'Was it a pleasant party last night?' he asked. 'I understand your aunt confined her invitations to young men only. She clearly considers me a greybeard, too old for you.'
'Oh, no, Sir Martin.' Amanda was flustered by this oblique attack. Surely he could not be hinting at a declaration? 'It was a very small party, just a few of our friends.'
'Who was there?' His tone was curt, almost accusing, and she bridled.
'Oh, er, you may not know them,' Amanda prevaricated. She had been about to utter Gerard's name, but a sudden wariness stopped her. She suspected her partiality would be obvious, for she knew she could not trust herself to speak of him in normal, casual tones. 'Jane and Douglas came, of course, and Fanny Holbeck who lives next door to Lady Short. You have met them. I don't think you know the others.'
'I suppose not. I am not familiar with many of the younger set. Tell me, my dear, when does your brother come to town? It's quite some time since I saw him last. And I have some rather particular things to say to him.'
About to demand what these were, Amanda glanced up at him and discovered he was looking at her in a manner she decided she did not like. It was, and the only word she could find for it, predatory. Suddenly, instead of anger, she felt frightened, not knowing how to deal with such significant hints.
'In a few days, but I am not sure when,' she managed.
To her relief it then began to rain, so they had to turn back towards the gate and drive as quickly at the traffic allowed to Berkeley Square. Lady Catherine had, it seemed, been on the look out for them, and before Sir Martin's tiger had gone to the horses' heads and he could descend to help Amanda down, one of the footmen had appeared and was handing her down from the high-perch.
'Thank you, Sir Martin,' she said breathlessly. 'It was most enjoyable.'
'Go in, child,' he said, and perhaps she imagined his tone was disapproving. 'You mustn't get wet and catch a cold.'
*
Gerard read the letter again. He could not concentrate, take in the details of this report from his senior manager in India. He threw it down onto his desk. He needed action to distract him from thoughts of Amanda Escott. He would visit the various warehouses that held the firm's imports.
There were a number of premises in London, some down by the docks, others in the City itself. It had seemed to him that his father, when he had expanded the business by importing a different commodity, had simply acquired new warehouses wherever he found one for sale or rent.
'It would be far more efficient, need fewer men, if we combined it all in one big warehouse,' he had said to Samuel, the senior manager, when he had discovered just how many there were.
'Aye, your Pa knew that,' Samuel said. 'But what would happen if there were a big fire? They're not uncommon, and some even are started by rivals. You'd most like lose the lot. This way's safer in the end.'
Gerard had seen the sense of that, so his imports were still scattered all over London. His grandfather had started the business, importing from India. His father had looked for other goods from different parts of the world. Instead of using his own ships, though, he had rented space on others.
'It is less loss for me if the ship founders,' he'd explained to Gerard once. 'Also, I don't wish to buy so much as a whole ship load of anything at first, until I see whether it's profitable.'
They now imported beaver pelts and other furs from America and Canada, tobacco and raw cotton from the southern states, sugar and coffee from further south. Then there were other furs and amber from the Baltic, and just recently tea and the delicate porcelain ware that went with it from China. It would take Gerard all day to visit and inspect all these goods. It would take his mind off that girl he had met the previous night.
He didn't understand his emotions. There were plenty of pretty girls in India, many of them eagerly searching for a husband, but none had affected him or caused him more than brief admiration. Certainly none had distracted him as Amanda had. He had been satisfied with occasional visits to the wife of a Company official, when the man was away on business, as he often was, but he knew full well he was not the only man she welcomed. He had not felt a shred of jealousy, which told him there was no love, just a physical need. He had not even paid her a farewell visit before setting sail for England, just sent her a small gift with a note to say he was leaving.
Why was the thought of Amanda Escott occupying his mind to the virtual exclusion of all else? She was lovely, but so were many other girls he had met in both India and London. He had exchanged only a few words with her at the party last night. And now he could not banish the memory of her honey-gold hair, vivid blue eyes, and delectable lips which had quivered so enchantingly as she looked at him.
