His Unsuitable Viscountess

by Michelle Styles

  Eleanor kept her face blank until she saw the corner of Lady Whittonstall’s mouth twitch. Then she was unable to smother the giggles that bubbled up in her. ‘You should have seen her face.’

  Ben sobered. ‘I only wish I had been there. I feared something like this would happen, Mama.’

  ‘Perhaps it might be fine,’ Eleanor said. ‘Perhaps she won’t say anything.’

  ‘Gertrude Branson will be pouring the tale into Lady Sefton’s ears.’ Lady Whittonstall wrung her hands. ‘She has waited a long time for this. She has never forgiven me for when her daughter lost out to Susan Craven in the marriage stakes of 1808.’

  ‘Mrs Branson may be many things, but she is not one of the Lady Patronesses. And she is a snob of the first order. Alice could not stand her. Why did you even approach her?’

  Eleanor ignored Lady Whittonstall’s swiftly indrawn breath. ‘Although I am loath to make a judgement on such a short acquaintance, I trust your late wife’s view to be the correct one.’

  ‘Sensible—very sensible. I would expect no less from you. It is my mother who is being less sensible.’ Ben nodded his approval. ‘Have you decided on your next move? There are bound to be any number of

  gaieties, from balls to breakfasts. Once people get to know Ellie, people like the odious Mrs Branson will not stand a chance.’

  Eleanor’s heart soared. Ben didn’t want her to slink away in shame. He was on her side rather than on his mother’s. He wanted her to fight and he was willing to stand beside her. A great warmth flooded through her. Ben believed in her and he cared for her.

  ‘What I’d really like to do is fence.’

  His face broke into a wide smile. ‘Shall we return to Hyde Park and fence there?’

  ‘Benjamin! You will scandalise everyone! Think of your reputation! You will ruin everything!’

  ‘On the contrary, Mother, I intend to show everyone what fine swords my wife makes and how proud I am of her industry.’ He held out his hand and helped Eleanor down from the carriage. ‘Are you willing, Ellie? If they cannot accept what you do then it is their loss, not yours.’

  ‘I would like that very much.’ Eleanor put her hand against her stomach. For the first time since the miscarriage she felt like her old self. She might not have what she wanted yet, but Ben had stood up for her. It showed that she was following the correct strategy. ‘It would be my absolute pleasure to fence in Hyde Park.’

  * * *

  ‘We have an audience,’ Ben murmured as their swords clashed in Hyde Park. He had chosen a relatively secluded knoll, well away from the Rotten Row, and they had managed two bouts without attracting much interest. But the deciding bout had caused a small crowd of ladies, bucks and assorted people to gather.

  If he allowed the bout to continue Ben knew one or two of the younger gentlemen would be unable to resist placing bets. It was one thing to show his approval of his wife’s profession but quite another for her to become a common fixture in Whites’ betting book.

  ‘I know. I recognise several of them.’

  ‘Shall we end this?’ He parried and managed to deflect her blow. ‘I believe the point is proved for today. We are well-matched.’

  He lunged forward and twisted his hand. Eleanor dropped her sword instantly. It fell to the ground with a thud.

  ‘You are right, and it is your match. I concede defeat.’

  He reached out and touched her cheek. Her eyes were troubled. His heart squeezed. This morning’s mishap had done much to dent her confidence. He silently damned all society. They would return north as soon as practicable. He’d seen his mother behave in this fashion before. She pointed out faults until the woman in question began to accept her word for everything. He wanted his wife back. Not some idealised version perfected by his mother.

  ‘I didn’t mean let me win.’

  ‘I assure you that wasn’t the case.’ She shook her head. ‘How could you even think it? The sword slipped from my grip.’

  ‘When does your sword ever slip?’

  She tilted her chin upwards. ‘When I haven’t practised enough.’

  Ben pursed his lips together but decided to let her evasion go. The last thing he wanted was for Eleanor to start losing deliberately. He’d had enough of that before. When he won, he wanted it always to be on his own merit.

  ‘Then we shall have to practise more often,’ he said lightly, but all the while he watched her like a hawk, waiting for the smallest sign that she understood what he was asking. ‘I require a certain standard in my fencing partners.’

