by Amanda Scott
Sir Henry snored just then, and a gurgle of laughter escaped Nell’s lips. “I only hope he does not wake Mama,” she said, still chuckling.
IX
“HOW DID YOU GUESS I had the headache, sir?” Nell asked him after they had been walking for some moments in silence.
“You get tiny lines between your eyebrows and at the corners of your eyes,” he replied. “I remembered the signs, that’s all.”
She digested his words slowly, then looked up at him with a teasing smile. “’Tis not very chivalrous of you, sir, to call attention to the lines in a lady’s face.”
“Are you offended, Nell?” He looked down, his gaze seeming to catch and even to search her own for a brief moment before she looked away. “I thought not. It was an excellent picnic,” he added.
“Yes,” she agreed, grateful for the change of subject. “Cook prides herself on such cold collations as that. I particularly like her fried chicken. There is some spice or other that she uses that—”
“All right, Nell, take a damper.”
“You brought up the subject,” she pointed out. “I was merely doing my possible to pursue it.”
“The devil you were. You are not usually so diffident, my dear. In general, I have found you to be refreshingly direct. What did you wish to say to me?”
He was right about her lack of diffidence. Nell had not previously thought she had retained a diffident bone in her body. In the old days, to be sure, she had been shy upon meeting new people, and had found it to be extraordinarily difficult to indulge in the general sort of small talk that was so common at social affairs. But even then, within the ranks of her own family and friends, she had not been averse to speaking her mind. In fact, she had often thought that perhaps it had been her more assertive habits rather than her shyness that had kept her from finding a suitable husband during her first and only Season.
She realized that Huntley was patiently awaiting her response, and tried to think how to answer him. Though she believed they were in a way to regaining their old footing, she did not wish him to think she was daring to criticize his behavior, nor—remembering his comments about his sister—did she want him to think she had grown overly assertive. For although she had not before believed him to be a man easily intimidated by others, he had said he was, and she had seen for herself his reaction to Lady Agnes’s gentle vinaigrette.
“I believe,” she said at last, slowly, “that I have made my opinions clear, my lord.”
“Cut the formality, Nell. It is unnecessary. Do you refer to your wish that I should lend my escort whenever you and Aurora accept an invitation for an evening’s pleasure?”
She nodded. “Oh, not every invitation, my lor—Sorry,” she interjected quickly when he shot her a pained look from under his heavy brows. “I do realize that you have obligations of your own, and neither Rory nor I would expect you to be continually dancing attendance upon us. Even a husband would not do so much as that. But I do think you ought to make your claims more evident than you have been making them, lest her behavior and your lack of interest serve to inform others that she is free to accept their advances.”
“You think I should be with her now, do you not?” Her silence answered him, and he sighed. “I confess that after an hour or so I begin to find the company of Rory and her young friends a trifle tedious. ’Tis no doubt due to my advancing years.”
Laughing, Nell shook her head at him. “Really, sir, there is nothing at all advanced about your age. One look at Sir Henry ought to reassure you on that score.” But then she turned serious again. “Do you not fear that perhaps you will find Rory tiresome as a bride?”
He shrugged. “It is a possibility, I daresay, but it is a condition that must, in the nature of things, be leavened by time. At all events, since the halls of Huntley Green are not likely to be found teeming with other members of the younger set, I shall have only Aurora to contend with. No doubt she will soon learn to conform peaceably to my wishes.”
She stared at him, thinking in amazement that he seemed perfectly sincere. For the first time, Nell entertained some doubts about the possibility of Huntley’s making a suitable husband for her niece. It was clear at any rate that if his future was not to be made entirely miserable, he must be brought to a better understanding of Rory’s nature. And since no one else was likely to take the trouble to explain matters to him, Nell came to the uncomfortable conclusion that she must take that task upon herself. She straightened her shoulders and, laying a gentle hand upon his arm, drew him to a halt.
“Let us sit quietly beneath that tree yonder, my friend,” she said quietly. “I think we must discuss this business more thoroughly.”
