A Lady at Last

by Brenda Joyce

  Amanda almost smiled. “You are such a loyal friend!”

  Eleanor hugged her. “I meant it when I said you have become a sister to me! Oh, what shall we do to her? Shall we spread some terrible rumor about her?”

  Amanda smiled grimly. “It is tempting, but while she was rude and nasty, she only spoke the truth.”

  “Amanda, she can hurt your prospects. We must squash this rumor at once!”

  Amanda sat down. Some of her tension was easing. Cliff would be furious when he learned of this visit. She was still furious. “But it isn’t a rumor, Eleanor.” She wished she could tell Eleanor that the gossip didn’t matter, because she wouldn’t be in town for very long. “When I first came to town, I was so afraid that something like this would happen. I have endured such condescension my entire life. I was a wild child once. I did beg and steal when I was alone on the island during Papa’s cruises. But I have changed Eleanor. I can read and write and your father said I am a good dancer. Papa was a gentleman once, and my mother is Lady Belford. I am not hiding, not from Jane Cochran and not from anyone.” She knew Cliff would approve of her firm stand.

  Eleanor sat down beside her. “I know you dislike discussing your mother, but if she would only step forward, this would be so much easier.”

  Amanda shot to her feet. “No! I don’t need her help.”

  Eleanor took her arm. “Amanda, this accusation must be put down as a vicious lie.”

  Amanda stared. “Perhaps you are right. But if I am ever faced again this way, I am not going to deny the truth. I am not going to cower. We have three calls to make tomorrow. I promised the countess I would accompany her and I will.”

  Eleanor stared. Finally she said, “You do not know society as well as I do. I do not want to see you hurt.”

  Amanda thought about Cliff, who had broken her heart. “Gossip can’t hurt me.” She did not add that only Eleanor’s brother could achieve that. “I am behind in my reading and Monsieur Michelle is testing me this afternoon. I think I should study. And I don’t think we should dwell on Lady Cochran anymore.” Then she added, “Eleanor, it really doesn’t matter. I am not a pirate’s daughter anymore.”

  Eleanor smiled grimly, hugging her briefly again. “You are so brave.”

  Amanda had just left the room when Lizzie came in, Chaz in her arms, struggling to get down. She turned. “Where are the ladies?”

  “I take it you do not know them well?” Eleanor asked bitterly.

  “I do not know them at all. I was introduced to Lady Cochran once, several years ago, at a supper party. We did not even converse after the introduction. What happened? You seem upset.”

  “They came here to taunt Amanda. Someone knows the truth and they know it now, too.”

  Lizzie paled and gave up on Chaz, letting him down. He ran across the room, knocking over a small table as he did so. “Oh dear,” Lizzie whispered. “Now what do we do?”

  “Amanda has decided to do nothing, as if nothing has happened at all. But I know better. We need Mother, and we need to make certain this rumor dies today.”

  AMANDA NEVER OPENED her book. Instead, she touched the pearls at her throat, the precious gift Cliff had given to her, missing him so much that it hurt. It was hard to be upset about Jane Cochran and her friends when her heart was so broken, yet she remained angry. She did not deserve their scorn, but she had weathered their plot easily enough. She actually felt sorry for Jane, who was clearly an unhappy shrew. Tomorrow she might be cut and scorned anew, yet she would manage. She was proud of how far she had come and she would never hide from anything or anyone again. An ugly rumor—even one that was true—couldn’t bring La Sauvage back.

  She thought about Cliff, who was somewhere in Holland, who wouldn’t even look at her now. Even as angry as he was, he would have been angrier with those women if he had been present, and he would have instantly come to her defense. She knew it and it pleased her. Maybe, in spite of his terrible resolve, he would still be her champion from a distance, just as she would always love him from a distance. She smiled a little.

  Amanda turned as a knock sounded on her door. The Countess of Adare appeared, and from the solemn expression on her face and the compassion in her eyes, Amanda knew that Eleanor had told her what had happened. “I understand there was a very awkward moment downstairs,” she began quietly.

  Amanda almost pretended not to comprehend her. Then she sighed and sat down. “I am so sorry that such a distasteful encounter occurred in your home, my lady.”

