Lady Jane's Ribbons

by Sandra Wilson

  ‘How exciting! Will you go this evening?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘May I come too?’

  Jane smiled. ‘Of course to that too. Oh, and by the way, if you still intend to follow the race in your carriage, you will have a passenger.’

  ‘I will?’

  ‘Aunt Derwent would like to join you.’

  ‘I’d be delighted. Actually, it was partly to see her that I called this morning, or at least, she was my excuse.’

  ‘She’s not here. Why did you call when you saw Henry’s phaeton?’ she asked curiously.

  Blanche lowered her eyes. ‘I just wanted to see him.’

  ‘You gave a masterly display of the very opposite, if you don’t mind my saying so.’

  ‘I wasn’t going to let him know the truth, especially not when he still puts his coaches before everything else. And now, having seen how he reacted the moment he saw me alighting from my carriage, I’m more glad than ever that you’re doing what you are, and nothing, nothing will keep me away on race day!’ She looked at Jane then, noticing for the first time how pale she was. ‘Is something wrong? You look – well, I don’t know exactly what, but you don’t look right.’

  ‘Lewis came here last night.’

  ‘And?’

  ‘And he brought Alicia with him.’

  Blanche stared incredulously at her. ‘He did what?’

  ‘She actually came up to the blue saloon. It was awful, and I was so humiliated because I’d decided … well, it doesn’t really matter anymore.’

  ‘But—’

  ‘I don’t want to talk about it, Blanche. The subject is closed.’ Blanche nodded sympathetically. ‘I’m so sorry, Jane. Right then, we’ll talk about something else. I came here hoping to see your aunt, but you say she isn’t here?’

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

  ‘Lady Lindleigh? But I thought she was on the Continent.’

  Jane gave a slightly incredulous laugh. ‘Not you too! Everyone says she’s out of the country, but she isn’t.’

  ‘I’m sure she is. She and Lord Lindleigh invited my parents to dinner last week, prior to leaving for Dover. They’ve definitely gone, Jane, I know they have.’

  Jane was very still then. ‘But if that’s so, how can my aunt possibly be staying there?’ She looked at Blanche in growing alarm. ‘Something’s wrong, I know it is!’

  ‘I expect it’s just that Lady Agatha has muddled the dates up,’ replied Blanche reassuringly. ‘She’ll arrive at Kensington, realize her mistake, and be back again before you know it.’

  ‘But she left last night. She’s had more than enough time to go there and come back. I must send someone there straight-away!’ Jane rang for Melville.

  TWENTY-FIVE

  A footman was dispatched to Kensington but soon returned to report that the Lindleigh residence was shut up for the summer, its owners having definitely gone to spend several months on the Continent. The news made Jane more uneasy than ever, but she was persuaded by Blanche that Lady Agatha Derwent wasn’t accountable to anyone for her movements and that to make an unwarranted fuss would probably mean incurring that lady’s considerable wrath.

  By seven o’clock in the evening, there had still not been any word from her, and Jane was very anxious indeed, but Blanche, who had stayed with her all day, insisted that her aunt had quite obviously known what she was doing and that therefore they must leave well enough alone. It was time to leave for the Feathers to inspect the new Swan, but Jane didn’t want to go. Blanche virtually bullied her into ordering the town carriage so that at half-past seven exactly they set off with their maids for the usual corner of Arlington Street and the line of waiting hackney coaches. It was Blanche’s first experience of such vehicles, but it wasn’t long before the initial excitement wore off and she declared it to be an extremely disagreeable business.

  They arrived at the Feathers at almost exactly eight o’clock. The new Swan was being kept out of sight of the street in the stableyard, and Betsy hurried from the group of people clustered around it to greet the new arrivals as they alighted from the hackney, the maids withdrawing to a quiet corner. ‘Lady Jane, I’m so glad you’ve come.’ She hesitated then, dropping a hasty curtsy to Blanche, whom she didn’t know.

  Jane introduced them. ‘Blanche, this is Betsy Wheddle. Betsy, this is Miss Blanche Lyndon.’

  Betsy smiled. ‘Good evening, Miss Lyndon.’

  ‘Good evening, Betsy.’

