James, as always, was aware at once of the air of tension as the gentlemen came to join the ladies. He sank into a chair beside Miss Langrishe and affected not to hear when Amy apologised to her aunt.
‘I’m sorry, Aunt Trixie!’ she said in a low voice. ‘I should not have spoken out so freely. Have I quite ruined your evening?’
‘Not in the least!’ came the unperturbable reply. ‘Perhaps I might remark that, although I agree with your views, it is not always wise to express them so forcibly in certain circumstances.’
‘I know it!’ Amy felt miserable. ‘But, don’t you see, unless one speaks it might be thought that one is in agreement with such frightful views.’
‘And that, of course, would be a disaster!’ Miss Langrishe twinkled. ‘Well, my dear, since, you are determined to repent I shall demand a forfeit of you. Will you play for us this evening?’
‘I’m not very good,’ Amy protested.
‘Nonsense, you love music and it will give us so much pleasure.’
‘Well, as long as you don’t ask me to sing. Papa says that he would rather hear a tomcat serenading his beloved upon a wall.’
‘I’m sure he is exaggerating, but to play will be enough to entertain us.’
Obediently, Amy took her place at the instrument, surprised to find that James was already beside her, leafing through the music.
‘James, you must attend upon Charlotte,’ she said in some surprise. ‘I would not have her feel neglected.’
‘There is little danger of that.’ James nodded towards the window-seat, where Charlotte and Sir William sat together poring over a book of engravings.
‘I know, but…’
‘Then shall I relinquish my place to Frederick Skelmersdale?’ he asked with a mischievous smile.
Amy blushed. ‘That isn’t kind!’ she reproached. ‘I have had quite enough of that gentleman for this evening.’
‘I guessed as much. You did very well, my dear. In your place I should have slapped his face.’
‘I feared you would. You looked so…so…’
‘Murderous? That was how I felt. In other circumstances I should have horsewhipped him to within an inch of his life.’ He glanced across the room. ‘What a family they are, to be sure! Madame and her son on the one side, and Charlotte and her father on the other. It is difficult to reconcile the two.’
Amy nodded. ‘How do you like Mr Skelmersdale?’
‘I regard him as a gentleman of sterling worth, and not least because he admires you, Amy. You have made another conquest there.’
‘Another one?’ She peeped up at him through lashes of a ridiculous length.
James laughed. ‘Don’t try your tricks on me, you minx! I am impervious to all your wiles. Come now, let us choose some music, or the company will believe that you do not mean to play.’
Amy’s efforts were greeted with generous applause. She played with verve and feeling, though her technique was lacking in skill.
Mrs Skelmersdale clapped politely, but she had determined that her daughter was not to be outdone.
‘Our dear Charlotte sings a little,’ she announced ‘Perhaps if Miss Wentworth would condescend to play for her…?’
Charlotte looked ready to sink through the floor, but her father added his entreaties, as did the other members of the party.
‘It won’t be so bad,’ Amy whispered. ‘I make so many mistakes that no one will notice yours…that is…if you make one.’
She need not have worried. Charlotte had been blessed with a rare gift. As the first clear notes of her song soared into the air her listeners fell silent. Amy glanced up at her in awe. All Charlotte’s shyness had fallen away. Now she was lost in the music. The stillness in the room was a tribute to the wonder of that glorious voice.
Then, as the last notes died away, Sir William came towards her. ‘That was miraculous,’ he said. ‘May we hope for another such delight?’
Charlotte gave him a look of perfect trust. ‘Have you a favourite, sir?’
Sir William’s languid manner had quite vanished. Now he leafed through the pile of music with some urgency. ‘This one?’ he asked.
Charlotte looked at the piece and then at him. ‘If you wish it,’ she replied.
It was a love song, tender and revealing. Amy played the accompaniment to the best of her ability, but it was Charlotte’s skill that lifted the familiar sentiments beyond the banal and into ecstasy.
To her own surprise, Amy found that her eyes had filled with tears.
‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ she asked her friend. ‘I had no idea that you had this wondrous gift.’ Both girls were seated by the instrument, accepting the plaudits of the assembled company. ‘And you appeared to be so calm…not nervous in the least.’
‘I was terrified,’ Charlotte admitted. ‘I hate to be asked to sing in public, but when my mother insists it is easier to agree.’
‘I’m so glad you did so,’ Amy told her warmly. ‘You have given us so much pleasure. Your papa must be so proud of you.’ She glanced across the room, certain that Mr Skelmersdale would be delighted by his daughter’s musical triumph.
To her surprise he was looking troubled. She left the others and went to join him. ‘Congratulations, my dear sir!’ she said. ‘You have produced a star of the first magnitude!’
He didn’t reply, and she thought that he had not heard her. Then the blue eyes held her own.
‘What do you know of yon chap, Miss Amy?’ He jerked his head in the direction of the two young men who still engaged his daughter in conversation.
‘Sir James Richmond? Why, sir, he is the son of one of my aunt’s oldest friends and a great favourite with my family.’
‘Not him. I was speaking of Linden.’
Amy was surprised. ‘I expect you know as much about him as I do myself. He is a noted scholar, unmarried, he lives at Oxford for much of the year and he is a wealthy man, so I understand.’
‘Oh, aye! I know all that, my dear. I could tell you his income down to the last penny, the number of his estates, where he buys his carriages, and the price he pays for his bloodstock. I had it from my wife. What she does not tell me is whether or not he is a gamester or a libertine.’
Amy smiled with relief, although she was surprised by his unusual interest in Sir William’s character. Charlotte’s father had not struck her as a prude.
‘You have not taken him in dislike, I hope?’ she asked. ‘You need have no worries on that score, sir. James would never make a friend of such a man. Besides, Sir William is far too busy to have time for…er…vice. His work is his life. Believe me, had my aunt heard anything against him she would have put an end to all our plans, and forbidden him her house.’
‘I’m glad to hear it confirmed. I thought as much, but I can’t judge a man on such short acquaintance.’
‘Can’t you?’ Amy teased. ‘I believe you take a person’s measure within five minutes of your meeting.’
‘Sharp as a tack as usual, Miss Amy? Well then, you’ll understand my questions. I won’t have a wastrel dangling after my girl, no matter what her mother says, nor how much brass he has.’
Amy’s mouth fell open. ‘Oh, you are quite mistaken, Mr Skelmersdale. Sir William and Charlotte are becoming friends, it’s true, but I’m sure he has no thought of “dangling” after her. Even if it were true, Charlotte would hint him away. I think her affections are not engaged in that direction.’ Amy’s eyes strayed to James.
Greatly reassured, George Skelmersdale hid a smile. Bless the child! ‘Sharp as a tack,’ he’d called her, and so she was in some respects, but not in matters of the heart.
‘I hope she ain’t after your beau, my dear,’ he chuckled. ‘If so, she’s wasting her time.’
Amy coloured to the roots of her hair. ‘Sir James is not my beau, sir. I am sorry if I have given you the wrong impression. He is just a friend.’
‘I see! Then I’ll beg your pardon, Miss Amy. Bless me, look at the time! Your aunt will think that
we are wearing our sitting breeches.’
This vivid description of guests who outstayed their welcome brought a smile to Amy’s lips as her companion rose, and asked that his carriage be sent round as he and his family took their leave.
When it had arrived, he settled his wife and daughter within. As Frederick made to follow them, an iron hand gripped his arm.
‘We’ll walk back, my lad,’ he announced in a tone that brooked no argument. ‘The air will do us good.’
Frederick was surprised. His father did not often seek his company. The old man must have something on his mind. He was not left in doubt for long. Unwisely, he was the first to bring up the subject of his hopes. Much to his chagrin, Amy had spent much of the evening in conversation with his father. It was galling, when she would not even give him the time of day, but he might turn it to his own advantage.
