The Rake's Redemption

by Anne Millar

  So now Theodore Horsley was being shown into the drawing room by Bridges and Judith had no idea what to expect. Had John led him to believe that she favoured him? At least Mrs Rogers was sitting there, hands folded neatly in her lap, as a link to the safer world Oakenhill had been when they were children.

  “Miss Hampton, how kind of you to let me call at this time.” As if she were going to refuse to be at home when he held the purse strings to which her brother was in thrall. Judith noted the ‘Miss Hampton’ though. Previously he had been so eager to use her Christian name for the intimacy he thought that conferred. Sir Theodore was either nervous now or scheming. So Judith nodded and smiled and said all the right sounds, aware of Mrs Rogers monitoring her performance just as she had when a young Judith learned the art of the hostess under the housekeeper’s eye.

  Judith might be occupied with saying all the right things, but she still couldn’t help being fascinated by the baronet’s swollen cheeks, far more suited to a rodent than a man. Finally Sir Theodore drew to his purpose.

  “The rain rather spoiled the review, Judith.” So we were back to the faux intimacy.

  ”Indeed, Sir Theodore. And forming square is such a difficult manoeuvre. Perhaps with more training?” She couldn’t help wanting to bait him, but that would only antagonise John, and father would be upset. This was about as far as it was safe to go.

  “Of course with John indisposed I lacked my most able officer.” Sir Theodore had the most annoying way of nodding his head. Was he trying to lend gravitas to his pronouncements? Or just trying to convince himself there was some value in his words? “I can rely on none of the others as I do on John.”

  Her brother was many things but John as the exemplar of an infantry officer was difficult to swallow. Theodore Horsley was in dire need of a set down. Was this what a lady was supposed to endure in the hope of landing a husband?

  “Major Stainford will no doubt have a view on how to improve the manoeuvre, Sir Theodore.” So why not go and ask him instead of coming here? Of course she couldn’t say that.

  “A difficult officer, Judith. Far too wedded to drill and practice, so forgets the importance of spirit in the men.”

  “Surely drill and practice matter, colonel?” For father’s sake she ought not to antagonise the man, so giving him his rank was a small matter. As soon as she’d done it Judith regretted her action. The toad was back, inflating itself in a crass demonstration of self importance.

  “Of course Judith. The men need a drill master to learn their work, but in the heat of battle they follow an officer for the trust and respect they bear him.” Something in her face when he paused must have betrayed how unconvinced she was by his verdict for Sir Theodore felt the need to press his point. “These are my men, Judith. I’ve raised the regiment, paid for it and the men will follow me. The French will learn respect for the East Mercian Volunteers, by Jove they will.”

  Judith couldn’t help being stuck by the conviction that sustained Sir Theodore in his beliefs. Anything said against his point of view was only going to fuel further proclamations. Still she couldn’t hold back. “The French have succeeded against most of Europe’s armies.”

  “Indeed they have, Judith.” Judith had never been so comprehensively condescended to in her entire life. “They are not fools, my dear. Worthy opponents. But I have made a study of Marlborough’s battles, a close study. Both the tactics which led him to victory and the strategy he pursued. So I will be able to influence the engagements now proceeding in Spain.”

  She had to deflate such insufferable pomposity and Judith chose to fall back on legalities to do so. “The regiment are fencibles, Sir Theodore. Raised to defend this country, not to soldier overseas.” At that moment Judith shared all of her father’s horror at the thought of losing John as they had lost Jeremy. If the fencibles were to go overseas he would surely go with them, both for the adventure and to prove he did not lack courage.

  “Of course I must change their name Judith, you’re right to point that out, and I thank you for it my dear. Perhaps the Loyal East Mercian Fusiliers. I like the sound of ‘the fusiliers’. Traditional, historic, and heroic. Such a shame the old custom of naming the regiment for their colonel has passed.”

  Judith could feel the panic rising in her. What could she say that would puncture this man’s conceit and make his vainglorious fantasy less attractive to him. “Is the strategy in Spain not already decided by General Wellesley?”

