Arabella (10 page)

             
Their conversation took a more personal turn, but the earlier part of it had not been lost on a lady standing just behind them.  Lady Eliza was consumed with jealousy.  If she had been honest, she would have admitted that her affair with Roxbourne had ended months before Mistress Tucker had come on the scene, but she had hoped to win him back before she realised that he was in hot pursuit of the girl.

             
Lady Eliza knew Roxbourne as well as most, and she was certain that the young country girl had appealed to something inside him that few knew existed.  She also knew to her cost that he hated Harry Sylvester, though not why.  She had not been privy to that secret, but had sensed a deep-seated hatred in Roxbourne's heart towards Sylvester.

             
Perhaps it was jealousy that prompted her to whisper to a friend that Roxbourne might not be so eager to pursue Mistress Tucker if he knew of the latest rumour concerning her and Lord Sylvester.

             
'And what is that pray?' the lady asked, intrigued.

             
Lady Eliza merely arched her brows and then laughed mysteriously.  'Now that would be very wrong of me.  I shall not spread gossip – nor speak one word that might ruin a young woman's good name.'

             
It was nothing and yet it was enough.  The rumour spread through the assembled company like wildfire, and had become something much more malicious by the time it was repeated to Jack Meadows.

             
'I do not believe it,' Jack said.  'The girl is an innocent – anyone can see that…' He frowned as he watched her dancing with a gentleman he knew to be one of the most salacious rogues in London.  'Depend upon it, some malicious tongue has started this tale.'

             
He noticed at once that Arabella was looking uncomfortable.  What was that old goat saying to her?  Earl Maxwell was sixty if he was a day and riddled with disease.  No sensible woman would have anything to do with him.

             
Jack looked for Gervase, expecting that he might do something to rescue the girl, but he was dancing with his cousin Matthew's wife.  It was clearly up to Jack to rescue her himself – especially if she was destined to be his friend's bride.  He must do his best to be on good terms with her.

             
He went up to her as the dance ended, skilfully extricating her from the grasp of the old lecher with a smile and a touch on her arm and steering her across the room to stand near the open windows that led out to a terrace and a garden.

             
'There – is that not better, Mistress Tucker?'

             
'Thank you, sir,' Arabella said and fanned herself.  'I was a trifle warm.'

             
'And so I should imagine,' Jack replied.  'You were ill advised to dance with Maxwell, mistress.  Has no one told you of his reputation?'

             
'I have danced with him before but he seemed different this evening…more offensive.'

             
As well he might with that malicious rumour circulating, Jack thought.  No doubt the old goat had thought he might secure himself a pretty young mistress.  Jack could obviously not tell Arabella what he had heard concerning her, but hoped her cousin would become aware of it and do her best to scotch it before too much damage was done.

             
'Let me warn you to be careful of men like that,' he said.  'Forgive me if I presume, sweet lady, but I believe you may not yet have been in town long enough to realise what evil is abroad.'

             
'Thank you, sir.  I know you are Lord Roxbourne's friend.  We have met but briefly – but you were indeed kind to rescue me.  I was desperate to escape but could not do so without giving offence.'

             
She glanced round the room, fanning her cheeks to cool them.  The things that evil old man had said to her!  She had been shocked by the lewd suggestions he had made to her.  How could he be so disrespectful to a young woman?  Surely she had done nothing to make him imagine she might be open to an invitation of that sort?

             
'Ah, here is Roxbourne,' Jack said as the marquis came up to them.  'Gervase – a word with you in private if I may?'

             
'Later, Jack.  I believe I know what you would tell me.'  Gervase was frowning.  He had noticed Arabella's discomfort while dancing and was relieved that Jack had rescued her, but having caught a whisper of the latest rumour was angry – both for Arabella's sake and with her.  'Mistress Tucker.  I believe you need some air.  Allow me to take you outside for a moment.'

             
Arabella was tempted to refuse, but she was still feeling bothered by the hot damp touch of the earl's hands and assented to Roxbourne's offer.  They walked to the end of the well-lit terrace but he did not suggest moving into the seclusion of the shrubbery, standing far enough away from her to observe the proprieties.

             
'You should refuse to dance with Maxwell and others of his ilk.  Your reputation is in danger, Mistress Tucker.  Have a care for it while there is yet time.'

             
'I shall never dance with that man again!' Arabella replied but without her usual spirit.  She was feeling sickened and humiliated and wished that she might be alone for a moment to recover.  'He – he asked and I had no partner, but I did not expect…his behaviour was not what I might have expected…' She faltered and bit her lip as a wave of hot shame rushed over her.

             
'I shall make sure that Maxwell does not offend you again,' Gervase promised, a grim slant to his mouth.  'But you brought this upon yourself, Arabella.  You have been too free with Sylvester and it has been noticed.  I warned you what would happen…people are whispering and it gives scum like that a licence to behave as they will towards you.'

             
'I have done nothing wrong…' she began but blushed and looked down as his eyes accused her.  'A kiss or two…but I have hopes that he will marry me.'

             
'Then you deceive yourself.'  Gervase's voice was harsh, perhaps more so than he intended.  'I shall speak to Lady Mary.  We must do what we can to scotch this tale or you may be ruined.'

             
'Surely not?'  Her startled gaze flew to his.  'But I have truly not…I am innocent!'

             
'Society believes what it wishes to believe,' Gervase replied.  'It may be for the best if you leave town for a while.'

