FortunesFolly

by Barbara Miller

  “Pay no attention to Aunt Agatha. She’s hunting a title for me.”

  “And not a military one, I wager. I wish her well. You deserve an easier life than the one you’ve had.”

  She looked up at him. “So everyone around Exeter knows.”

  “They are probably more sympathetic than the ton. Forgive me for bringing it up.”

  “It’s good to know what they are saying of me. Sometimes I almost catch it but the girls break off with a titter.”

  “It’s not your fault.”

  “Yes, it is. I decided to come here.”

  “Then face the whirlwind.” Harding laughed. “You are proof against it.”

  “Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth the bother.”

  “But you are a hit among the men.”

  “You are the only one with a serious thought in your head and in your case it’s not about engines.”

  “What?”

  Roxanne should at least explain why she was here. Captain Harding might even be able to put her in the way of some investors. So she launched into her speech and kept his attention for a good quarter hour. He actually understood the uses of such an invention. Why did all the intelligent people not have any of the money?

  How unfortunate that she could discourse with Harding for hours as though he were another brother, but with Tanner she had to guard her words. She did not want him to think her predatory. It would be wonderful to have someone so rich interested in her brother, yet it could not be because Tanner felt sorry for her.

  Much as she enjoyed the company of the clever Harding, she would have preferred to spend her time with the thoughtful and stolid Tanner. Harding was all on the surface, a hero for the working day. Tanner had something deeper that could only be unleashed by the right woman. She just wasn’t sure she wanted to be that woman.

  In the small hours, Tanner lounged in the chair behind the large desk in his study. He was drinking a brandy and not enjoying it much, because he wasn’t sure what to do next. Invitations for his mother and Holly had been sparse before. This ball was to have launched his sister while he covertly studied the available misses of the ton for a wife, yet it seemed to him his mother had withdrawn her support of his campaign to find a husband for Holly. Perhaps she realized he was using his sister as a stalking-horse.

  He was not sure what he would do if a flood of invitations did not arrive on the morrow for all of them. Perhaps the whole idea had been a terrible mistake. Except for Miss Whitcomb. He would never have foregone that experience.

  He never knew what she was thinking and had no idea what she would say next. She was no governess-trained miss, mouthing commonplaces in the hope of pleasing him. She didn’t seem impressed by his wealth and showed no signs of being on the hunt for him. It was Holly she’d invited to tea, not him. If that was subterfuge, it was clever but he did not think she was capable of intrigue. And he had every intention of escorting his mother and sister to this tea tomorrow.

  It wasn’t just that Holly seemed more outgoing now. Miss Whitcomb attracted people to her. Perhaps she and her aunt could get his sister some invitations to houses he had been unable to breach, where the people would be nicer to her. That seemed like using them, of course, and he hated the notion.

  The certainty of seeing Miss Whitcomb again was the real lure. Her beauty was not her only feature. Her conversation was startling and frank. He did not mind that it was sprinkled with facts about her brother’s inventions, for she seemed to know her stuff and have an awareness of the real world he’d not found in any other woman. There was something indefinable about her that attracted him.

  Roxanne Whitcomb was a puzzle to him and he would never be able to keep away from her until he figured out what drew him.

  He tossed off the rest of the brandy and made his way up the stairs toward his chamber. He had a hundred things to do at the foundry but he was actually looking forward to this tea more than he had anticipated anything in a long while.

  He loved his work because it was complicated enough to engage his whole mind. Perhaps that was it. Roxanne Whitcomb was complicated.

  Chapter Three

  Roxanne found the drive with Sir John less than satisfactory. He talked of nothing but his son and heir and his daughter-in-law who ran his households both in London and in the country. Roxanne could see marriage to him would result in nothing but battles and that these self-same relatives would discourage their father from any worthwhile investments. Besides, Sir John’s new team was a pair of her father’s horses and all she could think of was the last time he had taken her driving. She could hardly tell her escort the reason for her somber mood but she didn’t think he noticed.