  “He has been trying to drive the French out for years, Judith. Irish peerage you know, not quite the thing. Doubtless he will welcome my advice as much as the reinforcements I bring. The Volunteers are a prime battalion. Smart, well trained, loyal. And when they transfer to the regular army the government will take over the expense of paying them.”

  Was Sir Theodore feeling the pinch? Judith wasn’t sure if that was something to wish for or not. John certainly was dependent on his colonel’s charity. What would become of him and his debts if Theodore Horsley drew in his purse strings?

  “It must be a colossal expense to raise and equip the regiment, Sir Theodore. Your patriotism does you credit.” Would he expand on the expense of the regiment if she flattered him?

  “Noblesse oblige, Judith. My father and grandfather worked to make the family fortune and there are those who sneer at me for it. I may not be a Viscount but I know my duty, and I shall lead my men with honour. Character will always win the day before any drill manoeuvre.”

  She couldn’t help blurting out her objection. The image of Thomas desperately trying to rally the scattered redcoats at Albuera into some form of square as the French cavalry slashed at them, at him, the dragoon cutting at his face to give him his scar, wouldn’t let her keep quiet. “War isn’t some game. Men die.”

  “It is a desperate business my dear. I am flattered to hope that your concern is for me, Judith. But I must do my duty.” In amongst the bluster and the sheepish agreement with what she had said there was a shrewdness carried in his eyes. Judith wasn’t surprised at the cunning way he framed a question back at her disguised as a statement. “Major Stainford may think otherwise but the volunteers are my men and I will lead them.”

  “Of course, Sir Theodore.” Faced with his suspicion she could do nothing but deny the sense of what Thomas stood for, training and discipline that would save lives on the battlefield. Damn John for putting her in this position. “I am sure the Volunteers will fulfil your trust in them.”

  “You may be sure of it, Judith. My men will demonstrate their courage, no matter what the Major thinks.” He was watching her far too closely for a reaction and Judith was aware of Mrs Rogers losing any semblance of interest in her needlework.

  “Yet courage is not enough.” She couldn’t give in to his stupidity and vanity even if John’s very existence depended on it. “It wasn’t enough to save Jeremy.”

  “Your brother’s death was a tragedy indeed. I can only hope that the passage of time will numb the pain of your loss, Judith.” The challenge had all but vanished from Sir Theodore’s tone but Judith’s relief that she didn’t have to fend off his suspicions was marred by the feeling that she had tainted Jeremy’s memory by using him thus.

  “Such sadness, Judith. Maybe the matter which brought me here this morning may serve to remove some of that hurt. I intend to hold a ball to celebrate the Regiment’s completion of training. Since John has been so unsparing in his efforts I wanted to ask you to be my guest of honour. My mother concurs in this, Judith.”

  If ever there were a less appealing invitation Judith had not heard it. The silence stretched out as she thought desperately how to answer him. The trap to deny that he had the right to decide whether training was completed she saw clearly. But she didn’t care what Thomas Stainford thought. It was just that being paraded as Sir Theodore’s trophy was deeply unappealing. And father might think that she approved of the plan to take the regiment to war in Spain. He would never forgive her if they were to lose John.

 
; “You are kind, Sir Theodore. But I do not believe that John has deserved such an honour. He is not nearly so diligent an officer as you pretend. I know my brother better than that.” She held up her hand to cut off the protest he was about to make. “I cannot accept such a distinction under false pretences, Sir Theodore.”

  “But you will attend, Judith? You must know the depth of the regard I have for you.” Judith recoiled from the wheedling tone. The man was a deeply unattractive mixture of pathetic and presumptuous. Then he capped his pleading with what could only be a veiled threat. “John certainly does. It is one of the reasons he has allowed me to help him so very much with his notes. It pains me to consider how he would have fared otherwise.”

  She had to agree to attend the ball. For one thing agreement helped her get Sir Theodore out of the house before her temper had the chance to rise. For another father would expect them to attend such a ball so she was losing nothing by agreeing to be there. Just not as guest of honour.

