‘You’re not to worry the master any further, Lawson. There’s no need to tell him anything about this. Where is the dog now? It should be caught.’
But there was no sign of the dog or of anything else. Lawson was still unconvinced. ‘It could have been a stray,’ he said doubtfully, ‘but it looked a bit too well fed for that. What’s more, I think I’ve seen it before.’ He turned to the others. ‘My lord, did you or your groom happen to see anyone nearby?’
Antonia was exasperated. ‘I’ve told you! There was no one. It was a stray!’
Lord Aldhurst’s groom looked as if he was about to say something, but stayed silent when his master gave him a brief shake of the head.
Lord Aldhurst turned to Antonia. ‘Do you feel better? Shall we go back?’
‘Of course.’ Antonia forced a laugh. ‘At least I had my gallop,’ she said gaily, ‘though it wasn’t quite what I had expected!’
‘So you did. And what a magnificent piece of horsemanship it was, too! I am impressed. We must go somewhere soon where you can enjoy a genuine run. Just a few miles out of London there are some wonderful runs on the Downs.’
‘I’d like that. Thank you.’ In spite of these brave words she was still shaken as they set off back towards the gates. But here they were accosted by an army officer who was escorting a young lady on a magnificent grey. Antonia had last seen her at Lady Carteret’s ball talking to Lord Aldhurst. Or rather, to be more precise, flirting with Lord Aldhurst.
* * *
‘Good Lord, James, I thought we were out early. You must have been up with the lark,’ said the officer, drawing up and eyeing Antonia with open admiration.
‘Miss Calverley, may I introduce you to my friends? Lady Barbara Furness and Captain Harry Barcombe. Captain Barcombe and I served together in the army, and Lady Barbara is a family friend.’
Dressed in a green riding habit made à la Hussar, and wearing a very stylish hat, Lady Barbara surveyed Antonia from head to toe. Antonia was battling with certain chaotic feelings of her own but, under the gaze of those critical green eyes, she was aware that she must look unbecomingly flushed after her mad gallop, that some of her hair had come out of its neat bun and was lying halfway down her back, and that her old slate-grey riding dress, which had seemed so suitable for an early morning ride in the park, was very plain, and might even be called dowdy.
Though she felt at a distinct disadvantage, Antonia straightened up and surveyed Lady Barbara with equal deliberation. Then she gave each of them a cool nod.
‘I’m dashed glad to make your acquaintance, Miss Calverley,’ said Captain Barcombe. ‘I’ve heard so much about you!’
His enthusiasm had apparently displeased his companion. ‘I, too, am delighted to meet you, Miss Calverley!’ said Lady Barbara with a touch of acid. ‘But I think you must have been having a race in the Park? How daring of you to challenge the ways of our world! Or was it James who led you astray?’
‘Neither,’ said Antonia, who was not going to admit that her horse had taken off with no encouragement from her. ‘I have still to learn the ways of your world before I can challenge them, Lady Barbara. That shouldn’t take long—it’s quite a small world. But I assure you I am not very easily led astray.’
‘Babs! You’re the last person who should comment on anyone’s behaviour,’ said Captain Barcombe affectionately. ‘What about the scolding you got from Lady Sefton when I raced you up Rotten Row? She was furious with you.’
‘And you seem to have forgotten your bet with John to drive his curricle up Pall Mall!’ Lord Aldhurst turned to Antonia. ‘Now that was far worse than riding a little fast in the Park, Miss Calverley, and I’m sure you wouldn’t dream of doing anything so improper. Incidentally, Barbara, Miss Calverley’s horse was attacked by a mad dog. I doubt even you could have stopped it from bolting.’
Lady Barbara looked put out, but then shook her head and laughed. ‘Miss Calverley, I apologise. But why is it that our dearest friends are so ready to remind us of past indiscretions? That race was years ago and so was the drive in the curricle. I hope I know better now.’ She gave James a malicious look and then drawled, ‘But since we are talking of indiscretions, James, does Lady Aldhurst know that you had a chère amie staying with you at Hatherton recently? And don’t tell me it was Mrs Culver!’
