Big Bad Neighbor: A Single Dad Next Door Romance

by Tia Siren

  “I think, Miss Carstairs,” Bertie said in the end. “That we had better walk back to the house.”

  She laughed and took his arm, and they strolled back in that direction, but both of them were still a little bit shaken by the intensity of the connection. Caroline brought herself to her senses and told him that she had a carriage and he found someone to go and ask for the vehicle to be brought to the front of the house. The couple waited in the extensive hallway until the carriage was brought around and he helped the girl into her rather smart and up to date transport.

  “I enjoyed the walk and the company,” he said, and she leaned forward and told him that she had felt the same. Bertie resisted the urge to take those delightful lips again, and he told the driver to start the journey to her home. Then Bertie Collins Margrave stood for quite a long time on the steps of his stately pile remembering the feel of those lips against his own.

  He found his aunt happily reading her latest book, and she stopped long enough to query if he found the new neighbor pleasant. Bertie knew his aunt of old and gave her a smile. “I know your matchmaking habits, dearest aunt and I am not going to fall into any trap.” She gave a knowing half smile and returned to her reading. He paused at the door and told her he was going riding with Badger the next day.

  Late in the morning, Bertie set off on his favorite horse to meet up with his old friend Badger but when he arrived, via the road so not to trespass again, he found a gathering of friends. They were all collected in the hallway and reception room of Badger’s beautiful but old-fashioned house and Badger’s sister, Arabella, flew towards him with arms outstretched. He grinned at her and held out his arms in response and the two hugged each other and both spoke at the same time.

  “Oh how wonderful to have you home again,” Arabella told him. “We do miss your company you know.” He set her back on her feet having swung the girl around in the air. These two had been friends since childhood and as Arabella had been as keen on the outdoors pursuits as the boys she had been included in their growing up. Badger often wished and indeed, had told Bertie, that a marriage to his sister would be an excellent idea. Both Bertie and Arabella disregarded this suggestion and continued to be the best of friends.

  He held her out at arm’s length and told her she looked wonderful. “I know I am more up to date now that Caroline has moved into the Tupperham house.” And to his surprise, he saw that she was pulling Caroline towards her. “She tells me all about these wonderful shopping emporiums, and we have magazines with the latest styles.”

  “That is obvious,” He said and admired the burgundy colored riding outfit that Arabella was wearing.

  Bertie looked around and said his greetings to the others. Badger had sent messengers to the local people of their own age and sent servants off to the garden pavilion with picnic food. The party had all arrived on horseback and mounted up with excitement for an unexpected visit out. The young ladies all rode side saddle with the skirts of their outfits elegantly spread over the horse’s flanks. They were all accomplished at this seat on their horses and were helped up by footmen and servants. Badger, Bertie and their two male friends climbed aboard easily and with a tinge of dislike Bertie saw that Arielle Pernicier and her cousin Bernice were along as well. “That will be because Toby Marsden-Smythe would like to be part of her rich and influential family.” Bertie thought to himself, but his innate good manners made him greet them pleasantly enough. Toby was riding beside Arielle, and she was ignoring him as she always had. Isabella Germaine was included in the group and Bertie smiled to himself. “Good morning, Isabella,” he said as he rode alongside her. She was a pleasant young woman with a mass of red curls that were usually out of control. Isabella was dressed in a dark blue riding outfit, and he has seen it a few times before. Bertie always noticed clothes. He might not notice other things, but he had an eye for what people were wearing. He wondered to himself if the family had money problems. Isabella’s parents were aristocratic, but not wealthy. He had always liked the girl and hoped things were not too bad. The party shouted to each other as they prepared to enjoy the ride over Badger’s extensive grounds to the garden pavilion. Once there they dismounted. Tethered the horses and spent a very happy afternoon lounging on day beds and eating if they felt like it. The girls talked endlessly about fashion, and it seemed that Caroline was the purveyor of the latest information. Bertie felt a bit annoyed at this because, in the past, he had brought the information from London to the shires. He slipped onto the seat beside Caroline. “What about the fashions in houses?” He joined in. Caroline smiled at him, and the talk turned to the latest in artwork, books and theatre. Badger came and sat beside Isabella. “You are saving dances for me at the ball, aren’t you?” He asked her, and she nodded and said that of course she was. He turned to Bertie. “The Callander’s Ball,” he said. “They will expect to see you there.” Bertie said he wouldn’t miss it for anything and asked if Caroline was invited. She said that she most certainly was and her second cousin was coming as her escort for the evening. Bertie laughed and said that no doubt his aunt would expect him to be her escort.