She was, he had discovered as he drove home with his sister, one of Fanny's friends. Probing to find out how they had met, he heard all about their neighbours, Lady Short and her daughter Jane, and that Lady Short's mother was sponsoring Amanda, her niece, that Season.
Fanny had been enthusiastic. Lady Charlotte had been amazingly friendly. She and Lady Short did not look down on the Holbecks for being in trade, as many others did. That, Fanny had explained, was because Lady Charlotte's husband was himself a businessman, but quite what his business consisted of Fanny hadn't known.
'Amanda said he had all sorts of interests. And he set his sons up in lots of different businesses, saying they had to make their own way, though all his daughters married titled men.'
'Lots? All?' he'd asked, laughing. 'How many sons and daughters does he have?'
'There are seven sons and five daughters. I can't imagine having such a big family!'
'If Lady Charlotte brought out five daughters I'm surprised she wants to do another Season with Amanda.'
'But Amanda's mother died, and there is no one else. Lady Short's daughter is getting married in a few weeks, so she has not the time. I don't know why her other cousins could not do it, but I believe Lady Charlotte enjoys the Season and would be in London anyway.'
As he toured his warehouses Gerard congratulated himself on the fact he would not have to meet Amanda too frequently. It would not do for him to become enamoured of Amanda. He was a Cit, despised by most of the aristocracy. It made no difference that his grandfather's brother was a baron. By electing to go into business instead of existing on the pittance left him by his own father, his grandfather had cut himself and his children and grandchildren off from the upper echelons of Society. His mother would escort Fanny to the parties and balls and other entertainments. He need see her only when his mother gave her own parties, and he knew his parent. She did not like parties and would do the minimum necessary to repay the hospitality she was receiving, despite the ball she had promised Fanny. He must make a push to discover what his parent was doing about that, and if, as he suspected, it was nothing, make all the arrangements himself. He frowned. He had so much else to do he did not want extra commitments, but Fanny must have her ball.
*
Silas, counting his money in his room when he left Lucien, decided he had enough to get started. After meeting Lucien he realised he could not continue with his leisurely ride to London without questions being asked should Lucien discover how slow his journey had been. He could make one more stop, because he was riding his own horse, but more would seem suspicious.
He had asked Lucien about his own plans, hoping to be invited to stay with his cousin, and discovered the house belonging to Lucien was let, and he was staying with his Aunt Charlotte. He was well aware that Lady Charlotte had despised John, so there was no hope of finding a welcome there. He would be better off on his own, after all, he told himself. In someone else's house he would not be able to hold those profitable card parties which had served him so well in the past. He would, however, call and make himself agreeable. His aunt would have to invite him to her own parties, and it was there he might meet suitable heiresses, if he did not succeed in attaching Fanny Holbeck, and from the attitude of her brother he was aware that would be difficult. Unless,
and he began to weave plans, he could entice the chit into wanting him, and stiffen her resolve sufficiently for her to persuade her brother to agree to her wishes. The mother favoured him, of course, she'd been dazzled by the thought of her daughter marrying an Earl, but was she strong enough to defy her son? He doubted it, so it was necessary to work on the girl. She had just been shy on the ship, unused to being in society, but when she had acquired a little town bronze she would not be so wary of him.
He did not see Lucien again, his cousin leaving early the following morning before he was up. Two days later he was in London, putting up at a small inn in the City while he made enquiries about rooms suitable for young men about town to rent. He also needed a manservant, a valet who could cook when he did not eat out. It took him a week to find suitable rooms in Ryder Street, and hire a young servant, Plumley. Then he was ready.
