'Indeed, I am well aware that Lord Ullenwood has no intention of leaving me a pauper, and that it is a great comfort. Perhaps, Bella, we should retire now and leave our host to enjoy his brandy?'
She led the widow away to the drawing room, where the marquis joined them soon afterwards. When Mrs Tomlinson left the room and they were alone briefly, Rosamund took the opportunity to say, 'I hope you will forgive Arabella her outburst. I think you have not explained to her fully the alternatives you outlined to me.'
'You mean I did not tell her I had offered for you?' he said bluntly. ' Certainly not. Bella would think it the perfect solution and would nag you mercilessly.'
She looked down at her hands, clasped lightly in her lap.
'I thought you had said nothing because you were regretting your rash proposal.'
'No. The proposal stands, madam.' His tone was indifferent. 'The arrangement would be convenient to us both.'
Rosamund suppressed a shiver.
'Convenient it may be, sir, but I should still like to consider other avenues.'
'As you wish.'
Over the next few weeks Rosamund did her best to decide upon her future, but she had to admit that the alternatives to Lord Ullenwood's proposal were not attractive. Mr Mellor, the marquis's secretary, returned from Norfolk and Rosamund screwed up her courage to approach him. Not that he was in any way unapproachable, for he had an open, friendly countenance, engaging manners and a ready smile. However, when she outlined to him her suggestion that she should find work with some great man of business or politics, his response was similar to that of the marquis, if more tactfully expressed.
'I would not disagree, Miss Beaumarsh, that your education and your experience in running your grandfather's estate qualify you to be of great assistance to some important family. Indeed, you are in all likelihood better qualified than many an estate manager, but in the instances I know of where women have fulfilled such roles, they have been married to the gentleman, or a member of his family.' Mr Mellor looked faintly apologetic. 'Your presence in a bachelor's household would be viewed askance, and if the gentlemen were to be married, well, do you expect a wife to take kindly to her husband spending the better part of each day alone with a young woman? You might consider becoming a housekeeper, but if that is the case, then you have no need to apply elsewhere: my lord has several houses where there is no-one currently installed and I am sure he would allow you to take up residence in any one of them.'
'Yes, thank you Mr Mellor.'
After this depressing conversation, Rosamund approached the register offices and discovered that a lady in deep mourning was not in an advantageous position. All the available vacancies were to be taken up immediately, and however impatient of convention she might be, it was impossible for her to take employment until she had completed at least a short period of mourning.
Her thoughts were given another turn by the arrival of Lady Padiham. Rosamund watched her arrival from an upper landing, and marvelled at the number of trunks and boxes that were carried into the hall. Then she turned her attention to the lady herself, who had removed her fur-lined pelisse to display a gown that declared to the observant that she was a lady of decided wealth and fashion. She was not a tall woman, and the voluminous folds of her embroidered muslin gown accentuated her ample figure. A white ruff frilled about her short neck, above a dark blue fichu that crossed her large bosom while a matching turban covered all her hair except a few improbably red curls. Even from her distant viewpoint Rosamund thought she looked to be very good-natured. She saw the marquis come forward to welcome her with a chaste salute upon one scented cheek and heard the lady give a fat chuckle.
'Well, Elliot, I am here, and I hope you are suitable grateful for the effort I have made.'
'I am forever in your debt for this, ma'am.'
'Yes, yes, that is all very well, but take me out of this draughty hall, if you please, and introduce me to this little gel you have taken in.'
Lady Padiham was escorted to the morning room by her host, and Arabella and Rosamund were summoned to attend her. Lady Padiham greeted them warmly and immediately informed her nephew that while she was perfectly happy to act as his hostess, nothing would persuade her to venture out of doors.
'My dear ma'am that will not be necessary upon my account,' said Rosamund quickly.
'Miss Beaumarsh lost her grandfather only a month since,' explained the marquis. 'There will be no need for you to take her about for the present time, for she will not be making morning visits or attending balls.' He cast a glance at Mrs Tomlinson, 'Bella will be happy to accompany Miss Beaumarsh upon any necessary outings, but you must see, ma'am, that your presence in my house will prevent the rise of any unpleasant gossip.'