Antonia’s eyes happened to be on James Aldhurst. His look of angry consternation had come and gone in a flash before either of the others had noticed it, and he was once again smiling his lazy smile. ‘I don’t propose to tell you anything, Barbara!’
Captain Barcombe stared in astonishment at Lady Barbara, then turned to grin at his friend. ‘James! You sly dog! I thought you had gone there to work! Is it true?’
‘Of course it’s true!’ Lady Barbara said. ‘The Fan-shawes were staying nearby. They tell me they saw James riding up towards Roade with a lady in a green riding habit at his side. They thought I was the lady, and were shocked, until I told them I was in Scotland at the time. How fortunate they didn’t join you, James! It might have spoiled your little idyll.’
‘Barbara, I don’t think your mother would approve of your present conduct. If I was committing an indiscretion, it would be highly improper of you to question me about it.’
‘You can’t put me off like that, James! You’ve just reminded me of how improperly I can behave when I choose. So who was this lady?’
‘Do you really believe that I should take any female to Hatherton while Mrs Culver was there? I thought you had more sense. She wouldn’t tolerate it for one second—I wouldn’t even dare suggest it. Your friends are wrong. Like many people here in London, they invent scandal because they’re bored, I’ll swear!’
‘But they did see a lady. They didn’t invent her. Who was she?’
‘Why are you so interested?’
‘James! Stop prevaricating! I demand an answer!’
He shrugged his shoulders. ‘You’ll find it very dull. I think it might have been Mildred Pettifer. I took her up to Roade one day to give me advice on some plantings there.’ He turned to Antonia. ‘You must find this conversation very tedious, Miss Calverley. I don’t know why Lady Barbara is pursuing it. Mrs Culver is my grandmother’s highly respectable housekeeper at Hatherton, and Mrs Pettifer is a widow who lives in the village nearby. She is a considerable expert on all kinds of plants.’
‘Mrs Pettifer! A middle-aged widow of the utmost respectability and sobriety wearing a dashing green riding habit, James? I can hardly believe that!’
‘You’re becoming a bore, Barbara! I don’t remember what she was wearing. You must ask your friends. Should I confess that she called in at Hatherton, too—to talk to Mrs Culver and collect some seedlings!’ He took up his horse’s reins with decision and nodded. ‘And now that’s enough of my dissipated ways. You’ll give Miss Calverley an even poorer opinion of me than she already has. I must take her home before she refuses to have anything more to do with me.’
Lady Barbara was clearly unconvinced, but she abandoned the topic. ‘You do remember that you are coming to Mama’s soirée at the end of the month, don’t you? It just might be a special occasion and I want you to be there. I believe you and Lady Pendell and Sir Henry are invited, too, Miss Calverley.’
‘Might be special? Then I shall certainly be there,’ said Lord Aldhurst with a brief smile. ‘But I can’t answer for Miss Calverley. I shouldn’t be surprised if you’ve put her off all of us.’ He went on briskly, ‘But for now you’ll have to excuse us. Goodbye!’
* * *
James was frowning as they rode back up Park Lane. Antonia was not surprised. Lady Barbara’s question had shaken him, almost as much as it had shaken her, and she guessed that he was busily debating what to do about it if it should come up again. Unhappily for her, she did not believe, any more than his friends had, that the lady in the green riding habit was Mildred Pettifer. But apparently a dragon of a housekeeper had been there, too, which would make it an unlikely setting for a love idyll.
Perhaps there was an innocent explanation for the lady’s presence, which he was not prepared to share? Antonia wanted to believe this more than anything in her life before.
They had reached the turning into Upper Grosvenor Street, but had to wait while a carter loaded something onto his wagon. Antonia looked round. ‘I…I came up here,’ she said suddenly. ‘Mr…Mr Cobden brought me…’
‘Yes?’ said James, suddenly alert. ‘Yes?’
Antonia was startled. He couldn’t possibly know the significance of what she had said. But once again the image had come and gone before she could take hold of it. ‘Nothing,’ she said, with a sigh of frustration. ‘It was nothing.’
‘Who is Mr Cobden?’
Antonia frowned. ‘Who?’
