'Miss R— Sally seems at ease with the marquis. I find it surprising.'
'Oh, that is because on the first day he mounted her on the mare he keeps for his grand-mama.'
Fox, having watched Sally ride, with mounting admiration, laughed. 'I can imagine her outrage!'
'Yes, and it had put them at their ease, you know. Audley dislikes the fawning that his rank often excites in others and Sally was too annoyed to fawn.'
'I see,' said Fox. He looked at Ianthe's face as they walked the horses over a particularly pitted path. 'I think, though, that there is something bothering you in all this.'
Ianthe shot him a dimpled smile and raised her brows. 'I should not have suspected you of such acuity of feeling, Edward.'
'Yes,' he said, bored. 'It is new.'
'How was I?' asked the marquis while they awaited the others.
Sally turned to him. 'Last night? You were splendid, my lord! Inviting the Poppers was a move of a general. We were all in admiration in the carriage ride home.'
'You know that is not what I refer to. Did I ignore you with sufficient civility?'
'My mother was suitably sad that you did not pay the unmarried ladies much attention.'
'So, I carried out my mission?'
'Admirably.'
'I am relieved. It was unexpectedly difficult, you know.'
'It was? How so?'
'As I predicted, I was afraid to give you offence, now that we are friends—'
'How silly, when I asked it of you.'
'But asking, and feeling a slight when I carried out your orders, might have been a very different thing.'
'It was not,' lied Sally. When Lady Sophia had laughed or Mrs Rosling had touched his arm, she had felt something that might be described as a slight. She had wanted him to look at her in those moments, to exchange an ironic glance as he did on the rides, to acknowledge her, too. But of course, she could not tell him so.
'Good. But there was another reason that it was difficult.'
'Oh yes?'
'Yes. You looked so charming in that green silk gown that it was hard for my gaze not to seek you out, and my eyes not to tell you.'
Sally's back stiffened. 'Is this the fabled Audley charm, my lord? I fear I do not favour it.' She turned her horse and moved towards the others, a flush on her cheeks.
Audley rode behind them back towards the stables and Ianthe held back to join him.
'What did you do to Sally?' she said directly.
Audley's face was cold and unmoving. 'She thinks she has just been the recipient of my "fabled charm" and has taken offence. In fact, I used no charm at all but just the impetuous tongue of a halfling.'
'But why?'
'I have no notion. I have asked myself the same question since she rode off in a pet.' He paused. 'Or perhaps it was that she came to my house for the first time and I was not even allowed to treat her as I ought. It rankled, and I tried to say so, but instead I spewed out words like a dimwit.'
'What words?'
'I told her that she looked charming in green silk and that it was hard for my eyes not to follow her.'
'Audley! I told you not to try to move her only because she is not your admirer.'
'Ianthe! If I were really trying to flirt with her would I have done it so ill?'
'Then I repeat my first question. Why?'
'I do not know.'
'Well, until you find out, you had best not talk to her. She looks set to refuse to at any rate. You may have ruined everything.'
He put a hand on Ianthe's arm. 'Help me! I cannot recant it. But you could help her take it lightly so that we can be on the same footing.'
'I will not help you play with her,' Ianthe said warningly. 'I foresaw this and said so. Do you know how delicate is the line the Richards must balance? I have heard that Sally was set to accept a gentleman's offer last Season, all to avoid being at Studham once more.'
'Who was the gentleman?'
'Eastman, I think, one Sir Ralph Eastman.'
'That dull dog?' said Audley, disgusted.
'Sally described him as boring, but she was still prepared to marry him for her mama's sake. This is their predicament. And now you, Audley, with no serious thought at all, must flirt with her.'
'I did not mean to, I tell you.'
'Well, it is your own fault if she refuses a ride tomorrow.'
'Don't let her, Ianthe. Please.'
'Why do you care whether my friend rides Sapphire?'
'I do not know that either. I wish to be better acquainted with her, but I can hardly pursue that given her family situation. She is too ripe for tittle-tattle.'
'A middling sort of woman?'
'Middling? No. But too good to be made sport of.'
'Then do what you normally do with young ladies — and keep away. It will be safer all round.'