  She could just about cope with the look of sympathy Mrs Rogers threw her as Sir Theodore followed Bridges out. The sick feeling of dread in her stomach she couldn’t begin to deal with. If this was the direction her future was to take she couldn’t face it. But in the face of John’s stupidity what else was she to do?

  ~

  There wasn’t much sympathy forthcoming from Aunt Matilde. She came back in as breezily as if she’d never slunk out to avoid putting up with the bold Sir Theodore in the first place. To announce that she and Judith would visit with Amara that afternoon.

  “A ball is a splendid idea anyway. All the fashionable regiments would think of nothing else. So why wouldn’t Sir Theodore?” There was no point in answering when someone was only concerned to justify their point of view. No point in trying to avoid visiting Trefoyle either when you couldn’t come out and say you didn’t want to meet Thomas Stainford. Silence couldn’t protect one’s sensibilities from Matilde Sinclair’s incision though.

  “Anyway Thomas won’t be there. He’ll be hard at work training the militia at their barracks. Though if you have no feelings for him Judith I cannot see why you should wish to avoid meeting him.”

  Useless to protest that wasn’t her concern. Once Aunt Matilde had decided on something no amount of fact would alter her opinion.

  “Of course I understand you were angry with him for going off to Spain. But it’s a long time ago now Judith. Eligible young men aren’t so commonplace these days. Especially when you were so very particular in your season.” She didn’t actually come out and say that choice was limited for a niece who was now an ape leader but Judith heard the words clearly enough. And Aunt Matilde didn’t even know she was ruined.

  Amara Guilmor was delighted to see them and not in the least averse when the conversation was turned to Thomas Stainford. She made no bones about discussing the earl’s decision to disinherit Thomas with Matilde, but then the two of them were as close as girlhood friends can be. “Still very comfortable with the allowance his grandfather settled on him, Matilde. I think the last earl knew his son was likely to be precipitate and his grandson to be impulsive.”

  Judith knew the two of them were watching her for her reaction and she kept her lips tight. Far wiser to learn from her elders and betters than to betray what she thought.

  “You knew Judith that the Earl asked Thomas to transfer to the regulars and go to Spain to keep an eye on Charles.” Charles Stainford had been the younger twin. Although only some minutes separated him from Thomas he could have been a younger brother. Dreamy, gentle and charming, liked by everyone and paid attention to by no one. Soldiering was an unlikely profession for him to choose, but as the younger son he really only a choice of that or the Church, he never could have expected to inherit.

  “When Charles ran away to marry Jane the Earl was distraught. Charles had always favoured his mother’s looks and I think Penwick thought he was losing Charlotte all over again. Anyway he charged Thomas to take care of his brother. You had gone off to Chloe’s with your father, Judith. By the time you came back they were all three of them gone.”

  He could still have written and explained. Asked her to follow him. She would have done that then as a green girl. Perhaps better he hadn’t as things had worked out.

  “Jane was a lively little thing, Judith. I always thought she had set her cap for Thomas. Or would have done if you hadn’t been in the way.” Amara Guilmor was indiscreet to a fault. And wrong, plain wrong.

  “That is preposterous, Amara. I was not in the way.” Maybe that was protesting a little too much. So Judith posed a question. “Then why would she have married Charles?”

  “A good match for her. The younger son certainly, but still plenty of money. And Charles was.” She stopped and began again. “Charles is dashing and debonair. And easy going.”

  Amara was letting her imagination run too far away with her, far too far. For the first time ever on a visit to Trefoyle it was a relief to have the coach brought round. Except that Thomas Stainford chose that moment to arrive in his landau. Judith could have wished the ground to part when she realised who it was but Aunt Matilde had to stroll over to chat to him, smiling as if she had expected to see him. Had she and Amara contrived this?

  “We had Sir Theodore to call this morning.” That was unnecessary. It was none of Thomas’ business who called at Oakenhill. And anyway Aunt Matilde had avoided the visit.

