A Most Improper Proposal

by Gail Whitiker

  'Are you acquainted with the venerable Mrs Guarding?' Sebastian asked, not even attempting to conceal his surprise.

  'Not acquainted, but certainly familiar. I chanced to read one of her papers a few years ago. It gave a rather chilling depiction of female slavery and its effect upon society as a whole.' Lady Charlton glanced at her nephew shrewdly. 'As a teacher at Mrs Guarding's Academy, Miss Nash is not your usual type of ladybird, Sebastian.'

  'No, that much I discovered today, Aunt,' he agreed ruefully. 'But that is nothing compared to what I learned about her as we were arriving on the outskirts of town.'

  Lady Charlton gazed at him expectantly. 'Well?'

  'Miss Desiree Nash is the estranged granddaughter of the late Sir George Owens. What do you think of that?'

  The look of astonishment on Lady Charlton's face told him exactly what she thought, and more. 'Good heavens, that comes as something of a shock indeed. I knew that Sir George had one daughter and that he had disowned her as a result of her marrying a man of whom he did not approve. But I had not heard news of a child resulting from that union.'

  'Well, one did,' Sebastian told her. 'And once I realised what Miss Nash's connections were, I could not, in all good conscience, set her up as my mistress. Word travels too fast in this town and I could only imagine what Sir George's family would say if they were to discover that I had taken his only granddaughter as my fille de joie.'

  Lady Charlton laughed softly. 'Yes, I have no doubt that such a diverting piece of news would make its way around town very quickly indeed.' She studied her nephew's handsome face in silence for a moment. 'So, what do you intend to do now? Take Miss Nash back to Steep Abbot?'

  Sebastian sighed and stood up in a gracefully restless motion. 'I can't. I gave her the option of returning to Steep Abbot today and she told me that she could not.'

  'Could not, or did not wish to?'

  'She led me to believe that she did not wish to, but I tend to think there is more to it than that.'

  Lady Charlton rose and poured herself another glass of brandy. 'I am quite sure there is, Sebastian. I have trouble believing that a well-born young lady who gave instruction in the ancient languages and philosophy, and who was accepted by a woman like Eleanor Guarding, would suddenly decide to turn her life upside down and become a courtesan. Tell me, what exactly did Miss Nash say her reasons for coming to London with you were?'

  'She said that she felt it was time for a change in her life,' Sebastian said, repeating the words he himself had spent considerable time reviewing on the way here. 'When I said that it was quite a change, she informed me, rather bluntly, that at five-and-twenty, she had every right to do so.'

  'Sebastian, did you ask this young lady to become your mistress?'

  'No. Well, that is to say, not recently. I did allude to the idea last summer when I met her, but at the time, Desiree told me exactly what she thought of my suggestion. So you can imagine my surprise when I received a letter from her just last week, addressed to me here in London and asking me if the offer I extended to her last summer was still open. I wrote back saying that it was...and here we are.'

  Lady Charlton nodded thoughtfully. 'Well, I suspect you are right about one thing, my dear. There is certainly more to Miss Nash's story than the little she has shared with you. For an educated young woman to do what she has done is unthinkable. I can only conclude that something desperate must have happened to her to bring about this astonishing change.'

  'I tend to agree, Aunt Hannah, but the question remains, what I am to do with her now? I feel responsible for having brought her here, but I cannot in all good conscience set her up in the house on Green Street,' Sebastian said quietly. 'The news will surely get back to Sir George's family and I am just as like to be called out as to be left to go about my business.'

  Lady Charlton nodded. 'Yes. Families can be funny things. Sir George might have disowned his daughter and ignored his grandchild, but there is nothing to say that his heir will not suddenly feel his responsibilities. Especially when he learns that a not so distant family member is now the mistress of a man whom Sir George referred to on more than one occasion as a rakehell and scoundrel.'

  Sebastian tossed back the rest of his brandy. 'Yes, I am well aware of what Sir George's feelings about me were.'

  There was a moment of silence as they both contemplated the situation.