'I know, but cannot we just go on as before? I want her to be angry at me again.'
'It is too dangerous, Audley. It is a trap for her.'
'If I think there is a chance that our friendly rides will become anything to hurt her, I shall retreat at once, I promise.'
Ianthe sighed, dubious. 'I believe you mean well, my friend. But I am not convinced that you know her or yourself enough to judge.'
'Then you will be the judge, my dear. If we ride tomorrow, you can tell me if I step outside the boundaries of easy friendship. I will abide by your decision.'
'Well,' said Ianthe, 'It may be out of our hands.'
Audley looked ahead at the figure of Sally Richards, already far ahead, and said seriously, 'That would be a pity.' Ianthe, watching him, was taken aback. She saw him shake it off as he added, in his usual sardonic tone, 'When a man of my age makes such a mull of it, it is only what I deserve. We should find breakfast now, and with it your surprise.'
Ianthe rode on with a thoughtful expression. It seemed to her that the marquis was more affected than even he knew. She must, of course, protect Sally from his indecision, but she determined to give them both a little push if she saw further evidence of Audley's feelings. The trouble was, for all his reputation, he avoided destroying the hearts of young ladies at all costs. When she was sure the stupid compliment that he had given her friend was not just a product of his pique because Sally alone did not fall at his feet, Ianthe might act. How, she did not know, but that never concerned her greatly. Ianthe was a young lady schooled in the art of spotting opportunities and acting on them for all her adventurous life.
***
It was a very different Sally Richards that dismounted her horse, thought Fox. Earlier this morning she had been relaxed and happy, and now she was stiff and formal in a way that Fox had not seen before. He, who would normally have ignored such a thing had he even noticed, now felt impelled to say, 'Did Audley say anything to upset you, Miss R— … Sally?'
'Oh no … Edward, he merely complimented me on my dress of last evening,' answered Sally, a trifle too brightly.
'I see,' Fox said, sounding perplexed. There was nothing in this, surely? But he felt the lack of the presence of Ianthe Eames to explain it to him. ‘Are you sure you do not want me to say something to Audley?’ He asked quietly.
Sally was grateful, but embarrassed. As Audley dismounted, she said to him, to ease Fox’s suspicions,‘Might I wash my hands before breakfast?’
‘Certainly,’ replied Audley. ‘This way, Miss Richards.’ He began to lead her towards the house.
As Ianthe dismounted, Fox whispered, 'Why has Sally become so stiff with Audley when he only complimented her dress?'
'That is because,' Ianthe whispered back, 'she would much rather he insulted her.'
'I do not understand females,' Fox sighed, regarding Sally’s back.
'No, Edward dear, that is quite apparent.'
'Stop calling me that!'
'Edward? I thought we had agreed upon it!'
'We did not. But we might as well since the Richards and I … I meant the other part. I know you do not find me endearing
, and it will give others quite the wrong notion.'
'Do not worry, I shall only say so when we are alone, and only because it pleases me so much to annoy you, Edward dear.'
'Someone,' Fox said, with gritted teeth, 'should have schooled you in manners a long time ago.'
Ianthe laughed, and Fox looked down on her shining face with a look of astonishment. How could this little thing have changed his life so much in just a few short days? He was insulting a lady, on intimate terms with the Richards, visiting Audley and tacitly agreeing to deceive his stepmother. He found himself worrying about Sally Richards' feelings, too. It was all most uncomfortable for a man who had cut himself off from all but the most necessary relations with other humans.
Fox moved off and it was some steps before he found that Ianthe was not behind him. He turned back and saw that she had led Sapphire to the mounting block and was pulling herself up, much to the restive horse’s annoyance. The groom at Sapphire’s head was struggling, but Ianthe managed to seat herself just as Fox arrived. She was demanding the reins when Fox jumped onto the mounting box and grasped her waist.
Ianthe looked at him, astonished and a little breathless. His face was inches from hers. ‘Stay still!’ he demanded.
Audley and Sally Richards, stopped by the commotion, turned to see the scene. Audley’s brows rose as Fox grasped Ianthe to him with one arm, removed her foot from the stirrup with the other, and fairly yanked her off the horse.
