by Anne Herries
‘Indeed.’ Jenny raised her brows. ‘You are kind to say so, Miss Hampton, but you know nothing of me or my brother.’
Susannah blushed hotly, feeling that she had been slapped down. She had been sincere and had not meant to offer meaning less sympathy, but it was clear that Miss Hazledeane thought she had done so. She was too embarrassed to offer anything further and listened to the general talk, while she watched the crowd begin to move back to their seats.
‘Jenny did not mean to be rude,’ a voice said at her ear and she swung round to look at Harry. ‘Her circumstances are awkward and she is upset.’
‘Of course,’ Susannah agreed, though she was certain the rude ness had been intentional. ‘It does not matter. In her place I should not feel like talking much to people I did not know.’
Harry gave her a look of approval. ‘It is like you to say so. I hope you will find her more amenable when you are staying with us. Jenny could do with a friend nearer her own age.’
‘Yes, I expect she may,’ Susannah replied. ‘I am sure that is not impossible, sir. I am willing if she wishes it.’
‘Thank you.’ Harry hesitated and then frowned as the bell rang. ‘We must return to our seats. I am engaged to take Mama and Jenny to the Pump Room tomorrow morning. I wondered if I might take you driving in the afternoon?’
‘Yes, please,’ Susannah said and gazed at him earnestly. ‘I do not wish to fall out with you, sir. If I was rude when you called on me, I apologise.’
‘I believe I made you angry,’ Harry said. ‘I think we should agree to put the incident behind us.’
‘If you are willing to forget, then so shall I.’
Harry nodded. ‘It would be a pity to spoil a friendship, Susannah. I shall call on you at two in the afternoon—and now I must go, for Mama is anxious to return to her seat.’
‘I shall expect you, thank you. You must go…’
Susannah took her seat as the Pendleton party left and made their way hastily to their own box just as the curtain went up. Watching the play unfold, Susannah reviewed the brief interlude in her mind. Miss Hazledeane had clearly taken her in dislike—why? Did she want Lord Pendleton for herself?
Since she had no engagements the following morning, Susannah decided to return some books to the lending library. Her mother had agreed to go driving with friends and Amelia had arranged to pay a morning visit to Lady Jamieson. Promising to return in plenty of time, Susannah set off to the library. She returned the books, resisted the temptation to borrow more and crossed the road to the small tea shop where they sold the most delicious pep per mint creams.
Amelia was very partial to pep per mint creams, especially those covered in chocolate. Susannah went inside, making her way to the counter that displayed them. She had her back turned to the door when some people came in, but, hearing a voice she recognised, she turned her head to look. A lady dressed in dark blue with a rather fetching hat set on the back of her head at a jaunty angle, and a tall, distinguished gentleman, had seated them selves at a table in the far corner where they were almost, but not completely, hidden from view. A little start of surprise went through Susannah as she saw Miss Hazledeane and recognised the gentleman with her.
The Marquis of Northaven! Susannah felt cold all over as she ob served the way Miss Hazledeane seemed to have come to life. At the theatre she had seemed to be cold and distant, but now her lovely face was alight with excitement, her eyes glowing. She looked like a woman in love!
Susannah looked away swiftly as Miss Hazledeane glanced her way, deliberately keeping her head averted as she bought and paid for her bonbons. She left the shop at once and walked quickly home, vaguely disturbed by the scene she had just witnessed. It was not her affair who Miss Hazledeane met, and it was certainly not her place to question the look of hap pi ness on her face—but she could not help recalling Harry’s severe warnings to her concerning the marquis. What would he think if he knew that his mother’s ward had been having tea with a man he thought of as un trust worthy? She was certain he would not be pleased. He might find it necessary to scold or censure Miss Hazledeane.
Susannah could not tell him! It would be a dreadful thing to do, because she must not meddle in the affairs of a woman she did not know. To go behind her back with tales would be unkind and might be thought spiteful. If Miss Hazledeane chose to meet Northaven, it was entirely her business. Yet if anything happened to her, Lord Pendleton would think himself responsible and if he knew that Susannah had witnessed a meeting between his mother’s ward and the marquis, he would be angry.