  'Look, why don't you leave Miss Nash here with me for a few days?' Lady Charlton offered unexpectedly.

  Sebastian glanced at his aunt with hope. 'Are you sure?'

  'Why not? I have no plans to go out of town, and she seems a pleasant enough young woman. And to be honest, I would welcome the opportunity of talking to someone who has more than dress patterns and gossip on her mind. I have not had occasion to enjoy a good philosophical discussion in some time. I think I would enjoy it.'

  Impulsively, Sebastian bent down and kissed her cheek. 'You are a godsend, Aunt Hannah. If you would agree to keep Miss Nash here for a few days, I can spend the time trying to find her suitable employment elsewhere. In fact, Jeremy and Regina Stewart have just had another child, and their eldest daughter is now five. Perhaps they would consider employing Miss Nash as a governess.'

  'It is worth a try, Sebastian, but that is not to say that Miss Nash will welcome the opportunity.'

  Lady Charlton's eyes sparkled. 'If I had the choice of becoming the mistress of one of London's most handsome and eligible bachelors, or governess to a five-year-old child, I wonder which I should choose.'

  Sebastian threw back his head and laughed. 'Dear Aunt Hannah. I should like to think that as my aunt, you would do what was socially and morally correct. However, because you are my aunt, I tend to think you would do the other and say to hell with what everyone thought.'

  'Pray do not tell our young guest that.' Rising to her feet, Lady Charlton tucked her hand in her nephew's arm and winked at him. 'I should like to retain some pretence of dignity for a little while at least!'

  For Desiree, Lady Charlton's suggestion that she freshen up before dinner had been a most welcome one. The trip had been long and emotionally draining, and notwithstanding the comfort of Sebastian's carriage, Desiree was weary. She was also extremely apprehensive about going back downstairs and facing Lady Charlton again. She knew that the lady suspected the nature of her relationship with Sebastian. To believe otherwise was to pretend an ignorance of the most simple of facts.

  Respectable unmarried ladies simply did not arrive with single gentlemen, unescorted and unattended, in the early hours of the evening. And knowing that, Desiree could not help but wonder what opinion the lady had taken of her. She knew that during her brief absence the situation would have been made clear, so it was quite likely that Lady Charlton would refuse to allow her to take a meal with them, let alone stay in her home for a few days!

  It was that certainty which accounted for the shock Desiree felt when, upon re-entering the drawing room, she discovered that not only was she to stay for a meal and for the night, but that she was to remain at the house as Lady Charlton's guest for a few days.

  'But...I don't understand,' Desiree said with a confused glance at Sebastian.

  'It is really quite simple, Miss Nash,' Lady Charlton said. 'My nephew has explained that the establishment in which you were to reside is in need of repairs. That being the case, I have offered to put you up here until they are finished.'

  'That is...most kind of you, Lady Charlton, but given the circumstances of my being here, I would understand perfectly if you did not wish me to stay. I am sure I could find lodgings elsewhere.'

  'There is no need for you to go elsewhere, Miss Nash,' Lady Charlton assured her. 'I have plenty of room, and as I was telling Sebastian, I am looking forward to the opportunity of engaging in conversation with an educated young woman. I understand that you were employed as a teacher at Mrs Guarding's Academy for Girls?'

  Desiree blushed, certain now that the conversation during her absence had been about he
r. 'Yes, I was.'

  'Eleanor Guarding is a remarkable woman,' Lady Charlton commented. 'Would that more gentlemen paid heed to her teachings. If they did, I feel certain that the cause of women would be greatly improved.'

  'You are acquainted with Mrs Guarding, my lady?' Desiree asked in surprise.

  'Not personally, I regret to say, but I am very familiar with her work. What woman of intellect could not be?'

  Inordinately pleased that Sebastian's aunt was in sympathy with Mrs Guarding's philosophies, Desiree felt some of her apprehension ease. 'She is a remarkable woman indeed, Lady Charlton, and the school is a reflection of all that she is. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had the benefit of her employ for the past six years.'