‘Do you want to kill yourself?’ Fox said, putting her down beside him on the block. This was a ridiculous balancing act, and after a second of realisation that he was holding her to him, Fox jumped down.
‘He is too strong for you and you know it.’ He said it in a quieter tone, waiting for her angry response.
Audley and Sally waited, too, sure that Ianthe would trounce him.
But Ianthe stood, still breathless it seemed. She gazed down at Fox, then leaned a hand on his shoulder to get down from the block. ‘Thank you,’ was all she said, but it appeared to rob Fox of breath too. The baron turned and went off abruptly.
Sally heard her say to herself, satisfied, ‘That silenced him. There’s more than one way to deal with a man, I suppose.’ But gazing at Ianthe, still stopped for a moment, she believed that her friend was not displaying signs of victory, but confusion.
On the way to the house, Audley attempted anew to win over the stiff figure of Sally Richards.
'How was Sapphire this morning?' he began politely.
'As you saw, my lord,' she answered without turning her head to him.
'And are you still angry with me?' This was said in the tone of a schoolboy hoping for forgiveness from his mama.
'Of course not!’ Sally responded brightly. ‘What woman would be offended by such a charming compliment from the noble Marquis of Audley?'
'Miss Richards—'
'Shall I return it, sir?’ Finally, she looked at him. ‘Last night to see the noble marquis in evening wear was to behold my dream,' said Sally clasping her hands to her bosom histrionically.
'Stop it!' he threatened.
'I fear my fluttering heart will never recover.' She continued, one hand over it.
'You have made your point. I was a chuckle-headed nodcock to have opened my mouth. Forgive me.'
'You have spoilt everything,' Sally added, coming down from the boughs and into a mere child's whine.
'I am aware of that,’ Audley said seriously, ‘and deeply sorry.'
She reverted to the high-handed manner. 'My noble marquis is famous for his dalliances. I should be flattered that you play with me so, of course.'
'Let us call it that. A habit of flirting with young ladies. And from a man who has such vanity that he wished to see, Ianthe informs me, the one lady who did not "fall at my feet" smile at me. It may even be true, and I am sorry for it.'
'Now I can never ride Sapphire again, and for that I wish to strike you right now.' Sally was aware that she was the most impolite that she had ever been in her life, but sullen rage possessed her.
'Let us walk into the trees and you can slap me twice if you wish,’ he suggested. ‘I shall brave it well. And then you can ride Sapphire again.'
'You think I wouldn't strike you, my noble marquis?' fired back Sally.
'Stop calling me "my noble marquis" for the sake of my temper. I have already agreed to be slapped, for I deserve it. And I know you would dare.’ He looked down into her flashing eyes and changed his voice to a coax. ‘Just come back tomorrow — because you haven't quite finished insulting me. You will think of even better ripostes during the day and can come afresh at me tomorrow.'
Something like a laugh escaped her. She turned to him and saw a sort of shy hope in his eyes. 'I haven't been insulting you, I have been complimenting you.'
'And most uncomfortable I found it. That showed me!'
She smiled then. 'Don't do it again. I am not equipped for such a game.'
'I will only say unpleasant things from now on. Come back to ride tomorrow.'
'If I do, it is for Sapphire alone,' she warned him. She moved off, head held high, and Ianthe caught him up.
'I have decided that I will do my best to help Sally come back for another ride.'
'No need. Her temper has done the trick and I think we shall fare better. For Sapphire's sake.'
Ianthe giggled. 'You should be grateful that her love of the horse outweighs her dislike of you.'
'Oh I am. She is so-' the amusement in his voice was genuine, but Ianthe cut him short.
'Enough of that, Audley. If she overhears another good word from you, you will never see her again.'
'I know it.' He laughed suddenly. 'How did I get myself into this absurd situation? Oh, I remember, it is the Ianthe effect. Wherever you go, chaos ensues.'
'I did nothing but introduce you, Audley. The rest of this absurdity you managed yourself.'
