The Husband Season (18 page)

‘Possibly that was his intention,’ he said. ‘But he was unable to carry it out. He was taken by a press gang.’

‘A press gang!’ she exclaimed. ‘In peacetime! Surely that is not possible?’

He smiled. ‘If a ship is ready to sail and is short of crew, then it is possible. They will take whomever they can get, particularly if the vessel has a government cargo. Your brother was in a tavern frequented by seamen and he had earlier been drinking with some of them. They might have alerted the press gang...’

‘Oh. Can we get him back?’

‘Unfortunately when Farley obtained this information, the ship had already sailed.’

‘Your man is sure it was Teddy?’

‘Yes, your brother resisted and gave them his name in the hope they would release him. Unfortunately the name meant nothing to them and they hauled him aboard.’

‘Poor, poor Teddy. Where is the ship bound?’

‘I believe Australia. It is a convict ship.’

‘Oh, no! I have heard such dreadful tales about those ships.’

‘He is crew, not a convict, Miss Cavenhurst. Presumably he will come back on it.’

‘Whatever will Papa and Mama say?’

‘That brings me to another piece of news. I received a letter this morning from Cousin Mark. He is unable to fetch you as planned. He writes that he expects this good weather to break and would get the hay in before it does. Apparently he needs to be there.’

‘Yes, he always likes to work with the men when he can. I think he must be a frustrated farmer at heart, but why did he not write to us directly?’

‘He has asked me to take you home.’

‘You, my lord?’ she asked in surprise.

‘Yes, me.’

The flare of pleasure at the thought was immediately stifled and replace by dismay. ‘That is too much to ask. Bessie and I will manage on the stage.’

‘Out of the question,’ he said firmly. ‘I had planned to visit Mark before going back to Yorkshire, so it is no inconvenience at all.’

Sophie looked at Lady Cartrose, half hoping she would forbid it, but she simply smiled knowingly. ‘It is very kind of Viscount Kimberley, Sophie.’ She turned to him. ‘When do you plan to leave, my lord?’

‘Tomorrow, if that is convenient for you.’

‘So soon?’ She sighed. ‘I shall miss my dear Sophie and I am sorry you will be taking bad news back to Hadlea, but the sooner the better, I think. In any case, the Season is all but over and everyone will be retiring to the country. Sophie, how long will it take for Bessie to pack?’

‘Not long if I help her, but my lord, are you sure you want to be saddled with me?’

He stood up and bowed. ‘It will be my privilege and pleasure. I will call with the carriage at nine o’clock if you can be ready by then.’

‘Yes,’ Sophie said, rising to bid him farewell. ‘I shall be ready.’

‘There now,’ her aunt said when he had gone. ‘You will have at least two days in his company. If he has not made an offer by the end of it, I shall wonder what is the matter with him.’

‘Aunt, he has said he will not marry again, and he is not a man to say what he does not mean. Besides, why would he choose me, who is always into scrapes?’

‘I have no doubt he did mean it at the time he said it, but he can change his mind just as you can. All you have to do is make a little push to encourage him.’ Having delivered this piece of advice, she added, ‘Now, I suggest you go and start Bessie on the packing. There is no time to waste. I will send a note to Augusta to say you have been called home, you will not have time to go and say goodbye to Cassandra.’

Cassie. Whatever would she think? First his lordship does not turn up for her ball when she had been so sure he would offer for her, then he leaves town with nothing but a note of apology to her mother. Unless of course... Had he left Mount Street for Hanover Square? He could even now be making his offer and complaining that his cousin had landed him with an errand he did not want but could not refuse. He could easily return to London as soon as he had delivered her to her parents. She must be very, very careful not to let him even suspect how she felt about him. It would be too mortifying.

* * *

Bessie was taken aback when she was told they would be starting home the very next morning, and declared roundly they could not be ready in time.

‘We have to be,’ Sophie said. ‘Mark asked Viscount Kimberley to take us and I do not think his lordship will wait on our convenience. He has hired a chaise and will be here at nine tomorrow morning.’

‘But what about Master Edward? Surely you do not want to leave without knowing where he is?’

‘I do know where he is.’ She smiled and went on to tell Bessie what Adam had told her. ‘He is safe,’ she finished. ‘Captain Moore cannot harm him now.’