  He talked of his properties and blessedly did not question her except to inquire about her accomplishments. She assured him she had none. She neither played nor sang and she stank at watercolors.

  “You must have some skills.”

  “I ride with the best of them and I’m a fair shot but only at targets. I hate to shoot birds.”

  He chuckled at these revelations but it was a relief when they finally arrived at Manchester Square and entertaining him was not solely her responsibility.

  She had worried her aunt’s cook into agreeing to a host of pastries and was not disappointed when she returned and saw the elaborate tea table set up in the morning room. The cook had outdone herself.

  She and Sir John had barely seated themselves when Captain Harding arrived. Roxanne could see her aunt’s scowl of disapproval at receiving a man who was not a prospect. She could not tell her aunt why she had asked him to come. He was amusing and kind and Roxanne had thought that if someone was going to marry Holly for her money, he may as well be handsome and hardworking. At the very least Harding would put Holly at her ease.

  To Roxanne’s delight, Spencer Tanner brought both his mother and sister and said he had time to stay for tea. Mrs. Tanner and Aunt Agatha embraced and kissed to the surprise of nearly everyone.

  “How many years has it been?” Agatha asked.

  “Since our season. Nearly thirty. I should have written more.”

  “I should have answered more.”

  “I’m so glad you accepted the invitation to Holly’s ball.”

  “It was not just for Roxanne’s sake. I wanted to see you again but lost my nerve after I met you in the receiving line. I’m so glad Roxanne invited you.”

  Roxanne cast Spencer a questioning look as he led his mother to a chair and he shrugged. She enjoyed this secret communication between them.

  “I had no idea you two were acquainted before,” he said.

  His mother sighed. “It was a long time ago and we promise not to bore all of you with reminiscences.”

  “Let us instead speak of the balls to come,” Agatha said. “My ball for Roxanne will be Friday. I hope you, all of you, will be able to attend.” She clearly included Harding in this sweep.

  Roxanne thought this was not just because Harding looked dashing on the dance floor. When Holly had come in, Roxanne surrendered her seat by the captain to her friend. She saw her aunt’s calculating look and suddenly Harding was on the approved list, since Aunt Agatha perceived what Roxanne was about.

  “I would enjoy it above all things,” Holly said. “Not to be the center of attention will be less stressful.”

  Lady Agatha looked surprised. “Most young ladies enjoy being the main attraction.” She began pouring the cups of tea and passing them around as the maid offered the tier plate of cakes to each person.

  “Not me. I had rather watch the dancing than dance.”

  Harding smiled. “But you dance very well. And so does Miss Whitcomb.”

  “I have not stepped on you yet at any rate. If Fredrick were here he would warn you.”

  “Fredrick?” Tanner asked.

  “My brother and only dancing partner up until two weeks ago. Aunt hired a dancing master to sharpen my skills.”

  “And you claimed your only talents were riding and shooting,”
Sir John teased.

  “Roxanne,” her aunt lamented.

  “Shooting?” Tanner inquired.

  “Father taught us all at the same time. He thought it was something a soldier’s children and wife should know how to do.”

  Harding nodded. “The state of crime being what it is, I think it a useful skill.”

  “Will your brother come for your ball?” Holly asked.

  “I’m not sure he can pry himself from his work.”

  Tanner stirred his tea. “That’s right. You said he is working on a design for a compact steam engine.”

  “Yes, a high-pressure steam engine.”

  Agatha cleared her throat. “Perhaps we should not have Fredrick here. All his talk of steam engines and pressure vessels makes my head spin.”

  “They say someday soon ships will be powered by steam engines.” Captain Harding winked at Roxanne.

  Tanner nodded. “Yes and wagons to haul the coal the new ships will need. It would be easy to find oneself obsolete.”

  “Better to ride the wave than be crushed by it,” Harding said, popping a bite of scone into his mouth.

