FortunesFolly

by Barbara Miller

  And Tanner seemed to be getting the best of Stone in spite of the other man being a soldier. Still, she picked up one of the wooden arms of the bench just in case he would need her assistance.

  Harding ran up then with Holly on his heels. “Cease and desist! Recall where you are, gentlemen.” Harding laid a restraining hand on Tanner.

  “Stone is hardly a gentleman.” Tanner rose and let the other man up. Stone was bleeding at the nose, Roxanne noted with satisfaction, and Tanner was scarcely out of breath.

  “I think you should leave, Lieutenant Stone,” Harding suggested.

  As he blotted his face, he glowered at Roxanne. “You just remember what I said.”

  “Yes, it relieves my mind not to have that worry any longer. I shall simply refer all candidates for my hand to your cousin. That should keep him busy during his stay in London. I’m sure he’ll thank you for that.”

  “What was that all about?” Harding asked as Stone strode off.

  “He tried to kiss me.” She handed Tanner her handkerchief to blot his split lip.

  Harding shook his head. “God help any man who tried to do more than that.”

  Tanner brushed off his clothes and looked at her. “Why are you holding that club?”

  “In case he should escape you.”

  Harding started laughing and could not stop.

  Holly went to examine her brother’s face. “Are you sure you are all right, Spencer?”

  “Of course, but we had better leave before word of this gets out. And Miss Whitcomb, put down that piece of wood if you don’t mind. You should have known I could handle him myself.”

  “It wasn’t that I doubted you. I’m simply not used to being kissed—or rescued from it for that matter.”

  Tanner blew out a tired breath. “I can see that. Now walk sedately with me to Mother.”

  “Oh, goodness, is she sitting alone?” Roxanne tossed the lumber aside and took his proffered arm. He smoothed his waistcoat so calmly with his free hand she could hardly credit he’d just won a brawl. He wasn’t even breathing hard.

  “No, your aunt came after all, by carriage.”

  “What great good fortune. Otherwise you would not have sought us and I would have had to deal with Stone alone.”

  “Do you think you could have?”

  “I’m not sure, for it never occurred to me I might need to carry a weapon in London.”

  Harding started laughing again. Tanner was staring at her and he was not smiling.

  “Well, I do generally carry a pistol when I drive to Exeter. Perhaps I need one here as well.”

  “Was this one of the dangers you spoke of?” Tanner whispered urgently.

  “No, this is one of those events that come up on your blind side.”

  Tanner escorted Roxanne to a seat beside her aunt and checked her appearance. She did not look at all like a damsel who had just been accosted and had armed herself with a cudgel. Her nerves were not overset and she chatted to her aunt about the gardens as though she had been having a wonderful time. Harding was still chuckling to himself when Tanner asked if he should perhaps arrange for their return boat.

  “Oh, I brought my carriage,” Lady Sherbourne said. “Did you not see the fog creeping in? I think we should all ride home together. Not that I fear your safety on the Thames with Captain Harding in your boat. Now tell me what has really happened. Roxanne is babbling and she never does, so something is amiss.”

  Tanner cleared his throat but Roxanne launched into a description of the fight that made him seem noble, a hero even. A gentleman would have challenged Stone and met him with pistols but he had started a brawl like a schoolboy. Still, it felt good to do something in her favor, even if it was destructive. If anyone had seen them, the gossips would overwork their tongues tomorrow.

  “Did anyone witness this disagreement?” Lady Sherbourne asked.

  “Only Miss Tanner and myself,” Harding said, “and you know we will say nothing.”

  “Then we need not be too hasty in leaving, though Mr. Tanner could use a cold cloth on that lip.”

  He blotted it again with the edge of Roxanne’s handkerchief and promised himself he would buy her a dozen to replace it. He glanced at his mother to see how she would take this upset and she was smiling at him. Now what could that possibly mean? She should be shocked. He was shocked himself that he had completely lost control and dived at Stone like an opponent in a wrestling match. But there was just something about Roxanne that brought out the worst in him.