  Eleanor rewarded him with a heart-stopping smile. ‘I would like that. I have missed it more than I thought.’

  Ben clasped her hand and her fingers curled tight around his. He started to pull her towards him.

  ‘Impressive,’ an autocratic woman’s voice called out from the onlookers. ‘Very impressive, indeed.’

  Eleanor jumped back from him and hurriedly ducked her head.

  Ben forced his breathing to stay even as he recognised the voice’s owner. He’d expected to encounter several members of the ton, but not one of the Lady

  Patronesses. Silently he prayed nothing untoward would happen before he could get Eleanor away. After this morning, the last thing she needed was another failure.

  ‘We should go,’ he murmured in an undertone.

  ‘Shortly.’ Eleanor glanced up. Her smile widened and she waved enthusiastically to Lady Jersey.

  Ben flinched, seeing her dream of going to Almack’s vanish before his eyes. In that instant he knew he wanted it for her. He wanted her to once again be the wide-eyed girl who had thought the Newcastle Assembly Rooms were magical. Somehow he’d find a way of making it happen.

  ‘Very impressive,’ Lady Jersey said again, coming over. ‘You are to be congratulated.’

  ‘Not really,’ Eleanor said, picking up her sword, seemingly unconcerned about the personage in front of her. ‘My grip needs work. It has become rusty. I should have made a better fist of it.’

  ‘I meant your sword rather than the bout, Mrs Blackwell,’ Lady Jersey said, inclining her head. ‘I know your expertise in fencing to my cost.’

  Ben stared. Eleanor was known to Lady Jersey? How? And why hadn’t she said before now? This morning’s unpleasantness could have been avoided.

  ‘It is a new design, Lady Jersey,’ Eleanor said with a faint smile. ‘Would you like to try it? It should be perfect for you and the way you hold a rapier.’

  Eleanor held the sword out and Lady Jersey took it with a practised hand. She gave an experimental flourish. Her smile became genuine.

  ‘The balance is excellent. It puzzles me why you are fencing in Hyde Park, Mrs Blackwell...with a gentleman. I have never seen you here before. You are normally more discreet.’

  Eleanor tucked her hand in Ben’s arm. He fought against the temptation to crush her to him and tell her not to worry.

  ‘I am Lady Whittonstall now,’ Eleanor said, tilting her chin upwards. ‘I believe you are acquainted with my husband?’

  ‘Our paths have crossed, but not recently. Your reputation as a swordsman is excellent, Lord Whittonstall,’ said Lady Jersey after pleasantries were exchanged. ‘I can see why Mrs Blackwell chose you. You are well matched.’

  ‘I shall take that as a compliment,’ Ben said.

  Lady Jersey ran her hand along the blade of the sword. ‘What price do you put on this sword?’

  ‘A voucher for Almack’s?’ Ben said, before Eleanor had a chance to open her mouth. ‘My wife has expressed a wish to attend. If Mrs Branson is to be believed it is the only way my wife will be able to set her foot inside the hallowed portals. There again, perhaps you have another solution.’

  Lady Jersey’s tinkling laugh rang out. ‘That would be a small price to pay to possess such a sword. Fortunately Mrs Bran
son is not a Lady Patroness. Nor is she ever likely to become one. Such things are settled in different ways—as you well know, Lord Whittonstall.’

  Eleanor wanted to sink to the ground. Did he think that she possessed no sense? Lady Jersey could not help with her current difficulty with Almack’s. She was well aware of Lady Jersey’s own mother-in-law problem. It must be her mother-in-law who was a Lady Patroness as she could not see how Lady Jersey would have the time, given her obligations at Childs and Co.

  If Ben wasn’t careful, the news that Lady Whittonstall had her begging bowl out would be all around London. She could imagine what the wags would say about that one. Vouchers to Almack’s being sold, indeed!

  ‘Ben, will you stop teasing Lady Jersey?’ she said, putting her hands on her hips. ‘The rapier is not for sale.’

  Lady Jersey’s face fell. ‘That is a pity. Is there no way I can persuade you to part with it? It fits my hand very pleasantly.’

  ‘I will give it to you as a gift.’

