The Elusive Earl

by Anne Herries

  Merry saw the indecision in her cousin’s face. She was a shy, insecure girl, who might have benefited from some of Samantha’s loving care.

  ‘Why don’t you wear the yellow?’ she said, smiling encouragingly at her cousin. ‘You look pretty in yellow, Jane, and it is very suitable for a quiet dinner, for your blue would be suitable for tomorrow, and you will want to keep your green for the dance, will you not?’

  ‘Yes, of course,’ Jane said, giving her a grateful look. ‘Yes, I shall wear the yellow, Mama, for I have slippers to match and the amber beads you gave me for my birthday will look well with it.’

  ‘An excellent choice. What gown have you decided on, Merry?’

  ‘I thought the straw satin,’ Merry said. ‘I have a green sash, which lifts the colour, and I have green slippers that will match very well. I shall wear the pearls that my father left in trust for me.’

  ‘Ah yes, they will do very well.’ Lady Melbourne nodded. She had fought hard to wrest them from her sister, who had been partial to them herself. Merry would not now be enjoying this season had her aunt not been determined that she would bring the two girls out together. She had disapproved of her sister’s second marriage, for Sir William Standen was a spendthrift and would have gambled away his wife’ inheritance had it not been left in trust for her. Merry’s trust fund was safe, but that was due to Lord Melbourne’s stewardship of the money – money, which Sir William had tried to get his hands on more than once.

  ‘Yes, well, that is all satisfactory. You will have many more gowns to choose from soon, of course, but those you have will do for this evening. You both know the kind of behaviour I expect of you, so I shall say nothing of that. I am sure that neither of you will let me down.’

  Merry thought that she was lucky her aunt had insisted on bringing her out. She had had one short interview with her mother, which had left her in no doubt of what was expected of her. She must marry a man of wealth and consequence, but the money was more important than anything else.

  Although her mother had not said it, Merry guessed that her stepfather was in debt again, and that Lady Standen was hoping for some kind of advantage for herself from her daughter’s marriage. She sighed inwardly as she went up to her room to rest for a while before changing for the evening. She was missing her friends at school, in particular Annabel, and she couldn’t wait to see her again, but she and Jane were about to make their debut into society, and she must make sure that her cousin didn’t feel too nervous.

  * * *

  Lady Melbourne had been right, Merry thought, smothering a yawn. Most of the ladies present that evening were some years older than her aunt, and the gentlemen were almost in their dotage. However, Lady Rutledge was a good-humoured lady well into her seventh decade. Her eyes sparkled with good humour, and she seemed to preside over a rather dreary discussion of charitable works with a twinkle in her eye. She summoned Merry to her about halfway through the evening.

  ‘Do you know I have misplaced my shawl,’ she said. ‘I had it earlier this afternoon – it is a silk paisley and I like it better than this thing my maid gave me to wear in its place.’ She grimaced at the deep blue silk, which was actually a very expensive article, as if it were a despised rag her maid had picked out of nowhere. ‘It may be in one of the other parlours – or more likely the library, which is downstairs at the far end of the hall. I was there talking to my godson, Sutherland, this afternoon and I may have left it there.’ Her eyes seemed to ask a question and Merry hastened to oblige her.

  ‘Would you like me to have a look for you, ma’am?’

  ‘Yes, please, my dear. Take your time for there is no hurry. We shall not be going into supper for half an hour.’

  Merry left the large drawing room and went in search of the missing shawl. The house was arranged so that one room led into the other on each floor, and the drawing room was at the front of the house. She searched through two smaller parlours and the dining parlour, and then went out onto the landing and down the stairs, for the library was on the ground floor at the back of the house. She walked quickly towards it and opened the door.

  A fire was burning in the grate for despite it being early in May the evening was really quite cool. Jane saw the shawl lying on a chair near the fireplace and gave a little exclamation of pleasure. She ran across the room and pounced on it, picking it up in triumph.

