The Wild Card

by Beth Elliott

  The Wild Card

  Beth Elliott

  For Marion and Seyda,

  my research companions

  Contents

  Title Page

  Dedication

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  Copyright

  CHAPTER ONE

  It was so hard, thought Kitty as she sped down the gravel drive towards the side door of the Rectory, running to do the thing she absolutely did not want to do. She pressed a hand to her side to ease the stitch. She had hurried all the way from the hospital, but even so she was late and her mother would be displeased. She dived through the door and pushed it to behind her. It slammed and she bit her lip, rushing on to the small parlour where her mother would be sewing.

  ‘Kitty, I have been waiting for you for over an hour! And just look at you – bursting into the room like a hoyden.’ Mrs Towers folded up the shirt she was hemming and rose. ‘No doubt it was you who slammed the door just now.’

  Kitty was too breathless to reply. She tried to smile at her mother but saw with a pang of dismay that Mrs Towers was frowning at the tangle of chestnut curls as her daughter pushed back her hood.

  ‘I am truly sorry, Mama,’ panted Kitty at last, pulling off her wet boots. ‘I did intend to get back on time, but just as I was leaving the hospital a wretchedly sick girl was brought in, so Papa needed my help with her.’

  ‘It is too bad of him to use you so,’ frowned Mrs Towers.

  ‘Oh, no, you know how much I enjoy the work. So many poor and needy folk. And now we are getting more and more crippled soldiers. They are destitute, starving – after all their bravery fighting in this dreadful war.…’

  ‘Your kindness and courage do you credit, my dear,’ said her mother, ‘but there will always be crippled soldiers, needy people. You cannot help them all. Indeed, Kitty, you must think of your own prospects in life.’

  Kitty was arranging her dripping cloak over the back of a chair near the fire, but at these words she looked up in alarm. ‘I cannot believe how quickly this moment has come. I really am not ready for it,’ she protested, ‘it feels as if you are sending me into the lion’s den.’

  Her mother shook her head in reproof. ‘My dear, we have discussed all this. It is very unkind to describe great-aunt Picton as a lion. And Grosvenor Square is hardly the lion’s den! You are nineteen years of age and it is high time you were established.’ She held up a hand to check the hot reply that Kitty was about to make. ‘You will soon forget your nerves when you go into society, I assure you. Come now, we must make haste.’ She led the way upstairs to Kitty’s bedroom.

  Here a trunk lay open in the middle of the floor. Kitty’s eyes were still smouldering as she surveyed the dresses, linen and scarves laid out on the bed and chairs.

  ‘Quickly, my dear, I cannot spare much time.’ Mrs Towers at once began folding and packing the freshly laundered gowns. Kitty watched her for a minute. Was her mother so eager to get rid of her? Reluctantly, she set to work as well. How quickly her possessions were piling up in the trunk. It felt as if she was being turned out of her home. Her heart swelled with anger. The work she did in the hospital was so much more worthwhile than an idle society life in London.

  And it was quite in vain to send her! She had long ago made up her mind never to marry unless she fell deeply in love with a young man who loved her equally in return. The dress she was folding slipped out of her fingers. With an impatient sigh she snatched it up and shook it before starting to fold it again. She grimaced. Of course, eligible and wealthy men never were young and handsome. And she would not sell herself just to gain a home. This was all a complete waste of time and money.

  She shook back her chestnut curls and looked up. ‘Did your mother send you up to London for a season to catch a husband?’

  Her mother frowned. ‘What a vulgar expression! No, she did not – you know very well that your father and I became acquainted at the assemblies in Chester. And even though he was a younger son, my parents could see he was the perfect husband for me.’

  ‘So why must I go to London, to a great-aunt I do not even know? You of all people know, Mama, that I do not yearn for balls and expensive gowns – just a decent life with time to help those who need it.’ There was a distinct tremor in Kitty’s voice. Mrs Towers laid down the dress she was folding and came to take both her daughter’s hands in her own.

  ‘When I met your papa, we were young and full of ideals.’ In spite of herself, Mrs Towers smiled. ‘And he was so very handsome. However, what we did is not what I want for you, my dear. I must speak plainly. Your papa is not very worldly wise. Certainly, as a vicar, he is admired and respected for his good work … but.…’ She walked over to the window and stared out at the dull February day. With her back to Kitty, she carried on, ‘I do not want you to have to scrimp and save all through your life. There are seven of you children, Kitty, and all growing up fast. Our income can only stretch so far. It is your duty to make a good match. You cannot put it off any longer.’

  ‘But, Mama, I am not at all ready for such a step … there is so much work to do in the hospital; Papa needs me.…’

  Her mother sighed and took Kitty by the arm. She led her over to the mirror. ‘Look.’ She gestured at the reflection. ‘You are young, with those glorious brown eyes, so like your father’s; you have a beautiful complexion, a lovely slender neck and perfect white shoulders. You do deserve to be seen in the best circles.’

  Kitty shook her head mutinously.

  ‘Of course,’ Mrs Towers went on, ‘if you had shown a preference for any young man here – but our local society is very small.’ She laid her cheek next to Kitty’s and pointed to the mirror once again. ‘Look at me, my dear, the years pass – more quickly than you think.’