Obediently, he followed her, and once they were seated on the grass beneath the tree, Nell searched her mind for a tactful way to begin. There were other people strolling about on the green, but none who gave them more than a passing glance. Huntley smiled at her.
“Well?”
“You must know that my niece has been greatly indulged all her life, sir,” she began, still feeling her way.
“Indeed, and what is that to say to anything? Do you fear I shall deprive her of the little luxuries she is accustomed to? I assure you, I have no such intention. I do think her a trifle spoiled, however, and I have no intention of allowing her to rule the roast. Surely, you do not expect that of me.”
“It is not merely that Rory is accustomed to luxuries, sir. She is also accustomed to getting her own way. I cannot believe you actually thought it a good notion to let her go off with those young rattles this afternoon. Yet you agreed to the scheme. It was not, believe me, a good precedent to set.”
“I encouraged her to go because I wished to speak with you.”
“You might have contrived to speak privately with me,” she pointed out, “and still have kept her safely here with us.”
“You contradict yourself, my girl.”
“I am not your girl, and I wish you will stop taking such familiarities with me, sir. ’Tis most improper. And do not quibble,” she added more tartly yet when he only smiled at her. “Rory might just as easily have remained with Mama and Sir Henry while we had our talk. You sent her off with Kit and the others because you did not wish to be subjected to a fit of the sullens, or worse. And if that is plain speaking, well I’m sorry for it, but I believe it to be the case.”
“Do you truly think me incapable of dealing with a childish fit of the sullens?” His voice was gentle, but there was also a note in it that she could not identify.
“Yes, I do,” she answered roundly. “Not when the fit is one of Rory’s. You would scold her, sir, which merely serves to stir her resentment. She must be coaxed and jollied along and treated with gentleness. I had thought you would understand that, for you appeared always to be a patient man. But now you seem quick to exasperation, which can only serve you ill, sir.”
He looked thoughtful for a moment before he spoke. “I am sorry if you think I am too quick to scold her, but to put the matter bluntly, ma’am, your niece displays a lamentable resistance to having her actions curtailed in any way, which is one of her less endearing characteristics and one that will have to change as she grows older. She cannot expect to continue to do as she pleases without regard for anyone else. Such behavior may have done well enough in her father’s home. It will not be tolerated in mine.”
“Oh dear,” Nell said. “I do not envy you the months ahead.”
“I daresay you fear tears and tantrums, do you not? I cannot deny the possibility, of course, but I am not an ogre. I do realize that Rory is very young. But you must have realized that her youth is an advantage. She has not yet become so set in her ways that she cannot change. One of the main reasons, in fact, that I have chosen to allow her a loose rein here in Brighton is that I wish her to see for herself that I mean her no harm. However, if my indulgence is going to be interpreted by others as a lack of interest, I quite agree that I must make a greater show of my presence. Now, what do you say t
o a stroll toward the esplanade? We shall excuse ourselves to your mama and Sir Henry, or to your coachman if they are not yet receiving visitors, and then I shall inform Laxton that I desire him to meet us later with my carriage.”
Nell nodded and let him help her to her feet, even chuckling when he threatened to murder her if he had gotten grass stains on his cream-colored breeches. But her thoughts were moving in other directions.
Huntley honestly seemed to believe that with his guidance Rory would simply mend her ways to suit his, but Nell, having seen for herself the results of a no-doubt severe tongue-lashing the previous evening, did not for a moment believe her niece would prove to be so malleable as his lordship expected. Rory only resented such interference in her pleasure. At this rate, and with nothing to prevent it, their marriage would surely prove to be a continual battleground. Nell decided she would consider the matter more deeply. Surely there must be a way to steer his lordship toward a more acceptable, less frustrating, method of dealing with Rory’s volatile character.
