Lord Ilchester's Inheritance (6 page)

‘And you, sir, are without doubt the most unpleasant and irritating gentleman I have ever met.’

His bark of laughter followed her down the stairs adding to her annoyance. She shot past the waiting footmen and into the drawing room leaving him to follow in her wake. Her uncle was nowhere to be seen but the French doors were open onto the terrace and she could hear the clink of glass out there.

The perfect hostess would wait for her guest and allow him to accompany her, but she would not walk another step with that man beside her. She was known for her good humour, patience and sunny temperament but in the space of an afternoon all these had deserted her.

‘There you are at last, my dear, I have ordered champagne to be served. It is a day of celebration after all.’

‘I have never tasted it, Uncle John, and should be delighted to do so now. I do believe you have caught the sun today – in fact we are both quite tanned.’ She held out her arm for his inspection. She was not wearing gloves – another mark in her disfavour. ‘I believe it is considered unladylike to expose oneself to the sunshine, but I am not interested in the silly rules of society. I shall do as I please.’

‘Shall you indeed, Miss Stanton, that should make for an interesting party next month,’ Lord Ilchester’s smooth, annoying voice said from behind her. He was as soft-footed as a cat and appeared to enjoy making her uncomfortable. She ignored his comment – it was of no merit.

‘Uncle John, I see we are to dine out here, what an excellent idea.’ One of the new footmen, smartly dressed in livery and wig, held out a silver tray upon which were three glasses of sparkling champagne. She reached out and took one. ‘It is quite delicious and perfect for a summer evening.’

The table had been set out and laid as if it was in the dining room, with the best silver, fine damask cloth and crystalware. It might be better if she sat, she was bound to trip over something if she remained on her feet.

She had an unpleasant fluttering in her stomach and her appetite had deserted her – she was dreading being served a series of delicious dishes and being unable to eat them. The meal was served
à la française
, the platters were placed centrally and then they were left to help themselves.

After a few minutes she realised their guest was paying her no further attention and was deeply involved in a discussion on the merits of some political act or other, leaving her to recover her composure and her appetite.

There were three courses each with several removes and she enjoyed a little of everything. ‘I am unable to consume another morsel. I had no idea your cook could produce such excellent food, Uncle John. I shall leave you gentlemen to your port and take a promenade around the garden.’

They both got to their feet and she smiled politely before setting off across the terrace praying she did not tread on the hem of her gown. The sun was sliding below the horizon turning the water of the lake a spectacular shade of gold – a perfect ending to a very enjoyable evening.

She strolled around for some time before arriving in the rose garden where she found her favourite arbour, a stone seat surrounded by sweet-smelling honeysuckle and climbing roses. She had picked up a pebble in her slipper and needed to sit down in order to remove it. She viewed the bench with disfavour – she had no wish to spoil her new gown.

A slight sound alerted her this time and she was ready when his lordship spoke quietly from behind her. ‘Allow me, Miss Stanton.’ He removed his handkerchief and spread it on the stone and she had no alternative but to be seated. Her heart was drumming and her bodice became unaccountably tight. What was it about this gentleman that so disturbed her senses?

Chapter Six

Sapphire could hardly refuse to sit down now Lord Ilchester had placed his handkerchief on the stone bench. Once she was seated he folded his long length beside her, thankfully keeping a respectful distance.

‘You are proving elusive tonight, Miss Stanton, I have been wandering like a lost sheep around the gardens searching for you this past quarter of an hour.’

‘I came out because I wished to be on my own.’ The words were somewhat abrupt, but she was too agitated to say more.

Instead of springing to his feet and vanishing into the darkness, his teeth flashed white and he settled himself more comfortably. ‘I’m damned if I’m going to apologise for joining you, I seem to have done nothing but grovel since we met this morning.’

His unexpected turn of phrase so shocked her that she forgot she was nervous. ‘Kindly moderate your language when talking to me, sir, I do not appreciate hearing such things.’

‘I should hardly think you do, sweetheart, but I fear you are going to have to become accustomed to my robust turn of phrase.’

His reply almost gave her palpitations. He had no right to use such endearments, nor to refuse to beg her pardon for swearing. She had come to the rose garden to find peace and quiet and had found quite the reverse.

‘Lord Ilchester, you forget yourself. We are barely acquainted and…’

‘How true that is, but
you
forget that I am, I believe, your true guardian, and can therefore talk to you as I would one of my sisters.’

This was the outside of enough – what he said might be a fact of law, but as far as she was concerned Uncle John held that position and she had no intention of allowing this intruder to interfere with her life in any way.

‘You did not know of my existence until this morning so you can hardly claim to be an interested party.’ She jumped to her feet and scowled down at him lounging, unabashed and amused, in the arbour. ‘I sincerely hope that someone sends a carriage to collect you tomorrow, Ilchester, because you are no longer welcome at Canfield Hall.’

