Amanda looked at her friend in astonishment.
'But, are you not enjoying the Season?'
'Sometimes, but when it is designed to find husbands for us it seems so – calculated! Especially when I know I will only receive offers from men who are interested in my dowry, not in me. A masked ball would be different. And Sir Humphrey wants Gerard to accompany us.'
'Does he?' Amanda was thinking hard. If Gerard were there she would have another opportunity to talk with him. She must persuade Lucien to accept the invitation.
'It would be fun. Would Sir Humphrey invite me and Lucien, do you think?'
Fanny blushed and looked down at her feet.
'I'm sure he would. I'll talk to Gerard when he arrives.'
'And ask him to persuade Lucien.'
*
Silas tucked the pile of IOUs into his pocket.
'I will expect to see you in the morning,' he said to the young man facing him across the table.
He was pale, and only just holding back his tears, but he faced Silas bravely.
'You cheated!' he said. 'I don't know how, but I'm sure the cards were marked! I've been a fool, to come here with you in the first place, but I've learned my lesson. I won''t come again.'
'Repeat that about the cards and you will be in even more trouble. You know where my rooms are,' Silas said, unmoved by the boy's distress. 'I will expect you before midday. That will give you plenty of time to visit your bank, or one of the Jews. I really don't care which. I want what you owe me.'
'I don't have the money!'
'Then you should not have continued to play. That, you see, is cheating. You have a father who is wealthy.'
The boy shuddered and his bravado faltered.
'Please, I can't go to him! He abominates all forms of gambling, and he would not assist me. And he doesn't know I'm not still in Cambridge. Give me time. My allowance will be here in a few weeks.'
'Debts of honour should be met at once.' Silas was implacable. It mattered nothing to him how the fellow obtained the money. He needed it. There were some expenses he had to pay, could not leave as debts, and his pockets were very much to let.
Stifling a sob the lad, and he was probably only eighteen or nineteen years old, rose from the table and blundered out of the room. Sir Humphrey, who had been watching, came to sit in his place. Silas grinned at him.
'How did you fare with your latest heiress?'
'You know she rejected me. I haven't been able to see her alone since. I'm going to have to try my luck with someone else. Perhaps the Holbeck chit would be less inclined to reject me. After all, she can't expect to receive many honourable offers. I do think it's presumptuous for her to think she can attract someone from Society just because she is friendly with your cousin.'
'Leave her alone! She's my pigeon for plucking.'
Sir Humphrey gazed at him in surprise.
'I didn't know you felt so strongly about her.'
'I don't, but she has a large fortune, and she rejected me on the boat. I mean to make her regret that.'
Sir Humphrey sighed.
'Well, my friend, I won't compete. But she is eager to come to the masquerade, you could try to persuade her there, while I make another attempt on young Amanda Escott. After all, you have a better title than I, an Earl instead of a mere baronet. I wish you good fortune. Now I'm off home.'
As Silas was contemplating joining the hazard table a few minutes later he was startled to find Sir Humphrey back beside him. The man looked agitated.
'What is it?'
'That boy! He tried to hang himself on one of the lampposts! They cut him down and took him into one of the houses. I think it was the man who lived there who found him. John, what will he say?'
Silas frowned. That was the trouble with playing with foolish youngsters. Not only might he create a scandal, which would be unfortunate, he would not be likely to honour his IOUs. If he was under age, and he told his story about the supposed cheating, he, Silas, might need to absent himself from London for a while. He no longer fancied trying his luck at hazard.
*
CHAPTER 9
Silas was aware that if Amanda or Fanny knew he would be at the masquerade they would refuse to go. He had been made uncomfortable on several occasions by the manner in which they they turned away from him in the Park, and gave him no more than a nod in passing when in company. He knew people were noticing and speculating on the reason. He needed to arrange a second party, from which he might approach Fanny. To make matters easier he decided to invite Sir Martin Carruthers, who was, he thought, friendly with his cousin, having driven her out several times. He was one of her suitors, and he could leave Amanda to him while he concentrated on Fanny. It would not appear odd then if the two parties joined forces. Masks were disguising only if the people were strangers. Friends could easily penetrate the incognitos.
Sir Martin gave him a sceptical look, but agreed when Silas mentioned that Amanda would be here. He clearly had hopes she might accept him. Silas found a couple of friends and they brought two women. Both Amanda and Fanny, with their brothers, had accepted Sir Humphrey's invitation, and he was bringing a woman Sir Humphrey assured Silas was very respectable.
'She's very pretty and lively too, she can keep the men happy. I've done my bit, so it's up to you.'
'I wish those suspicious brothers were not coming, they won't let the girls out of their sight.'
'The girls would not have been permitted to come without them. You'll have to contrive. After all, you'll be able to detach them when you dance.'