  At that moment, they heard another vehicle entering the yard from the street and turned to see a smart scarlet cabriolet. It was Lewis. Jane stiffened, while Blanche shifted a little uncomfortably, wondering how many sparks would fly from the inevitable confrontation.

  Betsy, who knew how things were between Lord Ardenley and Lady Jane Derwent, wisely withdrew to the inner yard again, not wanting to intrude upon any argument.

  Lewis handed the reins to the small boy who had appeared from nowhere to attend to the cabriolet, and then he alighted, pausing for a moment to remove his top hat and run his fingers through his golden hair. He looked very Bond Street in his perfectly cut dark brown coat and tightly-fitting beige breeches, and the diamond pin in his russet silk neckcloth caught the sunlight as he turned toward the two ladies.

  Jane walked away immediately, cutting him as surely as he had cut her at the theater, but she didn’t do so from any calculated intention, she did so because she couldn’t bring herself to face him, the pain, hurt, and anger of the previous evening were still too fresh.

  He watched her hurry away toward the stableyard and then turned to Blanche, who remained where she was. ‘Good evening, Blanche.’

  ‘Sir.’

  The coolness of the greeting couldn’t be mistaken. ‘I’m in your bad books as well, it seems.’

  ‘You are, sir.’

  ‘May I inquire why?’

  ‘I think you know the answer to that, sir.’

  He pursed his lips, a wry expression in his gray eyes. ‘If I must guess, then I suppose it must be Alicia’s appearance at South Audley Street last night.’

  ‘Correct.’

  ‘Blanche, you surely don’t think I did it intentionally, do you?’

  ‘Are you telling me that Alicia’s presence in your carriage was a complete accident?’

  ‘Hardly.’

  ‘Then there’s nothing else to be said, is there? You took Alicia to Jane’s house, and that was monstrous. I begin to think, sir, that when Alicia obtains her freedom and marries you, there will be some sort of poetic justice about the match, for you certainly deserve each other.’

  He smiled a little. ‘I will allow that it’s your prerogative to believe what you wish, Blanche, even if you are wrong about the whole thing. Now then, if I offer you my arm to proceed into the stableyard, will you accept?’

  She looked at him for a moment, but accepted the arm. ‘You’re a beast, Lewis Ardenley.’

  ‘Ah, but I’m a very charming one.’

  ‘I suppose even a toad has charm, sir, at least as far as other toads are concerned.’

  They walked beneath the arch and saw everyone gathered around the new coach, which was a very eye-catching vehicle, its lacquerwork the brightest of blues and its wheels a particularly splendid yellow. It was handsome, but it lacked the fine silver harness and elegant lamps Henry’s new Iron Duke sported, and inside it had only very basic upholstery, looking nothing like the Nonpareil with its ivory timetables and velvet seats. The gold lettering on its side was bold and almost defiant, and the whole effect was very challenging, as if the coach couldn’t wait to come out of hiding to take on its unknowing rivals.

  Jacob turned, having been primed by Betsy about Blanche’s presence. ‘Good evening, Lord Ardenley. Miss Lyndon.’

  Blanche nodded. ‘Good evening, sir.’

  Lewis glanced at the coach. ‘I hope she flies, Jacob.’

  ‘She does indeed, my lord. Arthur reckons that with your cattle she’l
l take to the air itself.’

  ‘I’ve managed to get a sly look over the new Iron Duke, and I think we’ll be able to hold our own against it. That just leaves the Nonpareil.’

  Jacob was still looking at the coach. ‘I’d give an arm and a leg to know what Chapman’s got hidden under that tarpaulin at the Black Horse, but I’m more and more afraid that you’ve been right all along, my lord – it’s a safety coach with brakes, and it’ll have the edge on every incline and corner between here and Brighton. Still, whatever miracle he’s got, it’s too late for us to do anything to the Swan, except perhaps put on some brakes.’

  Lewis suddenly looked toward Jane, as if something of considerable urgency and importance had occurred to him. ‘Jacob, has Lady Jane said anything to you about trying to somehow find out about the Nonpareil?’

  The landlord was a little taken aback. ‘Lady Jane? Well, she’s just mentioned that perhaps we’ll be able to find out before race day….’

