Engagement of Convenience

by Georgie Lee

  James walked to the window, watching the shadow of clouds pass over the gravel drive. ‘Perhaps by the end of it I may not mind.’

  ‘You want to marry her?’ George stammered.

  ‘I suppose by the auction, we’ll see.’ He’d taken a chance announcing the engagement and wasn’t sure what would happen by the time Cable Grange came up for sale.

  ‘James...’ George joined him at the window, dropping his voice, one eye on the morning-room door ‘...I’ve known you a long time and we’ve been through a lot together, but where Julia is concerned I’ll side with her if things go badly. I hope it doesn’t come to that, but if it does, you’ll find me and Charles standing against you.’

  James flexed his left hand, keeping his eyes fixed on a tree in the distance. ‘I have no intention of allowing things to go badly. I will do the honourable thing where your niece is concerned, but she may not have me in the end.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  James explained her plan to George, who nodded gravely, taking it all in with a large sip of port.

  ‘I see what you mean.’ George rubbed his chin with his hand. ‘I knew she wanted the place, but I didn’t think she’d go this far to get it.’

  ‘I will do all I can to protect her and her reputation. But as you yourself said, she’s spirited.’

  ‘Yes, but better you than the fop.’ He slapped James on the back, then headed for the port. ‘If nothing else, it will be interesting.’

  James laughed, joining his friend in a drink. Yes, it would be interesting.

  * * *

  ‘Well done,’ her mother congratulated when Julia entered the sitting room after giving Davies the letter to Charles to post. She’d written it a few days ago in an effort to phrase her case without distraction or emotion, then simply rewritten it, replacing Simon’s name with the captain’s.

  ‘Emily did not react well.’ Emily had yet to join them and Julia knew she was busy writing her own letter. She could only imagine its contents and hoped Charles’s business in London kept him from coming home to see the situation for himself. ‘I thought she would be pleased.’

  ‘She’ll be less pleased if you jilt the captain.’

  ‘When I jilt the captain,’ Julia corrected, sitting at the small table across from her. ‘You won’t tell her, will you?’

  ‘No, though at some point you’ll have to tell Charles. That alone may stop you from breaking the engagement.’

  ‘Surely you don’t want me to marry the captain?’

  Mother offered Charlemagne a titbit from the plate next to her. Julia picked at the lace tablecloth, the silence punctuated by the dog’s chewing. It wasn’t unusual for Mother not to answer, but this time something about it made Julia uneasy.

  ‘I must also find a way to avoid the ball,’ Julia added. ‘I can’t have the whole countryside knowing of my engagement. It will create a scandal when I break it.’

  ‘You’ll have a stronger case if it’s public knowledge.’

  At least Julia had been correct about her mother’s motives. ‘Yes, but if everyone knows, I’ll be the talk of every country party this winter. I’d rather not subject myself to such gossip.’

  ‘My dear, you must learn not to care so much about what people think.’

  If only it were so easy, Julia thought, Emily’s entrance ending their private conversation.

  * * *

  What followed was a boring hour of flipping through pattern books and discussing trimmings. They invited Annette to join them, but she declined, stating she had no need to rework a dress as those she had brought from London were adequate for a country ball. Very soon Emily and Mrs Howard were debating the merits of their different dresses and doing their best to engage Julia.

  ‘See the way they’ve used the ribbon here. Wouldn’t that be lovely on my white-silk gown?’ Emily asked.

  ‘Yes, lovely.’ Julia listlessly flipped through a pattern book, eager to be free of all this idle chatter and return to plans for Cable Grange. She still couldn’t believe Captain Covington had agreed to go along with her scheme and wondered why.

  Julia touched her lips, the memory of his kiss searing the flesh. With all the excitement of the engagement, she hadn’t had time to think about it. Now it came rushing back, followed by an unsettling feeling deep in her stomach. Why had he kissed her? Could he have feelings for her? Had she finally turned a man’s head? No, of course not. He had no interest in her beyond their amusing game and she only wanted him in order to secure Cable Grange. As for the kiss, what did she expect? She’d acted like a strumpet more than once, so of course he treated her like one. She would have to be more careful in the future.