             
'But my sister's wedding…' She was close to tears.  She had been more distressed by the filth that had been whispered to her by the lecherous earl than she cared to admit.

             
'After the wedding, of course.'  Gervase's expression softened slightly.  'Come, Mistress Arabella, have courage.  Perhaps you will marry and return to town in triumph.  As the wife of a country squire you may please yourself who you choose as a lover.'

             
'I have no wish to be the wife of a country squire,' Arabella snapped, her spirit returning as he provoked her.  'Nor do I intend to cuckold my husband as soon as I am wed.  I know you think ill of me, sir, but…' She broke off as he laughed, delighted with his success at restoring her temper.  'Oh, I hate you.  You love nothing better than to see me humbled.'

             
'You wrong me, mistress.  I like not to see your spirit so worn down.  And my opinion of you may not be what you imagine.'

             
'You speak in riddles to confuse me!'

             
'Do I, Arabella?'  Gervase smiled oddly.  'Mayhap I shall speak in a manner more pleasing another time – but you are not yet ready to listen.  My advice is that you should go away and reflect on what you truly want of life.  You may see things differently then.'

             
Arabella stared after him as he bowed his head and left her.  Her feelings were bruised, her thoughts in confusion.  Was she really in danger of losing her reputation?  Behind her she could hear music and laughter.  Were they laughing at her?  She believed some of them might be.  Perhaps it was in part her own fault – but she loved Harry Sylvester.  She had done nothing that was so very wicked.

             
'Arabella!'  She turned with a little start as she heard her cousin's sharp tones.  'What are you doing out here alone?  I saw Roxbourne return…what did he say to you?'

             
Arabella walked slowly towards her.  'He said nothing that would please you, ma'am.'

             
'Can you wonder at it?' Lady Mary replied sourly.  'It is all over town, Arabella.  Everyone believes you have lost your innocence to Sylvester.'

             
'No!  It is a lie,' Arabella defended hotly.  'You cannot believe that, ma'am?'

             
'It is a matter of what society believes,' Lady Mary said.  'You are a foolish girl.  Well, you have had your chance.  I can do nothing more for you.  You will leave town the day after your sister's wedding.'

Arabella watched as her sister was married to Sir John Fortescue.  Nan seemed serene as she walked down the aisle to stand by his side, and when the ceremony was over she left church to pealing bells with her hand proudly on his arm.

              Arabella envied her a little as she was congratulated by the wedding guests and made much of by their friends.  She wished that she might have married a man she could love and respect, but her letter to Harry Sylvester had brought no response.  He was not present at the wedding, and she heard someone say that he had left town in a hurry.

             
'His debts have caught up with him after last night…' one lady confided to a friend with a significant look in Arabella's direction.  'They say he is completely ruined.'

             
Arabella could not ask her cousin about the rumour, for Lady Mary had scarcely spoken to her since the night or Roxbourne's dance, but when she chanced to find Jack Meadows standing alone she plucked up the courage to ask him if the rumour was true.

             
'May I say you look beautiful,' Jack said and kissed her hand.  'You outshine the bride, mistress – but as for the question you ask…I know only that Lord Sylvester lost a great deal of money at the tables last evening.  I can tell you no more than that.  It would not surprise me if he had fled town, but I cannot say for sure that it is true.'

             
Arabella was certain that he knew more than he was prepared to say, but she dare not ask.  Roxbourne was coming towards them with a determined gleam in his eyes, and she made her escape before he could join them, leaving the room with Nan as she went up to change into her travelling gown.

             
'You were a lovely bride,' Arabella said generously and kissed her sister.  'I wish you happiness and everything you wish for yourself, dearest.'

             
'Happiness…' Nan gave her a wintry look.  'You expect too much of life, Arabella.  Until you learn that you cannot have all you want you will make trouble for yourself.  It is your own fault that you are to be banished to stay with our aunt.  You will see no one there for she is old and does not entertain, but in a few months I may send for you to join me.'

             
'I may ask Father if I can go home,' Arabella said.  She might have said more but did not wish to quarrel with her sister Nan.  'Come – may we not part as friends?'

             
'We have never been friends,' Nan said coldly.  'You were always the favourite and you did not notice.  Oh, you smiled and called me sweet names when you chose – but you always had your own way.  Well, now I have my way, and you will learn what it is to be humiliated.'

             
Arabella stared at her but remained silent as her sister swept from the room.  She waited for a moment before following to join the other guests in throwing rose petals over the bride and groom, but she did not smile as she watched the carriage drive away.  It was only as she turned to go back into the house that she noticed she herself was being watched.

             
'Lord Roxbourne,' she said.  'Have you come to say goodbye?  I doubt we shall meet again.  I am to leave for the country in the morning.'

             
'So I understand,' he said and smiled.  'Do not despair, Mistress Arabella.  I dare say we shall meet again one day.'

             
'I am not in despair,' she replied, lifting her chin.  'I like the country.  Perhaps I shall go home to my father…'

             
'Oh, I think not,' he replied softly, a gleam in his eyes.  'I believe Lady Mary has other plans for you.'

             
'She is not my guardian.  My father will let me go home if I write to him.'

             
'Perhaps,' Gervase said.  'You must not be impatient, Arabella.  All may not yet be lost…'

             
He bowed his head and walked away, leaving her to stare after him as he had on the evening of his dance.  Now what did he mean by that? The provoking man!  If he imagined it would please her to have the prospect of seeing him again he was mistaken.  If she never saw him again it would be too soon!