The Husband Season (14 page)

‘I am flattered.’

‘Don’t be. You knew Teddy could never resist a gamble—why did you encourage him?’

‘He needed no encouragement.’

She realised this was true. ‘You could have refused to play with him.’

‘What, and denied myself the pleasure of taking his money?’

‘He has no money.’

‘Now, that is a great shame, because I really need him to pay up.’

‘Give him more time.’

‘Why should I?’

‘It is the only way you are going to get it.’

‘Is that so?’ He smiled, revealing a broken tooth. ‘Now, I can think of an alternative. You are really stirring up my baser instincts dressed like that. I am wondering what it would be like to have a young lad in my bed who turns out not to be a lad after all. For that pleasure I might forgo the debt.’

‘You are disgusting!’

He shrugged. ‘Then, Teddy must find a way of paying me. Remind him, when you see him, that I charge interest by the day.’

She fled and made her way back to Mount Street, uncaring that more of her hair was escaping and her small strides were giving her away. Her mind was whirling. She had been right about Captain Moore when she’d first met him: he made her flesh creep. He must be depraved if he thought she would consider his suggestion. She went into the house by a side door and scuttled up to her room to change back into her own clothes. Teddy’s room was exactly as she had left it. She put his clothes back where she had found them and went to her room to sit on her bed with her head in her hands. Bessie found her there when she came to help her dress for supper.

‘What is the matter, Miss Sophie?’

‘Nothing. Have you seen anything of Teddy?’

‘Not since this morning. Why?’

‘I just wondered where he was.’

‘He’ll be back directly, I’ve no doubt. You are not engaged to go out tonight, are you?’

‘No, the Malthouses are coming.’

‘Then what about the pink sarcenet with the silk roses?’

Bessie was evidently not worried by Teddy’s absence and as far as Sophie could tell, knew nothing of the afternoon’s futile escapade. She dressed and went down for supper, which she ate with her aunt and Margaret. Fortunately the two ladies had plenty to gossip about and her quietness was not noted.

‘I thought Edward was going to dine with us,’ Emmeline said. ‘He was to make a fourth for whist.’

* * *

He had not returned when Mr and Mrs Malthouse arrived for their usual game, bringing Cassie with them. Since she had been able to have the viscount’s undivided attention for most of the time at Ranelagh, for which she felt grateful to Sophie, she had forgiven her and they were friends again. Margaret made up the four for the whist, so the girls were left to amuse themselves.

Cassie was bubbling over with excitement. ‘He is even more agreeable than I first thought,’ she said, referring to the viscount. ‘He listened with grave attention to what I had to say and concurred with me on almost everything. When I stumbled he took my arm to steady me. I am sure it will not be long before he speaks to Papa.’

Sophie had not the heart to disillusion her friend. But perhaps she was not under an illusion and the reality was that the viscount’s comments about Cassie being empty-headed did not count for anything. Men did not like women who were their equal in brains, she had been told. Oh, how difficult it was to tell. And what did it matter anyway? Viscount Kimberley was not for her. But she was very careful not to hint that his lordship was going to take her riding the following morning. She looked over at her aunt, who was concentrating on her cards, and hoped she would not mention it, either.

‘Cassie, I have heard you play the pianoforte beautifully,’ Sophie said, anxious to end the conversation about the viscount, which was twisting the knife into an already broken heart. ‘Would you play something for us now?’

‘Oh, I don’t know...’

‘Yes, Cassandra,’ her mother put in, proving that she, at least, had been listening to the girls’ conversation. ‘Play that piece you have been practising.’

‘Oh, do,’ Sophie said. ‘I am quite hopeless myself. Papa said it was a waste of money paying for my lessons, so I gave up.’

Cassie went over to the instrument and sat down to play. Sophie had to admit Cassandra played well, an accomplishment that Lord Kimberley would undoubtedly appreciate. What accomplishments did she have, apart from being a hoyden and having a brother for whom gambling was an addiction? Her applause and praise when the short piece came to an end was genuine. ‘Encore,’ she cried.

Cassie played until the game ended and her parents prepared to leave. It was after they had gone, her aunt mentioned Viscount Kimberley. ‘I notice you did not tell Cassandra that he was going to take you riding tomorrow,’ she said.

