‘Perhaps you put them on the washstand?’
‘Perhaps. But, Adam, you were not very sympathetic with Kate. She is not one of your soldiers, you know, but just a frail girl. Look at her—a breath of wind would blow her away. Are you fit to travel on, my dear? We could easily wait a day here. We might even visit the castle.’
‘I think Miss Payne has seen enough of Farnham for the moment, ma’am. She would probably like to get to Dorking. I certainly should.’
And Katharine was, for the first time in their acquaintance, in complete agreement with Adam.
They arrived at Bridge House just as the sun was bathing it in a late afternoon glow. Katharine found it altogether delightful. It was built of brick, in a soft rose colour, and was surrounded by a park, which sloped down to the river. At this season few of the trees had any leaves, but Katharine could see that they had been planted by an artist. A small channel had been diverted from the river to create a lake, and as the carriage drove along its edge towards the house, Katharine was entranced to see moorhens and coots, ducks and swans, all busy about their affairs on the reed-fringed water. Nearer the house shrubs and flowerbeds enclosed a terraced lawn, dotted with specimen trees. There was little of grandeur or formality in the disposition of the house and grounds, but much that paid tribute to the owners’ thought and taste.
‘You like it, Kate?’ said Mrs Calthorpe with a pleased expression.
‘It is beautiful! Oh, I can well sympathise with your wish to spend Christmas here at Bridge House! Indeed, I cannot imagine how you could spend as long as you have away from it!’
‘I confess I am glad to be back. I have great hopes for Calthorpe, Adam’s house near Bath, once it is occupied and given the attention it deserves, but my brother-in-law never spent a penny more than he had to on the place, and as a result it is somewhat bleak. Adam has already worked miracles in the grounds. And when he has a wife they will work together inside the house. That is what Adam’s father and I did here, and I think it turned out well.’
Adam was not listening. His attention had been caught by a herd of deer which had appeared to the left of the house.
‘That damned agent of yours, Mama!’ he said. ‘He can’t be supervising the men properly—those deer ought not to be able to get so near the house. The ditches must have filled up. What the devil does Frenton think we pay him for?’
Katharine leant comfortably back again against the cushions and eyed him covertly. Even though his words were strong, he still spoke judicially, without undue heat. Perhaps last night had been uncharacteristic after all, and this was his usual mode—calm, even-tempered, unruffled. Together with his air of confident authority it was rather irritating… What sort of husband would he make? Of course, he was immensely eligible; even she, ignorant as she was of the world, could see that. Rich, titled, well bred, a Hero of Waterloo… And far from being the bewhiskered older man she had pictured when she received his letter, he was really quite handsome. He could undoubtedly take his pick of the young ladies who would appear next season, looking for a husband. Lord Calthorpe might be a touch too sure of himself for her taste, but there were probably any number of girls who would be impressed by his habit of command. And his manners were unquestionably impeccable. Apart from his outburst last night he had always been unfailingly courteous in her experience. Yes, he would be a protective and considerate husband. But fun to be with? Exciting? Romantic? Passionate? She thought not. Unlike Tom, Adam Calthorpe would never rush headlong into an adventure of any sort, and she could not imagine that he would ever lose his head over a woman.
What sort of wife would he look for? Certainly not one who expected fun, excitement or passionate romance. The future Lady Calthorpe would probably be blonde with blue eyes, and be chosen for her suitability and propriety; the sort who would defer to her husband, even in the management of her house and children. She would have impeccable manners, too. She would never employ rough tricks taught her by her brother, scorn tears as a form of weakness, refuse to surrender one jot of her right to form her own opinions, resent interference with her decisions… She would never fall headlong—and unsuitably—in love, either. Katharine sat up with a jerk. Where on earth had that thought come from? How in Heaven’s name had she come to connect herself with falling headlong in love? A fine thing that would be—especially with a cool fish like Adam Calthorpe.
‘What startled you, Kate?’
‘Startled? Er…I wasn’t startled, ma’am. The…the deer look so pretty I sat up to see them better.’
