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“I know it, Uncle dear, but Oliver is a younger son and his mother is as proud as Lucifer. She is hoping for a splendid match for him. Now Letty has sent word that all must be at an end between them. She tries to hide it, but I know how sad she feels.”
“And your brother? Where is Giles? I had hoped to find him here with you today. There is so much to be decided. Have you news of him?”
“Giles is gone into Derbyshire,” India faltered. “He stays with the Cromfords. It was a long-standing invitation…”
“Indeed!” Sir James’s voice was stiff with disapproval. “The invitation might have been declined. His place is here with you.” He did not trouble to hide his anger. His fear always was that Giles might follow in his father’s footsteps.
India bit her tongue, though her instinct was to fly at once to her brother’s defence. She was saved from further strictures upon his conduct when Letty entered the room.
Her sister looked pale and tired, but she managed a smile for her uncle. Then she turned to India.
“The doctor has gone up to Mama,” she murmured. “I caught him as he was about to start his rounds, and he brought me back at once.”
“Good!” India smiled encouragement at the younger girl. “Mama needs rest above anything. Then, when she is feeling better, we shall tell her of our plans.”
“What plans are these?” Sir James bent a keen gaze on his nieces, thinking as he did so that they could not have been less alike. No one would imagine that they were so closely related.
Letty was a full head shorter than her sister, and so slender as to appear almost elfin. That look was emphasised by her crop of fashionably short blonde curls atop a pair of dark blue eyes. A beauty, he decided, but to his mind India cast her into the shade.
Beside those of the younger girl, India’s looks were striking. There was character in that face, with its strong jaw and noble brow. The much-despised auburn hair was drawn back smoothly into a chignon, beneath which surprisingly fine black eyebrows soared above the great hazel eyes, framed as they were by sooty lashes.
Sir James smiled to himself. India had no trace of vanity, believing herself to be so plain.
Yet in one respect she had seized correctly upon the reason for her lack of offers. Even at first glance it must be clear to the most casual observer that this was a woman to be reckoned with. There was resolution in those sweetly curving lips, and a stubborn tilt to her chin. He sighed. Such qualities were scarcely at a premium in the marriage market. As a wife India was unlikely to be biddable.
Not for the first time he regretted the close proximity of Mrs Guarding’s Academy. So many of the local girls had gone there. Had he known that his own daughter would be exposed to the radical thinking of that redoubtable educationalist he would have sent Hester to a more conventional school for the children of the gentry. Greek, Latin and philosophy indeed! Of what use could those subjects be to any sensible woman? And that was not the worst. Both India and Hester had now what he could only describe as an odd kick in their gallop. Both were inclined to speak out as boldly as any man. These notions of independence would never do.
With a sigh he returned to the matter in hand, addressing Letty. She, at least, had some notion of what was acceptable feminine conduct.
“What plans are these?” he repeated.
Letty returned his smile, but she shook her head. “India will tell you,” she said shyly.
“India?”
“Uncle, we are trying to decide on something,” India admitted. “We cannot continue to rely upon your help.”
Sir James was not altogether surprised. He could understand her dislike of what she must regard as charity.
“And what have you considered?” He was determined to press her, knowing better than she that there were few options open to delicately nurtured girls thrown penniless upon the world. “You will not, of course, wish to leave your mother?”
“We may have no choice, but I heard yesterday that a teacher is to leave Mrs Guarding’s Academy. There may be an opening there.”
“Teaching, my dear? Shall you enjoy that way of life?”
“Enjoyment cannot be our first consideration,” India said quietly. “It would mean that we could stay here in the village. To take a post as a companion or a governess would mean leaving Mama. I’d like above all things to avoid that for the present until she is feeling better.” She raised her head. “Is the doctor leaving? I thought I heard a carriage. Surely he will speak to us before he goes?”
“It isn’t the doctor.” Letty had been gazing through the window. “We have another visitor.”
“Anyone we know?”
“I don’t recognise the carriage. I thought it might be someone who had lost the way, but young Jesse Ekin is pointing to our door.”
“How odd.” India rose to her feet as a thunderous knocking sounded at the door. “I’ll go, Letty. Martha must be upstairs.”