‘The person you said brought you.’
He was looking at her closely. Antonia pulled herself together. ‘I really cannot remember,’ she said lightly. ‘It must have been when I was a child. We visited London quite often when my mother was still alive.’
The way was clear again and they turned towards Grosvenor Square and stopped and dismounted in front of Antonia’s house. She held out her hand. ‘It has been a…more interesting morning than usual, sir. And I wasn’t at all bored by your friends.’ She was quite unable to stop herself from adding, ‘Lady Barbara seems to be taking a proprietary interest in you?’
That smile was back in his eyes as he shook his head at her. ‘Not so, Miss Calverley, Lady Barbara and I are old friends, never anything more. I have a suspicion that she is about to accept Harry at long last. It’s high time she did, though what sort of marriage that will be I cannot imagine. Not the one I should ever contemplate.’
‘Oh? What sort of marriage would you contemplate, Lord Aldhurst? From what I’ve heard you are a sworn bachelor.’
‘You’re wrong. But when I do marry I shall look for an equal partnership, not one where one partner always does the kissing and the other waits to be kissed.’
Antonia couldn’t stop herself. ‘Perhaps you are considering the lady in the green riding habit?’
After an appreciable pause he said soberly, ‘If you are asking a question, Miss Calverley then I’m afraid I can’t answer it. Not at the moment. There are…difficulties.’
He hadn’t denied it. Antonia had suffered a blow but she managed to give him a mocking smile and say, ‘Will you accept a piece of advice? It comes from someone with long experience in the diplomatic world…’
‘Of course! What is it?’
Blandish was holding the door open. She turned on the step. ‘If you’re inventing a story, it’s better to keep details to a minimum. It is less easily disputed.’
With a small grin he said, ‘So you weren’t convinced by Mrs Pettifer and her plants?’
‘No. Nor were the others. But it really isn’t my business.’
His expression changed and he took her hand and kept it in his as he said, quite seriously, ‘Strangely enough, I think it is. And I’d like you to believe me when I say that there is nothing dishonourable in the real story of that lady in green. One day I’ll explain to you.’
He held her hand to his lips, but she took it away and said coolly, ‘You sound very mysterious, but there’s really no reason why you should explain anything to me, I assure you.’
He shook his head, but simply asked, ‘Will you still ride with me tomorrow morning? It isn’t often as dangerous as it was today. I don’t know where that dog came from. The park rangers are usually careful to collect strays. Will you come?’
She hesitated. She was not afraid of the danger from stray dogs. This morning her eyes had been opened to danger of a very different kind. It might be better for her peace of mind to avoid his company in future. ‘I’m not sure…’ she said at last.
He seemed to sense she was about to refuse. ‘No!’ he said. ‘Don’t answer me now. Wait till you are feeling better. You can tell me this evening.’
‘This evening?’
‘I believe that your father is once again to be a guest of honour—this time at Lady Atheridge’s ball.’
‘Yes, yes, he is,’ said Antonia. ‘No doubt I shall see you there.’
‘You must save me at least one dance, and you can tell me then if you are willing to risk another ride with me.’ He smiled at her so warmly that her heart turned over. The outright refusal she had intended died on her lips.
‘Till tonight, then,’ she stammered. ‘Goodbye, Lord Aldhurst.’
* * *
James waited until Antonia had gone in before turning towards Brook Street, and Sam caught up with him after a few minutes.
‘What is it, Sam?’
‘I’ve been round at the mews having a word with Miss Calverley’s man. He seems sound, but he’s not sure what to do. Miss Anne—’ He checked himself. ‘Miss Calverley, I should say, told him not to say anything to his master about what happened today when her mare bolted.’
‘Quite right. That’s perfectly understandable—Sir Henry is still not strong, and Miss Calverley prefers not to worry him without good cause. I hope you’re not suggesting we interfere?’
‘But that’s just it, Master James! Mr Lawson and I think there is good cause. Very good cause.’
James stopped. ‘Tell me, Sam.’
‘Mr Lawson thinks he recognised the dog. It isn’t a stray, it belongs to a man called Briggs.’
