The Lady to Match a Rogue: Faith

by Thorne, Isabella

  “Surely not,” Mary-Elizabeth blurted. “They are as strange as the rest. Worse. Besides the pair of them will never get a chance to marry for the next in line might as well be considered a spinster and a recluse at that,” Mary-Elizabeth scoffed. “All terrible bores, such as could never keep pace with a man like our bright Mr. Titherington.” She settled as close to Oscar as possible.

  Oscar was beginning to regret having asked.

  “Do not speak harshly of the Baggingtons,” Caroline said sharply. “You embarrass yourself. You know nothing of them, Mary-Elizabeth.”

  Oscar was surprised to hear the baroness jump to the ladies’ defense. His esteem for Lady Torsford rose even further.

  “Why ever not?” Mary-Elizabeth spat. “It is not as if I owe them my kindness.”

  “If one has nothing good to say, a lady holds her tongue. Such an outburst is not becoming.” Caroline scolded and would not hear another word on it. It was clear that Mary-Elizabeth had not taken well to her sister’s chastisement, and threw her brother a look, but Edgar ignored her. Oscar could not help but be amused. He, himself, had been on the receiving end of that barbed tongue on several occasions. The conversation turned to other happenings in town, and Oscar had a spot of an idea.

  “Edgar, you ought to invite the Baggingtons to the summer ball you are planning,” he suggested before Mary-Elizabeth could recover from her pout and change the topic again. Her mouth dropped open at his words, and she voiced her opinion against it at once.

  “I think it an excellent idea,” Edgar cried, ignoring his sister’s futile attempts at a tantrum without waking her mother, who had fallen into dozing in her chair.

  “I have been meaning to introduce Lord Mortel around and it is just the thing,” Edgar said. “It is the only ball scheduled in Nettlefold that month and so we must include all of our neighbors.”

  “But the Baggingtons,” sighed Mary-Elizabeth.

  “Caroline has expressed a wish to meet the rest of the family,” Edgar said. “She is determined to find out if the rumor is true.”

  “What rumor?” Oscar asked.

  “That the Baggington women are all accomplished readers and have a vast library at Mortel Manor. She hoped that they might trade some books and perhaps share with the children at the school.”

  “Lady Torsford still spends time at the school?” Oscar questioned. “I do suppose now that she has her own child that will pass.”

  Edgar chuckled. “Oh, my friend, you know so little of women, and even less of my Caroline.”

  “Whatever do you mean?” Oscar asked, sure that he was well-versed in the fairer sex.

  “Caroline patronizes the school even though she no longer teaches. She is forever telling me, the children need this or that. In fact, it makes me think that perhaps the Baggington’s would loan their patronage also and give me a break from the school’s endless needs. According to my wife, the school can always use more patrons for the sales and contests, and the girls would do well to meet such learned ladies.”

  So it was that the Baggingtons were to be invited to the Baron Torsford’s Ball. Oscar felt an inward glow of pleasure at having encouraged the acquaintance. Now, he might be able to convince Miss Baggington to interact with him at the ball. Then, she should not be so ashamed to be seen with him. She could disguise his interactions by speaking with dozens of other guests as well, but he would have the waltz. He was certain he would have the waltz.

  The idea that he might have the honor of dancing with her brought him a spark of pleasure, but three weeks was a long time to wait to have her in his arms. Still, he knew that the baron would not be rushed. His wife needed time to recover, and of course the child would need to be christened before the lad was seen in public company. Still, he wished he could see Miss Baggington sooner.

  Perhaps he should haunt the path. Surely she would be going into town sometime between now and the ball. The recollection of her slight form held in his arms was enough to make his skin flush hot with the memory. She had no idea the strength of her appeal, and he was disinclined to allow others to discover it for themselves at a public venue like a ball. Still, it was a necessary evil if there was ever a chance that she might allow him to court her. He could endeavor to persuade Edgar to give Isaac a little nudge in his direction.