  Not the worst perhaps, but what he really felt like doing and saying. She did not stand on ceremony so he did not feel he could either when he was around her. He wanted to tell her the truth about everything, specifically what he was feeling for her.

  What held him back wasn’t the possibility of his failure as a suitor. Her aunt wanted a title and fortune for her. He could supply only the latter but he was used to buying everything he wanted. He was sure Lady Sherbourne had a price. What worried him was that he did not feel worthy of Roxanne. She had been willing, even expecting, to have to defend herself after he foolishly let her walk off on Stone’s arm.

  What happened tonight was his fault and he was fortunate Roxanne was not the sort of woman to fall into a swoon or vapors. She had more courage than he could rightly expect in a woman and his wish right now was to take care of her for the rest of her life.

  But Roxanne’s love could never be bought. He was going to have to earn it and dispatching one annoying suitor was not enough in his book to deserve her. He must think of something else.

  On the way home in the carriage, he relived the moment when he saw Roxanne in danger. He had not stopped to think at all but had launched himself at Ian Stone with murder in his heart. He tried to tell himself he would have felt the same way if any woman was in danger but he knew that was not true. There was something about Roxanne Whitcomb that touched his heart. She was nothing like Holly, yet she needed him. Or he wanted her to need him.

  Ostensibly, the London season was for Holly but he had planned on meeting a sensible, amiable woman to act as his hostess and so get the task of marrying behind him. Roxanne was nothing like the bride he’d been contemplating. She had something special. He just wasn’t sure it was something he could handle.

  Still, she had befriended his sister and mother when no one else seemed inclined to include them. And the two older women knew each other. That was a plus and had drawn their party together nicely, with the addition of Sir John for dignity and Captain Harding for levity. Tanner found himself actually anticipating their next expedition but it was Roxanne whom he dwelt on most in his reverie. He never knew what she might say next and that was the attraction.

  Chapter Five

  Roxanne had sent another note to the town house early in the morning to see when it would be convenient to call on her mother but had received no reply by the time they took a quick luncheon in the breakfast parlor. The servants were busy with ball preparations and Roxanne found herself dreading the evening more than she had anticipated. She’d told her aunt what Stone said about Vance needing to approve her husband. Agatha merely said they would wait until her brother was of age, certainly Vance’s guardianship would pass to Fredrick at that point. Roxanne was far from certain of anything at the moment.

  The agonizing hours of preparation crept by and the only bit of anticipation she could look forward to was seeing Tanner again. Harding and Holly as well. But Tanner was her hero now, a man of action who didn’t care the snap of his fingers for conventions when she was in danger.

  As they stood in the receiving line that evening, a line of only two, Roxanne wondered where her errant brother was. It would have been comforting to have him beside her even if he was distracted by thoughts of his inventions.

  Holly and Tanner arrived early, soon followed by Captain Harding, so she did not feel so very alone after that. But she once again had terrifying lapses of memory and stopped saying, “So happy to meet you,” switching to the sa
fer, “So glad you could come.” She had met many of these people before but she simply could not connect them to their names.

  The leering misses, she had rather not remember. The crush was nothing like Holly’s ball but there were enough people to rack her nerves. Then she saw her mother walking toward her and her heart melted. She forgot all about her resentment over the too-soon remarriage. She wanted to run into her arms but Agatha’s hand on her shoulder restrained that impulse.

  Vance conducted her mother to her and Roxanne embraced her with a rushing return of the love she’d always felt.

  “Did you get my note?” her mother whispered.

  “No, did you write me?” Roxanne asked.

  “This morning. We must talk.”

  Something was not right about the way Vance led her mother to a seat near the orchestra. Sharing confidences that close to the musicians would be an impossibility. Roxanne could not help seeing her mother as a prisoner. Why would that be? Vance had told Roxanne to call, so why prevent their meeting? At least Ian Stone was nowhere to be seen. She was pretty sure his nose was broken. Good for him.

