An Elaborate Hoax (A Gentlemen of Worth Book 5) (19 page)

“I have learned my lesson. I shall show restraint in any future actions. Perhaps I will consult with you first. I only hope I can avoid causing a scandal, albeit only a local one.”

“I’m certain your grandmother will appreciate that since this is where she resides.”

“She would have me reside here as well, if the decision were left to her.” David’s attention grew less focused upon Penny, and he was beginning to notice the uncomfortable fit of his clothing. “I cannot understand why Gran insist I play lord of the manor when all I want is to see her health improve.”

“The two may be related. I expect she should be very happy if you were to remain.”

“I cannot do it, you know. It’s impossible.”

“I know, but you must
pretend
it is probable.”

“She can never learn the truth, any of it.” There were so many lies he had authored, keeping them hidden was becoming worrisome.

“Then she must never do so.” Penny patted his shoulder, on a clean patch, before removing her hand. “Do not fret, sir. I believe all will be well in the end.”

David sighed and wondered if it would indeed. He and Penny were managing to rub along tolerably well once again, at least for the present.

“You have more than enough time to change your clothing. It is some hours yet before we leave for Mrs. Halifax’s.” She must have noticed his growing discomfort.

The drying mud caused his jacket and buckskins to fit in a lumpy, bumpy fashion. David resisted pulling at the constricting material.

“Thank goodness. I believe I am in need of a bath. And if Hendricks gives notice after setting eyes on me it will take me a great deal longer to dress for this afternoon’s entertainment.” A third chunk of drying mud dropped from his left arm and David sighed.

“Oh dear, sir.” Penny covered her mouth with her hand, stifling her mirth. “How could anyone be angry at someone covered from head to toe in mud?”

How, indeed
. David excused himself and hoped trouble would follow him no further.

Chapter Eighteen

T
he crunching of the wheels was the only sound Penny heard while sitting in the coach with David on their way to the Halifax residence. She could not believe the discomfort between them lingered since their civil conversation of some hours before. Had they not made peace then? She thought both had agreed they needed to remain civil to maintain their charade.

Her current unease began when David had stepped into the transport and taken the opposite seat. Once settled, he spent what Penny thought was an inordinate amount of time gazing at her. It seemed as if he were taking in every detail of her long-sleeved, cream-colored round dress beneath her blue pelisse.

The perusal of her gown was followed by scrutiny of her satin-trimmed straw bonnet with a ribbon tied firmly under her chin. Penny would admit her wardrobe was far from the latest fashion and hoped she would not receive censure for that. She had only had an hour’s notice before leaving for Dorset, not near enough time to assemble a new wardrobe.

Penny could feel her cheeks warm at the unwarranted inspection. With her reticule held tightly in one hand, she drew her Lyonese shawl around her shoulders and lowered her chin, using the wide brim of her bonnet to shield his view of her face.

Why did he stare at her so?

This went beyond the pale. She refused to be intimidated by him and would tolerate it no longer. As she looked up, the rising brim of her hat revealed David still gazing at her.

“You look quite well, and your face is not hurt, I see,” she said.

“I am as I had thought, quite unharmed. I am happy to report that Hendricks remains in my employ, at present,” he replied. “I expect part of the reason is it would be impossible for him to find another position. When we return to Town, it may be another story. He may abandon me. I might find myself without his discerning eye.” Under his breath he uttered, “What shall I do then?”

“I believe your valet is quite devoted to you. He has been in your employ for some number of years, has he not?”

“Yes, but he is sometimes temperamental.” David glanced skyward and sighed. “I wonder why I put up with him.”

If anyone needed to be tolerant, it would be the valet for his master. David’s morning birdsong routine alone would cause any servant to flee the household. No, Mr. Hendricks was completely loyal to his employer, and David need not worry.

“How do the children fare? Of course, they are young and when one has youth one can withstand much.”

“Nanny has tidied them up, given them something to eat, and I expect soon they will be entertaining your grandmother with tales of their adventure.”

“What are you saying?” David sat forward a bit. “Do you mean to tell me they will be visiting Gran on their own?”

“I beg your pardon. I forgot to tell you.” Penny felt as if so much had already occurred that morning, and recalling every detail was becoming quite a chore. “Dr. Harding came to check on your grandmother. He says she is quite well. She is better than
well
, actually.” Penny could meet David’s gaze as they spoke now. “Mrs. Sutton and I are afraid we may soon find Madam racing up and down the corridor. She is to begin exercises in preparation to walk.”