‘That is something, at least. Do you think it was Captain Moore who gave the viscount a black eye?’

‘How do you know he has a black eye?’

‘I saw him leave from the upstairs landing. He stood in the hall to adjust his hat at the mirror. It looked a real beauty.’

‘He said he bumped into a door, though I am not sure it is the truth.’

‘Well, you are going to have plenty of time to find out. Do you want me to pack your brother’s things, too?’

Sophie considered this. ‘No. When the ship docks on its return he will doubtless come here to my aunt. He will need a change of clothes. Leave them in the closet.’

* * *

They spent the rest of the afternoon packing. Sophie had more baggage to go back than she had brought and it took their combined efforts to close the lid of her trunk. Other small items and her overnight things would go in her portmanteau. It was almost supper time when they finished, and Sophie went down to rejoin her aunt.

They ate their evening meal with Margaret and the conversation was of general matters, for which Sophie was thankful. She did not linger long in the drawing room afterwards but went to bed so as to be fresh for her journey. But going to bed did not mean she would sleep. Her thoughts were churning.

She was going to have two days in Adam’s company, two days of mental torture as she tried to keep her distance and be cool and composed, two days to watch him, to watch his changing expressions, the light in his eyes grow dark with anger or sparkle with humour, to note how he stayed in command, not only of those around him, but of himself. She could not imagine him crumbling with emotion. Had his wife seen any of that? Had he shown her a softer side?

Who had he been fighting with? Had he come off worse or was his antagonist in a worse case? Nobleman who quarrelled usually settled their differences by duelling, even though it was unlawful; honour had to be satisfied in some way. But fisticuffs? Was it anything to do with his search for Teddy or did he have enemies of his own? Was that why he wanted to leave town in a hurry and was using her as an excuse? She didn’t like that idea.

She turned over and thumped her pillow. ‘Stop thinking about him, find something less contentious to send you to sleep,’ she muttered. But if it wasn’t the viscount keeping her awake it was Teddy. He must have been at his wits’ end to contemplate hiding out in a tavern and going abroad again. Now he was crewing a convict ship. How dreadful would that be? Would he have enough to eat? Would the work be too strenuous for him? He was fit and healthy, but hard physical labour had never been part of his life. Perhaps it would do him good, make him grow up. But what on earth was she going to say to Mama and Papa?

* * *

She was bleary eyed and disinclined to stir when Bessie shook her awake at seven the next morning. ‘I’ve brought you some hot chocolate,’ she said, putting a dish of it on the table by the bed. ‘Drink it while I fetch a jug of hot water and lay out your clothes.’ She went to the window and drew back the curtains. Sunshine flooded the room. ‘Another hot day. Very different from the day we arrived...’

Sophie was hardly listening. She sat on the edge of the bed in her nightgown to gulp down the drink. Today she was going home with nothing to show for her six weeks in London, except a broken heart. Her Season had been a bitter disappointment. She would have to confess as much to her parents. Papa would undoubtedly say she was still young and there was plenty of time to find a suitable husband and she would have to pretend to agree, knowing there could be no husband because she had given her heart where it was not wanted.

Her aunt came down in a pink satin dressing gown to have breakfast with her. ‘You must come back and visit me again some day,’ she said, helping herself to coddled eggs and three slices of ham from the dishes on the sideboard. ‘I have enjoyed our little excursions.’

Sophie looked down at the bread and butter on her own plate and didn’t feel a bit like eating it. ‘So have I, Aunt, and I thank you for having me. I am only sorry that Teddy has been a worry to you.’

‘He is young and strong and can no doubt look after himself,’ her ladyship said. ‘I am more concerned for you.’

‘Me? Why?’

‘You are so obviously enamoured of Viscount Kimberley and he is too blind to see it. If you want him, you are going to have to fight for him.’

‘Aunt, I could not do that. Even I know it is not proper for a lady to make the first move, even supposing she wishes to, which I do not.’

Her hurried addendum made her aunt smile. ‘You must contrive to make him think he is doing all the running, my dear. You have a golden opportunity on the journey. I shall be very disappointed in you if he comes back to London and offers for Cassandra.’

