'Let us ride on,' Lord Frayne said, heading westwards once more.
He said no more, merely nodding at acquaintances they passed, and not pausing to speak to any of them, but leading the way to a more secluded area near a clump of trees. There he halted.
'Shall we walk for a while? We can tether the horses to a branch, they will be able to graze.'
Damaris was surprised, but agreed. It was a beautiful sunny day, warm and without any wind, and there were spring flowers peeping up in the grass. She allowed him to lift her from the saddle, and watched as he led the horses over to where a low branch provided a sort of hitching post.
They walked a short distance and then Lord Frayne halted, and stood regarding her with an enigmatic look in his eyes.
'Miss Hallem, I am aware that what I am about to say could surprise you, since we have been acquainted for such a short time. But I feel obliged to speak. I strongly suspect your cousin has designs on your fortune, and your person. His attitude last night was more than that of a concerned guardian. It was akin to that of a frustrated lover. No, that is wrong, I don't think he is a lover. But he was certainly jealous of your success. I watched him, after we danced, and he was scowling at every man you even spoke to.'
Damaris, startled, shook her head.
'That is just his way. He wants always to be in control, and for almost four years he has been looking after my affairs. I think he is just beginning to realize that control will soon have to be given up to me.'
'Or to your husband.'
She laughed, and turned to walk further.
'But I have no intention of being married. I will be quite capable of controlling my own affairs after July.'
'Frayne Castle is a large estate.'
'Yes, and my grandfather made sure I could manage it. My lord, I appreciate your concern, and as the Castle was once in your family's possession, I think I can understand why. You must care about it. But there is no need for you to warn me. I am quite capable of dealing with Humphrey. As you saw, last night, I know certain facts about his activities which he would detest to have generally known. I have some sort of hold over him.'
'If you had a husband you would be in an even better position.'
'That is a matter on which we will never agree, my lord. I do not want a husband.'
He caught her arm and forced her to stop and turn to face him.
'That is what you think. But please listen to me. I have known you for such a short while, just a few days, and until I met you I had no intention of becoming a husband for a good while. Yet I know I have to wed at some time, unless my cousin Clarence is to inherit my title and lands, which would be a disaster. He would soon bring the title into disrepute, and dissipate my fortune. But I admire your spirit, your independence, and I think we could have a successful partnership. Miss Hallem, Damaris, I am asking you to be my wife.'
She stared at him, and then, realizing that her mouth was open, clamped it shut. She had read quite a few of the Minerva Press novels, and from them had gained some notion of how a proposal of marriage ought to be made. While she did not expect any man to go down on one knee, especially in full view of the riders and strollers in the Park, she thought there should have been some expression of love and devotion, even if it were not meant sincerely. And she could not believe Lord Frayne felt the slightest grain of devotion to her.
Suddenly she laughed.
'My lord, what do you expect me to say? Am I to swoon with joy, or collapse in maidenly confusion? No, don't be afraid, I will do neither. Such a sudden desire on your part, after we have been acquainted for so short a time, is, I think, somewhat premature. But I believe I see the reason. By wedding me, your family regains possession of Frayne Castle. I am not sure I appreciate being simply the means of your winning back what your father lost, and lost fairly, I might remind you.'
He was looking rather grim, and she chuckled again.
'Miss Hallem, that consideration has not escaped my notice. Yes, I would regain what I have always regarded as an important part of my inheritance, a major part, the first estate the Fraynes were given, centuries ago. But I would not have attempted to gain it in such a manner had I not discovered that I esteemed and admired you.'
'Forgive me if I do not believe your protestations, my lord. How did you know I was riding in the Park that first morning? I must tell you I saw the groom, with whom you appear to have some understanding, run from the stable yard when I was about to set out. Did he come to inform you of my movements? Yes, I see from the blush on your cheeks that I have hit on the truth.'
'Can you blame me?'
'For trying to gain my fortune, just because some of it once belonged to your father? And I stress only a portion of it, my lord – for my grandmother and my mother were themselves well dowered, they added considerably to the total worth, as did my grandfather by his management of what had, under your father, become a somewhat run down property.'
'I accept that, but I am not a poor fortune hunter. I have other estates, and a considerable income. We are equally matched as to fortune.'
'Then why do you need to add to it?'
'Family pride, I suppose. Miss Hallem, please consider the benefits of my proposal.'
'It is of benefit to you, I agree, but not to me. Just as I am about to get control of my own inheritance, you suggest I give it away to you. That is a poor bargain for me. Now let us go back. There is no more to discuss.'
In silence he helped her remount and they set off back across the Park. As they came to the gate Damaris halted and turned to him. Then, almost against her will, she spoke.
'I have a suggestion, my lord. You want the Castle, which your father lost in a gamble. I am willing to hazard it, but only the Castle, not the rest of my fortune, on another gamble. After all, why do you need me as well if you can win the Castle back from me in the same way as your father lost it? What do you say, sir? And what will you hazard in return?'