Silas hoped so. He wondered whether the woman Sir Humphrey had invited would be able to distract Gerard Holbeck for long enough, so that he could talk with Fanny. She had refused his offer, but he had not been able to speak to her directly, and the refusal had been conveyed to him by her brother. He was sure her coldness, both on the ship and now, was due to the wretched man, and also Amanda's dislike of him, which he found difficult to understand. How could any girl from her background reject an offer from an Earl? It was inconceivable, but if only he could talk to her in private surely she would come to see the advantages of a marriage to him. He could point out to her that her mother and brother would also reap advantages through the connection. Once he had spoken to Fanny he would call on Mrs Holbeck, at a time when Gerard was at his business in the City, and gain her support too.
*
The weather was improving, and Amanda was invited to join an expedition to Richmond Park, where a picnic had been planned if the weather held good.
'If not, if it rains on the way there, there is a comfortable inn where we can dine,' she was told.
Fanny had been invited too, and because Gerard was reluctant to permit her to ride so far without him, he was taking a rare day away from his office to accompany her. The girls were looking forward to doing something different. And Amanda would be able to talk with Gerard. She was unsure how to behave. Should she renew her proposal, or appear sad and resigned? Could she make him jealous by flirting with someone else? She was certain he admired, even loved her, and it was only stupid prejudice that prevented him from saying so.
Amanda was wearing her favourite habit, in dark blue, a colour she knew suited her. The horse she was riding was a lively mount, and she hoped to show off her horsemanship by her easy control of him.
The party set off early in the morning. It was a fine day, no clouds in the sky, so they looked forward to an al fresco meal. Amanda recalled the many picnics she had enjoyed at home, when she could take food out into the park surrounding Beech Court and wander all day through the fields and woods, stopping to eat what Cook had packed for her in a napkin. Usually she had been alone, for it was considered safe for her to walk or ride within the extensive grounds. Sometimes Lucien had accompanied her, and he had been more relaxed than normal, throwing off the many cares he had shouldered since their father's death, running the estate and looking after her, supervising her schooling and now helping to manage her come
out.
Was it because of his perceived duty towards her that had prevented him from finding a wife, or was it still the hurt and disillusionment he had felt after that earlier betrayal? Had that rejection caused him pain and suffering? Would Gerard's rejection do the same for her? She straightened her shoulders and vowed she would not permit it. Somehow, although she did not yet see what she could do about it, she would force Gerard to change his mind.
Without conscious thought Amanda steered her mare towards Gerard. He was talking to Lucien, and she rode up on his far side. Lucien smiled across at her, while Gerard merely glanced towards her and then looked ahead. At least, Amanda thought, his lips were pressed closely together, in either pain or annoyance. Her presence affected him in some way. Well, if she had to annoy him in order to gain his attention, so be it.
Lucien moved away and was soon riding beside Fanny. He looked happier than she had seen him for several weeks, since he had arrived in London. Fanny, too, looked happy and her cheeks had flushed a delicate pink. A sudden suspicion hit Amanda.
'I think Lucien is in love with your sister!' she exclaimed.
'What? Impossible!'
Gerard had snatched at the reins and it took him some time to bring his mount under control. Amanda had to move aside while the animal was prancing, but moved closer when Gerard had him trotting again.
'Why is it impossible? She's a very pretty girl. Would you object if they wished to marry?'
'He'd never marry into a merchant's family.' Gerard's tone was dismissive.
'Your mother might approve. After all, she was willing to encourage John, and he's even higher up the social ladder than Lucien.'
'She didn't understand how Society would have reacted. She'd been in India for years, where such distinctions were less important.'
'It would be very convenient,' Amanda mused in a soulful voice, 'if Lucien married your sister and you married me.'
He glared at her, and seemed about to retort, but then he snapped his lips shut and spurred on his mount, cantering towards the head of the small procession and placing himself between the two men leading. Amanda smiled. At least the notion of a marriage between them disturbed him. She rode on, plotting her next move. Perhaps she could persuade Lucien to intervene on her behalf. If he loved Fanny he would have sympathy with her.
*
Lucien was puzzled. He contrived to ride beside Fanny for much of the way. She had looked excited when they first set out, confiding that she had never been on a picnic in England, and it wasn't something she'd been allowed to do in India.
'Mama was always afraid that if I went out of our garden I'd be kidnapped,' she said, and laughed.
'For a ransom?' he asked.
'Yes. The families of wealthy merchants were always potential targets. But it can't be the same here, there are many people much wealthier than we are.'
The very notion of Fanny, so delicate and pretty, in the hands of kidnappers made Lucien hot with fury. She needed some protection, even if kidnapping in England was unlikely. And he was becoming more and more convinced he wanted to be the man to give that protection.
He wanted to marry her. He was sure of that now. He didn't need her fortune, but he needed her. It was, however, too soon. He'd known her for only a few weeks. He thought she liked him, but ought he to give her more opportunity of meeting other men? She attended balls and routs, it was true, but there she was just one of the pretty debutantes making their come outs. Her own ball was to be held soon, and after that he would make his offer. Perhaps he would talk to Gerard, both to discover what his family's feelings would be, and perhaps, he thought guiltily, to forestall any other offer she might be tempted to listen to.
His cousin John was interested, he knew, and also knew that Fanny disliked, was even a little frightened of him. Gerard would never permit her to marry John, even though her mother favoured him. He sighed. It was difficult being patient.