‘Didn’t I? I must have forgot.’

Her aunt laughed. ‘Very wise, my dear. But do you really think his lordship is about to offer for Cassandra or is she deluding herself?’

‘I don’t know what is in his lordship’s mind, Aunt.’

‘No, I do not think anyone does. But he would hardly take you riding if he has his sights set on someone else.’

‘Perhaps he wants to tell me about it himself before it becomes official.’

‘Now, why would he do that, unless he thinks you have developed a
tendre
for him and he needs to let you down lightly?’

‘Oh, Aunt, that is absurd.’

‘We shall see. I am going to bed. I suggest you do the same if you are to be up betimes for your ride. And do not wait up for your brother—there is no telling when he will decide to come home. I have told Cook to make him up a tray of cold food for when he comes in. Leave him a note on the tray so that he knows he is to accompany you in the morning.’

* * *

When Sophie came down next morning, dressed for riding, she found the tray and her note were untouched. She sent a footman to see if her brother was in his room, but he returned to say Teddy’s bed had not been slept in. Where was he? His anguished cry that she would find him in a back alley with his throat cut flew into her mind. Had something dreadful befallen him?

She had no time to dwell on this because Adam had arrived and was being ushered into the room. He bowed. ‘Good morning, Miss Cavenhurst. You are ready, I see.’

‘Yes, I am ready, but I am not sure...’

‘Not sure of what?’

‘Teddy is not here. He should be coming with us.’

‘Where is he?’

‘I don’t know. He did not come home last night. He is often out into the early hours, but I have never known him stay out all night.’

‘Shall I ask a groom to ride behind us? Would that serve?’

‘What? Oh, yes, but why bother? My reputation is already in tatters.’

He came closer and put his hand on her arm. ‘You are truly worried about your brother, aren’t you?’

‘Yes.’

‘Ten to one, there is nothing to worry about. He is probably carousing with friends or might even have found other, sweeter company.’

She knew what he meant. ‘Do you think so?’

‘Why not? He is young and virile—it is only natural. No doubt when we come back from our ride he will be home and contrite that he has worried you so much.’

‘He is always contrite,’ she said dully.

‘Come, then. We ought not to keep horses standing in the street. If he has not returned by the time we come back, I will undertake to go and look for him.’

She followed him out into the street where his bay and a lovely brown mare waited for them with a street urchin holding their bridles. Adam gave him a groat and bade him buy himself a good dinner and the lad scuttled off, more than pleased with his earnings.

‘What do you think of her?’ Adam asked, taking the bridle of the brown mare and bringing her round for Sophie to mount. ‘Her name is Swift.’

‘Is she swift?’

‘I don’t know. That is for you to find out, but I would guess she is.’ He bent and cupped his hands for her foot and then threw her up into the saddle. She picked up the reins and settled her foot in the stirrup, spreading her habit neatly about her. ‘I am thinking of buying her,’ he added, ‘and would like your opinion.’

‘My opinion, my lord? What can I tell you about horses that you don’t already know?’

‘You could tell me how comfortable she is to ride, how docile, how responsive she is to the reins.’

‘You can surely find that out yourself.’

‘Ah, but not side-saddle.’

‘You are thinking of buying her for a lady?’

‘I might.’

‘Oh.’ He was unmarried, he had no daughter, so it could only be for a mistress or a potential wife. Cassie perhaps?

He mounted his bay and they walked their horses out of Mount Street and along Park Lane to the entrance to Hyde Park. Because of the traffic they had to ride one behind the other until they were in the park, where he came up alongside her.

‘From a very poor start we have had a good summer so far,’ he said. ‘I do not think you can have been confined indoors once since you arrived in town.’

‘I don’t believe I have. The only rain we have had was during one night that left puddles, but that is all.’

‘We might have a good harvest. After last year it is certainly needed.’

‘Yes.’

He looked sideways at her, but she was looking straight ahead over the mare’s ears. ‘Shall we canter?’

To do so they had to leave the Ride because other riders were only walking their horses or at the most trotting and it would have been hazardous. He led the way and they soon left the crowds behind. Reaching a group of trees, he dismounted and she did likewise.