She had no presentiment of what awaited her, but the appearance of the man who stood before her caused her to recoil.
He towered over her, broad as well as tall, and as she looked up at his swarthy face a pair of keen dark eyes raked her figure from head to toe in obvious appreciation.
“Yes?” she said stiffly.
“My name is Isham,” came the brief reply. “I wish to see Mrs Rushford.”
For just a moment India was too astounded to reply. This was the author of all their misfortunes, and the sheer effrontery of his visit was unbelievable. It was in the worst of taste. Doubtless he had come to gloat over the downfall of his victims. He should not have that pleasure.
“Mrs Rushford is not at home to visitors,” she said in icy tones.
“I see.” The dark eyes studied her face. “And you are?”
“I am Miss Rushford, and I too am not at home to visitors…”
“On the contrary, you look very much at home, if I may say so. Miss Rushford, what I have to say concerns your family. Will you not hear me out?”
“Nothing you have to say could possibly be of interest to us…” India began to close the door and found a booted foot in the way.
“A rash statement since you don’t know what it is. I see that Sir James Perceval’s carriage is here. I will speak to him.”
“Sir, you are insolent! Kindly remove your foot.”
“Certainly not! I haven’t come all this way to be denied.”
India gave him a freezing look. It had no effect at all. She could not remove him by force, and well she knew it.
“Very well,” she said at last. “You may see my uncle. I doubt if you will attempt to force your will upon a man.”
To her annoyance his lordship’s lips twitched.
“It must be maddening to be a helpless female,” he agreed. “Now ma’am, if you will lead the way…?”
India’s back was ramrod straight as she marched ahead of him. In a moment he would get his just deserts. Sir James would brook no nonsense from this creature.
She was wrong. Much to her astonishment Sir James advanced upon their visitor with an outstretched hand.
“What may I do for you, my lord?” he asked. “We had not expected you before the New Year.”
“My business concerns your family, sir. I had hoped to see Mrs Rushford, but since she is not available…”
“My sister-in-law is indisposed, I fear. May I not be her proxy?”
“If you would be so good. This is a delicate matter. I should welcome your advice. Perhaps first you will present me to these ladies…?” Ignoring India, Lord Isham turned to Letty with an enquiring glance.
“Forgive me, sir. These are my nieces. India you have already met. This is her younger sister, Letitia.”
Isham bowed politely, but his bold stare brought a blush to Letty’s cheeks.
India could have slapped her. Must Letty look so…overcome in this man’s presence? She seized her sister’s hand, and making their excuses almost dragged her from the room.
“Oh dear! Should we not have been more polite?” Letty looked distressed. “India, you were giving his lordship dagger-looks.”
“Are you surprised? How he had the sheer effrontery to come here I can’t imagine. It is insulting.”
“But, love, we don’t know why he came…”
“Most probably he wants his money. There can be no other reason. Doubtless he has already visited the Grange and feels that he was cheated.”
“Well, it is in a poor state, you know. Nothing has been spent on it in years…”
“That isn’t the point. He gambled for it and he won it. That should be enough.”
India was still seething as she hurried up to her mother’s bedroom, but her expression softened as she looked at the wan figure lying in the old four-poster. Mrs Rushford’s eyes were closed.
The doctor put a finger to his lips. “Don’t disturb her. I’ve given her a draught. She will sleep now, and should feel better when she wakes.”
“She looks so ill.” Letty choked back a sob. “Is she…is she dying?”
“Not at all, you foolish girl! Your mother is a prey to nerves. Give her time to recover from the strain of these past months and she will soon be well again.” The doctor picked up his bag and took his leave of them.
“We had best let Uncle know.” India peered through the window, but Isham’s coach was waiting still.
“Damn the man!” she cried. “What can he have to say that takes so long?”
Letty giggled. “You may be thankful that Mama is sleeping. She would be shocked to hear you swear.”
“I’m sorry, but that creature would try the patience of a saint. Did you see how he looked at us? He might have been assessing prize cattle.”
Letty’s colour rose. “I know it, but, well…you know his reputation. It is the talk of London…”
“Oh, you mean his opera-dancer? The expensive bird-of-paradise? He can well afford to give her a house and carriages and jewels. She’s said to be the latest of many, but without his wealth no one would look at him.”