  The countess started. “Do not apologize to me, my dear! I am worried about you. Eleanor said you were fine, and you do not seem terribly upset.”

  Amanda hesitated. Finally she said, “It hurt. Of course it did. I did nothing to provoke such an attack.”

  Mary sat down in an adjacent chair and reached for her hand. “Amanda, dear, this entire family is behind you. We will never abandon you. You do know that?”

  The countess’s generous and gracious nature had never been more evident. In that moment, Amanda wanted to become a great lady exactly like her—a lady who was unstintingly kind, generous to a fault and always gracious, no matter the provocation. “I think I do. Countess, I know I have thanked you for your hospitality but your affection means so much to me.”

  Mary squeezed her hand. “I think of you as a daughter,” she said simply. Then, with a gleam in her eyes, “But Eleanor is right. At some point, there must be some retribution.”

  Amanda’s eyes widened. She was stunned.

  Mary smiled. “My dear, I am an Irishwoman first and last and my ancestors were great warriors, even the women. A bit of their hot blood still runs in my veins.”

  “But you are the Countess of Adare!”

  “True. And I wasn’t thinking of taking that dagger of yours and doing anything with it. I was thinking of a more personal form of vengeance. Jane’s mother is great friends with Lady Carrington, and I assure you, she will be there at the ball. Hmm…shall I lend you my diamonds for the ball? Perhaps with my pearl and diamond tiara? Jane will die of envy.”

  Amanda bit her lip, then laughed. “She would be pea-green, but I can’t borrow such finery, my lady.”

  “Of course you can,” Mary said, patting her hand, another gleam in her eyes. Then she directed her regard to Amanda. “But first things first. I approve of your pride, but there is no point in allowing this rumor to ruin your prospects. Therefore, we will make a fourth call tomorrow.”

  The countess had a plan. “Who will we call on?” she asked, terribly interested now.

  “We will call on my good friend Lady Marsden, a very esteemed and powerful dowager countess, and we will put an end to the absolute nonsense begun by Lady Cochran.”

  Softly, Amanda said, “But it isn’t nonsense.”

  And Mary de Warenne’s eyes turned to steel. “Oh, it is nonsense, my dear, for I shall have it no other way.”

  THE NEXT AFTERNOON Amanda and Mary de Warenne were shown into an opulent salon. Eleanor, Lizzie and Tyrell de Warenne were with them. The heir to the earldom was a tall, dark man who bore a shocking resemblance to his brother Rex. Amanda found him as imposing as the earl, even though they had conversed pleasantly enough before the opera the other night.

  Amanda was nervous in spite of her resolve. She knew the first few calls would be difficult indeed. And Lady Marsden was as dignified as she had imagined. She was a heavyset woman with blue-white hair who dared to wear royal blue velvet and sapphires for day. She was entertaining mixed company; two gentlemen and three young ladies were present. Swallowing, Amanda realized that Garret MacLachlan was one of the callers. She finally felt some dread. It was one thing to face those she did not care about, but another to face a man she genuinely liked.

  He saw her and his eyes widened in surprise, and then, as if he had not heard the rumors, he smiled quite disarmingly at her.

  As the countess led the way into the salon, Tyrell de Warenne pulled her aside. Amanda was very startled.

  H
e smiled at her. “Miss Carre, you are my brother’s ward, which makes me responsible for you, as well.”

  She nodded, wondering where he would lead.

  “You are under my protection, which is the protection of Adare. You must calm your fears. We will navigate our way through this very small but highly unpleasant crisis, and by the time my obtuse brother returns home, we will have forgotten there ever was such an unfortunate event.”

  “I hope that is the case,” Amanda said, not at all at ease with the earl’s heir. But she smiled at him. “You have many duties, my lord. You really don’t have to add me to them.”

  He grinned. “Of course I do! My wife would throttle me if I did not care for you.” His smile faded. “Lady Marsden’s bark is far worse than her bite and she is very fond of my mother. Hold your head high and be true to yourself. You will win her over in no time, just as you have won over my family.”