  *****

  The ball was two days later and duly dressed in the latest and best that money could buy in London, Bertie Collins-Margrave, Lord Haverpool escorted his aunt to their waiting carriage at the front steps, and they rode in stately fashion to the enormous home of The Marquis of Callander. It was ablaze with lights. Servants were everywhere and rushed to help his aunt from the carriage. The Callander mansion was very large and very ornate. The carriages were being ushered away as new ones arrived and Aunt Agatha and Lord Haverbrook alighted at the foot of the carpeted steps that led into the foyer and then the ballroom. An orchestra was already playing at the far end, and the room was already full of beautifully attired guests. There were seats for the older folk and Bertie escorted his aunt to meet the hosts. Once greeted, he took her to seat with a good view of proceedings and she joined some friends who were obviously set for a jolly good gossip.

  He looked around and spotted Badger with a glass in hand and headed in that direction. The house was, in Bertie’s opinion, over the top with decoration. The walls were overdone with plasterwork and marble, and there were so many plants in pots that it was difficult to navigate the room. In each corner, there was a sort of pavilion effect as if the place was set up to watch a medieval jousting tournament. He fleetingly wondered if the host was going to sit under one like a sort of King Arthur. The two men stood and surveyed the assembly and Bertie thought that Badger had come up to date. “I say, Badge, you are wearing the new tight trousers.” Badger grinned at his friend and told him that his sister had made him read the magazines that Caroline had introduced. “Well I must say, it looks good,” Bertie concluded. He scanned the room and noted that some of the younger ones were clad in fashionable gowns, and some were still a little dated. Most of the young ladies were wearing the empire line dress which had been popular for some time and was quite flattering. The material gathered under the bust line and fell away to the floor. Some of them had a small train which could be hooked up for dancing and some of them were very delicately and ornately decorated. The colors were so varied that it almost looked like a collection of butterflies in the garden. The young women held fans that they fluttered, and lots of them held up the skirt with the other hand. Most of them had their hair swept up and caught into small curls clustered to the head. The older ladies like his aunt wore bonnets. An old friend who was a military man came over and greeted the two men. The military jackets and very tight trouser always caught the eyes of the opposite sex and William Grey was very aware of the eyes on him as he strode across the floor. “Smart as ever, old boy.” Bertie greeted the man and the they talked of what was happening in the military world.

  The dancing was underway and those keen to start were out on the floor in formation for the well-known and well-loved quadrille. The fans held by the ladies were on a ribbon around the wrist, long skirts were held up, and everyone w
as very stately and could show off their elegance as they moved from partner to partner. Bertie and Badger stood this one out and saw their friends out on the floor. Arabella managed a smile for the boys as she moved around in the dance and Bertie saw Caroline Carstairs looking wonderful in a dark burgundy colored outfit that was not over embellished but stood out as the best that London could produce. His eyes followed her progress around the room, and he felt a tingle in his lips as he thought about that kiss in the garden.

