Earl from India

by Oliver, Marina

  Sir Humphrey promised to introduce him to one of his favourite gambling clubs, and for a week Silas quietly replenished his fortune. He soon spotted the tricks the club used, and found a quiet satisfaction in avoiding them while employing his own. He was, however, no closer to finding an heiress. He might have to try again for Fanny Holbeck, but where might he meet her away from the surveillance of her brother?

  Her mother favoured him, but would she be strong enough to go against the enmity of her son? He did not think so. When he had called on his cousin Barbara his welcome had been frosty. He had, however, discovered that Fanny often walked in the Park with Jane or Amanda or other girl friends, with only a maid to chaperone them. He hired a showy hack and took to riding in the Park most mornings, and on several occasions was able to dismount and walk with Fanny and her friends. She was cool towards him, which only made him more determined to bring her to heel. When one of the other girls mentioned the party going to Vauxhall Gardens he knew he would have a good chance there of getting Fanny on her own, and he was confident he could overcome what he told himself was maidenly shyness.

  *

  It was at a ball the following day when Sir Martin proposed to Amanda. After an energetic country dance she had been fanning herself while he fetched her a glass of lemonade, and had made no objection when he led her into the conservatory that adjoined the ballroom.

  'It's cooler here, and we can sit down,' he said, guiding her towards a marble bench supported, Amanda was amused to see, by carved legs of lions. Instead of sitting beside her, though, he dropped onto one knee and took her free hand in one of his. Calmly he took the glass of lemonade from her and put it on the floor, then, before she could prevent it, seized that hand and carried it to his lips. Dimly, despite her sudden wariness, she noticed that he didn't allow his lips to touch her.

  'What – ?' she began but he shook his head.

  'My dearest Amanda, you must be aware of how I feel for you. I have known so many girls, many of them beautiful, but never before have I wanted to call one of them my own, to cherish them in the bonds of matrimony. You are so different, so pretty, so lively, so enchanting!'

  And so rich, Amanda thought, and tried not to giggle. He really looked so ridiculous kneeling on the floor, and it must become uncomfortable after a while, for it was of marble, hard and cold. She had suspected his intentions, but in her innocence had thought he would apply to Lucien or her aunt for permission to address her. Wasn't that how it was normally done?

  She tried to recall the responses heroines in her favourite novels responded to proposals, but found no help there. Most of them, after all, had welcomed the declarations. She did not. But could she tell him so?

  'Sir Martin,' she began, only for him to interrupt her.

  'No, no, my beloved. It must be Martin from your own delectable lips.'

  Suddenly, he scrambled to his feet and sat beside her. He released her hands and flung his arms round her, pulling her towards him while he bent his face to hers.

  Amanda suddenly felt terrified. It was no longer a slightly ridiculous Sir Martin, pleading with her. He had become a menace. She twisted her head away and drew in a breath, ready to scream, but before she could his mouth descended on hers. As she began to struggle in earnest he was suddenly dragged away from her, and flung onto the floor with some violence.

  She looked at her rescuer and found herself staring at Lucien.

  'Come, we're going home, at once,' he said. 'As for you, Sir Martin, it will be as well for you in I do not see you in the near future.'

  *

  On the way home in the carriage Amanda tried to protest her innocence, and although Lucien accepted he had found her attempting to reject Sir Martin's advances, he blamed her for going with him into a secluded spot.

  'If anyone else had found you in such a compromising situation, your reputation would have been in tatters and there would have been no alternative than to take you home, and hope that in a couple of years' time it would be forgotten.'

  'That's unfair! It was his fault. Can I never be alone with a man, within call of so many other people, without ruining my reputation?'

  'You did not call,' he reminded her.

  'Well, I could not! He was proposing,' she added. 'He must have meant it to be honourable.'

  'An honourable man would have approached me first. I take it you have no wish to marry the fellow?'

  Amanda shivered and slid a hand into Lucien's.

  'Of course I don't! He's amusing, that is all.'

  'Then I suggest you find your amusements elsewhere, my dear.'

  'Forgive me?' she asked. 'I won't do anything so silly ever again, I promise.'

  *

  Lucien called in Park Street on the following day and discovered from the butler the address of Gerard's business premises. He made his way to the City and was soon sitting in Gerard's office.

  'How good to see you again,' Lucien said. 'You look well. India must have suited you.'

  'I enjoyed it. But what of you? I heard you were in the Peninsula.'

  Lucien frowned. 'For a while, then I was wounded at Vitoria in '13, and shipped home. I wasn't fit enough to go back before it was all over.'

  'We both missed Waterloo, then. But how can I help you?'

  'Our sisters have become friends, and I hear we are both planning visits to Vauxhall. Why don't we join forces?'

  'An excellent notion. When shall it be?'

  They found a convenient date, then retreated to an inn where they discussed more general matters. Gerard told how he was being forced to arrange a ball for his sister, but said it was because his mother was in poor health.

  'It has to be at an hotel, the house in Park Street doesn't have a ballroom, and the drawing room would accommodate only twenty couples, at most. May I send you and your sister invitations?'

