The Rebellious Debutante

by Meg Alexander

  ‘Of course she doesn’t.’

  ‘Then how did Louise…? I mean, how did she come to be allowed out on her own?’

  ‘She just walked off. She’s so quiet that Miss Bedlington didn’t miss her.’

  ‘But this man? Who is he, and where does he come from?’

  ‘He lives in Bath. He has connections here.’

  ‘Well, I think he might have waited before proposing to Louise. She could have been in no condition to consider.’

  ‘Oh, don’t be so prosy! He didn’t offer on that day, you goose. She has known him for some weeks.’

  ‘That will please Rushmore.’ Perdita’s ironic tone was not lost upon Amy.

  ‘Why should he not be pleased? He wants her to marry, doesn’t he? After all, she’ll be off his hands.’

  ‘I think you’ll find that he doesn’t take his responsibilities so lightly.’ Perdita left it there, but her sister’s news had cast a cloud upon her spirits. Rushmore’s appearance in Bath could not now be long delayed. She shuddered to think of his reaction.

  His arrival was unexpected, but she sensed his presence halfway through a concert. She glanced round and her heart sank. That thunderous expression boded ill for both Louise and her admirer. Perdita was in no doubt that the connection was already known to him.

  Chapter Six

  Under the cover of a particularly spirited passage in the music Perdita nudged her sister.

  ‘Rushmore is here,’ she whispered. ‘He is standing by the door. Don’t turn your head! I believe he has seen us already.’

  Amy waited for a moment or two. Then she stole a glance in his lordship’s direction.

  ‘Oh, Lord, just look at his expression! He must have murder on his mind…shall I tell Louise?’

  ‘Wait until the interval,’ Perdita hissed. ‘I doubt if he will approach us in the middle of the recital, but I think we should warn Aunt Trixie.’

  Very little escaped that lady’s notice. ‘Yes, I have seen the Earl,’ she announced. ‘It is impossible to mistake him. He is the image of his father, and sadly he wears the same unfortunate look. Don’t allow it to worry you, my dears. His ill humour can have nothing to do with you.’

  Minutes later the music stopped and the players retired for refreshments. To Perdita’s relief, Miss Langrishe and her party were surrounded at once by a group of her friends. With any luck they would stay throughout the interval, making it impossible for Rushmore to approach them.

  She was mistaken. The crowd parted as if by magic to allow his lordship through. His bow to Miss Langrishe was stiff in the extreme.

  ‘My name is Rushmore, ma’am. I am sorry to break in upon your party in this way, but—’

  ‘No need for formality, Adam. My dear boy, I knew you when you were in leading strings. What a pleasure to see you again! Come, sit by me and tell me all your news. I was sorry to hear about your father.’

  His lordship was nonplussed. Whatever reception he had expected, it was most certainly not to be greeted by this affable smiling elderly lady as if he were barely out of the nursery.

  ‘Thank you, ma’am!’ He bowed again to acknowledge the expression of sympathy. ‘You are very kind. However, if you will forgive me, I have come to find my ward. Miss Bedlington assured me that I should find her here.’

  He bent his gaze upon Louise with such a stern expression that she quailed and shrank closer to Perdita.

  ‘You have not met, I think,’ Miss Langrishe said in an equable tone. ‘Louise, my dear, you must make your curtsy to your guardian.’

  Louise rose to her feet, curtsied, and resumed her seat.

  ‘I think we must go before the music starts again,’ Rushmore said sharply. ‘I have much to say to you—’

  ‘But not at this particular moment, I must hope.’ Miss Langrishe was in full command of the situation. ‘My dear boy, I can’t allow you to steal my guest away in this hurly-burly manner. Louise does not know you. I cannot allow her to leave here with a man who is a stranger to her.’

  ‘Must I remind you that she is my ward, madam?’

  ‘You have already done so.’ Miss Langrishe beckoned Colonel Waters to her side. ‘Here is Rushmore’s boy,’ she said. ‘Is he not the living image of his father?’

  The Colonel agreed. Privately he considered that the likeness was astonishing, even down to the ugly look upon his lordship’s face.

  Miss Langrishe appeared to be unaware of it. She knew quite well that Rushmore was at a standstill. He could hardly drag Louise from the Assembly Rooms by main force.