  Desiree would have said more, but the drawing-room door opened and the butler announced that a light collation had been laid in the dining-room.

  'Splendid. We shall continue our conversation there.'

  'We?' Sebastian enquired in amusement. 'But surely you have already eaten, Aunt?'

  'Of course I have, Sebastian, but I am eager to talk to Miss Nash about Mrs Guarding's school and to learn what it was like to be a teacher there.'

  At that, Desiree only just managed to keep the smile on her face. She was pleased that Lady Charlton was familiar with the school and with the formidable woman who ran it. Nor was she surprised that she would wish to know more about what went on within its walls. But as to how she had come to be a teacher there, Desiree knew that if she answered that question, it would only be a matter of time before Lady Charlton asked her why she had left it.

  And that troubled her sorely. For while she had been able to fool Sebastian as to her reasons for leaving, she was not at all sure that she would be able to do as convincing a job on Lady Charlton.

  To Desiree's relief, there was no inquisition over dinner. Rather, the meal—which consisted of a delicious consommé, followed by slices of cold ham, a selection of cheeses and a creamy custard for sweet—provided an excellent opportunity for Lady Charlton to discuss Mrs Guarding's beliefs in general, and to ask how she had incorporated them into the running of the school.

  The subject of Desiree's life there and why she had left did not arise at all.

  Desiree also enjoyed watching the exchange of conversation between Sebastian and his aunt. It was clear that a great depth of feeling and respect existed between the two. Their shared laughter over people and events known only to them evidenced a like sense of humour and Desiree could see that they were completely at ease with one another. It brought home to her how much she missed her own family, and the comfort of being with people she loved.

  'You look tired, Miss Nash,' Lady Charlton said suddenly. 'Would you perhaps like to retire?'

  Desiree touched the fine linen napkin to her lips. 'Thank you, Lady Charlton. I admit, I am weary. It has been...a long day.'

  'Yes, and a rather momentous one, I should think. Sleep well.'

  As Desiree rose, Sebastian did, too. 'I shall call to see you in the morning. Good night, Desiree.'

  Desiree felt the colour rise to her cheeks. For a little while this evening, she' had been able to forget that the reason she had come to London was to become this man's mistress. Until she saw the look in Lord Buckworth's eye. Then the memory of it all came rushing back. But to be fair, Desiree knew that she could no longer reproach Sebastian for the direction her life was taking. The gentleman had been kindness itself. He had offered her a graceful escape from her promise and when she had turned him down, he had tried to make the rest of her day as comfortable as possible.

  Truly, if there was any blame to be assumed for the position she now found herself in, Desiree knew at whose door it would have to be laid.

  'Good night, Lord Buckworth. And I would like to thank both of you—for the kindnesses you have shown me today.' With that, she walked across the room—very conscious of the two pairs of eyes that followed her—and quietly closed the door. Taking one of the candles that had been left at the bottom of the stairs, she went up to her room and once there, sat down on the bed and gazed at her surroundings. Certainly the luxurious bedroom was a far cry from her humble lodgings at the Guarding Academy. The walls here were covered in the palest green fabric, with window hangings and bed linens to match. There was a large, comfortable bed, a small mahogany desk and a roomy armoire.

  Of course, it was only a temporary accommodation, Desiree reminded herself. The house where she was to stay was currently being repaired. It was only a matter of time before she was ensconced there, and that her role as Sebastian's latest mistress would commence.

  Refusing to think about that any longer than she had to, Desiree started to get ready for bed. Someone—possibly Lady Charlton's maid—had already unpacked what few meagre belongings she had brought with her, and had laid out her old cotton nightgown. Desiree frowned when she saw that it was wearing thin in a few places, and wondered if she might take some of Mrs Guarding's money to buy herself a new one.

  Then, remembering that it was highly unlikely that she would need night-clothes, Desiree buried her face in the well-worn fabric, and quietly began to cry.

  Chapter Five

  As she had been accustomed to doing at Guarding's, Desiree awoke early. She had passed a restful night, no doubt due to the fact that she had been emotionally drained when she had gone to bed, and had slept without interruption until the first light of dawn had edged over the horizon. She yawned and stretched, and then rising, tiptoed across to the window.

