The Unexpected Bride (6 page)

Casting her eye around the cosy breakfast parlour, Mrs Ffolliot wondered how much Geoffrey had lost this time. Last month it had been ten thousand pounds. She knew the estate would not be able to weather many such blows. Already their circumstances were uncomfortably straitened, and she thanked God that at least Phoebe was now provided for. Sarah was bidding fair to rival her elder sisters’ beauty, and Phoebe could be counted upon to find a husband for her when the time came. It was only Penelope whose future exercised her mind. Perhaps if she stayed with Phoebe and Richard for a while, to meet people, it would rid her of this absurd notion that she was unfit to marry. After all, the blindness was the result of an accident, not something that she could pass on to a child!

A discreet knock at the door disturbed her thoughts. ‘Come in,’ she called.

Tinson entered. ‘Excuse me, madam, but Mr Winton has called to see you. He is in the morning room.’

‘To see
me,
Tinson, are you sure?’ she responded.

‘Mr Winton thought he should see you
before
he
sees Miss Phoebe,’ said Tinson, with the ghost of a twinkle in his eye.

Mary Ffolliot burst out laughing. ‘Oh, Tinson, where should we be without you? I shall come at once. Please tell Miss Phoebe that if she waits in the rose garden I shall send Mr Winton to her there. And you might tell Miss Penny to keep Miss Sarah occupied!’

‘Certainly, madam, but as to Miss Sarah, she is still in the drawing room, helping Miss Penny to learn a new piece of music,’ answered Tinson.

Richard Winton rose to his feet as Mrs Ffolliot entered the morning room and held out her hand to him. He bowed over it. ‘Dear Richard, I received your letter. Need I tell you how happy this makes me?’

‘Mrs Ffolliot, I can only say that I hope I shall be worthy of your good opinion and that Phoebe’s father would have approved,’ he answered. ‘Perhaps even more importantly, does Penelope approve?’

‘Of course she does!’ answered Mrs Ffolliot. ‘Apart from Tinson and their father, you are the only man who never had the slightest trouble telling them apart.’

Richard roared with delighted laughter. ‘God help the man who takes her to wife. He’ll never know a minute’s peace!’

Noting the sudden sadness in his hostess’s face, he said, ‘I beg your pardon, that was clumsy. Does Penelope still favour the life of a recluse? Phoebe told me about it once. Perhaps once she and I are married Penelope can come to stay and meet new people. That might help her to gain confidence in herself.’

Despite the fact that her mind had been running along these lines, Mrs Ffolliot was taken aback. ‘Richard, you are probably one of the kindest men alive. If
anyone can help Penny it will be you and Phoebe. I am not quite close enough to Penny, dearly though I love her. The bond between those two is very strong and I think that Phoebe’s marriage to you will give her the insight to help Penny. Now, Phoebe is in the rose garden and must be wearing away the turf, so you had better go to her, and we shall expect both of you for a nuncheon!’

The rest of the day passed very happily. Richard stayed until the late afternoon, finally taking his leave most reluctantly to receive his sister who was coming to stay. He and Phoebe were to marry as soon as she was out of mourning for her father. ‘I wish it could be sooner, sweetheart,’ he whispered as he kissed her goodbye in the hall. ‘But society is terribly fussy about these things, even though your father is probably very annoyed at our sense of propriety!’

Phoebe floated back to the drawing room, to be brought down to earth by the presence of her half-brother. Never a prepossessing sight, Geoffrey, suffering the after-effects of the previous night, looked particularly repellent, in addition to which he reeked of brandy. Unshaven, with lank sandy hair and bloodshot eyes, he did not compare well with the just departed Mr Winton who, in addition to being impeccably turned out, had the advantage of a good pair of shoulders as well as a chin. Penelope had once said disgustedly that her brother reminded her of a mangy weasel, scrawny and slippery.

It appeared that Penelope had been voicing her opinion of his person in no uncertain terms, to judge from what he was saying. ‘A fellow can have a drink in his own house, I hope, without being nagged by his sister! Damn it all, I need a drink with you about and
after all I’ve been through! Anyway, don’t preach to me about your mother’s drawing room, it won’t be hers for very much longer. It’ll all belong to Darleston, blast his eyes!’

A stunned silence followed this announcement. ‘Sarah, please go upstairs at once,’ requested Mrs Ffolliot.

‘Don’t be silly Mama, she’ll have to know soon enough,’ said Penelope. ‘Would you care to explain yourself, Brother?’

