Mesalliance

by Riley, Stella

  ‘Don’t turn me down tonight. Tomorrow, if you must … but not tonight.’ Then, taking her hand, he lightly kissed her fingers. ‘Goodnight, Adeline. Try to get some sleep.’

  Something tore at her throat and she fled before it could take possession of her.

  Rockliffe watched her go and then said resignedly, ‘Well, Harry?’

  His lordship was looking uncharacteristically grim.

  ‘The Garfield chit is going around telling everyone that you compromised Mistress Kendrick.’

  ‘Is that a piece of information … or are you asking a question?’

  ‘Of course it’s not a bloody question! Do you think I don’t know you better than that? And I saw the state of her. Only a complete idiot could suppose you had anything to do with it.’

  ‘Harry … you overwhelm me.’ His Grace flicked an imaginary speck from one immaculate cuff. ‘But sadly, people are very much inclined to see what they wish to see.’

  ‘And you’re going to let them?’

  ‘In this particular instance, yes. Why not?’

  Harry gave a sudden crack of laughter.

  ‘You’re incorrigible, Rock. Are you really going to marry her?’

  ‘Yes. I rather think I am. Do I take it that you disapprove?’

  ‘Much you’d care if I did. But no,’ said Harry thoughtfully. ‘No. As it happens, I don’t. I like her. And you could do a lot worse – little Miss Look-at-me-I’m-Beautiful, for example. But you must know as well as I do that there won’t be any shortage of critics.’

  ‘You are saying that I’ll be held to have made a mésalliance,’ said Rockliffe placidly. ‘Yes. But I’m sure you’ll agree that is no one’s business but my own.’

  ‘Then I wish you the best of good fortune,’ shrugged his lordship. ‘But tell me one thing, will you? Who did try ripping your future duchess to shreds?’

  The Duke was engaged in shaking out his ruffles and thus took his time about replying. But finally he said, with caustic humour, ‘Think about it, Harry. I’m sure you’ll work it out.’

  *

  As early as possible on the following morning, Lady Miriam summoned her husband and brother to a private conference in her boudoir. She was not in the best of moods. Her cherished ball had been an unmitigated disaster; Diana was still indulging in pointless hysterics; and before retiring for the night, Rockliffe had found time to address her in terms which she suspected were vaguely threatening. It was enough to make a lesser woman take to her bed … but my lady, fortunately, was made of sterner stuff.

  ‘I have called you here to discuss the consequences of last night,’ she began briskly. ‘Obviously, Rockliffe can’t be allowed to marry Adeline.’

  ‘Can’t he?’ enquired her husband blankly. ‘Why not?’

  ‘Don’t be stupid, Roland. It’s absolutely out of the question. I wish – just occasionally – that you would think.’

  ‘I am thinking, he objected mildly. ‘Seems to me it’d be a good thing. It would stop Adeline getting on your nerves. And the fellow’s old enough to know his own mind, ain’t he?’

  ‘You are missing the point,’ said Mr Horton maliciously. ‘Miriam wanted Rockliffe for Diana. What she assuredly does not want is for Adeline to get him instead. I, on the other hand, am strongly of the opinion that any duchess in the family is better than no duchess at all. And if Miriam has spoken to his Grace she must have discovered that Diana has put herself quite beyond the pale.’

  There was an ominous silence before her ladyship said sharply, ‘Are you saying there’s some truth in Adeline’s monstrous allegation?’

  ‘Well, of course. Didn’t Rockliffe tell you?’

  ‘No. He merely said that, under the circumstances, the precise truth of the matter could serve little purpose. Then he told me that, if she would accept him, he intended to marry Adeline and that it would be wise of me to accept it with a good grace.’

  ‘How very diplomatic!’ marvelled Richard. ‘Really, you know, it’s almost enough to make one wonder if he doesn’t want to marry her.’

  ‘Don’t see why he shouldn’t,’ remarked Sir Roland. ‘Always thought her quite a taking little thing, myself.’

  ‘You,’ said his wife witheringly, ‘are not Rockliffe. The idea’s preposterous.’