  “Then you both agree Fredrick’s work is important?” Roxanne couldn’t believe how smoothly Tanner had introduced the topic. Now she could not be blamed at all.

  “If what you described last night is possible—a better casting for higher steam pressure—then his work could lead the way to smaller engines, useful in more applications.”

  Roxanne positively beamed at Tanner. Not only might he help her brother but it had been his idea. That was the sort of hero she wanted, a man who could make such decisions. She couldn’t be happier if he had asked her to marry him.

  She pressed her hands to her suddenly warm cheeks. Perhaps that event, if it ever happened, would eclipse this one. But how to get there was the puzzle. She had discovered from the ball that she had no arts or wiles for attracting men.

  “Could we not speak of something more entertaining?” Sir John asked.

  With that, her hopes of him as an investor were completely dashed but she didn’t need him anymore.

  Tanner smiled. “Sorry to let business intrude.”

  Captain Harding nodded. “Yes, we should plan some entertainments for our disdainful maidens. I fancy there are some things in London you both would like. A play, perhaps.”

  “An evening at Vauxhall,” Holly suggested.

  “Perhaps a drive to Kensington Gardens,” Sir John put in.

  “Yes,” Holly said. “I should love all those things.”

  “We have a theater box at the Agora,” added Tanner. “Why don’t we all go tonight?”

  “May Captain Harding come?” Roxanne asked.

  Tanner smiled. “Certainly.”

  “And I shall get us a box at Vauxhall,” Harding said. “We will go there by boat.”

  “Suddenly London does not seem so frightening.” Holly smiled at all of them.

  Roxanne had never felt so much a part of a group before. She’d been only sixteen when her father died and had experienced only a rowdy country ball before that. She hadn’t minded being isolated with her brother for three years but she now realized she had missed something without knowing what it was. Friendship.

  “Make all the plans you wish but remember to save Friday for our ball,” her aunt added.

  Sir John stood. “I shall be honored, dear lady. For now I must not keep my horses standing any longer. Perhaps I shall see you at the theater. I have a box at the Agora as well.” He bowed over Roxanne’s hand last.

  After he left, Roxanne bit her lip. “I hope we didn’t offend him.”

  Harding looked less than concerned about the well-being of Sir John. “He offered to drive to Kensington so he is throwing himself into our plans to entertain you. Besides, we may need his box for the play.”

  Aunt Agatha glared at Roxanne. “When he said he had a box as well, that was an invitation for you to sit with him, Roxanne.”

  “I did realize that at the time. I thought only that it would be improper.”

  “His son and daughter-in-law will be there, of course, providing a good chance for you to meet them.”

  “But I’ve already heard his whole life story. In fact, he began repeating himself, so I can’t think conversation in his box will be at all lively.”

  “Nevertheless, if he asks you tonight, you should go sit with them.”

  “Very well but I fear people will read too much into such a switch and I hope he realizes that.”

  Tanner frowned. “I’m not adept at society signals but it seems to me it would be bad form to accept an invitation to my box then take a better offer later.”

  “Got you there, Aunt Agatha. I’ll stay in Tanner’s box.”

  Tanner wanted her to sit with him. That meant he was interested in her as more than a friend for his sister. When she contrasted what her evening would be like with Tanner as opposed to Sir John, she felt a bubble of excitement rise in her. Tanner would know he did not have to explain the play to her. He wouldn’t talk over the lines of the actors. When he spoke he would say clever things to her and think every word she uttered was witty. The evening would be perfect.

  * * * * *

  “Do you like the play?” Tanner whispered to Holly. Roxanne’s attention was rapt but Holly had been fidgeting and now whispered to him behind her fan.

  “Yes, but even when the actors are speaking, people keep staring at me and whispering over the lines of dialogue.”