Susannah was uncomfortable with having to conceal it from him. Even so, she must say nothing. It truly was not her business to tell tales. Susannah thrust the scene from her mind as she went into the house. Amelia was just coming down stairs, having changed for nuncheon.
‘I bought you some pep per mint creams,’ Susannah told her and handed her the little box. ‘Lord Pendleton will be here soon. I must not keep him waiting.’
She ran upstairs, Amelia’s exclamation of pleasure following her as she hurried to get ready for her appointment. Susannah had decided that it was quite impossible to say anything to anyone about seeing Miss Hazledeane with the Marquis of Northaven. She was not a gossip and she had no wish to bring censure on Miss Hazledeane—even though she could not truly like her.
‘You look lovely, as always,’ Harry said as Susannah came down stairs dressed in a dark green carriage gown. ‘I am sure all the gentlemen tell you how beautiful you are, Susannah.’
‘Several have done so,’ she admitted with a shy look. ‘How ever, it is all foolishness—besides, I do not think beauty is everything, do you?’
‘No, though many find it so,’ Harry said, giving her a thoughtful look as they went outside to where his groom was holding the horses. He handed Susannah up and told his groom to stand back as the tiger jumped up on the back behind. ‘I shall not need you this afternoon, Jed. The lad is sufficient for my needs.’ He smiled at Susannah. ‘I think character and a good heart more important myself.’
Susannah digested that in silence. She was not sure what he thought of her character. She was a spirited girl and did not hesitate to say what she felt. Would he consider that an asset or a fault in her character?
‘Good humour and kindness are important too.’
‘I think I agree,’ Harry told her. ‘Tell me, Susannah, are you still looking forward to your visit to Pendleton?’
‘Yes, of course. Your nephew has told me that the grounds are very beautiful, and you know that I love to walk and collect wildflowers—’ She broke off, her cheeks hot as he glanced at her. ‘It was unfortunate that your carriage came so quickly round the corner that day—but we have both apologised for that.’
‘And then I shouted at you again after the accident just recently. You must think me a brute and a bear.’
Susannah blushed and looked down at her gloved hands. ‘I dare say it was improper of me to sit on a bench outside the inn drinking wine, but it was such a lovely day and I felt a little shaken….’
‘My concern was for your safety,’ Harry said and frowned. ‘Toby was an idiot to leave you there alone, but had I known of the accident I should not have condemned you.’
‘I thought that I must have lost your respect.’
‘My damnable temper. I was anxious and at such times I am liable to say things I perhaps ought not.’
‘It is all for got ten. We decided to put it behind us.’
‘Yes, we did,’ Harry said. They had left the town behind now and were driving through some pretty country side. Seeing a place where the road widened, Harry drew the horses to a sedate halt, threw the reins to his tiger and then offered his hand to Susannah. ‘Walk with me for a moment, if you will.’
‘Yes, of course,’ she said, giving him her hand. ‘It is such a pleasant afternoon, is it not?’
‘The sun is certainly warm,’ Harry said as Susannah put up her parasol. He offered his arm and she took it. ‘I wanted to
speak to you alone. I have some thing to say to you. Indeed, I meant to speak yesterday when I called, but we got off on the wrong foot, as it were.’
Susannah’s heart missed a beat. Her cheeks felt warm and she wished for a fan so that she might cool herself.
Harry had stopped walking. He turned her to face him, looking down at her so seriously that her heart slammed against her chest and she felt breath less.
‘You must know that I have a high regard for you, Susannah?’
She lowered her gaze, feeling unsure. ‘I did think that you liked me when we were in London…’
‘My regard is much warmer than liking.’ Harry reached out, tip ping her chin with his hand so that she looked up at him. ‘I had hoped that you might feel something similar for me?’
‘Oh…I do,’ Susannah said. ‘Not at first, but then…I came to like you very well, sir. Very well…’ She did not know why she felt so shy all of a sudden. It would be more truthful if she told him that she loved him, but she was afraid to confess her passion, for his words had been re strained, cautious rather than passionate.