  The dance ended and the man whom Bertie too to be Caroline’s second cousin escorted her from the floor to a seat beside Arabella and Bertie with Badger in tow moved over to join the party. It was a pleasure to meet the man who turned out to be a member of a club to which Bertie already subscribed. They found that they had a few friends in common, and the man was a pleasant companion. His eyes were very obviously drawn to Arabella, and that young lady was not unaware of the attention. Like his cousin, Marshall Carstairs was dressed in great style and showed an elegant calf in his well-tailored clothes. His hair was cut shorter on the top than Bertie’s, and he did not have the sideburns, but he was a very attractive man with a pleasant personality. He asked if he would be allowed to accompany Arabella in the next quadrille and Bertie offered to take Caroline so that Arabella could accept the invitation. The little group were happily enjoying a conversation when along to join them came Arielle and her cousin Bernice. Bertie inwardly groaned. He really did not Like Arielle Pernicier. He suspected she was looking to cause trouble but the two girls joined the conversation about the dancing, and all seemed innocuous. The next dance began, and Bertie offered Caroline his arm. She smiled as she accepted and he walked her into the middle of the floor to join the pattern for another quadrille. It gave him a little thrill of pleasure to feel the touch of her hand, and she must have felt the same because she lifted her other hand and patted his arm as she walked. They smiled at each other and took their places in the dance. Arabella and Marshall did the same and Bertie smiled across at his friend’s sister. She knew he understood. The dance was elegant, stately and everyone was able to look their best.

  The couples returned to the table, and Bertie was sorry to see that Arielle was still there. His training did not allow him to display anything other than good manners, and he gave Caroline a hand as she took a seat. The group talked about the dances and Arielle asked if they had seen the new dance that she had heard about in London. “I have heard that a dance called the Waltz is being enjoyed. Have any of you seen it?” Bertie, Marshall and Caroline all nodded and told her that they had seen the dance, and it was proving very popular. “It uses a lot of energy.” Bertie pointed out. “You are left breathless at the end of it,” Marshall added that it spun around in fast circles and also left you a little dizzy. “It is very fast,” he finished.

  “Have you taken part yourselves?” Bernice asked, and Marshall gave her a smile and told her that he had indeed tried the new dance. The two girls glanced at each other and Bertie knew for certain that they were planning trouble. Arielle said that she would love to see it and suggested that Caroline and Marshall show them how the dance went. Bertie tried to intervene to warn that the older generation would not appreciate the sight of two people dancing close together, but the girls brushed him aside and looked pleadingly at Marshall. Arielle went away and was presumably going to see if the orchestra could play a waltz. Bertie tried again to top the experiment, but the two visitors had no notion of the effect this would have on the spectators. Badger lent his voice as well and even Arabella, but it seemed that the decision was already made and Arielle returned to say that the orchestra was ready, and there would be an announcement. Bertie’s heart sank, and he appealed directly to Caroline to call off the dance. She smiled and told him that everyone here seemed eager to find out what was happening elsewhere, and she stood up to take the arm of her second cousin. The two of them walked out onto the floor as the music began and as Marshall swept his relative into his arms and held her against his chest, there was an audible gasp from the spectators around the room.

  The music played the one two three one two three of the waltz that had arrived in the country from Austria and the two people on the dance floor were swept into the excitement of the moment and did not understand the silence that was greeting their performance. They whirled and twirled and smiled at each other because it was a fun thing to do and then the music came to an end and Caroline curtsied to her partner who gave a brief bow and offered his hand to take her back to her seat. It was only at that point that the two of them noticed the absolute silence that greeted their performance. They stopped and looked around. Caroline gave a nervous smile and the couple walked over to the group where Bertie, Badger and Arabella were waiting. The girls were seated and around the room a rustle of conversation broke out but in subdued voices. Someone directed the orchestra to make more music, and some sort of normality returned to the room. Bertie took a seat beside Caroline. “I think they are not ready for all of the modern things in Derbyshire.” Then he could not help himself. He said to Badger. “I knew Arielle was up to something. That girl is always trouble.” Arabella shushed him and looked around. Badger was nodding though and taking in the attitude of the guests. It was not pleasant, and when Caroline said that she would like a breath of fresh air, Bertie stood and offered his arm. As they passed the people sitting at the side of the ballroom, it was very pointed that each of the ladies turned away. He looked across at his aunt sitting with her friends and even she gave him a pointed stare and turned away. Bertie was furious. He took Caroline out onto the terrace and realize that she was shaking. As they were standing in the shade of a wall, he put his arms around her and held her close until she felt able to stand and recover her composure. “It is just not like London,” he told her. “They move very slowly here. I will see to the things I need to do and then I will return to my town house.” Caroline held onto his arm and said “Thank you for bringing me out here. I did not quite know how to respond.”