  'I think Amanda would be offended if you did not. She and your sister seem to be good friends. And similarly, you and Fanny will come to Amanda's ball?'

  Both made notes of the various dates, and Lucien went back to Berkeley Square satisfied with his morning. There were now at least three occasions when he would meet Fanny.

  *

  CHAPTER 7

  Amanda's coming out ball was the first of these occasions. She had given in to her aunt's determination she should, as a debutante, wear white, but her gown was of satin, and embroidered all over with white roses. She had white roses tucked into her hair, and white rosettes on her slippers. The only touch of colour was the spray of pale pink roses that had been delivered that day to Berkeley Square. There was no card with them, but as several of her other admirers had sent flowers with cards attached, she decided these had come from Gerard, and determined to wear them.

  She had, only that week, been given permission to waltz by the Almack's patronesses, and soon her card was gratifyingly full. Fanny and Gerard had not, however, yet arrived, and she was desperately trying to keep the first waltz free, in the hope that Gerard would ask her.

  The ball opened with a quadrille, and Amanda was dancing with Lucien when she saw Fanny, in a gown of pale amber, enter the room. She missed her step as she craned to see if Gerard was following her, and was only rescued by Lucien pulling her back into her place.

  'Pay attention, child. You can go and gossip with Fanny later.'

  So he had noticed their arrival too. Amanda had a sudden suspicion her brother was more interested in her friend than he pretended. When the dance came to an end she took his hand and hauled him across the ballroom to where Fanny and Gerard were talking to Jane and Douglas, who had also been amongst the late comers.

  For a few minutes they chatted about other events they had attended, and Jane spoke of her wedding gown. Then Amanda drew back so that she could speak more privately to Gerard.

  'I saved the first waltz for you,' she said. 'My card was filling up so fast I was afraid I would be unable to dance with my best friend's brother.'

  He smiled at her, and she was sure he sup
pressed a sigh. Didn't he wish to dance with her?

  'Then, Miss Escott, may I have the pleasure?'

  He took her card and the little gold pencil attached to it and scribbled his initials, then handed them back to her.

  'Now you must excuse me. I ought to circulate and introduce Fanny, or rather be introduced to some of the friends she has met.'

  Amanda tried to talk with animation to her partners, but she could barely wait until the orchestra struck up for the first waltz. She looked round anxiously. Surely Gerard would not have forgotten? No, he was coming towards her, but he did not look at all happy at the prospect. However, he smiled and took her hand to lead her onto the floor. When he put his arm round her she sighed and relaxed. She had practised the waltz often enough, so she did not have to concentrate on her steps. Instead she gave herself up to the joy of being held in his arms, swaying round the room to the lilting music. It came to an end all too soon for her, and she almost fell when Gerard released her abruptly. He steadied her, and then led her back to where Lady Charlotte was standing with Lucien.

  'Thank you, Miss Escott,' he murmured, and turned away.

  Amanda swallowed and contrived a dazzling smile. Did he not wish to remain with her and talk? Was this all? She turned towards her next partner, and did her best to appear animated. But for her the ball was of no more interest.

  *

  Amanda was looking forward to the Vauxhall party where she would once more meet Gerard, and this time be able to talk with him. She had concluded a dance was not the most propitious time for serious conversation. Jane and Douglas were going, and two girl friends of Jane's with two young men. Fanny and Gerard were coming with one of Gerard's City friends and his sister. Barbara and Lady Charlotte had been persuaded to act as chaperones, but Mrs Holbeck said with a shudder that she could not face a party, especially not somewhere so noisy and common as Vauxhall.

  She could not stop thinking about him. When she was dancing with any other man she was wondering what it would be like if Gerard was her partner. He could not come to the Almack's Assemblies, and the Holbecks were not invited to the most select parties, but many hostesses were only too happy to add a personable young man to their invitation lists when they gave big parties. Cramming as many people as possible into their ballrooms, or at their routs, was an indication of the success of their efforts. Fanny had confided in Amanda that she much preferred being escorted by her brother.

  'Mama is far from robust,' she explained. 'She has incapacitating headaches very often, and it helps to avoid them if she can retire early. So if she comes we usually have to leave parties long before they end.'

  Amanda nodded. She had noticed them leaving before midnight on more than one occasion.

  'You can always depend on Aunt Charlotte to chaperone you, and if your Mama needs to retire early we would drive you home.'

  Fanny thanked her, but said her mother would never agree to such an arrangement.

  'She worries so,' she said, 'and that itself brings on her headaches. She says she can never be content if I am on my own. She or Gerard must always be with me.'

  Yet Fanny was permitted to walk in the Park with Jane, even to accompany Amanda shopping or to exchange her library book. That, Fanny said, was in the daytime when a maid or footman was always in attendance.

  'Does she fear you will be abducted?' Amanda was amazed.

  Fanny laughed ruefully.

  'It was something she always feared in India. There was one incident when a merchant's daughter was held captive for several weeks, until a huge ransom was paid. She was convinced it could happen to me. Papa was very wealthy, you see.'

