‘Amy has a good head upon her shoulders,’ he assured her. ‘She sees the need to follow my instructions to the letter. I have pointed out that everything she does must be low-key. Louise must not become aware that we are worried about her safety…’ For a few moments he was lost in thought. ‘Verreker has not returned?’
‘No…and it is the strangest thing, but Louise is not as crushed as I had expected. After all, she fancied herself in love with him, else she would not have agreed to the betrothal.’
‘She was vulnerable,’ Rushmore said slowly. ‘At the time she would have fancied herself in love with anyone who showed her kindness.’
‘Then you think it was merely infatuation?’
‘Possibly not even that. Of course she may have believed herself to be in the grip of some grand passion…’
Perdita gave him a curious look. ‘You sound as if you have no time for sentiment, my lord. Do you believe all love to be an illusion?’
Perdita had caught him unawares. He swung round to face her with an expression that made her catch her breath. His eyes had an inner glow. Then he turned away and walked over to the window, staring across the busy expanse of Laura Place as he fought to control his voice.
Then he turned and smiled at her. ‘No!’ he said ‘I believe in love…as I’m sure you do yourself. It is not the same thing as infatuation.’
‘It must be very difficult to know the difference, sir.’
‘You have experienced neither feeling?’
‘No…have you?’
‘Not infatuation, certainly.’
‘And love?’
‘You ask too many questions, my dear. Gentlemen are shy in speaking their innermost thoughts. Had you not noticed?’
‘Oh, I beg your pardon, my lord. I had not intended…I mean, I have no wish to pry.’
‘I know that, Perdita. And I am wrong in fighting shy of your questioning. These matters should be discussed among friends.’ Even so, he did not pursue the subject.
‘Have you heard from your parents?’ he asked.
‘Mother wrote from Portsmouth before they sailed. Now I expect that we shall have a lengthy wait before the next letter.’
‘You must miss them sorely.’
‘We do, but Aunt Trixie has been the solution.’ Perdita twinkled at him. ‘Letter writing is her passion. She will have no dealings with crossings and re-crossings in the interest of economy. She is happy to pay the cost of her outpourings and of ours. We write a little each day, with details of how we spend our time. Then at the end of the week the letters are sent off. I had thought that the news must be stale by the time they reached their destination, but the Colonel has the matter in hand.’
‘Carrier pigeon?’ Rushmore teased.
‘Not exactly, but the Colonel has connections with a number of naval men. It is his boast that no service is more expeditious than that to Gibraltar through his friends.’
Neither of them knew it, but Miss Langrishe had been taking full advantage of this service. Since Perdita was in her care she had felt obliged to write to Perry and Elizabeth with her views upon the appearance of the Earl of Rushmore. As yet she had had no reply.
Now she resolved to tell the Earl about the content of her letter.
‘Was I wrong?’ she asked. ‘I feel as if I am in loco parentis to Perdita. I thought it best to tell Perry and Elizabeth what is happening here.’
‘Nothing is happening,’ Rushmore assured her firmly.
‘But that is nonsense, my dear boy. Any fool can see that you are falling deeper in love each day.’
‘Perdita does not see it, and I have done nothing to persuade her.’
‘Adam, I respect you for your honourable behaviour, but there may come a time when your feelings overcome you. Can you wait until her parents return? Is it not best to let them know of your desire to wed Perdita?’
‘I have written to them myself. Perhaps I was a little premature. Perdita has given me no encouragement—’
‘Give her time!’ Miss Langrishe begged. ‘You have gained much ground with her. I noticed how she listened carefully when you spoke to Amy of your plans.’
‘A military man is expected to be in command of strategy,’ he said lightly. ‘I still have far to go, ma’am.’
She nodded and did not argue the point. ‘Amy will obey your wishes?’ she asked.
Rushmore nodded.
‘I cannot say that I like the situation, Adam. I had hoped to take the girls out shopping into Milsom Street when next they come to visit me.’
‘Then you must do so, Miss Langrishe. As I explained to Amy, you cannot possibly be in danger in the centre of the town.’
