The Reluctant Bride

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“Nor had I.”

Hester studied her cousin’s face intently. “Then it is as I thought? You were coerced into taking Isham?”

“Not exactly. I made the decision myself.”

“Helped, I make no doubt, by the threat of hysterics?” Hester’s opinion of Mrs Rushford matched that lady’s dislike of her. “India, this is too important for you to be swayed in such a way. We are speaking of your entire future. Forgive me if I am too outspoken, but I care about your happiness.”

“I know it, Hester dear, but let me explain. Mama was for the match, of course, but your father too approved of it.”

“He would. Dear Father! He sees no other course for any woman as far as security is concerned.” Hester was indignant, but then her expression softened, and she smiled. “I fear my parents are biased. Theirs was a love match, as you know. They have been so happy together. I cannot blame them for wanting the same for others, but you can imagine the pressure put on me to wed. I’m sorry for their distress, but I won’t agree.”

“Your case is different,” India said quietly. “There is not the same necessity for you to earn a living.”

“I may have to,” Hester laughed. “Should Father try to marry me off against my will I intend to run away.”

India returned her cousin’s smile. “That will never happen and you know it. Both your parents adore you.”

“That affection might be strained if I continue to argue for women to have freedom of choice. Yet look at the case of our missing Marchioness. Tell me, if you can, under what compulsion did Louise Hanslope agree to marry an ancient roué three times her age? There’s a fate that my father would never have forced on me, nor even your mother on you. You have heard nothing more as to her whereabouts?”

“Not a word. Have you?”

“I’ve heard a good deal of speculation. You may take your choice of a murder committed by the Marquis, or elopement with a paramour.”

“Most probably she just fled. Her life must have been a living hell.” India turned away to hide her own sadness.

Hester saw it and returned to the matter in hand. “Why are we discussing the Marchioness?” she demanded. “What of you? Have you really accepted Isham?”

“I have, but it is not quite what you think. There was so much to consider. I gave it a good deal of thought. Your father cannot continue to support us…”

“Stuff!” Hester exploded. “He would do so willingly. What is more, he would not forgive himself if he thought such a consideration had influenced your decision.”

India looked steadily at her friend. “Will you tell me the truth?” she asked. “I believe that our assets were not enough to cover the debt to Isham. Did Uncle find the balance?”

Hester would not meet her eyes, but neither would she lie. “There was some talk of it,” she admitted uncomfortably. “But it is no great matter.”

“It is to me, and then, as you know, there is Letty to consider. Under the circumstances Oliver Wells could not have offered for her. A connection with Lord Isham will alter the matter.”

“And Giles? What has he to say to this?”

“We have not heard from him, but there is little he can do. His own inheritance has gone. Mama is hoping that Isham will do something for him.”

“Well, at least your mother will be able to live in comfort.” Hester’s expression mirrored her disgust. “Have you considered yourself in all of this?”

“Of course I have. Think about it, Hester. What is the alternative? Letty and I had but two choices. Mrs Guarding might have taken one of us to teach at the Academy, but more likely we should have had to become paid companions to some lady, and Mama cannot be left alone.”

“I see.” Hester’s tone was grim. “You will not wonder at my desire to stand up for the rights of women. We are little more than chattels.”

She stopped abruptly at the sight of India’s stricken look. “There I go again!” she confessed. “Tact is not my strongest point, but I get so angry when I think how little say we have in the conduct of our lives. Now tell me, what do you know of Isham?”

“Very little.” India admitted. “I haven’t spent above three hours in his company.”

“But are you quite determined to wed him?”

“I am. Pray don’t try to dissuade me, Hester. I have given my word and I won’t go back on it.”

“I see.” Hester looked thoughtful. “Well, if it must be, you could do worse, my love. His lordship is no fool. His intellect can only be respected. I have read some of his speeches…”

“He told me that he thinks of going into politics…”

“He should do so. Men such as he are badly needed in Government.”

“Have you met him?”

“No, but I should like to do so. He is sound on conditions in the northern mills. His place is in Cheshire, is it not? He will be aware of the high unemployment in the north. These days trade is almost non-existent, or so I hear. So many have been ruined by Napoleon’s blockade of the European ports…”

“But surely the Government must help?”

“The Government will do nothing, India, other than to order in troops to stamp out disaffection. Repression rather than compassion would appear to be the order of the day. Isham opposes this policy, I believe, although I am no expert on such matters.”

India was startled by such vehemence. “Do you think so highly of him?”

“I do, but from your tone I see that you do not.”

“I don’t know him, Hester, but he is the strangest creature. I find him somewhat overwhelming…”

“I hear that he is no Adonis, but surely that will not weigh with you?”

