by Aileen Fish
“Hmm. I suppose people do tend to make too much of many tidbits they hear. But I’m still not certain I’d care to have such a man as a husband.”
“He would be your brother if you married Mr. Lumley.”
Joanna shook her head with a laugh. “I never claimed I wished to marry Lumley. I only hope to find a man such as him, who would let me continue to train horses.”
As they rounded the corner, they stopped abruptly to avoid collision with a man who was barreling down the walk while reading a piece of paper in his hand. He halted and nodded at them. “I beg your pardon, ladies. How rude of me. Why, Lady Joanna, it’s delightful to see you again.”
Joanna recognized the scarecrow who’d been with her brother at Newmarket. “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced, sir.”
He bowed. “Sir Frederick Aldwen. Your brother and I are…business associates.”
She was no more comfortable in his presence there than she’d been at Newmarket. Taking Amelia’s arm, she stepped around him. “I shall let my brother know we saw you. Good day.”
He spun around and fell into step beside her. “Yes, it is a nice day. Very pleasant for walking. You’ve been shopping?”
“Yes.” She tried to tread the fine line between polite and disinterested.
“I planned to call on your brother this afternoon. Perhaps, if you aren’t otherwise occupied, I could give you a ride home?”
Closing her eyes for a moment, Joanna searched for another obligation. Amelia piped up for her. “You haven’t forgotten you said you’d call on my aunt with me, have you, Lady Joanna? She is so looking forward to your visit.”
Joanna smiled. “Of course I won’t disappoint the dear woman. She has suffered so much of late.”
“Well, perhaps another time.” Sir Frederick stopped and bowed again. “Good day to you both.”
As he walked away, Joanna hugged her friend, grinning widely. “Do you even have an aunt?” she whispered.
“I do, but she lives in Yorkshire. I don’t believe we could visit her and be back in time for Lady Harrington’s ball tonight.” They both laughed and continued on their way.
Joanna was quiet for a moment, recalling their earlier topic of conversation. “What did you mean, ‘that Cambridge incident,’ regarding Knightwick?”
Chapter Five
Joanna took the offered glass of lemonade from her dance partner, desperately trying to recall his name. Mr. Digby? Rigby? No, that was not correct. “Thank you, Mr. Bigby.”
He bowed, his puffy, pink complexion aglow in the bright ballroom. Admittedly, the crowded space was uncomfortably warm, but surely that didn’t account for the way the man’s pale, thin locks were plastered to his head. Even the cup he’d handed her was damp.
Seeing Mrs. Clawson seated on a chaise beside Joanna’s mother, Joanna rose on her toes in search of Amelia. Her friend was so petite she was impossible to find in any crowd. Her distinctive laugh often gave her away but she was certain to be on her best behavior at Lady Harrington’s ball and refrain from such outbursts. She should have returned directly after the last set finished, so her next partner would find her.
Unable to see her friend, Joanna wondered how long she must converse with Mr. Bigby. No one had asked to stand up with her for the next few sets, so she might be trapped there until the supper dance.
Mr. Bigby cleared his throat. “Miss Smithers looks quite recovered from her recent complaint, does she not?”
The miss in question appeared quite robust, enjoying the attentions of three young beaux. “Yes, she does.”
Mr. Bigby’s next observation was lost when Amelia appeared on the arm of a lord whose title Joanna couldn’t recall. Handing her cup to a footman passing by with a tray, Joanna exhaled a sigh of relief. “There you are, Miss Clawson.”
The lord greeted Joanna before taking his leave. Joanna wished Bigby would follow suit, but the man hovered just behind her right arm. Amelia glanced his way and tilted her head in question, but Joanna couldn’t say anything untoward in his presence. Instead, she asked, “Who is your next partner?”
Amelia’s smile widened. “Sir Richard Tanton. I cannot believe he approached me,” she added in a whisper.
Lowering her voice and speaking close to Amelia’s ear, Joanna said, “The marquess’ son? But I thought he had an acknowledged tendre for Lady Elizabeth.”
