Incognito

by Suzanne Allain

  Emily agreed that they would, and before she had a chance to ask any other questions, her mother was giving the signal that it was time to leave the gentlemen to their port, and the ladies retired to the drawing room, where the talk was all of the mysterious highwayman.

  “I have heard that he is very gallant, and there is even talk of him being a gentleman fallen onto hard circumstances,” one of the ladies offered.

  “Nonsense.” Lady Abernathy contradicted in a voice that would brook no argument. “He’s a common thief. No gentleman of my acquaintance would ever behave in such a dastardly fashion.” Lady Abernathy was the wife of an earl, and took her position very seriously. She had steel gray curls that looked as though they were hard to the touch, as did all of her tall, skinny, angular body. Her posture seemed almost painfully straight, as if she had a poker down the back of her dress. It made Emily dreadfully aware of her own posture, and she always strained to sit straighter when Lady Abernathy was present.

  Since no one dared contradict Lady Abernathy, who outranked everyone in the room, it was probably a good thing the gentleman chose to rejoin the ladies soon after her pronouncement. Lady Smithfield promptly suggested Lydia entertain the guests by playing the pianoforte for them.

  “I have a much better notion, Mama,” Emily announced. “You know that while Lydia plays divinely, she has an even prettier singing voice. And I believe I have noticed the vicar’s pleasing baritone at church, as well. Why don’t I play the pianoforte, and Lydia and Mr. Sedgewick can favor us with a duet.”

  Lydia and Sedgewick looked less than pleased at this idea, and Lady Smithfield looked none too happy either, but Lord Abernathy took up the idea wholeheartedly, mentioning he loved to hear a duet.

  Satisfied her plan was working, Emily consulted with the two reluctant singers on a selection. They all agreed to a simple ballad, and Emily began to play. She was sorry that her position at the instrument didn’t enable her to see their expressions, but they sounded romantic enough, and at least it should start them thinking, singing a love song together. She did manage to sneak one peek behind her, and was unhappy to see Mr. Williams studying the two as intently as she was.

  Everyone clapped loudly at the conclusion of the song, and before Emily could suggest another duet, Lady Smithfield hurried to remind Lydia that it was her turn to play for them. Emily graciously retired and sought a seat next to the vicar.

  “I hope you didn’t mind my suggestion that you and Lydia should sing. I thought you both performed wonderfully.”

  “Well, I would have preferred not to have been thrust into the center of things as I was, but I must admit it was rather enjoyable.”

  “Well, I thought it would have been a shame if you and Lydia had never had the chance to sing together. I think you are a perfect match.” As Jonathan colored at this and looked rather alarmed, Emily thought she had gone a little too far and amended her statement. “Your voices, I mean. They seem perfectly matched.”

  Jonathan thanked her rather huffily and excused himself, and Emily realized she’d have a hard time getting these two together, blessed, as they both were, with a surfeit of propriety.

  “Are you trying your hand at a little matchmaking, Miss Smithfield?”

  Emily jumped, as she hadn’t seen Mr. Williams approach. Still, although her heart fluttered, she managed to answer composedly enough. “Was I that obvious?”

  “Well, you were a trifle heavy-handed, but for a first attempt it was probably not so bad. At least, I assume it’s your first attempt. You do not fit my notion of an experienced matchmaker.”

  “And just what is your notion of an experienced matchmaker?” Emily asked him, smiling up at him as he took the seat next to her.

  A picture of his father rose briefly in his mind, and he smiled grimly to himself. “Oh, I don’t know, older perhaps. Not quite so beautiful.” He watched in wonder as Emily blushed and looked uncomfortable at this remark. He reminded himself that this was a country girl, unused to the attentions of gentlemen. For some reason that thought pleased him. As Emily had not responded to his compliment, he spoke again in an attempt to put her at ease. “I have no experience as a matchmaker myself, but it seems as though it would be a difficult endeavor.”

  “It is,” Emily agreed, happy to have someone sympathize with her and even happier for the change of subject. “Especially when I have two such difficult subjects.”