Sophie had nothing to say to that and in any case there was no time, for the sound of the door knocker told them he had arrived.

He came, still wearing his eyepatch, doffed his hat and bowed to them both. ‘Good morning, my lady. Miss Cavenhurst. I have taken the liberty of asking your man to load your trunk on to the roof. If we are to make the journey in two days, we must not delay. I have sent Farley on ahead to arrange horses and accommodation.’

There was a flurry of activity as Sophie’s trunk was heaved up and roped down beside his own, and her portmanteau and Bessie’s stowed in the boot. Sophie put on her bonnet, but decided to carry her shawl because, even so early, it promised to be a hot day. She hung her reticule over her wrist and turned to embrace her aunt. ‘Goodbye, dear aunt. I am truly grateful for all you have done for me and for Teddy. No doubt he will come and see you when he returns.’

‘I will send him straight home when he does. Write to me when you are safely home and I hope you will have good news to tell me.’

‘Aunt,’ she protested, feeling the warmth flood her face.

Her aunt simply smiled and kissed her.

Sophie climbed into the carriage followed by Bessie and Adam and they were off. She looked back to see her aunt standing at the door, still in her dressing gown, waving a handkerchief. Then they turned the corner and she was lost to sight.

Sophie settled in her seat, wondering how they were going to occupy the long hours of travel. Ought she to say something, or leave him to begin a conversation? He did not seem inclined to do so. He sat in the opposite corner, trying not to let his long legs tangle with her skirts. The heat in the coach was oppressive. She was glad of the bottle of cold lemonade that her aunt had provided her with. She poured some in a cup and offered it to him. He shook his head. ‘No thank you, Miss Cavenhurst. I will procure a drink when we stop for refreshments at noon.’

She offered the cup to Bessie, who drank it greedily. Sophie, taking the cup back, noticed the perspiration standing on the maid’s brow and her flushed face and realised she was overcome by the heat. ‘Bessie, would you like us to stop so that you can have some fresh air?’

‘No, Miss Sophie. It will delay you.’

‘That can’t be helped. I cannot have you fainting on me.’ She turned to Adam. ‘Please ask the coachman to stop.’

He did so, and the vehicle drew to a stop beside the road where a tree offered a little shade. They all left the carriage and Bessie walked up and down a little way, fanning herself with the fan Sophie had handed to her.

‘We ought to go on,’ Adam said after a few minutes. ‘We will fall behind schedule and the innkeeper might let others have our fresh horses.’

‘Of course. I understand. Do you think the driver would mind if Bessie sat alongside him on the box? I will let her have my parasol to shield her from the sun. I am sure she would be cooler there.’

‘Miss Sophie...’ Bessie protested, but not vehemently.

‘Just until we change the horses,’ Sophie said. ‘You will feel much better by then.’

‘Very well.’

Sophie gave Bessie her parasol and Adam helped her up on to the box beside the coachman, who gave her a grin. ‘I’m Joe Brandon,’ he said. ‘Welcome to my world.’

Sophie and Adam resumed seats in the carriage, but this time he sat beside her so that he could stretch out his legs.

Sophie had only been concerned for Bessie’s comfort and had not considered the impropriety of being inside the coach alone with the viscount. She looked out of the window at the countryside through which they were passing, acutely aware of him. His broad shoulders were so close to hers, his thighs just inches from hers. He had his feet on the seat opposite and his hat tipped over his eyes. Was he pretending to sleep?

‘My lord, did you manage to complete your business?’ she queried when she could stand the silence no longer.

He pushed his hat back on his head and looked at her. ‘My business?’

‘Whatever it was that brought you to London. I hope that taking me home has not interrupted it.’

‘No, not at all. There was no more I could do in town. I had planned to return to Saddleworth soon, in any case.’

‘But you are going out of your way to take me home. I feel guilty about that.’

‘There is no need, Miss Cavenhurst. I had already promised Mark I would go to Hadlea before going home. I have yet to meet my cousin-in-law and the baby.’

‘Harry,’ she said. ‘He is a sturdy little chap, all beaming smiles and wet kisses. He will be walking soon, I think. He already crawls everywhere and is full of curiosity.’

‘Mark and Jane are fortunate to have him.’

‘You have no children?’