***
Chapter 5
Luke's hands tightened on the reins, and his horse snorted and began to sidle. He calmed it, and looked at Damaris in amazement. Was the girl mad? How could she even contemplate risking Frayne Castle in a gamble? Did she care for it so little? He felt a moment's annoyance at the very thought anyone could hold his ancestral home so cheaply, and a considerably greater anger that when he did make a girl an offer it should be rejected so cavalierly. He was, after all, titled, wealthy, young and not ill-favoured. He'd been pursued for years by ambitious mothers and love-struck girls. How dared she reject him so contemptuously?
'Let us ride a little longer,' he managed. 'This is something we need to discuss in more detail.'
Damaris smiled briefly and turned Bonny back into the Park. She spoke calmly, as though such a proposition was an everyday occurrence. Indeed, Luke thought, she was a good deal calmer than he was himself. He had not acted well. His proposal, he admitted when he considered it dispassionately, had been uncharacteristically inept, and he had allowed her to perceive his real motive. As an excuse, he told himself, he had never before made any girl an offer. Not an offer of marriage, he amended. He had made different sorts of offers to different sorts of girls, and with panache. Damaris was speaking again, and he forced himself to concentrate.
'I'll hazard the Castle, and those of its contents which came from your family, plus the park and the home farm, my lord, but not the rest of the estate, for that has been greatly improved by my grandfather, and he bought more land, several farms. I'll not include more than he won from your father. What do you put up?'
Luke shook his head. He was still startled, but the notion of being able to win back the Castle in such a manner was beginning to appeal. Did he really want to be leg-shackled to such an unconventional girl, who was merely pleasant looking rather than a beauty, when he could have his pick of the debutantes?
'This is madness. Where would you live?'
'You assume I would lose?'
He frowned. He had spoken unthinkingl
y, but he could not imagine a girl might best him in such a manner.
'Well, you must admit it is possible.'
'Anything is possible. You need not be concerned for my comfort or future residence. I have a house in Ripon. And I could always live on one of the farms my grandfather bought. But your stake, my lord? Would you hazard your town house? I assume you have one here in London though I do not know where it is. And its contents, apart from personal possessions. Then I could live there. Or, since I do not care overmuch for London, I could hire it for the Season to people who have no London residence. Such as you, Lord Frayne.'
Luke shook his head, not in denial, but to clear it. This conversation was unreal, bizarre. What on earth would his aunt, and his mother and sister, say if by some remote mischance he lost the house and their London home?
'My house is in Upper Brook Street,' he said.
'Oh dear. Not in one of the Squares? I would have thought an Earl merited one of those. Is it of equal value to the Castle? Well, never mind, I won't demand the balance in gold.'
Was she being deliberately offensive? Of course Frayne Castle was worth far more than his town house. Or did she mean to mock him? Her head was turned away from him and he could not see her expression.
'It's a respectable house, quite sufficient for my needs! We can ride past it on the way home. As it happens,' he added, knowing he sounded defensive, 'my father sold the Berkeley Square house when he ceased coming to London every year. He bought this one mainly for the use of his brother and family, when I was too young to need a town house. My sister and her husband also use it when they are in England.'
'I see. But you use it now, no doubt. Well, my lord, do you stake it against the Castle?'
This was becoming more and more unreal. Of course, he would not be likely to lose his house. He was an experienced card player, though he did not, like some of his friends, play for high stakes. He corrected his thoughts. These were very high stakes that the wretched girl was suggesting, and if she refused to accept his marriage proposal, what alternative did he have if he were ever to regain the Castle? It was an opportunity he had not anticipated, that he might win it back without having to marry the chit. That was certainly an inducement, he told himself. He had been prepared to marry her, but after the recent conversation he was wondering what other unwelcome surprises she might have presented him with, had they in fact wed. He took a deep breath.
'Very well. My town house against Frayne Castle. What shall the contest be? Dice? Piquet? Swords? Or perhaps a horse race?'
Damaris cast him a look of such scorn he immediately repented his levity, but before he could apologize she was speaking.
'Do you consider me a complete fool, my lord? Though I confess that if I had a sword in my hand at this moment I would be tempted to use it! Dice is pure chance, a foolish pastime when a serious stake exists. I do not have any horse comparable to those in your stables, so would be at a disadvantage from the start. Similarly with cards. You are no doubt much more familiar than I am with card games. None of those would provide an equal contest. I suggest chess, which is a game of skill. You do play, I suppose?'
Luke grinned inwardly. He did indeed play the game, and few of his friends could match him. He had no fear a mere woman could defeat him. She probably played with the local Rector and considered herself an expert if she occasionally defeated him.
'I do, Miss Hallem.'
'Good. The best of three games, then, to be played on different days. Is that agreeable to you?'
'It is.'
'You must understand that in the event you win, I would not be able to hand over the Castle until July, when I obtain control of my fortune. Is that agreeable to you?'
'I understand,' he said faintly. She sounded so infernally confident and was so businesslike he could not but think he was dreaming.
'Then let us ride through Upper Brook Street and you can show me the house I am looking forward to winning.'
