by Carla Kelly
‘My gowns are not the business of Lady Hune’s dresser,’ exclaimed Diana angrily.
‘I know that, miss, but she was so insistent, and I thought she would come and see that I had done as she bade me...’
With a huff of exasperation Diana turned on her heel and walked out. She went into the schoolroom, where Meggie and Florence were working on their samplers under Nurse’s indulgent eye. When they saw Diana they demanded that she come and inspect their progress. Diana’s anger faded and was replaced by the aching realisation that they would not be in her care for very much longer. She sat with them for a while, wondering how best to explain that she was leaving them, but just the thought of it made her head pound even more. She decided she would broach the subject in a day or two, when all the guests had departed and they could be quiet again.
At last Nurse took the girls away but long after they had gone Diana remained alone in the schoolroom, sitting at the big table with her head in her hands.
‘May I come in?’
Diana sat up.
‘Oh, Miss Tatham. Yes, please do come in. Did you wish to see Meggie and Florence? They have gone to lie down on their beds for a while.’
‘Well, then, I shall not disturb them.’ She looked around her with lively interest. ‘It is so lovely and peaceful in here, may I stay for a while, Miss Grensham? I think we are very alike and do not wish to be hours at our dressing table, preparing for a ball.’
‘I, um, I am not going,’ said Diana. ‘I am not well.’
‘Oh, dear, and here am I, chattering on, when no doubt you wish to lie down upon your bed.’
‘No, no, there will be plenty of time for me to do that later,’ Diana replied politely. ‘Please, stay as long as you wish.’
‘Thank you.’
Ellen wandered around the room, inspecting the paintings on the walls, running a finger along the spines of the books on the shelves.
‘You have made this very comfortable, Miss Grensham. I never had a schoolroom, only the nursery and my lovely Matlock to look after me. I was sent away to school at an early age, you see. Papa thought it best that I should learn something of the world before my come-out. It was an excellent establishment and I learned a great deal.’ She bent a mischievous smile upon Diana. ‘Probably much more than Papa ever intended.’
‘And now you are enjoying your first Season,’ offered Diana.
‘Yes, I am, very much.’
‘And...’ Diana traced a crack in the table top with one finger ‘...I expect you have any number of suitors.’
‘Yes, dozens.’ Ellen gave a trill of laughter. ‘Does that sound very conceited? It is the truth, but it is not really anything to boast of. Most of them are attracted by my fortune.’
‘And, do you have any particular favourite amongst all these suitors?’
‘Oh, I find them all most diverting, in their way.’
‘And, and Lord Davenport?’ Diana tried to sound unconcerned. ‘He clearly has the advantage of being related to Lady Hune, who is your sponsor.’
‘Yes, I suppose that is true,’ said Ellen, sitting down at the table. ‘We have met frequently in town this Season and he was good enough to escort us to several parties. But he is an Arrandale and the family has the most shocking reputation.’
‘I think Lord Davenport could be a very good husband,’ Diana observed, a little wistfully.
‘I believe you are right, Miss Grensham. But I have no intention of marrying for years yet and certainly not the earl.’ She smiled at Diana’s surprise. ‘Oh, he is very charming, but he can be a little tiresome. When we met in London all he talked of was his wards and their governess.’ There was a mischievous look in Ellen’s eye. ‘Mr Wollerton and I think he is quite enamoured of her, you know.’
Diana quickly returned her attention to the crack in the table, not knowing what to say. The schoolroom clock began to chime the hour.
‘Goodness, is that the time?’ Ellen jumped up. ‘I must go and change. Thank you for your company, Miss Grensham.’ She ran to the door and stopped to look back at Diana, who had not moved. ‘Oh, and talking of Lord Davenport and the governess—I believe he is hers for the taking, if only she would put herself to the trouble of catching him.’
She was gone before the clock had chimed its final note, leaving Diana to stare at the closed door.
