The Rake's Rebellious Lady (22 page)

‘Impudent rogue! I should dismiss you instantly, do you know that?’

‘That’s as may be, sir,’ Jenkins said without turning a hair. ‘And I ain’t saying as I wouldn’t mind retiring to a little cottage I’ve had my eye on for a while. My sister is a widow and has been for this year past. I dare say she would be glad to keep house for me for what years remain to us—but it don’t alter your case, sir. You’ve driven your sons away, and now you’ve seen off Miss Caroline, and I think you are going to
regret that for a long time. Especially if you cut the young gentlemen out as well, sir.’

‘Know everything, do you?’ the Marquis said and muttered furiously to himself. ‘Well, I ain’t such a fool as you think. I know that girl. She won’t see her brothers disinherited. She’ll come back and say she’s sorry.’

‘Give you pleasure, will it, sir—to see her wretched? She loves the man. Stands to reason.’ Sides, I saw her woebegone face, poor little lass.’

‘How dare you speak of my granddaughter so familiarly?’

‘Well, seeing as you’re about to set me off, it don’t make much difference, does it, sir? I might as well say my piece while I’m at it. You ain’t been exactly an angel, sir.’

‘Are you threatening me?’

‘I wouldn’t dare, sir,’ Jenkins said with an air of innocence. ‘It strikes me that you ought to do something about all this trouble. You wouldn’t want Miss Caroline’s death laid at your door?’

‘And what do you mean by that?’ The Marquis started up out of his chair.

‘Stands to reason, sir. Someone knows you changed your will and, whoever that may be, he doesn’t much like it.’

‘Claude or Sebastian?’ the Marquis demanded.

‘I should doubt it, sir. Mr Sebastian wouldn’t stir himself, and Mr Claude would think it beneath his touch. It may be that Jamaican business…’

‘Yes, I dare say you are right. I shall have to think about this carefully.’ Bollingbrook held out his glass. ‘Now fill that up and have done lecturing me, man. I’ll not have harm come to Caroline, but she must come to me and apologise before I change my mind about that damned fellow!’

‘Hell will freeze over first,’ Jenkins said, ignoring his master’s scowl as he took the glass and filled it with a more generous measure. ‘Not that it makes much difference what you do. I dare say you’ll finish yourself off before you have time to change anything.’

He walked to the door, leaving Bollingbrook to scowl into the glass before setting it to one side. The man was an impudent rascal, but the devil of it was he was right…

C
aroline accompanied her mother to the Pump Room the following morning. She was feeling easier in her mind, because Marianne had mellowed towards her children. She had been suffering a little irritation of the nerves lest they should not approve of Mr Milbank on closer acquaintance with him. However, Nicolas had charmed all her fears away, and she was now happily describing her plans for her wedding, which was to take place the following week. For, as she had told her children, there was no point in delaying it at her time of life.

‘Mr Milbank is to take me on honeymoon to Italy,’ she had told her daughter before they retired to bed the previous evening. ‘You have a choice, Caroline my love. You may come with us or…I had thought you might stay with your grandfather, but you might prefer to return to your aunt?’

‘Perhaps I could simply go home, Mama? I should be quite happy there by myself.’

‘I am not sure that that would serve,’ Marianne said. ‘However, we might find another alternative. I could write to
my cousin and ask her if you may visit with her for a few weeks. We do not intend to stay longer than six weeks or so abroad. Mr Milbank is having some work done at his country house, and of course you will join us there as soon as we are in residence.’

‘Unless I were to marry, Mama.’

‘Well, yes, I suppose.’ Her mother sighed. ‘If you do wish to marry Sir Frederick, it might be arranged before I leave. But you were quite against it at one time, Caroline. And I am not at all sure that he is the right husband for you.’

‘I know he is the one,’ Caroline said. ‘I love him, Mama, but as I told you yesterday, Grandfather is against it.’

‘Bollingbrook may be the head of the family,’ Marianne said, her feathers ruffling indignantly, ‘but I am your mother, Caroline. I think I may be trusted to decide your future. Besides, Nicolas told me that Tom has given you his blessing. Bollingbrook cannot lawfully forbid the marriage.’

‘I know that, Mama,’ Caroline agreed. ‘But would it be fair of me to take my happiness at the expense of my brothers?’

‘As to that…’ Marianne smiled her satisfaction. She had been at the mercy of her father-in-law for too long, and he had done little for her. Now at last she was about to become truly independent of him. ‘Mr Milbank is possessed of an adequate fortune. He has already offered to set some of it aside for your brothers—and to give you five thousand pounds when you marry.’

‘Mama!’ Caroline was astonished. ‘That is too generous. I cannot accept so much. It is kind, but—’

‘Nonsense, my dear.’ Marianne looked extremely pleased with herself. ‘Mr Milbank suggested it without a hint from me. As I told you, he has no family of his own, and he is de
lighted with mine. I am sure we shall all go on very well together.’

Caroline kissed her cheek. ‘Thank you, Mama. You have relieved my mind, for I do not need to feel so very guilty if I disobey Grandfather’s wishes.’