“As did I. But the on dits has it her father turned him down.”
Joanna swallowed a gasp of surprise, and looked for Mr. Bigby again. She was relieved to see he’d left her side. “The poor girl! She must be heartbroken. And you do not mind that Sir Richard had set his cap on another before you?”
Her shoulders lifted briefly, but her face didn’t betray any emotion. “This is my third Season. Every eligible gentleman has most certainly considered some richer or prettier lady before me.”
“Do not believe such a thing. There are new faces at the assemblies each Season, gentlemen as well as ladies. Perhaps we will both find husbands by summer.” The likelihood of her own success depended on being partnered with someone other than Mr. Bigby and his perspiring palms.
Sir Richard approached just as the musicians were warming up for the next set. After acknowledging Joanna, he led Amelia toward the center of the room. Joanna glanced back at her mother, who was deep in conversation, then made a slow perusal of the large crowd.
Her gaze landed on one striking visage drifting above the sea of coifs and curls around him. Mr. Lumley. His brown hair was perfectly styled, his cravat elaborately tied. He spoke to someone at his side as they walked her way, but his companion was not visible through the crowd. Joanna’s stomach quivered when he smiled down at the lady. She knew it had to be a lady because of the way his eyes laughed. He looked up, catching Joanna’s stare, and his eyes brightened even more. He guided the young woman at his side around a clutch of giggling wallflowers.
Joanna refused to admit her heart dropped seeing how pretty the lady on Mr. Lumley’s arm was. She cared not if he’d escorted someone to the ball or found a willing partner for whatever entertainments he had planned for the evening. The gentleman was not her concern. Schooling her features, she smiled politely as the couple stopped before her.
The lady spoke. “Lady Joanna, my brother, Mr. Lumley, has asked to be made known to you.”
Her brother? Looking more closely, she saw a resemblance in their coloring, slender build, and the laughing glint in their eyes. She realized she’d met Lady Hannah, along with a dozen or so other young ladies, at a tea upon her arrival in London. “Mr. Lumley, Lady Hannah, how lovely to see you both again.”
“I felt our meeting yesterday did not qualify as an introduction. Lady Hannah mentioned having met you at Miss Brown’s tea, so I begged her assistance.”
“Yes.” Joanna turned to Lady Hannah. “I didn’t recognize you at first. I’ve met so many people so quickly, I’ve difficulty matching names to faces. Is your mother here?”
“Yes, but she’s sitting with one of her friends, so my dear brother volunteered to escort me around the room to find you. He is so good to me.”
Joanna wondered what cataclysmic events would have to transpire for Robert to come to her aid thusly. Thankfully Mama’s good spell continued, and as long as Mama enjoyed these evenings Joanna was unlikely to find herself at his mercy. Aunt Ophelia attended almost as many assemblies as Joanna, so she would step in happily if the need arose. “You are lucky to have such a kind brother.”
Mr. Lumley brushed aside his sister’s praise. “Lady Hannah has a partner for the next set, but I find myself in need. I’m certain your card filled first thing this evening, but I can’t risk not asking. Is there a chance you’re free?”
For a moment she couldn’t draw a breath. He’d sought an introduction and wanted to dance with her. After riding off so abruptly when she’d caught his horse. He was the last man she would expect to see at the ball, much less dance with. But he was inordinately handsome and his family well thought
of, so it might raise her standing in the eyes of others to be seen on his arm. Not to mention, she couldn’t refuse him without causing a scandal. “Yes, I am free.”
He responded with a half smile that sent a wake of warm ripples throughout her.
Lady Hannah spoke. “My brother tells me you enjoy riding. None of my friends in London cares for it. Would you allow me to join you one day?”
“That would be delightful. I often ride alone for that very reason.” In truth, other than Amelia, Joanna had only a few friends in Town, and none had been raised around horses like she had. They preferred to be seen sporting about in a curricle, or some gentleman’s phaeton.
