In the carriage she spoke sternly to them both – although Sarah knew very well the homily was aimed at Beth, not herself.
'You will walk beside me at all times. You will not speak to anyone unless I give you leave. We shall remain together in our booth and only leave the safety of this place when we're ready to return. Is that quite clear?'
'I promise, Amanda, I promise I'll be a good girl and stay with Miss Westley. Will there be dancing? Can I join in?'
'Beth, what did I just tell you? There will be no dancing for any of us even if there is any. We remain inside the booth and don't interact or converse with anyone else.'
She was beginning to have doubts about the safety of this outing but it was too late to repine. She glanced across at Miss Westley. 'Lady Elizabeth will remain with me. We shall all have an excellent time and enjoy the firework display.'
Mr O'Riley was sitting next to Amanda and he nodded his agreement. 'His grace asked me to act in his stead on any outings and I intend to do so. I give you my word nothing alarming will take place tonight.'
'Fireworks are alarming, Mr O'Riley, they are ever so noisy and bright and sometimes I have to cover my ears and close my eyes.'
'That's very true, Lady Elizabeth, but we shall all be safe in our own private room.'
They arrived at the venue after an uneventful journey across the river and Amanda began to relax and enjoy herself. This was a place she'd never attended and she was enjoying it as much as the others.
Mr O'Riley strode ahead clearing the way for them, and the two footmen carrying the picnic baskets walked directly behind them preventing any unwanted gentlemen from accosting the party.
Miss Westley had procured a perfect spot. They were all enchanted by the little chamber set aside for them. 'Excellent, we'll be able to see everything perfectly from here. Now, Beth, where do you want to sit?'
There were jugglers, stilt-walkers and fire-eaters to entertain them whilst they waited for the main event. The picnic supper was set out on the tables and every morsel was eaten. The crowds had doubled as hundreds of visitors arrived to see the display.
Miss Westley had sole charge of Beth, and her sister had been perfectly behaved. 'Beth, it's about to start. Do wish to come to the front where you can see even more clearly?'
'Miss Westley has taken her to the ladies' retiring rooms. Mr O'Riley has accompanied them,' Sarah answered.
Instantly she was on her feet. 'This is most upsetting. I should have been consulted first. I don't like the idea of Beth being out in this crowd as she could be separated from her escorts.' She spoke to the two footmen who were busy repacking the picnic baskets. 'Both of you, go out at once and make sure that Lady Elizabeth is kept safe.'
They vanished. Everyone employed by the family understood the situation. She scanned the crowd in the hope of seeing Mr O'Riley. He was taller than most gentlemen and should be easy to spot.
'Where exactly are these retiring rooms?'
'You cannot see them from the front, Amanda, but if you recall, we passed the building just before we reached this booth. It's only a few minutes from here. I'm sure our sister can manage to get there and back without anything unpleasant occurring.' Sarah gestured at the milling crowds. 'Everyone's here to watch the fireworks and has no interest in anything else.'
'I pray that you're right. How long have they been gone?'
'No more than ten minutes. Do you wish to go in search of them?'
'We cannot do so without a male escort. We must remain here and pray they all return safely in a few minutes.'
The minutes stretched to twenty and neither the footmen nor Miss Westley, Beth or Mr O'Riley had returned. The fireworks display had begun and it was impossible to hold a conversation above the noise of the explosions and the roars of approval coming from the crowd.
'I can't stay here a moment longer. I must go out and look for them.'
'No, Amanda, that will just make things worse. There are gentlemen the worse for drink out there and no doubt common men, thieves and pickpockets as well just looking for an unwary female on her own.'
Her sister was right to warn her but she couldn't just wait when she knew that something dreadful must have happened.
She went to the door in the rear of the booth and opened it but remained inside where she was safe. Sarah joined her and together they searched the crush hoping to see the distinctive livery of their footmen, or one of the other three.
Amanda was beside herself when half an hour had passed and there was still no sign of any of them. Then she saw Mr O'Riley walking fast, his arm around Beth and Miss Westley holding her hand.
They saw her in the doorway and pointed to the exit. The two footmen arrived at a run. 'You go ahead, my lady, we'll bring the baskets. We'll be right behind you.'
A servant shouldn't give instructions to their employers but in this case it was acceptable. Both she and her sister already had their evening cloaks around their shoulders and they rushed across and fell in behind the other three.
It was impossible to see Beth's face as her head was lowered and her bonnet brim too deep. The fact that she wasn't crying, protesting or making a sound filled Amanda with a sick dread. There was only one thing that would make her sister silent. Beth had been so frightened by something she was unable to function normally. The last time this had happened was when her pony had bolted with her and she hadn't ridden a horse since then.
*
Richard arrived in London thirty-six hours after receiving the letter. He was travel-worn and weary and his resemblance to a brigand was remarkable. When he dismounted in the stable yard the head groom was speechless.
'I've ridden him hard and he'll need to be walked until he's cool. No water until then.'
He strode towards the house and despite his precipitous arrival he was already expected. The side door was flung open and Amanda burst through and threw herself into his arms.