'Yes of course.' My lady waved one fat, be-ringed hand at him. 'If you were married, Elliot, my presence would not be necessary, but you continue your bachelor life, littering the Town with broken hearts.'
'My dear aunt!' he expostulated, but she cut him short.
'Do not deny it, Elliot. Even in Herefordshire I hear the news. There is not a month goes by but there is some other female whose hopes you have dashed.'
'But you will not hear that I was the one to raise those hopes in the first place.'
Lady Padiham, a fair-minded woman, had to agree, but she was not to be silenced.
'Can you blame my sisters for trying to find you a bride since you will not take the trouble for yourself?' she continued. 'You prefer to involve yourself with a succession of mistresses – and you need not frown at me so dreadfully, sir. You know I am too lazy to mince my words; Arabella is well aware of your behaviour, and unless Miss Beaumarsh has been a complete recluse I have no doubt she has heard of your reputation. Is that not so, my dear?'
'Yes ma'am,' murmured Rosamund.
She had been living at Ullenwood House for only a short time, but already upon several occasions she had noticed the marquis pick out a scented note from the daily collection of letters and invitations brought to the breakfast table for his attention. Now she bit back a smile as she watched my lord's harsh features darken into a scowl. He reminded her very much of a schoolboy caught out in wrong-doing. At that moment he looked up and caught her eye. For an instant Rosamund feared that her amusement had angered him, but instead his scowl faded and a wry smile curved his lips.
'I shall endeavour to mend my ways while you are in residence, Aunt.'
'Aye do,' replied Lady Padiham. 'Now, let us be serious. What plans have you for my entertainment, Elliot?'
'Why none, ma'am. I anticipated you would want to live quietly, as you do in Hertfordshire.'
'My dear nephew, because I have told you I do not wish to go out does not mean visitors cannot come to see me. Of course, there must not be music or dancing, Miss Beaumarsh's bereavement precludes that, but a few guests for supper will do no harm. Indeed, it would do the poor child a deal of good, for there is nothing more injurious to the spirits than to be moping about feeling sorry for oneself. Now, there are any number of people I must see while I am in Town, so I suggest a little supper party, Elliot.'
Mrs Tomlinson clapped her hands.
'Oh a splendid idea, Aunt Padiham. When shall it be, shall I know any of your guests?'
'Next week I think.' She chuckled, and the ruff supporting her chins trembled. 'If Bessborough had not taken Harriet off to Paris I would have asked her to come, for she is such a dear, sweet woman but as to the rest, I doubt there will be anyone to interest you, Bella, and no young men for you to captivate, you naughty puss.'
'No I thought not,' Arabella sighed. 'My uncle was a friend of Addington's, was he not? So I suppose the talk will all be of politics.'
'It will not do you any harm to think of something other than the latest gowns, Bella,' growled Lord Ullenwood.
Arabella pouted, but Rosamund said shyly, 'Was your husband involved in the government, Lady Padiham?'
'Bless you my love, he died before Pitt fell, but he was a great supporte
r of Fox, you know. I have kept in touch with all my old friends and I shall invite them to come and see me, if Ullenwood will arrange it. I am sure I do not have the energy to do so.'
'I shall ask Henry to see to it, ma'am,' smiled the marquis. 'All you need do is to be present on the night.'
'Well, what do you think of my aunt?' asked Mrs Tomlinson as she accompanied Rosamund back to her room later that night. 'She is a little eccentric, and extremely idle, but she is very good-natured.'
Rosamund nodded.
'I like her: she is very droll, and she was very kind to me. Do you think she will invite lots of members of the cabinet to her party? Will they come?'
'Oh I expect they will, for she is extremely well connected, and although Elliot is not active in politics they will not readily turn down an opportunity to come to Ullenwood House.' Arabella sighed. 'It will be very dull for us, however. Aunt Padiham's friends are all so old. There will be no-one to flirt with.'