‘You have yet to gain my permission, Caroline. Sir Frederick may call upon me when he chooses. If I am satisfied that he can be trusted to take proper care of you, I may allow it—or perhaps an engagement. Yes, that would be much better. The wedding may wait upon my return.’

Caroline kept her thoughts on the matter to herself. Lord Bollingbrook was fond of calling his son’s wife a peagoose, but Marianne could be stubborn when she chose. If she decided that Caroline must be content with an engagement until her return from Italy, there would be no changing her.

If she had known that her decision might place Caroline in danger, Marianne would have been horrified. However, her children had agreed to keep her in ignorance of the truth, and she was quite justified in thinking that if her daughter waited for a while it could do no harm. Given time to think, Bollingbrook might come to his senses and seek reconciliation.

‘Yes, I think that will do very well,’ Marianne said, believing that she had settled things nicely. ‘If you do not wish to accompany us, you may stay with your Aunt Louisa or Cousin Amelia. And perhaps you may marry at Christmas.’

Caroline had thought about her mother’s decision for much of the night, but she could see no way of changing things. With the wedding so close, something must be arranged for her, and she thought, of the two alternatives open to her, she would prefer to stay with Cousin Amelia.

Amelia Postlewaithe was the unmarried daughter of a bishop and lived with her companion and servants in an old and crumbling country house, together with her cats, dogs and a rather rude parrot that someone had taught to swear. Caroline suspected that that someone was her brother Nicolas, and the parrot had been a source of much amusement when they visited—though not shared by Cousin Amelia.

Although life would undoubtedly be rather dull with her mother’s cousin, who seldom entertained, Caroline thought that she would prefer it to another stay in London with her aunt. She had no interest in continuing her Season, and wished that she might look forward to a settled future with Freddie. However, her mother’s wedding must take precedence and therefore she would just have to wait.

Venturing to the Pump Room with her mother the next morning, Caroline looked around her with interest, for it was her first visit. Several ladies and gentlemen were drinking from small cups of the spa water, which was said to be beneficial for health. When Caroline took a sip, she pulled a wry face, for it did not taste as pleasant as it might.

Marianne Holbrook did not venture as far as the baths themselves. She was not in need of their healing properties and would have thought it most improper to bathe in mixed company. She knew that ladies of unimpeachable reputation did so, but she had already made it clear to Caroline that neither of them would bathe.

‘For you know the water makes one’s bathing dress cling to the form and is shockingly revealing,’ she had confided to her daughter in the carriage earlier. ‘No, Caroline. Mr Milbank does not approve and nor do I.’

Caroline was fast discovering that her mother’s conversation was liberally punctuated by references to Mr Milbank. His likes and dislikes, his manners and goodwill, were all dwelled upon and examined with too much regularity for Caroline’s taste. She was grateful to him for delivering her mother from the sad decline into which she had fallen, but thought that she would not care to accompany them on their honeymoon trip.

They saw nothing of Freddie at the Pump Room and Caroline was feeling low in spirits when they returned home. They were to dine with some of her mother’s friends that evening, and the only entertainment offered would probably be a hand of whist.

* * *

The evening was worse than Caroline could have imagined, for it seemed that one of the ladies had heard something she thought a little odd concerning her. As yet there was no talk of the race, but Caroline had been observed arriving in Bath with Sir Frederick.

‘I was told that she was with a gentleman and that they had neither a maid nor a groom with them,’ Mrs Selwyn said to Marianne. ‘I was sure that that could not be the case, for I know Caroline to be a properly behaved young lady. To arrive looking a little windblown and in a phaeton…I thought that some mistake must have been made?’

‘Oh, she was with Sir Frederick Rathbone,’ Mrs Holbrook said airily as if it were no great matter. ‘You must know that he is a great friend and…’ She looked coy. ‘Well, I must not say more at the moment, but I assure you that it was quite proper for her to be with him. Besides, her brother was not far behind her. They met on the way to Bath, and Sir Frederick took Caroline up with him for a short distance.’

‘Ah, I thought there must be some explanation,’ Mrs Selwyn said, nodding at Caroline in a satisfied way. ‘You are to be congratulated, Miss Holbrook. I believe Rathbone is quite a catch.’

‘Well, as to that…’ Marianne put a finger to her lips. ‘We must wait and see, must we not? I am sure I can rely on your discretion, Susan.’

‘Yes, of course. Absolutely!’

‘And that means she will tell everyone that I am to marry Freddie,’ Caroline said as they were driven home later. ‘How could you do it, Mama? When Freddie has not even spoken to you.’

‘I was left with little choice,’ Marianne said. ‘You will have no reputation left if the gossips hear of that infamous race, Caroline.’

Caroline crossed her fingers. She placed no reliance on her brother’s keeping mum concerning the race, and it could not be long before it was noted that she had been with Freddie when he drove into Bath, her brother following shortly behind. The gossips would put two and two together, and she would be labelled as being shockingly fast, if nothing worse.

She spent another uncomfortable night, dwelling on her thoughts.

