Regency Debutantes

by Margaret McPhee

  Georgiana’s gaze flicked from the strong tanned fingers that curled around the handles of the tray to the dark warmth of his eyes. Lord Nathaniel had brought her the broth, in person! Unwittingly a crinkle of suspicion crept across the bridge of her nose. She wetted her suddenly dry lips and looked at the cook.

  ‘That he can, miss,’ beamed Mrs Tomelty. ‘Could never get enough of my broth, could Lord Nathaniel. Always had to have a bowl full to the brim every time he fell out of a tree or come off his horse. Never known a little ‘un like him for getting himself into mischief. Why, I remember the time him and Lord Henry were swimming, bare as the day they were born, in the—’

  ‘Thank you, Mrs Tomelty,’ said Nathaniel rather forcefully.

  A smile tugged at the corners of Georgiana’s mouth. Suddenly the tall, athletic gentleman standing only a few feet from where she lay in bed didn’t seem quite so intimidating.

  Mrs Tomelty moved forward to pat Georgiana’s hand. ‘Now, duck, you eat that up, and it’ll do you the world of good. I’ll be just over there in that chair by the fireplace so that there won’t be no problems ‘bout Lord Nathaniel bein’ in a young lady’s bedroom.’ The elderly servant remained blissfully unaware of the ghost of a grimace that flitted across Nathaniel’s face. She hobbled the distance to the fireplace, eased herself into the rose brocade chair, and made herself comfortable.

  ‘Please forgive my intrusion, Miss Raithwaite. I know that I should not be here, but I wished to speak to you…alone…to reassure myself that you are well.’ There was a slight uneasiness about him, as if he wanted to say something, but didn’t know quite how to go about saying it.

  Georgiana’s suspicion should have escalated, but it didn’t. Instead, it fizzled away to be replaced with an intrinsic trust. Has your experience with Mr Praxton taught you nothing of gentlemen? the little voice inside her head insisted. But something outside of logic and common sense assured her that the man standing before her now was nothing like Walter Praxton. Mr Praxton revolted her, but Lord Nathaniel…A shiver tingled up her spine and she deliberately turned her mind from that vein of thought. ‘I am very well, thank you, my lord,’ she managed with a politeness of which Mama would have been proud.

  He was looking at her as if he knew the words that tripped from her tongue for the lie that they were.

  The pause stretched.

  Georgiana felt the first hint of a flush touch her cheeks. Lord, but he couldn’t possibly know the truth. She must stop acting like a ninny-hammer and pull herself together.

  ‘I wanted to ask you about your accident. Were you alone with Mr Praxton when it happened?’

  The gentle hint of colour in Georgiana’s face ignited with all the subtlety of a beacon. Her heart set up a thudding reverberation in her chest. She swallowed once, and then again. ‘Yes.’ Her fingers moved to gather hold of Mrs Radcliffe’s book lying atop the bedcovers. She gripped the ornately gilded leather and took a deep breath. ‘Yes.’ This time more strongly. ‘Mr Praxton wished to show me an interesting botanical species that grows close to the river.’ Or so he said. ‘My parents and their friends were following in a walk of their own.’

  One dark eyebrow raised in a minuscule motion.

  Georgiana saw it and found herself swamped in a feeling of wretched shame and anger. She knew very well the path his mind was taking. ‘We were not alone for long.’ Long enough for Walter Praxton to make clear the exact nature of his intent! She knew she was only exposing her own guilt. Drat the man, why was he looking at her like that? She had a sudden urge to confess all, tell him exactly what Mr Praxton had done and why. But when all was said and done, Nathaniel Hawke was a stranger and a man…a very attractive man. And she couldn’t reveal such sordid details, especially not to him.

  ‘And what was it that you were doing to come to land in the river, Miss Raithwaite?’ He stepped closer to the bed and lowered his voice.

  ‘I…I was …’ She glanced up to meet the strength of his gaze.

  ‘Examining the botanical specimen?’ he suggested.

  ‘No.’

  ‘Then what?’

  She could give him no answer that would not compromise herself and she did not think that she could bear to see the condemnation in his eyes that was sure to follow. So she said nothing, just shook her head.

  ‘And what was Mr Praxton doing to allow you to fall?’

  I didn’t fall, I jumped! And Mr Praxton was doing precisely as you suspect! she wanted to shout, but couldn’t. ‘We had a disagreement, and…that is when I went into the river.’ Subconsciously her fingers slid to tug at her ear lobe.