Rosamund considered the forthcoming supper in a much more hopeful light. She had no desire to flirt with anyone, but if Lady Padiham's guests included men who were active in politics, then it might prove to be just the opportunity she needed to find an employer.
With Lady Padiham established at Ullenwood House, life settled into a slow, indolent pattern that Rosamund found irksome in the extreme. If she went out it was heavily veiled and accompanied by Mrs Tomlinson, who was under strict instruction from her cousin to do nothing that would excite public interest or condemnation. Indoors, the two young ladies spent their days sewing, reading, playing the pianoforte or working on their watercolours. Mrs Trimble was a very efficient housekeeper and there was no useful role for Rosamund in the organisation of Ullenwood House. The marquis himself was absent most days, joining the ladies for dinner some evenings, but generally keeping clear of what he described acidly to Sir James as a house full of females.
Lady Padiham never left her room before noon, and whiled away her afternoons entertaining her friends before retiring again to rest before dinner. She explained to Rosamund that she never ventured out of doors during the colder months, but that as soon as the warmer weather arrived she would bestir herself and take a gentle airing in the park. Mrs Tomlinson avoided her aunt's afternoon visitors whenever possible, preferring to exchange notes with her friends on the latest salacious gossip. Rosamund hoped that by being present to help Lady Padiham entertain her guests that she might enjoy a little stimulating conversation, and discover someone in need of a clerk.
It did not take Rosamund long to realize that Lady Padiham had lived retired for a great many years and the friends who remained in Town were more interested in their ailments than in the tenuous peace with France. She was surprised, therefore to find a very fashionable gentleman waiting in the hall one chilly afternoon. For once there were no servants in the hall and he had removed his heavy Benjamin to reveal a well-fitting coat of fine blue wool worn over a garish waistcoat and tight, pale pantaloons that disappeared into a pair of shining Hessian boots.
'Oh,' she stopped. 'Are you waiting to see Lady Padiham? I believe she is entertaining in the morning room, I am on my way there now.'
The man tossed his coat over a nearby chair, swept his curly-brimmed beaver hat from his gleaming fair hair and made her an elegant bow.
'Thank you, ma'am, but no. In fact I did not know she was in Town. I am waiting to see Lord Ullenwood.' He straightened and smiled at her. 'I am sorry. We have not been introduced.'
Rosamund felt her colour rising. How was she to describe herself? The gentleman spared her the trouble of continuing.
'You must be Elliot's new ward, Miss Beaumarsh, do I have that right? How do you do, ma'am? Sir James Ashby, at your service.'
'Sir James.' She dipped a small curtsey. 'Does Lord Ullenwood know you are here? Would you like me to find him?'
'No need, Miss Beaumarsh. Johnson is taking my card up. No, pray, do not run away,' he added quickly as she prepared to leave. 'Tell me how you go on. Is that why Lady P is here, to look after you?'
'I do very well, sir, I thank you. And yes, my lady is a kind and considerate hostess.'
'I believe she is very good-natured, although I would hazard a guess that her acquaintances are a little old in the tooth for you, eh? Dashed if I am not offended that you should think me one of their number!' Rosamund looked up at him quickly, and was reassured by the twinkle in his blue eyes. He continued: 'But how does such a confirmed old bachelor as Elliot cope, having his aunt rule the roost?'
He was smiling, but Rosamund was unsure how to respond to his jest and she was relieved to see the marquis appear at the top of the stairs.
'I cannot answer that, Sir James,' she said, smiling back at him. 'You had best ask Lord Ullenwood himself.'
'Ask me what?' demanded the marquis, coming downstairs.
'How you like having your aunt installed here,' grinned Sir James, coming forward to meet him. 'Elliot, how are you?'
'Well, James, thank you, and I am delighted to have Lady Padiham staying here.'
Sir James gave Rosamund a mischievous look.
'He is always the gentleman, you see, Miss Beaumarsh. I admire that.'
Lord Ullenwood inclined his head. 'You have met my ward, I see.'
'Yes, we introduced ourselves. I hope you do not object?'