‘Mind your own business, girl!’

‘It is my business! How much did you lose this time?’ she asked fiercely. Gelert growled menacingly in response to her mood, but Penelope gripped his collar firmly.

‘Keep him off!’ shrieked Geoffrey in panic. ‘I saw what he did to Frobisher’s arm!’

‘How much Geoffrey? Or shall I let him go?’

‘Penny!’ gasped her mother.

‘Thirty thousand pounds, and he wants it immediately!’ answered Geoffrey as he rushed from the room.

Mrs Ffolliot and her daughters were too horrified even to gasp. The silence was eventually broken by Sarah.

‘It sounds like an awful lot of money for an evening’s fun, doesn’t it?’

There was not really much more to be said.

Penelope awoke early the next morning after a restless night. Phoebe had cried herself to sleep but Sarah was too young to be alive to the full consequences of the affair. Penelope knew that her father would have been mortified at Geoffrey contracting a debt he could not
meet and she herself writhed with shame. Darleston of all people!

She thought back to those brief meetings. He had certainly mistaken her for Phoebe the first time, for he had thanked her for the dance and asked how she was enjoying the season. At their second meeting they had merely spoken of the Mozart symphony they had just heard. The hint of humour in his deep, husky voice had appealed to her at once. Phoebe’s description of him as tall, dark and excessively handsome had not told her nearly as much as that attractive voice.

The fact that he had been the only person to recognise her behind the veil had also made a deep impression on her. A man who could spot a near stranger like that was obviously very perceptive and observant.

Resolutely Penelope thrust that train of thought from her mind, forcing herself to concentrate on the current situation. How was Darleston to be paid? The estate could not bear a debt like that. Everything would have to be sold to pay it! Even then she doubted that the whole sum could be raised. Her musings continued fruitlessly until Phoebe awoke, but for the life of her she could think of no honourable way out of the tangle.

The three girls went down to breakfast in a subdued frame of mind. Even Sarah had realised from her elder sisters’ attitude that the situation was disastrous.

They found their mother looking pale and worn. ‘Good morning, dears,’ she said, trying unsuccessfully to be normal. Her voice sounded tired.

Penelope frowned and said, ‘The devil take Geoffrey! Mama, did you sleep at all last night?’

‘Hush, Penny, you mustn’t speak like that,’ remonstrated Mrs Ffolliot gently.

‘Did you?’ pressed Penelope, ignoring the rebuke.

‘Not very much!’ admitted her mother.

‘Well, Geoffrey won’t be at breakfast anyway!’ said Sarah, seating herself. ‘At least, it would be unusual if he did come down this early!’

‘What are we to do, Mama?’ asked Phoebe in fearful tones.

Her mother smiled slightly, and answered, ‘You at least needn’t worry too much! Richard is to look after you!’

Phoebe’s indignation spurred her into unaccustomed vehemence. ‘Mama, how could you possibly think I would not be concerned about the three of you? Besides, if you are to be thrown out to starve I shall refuse Richard’s offer and go with you.’

A burst of laughter from her twin greeted this announcement. ‘Oh, for heaven’s sake, Phoebe! I don’t often hanker after my eyesight, but what wouldn’t I give to see Richard’s face when you told him! You pea-goose! He’d drag you to the altar before you could draw breath! And what’s more, we’d help him!’

Phoebe had the grace to look a little sheepish. ‘Was I being silly?’

‘Very silly, love!’ said her twin emphatically. ‘What good would it be for you to starve with us when we are depending on you for the occasional charitable hand-out?’

‘I trust it won’t be quite as bad as that!’ intervened Mrs Ffolliot. ‘May I suggest that we leave this unpleasant discussion for now and eat our breakfast?’

The girls dropped the subject immediately, not wishing to upset their mother any further. Their chatter about the weather, music and whether or not Sarah should be permitted to read
The Mysteries of Udolpho
might not have been exactly cheerful, but at least it avoided the topic of Geoffrey and his disgrace.

After breakfast Sarah was sent off to the drawing room for her usual hour’s practice and the twins and Mrs Ffolliot repaired to the Morning Room. They went over the situation carefully and decided that it would be possible for Mrs Ffolliot, Penelope and Sarah to manage in a small house, or cottage even. Mrs Ffolliot’s jointure was not large but it would be enough.

These plans were thrown into complete disarray by the arrival of Richard Winton in a towering fury. He announced himself and told them without any roundaboutation that he knew the whole story, his sister having just come from London where it was the talk of the town.