  ‘Oh, Mama!’ Kitty threw her arms round her mother’s neck. ‘You will always be beautiful to us.’

  Her mother shook her head. She looked Kitty straight in the eye and carried on with a little difficulty, ‘A comfortable income is a necessity. Believe me, love will flourish better when you do not live in a constant worry about bills.’ She picked up the dress she had folded and laid it in the trunk. ‘That is why I wrote to your great-aunt Picton. Now you have this one chance to spend some time in society. It is the only way for you to meet an eligible gentleman.’

  Kitty swallowed a lump in her throat. Before she could speak, her mother added, ‘It was certainly one care removed when she consented to my proposal. It wasn’t easy to approach her after—’ She stopped abruptly, coughed, then added hastily, �
�After so many years without any contact. But she seemed quite pleased at the idea of having you to stay with her. And I am sure you understand that it depends very much on you whether your little sisters can have a decent opportunity in life.’

  In the face of her mother’s dreams, it was difficult to protest any more. She made one last attempt. ‘Yes, Mama, but this is not a good time for me to go away. You really need my help now Charlie has broken his leg.’

  A shadow passed over Mrs Towers’ face. ‘Thank heavens it was just a clean break. Whatever made him think he could ride Freddy’s new brute of a hunter? I dread to think what he will try next.’

  ‘Oh, Mama.’ Kitty enfolded her in a hug. ‘Do not fret, he will soon be well again. And at least he cannot get into mischief for a while. But it is an extra burden for you. Well, I won’t say any more, although it is hardly going to be a glamorous come-out, is it?’

  Mrs Towers smiled wryly. ‘We certainly cannot compete with Amelia’s preparations. If I know Mrs Warrington, she will have trunks full of the most splendid dresses for her daughter to go to London.’

  ‘Oh, yes – and the sad truth is that Amelia is not even looking forward to it all. She is much too shy to relish going among strangers.’

  ‘She depends far too much on you, Kitty. Amelia will never learn to manage while you are there to speak for her. A spell in town should be the making of her. I am sure Mrs Warrington must hope so. No doubt she cherishes dreams of a splendid match for Amelia – and with those looks it is quite possible she will get many brilliant offers.…’ She smoothed down the top garment in the trunk and smiled up at her daughter. ‘Indeed, you are a very striking pair and should have a great success in town. Mrs Warrington will surely include you in some of their outings. Take every opportunity to enjoy what you can, my love.’

  She looked around the room and gave a sigh of relief. ‘Well, that seems to be everything. Now, bring me the tissue paper, if you please.’ She held up the taffeta ball dress and smiled triumphantly. ‘You will look lovely in this, Kitty. The sea-green colour is exactly right for you. I must say I am very pleased with the lace trimming. You have done it beautifully.’

  They had just placed the dress carefully in the trunk when the door opened. In came a younger version of Kitty, her glossy brown ringlets cascading over her shoulders. Sophia stared enviously at the trunk. ‘Mama, Charlie is reading. He told me I might leave him in peace,’ she explained, before her mother could reproach her. ‘He says his leg is not paining him and he will be glad of some food shortly.’

  ‘Very good,’ said Mrs Towers. ‘You can help your sister to tidy up this room. It is high time I went to see what the children are doing.’ She hurried out and Sophia pulled a little package out of her sleeve. She unwrapped it, revealing some lengths of pink satin ribbon, which she held up against Kitty’s chestnut curls.

  ‘Yes, I thought these would look pretty on you,’ she said. ‘Why aren’t you in raptures? How I wish I was going to London.’

  ‘What, to stay with a crabby old great-aunt we have never even met? It is very sweet of you to give me these ribbons, Sophy, but I wonder if I will even need them.’ Kitty pulled a face and sighed.

  But fifteen-year-old Sophy refused to be daunted. ‘You are bound to meet lots of new people,’ she insisted. ‘Even great-aunts have friends and neighbours. And Amelia will be there—’

  ‘Oh, heavens! I promised to be at Amelia’s house by three o’clock. I can just about manage to get there in time.’ Kitty glanced down at her plain green gown and smoothed the skirts. ‘This is fresh enough for a tea party at Millie’s. Quick, Sophy, while I wash my face, be a dear and fetch me your boots – mine are soaking wet. I suppose it is still raining?’ She wiped her hands and face, thrust her feet into the boots and rushed for the door.

  Sophy gave a squeal of outrage. ‘You cannot go out looking such a fright. Come here, do.’ She applied a hairbrush vigorously and smoothed Kitty’s tangles into ringlets. ‘There,’ she said, releasing her at last. ‘Now you look elegant.’

  Kitty stopped long enough to kiss her sister’s cheek. ‘You are the elegant one in this family. Thank you.’ After checking that it was, indeed, still drizzling, she sped down the stairs and shrugged into her hooded cape. It was only a short walk from the vicarage to the large new mansion that was Amelia’s home.