  ‘Yes, and I think I know what she meant!’ The reply had darkened Lewis’s eyes and now he strode toward Jane and caught her arm, jerking her angrily around to face him. ‘A word with you, madam!’

  She stared at him in astonishment, too startled to react with equal anger, and Blanche hurried over to her rescue, looking furiously at him. ‘How dare you use her in such a fashion!’ she cried.

  ‘I dare, Blanche, when I begin to suspect her of conduct leaving a great deal to be desired!’ He held Jane’s gaze. ‘Where is your aunt?’ he demanded.

  ‘My – my aunt?’

  ‘That is what I said. Well? Where is she?’

  ‘She said that she was going to stay with Lady Lindleigh, but—’

  ‘Lord and Lady Lindleigh are on the Continent.’

  ‘I realize that now, but I didn’t when she first told me! Lewis, what’s all this about? Have you seen her?’

  ‘Oh, stop this ridiculous play-acting, Jane, it doesn’t fool me in the slightest!’

  ‘Play-acting? Lewis, I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

  Blanche was still looking furiously at him, and now the whole stableyard had fallen silent, with all eyes on them. Blanche put a protective hand on Jane’s trembling arm. ‘Lewis, you’d better have a sovereign reason for this,’ she breathed, ‘for if you do not, then so help me….’

  ‘I do have a most sovereign reason, Blanche.’ He held Jane’s gaze. ‘I didn’t think you’d carry things to this length, Jane. Indeed, I didn’t think you’d sink so low. Endanger your own life in the pursuance of victory at Brighton if you must, but don’t endanger the lives of others as well, especially not someone like Lady Agatha!’

  Her eyes widened and the color drained from her face. ‘What do you mean?’ she whispered.

  ‘Must you persist with this charade of innocence? You decided that finding out about the new Nonpareil was of paramount importance, and you’ve involved your unfortunate aunt in order to do so.’

  She still looked helplessly at him. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about, truly I don’t.’

  ‘Oh, what a consummate actress you are – you really do look puzzled and innocent. You could almost convince me you don’t know that at this very moment your aunt is at the Black Horse trying to inveigle Chapman into telling her his closely guarded secrets. When my footman mentioned to me that at noon today, while he was meeting his brother from the Birmingham Flyer, he’d seen a lady looking uncommon like Lady Agatha Derwent dining à deux with an exceeding attentive Chapman, I didn’t give it a great deal of thought, but then when Jacob mentioned a moment ago about how important it was that we find out about the new Nonpareil, so that we’re as prepared as possible, it all suddenly fell into place. Your aunt has been persuaded to go there anonymously, probably posing as a rich widow – Chapman has a penchant for rich widows, he’s married three of them – and she’s bent upon finding out about the new coach so that if necessary we can have brakes fitted to the Swan in time for the race. Am I right, Jane?’

  A surge of guilt swept through her, even though she was blameless. She remembered her aunt’s words the first evening she’d arrived from Beaconsfield. Is it very important to find out before the race? I’ve come up with a rather capital plan myself. That would be telling. Wild horses wouldn’t drag it out of me, it’s going to be my little secret. I’m going to Lady Lindleigh’s for a while, I’m not sure how long, but I promise to be back in time for the race. Jane closed her eyes, for she could even see her aunt’s rather conspiratorial smile. It was all so obvious now, with hindsight. But at the time….

  Lewis saw the guilt on her face. ‘You can’t deny it, can you? You did work upon your aunt to do this, and you knew that it was wrong, so you’ve invented this tale about Lady Lindleigh.’

  ‘No! You’re wrong.’ She looked desperately at Blanche, but Blanche was too shaken at that moment to offer the required support.

  Lewis was still looking at Jane. ‘I’m disappointed in you, for I never for one moment believed you’d behave so callously. I tell you here and now that if it was not for the fact that so many other people are involved in this madness with the Swan, I’d withdraw my assistance immediately and have nothing more to do with either you or your schemes. But my word has been given and I will stand by it. Right now, however, I intend going to the Black Horse to remove your aunt, and then I shall take her directly to South Audley Street. I suggest, madam, that you go there now and wait, so that you can belatedly show a little concern for her safety and welfare.’