* * *
The sky was glorious, the final blaze of the evening sun sending streaks of red and gold through the darkening azure. Torchères had been placed around the drive and along the covered walk to the orangery, where the musicians were tuning up in readiness for the evening’s festivities. The air was so calm and clear their discordant notes could even be heard floating in through the open windows of the drawing room. Alex was there alone. Most of his guests were already making their way to the orangery but he had sent a message to Lady Hune to join him here. He did not want an audience when he asked her to act as his hostess for the evening. He turned as the door opened.
* * *
‘Frances.’ With an effort Alex prevented himself from frowning. ‘Everyone has gone to the orangery.’
‘Not quite everyone, Alexander.’ She came towards him, resplendent in white silk trimmed with blue and silver, the diamonds and sapphires he had given her sparkling at her throat. ‘Your little ingénue will not come up to scratch. I believe she will cry off.’
‘She is unwell,’ Alex replied shortly.
‘Really? I rather thought she was suffering from a guilty conscience.’ When he did not reply she gave a soft laugh. ‘Poor Alexander, you spend all your time in town avoiding those matchmaking mamas only to become entangled with a governess.’
‘Miss Grensham is joint guardian of Meggie and Florence,’ he corrected her.
‘And that makes it all so much more complicated, doesn’t it?’ She came closer and brushed a speck from his evening coat. ‘She is not of our world, my lord. She does not understand the games we play.’
He said heavily, ‘I do not play games, Frances.’
‘No? Then why did you invite the tedious Mr Hamilton and Mr Avery to Chantreys? Not for your own pleasure, surely. And then there was Madam Francot and the two dancers you sent here. Were you not trying to shock Miss Grensham?’
‘Yes, yes, very well. I wanted her out of Chantreys,’ he admitted, turning again to the window, but not taking in the pleasing view. ‘But all that has changed.’
‘I know it, but there is no going back, my lord. The damage is done and the question is, what happens next? Have you asked Miss Grensham to marry you?’
His shoulders lifted a fraction. ‘She will not have me.’
‘Well, I am glad one of you is showing some sense.’ His keen ears caught the rustle of silk as she moved closer. ‘You and I both know that an innocent like Diana Grensham would bore you within a month. You need a woman, my lord, someone who can amuse you without desiring your constant attendance, or throwing a tantrum every time your eye is taken by a pretty face.’
Bore him? Alex could not agree. Diana would infuriate, challenge, argue, even surprise him, but life with her would not be boring.
But she has refused you.
Frances was at his shoulder, her voice soft and seductive. ‘We are not in love, Alexander, but we understand one another. You need a wife and I would like to be a countess. You know I am perfect for that role. I could run your houses, see to your...comforts and provide you with an heir. I was brought up to do that, bred for it. Your life need change very little, we would be obliged to entertain your neighbours occasionally, very much like this evening, but otherwise we might continue to enjoy ourselves as we do now. I would not complain if you wished to take your pleasures elsewhere. It would be a very civilised arrangement and no one would suffer.’
A civilised arrangement. No raging passion that would ove
rwhelm him, none of the pain that was now tormenting him.
‘Think it over, Alexander,’ the soft siren voice murmured in his ear. ‘Think how pleasant it would be to have a wife who wants nothing but your comfort, who will not disturb your peace with tears and arguments and will let you go your own way, whatever that may be.’
Her fingers squeezed his arm and then she was gone, he heard the soft click of the door as she went out. There was no doubt it was a tempting prospect, thought Alex. He would have to marry at some point, and this way he could go back to his old hedonistic lifestyle, knowing he had done his duty.
And in time the memory of Diana would fade.
He heard the door open again and turned to see the Dowager Marchioness of Hune coming into the room.
‘Well, Nephew, you wanted to see me?’
Chapter Eighteen
It seemed to Alex that there was an endless procession of guests filing in from the anteroom. The orangery was already crowded and noisy with loud, chattering voices, but still they came. Some were acquaintances from town but many were strangers, neighbours invited here to meet the new earl.
