A Season of Romance

by Wendy Soliman

  'He is six years my senior, which makes him five and twenty, he is an exemplary brother, an excellent landlord and is liked by all who know him well. However, he is determined to marry for pragmatic reasons and has no time for romantic love. He believes that such strong emotions soon fade and cause harm to both parties in the process.'

  'Then he has chosen me because I am an heiress.'

  'That was paramount, of course, but the fact that you are so lovely, intelligent and amusing company made his decision easy. Another thing he was quite clear on, he needs to admire and enjoy the company of whoever he marries and would not look at any young lady who was not as intelligent as himself.'

  As this was exactly what she had thought herself until yesterday Bella was at a loss to know how to reply. 'I'm in no hurry to be married, it's my parents' desire that I marry into the aristocracy. I know that I wish to have children to love, a husband I respect and most importantly he must be a gentleman who accepts my parents as they are.'

  'Then as far as I can see you are ideally suited. We've talked quite long enough about my brother, I wish to know if you are to dine at the Danbury's in Hanover Square tomorrow.'

  'We are indeed, I'm delighted that you'll be there too. Do you think there will be dancing?'

  'I imagine so, I cannot see any reason why not. In my experience the carpet is usually rolled up in the drawing room and as long as someone is prepared to play there will be a set or two.'

  'To be honest dancing is the only reason I agreed to come to London. I've perfected all the country dances and even the waltz and have not yet had the opportunity to show off my skills.'

  'Then what better than to do so at a small, private party and not in a grand ballroom where you will be on display to so many more critical eyes.' Her friend smiled. 'Although I think it might be wise not to waltz as that's considered a very daring dance and not suitable for debutantes.'

  'In which case I expect we'll both be waltzing tomorrow night if one is playing.'

  Emily's eyes were alight with mischief and Bella knew she had found a friend whatever transpired between herself and Lord Sawsbury.

  'I forgot to ask, what is your brother's given name?'

  'Simon, he much prefers to be addressed informally by his friends and family. We don't stand on ceremony – in fact I abhor the fussy rules that govern Society.'

  Emily departed soon afterwards and Bella was delighted with the visit and couldn't wait to share what she had learned with her parents. As they didn't change for dinner she did no more than check her hair was neat, her gown uncreased, before joining them in the small drawing room.

  Her mother looked up with a smile. 'We have received another half-dozen invitations, my love, I cannot understand why these have been sent out so early. I believe that many of these families are not yet in Town as the Season does not really start until April.'

  'Where is Papa? He's usually here before me.'

  'It's most unfortunate he has been called away. We shall dine in the breakfast parlour tonight as there are only the two of us.'

  'No doubt some drama relating to his ships. At least he doesn't have far to go when called to the docks.'

  'I don't think it was relating to his business. He was still with Lord Danbury when the letter came and they both departed in a hurry.'

  'How very mysterious! Don't look so worried, Mama, I'm sure it's nothing untoward. I can't imagine what has happened that required the urgent attention of both Papa and his lordship.'

  'We shan't talk about it anymore. Tell me at once about your visit with Lady Emily.'

  *

  Simon listened to his sister and at the end of her recital of the conversation she had had with Bella it had done nothing to change his mind about his choice of bride.

  'I shall court her, persuade her that I am in love with her if that is what it requires to obtain her consent.'

  'That would be most unfair, brother, I'll not stand by and let you deceive her. I consider her a friend already.'

  Their conversation was interrupted by the tardy arrival of the new member of their small family. He greeted Mrs Featherstone warmly as did his sister. The guest was dressed in an unremarkable evening gown of dark blue silk. Her wild hair had been restrained and her appearance was perfectly respectable.

  'I apologise for keeping you waiting, as I don't have a dresser I find it took me longer than anticipated to improve my appearance.' She gestured to her smart gown. 'I was obliged to wear something of this sort when we attended functions but it's so long since I did that I had quite forgot what was involved.'

  'The lack of a personal maid will be rectified immediately. There's a suitable person already employed here who will be ideal as she's older and more experienced than the other girls we employ.' Emily had been running the house this past year so knew more about domestic matters than he did.

  'My dear, I did not complain in order to obtain a servant for myself. However, it will be the height of luxury to have someone take care of me and I thank you for your kind gesture.'

  Over dinner they conversed freely at ease in each other's company. Mrs Featherstone had a plethora of interesting anecdotes about her time on the Peninsula to entertain them and by the end of the evening he was well-satisfied with the arrangement.

  He left his sister to escort her to the drawing room and he promised to join them shortly. He had much to think about and most of it was on the subject of the young lady who had caught his interest. His determination to win her hand was not entirely because she was everything he wanted in a wife, but also because if he couldn't persuade her then he would then have to prance about Town doing the pretty until he found someone else. He wasn't keen to do that.

  When he wandered through he found the two ladies deep in conversation. His sister looked up and beckoned him over. 'Aunt Jemima has shown me the list of military gentlemen she thinks might well be in London at the moment and I must say I'm most impressed.' She waved the paper at him and he strolled across and took it.

  As he scanned the names his eyes widened. All of them were high-ranking officers and many of them were titled. 'Are all these officers without wives?'