  Tanner asked to speak to her before the first set of dances and she gladly agreed.

  “No Stone?” he said.

  “With that nose and probably two black eyes, he won’t go out in public for a week. Where did you learn to fight like that?”

  “Eton. In some ways it’s a better training ground than the army.”

  “Is that where you got the scar?”

  “Never mind how I got that. I thought your brother was to appear.”

  ”So did we. He’s probably mislaid the letter or forgotten the day.”

  “He seems very careless of you. Have you ever had to defend yourself before?”

  “Only against a cutpurse in Exeter.”

  Tanner tried not to smile. “How did you dispatch him? With gunfire?”

  “I threw a cabbage at his head. It was a better use for it than trying to sell it.”

  “And he gave your money back?”

  “I took it. He was unconscious.”

  Tanner choked on a laugh. “I perceive your upbringing may have been as rough and ready as mine.”

  “Only the last three years. Father’s death changed everything.”

  “How?”

  “We were suddenly poor. Still are. If not for Aunt Agatha, there would be no ball. I know I should have a thicker skin by now. What do you suppose they are saying, those girls who are tittering their heads off as they line up across from their partners?”

  “Pay no attention. They are gossiping about your mother, not us. And I think she knows it. Someone said something that unsettled her.”

  “Such wicked tongues. How can people bear to be so evil, to discomfort an innocent woman?”

  “I found out how my mother knew your aunt. They were rivals for the hand of your uncle. Mother lost and married a merchant.”

  “Perhaps she married him for love,” Roxanne said wistfully as they moved toward the other dancers.

  “He was not a loving man. Any notions of love or tenderness have come to Holly and me from her.”

  “What a hard thing. But you are loved by your mother, your sister and now—”

  The dance began and they parted. When they came back together, the startled look had left his gaze. Perhaps he hadn’t noted what she almost let slip.

  “And the attentions of Captain Harding?”

  “I enjoy sparring with him. He is a man of quick wit.”

  “But I see the way he looks at you. Do you return his affection?”

  “No, but I admire him.”

  “It’s June already. If you plan to marry this season you have little time. Of course, Captain Harding would not be the one to restore your fortunes.”

  “If my affections were engaged, fortune or the lack of it would have no bearing on whether I married.”

  They parted again and when they came together he looked puzzled once more.

  “Of course, this discussion is entirely academic,” she said.

  Tanner frowned at her. “What do you mean?”

  “Stone informs me the only suitor his brother will approve is Ian Stone.”

  “You will never marry him.”

  “Of course not. I would rather scrub floors. So I actually have three years to make up my mind.”

  “Let me lead you in to supper again?”

  “So you are not angry about me causing the brawl at Vauxhall?”

  “Not with you. I am angry that any man thought he could get away with forcing himself on you and I am angry at myself for trusting him.”

  “But there may be repercussions for you and Holly.”

  “People have been cutting me all day. Someone must have said something about the fight. They are not giving me the cold shoulder because of your mother.”

  “No, and I was the only one who knew the other participant. Stone must have wanted to make sure no one else offered for me. Wait ’til I get my hands on him.”

  Tanner grinned. “I’ll provide the cabbage.”

  She found herself laughing and thinking the evening could not be so very bad after all. She had told Tanner things she would never reveal to anyone else, not even her brother. That must mean she wanted him for a friend and felt safe with him. She could not have any ulterior motives where he was concerned.

  He loved to see her like this, having a good time in spite of all the dangers, real or imagined, in her life.

  Tanner noticed no one danced with either Roxanne or Holly except Captain Harding, Sir John and himself, which gave them much time to converse. Those gentlemen asked no one else to dance but gathered near Agatha and his mother. The ladies had gone to sit beside Roxanne’s mother even though speech was impossible. Vance remained at his wife’s side and danced with nobody.

