by Anne Herries
They had also met Lord Johnston on their walks. He had stopped to exchange greetings, though his look was reproachful as he told Amanda that he was leaving town the next day.
‘There is no longer any reason for me to continue my visit... I have already delayed too long.’
She felt a little guilty, though she had never encouraged him to think of her, but she’d known it was in his mind and wondered if she could have found a way of dispelling his hopes sooner.
Apart from those two encounters Amanda saw few of the friends she’d made in London, and guessed from what Mama said that most people were leaving town and going down to the country for the summer.
The countess’s friends were mostly older and some of them lived in London for much of the year, leaving only for a few weeks in the summer when the hot and dusty streets became unbearable.
Of the Marquis of Shearne the two girls heard and saw nothing. Amanda was relieved, for Jane’s sake more than her own, because she knew her friend was afraid of him. At the back of her mind she wondered if Cynthia was encouraging his advances still, but tried not to think of it because there was nothing she could do. She had no real grounds for suspecting the marquis of evil intent and Cynthia would be justly annoyed had Amanda tried to interfere in her affairs.
At least Amanda would have no need to fear him in future. She would be in the country soon, and when she returned to London as a wife, perhaps next year, Shearne would have forgotten her. She prayed that he would have forgotten Jane, too, and hoped that her friend might also receive a proposal of marriage in the near future. Lord Armstrong had been showing Jane some kind attention and Susanna had fallen into the habit of calling her ‘my good little comforter’.
Amanda was not sure of her friend’s heart and did not like to question her, for she thought that perhaps Jane did not know herself exactly how she felt. If she received an offer from Lord Armstrong, she would have a comfortable life—but not if her heart belonged to the dashing Major Brockley.
How difficult these affairs of the heart were, Amanda reflected. She had been granted her wish in the matter of a husband, but not every young lady was as fortunate. Too many were forced to wed for the convenience of their family and Jane might fear to turn down an obliging offer for the sake of hers.
It was strange how long a few days could seem when waiting for the return of someone who meant so much. Amanda knew a few moments of unease, as she realised that in marrying a man whom she knew did not love her, as she loved him, she might be laying up a deal of unhappiness for herself in the years to come.
* * *
Phipps was relieved when he could at last say his farewells and return to London. He was surprised to discover how very much he’d missed Amanda. He had come to enjoy her companionship and to look forward to seeing her every day. If he had once thought that it might be a sacrifice to marry a girl who was at best attractive, but certainly would not be thought beautiful by most people’s standards, he no longer had any such thought and found himself eager to begin his new life.
Having suffered from a feeling of being second-best for many years, he had discovered a strong desire to prove himself and as Amanda’s husband and steward he would have ample opportunity. Her father had been an excellent steward of her fortune and Phipps was determined to be no less. He would find it fulfilling to have large estates and various properties to manage, and had discovered that for the first time in his life he no longer felt inferior and his father’s careless words could not sting him as they once had.
Amanda trusted him and that had given him a new purpose and a spring in his step. He could hardly wait to return to London and to commence his courtship of her in earnest this time. It would be his duty and his pleasure to make his wife happy and he felt a strong desire to care for and protect her to the best of his ability.
* * *
All the doubts, fears and anxious thoughts melted the moment she heard Phipps in the hall and knew that he had returned safely to her. She heard him speaking with Lord Armstrong and schooled herself to patience, waiting for him to come to her in the parlour where she sat with Jane that afternoon.
‘I shall leave you now,’ Jane said as they heard footsteps approaching.
‘There is not the least need,’ Amanda said, but Jane only shook her head, pausing to curtsy to Phipps as she met him in the doorway. Her heart racing wildly, Amanda put down her book and stood as he entered, her eyes searching his face eagerly. He was just the same, as beloved as ever. ‘Did all go well?’