  ‘I think your blue-silk dress will do very well,’ her mother said.

  ‘What blue dress?’

  ‘The one you wore at Almack’s.’

  Julia shuddered at the memory.

  ‘Oh, yes.’ Emily clapped. ‘It was so beautiful on you. Fetch it and we’ll see if it needs any alterations.’

  Julia reluctantly rose and went to her room. Cable Grange couldn’t be hers soon enough for she was tired of all this ordering about.

  Inside her room, she stood before her wardrobe, wondering which gown Emily meant. She remembered many things about her dreadful night at Almack’s, but what she’d worn was not one of them. Too distracted to care, she snatched the first blue dress she saw. Walking back to her mother’s room, a ribbon fell off, fluttering to the floor. Julia stooped to pick it up, then stopped at the sound of heated voices from Annette’s room.

  The door stood slightly ajar and Julia slowly approached, peering through the small crack. It wasn’t her habit to stare in keyholes, but the angry tones made her more curious than cautious.

  Inside, Annette sat crying on the small padded bench. Simon stood over her, his face red with anger.

  ‘What I do is none of your concern.’ For the first time there was emotion in his voice and no hint of his affected dandy lisp.

  ‘Of course it’s my concern. You’ll ruin us both with your foolery.’ Her tears came faster, but they did not soften Simon’s hard expression.

  ‘I’m not entirely to blame, dear sister. I’ve seen your milliner’s bill.’

  ‘What choice do I have? I must find a husband before you gamble away my dowry.’

  ‘If you’re pursuing Captain Covington, you’re wasting your time. I heard him announce to Emily his engagement to Julia. You might as well set your cap at George for all the good it’ll do you.’

  ‘I’d rather marry a rich oaf than be sent to the workhouse by you.’

  ‘Don’t be so theatrical. You’ll always have Mama and Edward to live with.’

  ‘As a spinster if you spend everything. What man wants a penniless woman?’

  Julia waited for Simon’s response, but all she heard was the muffled sound of Annette’s crying.

  ‘If you’re finished,’ Simon sneered, ‘I’ve hired a coach to take me back to London tomorrow.’

  ‘But Mama and Edward said we must stay until he sorts out your debts with the creditors.’

  ‘I don’t care what Edward or Mama say. Stay if you wish, but I’m leaving.’

  Simon headed for the door and Julia hurried down the hallway and around a corner. She watched from her hiding place as he emerged stiff-rumped and made his way down the stairs.

  In his haste to be rid of his sister, he’d left the door wide open. There was no way to return to her mother’s room without walking past Annette’s. Releasing her tight hold on the dress, Julia crept down the runner, hoping to sneak by without being seen. Annette still sat on the bench, her face buried in a handkerchief, her shoulders racked with sobs. Despite everything Annette had done and said, Julia felt for the girl. Though she called Charles a great many things in private, he was not qui
te so hard-hearted as Simon.

  Julia took a step and the floor squeaked. Annette’s head jerked up in alarm. Caught, Julia hesitated, debating whether or not to comfort the broken-hearted girl. Embarrassment and shame marred Annette’s features and Julia knew now was no time for reassuring words. She fled down the hall, hearing the door slam shut behind her.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ Emily asked when Julia hurried into the room.

  ‘I’ve just learned the most horrible thing.’

  ‘Is it news from Paul?’ Her mother clutched Charlemagne to her chest.

  ‘Heavens, no. It’s about Annette and Simon.’

  ‘Oh.’ Emily exchanged a knowing look with her mother-in-law. ‘So you’ve found out?’

  ‘Is this what you meant by her situation?’

  ‘Yes, it’s the reason they’re here.’

  ‘Our brother,’ her mother interrupted, for she always referred to her elder brother Edward as ‘our brother’. When Edward had married the much younger widow Mrs Taylor, it had sent Uncle George and her mother into fits. ‘Thought it wise to remove them from London for a while in the hopes of curbing Simon’s expenses.’