'What is it?' Fanny asked, and he tried to shake off his depression.
'Nothing,' he replied. 'We will soon be there. You've not seen Richmond before, I think?'
'I haven't been out of London before. There has been so much to do. Now Gerard is busy arranging my ball. You will come to it, I hope?'
'Of course. I am looking forward to it and I shall claim a waltz. But why Gerard? Why isn't your mother making the arrangements?'
Fanny was blushing, either at his compliment or embarrassment at having to explain about her mother.
'Oh, she has poor health, and cannot undertake so much extra work, she says. If Gerard had not insisted, I suppose I would not have had a ball at all.'
He suppressed his anger. No wonder the poor child so often looked wistful. She was not considered fit for Almack's, and now that wretched mother of hers could not be bothered to arrange a ball, something every debutante was entitled to, even if it was only a small affair. Gerard, whose house was not large enough to contain a ballroom, had booked a room at one of the better hotels. He hoped the many people who had been invited would come. It would be a major snub if many of them made excuses.
He suddenly made up his mind. He would not wait until after the ball to ask Fanny to be his wife. He supposed that strictly he ought to speak first to Gerard and her mother, but that could be done later. He would find out her own feelings first. He'd approach her that very day.
*
Fanny stared at Lucien in amazement. She had gone pale with shock and was scarcely able to speak.
'You want to marry me?'
'Is that such an impossible notion? You are pretty and gentle and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.'
'People would be shocked, offended!'
'Not any people I care for. Are you offended?'
Fanny felt a tide of heat swamp her cheeks, and she put up her hands to touch them. They and some others had left the rest of the party and were walking amongst the scattered trees, hoping to approach some grazing deer before they became aware of humans so close.
'No! No, of course not. I am honoured, naturally, but people of your sort, members of the ton, don't marry the daughters of Cits!'
'Fanny, if I were a merchant, would you accept me?'
She had to nod. Ever since she had seen Lucien something about him had caused a fluttering in her heart. He was handsome, but so were many other men. He had always treated her with respect and consideration, which some men – and she thought of his cousin John – failed to do. Amanda often talked about him, and Fanny could see she loved him. He had been a delightful big brother while she was growing up, the ten years or so between them proving no barrier to understanding. It had been the same between herself and Gerard. Not all the girls she knew had been so fortunate.
Lucien took her hands in his and pressed them.
'I don't wish to rush you, but I want to speak to Gerard. If he agrees, and I truly cannot see why he might not, I'll ask you again.'
All Fanny could do was nod. She longed to accept. Nothing could make her happier than to be married to Lucien. She had not enjoyed all aspects of the Season. It had been difficult to listen to her friends discussing the Assemblies at Almack's without feeling inferior. Many of the parties and balls had been pleasant, and she had met and made friends with girls such as Jane and Amanda. The way some of the men treated her, though, had been far from pleasant. She had not known how to deal with men who squeezed her too tightly when they danced. When some of them had suggested going apart into secluded rooms and she had refused, abruptly because she didn't know how else to escape, they had been offended. She had received a couple of offers, both from young men known to have no fortunes of their own, and she knew they thought only of her dowry, not of her. Her mother persisted, despite Gerard's objections, to press the suit of the Earl of Escott. She would think an offer from his cousin a poor exchange, though Lucien was wealthy, and she suspected John was not. Lucien could not be swayed by thoughts of her dowry, and from the look in his eyes and the smile he gave her, she knew he loved her
for herself. Could she possibly bring herself to agree, to accept him? It would be heaven.
*
Amanda was walking with Sir Humphrey, who was extolling the pleasures in store at the masquerade, but she was distracted, only half attending to him as she watched her brother and Fanny walking together, and wondered what they were talking about so seriously. When she saw Lucien take Fanny's hands in his she stifled an exclamation. It looked, it really did look, as though he was proposing to her. If Fanny accepted, and she could see no reason why any girl would reject her brother – apart, she remembered, from the silly chit who had been offended by his war injuries – she would be delighted to have her best friend as her sister. And, she thought with a secret frisson of anticipation, if one marriage with a Cit was arranged, there could be no serious objection to a second. It was, she acknowledged, somewhat different for girls, who took on their husband's rank, but if she were content to become the wife of a City merchant, why should other people object?
When they returned to the main party she could see that Fanny was disturbed. At times she seemed to glow with happiness, then she would frown and look serious. Amanda longed to ask what had happened, but something made her desist. For once she would not be impetuous, and would wait in patience for whatever it was to be told. She looked at her brother. Lucien had a preoccupied look on his face, but he kept glancing at Fanny, who had seated herself at the far side of the group, near Gerard, and there was a tender look in his eyes. He must have proposed!
Soon it was time to set off back to London, and Amanda congratulated herself on her restraint when she avoided speaking to Gerard of Fanny, and did no more than say how much she had enjoyed the day when Lucien came to ride beside her. Instead she talked of the masquerade, how it would be different to the usual balls, which were beginning to pall. By then, she was sure, she would have come to know what had happened between Lucien and Fanny. And she would have another opportunity of talking and dancing with Gerard.
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