Mrs Calthorpe raised an eyebrow, but made no comment.
Adam said, ‘Admire them while you can. They’ll be back where they belong tomorrow.’
Katharine found it very easy to settle in at Bridge House. The release from stress seemed to give her boundless energy, and she was soon well acquainted with the house and grounds. She spent quite a little time with Mrs Calthorpe, delighting in that lady’s gift for scatty conversation, which always seemed to end up making sense. They grew close, and before long Mrs Calthorpe was treating Katharine more like a daughter than a guest, calling her Kate, inspecting her wardrobe, declaring it unfit and taking her to buy new and prettier dresses. Little was seen of Mrs Calthorpe’s son. He seemed to be very busy putting the affairs of Bridge House in order. But he did find time to send for Katharine’s phaeton and horses, including the powerful stallion which had been Tom’s.
‘He’s a splendid brute,’ said Adam. ‘But I’m not sure what we are going to do with him.’
‘Why, ride him, of course!’ Katharine said in amazement. ‘I always exercised him when Tom left him behind at Herriards.’
‘You won’t do so here, however,’ said Adam firmly. ‘The horse is simply not suitable for a lady.’
‘Oh?’ said Katharine with a dangerous lift to her chin. ‘Then perhaps you do not think me a lady, sir? For I assure you, Sholto is entirely suitable for me, and I intend to ride him. As I have for the last four years.’
Adam looked unconvinced. ‘Tom never had a great deal of sense, but I cannot imagine he would allow his sister to risk her life on a brute like that.’
Kate laughed. ‘The only reason Tom kept Sholto for himself when we went out together was that he knew I could beat him on any other horse. You needn’t worry about me. Sholto won’t get the better of me—I know his tricks.’
‘All the same, you will please me by not taking him out while you are here. I’ll get one of the grooms to exercise him when I can’t do it myself.’
Mrs Calthorpe sighed. She was beginning to know her young guest quite well, and directing her what to do or not do was not the best way to manage her. She had not changed her mind about Katharine Payne. She still thought that the girl would make her son just the sort of wife he needed, though whether he would ever come to recognise that fact she was not so sure. He was still hopelessly prejudiced about the girl, and it was true that Katharine did not show herself to advantage in his company. Adam’s calm assumption of authority seemed to rouse the worst in her.
But Mrs Calthorpe was a woman who saw below the surface. Katharine Payne had spirit and character, and underneath the cool facade was a loving, passionate heart. The man who captured that heart would be fortunate indeed. However, the girl still had a lot to learn. Her life till now had been far from ideal as a preparation for success in polite Society. Dancing and deportment, dress and social customs could be taught relatively easily in the months before next April. But persuading Katharine to adopt the attitude of a debutante would be far more difficult. The girl had been neglected, left to run her own life for far too long. Forced by circumstances into managing her grandfather and the Herriards estate, she was now more accustomed to giving orders, rather than taking them. Adam was equally used to giving orders and expecting them to be obeyed. It was inevitable that the two should frequently clash—and they did!
But to Mrs Calthorpe’s relief, Kate seemed in this instance, at least, to have no desire to argue. She merely gave Ada
m a straight look, and then turned to Mrs Calthorpe to ask about engaging a dancing master.
Life was comparatively peaceful in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Adam took the opportunity of going into London to see one or two of his old friends from Army days, and the two ladies spent their time supervising preparations for the feast, and decorating Bridge House.
‘I cannot say how delighted I am that you are here, Kate,’ Mrs Calthorpe said as they were busy winding garlands of green round the banisters in the hall. ‘I seem to have spent so many Christmasses on my own, and now I am to have both you and Adam with me.’
‘I am very happy to be here, ma’am,’ said Katharine. ‘And especially grateful that you rescued me from a Christmas spent at Herriards. Even if my aunt and uncle had been the pleasantest people imaginable I would still have felt unhappy there. There are so many associations with Tom.’
‘You were very close.’
