Lady Jane's Ribbons

by Sandra Wilson

  She smiled. ‘Ah, still the silken tongue. Do sit down, sir, and take a liqueur with us.’

  He flicked his coat tails and sat on the chair she indicated. Opposite him, Jane was very conscious indeed of the warm blush which had stolen into her cheeks. She felt very vulnerable now that she’d decided she must fight to win him back. Her hands were trembling and she clasped them in her lap.

  Aunt Derwent poured him a glass of the liqueur and then sat back. ‘Now then, Lewis, I didn’t explain fully in my note earlier, I just mentioned that a painting you’d long desired just might be available. I was referring to the Canaletto, the view of St Paul’s from Southwark. Are you still interested?’

  ‘Naturally.’

  ‘I thought you might be, since you once droned on at considerable length about how perfect it would be for the head of the staircase at Maywood.’

  ‘For the library at Maywood,’ he said, correcting her. ‘I fear that even such a splendid Canaletto would be rather lost at the head of Maywood’s staircase.’

  ‘Ah yes, I remember now,’ she replied, nodding, ‘Maywood is rather vast, isn’t it. The library it is, then. I confess that I shall be sorry to part with it, but something has to go because I’ve purchased several very fine portraits by Reynolds.’

  He smiled. ‘A little old-fashioned, surely?’

  ‘I happen to like them very much indeed.’

  ‘Which is, of course, the best reason for acquiring them.’

  ‘Naturally. Oh, I think Jane is in agreement with you about Reynolds, especially as she likes Canaletto so very much. Is that not so, Jane?’

  Jane smiled a little weakly, still flustered by the suddenness of his arrival. ‘Yes, indeed it is.’

  He looked a little quizzically at her. ‘I had no idea you found Canaletto so much to your liking, Jane. You never mentioned the fact when you were inspecting my collection at Maywood.’

  ‘Didn’t I? Well, there is so much that is beautiful at Maywood that I suppose I couldn’t possibly mention absolutely everything.’ She met his gaze for a moment. ‘Indeed, I suppose that that’s always been a failing of mine, not showing my full appreciation.’

  He continued to look at her for a moment, as if undecided how to take her last statement. Then he smiled a little. ‘Perhaps that is a wiser course than showing too much,’ he said.

  ‘Have – have you been to the Feathers today?’ she asked, not knowing what else to say.

  ‘Yes, I went when I arrived back from Maywood.’

  ‘Is there any news?’

  ‘Of the new coach? No.’ He glanced at Aunt Derwent. ‘I take it from Jane’s openness that you are fully au fait with the situation.’

  ‘I am, sir. Indeed, that’s why I’m here in Town – I couldn’t bear to stay away. It’s very exciting, isn’t it?’

  He looked at Jane again. ‘A little too exciting when a certain lady insists upon traveling on the coach in the race.’

  ‘My dear Lewis,’ said Aunt Derwent, ‘how very stuffy and male you sound. I might tell you that if it wasn’t that we’d be putting the Swan at a disadvantage, Blanche and I would be on the coach as well.’

  ‘Blanche is in on it all too? Poor Henry, he doesn’t stand much of a chance, does he?’

  ‘Does he deserve to?’

  He smiled. ‘Probably not.’

  ‘Of course he doesn’t. He’s being very shabby and silly, and by turning his back on the woman he quite obviously adores, he’s being the end in fools as well.’

  There was a silence. Jane felt the color deepening on her cheeks and felt she had to say something to turn the conversation from the rather embarrassing course it suddenly seemed set to take. ‘Some more liqueur, Lewis?’ she asked, taking up the beautiful cut-glass decanter and smiling.

  ‘Thank you but no, I must not stay any longer. I—’

  He said no more for at that moment the doors of the saloon were opened and a rather harrassed Melville just had time to announce Alicia before that lady swept regally in in a rustle of exquisite deep purple silk.

  Jane froze, the color draining from her cheeks, and Aunt Derwent stared at the newcomer in such surprise that she almost dropped her glass.

  Lewis rose to his feet in some embarrassment, giving his mistress a dark look which showed that he was far from amused by her sudden appearance.