  ‘Is it?’ mused Richard. ‘Then why didn’t he tell you that it was Diana who lured him into the book-room in order to try and force his hand? I don’t suppose it was Adeline who was supposed to witness what ensued – though Diana was naturally reticent on that point. But she did admit laying hands on her cousin … which is why I followed Rockliffe back there.’ He smiled reminiscently. ‘It seemed a pity, you see, that Di should have gone to so much trouble for nothing. But it’s small wonder she is still overwrought. It must be galling to know that she’s been instrumental in making Adeline a duchess.’

  Lady Miriam stared at him with slowly gathering wrath and it was a long time before she said unsteadily, ‘Do you know … have you the remotest idea what you’ve done?’

  ‘Yes. Since Diana’s fences are past mending, I’ve used her folly to its best advantage. And, if you were less of a fool, Miriam, you’d see it for yourself.’

  A tide of apoplectic colour rose to her cheeks and, seeing it, Sir Roland tried to make a strategic exit. ‘If you don’t need me, I think I’ll just go and --’

  ‘Sit down and be quiet!’ snapped his wife. And then, to Richard, ‘It’s you who are the fool. Adeline can’t possible marry Rockliffe and you know it.’

  ‘Ah. You’re thinking of our dear sister, Joanna.’

  ‘Well, of course I’m thinking of Joanna! I, for one, haven’t concealed the truth all these years only to have it come out now.’

  ‘There’s no reason why it should,’ sighed Richard. ‘You were not, I imagine, planning on telling Rockliffe that – far from being decently dead, as everyone believes – his future mama-in-law might at any time walk into his house with her paramour?’

  ‘Naturally not. But --’

  ‘I’m glad to hear it. Because, for all we know, she may actually be dead by now. And if she’s not – what matter? It’s not very likely that, after a silence of nearly twenty-four years, Joanna is going to reappear now.’ He stopped, raising enquiring brows at his brother-in-law. ‘Yes, Roland? You have something to say?’

  ‘No,’ muttered the baronet unhappily. ‘Nothing.’

  ‘Good. Then I’m sure you’ll both agree that it’s quite unnecessary to tell Rockliffe anything.’

  ‘I’ve no intention of doing so,’ said her ladyship. ‘Do you think I want Joanna’s disgrace casting its shadow over all of us? But I do intend telling Adeline the truth at last.’

  ‘And what good will that do?’

  ‘Isn’t it obvious? She won’t want it made public any more than we do – so she’ll refuse Rockliffe.’

  ‘But he need never know.’ Richard was fast losing patience. ‘Look. Tom Kendrick’s dead and, outside the three of us, no one else knows – so how can Rockliffe find out? Moreover, why should he even try?’

  ‘Because he’ll want to know about Adeline’s background,’ came the brittle reply, ‘and he’s capable of raking through the ashes till he knows everything. The only safe way now is to tell Adeline. I should have done it years ago.’

  ‘So you should,’ nodded Sir Roland, unexpectedly. ‘Always said she had a right to know. Rockliffe too, if he marries her.’

  ‘Wonderful,’ drawled Richard with sudden, deadly sarcasm. ‘Absolutely wonderful. Why do we not also set a notice in the newspaper?’

  ‘There’s no need to be facetious,’ said his sister coldly.

  ‘Isn’t there? Let us suppose for a moment that you do tell Adeline. What guarantee do we have of her discretion? How do we know she won’t tell Rockliffe the whole story – or start digging things up for herself in an effort to trace her mother? Why should she feel,’ he finished venomously, ‘that, if she can’t marry Rockliffe, she has anything further to lose?’


  Lady Miriam opened her mouth to speak and then closed it again as if struck by doubt. Richard saw it and pressed his advantage.

  ‘As for Rockliffe himself, the likelihood is that he’ll marry her first and ask questions later – if, indeed, he asks them at all. And if he learns the truth once Adeline is his wife, he’ll be as eager to keep the secret as we are.’

  ‘I suppose,’ came the grudging response, ‘that may be true.’

  ‘We progress at last. It is also true that Rockliffe knows enough about our dear Diana to effectively ruin her.’

  Some of her ladyship’s colour left her. She said, ‘I hadn’t thought of that.’

  ‘Obviously not. But, once again, Adeline is our safeguard. Rockliffe won’t gossip about his wife’s cousin.’ He paused, his smile once more bland as milk. ‘You really have very little choice but to keep your mouth shut and make the best of it, you know.’

  She fought with herself and then said sourly, ‘You may be right. The most important thing is that Diana should have her chance.’

