A Lord In Disguise

by Fenella J Miller

  In no time at all Edward was clean and freshly garbed in garments that did indeed fit him very well. The gong to remind family members to go up and change for dinner had been sounded whilst he was dressing. He thought he would be downstairs sometime in advance of the ladies. It would give him time to see what improvements had been made.

  The house certainly smelt fresh and there was a liveried footman waiting to open the drawing room door for him. He stopped short in surprise.

  'Lady Bradshaw, Miss Bradshaw, Miss Matilda and Miss Elizabeth, I apologise if I am tardy.' He half-bowed and they all curtsied.

  'Penny insisted we were here early, Mr Trevelyan, so I can assure you that you are not late. This is the first time we have dressed for dinner and I own I am feeling happier than I have since my dearest husband and only son perished.'

  'I am delighted to hear you say so, ma'am.' He was about to move into his accustomed mode of flattery and charm when Miss Bradshaw cleared her throat. He glanced at her and she shook her head almost imperceptibly. Thank God she was alert. He must remember to behave like a gentleman not used to the social mores.

  He smiled at the sisters. 'I'm wearing borrowed clothes. I hope I pass muster. You both look quite splendid.'

  Instead of coughing, Penny, he could not continue to be at odds with her and think of her formally, was choking in her handkerchief. Had he overdone it? Perhaps mentioning he was in their dead brother's clothes was doing it too brown.

  Too late to retract his casual comment. Lady Bradshaw smiled unbothered by his tactless remark. 'Penelope will not allow dear Ben's belongings to be disposed of, which is fortunate, is it not?'

  He nodded solemnly. 'I am most grateful, my lady. There is to be a person coming tomorrow to start getting my wardrobe in order. I am grateful for the loan of these things until I can appear in new items of my own.'

  His rambling was greeted with smiles and then the new footman announced that dinner was served. Penny drifted up beside him.

  'You are impersonating a gentleman inexperienced in the ways of society not a complete ninny.'

  *

  She was gone from his side before he could respond, which was probably fortunate as what he had intended to say could only have exacerbated matters. He was sure she would see that his smile was false if she cared to look in his direction.

  The dining room looked splendid. The crisp white damask table covering, the crystalware as good as any he had seen in his own house, and the central flower arrangement was quite stunning. There were three courses each with several removes and all as delicious as anything he'd eaten before.

  The conversation around the table was lively and despite his ill humour he found himself joining in with the laughter and badinage. When Lady Bradshaw put down her cutlery and stood the girls immediately followed suit.

  Penny was watching him to see how he would react. He decided to do what he wanted which was not remain here on his own drinking port but go with the ladies into the drawing room.

  'I believe I should stay here, my lady, but I've no intention of doing so. I'm hoping that we can play a hand or two of cards.'

  'I do not enjoy playing myself, but my daughters will be happy to do so as long as there is no gambling involved. I do not approve of that.'

  'I have never indulged as I've not had the wherewithal to do so. We could play Whist as there are four of us. Would that be acceptable, Miss Bradshaw?'

  'I shall partner Beth, you must join Mattie. That way the sides will be equal.'

  'You are assuming, Miss Bradshaw, that I am a skilled player.'

  'As it was you that suggested we play Whist I hope I am not incorrect in my assumptions.'

  'I was funning, I am a competent player of most card games. I have a variation of Whist that I think will be more fun and doesn't require a partner.'

  Once they were settled around the table he explained the rules and all three of them agreed his version of the game was going to be more enjoyable than the standard version. They played and laughed and thoroughly enjoyed themselves until the tea tray was fetched in.

  He had no liking for this insipid brew, he much preferred coffee, so excused himself and said he was going to check on his new horse. She caught him up as he was exiting through a side door that led directly to the stables.

  'Mr Trevelyan, I must apologise for my comments earlier. All this must be so difficult for you and I'm not making it any easier by constantly criticising.'

  'Without your sharp eyes I would make a sad mull of it and be uncovered as an impostor. There is something I should like to ask you. Do you know anything about the tenants of Brook Farm or Eastwick?'

  'Not a lot, but they have unsavoury reputations. There has been talk of wild parties and visiting from London for debauchery and suchlike.'

  Now was not the time to enquire if she knew of what she spoke or was just repeating what she had been told. A young lady like her should not be aware there was such a thing as debauchery.

  'I was told the same by Farmer Turner. My intention is to evict both of them but I cannot do so until I have reliable men to accompany me. I doubt they will go quietly.'

  'Some of the men I sent to work on Ravenswood Hall were employed there and they would be the men to ask. I'm sure they would also be only too happy to help you in your task to remove these tenants.' To his surprise she did not return to the drawing room but accompanied him outside in the darkness.

  'You are not suitably dressed to come to the stables, Miss Bradshaw…'

  'Oh dear! Am I no longer to be called by my given name? Have I so offended you?'

  'You are a baggage, my dear Penny, and it is high time somebody took you in hand.' He heard her sharp intake of breath and laughed. 'Fear not, I have no intention of volunteering for that position. However, I shall do my damnedest to find you a suitable husband as soon as we are all established in my home.'