  It was true. He could see women’s faces dipping behind fans in the theater boxes filigreed with gold scrollwork and men bobbing their heads to listen against the backdrop of the red box curtains. Spencer thought he caught the words twenty thousand a year more than once. How could these people know what his sister’s income would be?

  “They are admiring both of you, the two brightest stars in the theater,” he said.

  Roxanne chuckled and whispered, “A joint compliment and skillfully delivered. I do wish the lights were dimmer so we might focus on the actors.”

  Harding glanced around them. “We may be the only ones who wish to watch the play or hear it. Ah, we are coming to the end of the act and may walk about during the intermission.”

  Holly shook her head. “How am I to bear this falseness I perceive about folks in the ton? No one means what they say and all they care about are themselves.”

  Spencer looked at Roxanne and noticed her troubled brow. It was not so bad for Holly, who had him to protect her interests, but for girls like Roxanne who had no choice but to sell themselves for a fortune, the prospect must be daunting. He often thought the women who worked in his weaving factory were better off. At least they had their freedom of choice.

  “Playacting perhaps is a necessity sometimes,” Roxanne said, “but to put yourself before others seems to me impossible.”

  Tanner had a sudden remembrance of Roxanne’s kindness to Holly. “Because you never do it, Miss Whitcomb. You always think of others first, even boring old Sir John.”

  “Since I see many around me much worse off, I do not worry overmuch about my own fate. Besides, so many things can surprise you and founder the best-made plans.”

  “True,” Captain Harding said.

  “Chance plays a part in every life,” Tanner said. “One must be willing to risk all but not on a throw of the dice. Only an honest risk where there is some chance of success.”

  He smiled at Roxanne but she looked pale and hurt. What had he said to wound her so?

  “Would you like something to drink, Miss Whitcomb?” Harding extended his hand toward her and she took it for support as she rose. “Perhaps some lemonade?”

  “Yes, above all things, Captain Harding,” she whispered. “I shall go with you and we will carry some back for the others.”

  Tanner watched them exit through the curtains and wished he had been the one who offered to take Roxanne for lemonade. There was something amiss and he needed to ask her what.

  He turned t
o his sister. “Holly, if Miss Whitcomb is feeling unwell, we could leave.”

  “She did not say so but she looks unlike herself. I shall ask her when they return.”

  “Was it something I said?”

  “How could you possibly discomfort her?”

  Roxanne was glad of Captain Harding’s arm as they made their way through the crush and down the stairs to the corridor where they could buy refreshments. The tile floor was already sticky under their feet and the wallpaper looked as washed out as Roxanne felt.

  “Here, drink this. It will bring your color back.” Tanner took her hand and placed the glass in it.

  “He’s right, you know. I’m the daughter of a gambler, moreover a speculator, one who lost close to everything in the stock market.”

  “Tanner never listens to society gossip. Be assured he had no idea what he said would pain you so.”

  “But I am here under false pretenses, to try to get funding for my brother’s inventions. I did not think to…”

  “To what?”

  “Deceive anyone. I must get through this ball my aunt is hosting then perhaps go back to Exeter and my small life. At least that is honest.”

  “A captain of the coastal guard is not on the same level as a captain of industry but I have a house in Exeter and a small estate from my father. If all else fails—but I see by your face you must have Tanner.”

  She felt herself blush, then shook her head. “No, I know now that I must not entertain an offer from either you or him or I would play us all false. Nor can I marry another under false pretenses. How odd that this false place has shown me some truth about myself.”

  “At least realize he did not mean to hurt you.”

  “I should hope not. I have been betrayed by both parents and had thought my brother my only ally.”

  He took her free hand and warmed it inside his. “If ever you could bear to marry for comfort, for a love that is only mine and not yours, I remain your loyal servant.”

  Roxanne freed herself and patted his arm. “You should never marry out of duty or some misplaced sense of gallantry. I see you watching Holly, the pure innocent, the one you could actually fall in love with. She needs someone like you, a guide and protector, someone who would treasure her for herself, not her wealth.”