by Jane Ashford
“What is it?” he asked when he saw the expression on her face. “It’s exceedingly selfish not to share a joke.”
Elisabeth’s smile broadened. “Is it, indeed? But it wasn’t a joke I was thinking of.”
“What a bouncer!” he replied. “I think it a very good joke to see poor Tony sitting between your cousins. He looks blue-deviled.”
She laughed. “You’re quite right. That’s what made me smile.”
“A man who lives by his wits must be clever. By the by, would you care to meet my mother?”
“Your mother?” echoed Elisabeth. “Why, ah, of course. I should be delighted.”
“No, you wouldn’t. But she wants to see you. I told her about you, you know.”
Elisabeth’s eyes twinkled. “You told her you’d unearthed a new heiress?”
“That’s the ticket,” he agreed breezily. He leaned back in his chair and threw an arm across its back, smiling winningly. “Told her I’d found a gem of the first water. But I should refuse her invitation, if I were you.”
“What idiotic things you say,” she laughed. “Why?”
“My mother’s a regular Leaky Liz. I came across a word once when I was at school that describes her perfectly. ‘Lachrymose.’ Have you heard it? There never was a woman cried as much as my mother.”
Elisabeth was torn between laughter and shock. “What a ramshackle son you must be.”
“On the contrary,” he responded indignantly. “I’m a model son. Do I not make every effort to get her a rich daughter-in-law? But she’s given up on the Darnells, she tells me. I believe my father was a disappointment to her. As she must have been to him,” he added meditatively. “They did not deal together particularly well.”
Elisabeth shook her head. “You are incorrigible. What am I to think if you insist on talking so?”
“Why, you are to think me charming,” he answered with innocent surprise. “What else? And very open and honest. And altogether the sort of person with whom you would choose to spend your life.” He grinned.
“And pass my fortune to?” she added.
“Of course. You know, really, I’d enjoy it more than anyone else I can think of. Because I know what it is to want money, you see, and to work to get it. And how to live well, that is extremely important.”
“Since I believe you’ve just described talking to me as work,” replied Elisabeth humorously, “I don’t feel the slightest inclination to part with a penny.”
Lord Darnell gave a shout of laughter. “Oh, you’re worth my steel,” he said. “Have you any notion how many heiresses are utter dunces?”
“I have some idea,” she answered, her lips twitching. “I was a teacher of several.”
“It’s wonderful indeed to find a girl who is both needle-witted and rich.” Lord Darnell tried to look very serious. “You know, I think perhaps I could really fall in love with you.”
“If you think I will believe such a remark coming from you,” replied Elisabeth, “you must think me a dunce, after all.”
He grinned. “I deserved that, but I almost believe I’m serious. We shall see. Meanwhile, what do you think of Vauxhall? That seems a safe subject. Have you been here before?”
“No,” said Elisabeth, looking around at the lantern-lit trees and the elegant crowd. “It’s lovely. I like it very much.”
“We might go for a stroll along the paths,” he suggested. “Some of the avenues are quite interesting.” His innocent look was hilarious.
“Certainly,” replied Elisabeth, relishing the surprise on his face. “Miss Taunton, Lord Darnell has suggested a walk about the grounds. Will you come?” Her eyes danced as she turned back to the young man, and he made the gesture of a fencer acknowledging a hit.
Miss Taunton agreed without visible enthusiasm, and the three of them started off. At first, Lord Darnell kept up his stream of outrageous chatter, with Elisabeth responding occasionally and Jane Taunton silent. But the young man could not allow any female to ignore him for long, and he soon addressed the unattending girl. “You don’t seem to approve of my conversation, Miss Taunton,” he said. “Perhaps you wish to talk of something else?”
“I cannot imagine we have any interests in common,” answered Miss Taunton in a voice devoid of any interest or any hint of flirtation.
“What a setdown!” Lord Darnell struck his forehead. “I’m put in my place. You have cut me to the quick, Miss Taunton.” She said nothing, only looked at him skeptically. “You don’t care for that?”