  Her peal of laughter echoed into the night. 'Then you will be disappointed, Edward. I have no intention of relinquishing my freedom for any gentleman. I have been my own mistress for too long. You must confine your attention to finding partners for my sisters if we are not to be at daggers drawn.'

  'I suppose that is only to be expected. After all, at two and twenty you must consider yourself at your last prayers.' His tone was light, his remark meant to be taken in jest.

  When he received no answer he looked to his side, but she had gone. Surely she had not taken his words to be sincere? She might not be the girl for him, but she would make somebody a wonderful wife. Hopefully she had found his company irritating and that was why she had left so abruptly. Either explanation did not please him.

  His very existence was in the hands of this young woman and he would do well to remember that. If his knowledge of the fairer sex was accurate the description could not be relied upon if they were angry with the person whose secret they were keeping. He doubted that even Jemima could be relied upon in such circumstances.

  The stable yard was quiet, too quiet. There should be the soft sound of horses munching hay, the clatter of the stable boys cleaning tack somewhere. He should have thought to bring a lantern as it was now too dark to see anything clearly.

  He almost left the ground when someone spoke from behind him. 'The horses are in the paddock, Mr Trevelyan. They will do better there than cooped up in the stables when it is so clement.'

  It was one of the stable boys but he couldn't decide which. 'Thank you for letting me know. There will be two further arriving tomorrow morning – is everything prepared for them?'

  'It is, sir, the feed store is full, the hay store also. They can be kept inside or out and do well enough.'

  'Good night, lad. Make sure that Bruno is saddled and waiting for me at nine o'clock.'

  'He will be ready. Good night, master.'

  On his return to the house Edward considered the exchange. He had been brought up never to thank servants, to expect they would do their duty regardless of the circumstances. His new persona had no s
uch scruples and he was forced to admit that being on more familiar terms with his minions was not as unpleasant as he had been led to believe.

  He was not sanguine about Penny's sudden departure. He would check that she had returned safely to join her mother before he retired.

  *

  Penny didn't return to join her family, she was too distressed by his casual remark. Did he really consider her to be unmarriageable? She was no beauty, had no dowry, but she did have intelligence, compassion and wit. These were not required from a wife, in fact, were probably viewed as unfavourable traits.

  She must not remain here snivelling in the darkness. She was made of stronger stuff than that and would not let the casual comments of a stranger overset her. She sniffed and wished she had thought to bring her reticule so she had a handkerchief to dry her eyes.

  'Here, sweetheart, use this.' The soft square of cotton was pushed into her hand. She took it and scrubbed her eyes wishing he had not come across her when she was so upset.

  'I am a brute to make you cry by my thoughtless words. They were intended to be a joke, my dear. You are a beautiful, young woman and I intend to settle at dowry on you and your sisters. I promise you there will not be a shortage of gentlemen queueing for your hand once you have been reintroduced to society.'

  She could just discern his outline in the darkness and impulsively reached out and took his hand. 'You must not do that, Edward, we are strangers to you. One day you will have a family of your own and you must keep your funds for them, not hand them away to us.'

  To her consternation his hand covered hers. Apart from being touched by her father and brother she had never experienced physical contact with another gentleman and it made her head spin. She wasn't sure if it was shock or excitement that coursed through her.

  'Sweetheart, I can never marry as I cannot use my own name and any union contracted as Mr Trevelyan would be null and void. Therefore, I consider myself part of the Bradshaw clan and will gain pleasure from seeing you all happy.'

  He showed no sign of removing his hand from hers, neither did he step away. His proximity was making her unsettled. Then he released her and she was able to breathe easily once more.

  'I do not understand why you should wish to do this. We have only been acquainted for a day or so…'

  'And yet in that time, you have unmasked me and I now owe my very existence to your continued support.'

  It was as if someone had tipped a pail of icy water over her head. She finally understood his motivation. What he was doing for her family was to keep himself safe, for no other reason. It was not so romantic as his suggestion that he was looking for a substitute family, but she was a pragmatic young woman and understood exactly why he would think to tie his life to theirs. By doing this he could be sure she would not reveal what she knew, as this would put her sisters and mother back in penury. Family came first, as it should.

  'I have given you my word that your secret will never be revealed by me. And to return to your previous point about you being unable to marry, I disagree. If whoever you marry is not aware of the deception, then how will she or your future progeny suffer? Ignorance is bliss, is it not?'

  'I had not thought of it like that. Thank you for giving me some encouragement. I was engaged to the most beautiful and loving young lady and it has broken my heart to have had to abandon her. I doubt I shall ever find another that I can love as well but I hope that one day I might have children of my own.'

  'I'm sure that whoever you were betrothed to is equally devastated. I am sorry for your loss. Forgive me, Edward, I must go in as my sisters and mother will be wondering what is keeping me.'

  'Good night, my dear, I am indebted to you.'

  She hurried in but the heavy evening dew had already soaked through her indoor slippers and wet the hem of her evening gown before she was inside. She viewed the damage with a rueful smile. This would teach her not to venture outside onto the grass but to remain on the paths in future. Indeed, straying from the path was something she was overfond of doing. However attractive their benefactor was, she must not let herself become emotionally entangled with him. There could be no future for them as he had so clearly pointed out.

