Jack, too angry by now to be afraid, spoke as curtly.
'George Stowe will act for me. He is here tonight.'
With that he turned and almost ran into the house. Jason looked after him, then leaned against the wall of the terrace. It was there Isabella found him a few minutes later when she came out of the house. She walked towards him.
'Mr Marlowe, is it you?' she asked as she came near.
'Mistress Vaughan again. To what do I owe your return?'
'Jack says you have challenged him to a duel,' she said hesitantly.
'So he rushes straight to you for protection?' he asked scornfully.
'No! I was waiting for him, and forced him to tell me what happened.'
'Yes, I can imagine you would.'
Isabella caught the mocking tone in his voice, and stared up at him, but his face was in shadow, and she could not tell what his expression was.
'I came to ask you,' she said slowly and with great difficulty, 'if you would stop the affair?'
'I cannot do that.'
'You issued the challenge. Surely, if you so wished, you could withdraw it?'
'It has been accepted. Your cousin wished to fight rather than apologise for the insult he paid me.'
'If I can persuade him to apologise, will you then stop it?'
'How do you imagine you will be able to do that?'
'I have some influence with my cousin.'
'You seem to imagine you have influence, as you call it, with everyone. I do not think your cousin would be any more pleased by your interference than I am.'
'I only interfere because he is as yet a boy, and no expert such as you! You will be taking an unfair advantage of him. If I persuade him to apologise, surely that will satisfy your vanity?'
'I would prefer any apology to be because of his own good sense, rather than the result of the importunities of a girl who cannot mind her own business!'
Isabella breathed deeply, endeavouring to control the last shreds of her temper.
'I do not think we see things the same way,' she said in a tight voice, attempting to be conciliating.
'We are different people, are we not?'
'Please, Mr Marlowe,' Isabella at last forced herself to plead, 'I beg of you, do not go on with this affair.'
'Is your cousin so dear to you?'
'He is but a boy, and has no parents to turn to.'
'Boys need to be taught lessons. I shall do that.'
'Then you are adamant?'
'I doubt if he would apologise even with your good offices to prompt him,' Jason said. 'If he does not, I will go through with the business.'
'Oh, you are impossible!' Isabella raged impotently. 'Can nought I say move you?'
Jason laughed. 'Nought you say, but mayhap something you would do.'
'What do you mean?'
'Would you be prepared to buy your cousin's safety?'
'I do not understand you, sir!'
'You have already endangered your reputation by coming to me out here.'
'What nonsense!' she protested.
'Are you not afraid of being in such a compromising situation with a notorious rake such as myself?'
Isabella could hear the laughter in his voice, and turned away from him, but before she could move away he caught her arm and swung her back to face him.
'If your reputation is of so little moment to you, would you not risk it a little further to save your cousin?'
'I know not what you mean!'
'Do not play the innocent with me!'
Before Isabella could answer, he pulled her close into his arms, and his lips, hard and demanding, came down on hers. After the first shock of surprise that held her rigid, she struggled to free herself, but he was far too strong for her, and held her imprisoned for what seemed an eternity. At last he lifted his head without taking his arms from around her.
'Well?' he asked mockingly. 'What of your reputation now?'
Isabella was breathing deeply, and as he slackened his hold slightly, she freed her hand and slapped him hard across the face. He merely laughed.
'Would you provoke me to another challenge, my dear Isabella?' he asked softly.
'You are insufferable! Release me at once!'
'To be perfectly honest, I am enjoying this.'
'You are an unprincipled bully to take advantage of me so, when I came to beg your charity! You have insulted me!'
'No, I meant a compliment,' he replied, infuriatingly. 'So we are to have a duel as well, of a different sort, I suppose? We can contrive without seconds, I think?'
Isabella deigned no reply, but finally broke away and walked swiftly back into the house, where she tried, unsuccessfully, to forget the feel of Jason's hard body against hers, and his lips that had bruised her own. By the time she had been up to her room to tidy herself and recover her composure, and then went in search of Jack, she was told he had left with his friend Stowe, at whose house he was staying.