‘My dearest Amanda.’ Phipps strode across the room to take her hands in his. A little shiver of delight went through her as she saw the welcoming smile in his eyes. As unlikely as it might seem, she believed he had missed her. ‘Father was delighted with the match and Mama is eager to welcome her future daughter. They have begged me to bring you to them at the earliest opportunity. I know that Jane is to stay with you for a few weeks—she might come too, if you wished?’
‘I dare say Jane will need to go home for a while before the visit in August,’ Amanda said, a smile on her lips for she felt so ridiculously happy. ‘We must consult Mama, for Papa has been on his own this past week and will not wish to part with us again too soon.’
‘Yes, of course, my love. I thought we might go down for a few days and then continue on to Brock’s for it is not far from my father’s estate.’
‘That sounds a good plan,’ Amanda agreed. Cynthia had already asked the same thing, but her first allegiance must be to her future husband and his family. ‘I must tell you that I shall be glad to go home, though the countess has been more than kind to us.’
Phipps nodded, a warm smile in his eyes. ‘I have set some work in train at my own estate, for we shall visit there occasionally—but as yet I do not know where you would choose to live. You may prefer your own estate; it is close to your family and I dare say you have a fondness for it.’
‘There is no need to decide just yet. Papa has been a good steward of my estate, though there is an agent and the bailiff to care for the land. I have made it my business to visit my people from time to time, but whether I need to live there is another matter. I think we should try a few months at both estates and discover which suits us best.’
‘You are sensible as always,’ Phipps told her. ‘What have you been doing this past week? I have thought of you every day and wondered how you went on.’
‘Oh, well enough,’ Amanda said in a dismissive manner, for she did not want to tell him that each day had seemed an age without him. ‘I have been measured for my wedding dress and a few new gowns, though I do not need so very many.’
‘No, for you must buy some in Paris,’ Phipps told her with a twinkle in his eye. ‘Mama says there’s nothing like a gown made in Paris—and she should know for she has an armoire filled with them.’
Amanda laughed at this, saying, ‘I am looking forward to meeting your mama, Phipps. I hope she will like me.’
‘How could she fail to?’ he asked in a manner so fond that she could almost feel herself loved. ‘My father is excessively pleased with me and has given me a larger allowance, as well as a present of three thousand pounds, which is more than I had expected and will provide for a wedding trip we may enjoy.’
Amanda wanted to ask so many questions, but before she could begin to ask them Mama came into the room, bearing a letter in her hand. It was obvious that she was shocked about something and Amanda’s heart caught. She started forward, holding out her hand, her heart pounding with fright.
‘Is something wrong with Papa?’
‘No, nothing like that, my love. It is just the most shocking news—about Miss Langton...’
‘Cynthia?’ Amanda said, her throat tight of a sudden. ‘Has something happened to her?’
‘She has eloped with the Marquis of Shearne,’ Mama told her. ‘I have it from Lady Marlborough, who had it from her cousin, and their estate marches with her own.’
‘Cynthia has run off with him?’ Amanda stared
at her mother. ‘But why would she do such a thing? In her letter to me, she said that her mother liked him...so why run off?’
‘Apparently, Lady Langton received a letter warning her of his true character and informing her that he had done something wicked in the past. She forbade her daughter to speak to him again and banished the man from her house; the next morning she discovered that Cynthia was missing—and she learned that a coach she believed to be the marquis’s had been seen leaving the area at a spanking pace early that morning.’
‘Who would send such a letter?’ Amanda asked, feeling a little uneasy, though she could not have said why—except that she had threatened she would do so and Shearne might well believe that she had done so out of anger or spite.
She felt coldness at her nape and a shiver went down her spine.
‘It does not follow that Cynthia went willingly,’ Amanda said. ‘He—might have abducted her and it may not truly be an elopement...’
‘Lord have mercy!’ Mama cried and sat down in the nearest chair, clutching her letter. ‘What makes you say such a thing, Amanda?’