‘I’m glad that you made the acquaintance of Miss Wentworth,’ he began easily enough. ‘Do you approve of her? I confess that I have hopes in that direction.’
‘Forget them!’ came the brutal reply. ‘She ain’t for the likes of you. Best find yourself some trollop who won’t object to coarse remarks and gropings under the table. Did you think I hadn’t noticed? You deserve a thrashing, sir.’
Frederick ground his teeth in fury, but his father hadn’t finished.
‘Try it again and I’ll horsewhip you myself, before young Richmond gets to you. He had murder in his eyes tonight.’
‘I might have known that you’d take anyone’s side against me,’ Frederick cried bitterly. ‘Are you trying to make quite sure that we are ostracised by society?’
‘Nay, you need no help from me in that respect. You are well on the way to doing it for yourself, but you won’t disgrace your sister if I have ought to say about it. Let Miss Wentworth alone. If I catch you pestering her again, you’ll get no more brass from me.’
‘I know you despise me,’ Frederick burst out. ‘But you brought me up to live like a gentleman…’
His father sighed. ‘I was wasting my time. There’s more to it than fancy clothes and money to chuck about, but you don’t see it, do you?’
Frederick found that he was trembling with rage. At that moment he too felt capable of murder. To be taken to task by this coarse little man was almost more than he could bear, but self-preservation kept him silent. He was totally dependent upon his father.
Well, the old man could rant and rave as much as he liked. Amy’s repugnance had succeeded in arousing all his baser instincts. He would have her yet.
Chapter Eight
James and Sir William took their leave within the next few minutes and Amy found herself alone with Miss Langrishe, discussing their evening.
Miss Langrishe was seated in her favourite chair, sipping at the cup of herbal tea which she always took before retiring, and grimacing as she did so.
‘Disgusting!’ she pronounced. ‘It quite destroys the memory of my excellent brandy, but there, I suppose it is better than lying awake until the clock strikes four.’
Amy smiled. ‘Shall you sleep well tonight, dear Aunt?’
‘I must hope so, but our guests were interesting, were they not? I was happy to see you so much in charity with Charlotte’s father.’
‘He is a perfect dear,’ Amy replied. ‘I had always wondered why Charlotte was so different from her mother and her frightful brother. Now I understand. She is her father’s daughter.’
‘I suspect that you have found a kindred spirit, Amy.’ Her aunt’s eyes were twinkling. ‘Mr Skelmersdale is quite a character, is he not?’
‘He is so much fun,’ Amy said truthfully. ‘Charlotte loves him dearly. She is sad because his business interests keep him away from her so much.’
‘I doubt if that will trouble the rest of his family. His son does not trouble to hide his feelings…’
‘No, he is ashamed of his papa.’
‘But not of his fortune, I expect. You know my views, my dear. Nothing can be more vulgar than to be ashamed of one’s relations, or one’s background.’
‘Oh, I do agree,’ Amy said with feeling. Then she began to smile. ‘Mr Skelmersdale is so wicked. He takes a positive pleasure in annoying Frederick.’
‘I had noticed. It did occur to me that his northern dialect is not quite so pronounced when Frederick is out of earshot.’
Amy laughed. ‘He used it to good effect on me.’
‘I expect that he was testing you, my dear. That gentleman will wish to know that his daughter’s friend is a woman of some sense, unlikely to be affected by trivial considerations.’
‘Such as?’
‘Such as a foolish prejudice against anyone engaged in “trade”, as we are pleased to call that activity which is the lifeblood of this country, or against those whose accent is dissimilar to our own.’
Amy was silent for a moment. Then she turned to the problem that was uppermost in her mind.
‘May I ask you something, Aunt?’
‘Anything, my love. Is something troubling you?’
‘Well, not exactly, ma’am. It is not a serious matter, but I should welcome your advice. You see, in these last few days, several of my friends seem to be under a false impression.’
‘And that is?’
‘Well, it was Henry first of all. He suggested that I had set my cap at James, of all people. Then Charlotte mentioned that she thought we were betrothed…and, well, tonight Mr Skelmersdale referred to James as my beau. It is all so ridiculous.’