  'Good heavens, my boy, of course not. You will see that there is an asterisk against some of the names and those are the unmarried gentlemen. Emily suggests I invite all of them as well as their wives and adult children if they have any. Do you find that acceptable?'

  'We can accommodate a hundred couples easily but will have to employ temporary staff if so many intend to come to your ball, sister.'

  'I've invited barely half that number as I didn't have the names of any more than that. I can imagine the excitement when so many handsome officers stride in. There's nothing like a gentleman in full dress uniform to excite the heart of a young lady.'

  Mrs Featherstone – he couldn't bring himself to address her more informally – reclaimed the list and stood up. 'I bid you good evening, sir, and thank you for a most enjoyable time. Emily, I'll write these invitations immediately so they can be sent first thing in the morning. I've the direction of most of them and for those I haven't the cards can go to Horse Guards as there's ample time for them to be forwarded.'

  He nodded politely but his sister jumped to her feet and embraced their guest. When they were alone he asked what her plans were for the following day.

  'I'm riding with Aunt Jemima in Green Park. Can you believe that Bella needs to purchase a suitable mount for herself and intends to go personally to Tattersalls in order to select one.'

  'I hope you told her this wasn't somewhere a young lady should go under any circumstances.'

  'I did, of course, but even after so short an acquaintance I'm quite certain she will ignore my advice and go there anyway.'

  'Then I must speak to Mr Burgoyne first thing tomorrow morning and make sure that he puts a stop to it. That young lady is given far too much licence and will get into difficulties that even I will not be able to put right for her.'

  'You can hardly expe
ct him to be up and receiving before breakfast and that is when she intends to leave.'

  'Then I'll be waiting outside her house in order to prevent her departure.'

  'This whole problem would be solved if you were to offer to buy her a suitable mount. It would be interesting to see if she trusted your judgement on such a matter.'

  'Then that's what I'll do. Perhaps she could come with me in a closed carriage and wait out of sight whilst I inspect what's on offer. I can have a groom parade the horses for her and then I'll bid for whichever animal she prefers.'

  He was up and ready to leave at first light. His carriage was outside and he'd been assured by his valet that Bella had not as yet set off. The sale itself did not start until later but the best animals were often sold privately before the auction so it made sense to be there early.

  The air was crisp and cold; there'd been a frost overnight which was hardly surprising at the end of March. His caped greatcoat was enough for him, and Bella would be warm inside his carriage as there were hot bricks and furs waiting for her.

  The coachman had instructions to bring the carriage to the archway that led to the stables at the rear of the houses where she resided and then wait there for further instructions. Simon walked through the gardens to join his carriage. After a quarter of an hour he decided his horses had been standing long enough and told the driver to take them around the square. He went in search of the missing girl and was unsurprised to discover from a nervous groom that the girl had seen his carriage waiting and left via the tradesmen's route.

  This was an unmitigated disaster. If she attempted to purchase a horse in person then he could not in all conscience contemplate a union between them. He didn't consider himself a narrow-minded fellow, but a line must be drawn and if he was unable to stop her then she would be lost to him.

  *

  Bella immediately regretted dashing off so precipitously in order to avoid Sawsbury's interference. In fact, the only way she could have succeeded in her wish to buy herself a suitable horse was with his help. She must have bats in the attic to think she could visit Tattersalls, which was a gentleman's domain, a sporting club, as well as a place where thoroughbreds were sold.

  She banged on the roof of the carriage and it rocked to a halt. She remained out of sight on the squabs until the under-coachman climbed down and opened the door.

  'I've changed my mind. Turn around as soon as you may and take me home.'

  The look of relief on his face was almost comical. 'We can't turn here, miss, but if we continue we'll be on the main thoroughfare and there'll be a square we can use.'

  They'd not been travelling long when the carriage halted a second time. There were loud footsteps outside and the door was flung open.

  'What the devil do you think you're doing, young lady? You cannot go to Tattersalls. I'll not allow it.' Sawsbury filled the doorway and his displeasure turned her regret at her preposterous actions to anger.

  'What I do is not your concern, my lord. Kindly remove yourself from my carriage and allow me to proceed.'

  He didn't move and without thinking of the consequences she leaned forward and pushed him in the chest. He vanished and she slammed the door. The coachmen didn't need telling to whip up the horses and take her away from retribution.

  At any moment she expected the carriage to be stopped and for him to jump in beside her. She was trembling from head to foot when she returned to the comparative safety of the stables.

  Not waiting for the steps to be let down she jumped out and raced inside and didn't stop running until she was safely in her apartment. Her ears still burned from the appalling language she'd heard as Sawsbury had fallen heavily on his backside in the road.

  She prayed that his ignominy had not been witnessed, that it was so early no one had been around. If he called she would have no option but to go down unless she could think of a reason why she couldn't.

  Her maid was hovering anxiously waiting for instructions. 'I'm not feeling well which is why I returned. I shall retire and don't wish to be disturbed for any reason.'

  Once she was safely behind the curtains of her bed her pulse returned to normal and she could breathe again. What had possessed her to push him over? She had no respect for anyone, male or female, who used violence and aggression to make their point.

