by Barker, Ann
‘Are you staying with your uncle, sir?’ Michael asked the lieutenant, when he had accepted the invitation.
‘For a short time,’ he answered. He was a handsome man, tall and slender, with golden hair that waved slightly. ‘I will have to rejoin my regiment eventually, but for now I am a man of leisure.’ At this point, Mr and Mrs Granby came out of church. ‘What’s more,’ he added appreciatively, ‘one needs leisure in order to explore the beauties of the area.’ Fellowes could not be blamed, Michael conceded silently to himself. Evangeline was indeed a picture in a white gown trimmed with gold, and covered with tiny golden flowers. Suddenly he felt like punching the young officer for no justifiable reason.
Despite his feelings, however, there was nothing for it but to introduce the lieutenant to Evangeline and her parents. After a brief glance between Sir Lyle and his lady, the party invited for dinner was extended to include the Granbys as well.
‘Is not my cousin handsome?’ Amelia asked Michael, as they travelled in Sir Lyle’s comfortable chaise a short time later. The lieutenant was on horseback and the Granbys were in their own chaise, so there was plenty of room for Michael to travel with the Beltons. ‘I have to admit that I am exceedingly partial to fair-haired men,’ she added provocatively.
‘I am perhaps the wrong person to ask,’ he replied, deliberately ignoring the second part of her speech. ‘It seems to me that ladies and gentlemen can never agree upon what constitutes handsomeness in their own sex.’
Amelia shook her head. ‘I cannot agree with you,’ she replied. ‘I can see that Evangeline is excessively pretty and I am quite prepared to say so.’
‘Then perhaps it is merely gentlemen who are poor at recognizing good looks in other men,’ Michael suggested.
‘I think you may be right,’ Sir Lyle agreed, and went on to relate an amusing anecdote that had come into his mind. Meanwhile, Amelia sat with a little smile on her face, thinking, I have made him jealous. It had not been part of her plan to have Evangeline present, but upon reflection it occurred to her that it might not be a bad idea. She would provide a useful diversion for Jeremy, leaving the field clear for her to pursue Michael.
Had the lieutenant been consulted, he would have confessed himself very ready to fall in with her plans. He had been struck by Evangeline from the very first and, having noticed the beauty of her face, had then gone on to take appreciative note of the luscious curves of her figure. He had not been unaware of the air of tension in Michael as he had made appreciative remarks about Miss Granby. A desperate flirtation was always to his taste. If it had the added benefit of making the curate jealous, then so much the better.
He had taken a dislike to the clergyman from the very first. He was rather inclined to dismiss men of the cloth as being unworthy of consideration. He was therefore annoyed with himself for sensing that there was something about Michael that meant that it would be very unwise to discount him in such a way.
They were a cheerful party at dinner. Michael was seated on Lady Belton’s left opposite Mr Granby and with Amelia next to him on his other side. Evangeline was on Sir Lyle’s left, and opposite her mother. On her other side was Lieutenant Fellowes, who seemed delighted to have the opportunity of getting up a flirtation with her.
Michael, for his part, resolved to take no notice of them and was soon deep in conversation with Amelia Belton, a fact that did not pass unnoticed by Evangeline, who immediately resolved to make herself even more agreeable to the soldier who was sitting beside her. ‘I am wondering, Lieutenant, how it comes to be that you and I have never met,’ she said. ‘Amelia is your cousin after all, and I have lived in this vicinity for the whole of my life, as has she.’
‘It does seem strange,’ the young man agreed, ‘but I can assure you that had we ever done so, then the encounter would have been graven upon my memory!’ He laid his hand on his heart and sighed. Then, with a laugh, he abandoned his extravagant manner, noting with satisfaction that Michael had been glancing his way. ‘In truth, it isn’t so very strange. Remember that whereas Amelia is an only child, I have an older brother and two sisters who are now married. It was much more common when we were children for the Beltons to visit us at our home. Do you have any cousins, Miss Granby?’
Evangeline nodded. ‘My father is an only child, but my mother’s sister has two daughters. They are the bane of my life, I assure you.’