  “May I ask why you persist, then, since it’s obvious they’re so unwilling to cooperate?”

  “Oh, they are not unwilling, I assure you. At least,” Emily amended, as she realized it was disloyal of her to betray her sister’s confidence, “I do not believe them to be.”

  “And why is that?” Alexander was very interested in her answer, as he hoped it matched his own conclusions.

  “Oh, it is just something you can tell. It is hard to describe. I suppose you’d have to be a lady to understand.”

  “Oh, I don’t think so. I think gentlemen can sense these things as well.”

  Emily wondered if it was just her imagination that caused her to believe that they were no longer speaking just of Lydia and Mr. Sedgewick. She could not think of a thing to say in reply, and realized she and Mr. Williams were staring intently at each other. With an effort, she lowered her gaze.

  “How long a visit do you make here, Mr. Williams?”

  “I am not certain. There are extenuating circumstances.” Alexander realized this was a strange reply and hurried to explain. “That is, I don’t have a position at the moment, as I was serving in a parish on a temporary basis, until a vicar took over the living. Once he did, I was forced to look elsewhere, so I’m here staying with Sedgewick until another opportunity presents itself.”

  Emily was a little disappointed at his lack of ambition. He seemed intelligent and gentlemanly; in her opinion he could go farther than being a humble curate. But it occurred to her that she did not know him well enough to say so, and she held her tongue. She decided to try instead to convince him to aid her in her matchmaking schemes. As the vicar’s close friend, he could influence him greatly. Before she could begin, Lady Smithfield interrupted.

  “Emily, Lydia, Lady Abernathy proposes to have a ball.”

  “Truly?” Emily jumped up excitedly, while Lydia just smiled her acceptance of the treat. “What is the occasion?”

  “Oh, none in particular, although we’ll probably invite some young men down from London. It’s high time someone showed an interest in you girls, before you’re left on the shelf completely.” Lady Abernathy chuckled somewhat mechanically, to show it was just a joke, while Lady Smithfield bristled.

  “It just so happens, Lady Abernathy, that Lydia’s received—”

  “Mama,” Emily interrupted, while Lydia could only look on, terrified. “It was to be our little secret, but now that you’ve begun, I suppose we dare not leave our friends in suspense. Mama’s referring to our new dressmaker, from whom Lydia commissioned a dress and has just received it. Now she’ll be able to wear it to your ball.”

  “A new dressmaker. Here in Stonehurst?”

  “No, no, I have already said too much, you shall just have to wait until your ball to hear the rest. Lydia would not want all the young ladies from miles around copying her dress.”

  Lady Abernathy looked satisfied, while Lady Smithfield was forced to swallow the news of Lydia’s engagement once again. But she looked forward with pleasure to crowing about it to Lady Abernathy as soon as Lord Wesleigh arrived from London. If he ever did arrive.

  The Abernathys were the highest ranking of the nobility in the parish, with the largest estate, Rothergate. They had one son, Viscount Farnwright, who would be attending the ball although he had already married and spent most of his time in London. Alexander was slightly acquainted with Farnwright, and was grateful that as a lowly curate no one would care whether he attended the ball or not. He noticed Emily’s delight at the prospect of the ball and smiled to himself. She was a taking little thing.
He hoped that she would make it to London one day for a season of her own. It was too bad his mother was not still living or she might have offered to take the girl under her wing. He dismissed that thought and pondered instead the little scene he had just witnessed. It seemed as though Lady Smithfield had been about to announce the news of Lydia’s engagement before Emily interrupted. He was thankful, of course, as he had no desire to publicize the betrothal, but he wondered that the Smithfield family didn’t shout it from the rooftops. It would be to Emily’s advantage if her sister married well. It would put her in the way of meeting eligible gentleman. But, from her behavior earlier that evening, it was obvious she had different plans in mind for her sister. Just what was the little minx up to?

