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Sensing his determination, Judith sank back into the corner. She had no wish to create a scene in public, and if he followed them someone of her acquaintance might see them together, and draw the wrong conclusions.
“This is folly!” she told him quietly. “You should not have sought me out.”
“Folly?” Dan’s smile vanished. “What of your own? What do you know of the man you plan to marry?”
Judith turned her face away. “He has been kind to me, and he stands up to Mrs Aveton. In his presence she is not so cruel.”
“And that is enough for you? You have not asked yourself why they deal so well together? What a pair! The man is a monster, Judith! He is a charlatan…a womaniser—”
“Stop!” Judith’s nerves were at breaking point. “You must not…you have no right to say such things to me…”
“Long ago I thought I had a right to tell you all that was in my heart. That is past, I know. I can’t deny that our feelings for each other must have changed, but I may still stand your friend, I hope?”
“You have a strange way of showing it. Did Prudence and Elizabeth send you to me? I may tell you that I don’t care to have my affairs discussed behind my back.”
“No one sent me. I came of my own accord. They spoke of you, of course…”
“And obviously of Mr Truscott too. They are both prejudiced against him, but why, I can’t imagine.”
“Perhaps they see another side to his character. You meet him at his best, but how long will that last? If you become his wife you will be powerless against him.”
“Dan, you are making him out to be an ogre. Oh, I know you mean it for the best, and I am grateful…”
“I don’t want your gratitude,” he muttered. “Like all your friends, I wish only for your happiness.”
“Then believe me, you must say no more. You are but recently returned to England. How can you judge a man of whom you have no knowledge?”
“I trust Prudence, and Elizabeth too. They love you dearly, Judith. Would they stand in the way of your happiness? Both of them have hearts of gold. Neither would be so set against this man without some sound basis for their feelings.”
“I have made my choice.” Her face was set.
“Have you? Or have others made it for you? Forgive me, I don’t mean to suggest that you are easily swayed. I know you better than that. You will always do what you think right.”
“Then why won’t you believe me?”
Dan leaned back and folded his arms. “You haven’t told me why you wish to marry Truscott. I am told that he is all the rage among the ton, but that won’t weigh with you, I know. To capture him might be a feather in some other woman’s cap, but not in yours.”
“At least you don’t insult me by suggesting it.”
“Kindness then, and protection from your stepmother? It seems poor enough reason to accept him.”
For once Judith lost her temper. “You don’t know what my life has been! How could you? It was bad enough before, but my uncle’s money has become a curse. You heard of my inheritance?”
Dan nodded.
“I thought I would go mad,” she told him simply. “I was allowed no rest until I agreed to try to break the trust. It couldn’t be done. Then matters grew much worse. Marriage seemed to be the only answer.”
Dan laid a sympathetic hand upon her own, but she snatched it away at once.
“I don’t want sympathy,” she cried in anguish. “That only makes things worse…”
“Oh, Judith, was there no one else? Someone who might have made you happy?”
Judith felt like screaming at him. Of course there was someone else. Why could he not see it? Her situation was so different now. Years ago, when they were both penniless they could have no hope of marriage. Now she could offer him her fortune. It was a vain hope. Knowing him as she did, the money would prove to be an even greater barrier, even if he loved her still.
He didn’t. Had he not mentioned that their feelings must have changed during their years of separation? His present concern stemmed only from the memory of past friendship, urged on, no doubt, by Prudence and Elizabeth, in spite of his denials.
She could not know of the discussion which had taken place the previous evening in the Wentworth home. In her forthright way, Prudence had tackled Dan outright, sweeping away his initial refusal to seek out Judith.
“Don’t try to gammon me,” she’d said. “I know that you still love her. You gave yourself away this afternoon. Will you stand by and let her throw herself away upon a man who will condemn her to a life of misery?”
“Pru, I can’t. She would see it as a piece of gross impertinence on my part, and she would be right.”
“Stuff and nonsense! I think at least that you should try to persuade her to reconsider. Elizabeth and I can do no good with her. She seems bent on self-destruction.”
“And you think that I will fare better?”
“She loves you, Dan. She always has. I know Judith well. Once given, her affections will not change. If you were to offer for her now, all might yet be well.”
She was dismayed to see the bitterness in his normally cheerful face.
“Would you have me add to my tarnished reputation? Must I be considered a fortune-hunter too?”
“So you will sacrifice your love for pride? I had thought better of you. Mrs Aveton’s evil words were forgotten long ago.”
“They would be recalled if I did as you suggest. Judith suffered enough before. This time I doubt if she could bear more slurs. I did not think her looking well at all.”
“She isn’t happy, Dan. At least see her. If nothing more you might persuade her to delay the ceremony. Truscott may yet betray himself.” Prudence rose to her feet, pressing her hands against her aching back, and Dan gave her an anxious look.
“You shall not worry,” he said. “It can’t be good for you, especially at this present time. I’ll do as you say if it will comfort you, though I think you are mistaken in what you say. Judith no longer cares for me.”
Prudence let that pass. No words of hers would convince him. Dan must find out for himself. She smiled at him in gratitude.
“I think I must be carrying twins,” she joked. “By the start of the seventh month I was not as large as this with my other children.”
“Then you must take extra care. Shall you stay in London for the birth?”
“I don’t know yet. It can be very hot and noisy in the summer months. Sebastian thinks that we should go down to Hallwood.” She reached out a hand to him. “Dearest Dan, I’ve missed you so. It is so good to have you home again. As for Judith, I knew that you wouldn’t fail me.”