Later he was to recall those words, and so did his companion. For the moment they had no idea of the perils which lay ahead.
‘There is one other matter,’ he said at last. ‘May I ask you to undertake a commission for me?’
‘Gladly, my dear boy! What do you have in mind?’
‘It is Louise’s birthday next week. I should like to give her some token…a brooch…a bracelet possibly. Had her father been alive he would not have let the occasion pass unnoticed.’
‘You will not accompany her to the jeweller yourself?’
‘No!” For once he looked a little ill at ease. ‘I would not have her think that I am trying to buy her friendship.’
Miss Langrishe shook her head. ‘I shan’t deny that the gift has come from you, my dear, but you misjudge Louise. Have you not noticed? She is gaining in confidence by the day. She no longer sees you as an ogre.’
‘I have Thomas to thank for that, I believe.’ He cocked an inquisitive eye at the old lady. ‘Do you see a match there, ma’am?’
‘Should you have any objection, Adam?’
‘Not in the least. Louise could not do better. That young man is sound to his backbone.’
Miss Langrishe smiled. ‘You must not make it too easy for them.’
‘That is unlikely to happen. Thomas must soon be recalled to his duties, and I want her to have her Season before taking such an important step. She has seen nothing of the world.’
‘A wise decision!’ Miss Langrishe frowned. ‘I wish we could be certain that Matthew Verreker has given up all hope of her.’
‘So do I, but Louise is well protected now. I must return to London soon myself. The Duke will wish to see me…’ He was lost in thought for several minutes.
‘What is it, Adam? You are still not easy in your mind?’
‘No!’ he told her frankly. ‘I don’t trust Verreker to lose his prize without a struggle. I need to know more about him. This cannot be his first attempt to capture a wealthy wife. That in itself is not a crime, but he struck me as a confidence trickster. If only we had some evidence against him he could be given in charge and prosecuted. It would put an end to his activities.’
‘But you have already made enquiries and found nothing, so you tell me.’
‘He’s expert at covering his tracks. I hear no word of him in Bath. That leaves London. He must seek the company of the wealthy, so possibly my men will have some news for me.’
‘When will you leave?’ she asked.
‘Within a day or two. It won’t be easy.’ He gave her a rueful smile. ‘I shall leave my heart behind.’
‘But not for long, I fancy. We shall miss you, Adam.’
‘I wonder!’ Rushmore was seized with doubt. Perdita might welcome his absence with a sigh of relief. At worst she would not give him another thought.
He was mistaken. Rather to his surprise, the news of his imminent departure brought a chorus of protest from Amy and her cousins. Even Louise asked to know when he would return.
Perdita said nothing. Her face was in shadow, so it was difficult for him to read expression. Had she welcomed the news? He looked at her, praying that he would not see triumph in her eyes. From the first she had seen him as her enemy, though of late she had become his unwilling ally.
He joined her on the window-seat. �
�Have you nothing to say to me?’ he asked in a low voice.
Perdita kept her eyes fixed on her folded hands. She had been badly shaken by his decision to return to London.
‘I had not thought that you would leave us at this time, my lord.’ Her tone was cool. He must not guess that she wanted him to stay. ‘There may still be danger to Louise.’
‘I think we have done all we can, Perdita.’
She made no reply.
‘Besides, I think you have forgot. I am a serving soldier, my dear. My time is not my own. The Duke gave me leave to come and see my ward, but I cannot extend my stay by much longer.’
‘Of course not!’ Perdita rose as if to leave him, but he caught her hand.
‘Are you concerned only with Louise?’ he asked. ‘We have been friends, I think. I shall miss our conversation. Will you not say the same?’
Perdita was very close to tears. She dared not attempt to answer him. It was ridiculous. Why should she be upset by his departure? And why should the prospect of a future without him appear so bleak?
It was Miss Langrishe who came to her rescue. She called Perdita to her with an innocent enquiry about a proposed shopping trip.
