Rescuing Rosalind (Three Original Ladies and Their Gentlemen) (7 page)

Fanny felt a spurt of panic. “But, Elise, who is that?” Trying to understand the source of her sudden anxiety, she said, “I can only play parts.”

“You are not playing a part right now.”

“Then, tell me who I am. You have known me all my life.”

“You have always been a very adventurous, affectionate creature. You are creative, imaginative, and a rebel when faced with something you do not want to do.” Taking Emma on to her lap, she combed her daughter’s blonde curls with her fingers. “But deep down inside, Fan, you are vulnerable. We all are—you and me and Sophie. Because of mother. We can be hurt far more easily than most people, so we are very slow to trust or to acknowledge deep feeling.”

Fanny pondered this. She knew instinctively that what Elise said was true. Why then had she been so quick to trust Deal? It was a mystery to her.

* * *

She loved to ride in Hyde Park at the fashionable hour. Lord Westringham had a very smart curricle and a bang-up pair of chestnuts. The crowd of fashionables was enormous, but, for a sailor, Viscount Westringham was an excellent whip. Their progress through the park was slow but steady.

“Have you known the captain. . . er. . . the marquis, a long time?” he asked.

“I met him years ago at Ruisdell Palace. He was very rude to me.”

Westringham laughed. “What did he do?”

Looking at the viscount’s elegant profile as he managed his horses, she said, “He quelled my pretensions, which is never a good idea. I am very attached to them.”

“Ah. There are two things the captain cannot abide: pretentiousness and bullying.”

“Well, I am not a bully, at least.”

“Nor do I find you pretentious.”

“Thank you for that. You might, however, if you knew me better.” She stopped to acknowledge Sally Jersey, who had come up beside the curricle.

“Miss Edwards,” Lady Jersey said from her open carriage. “I have not had the privilege of meeting this gentleman.”

“Lady Jersey, may I present the Viscount Westringham? He is recently returned from the wars, where he served as a naval first lieutenant.” Turning to her escort, she said, “Lady Jersey is one of the patronesses of Almack’s.”

Lord Westringham tipped his hat. “My lady, it is a pleasure indeed.”

“It is presentable young men such as yourself that we value highly at Almack’s. I will be most delighted to provide you with a voucher.”

Fanny’s escort tipped his hat again. “I thank you. That is an honor, your ladyship.”

With a slight incline of the head, Lady Jersey drove on.

“It shall be all over London by this evening that I have a very handsome beau,” Fanny told her companion. “Next to the Marquis of Somerset, Sally Jersey is the greatest gossip in London.”

“Ah, her news will not be received well by your other admirers, I imagine.”

“Of whom do you speak?”

“Warmsby, for one. Most likely, he will call me out.”

Fanny called a greeting to her aunt, Lady Clarice Manton, and her companion, Miss Susannah Braithwaite. They pulled over to the curricle, and Fanny introduced them to her escort.

“Lovely to meet any friend of dear Fanny’s,” her Aunt Clarice said. “I do believe I read of your elevation to the peerage recently.”

“In the navy, were you not?” her companion asked.

“Yes,” the viscount answered. “Second son. Regrettably, my brother died in a hunting accident. Totally unanticipated by me. Miss Edwards is helping me to find my feet among the
ton
.”

Sukey laughed. “Then you had best take care. Where Fanny leads, it is not always wise to follow!”

“Sukey! You are not one to talk, with your beetle collection and Henry Five,” Aunt Clarice said.

“Henry Five?” Westringham asked.

“An enormous tortoise,” Fanny told him. “Named for some reason after Henry the Fifth. He is well known in
ton
circles, as are my aunt and Sukey. I declare that they are such well-established eccentrics that they could get away with anything outrageous. I am jealous, of course.”

“You wish to be outrageous?”

“Certainly. I am no milk-and-water miss, Lord Westringham.”

“That she certainly is not,” said Aunt Clarice. “My nieces all have strong personalities. I tell you this as a kindly word of warning, my lord. It was a pleasure to meet you.”