“If it were true,” she said, “I should apologize, certainly. But I don’t believe it.”
“Whew! Suddenly I feel a cold draft. Why do I begin to sense that you don’t like me?”
“Oh, I don’t dislike you,” replied Jane Taunton equably. “I merely think you a scatterbrained fribble who isn’t worth my time.” She gave him a thin smile. “And you would have to admit, if truthful, that you think me an unattractive female with neither the wit nor the money to interest you. I dislike hypocritical chitchat.”
Elisabeth smiled delightedly, and Lord Darnell gaped. “Good God,” he said. “What is a man to answer to that?”
“I congratulate you,” said Elisabeth to the other girl. “I never thought to see him silenced.”
Jane shrugged.
“Ah, you’re going to combine against me, I see,” said the young man. “It always happens when one makes the mistake of going about with more than one female. I’m overmatched, I protest. Let us go back to the box.”
Laughing, Elisabeth agreed, and they turned back. When they reached the table, they found Belinda and the duke still deep in conversation, but the duchess had shifted her attention to Tony and was firing a series of questions at him. Tony looked less bored, but very harried. Elisabeth changed her seat, placing herself next to Jane. She was intrigued by this outspoken girl. It’s strange, she thought to herself, but all the people I’ve liked so far in London are out of the common way—she glanced over at the duchess—one could almost say eccentric.
“We should try to get better acquainted,” she said to Miss Taunton. “The duchess thinks we’d like each other, it seems.”
The other girl looked at her hesitantly. “Yes, it is odd. It’s not like her to take one to meet people.”
Elisabeth smiled at her. “Well, I must say that I agree with her so far. You’re quite the most interesting girl I have met in London.”
Jane’s expression softened. “I am not sure that’s a true compliment. Girls in London tend to be horridly insipid.” Her eyes moved involuntarily in Belinda’s direction.
Elisabeth suppressed a smile. “Do you find it so? How do you avoid them?”
“I don’t go out,” said the other girl rather defensively. “It’s generally a waste of time, and I have tasks to occupy me.”
“What?” asked Elisabeth.
The other looked at her doubtfully, but Elisabeth’s expression showed real interest. “I’m most interested in literature,” she said. “I do a great deal of reading and some writing.” She smiled deprecatingly. “Didn’t the duchess tell you? I’m a hack journalist, and she’s the closest thing to a patron I’ve yet acquired. She takes an interest in me because she knows my mother.”
“A writer!” exclaimed Elisabeth. “I’ve never before met a writer. What do you write?”
Jane’s eyes dropped. “Articles for the ladies’ magazines. On the relative virtues of Denmark Lotion and crushed strawberries for removing freckles, for example, a subject which ought to be of the highest interest to me, of course.”
Her tone was so bitter that Elisabeth blinked. “But if you don’t like it,” she asked reasonably, “why do you continue?”
Jane seemed to recall herself. “I’m sorry. My struggles can be of no interest to you.”
“On the contrary, I’m extremely interested.”
&nbs
p; Seeing from her expression that this was true, Jane flushed slightly; her pale complexion made the color seem even brighter. “I support myself thus,” she said, “so that I may do my real work.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I write poetry, you see.”
Realizing that she was sensitive on this score, Elisabeth went carefully. “I think that is splendid, admirable, in fact. Have I seen any of your poems, I wonder?”
“Oh, they’re not published,” said Jane sadly. “No one wants them. They care only for rubbishy articles on feminine fashions.”
Elisabeth looked sympathetic. “That will change, I’m sure. But perhaps I’ve seen one of your pieces in the journals, at least?”
“I never use my real name there.” Now that she saw she was not to be mocked, Miss Taunton was more communicative. “You might have seen something of mine in the last Ladies Home Companion; a stupid thing, but mine own, on French twill trimming.”
Elisabeth shook her head. “I must look for it; I believe Belinda has a copy.”