‘And it has worried you?’
‘Not really. I do not care for myself, of course, for I know it to be untrue, but I would not have society think that James is…er…trifling with my affections…to use that stupid phrase.’
‘No one who knows him would think that, my love, but what do you propose?’
Amy frowned. ‘I don’t quite know. I must say, Aunt, that it seems unfair if one cannot enjoy the company of a dear friend without giving rise to speculation. It goes against the grain, but I have wondered if, perhaps, I should not appear in his company?’
‘But how can that be, my dearest? Are you not about to set off on this expedition with him?’
‘Well, yes, but I have thought of a plan. Suppose I were to appear to feign an interest in Sir William? That would hush the gossips, would it not?’
‘Most certainly! But then Sir William would be the object of speculation. Is that not so?’
‘I don’t expect he’d notice,’ Amy said cheerfully. ‘And if he did, he would not care.’
‘Can you be so sure of that, my love? And what of James? He sees you as his friend. Would you deceive him?’
‘Not willingly,’ Amy admitted with some reluctance. ‘But, it is, after all, in his own interest.’
‘He may not see it quite like that. However, you must decide for yourself. Just let me warn you once again, my darling, that human beings do not always behave as we might hope.’
‘Don’t I know it!’ Amy said with feeling. ‘Some young men should be kept behind bars.’ She flushed as she recalled Frederick’s behaviour at the dinner table.
Miss Langrishe did not pretend to misunderstand her, but she felt it unwise to pursue the subject. Something had happened earlier that evening. She had been unaware of it at the time, although she had noted that Amy’s normally excellent appetite appeared to have deserted her, and that Frederick had fallen in to a fit of the sullens.
No purpose could be served by holding an inquest into the matter, and persuading Amy to recall what had clearly been an unpleasant experience.
‘The evening was not entirely wasted, you will agree? It was a pleasure to meet Charlotte’s father, was it not? Let us hope that he will spend more time in Bath. Charlotte is much in need of his support, I feel.’
‘She is indeed, but he too is under a mistaken impression, he questioned me so closely about Sir William.’
‘Indeed? I wonder why?’
‘Oh, he has some curious notion that Sir William is un
usually interested in Charlotte. He described it as “dangling after her”.’
‘Is that so surprising, my dear? Those two young people seem much in charity with each other.’
‘Of course they are. Sir William has been kind to Charlotte and he does not frighten her. As I explained to Mr Skelmersdale, they are good friends, just as James and I are friends.’
‘And what did he say to that?’
‘He didn’t argue, but I don’t think he believed me. I thought that he was laughing.’
‘Well, pray don’t let it worry you.’
‘But it does! I have such hopes for James and Charlotte. They would suit so perfectly, you see.’
‘Do you think so, dearest? Well, I expect that time will tell.’ Miss Langrishe kept her own views to herself. ‘Sir William tells me that preparations for your expedition are almost complete. Let us hope that this fine weather will hold.’
‘I expect it will.’ Ever the optimist, Amy was already looking ahead. ‘Aunt, may Charlotte change her clothing here?’
‘Of course, but why should that be necessary?’
Amy chuckled. ‘She believes that her mother will send her to us in satin and brocade.’
‘It wouldn’t surprise me. Charlotte is a graceful girl, but her mother’s choice of garments does nothing for her. Her colouring is delicate and she is so slight. I was surprised to see her this evening in that heavy lace overdress embroidered with pearls, and over pink satin, if you please… I wondered that she was able to move beneath the weight of the gown.’
‘It did not prevent her from singing like an angel. I was astonished, Aunt. I had no idea, you see, that she had such a gift.’
‘Nor I. It is something that no one can take away from her, and it gave us all so much pleasure. I believe I shall remember it all my life. We must ask her to delight us again, should the opportunity arise.’
‘I’m sure she wouldn’t object if she knows that she is among friends. In the usual way she sings only to please her father.’
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