  Richard laughed derisively.

  ‘If Diana had an ounce of intelligence, we would not be having this conversation,’ he observed. ‘However. It is agreed that we encourage Rockliffe’s suit and say nothing about our unfortunate sister?’

  ‘I suppose so. If we must.’

  ‘I don’t like it,’ said Sir Roland gloomily. ‘Adeline ought to know. It’s not right to keep it from her. Not right to keep it from Rockliffe, either.’

  There was a brief space while his wife and brother-in-law stared at him. Then, her temper finally getting the better of her, Lady Miriam said, ‘Oh – get back to your sheep and your tenants! I don’t know why I asked you to join us in the first place – for you’ve no more social sense than a fly. And if Diana hadn’t inherited your brain, it’s she who’d be Duchess of Rockliffe instead of Joanna’s aggravating child – who, for all any of us know to the contrary, may even be a bastard!’

  *

  Whilst his fate was under discussion above stairs, Rockliffe entered the breakfast parlour to find it inhabited only by Harry and Mistress Pickering. His brows rose and, scanning the empty places, he said languidly, ‘Dear me! Last night’s ball must have been a greater success than I realised.’

  Lizzie’s grin was unexpectedly spectacular.

  ‘It was. I never thought an evening in this house could be half so amusing. To begin with there was Diana, all powdered and patched and bobbing in and out of the ballroom like a bird with twigs in its beak – and getting sulkier with every trip; and then Cecily disappeared and came rushing back looking as though she was going to burst.’ Lizzie paused, apparently savouring the memory. ‘She told Diana first, of course.’

  ‘Of course,’ agreed Rockliffe, placidly helping himself to coffee. ‘And then?’

  ‘Well, for one glorious moment, I thought Di was either going to box Cecily’s ears or lie on the floor and have a fit. But she didn’t.’

  Harry looked up from his plate. ‘You sound disappointed.’

  ‘I was – but not for long. She dragged poor Thea on to the terrace where she thought no one could see and boxed her ears instead. Then she turned round, stormed right through the middle of a gavotte and didn’t come back.’

  ‘While Cecily,’ suggested Rockliffe, ‘continued spreading the good news?’

  ‘With gusto.’ Lizzie rose to help herself to more scrambled eggs from the sideboard. Then, standing plate in hand, she looked him in the eye and said bluntly, ‘I know better than believe most of what Cecy Garfield says. But if it’s true that you’re going to marry Adeline, I’d like to wish you both happy.’

  ‘Bravo!’ applauded Harry. ‘Well said indeed.’

  Rockliffe smiled at her.

  ‘Thank you. That, considering the fate of your dress, is generous of you.’

  ‘Oh – that.’ Lizzie sat down again in the manner of one who feels there is no more to be said.

  The Duke and Lord Harry exchanged an amused glance. Then the door opened and Adeline came in looking decidedly underslept.

  ‘Good morning,’ she said. ‘Or, then again, is it?’

  ‘Only time will tell.’ His Grace came unhurriedly to his feet and pulled out the chair next to his own. ‘May I serve you with something?’

  ‘Just coffee, if you please.’ She took her seat with slightly heightened colour. ‘Lizzie … I don’t know how to begin to apologise. You’ve heard, of course?’

  ‘Yes. Don’t worry about it. I don’t suppose it was your fault, anyway.’

  ‘Perhaps not. But it – I’m afraid your gown is entirely beyond repair. And I’m concerned about how you’ll explain it to your mother.’

  ‘Oh – that’s easy.’ Lizzie reached for another slice of bread-and-butter. ‘I’ll tell her the truth.’

  ‘Which is?’ asked Rockliffe gently.

  ‘Not what Cecily thinks, obviously,’ she replied. ‘Myself, I rather suspect Diana. I always said she was capable of anything.’

  ‘This young lady,’ remarked Harry to no one in particular, ‘is plainly destined to go far.’

  ‘I thought as much,’ said Lizzie, with satisfaction. And then, to Adeline, ‘How is Diana this morning?’

  ‘Still in hysterics, I believe.’

  ‘And the rest of our illustrious party?’ asked Harry.

  ‘Well, I can’t speak for them all … but Lady Elinor is Comforting The Afflicted, Althea is in hiding and Andrew is still doubtless nursing his head. As for my aunt …’ Adeline turned a perfectly expressionless gaze on the Duke. ‘Rumour has it that she’s in enclave with Uncle Richard and Sir Roland.’