In the morning, just before they were about to set out for the Pump Room once more, the knocker sounded and Sir Frederick Rathbone was announced. He was shown into the small parlour where Caroline sat with her mother. Her heart leaped as she saw him, looking particularly handsome in his blue coat and cream pantaloons. His cravat had been tied in what was called the Waterfall style, and he looked very much the gentleman of fashion.

‘I am glad to have found you at home, Mrs Holbrook,’ he said and smiled at her. ‘I was afraid you might have gone out.’

‘We were to leave in a few minutes,’ Marianne said, ‘but no matter. I have no pressing appointments and we are pleased to see you, sir.’

She indicated a chair, but Freddie preferred to stand. He glanced at Caroline. ‘I trust you are well? Would you wish to remain—or returnin a few minutes? You know the reason for my call, I believe?’

‘I shall stay, if you do not mind,’ Caroline said. ‘I have told Mama of the situation with Grandfather.’

Freddie inclined his head, turning to her mother. ‘Then you know my purpose, Mrs Holbrook. I applied to Bollingbrook as the head of the family, but was refused on grounds which I do not think valid. Tom was good enough to say that I had his blessing, but I think Caroline will wish to have yours, ma’am.’

‘I dare say,’ Marianne said, but did not smile. ‘However, I must pull caps with you, sir. I cannot approve of Caroline’s being with you during the race you and my reckless son took part in. Not only is it shocking, and may well harm Caroline’s reputation, but it could have been dangerous.’

‘I assure you that at no time was Caroline’s life or wellbeing in danger,’ Freddie said. ‘Forgive me if it distresses you, but I took care to do nothing that would risk her. She is far too precious to me.’

‘Yes, well, that may be the case,’ Marianne said. ‘But it makes me a little uneasy. Can I trust you to take care of her? You may love her—and I believe that she loves you—but love is a fleeting thing. I believed myself loved when I married Mr Holbrook and was sadly disappointed in later life. I do not
wish my daughter to suffer as I did. Her husband must be a man of character and responsibility, sir.’

‘Oh, Mama, there was never any danger,’ Caroline said. ‘And it was I who teased Freddie into letting me be a part of the race.’

‘Caroline dearest, do not,’ Freddie told her gently. ‘Your mama is perfectly right to make these inquiries. I understand that she may feel a little uneasy, but you know, ma’am…a young lady of Caroline’s nature may fall into more trouble if her spirits are denied. Had I not taken her up with me, I dare say her brother might have been persuaded.’

‘Oh, you do not need to tell me that she is reckless,’ Marianne said. ‘It has always been the same with that pair—and Caroline as naughty as her brother.’ She looked at the gentleman standing before her, seeing the mischief in his eyes. ‘And I dare say that you are another such one, sir. You will not bamboozle me! I believe that I must not deny you, for my daughter might very well do something outrageous if I tried—but you must prove yourselves to me. There is already some scandal concerning the pair of you, and an engagement would be just the thing to nip that in the bud before it goes too far—but you must be prepared to wait until my return from Italy for the wedding.’

‘Thank you, ma’am, you are very generous,’ Freddie said and leaned forwards to take her hand, raising it briefly to his lips. ‘Do I have your permission to take Caroline driving now? When she returns I hope she will be wearing my ring. Do you go to the Assembly this evening?’

‘Yes, that was my intention.’

‘Then we may let it be known there, ma’am. It should help to steal the gossips’ thunder, and I shall know how to deal with anyone who dares to speak ill of my intended wife.’

‘Yes, that will do very well,’ Marianne said and relented as she saw the pleasure leap in his eyes. ‘Go along the pair of you!’

‘Thank you, dearest Mama,’ Caroline cried and flew to embrace her. ‘I knew that you could not refuse us.’

‘Well, I have always liked him,’ Marianne said. ‘And if he cannot control you, then I dare say no one will. But the wedding must wait—is that clearly understood?’

‘Yes, Mama,’ Caroline said and looked at Freddie. ‘It will take me one minute to put on my bonnet and pelisse…’

As she hurried away to get ready, Freddie looked at his future mother-in-law. ‘You need not fear for her future, ma’am. It has taken me a long time to find a lady that I wished to make my wife. I may not have been as circumspect in the past as I might have—but all that is at an end. Caroline’s happiness will be my first concern, and I shall do everything that I deem necessary to protect her.’

‘Then you have my blessing, sir.’

‘I have received a letter informing me that Lady Stroud arrives in Bath tomorrow, ma’am,’ Freddie said. ‘She will be delighted to learn that you have consented to our engagement for I know that she liked Caroline very well.’

‘I shall be delighted to renew our acquaintance,’ Mrs Holbrook said. ‘And I shall call as soon as she is in residence.’

‘I know that Lady Stroud will be pleased to see you, ma’am.’

On that note they parted, Freddie going into the hall as Caroline came flying down the stairs to meet him.

* * *

Freddie had driven out to a local beauty spot. He stopped his phaeton and told his tiger to watch the horses while they got down to walk for a few minutes.