  ‘And what are you doing with my godmother’s shawl?’ a deep voice asked, making her jump. She looked towards the sofa and saw that a man had been sprawled out on it, a book in his hand, but there was also a decanter of brandy and a glass on a wine-table by his side and it looked as if at least a third had been drunk. As Merry stared at him, he sat up and she saw that he was quite a large man, and extremely good looking. He had thick fair hair, a little longer than strictly fashionable and it curled about his ears in a way that she thought rather endearing. His eyes were a bluish green, and his mouth was…but she must not stare so!

  ‘Lady Rutledge asked me to find it for her. She was not sure where she had left it, but thought it might be in the library.’

  ‘It appears that she was right. I wonder why that might be?’ A wicked humour lurked in his eyes as he took in that she was a rather pretty girl with her dark hair and melting brown eyes. ‘If she knew where it was all the time – why did she not send a servant to fetch it earlier?’

  ‘I do not know,’ Merry said and laughed. ‘Perhaps when we have reached the estimable age of seventy plus years we shall have our own foibles, sir.’

  ‘Is that what you would call them?’ the handsome gentleman drawled, his brows arching.

  ‘I do not know what else to call them, sir,’ Merry said, and glanced around the room. It was well furnished and looked as if might have been the refuge of many a gentleman over the years. There were pipe stands, comfortable leather armchairs placed about the room together with occasional tables, and the books had the look of being well used rather than there merely for display. ‘What a delightful room this is – very like my father’s library used to be until it was refurbished.’

  ‘You sound as if you are sorry it was changed?’

  ‘I am. I would have preferred it left as my father liked it while he was alive.’

  ‘He no longer lives?’

  ‘No, unfortunately he died of a severe illness, sir.’ Merry blinked because she did not wish to weep before a stranger. ‘My stepfather turned it into a room for billiards. He thinks books and reading a waste of time.’

  ‘Ah, I see,’ he said and nodded. ‘My godmother would never dream of touching a thing in here that is why I visit her often for her husband was a great collector. On these shelves there are many rare volumes, but they are here with one purpose in mind – for the education and entertainment they give.’

  ‘And that is exactly what a library should be for, do you not think so?’

  ‘Certainly,’ he agreed. ‘Do you like to read?’

  ‘Yes, very much,’ Merry agreed and smiled at him. ‘Mama does not approve, but when I was at school I was allowed to read as much as I liked.’ There was a slightly wistful note in her voice that brought a look of amusement to his eyes.

  ‘And perhaps you are wishing you were there now? It must have been more amusing than talking to a collection of old tabbies discussing what is wrong with society these days.’

  Merry blushed, for it was almost as if he had been able to read her thoughts. ‘No, no, of course not. I dare say they have important things to discuss – and I had better return or I shall be looked for.’

  ‘Yes, fly away little bird,’ he said. ‘I have important things to contemplate.’ He lay back on the sofa and closed his eyes, a wicked smile on his lips.

  Merry pulled a face as she left. Important things on his mind indeed! He had every intention of going to sleep, which was why he had sought the solitude of the library while his godmother entertained her friends upstairs.

  It was only as she hurried back to the drawing room with the shawl
that Merry realised she had not introduced herself and neither had he.

  * * *

  Sutherland thought that he would call his grandmother’s behaviour something vastly different for he had suffered the match making efforts of his godmother and his sister ever since he had come into his estate. They wished to see him happily married, and a stream of young ladies had been presented to him, and not always in the usual way. They had fainted at his feet, been stranded at the gates of his country house when an accident had occurred to their horse or carriage, and introduced in dozens at the various events his busy family provided for the entertainment of their friends.

  The ruse of sending a pretty young woman to search for an article his godmother had left somewhere was not new, for she and his mother had both employed it. They were wasting their time. Sutherland was uninterested in marriage for the moment, preferring to spend his time amongst friends in London. He’d visited his godmother because he happened to be fond of her and she’d complained of having had a slight chill – but her little games did not amuse him.