  ‘Do sit down, my dear,’ she begged. ‘You know both Amy and Perdita, I believe. They must be happy to see you here in Bath.’

  Perdita’s gasp of disbelief at this astonishing statement apparently went unnoticed by her aunt, but it brought a grim smile to his lordship’s lips. He did not argue further as he took a seat beside her. She could not resist the opportunity to taunt him further.

  ‘Are you fond of music, sir?’ she asked. ‘I hear that it is said to soothe the savage breast.’

  ‘At this moment I feel savage,’ he told her coldly. ‘I might have known that I should find you somewhere in this plot.’

  ‘Which plot is that, my lord?’ Perdita gave him her sweetest smile. ‘Does someone plan to assassinate you?’

  ‘Don’t raise your hopes, Miss Wentworth. You won’t be rid of me so easily. I am speaking of this unfortunate attachment. You must have known that Louise is embroiled in an unsuitable affair.’

  ‘You are well informed, sir, especially as you have not met Louise before this evening.

  ‘I am well informed because she wrote to me herself. Good lord, she even thought that I’d be pleased to give my permission as it would take her off my hands!’

  ‘Pray moderate your language, sir! You shock me!’ Perdita raised her fan, revealing nothing of her face except a pair of sparkling eyes. She was enjoying herself hugely.

  ‘I’ll do more than shock you! I’d like to put you across my knee!’

  ‘Great heavens, my lord…such violence! It can only recommend you to the female sex. We are said to prefer the company of undesirables, you know.’

  ‘It’s God help the man who takes you on,’ he snarled.

  ‘The feeling is mutual, sir.’

  Rushmore was about to reply when the musicians returned. A request for silence was met with a hush from the audience and he was forced to listen with all the patience at his command until the concert ended.

  He was on his feet at once, and he addressed Miss Langrishe direct.

  ‘Ma’am, I believe you can have no knowledge of what has been taking place in secret, as far as my ward is concerned. I must insist—’

  ‘You may insist to your heart’s content, my dear Adam, but this is hardly the place. Louise and my nieces stay with me this evening. I would suggest that you return to Laura Place with us. Then you may explain yourself.’

  Perdita hid a smile. Miss Langrishe had wrong-footed this angry young man. Now he was to be asked to account for his own behaviour, rather than criticising that of others. It did not improve his temper.

  Her aunt swept into her salon and ordered tea. ‘Wine for you, my lord?’ she asked.

  ‘No, I thank you, ma’am. Now, if I might explain the reason why I am here in Bath?’

  ‘Yes, I think you should do that.’ Miss Langrishe sat back in her chair, prepared to give him her full attention. She had known from the first that something was sadly wrong. Even Rushmore’s son would not have appeared with a face like thunder, prepared to remove his ward without a by-your-leave. None of this showed in her expression.

  ‘May I not speak to Louise in private?’ Rushmore said stiffly.

  ‘Oh, we are all friends here, my dear. We have no secrets from each other.’

  ‘Ma’am, I think you will find that that may not be the truth of it. This morning I received a letter from Louise, in which she expressed her intention to be married.’

  Miss Langrishe was unab
le to hide her astonishment. She turned to the shrinking girl. ‘Is this true?’ she asked.

  ‘Ma’am, there was nothing underhand,’ Louise whispered. ‘I wrote to my guardian at once, asking his permission for me to wed. I thought he would be pleased.’

  ‘Did you, indeed?’ Rushmore was barely in control of his temper. ‘How old are you, miss? Not yet seventeen, I fancy. What age is that to make a decision for life?’ He stood over the girl until she cowered away from him.

  ‘You are being unfair,’ Perdita told him. ‘Have you met the man to whom Louise is betrothed?’

  ‘Louise is not betrothed,’ he said darkly. ‘Nor will she become so, for the next year or more.’

  ‘You haven’t answered my question.’

  ‘With all respect to your aunt, Miss Wentworth, this matter need not concern you—’

  ‘But it does concern us,’ Perdita flashed back. ‘Louise is a dear friend of ours.’