  ‘Ah. Then, since you and I have not been invited, perhaps we should form our own.’

  It was no surprise but this did not prevent her nerves vibrating like plucked wires. She said, ‘There really isn’t any need.’

  ‘On the contrary. There is every need,’ responded Rockliffe calmly. And then, ‘Harry?’

  ‘I’m going – I’m going!’ His lordship rose, grinning. ‘Never let it be said that I don’t know when I’m not wanted.’

  ‘Thank you. And could you also oblige me by … seeing that we’re not disturbed?’

  ‘I might manage that.’

  ‘I’ll help.’ Having demolished the last of her egg, Lizzie also quitted her chair and looked meaningfully at Adeline. ‘If you want my advice, you’ll think of The Trojan and not quibble,’ she said. And walked to the door, bearing Harry with her.

  For a moment after they had gone, there was silence. Then Rockliffe leaned back, folded his arms and said, ‘Well?’

  Adeline eyed him with what she personally considered to be justifiable irritation.

  ‘Aside from the fact that this is probably the most ridiculous situation anyone was ever in, what do you expect me to say?’

  His mouth curled in a singularly charming smile.

  ‘I expect you to say “Yes, Tracy. I’ll marry you”.’

  That, she felt was distinctly underhand. Her stomach was in knots. She said, ‘Why? You can’t possibly want to marry me. And you’re supposed to be the clever one - so you must be able to find a way out of this.’

  ‘You’re forgetting Cecily Garfield,’ he reproved. ‘My reputation will be in tatters and my name in the dust. Society will turn a cold shoulder and doors will be slammed in my face. I look to you to spare me all that.’

  ‘Fiddlesticks! If Lord Harry is any indication, the people who know you won’t believe a word Cecily says – and your rank and wealth are such that the Polite World will get over its shock fast enough.’

  ‘I know.’

  Not unnaturally, it was several seconds before she felt able to reply to this and, during them, she realised something she should have known all along.

  ‘You’re enjoying this,’ she said slowly. ‘God alone knows why – but you are actually enjoying it.’

  ‘Well, yes,’ he admitted, mock-ruefully. ‘I’m afraid I am. But you must not judge me too harshly
, you know. I get so little pleasure.’

  She suffered a sudden wave of temper, oddly mixed with an impulse to laugh and, unable to trust herself, rose from her chair to put herself on the far side of the table. Only then did she turn and say carefully, ‘All right. Play your little game with the rest of them, if you will – but stop playing it with me.’

  Rockliffe looked at her thoughtfully for a moment and much of the mischief left his eyes.

  ‘You want the truth?’

  ‘If it isn’t too much to ask – yes.’

  ‘Very well.’ Rising to face her, he laid his fingers against the rim of the table and, when he spoke, there was no levity in his voice. ‘In plain terms, then … I am thirty-six years old, head of my family and possessed of a seventeen-year-old sister. I am therefore under some pressure to enter into the bonds of holy matrimony. My difficulty has been that, among all the young ladies of birth, breeding and beauty, I cannot find one who wouldn’t bore me to death in a week – and that, as you know, is the one thing I can’t tolerate. You, on the other hand, don’t bore me at all; moreover … if you will pardon the indelicacy … I find myself experiencing an increasing desire to take you to bed.’ He paused to enjoy the expression on her face, which was less shocked than incredulous. Then he finished simply, ‘In short, my dear, I think we might deal very well together … and am inclined to hope that you may think so too.’

  Discovering that her knees were malfunctioning, Adeline slid weakly into Harry’s vacated chair. The battle that had raged in her head and heart through the long hours of the night re-surfaced with a vengeance. It was hard when the man who had intrigued and dazzled you at the age of sixteen and whose image had remained, untarnished, in all the years since, offered you marriage. It was even harder when he did it out of a mixture of devilment, clinical logic and, quite unbelievably, lust. And when you added the fact that you wanted to say yes more than you had wanted anything in a very long time, it became downright impossible. So she sat and looked at her hands and finally acknowledged a truth that could no longer be avoided. ‘This is dangerous. I could easily – so very easily – love you.’

  In the remotest tone she could manage, she said, ‘It is not, then, because of what happened last night?’