Lord Ilchester's Inheritance (15 page)

They were screened from both the house and the stable yard by a convenient hedge and this was the ideal place to have an intimate conversation. To her consternation, instead of answering her, he stepped closer. Too close – his chest was almost touching hers. There was no where she could go to escape – his bulk was trapping her against the hedge.

‘Please, my lord, this is most unseemly…’ She was unable to continue as he reached out and gently cupped her face. The feel of his fingers against her cheek made her knees tremble.

‘You mentioned our relationship, my darling, and you know as well as I do how things stand between us.’

Before she could think of a sensible reply she was in his arms and her world tilted as his lips brushed across hers. She should protest. She should be pushing him away, but instead she pressed closer giddy with excitement.

Her feet left the ground and he kissed her for a second time, his mouth hard against hers and she buried her fingers in his hair and was transported to a place no unmarried girl should go.

With a sigh he slid her down his body until her feet were once more on the ground. ‘Now, I think you understand the situation. Shall I go down on one knee here or would you prefer that we found somewhere a little more romantic?’

If he had not been holding her elbows she would have collapsed in a heap at his feet. She closed her eyes and leaned back into the prickly privet behind her. Maybe if he released her arms she would be able to think coherently; with him so close her heart continued to thunder as if intending to escape from the confines of her bodice.

As if divining her thoughts, his hands moved from her elbows, down her forearms and stopped when he held her own in his. ‘Sapphire, look at me. God’s teeth! Have I mistaken your feelings?’ His expletive shocked her to her senses. She straightened and opened her eyes to find him still disconcertingly close. ‘I love you, I want to marry you, please tell me that you feel the same.’

For the first time since she’d met him he sounded unsure. She gazed up into his face and what she saw there made everything clear. ‘I do believe I feel the same, I had not fully understood how much you meant to me until now.’

His eyes blazed with triumph and he was about to drop to his knee to propose formally when she stopped him. ‘Please, do not say it. I cannot marry you as I cannot leave my uncle…’

‘I have it all worked out, darling girl, you will all come to live at Ilchester Abbey and I shall put tenants here until your brothers are of age.’

‘I don’t think you understand what I’m trying to tell you, my lord. I have no wish to live anywhere but at Canfield Hall. Why don’t you and your family come to live here instead?’

His expression changed as if she had struck him across the face. ‘Come here? That is not how it works, Sapphire, when a young lady marries she must go where her husband directs. If you are concerned that my sisters will be a constant source of friction, then fear not, that too can be smoothed over by moving them to the annex.’

The rose-tinted spectacles fell from her eyes and she finally understood the reason behind her hesitation. ‘If that be the case, sir, then I am glad you have not made me a formal offer, for my answer would have been no. As we were quite unobserved when we misbehaved then I am in no way compromised by your actions. However, I must insist that in future you keep your distance and address me as if I were a stranger.’

He appeared stunned by her rejection and she took the opportunity to slip away before he could continue his persuasion. There was no doubt that she loved this autocratic, irritating, high-handed aristocrat, but apparently not enough to wish to leave Canfield Hall.

Chapter Fifteen

Gideon watched the infuriating girl scurry away. Sapphire would be certain she had resolved matters in her favour and that he would follow her every dictum to the letter. This house party was going to be even more interesting than he had expected, but by the end of it he was determined to change her mind. He would be engaged to Miss Sapphire Stanton and she would be as delighted as he was at the prospect.

However, tonight he would allay her suspicions by doing as she’d asked and ignoring her. If he danced with everyone but her she might feel a twinge of jealousy and begin to reconsider her decision. He strode in through the front door and rejoined the noisy group on the terrace.

His eyes narrowed when he saw his future wife engaged in conversation with one of the Forsyth gentlemen. It took considerable restraint to ignore this provocation, but intervening would not help his cause. Then he relaxed. Whatever his beloved said to the contrary, he knew she returned his love and would not be interested in anyone else.

His sisters were looking daggers and this did not bode well, he had better defuse the situation before it escalated. ‘Elizabeth, Emily, I trust you are fully recovered from your earlier indisposition?’

His tone was bland but his siblings understood the message hidden beneath his words. Elizabeth smiled sunnily. ‘We are indeed, brother, and thank you kindly for asking. We can assure you there will be no recurrence of the “indisposition” that required us to retire to our chamber.’

Emily managed a weak smile, but her eyes were still firmly fixed on the couple standing by the tea table. ‘Miss Stanton is not yet out. Shall we be presented together next Season, after all Mama is most suited to sponsoring her, don’t you think, Gideon?’