‘Very,’ said Katharine in the detached manner she adopted when talking of Tom. ‘My mother was always an invalid, and after she died my father travelled a great deal. So Tom and I were left at Herriards with my grandfather and each other for company. I was several years younger than Tom and a girl. I suppose many brothers would have ignored me, but not Tom. He treated me very much as a younger brother, and we did everything together.’ She paused in her work. ‘We loved each other, but we quarrelled a lot. I suppose we were quite competitive in a way. Tom always wanted to win, and so did I. Grandfather used to laugh at us.’
‘Did you never have an older person to look after you? Someone to teach you the ways of the world?’
‘I had Miss Tillyard. And after my father died and Tom went to Eton, Grandfather engaged a chaperon for me. But she didn’t last a month. Grandfather was irritated by what he called her finicking ways. He was always reluctant to have strangers in the house, especially after he became ill.’
‘You never went into society?’
‘There never seemed to be time. I was usually needed at home. And even when he was in good health my grandfather never cared for making calls.’ Katharine gave her hostess a challenging look. ‘I didn’t mind. I never had much to say to the young people we knew. And I never met anyone whose company I liked better than Tom’s.’
Mrs Calthorpe nodded and appeared to concentrate on arranging a particularly difficult piece of greenery. But she was angry. Kate had had so little support from the men in her life. Old Mr Payne had ignored his granddaughter’s needs and thought only of his own comfort and convenience. He hadn’t bothered to change Kate’s guardians, though he must have known himself that they were too old for the task. Nor had he taken the trouble to provide Kate with a proper chaperon, a gentlewoman who would prepare her for Society. Miss Tillyard was no doubt an excellent governess and had been a good friend, but she was not a suitable person for such a task as that.
And though Tom Payne had been her son’s friend, Mrs Calthorpe was of the opinion that he had been as selfish as his grandfather. He should have been running the estate during his grandfather’s illness, not burdening his sister with it. And much more than that—knowing what would happen if he was killed, he should never have risked his life in that last campaign.
Well, thought Mrs Calthorpe, she had spent some weary years since Adam had left home and her husband had died. She had often wondered what she should do with her life. And now, thanks to Adam’s promise to Tom Payne, she had found something which was proving to be both enjoyable and rewarding. She could offer Katharine Payne some of the care and attention which she had so far lacked. The child would probably not welcome it at first—she had no idea what had been missing. But it would not be Mrs Calthorpe’s fault if her protégée were not one of next season’s outstanding successes! And there was always the hope that somewhere along the way her son would learn to value the girl as highly as his mother did.
Three days before Christmas Adam arrived back from London with an armful of interesting parcels. He brought with him as well an invitation from their neighbours to an evening party on Christmas Eve.
‘I met Sir John in Bond Street, and he was most pressing, Mama. I hope I did right to accept the invitation?’
‘Oh! How kind of him,’ said Mrs Calthorpe somewhat flatly. When she saw her son’s surprise at her tone, she visibly pulled herself together and spoke with more enthusiasm. ‘My dear boy, of course you were right! You could hardly refuse. And I am glad for Kate’s sake that we have somewhere to visit. She has hardly been out of the house since she arrived, except for a few shopping expeditions to Guildford. And her daily rides, of course, but one can hardly count those. Kate, my dear, you must wear one of your new dresses. The Redshaws like a touch of formality—especially since their daughter married into the aristocracy. Who else is to be there, do you know, Adam? Is…is Julia with her parents at the moment?’
‘I believe so. Together with her husband. There will probably be quite a large party.’
Katharine looked nervous. She said, ‘I…I cannot imagine your friends really want my company, ma’am. You and your son will have so much to discuss with them and I shall only be in the way. Pray make my excuses to Lady Redshaw.’
‘What nonsense is this? Of course you must come,’ Adam said briskly. ‘I told Sir John you were staying with us—he will expect to see you.’
‘Then he will have to wait!’ said Kate defiantly. ‘I am not yet ready to face strangers! I did warn you before I ever came that I do not like company!’