*
Clare had hoped to find an opportunity during the dancing to slip away with Edward for a while, but she found herself too closely watched by Mr Aloysius, who at last managed to secure her for a dance.
'This is a fine house your aunt Lady Lyndon has, though I can well appreciate the problems she has with it,' he said as the dance ended.
'Problems?'
'Yes. She was so condescending as to confide in me, and I hope to be able to put my own not inconsiderable experience and knowledge at her command.'
'Oh? Yes,' Clare said somewhat faintly. 'I am sure she will be delighted.'
'I was admiring the pictures,' Mr Aloysius continued, undeterred by Clare's lack of response. 'Would you care to walk with me in the gallery, and mayhap tell me who the subjects are?'
'I have not visited the house before, I do not know many,' Clare objected hurriedly.
'No matter. You will not deprive me of your charming company, I trust?'
'Very well, sir.' Clare capitulated, realising it was a necessary politeness to her aunt's guest. She led the way to the long gallery at the top of the house which contained the collection of portraits of the Lyndon ancestors. There were several other people strolling about, and they walked slowly along, Mr Aloysius displaying some familiarity with the painters and expatiating on their weaknesses, while admitting these were not too strongly evident in the samples of their work possessed by Lady Lyndon. Clare was able to name some of the sitters, having been shown over the house the previous day by Frances, but she was thankful when they reached the end of the gallery.
'Let us sit here for a moment,' Mr Aloysius suggested when she would have turned to retrace their steps. Before she could refuse, he led her across to a pair of brocade-covered chairs, and after she was seated in one, he drew the other close and sat beside her.
'I consider myself fortunate to have been invited here tonight,' he began ingratiatingly.
'Yes, my aunt is famed for her parties,' Clare answered.
'It was not the party I had in mind, though of course that is to be commended. I was thinking of my excellent fortune in securing more of your company, and to achieve such comparative solitude is bliss indeed.'
'I think we ought to return to the parlour,' Clare said, trying to rise, but he caught her by the wrist and held her firmly.
'Pray, Mistress Clare, first listen to what I have to say. No, little bird, do not struggle, or your wings will be hurt. Oh, Clare, I can conceal my feelings for you no longer. Pray forgive me, Clare, for speaking to you so, but your sweetness overwhelms me, and I can restrain myself no longer!'
'Mr Aloysius!' Clare protested, after the first shock of his words had left her for a moment speechless.
'Had you no idea of my feelings? Have I not hinted what you mean to me?'
'Pray release me! I – oh, I cannot – '
Clare was stammering and blushing in her distress and anger, but he took these signs for maidenly confusion and pressed her hand which he held in his.
'You are young and
innocent, my dear, and I should not have startled you like this. I am too impetuous, but I cannot gaze on your beauty and remain unmoved. Pray give me but one word of hope. I shall approach your father with my offer as soon as I return to London.'
Clare shook her head, helplessly.
'Do not worry, my little one, for I know he will consider me favourably. There are no problems, for I am wealthy, and not, I flatter myself, ill-connected.'
'Please, sir, I wish to go back to the parlour. I am feeling overcome.'
'No wonder, but you must blame your own charms, my love, for you render a man insensible of all propriety.'
He stood up and assisted Clare to her feet. Looking round, he saw there were only a few people in the gallery, at the far end.
'My love, my angel! Grant me but one token of your regard for me!'
Before she understood his intention, Clare saw his face come closer. She recoiled, but he grasped her shoulders. She could not step back for the chair was immediately behind her.
Horrified, she tried to twist away as she felt his lips, wet and slack, descend on hers for a brief moment before he released her. Clare, shocked and outraged, collapsed onto the chair and stared at him in anger.
'My dearest, I have been too abrupt! Forgive me.'