  ‘You mean his gambling.’

  The older woman nodded.

  ‘Why doesn’t his mother stop him? Or Uncle Edward?’

  ‘The inheritance is entailed to Simon. Though he does pay Annette’s bills, his debts have taken the vast majority of the money. If he does not stop gambling, he will be bankrupt by year’s end.’

  ‘Poor Annette. It certainly explains her peevish behaviour.’ Julia sat on the sofa next to her mother.

  ‘She does have a small inheritance of her own, but she regularly spends beyond her income. Our brother hoped you might make friends with her, teach her economy. He failed to take into account her difficult nature.’

  ‘I’d be happy to help if only she weren’t so disagreeable.’

  She expected Emily to chastise her for the remark, but instead Emily leaned forwards, placing a hand on her arm. ‘You must not speak of this to anyone outside the family.’

  ‘Why would I?’

  ‘No, I don’t suppose you would, despite how nasty Annette has been to you.’

  At least she has a high opinion of me in this regard, Julia thought, but held her tongue.

  Chapter Nine

  ‘What a beautiful day for riding, Artemis,’ Captain Covington sang out from behind her. At first his nickname had irked her, but the more he used it, the more she liked it.

  ‘I’d ride every day if only the weather would allow it.’

  ‘So you should for that beast should never be cooped up.’

  Manfred’s ears twitched and Julia laughed, petting his strong neck. ‘Ignore him, Manfred. You are no beast.’

  Captain Covington laughed. ‘Just a poor misunderstood creature.’

  ‘I think we are all misunderstood in our own way, wouldn’t you say, Captain?’ Julia caught Annette’s eyes over the captain’s shoulder, but Annette turned away, fiddling with her gelding’s reins.

  The good weather had held strong overnight and Julia, Captain Covington and Uncle George decided on a ride after nuncheon. Emily encouraged Annette to join them and, for the first time since arriving at Knollwood, she did. Julia suspected it had something to do with what Julia had discovered yesterday afternoon. Throughout the ride, Annette regarded her with caution, as if waiting for Julia to use her new knowledge in retaliation for everything she’d done. Julia might harmlessly annoy the chit from time to time, but it wasn’t in her nature to be deliberately mean or spiteful and she had no intention of taunting Annette about her unfortunate circumstances.

  They crested the hill along the boundary between Knollwood and Cable Grange, happening on a bit of excitement in a field on the other side. Two men raced questionable mounts across the field, turning around a moss-covered tree stump at the far end before galloping back to the starting point. The drunken group cheered, their own horses grazing in the grass and waiting for the chance to race. Julia recognised a few riders as the less savoury men of Daringford, more apt to be outside the Sign of the Swan and worse for their experiences inside, than bent over an honest day’s labour. The rest of the men were strangers, probably travellers on their way north from London with more hope than brains.

  Mr Wilkins sat atop his prize racehorse, Chester, watching the proceedings with a cool eye. Mark stood next to him managing the wagers and collecting a fair amount of blunt at the end of the race. A short distance away, a large barrel balanced on an old stump. Next to it, another of Mr Wilkins’s servants dispensed generous tankards of ale to the gathered riff-raff who cheered Wilkins’s health with each gulp.

  Captain Covington stopped Hector next to Manfred. ‘Is this a regular hobby of his?’

  ‘Only when he’s lost too much money. How no one has discovered his scam and warned those silly fools, I don’t know.’

  ‘Scam?’

  ‘Mr Wilkins doesn’t ride Chester into Daringford. Instead he rides Chester’s father, Darby, a spry but older horse with markings almost identical to Chester’s, but he’s not nearly as fast. Inside the tavern, he befriends a few gullible travellers from London then convinces them to race. Once the men agree, Mr Wilkins rides home and exchanges Darby for Chester. These men, sodden with drink, don’t realise they’re racing one of the finest bits of blood in the county.’

  ‘Don’t the country men warn the town men?’

  ‘No, they bet against them and win a few shillings, only to lose them again at the tavern.’

  ‘How do you know so much about it?’