‘Oh, Kate, my dear, pray do not disappoint me!’ Mrs Calthorpe gave Adam a warning glance and went over to take Kate’s hand. ‘I was so looking forward to seeing you in your new dress—the one with the bronze velvet ribbons. And this would be the best possible occasion to practise the little tricks of manners and deportment we have been discussing, you know. Your first practice. You need not concern yourself about the Redshaws. They are really not important, except in their own eyes. They are never seen in London.’ Then, as Katharine still looked hesitant, she said, ‘Is it Adam? Has he frightened you off?’
Katharine’s response was instant. ‘Frightened me off? Of course not! What an idea! It was just…it was just… Well, then, if you think you would like me to come, then I shall,’ she said somewhat desperately.
‘Good! That’s settled, then. I suppose there’s hardly time to have some of this made up,’ said Adam, fetching the parcels and putting them down in front of his mother. ‘Besides, it sounds as if Miss Payne already has something to wear.’
‘Adam! What have you brought us?’ cried his mother, starting to unwrap the first one. She gave a cry of delight as she held up a length of silvery grey silk. ‘It must be French!’
‘I asked Ivo to bring over a selection of silks for you both from Paris. I hope you like them.’
‘They are beautiful!’ She held up a swathe of pale golden taffeta. ‘Look, Kate! This would be perfect for you!’
‘For me?’ said Katharine. She looked at Adam in surprise. ‘You asked your friend to bring some for me?’
‘Don’t look so amazed, Miss Payne. Tom must often have done the same.’
‘No, never,’ said Katharine, touching the delicate material hesitantly. ‘I don’t think it ever occurred to him.’ She looked up. ‘Did you really mean this for me, Lord Calthorpe?’
‘Of course!’
Mrs Calthorpe laughed at Katharine’s stunned expression. ‘I’m afraid you’ll have to revise your opinion of my son, Kate! He has some good about him, after all!’
Katharine blushed. ‘You make me sound so ungrateful, ma’am. Indeed, Lord Calthorpe is always very…kind. But this is quite unexpected.’ She fingered the material. Then she came over to Adam and held out her hand. ‘I don’t think I have ever had a present that pleased me more. I’m not sure what to say…’
Adam took her hand in his, looked at her gravely, then lifted her hand and kissed it. ‘Don’t say anything—but have it made up, and wear the dress for our first outing in London.’ He turned to
his mother. ‘I think Ivo put some lace for you in one of the other parcels, Mama.’
‘Adam! You are very good. Let me see!’
The evening that followed was one of complete harmony. Katharine saw a new side to Adam as he entertained them with news of his friends in London and Paris. Tom’s sense of fun had been strong but robustly simple, making no great demands on one’s intelligence. But Adam Calthorpe’s humour was a revelation to her. He had a dry, keen wit, and a strong sense of the absurd, and Katharine found herself stimulated and amused. His account of the Duke’s reactions to the excessive formality of the newly reinstated French court had her laughing for the first time in months. This was Adam Calthorpe at his most charming, and Katharine went to bed that night more in charity with her arrogant rescuer than she would have thought possible.
Adam had also been surprised. Katharine Payne had for once dropped the slightly belligerent air she adopted in his presence, and there had been signs of a different, more appealing personality. Laughter transformed her, and for the first time in their acquaintance he had seen something of Tom’s natural, unaffected charm in her. Though she was still far from his ideal, he was more prepared to believe that she might have some success in London, after all.
Sadly, this happy state of affairs did not last even for twenty-four hours.
Chapter Eight
Katharine felt more cheerful than she had for months as she came out of the house for her ride the next morning. The sun was dazzling on the frost-covered lawns and she paused at the top of the steps to look at the view. It was incredibly beautiful, but cold! She took a couple of steps, then paused again. There was ice on the steps—the ground would be hard. Was she wise to take Sholto out? While Adam had been away she had ridden her brother’s stallion every day, and, though she hated to admit it, once or twice recently it had taken all her skill to keep him under control. The downland in this part of the world was more demanding than the flat, soft acres of Hampshire, and though her riding ability was not in doubt, her strength had been more than once severely tested. Perhaps today she should leave it to the stable lads to exercise him?
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