  Alicia affected not to notice, indeed she was all smiles and effusive charm as she approached Aunt Derwent. ‘Lady Agatha,’ she said, the diamonds in her hair sparkling brilliantly, ‘I simply had to come up and pay my respects. Lewis said to wait in the carriage, that he wouldn’t be long, but I knew that once he sat talking, he’d be a positive age and we’d be late at Grillion’s. How are you? You’re looking very well.’ Her green eyes slid coolly toward Jane’s still face. ‘Good evening, Jane.’

  Jane couldn’t bring herself to reply. She was devastated by the realization that Lewis had come to her house bringing his mistress with him. True, he’d left her outside in the carriage, but that didn’t excuse him in the slightest. With a superhuman effort, she managed to put the decanter down without revealing how much she was trembling with anger. What a fool she’d made of herself, being all agreeable and signaling that she’d suffered a change of heart; how amused he must be.

  Aunt Derwent managed to recover a little, giving Alicia a rather tight smile. ‘Good evening, Alicia, I had no idea you were here.’

  ‘Lewis and I had already arranged to dine at Grillion’s tonight when your letter arrived, so we decided to call here on our way.’ Alicia smiled again.

  Lewis still seemed angry, although he didn’t give vent to it in front of Jane and her aunt. Glancing at his fob watch, he went determinedly to his mistress, taking her arm and then giving the others a stiff smile which could either have signified his irritation with Alicia or his supreme embarrassment at being caught out bringing her to South Audley Street. He inclined his head at Aunt Derwent. ‘Thank you for offering me the Canaletto, Lady Agatha. I’m sure we can agree upon a price to our mutual satisfaction. Good night, Jane.’

  But Jane couldn’t bring herself to look at him, let alone manage a reply. How dared he bring that woman to her door, how dared he!

  They withdrew then, and as the door closed behind them, Aunt Derwent turned sadly and apologetically to her niece. ‘Oh, my dear, I’m so very sorry.’

  ‘It wasn’t your fault.’

  ‘But it was. I deliberately invited him here tonight, thinking that … well, it’s obvious what I hoped would come about. Instead, that – that creature came up to spoil it all.’

  ‘That creature wouldn’t have been here at all if he hadn’t brought her. News of her husband’s changed mind has most probably made the world of difference, and I’ll warrant she put those few days at Maywood to excellent use. I made an utter fool of myself, Aunt Derwent, and I shall not do it again, of that you may be certain.’

  ‘But my dear, he didn’t look very pleased when she came up.’

  ‘Don’t make excuses for him, Aunt Derwent. He still brought her to the door, and I cannot excuse him for that!’

  ‘Jane….’

  ‘Please Aunt Derwent, I don’t want to talk about it any more.’

  Her aunt got sadly to her feet. ‘I have to leave now. I only wish I didn’t, but plans are plans. I wish you’d think very carefully, Jane.’ She touched the locket at her throat. ‘I don’t think Lewis wished Alicia to come up, in fact I’m certain of it, and if they had indeed planned to dine at Grillion’s tonight, well it would have been insulting of him to leave her to make her own way there, wouldn’t it? Whichever way he did it, he was bound to hurt someone. By leaving her outside, he did at least attempt to spare your feelings, and he wasn’t to know that the wretched creature would take it into her head to actually come up here. Look at me, Jane. He’s still worth fighting for, and if you let this incident deter you, then you stand only too much of a chance of ending up as I have, reduced to carrying around a portrait of the man you love beca
use you can’t have the man himself. Think very carefully about it.’

  She left the balcony then, and Jane closed her eyes, fighting back the tears which stung so very much.

  TWENTY-FOUR

  Henry returned to the house before breakfast the next morning, causing something of a stir below stairs by immediately demanding a hot bath. Jane was awoken by the to-ing and fro-ing of footmen past her door as they carried the water. She sat up in bed, pushing her dark hair back from her face. Henry seemed to be in a good mood, she could hear him whistling as he changed, but she felt very low indeed, unable to forget what had happened the previous evening.

  She said very little as Ellen pinned up her hair, and then she put on a pretty pink muslin gown scattered with white dots. It was a cheerful gown, putting color into her cheeks and distracting attention from the lack of sparkle in her violet eyes.