  When he was ready for marriage he would find his own wife…though this latest candidate for his attention was better than most…

  * * *

  ‘I thought Mama said it was to be a small affair,’ Jane whispered to Merry as they entered the large, brilliantly lit salon the following evening. The light was coming from a series of chandeliers overhead, their crystal drops scattering a myriad of colours on everything the light touched. ‘There are a lot of people here, do you not think?’

  ‘Yes, more than I expected,’ Merry said, glancing round the room. She could see a sprinkling of gentlemen, most of whom looked to be at least into their middle years, but the majority of guests were ladies and their daughters or protégés. ‘But I dare say this is nothing compared to the crush we shall find at some of the more important functions we attend.’

  ‘Oh, dear,’ Jane said and looked nervous. ‘I do hope I shan’t make a fool of myself.’

  ‘Just think carefully before you speak,’ Merry advised. ‘At school they told us that most gentlemen prefer ladies to be modest and thoughtful, and I dare say they were right.’ It wasn’t the advice Samantha had given them, though the other teachers she had employed had been more conventional.

  ‘I am so glad you are with me,’ Jane told her. ‘I didn’t want to come at all until Mama told me she would be bringing you as well.’

  ‘Then I am glad to be here,’ Merry said and linked arms with her for a moment. ‘I think it may be easier for you to find a husband than you think, Jane.’ Her cousin was willing to be pleased with anyone who was kind to her, and indeed, Merry was of much the same mind. She would settle for a gentleman who had good manners, a gentle sense of humour and a kind nature, whether he be a curate or a knight of the realm. However, she knew that her mother was expecting her to marry a title.

  She and Jane were introduced to their hostess, mingling afterwards with the other guests, and eventually settling to listen to the music on one of the sofas placed elegantly about the room. The gentleman who sang first had a pleasant tenor voice and was received with enthusiastic applause and murmurs of approval. However, when the soprano was introduced, Merry noticed that several of the gentlemen got up and left the room.

  She happened to catch the eye of one gentleman. He was tall, fair-haired, and, as she looked at him, he winked at her. It was the man from the library the previous evening! A little thrill of pleasure ran through her as she recognised him. The wicked humour in his blue eyes made Merry laugh, though when her aunt turned to look at her she managed to turn it into a cough. She watched as the gentleman followed his friends from the room, wondering what had caused the exodus.

  A moment later, as the soprano began to screech at them, she understood perfectly, and wished that she might do likewise. However, it would have been extremely rude of her to leave once the soprano had begun to entertain them, and despite an urgent desire to cover her ears, Merry sat it out and even joined in the lukewarm clapping

  ‘Wasn’t she awful?’ Jane whispered as the soprano retired to be replaced by a pianist. ‘No wonder most of the gentlemen left.’

  Merry nodded, but placed a finger to her lips, for the pianist had begun to play, and now she was swept away by the music. It trickled effortlessly from his fingers, filling the room with such wondrous sound that she was enraptured. It was not until the recital had ended that she saw some of the gentlemen had returned to join in the enthusiastic applause – including the man whom she had first seen in Lady Rutledge’s library. It seemed that they shared the same tastes in music, she thought with some satisfaction.

  People were getting to their feet now, drifting into the next room, where a sumptuous buffet supper was being served. Merry and Jane went up to the long table where the food was laid out, Lady Melbourne pausing to speak with a lady she knew well.

  ‘What do you think we should choose?’ Jane asked, looking doubtfully at all the dishes.

  ‘Oh, a little of anything you fancy I suppose,’ Merry said. ‘I am not sure what everything is…’

  ‘Allow me to serve you both,’ a pleasant voice said at her elbow. ‘Please find a seat and I shall bring you both a few trifles to try. I know my sister’s chef very well, and I promise that you will not be disappointed.’

  ‘Oh…’ Jane blushed and looked at Merry.

  Recognising the gentleman who had winked at her before he deserted the company during the soprano’s recital, Merry smiled. ‘That is very kind of you, sir. I think you must be…’

  ‘Sutherland,’ he said. ‘John, Roland Sutherland. I am sure Lady Portmeiron will vouch for me if you ask her.’