  ‘I can’t allow you to do that,’ Lady Jersey exclaimed.

  ‘If I can use your endorsement of it in our advertising then,’ Eleanor said, thinking out loud.

  ‘It is a truly exceptional sword,’ Lady Jersey said. ‘And the endorsement would be discreet?’

  ‘Yes, of course.’

  ‘Eleanor!’ Ben roared beside her, but she ignored him.

  ‘Goodness knows, we have done enough business together in the past,’ Eleanor continued.

  ‘We have, indeed. Moles is one of my more reliable clients.’ Lady Jersey tucked the sword under her arm. ‘I look forward to using my sword, and to telling everyone who has made it. Just as you shall tell everyone where you bank.’

  ‘Business? What business have you done together?’ Ben asked.

  ‘Your lady wife uses my bank as her principle place of banking in London,’ Lady Jersey explained. ‘She is one of our most valued customers. We always share a cup of tea when she makes one of her infrequent visits to London. I treasure them very much. Her witticisms roll around in my brain for days afterwards.’

  ‘Taking tea with you is always a pleasure,’ Eleanor said, bowing her head. She wished she had thought of consulting Lady Jersey earlier. She should have remembered that in addition to being one of London’s leading bankers Lady Jersey was very well-connected socially.

  ‘Hopefully, now that she is married to you, you will be able to convince her to come to London more often.’

  ‘I will do my best,’ Ben said.

  ‘But I must confess, Lord Whittonstall, this is the first time I have heard of your wife’s desire to attend Almack’s. Is this your doing? Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see her there. There are times when I long for intelligent conversation.’

  ‘A recent development,’ Eleanor said, stepping away from Ben. The last thing she wanted to do was explain the exact nature of her marriage and her current scheme to make Ben love her. ‘I believe your mother-in-law might have some influence...’

  ‘You are at cross-purposes, Lady Whittonstall. My mother-in-law has nothing to do with Almack’s, and thankfully has no say upon who might be admitted. I shudder to think the havoc she might wreak.’

  ‘I do apologise.’

  ‘I, however, have some small influence.’ Lady Jersey’s lips curved upwards. ‘I have become one of the Lady Patronesses, for my sins. Someone had to take charge—and I am privy to certain intelligence about finance.’

  Eleanor’s mind reeled. Lady Jersey was a Lady

  Patroness and Ben had known it. It was possible that she could still recover from her mistake. She could easily imagine Mrs Branson’s face if she knew. She had to wonder as well what Mrs Branson would say about Lady Jersey’s connection to commerce—or did she not dare criticise a Lady Patroness in that way?

  ‘Should I apply to you for a voucher?’ Eleanor forced the words from her throat. It was far harder to ask Lady Jersey for this than to ask her for a loan, or any of the other business transactions they had had over the years.

  ‘Should you happen to do so I will look on it with great sympathy—great sympathy and great pleasure.’

  ‘Because of my husband and his family?’ Eleanor hated the way her stomach knotted as she waited for confirmation.

  ‘Because of you and who you are.’ Lady Jersey’s brow knotted. ‘We who inherit businesses have a duty towards them and their employees. It is impossible to turn our back on them. I know you feel that as keenly as I do. You have accomplished wonders with Moles and serve as an inspiration.’

  ‘One does have a duty to one’s employees. I could never give Moles up.’

  ‘And furthermore—’ Lady Jersey held up her hand, forestalling any more comments ‘—I know your intelligence and quick wit. I always enjoy it when you come to London. You must do so more often. Lord Whittonstall, I order you to bring your wife to London more often. She should not be hidden away. My husband and I shall be giving a dinner party next Thursday. You will both attend.’

  Ben made a bow. ‘We should be honoured.’

  ‘It depends on whether my business permits as to when we will be in London,’ Eleanor said carefully, keeping her gaze from Ben’s. Her spirits soared. She had never guessed Lady Jersey’s opinion. And Ben had agreed to take part in society life again. The day

  which had started so badly suddenly sparkled with possibilities.

  ‘You will not mix the two spheres in your life?’