  The ball was set to be held in three weeks’ time. He had until then to convince Miss Baggington to be seen with him in public. It seemed a lofty goal, but if he did well enough to repair his name in Nettlefold proper, the truth of it should spread well enough and perhaps her reservations toward him might be lessened.

  The first thing he decided to attempt was to consult Lady Torsford about the charitable needs in the area. As a former schoolmarm and lady of status she would know better than most which families were in need. Good works were sure to increase his reputation in the town. Caroline praised Oscar for his giving spirit and promised to be his guide about town once she was churched. She asked no questions about his intentions for he had already stated on multiple occasions his desire to prove his worth to the town of Nettlefold.

  Though Mary-Elizabeth also chimed in to volunteer her services, Oscar could not be too dismayed. It was not as if Miss Baggington would be joining him just yet, and the company of the charitable ladies now, would deter any rumor that might follow Miss Baggington later.

  He recalled that, even though the lady who preoccupied his mind took no pleasure in dress shops, she had on multiple occasions frequented the new bookstore. It was just the sort of place that he would like to take her to see the wheels of her mind turn. What sort of tale caught her eye he wondered?

  “Have you been in the new bookstore in town?” he asked, and Caroline replied in the affirmative.

  “That reminds me,” Edgar said. “A good friend of mine will be coming to Nettlefold before the ball. Do you remember Adolf Chapman?” he asked.

  “I do. A fine old chap. I hear he has a printing business in London.”

  “Yes,” Edgar nodded. “He says he has discovered a fine new playwright, right here in Nettlefold. I told him he must be mistaken. Do you recall a gentleman by the name of Mr. Arthur Emerson?”

  Oscar frowned. “Here in Nettlefold?”

  “Yes.”

  Oscar thought of a moment. “I can’t say I have ever met such a fellow.” He replied shaking his head.

  “The man must be a recluse,” Edgar replied, “if even you do not know him.”

  “I do not.”

  “In any case, I invited him and his wife, if he is so encumbered, to the ball here. I left the invitation for this mysterious author in the care of the bookseller. Mrs. Pears did not know his address, but expects he will stop in the shop soon. I must say, I am anxious to meet the man. Imagine, a playwright, here in Nettlefold.”

  “Yes,” Oscar agreed. “That is exciting. I look forward to meeting the man, myself.”

  A short while later Oscar took his leave. He tried not to notice Mary-Elizabeth’s mournful eyes as he announced he must depart lest night fall, and Demon step in a hole in the dark. The truth was Demon had an uncanny sense of direction and had brought Oscar home in the dead of night quite often, usually with little direction from his master. However, Oscar was a changed man. With a new plan in hand, Oscar returned to his bed at the cottage with a hopeful heart. Something about this evening had given him newfound confidence in his path. He knew from somewhere deep within that this was the right course of action and that he would not regret it. He would find a book of interest for Miss Baggington. Of this, he was sure, and from there, well, who knew where the adventure would take them.

  * * *

  9

  Faith considered what to do about the delivery of the books, and how she might retrieve them. When she showed the letter to Hope, her sister’s eyes opened wide in horror.

  “I told you this was a bad idea,” she said. “Posing as a man! What will you think of next? Now, how shall we obtain our prints? You cannot go to London, and how can we
retrieve them from Baron Torsford’s? Oh Faith, this is awful.”

  “I shall just have to be a gentleman,” Faith said pragmatically. “Unless you wish to do the task?” Her eyes twinkled as she looked at her sister.

  “Me?”

  “Oh Hope, we have long covered for one another. You can surely be both of us for a few short hours at the Baron Torsford’s ball, and I shall be Arthur Emerson. It is only for one night.”

  “I do not know,” Hope said shaking her head.

  “It will be a lark,” Faith said. “Nothing untoward will happen.”

  “But how can we manage it?”

  “Jesse’s old clothes should fit. Mercy has a whole bag of them in her room,” said Faith.

  “Why ever would she do that?”