  With a sigh of resignation, she scrambled out of bed. Being here was a coward's way and she was no coward. Her maid had the sense not to comment about her mistress wishing to get dressed again immediately.

  'Find something plain, no frills or bows, high-necked and long sleeves. Do I have such a garment?'

  'You do, miss, it won't take me but a minute to find it.'

  Scarcely half an hour after her retreat she was downstairs and waiting for the inevitable confrontation. Although she didn't know him well, she was certain he wasn't a gentleman who would allow such behaviour to go unremarked.

  She wandered disconsolately up and down the drawing room listening to the loud tick of the tall-case clock that stood against one wall. The hands crawled round. How could it only be a quarter past seven? Her parents were not early risers – indeed, she wasn't even sure that her papa had actually returned last night.

  After an hour she understood she wasn't to be taken to task directly. This was far worse than receiving a bear-garden jaw immediately. Her stomach roiled and she wished with all her heart that she'd not behaved so badly, that she'd stayed long enough to see if he had been hurt by his fall.

  Chapter Seven

  Simon was back on his feet in one fluid motion, unhurt apart from his dignity. The carriage was already out of reach but to his astonishment it had apparently abandoned the under-coachman. The young man bowed almost double.

  'My lord, begging your pardon for speaking to you.' He stopped and chewed his lip.

  'Well, out with it, man. You must have had something damned urgent to tell me if you let the coach go on without you.'

  'We was turning round when you stopped us, my lord. Miss Burgoyne changed her mind and we was going home again.'

  'Thank you for remaining behind in order to tell me that. Now, you can do me another favour. What's your name, by the way?'

  'Billy Jones, my lord.'

  'Right, Billy, have you been with the family long?'

  'Since I were a nipper.'

  'Excellent. Then you will know exactly the sort of horse Miss Burgoyne would like.' The young man began to get his drift and his expression changed and he beamed. 'Jump on the back, there's no room on the box. You're going to help me buy a horse for your mistress.'

  It was a short journey to Hyde Park Corner where Tattersalls was situated behind the Lanesborough Hotel. His coachman could walk the horses in the park until he returned. With Billy beside him he walked from stall to stall pleased there were not many others looking to make an early purchase.

  'Here, my lord, I reckon this chestnut would suit Miss Burgoyne perfectly.'

  Simon agreed with the choice as soon as he set eyes on the handsome gelding. The animal's coat was the same shade as her hair. They would look spectacular together. On enquiring he was told this horse went as well side-saddle as any other and would also go in harness if required.

  After closely examining the animal he was satisfied Rufus was in perfect condition. 'He's got no vices, my lord, and although he might be considered a tad large for a lady, she'll come to no harm with him.' The young gentleman who owned the horse obviously thought the world of him.

  'Why are you parting with Rufus?'

  'Debts to pay, my lord, and my father refuses to cough up the flimsies this time.'

  A significant sum changed hands and Simon was delighted with his purchase. 'Billy, you can lead him home.'

  The young man was already the best of friends with the gelding. 'He's perfect, sweet-natured and intelligent. The mistress will love him.'

  As these words were spoken Simon realised by buying a horse for Bella he'd made his intentions obvious. Servants gossiped and news o
f the purchase would be all over the square by this evening. God's teeth! There would be sniggers and nods directed at Bella and himself when they went to dine at the Danbury's tonight. He had the bill of sale in his hand.

  'Here, make sure that Mr Burgoyne receives this on your return. He will be relieved that I was able to step in in time and make the purchase for her. Lady Emily was most insistent that I did so.'

  'Yes, my lord, we wasn't happy at all about bringing her here, but the young mistress saw sense in the end.'

  He tossed the man a coin which was more than ample recompense for walking a mile or two back to Grosvenor Square.

  After breakfasting he checked his appearance and intended to stroll across to see how his purchase had been received. His sister and Mrs Featherstone were going to ride later in either Green Park or Hyde Park but they would take two grooms with them so would be in no danger of offending anyone.

  The biggest expense in his household were his horses – one cost more than a servant to keep. When his father had died last year he really should have sold some of them, but they were his pride and joy and so he'd sold an estate in Herefordshire, once owned by his grandmother, instead. Bringing so many horses with him would also keep up the impression that the family was not about to go bankrupt.

  He was halfway across the hall when Bella erupted from the corridor that led to the side entrance and skidded to a halt beside him. 'Lord Sawsbury, I cannot thank you enough for Rufus. He's exactly what I would have bought myself.'

  Her eyes were shining, her glorious hair escaping from its pins and she had never looked more beautiful. He was about to sweep her into his arms and kiss her when sanity returned.

  'Come with me, I need to talk to you in private.'

  'No, you can ring a peal over me here. I deserve to be humiliated for my appalling behaviour. I cannot understand why you did something so wonderful for me after I'd pushed you over.'

  He put his arm firmly around her shoulders and guided her through the house and into the library where they could converse without being overheard. He was horrified to feel tremors running through her. Was he really so frightening that such a courageous young lady would tremble at the thought of his anger?