  ‘You surprise me! Since the welfare of our friends must be of importance to us I had imagined that you would advise her of the folly of her action, rather than supporting her against me—’

  ‘They have not done so,’ Louise told him in a faint voice. She was on the verge of tears. ‘Miss Langrishe and Perdita know nothing of this, and I told Amy only yesterday.’ A sob escaped her lips.

  ‘Perdita, I suggest that you and Amy take Louise to her room. The Earl and I will discuss this matter further…’ Miss Langrishe waited until the door had closed behind the girls. Then she turned to Rushmore.

  ‘Well, Adam, have you taken leave of your senses? This is no way to go on. You have frightened Louise half out of her wits. Take care or you may push her into an elopement.’

  ‘I think not, ma’am.’ His lordship’s voice was cold. ‘She will leave Bath with me tomorrow. From now on I don’t intend to let her out of my sight.’

  ‘That may be difficult for you. Where will you take her? To your London house to be locked in her room? It seems a somewhat Gothic course of action and it won’t enhance her reputation, or your own, unless of course, you intend to wed her yourself.’

  ‘What!’ The Earl’s roar of anger could be heard throughout the house. ‘Allow me to inform you, ma’am, that nothing could be further from my mind.’

  ‘I’m glad to hear it. In any case, I doubt if she would take you. Now, do sit down, my dear, instead of behaving like a nincompoop. It may surprise you to hear that I am entirely of your opinion in this matter, but it is always a mistake to indulge in dagger-drawing with the young. Nothing is more likely to harden their opposition to your wishes, especially when a supposed grand passion is involved.’

  Rushmore was strongly tempted to swear aloud, but he restrained himself from doing so. ‘Grand passion, indeed! Louise is a schoolgirl, ma’am. I am at a loss to understand how she came to be allowed the freedom to become acquainted with this fellow. Miss Bedlington has much to answer for.’

  ‘Have you thought of this from Louise’s point of view?’

  ‘I have not, Miss Langrishe.’ Rushmore threw himself into a chair. ‘An understanding of young girls is quite beyond me.’

  Miss Langrishe reflected privately that this statement most probably included his lordship’s understanding of women in general, but she did not say so.

  ‘Louise must have been very lonely,’ she said gently. ‘Not even her schoolfriends were at hand to comfort her, and Miss Bedlington, though an excellent teacher, is not the warmest of creatures… I lay no blame on you, my dear boy. I know that your time is not your own, but can you wonder that Louise would be affected by an offer of affection?’

  ‘I suppose not,’ Rushmore admitted grudgingly. ‘But what am I to do? Your nieces already regard me as an ogre, as I’m sure they have informed you. I can expect no help from them.’

  Miss Langrishe regarded him thoughtfully. ‘I think you may be mistaken in that belief. The girls are not as gullible as you might suppose. Naturally they will defend their friend, but it won’t have escaped their notice that this young man, whoever he may be, has done Louise no service in attempting to attach her affections in such an underhand way.’

  Rushmore said nothing, though clearly he was unconvinced.

  ‘They will know, of course, that he should have sought a proper introduction to her, through her connections, and asked her guardian for permission to address her.’

  ‘Well, at least we are agreed in that respect,’ the Earl said heavily. ‘Louise is an heiress, ma’am, and a tempting target for any gazetted fortune-hunter, especially as she is so young. I blame myself, you know. I promised her father that I would take good care of her.’

  ‘And you will do so, Adam. You shall not think that you have let her down. Now, we must consider what is to be done. A fresh start is needed, I believe. Why not call upon us tomorrow when we may have a sensible discussion with Louise?’

  ‘I still think it would be best to take her back to London—’

  ‘Nonsense! Will you make a martyr of her? We must consider a more subtle approach. Let us speak to her about the young man. Then, at least, you will be in a position to make enquiries about him. And do try not to scowl at her, my dear. More flies were caught with honey than with a blunderbuss.’

  She was rewarded with a reluctant smile.

  ‘That’s better!’ she approved. ‘Use your charm, my dear. Louise is an intelligent girl. If you reason with her sensibly, she will understand your concerns.’

  His lordship looked at her and his gloomy expression lifted. On an impulse he kissed her hand. ‘What a diplomat you are!’ he said admiringly. ‘You should be in government, ma’am.’