‘Elizabeth had heard something of the affair in town. She mentioned it to me when she arrived last night,’ he said. ‘Carrington and George Carstares caught Geoffrey switching the dice on Darleston and denounced him publicly. Unfortunately it was at Lady Bellingham’s ball. Created the devil of a row, apparently. I’m afraid Geoffrey had already had to apologise for accusing Darleston of using loaded dice.’

‘Dear God,’ said Mrs Ffolliot faintly. ‘I am afraid the debt will have to be met if Darleston insists.’

‘I could see Darleston,’ offered Richard. ‘He might drop his claim if he knew that the position for you and the girls would be so disastrous. I don’t know him well, but he is a decent enough fellow.’

‘On no account! The debt will have to be paid, at least in part,’ snapped Mrs Ffolliot. Phoebe and Penelope nodded in agreement.

‘Besides,’ said Penelope, ‘if we get him out of it
this time, how long do you think it would be before it happened again? And most likely to someone who wouldn’t care in the slightest. In fact I wouldn’t put it past Geoffrey to trade on it!’

‘True,’ agreed Richard reluctantly. ‘But how many gentleman would play with him, do you think?’

‘None, I should hope!’ answered Penelope, ‘What about money-lenders, though? The estate will not bear what Geoffrey wants to spend. It is only a matter of time before he goes down that path.’

Her auditors looked shocked but did not bother to contradict her. They knew that what she said was all too true.

A knock at the door heralded the arrival of Tinson. ‘The post, madam. And Mr Geoffrey is up.’ This last rather apologetically.

Silence greeted the announcement, to be broken by Penelope. ‘Never mind, Tinson, we know you couldn’t help it!’

Despite the seriousness of the situation Phoebe could not repress a giggle, and even Tinson’s well-trained mouth twitched. His voice gave no hint of this, however. ‘Certainly not, Miss Penny.’ He left the room with a dignified gait.

‘Really Penny—’ began Mrs Ffolliot, only to be interrupted by Richard.

‘Anyway, there’s only one thing to be done, Mrs Ffolliot. You and the girls are coming to live with Phoebe and myself. I’m damned if I’ll have my wife’s sisters and mother thrown into penury!’

‘Oh, yes!’ agreed Phoebe enthusiastically. ‘How good of you, Richard!’ She looked up at him with melting gratitude and adoration.

‘Richard, you can’t possibly want all of us foisted
onto you!’ said Mrs Ffolliot. ‘My jointure will be enough to support the three of us in a small establishment. We shall have to be careful, but no doubt we will manage.’

Richard’s scathing reply was barely launched when the author of their misfortunes strolled in, saying airily, ‘Everything’s settled. Don’t know what you were all in such a taking over!’ Then he saw Richard Winton and looked scared.

Mr Winton eyed him forebodingly and asked in deceptively polite tones, ‘And just what do you mean by that, Ffolliot?’

Geoffrey tried to bluster. ‘None of your damned business, Winton. Private family matter, and I’ll thank you to get out so we can discuss what has been decided!’

‘Decided by whom, Geoffrey?’ Penelope cut in.

‘By me, miss! I’m head of the family!’ was the reply.

‘Then I’ll certainly stay,’ said Richard. ‘Since I am to be a member of your family!’

Geoffrey shot him a scared and startled glance.

Mrs Ffolliot said quietly, ‘We did not get a chance to tell you last night, Geoffrey, but Phoebe has accepted an offer of marriage from Richard. He has every right to be present.’

A crack of laughter from Geoffrey greeted this news, ‘Marriage, eh? Well, they can forget that—unless Winton likes to put up thirty thousand pounds for her! She’s going to marry Darleston! Got a letter from him. Cancels the whole debt in return for her hand in marriage! Told you it was all settled.’ He brandished the letter in front of them.

The horrified silence was broken by Phoebe’s in
coherent wail of protest, and would have been further broken by Richard assaulting Geoffrey had not Phoebe cast herself into his arms, sobbing. As it was Richard had too much on his hands to do more than glare at Geoffrey and snap, ‘Over my dead body, Ffolliot!’

‘Geoffrey, you must see it is out of the question!’ said Mrs Ffolliot. ‘I will not give my consent to such a marriage!’

‘Give me that letter!’ Richard put Phoebe into Penelope’s comforting arms and marched over to Geoffrey, who tried to protest.