‘It is Louise’s birthday soon,’ she whispered. ‘We are to choose a brooch or a bracelet for her from the Earl.’
‘Is he unable to choose the gift himself?’ Perdita snapped. Her nerves were at breaking point.
‘He does not know what would please her.’ Miss Langrishe wore an imperturbable expression. She had noticed the interchange between Perdita and his lordship, and knew that it had ended in a difference of opinion. Well, it would be no bad thing if Rushmore went away for a time. Perdita might then realise how much she had grown to enjoy his company.
Louise’s birthday fell on the same day as the subscription ball towards the end of that week. There was no time to be lost if a suitable gift was to be chosen and engraved for her, so the following morning Perdita and Miss Langrishe set out for the jewellers.
Rushmore had not mentioned price. He would have considered it an irrelevance, so the ladies were free to make their choice from the treasure trove on offer. It did not take them long. They settled upon a slim gold bracelet of classical design, instructing that it should be engraved on the inside simply with Louise’s name and the date.
They had intended to go on to visit the largest haberdasher in the town, but as they gained the street again Miss Langrishe stumbled. Perdita was quick to catch her elbow, thinking that her aunt had merely tripped. Then she heard a gasp.
‘What is it?’ she cried in alarm. ‘Aunt Trixie, are you ill?’
‘Not really, my dear. It is just a touch of gout, but the pain is severe. Shall you mind if we go back to Laura Place? I need some lace and some gloves, but at this present time I cannot think…’
‘Of course we must go back. Aunt, you should have told me. Have you anything to ease the pain?’
Miss Langrishe nodded, but it was not until she was safely back at home and had taken the draught prescribed by her own doctor that she felt herself again. She even managed a chuckle.
‘My chickens are come home to roost!’ she admitted. ‘This complaint is the result of a surfeit of good living.’
‘Have you had it before?’
‘Just a touch of it in a single finger. This time it has affected my right hand.’
Perdita looked down at the swollen knuckles beneath the reddened skin. ‘It looks extremely painful, Aunt. Will the draught make you sleepy? Perhaps if you were to rest?’
Miss Langrishe nodded. ‘I shall feel better later in the day. Then we shall finish our shopping.’
‘You must not think of it. The girls will be here this afternoon. You shall commission us to buy whatever you need.’
‘I don’t know, Perdita. His lordship warned of possible danger in the town.’
‘But not if we stay together, and, if you wish it, Ellen shall go with us.’
‘I wish you would ask Rushmore or the boys.’
Perdita laughed. ‘Gentlemen hate shopping, Aunt, as well you know. Now you shall not worry about us. Bath is crowded, and we shall not stray from the main street.’
Miss Langrishe was still doubtful, but at last she gave a sleepy consent and was persuaded to retire to her bedchamber.
Released from their studies, both Amy and Louise were happy to fall in with her plan later that afternoon. Mindful of her aunt’s wishes, Perdita allowed a grumpy Ellen to accompany them.
Their purchases took longer than she had expected. Both Amy and Louise were in need of new white gloves for the ball. Then they became distracted by a display of artificial flowers and gaily coloured ribbons.
Perdita called them to her. ‘Help me to choose,’ she begged. ‘Aunt is in need of several yards of lace for trimming. It is so very expensive and I don’t want to make a mistake.’
‘We could change it if she doesn’t like it,’ Amy pointed out.
Louise was fingering the lace. ‘It is truly beautiful,’ she said wistfully. ‘Miss Langrishe could not fail to like this cobweb pattern.’
‘But it is white and she wanted black. I wonder if they have it…’ Perdita called an assistant to her, and the girl went into the rear of the shop.
They were unprepared for the scene which followed. As the assistant returned she was confronted by the furious owner of the store.
‘How dare you leave your post?’ he shouted. ‘Idling your time away and leaving customers unattended. I should dismiss you on the spot.’
Perdita looked at the shrinking girl, who grew red and white by turns. There was nothing of her. She looked badly undernourished, and clearly it was fear of losing her post which brought the first few stammered words.