  Sitting at the breakfast table waiting for Henry to join her, she ignored the array of silver-domed dishes on the sideboard, choosing instead to take only toast and coffee. Outside, it was another glorious day, the sun shining warmly down from a clear blue sky. Light streaming in through the windows lay brightly on the folds of her skirts as she sat toying with the corner of her napkin, her toast and coffee untouched.

  Henry came in at last, his face very clean and pink after the bath. He wore his paisley dressing gown over his shirt and trousers, and she could smell the cologne with which he’d splashed himself rather liberally. His manner was breezy, to say the least, as he went to the sideboard and selected himself a large plateful of scrambled eggs and bacon and then sat down to tackle it. He didn’t say a word to her.

  ‘Good morning, Henry,’ she prompted at last.

  ‘Mm?’

  ‘I said good morning.’

  He lowered his knife and fork and pretended to see her for the first time. ‘Good heavens, there’s someone else here! You were so still and silent as I came in that I didn’t notice you.’

  ‘What would you have me do when I’m on my own, dance on the table?’

  ‘That would be different.’ He surveyed her for a moment. ‘I gather Alicia Brantingham was here last night.’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘And that’s the reason for your reserve this morning?’

  ‘If I’m reserved, you seem the very opposite,’ she said, attempting to change the subject. ‘A bath before breakfast? A cheerful whistle or two while you change? It’s quite unheard of.’

  ‘It isn’t that unheard of,’ he replied, a little miffed, ‘because unlike several gentlemen of my acquaintance, I happen to appreciate the benefits of bathing.’

  ‘That’s very true, but before breakfast? I’ve never known you to do that before. What’s happened to put you in such high spirits?’

  ‘Everything’s ready with the Iron Duke, absolutely everything.’

  ‘Have you found out about the new Nonpareil?’ she asked lightly.

  ‘Eh?’ He was applying himself to his breakfast again.

  ‘The new Nonpareil.’

  ‘No, Chapman’s kept it too close to his conniving chest. Still, I don’t care anymore, I think all this secrecy’s just a ploy, a trick to worry me.’

  ‘Did you find out about the Swan?’

  He paused then, his blue eyes resting speculatively on her for a moment. ‘No, but there is something a little strange.’

  ‘Strange?’

  ‘Lewis Ardenley apparently frequents the Feathers.’

  ‘He – he does?’ She hoped she was registering astonishment. ‘Whatever for?’

  He hesitated. ‘That I couldn’t say,’ he said at last, thinking better of telling her what his spy had reported seeing in the stable – Lewis Ardenley taking exceedingly improper liberties with a tavern wench! He ate a little more breakfast. ‘Where’s Aunt Derwent? She’s usually up before this.’

  ‘She’s gone to stay with Lady Lindleigh for a day or so.’

  ‘Lady Lindleigh? Isn’t she in Vienna?’

  Jane had to smile. ‘Apparently not. It’s strange you should say that though. I thought she was in Paris and Charles was convinced it was Rome. We’re all wrong, for she is at home in Kensington.’

  ‘I could have sworn old Lindleigh told me…. Well, no matter, I evidently misheard.’ He finished his breakfast and pushed his cup toward her. ‘You’re neglecting your duties, sis. I’ve been gasping for coffee and you’re hogging the pot.’

  ‘Gasping for coffee?’ She obligingly poured some for him. ‘You’ve been so busy gobbling you haven’t given yourself time to drink as well.’

  ‘I felt ravenous.’

  ‘You must indeed be pleased with your preparations for the race.’

  ‘I am. Two days to go and I’ll have Chapman by the scruff of his scrawny little neck.’

  ‘If you’re in such a good mood, might it not be the very time to make your peace with Blanche?’ she asked tentatively.

  His smile faded. ‘No, it might not.’

  ‘But you know you still love her, Henry.’

  ‘I don’t know any such thing. Jane, I wish you’d stop all this. Blanche encouraged Dursley and gave me back my ring, and so I regard her as being completely at fault.’

  ‘You’re the one who is mostly at fault, Henry,’ she replied quietly. ‘You continually put Blanche in second place.’

  He misunderstood. ‘Are you suggesting that I was the one who was being unfaithful?’

  ‘That isn’t what I mean, but since you put it that way, then yes, you were. With a stagecoach.’