  “I haven’t the slightest. Perhaps she is mending them for charity.”

  The girls raided Mercy’s room while Mercy was out visiting with Simon. They chose the best of the clothing. “We should not use anything military,” Hope said. “The questions would be too hard to answer.” She frowned at the smart jacket. “It’s a pity,” she said. “A man in uniform is so handsome.”

  “I’m not trying to impress a girl,” Faith said appalled. “I am only picking up our books.”

  “Of course,” Hope replied putting the jacket aside.

  Faith smiled as she found a likely garment. She brushed lint from the shoulders and sniffed it. “It smells like tobacco.”

  “That should add to the authenticity,” Hope said while she picked a waistcoat and trousers getting into the spirit of their ruse.

  Faith found several options for shirts and cravats. “This really should go to charity,” Faith said wrinkling her nose as she tried on the garments and put others aside. The twins eventually raided Jessie’s room uncovering a formal jacket that he had outgrown it several seasons ago, in the back of his wardrobe.

  Everything managed to fit except the shoes. Faith chose the smallest pair, but still had to stuff them with wadded bit of cloth. She tied them tightly and hoped she did not trip over the overly long toes. Once back in her own room, Faith considered. “We have the mustache and enough spirit gum to glue on a beard if you think…”

  “No. No,” Hope interrupted her sister. “A full beard would mark you as dreadfully out of fashion. Even the mustache…” she paused thinking and Faith smiled. She knew that Hope was truly with her now and committed to the ruse.

  “I suppose sideburns would be best” Hope said finally. “It will cover the softness of your cheeks. Still your hair is a problem.” She put a finger alongside of her cheek and considered. “We cannot cut it.”

  “We could,” Faith said, but Hope shook her head.

  “Then you would not fit as yourself and can you imagine what Isaac would say if you were to cut off your hair? No, it would be best if you wore it plaited,” she said. “I will pull it back tight.”

  “No one wears their hair like that anymore,” Faith objected. “I will look like I have a grandfather’s sense of fashion.”

  “Some of the men in His Majesty’s Navy still wear a naval pigtail. Anyway, there is no help for it,” Hope insisted, and Faith bowed to her sister’s expertise.

  The two of them worried though the next few days before the Torsford’s party, and Hope practiced on Faith’s face until she could get the sideburns just right. Faith looked in the glass and was amazed at what her twin had done to change her appearance.

  Still Hope was concerned that something would go wrong in their masquerade and spent hours going over the plan with her sister.

  “If we are found out, what does it matter?” Faith said finally. “We will still have the books with Arthur Emerson’s name on them. Don’t you want to see them? To hold them in your hands?”

  “I do,” Hope agreed wistfully. “I just wish we could do this as our own selves, as women.”

  “That is folly,” Faith said. “Women will never have the influence that men have. Telling anyone we write will only destroy what little credibility we manage to win for Arthur Emerson. This is the only way.”

  * * *

  The day of the ball drew near and Oscar Titherington felt as if he had grown more determined by the hour. His interactions with Miss Baggington had shown him that she might not be interested in a pairing with him. The thought that his own rakish ways had caused this brought him a determination to fix the matter.

  He had consulted Lady Torsford on the situation although no identities had been revealed. Oscar himself was not sure of her name. He only assumed that his mystery lady was one of the three unwed Baggington sisters. Nonetheless, he did not reveal her possible identity to Lady Torsford. The baroness was giddy with excitement to know that the lady who had caught Oscar’s interest would be present that evening. However, with several dozen guests she could have no way of guessing who it was that had so captured him.

  “A ball is different than an everyday interaction,” Caroline informed him. “There is something magical about it. There is something that opens a lady’s heart to all of the possibilities of love and the future. Tonight, you must show her. Do not step aside as she would like you to do. Make your statement. Let it be known that she has drawn your attention and allow all the world to see as you dance and hold her in your arms.”