  He noticed all of a sudden that Lord Abernathy was staring at him, and he racked his brain to think of any way he could have drawn attention to himself.

  “Where’s your living?” Lord Abernathy asked.

  “I am sorry, my lord, I don’t have one at the moment. In between positions, you might say.”

  “I know of one in the next county over that’s vacant. Should talk to Lord Billingsworth about it.”

  “Thank you, my lord, I’ll consider it.” There was no way Alexander would speak to Billingsworth. He and Billingsworth, while not intimates, both belonged to the same club, and Billingsworth would be sure to recognize him.

  “What’s there to consider, young man? Positions don’t grow on trees. You should jump at the opportunity.” Lord Abernathy was looking at him strangely, and Alexander realized a penniless young curate with no living would not have dismissed his offer so cavalierly.

  “You are right, my lord, of course. I will be sure to look into it at the earliest opportunity.”

  Abernathy nodded in satisfaction, and Alexander mentally chided himself for slipping out of his role so easily. It was a good thing he hadn’t posed as a servant. Apparently he had no talent for acting. He needed to accomplish his goal, so that he could return to London as soon as possible and quit this stupid charade. His father would certainly never expect him to pursue a lady whose affections were already engaged by another. He just needed to verify his suspicions and present his father with the evidence. Miss Emily Smithfield would be the perfect accomplice in his endeavor. Not to mention a most attractive one.

  Emily was at that moment peering speculatively across the room at Alexander, thinking much along those same lines herself. She was very conscious of the fact that Lord Wesleigh could appear any day, and there was still nothing resolved between Lydia and Sedgewick. If he were to arrive tomorrow, Emily doubted she could do anything to prevent the match from proceeding as planned. And in addition to her own selfish reasons for wishing to stop her sister’s marriage, she truly loved her sister and did not want her marrying one man when she loved another. But Emily was accomplishing nothing on her own. She needed Mr. Williams’s help. He was Sedgewick’s good friend and could ascertain if Sedgewick returned Lydia’s regard. He had told her earlier that evening he had no experience with matchmaking, but Emily was sure he was a quick learner. He didn’t seem the sort who was unfamiliar with romance. She would wager he’d been an eager participant in quite a few affaires de coeur. Alexander saw Emily looking at him and smiled. Emily caught her breath before smiling shyly back. He got up to walk toward her, and Emily was held, captivated by his stare. It was as if they were the only two people in the room. She jumped when Lady Abernathy turned to speak to her.

  “I have another treat in store for you, young lady.”

  “Oh, really?” Emily replied absently, still watching Williams’s progress across the room. “What is that?”

  “I am having a a visit from my niece, Lady Cynthia Sommers. You will want to meet her. She could definitely smarten you up.” Emily wondered that Lady Abernathy dared to criticize her appearance, as Lady Abernathy was no nonpareil in that area, either. Her favorite color appeared to be a quite unbecoming mixture of brown and gray. “Quite the fashion plate, my niece,” Lady Abernathy continued in her stentorian voice. “Has all the London bucks chasing after her. She could definitely teach you a thing or two, young lady.”

  Emily was embarrassed to have Lady Abernathy proclaim in front of Mr. Williams that she needed someone to help her attract beaux, but he hardly seemed to have heard. At the very mention of the name Lady Cynthia, a dismayed look appeared on his face, and he halted abruptly. He regained his composure almost immediately and took the seat next to Emily.

  Alexander was quite perturbed, however, to hear that Lady Cynthia was coming to Stonehurst. They had enjoyed an enjoyable flirtation last season, until the lady had made it very clear she would not be averse to something more. He had spent the end of the season last year and the beginning of this one avoiding her. He assuredly had not expected to run into her in this little backwater. He assumed she would be enjoying the height of the season. Could she have heard somehow he was in Stonehurst? It was not an impossibility. He had sent his father a note before he left, explaining that he was leaving for Stonehurst at the earliest opportunity to make Miss Smithfield’s acquaintance. It was entirely conceivable that the news had spread. He would have to think later how he would deal with her presence, but, for now, Lady Abernathy had resumed conversation with Lady Smithfield, and this was his opportunity to speak to Emily.