  Mrs Holbeck was a selfish woman, Amanda told herself, and she did not believe any woman could suffer from so many ailments as Fanny's mother claimed. There were not only the headaches, she contracted feverish colds because, she said, the climate in England after that of India did not suit her. Various unpleasant, but fortunately unspecified digestive disorders, debilitating aches and pains, and heart murmurs seemed to attack her with great regularity, especially when she was required to make some effort on Fanny's behalf.

  Fanny must have seen the scepticism in Amanda's eyes, and suddenly she laughed.

  'Gerard told her the whole reason for us being in London, the purpose of the Season, was to find me a husband, and if she did not allow me to be seen she would never achieve that. He made her permit him to escort me, and he has been so good, he has made all the arrangements for my ball, apart from sending out the invitations, which I did! He has such a lot to do in the City, managing the business. He refuses to allow me to leave parties early, even when he has to get up at seven in order to be at his office at the same time as his people.'

  'Seven?' Amanda shook her head in disbelief. 'But sometimes the parties don't end until four!'

  'I tell him the only solution is for me to receive an offer so I don't have to go to all these parties any more.'

  'Don't you enjoy them?'

  'Yes, enormously. Perhaps, if I do receive an offer, Mama would allow my fiancé to take me,' she said, and sighed. 'I'm dreading someone offering!'

  'Dreading? Don't you want to be married?'

  'Yes, doesn't every girl? It would be dreadful to be left on the shelf, the companion and comfort to Mama!'

  Amanda shuddered. She could think of nothing worse.

  'But you are so pretty, surely someone will offer for you.'

  'It isn't that I don't love Mama,' Fanny said, 'but she is always saying she will soon die, and then I would have to go and live with Gerard, and whoever he marries will not want me. But I don't wish to wed just anyone, and not at all that odious Earl of Escott who has been the only man to show any interest in me!'

  Fanny blushed a fiery red as she recalled Amanda's relationship with the Earl.

  'Oh, how rude of me! He's your cousin. I am so sorry!'

  'I dislike him too,' Amanda reassured her. 'But surely your mother would not force you to accept him?'

  'If he does offer my only hope is Gerard. He would never agree to my being made to accept a man I disliked, but if no one else offered, even he might decide I had to agree. Mama has said she utterly refuses to even consider coming to London again, for another Season, so this is my only chance.'

  'Perhaps your mother could be persuaded to go and drink the waters at Bath? There must be some eligible men there, even though it's so dowdy these days.'

  'She says she doesn't believe these spa waters are anything but a trick to separate people from their money, but we may have to go until our house in Shropshire is ready for us.'

  Amanda could hear Mrs Holbeck saying it, and she frowned. The woman apparently kept her vinaigrette and some hartshorn by her all the time, so it was odd she despised the benefits of the various spas. Lucien liked Fanny, she knew, and she would love to have her as a sister, but would he even consider marriage to a girl with her background? She must try and talk to him, discover what his feelings were.

  'John can't be the only man likely to make you an offer! Why, you never lack a partner at balls, and when we walk in the Park we are always being stopped by having to speak to men riding or driving there!'

  'They want to speak to you. Amanda, remember I am a Cit! Men may admire me and dance with me, but when they choose a wife she has to be their social equal.'

  'If a man loved you he would not be concerned about that!'

  'Or he might not love me, but love the dowry I would bring. As I suspect your cousin does. He knew about my dowry on the ship, Mama told him, she was so proud of having a man with a title paying me attentions.'

  'We'll see.'

  *

  Lucien had acquired a booth at Vauxhall, and his party assembled early, planning to stroll along some of the walks and listen to music before gathering at dusk to partake of supper. Amanda wore a new gown in the deeper pink she admired. Fanny, in a pretty blue gown and a shawl of a deeper blue, was looking apprehensive, and Amanda followed her gaze. To her annoyance she
saw John in a booth nearby, with a party of younger men and several women who were dressed in flamboyant gowns, and who spoke and laughed so loudly they could be heard even over the music.

  'Don't worry, we won't leave you,' Amanda told Fanny, and made an excuse to move across to speak to her brother.

  'Did you see John? Fanny is apprehensive, I said we would not leave her. Shall we ask her and Gerard Holbeck to walk with us? I want to go and see some of the statues.'

  Lucien, as she had known he would, agreed, and soon the four of them were strolling along one of the major walks. It did not take long before they split into two couples, Lucien with Fanny and Gerard with Amanda.

  'Fanny says you have to go into your office early even after a late night at a ball,' Amanda said. 'It's dreadful! Cannot you leave a manager or someone to do the work?'

  He looked at her in amusement.

  'I need to be there, to oversee matters.'

  'But how can you exist with only three or four hours' sleep? I know I could not. I have to remain in bed until the middle of the morning after a late night.'

  'Ladies are fragile creatures,' he murmured, smiling down at her.

  Amanda almost stamped her foot.

  'You are mocking me!'

  'Why should you worry about my lack of sleep? For all you know I might lock myself in my office and sleep on my desk.'

  'I worry because I care! Do you sleep on your desk?'