Lady Hannah’s next partner arrived and began conversing with her, and Mr. Lumley moved to Joanna’s side. He bent to speak near her ear. “I must thank you again for catching Triton.”
Joanna smiled politely, wickedly trying to remember if he’d actually thanked her at the time. “It’s really nothing more than I would have done for anyone. Any horse, for that matter.”
“You must be quite the horsewoman. I don’t know that I’d allow my sisters to ride Triton, or any stallion.”
Her smile dropped at his words. “Oh, you restrict which horses your sisters may ride?”
He laughed. “It’s not likely they would listen to my commands, if I did. I think Hannah is much like you.”
He continued to watch her, and his gaze probed deep into her soul. She shivered at the familiarity he presumed. It was not as if he could actually know her secrets just by sight, though. She lifted her chin a small measure but didn’t look away. “How so?”
“She knows her mind and refuses to be told what she thinks, what she believes, if it runs contrary to her mind.” His voice was tinged with admiration. That surprised Joanna.
She tipped her head to the side in a nod. “I think she and I might become good friends, in that case.” Against her will, her lips spread slightly. She didn’t wish to give the impression the offer of friendship extended to Mr. Lumley, too. After their brusque meeting, she would need to know him better before deciding that.
The musicians played a few warning notes. Mr. Lumley offered his arm. “We must take our place.” He led her onto the floor, coming to stand in the two lines beside Lady Hannah and her partner. Amelia was nowhere in sight.
When Joanna’s gaze returned to her partner, Mr. Lumley winked. She gasped. What was he about? She hadn’t taken him for the flirtatious type. He was showing himself to be everything but the snobbish prig she’d first met. Instead of responding, she pushed her single, long curl behind her shoulder and looked away. She would not play his games.
A shiver of curiosity deep inside begged her to reconsider.
As the music began, Mr. Lumley walked forward and circled her. “Do you attend many race meetings?”
“As many as I can. I’m afraid my mother expects me to stay in London for the Season, so I’ll miss many of the spring meetings.”
He continued to time his conversation for when they drew close. “Yes, mothers are like that. Mine has similar ideas about my time.”
“Yours is eager for you to find a match? I thought that urgency was reserved for eldest sons.”
Chuckling softly, he took her hand in the next set of steps. “Perhaps in some families. I have the inconvenience of having parents who married for love. My mother wants the same for all eight of her children.”
Eight children. She hadn’t realized his family was so large. Lady Hannah had been alone with Lady Bridgethorpe when Joanna met her, so Joanna was uncertain how many sisters she might have. Like most girls, Joanna had longed for a sister while growing up. And there were times in recent years where having someone to confide in would have been an immense pleasure. Amelia was the dearest of friends and confidants, but having to write letters when they weren’t in London took away the joy of the moment when there was news to share.
Joanna and Mr. Lumley separated and strolled around the other couples. When they met again, she asked, “Are any of your brothers or sisters married?”
He shook his head, his smile becoming flirtatious once more. “My mother would tell you I am married to the stables, but I beg to differ. The horses keep me busy, I’ll admit, but I haven’t felt the need to marry before Knightwick does.”
Joanna heard Lady Hannah’s laughter, as Mr. Lumley must have, for he nodded her way. “I believe Lady Hannah will be the first of us to find love.”
Something in his voice made Joanna look up in time to see the wistful emotions passing over his face. All too soon, he was again the affable gentleman. She spent the rest of the dance trying to determine what his thoughts had been in that moment. The idea of losing a beloved sister, perhaps. She couldn’t imagine he wished to be first to find love, after saying he was in no hurry to marry.
Men were such a silly sort. They knew they must marry at some point, but worked so hard at making certain it couldn’t happen. There must be a kind of freedom in bachelor life that women didn’t experience. She had friends who swore they preferred spinsterhood, but Joanna wondered if that was sour grapes speaking. Even with her concerns of losing the time to spend in the stables, she looked forward to having a home of her own, and children to share her days.
When their set ended, Mr. Lumley walked her back to where her mother sat. “May I get you a glass of lemonade?”