‘Because she knows the marquis is not to be trusted,’ Phipps spoke before Amanda could reply. ‘He has frightened Miss Field on more than one occasion and is not to be trusted with vulnerable young ladies.’
‘Oh, my goodness,’ Mama said weakly. ‘It makes one feel positively faint to think of it... If he does not marry her, she will be ruined.’
‘It is my fault, Mama,’ Amanda said. ‘I knew he was a rogue and yet I did not warn her. I was afraid she might think I was interfering, but I see that I should have done so.’
‘You ought to have told me if you knew she had a feeling for him, Amanda. I might then have given her mother a hint much sooner and thus prevented a scandal and the girl’s ruin.’
‘Yes, Mama, I see my fault,’ Amanda owned. ‘I was too much concerned with my own affairs. Besides, I did not dream that Cynthia would do anything so rash.’
‘Perhaps she did not,’ Phipps said. ‘It is entirely possible that she merely went to tell him she could not see him and was snatched out of revenge. Shearne is a jealous, petty man and I would put nothing past him.’
Mama looked overcome with distress. ‘I feel for her family—but what can we do now? It is too late, for if I have learned of this shocking occurrence so must many others and the poor girl will be ruined.’
‘It may not be too late,’ Phipps said. ‘I shall send an urgent post to Brock and ask him to look into the situation. No one knows Shearne better or dislikes him more. I know he will spare no effort to find them—and to rescue Miss Langton if it is possible.’
‘Oh, do you think he might do something?’ Mama asked, looking at him hopefully.
‘I shall go to send the letter express at once. I would offer to look for them myself, but Brock will know what to do—and I must see you safely to the country. Though, if I could be of help to Brock afterwards, I should hold myself at his disposal.’
‘What a comfort you are to be sure,’ Mama said. ‘I am so glad you were here, Phipps, for I do not feel that I should worry Lord Armstrong with this.’
‘Indeed, ma’am. We must keep it to ourselves as much as possible, if Miss Langton is to be rescued. Mayhap it will be possible to find some reasonable explanation for her behaviour that will restore her in the eyes of society.’
‘It must be hoped so for her sake, and for her family,’ Mama said. ‘Oh, dear, and I had hoped this would be such a happy time for us all.’
‘And so it will, Mama,’ Amanda said. ‘Phipps and Brock will do all they can to save her and her reputation, if it is possible, but it can make no real difference to our plans. Though it casts a shadow...’
Mama agreed that they must do what they could, though it was clear that she felt Cynthia was ruined no matter what the reason for her disappearance. However, she went off to her room to recover before joining the countess for afternoon tea.
Amanda looked up at Phipps. ‘You know that Brock has gone home? Your letter will take a day or so to reach him—would it not be better to go in person to save time?’
‘The damage has already been done,’ Phipps said. ‘My duty is to you and your mama, though it is like you to think of others first.’
‘I am at fault for not warning Cynthia.’
‘I doubt she would have listened. Shearne has a certain charm with ladies—even though both you and Miss Field took him in dislike, there are many that think him fascinating. Miss Langton is headstrong and might have defied you even had you warned her.’
Amanda knew he was right, though she still felt guilty and anxious for her friend. Phipps went off almost at once to send his letter express and promised to return to dine with them that evening, as expected.
Amanda joined the others for tea, feeling ill at ease. A shadow had suddenly fallen over her, for she could not think of her friend without regret and still felt some blame for what had happened. Yet there was nothing she could do but keep Cynthia’s secret. The whispers would no doubt spread, but if Brock came up with a plan for her rescue, Amanda would help all she could by remaining Cynthia’s friend no matter what.
She did not at first give much credence to the idea that the marquis meant to marry Cynthia, but then the thought struck her that perhaps he wanted her fortune and, if she had obeyed her mama and broken with him, then he might have carried her off to marry her by force. If he had ruined her, she would have little choice but to wed him.