  “Is that your brother?” Tanner asked. “Has he emerged from his workshop after all?”

  “Fredrick. At last.”

  Tanner watched Roxanne run a few steps to greet her brother then reduce her pace to a more feminine stride. Yes, she attracted attention because she was the only true and natural girl in the room besides Holly. But he thought any gossip was motivated by envy, not any real fault in her.

  When she began to drag her brother in his direction, he went to meet them. Roxanne and Fredrick resembled each other, with their brown curly hair and open features. But Fredrick was no frail scholar. His breadth of shoulder and muscular calves spoke of a man used to working a forge and hammer and riding hard.

  “Fredrick Whitcomb.” He extended his hand toward Tanner.

  “I’m Spencer Tanner.” He took Whitcomb’s outstretched hand.

  “So sorry for my tardiness. A spot of trouble on the road… Rox has written of your kindness to her.”

  “Rox?”

  “He would let that slip. Father always said I had rocks in my head.”

  “We know that’s not so. It’s her kindness to my sister Holly that drew us into each other’s company.”

  “Mr. Tanner, may I speak to you a moment?” Fredrick asked.

  “Oh, you two get acquainted,” Roxanne said. “I shall find Holly so you can meet her.”

  “What trouble on the road?”

  “Incredible adventure. The stagecoach was held up on Houndslow Heath. Fortunately I had a pistol by me and shot the highwayman.”

  “Did he escape?”

  “No, so it took some time to figure out what to do with the body. The magistrate was very understanding and let me come on to town but I will have to give evidence later.”

  Tanner nodded as though this was all quite normal. He reminded himself not to underestimate Roxanne’s brother either.

  “Has Rox done anything capricious since coming to town? Aunt Agatha seemed in her letter to hint at concerns. But hint only.”

  This seemed an extraordinary question after he had just confessed to killing a highwayman before he had even reached town. “I know of no indiscretion, certainly. There was an in
cident at Vauxhall where she was importuned by an undesirable but I happened upon them, so no one could have spoken of that unless he did.”

  “I’m surprised Rox didn’t just bloody his nose herself.”

  Tanner chuckled. “Knowing her better, I believe she could have dispatched the fellow but I think she was trying to be on her best behavior.”

  “That’s a relief. So Aunt’s fears were groundless?”

  “Not entirely. You mother and her husband are here.”

  “Good Lord. Why on earth would they come? That can only bring back all the gossip about Father’s ruin and suicide.”

  “Suicide?” Tanner felt as though he had been hit between the eyes.

  “Yes, he lost everything speculating in the funds and shot himself. I thought you knew.”

  “I’m so sorry.” A stab of pain shot through his body on behalf of Rox. His comment at the theater about gambling must have cut her like a knife to the heart. If only he had known.

  “It was a long time ago. Well, not that long ago. Then Mother married Vance a year to the day after Father’s death, adding to the gossip. I suppose I had better say something to Mother, and without the benefit of alcohol in my system.”

  Tanner swayed on his feet a little when he thought about how Rox had kept her composure in the face of his unknowing attack. Harding must have known because he took her away to regain her poise. She had not cried or shown her feelings except for the sudden pallor.

  Her unique quality was no longer a mystery. She had courage. Not just the courage to face down a bully grappling for a kiss, but the courage to face the whole of London, the tragedy of her father’s suicide on the tips of everyone’s tongues and the results of it the reason she should be looking for a husband.

  That was now made impossible by Vance and the reminder of her mother’s betrayal. But when he looked at her mother, he did not see a weak woman. She looked like Roxanne, in evident discomfort but not owning to it. Something was not right about the whole situation.

  When Tanner led Roxanne in to supper, they arrived at the head table before the others. Plates of light fare had already been placed for them, along with champagne. She sat with a heavy sigh at having made it this far through the evening. She had never trusted men much nor counted on them, except for Father and Fredrick, but she had a feeling Tanner would stand by her no matter what evil forces tried to destroy her.