Flustered she dropped her fork and the rattle attracted the attention of her sister. 'Sarah, you are quite flushed. Do you have a fever?'
'No, I do not.' She glared at the man sitting opposite. 'Atherton has, as usual, managed to offend me.' He raised his eyebrows. 'However, I am going to ignore it and resume my breakfast as if he wasn't there.'
She busied herself cutting up a slice of ham. She didn't dare raise her head and see how her impertinence had been received.
The room was filled with an awkward silence. Jane and Mainwaring were waiting for the explosion. It didn't come.
'Am I to sit here and starve, Dickon, or is my food about to arrive?'
Sarah left the three of them to finish eating. Her appetite had vanished. She wandered along to the library feeling dispirited and wished she had stuck to her decision to be pleasant to Atherton. What was it about him that made her so prickly? The latest offering from London was a novel entitled Pride and Prejudice, an appropriate title in the circumstances.
When the door opened softly she didn't bother to look up, assuming that Jane had come to admonish her for her rudeness. Then a large hand removed the book from her fingers and she was obliged to glance upwards.
'This has to stop, Miss Ellison. I am as much to blame as you. May I be seated?'
Hastily uncurling her legs she placed them demurely on the carpet before answering. 'Please, do sit down. I must apologise, again, for my incivility. I cannot understand why I say these things.' She shrugged and looked at him appealingly. 'I have no intention of saying what actually comes from my mouth half the time. It is as though someone else takes possession of my tongue.'
He stretched out his legs crossing them at the ankles. He shook his head sadly. 'It is as I feared from the start. You are, how can I put this delicately, a mad woman.'
She gasped and then realised he was teasing. 'It is your fault, I don't have this problem with anyone else. I am the most tactful and polite person you could hope to meet under normal circumstances.'
'And I, believe it or not, am known for my diplomacy and charm.'
Sarah's hands flew to her mouth hoping to stop the giggles escaping. Eventually they both recovered and he offered her his handkerchief to mop her streaming eyes.
'Mainwaring and I must depart this afternoon. I have pressing business in Town. I am arranging a house party at my estate in Chelmsford for the festive season. Could I persuade you and your sister to join us?'
If he had demanded that she attend she would have refused. 'We should be delighted, we will be out of mourning at the end of November. It seems far too long since we attended a social gathering of any sort. My mother died two years ago, and she was unwell before that, so Jane has never had the opportunity to mix with people of her own age.'
'In which case I shall make sure we throw a ball on New Year's Eve. My mother and sisters are eager to meet you both. I think it will be beneficial for all of you to be well-acquainted before you move to London at the start of the season.'
'I'm sure you are correct. I know Jane will enjoy the entertainment. Unlikely as it might seem, my lord, I find no pleasure in being crushed in an overheated room for hours on end. However, I have promised her I shall enjoy it, so I must do so, for her sake.'
A few weeks later Sarah watched the baggage carriage trundle away. 'I can hardly credit it is finally time to leave for Chelmsford. We have been anticipating this moment for so long, and now it has arrived I feel quite sick with nerves.'
'Miss Ellison, this is not like you. I do hope you are not sickening for something.' Miss Read eyed her anxiously.
'I shall be well enough once we are on our way. Jane has no doubts that this is going to be a successful visit, she cannot wait to join in with the dancing and jollity. Although it will be good to have others around us for a change, it has been so long since I was in company, I'm not sure I know how to enjoy it anymore.'
What she didn't say was that in the intervening months she had come to understand the nature of her feelings for Lord Atherton. In her secret thoughts she sometimes called him by his given name, Perry. She had heard his friend use it and treasured the knowledge. He had kissed her and flirted outrageously – but had not spoken of having deeper emotions.
He was her guardian; was this why he couldn't approach her? She was forced to accept that she was irrevocably in love with him. It must be the intensity of this unlikely emotion that had caused her to behave irrationally whenever she was in his presence. Whatever happened over the next few months she would not embarrass either of them by revealing her secret.