When they had passed by, Fanny resumed their prior conversation. “Lord Warmsby has no proprietary rights where I am concerned. He has a very bad reputation and Elise, my sister, will not even receive him.” She continued, “He ruined the reputation of my dear friend, Miss Hinchcliffe. They had an aborted elopement to Gretna. Her father caught them, but the damage was done. I think it would have been all right if he had been in love with her, but all the world knew it was not that. Lord Warmsby coveted her fortune.”

“I am surprised that you will stand up with the fellow, Miss Edwards.”

She shrugged. “I had a passing interest in rakes. Just for the sake of experience. However, now that I am over it, he will keep being difficult.” Fanny frowned fiercely.

“Is there any way that I can help with the problem?”

“You are very kind, Lord Westringham. I think that your presence by my side on occasion may be useful in showing the earl that he is not my exclusive choice.” This hope of hers was very real, as was her idea that the attentions of this friend of the captain’s might have a useful effect on Deal.

“I will be very happy to lend you my presence. I hope you do not think me too forward when I tell you that I anticipate with pleasure getting to know you better.”

Fanny was suddenly uncomfortable. His words were ardent and sincere. How could she use someone with a genuine regard for her? It was despicable! She remained silent as she tried to think of some way to dampen the viscount’s ardor without offending him. Drat! Elise had the finesse required for this kind of thing, but she was sadly lacking.

As though sensing that his words had disturbed Fanny, her escort broke the silence. “I realize, Miss Edwards, that I, myself, am not in any kind of exclusive situation either.”

“I do not wish to seem fickle or missish . . .”

“You are neither. You are only charming. It is no wonder you have so many suitors for your hand.”

“You are very kind. Your friend finds me an impudent baggage. I think he is closer to the truth.”

“Never say so! He has not spent enough time about women. I have heard him say that his mother was not the sterling standard by which to judge others.”

“Is that why you think he is a misogynist?”

Clearly startled, the viscount looked at her. “Did I say that?”

Fanny was suddenly conscious of the scene in the Richmond inn where she had heard the lieutenant use the word. Alarmed and worried she might further muddle her conversations with the Viscount if she continued, she said, “I fear that this monstrous crowd of people is giving me the headache. I feel unwell. Would you mind terribly if we returned?”

Westringham was all concern. “Not at all, Miss Edwards. We will have you home in a trice.”

* * *

The following morning, at the breakfast table, Fanny was surprised by the arrival of a note which the duke informed her had been delivered by Lord Westringham’s valet.

Dear Miss Edwards,

I was puzzled by your remark yesterday when you claimed that I referred to Lord Deal as a misogynist. I reviewed all of our conversation, and can state positively that I never used such a coarse term with you.

In fact, I distinctly recall that the only time I have used that term in connection with my friend, I was in company with his mistress, who was known to me as Rosalind. She was heavily veiled but, upon reflection, I believe her to have been you.

My thoughts are disarranged, as I hope you can imagine. I cannot but think that you are playing a dangerous game. Do you imagine you can draw another man into your trap in the guise of a proper young lady, since Deal cannot be brought up to scratch? If I could discover you, others will, too. Deal is also not above giving you away if he wishes to cause mischief!

W.

Panic-stricken, Fanny looked up at the duke, who was consuming a sirloin.

“Peter! Can you tell me where your friend Lord Deal has his rooms?”

“You are not going there!”

“No, it is not that. I find I have an urgent communication I must send him.”

Ruisdell raised an eyebrow. “Concerning what, pray?”

Drat the man! He must tell her or what was she to do? She could feel the minutes slipping away. Minutes in which Westringham would be at White’s telling his tale to all and sundry. “It is confidential. Please tell me! It is of the most urgent importance!”

“Fanny, you are nigh hysterical.” He rang for a footman. “Will you order strong tea for Miss Edwards and then fetch the duchess, Phillips?”

Fanny sat, her head down as though she could not bear to look at Peter. As tears started, she shredded her handkerchief. When her sister arrived, she sat down beside her. “What is this, Fan?”

“She has asked for Deal’s address in order to make what seems to be a desperate communication of some sort.”

“Fanny! You must tell us what is amiss so that we may help you,” Elise insisted.

Hanging her head, Fanny began her story. “It has to do with my drive to Richmond.”

The duke swore. Elise hushed him. “Go on, Fan. What happened?”