It was a disturbing thought and Amanda wished with all her heart that her friend might escape her fate with her reputation intact, though, try as she might, she could see no way of achieving that favourable option.
* * *
Amanda went downstairs as soon as she was ready that evening, so she was in the parlour when Phipps arrived. She went to him at once, looking at him for reassurance. He took her hands, gazing down at her in his steadfast way and smiling to comfort her.
‘The letter has gone and Brock will receive it tomorrow for the courier will ride through the night to deliver it. Brock will do what he can, I promise you that, my love—and, as far as I can ascertain, the news has not yet begun to be spoken of in town. If we can find her, we may be able to limit the damage, though she may be best to go abroad for a year or so.’
‘Supposing Shearne needs her fortune and has married her?’
‘Then I see no help for her,’ Phipps said. ‘While he lives he will control her fortune, even if she leaves him—unless we could prove that she was unwilling and we do not yet know whether she went willingly.’
‘No...’ Amanda caught her breath. ‘I have been worrying for her, but it is to no avail until we find out for certain the circumstances of her disappearance.’
‘You must not let this spoil things for you, my love,’ Phipps said, then bent his head and kissed her softly on the lips. She felt herself tremble and melted into him, her heart beating wildly as he traced the line of her cheek with his fingertips. ‘I want this to be a happy time for you.’
‘It is. I am,’ she said breathlessly. ‘Yet Cynthia is my friend and I must regret this has happened to her.’
‘As do we all,’ he agreed. ‘Rest assured that we shall do all we can. Brock will know where to find me if he needs me and we shall see how we go on.’
Amanda could only agree. She had been anxious for Jane’s sake, but it seemed that the marquis had only meant to dally with her; he was looking for richer prey and it appeared that poor Cynthia had walked into his net.
All they could do now was to wait and see if Brock could find the runaways and then form some kind of plan to extricate her from the scandal into which she had fallen. Their dependence was all upon him and Amanda could only pray that he had some idea of where to find them.
* * *
‘I wish you a good journey,’ the countess said as she kissed Amanda’s cheek the next morning. ‘I had hoped to persuade your mama to bring you to us at home one of these days, but I know you have much
to plan. I can only wish you happiness in your marriage.’
Amanda thanked her for her kindness and went out to the waiting carriage. She had liked the countess well enough, but in the circumstances must be glad to be returning home. There was so much to be set in train for the wedding and the matter of Cynthia’s disappearance weighed on her, for she felt herself in part to blame. Had she told Cynthia about the marquis’s behaviour to Miss Field on the day of the picnic, perhaps it might have been averted.
However, there was no point in repining over something that had already happened and, being a sensible girl, she pushed the thought to the back of her mind for the moment.
Phipps had chosen to ride and Mama’s maid accompanied them and Jane in the carriage, which meant that they did not feel free to discuss Cynthia’s predicament. They spent the most part of the time discussing various plans for the wedding, and in speaking of their friends, the first part of the journey was soon accomplished.
Phipps had delivered them to a respectable inn where they all alighted to partake of a light meal while the horses were changed. The advantage of going post was that all the horses were of the same quality and no time was wasted behind a sluggish pair, which sometimes happened if one used one’s own carriage and hired horses on the various stages.
The journey into Leicestershire was too far for it to be accomplished in one day and so they were obliged to stop at another inn overnight. The White Hart was a busy posting house and frequented by the aristocracy on their journey northwards from London. Phipps had seen to it that rooms were secured in advance for all of them, including her ladyship’s maid and the grooms, and a good dinner was bespoke for them on their arrival in a private parlour.
‘I am tired, Amanda,’ Mama said as soon as they had eaten. ‘I think we should go up at once, for we have almost as long a day before us tomorrow.’
‘Yes, of course,’ Amanda agreed. She stood up and went over to Phipps who had just returned after speaking to the landlord. ‘We shall say goodnight, sir. Mama is very tired.’