He told himself it did not matter that Diana was not beside him to make him known to the local families, Fingle took each guest’s name and announced it in a majestically sonorous tone. Most of those coming in were too awed at being met with not only an earl but a dowager marchioness to do more than make their obeisance and move on, but one or two, like Squire Huddlestone and Mrs Frederick, were emboldened to ask after Diana.
Their disappointment and concern when they heard that Miss Grensham was indisposed was clearly genuine and from their comments Alex realised that although Diana might not go into society a great deal, she had made some good friends at Chantreys. His eyes wandered around the room. With the exception of Gervase, how many of those who called themselves his friends would care if he were ill?
‘Well, Nephew, have you decided whom you will honour with the first dance?’
Lady Hune’s voice recalled his attention. The doors to the anteroom had been closed, his guests were all assembled and the orchestra was tuning up. He must find a partner, but he was well aware of the speculation that would arise when he made his choice.
‘Perhaps it is fortunate Diana is not here to stand up with you, since you tell me you have no intention of offering for her,’ said the dowager, as if reading his mind. ‘Pity, though. I thought she would suit you very well.’
‘Unfortunately the lady does not agree with you,’ he muttered. ‘I wish to goodness I did not have to do this.’
‘With rank and privilege comes responsibility, Davenport.’
‘You need not tell me that, ma’am.’
‘So who will it be? Not Ellen. We both know my protégée is not for you so let us not raise any more conjecture there. You must find a partner, Davenport.’
Alex looked about him. Frances had moved closer and was standing with Miss Prentiss and Mrs Peters, smiling graciously at something the older lady was saying. A few steps would take him to her side. She was clearly ready and waiting for him to invite her to dance. Ready to become his countess. And why not? As she had said, they understood one another. It would be a very elegant solution. She looked across at him and her smile widened. He could see the triumph in her eyes.
An expectant hush had fallen over the room. The musicians were waiting for his signal to begin, the guests were all turned towards him.
He raised his hand.
‘Davenport.’
Lady Hune’s urgent tone and tap on his arm made him swing around to see that the doors of the anteroom had been thrown wide again. Framed in the opening was Diana, dressed as he had never seen her before in a scarlet ballgown that glowed in the candlelight. It was cut low across her breast and fell in soft, shimmering folds from the high waist. Her red hair was piled on her head and only one glossy ringlet had been allowed to escape, falling like a narrow tongue of flame against the cool ivory skin of her shoulder.
She wore no jewels, just a simple length of red ribbon around her throat, but as she came slowly into the room the flickering candlelight was reflected in her eyes, making them glow with sparks of emerald and amber. Those same eyes were fixed anxiously upon Alex and in the near silence that now filled the room he heard her soft, musical voice addressing him.
‘Am I too late?’
* * *
It had taken all Diana’s courage to come to the orangery. When she reached the anteroom and saw the doors were closed she would have run away again, but Fingle was blocking her retreat.
‘Forgive my impertinence, miss, but it would be a shame to come thus far and not go in.’
There was understanding in his voice and in the smile he bestowed upon her. He was right, she had to do this. Diana turned towards the ballroom, put back her shoulders and lifted her head another inch.
The butler moved ahead of her. ‘Shall I announce you?’
Diana gave a little shake of her head. Silently he threw wide the doors and, gathering up all her courage, she stepped forward in a whisper of scarlet silk. She had a sudden, vivid image of Mrs Siddons, making an entrance at Drury Lane. The room was hushed and every eye was turned towards her—or perhaps not.
Perhaps they were watching the earl putting out his hand to Lady Frances.
As Alex turned to look at Diana she took another few steps into the room.
‘Am I too late?’