  She met his accusing gaze then, from somewhere finding the composure to reply calmly, even though she was devastated by his cold contempt and by the realization of the danger her aunt had placed herself in. ‘I will be at South Audley Street, sir,’ she replied.

  He turned on his heel and strode away. A moment later they heard the cabriolet leaving at speed.

  Blanche looked anxiously at Jane, who was so very still. ‘Are – are you all right?’

  ‘Yes.’ The single word was uttered so quietly that it was barely above a whisper.

  Putting a gentle, apologetic hand on her arm, Blanche lowered her eyes a little guiltily. ‘I should have spoken up, Jane, but I was so shocked by what he said that I could only stand there. I’ll tell him the truth, Jane, I promise that I will.’

  ‘Don’t bother. Let him think what he wishes, I really couldn’t care less.’

  Blanche said nothing more, for everything in Jane’s voice and demeanor said that the very opposite was true – she still cared very much indeed about Lewis Ardenley and what he thought of her.

  Tears filled Jane’s eyes, but she blinked them furiously back. ‘I – I must go to South Audley Street,’ she said, her voice breaking a little. Then she gathered her skirts and ran through the archway to where the hackney coach still waited.

  Blanche turned to look at the silent group by the new coach and then she too gathered her skirts, hurrying in Jane’s wake.

  TWENTY-SIX

  Jane needed time to compose herself when she and Ellen arrived home after leaving Blanche and her maid, but that was not to be, for as she entered the house Melville informed her that Charles had called and was waiting in the blue saloon. Dismay spread through her, for the last thing she felt like was polite conversation, but there was nothing for it but to go to him. She went up still in her pelisse and bonnet, pausing at the door to take a long, tremulous breath to steady herself. Then she went in, forcing a rather too bright smile to her lips. ‘Charles, I do hope you haven’t been waiting too long.’

  He was standing by the fireplace, a foot resting on the polished fender as he glanced through her copy of Lord Byron’s The Corsair, and he immediately put the volume down, coming to take her hand and raise it to his lips. ‘Hello, Jane. No, of course I haven’t, and if I had it would have been my own fault for insisting on waiting even when told that everyone was out.’ He looked into her eyes then and saw immediately that all was not well. ‘What’s wrong?’ he asked, cupping her hand in both his.
>
  ‘Nothing,’ she replied lightly, trying to draw her hand away.

  He refused to let her go. ‘Don’t fib to me, Jane. You’ve been crying, haven’t you?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Jane,’ he said, ‘I won’t be fobbed off, so you may as well tell me.’ He reached up to unfasten her bonnet and toss it on the table, then he tilted her pale face toward his, looking concernedly into her eyes. ‘Now then, what is it?’

  ‘If – if I tell you, you’ll be very shocked.’

  He smiled. ‘I can’t imagine that you’ve done anything shocking.’

  ‘But I have.’ The tears filled her eyes again then, rolling hotly down her cheeks. ‘I’ve been s-so foolish, Charles, and now Aunt Derwent’s in danger because of me. I wish I’d n-never started it all, t-truly I do.’

  ‘Started what? Jane, I think you’d better explain properly.’ Gently taking her arm, he led her to a sofa, sitting her down and then joining her. He smiled a little. ‘What’s all this about, mm? How on earth can your aunt be in danger because of you?’

  She drew a deep breath. ‘She’s become involved in all my plotting behind Henry’s back.’ her voice was steadier now.

  ‘Plotting?’

  ‘I was so angry with him after his absence from Blanche’s ball that I decided to teach him a lesson.’ She met his gaze. ‘I’ve been financing the Swan stagecoach, Charles, and it was my intention to enter it in the Midsummer Day race. Now I’m not so sure….’

  He was staring at her. ‘You’ve been financing a stagecoach?’

  ‘Yes.’ She lowered her eyes. ‘I told you you’d be shocked.’

  ‘Amazed would be a more appropriate word. So, you decided to teach Henry a lesson, I can understand that, but I still don’t see how this involves your aunt in any danger.’

  ‘It was all my fault for embroiling her in the first place, but I had to think of someone when Henry kept questioning me.’

  He looked more closely at her then. ‘You’re talking about that day in the billiard room, aren’t you?’