  Nathaniel took another step closer. He made as if to reach his hand out to her, then checked the action. ‘Miss Raithwaite,’ he said quietly, ‘I have the notion that you’re fearful of returning home. Who are you afraid of?’ He waited, before prompting, ‘If Mr Praxton has done aught that he should not have…’

  The beautiful grey-blue eyes widened in shock and for the briefest moment he thought she was about to tell him something of the greatest significance. Then she faltered, and the moment was gone.

  ‘No.’ The temptation was great. She wanted to tell him. The words had crept to the tip of her tongue before she’d had the sense to restrain them.

  ‘Then, your father?’

  The intensity of his gaze made her shiver. It was as if he could see past her defences to the truth. She willed herself to stay calm. ‘Why should I be afraid of my papa?’

  ‘Perhaps he does not approve of your friendship with Mr Praxton.’

  If only that were the case! Had she imagined his subtle emphasis on the word ‘friendship’? She bristled at the implication. ‘I have no friendship with Mr Praxton. My papa is more approving of our betrothal than you could possibly realise.’

  Hell’s teeth, but the girl was infuriating. He’d come here to assail the nagging doubt that there was more to Georgiana’s story than she was telling—something that wasn’t quite right. Fear, desperation, anger, indignation, he was sure he’d seen them all marked clearly on her face. Damn it, he hadn’t even known her this time yesterday. Now here he was, behaving like the village idiot, in the chit’s bedroom of all places, with the foolish chivalric notion that she needed his help. So Mirabelle had been right. Miss Raithwaite had been indulging in some compromising behaviour with the man and she was to marry him. The thought irked him more than it should have. ‘You are betrothed to Mr Praxton?’ He struggled to keep the scowl from his face.

  ‘Mr Praxton is very determined to marry me.’ She spoke so quietly that he struggled to hear her answer, strange as it was.

  He thought he saw her lower lip tremble, but before he could be certain it was caught in a nip by her teeth. Praxton was clearly capable of eliciting strong emotion in her. Again that surge of disquiet made itself known.

  Nathaniel looked at the girl with her flushed cheeks and glittering eyes for a moment longer. ‘Then, you have my felicitations, Miss Raithwaite. I will leave you to your rest.’ He bowed and strode from the room as if it was a matter of the smallest consideration. Georgiana Raithwaite’s future was none of his concern. But he could not rid himself of the unsettled feeling for the rest of the day.

  Chapter Two

  Nathaniel Hawke dropped a chaste kiss on to his brother’s wife’s cheek, only to find himself embraced in a bear hug. Mirabelle’s arms barely stretched around him and she stepped on the tips of her toes to reach up to him. ‘Dearest Nathaniel, promise me that you’ll take care on both your journey to Portsmouth and your voyage, wherever it may take you.’

  His mouth opened to reply.

  ‘And make sure that you send Henry back from Collingborne. He’s been away for an age and I’m sure that your father will manage perfectly well with Freddie instead.’

  Nathaniel’s eyes crinkled with amusement. ‘I’m quite sure that—’

  ‘Shall we see you again soon?’ Mirabelle disengaged her hold and launched herself in Freddie’s direction.

  �
��I’m afraid I haven’t received my sailing orders yet so I cannot answer your question.’

  Freddie suffered a similar mauling at Mirabelle’s hands and grimaced when she pinched his cheek. ‘You grow more like Henry every day!’

  He groaned. ‘Mirabelle!’

  ‘Well, fortunately for you it’s true. Now, off with you both. It’s time for my visit to the nursery and I can hear Charlie and Richard bawling from here. Such lungs!’

  Having taken their farewells of Mirabelle, their nephews and a rather wan Miss Raithwaite, the brothers headed out at a steady pace south along the Gosport Road.

  Freddie screwed up his face. ‘The prospect of an increasing similarity between Henry and myself is most depressing!’

  Nathaniel laughed. ‘Why? Surely a marked resemblance to our distinguished sibling can be nothing but good? I mean, Henry has wisdom, good judgement and a deal of sense. What more could a fellow want?’

  ‘A sense of humour springs to mind, along with a number of other criteria. Henry’s a fine chap and all that, but he’s a trifle dull. All work and no play, et cetera, et cetera!’

  ‘Beneath that stuffy exterior is a good man.’

  ‘I know, I know. But can you imagine Henry jumping into the River Borne to rescue Miss Raithwaite? Poor girl would have drowned, and I wouldn’t have had the pleasure of carrying her back to Farleigh Hall.’ A wicked expression crossed Freddie’s face. ‘Delicious! Quite a figure beneath all those clothes!’