  “How diverting for you. Did he impart anything of interest?” This was Thomas at his least appealing, cynical and quite charmless. Sir Theodore might be a fool but she wasn’t about to be drawn into a cabal to denigrate him. And boost Thomas Stainford’s ego in the process.

  “Only his plans for a regimental ball.” You could rely on Aunt Matilde to boost any egos in need. “To celebrate the completion of training.”

  “For a future date then.” When had he grown so sarcastic? Back before he had been sweet enough to steal your heart. Bittersweet as it turned out and probably all as carefully calculated as the way his man had inveigled her groom away. But then if he had everything so well calculated why had he made her his offer? Had he hoped she’d turn him down and his conscience could be assuaged at no cost to himself?

  “Colonel Horsley was most charming in his invitation.” Amara and Matilde could support her a little more. The pair of them looked as if they were about to burst out laughing.

  “I don’t doubt it. Sir Theodore has all the graces.” That was one sneer too many. It was bad enough that your aunt and your friend were conspiring to humiliate you, but standing here while Thomas Stainford amused himself was more than anyone should be asked to tolerate.

  “You are unkind and unfair.” It was hard to sound outraged when you secretly agreed every word that was being said, but pride would not let her join in with their indulgent game.

  “Perhaps, Judith, but Sir Theodore is a dangerous man. Foolish, and conceited enough to be stubborn in his foolishness. You should tread warily with him.” Thomas thought he could lecture her? Sir Theodore wasn’t the only one wedded to a fine conceit of himself. Or was it his opinion of her that was so low? Poor little Judith who had to be protected from her own inadequacy. Except when it had suited Thomas Stainford. Well she didn’t want his pity.

  “Thank you for your advice, Major. Aunt, shall we go now? Amara, thank you for your hospitality, I shall hope to see you in London.” Where Thomas Stainford would be safely out of the way. Head as high as she could manage Judith led the way back to the Hampton coach. As they drew away down the driveway she could see Amara laying down the law to him about something. So at least he wouldn’t be left in peace to enjoy his little triumph over her.

  And John was right, the windows of this coach were irritatingly loose. Judith reached out her hand to press the glass back against its frame until a tisk from Aunt Matilde let her know just how irritating she was being. It seemed she couldn’t manage anything properly.

  Chapter 9

  The Tresham town coach didn’t have ratt
ling windows. It didn’t have draughts or shakes or any discomforts that could be avoided. It was plush personified, even the bumps in the road were soaked up by the springs in a way Judith couldn’t fathom but mightily enjoyed. It was followed by another Tresham equipage, a barouche for the servants and the luggage. Had Judith wished to take Sherbery with her a spare groom would surely have been found. She couldn’t bring herself to enjoy it wholeheartedly, a part of her felt that would be disloyal to father, but it made the journey to London much more pleasant.

  Her aunt chattered relentlessly, except about what Judith wanted to discuss, just how deep a mess John was in. That she avoided adroitly in favour of her subject of preference, Thomas Stainford. “He is the perfect foil for you Judith. It was obvious even when you were both much younger.” A veiled reference no doubt to her present advanced and unwed age. Which was an ungrateful thought since Aunt Matilde had not stinted on her season and yet had not once reproached Judith with her unwillingness to take. Though that had probably led her to her present attitude of knowing what was best for Judith.

  “Still you should enjoy yourself in London, Judith. We shall shop. My dressmaker will enjoy sewing for someone of such fashionable proportions.” Since Aunt Matilde hadn’t gained a pound since her own season that was overdoing it and Judith had to object.

  “Oakenhill cannot stretch too far, Aunt.” Lord knows what she’d find when she got back, father and John were quite capable of selling anything that could be moved. Just that by the sound of things there wasn’t enough of Oakenhill to satisfy John’s creditors.

  “Oakenhill doesn’t need to stretch dear, if I cannot treat my favourite niece what is the use of being married to Tresham. A new gown for the ball I think and a walking dress. Or two.”

  “Aunt, I will only be in London for a week.” Even that might be too long, but the thought of leaving all the worrying behind had been irresistible. Except it had climbed into the coach right with her.