Letty was pink with embarrassment. “Oliver won’t discuss it, but other people do. The matchmakers have given up on Isham. They say that he will never marry.”
“Who would want him? It is no wonder that he tries to buy affection. I never saw an uglier-looking man. Why, he might be a gypsy or a pirate. All that is wanting is a gold ring in one ear.”
Letty was moved to protest. “He is not ill-favoured, India. He is of a dark complexion, but his eyes are very fine.”
“You are a model of Christian charity, sister dear. Let us say that his reputation must be very bad indeed if even a massive fortune does not attract the marriage market.”
“It isn’t that, I’m sure.” Letty was determined to be fair. “I think he frightens people more than anything. His look is so…so shameless. I felt as if I had forgotten to wear my gown. I wanted to run away and hide.”
“Oh, Letty, must you be so timid? We must not let him see that we care at all for his opinion. I intend to treat him with contempt.”
Letty shuddered. “Must we go down and take our leave of him?”
“Certainly not! As far as Lord Isham is concerned we are not of the least consequence. Unless I am mistaken he sees women as fit for one purpose only…”
Letty blushed again. Then she gave a sigh of relief. “Oh, India, he is going. Thank heavens for that.” She stood by the window until his lordship’s carriage had disappeared.
“Had we best go down again?”
“In a moment. Letty, Uncle is sure to question us again as to what we mean to do. Have you any ideas?”
“I can’t think of anything,” Letty admitted helplessly. “I couldn’t teach, even if Mrs Guarding offered me a post at the Academy. I might take a post as a companion, but that would mean leaving home.” Her lips quivered.
“Dearest, don’t distress yourself. You are clever with your needle, which I am not, and you sing so well. You might think of teaching music.”
“I don’t know. Mrs Guarding may not have an opening for both of us. In any case, Uncle will not like it…”
“I don’t expect he will. He blames Mrs Guarding for Hester’s advanced ideas, but that is not quite fair. Hester would be of an independent mind, however she was taught.” India chuckled. “Uncle wishes me to speak to her and to bring her round to a better understanding of her duty. By that he means marriage, as you know.”
Even Letty twinkled at that. “I wish you luck,” she said more cheerfully. “Shall we visit her today? She is such a fund of gossip.”
“Then come with me and enjoy a coze. We could go back with Uncle, since Mama is to sleep for hours. The change will do you good.”
“I’d like that. We have been so dull of late…with nothing but worry and disappointment.” Letty’s face grew sad. “I had hoped to hear from Oliver, although I did say that we must give up all thought of an engagement. He must have taken me at my word.”
“Nonsense, you silly goose! Have you no faith in him? If he loves you truly he will not give up so easily. Now bathe your eyes. We’ll go down and hear what Uncle has to say. Isham has probably suggested sending us to the salt mines to earn a crust…”
This outrageous statement finally brought a smile from Letty. Still protesting at the ridiculous notion she followed her sister down the stairs.
“You think Isham capable of anything,” she teased.
Yet even India was unprepared for the news with which Sir James greeted them. He looked so serious that both girls were alarmed.
“What is it?” India asked. “Is Isham demanding more? We have nothing left to give…”
“Sit down, my dears. It is nothing like that. Now what I have to say concerns each of you. Lord Isham came to offer for you…either of you. He wishes you to decide between yourselves which of you is willing to become his bride.”
Chapter Two
For a few moments India was too stunned to speak. Then she found her voice and began to smile.
“Uncle, I believe you mean to punish us for our rudeness to Lord Isham. You have hit upon the very thing to frighten us. What a fate for any girl! It is a dreadful prospect, even if you mean only to tease.”
Still smiling she looked up at her uncle, but saw no answering amusement in his face.
“India, I do not tease. His lordship has made a serious offer, and I must insist that you treat it as such.”
India stared at him in disbelief. “You cannot mean it! If this is Lord Isham’s idea of a joke it is in the worst of taste. Hasn’t he done enough to harm our family? Must he indulge in mockery too? I hope that you ordered him from the house.”