‘Who is Briggs?’
‘He’s one of them villains that took Miss Calverley in Portsmouth. When Mr Lawson tracked them down in Putney, he had what you might call “a chat” with them. That dog was with them there. He’s an ugly-looking brute, not the sort you’d forget. Mr Lawson is sure that Briggs deliberately set that dog on to your lady’s horse!’
‘Hoping she would have another “accident”?’
Sam nodded. ‘If she hadn’t been such a good rider, she would have, too.’
James stared at him. After a minute he said, ‘We can’t stand in the street discussing something as important as this. You’d better tell me again when we’re inside the house. Come.’
Once inside in James’s rooms, Sam repeated what Lawson had told him, and then added, ‘You can see Mr Lawson’s dilemma, can’t you, sir?’
‘I can indeed. And I think we must deal with this Briggs. He has to be stopped—and so has his master!’
* * *
After Sam had gone James was unable to rest. He was now seriously afraid for Antonia. He had been right to think that Croxton would not leave tamely for the West Indies without taking revenge for his downfall, and Sir Henry’s most vulnerable spot was his daughter. This was his first attempt, and it had failed—what else might he try? Croxton couldn’t have much confidence left in Briggs, so what would his next move be?
He sent again for Sam, and it was arranged that he and Lawson would descend on Briggs that evening and use what skills they possessed to persuade him to talk. Meanwhile they would all keep a careful eye on Lord Croxton.
* * *
As soon as she was inside the house Antonia escaped to her room. There she sat unseeing at the window, while she faced the truth. She had come back to England fully intending to please her father by finding a husband. She had never expected to fall in love, had never regarded herself as a romantic, and would have been quite content to share her life with someone agreeable, someone who had similar interests, perhaps one of her father’s young colleagues. But because of the mystery of her disappearance her father’s plans had received a severe setback. She could hardly accept an offer of marriage without confessing that she had no idea where—and with whom—she had spent more than a week of her life, and it would be a rare man indeed who would be content to take such a woman to wife. It had seemed at the time to be a disaster.
But now all this no longer seemed to matter. For, however irrational it was, she had discovered today that she had fallen in love with Lord Aldhurst, had known that he was the only man she would ever consider marrying. But, ironically, in a bitter twist of fate, she had le
arnt almost immediately afterwards that he was already in love with someone else.
How could she have been so blind? She had thought she could ignore all the warnings, had been so sure that she was safe, sensible. She had imagined she could find his conversation interesting, his wit amusing, without falling into the trap of love. But today in the park she had discovered how woefully wrong she had been.
She sat for a while, reliving the moments in his arms after her horse had bolted, the certainty that this was where she wanted to be, where she belonged…She had longed for him to kiss her. She would give anything to live those moments again, to feel the delight, the exhilaration of being held by him, his face, his lips, so close to hers. For a moment she had been sure that he loved her…
The delight had lasted such a short time—too soon afterwards she had heard about the mysterious lady in the green riding habit. And she had known immediately that this was the one he really loved. Antonia Calverley was just another stupid victim of the famous Aldhurst charm.
A sob escaped her and she felt a tear rolling down her cheek…But then she jumped up and started to walk impatiently round the room. This would not do! Antonia Calverley had always been a fighter, and she was not about to sink into a decline merely because she had thought she had seen a special look in a man’s eyes, a special smile that had seemed to be just for her…How stupid could you be? All those other girls had probably felt exactly the same! But she would rid herself of this feeling if it killed her! And she would start working on it tonight.
Chapter Fifteen
London society already approved of Miss Calverley’s charming manners and elegant looks, but that night it watched in admiration as she dazzled everyone with her wit and gaiety. She was besieged by young men crowding round to claim a dance, and enchanted those who succeeded with her lively conversation and laughter. Chief among them was Lord William Chatteris, and the gossips observed how happy she seemed in his company, how much time the two spent together. And they looked knowledgeable and reminded one another that Lord William was the son of the third Earl of Denton and one of the rising stars in the Foreign Office…Such a suitable match! Miss Calverley could do a lot worse for herself.
Reawakening Miss Calverley Page 18