  Amanda decided to do as he said. “If I were to be absolutely myself, my lord, I might hold my head high while stepping on Jane Cochran’s skirts, as she is moving across a very slippery floor.”

  He laughed. “You remind me exactly of my sister,” he said. “Shall we?” He took her arm.

  Amanda realized just how symbolic the gesture was, for she was on the arm of the future Earl of Adare. “Thank you for such chivalry,” she murmured.

  He sent her a smile.

  Lady Marsden approached in a terribly regal manner. Amanda was aware that the rest of her company all gazed fixedly at her as Tyrell escorted her inside. She felt her cheeks heat, but she did not lower her chin or her eyes. Clearly everyone in the room except for Garret knew about her dubious past.

  “My dear, dear Countess Adare,” Lady Marsden cried, embracing her with a smile. “My dear Mary!”

  “It is good to see you, too, Dot,” Mary said, smiling as they clasped hands.

  Across the room, the three women were whispering to one another while glancing over at her repeatedly. Amanda stiffened her spine and smiled at them all.

  Lady Marsden now turned her attention to Eleanor, clearly ignoring Amanda. “You, I know, and well,” she said darkly to Eleanor. “So you married a commoner—your stepbrother, no less! Why have you not called on me, Eleanor?” she demanded.

  Eleanor curtsied. “Because I knew you would not approve of my having made a love match,” she said boldly.

  Lady Marsden laughed. “But I do approve. You hardly needed a fortune. Besides, he is a handsome rake, is he not? I expect you to bring your husband with you the next time you call—the end of the week will do.”

  Eleanor nodded, her eyes dancing, but otherwise, her expression was shockingly demure.

  Lady Marsden then went over to Tyrell, still refusing to acknowledge Amanda. He bowed and kissed her hand. “I see you remain as well as ever, Lady Marsden,” he said. “As gracious, as hospitable. What a splendid gathering.”

  “Oh, do cease your flattery. You have changed!” she exclaimed. “You are more handsome than ever, if that is possible. Come here, Lizzie. She is with child again? Tyrell! Have you no shame?”

  He just laughed.

  “It is my fault, my lady,” Lizzie said with a grin, curtsying. “I am the one who insists on having a very large family.”

  Lady Marsden shook her head. “I never thought to see you two again, as you both seem to wish to hibernate in that heathen land you insist on calling home.”

  Tyrell and Lizzie chatted briefly with the forbidding dowager, inviting her to Adare. Neither Lizzie nor Tyrell seemed at all intimidated by her harsh and outspoken manner. Awaiting her introduction, Amanda glanced across the salon.

  Garret smiled at her immediately and approached. There was no avoiding him now.

  “Miss Carre, ’tis a happy surprise to see ye here.”

  She dared to meet his regard. “My lord, it is a lovely day.”

  His green gaze was searching. “’Tis a fine day…but I see a shadow in those beautiful eyes.”

  She flushed. He was shameless when flirting. “I am fine.”

  He seemed doubtful. “I admire yer courage, Miss Carre,” he said softly. “Lass, ye have enough fer a dozen men.”

  She gaped. Had he heard the gossip after all?

  Some sympathy filled his eyes. He pulled her away from the others. “I ha’ heard the accusations Jane Cochran has made. The shrew needs a lesson in manners, I think.”

  Amanda tensed. “It’s true.”

  He stared, their gazes holding, and when he smiled at her, it was the soft, heartbreaking smile Cliff had so often sent her. “I think I knew. A wild rose canna be mistaken fer its hothouse cousin. Lass, it only speaks to yer exceptional character that ye be here now.”

  Amanda was too stunned to reply.

  “Lady Marsden, you have not met my brother’s ward, Miss Amanda Carre,” Tyrell was saying firmly, causing Amanda to stiffen. But she was ready for the dowager, and she was never going to take Garret MacLachlan for granted again.

  Lady Marsden’s face hardened as she approached. “I know who she is,” she said coldly. She turned to the countess. “Really, Mary, is this your doing?”

  Amanda did not flinch, not now.