  She made her way along the road, leaping over the puddles and taking in deep breaths of the rain-chilled air. The trees were still black and bare but the grass was green and the first catkins showed in the hedgerows. Kitty gave a sigh. Life in London was going to be difficult for someone used to the open spaces and the freedom of country life.

  ‘I will only stay for two months,’ she muttered rebelliously, ‘and that is certainly not long enough to find a husband.’

  CHAPTER TWO

  ‘Going away?’ echoed Lord Frederick Lynsford. He stared in disbelief at the two young ladies on the sofa in front of him. Chestnut curls and blonde ringlets bobbed as they both nodded.

  ‘Surely, Freddy, you must know that Amelia is going to London for the season. Why, she has been preparing since the summer.’ Kitty looked reproachfully at their childhood friend. He had not changed much in spite of his modish appearance, she thought.

  Lord Frederick swallowed. ‘Well, yes – s’pose so – but surely not before our rout party next week? Why, I’ve come especially to solicit the honour of a dance with each of you.’ He gave an apologetic grin and ran a hand through his carefully disordered curls. One lock of sandy hair flopped on to his brow. His eyes were on Amelia, who gave him her usual sweet smile.

  ‘Thank you, Freddy. It is most kind, but it will not be possible. We will be leaving very soon.’ She looked towards her mama, seated near the fire in conversation with Freddy’s mother. Lady Lynsford watched keenly as Amelia’s mother put down her teacup and turned to the young people.

  ‘We depart on Monday,’ she informed them. ‘Mr Warrington feels we should take advantage of the present mild weather.’ She turned back to Lady Lynsford, adding, ‘February weather is so unpredictable. Of course, he only plans to see us settled into the house we have taken in Green Street before he hurries back home. It is unfortunate, but with this war against the French continuing, he says his presence is needed at the manufactories.’

  Watching this exchange, Kitty discerned a flicker of relief on Lady Lynsford’s face. She glanced quickly at Freddy. His disappointment was genuine. It was for sure, thought Kitty, that he was becoming strongly attracted to Amelia. She smiled to herself, remembering their childhood squabbles when Freddy and her brother, Charlie, had scorned to let the girls join in their adventures. It had always been Caroline, Freddy’s sister, who had resolved the quarrels and dried the tears.

  Now Caroline was married and living in London. In the past year, Freddy had taken over the running of his large estate and was so busy that they hardly saw him except at the monthly assemblies in Chester, or the occasional dancing parties in their small neighbourhood. He had always been an amiable person and a little shy. Not surprising, thought Kitty, living with two such determined ladies as his mother and his elder sister.

  Lady Lynsford was the daughter of an earl and very conscious of her aristocratic background. She had found a wealthy and titled husband for Caroline. And now it seemed that she was determined to find a titled bride for Freddy. Although she accepted her children’s lifelong friendship with Amelia Warrington, it was plain she considered the family to be socially inferior because their money came from trade. This made Kitty very angry for her friend.

  Gentle Amelia was as talented as she was beautiful and quite without vanity. Although she was always the centre of attention at dancing parties, she treated all the young gentlemen with modest politeness and shrank from so much admiration. She never made any comment on any of her swains. She was most comfortable in the company of her close friends and family.

  However, in spite of their youthful squabbles, since her early childhood, she had shared
a love of horses and hunting with Freddy. This meant that they often rode out together, but, while it was plain to Kitty that Freddy now eagerly sought Amelia’s company, she could not tell whether Amelia felt any special degree of affection for him beyond a sort of brother and sister-like ease. This was the one area where Amelia stubbornly kept her own counsel.

  Now Freddy was saying, ‘It’s a dashed shame you should have to miss next week’s hunt as well – and just to go to London!’ He shook his head and sighed. Amelia nodded but said nothing.

  How discreet she is, thought Kitty – surely she understands his meaning?

  At this point Kitty realized he was speaking to them both. ‘You’ll visit m’sister, I s’pose?’ As they assured him they would, his mother rose to take her leave.

  ‘It seems no time at all since we took dear Caroline to London. She was a great hit! So many suitors’ – she swelled with pride – ‘but once she met Lord William Bannister, her mind was made up. And now she leads a life of high fashion. Well, you girls must be so excited. I wish you both a very successful stay in London,’ she pronounced, with a meaningful look.

  And that was a hint to Amelia, thought Kitty, trying to smile politely as she curtsied. ‘I must be going as well,’ she added out loud, when the door had shut on the visitors.

  ‘Are all your preparations made?’ enquired Mrs Warrington, settling herself near the window and picking up her sewing.

  Kitty assured her that her trunk was packed. ‘It has been quite difficult, ma’am, especially with poor Charlie breaking his leg. And then my father is busy with so many war-wounded returning home and needing help. My mother has had such a lot to do, I feel I should stay here to help her, but she refuses to hear of it.’

  ‘Oh, I could not face the thought of going to London without you, Kitty.’ Amelia turned pale at the idea.

  Her mother frowned a little. ‘You will soon change your ideas, my love, when you get caught up in the round of parties and entertainments.’ She turned to Kitty. ‘We have to remember that Kitty will be the guest of her great-aunt and may not have very much time to spare for us.’