  “Hmph.” Lord Haverbrook said sounding like the aristocrat that he undoubtedly was. “I will make it very plain to everyone concerned that the house of Haverbrook does not condone such bad manners.” That produced a smile from his companion.

  “You did try to warn us,” she replied. “Please do not cause any trouble on my behalf. My cousin, like myself, is used to a more liberal society.” Bertie realized he still had an arm around her shoulders, and it was very pleasant. This woman had found her way under his skin and he was enjoying the sensation. “It will not be trouble. That Arielle delights in making people look uncomfortable, and I will make it quite clear that putting friends of mine in that position is unacceptable.” He paused. “I rather think Badger will say the same and his sister will most certainly be on the side of your second cousin.” They both laughed at this and made their way back to the ballroom. The traditional dances were filling the floor, and Caroline asked if he would find her cousin and tell him she would like to go home.

  He left her standing beside Arabella and went in search of her cousin. When he returned, Caroline was gone, and Arabella was fuming. “These people.” She hissed and named four well-known women.

  “Came over and deliberately snubbed Miss Carstairs. I will not be coming to any more of these balls, I think. Badger can get the carriage and take me home.”

  “I’ll talk with you tomorrow,” he said and went over to his aunt. “I think it is time to take out leave, my dearest aunt.” He held out a hand, and Aunt Agatha had no option but to accept it.

  *****

  His aunt tried to talk to him about the traditions of these balls and how people should not be offended when they broke the rules, but he would have none of it and went off to his bed. Sleep was a long time in coming, and visions of Caroline were ever in his head. He had never before felt so much for anyone and had never been so annoyed on behalf of someone else, and it came to him that if he were to return to London that he would not see the delicious Miss Carstairs again. He
drifted into slumber eventually wondering if he could persuade her to return to the city as well.

  After breakfast and a few stern words with his aunt he set off for Badger’s residence and had only been with his friend for minutes when Arabella ran into the room in a most unladylike fashion. “Arabella, for heaven’s sake, calm yourself.” Badger admonished, but his sister shook her head, panted for breath and waved a hand in the air. “She has gone. Caroline. Driven off to London on her own in a carriage.” Both men were instantly at her side and waiting for more details. “How did she go?” Badger demanded. “Who is with her?”

  “And how long ago?” Bertie added. Arabella caught her breath and said that the servants told her that she had left in her own carriage with just a driver about an hour ago. The two men were horrified, and Arabella knew as well that the risks of being held up by robbers was always on the roads. Even when the large stage coaches were guarded, they were still stopped and robbed. Sometimes it was just for the valuables, but sometimes the robbers attacked the victims as well. Bertie made a quick decision. In fact, he did not really think about it. It was enough to know that Caroline was in danger. He turned to Badger and was already heading for the door. “My horse is ready. I will chase after them. An hour is not long. Get some help and follow me.” With that and not waiting for agreement Bertrand Collins- Margrave ran to the stable yard, flung himself onto the still saddled stallion and galloped off along the main drive which was the quickest route to the road. It was a mad and crazy ride, but the horse answered the call, and the pair thundered along the road towards London heedless of the looks they were attracting from anyone who was out and about. He was an excellent horseman and a strong young man. Bertie prided himself on his appearance, and that included having a trim body. That body was using all of its strength to urge the horse forward. His mind was calculating that an hour in a carriage would not have made a lot of progress, and he thought that maybe half of that time would catch them up. He had not thought about what would happen when he found her. “Maybe she will not listen. Maybe she will send me away.” He thought as he travelled but kept on going and after some time, he saw in the distance a carriage on the track ahead and then his heart sank as he realized it was stationery, and there were two men in front of it blocking the way. Bertie did not slow down. As he drew near, he saw Caroline hand out a bag from the carriage to the nearest robber who was waving a pistol in the air. The other one was waving another gun at the driver who was still sitting on the seat holding the reins.