  “I found our earlier conversation very interesting, Miss Smithfield.”

  “As did I, Mr. Williams. I wished to discuss the matter with you further.” Emily felt she might have been a trifle bold, but Mr. Williams just smiled.

  “Good. For I must admit I had a similar goal in mind when I approached you. I feel that a gentleman such as my friend Sedgewick, a gentleman with such serious responsibilities, could only benefit by having a partner and helper. A proper wife can be the making of a man, don’t you agree, Miss Smithfield?”

  “I am in complete agreement. Your friend needs a compassionate and caring wife, who will assist him in his parish duties and provide a good example to others.”

  “I take it from your matchmaking attempt earlier this evening you feel that your sister meets those qualifications.”

  “Well, perhaps I should not say so to a near stranger, but I must admit they seem well suited.”

  “You can trust me, Miss Smithfield, for I have Sedgewick’s best interests at heart. And somehow I feel that I know you very well, although our acquaintance has been of short duration. There is a candid, honest quality about you that is quite refreshing.”

  “Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Williams, but my mother is more forthright in her description of me. The quality you describe so prettily as ‘candid and honest’ she more accurately characterizes as ‘a sad lack of delicacy.’”

  “Then your mother does you an injustice. Please believe me when I tell you that I do not find you lacking.”

  Emily was so unused to compliments that she barely knew how to react. She decided it would be best just to change the subject, although she meant to hone her skills at flirtation before the marquess arrived. That thought reminded her of the goal at hand, which she had been in imminent danger of forgetting. Mr. Williams’s gorgeous brown eyes were proving a formidable distraction. “As you appreciate candor, I will tell you truthfully that I wish to enlist your help in throwing Lydia and Mr. Sedgewick together. I was hoping you could also tell me if you have any reason to believe Mr. Sedgewick holds my sister in esteem.”

  Alexander wondered again why Emily was so determined for her sister to marry a vicar. He had his own reasons for wishing for the match, but why would Emily wish her sister to make such an inferior match from a worldly standpoint? Had she taken him in dislike before even meeting him? He found that notion displeased him for some reason, but then again, what did it matter if it left him free? Emily was still waiting for him to reply, and he felt it would do no harm to give her his true opinion.

  “He has not confided in me, of course, but I could not help but notice he appears to admire her. I believe he would not
be at all averse to a match if he believed it to be possible. I think that is his secret hope, but he feels she is above his touch, and so has tried to put the thought out of his mind.” Emily nodded, delighted with this bit of news. She had felt much the same way herself, but was pleased to have it confirmed. “And your sister, Miss Smithfield? Do you have reason to believe she’s partial to Mr. Sedgewick?”

  “Yes, I do. That is why I’m determined to see them together.” Emily looked at him, considering how much to confide in him. The look in his warm brown eyes must have convinced her, because she continued. “You see, there is another gentleman, with greater advantages from a material and social standpoint, whom my mother would prefer to see Lydia marry. But I do not think such things should be a consideration when two people truly love one another, do you?”

  If asked that question even a day previously, Alexander would have laughed and scoffed at the idea of love being a prerequisite of marriage. In his social circle, men and women married to achieve greater social standing and wealth. He knew very few that married for love. But looking now at Emily, who was waiting innocently for a reply, he surprised himself with his answer. “I, too, feel that none of those considerations should matter when compared with the feelings of two people toward one another,” he told her. He was rewarded by a bright smile from Emily, which made him feel guilty for holding such cynical views in the past.

  Lady Smithfield, who had greater ambitions for Emily now that her sister was making so creditable a match, was displeased to see her paying such close attention to a penniless curate. What had she been thinking to invite him for dinner? He was much too attractive. She called Emily away on some fictitious errand, but before the evening was over, Emily and Alexander were able to arrange an “accidental” meeting the next day in the village, with Lydia and Sedgewick in tow.