  Merry saw the twinkle in his eyes and with difficulty held back her laughter. ‘I do not think that will be necessary, sir. We shall put ourselves in your hands with pleasure. Come, Jane, let us find a table before they all go.’

  ‘Do you know him?’ Jane whispered to Merry as they took a table in a corner, which had the advantage of looking over the gardens. Lamps hung in some of the trees, shedding light over the paved courtyard.

  ‘He is the Earl of Sutherland,’ Merry told her. ‘I read it on the list of people your mother gave us to familiarise ourselves with – so that we would know who was being introduced to us this evening. He is Lady Portmeiron’s brother – and Lady Rutledge’s godson.’

  ‘Oh yes, I remember now, the elusive earl they call him,’ Jane said and blushed. ‘He hates social affairs and usually hides himself away so Mama said. She thought he might be here this evening, because his godmother had asked it of him. He was very good looking, wasn’t he – and so kind.’

  ‘Yes, it is much more comfortable to be waited on,’ Merry said, though she had not minded the idea of helping herself. ‘I hope he does not bring too much. I am not very hungry; besides, ladies are not supposed to eat much in company.’

  ‘I am hungry,’ Jane said. ‘I was too nervous to eat anything before we came out.’

  ‘You can have some of mine if you like…’

  The earl was making his way back to them. He was carrying a tray, on which were set two small plates, two pretty glass dishes with dainty silver spoons, and two champagne flutes. He set the tray down on the table and smiled at them.

  ‘I think you will enjoy the tartlets, chicken and salmon in piquant sauce, and, I assure you, the syllabubs must be tasted to be believed.’

  ‘Oh, it all looks delicious,’ Jane said and ate the first of the little pastries on her plate. She rolled her eyes as it melted on her tongue. ‘This is so good, Merry. You must taste yours.’

  ‘Yes, in a moment,’ Merry said. ‘Thank you, sir, it was kind of you to look after us.’

  ‘My pleasure,’ he told them. ‘If you will excuse me, my sister is trying to attract my attention. Please enjoy your supper.’

  ‘Isn’t he nice?’ Jane said as he walked away. She ate some more of the trifles he had brought them and sipped her champagne. ‘Oh, the bubbles go up your nose. I’v
e never had champagne before – have you?’

  ‘Once, at a wedding,’ Merry said and took a sip of hers. ‘I shouldn’t drink it too fast if I were you, Jane.’

  ‘It is quite nice,’ Jane said. ‘Are you sure you are not hungry, Merry? I wouldn’t mind another of those little salmon tartlets…’

  Merry changed plates with her, but picked up her syllabub and began to eat it with enjoyment. It had a wonderful taste, like strawberries, cream, wine and something else she could not quite detect. She had just put down her spoon and the delicate glass when her aunt came up to them.

  ‘You were hungry, Merry,’ Lady Melbourne said a little disapprovingly. She looked at her daughter, who had been about to eat her third salmon tartlet. Jane withdrew her fingers, looking reluctantly at the other tiny pastries remaining. ‘I was speaking to Lady Portmeiron and she told me that there is to be a balloon flight tomorrow in the park. She is getting up a little party to attend and asked if we would care to be a part of it. I told her that I had a prior appointment and could not accompany you. It would not be proper for you to attend without an escort – but she said that her brother would be glad to call for you and drive you there in his curricle. I thought that you might like to go after all, for you would be safe enough in the earl’s company.’

  Merry saw a gleam in her aunt’s eyes, and knew that she was matchmaking, though she wasn’t sure who Lady Melbourne had in mind as a suitable bride for the Earl of Sutherland.

  ‘I should think that would be most pleasant, wouldn’t you, Jane?’

  ‘Oh, yes, I think so…’ Jane said uncertainly. ‘Yes, if you wish it, Merry, of course.’

  ‘It is already arranged,’ Lady Melbourne said settling it. Celia Portmeiron was a particular friend, and they had agreed that it was time that Celia’s brother found himself a wife. ‘Besides, I am sure that you will both enjoy yourselves.’ Her tone made it almost a command, and Jane seemed to wilt a little.