*
Mr Willett ignored the smart high-perch phaeton, guarded by a surly looking groom, standing outside his lodgings. The horses attached to it were superbly matched blacks, but not a team he recognized, so it could not be one of his friends visiting. He rented the suite of rooms on the first floor, and as he ran up the stairs he almost collided with his valet on the landing.
'What are you doing, skulking there in the dark?' he asked.
'Psst!' the man replied, and Francis was so startled by this lapse from the usually prim mouth of his gentleman's gentleman he did as he was told.
'You have a visitor,' the man whispered. 'A lady – well, a woman.'
Francis found himself whispering back. No real lady would dream of visiting a man in his rooms, and at present he had no connection with any other sort of female.
'Who?'
'She would not say.'
'Is that her phaeton outside?'
'Yes.'
'Why the devil did you admit her?' he demanded, his voice rising.
'Shush! She'll hear you! I couldn't help it. Jarman answered the door and showed her upstairs. He let her into your sitting room before I knew what he was about.'
Francis frowned. The caretaker took too much on himself. As for the woman, he would soon send her about her business. He opened the door to his rooms and stalked into the sitting room to find Catherine Cartwright lounging at her ease on a sopha.
'What are you doing here?' he demanded.
Luke Frayne had paid off the woman, he knew, and she had soon found a new, and probably more generous protector.
She rose languidly to her feet and came towards him, her hands outstretched. He backed hurriedly behind a table.
'I need your help. I have to speak with Luke. There's unfinished business between us, but he ignores my letters, and unless I positively intercept him in the Park he will not allow me to speak to him. Please, Mr Willett, intercede for me, arrange a meeting. I will be for ever grateful.'
Having a fair idea of how Catherine would proffer her gratitude, Francis shook his head firmly.
'I am not interfering. If Frayne don't want to talk with you that's his business. Besides, what would Stanton say if he thought you were meeting him? I doubt he'd be pleased, and surely you don't want to risk losing him? He's wealthier than Frayne, and hasn't any intention of getting rivetted, so he can spend what he likes on you.'
'So Luke is thinking of marriage?' she asked quickly. 'I did wonder. That insipid little Hallem chit, is it?'
Francis cursed his careless tongue and tried to retrieve his gaffe.
'It's his duty to provide an heir,' he said. 'He'd hate to think of his cousin Clarence succeeding him. Surely you can appreciate that. But when and who he weds is none of your, or my, business. Now, please be good enough to leave, and do not force your way into my rooms again.'
She smiled, and blew him a kiss.
'Surely you are not concerned about your reputation, Mr Willett? Don't be afraid, you are not nearly as flush in the pocket as the men I favour. But you will help me?'
'No, I will not. Now are you leaving, or do I have to ask my man to throw you out?'
She gurgled with laughter.
'That would be an interesting spectacle for the neighbours! Don't bother, I'm going. But you will regret refusing me your aid, Mr Willett.'
*
Lord Frayne and Damaris turned out of the Park and rode without further speech towards Upper Brook Street. Damaris silently congratulated herself that she had kept her temper when she had understood his motive for proposing to her. But she still wondered what mad impulse had caused her to issue such a challenge. She loved Frayne Castle, and if, by some mischance, she lost it, she would never forgive herself. However, she could trust in her skill. For a few startled seconds she had not known whether to laugh at his presumption or ride off in high dudgeon. He had been insulting, making it obvious it was the Castle he wanted, and not even pretending he had any regard for her, apart from implying he did not object to such a marriage. Fortun
ately, her sense of the ridiculous had overcome the anger, and she had swiftly decided how she might punish him, whatever the risk to herself. She strove to conceal her satisfaction that he had accepted her challenge. She would teach the arrogant Earl of Frayne not to assume every girl would fall at his feet in rapture if he offered them marriage.
As they turned into Upper Brook Street the Earl uttered what sounded like some angry imprecation. Damaris glanced at him, her eyebrows raised.
'What is it, my lord?'
He halted, and Damaris did also.
'I was hoping to show you over the house you may – I stress may – win from me, but I see my aunt and cousin have just arrived. That is their carriage.'
A huge cumbersome old travelling coach was almost blocking the street some yards ahead. Two footmen were struggling to lift a vast number of trunks and portmanteaux from the roof, watched critically by a lady standing by the open door of the house. She was enveloped in a thick grey travelling cloak and what Damaris saw, with her new attention to fashion, was a decidedly ancient hat. It was more like an inverted pudding bowl, and two bedraggled feathers hung down at either side. She looked, Damaris judged, at least thirty, was giving the footmen directions in a shrill voice, and in between was snapping orders to a girl, clearly a maidservant, no more than half her age, who hovered anxiously beside her.
'Take that hatbox to my room at once, and the other one to Mrs Frayne's. Then, when these fellows have managed to sort out which trunk goes where, unpack my blue evening gown, the silk one, not the satin, and shake out the creases. You can prepare a bath for me. And make sure there is a good fire. And bring me some tea and cakes, I do declare I am famished after this long drive.'
The maid looked totally bewildered at this avalanche of instructions, and Damaris thought she was about to burst into tears.
Marriage Gamble Page 6
