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Amanda smiled up at him, for he was tall and she barely reached his shoulder. ‘As we are to meet you, sir. We have been in town for a month now, you know, and Papa took the house for six weeks, so I fear we shall have to leave at the end of that period.’
‘Not at all,’ he said. ‘This house is far too large for the two of us. You must stay with us after the lease of your present house has expired. Mama must not be deprived of your company too soon.’
‘Nathan, my love. You may command me, but you must not marshal our guests into manoeuvres of your making.’
‘I fear Mama thinks me domineering, but indeed I am apt to see the easy route from difficult situations. Do you not think it is always best to cut to the chase, Miss Hamilton? People make heavy weather of things when if you simply ride straight at the obstacle you may clear it with ease.’
‘You are a hunting man, sir,’ Amanda replied with a teasing look. His manner was easy and since it was impossible to feel shy or reserved with a man who was so direct, she began to let down her guard a little. Clearly this gentleman scorned the polite conventions and meaningless compliments so loved by polite society. ‘I see no reason to scold you, for if it were possible I am certain Mama would wish to stay with the countess...but I know that Papa cannot extend his stay.’
‘Then I dare say Lord Hamilton is generous enough to allow us the pleasure of your company for another week or two, if I promise to see you safely home.’
‘I believe he would,’ Mama said, looking pleased. ‘I should certainly enjoy being here with Susanna as my hostess, sir. I thank you for the invitation—and it will give Amanda another two weeks in town.’
Mama was hopeful that two further weeks would give her daughter a chance to receive a proposal she could accept and the thought brought a flush to her cheeks. She saw the countess and her mama exchange knowing glances and felt hot of a sudden; they were plotting something together, she was sure of it. Mama must have told her that she had not yet received an acceptable offer.
They stayed to take some refreshment at the countess’s invitation and Lord Armstrong stayed with them for another twenty minutes, before excusing himself on a matter of business.
‘Nathan is my stepson,’ the countess told Amanda after he had left them. ‘He was but a year old when I married his father and I am the only mother he has ever known. I gave my husband a daughter, who died in infancy, and another son. However, Charles is a delicate boy and remains in the country with his father. He is seven years old and a little naughty, but Nathan adores him, and spoils him as much as he spoils me. Had we not engaged a wonderful nurse to help dear old Nanny, we should never have left him for this trip to town.’
‘You are fortunate to have Lord Armstrong,’ Mama said. ‘He could not be more fond of you if you were indeed his mother.’
‘I am fortunate,’ Susanna replied with a little smile. ‘Nathan is a determined man, but kind and generous. His father has not been entirely well of later years and Nathan runs everything to do with the estate. Indeed, he has been so busy looking after us that he has had no time for his own affairs. His father wishes him to marry, but he shows no sign of being interested in any lady of his acquaintance.’
Amanda sensed an understanding between Mama and the countess, and saw a look of speculation in that lady’s eyes. Was she being considered as a bride for Lord Armstrong? Perhaps the countess was here to find him a bride, though she felt sure that he knew nothing of her scheming.
* * *
When it was time to leave, Amanda thanked the countess for her hospitality and the invitation to stay with her another week or so in town and was instructed to kiss her.
‘You are as lovely and charming as your mama told me,’ Susanna said and patted her hand. ‘I have oft wished my daughter had lived—and I should wish her to be just like you, my dear.’
Amanda thanked her and they were escorted to the door by the stately butler. Once in the carriage, Mama turned to look at her.
‘Well, that was a surprise. I have so wished that I might spend more time with Susanna, but it was never possible, though I visited her at her country house soon after her accident—but since then somehow it was never thought of, though we often write to one another.’
‘You have not spoken to me much of the countess, Mama.’
‘Have I not?’ Mama looked at her. ‘I dare say I did not think the subject would interest you. At that time I thought it unlikely we should meet often.’
‘I liked her—and Lord Armstrong. He is very direct, Mama.’
‘Yes, almost overbearing,’ Mama said thoughtfully. ‘But kind—so very considerate. Some gentlemen are like that... I believe his father was much the same. Now your papa has always been so easy-going...’
‘Papa is a darling,’ Amanda said. ‘I dare say Lord Armstrong has found it easier to organise everyone for their own good...since his mother and brother are delicate.’
‘His father, too, has been unwell for a couple of years. I imagine that Nathan has had to bear more than his fair share of responsibility for some years.’
‘I suppose that is why he has formed a habit of taking command.’
‘Yes, indeed. He is barely three years older than your brother, Amanda, and Robert is but twenty-one...but he seems older.’ Mama frowned. ‘I had thought...but I see it would not do...’
Amanda glanced at Mama’s profile. She looked disappointed, and Amanda guessed that she had been hoping her old friend’s son might appeal to her as a husband.
‘I do not dislike Lord Armstrong, Mama,’ Amanda said and saw her mother’s frown disappear. ‘At least he is not pompous or foolish—and I think him a man one might rely on in a crisis. However, it would be presumptuous to think he might look at me. There are so many pretty girls in London. Even if he admired me, I should soon fade from his mind once he saw Miss Langton.’
‘Susanna so wants him to marry a nice girl who will be content to live in the country with her and her family.’
‘Yes, Mama, I realised that you had hopes, both of you, but you must have seen that it is quite ridiculous. Why would a man who might have anyone he chose look at me?’
‘You may be a little plumper than I should like,’ Mama said, ‘but because you have been so much in Miss Langton’s company you have come to think yourself unattractive, but that is not so. Indeed, I thought you looked very pretty today and I know Susanna thought the same.’
Amanda pealed with laughter. ‘Oh, Mama, I do love you,’ she said. ‘I know you want the best for me—and I am sure that one day I shall receive an offer I can accept with equanimity, if not with ecstasy.’