“Don’t expect too much,” he warned. “My powers of persuasion aren’t as great as yours.”
He found that he was right. Judith would not be swayed.
“At least postpone the ceremony,” he urged. “It would give us time to make enquiries.”
Her voice grew cold. “Are you suggesting that you intend to spy on my betrothed?”
“Judith, the man appeared from nowhere. I can’t find a soul who knows anything of his background or his antecedents—” He stopped, and looked at her set face. “Forgive me! I, of all people, have no right to say such things. My own background is sneered at by the ton.”
Judith fired up at that. “I hope you are not suddenly ashamed of it. Your mother and father were good country folk, as Prudence and Sebastian soon discovered.” For the first time she gave him a faint smile. “Your skills must have come from somewhere…”
“Sadly, they haven’t yet made my fortune but, Judith, we were not discussing my affairs…”
“Believe me, I prefer that you say no more of mine. Dan, it must be late. Is it not time to pick up Bessie?”
“Not yet. We still have a few moments. Will you promise me one thing?”
“If I can.”
“Don’t cut yourself off from your friends for these next few weeks. Come to Mount Street. The change will do you good. It will be like old times.”
Her lips began to tremble. “I’m tired,” she said. “I can’t fight my friends as well as Mrs Aveton.”
“Then they shall say nothing to distress you. I’ll guarantee it. Do you promise?”
“I’ll try.” With an effort she regained a little of her self-control. “You’ve told me nothing of your own concerns. This voyage has been of some advantage to you?”
Wisely, Dan accepted the change of subject.
“I learned much about the operation of a sailing ship, and other vessels too, even to the handling of an outrigger canoe in the South Seas. All are designed to take advantage of certain conditions of wind and weather.”
“And your own designs? You were always inventing something.”
“I have a thick sheaf of them. Some I sent back to England for the attention of my Lords of the Admiralty, but I have heard nothing.”
“Wouldn’t the Earl of Brandon mention your work?” she suggested shyly. “If Lord Wentworth were to ask him…?”
“I don’t want patronage. My work must stand on its own merit, or not at all.”
“You’ll get there one day,” she encouraged. “You have plenty of time.”
“Have I?” His lip curled. “I am twenty-six already.”
“A very great age indeed,” she twinkled.
“Pitt was younger when he first became a Member of Parliament…”
Judith gave him a droll look. “I didn’t know that you had the ambition to become a politician.”
She’d hoped to cheer him, and was rewarded with a grin.
“I haven’t, and well you know it.”
Judith smiled back at him. “That’s a relief! I was beginning to tremble for the future of the country. Oh, there is Bessie! I must leave you now.”
“Not yet!” he begged. He tried to take her hand but she shook her head. With a sigh he stopped the coachman, and prepared to take up Bessie.
“We shall walk,” Judith told him hurriedly. “The rain has cleared—”
“I won’t hear of it. Get in, Bessie!” He rapped on the roof of the carriage to tell the man to drive on. As they entered the street where he had found them, Judith turned to him.
“Pray set us down here,” she said. “If I am seen in your company there may be trouble.”
When Dan returned to Mount Street it was to report the failure of his mission.
“Well, I, for one, will not give up,” Elizabeth cried at once. “Will Judith come to us today?”
“I doubt it. She fears you will return to the attack.” Dan’s smile robbed his words of all offence.
“And so I shall.”
“No, you will not, my darling.” Perry gave his wife an affectionate look. “Subtlety is needed here. You cannot gain your way with confrontation.”
His words brought a roar of laughter from each member of his family.
“Subtlety, Perry? Since when are you a master of the art?”
Perry took Sebastian’s teasing in good part.
“I can be devious when I choose,” he replied in airy tones. “I may surprise you yet.”
“You have already done so. I was never more astonished in my life. Tell me, how is this subtle approach to be accomplished?”
“I haven’t decided yet, but I’ll think of something.”
“Perry, there is so little time.” Elizabeth’s eyes were anxious. “The days go by so quickly, and Judith’s wedding will be upon us before we know it.”
Sebastian’s eyes were resting upon his wife’s face, and when he began to speak he chose his words with care.
“Let us consider this matter sensibly. We have no proof that the Reverend Truscott is other than he claims to be.”
“We could find out,” Dan said quickly.
Sebastian held up a hand for silence. “Hear me out. Prudence and Elizabeth both dislike and distrust him. They may be right, but if they are mistaken I must point out to you that Judith’s happiness is at stake. Any interference on our part would be a serious matter.”
“Sebastian, we have no wish to injure her.” Prudence gave him a pitiful look.
“Dearest, I know that well enough, but Judith has had an unhappy time since her father died. We must be careful not to make things worse.”
“They would be much worse if she married that dreadful creature!” Elizabeth was unrepentant.
“Quiet! The oracle is speaking!” Perry laid a finger against his wife’s lips.
Sebastian laughed at that. “I’m no oracle, but we must do nothing foolish.”
“Then what can we do? She may be walking blindfold into a life of misery. I won’t stand by and let that happen.” Dan ran his fingers through his flaming hair. “I’ll abduct her first.”
“You will do no such thing!” Sebastian’s tone was cutting. “Would you expose her to scandal? Her life would be ruined; she would be cut by society, unable to see her friends and received by none. Let us hear no more of such nonsense.”