“Of course not. He has presence, but…”

“But you are a little afraid of him? You surprise me, India. In no time he will learn to love you. Then he will realise what a jewel he has won.”

“You are biased, my dear. The plain fact is that his lordship needs an heir. That is his only reason for making me this offer.” India stopped. She had said more than she intended, and her bitterness must be apparent.

“Nonsense!” Hester said roundly. “The man could have chosen any of a dozen females. I see that you do not find him very lover-like…”

“No! At least he has spared me professions of his undying affection.”

“Very sensible of him! He must have known that you would not believe it. Confess now, you would have despised him for uttering such sentiments?”

She was rewarded with a reluctant smile. “How well you know me, Hester. I should not have welcomed falsehood. Whatever else, Isham is always frank.”

“Well then?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I suppose he injures my pride. He has a most unfortunate knack of putting me in the wrong.”

“How so?”

“Perhaps it’s because I am so quick to judge him. Only yesterday I had thought he meant to dictate to me when he warned me not to travel after dusk even close to home. I let him see my anger. Then I found that he was thinking only of my safety. I felt mortified by my own stupidity.”

Hester nodded sagely. “He was thinking of the Luddites. You would do well to heed him.”

“Luddites? Who are they?”

“He did not tell you?”

“He said something about disaffected labourers. I’ll admit I felt some sympathy for their cause…”

“So did I until Father told us of their violence and now, he says, it is gone beyond attempts to destroy the machines and the factories. They are firing barns and hayricks and terrorising the countryside.”

“Could he not speak to them? Uncle James is a reasonable man. If he promised to address their grievances…?”

“What could he do for them? He cannot give them bread or work. Besides, no one knows who they are. They wear masks or blacken their faces, and visit savage retribution on those who inform against them.”

“Can nothing be done?”

“The Government is sending troops. They fear that we may follow France into revolution if these uprisings spread.”

“The Terror? In England? Surely not.”

“It happened in France just twenty years ago, and this movement is growing fast. It is well organised, with secret signs and passwords, and men are ‘twisted in’, or recruited, with special oaths.”

“That does not sound like the work of the ordinary labourer.”

“You are right. So many of them can neither read nor write, but letters have been sent to their employers and even to the Prime Minister, signed ‘General Ludd’. It seems that nothing will stop them, though the penalty for frame-breaking is already transportation and may become a capital offence.”

India shuddered. “Thank heavens that Mama and Letty know nothing of this as yet. They are gone to the Vicarage this morning to spread the joyous news.”

It was difficult to hide her bitterness. “I suppose I must tell them?” she asked.

“India, they are sure to hear of it from one source or another.” Hester looked thoughtful. “You are right about the working men, I feel sure. There is something behind all this—some controlling intelligence which is playing upon their baser instincts.”

“But they must be desperate,” India protested.

“True! They are being forced to starve, but this is more than a plea to right their grievances. Men fighting for a just cause are often joined by those who have private scores to settle. Father is sure of it.” Hester rose to her feet. “You will be careful, won’t you?”

“I doubt if anyone has a score to settle with this family,” India told her with a rueful smile. “I can’t recall that we have injured anyone.”

“Of course not, dearest.” Hester embraced her fondly.

“And shall you attend my wedding? I should like that above anything.”

“You shall have my support, my love, and you take with you my good wishes for a long and happy life.”

India was tempted to tease a little.

“You shall not care to follow my example?” she asked wickedly.

“Great heavens, no! My dream is to have a small house of my own. If my portion remains in my own hands I should write, surrounded by my books.”

“Then that is what I shall wish for you. It sounds idyllic.”

“It is unlikely to happen. Mother insists that I try another Season in the hope that I shall ‘take’ this time. She is such an optimist. My last attempt was a disaster.”

“It was no worse than mine, I think…”

“Oh yes it was! I am too outspoken and the gentlemen fled in droves…” Hester laughed out loud. “I did make one conquest, you’ll be pleased to hear. Can you believe it? I was attacked in the Duchess of Sutherland’s library by some ancient lecher who could hardly stand without the aid of a stick. I won’t name names, but my admirer was stone-deaf, which must account for it. Hugo had to rescue me. You should have seen his face…”

Her amusement was infectious and both girls dissolved into peals of glee.

Chapter Four

Her cousin’s visit had cheered India beyond measure. She respected Hester’s judgement and her good sense. It had been pleasant to find that her forthright relative had not reproached her for her decision to wed Lord Isham. She had even expressed her admiration for his lordship’s character.

It was strange indeed to find that others thought so highly of him. India wished that she could do the same, but always, at the back of her mind, lay the notion that, however indirectly, he had been the cause of her father’s death. That she could not forgive.