a groom. At the end of an extremely dull day she returned home, in a mood to quarrel.

She was unable to quarrel with the Marquis, however, as he was not there. The gentlemen arrived home while she was dressing for dinner.

As always the table was enlarged by several neighbours, one of whom, Eglantine McCaddy, was the local beauty, also known for her singing.

At dinner she had the honour of being seated next to the Marquis, who paid her a great deal of flattering attention, seemingly entranced by her charms.

For the life of her, Lavina could not see what he found to admire. To her the 'beauty' seemed overblown and vulgar, her attractions obvious, her laughter too noisy.

And this was the man who loathed and abominated women, bowing down before this coarse temptress, while his fiancée looked on!

Her singing was no better. Her voice was loud, which was about the best that could be said for it. Why the Marquis had to insist on accompanying her was beyond Lavina.

Somehow it was this that upset her most. His piano playing had been a secret between them, hinting at a greater closeness, possible in the future. By revealing it to the world he had mysteriously devalued it, and that hurt her more than she wanted to admit.

When the performance was over there was loud applause, which the two performers received with a theatrical simulation of modesty that made Lavina want to throw something at one – or both – of them.

As the party repaired for the night the Marquis drew Lavina aside for a private word. There was a glint in his eyes that might have been amusement, or perhaps something more disturbing.

"Are you angry with me?" he asked.

"I have every reason to be – carrying on like that in front of everyone."

"At least I didn't kiss her hand, or try to slip away for a private tryst, as you attempted."

"We were going riding," she snapped.

"To be sure you were! Did you enjoy it?"

She glowered at him.

"What do you see in him, Lavina?"

"He is charming company," she said stiffly.

"And I'm not. I'm a curmudgeon with rough manners. But it was to me that you turned for help, because the very qualities that make me a disaster in society make me strong enough to help you.

"You cannot have it both ways. If you are falling in love with that man then say so. I'll withdraw my suit and leave you to him."

"Oh no, you mustn't – "

"But I will if you give me cause. Think about it. Perhaps an engagement to him would serve your purpose just as well."

"I do not wish to be engaged to him," she said with soft vehemence.

"Just to flirt with him? I see. Let me warn you against that. I will not be made a fool of. Do you understand me?"

"Yes."

"Good. In that case I will bid you goodnight."

He walked ahead without a backward look, leaving her to run to her room, throw herself on the bed and thump the pillow.

Despite this, life moved on fairly contentedly for another week. Lavina was entranced by the beauties of Scotland, and when she rode it was mostly at Lord Elswick's side. When not annoyed he was good company.

She was almost allowing herself to relax and push her fears aside, when, one morning, Lady McEwuan came rushing into the drawing room, full of excitement.

"There's a carriage coming up the drive, and it has the royal crest on the panels."

Lavina's blood ran cold, and her frantic eyes sought her father's.

He rose to his feet, pale but determined. The family would have followed him, but Sir Ian said firmly,

"It will be confidential business from Her Majesty. We will not intrude."

Holding each other's hand for comfort, the Earl and

Lavina went out into the hall to greet whoever should appear. The front door was pulled open.

"Papa," Lavina said in horror, "Look who it is!"

The man who appeared was Sir Richard Peyton, the same man that they had deluded and left behind at The Towers. Lavina and father exchanged alarmed glances, wondering what he could be doing here.

Sir Richard approached them, his face rigid, paused and gave a small, curt nod.

"What are you doing this far north, Peyton?" the Earl asked with an attempt at geniality.

"I am with Her Majesty at Balmoral," the man replied stiffly.

"Balmoral?" The Earl exclaimed. "It's too early in the year for that. The Queen never comes north until next month."

"Her Majesty has decided to make an exception this year," Sir Richard declared. "She has a special guest who particularly wished to see the glories of Scotland."

Lavina felt as though the world had stood still. There was a strange ringing in her ears, and suddenly she was full of dread.

"What – special guest?" Lord Ringwood asked in a hollow voice.

Sir Richard drew himself up until he was practically standing to attention. In a loud voice he announced,

"Her Majesty has been pleased to invite Lord Ringwood, and his daughter, Lady Lavina Ringwood, to a reception tomorrow evening, at which they will have the honour of meeting Prince Stanislaus of Kadradtz."