“The captain’s leader had thrown a shoe, so we were obliged to stop at an inn where it could be reshod. We ran into a bit of bad luck.”

“Someone recognized you!” The duke fairly exploded. Fanny witnessed Elise calming him with a hand on his arm.

“No. It was Westringham and I had never met him before. Lord Deal introduced me as Rosalind and informed me that this man was his first lieutenant.”

“And of course he thought that you were Deal’s doxy!” the duke exploded.

His rage made her suddenly ill. Her hands shook as she forced herself to her feet. Dizziness assailed her. She had to get out of the room. Tossing Westringham’s communication across the table to her brother-in-law, she fled.

After climbing the stairs to her room, she threw herself on her bed and willed her heart to stop pounding and her breathing to slow.
Peter is not going to strike you, you silly chit. His anger is justified, not a random flare-up over nothing. But what am I to do? I am ruined!

There was only one thing
to
do.When her heart slowed at last, she called for her maid.

“Becky, have one of the footmen bring down my portmanteaux from the attic.”

“We are traveling, miss?”

“Yes. Back to Derbyshire.”

As Becky left, Elise entered. “Fan, dearest. The duke sends his apologies. He never meant to roar at you like that. He is furious with Deal. I explained to him about mother’s rages. He would have come himself to apologize, but he did not want you to be further upset by his presence.” She sat on the bed next to Fanny and took her hand. “The letter rounded out your story. You must be thoroughly wretched, dearest.”

“I am off to Derbyshire,” Fanny told her. “I do nothing but upset Peter, and I cannot endure his rages. They make me ill.”

“I understand. But let us see if we can get this affair hushed up first.”

“I do not see how that is to be done.”

“Will you let the duke come in for a moment? I promise you, his anger is not with you. You have a right to know what he is going to do.”

Fanny nodded. Elise left her and returned shortly with her husband.

“My apologies, Fanny. I should have kept my temper in better order. I shall see Deal directly. The fault is just as much his for introducing his friend to you in that guise and going along with your ruse. I warned him what could come of this. I thought he had more sense. He shall offer for you, or I will call him out!”

Panic drove away Fanny’s tears. She flew to him, crying in earnest. Gripping his sleeve, she said, “He should dislike that excessively, and that would make me miserable! Please. Perhaps if only he would explain matters to Viscount Westringham, all would be well. Once he knows I am not trying to deceive the
ton
, I think he will be silent.”

“I will endeavor to bring this about. If I am to do so, I must act immediately. Think what you will, I am dashed fond of you, Fanny. I will spare you any further strictures. I am certain you have learned a valuable lesson here. At least it is not Warmsby we are dealing with.”

Elise squeezed her sister’s shoulder. “I like Lord Deal, but he appears to have impaired judgment where you are concerned. You are like two children.”

Fanny sat down once more and put her head in her hands. “I do not want him to be forced to marry me. That would ruin everything!”

The duke left the room, but Elise sat down next to Fanny and put her arm around her.

At her sister’s gentle touch, Fanny finally lost all ability to contain her misery. Sobbing, she threw herself into Elise’s arms. “He does not yet have those feelings for me that a man should have for a wife. We are merely friends!” She looked into her sister’s face. “Do you not see? By forcing him to marry me, you will insure that he will resent me and see me as a burden. He would never grow to love me.”

“Once again, Fan, do you love him?” Elise asked.

“I do not know. I have been wondering if I might. I certainly prefer him to anyone else I have ever met.”

“Remember when we talked of trust? I cannot perfectly see how you can trust him when he let you in for this bumblebroth.”

Fanny bristled at the criticism of her captain. In that moment she knew that their mutual dislike of society had formed a bond between the two of them. No matter what had become of that trip to Richmond, she could only regret the outcome, not the event itself. She mopped her tears, and raised her head. “It was a bit of fun, Elise. We laughed heartily over it. He hates the restrictions of society as much as I do.”

“He is a man, and can therefore get away with almost anything. Your reputation is fragile. It does not seem he fully realizes that.”

“It is not his fault. He has not spent much time among the
ton.
He is used to commanding a ship and being a law unto himself. The man is constantly appalled at the limits the
ton
imposes on women.”