‘What of this friend ship with my nephew?’ Harry’s brows arched.
‘It is mere friend ship,’ Susannah assured him. ‘You must know that…I could not like anyone else…as much…’ Once again she floundered to a halt, for she was unsure of how to be have. If he had swept her into his arms and kissed her until she could scarcely breathe, she could have shown him her feelings by her response, but this polite proposal made her shy of revealing the passion within her. Perhaps for him it was a marriage of convenience with a young lady he thought suitable to give him an heir.
‘Then would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?’ Harry asked, gazing down at her. At that moment his eyes seemed to smoulder with some thing much stronger than mere liking and her heart jerked. Surely he must love her?
Susannah swallowed hard, looking up at him, her cheeks still a little pink. ‘Yes, sir, I shall.’
‘I am very happy,’ Harry said and bent down to kiss her softly on the lips. His kiss was tender and sweet, making Susannah long to melt into his body. Her hands were against his chest, but even as she began to slide them up over his shoulders, he moved back, releasing her. ‘I think we should continue this another time, in a more private place.’ Harry smiled. ‘In the meantime, we must tell your mama—at least I must ask her per mission.’
‘Yes, of course,’ Susannah agreed. She was aware of a slight disappointment, for she would have liked him to kiss her again…to show in some way that he felt all those strange and wonderful feelings that his kiss had aroused in her. ‘I am sure Mama will be pleased that we are to marry.’
‘I told my mother that I intended to ask you this afternoon. She knew what was in my mind and this morning was pleased to tell me that she approved my choice. When we go to Pendleton you will meet others of my family. It will be a chance for us to spend more time together, Susannah. Meeting in society is all very well, but we have seldom been alone. My estate is large enough for us to escape at times.’
‘I shall look forward to it,’ Susannah replied, her heart racing. It was foolish of her to feel a little disappointed and uneasy. She had dreamed of this happening so many times. She had been living in a dream world of her own, Susannah realised. She must under stand that this was real and not just a dream. Harry was not the white knight of her dreams but a real man, with all the faults and passions that entailed.
‘Mama and I leave for Pendleton in the morning,’ Harry said. ‘Miss Hazledeane too, of course. Mama needs to prepare for our visitors, and it is only fair that Jenny should have a chance to settle in before everyone arrives.’
‘Yes, of course…’
Susannah felt a little guilty as she wondered whether she ought to tell him of the meeting between his mother’s ward and the Marquis of Northaven. Jenny had behaved like a woman in love, but Susannah could not think that it was her place to report what she had seen. Perhaps at Pendleton she might have a chance to warn Miss Hazledeane that the marquis was a rake and not to be trusted.
‘Are you looking forward to this visit?’ Mrs Hampton asked as her daughter came down stairs two days later. Susannah was wearing her travel ling gown of dark green cloth, and carried a lighter green parasol to match the ribbons on her straw bonnet.
‘Yes, Mama, of course,’ Susannah told her. ‘Why do you ask? I am engaged to Lord Pendleton and it will be a chance to get to know him better.’
‘Yes, naturally. I just wondered if you knew what to expect. Lord Pendleton has a very large estate, you know.’
‘He told me it was quite big,’ Susannah replied, looking at her in a puzzled way. ‘Is some thing wrong, Mama?’
‘Oh, no, nothing. You have been very fortunate, my dear. It is just that you will find the life very different…’ Mrs Hampton nodded. ‘Mr Sinclair is outside in his curricle. Will you drive with him or Amelia and I?’
‘Would you mind if I were to drive with him, at least for a part of the way?’
‘I should not mind at all,’ Mrs Hampton said and looked thoughtful. ‘It was kind of him to offer his escort, was it not?’
‘Lord Pendleton suggested it,’ Susannah said, ‘to make sure that Amelia’s coachman did not lose his way. We have a beautiful day for the journey, Mama.’
‘Yes, we do indeed,’ her mother agreed. ‘Ah, here is Amelia. Now we are ready.’