  Nathaniel affected shock, but laughed just the same. ‘Frederick Hawke, that’s no way to speak of a lady.’

  Freddie’s grin deepened, and his eyes twinkled. ‘But if Mirabelle is to be believed, our Miss Raithwaite is hardly a lady. Lucky Mr Praxton.’

  ‘Ah, Mr Praxton. I’d lay the blame for Miss Raithwaite’s misdemeanours firmly at his door. Taking advantage of the girl he is betrothed to.’ Nathaniel looked directly at his brother. ‘There’s something rather unsavoury about the man, wouldn’t you agree?’

  ‘He seemed perfectly fine to me. Rather a fashionable good-looking chap. I wouldn’t have thought he’d have too much trouble with the ladies, if you know what I mean.’ Freddie winked.

  ‘Perhaps you’re right. But my instinct sets me against him, however unfair that may seem. Still, what’s it to us? We shall likely never set eyes on Mr Praxton or Miss Raithwaite again.’ He twitched the reins beneath his fingers. ‘I wonder if she knows what she’s getting herself into, tangling with such a man?’

  Freddie snorted. ‘You’re growing suspicious in your old age. I think it must be time that we stopped for some refreshments to soothe your poor addled brain. The George Inn isn’t far ahead. I’ll race you to it!’

  It seemed to Mirabelle Farleigh that Georgiana’s health had suffered not so much from her plunge into the River Borne, but from the visit of her father and the man to whom she was betrothed. Subsequent to their leaving the girl appeared pale and listless. Scarcely a morsel of food had passed her lips since and she declined to be drawn by the brightest of conversation that her ladyship had to offer. Not that any sign of fever or pain could be seen to account for her behaviour. But something was wrong, very wrong. Georgiana wore the air of a woman condemned, not of one about to marry her lover. Lady Farleigh, who had an innate interest in such things, had every intention of getting to the bottom of the mysterious affair.

  ‘My dear Georgiana, I’ve spoken to your stepfather’s man and explained that you’re not sufficiently recovered to travel home today. Why, such a journey would be sure to leave you with a chill, and is quite out of the question. The carriage has departed with a letter to your stepfather explaining my decision.’ Mirabelle did not miss the brief flicker in Georgiana’s bleak eyes.

  ‘My father did not come in person?’

  Mirabelle shook her head. ‘No, my dear. I’m sure he must have important matters to deal with that prevent his presence. Don’t concern yourself over it. It’s well and good that he didn’t come here himself, as he’s clearly busy, and gentlemen do so dislike a wasted journey.’ She adjusted her skirts and sat herself down on the bed. Taking hold of Georgiana’s hand, she studied the girl’s face with undue attention. ‘I understand that you would be much happier to be going home today.’

  A careful guard slotted in place over the white features.

  ‘But can you reconcile yourself as a guest at Farleigh Hall for a few more days?’

  The grey-blue eyes widened in surprise.

  Mirabelle saw the blatant relief, felt the lapse of tension in the hand positioned beneath her own.

  ‘Of course. Thank you, Lady Farleigh…Mirabelle. I have been feeling a little unwell,’ Georgiana lied. The river experience had caused exhaustion, bruising, a sore throat and some cuts to her hands, nothing more. But the knowledge that Walter Praxton had tricked them all to force her into marriage affected her far more deeply. And the loathing that it engendered made her wonder just how she could endure such a thing. He stood for everything that she despised and now she had no choice but to marry him. ‘No choice at all.’ The mumbled words had escaped her before she realised what she was about. Her eyes slid to Lady Farleigh’s in a panic and she pressed her fingers to her lips as if to stopper any further traitorous disclosures.

  Her ladyship’s bright blue eyes looked back, and Georgiana could have sworn that they held in them an understanding that belied the lady’s blithe manner. She held her breath and waited.

  ‘If something is wrong, Georgiana, you need only tell me and I will try to help.’ Her small face was unusually still.

  Georgiana pressed her palms to her forehead. Dare she trust Mirabelle Farleigh? ‘I’m afraid that it’s a matter of some delicacy, ma’am.’

  Lady Farleigh gently touched Georgiana’s arm. ‘I thought it might be, my dear. Rest assured I won’t discuss your story with anyone else.’