‘No doubt they are constantly complaining at being compared to you,’ he suggested.
‘No no, quite the reverse,’ Evangeline replied. ‘It is I who suffer from odious comparisons.’
‘I cannot imagine upon what grounds,’ said the lieutenant gallantly.
‘You are too kind.’
‘Not at all. One does not complain about perfection.’
Evangeline found this compliment rather fulsome, but it made a welcome change to Mr Buckleigh’s implied criticisms of her dress and conduct. ‘My self-esteem is now very thoroughly soothed,’ she remarked.
‘Then my work is done,’ smiled the lieutenant. ‘Do you ride, Miss Granby?’
‘Whenever I can get the opportunity,’ she answered.
‘Amelia does not. What a shame,’ he murmured, his eyes sparkling.
For her part, Amelia had no hesitation in drawing Michael’s attention to this flirtatious conversation. ‘I can see that Evangeline is very taken with my cousin,’ she remarked. ‘I find that a little surprising in a way.’
‘Indeed?’ murmured Michael, trying not to sound particularly interested.
‘She is generally more partial to dark men,’ Amelia told him. ‘Look at Lord Ashbourne. He has jet-black hair and Evangeline has been in love with him for years.’
After dinner was over and tea had been drunk, the party split up. Naturally enough, Mr and Mrs Granby offered to take Michael up in their chaise.
‘What a shame that you cannot stay for longer,’ said Amelia to Michael as Mr and Mrs Granby were making their farewells and Evangeline and the lieutenant were continuing their flirtation until the last possible moment. ‘I have been making a collection of illuminated Bible texts, and was hoping that you might like to see them.’
‘It will be something to look forward to,’ Michael replied, inwardly thanking the Almighty for his lucky escape. Why people always supposed that clergymen must only like religious art he could not imagine.
To his surprise, on their arrival at Granby Park, Mr Granby said, ‘I will hand the ladies down, then, with your permission, I will travel on with you to your home, Mr Buckleigh. I would like some further conversation with you.’ Clearly Mrs and Miss Granby had not been informed of his intentions, for they both looked surprised. Michael readily gave his consent, and soon they were continuing their journey.
Mr Granby wasted no time in raising the matter that was on his mind. ‘I needed to speak with you in private, Mr Buckleigh. I have a problem in which I would very much like your aid.’
‘Of course, sir,’ Michael replied, glad of the opportunity to return some of the kindness that had been extended to him. ‘I shall do whatever lies in my power.’
‘I am obliged to go to London unexpectedly,’ Granby said. ‘Had we not just arrived home from Sheffield, I would have taken my wife and daughter with me, but you have seen how a journey knocks my wife up. It takes her at least a week to recover. I therefore intend to leave them at home to look after each other. I shall not be gone much more than a week, I should think. In the meantime, I must ask if you will keep an eye on them and on Evangeline in particular.’
Michael hoped that he did not look as panic-stricken as he felt. Had Mr Granby asked him to give assistance in holding up the London stage, he could hardly have felt more horrified.
‘I am very much concerned about her,’ Granby continued anxiously. ‘She is accustomed to having her own way. I freely admit that I am the one responsible for spoiling her, but my wife is not robust and should Evangeline subject her to a show of defiance, she would not be able to stand against her. In short,
I would be exceedingly grateful if you would act as a kind of extra guardian for Evangeline.’
Michael could feel his heart sinking into his boots. The one young lady to whom he had acted as guardian from time to time was his sister, and she was obedient, unselfish, and sunny-natured. Miss Granby, though good-tempered when she chose, did not seem to possess either of the other qualities in abundance. Furthermore, the beauty of her face and the superb contours of her figure caused him to react to her in a manner that reminded him that he had been a man before he was ever a clergyman. He would be well advised to keep away from her as much as possible. To be obliged to advise her on her behaviour would be quite intolerable. Impossible to disclose all of this to her father! Nevertheless, for the sake of his sanity he attempted to make some protest. ‘But sir,’ he exclaimed, ‘I cannot believe that she would be prepared to look upon me in such a way. I cannot be as much as ten years her senior. There must be someone else; Lord Ilam, for example.’