'If Miss Beaumarsh does not.'
'Not at all,' she replied, twinkling up at the guest. 'I am only sorry I should have mistaken you for one of my lady's long in the tooth acquaintances.'
'Perhaps, James, you would like to come up to my study,' Lord Ullenwood broke in before Sir James could reply. 'If Miss Beaumarsh will excuse us?'
'Of course, my lord.'
Sir James reached out for her hand. 'I am pleased to have met you, Miss Beaumarsh. I know you are in mourning, but I hope – that is, are you receiving visitors yet?'
'No, James, she is not.' Lord Ullenwood's harsh voice cut across the hall.
His guest did not look noticeably dashed, and Rosamund raised her head to give the marquis a challenging look.
'My lord is mistaken,' she said, with great deliberation. 'Naturally I do not go out yet, but Lady Padiham is at home to visitors most days, and I join her to receive them.'
Sir James raised her fingers to his lips.
'Then I shall of course look forward to renewing my acquaintance with Lady P.'
'If you have business to discuss with me, Ashby, you had best come up now,' barked the marquis, scowling.
'Lead on, Elliot, I am with you now, Your servant, Miss Beaumarsh.' He gave her a last, conspiratorial wink before turning to follow his host. 'No need to look as black as thunder, Elliot, I will not keep you long.'
'If it is the usual question, then I can save you the trouble and give you may answer now.' the marquis threw the words over his shoulder as he led the way up to the first floor. 'It is no!'
Rosamund watched the two men disappear from sight and continued on her way to the morning room. An encounter with a personable gentleman had lifted her spirits and she hoped he would call upon Lady Padiham very soon.
CHAPTER NINE
The following day Lord Ullenwood invited Rosamund to drive out with him. He had sought her out in the library, towering over her in his drab driving coat with its many shoulder capes that added to his already impressively broad shoulders.
'You hesitate, Miss Beaumarsh. Perhaps you are afraid I shall overturn you.'
'No, I know you are considered a notable whip. I am merely surprised that you should ask me. Is Arabella indisposed?'
'I have not asked Bella.'
'Oh.' She regarded his buckskins and gleaming top boots. 'But you are ready to go. I would need to change my dress.'
I have this minute sent for my carriage, so I can give you twenty minutes. And wear a warm coat, it is turning very cold.'
Rosamund bridled at his autocratic tone. She was tempted to refuse his offer, but the thought of going out was too appealing, so she merely nodded and
hurried away to put on her walking dress.
'Why were you surprised I should invite you to come driving with me?'
They were heading out into the traffic of Piccadilly and Rosamund did not answer immediately, but watched the marquis controlling his high-stepping team of match bays as they inched their way through a narrow space between a private coach and a farmer's wagon.
'I was surprised because I thought you were avoiding me. Or, if not me,' she temporised, 'I thought perhaps you were finding it an imposition to suddenly have your house invaded by so many ladies.' She was thankful that her heavy veil concealed her blush, and thought that she would not have dared to say such a thing to the marquis if he had been able to see her face. A glance at his impassive countenance told her nothing of his reaction to her words, and she forced herself to carry on. 'I fear that I have disrupted your life much more than you anticipated, my lord. It was never my intention to be such a burden.'
The marquis guided his team into Hyde Park before replying.
'You are correct. I have been avoiding the house since my aunt's arrival. I was under the misapprehension that Lady Padiham would look after you and Bella, and I would be free to continue with my life very much as usual. It was only when Ashby called yesterday that I realised I am neglecting you.'
'You are not!' she cried. 'Oh this is dreadful. I never wanted this! I had not thought that my grandfather's actions would put you to so much trouble.' She clasped her hands and moved restlessly in her seat. 'I had thought, hoped, that I could achieve some measure of independence when Grandfather died, but I have become even more of a burden, and to you, a stranger, upon whom I have no right at all to impose!'
Lord Ullenwood brought the horses to a stand and directed his groom to go their heads. When he was sure they were under control he laid aside the reins.
To Marry a Marquis Page 6