  Miss Langrishe laughed at that. ‘Not all of my views would be welcomed in political circles,’ she said cheerfully. ‘Where are you staying, Adam?’

  ‘I am at the York House, ma’am.’

  ‘For several days, I hope?’ Her look was full of meaning.

  He threw up his hands in surrender. ‘It shall be as you wish. I promise not to drag my unwilling charge back to London tomorrow.’

  ‘How sensible! Believe me, all will be well, if you allow a little time to straighten out this muddle.’

  He left her then, but he had barely gained the street before Perdita returned to her aunt’s side. She was clearly ill at ease.

  ‘Was I wrong to speak out as I did?’ she asked anxiously. ‘The Earl seemed about to threaten to beat Louise…’

  ‘His lordship had had a shock, my dear, as had we all.’

  ‘I know, but he might have spoken more gently instead of flying into the boughs as usual.’

  ‘It was understandable, my love. Even your father, tolerant though he is, would have found such behaviour unacceptable. Don’t you agree?’

  Perdita nodded. ‘I know that it was wrong,’ she admitted. ‘But, Aunt, she felt so sad and lonely…’

  Miss Langrishe patted her hand. ‘Has she told you anything about this man? I have been wondering why he did not approach her guardian first.’

  ‘He is a visitor to Bath, Aunt Trixie. He knew no one who might have provided him with an introduction to Louise. He spoke to her on impulse, I believe, when he found her weeping in the park. That was kind, you will agree.’

  ‘It was, my dear, and might have been forgiven if matters had gone no further, but you will not tell me that he proposed on that occasion. There must have been clandestine meetings. Why did Louise agree to that?’

  ‘She knew that Miss Bedlington would forbid her to see him.’

  ‘In this instance, Miss Bedlington would have been right. Louise was in her care. How could she countenance a friendship with a stranger of whom she knew nothing?’

  Perdita was silent for several moments. ‘What does the Earl intend to do?’ she asked at last. ‘I suppose he will punish Louise by sending her to Yorkshire, or some such place.’

  ‘Not at all,’ her aunt said mildly. ‘Naturally, his lordship wishes to have a sensible discussion with Louise. That would be wise, I think, don’t y
ou?’

  Perdita grimaced. ‘Do you think him capable of a sensible discussion, Aunt? For my part, I do not. He is too accustomed to issuing orders and having them obeyed. Doubtless he will storm and rave, or try to crush Louise with his unpleasant sarcasm.’

  ‘Shall we wait and see what happens before we condemn him out of hand? And, my dear, do try to persuade Louise not to be a watering-pot. Few gentlemen can cope with tears, and when they are at a loss they become irritable. If Louise will exercise a little self-control…?’

  ‘I don’t expect it would make much difference if she were as calm as the Sphinx,’ Perdita told her bitterly. ‘The Earl regards Louise as a tiresome schoolgirl, which she is not. She is my own age, after all, and will make her come-out next year. Girls of seventeen are often wed at the end of their first Season.’

  ‘And a great mistake it is, for the most part. Is it not wiser to gain a little experience of the world before making such a serious decision? You must have thought it so. I know you have had offers, my dear.’

  Perdita smiled. ‘I can lay claim to no great wisdom, Aunt. It’s just that I was never tempted to accept, and Mother and Father would not force me.’

  Miss Langrishe was satisfied. As she had long suspected, Perdita, although impulsive by nature, had great strength of character. If Rushmore could win her to his side, she would bring her influence to bear upon Louise.

  With this in mind, she was at pains to leave Rushmore and Perdita alone together on the following day.

  ‘Am I too early for Miss Langrishe?’ his lordship asked as he was shown into the salon ‘Perhaps I mistook the time.’

  ‘My aunt will not be long, sir. She felt it best to visit Miss Bedlington with Amy and Louise to ask that the girls be allowed to extend their stay here.’

  ‘An excellent idea,’ he said stiffly. ‘Your aunt, at least, will keep an eye upon my ward.’

  Perdita was silent, ignoring him as he took a turn about the room. Finally he swung round to face her.

  ‘You are very quiet, Miss Wentworth. Have you nothing to say to me? No comments upon my brutal manner, or my monstrous behaviour yesterday?’