Since they made no effort to hurry, the afternoon was waning, and the breeze blowing in across the cliffs was growing crisper by the time they reached the esplanade. There were still a good many persons strolling about on the lawn, but it was clear that the race was done, for several people were standing on the sea wall, a thing that certainly would not have been tolerated by the spectators lined up behind them while the race was in progress. Suddenly Nell gave a little cry of dismay and clutched at Huntley’s arm.
“I see her,” he replied grimly. “Come along.” His pace increased to a speed that made it difficult for Nell to keep up with him, but she skipped and nearly ran at his side rather than begging him to slow down. The sight that had stiffened his pace was that of the Lady Aurora Crossways standing up with several others on the sea wall. Rory saw them approaching just then and waved, calling out their names.
“Merciful heavens, she will fall!” Nell exclaimed.
“Nonsense,” he replied. “She will not be that lucky.”
She could tell from the set of his jaw that he was angry, but she dared not warn him now to control his temper for fear of inciting it further. Besides, she would rather like to tear a strip from her niece, herself. As they drew nearer, she realized that things were worse than she had feared, for she had seen her brother and his friends. They were arm in arm below Rory on the flagway and appeared to be singing. Rory was waving her arms as if she were a conductor leading an orchestra.
“They must be tipsy,” Nell said, annoyed. “Otherwise, surely they would make her get down from there. They must realize how dangerous it is.”
“They are all castaway,” Huntley growled.
“All? Surely, you don’t mean Rory as well!” she protested, peering ahead to get a better look at her niece. Rory seemed only very gay. Her eyes sparkled and there was a great deal of color in her cheeks. Several hairpins seemed to have escaped her coif, and there were strands of golden hair blowing about her face, but she seemed energetic rather than tipsy. Nevertheless, when Nell looked up at Huntley, he nodded, not seeming to doubt for a moment that Rory had been imbibing something other than lemonade or orgeat.
They had reached the group by now, and Kit was the first of the gentlemen to see them. He grinned at his sister.
“Step right up, m’dear,” he said cheerfully. “Dashed if you shan’t join us in a rousing chorus. All right now, boys, with a fal lal lal—all together now!”
“Kit! Whatever are you about?”
“Now, don’t be a dashed spoilsport, Nell. Sing!”
“Lindale!” Huntley’s voice ripped across the intervening space.
Kit’s eyes focused with difficulty on his lordship. “Sir?”
“I shall not attempt to discuss your perfidy with you here, young man, but I shall most certainly want a word in private with you later.”
“I, too,” Nell said, her own temper flaring as she watched her niece swaying atop the sea wall. It was clear enough now that Rory was not simply indulging high spirits. “Rory, come down from there at once!”
“Aunt Nell, you cannot imagine how high above the sea one is when one stands up here. Come up and see for yourself. ’Tis prodigious exciting!”
“Come down, Rory,” Nell said, gritting her teeth.
“Well, I won’t. ’Tis far too intoxicating to be so high up in the world. The air is wonderfully rarefied. You must try it … Oh, how dare you!” she demanded in sudden fury as Huntley reached up and lifted her unceremoniously to the pavement. Despite her struggles, he retained a firm hold on her and commanded Nell in grim tones to look about her for a team of dappled grays drawing a dark green landaulet with its wheels picked out in yellow.
“In front of the Bedford at the end nearest the Mansion,” she said a moment later. “Oh, Philip, couldn’t you release her? People are beginning to stare.”
“Let them,” he retorted harshly. A moment later, he bent his head to whisper something in Rory’s ear, and though she glared at him and seemed perilously near to tears, she ceased her violent struggles and allowed him to guide her past the others. Nell hurried along in their wake, ignoring the surprised inquiries from Kit’s friends as to why they were taking themselves off in such a rush.
“Won’t you join us for supper?” Harry Seton called after them. “M’ sister’s ordered a bang-up spread, and there’s still the odd bottle of champagne left, y’know. You’re welcome. Lady Agnes and Sir Henry, too, if they’ve a mind.”