  Oscar had laughed for Caroline had always seemed a very practical and prudent sort of female. To know that she harbored such romantic thoughts at her heart gave him hope that, if a ball could win over Lady Torsford, then perhaps his lady was not so different.

  “The waltz is the way to a lady’s heart,” she said.

  Oscar had waltzed with dozens of ladies and never thought anything of it. However, he had to admit, if he could choose one dance with Miss Baggington, it would be the one that allowed him to hold her close, as opposed to some country romp where they might barely brush fingers as they passed down the line. The night felt full of promise.

  * * *

  The day of the party arrived and although their mother thought the twins were taking their time with their toilet, they were actually working out how to make Faith into the perfect man.

  “It is a good thing you are not as beautiful as Temperance,” Hope commented as she glued hair on Faith’s cheeks. “Otherwise, this would be much more difficult.”

  “You look the same as I do,” Faith shot back.

  “You will have to be sure to keep your cravat tied,” Hope warned after she finished adding the first sideburn and moved to the second. “You have a woman’s graceful neck.”

  “I know that,” Faith said. “Anyway, I do not plan to be in any state of undress.”

  “Of course not.”

  They had planned the excursion as best they could, but when the day of the Torsford Ball arrived, Faith was deeply worried. Her stomach turned flip-flops with nerves. As she went over each detail, Faith’s face fell. “Oh blast and botheration!”

  “What is it?” Hope asked her eyes wide. She paused in her efforts.

  “Mother and Isaac are going to miss me in the carriage, and if I don’t go in the carriage, how shall I get there?” Faith did not mind walking, but the Torsford Estate was a goodly distance from Mortel Manor.

  “Leave it to me,” Hope said. She winked at Faith as she put her dressing gown over her ball gown covering it completely. “I shall return directly,” she said, and then turned back to Faith as she reached the door. “If anyone comes to the door stay hidden,” she said.

  “I am not an idiot,” Faith said as she touched her still unfinished sideburns.

  “And don’t touch those,” Hope snapped. Then she was gone.

  Faith heard Hope wailing to their mother that she would never be ready in time and that Mother and Isaac, should go on without them. That the twins would ride in the second carriage. There was no way they could all fit in one anyway. The entire Baggington family had been invited to the ball, and all but Lucas, who was still at university, would attend. Even their eldest sisters, Temperance and Prudence returned alo
ng with Mr. Crauford and the Baron Halthaven. It was quite the crowd to get lost in. Still, Faith knew she never could have managed the ruse alone.

  Hope returned beaming. “Problem solved,” she said.

  “This is perfect,” Hope said as she put the final touches on Faith’s disguise. “As soon as you have the books, I will inform everyone that you are not well. I will meet you at the carriage and return to the ball. You will take the books home. Then I shall stay and ride home with Mother. Although it is a pity you shall not be able to truly attend the ball. We could hide your dress in the carriage as well, and once you have the books in the carriage, you could return to the ball with me. You could pretend to have a bit of a lie down in the retiring room, to explain you rumpled state. I’m sure if Mercy thought you were sick she would help redress your hair. Then you could at least dance one or two sets.”

  Faith did have small twinge of regret. Their mother had been prattling on about the baron’s ball for weeks, and Isaac said that their invitation was proof of their improved reputation amongst the Nettlefold community.

  “I could never make myself presentable in time.” Faith admitted. “It’s not important. You enjoy socializing far more than I do anyway.”

  “True,” Hope agreed. “But I think we still need to stow the dress for the return trip. It does not matter that it will be rumpled, although Mother will be most upset with you.”

  “It won’t be the first time,” Faith said.

  “No. I suppose not.”

  “Although, she might faint straight away if she knew I’ll be attending in trousers!” Both twins giggled.

  * * *

  Faith managed to place her own dress in the boot of the carriage, before hiding in the shrubbery along the front drive of the manor. She watched from the bushes as Hope, descended the front steps toward the second carriage. Hope waved a gloved hand, and Faith heard her twin speak to Jesse.