They were going to find it difficult enough to remain civil without the added strain of her unrequited love dangling between them. She feared Jane was correct; Atherton and she were too alike in personality to ever deal well together.
Highfield Hall was approached down a long, curving drive and Sarah was tempted to hang out of the window in order to see the house itself. 'The grounds are still magnificent even though it's the beginning of December. There are deer and sheep grazing under the trees. One would not think the grass was nutritious in the winter.'
Jane was as agitated as she, so Miss Read was obliged to reply. 'I had no idea, Miss Ellison, that you were so interested in other people's livestock.'
'I am not as a rule, but the coach is slowing, I do believe we are here at last.' She squeezed Jane's gloved fingers gently letting her know she understood why she was flustered. They had discussed Mainwaring at great length and Sarah knew that if his lordship made her an offer Jane would accept with alacrity.
As the door was opening and a bewigged and liveried footman lowered the steps she realised Mainwaring would have to apply to Atherton for permission to address her sister. Would he give it? Or would he squash the romance before it became official?
She gathered her travelling cloak around her and descended the steps and then turned to assist Miss Read. Jane stepped down last. The late afternoon sunshine painted the yellow stone mansion gold. 'It is a lovely building. I believe it to be quite modern in design.'
Before her sister could reply the front door was filled with young women who waved energetically in their direction. Sarah exchanged an amused glance with her companions and felt she couldn't ignore such an enthusiastic welcome from what must be Atherton's siblings. She raised a hand to return their gesture. 'At least our arrival is eagerly anticipated. Come, let us not delay out here, in the cold.'
Sarah was surprised to find both she and Jane had rooms of their own. It would be strange being by herself, having always shared with her sister. Miss Read had been allocated a delightful suite tucked away in the corner, she had declared herself thrilled with her accommodation and the chambermaid that came with it.
As she and Jane usually shared their abigail, Mary, Sarah had decided she would manage with the girl who had been sent to assist their maid. After all, it wasn't she who was wanting to impress a suitor. 'What's your name? As you are to take care of me it is important that we understand each other.' The girl, who could be no more than sixteen, curtsied and smiled shyly. 'My name's Sally, Miss Ellison. I've been helping with Miss Atherton and Miss Charlotte these past weeks in order to learn what I need for my duties with you.'
Sally was happy to chatter as she helped Sarah change into fresh garments. There was no need for her to prompt, she had learnt everything she wished to know before she was dressed and ready to descend. Both Lord Atherton and Lord Mainwaring were still in London but were expected to arrive the following day.
There were other miscellaneous members of the Atherton family invited to spend the festive season at Highfield Hall but they were not arriving until the middle of the month. According to Sally there would be almost thirty residents, plus their staff, by the time everyone was there.
The footman waiting outside the door conducted her through the house, down the main staircase and towards a large reception room. She could hear Jane's calm voice amongst the giggles and shrill tones of the Atherton sisters. She brac
ed herself and fixing a smile on her lips, glided forward.
She had barely taken one step into the room before she was enveloped in a sweet-smelling embrace.
'My dear, dear Miss Ellison. I cannot tell you how happy my girls and I are to have you with us at last. When Atherton wrote to tell me of his plans, well, we were amazed, were we not, girls?'
Lady Atherton, for it could be no other, released her and stepped back drawing breath for another onslaught of words. When she eventually stopped Sarah took her chance to speak.
'Thank you for your kind welcome, Lady Atherton. We are delighted to be here and looking forward to spending Christmastide with you and Miss Atherton and Miss Charlotte.' The taller of the two girls ran across and threw her arms around Sarah's neck almost choking her.
'Please, Miss Ellison, do not be so formal. I am Elizabeth and this Charlotte. After all, you are like family now.'