“Walk?” David’s eyes widened.

“The doctor maintains it is still quite a ways off, and she must strengthen her lower limbs first.”

“Good gracious, I had no idea.” David leaned back against the squabs. “I’m sorry I missed him.”

“He will return in a few days. You may speak to him in person then.”

“Of course, you are right. I am relieved to hear such good news.” David’s once intrusive gaze now focused out the window on the landscape that passed.

Penny was glad his attention had moved away from her and she could now begin to relax in his company.

They sat in silence for some minutes before he commented, “It is a fine day, is it not?”

“Yes, it is,” she replied.

“I first arranged an open transport for us but thought better of it when I saw the ominous clouds encroaching to the west.” David glanced out the window as if looking at the very clouds of which he spoke, but as they were traveling south and he faced east, it could not have been so. “It still may rain before the day is out.”

“You have probably made a wise choice, then.” Penny had to own he was making an effort at polite conversation, and so would she.

Their coach came upon another carriage and then another. The small group turned off the main road and continued onto a long drive leading up to a large country estate.

“I do not wish to raise any unpleasantness between us, but I wish you to know I’ve had quite a bit of time to think about what you said last night,” he began.

“I cannot say I recall my exact words. I only remember I was vexed.” Penny thought they had settled the matter and truly did not want to speak of it again.

“It is that I realize attending Mrs. Halifax’s party is not what you—either of us—would choose, truth be told. We only do so because it is Gran’s wish.”

He was correct and Penny could not have stated it any more clearly.

“To have it known you are my wife in this small, rural part of Dorset is one thing. If the news travels much farther . . . Well, we may as well place a
Scandal
sign on the door.”

No one knew better than Penny. If their scheme were discovered, she and her family’s name would be disgraced. It would surely ruin her life.

David took her Limerick-gloved hand in his and uttered most sincerely, “I would never wish to cause harm to you or your reputation. If it were known what we have done . . .” Emotion choked his words, making him unable to continue. He shook his head. “I will not allow it to happen. It cannot.”

The coach stopped; the footman descended from the box and let down the stairs. David gazed into Penny’s eyes and vowed, “I will do my utmost to be a credit to Gran and to you.” With that said, the coach door opened. David alit first.

Penny emerged from the transport. She took hold of David’s proffered hand and uttered a soft, “Thank you.” She turned her head to the right and her chin upward, taking in the large stone-and-brick manor standing before them.

After moving away from the steps and a safe distance from the coach, David did not relinquish her hand but placed it upon his arm as they neared the front door. What waited inside the Halifax residence for them, she did not know. Whatever was about to happen, they would have to face it together.

“Oh, Mr. Cavanaugh, I am very afraid there may be someone acquainted with me from Town inside.” Her voice held a tremor he may have felt in her hand that rested in the crook of his arm.

“I find that highly unlikely. We have already established that the Pelfry party will not be in attendance. Other than Sir Benjamin, who would know Mrs. Parker?”

“I suppose that is yet to be determined. I truly do not wish to find out, sir.” She drew in a deep breath to steel herself for the coming events. Meeting the surrounding neighbors and those in the nearby village remained an unrealized nightmare.

He urged her on with a whispered, “Have strength, my dear.”

The front door opened, and David had barely escorted Penny inside before a high-pitched female voice trilled, “Oh, la! They are come at last! Our guests of honor!” The diminutive woman, not an inch over five feet tall in a puce gown and ostrich feathers waving above her head, sweeping toward them with her arms outstretched in welcome, could only be Mrs. Halifax. “Oh, my dear Mr. Cavanaugh—David, how good it is to see you!”

Music from a harpsichord and string quartet wafted up, about, and around them, providing a pleasant backdrop for the party. It seemed the musical portion of the afternoon had begun without them.

“Mrs. Halifax, it has been far too long.” David bowed and caught one of her hands to place a kiss on it.

“You must, you must make me known to your . . . there she is . . . Mrs.—”

He stared at Penny and he must have realized, as she had at that very moment, they were starting on a path where retreat would be impossible.

“Ah, yes. May I present Mrs. Cavanaugh? My dear,” he said to Penny, “Gran’s best and dearest friend, Mrs. Halifax.”

“How do you do?” Penny replied to their hostess.