  Tyrell flushed with anger and started to speak. Mary took his arm, forestalling him. She smiled. “Miss Carre has become another daughter to me,” Mary said with a soft smile. “Her father, a retired naval officer, drowned on Jamaica Island, where he was a planter. He was a friend of Cliff’s, and his dying wish was for Cliff to look after her. We have been slowly introducing her to society, and as she is an exemplary and unusual young woman, I had to bring her to you.”

  Lady Marsden now faced Amanda fully, her eyes suspicious. “Is it true? Did your father drown? For that is not what I have heard!”

  Amanda hesitated. The truth was on the tip of her tongue, but then she saw Mary staring at her, begging her not to reveal herself. She owed the countess so much, and she managed a nod. “Yes, my lady, it is true. My father drowned very recently.”

  Mary sighed. “Dot, Jane Cochran is enraged because she is enamored of my son and Cliff will not give her any attention. And why should he? She is quite homely, with no gracious manners, and he doesn’t need her fortune. It is a true indication of her base character that she would spread such very vicious lies about my new daughter.”

  Lady Marsden seemed taken aback. “I have never liked that Cochran girl,” she said after a pause, “and you are right, she has always lacked the proper airs for her superior breeding. Well, if Miss Carre is a new daughter….” She turned to Amanda. “Come here, Miss Carre,” the dowager commanded.

  Amanda instantly obeyed, curtsying yet again.

  “You have suffered terribly,” Lady Marsden said. “I realize that now. You are very bold, however, to dare to put a single foot among the ton again.”

  Amanda smiled. The old lady really wasn’t frightening at all. “The countess wished for me to make your acquaintance and I have no reason to hide.” That was the truth. “It is a great honor meeting you, my lady.”

  “So you were raised in Jamaica?” Lady Marsden asked. “Is that not the West Indies?”

  Amanda nodded. “Yes it is.”

  “Hmm. I am very fond of travel. I wish for you to tell me what the island is like and advise me if I should make a voyage there in my advanced age.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  AMANDA WAS BEGINNING to feel very sick inside. Two weeks had passed and it was after six in the evening. At half past seven, they would be leaving Harmon House to go to the Carrington ball. Cliff had not returned.

  She stood at the window in disbelief and dismay, clad in a wrapper, her hair pinned up, wearing the countess’s stunning pearl and diamond tiara and the necklace Cliff had given her. All she had to do was be helped by a maid into her ball gown and gloves and a diamond bracelet the countess insisted she also wear. Amanda bit her lip.

  He would never disappoint her this way. Something terrible had to have happened to have delayed him. Either
that, or he was far angrier than she had thought.

  If he did not come, she wasn’t going to the ball. In spite of all that had happened, the first dance was his. She would not give it to anyone else.

  As she stood there, shivering, for the early autumn night was cool, her heart raced uncontrollably. She had been in a nervous, excited and apprehensive state all day. She had been afraid of their first reunion, of what his expression would be, of what he might say. She knew it was foolish, but she prayed he had forgiven her for what she had done at Ashford Hall. She prayed he had changed his mind about putting so many barriers between them. Even if he had not, she had to see him again. She was emotionally exhausted.

  And then she saw a hired hansom turn through the two brick pillars at the end of the drive. Amanda cried out, pushing open the window and staring as it approached. The black carriage came up the drive and paused before the house. The door opened, and Cliff alighted.

  She held on to the sill tightly, her heart hammering wildly now. He hadn’t let her down. She looked at him and was consumed by her feelings of love.

  He glanced up.

  Although she was two stories above, their gazes instantly locked.

  Amanda didn’t smile, she could not.

  He didn’t smile, either, but as he strode toward the house, he stared up at her, until he passed under the portico and out of sight.

  Amanda closed the window, shivering. Cliff had come home.

  HE STRODE INTO THE HALL, making a conscious effort to appear unhurried when what he wanted to do was run. He never veered, heading directly for the stairs, his pulse pounding with excitement. He would greet his children, and then he would casually say hello to Amanda. He knew he had to keep a distance from her, but he had missed Amanda more than he had ever missed anyone in the past two weeks. She had haunted his mind night and day. In fact, his nights had been sleepless; they had been hell. But he remained convinced that he had done the right thing in leaving, and in soliciting Adare to the cause of her marriage.