'In which case, you must call me Sarah and my sister, Jane. This is a lovely house, is it possible you could give me a tour after tea?' She had seen a sumptuous spread laid out and two parlourmaids waiting eager to serve them.
Elizabeth linked arms and drew her across the parquet floor to meet her younger sister. She would have to wait until the following day to see the only member of the family who interested her.
Chapter Nine
'Absolutely no, Dickon, I cannot give my permission. The girl is scarcely out of the schoolroom and should be allowed to have her season. You mustn't make an offer until Jane has had the chance to mix with other eligible bachelors.'
'But, Perry, if I can't make her an offer now, she will be free to waltz off with a younger man, someone who is not an old crock like me.'
He smiled sympathetically. The carriage lurched as they turned into the drive, they would be at Highfield Hall shortly. 'Then so be it, old fellow. It is better that Jane falls out of love with you now, rather than after her marriage, surely?'
'Yes, no doubt you're right. Do I still have your permission to stand as her friend if I make no mention of my feelings?'
He leant forward and grasped his friend's hand. 'Of course you do; believe me I should be delighted if at the end of the season Jane decides it's you she wishes to marry. But it is my duty to see that both girls get to mix in the ton and meet suitable gentlemen.'
He grimaced as he thought of what he had in front of him. 'To tell you the truth, I'm dreading it. Not only shall I have to protect my wards from fortune-hunters, but also my sisters.' He chuckled at the thought of Elizabeth and Charlotte. 'Mind you, a man would have to be deaf to marry either of those girls.'
The carriage settled into a companionable silence. He gazed idly out of the window, thinking about the meeting he would have in a few moments with a certain young woman who must not know his feelings. What applied to his friend, applied even more to himself. He had to allow Sarah to meet others, so when he made his offer she would be sure it was he that she wanted.
He was startled from his reverie by a loud bang on the side of the carriage and he shot up in alarm. Had there been an accident? The next moment Sarah's face appeared at the carriage window, she was cantering alongside the carriage balancing at a precarious angle in order to peer inside. Exasperated, he leant over and lowered it.
'What the devil are you playing at? Apart from giving us an apoplexy you're like to break your neck.'
She laughed at his scolding. 'Good afternoon, my lords, I trust you had a pleasant journey. I didn't wish to stay cooped up in the house a moment longer so have been riding around your wonderful grounds.'
The coachman had by this time drawn his team to a halt. Perry could hear his friend laughing, and reluctantly he joined in. 'You are incorrigible, Miss Ellison. Now kindly remove yourself from the path so we may continue our journey. We have been shut in here quite long enough already.'
She smiled mischievously. 'The place is in uproar. One would think royalty is visiting the way everyone is running around.' Laughing she saluted and cantered away. He watched her go with a smile playing around his mouth. He was relieved to see she was riding sidesaddle and that she handled her huge horse as expertly as if she was astride.
*
Sarah clattered into the stable yard and her groom, Bill, was waiting to assist her to dismount. 'The coach will be here any moment, you had better warn the stableboys.'
She flung the skirt of her habit over her arm and raced back down the flagged path and in through the side door. She skidded to a halt almost colliding with her sister. 'They have just turned into the drive, I expect you can see them if you look through the drawing room window. I must go and change, and, yes, Mainwaring is with him.' Laughing at her sister's expression she dashed up the back stairs to her apartment.
Sally was waiting, her bath steaming gently in the newfangled bathing room. 'I have perhaps twenty minutes to be ready and to be downstairs. Do you think we shall do it?'
'I reckon so, miss, everything is laid out ready like you asked.'
Sarah had no intention of lingering in the warm water so jumped in and immersed herself; within moments she was stepping out to stand on the mat wrapped in a warm towel. She watched Sally remove the plug and the water gurgled noisily through the hole. She thought it extraordinary that it left of its own accord. When she had the time she would ask Atherton to explain where it went.
'I think my hair needs little doing to it, all I have to do is dress.'