'Will you please leave me!'
'Not alone, my little love.'
Clare's wits had not completely deserted her. 'I would like some wine,' she said faintly, and with a beaming smile he nodded and moved away.
*
As soon as he had left the gallery, Clare rose, and quickly went to a door partly concealed by the panelling. It led to the servants' quarters, and Frances had taken them that way. She glanced round and saw no one observed her, then slipped hastily through. She leant for a moment against the wall, shivering at the disgust she had felt, and then, calculating the time it would take for Mr Aloysius to obtain the wine and return upstairs, she went slowly down the back stairs and then to the parlour, almost colliding with Edward as she went hurrying through the doorway.
'Edward! Thank God I have found you!'
'Clare, what is it?' he asked in alarm, noting her distress.
'I must talk with you, 'tis urgent!' She looked round quickly. 'I have it, the dining parlour. The servants will have finished in there by now, and there will be no one there.'
She led the way into the deserted room, and Edward closed the door behind them. He gathered her to him, and felt her tremble as she clung to him and burst into tears. Gently he soothed her and she was soon coherent enough to tell him what had happened.
'That odious man! He made me an offer, and then, when I was trying to tell him I would not, he kissed me, and oh, Edward, I felt sick!'
'My poor love! But you are safe now. I will not leave you until he has gone.'
'It is not that I fear. Edward, he is rich! He spoke of seeing my father, and it was as though he knew there would be no objection! I thought he might already have hinted and received encouragement! I am terrified they will accept his proposal!'
'He would not consider such a man! He is ill bred and an upstart, and a laughing stock for all his wealth.'
'I know, but I was brought to London to contract a rich marriage. My parents may think this will be the best offer I shall receive.'
'They would not force you to wed him,' Edward insisted.
'I would not, whatever they did to me, but I am so afraid! Edward, take me away! I beg of you! We will never persuade my father to allow us to marry, and even if they do not accept Mr Aloysius, there will be others. I cannot bear the constant pressure. We must run away, 'tis our only hope.'
Edward stared in dismay. 'Surely in the end they will allow us to wed,' he suggested.
'No! They are determined, and they will plague me day after day, and I will not be able to withstand them. Please, Edward, if you love me, take me away! I cannot live else!'
'You are under age, and I would be charged with abduction. That would not help us,' he warned.
'I would explain that I asked you. Besides, once it were done, my parents would not be vindictive, though they might not receive us.'
'If we could achieve it.'
'Why not? We need only a few hours start to get to France, and there we could hide and be safe.'
They argued it out, and eventually Edward reluctantly agreed that they must elope, as Clare infected him with her fears of a forced marriage, and he realised how great a strain she would be under resisting these proposals. They began to discuss the practical details.
'Jack will help us,' Clare decided. 'He was always ready for a prank.'
'This is more serious,' Edward demurred.
'It will not deter Jack, and I must have help to escape from the house and an excuse for a few hours, so they do not begin to search at once.'
They agreed the best time would be during the Coronation festivities in the following week, and having made their plans, rejoined the party.
Soon afterwards people began to leave. Clare kept well out of the way until Edward reported Mr Aloysius had gone, but he was disappointed he could not find Jack.
'We will see him tomorrow or on Friday, when there will be more chance of talking,' Clare tried to reassure him, and Edward then took his own leave.
Jason Marlowe, to Isabella's chagrin, was one of the last to go, and he gave her a conspiratorial grin as he bowed over Lady Lyndon's hand.
'Farewell. I will undoubtedly see you at the races tomorrow,' he said softly as he took leave of Isabella.
Angry but helpless, she watched him stroll elegantly out of the house, and when the last few guests had departed went thoughtfully to bed, more desperately worried for her cousin than ever before in his adventurous career. She was convinced that Jack's early departure was because the meeting had been arranged for the next morning, and Jason's parting remark had confirmed this. She knew where these meetings took place, at a secluded spot on the heath, and she lay in bed for hours, unable to sleep, while Clare lay breathing peacefully beside her, dreaming of Edward and their plans for elopement.