  Chapter Six

  Edward set out the next morning and was no more than a mile from his present home when he changed his mind about his destination. He would visit the hall and talk to the foreman before he went to see his lawyers. The place was unrecognisable as a dwelling. Everywhere he looked there were workmen plastering, painting, repairing or polishing.

  An urchin had come to hold Bruno and Edward left his gelding without a second thought. If the beast had been vicious before, he certainly wasn't now. A man of middle years, his face and hair white with dust, approached him.

  'Good morning, Mr Trevelyan, sir, I'm Sam Bishop, foreman here. I was going to come and see you today as there are things I need to know before we can progress.'

  'All I want is for the place to be restored to how it should be. Lady Bradshaw and her daughters will be living here and they will be selecting the fabrics, wallpapers and paint colours. When will you be requiring such items?' He smiled in what he hoped was a suitable way for a young gentleman with no knowledge of such things.

  'Not for another sennight at least, sir. But, begging your pardon, I don't reckon what you might be needing will come from the warehouses in London that quickly unless you go yourself to order.'

  'I'm sure that Lady Bradshaw will be only too happy to travel to Town. I shall discuss it with her later today. There is another matter I must speak to you about pertaining to Brook Farm and Eastwick.'

  He had the man's full attention now. 'I heard you'll be wanting to evict them varmints from your properties. There's no point in asking my men to do it, sir, they value their lives and families too highly to take that chance.'

  'I see. I shall have to find another way to remove them that doesn't place anybody at risk.'

  He reclaimed his horse, swung into the saddle, and resumed his journey to the market town. If his father had known how complicated matters were on this estate he probably wouldn't have sent him here.

  He realised he had left without bothering to inform anyone of his destination. He had also forgotten that the tailor was to come to take his measurements that day. Another thing that belatedly occurred to him was that the stagecoach from London to Norwich stopped in Ipswich and it was always possible there would be a passenger disembarking there who might recognise him. The risk was slight – but he thought it would be wiser to send for his lawyers and not ride there himself.

  There was a groom employed to take care of the five horses, he would send him with a letter and request that his legal team came to see him at their earliest convenience. They were not privy to his real identity, of course, but were well aware that he was a wealthy young man and could put a deal of business their way if he so wished. If the unwelcome tenants remained where they were for a week or two longer so be it. Far better to get the matter dealt with properly than rush into it and cause problems for innocent people.

  One of the stable boys appeared as he dismounted and led his horse away. There was bound to be stationery in the library so he headed in that direction. Penny was there before him reading a copy of The Times. Seeing a young lady with her nose in such a journal gave him pause. He could not quite decide if he was pleasantly surprised or alarmed at such unusual behaviour.

  'Good morning, Edward, did you wish to speak to me about something?'

  'I did, but first I would like to borrow some paper and write a letter to my lawyers and also to my bankers.'

  She didn't put the paper down, merely waived in the direction of the desk upon which fabrics and furnishing items were kept. Whilst she returned to her reading he quickly wrote the letter requesting that the lawyer came to see him. He would elaborate on his requirements when the gentleman arrived.

  He sanded both papers, folded them neatly into squares and melted the sealing wax. Automatically he went to pu
t his signet ring with the family crest into the molten wax, then saw his naked finger. He looked around and saw the Bradshaw seal and used this instead.

  'Do the bells work now?'

  She looked up. 'They were always functioning, there was just nobody to respond to the summons. I'm sure someone will come if you ring today.'

  The footman arrived promptly and Edward explained his requirements. The young man bowed and took the letters. Edward didn't consider for a minute that these missives would not arrive at their destinations by lunchtime and that replies would not be in his hands that afternoon.

  Penny now folded the newspaper carefully and put it aside. She was obviously waiting to hear what he had come in to ask.

  'I would like you to go to the warehouses in London for me and select the necessary paint, wallpaper, furnishings and fabrics that will be required.'

  'I have no notion how much of anything will be needed, or, for that matter what your intonation is as to the colour and pattern.'

  He flicked aside his coat-tails and sat opposite. 'I am but a naïve, inexperienced clerk and have no knowledge of such things myself. I shall rely on your excellent taste.'

  Her delighted laughter filled the room. 'That is nonsense, and you know it. Nevertheless, I should be delighted to go. I once visited with my father and believe I could find the best places. Do you have a list of some sort to assist? How many windows need curtains and of what length and breadth should they be? How many rolls of wallpaper will need to be printed?'

  He held up his hands in surrender. 'But as you have surmised, my dear, I'm ignorant of all these facts. Perhaps you would accompany me to the hall sometime today and ascertain for yourself what is required?'

  'Have you looked in the attics? Sometimes there are treasures stored up there.'

  'Another thing I have been delinquent in doing. Do you wish to explore them when we go?'

  'I cannot wait. I shall travel to Town by stagecoach as it passes only a mile from here.'

  Only then did he consider the impropriety of asking an unmarried lady to wander around Cheapside without a gentleman in attendance to protect her. He was about to retract his request but then thought better of it.