In one smooth movement he was on his feet – no longer relaxed and friendly, but rigid with disapproval. Referring to him without his title was disrespectful and her actual comment was hardly polite, so it was not surprising he was angry.

She knew instinctively he would not harm her, and it was easier to deal with him when glaring at her than when he was being charming and friendly. In fact, she was rather enjoying the exchange. Having him towering over her was a trifle intimidating, but she was better able to cope with his anger than his charm.

‘I know why your father sent his man here every year – it was not to offer assistance to my uncle, but to see if he was still alive. As you are no longer a beneficiary, I assume that your interest in Canfield Hall has come to an end.’

She was sure she actually heard his teeth grind. What had possessed her to say something so inflammatory and impertinent? In the near darkness she could not see his face clearly, but the ominous silence told her all she needed to know. Deciding that discretion was the better part of valour, she gathered her skirts and prepared to run away.

‘Remain where you are, Miss Stanton.’ His voice cracked like a whip and she almost obeyed him, but something told her it would be wiser to remove herself immediately from his vicinity. He was a formidable gentleman and she had no wish to be given a bear-garden-jaw, even if it was justified.

She scampered through the gardens expecting at any minute to be accosted by this furious giant of a man. He must have become lost as she arrived safely at the terrace. The drawing room doors were open, and the evidence of their dinner had been removed.

She was relieved to be back safely, but remained outside for a few minutes until her heart had stopped hammering and she was less breathless. She had no wish to alarm her uncle by appearing red-faced and distressed as he might think his lordship had taken liberties, and the exact opposite was true.

Now the excitement of the confrontation had dissipated she was ashamed of her behaviour and instead of creeping away to her apartment she decided to wait and apologise to their guest. Why was he taking so long? He had longer legs than she and the candles flickering in the windows of the house were quite visible from the rose garden.

‘Why are you dithering about out here, Miss Stanton? Surely you are not afraid to meet me after your disgraceful behaviour?’

The apology she had been rehearsing in her head evaporated like snow in the sunshine. She spun and stared up at him with dislike. ‘I thought you had become lost or had had an accident and I was about to go in search of you. I should have realised you were creeping about, as usual, and waiting to upset me.’

He stepped onto the terrace and for some reason her feet remained glued to the paving stones. He closed the gap between them until he was no more than an arm’s length away. ‘Mr Bishop has retired and I took the liberty of dismissing your staff.’

Sapphire swallowed nervously. He could not have made it more clear – he had sent everyone away so he was free to administer whatever retribution he thought fit without fear of witnesses or interruption. ‘In which case, sir, you are now free to give me the dressing-down I so richly deserve. I have behaved appallingly, I am not normally outspoken or impertinent and I sincerely apologise for...’

‘I will hear no more of that, Miss Stanton, I have no wish to admonish you nor to hear you apologise.’ He raised both hands in a gesture of supplication. ‘Please, can we start again? We have been at loggerheads most of the day and that is the last thing I want.’

He was quite irresistible when he wasn’t scowling at her. ‘We have both behaved badly, although I sincerely believe that I am more culpable than you.’ He was waiting, not exactly smiling, but his eyes had a definite twinkle. Her reservations about him vanished and she returned his smile. ‘Yes, please let us begin again. I shall go into the drawing room and from that moment we are strangers.’

Not waiting for him to comment, she almost skipped through the French doors and was obliged to take several steadying breaths before she was ready to step out onto the terrace again. She was beginning to enjoy this play-acting – it had been far too long since she had been able to have fun on her own account.

He was half sitting on the stone balustrade and immediately jumped to his feet on her appearance. He bowed deeply and she curtsied. They were at an impasse – if this was to be done correctly there should be a person to introduce them. Then he strolled towards her.

‘Good evening, I believe I have the pleasure of speaking to Miss Stanton. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Gideon Frederick William Bishop, Lord Ilchester. I am your cousin.’

She curtsied again. ‘I am delighted to make your acquaintance, my lord. I am Miss Sapphire Stanton, and Mr Bishop, with whom I am residing at present, is my great-uncle.’

He grinned, his teeth white in the darkness. ‘Do you care to promenade, Miss Stanton? There is much I must tell you about my family – for you and your brothers are part of it now.’

As they strolled, a discreet distance apart, he told her about his sisters, mother and brother and she returned the favour. She was puzzled that he did not appear to be overly fond of his siblings as he had so obviously enjoyed being with her brothers.

‘I must go in, my lord, I heard the village clock striking midnight a moment ago. I believe that you have promised to teach my brothers to ride and you can be very sure they will be up and waiting in the stable yard at first light.’