What game was his sister playing now? ‘The fact that Miss Stanton has not appeared at court or in London does not mean that she is not out. Remember, Emily, that she runs this vast household and is hostess for this grand occasion. Not every young lady wishes to be the belle of the ball and spend several months being crushed at a variety of prestigious venues in Town.’

He had both girls’ full attention now – they were staring at him as if he had been speaking in tongues. Eventually Elizabeth replied. ‘Not wish to attend a ball? I can scarcely believe it.’ She turned to her sister who was equally perplexed. ‘If Miss Stanton does not like to dance, that surely means she will wish to sit with the matrons tonight.’

This was not what he had meant at all, but he would be happy if Sapphire didn’t dance; the thought of her in the arms of any other gentleman but him was not a pleasant one. He was about to retire to the library when his mother drifted up to his side.

‘Gideon, I wish to speak to you most urgently. Shall we go inside where we will be private?’ Once they were well away from the open doors she stared at him most earnestly. ‘I know what you are about, I suspected it from the start and now that I see you together I am certain.’

‘What do you suspect me of, Mama? I’m intrigued to know.’ His stock felt unaccountably tight and he resisted the urge to run his finger round it.

‘Do not bandy words with me, my boy, you have decided to marry Miss Stanton and you had us included in your invitation here as camouflage for your intentions. No, there is no need to deny it. I have seen the way you look at her and she at you – and I can assure you that you have my full approval.’

There was little point in denying the truth. ‘
Mea culpa,
Mama. I was smitten the moment I saw her and, despite being constantly at daggers drawn, every moment I have spent in her company has served to reinforce my opinion.’

‘I take it from the fact that she is studiously ignoring you means your suit has not prospered. Gideon, she only discovered her uncle a few months ago, she will not be ready to abandon him so soon. Why are you in such a pother to tie the knot? I’m sure that next year she will receive your attentions with more favour.’

‘I am not a nincompoop, Mama, I have no intention of separating her from Mr Bishop. I explained to her that they could all come and live at the Abbey – there is more than enough room.’

His mother looked unconvinced at his logic. ‘My dear boy, do you honestly think that the girls and a new bride are compatible?’

‘I have thought of that as well. I shall move you and the girls into the annex – there is ample space for the three of you – and then we can have the Abbey to ourselves.’

‘Shall you indeed? I for one will be quite content living in restricted accommodation but I can assure you your sisters will not. So let us pray they find themselves suitable husbands next Season and thus remove the problem.’ She patted him on the arm. ‘I think it would be wise to leave your own nuptials until after your sisters are spoken for. You are more likely to convince Miss Stanton that she wishes to be your wife if you take your time courting her.’

His eyes darkened. It was preposterous to even consider changing his plans in order to accommodate the whims of his spoilt sisters. If they behaved badly they would discover he would not tolerate disobedience and that he was not to be trifled with.

He needed some fresh air before he was obliged to change for dinner. As he turned to leave he caught a flash of pink ribbon and his chest squeezed as if he had swallowed a large stone. Elizabeth had been lurking in the corner of the drawing room and could have overheard his conversation.

*

Sapphire was running late and would barely have time to change and dress her hair. She had been called to the nursery when Thomas had cast up his accounts. Her brother was now sleeping and David appeared not to have been plagued by the same unpleasant problem.

Jenny was waiting for her. ‘Quickly, miss, I heard a carriage just now.’

They managed her transformation in just over a quarter of an hour and when Sapphire viewed herself in the full-length mirror she was delighted with her appearance. ‘With these long gloves on the scratches do not show, and the ringlets on either side of my face cleverly disguise the other damage.

‘Thank you, I believe that I am ready to go down. I sincerely hope my uncle was there to greet whichever guests arrived. He was most insistent we invited all the neighbours that are within driving distance to dine tonight and this will make thirty guests.’

She all but ran along the spacious passageway and down the grand staircase. There was no sign of her uncle or the early arrivals but Lord Ilchester was waiting for her. He bowed politely.

‘Mr Bishop is with your guests, and he has requested that I remain here with you to welcome the others who are expected.’ He did not sound especially delighted to be given this task.

‘That is typical of Uncle John. I have no idea who is expected and will not know one from the other.’

‘Which is why, Miss Stanton, I am to stand with you so that I might introduce you. Mr Bishop has invited those on my list and is not acquainted with them either.’

There were voices coming from above and she looked up to see Lady Serena and his sisters descending. His mother was magnificent in burgundy, the matching turban ablaze with jewels and egret feathers. Elizabeth and Emily were wearing white, as was usual with debutantes, and her own gold silk gown now seemed inappropriate.

‘My lord, as the strangers who are attending tonight are your friends and not mine then I shall leave you and Lady Serena to greet them in my stead.’ She dipped politely to his mother, ignored his sisters, and, before he could protest, she abandoned him.