In less than her allotted time she was walking gracefully down the main stairs to join the trio of noisy females milling around in the entrance hall waiting to greet the unfortunate men. Like her, Jane was standing slightly to one side.
'They are good-hearted ladies but I find myself dizzy after being in their company for too long. It is no wonder that Atherton rarely visits.'
Jane nodded. 'According to Lady Atherton, he hasn't set foot at Highfield for over two years. I think that's disgraceful. Whatever their faults, they are his family, and he owes them more attendance than a visit every two years.'
'You're right, of course. Did you think to enquire if they went to visit him? He might not have been here, but I believe he told me they come up to town frequently to see him.'
Jane looked sharply at her, and Sarah realised it had been unwise to jump to his defense so vehemently. Her intention was to keep her feelings secret, even from her sister. In the pandemonium of the welcome given to the master of the house, and his handsome friend, she was unable to do more than exchange a smile with him. He was all but dragged into the drawing room by his sisters, but paused to speak quietly to her.
'I shall escape from this eventually. Meet me in the library at three, I wish to talk to you urgently.'
She was unable to answer, but nodded as he vanished. She noticed Mainwaring and Jane also entered the chamber deep in conversation.
As the clock was striking three she left her rooms and went in search of the library. During the conducted tour Elizabeth had given her the previous afternoon she had been shown its whereabouts and was certain she could find it without seeking the assistance of one of the footmen.
The door was open, a cheerful fire burned in the grate. She was early – or was he late? She hesitated just inside the entrance not sure where she should position herself whilst she waited. She selected an upholstered, wooden chair that she could move closer to the fire.
She closed her eyes, remembering every detail of his appearance. Her lips curved at the memory of his curmudgeonly mood when he had been inside his coach. He looked well, with no sign of a limp, thank goodness. The sound of his footsteps approaching alerted her; should she be standing or seated?
He bowed casually and smiled his heart-stopping smile. 'My dear, Miss Ellison. I do apologise for my tardiness. I was waylaid by my mother – some tedious detail about the supper party she has arranged for tomorrow evening.'
'I have only been here a few moments. I am eager to hear what it is you wish to discuss with me so urgently.'
He ran his finger around his
stock as if it had grown too tight. How curious! She had not seen him unsettled before. Taking a similar chair he placed it opposite her, but not too close, she was relieved to see. He sat and stared for a few moments into the fire. 'Lord Mainwaring wishes to marry your sister.'
Sarah jumped to her feet clapping her hands. 'I am so glad. Jane is head over ears in love with him. This is wonderful news, my lord. When shall he make his offer, today?'
He had been obliged to stand when she had; he towered over her but he wasn't smiling. 'There will be no offer, I have told him he cannot.'
She couldn't believe what she was hearing. He had no right to interfere in such a way. She wouldn't let him ruin her sister's happiness just because he had arbitrarily been given the legal right to do so. She stepped closer to him and he was forced to move back.
'You have no right to involve yourself in this matter. No, don't tell me you are Jane's legal guardian, that is fustian and you know it. It is my right to say if the match shall go ahead. I have taken care of my sister's welfare ever since she was born. If she wishes to marry Mainwaring then I shall give her my permission to do so.' She glared up at him daring him to contradict.
'It is not your decision to make, my girl. She is underage and until she is one and twenty she must have my blessing.'
She ignored the warning signals, the rigidity of his shoulders, the way his lips were pressed together, the fact that his eyes were almost black – she was not going to back down. She was fighting for her sister's happiness.
Unwisely she raised her hand and poked him sharply in the chest to emphasise each point. 'You have been nothing but unpleasant since I made your acquaintance, Atherton. You seem to think you can bully your way through the world. You ignore your mother and sisters until it suits you to visit, terrify my aunt and now intend to ruin the happiness of my sister and your best friend. It will not do. I shall not allow it.'
The Lords & Ladies Box Set Page 33