Susannah went outside to the waiting carriages. Her mother and Amelia were to travel in Amelia’s smart coach, but she was glad that she would be in the open air, for the sun was warm. Toby smiled as he saw her, coming to hand her into his curricle.
‘You look lovely, Susannah,’ he told her with a smile. ‘Green be comes you very well. Please make your selves comfortable.’
‘Thank you,’ Susannah replied and took his hand. ‘I think I must ride with Mama some of the time, sir—perhaps you will take Amelia up next time?’
‘I should be de lighted,’ Toby said. ‘I am yours to command, Miss Hampton.’
Susannah giggled as he swept her an elegant bow. He looked very handsome in his super fine coat of dark blue and buff breeches, his top boots polished to a high gloss. His cravat was tied in a new way, which she believed was a style favoured by the members of the Four-in-Hand. Toby had clearly decided that he needed to improve his image if he wanted to become one of that elite set. ‘I am so glad we are friends,’ she said. ‘I would ask you if I could drive a part of the way—but somehow I do not think Mama would approve.’
‘I am very certain she would not,’ Toby said and gave her a rueful look. ‘You must not ask, Susannah. I should hate to refuse you any thing, but you must be patient and wait until we are at the estate. I dare not think what Harry would say if it came out, especially after he has for bid den it.’
‘Yes, I shall wait. I was merely teasing you,’ she said. She threw him a look of mischief as he climbed up beside her and his groom jumped on the back.
As they set off through the crescent, she saw a gentleman walking towards them. He pulled off his hat as they drew nearer, giving her a sweeping bow, his gaze intent as he brought it back to Susannah’s face.
‘I wish you a safe journey, Miss Hampton,’ the Marquis of Northaven said, a mocking smile on his lips and what she thought was a challenge in his eyes. ‘We must pray that no unfortunate accidents occur.’
Susannah felt a chill run down her spine. There was some thing menacing in his look, but she could not tell what he meant by it. It was clear that he had never forgiven her for that incident in the garden, when Harry Pendleton had given him a tongue-lashing.
‘What the devil was that about?’ Toby asked and frowned. ‘The damned cheek of the rogue!’
‘Do you suppose he heard about the accident we had?’
‘I do not see how he could—unless someone told him. Harry wouldn’t and no one else knew.’
‘No…’ Susannah recalled the meeting in the teashop in Bath. It was quite possible that Miss H
azledeane had over heard some thing about the unfortunate accident. She might have passed it on to Northaven. Susannah would not like gossip to cir cu late—but there was nothing very terrible about what had happened, so it did not matter. ‘Let us forget him, Toby. I think the marquis is not a very nice man.’
‘The devil he isn’t!’ Toby agreed forcefully. ‘He has tried to get me to sit down to cards with him on several occasions. It did not please him that I refused.’
‘No, I suppose it would not,’ Susannah agreed. She pondered over the incident for a moment and then forgot it in the pleasure of driving on such a pleasant morning. Toby’s curricle was well sprung and they went at a spanking pace.
They made good time and it was scarce noon when they all stopped to partake of light refreshments at an inn. After their repast, Toby was as good as his word, taking Amelia up with him for the remainder of the journey, so Susannah was in the carriage when they reached the Pendleton estate.
They drove through impressive iron gates, which had the word Pendleton worked into the arch above them and were opened by the gate housekeeper. However, it was half an hour later before the house was first sighted through the trees. The estate of Pendleton consisted of two farms, besides several other good pro per ties and substantial woods, also a village of some twenty cottages, a black smith and a sawmill. Far larger than anything Susannah could have imagined.
She craned to see out of the window as they approached the house. It was extremely large, built in the classical style of pale buff stone with a main building and a wing at either end; the windows were long, square paned and many, and a colonnade of white pillars ran the entire length of the front. Four steps led up to the imposing front door.
Grooms came running as soon as the carriages stopped, steps were let down and the ladies assisted to alight. The front door stood open, several footmen already on hand and a housekeeper dressed in black came down the steps to meet them.