  With an exasperated sigh, he flung his napkin down and got up. ‘I’m not going to listen to any more of this. I came back here today feeling on top of the world, but you’ve soon put a stop to that. Leave my love life alone, Jane, and concentrate upon your own, which appears to be in a far worse state that mine ever was or ever will be. And in case you should think you still have a chance to work upon me where Blanche is concerned, let me tell you that for the next two days at least you’ll have to twiddle your interfering thumbs, because I’m going to stay at the Fleece until after the race.’ He left the room then, closing the door firmly behind him.

  Shortly afterward, his phaeton was brought to the door and he lingered in the vestibule discussing a few minor matters with Melville prior to departing. Jane had just finished going through the day’s meals with the cook, Mrs Beale, when she happened to glance out of the window to see a groom from the Feathers approaching the door, a note in his hand. She rose to her feet in dismay. Whatever could have happened for Jacob to risk sending someone directly to her instead of through Mr Payne? She hurried out into the vestibule, where Henry was just taking his hat and gloves from Melville. The groom knocked at the door and the butler went to open it, taking the note from the man, who immediately hurried away again.

  Henry glanced after the groom, raising an eyebrow. ‘Can’t say I recognize the fellow,’ he murmured, holding out his hand for the note.

  Jane’s breath caught. ‘No?’ she cried. ‘No, the note’s for me, Henry.’

  He paused. ‘For you? Jane, the fellow’s quite obviously a groom – I could smell the stables even from here – so why on earth should you think the message is for you?’

  ‘He – he’s Madame Louise’s groom,’ she said quickly.

  Melville had been looking intently at her, and now came to her rescue. ‘Her ladyship is correct, my lord. The messenger said the note was for her.’

  Henry still seemed uncertain. ‘Did he? I’m damned if I heard him open his mouth.’ Then he shrugged, thrusting the note into her hand. ‘Oh, very well, if it’s for you it’s for you.’

  Jane gladly took the note and pushed it into her sleeve, relieved that he hadn’t decided to read it anyway, just to be sure. Melville was still holding the door open, waiting for Henry to go out to the waiting phaeton, so they all heard the carriage drawing up outside. It was Blanche, wearing a green sprigged muslin walking dress and a matching bonnet, the ribbons of which lifted prettily in the light summer
breeze.

  Jane was a little taken aback to see her calling, since she must have realized Henry was at home because his phaeton was at the door. The two hadn’t seen each other since the night at the theater, and until now Blanche had been very careful to avoid all chance of encountering him. Why then had she changed her mind this morning?

  Henry had stiffened the moment he recognized the carriage, and his face was now very stony indeed. He accorded her only the very briefest of nods as she entered the vestibule, but she didn’t even allow him that small civility, ignoring him completely as she went straight to Jane, a warm smile on her lips. ‘Good morning, Jane. I was passing and thought I’d call upon you to take a cup of your excellent coffee and enjoy your more than agreeable conversation.’

  Just happened to be passing? Jane was more surprised than ever. She glanced at her brother’s icy expression and then back at Blanche. ‘A cup of coffee it is, but as to the more than agreeable conversation….’

  Henry’s smile was very cool. ‘Don’t concern yourself about that, Jane, for whatever conversation there is will be taking place without me!’

  Blanche’s eyes flickered disdainfully. ‘Then it will indeed be agreeable, sir.’

  Angrily tugging on his top hat, he strode out to the waiting phaeton, and Melville closed the door, turning to Jane. ‘Shall I serve coffee in the blue saloon, my lady?’

  ‘Yes, please.’

  ‘Very well, my lady.’

  ‘And Melville, thank you for coming to my rescue with the note.’

  He bowed and withdrew.

  Blanche looked curiously at her. ‘Your butler rescues you with a note? How very intriguing.’

  ‘It was nearly all up with me, Blanche. Jacob sent a note and Henry almost read it.’

  ‘Oh, no. Whatever did the note say?’

  ‘I don’t know, I haven’t had a chance to read it yet.’ She took the paper from her sleeve and unfolded it. Her eyes brightened immediately. ‘The new Swan’s been delivered! It’s being taken out for the first time right now and he suggests I go to the Feathers at about eight this evening to see how everything’s gone! Oh, Blanche, I was beginning to think we’d have to enter the old coach!’