If her uncle thought it perfectly proper for Lord Ilchester to act as host then so be it – but she was not going to remain there with him. Having him beside her, introducing her to his friends, would give the erroneous impression that she was something she was not. Small wonder he had agreed or that her uncle had suggested it. They were both doing their best to manipulate her into the betrothal she had no wish for.

She circulated amongst the elegant people gathered in the drawing room but one face blurred into another and she knew she could not recall a single name if required to do so. What had possessed her to agree to this nonsense? Entertaining a room full of someone else’s friends was a recipe for disaster.

When Robinson appeared at the door to announce that dinner was served she had expected to lead the procession with her uncle. However, those nearest the door followed the butler leaving her to find her own way in. Then she felt a firm grip on her elbow.

‘That was poorly done of you, Miss Stanton, you are now labelled as either uncivil or eccentric by those who were not greeted by you this evening.’

‘I care not, they are your friends not mine. The sooner this farce is over the happier I shall be. I have no wish to be escorted by you, sir, I am quite capable of finding my way into my own dining room.’

Instead of releasing her, his fingers tightened. ‘You will walk beside me and behave yourself, young lady, whatever your personal feelings on the matter, I will not have you embarrass your uncle any further.’

Short of having an unseemly struggle she had no choice but to acquiesce to his demand. This was another black mark to add to his tally, not only was he arrogant and toplofty, but also dictatorial.

Despite the unseemly rush Robinson somehow maintained his dignity and the company were seating themselves in an orderly fashion. Her uncle was at the head of the table with Lady Serena beside him, she was firmly guided to the other end where two chairs had been left vacant. She had no option but to allow herself to be placed next to his lordship. The expression on her uncle’s face showed that he had achieved his objective and made it perfectly clear to the assembled guests that Ilchester had staked his claim and received his approval.

Dinner was interminable and Sapphire scarcely tasted any of the delicious food placed in front of her. She did her best to appear happy with the
fait accompli
and smiled and nodded when spoken to by Ilchester or anyone else. However, she was seething inside and determined to do something so outrageous that even Ilchester would not wish to continue his pursuit.

At one point she became aware she was receiving several less than favourable glances from the matrons in the party – no doubt her appalling manners earlier had not gone down well.

She regretted the impulse that had driven her from the entrance hall – whatever her personal feelings, she knew better than to behave like a spoilt brat. Her incivility had, as Ilchester had so kindly pointed out, caused her uncle embarrassment. She must put aside her personal feelings for the moment and do her best to retrieve the situation.

Eventually the meal was finished and she smiled around the table and slowly stood up. This was the signal for the ladies to depart and leave the gentlemen to their port. Two footmen opened the double doors that led back into the drawing room and she ushered her guests ahead of her.

‘The night is warm, perhaps it would be more pleasant to sit on the terrace than remain inside. I have asked for the carpet to be rolled up in the saloon and will be happy to play later on for those who wish to dance.’

This announcement provoked a murmur of approval from the young ladies, but she would have to do more to retrieve her reputation with the matrons. She spent the next half an hour circulating and apologising for her absence – she offered no excuse as there was none. By the time the gentlemen appeared she was confident she had restored her reputation somewhat.

The Bishop girls approached. One of them smiled, she had no idea which, whilst the other waited beside her sister. ‘Miss Stanton, do you really intend to play for us? Do you not wish to dance yourself?’

‘You will be astounded to hear it, Miss Bishop, but I am not proficient at dancing. I should much prefer to play the pianoforte than make a cake of myself on the dance floor. If you and your sister would care to come to the saloon you can choose suitable music for me to play – there is a prodigious amount in the cabinet and I have no notion which would be best.’

The girls were being remarkably pleasant and not at all as she expected. Possibly the fact that there was to be dancing, and one less unattached young lady looking for a partner, had softened their opinion. Within a short space of time half a dozen sheets of music had been selected.

‘Can you sight-read, Miss Stanton? Are you ready to play or would you like a while to practice?’

Sapphire examined each piece in turn. ‘They are all straightforward, I should have no difficulty. If you would care to fetch those who would like to dance, I shall run through the first. This one, I believe, is for the country dance.’

The two ran off at once to summon the younger set. Sapphire did a rapid calculation in her head and, if she was not mistaken, there were five single gentlemen and seven young ladies. The country dances needed five couples so this would be ideal to open the proceedings.

She had the music for a cotillion, a quadrille and a reel. The Bishop girls had assured her there would be several amongst the party who could do the intricate steps that were required in the reel when the music paused. Although all the young ladies, apart from the Bishop girls, were out, she had no intention of playing the tune for the waltz. This risky dance had become popular but would not be approved of by the matrons, and she had offended them sufficiently for one evening.