‘Now,’ he said firmly as the horses began to crop the grass, ‘what do you think?’

‘Think about what?’ Her thoughts were chasing each other round in her head. His asking her opinion of a horse he was far more qualified than she was to assess and wondering who the mare was meant for, all mixed up with her continuing worry about Teddy.

‘Swift. Will she do, do you think?’

‘Any lady would be pleased to have her. I cannot fault her.’

‘Not lively enough for your taste, though?’ he queried in an endeavour to make her smile.

‘I expect she would be lively enough given open country to gallop in.’

‘You are probably right.’

He let the reins of his mount trail and moved nearer to her, so that she became almost overwhelmed by his size and masculinity. She wished he would move away, because his nearness was making her heart beat uncomfortably fast.

‘Now tell me what is wrong,’ he said.

‘Nothing. I told you I cannot fault her.’

‘Not with the horse, with you.’

‘Nothing is wrong, my lord. Why do you say that?’

‘It is obvious there is.’

‘It is nothing.’

‘It is more than nothing.’ He paused to look closely at her, but she refused to meet his gaze. ‘It cannot be that you have had an offer of marriage, for that would not make you look so wan, so let me hazard a guess. It is your brother who brings the frown to your brow and drains the colour from your cheeks. Am I right?’

It was easier to agree than tell the truth, that it was he who disturbed her and set her emotions racing. ‘He was out all night. I fear something bad has befallen him.’

‘Why do you think that?’

‘Because...’ She stopped and then went on, ‘Because there are so many thieves and cutthroats about.’

He took her shoulders in his hands so that she was obliged to face him. ‘Look at me.’ Slowly she lifted her eyes to his. ‘Now look me in the eye and tell me the truth. I cannot bear to see you like this.’

He sounded so concerned, it gave a great leap to her heart, but then it subsided back into the despair she had been feeling ever since Teddy told her of his troubles. ‘My lord, I have told you the truth.’

‘Then I shall be obliged to guess again. He is in dun country and has applied to you to get him out of it.’

‘He wouldn’t do that. He knows I cannot.’

‘He needs a horsewhip to his back.’ It was spoken angrily.

‘Oh, no,’ she cried. ‘He cannot help it. It is the way he is.’

He smiled. ‘There is no end to what love can forgive, is there?’

She had no answer to that. ‘Let us go back and see if he has returned,’ she said. ‘I cannot enjoy the ride while I am worrying about him.’

‘Very well.’

He helped her to remount, then sprang into his own saddle. ‘Have you seen Captain Moore lately?’ he asked her.

She was so startled by this question coming so unexpectedly, her hands tightened on the reins and Swift shied. Steadying her gave her time to think of an answer. ‘Not lately,’ she said. ‘Why do you ask?’

‘Because wherever the captain is, there will your brother be.’

‘Oh, no, he hasn’t seen him, either.’

‘But you said you hadn’t seen Captain Moore lately.’

‘I forgot. I met him by chance yesterday and he told me so.’

‘I see.’

He didn’t believe her, she knew that, but she was too ashamed of what she had done to tell the truth. He would be disgusted with her. Nor could she tell him what Teddy had suggested as a way out; it would put him in the invidious position of having to let her down gently. Nor did she want him to think she would even consider marrying him for his money, even in the unlikely event that he would agree. They rode on in silence.

* * *

When they arrived outside her aunt’s house, he dismounted and held out his hands to help her down. She slid off the saddle and straight into his arms. He held her there several seconds longer than was proper. It was long enough for her to feel the warmth of him, the beating of his heart, his strength and the feeling of being safely enclosed from harm.

He let her go and smiled down at her. ‘Let us go inside and see if your brother has returned.’

But he had not, and even Lady Cartrose was beginning to be concerned. ‘You hear such dreadful tales of footpads and the like,’ she said to Adam. ‘I have sent round to Mrs Malthouse and to Lady Martindale but they have not seen him since the picnic. I cannot go to the gentlemen’s clubs and I cannot think where else he could be. You haven’t seen him, have you, my lord?’

‘No, my lady, I am afraid I have not. But don’t worry. I’ll take Swift back to the stables and go in search of him. He cannot be far away.’