“No doubt,” replied Jane, shrugging. “It’s pure rubbish.” She paused, then smiled with genuine good humor for the first time. “As are all my articles. I do them for the money, little as it is, and to become known in literary circles, so that I can someday be recognized as a real writer. One must start somewhere.”
“I’m very impressed and perhaps a bit envious. I should like to be able to write. Will you show me some of your poetry?”
Miss Taunton looked down. “I…that is, we might look over a little. I’m not sure you would enjoy it.”
“I am sure I would,” said Elisabeth.
Just then, the duchess turned toward the girls and claimed their attention. She’d finished with Tony, leaving that young man looking rather hunted, and now said, “There, didn’t I tell you you’d like each other? And was I not right?”
“You were,” answered Elisabeth. “I might have known that any friend of yours would be fascinating.”
The duchess chuckled. “How? After meeting my son.” She shook her head. “Well, at least he seems ready to settle at last. I have great hopes for my grandchildren.” She turned back to the girls. “I’ve observed that intelligence is often inherited by the third generation even when it deserts the second.”
Jane laughed, and Elisabeth shook her head.
“Well, and so you are to be friends,” continued the older woman. “It will do you both good. Elisabeth will have someone sensible to talk to, and Jane will be drawn out of the horrid little garret she inhabits. You’ll both learn something, I daresay.”
“Hardly a garret, Your Grace,” put in Jane. “You will give Miss Elham quite a distorted impression of me.”
“Ha. I wager she can draw her own conclusions without my help. And does, too.” The duchess turned to Elisabeth. “And so, when shall I give my ball for you, Elisabeth?”
“That must be up to you.”
“Nonsense. Choose the day. What about in three weeks’ time?”
Elisabeth smiled. “That is agreeable,” she said.
“Good.” She looked at Jane. “I daresay you will refuse to come, as usual?”
The girl nodded.
“What your mother must think,” sighed the duchess. “Girls nowadays. It wouldn’t have been allowed in my time.”
“My family feels as you do,” said Jane, “but I am not a child, after all. I must be allowed some freedom.”
The duchess snorted. “Not a child? Why, of course you are. Do you call six-and-twenty grown up? Your father, were he still alive, would have fetched you home without delay and set you to samplers once again.”
“Yes, he would,” replied Jane stiffly. “You cannot oppose my independence more than he did.”
Seeing that she’d offended the girl, the duchess softened. “Well, it’s none of my affair, I suppose. I simply believe you’d be happier at home with your mother than living in some out-of-the-world rooms and writing all the day long.”
“You are wrong,” said Jane decisively.
The duchess nodded. “I daresay. I don’t understand young people these days. Now, in my day…well, well, enough of that. Let us talk scandal or some other innocuous thing. There, at least, we can agree.”
Jane’s countenance relaxed, and Elisabeth smiled. Soon, the duchess was regaling them with a most improper anecdote about the Prince Regent, and she kept up a flow of such talk until it grew late and they began to think of leaving.
Ten
Elisabeth went out early the next day to call on her banker. She had a pleasant conference with this distinguished gentleman and had started home when a noise in the street ahead attracted her attention. She leaned out the carriage window to see what was the matter. Several vehicles were stopped, obstructed by a group of men standing in the middle of the street, shouting. They paid no heed to the objections of the drivers; indeed, they didn’t seem to hear them at all. Three of the men had their backs to Elisabeth, but the other two faced her, and she stared at them curiously, for their appearance was unusual. Both were dark-skinned, very tall and strong-looking. They wore loose shirts and trousers of white cloth fastened by belts of black leather. Though they contributed little to the argument in progress, their presence attracted most attention.