*
Lady Short's drawing room was crowded. Her husband had been induced to stay, and Jane's fiancé, Sir Douglas Frome, had come, bringing two of his sisters. Mrs Holbeck and Fanny were there. Saying she knew no one else, Mrs Holbeck paid morning calls only on her nearest neighbour. Lady Charlotte came later, with Amanda and Lucien, the latter having arrived in London the previous day. There were a few other friends, and most of the talk was about the hasty marriages of the Prince Regent's brothers the previous year. After the sad death of his daughter in childbirth another heir had to be produced.
The younger girls retreated to the rear part of the room, where the talk was more of their own activities than dynastic considerations.
'Shall you go to Almack's next week?' Eliza, one of Douglas's sisters asked. 'Mama has obtained vouchers for us, and I am so looking forward to seeing it.'
Amanda nodded. 'I am going, but I heard it was very dull.'
Jane laughed. 'It is, and thank goodness I don't have to go there now. I've no more need of the Marriage Mart.'
'What about you, Fanny?' Eliza asked.
'We don't have vouchers,' Fanny replied. 'My Mama doesn't know any of the Patronesses.'
She was blushing, for it had been explained to her only the previous day by Lady Short, very kindly and sympathetically, that not only did one need to obtain vouchers, they would never be given to girls whose families were unknown to the autocratic ladies who ran the club. Fanny had understood what had not been said. Her family was in trade, so she was unfit to mingle with the aristocracy, apart from these few friends who were so kind to her.
She tried to explain this later to her mother. Mrs Holbeck had heard a mention of Almack's, and had immediately asked Lady Short where and at what time the dance was held, and how she could obtain a ticket for Fanny.
'She told me it was a private club, tickets were not for sale,' she said indignantly later to Fanny and Gerard. 'It's so unfair. They just want to keep it for their friends. And someone called it the Marriage Mart, where the debutantes can meet suitable young men. It seems we are not good enough.'
'I expect the girls need to come from titled families,' Fanny said, trying to placate her.
'They do not come from merchants and shop keepers, or Cits,' Gerard said more bluntly. 'You may be as wealthy as the Rothschilds, it will still not get you an entree into Almack's.'
Mrs Holbeck was not pacified, and declared that if she were not welcome there she would not attend other balls and parties.
'If you don't, how is Fanny to meet suitable men?' Gerard asked, sighing. His mother was behaving like a spoilt child since she had been widowed. 'And have you yet arranged the ball you promised her?'
'What is the point when half the ton would refuse to come? Besides, I'm not well enough to undertake such a big affair. You had better introduce her to some of your wealthy merchant friends if you are so determined to thrust her into marriage. She would be better off being a companion to me now I am all alone. Though I must say that if an Earl such as Lord Escott can show an interest in her, there is no reason other men from important families like his will not.'
Fanny shuddered. She had not forgotten how unpleasant she had found Lord Escott on the ship. She was sorry not to be able to go to Almack's with her friends, but it could not be helped. She was fortunate people like Lady Charlotte and her daughter welcomed them. The prospect of being her mother's companion appalled her. She loved her Mama, naturally, but she could not relish being always at her back and call. She had to find a husband, but not, she hoped, the Earl of Escott.
'I'll arrange the ball for Fanny. Meanwhile we'll make up a party to Vauxhall instead,' Gerard suggested. 'From all I heard about Almack's, that is sure to be more enjoyable.'
*
'Who was that very pretty dark-haired girl?' Lucien asked as soon as they were driving back to Berkeley Square.
Amanda laughed at him.
'There were three very pretty dark-haired girls there,' she told him.
He frowned. 'The one wearing that dress in a colour between blue and green. I don't know what it's called.'
'Oh, that was Fanny Holbeck. They – her mother and brother – live next door to cousin Barbara,' Amanda explained, suddenly becoming very interested in straightening out the ribbons on her bonnet.
'Holbeck? I was at Eton with a Gerard Holbeck, and he was at Oxford in my time too.'
'Her brother is called Gerard. I didn't know merchants could send their sons to Eton.'
'They can if they are wealthy enough. So is there a father?'