Granby shook his head. ‘Ilam is still from home and I have no idea when he will return. What’s more, he is much the same age as yourself. Evangeline has known him for years and he is married to one of her closest friends. I do not think that she would take him seriously.’
‘Then what about Lord Ashbourne?’
‘That would never do. In view of her past infatuation with him, I would rather not encourage her to go anywhere near him. Besides, he is from home as well and, even if he were not, his wife is nearing her confinement.’
‘Sir Lyle Belton, then?’ Michael suggested, growing desperate.
‘Miss Amelia and my daughter are rivals and have never dealt well together, I fear,’ Mr Granby answered smiling ruefully. ‘Besides, there is now an additional danger. No doubt you noticed the attention that Lieutenant Fellowes was paying to Evangeline. I mistrust that young man. His family is quite large and he hasn’t got a penny to bless himself with. I’m not wealthy, but Evangeline is our only child and she will receive a very respectable dowry and quite a pretty sum at my demise. She could easily become a target for a fortune hunter who wasn’t over greedy. Now is not the time for me to go away leaving her unguarded.’ Seeing that Michael continued to look doubtful, he went on, ‘Mr Buckleigh, it would ease my mind so much if you would do this. You may not be much older than she, but you have an authority by virtue of the office that you hold. I will not leave Illingham happily unless I can be certain that someone will watch over her.’
Michael wanted to refuse, yet how could he? He had been very grateful for all the hospitality that he had received since his arrival in the village. He knew that he might never be able to return it. He could not refuse this opportunity of repaying the other man’s kindness. What was more, the reference to the office that he held reminded him that he had a duty to care for every person in the parish. Yet he feared that Evangeline might well turn out to be more trouble than all the other parishioners put together.
‘Very well, Mr Granby,’ he said, trying not to sigh. ‘I will act as an unofficial guardian to Miss Granby as you request.’
Mr Granby smiled with relief. ‘My wife will be so thankful,’ he said.
Later that evening, Mr Granby went to his wife’s room to tell her about the arrangement that he had made with the curate. ‘I must confess that I am very relieved,’ he said.
‘So am I,’ Mrs Granby admitted. ‘Don’t stay away longer than you must, my dear. Most of the time she is a dear girl, but I do dread confrontations with her.’
‘I will be back so soon that you will hardly notice I have gone,’ he said reassuringly, planting a kiss upon her brow.
‘Do you really think that Mr Buckleigh will be able to keep her in check?’ she asked him anxiously, catching hold of his sleeve.
‘I fancy he’ll know how to make her do as she’s told if necessary,’ he replied. ‘I detect a vein of steel in that young man.’
His interview with Evangeline the following morning was rather more stormy. He had toyed with the idea of simply not telling her of his decision, trusting to the fact that nothing of any significance would occur before his return. Then he reflected that such an action would hardly be fair to anyone in the case, especially Mr Buckleigh.
‘Papa! How could you?’ Evangeline exclaimed. ‘I’m not a child!’
‘I’m well aware of that,’ he responded.
‘Then why treat me like one?’
‘It is not treating you like a child to make those arrangements that will most ensure your comfort,’ he answered. ‘If I were leaving Mama on her own, I would make the same request.’
‘Really?’ she said doubtfully.
‘Well perhaps not exactly the same. Mama is not likely to become a target of fortune hunters.’
‘Papa, how many London seasons have I had?’ Before he could answer, she went on, ‘Two! I have had two seasons, and I am to go to London later on this spring as well! Do you not think that I can detect a man who is after my money by now?’
‘Evangeline, my angel—’
‘Anyway, what makes you certain that Mr Buckleigh can be depended upon? He might not be as reliable as you suppose.’
‘That is a very serious allegation,’ said Mr Granby, drawing his brows together. ‘I think that unless you have heard anything to his discredit you ought to withdraw it.’