'Thank God you're here, I've been at my wits' end to know what to do. The only member of the household unconcerned by this catastrophe is the perpetrator – Beth remains oblivious and continues on as if nothing had happened at all.'
'The library, my love, we must continue this conversation in private.'
He didn't apologise for his dishevelled state and his beloved appeared not to notice he wasn't fit to be in her company as he was.
'I should change…'
'No, come as you are. Refreshments will be here at any moment. I've not been able to eat a morsel since we went to the Vauxhall Gardens.'
They'd scarcely entered the chamber when two footmen followed them with laden trays, small beer and two jugs of coffee. These were placed on the central table and then the servants vanished.
He removed his gloves and topcoat and tossed them onto a nearby chair. At least his hands were relatively clean even if the rest of his person was malodorous.
He was shocked at her appearance. Her eyes were dark, her face etched with worry. 'Sit down, Amanda, and we shall eat before we talk. I'm exhausted and need refreshment urgently.'
She didn't protest, but merely settled into the nearest chair without a murmur. He didn't make the mistake of piling her plate, just put a few tasty morsels on one and then poured her a cup of coffee.
He snatched up a pasty and ate that where he stood, this was closely followed by a second and a third. He then downed a pint of small beer and was ready to hear the details of this disaster.
'I've never seen anyone devour so much so quickly, Richard. Did you not eat on your journey?'
This time he put a selection on a plate and picked up the necessary cutlery and napkin before joining her. 'I can't remember, but I suppose I must have grabbed a sandwich or two. My concern was for my mount as without him staying on his feet I'd not have got here so speedily.'
Her plate was also empty and he refilled it and her cup before taking his place beside her.
'Now we're more or less replete, tell me what happened. If Beth is well then obviously she wasn't
molested, which was what I feared.'
'No, thank the Lord. Just before the fireworks display, she wished to visit the retiring room and Mr O'Riley and Miss Westley accompanied her. There were so many people milling about that they became separated despite Miss Westley having had hold of her hand.
'Lord Eastham's son mistook her for Sarah and invited her to take a promenade around a secluded garden. Beth thought it a lark that he thought her to be our sister and agreed to go with him. He put his arm around her and they were seen embracing and recognised by several of our acquaintances.' She was unable to continue and he wanted to comfort her but that would be taking advantage of her distress.
'Go on, tell me the rest. It doesn't matter how bad it is, I can put matters right.'
'Beth became bored with the rendezvous and on seeing Miss Westley and Mr O'Riley approaching detached herself and ran to them.'
'What happened next?'
'My sister was severely taken to task by Miss Westley and was more upset by that than by the embrace. When I saw them I imagined the worst. It wasn't until Beth had been sent to bed in disgrace that I discovered exactly what had transpired.'
'I think I can guess what you're going to tell me – what the real disaster is. That snivelling youth insists that Sarah marries him and you have either to reveal that Beth is a simpleton or have your other sister's good name ruined.'
'Sarah refused to speak to him when he called which has just made him more determined. Lady Eastham arrived yesterday demanding that she speak to you and insisting that the betrothal must be announced immediately.'
'I'll see Eastham. By the time I've finished with him and his son they'll rue their interference in our lives. You do understand, don't you, sweetheart, that the only way out of this is to tell them the truth about Beth? As she doesn't mix in society, I can't see that will cause her any distress.'
'Our parents always said they'd not tarnish Beth with such a label. But you're right, it's the only solution to this problem.' She reached out and took his hand. 'Promise me, Richard, that you don't intend to do anything violent.'
He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles and then released her. 'I give you my word. I'd dearly love to horsewhip that bastard but will refrain.'
He was about to apologise for his intemperate language when she laughed. 'I suppose I must become used to your swearing as it doesn't seem that any amount of complaint on my part makes the slightest bit of difference.'
'I'm only a rough soldier at heart, my love, and it might well take you years to smooth me into shape.'
Her cheeks flushed becomingly and, in that moment, he knew she'd changed her mind about him being a suitable husband. Before she could move, he dropped to one knee.
'Darling girl, I love you to distraction, I don't give a damn about the rules, will you do me the inestimable honour of becoming my wife?'
For a moment she didn't answer and he held his breath thinking for a second that he'd misunderstood the situation.
'Please stand up, Richard, and stop making a cake of yourself. I discovered that I too am in love with you. I should be delighted to accept your kind offer.'
Instead of standing he reached up and tumbled her onto his lap. She returned his kisses with enthusiasm and it took all his iron control to regain his feet with her still in his arms and put her back on the chair.
*
Amanda glowed from the tips of her toes to the crown of her head and was so happy she thought she might burst. Then reality stuck and she regained command of her senses.
'This must remain between us, my love, until the matter with the Easthams has been settled and my mother has returned to the bosom of her family. I know you don't have to ask her permission to marry me, but I can't make our betrothal public until I have her blessing.'
'I don't care how long we have to wait – no – that's nonsense. I want to marry you as soon as it can be arranged. June is supposed to be the perfect month for a wedding.'
'That would be wonderful, but until things are resolved and the family restored things must remain as they are between us. I don't even want to tell Sarah.'