  The day was a fine one, with the sun shining brightly from a cloudless blue sky. In the street below, flower-girls and milkmaids were selling their wares, along with the countless other merchants who took to the streets in the early hours of the morning.

  Desiree leaned against the windowframe and watched the bustle of activity below her. It was hard to believe that she was actually here in London. It brought home to her how much her life had changed in the course of a single day. But it also impressed upon her how far she had fallen. The young women in the streets below were doing an honest day's work for the money that would keep bread on their tables and a roof over their heads.

  What was she going to be doing to earn hers?

  Feeling some of her pleasure in the day evaporate, Desiree turned away from the window and walked towards the armoire. Her spirits plummeted even further when she realised that she had only two dresses in which to go downstairs, both of a serviceable grey fabric. Her clothes had been fine at school, where all of the teachers had dressed alike, but here in fashionable London, her drab gowns seemed even drabber by comparison.

  Still, they were clean and, unlike her nightgown, they sported no holes. Most importantly, they were hers. She had paid for them with her own hard-earned money. A sobering thought when she realised that within a few days, nothing she owned would be earned in such a way.

  Lady Charlton eschewed the popular pastime of staying in bed until noon and was already seated in the breakfast-room when Desiree came down. She looked up from her coffee as Desiree entered and greeted her with a smile. 'Good morning, Miss Nash, did you sleep well?'

  'Very well indeed, thank you, Lady Charlton.'

  'Splendid. You may help yourself to anything on the sideboard. I shall have Grant bring fresh eggs if you wish. To my mind, eggs are one food which do not improve with standing.'

  'Thank you, Lady Charlton, but I am sure I will have no need of anything more than is here,' Desiree said. Indeed, after the good but plain fare she had partaken of at the school, the vast array of silver dishes arranged on the sideboard before her promised a veritable feast.

  'Dear me,' Lady Charlton said. 'Is that the manner of dress you wore at school?' At Desiree's reluctant nod, she tutted. 'Well, we shall certainly have to do something about that. It does nothing for your colouring or for your figure.'

  Desiree glanced down at the gown and blushed uncomfortably. 'I had thought to order some new clothes when I arrived, but I did not know...what I would need.
'

  'Well, you will certainly need better than what you have on. I think our first order of business will be to take you to my modiste. Mrs Abernathy does excellent work and her prices are very reasonable. Besides, Sebastian is very particular about a lady's attire, and I am sure you will wish to look nice for him.'

  It was the first mention Lady Charlton had made of her role in her nephew's life, and it was more distressful to Desiree than she could have imagined. She dropped her fork onto her plate and winced as it clattered against the fine china. 'Forgive me, Lady Charlton, that was clumsy of me,' she said wretchedly.

  Lady Charlton studied her in silence for a moment. 'There is no need to apologise, my dear. I tend to be something of a butter-fingers myself at times.' She hesitated a moment longer and then obviously decided that it was time for plain speaking.

  'Miss Nash, I will not try to pretend an ignorance of why you are here. We are both intelligent women, and I see nothing to be gained by indulging in deception. But what I do not understand is why. Why would a beautiful and educated young woman like you wish to become a courtesan?'

  Desiree did not think it was possible for her to feel any worse, but truly at that moment, she did. 'Lady Charlton, I—I—'

  'Please do not dissemble, Miss Nash. Sebastian told me that you wrote to him of your own free will and that you refused his offer to return you to Steep Abbot. But judging from what little I have seen, I find it hard to believe that this is truly what you want from life. So I shall ask you here and now. Was this what you meant when you wrote to my nephew and told him that you wanted to...broaden your horizons?'

  Desiree raised her eyes to those of her hostess and shook her head. 'Not at all.'

  'Then why did you say it? Surely this is not really what you truly wish to become?'

  Desiree closed her eyes and felt utterly wretched. 'Of course it isn't. But there were no other options left open to me.'