  ‘I had no plans to do so,’ Eleanor said hurriedly, before Ben had a chance to intervene again. Her mind reeled. She was going to get vouchers. She would be invited to places. All her worry had been for nothing. She wasn’t solely dependent on Lady Whittonstall after all. She could compete, and once Ben saw her success he would love her. For the first time since she had started this quest she felt as if it was going to happen. The knowledge gave her a surge of confidence.

  ‘And how is your dancing? We do set great store by dancing. Mr Brummell is especially useful in discovering those people who merely pay it lip service.’

  ‘I promise to dance beautifully.’

  ‘I will ensure she does,’ Ben said. His fingers tightened on her elbow.

  ‘I would never have expected less. Should you require some extra lessons I have recently started a small dancing school at Almack’s, to assist debutantes and those unused to our ways. The Frenchwoman who runs it accomplishes miracles. Your mother-in-law will know about the times. I believe she plans on sending her latest protégée there.’

  ‘I will ask her,’ Eleanor promised.

  Lady Jersey raised her chin. ‘One further piece of advice, dear Lady Whittonstall. You should follow my example. Allow your husband into the bedroom but not the boardroom. I find it makes for a more congenial relationship.’

  ‘I will take that advice under consideration.’ Eleanor watched Ben simmer next to her and silently prayed he would keep quiet.

  ‘Do, Lady Whittonstall, do.’ Lady Jersey swept away, leaving a trail of expensive scent. Her ringing voice could be heard exclaiming about the balance of her new sword and what a perceptive person the new Lady Whittonstall was to know that it was precisely the sort of sword she’d longed for.

  ‘I knew you banked with Childs!’ Ben said, when Lady Jersey’s voice finally faded and the crowd which had gathered had dispersed. ‘But why didn’t you say that you were friends with Lady Jersey?’

  Eleanor tilted her head to one side, trying to assess his mood. He seemed to be taking the news with a great deal of consternation.

  ‘We first met when Lady Jersey became senior partner five years ago, but Childs has been Moles’ London banker since my grandfather’s day. Her father is one of our most valued customers. It is only natural that we are friends after a fashion.’

  ‘You might have said! It would have saved t
he agony of this morning.’

  ‘Lady Jersey had not confided about her position at Almack’s in our recent correspondence.’ She gave a smile. ‘On consideration, though, I don’t approve of Lady Jersey’s suggestion to keep you in the bedroom. You are far too good a fencer...’

  Ben’s lips quirked upwards. ‘My mother will not believe this. It will do her good. She thought you and I would create a scandal when in fact we have performed a minor miracle in her eyes.’

  ‘Your mother will be pleased, won’t she?’ Eleanor asked, tilting her head to one side, trying to discern the cause of Ben’s joy. There was something more than the fact that she would be able to go to Almack’s.

  ‘My mother will be relieved you have obtained the correct vouchers. I am sure she filled your ears with dire predictions—none of which came true.’ His eyes sobered and his face was deadly serious. ‘Remember this lesson, Ellie. You obtained those vouchers on your own. You will succeed on your own. My mother and her ways aren’t always correct.’

  She might have obtained the vouchers, but Eleanor was under no illusion. The hard work started now. Everything had become horribly real. And she wasn’t naive enough to think she could do it without help.

  ‘Your mother possesses quite a store of knowledge,’ she said. ‘I’d be foolish not to take advantage of it.’

  ‘As do you. Do not allow anyone to say differently.’ He tucked her hand in his. ‘And now, my dear, we shall have to visit a dressmaker. I hope to God that my mother is correct about her ability to obtain an appropriate ballgown in time, as I believe your attendance at Almack’s has become compulsory.’

  Chapter Fifteen

  Eleanor smoothed the folds of her new ballgown. The gown was a cream silk round gown, with an embroidered gauze overskirt, and fell to exactly an inch above her ankle as the current dictate from Ackermann’s Repository commanded. When she pirouetted in her pointed kid slippers the skirt swirled agreeably. It was the sort of gown that made her want to dance.

  ‘Tonight,’ she whispered to her reflection in the mirror, barely recognising the starry-eyed woman who looked back at her. ‘Tonight I will triumph and Ben will fall in love with me. He will see that I belong in his life.’