‘Sir, I did not mean to—’
‘Silence! Get your things and go—’
‘One moment, please!’ Perdita was at her most imperious. ‘At my request, this lady went to make enquiries about some lace for me.’
The man swung round and stared at her. Then he too went red. ‘I beg your pardon, madam. I did not know.’
‘And you didn’t trouble to find out, did you, before behaving in this disgraceful way?’
By this time they had an interested audience, and the man was aware of it. He glared at the rest of his staff who had drawn near. Then he turned back to Perdita, containing his anger only with great difficulty. He was unaccustomed to being taken to task, especially by a chit of a girl.
Perdita saw his sneering expression and knew that it was only the presence of other customers in the shop which kept him from insulting her.
‘May we not discuss this matter in private, miss?’ he asked.
‘No, we may not. You made your comments in public. They shall be answered in public. Allow me to inform you that I do not expect to be treated to such a display of ill temper when I bring my custom to a shop.’
‘It was not directed at you,’ he muttered.
‘Kindly go away,’ Perdita told him coldly. ‘This young lady will serve me. She, at least, is courteous.’
He had no option but to slink away, but all the pleasure had vanished from their shopping expedition. Perdita was tempted to cancel all her purchases and stalk out of the shop. It was concern for the assistant which caused her to change her mind. In the event she bought far more than she had intended.
‘Will you be all right?’ she asked the girl.
‘Yes, miss, thanks to you.’
‘Come then, girls!’ With her head held high, Perdita swept out into the street.
Beside her, Ellen sniffed. ‘There you go again!’ she muttered. ‘Behaving like a duchess.’
Perdita stopped and turned to face her. ‘And was I wrong?’ she demanded. To her astonishment the old woman smiled.
‘Not this time, my pet. That poor critter was ready to faint clean away when she was dismissed.’
‘I hope we have prevented that, Ellen.’ Perdita looked ahead to see that Amy and Louise had stopped. To her alarm they
seemed to have been accosted by a young man. There was something familiar about him.
Perdita hurried towards the little group. Then she realised with a sigh of relief that the young man had served her in the haberdasher’s store on a previous occasion. He was the son of the owner.
‘Is something wrong?’ she asked.
‘I don’t think so, madam, but we are missing a length of lace. It may have fallen into this young lady’s reticule by mistake…’ His eyes rested on Louise.
‘Oh, do you think so?’ Louise was untroubled. ‘I did leave my reticule open on the counter. I was not paying attention, I’m afraid.’
‘Then, Miss Bryant, if I might ask you to look?’
Louise was perfectly willing to do so. The packet of lace was there, and she handed it over with a puzzled look.
‘And if I might have your direction, miss?’
‘You have our direction,’ Perdita said coolly. ‘We live in Laura Place. Our packages are to be sent there.’
It was a curious incident, but no member of the party gave it another thought. It was not until later that day that Perdita found herself wondering how the young man knew Louise by name. It did not matter. The incident might have happened to anyone. She did not trouble to mention it, either to Rushmore or Miss Langrishe.
They had other news to occupy their minds. Thomas had been recalled to London, and his brothers had decided to accompany him.
Their imminent departure cast a cloud over preparations for the ball, although they were not to leave beforehand.
And Rushmore too was soon to leave them, Perdita thought in despair. He must have convinced himself that the danger to Louise had passed. Verreker had not been seen in Bath, and he had neither written to Louise nor been to see her. Possibly he was pursuing some other wealthy prospect.
Perdita took herself to task. Her fears for Louise’s safety had been groundless. Why, then, was she still a prey to doubt? It was dispiriting and she vowed to pull herself together. Her lowered spirits might be due to the fact that her cousins were to leave them short of dancing partners and young company. As for Rushmore…well…it must be a relief to be spared that sardonic presence for the next few months. In her heart she knew that she was being unfair. The Earl did not sneer at her, nor was he mocking or bitter. Sardonic was not a description which might be applied to him.
The Rebellious Debutante Page 17