“I am very pleased to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Cavanaugh. Welcome! You must enter my home, both of you.” The elder woman drew them into the foyer. “Tell me, David, how does dear Lucinda go on?”

However, Mrs. Halifax did not leave poor David an opportunity to answer.

“I know she is much improved and
all
because you are here! I have not visited since your arrival. She has had such a time, having a houseful of family in attendance, the neighbors, and Dr. Harding stopping by. She begged me not to come for a bit, and I quite understand.”

Penny and David exchanged glances. No, there would be no comments from either of them at this time.

“Then I came up with the idea of planning a bit of a diversion for you. Lucinda thought the idea inspired, but of course she is unable to attend. We know she cannot, not this time. But I have made my sister, Mrs. Dunhurst, promise she will return for an encore performance when Lucinda is recovered and feeling much better. I do hope you are still in residence and are able to attend.”

“That would be a shame,” he whispered. Penny squeezed his arm. She wished he would not be rude! Hadn’t he promised to behave himself?

“What was that you said, dear?” Mrs. Halifax stopped talking and tilted her head to better hear him.

“I said it would be a shame to miss her performance.” An equitable smile graced his lips.

“But you will not because this afternoon she sings for you!” She clapped her small hands with glee. “Allow me to introduce you to the other guests, my dear,” the hostess said to Penny. “David, you will find Mr. Halifax in the library through the west door in the red salon if you should like to keep his company.”

“I think I will remain with you ladies,” he remarked rather thoughtfully, then added, “You’ll only talk about me behind my back.”

“Oh!” Mrs. Halifax slapped him playfully on his arm and giggled. “You are very naughty to suggest such a thing!”

Penny removed her hat and pelisse and David his hat and gloves, preparing to spend the next few hours at the mercy of Mrs. Halifax and her plans for the afternoon. She led the way from the foyer through the red salon, chattering the entire way.

A small gathering came toward them when the trio entered the large parlor. Twenty? No, there were more than thirty guests in attendance, some men, mostly ladies, so many more people than Penny had expected. A rumble of conversation filled the parlor, accompanied by the background music from the musicians sitting before a half dozen long windows.

“We’re offering a little refreshment before our concert.” Mrs. Halifax gestured toward the far end of the room where seated guests enjoyed tea, biscuits, and small cakes. “You will allow me to make you known to some of our guests, will you not? They are most anxious to meet you.”

Penny acquiesced and allowed Mrs. Halifax to usher her about. The first group consisted of a quartet of older ladies, Mrs. Underhill, Mrs. Winslow, Miss Easton, and Miss Tollemache.

“This is Mrs. Cavanaugh. She is Lucinda’s David’s wife.” There were
oohs
and nods of understanding followed by an exchange of a few words before Mrs. Halifax moved Penny to the next waiting set.

“Lady Kirby and Mrs. Roscoe-Jones are great friends of my sister, Mrs. Dunhurst. They spend a great deal of time in Town,” Mrs. Halifax whispered to Penny, which caused some trepidation. The hostess remarked to the new acquaintances, “Mr. and Mrs. Cavanaugh reside in London, you know.”

David soon joined them. The ladies, who had not previously met him, were very happy to make his acquaintance. They thought it a shame they had no London friends in common. Penny believed David did not share their disappointment.

Next a Mrs. Lathrop distracted David long enough for Mrs. Halifax to present Penny to Mrs. Ross and her mother, Mrs. Blackburn.

“As I understand, the children you’ve brought to the Willows are . . .” An expression of confusion clouded Mrs. Blackburn’s face.

“Well, they are not
hers
,” Mrs. Ross corrected her mother. “I think I heard they are . . . a niece and nephew, are they not?”

“The children?” Penny mouthed the words. How could these women possibly know? There was silence. The background music that had lingered was now absent. She had no idea when the musicians had stopped playing.

“It matters very little
how
they are related—Lucinda is enjoying their company enormously!” Mrs. Halifax declared in high spirits. Mrs. Roscoe-Jones approached and murmured to the hostess. “Yes, yes. I understand. Come now, my dears. We all must be seated. Elinor is ready to begin. We’d best not keep her waiting. Mr. Halifax—” She waved at her husband to aid her.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Mr. Halifax said in a loud voice, gaining everyone’s attention. “I believe we are ready to begin. If you would all be so kind as to take your seats.” He made his way to the top of the room and moved toward his wife in the front row, finally settling in his own seat.