'No. Fanny told me he died in India. That's why they came home. Gerard was in the army there, but he had to resign in order to take control of the business. They haven't been back in England for long.'
'Does the mother call here?'
'I have asked her, but she is reluctant, claims she has ill health,' Lady Charlotte said. 'It's her duty to overcome what I fully suspect is laziness, to help Fanny. The child has enough problems with her background, but she is pretty enough to make a respectable match.'
'She sometimes calls, but usually Fanny comes with Jane,' Amanda added.
'I see.' Lucien was silent for a while. He would soon, he hoped, see the girl once more and be able to talk with her. He had been too confused by his reaction when first seeing her to approach her at his aunt's house. He did not understand himself. He knew plenty of pretty, even beautiful girls, and had flirted with many, but it was something about the wistful expression in Fanny's eyes that had caught at his heart. She needed protection, he thought. Perhaps it was the fact she was of merchant stock and rejected by the highest sticklers that caused it. Certainly being unable to go with her friends to Almack's must hurt a sensitive child. If she had been brought up in India the social conventions there might be different from those pertaining in London. Merchants and soldiers might well have mixed with the men employed by the East India Company on equal terms. Could he call on Gerard, renewing their friendship? Yet they had not, he recalled, been particular friends. It was more that both came from Shropshire that had at times drawn them together. He struggled to recall all he knew of Gerard.
'I recall they have a house in Shropshire,' he said, trying to sound nonchalant.
'Yes, I think so. I believe it was let to someone and is not yet ready for them. Besides, Fanny was to have a Season in London, and Gerard had to take control of his father's office here. They will be going there in July, I believe.'
Good. He would have some opportunities to meet Fanny there. Unless, and the thought made him go cold, she became engaged beforehand.
Amanda was still talking.
'Fanny told me they came home on the same ship as John.'
'John? Our cousin John?'
'Yes. She told me she did not like him, though he made every effort to be pleasant to her.'
'I met him, at the Saracens Head in Towcester. He was riding to London, and he must have arrived by now. He will no doubt come here soon.'
*
Silas called in Berkeley Square on the following day. He hoped to find Fanny Holbeck there, but at least he would be able to discover her di
rection. Amanda was out, Lady Charlotte informed him, riding with Lucien in the Park.
'I am sorry to have missed them. Lucien was just a boy when I went to India, and Amanda not even born. I look forward to seeing them. I long to see how Amanda has turned out, whether she is like her mother. Perhaps I shall meet them elsewhere,' he said.
Lady Charlotte merely nodded. She did not, as he'd hoped, issue an invitation to one of her parties, or a family meal. She had, he recalled, been one of John's fiercest critics from the time he went to Oxford and had the misfortune to lose a large sum of money in his first term, when he had been drawn into one of the wilder gambling sets.
'Lucien told me cousin Barbara was in town,' he persevered. 'I must call on her. Her daughter Jane is another cousin I have never seen. Where do they live?'
'No. It's twenty years since you and Silas were sent to India,' Lady Charlotte said. 'There have been many changes. I understand from Lucien you have already been to the Priory?'
'Yes, and I was appalled by the state of it. Surely my father could have managed better!'
'He might have done, had you been less profligate,' Lady Charlotte said. 'Did you make your fortune in India so that you can afford to restore it?'
So she blamed John too. He shrugged. As well as claiming John's inheritance he was also to be blamed for his sins. Well, he had no fond memories of the Priory, but it would bring him some money once it was sold, and soon he would find an heiress. He fancied Fanny Holbeck, she was pretty and would be amenable, but if her brother remained implacable there would surely be others who would welcome an alliance with the Earl of Escott, whether he had a country estate or not. He could always blame his father for having lost his inheritance through bad management while he had been away and unable to prevent it.
'India is not a pot of gold,' he said. 'Only merchants like the Holbecks, who have been established there for generations, make fortunes.'
'You came back on the same ship as the Holbecks, ' Lucien said.
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