She prayed Fingle had not closed the doors behind her. One look, one word from Alex and she would turn and flee. Her heart was hammering against her ribs and the blood was pounding so loudly in her ears that she feared she would not hear Alex’s response, but it did not need words. There was no mistaking the explosion of joy that lit his face. He came towards her, both hands reaching out, and any lingering doubts fled when she read the message in his eyes. They glowed with love and pride.
‘No, you are not too late,’ he murmured, smiling down at her in a way that made her spirits soar. ‘Never too late, my love. My goddess.’
He pulled her closer and as he lowered his head she forgot about the crowded room and raised her face to accept his kiss. Gasps of shock and outrage rippled around the room but they were quickly replaced by laughter and a smattering of applause. Diana heard Gervase’s voice calling out cheerfully, ‘And about time, too!’
As Alex raised his head Diana felt her cheeks burning and turned an apologetic look towards Lady Hune, but the dowager was smiling broadly, while beside her Ellen Tatham was laughing and clapping. In fact, as Diana looked about the room everyone was beaming at her. Even Lady Frances had managed a forced smile.
Alex led Diana to the centre of the floor and signalled to the musicians to strike up.
‘Do you realise that we have never yet danced together?’ he remarked as guests flocked to take their places in the set. ‘If you recall, I have been assured that you dance beautifully.’
He was grinning at something over her shoulder and she glanced around to see Meggie and Florence peeping in from the anteroom. Heavens, they must have followed her down the path! She turned back to find Alex regarding her seriously.
‘Do you mind if we stand up for just one dance?’ he asked her. ‘I want the children to hear our announcement before they go off to bed.’
‘Our...our announcement, my lord?’
‘Why, yes.’ The first notes of the dance filled the air and they saluted one another. Alex stepped up and held out his hand to her, ready to execute the first move. ‘I think they should be here when I ask you to marry me, don’t you?’
‘Alex, you c-can’t ask such a thing here, in front of all these people!’
He stopped abruptly. Immediately everyone else stopped dancing and the music died away.
‘Why not?’ Alex’s deep voice filled the awkward silence. ‘After all, you ki
ssed me in front of all these people.’
A laugh caught in her throat.
‘I—that is—’
He interrupted her disjointed protest. ‘Are you going to refuse me?’
Another startled murmur fluttered around the room as Alex went down on one knee in the middle of the floor. He was still holding Diana’s hand and he spoke with ringing clarity.
‘Miss Grensham, will you do me the very great honour of becoming my wife? Will you allow me to bestow upon you my hand and my heart?’ His grip on her fingers tightened. He said more quietly, ‘It is a long time since I wanted you to leave Chantreys, Diana. Now I want you to be its mistress. For ever. Pray, answer truthfully, refuse me if you must, you have my word that whatever you decide, Chantreys shall remain your home, Meggie and Florence shall remain in your care, our care, for as long as you wish it.’ He glanced about him. ‘There are enough witnesses to my declaration that you can be sure I shall not go back on my word. On my honour.’
Once again she was the centre of attention. A few months ago she would have cringed to be in such a position. Now, she barely noticed the crowd. Only Alex, kneeling at her feet. She said slowly, ‘I have never doubted your honour, my lord, but...can you really love me?’
She read the answer in his eyes.
‘With all my heart and soul,’ he said ardently. ‘If you return my regard, if you love me and can agree to become my wife, you will make me the happiest man on earth.’
His image became blurred and she blinked rapidly.
‘Oh, Alex, I do,’ she whispered. ‘I do love you, and—’
Her words were cut off as Alex jumped to his feet and dragged her into another fierce embrace. His kiss was brief but ruthless and when it was over Diana hid her face in his shoulder. It was shameful, totally outrageous to behave this way in public. What would everyone think? She felt a laugh bubbling up inside. She did not care what anyone thought!
‘We will be married by special licence,’ he murmured. ‘But even that is too long to wait. As soon as everyone is gone I shall take you to bed and worship you, my goddess. But only if you wish it, Diana.’