  ‘I heard rumours from the servants after Tom, one of the new ones, lost some money to Wilkins. I wanted to know what he was up to, so I sent Tom back with a few coins and a horse.’

  ‘You spy on your neighbour?’

  ‘Of course. Doesn’t everyone? I think it ungentlemanly of Mr Wilkins to wager against unsuspecting travellers. I know they’re just as much to blame for trying to win money instead of earning it, but he’s sorely mistaken if he thinks he can save Cable Grange off these poor souls.’

  ‘I wouldn’t be so sure. A small amount of blunt may be enough to stave off the bailiff.’

  ‘No, he can’t.’ She watched another set of horses and riders take off across the meadow, noticing the money changing hands with Mark. She’d come too far to let Cable Grange slip from her fingers now. ‘We must stop this, if for no other reason than to save those silly men from themselves.’

  ‘For no other reason.’ The captain winked. ‘What do you propose?’

  ‘It would be wonderful to give Mr Wilkins a taste of his own medicine.’

  ‘So we shall,’ Captain Covington replied, mischief igniting his eyes. ‘Manfred against Chester—it’s a fitting match.’

  ‘I’d love to race Manfred and reveal Mr Wilkins for the scoundrel he really is.’

  ‘It is unladylike for a woman to race, especially against men.’ Annette manoeuvred her horse next to Manfred, the warning in her voice clear. ‘Even here in the country.’

  Julia wondered at the advice, unsure if it was meant to be friendly or yet another insult. Either way, she couldn’t ignore the truth of it. Then the idea came to her.

  ‘Captain Covington, we can change saddles and you can ride Manfred.’

  ‘Won’t Mr Wilkins recognise the beast?’

  ‘Tell him he’s a different horse. He can’t risk challenging you and having his secret revealed. Offer him an appealing amount. I’m sure his greed will overcome any hesitation.’

  ‘You don’t fear for my safety?’

  ‘Manfred will take care of you just as he’s always taken care of me.’

  Uncle George leaned forwards in his saddle to peer around Annette at Captain Covington. ‘Has a lot of me in her, wouldn’t
you say?’

  ‘Yes. Sounds very much like something you would have concocted.’

  ‘Then you’ll do it?’ Julia asked.

  ‘Of course.’ The captain threw his leg over the saddle and slid off Hector. He walked around to Manfred and reached up to help Julia down. ‘Lean against my right shoulder so I don’t drop you.’

  ‘You won’t drop me.’

  Julia slid from the saddle into the captain’s waiting arms, careful to place her weight on his right shoulder. She wound her arm around his neck, allowing her fingertips to brush the smooth skin between the collar and his hair. He lowered her to the ground, the tart smell of his warm skin filling her senses. Their eyes met and for a moment the sound of the cheering men and snorting horses faded into the distance and there was nothing but his body so close to hers.

  ‘I knew you wouldn’t drop me.’

  ‘Thank you.’ He raised her gloved hand to his lips.

  ‘James, I believe you have a race to attend to.’ Uncle George coughed behind them, clearly enjoying what he saw.

  She withdrew her hand, her face warm with a blush before she recovered herself. ‘Uncle George is right. We must hurry.’

  * * *

  They set to work unbuckling the saddles on their respective horses. When they were free, James placed his saddle on Manfred while George worked to fasten Julia’s side-saddle on Hector. When they were done, James helped her mount, then swung atop Manfred. The horse took a couple of agitated steps at the extra weight, but seemed to recognise him and relaxed and James knew Julia’s faith in the beast was well placed.

  Out of the corner of his eye, James saw Julia start Hector down the hill and he reached out, taking hold of the stallion’s bridle.

  ‘What are you doing?’ she protested.

  ‘I’m no stickler for convention, but Miss Taylor is right. It isn’t proper for a young lady to be seen in such company. Watch from up here.’

  She scowled, but didn’t argue. ‘If I’m to stay here, then you’d better give me a show worth watching.’

  ‘Don’t worry. I’ll exact your revenge just as you instructed. Come, George, we have work to do.’