Nell couldn’t bring herself to reply at all, but she thought from the look of him that he was enjoying a state of inebriety far more advanced than Rory’s, which made it fairly certain that he wouldn’t remember her lack of manners any time beyond the next few moments, anyway.
Ahead of her, Huntley had managed to catch his driver’s eye, and the dark green landaulet was moving slowly through the crowded street toward them. A few moments later, Rory was seated on the forward seat wrapped up in a warm blanket and glowering at her future husband while he addressed a few shattering home truths to her in tones that made Nell, an uncomfortable third party, fervently wish herself elsewhere. Once he had had his say, a tense silence enfolded them all, but since Nell, at least, kept expecting another explosion from one or the other of her two companions, the journey back to Upper Rock Gardens was scarcely a comfortable one.
Once they reached the, house, Huntley stepped down from the carriage and stretched out a hand first to Nell and then to Rory. The younger girl seemed unnaturally subdued, which was not to be wondered at, Nell thought sympathetically, following her into the house. Huntley asked Jeremy, who opened the door to them, to send for her ladyship’s maid.
“I’ll go up with her,” Nell said.
“No, I want to speak with you,” he said quietly. “She will prefer to have her maid just now, I assure you.”
“But I could take her up and then come back, my lord.”
“No, Nell.”
Rory’s gaze drifted vaguely from one to the other. The high color was gone now, and her cheeks seemed pale, although her eyes had an odd sparkle and her pupils seemed overlarge. She still did not speak.
Sadie came hurrying to greet them, clucking her tongue at her mistress’s indisposition and saying Miss Lindale could just leave her to see she was all right. Rory no longer swayed when she walked. In fact, Nell thought she moved rather stiffly. She mentioned this observation to Huntley when they had adjourned to the small green saloon.
He chuckled. “She’s simply determined to look as though she’s perfectly all right, that’s all. You should have seen what I used to look like when I’d come home and meet my father in the hall after a night out on the tiles. I walked like an animated poker. Must have given the old man more than the odd chuckle, I must say.”
“Well, I don’t think it’s funny, sir. I don’t for a moment believe she knew what she was about, and I think you were very harsh with her. Though, to be sure, she might have been seriously injured had she fallen from the wall
, and I think it’s a disgrace that those young men encouraged her to behave in such a fashion. But I hope you don’t mean to scold me as well, for I warned you how it would be. Oh, I should have trusted my instincts and refused to allow her to go off with them! Only think of that Mary Seton, or whatever her name is now, letting her have champagne!”
“Lord, you don’t think it was a mere glass or two of champagne, do you? If that young lady hasn’t been trying her taste for gin, you may call me a Dutchman.”
“Well, I shouldn’t do anything so uncivil. But what makes you certain it was gin? I know Mr. Seton said they had champagne.”
“I could smell the gin on her breath,” he replied. “And if they had champagne before, I can tell you she didn’t drink much of either one or she’d be very sick by now. I daresay she merely had a glass of the one and a few swallows, if that much, of the other. Foolish beyond permission, of course, and she deserved everything I said to her, but I’m sorry you had to witness such a scene, Nell.” He paused, smiling down at her in a way that made her pulse beat a good deal faster. “The real culprit is that brother of yours, you know. He should have known better than to allow her to drink more than a very small glass of the wine.”
“Indeed, and I shall have his head for this dreadful business,” Nell agreed, but the words, uttered as they were while she was staring into his eyes, lacked force.
“Perhaps you had better wait until I have spoken with him,” his lordship said gently. “I shall endeavor to leave you a nibble or two.” The sally made her chuckle, and he winked at her. “As for that baggage upstairs, give her some moments to recover her dignity before you go up, and if she is sleeping, so much the better. It has been a long day already, and there is still the ball at the Pavilion to be got through. And Nell?” He waited until she looked up at him again. “Don’t think too badly of me for losing my temper. I daresay you are right, and she had no notion what would happen, but she will know better next time. The scold will not have harmed her in the slightest, and no doubt she will be feeling heartily ashamed of herself before long.”