*
Chapter 7
Isabella dozed uneasily, waking several times before dawn. When the first hint of light came in through the shutters, she slipped cautiously out of bed and dressed in her riding habit. Carrying her boots she crept out of the room and down the stairs. Fortunately none of the servants was yet about, so she let herself unnoticed out of a side door and ran to the stables. Swiftly saddling and bridling her horse, she patted him reassuringly and led him into the yard and over to the mounting block. Out on the drive, she cantered on the grass verge then, clear of the house, urged him to a gallop towards the heath.
It rapidly grew lighter, and when she reached the heath she could see clearly. The spot where duels were known to take place was screened from the main part of the heath by a slight rise topped by a belt of trees, and Isabella approached these cautiously. There was no one yet at the meeting ground but, dismissing a nagging suspicion she might be in the wrong place, she concealed herself amongst the trees and waited. She breathed a sigh of relief on seeing Jack and Mr Stowe arrive. Isabella had planned to approach Jack and beg him to offer Jason an apology, but before she could urge her horse forward, she saw Jason and another man approaching from the opposite direction.
Undecided, she waited and watched. Jack stood to one side, feigning nonchalance, but Isabella's perceptive eye noted signs of nervousness as he twirled his whip and tapped his foot on the ground. Jason dismounted some distance away, and to Isabella's annoyance seemed more concerned with running his hands up and down his horse's legs and inspecting his hooves than in the business that was toward.
The two seconds met. Mr Stowe carried a long case that held the pistols, and these were inspected and loaded to the mutual satisfaction of the seconds. They bowed to each other, then went over to their respective principals. After a few words all four approached the centre of the ground. Jason acknowledged Jack with a slight bow, and received a far too elabor
ate one in exchange. Isabella pursed her lips. Why did Jack not behave sensibly instead of trying to brazen out the situation with unnecessary flourishes?
After a short consultation, the seconds paced out the distance together and marked it. Isabella saw with some horror it was only twenty paces.
'He can never miss!' she whispered anxiously to herself.
Having inspected the ground and the light the seconds seemed satisfied. Jack and Jason were called over and the pistols presented to them, first to Jack who selected with undue care, and then to Jason. Isabella breathed deeply. This was her last chance to intervene if she intended to do so. Until now she had been uncertain of her motives, but was determined to make one last effort to prevent the duel. Digging her heels into the horse's flanks she rode from the concealing trees.
'Stop!' she called, and the four men turned in surprise. 'You cannot, you must not continue with this! Please, Jack, be sensible! Mr Marlowe, be generous! Oh, why can you not come to some agreement without killing each other!'
Jason regarded her sardonically, an amused smile on his lips but Jack, at first startled by her sudden appearance, turned to abuse her roundly as his overwrought nerves gave way.
'What do you mean by interfering, Isabella? You are always where you are not wanted!'
'I am trying to help,' she responded angrily.
'And everyone will say I came crawling to you, that I was afraid!'
'Do not be so ridiculous! Can you men not resolve your differences sensibly instead of behaving like little boys who have to fight over every imagined hurt?'
'Mistress Vaughan, this is most irregular!' This from Mr Stowe, but Isabella paid him no heed.
'Mr Marlowe, I appeal to you! Whatever my cousin said, he regrets, but pride will not allow him to admit it!'
Jack frowned and shook his head. 'You are an interfering busybody and you have been ever since I have known you. I will not endure being made a laughing stock in front of my friends, as well as being branded a coward!'
'You would rather be a corpse!' she flung at him.
Jason spoke at last. 'Do not allow her to disturb you, Sir Jack. Mistress Vaughan is under the impression she has only to whistle and everyone will dance to her tune. She dislikes to see people act independently. I trust you will not let her intervention spoil your concentration?'
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