He chuckled, a rich dark sound. ‘In which case, we had better say goodnight. I have had the most enjoyable day, I cannot remember when I have had so much fun before. I shall see you in the stable yard first thing tomorrow morning.’

He half-bowed and she dipped in a small curtsy. He had the courtesy to allow her to go in alone and not prowl along behind her as he had done previously. When she reached the safety of the gallery she risked a glance back and to her astonishment she saw he was extinguishing the candles – doing a servant’s job without a second thought.

As he had dismissed the staff she supposed it was his responsibility to make sure the house was safe before he retired. However, he was a guest and if anyone should be doing this, it was her. Too late to repine, she would thank him tomorrow.

*

Gideon watched Sapphire almost run away from him and wished they hadn’t got off to such a poor start. Mind you, they had spent a pleasant hour conversing before she dashed away.

He had told her categorically that he was now her legal guardian, but he wasn’t entirely sure this was the case. In fact, the more he thought about it, the less likely it seemed that he had inherited three wards along with his father’s estates and gambling debts. He paused as he was extinguishing the final candelabra. He recalled an incident much talked about in Town a year or so ago when Sir Giles somebody or other died intestate and a reprobate uncle stepped in to claim the position as guardian and control of the considerable fortunes of the orphaned children.

He seemed to remember that the young lady and gentleman in question were below their majority, but no longer children, and they applied to the Courts of Chancery to appoint their own guardian, and this was upheld. One thing he knew for certain was that society and the law did not approve of any romantic liaison between a guardian and his ward.

Startled by this thought he knocked over his own candlestick leaving him in inky blackness. He cursed under his breath. No point in grovelling for the object, as he had no idea where the tinderbox was stored and, being midsummer, there were no fires alight for him to use. He would have to make his way upstairs by touch alone.

As he groped his way to the doors that led into the spacious hall he reviewed what had made him drop his candle. He had known Sapphire Stanton for less than a day – was it possible he was already thinking of her romantically?

By the time he had crossed the hall his eyes had become accustomed to the lack of light and he could now see sufficiently well to continue his journey to his bedchamber without fear of breaking his neck. The more he considered this extraordinary notion, the more he liked it. Although he was not actually hanging out for a wife, there was something about this girl that excited him. That she was beautiful was beyond doubt, but she was also intelligent, kind and strong-willed – an irresistible combination as far as he was concerned.

He reached his room having only barked his shins once and stopped a couple of times. He did not bother to light a lamp as he was going to retire immediately. The footman who had been appointed as his valet had long gone to his bed, but Gideon was quite capable of disrobing without assistance. There was a nightshirt folded neatly on the end of the bed, but he tossed this to one side. He preferred to sleep as nature intended.

*

Sapphire was up and dressed before her brothers woke and was able to oversee their dressing – particular care was needed this morning if they were to sit astride their ponies.

‘We don’t want to have breakfast now, Saffy, we want to have it after our ride,’ David said.

‘We can go out to the stables now, but I don’t promise Lord Ilchester will be there. It is extremely early, but I am sure that between us Ned, Billy and I can manage.’

No sooner were they out of the house when the boys shot ahead eager to be the first to arrive in the yard. She took a more leisurely pace, running in the voluminous skirt of her habit would be hazardous.

There was no need for her to hurry, his lordship must have been there before them despite the fact it had not yet struck eight o’clock. Her mare was waiting but there was no sign of her brothers, their ponies or Lord Ilchester.

‘Ned, where have they all gone?’

‘His lordship reckons they would do best to be led about the place, get the feeling of being in the saddle. He and Billy are gone for a walk around the park.’

‘In which case, I shall join them later, but first I shall ride through the woods. There is no need for you to accompany me, Ned, I shall not be going out of the grounds this morning.’

He tossed her aboard, she rammed her foot into the single stirrup iron, gathered up the reins and was ready to leave. The sun was already hot on her back, no doubt the boys would wish to continue their swimming lessons later on. The thought of being in the lake appealed to her, but under no circumstances would she do so whilst their guest was still in residence.

‘How is the stallion? Is he sound enough to ride today?’

‘Not a chance, miss, he’s pulled a tendon and will have to stay here for at least a week. His lordship sent one of the new men with a message this morning, right early it was. He will be sending for his baggage, he don’t seem in no hurry to leave, that’s for sure.’

She wasn’t sure if this was good news or bad, but was definitely relieved their guest had not been in the yard to hear Ned speaking about him so freely. She set off in the opposite direction to the park, taking the tradesman’s route that led directly into the acres of woodland that surrounded the rear of the property.

Once in the shelter of the trees she relaxed, her heavy wool habit was far too hot for this weather. She must arrange for the local seamstress to make her something more suitable for the summer – perhaps in moss green with gold buttons?