***
The charming room where breakfast was laid out contained a surprise indeed for Ianthe Eames. An elegant figure of a slender man in his forties and his even more elegant lady in a slender yellow gown embellished with inches of colourful French embroidery, her hair plaited twisted and coiled on her head in the most masterly coiffure Sally Richards had ever seen. The gentleman smiled lazily and the beautiful lady, whom Sally assumed was his wife, beamed as Ianthe ran to her.
'Lady Aurora!' Her Ladyship had caught both of her hands, but Ianthe leaned forward to salute both cheeks with a kiss, in the French familial fashion. She whispered into Her Ladyship's ear. 'Don't be surprised at what I do next!'
They pulled apart and Lady Aurora smiled at her, 'My dear Ianthe!'
Audley was smiling, enjoying the surprise he had set for Ianthe, and Lord Fox was looking stunned. This level of affectionate display was not at all what he was used to. Then, Ianthe Eames turned to the gentleman who was laughing down on her and threw herself into his embrace. 'Dear Mr Fenton!'
With some aplomb, the gentleman returned her embrace, and was not surprised when she whispered at him, as near to his ear as her stature permitted (though she stood on tiptoe) 'I have a problem I need to discuss with you. I am so glad you have come. But not now.' Fenton pulled her back and looked down at her. He saw laughter in her eyes, but concern too, and he gave the tiniest of nods and tried to imbue his smile with reassurance. What he said aloud, for the sake of the frowning Lord Fox, was, 'My dear Ianthe. It seems not so long since I dandled you as a baby.'
Fox said, 'But did you not just see her in town, sir? I thought she had stayed with you some days.'
Mr Wilbert Fenton was unfazed. 'Oh, she did, my boy. But gentlemen of my age are given to sentimentality.' There seemed, Fox thought, not a hint of sentimentality on that sardonic face. The dandy continued, 'I was a particular friend of Ianthe's father for most of her life.'
'So I understand, sir,' said Lord Fox, with meaning.
Sally was introduced, and the whole party sat down to breakfast. Some pleasantries about the Fentons’ journe
y from London and the morning rides at Audley were discussed, and the marquis was amused to hear Miss Richards enthuse about Sapphire's appearance, disposition and strength, which the Fentons listened to without a blink. 'I am sorry,' she finally ended, 'I am rather fond of horses.'
'An admirable trait in a woman,' said Mr Fenton smoothly. He had seen the marquis' amusement as he had listened to the young girl and his knowing sense was aroused, so he added with devilry, 'Do you not agree, Audley?'
Audley was trapped. He wished to agree with his usual suavity, but he dared not, lest the delicate armistice with Miss Richards was disturbed. He said instead, 'I do not think you have tried the plum jam, sir.'
Mr Fenton's eyes glittered, but he took it, saying merely, 'I shall do so now.'
'I'm afraid that we shall have to leave you sooner than we'd wish today, but please feel free to call on Miss Eames at Studham,' said Lord Fox. Then he became conscious and said, 'That is—'
Ianthe twinkled at Wilbert Fenton, leaning forward confidentially. 'He means to warn you that this is a secret breakfast.'
'It is?' asked Lady Aurora, seeming pleased. 'From whom, pray?'
'Everyone but us,' answered Ianthe.
'I can see that you are up to your old tricks again, Ianthe,' sighed Fenton. 'What now?'
Lord Fox looked tense, but Ianthe replied, 'Nothing that need concern you, dear Mr Fenton.'
Fenton addressed Sally. 'You poor girl. Has Ianthe caused many ructions since she arrived at Studham? I am sorry for you.'
'Oh, please do not be, sir,' laughed Sally. 'It has been wonderfully exciting since she arrived. For instance, I have never been to a Secret Breakfast before.'
Fenton laughed. 'And you, Fox? Have you found it all wonderfully exciting?'
'Hardly that, sir. My world has been rather upended.'
He looked a little grim when he said this, and Ianthe protested. 'I have done nothing without your permission, Edward.' Audley and Fenton exchanged a look — Edward? 'Well most of it, anyway,' Ianthe added honestly.
'I hate to disagree with you Ianthe, but I cannot recall when or how I gave permission for many of the things you have done.'
Ianthe and the Fighting Foxes: The Fentons Book 4 Page 8