  She so desperately needed to speak to someone, to tell another of Walter Praxton’s lies. She remembered Nathaniel Hawke’s concern and how he’d offered her the opportunity to confide in him. But he was a man, and a very attractive one at that. And she didn’t doubt that he had mistaken her situation with Walter Praxton entirely. Why else had she been forced to reveal the wretched betrothal? Lady Farleigh was different altogether. She undoubtedly liked to chatter. That wasn’t what worried Georgiana. The nature of her concern lay more in whether the lady’s preferences stretched to gossip. She twisted her fingers nervously together and contemplated further. If that was the case, then the damage was already done, for Georgiana was certain that the conversation witnessed by Lady Farleigh could do nothing but lead her to conclude that Georgiana had indulged in grossly inappropriate behaviour with Mr Praxton. And that man’s—she could no longer say gentleman’s—manner had done everything to foster the impression that he was her suitor. Heaven forbid that Lady Farleigh thought Georgiana and Walter Praxton lovers as Lord Nathaniel had done! The greatest harm had happened. Telling the truth couldn’t make it worse, and might even go some way to helping her situation. The prospect seemed appealing.

  All the while Mirabelle Farleigh had sat, quietly watching the play of conflicting emotions on Georgiana’s face. ‘If you choose not to speak of what’s bothering you, then I’ll say nothing further on the matter other than there’s always a choice, no matter what you might think, and you must always remember that.’

  The words confirmed Georgiana’s decision and with a sigh she uttered, ‘There’s so much to tell, I scarcely know where to begin.’

  Mirabelle’s curls swayed as she lowered her head. ‘You must start at the beginning, it is usually the best place.’ And, so saying, she made herself comfortable upon the bedcovers and prepared to hear Georgiana’s tale.

  It was some considerable time later that Lady Farleigh had heard it all. Her ladyship was fairly bursting with indignation. ‘I cannot conceive that a gentleman could be so profoundly dishonest and despicable. Indeed, his actions are most definitely not those of a gentleman and I refuse to call him t
hat.’ She paced up and down the bedroom, her hands pulling at her skirts, her cheeks a blaze of furious colour. ‘Of course you won’t marry him.’ She honed her gimlet eye upon Georgiana, who was already feeling much better for having unburdened herself.

  ‘No. I had no intention of accepting his addresses when he indicated that his affections lay in my direction. I made sure that he fully understood that I wouldn’t look favourably upon him—that’s why he resorted to this scheme.’ She had swung her legs from beneath the covers and was sitting on the edge of the bed.

  Lady Farleigh struggled to understand the motivation behind such a dastardly deed. ‘He must be mad for love of you; when he realised that you’d no intention of accepting his suit, it forced him to take desperate measures. What other explanation can there be?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ Georgiana shook her head. ‘But I cannot believe that he loves me, for all his declarations.’ She moved her bare toes across the rug. ‘Indeed, I cannot believe that he loves anyone other than himself. My friends, Sarah and Fanny, can barely contain themselves in his presence. They swear that he’s quite the most handsome man they’ve seen. Their response seems ludicrous to me, for I cannot find him handsome in the slightest. He’s a cruel and unfeeling man with no regard for the welfare of others.’

  The small woman was regarding her quizzically. ‘Have you seen evidence of his nature to reach such a conclusion?’

  Georgiana stood up and found herself a full head taller than her hostess. ‘Mirabelle,’ she implored, casting her hands out before her, ‘I’ve seen it with my own eyes. He owns the paper mill in Whitchurch and, because of his friendship with my family, invited us to visit. I attended with my mama and papa and explored all through the mill. Oh, Mirabelle, you wouldn’t believe how that man treats his employees. It’s truly awful. I saw one poor boy, who couldn’t have been more than five years old, running around gathering any rags that had fallen on the floor. He was as thin as a stick and couldn’t stop coughing. The child had the misfortune to drop a piece of material close to Mr Praxton—not that it touched him in any way at all. And do you know what that man did?’ Georgiana’s face contorted with anger. She swept on heedless of Mirabelle’s reply, fuelled by wrathful indignation. ‘He struck the boy hard across the head with his cane. Can you believe it?’ Her breast heaved dramatically, leaving Lady Farleigh in no doubt as to the extent of Miss Raithwaite’s feelings. ‘Blood ran from the child’s crown and the boy didn’t dare to utter a sound. Not one sound. That is the essence of Mr Praxton’s nature. Nothing excuses such callous behaviour.’ Georgiana’s eyes flashed with all the fervour of the stormiest sea, grey and green lights shimmering in their depths. ‘These people have nothing, Mirabelle. They steal bread to feed their families, such is their plight. And for that crime, Walter Praxton would have them flogged as thieves. He was the one who reported Tom Jenkins, and you know what fate that poor soul met.’