“No, thank you.” She fanned herself with her silk fan. None of their friends had returned yet. Finding a topic of conversation with this man was easy, though. “Will you be racing more than one horse this year?”
“Yes, Lumley’s Lass is doing well. And your brother’s runners? How many is he entering?”
“Patriot is the only one he’s raced so far. He doesn’t tell me his plans, however, so I don’t know about future meetings.”
“I realize I misspoke earlier, but I do find it unusual that he lets you…no, wait, that will get me into trouble again. I don’t use my runners as pleasure horses while they are competing. I worry about injury. Your brother doesn’t seem to have that concern.”
Joanna laughed, knowing just how wrong that was. “When Patriot leaves London for the next meeting, I won’t see him again until I return to Hampshire after the Season. I’ve argued in vain I trained that horse, and most of the ones he’s bred in the last few years, so I ought to know how to ride without injuring him.”
A faint line appeared across his brow as he looked at her. “Oh, I didn’t realize you were serious when you mentioned training horses. I thought, perhaps, your brother humored you. Do you work with another trainer?”
“No, Father released the man who worked for him a year before his death. My brother and I both work with the foals, but mine seemed to be more competitive as they matured. Robert reluctantly let me continue, especially when Father died and he had so many duties to attend.”
Mr. Lumley tipped his head to one side as he continued to study her. “You must have a special touch.”
Joanna smiled, but had to look away. Meeting his gaze sent shivers through her. Was it simply because he allowed her to talk horses in a ballroom, something she never imagined she would do, or was there some other emotion he awakened? Before she could think longer on it, Amelia joined them and the conversation turned to more acceptable topics. But as she danced with various partners the rest of the evening, her thoughts continually landed on Mr. Lumley.
~*~
The ride through Hyde Park the Lumleys and Lady Joanna had planned for the following day was postponed due to rain, but the next day dawned clear and bright. Late that afternoon, David watched Lady Joanna descend the staircase, her pale green riding habit making her blonde hair that much brighter beneath her matching hat. She tugged on her gloves as she came down, apparently unaware of her audience. When she looked up, her step faltered, but she caught herself with a hand on the banister.
He was able to hide the reflexive jerk of his body, scrambling to catch her if she fell. He walked toward her, holding out a hand. “My lad
y, you will have all the other young ladies scurrying to their modistes after they glimpse your gown.”
Lady Joanna shook her head. “Such a taradiddle. But they might look at your waistcoat and presume we planned our dress to match.”
He glanced down, not remembering what he’d donned, and saw his green woolen waistcoat. “Imagine that. Lady Hannah wore lavender, so we three shall look like a rose garden.” She took the arm he offered and he led her outside where Hannah sat on her horse awaiting them.
Lady Joanna’s groom held Patriot’s bridle, and had placed a mounting block for her to use. Once she was comfortably in the saddle, the three riders started down the street at a leisurely pace.
Hannah rode up on Lady Joanna’s left side. “I hope you have no plans to run your horse. I could never keep up while riding sidesaddle. You must come to Bridgethorpe during the summer so we might sneak away and be scandalous horsewomen.”
Lady Joanna laughed. “The other ladies I’ve met in Town grow faint when I mention riding astride.”
“As well they should,” David chimed in as he came up on her right. “Young ladies should spend their time improving their minds, not baring their ankles on the heath.”
“You seem to have forgotten how much you, Knightwick and your friend Laurence Pierce bared while swimming in the pond.” Hannah’s smirk promised to embarrass him in as many ways as possible.
“A lady would never mention such a thing, nor admit to having lurked in the trees when her brothers and a friend were skinny-dipping,” he argued.
“I was not lurking. I was sketching the hollow tree. You all made such a racket I ran to see what was amiss. Thankfully you were all in the water by the time I arrived, or I might have shocked our art tutor with my advanced anatomy education.”
David had to laugh along with Lady Joanna. Hannah was too bold by half. He decided to take control of the conversation. “Do you draw, Lady Joanna?”