'As you wish. I'm going to bathe and change my raiment and then will visit Eastham. Have you detected any coolness towards the family in the past few days?'
'I cancelled all our engagements on the pretext that we have suffered from a sudden and highly contagious ailment picked up at the Vauxhall Gardens. Therefore, I've no idea if any gossip about the incident the other night or anything else has changed society's opinion of us.'
'Sensible girl. We'll discover how things are on our next excursion. Go and tell your sister and Miss Westley. What is planned for tonight, if anything?'
'It's the first of the major balls. The Earl of Colchester is launching his daughter and it's likely to be the event of the Season.' She hesitated, not sure if she should mention that it was a masquerade. His eyes narrowed and he raised an eyebrow. 'We have to go in costume and with masks.'
Instead of being cross he smiled his toe-curling smile. 'And what exactly have you planned for me?'
'You can go as a soldier – I thought you probably had your best regimentals in one of the trunks that arrived last week from somewhere on the continent.'
'Not a Roman centurion? Not a Greek God? You disappoint me, darling, I would have enjoyed watching you try to persuade me to wear something ridiculous.'
'It would have been a waste of my breath so I didn't bother.' She waited until he was through the door before calling after him. 'I'm going as Lady Godiva.'
She could hear him laughing as he strode away and wanted to turn cartwheels across the library but thought she might cast up her accounts if she did so having just eaten so much.
Both Sarah and Miss Westley agreed with the decision to tell the world about Beth's disability.
'What did Richard say about attending the masquerade ball tonight?'
'He was remarkably sanguine about the whole thing. I even said that I was going as Lady Godiva and he just laughed.'
'Good gracious, my lady, that was a risqué thing to suggest,' Miss Westley exclaimed.
'I didn't tell him we were going as three Greek goddesses and will be dressed in diaphanous gowns. Is Mr O'Riley coming as a soldier?'
'No, I suggested it but he was adamant he would come as Zeus to complement our costumes.'
'Then Richard will look out of place – I think I might try and change his mind and get him to appear as King Neptune.'
Mr O'Riley, who had just joined them, grinned. 'I wish you good luck with that, my lady. I'd stake my right arm on him refusing.'
'If you will excuse me, I must speak to Nancy, my head seamstress, and get her and her girls busy making a costume fit for a king – even if it is of the sea.' She frowned. 'I think perhaps that Hades, King of the Underworld might be more appropriate. I'll give the matter further thought.'
Chapter Sixteen
Richard dressed to impress and even carried his beaver and cane under one arm and wore gloves. He looked every inch an aristocrat, although his blood was so diluted he could scarcely think of himself as such. Then it occurred to him that if his great-great-grandfather had been the older brother he would have been born and bred a duke.
He crossed the central park and walked up to the front door of Eastham's establishment. Only then did it occur to him he should have brought a footman to knock in his stead. He banged so hard he was certain no one could ignore him.
The door opened and a supercilious butler was about to give him his comeuppance but then wisely reconsidered.
'Duke of Denchester. Take me to Lord Eastham.' The man hesitated. 'Take me now.' Richard snarled and the man quailed beneath his contempt.
'At once, your grace. If you would care to follow me, I believe that his lordship is in his study.'
Richard stalked behind him and waited until the trembling butler knocked. 'My lord, his grace the Duke of Denchester is here to see you.'
He didn't give Eastham the chan
ce to respond but stepped around the butler and marched straight in. He stood, ramrod straight, and nodded at Eastham who'd been lounging on the sofa blowing a cloud and had barely had time to spring to his feet.
'Your grace, this is an unexpected pleasure. I thought you in the country.'
'Obviously not. I am most displeased with your behaviour and that of your objectionable son. If I was still an officer I would have him flogged for his mistreatment of Lady Elizabeth.'
'Lady Elizabeth? I don't understand – my son has not made the acquaintance of this young lady.'
'Has he not? It was she that he attempted to compromise into an unwanted marriage. Not only is she still a schoolgirl she is not of sound mind and has the intellect of a small child. If your son had not been so intent on his perfidy he would have known at once he was molesting the wrong young lady.'
Eastham turned the shade of an old sheet, staggered back to his seat and collapsed. 'My God! This is the most dreadful, appalling, information. I give you my word, your grace, my lady wife and I had no idea Percy intended to try and trap Lady Sarah. We were shocked but could see no way out, apart from a betrothal, that wouldn't ruin both their reputations.'
Richard felt almost sorry for the man. 'Lady Elizabeth has no concept of adult behaviour and thought going with your son part of an elaborate game. Fortunately for your son she's already forgotten the incident and has suffered no lasting damage from being manhandled in that way.'
'I cannot apologise enough on my son's behalf. Believe me, your grace, he will be sent back to our country estate in disgrace and his allowance for the remainder of the year shall be terminated. He's obviously not old enough to contemplate matrimony if he cannot behave like a gentleman.'
Richard accepted the apology and took his leave. Eastham had promised that his wife would write at once to all her friends informing them of the true circumstances. This was essential if this evening's visit to the ball wasn't to be marred by unpleasantness.
The Duke's Ward (The Reluctant Duke Book 1) Page 14