Suddenly, one of the more conventionally dressed gentlemen began to shout very clearly. “You’ll not get away with this,” he cried. “Perhaps you don’t believe the law will touch you, but some means will be found. I swear it.” There was more unintelligible conversation, then this man shouted again. “You blackguard! You care nothing that her heart was broken. The money is not the half of it.” One of the other men murmured something that seemed to fan the speaker’s rage. He clenched his fists and swung wildly, but the others restrained him gently. After further inaudible talk, they took their still raging companion over to the side of the street and remonstrated with him quietly; the fifth man started off along the opposite pavement away from them.
The carriages were able to move once more, and when Elisabeth’s vehicle passed the solitary man walking down the sidewalk, she turned curiously to look at him, wondering idly whose heart he was supposed to have broken so cruelly. To her astonishment, she recognized him. It was Mr. Jarrett. He was strolling casually now, his hands in his pockets. Elisabeth watched him, amazed, until he was lost in the crowd behind the chaise. Then she leaned back in her seat. Whatever had that been about, she wondered? It seemed that Mr. Jarrett had a more interesting past than he had let on.
When she reached home again, she found that Mr. Wincannon had called and was being entertained by Belinda and Lavinia in the drawing room. Upstairs, she removed her hat and tidied her hair, then started down to join them, smiling wickedly at the thought of him in that company.
Entering the room, she found her amusement justified, and her smile broadened. Mr. Wincannon did indeed look exceedingly bored as he listened to Lavinia’s description of their expedition to Vauxhall. He rose with alacrity when he saw Elisabeth and greeted her with what she could only call relief. Her eyes were dancing as she returned his salute and inquired about his health, causing him to shrug and say, “Yes, I’m quite well.” They all sat down, and the conversation faltered for a moment. Then Mr. Wincannon ventured, “You’ve been trying out your new carriage, I’m told. How did the team do? Tony chose very well for you, I must say.”
“He did indeed,” answered Elisabeth warmly. “They are beautiful steppers and good-tempered into the bargain. I’m very pleased with them.”
“I considered buying them myself, when Barton put them on the market,” said Derek. “But I have several young colts coming along now in my own stables, so I decided not to bid.”
“It is fortunate for us you didn’t. You might have run the price up quite beyond our touch.”
Mr. Wincannon laughed. “Oh, no,” he replied. There was a short pause, then he added, “I came by today to s
ee if you would care to go for a drive. However, since you’ve just come in, I imagine you not. Perhaps another time?”
Elisabeth inclined her head. “I should like that.”
He nodded briskly. “I shall take my leave, then. I have kept Miss Ottley and Miss Brinmore too long already waiting for you to come in.” He rose.
Elisabeth went down with him, and they stood for a moment in the hall.
“Thank God you came in,” he said. “I should have done something rash otherwise.”
“What?” asked Elisabeth. “I could see you were bored. What is your method in such cases?”
He shook his head at her. “Not something you would care to see in your drawing room, I assure you. I shan’t call again when you’re not at home.”
“Actually, I was about to leave. That would have been my only revenge.”
“Very tame,” mocked Elisabeth.
“Alas. My bark belies my bite. I’m really the meekest of men.” His eyes twinkled.
“Indeed,” she replied in the same spirit, “I’m glad to know it.” Her smile faded. “But as it happens, I wished to speak to you. I’m glad you didn’t go.”
He looked at her inquiringly. “Is anything amiss?”
“No, at least, I hope not. It’s just that we see nothing of Tony these days. Or only rarely see him, I should say. I’ve been a bit worried. He almost never says where he’s been or with whom. I know I can’t keep him in leading strings, but you were kind enough to say that you would watch over him, and so I thought…” She stopped and looked up at him.
“Watch over him,” repeated Derek with distaste. “He would object if he heard you say that. And I didn’t promise to do it, either. I said I’d keep an eye out.” He went on before she could reply, raising a hand to forestall her. “And I have done so. Somehow I felt you’d hold me to it.” He smiled to take the sting out of this remark. “You needn’t worry. Tony is indulging in some of the usual amusements of a young man thrown on the town, but he’s done nothing beyond the line. I should imagine he’s completely happy.”