It was the perfect moment for Evangeline to tell her father about how the curate had kissed her in Sheffield. She could alter the story so that it would not be so much to her discredit. Perhaps she could say that she had been lost and that he had led her astray. Even as the words were upon her lips, she found that she couldn’t do it. She coloured. ‘I beg your pardon, Papa. I didn’t mean anything to his detriment. I was only thinking that he would soon be very busy with his sister’s arrival. You might have given him too much to do.’
‘Then it is up to you to make sure that his duties with regard to yourself are very light,’ he responded, finding it easy to be firm with his angel when he was on the point of departure.
Determined not to shirk his duty, Michael set out for Granby Park the following morning. He could have thought of a thousand reasons for putting off the visit. In the end, he concluded that the sooner he went, the longer he could leave it before he had to go again. He devoutly hoped that Mr Granby had told Evangeline of his intentions, otherwise, he could not think of the smallest reason why she should take any notice of him. Not for the first time, he told himself that he bitterly regretted the encounter in Sheffield. It had made everything so much more complicated. The trouble was, every time he came to that conclusion, he ended up smiling as he recalled the taste of her lips.
Evangeline received him in the drawing room and, from the martial light in her eye, he could see that she was acquainted with Mr Granby’s plans. Even though it was eleven o’clock, there was no sign of Mrs Granby. ‘Well, here I am, as you see,’ said Miss Granby. ‘What instructions do you have for me? Shall I fetch my slate so that you can give me some letters to copy? Or would you prefer to hear me say my catechism? ’
‘Miss Granby,’ he began.
‘I have already practised the pianoforte this morning, but I will confess that I have rather neglected my mathematics,’ she went on sweetly.
‘Miss Granby,’ he began again. He had come prepared to be conciliatory, but her aggressive attitude was damaging his intentions.
‘What do you think about my posture?’ she asked him, drawing back her shoulders. ‘Would you like to see me sitting with the backboard on?’
Even while his temper was rising, he found himself noticing how her action had drawn his attention to her excellent figure. The powerful effect that this had upon him made him even more annoyed. ‘Enough!’ he said sharply. ‘If you think that I wanted this charge any more than you, then you are very sadly mistaken.’
‘Then why did you accept it?’ she demanded.
‘What else could I do? Your father has been everything that is kind to me since my arrival. How could I possibly refuse the one requ
est that he has made? Believe me, Miss Granby, I cannot think of anything that I want to do less than keep an eye upon you and your affairs.’
‘Then why do you not simply go away?’
‘Because I cannot reconcile it with my conscience,’ he answered.
She laughed. ‘What a very compliant organ that conscience of yours is,’ she said, laughing derisively.
‘And what is that supposed to mean?’
‘It conveniently enables you to forget about your own misdemeanours, but suddenly makes you holier than thou about mine.’
‘I suppose that you are referring to that unfortunate incident in Sheffield,’ he said, colouring.
‘What else?’ she asked. ‘It was the one thing that would have prevented my father from asking you to keep an eye upon me, but, of course, you said nothing of it. Could it be because you know that what would be seen as simply a young girl’s foolishness would be condemned as shockingly immoral behaviour in a clergyman? Oh fie, Mr Buckleigh!’
‘You cannot possibly regret that incident more than I do,’ he replied.
‘No, I don’t suppose I can,’ she answered. ‘I should not like anyone to know about it. It would make me look such a fool, after all – the girl who allowed herself to be kissed by a lowly curate. But I would overcome all that embarrassment, if I felt that it was for the greater good.’
‘Miss Granby, are you threatening me?’ he asked her.
She looked at him consideringly. ‘Do you know, I think perhaps I am,’ she answered. ‘I haven’t written to the bishop yet, but who knows, if you were to interfere in my concerns too much this week, I just might find it necessary. Did you want to speak to Mama, or have you discharged your errand for today?’
‘I see no reason to disturb Mrs Granby,’ he replied, picking up his hat from the table where he had laid it. ‘It was, after all, to save her anxiety that your father placed upon my shoulders this most unwelcome responsibility. You might consider her feelings before you decide to go your length. Believe me, Miss Granby, you may threaten all you like but nothing will prevent me from doing what I see to be my duty. Good day to you.’