A ghastly silence greeted this pronouncement. Sir Richard then handed over the invitation card.

"But – er – " the Earl stammered, "Is there not another invitation, for Lord Elswick?"

"Her Majesty is unaware of Lord Elswick's presence in the neighbourhood, and has therefore not been able to include him on the list."

"But now that she is aware – "

A shout of laughter interrupted him. Everyone turned to look at the Marquis strolling into the hall, his face alight with hilarity.

"It's no use, Ringwood," he said. "Wild horses wouldn't persuade the Queen to acknowledge my presence if it meant inviting me to a reception to which, in any case, I do not wish to attend."

At the sight of the Marquis Sir Richard drew himself up.

"My Lord, I consider you treated me most shabbily at our last meeting."

"No choice. Anyway, you seem to have got your own back. I wonder how the Queen knew where we were?"

Sir Richard glared at him.

"You told her, of course, and how did you know where we were?" the Marquis mused.

"Your butler was as misleading as you instructed him to be," Sir Richard said stiffly.

"But you managed to bribe some of the others, I suppose. I dare say there was one listening at the library keyhole the night before. Well, I hope Her Majesty rewards you for it, but I doubt it. She doesn't like sneaks any more than I do, even though she isn't above using their services. You can leave now."

"I have to take back an answer."

"The answer will be delivered without help from you. Take yourself off."

Catching the Marquis' baleful eye Sir Richard scuttled away into his carriage.

"I can't go to this reception without you," Lavina said

urgently. "You know what the Queen is doing, don't you?"

"Certainly I do, and there is no fear of your going without me. You may safely leave this in my hands."

"At least tell me what you mean to do."

"There is not the slightest necessity for you to know," he informed her with a touch of loftiness. "When I tell you that I shall take care of the problem, you may be assured that all is well."

Lavina's eyes kindled.

"You're very high-handed, sir."

"Indeed I am. You have always known as much."

"I only meant – "

"I know very well what you meant. You knew what I was like when we began this venture. It's too late to complain now. Ringwood, it is my intention to call upon Her Majesty. I suggest that you come with me."

Lord Ringwood paled.

"But the Queen is not expecting us," he protested.

"Her Majesty is well known for appreciating informality when at Balmoral," the Marquis replied smoothly. "She will be overjoyed at a visit from her neighbours."

Lord Ringwood only wished he could be as certain, but the Marquis was in a determined mood.

"At least tell me what you intend to say to her," Lavina insisted.

The Marquis regarded her with a touch of humour.

"I think I had better not tell you," he said. "You might explode with rage."

He walked away without a backward glance, leaving Lavina glaring after him.

Half an hour later the carriage departed for Balmoral, bearing the Earl and the Marquis, both superbly dressed as befitted men who were about to enter the royal presence.

It would be hours before they could return, and the thought of twiddling her thumbs was intolerable. Lavina rushed upstairs to put on her riding habit, took a horse from the stables and went for a long ride.

When she returned there was still no sign of them, so she began pacing up and down, grinding her nails into her palms. She was a prey to the most violent agitation, but whether it sprang from fear for her father, for herself, or from annoyance at Lord Elswick, she could not quite decide.

If only they would hurry up and come home!

At last she saw the carriage appear in the distance, heading for home. She controlled her impatience until both men were walking into the house.

"All is well, my dear," the Earl said, embracing her. "Lord Elswick will be coming to Balmoral with us tomorrow night."

"But do not tell your daughter how I arranged it," the Marquis murmured, "until I am safely out of throwing distance."

Lavina took her father's arm and marched him into the garden.

"Papa, what has he done?"

"Oh my dear, if only you could have seen him! He was magnificent, the way he stood up to the Queen. He insisted on the Chamberlain announcing us, and when we walked in he greeted her, and said he knew that she would wish to congratulate him on his betrothal to you."

"The Queen was very taken aback, but she recovered and actually declared that there was no betrothal, as you were a member of the royal family, and could not marry without her consent."

"Papa!"

"You will never believe what he replied."

"I'd believe anything of him. What did he say?"

"He said, 'Nonsense!'"

Lavina's response was all that he could have hoped. She stared as though her eyes would pop out of her head, and whispered,

"He said 'Nonsense!' to the Queen?"

"He did. He said that nobody had ever considered the Ringwood family royal before, and it was too late to start now."