‘Well, there is no hurry after all,’ Mama said and patted her gloved hand. ‘I suppose Susanna and I must give up our dream, but that does not mean we cannot enjoy our stay with her.’
Her mother was incorrigible! Amanda believed that Mama would go to any lengths to see her well suited.
‘No, of course not. I liked the countess very well,’ Amanda said. ‘But will Papa mind going home alone?’
‘Your papa never minds if something makes me happy,’ Mama said, a little smile curving her mouth. ‘If I were you, dearest, I should choose an amiable man as your husband when the time comes—for I think you have too much spirit to be dominated.’
Amanda smiled and nodded, but made no reply. She was relieved that Mama was not set on a match between her and her friend’s son, for she was certain such a plan was doomed to disappointment.
‘I do hope Miss Langton will have recovered from her chill tomorrow,’ she said. ‘I shall visit her in the morning to see how she goes on.’
* * *
Lady Langton was hesitant when Amanda called the next morning, but took her into a small sitting room and made a full confession.
‘We have given it out that Cynthia has a chill,’ she explained, ‘but the truth is much worse—she has contracted chicken pox and the rash has come out all over her this morning.’
‘Oh, that is awful for her,’ Amanda said. ‘She will miss the picnic tomorrow—and that will disappoint several people.’
‘Yes, I believe it will.’ Cynthia’s mother smiled complacently. ‘However, it cannot be helped. I shall be taking her down to the country as soon as she is able to travel—but she does not wish it to be generally known that she has chicken pox. I know I may rely on you to keep the true reason for her illness private.’
‘Yes, of course, ma’am. I should not dream of speaking of it. May I go up to see her?’
‘Are you not afraid of taking the infection?’
‘My brother brought it home when I was but six years old, ma’am. I am unlikely to catch it again.’
The marchioness nodded thoughtfully. ‘I think her too unwell today—but perhaps you will call after the picnic to tell her of it?’
‘Yes, certainly,’ Amanda said and took her leave.
She was walking home with her maid when she saw someone she knew coming towards her. Lieutenant Phipps was bearing a posy of flowers and, since they were but one street from Miss Langton’s house, Amanda guessed the tribute was for Cynthia.
‘Miss Hamilton,’ Phipps said and took his hat off to her. ‘Have you been to visit Miss Langton? How is she?’
‘Still quite unwell, I believe,’ Amanda replied. ‘I believe she will not be able to accompany us to the picnic tomorrow, sir.’
‘How unfortunate for her. I hope you will not let it spoil your pleasure in the outing?’
‘I had already invited Miss Field,’ Amanda said. ‘It would be a shame to disappoint her—and indeed, I am looking forward to it.’
‘Then I shall not cry off,’ Phipps said gallantly. ‘I fear Shearne will be a little put out, but he can hardly cancel the affair when so many have been invited.’
‘No, indeed. I am convinced that Miss Langton would not like to think that her friends had been disappointed simply because she could not attend,’ Amanda said. ‘Are you taking her that lovely posy? I should think it must cheer her up.’
‘It is but a poor tribute,’ Phipps said, looking conscious. ‘But I thought it right to visit and enquire how she goes on.’
‘Yes, I believe her mama must be pleased to see all Miss Langton’s friends make such a gesture.’ Amanda inclined her head. ‘We shall see you tomorrow then, sir?’
‘Of course. I shall call for you, as we had decided,’ he murmured. ‘I believe we shall have a pleasant day.’
Amanda agreed and they parted. She was thoughtful as she walked home, because although the lieutenant was always charmingly polite to her, she could not bring herself to believe that he had any intention of asking her to marry him. As yet she was not sure what he intended for Cynthia—he had not given her any indication that a proposal from him was imminent. Amanda knew that her friend had received any number of flattering offers, some from determined fortune-hunters, but some from very acceptable gentlemen.
‘I have not yet found the right person,’ Cynthia had confided to her once, but that had been before the Marquis of Shearne had joined her court. It must be frustrating for her friend to be forced to retire to the sickroom at such a moment.
Some people found Miss Langton proud and cold, but Amanda knew that she could be charming and considerate to people she liked—it was only that she had perhaps been reared to remember her position. Amanda herself had received nothing but kindness from Cynthia and her sympathy was all with her at this time.
Amanda felt for her, because it was unlikely that the marquis would dance attendance on her in the country and Lady Langton was determined to carry her off there as soon as she was well enough.
She could only call to see her friend as soon as she was well enough and hope that her admirers would not be put off should there be a few blemishes from the illness. Amanda had one or two small scars on her body, but she did not regard them; she’d been lucky that only one tiny one had marked her face at her right temple and hoped that Cynthia would be as fortunate. She was so beautiful that she would be distressed should the illness leave her scarred, especially on her face.
* * *
‘I have been so looking forward to this,’ Jane Field said when she arrived at Amanda’s house the following morning. ‘When I heard that Miss Langton had a chill I was afraid the picnic would be called off.’
‘Oh, no, I am certain it could not,’ Amanda soothed her. ‘Lieutenant Phipps assured me that it would go ahead—and the marquis could not disappoint so many people, of course.’
Amanda was certain she must be speaking the truth, but she could not know how close the expedition had been to being cancelled. Had Phipps not insisted that it must go ahead when he spoke to Shearne the previous evening, the ladies might indeed have found themselves disappointed. However, his offer to take over the arrangements if the marquis should feel it too much trouble reminded that gentleman of his social duties, and to all appearances he was the gracious host when the company assembled in the park later that morning.
Phipps had arrived punctually and driven them to meet up with Brock’s carriage, and that of the Misses Ramsden, cousins to the beautiful Miss Langton. Lord Johnston, having taken up Lady Hamilton, drove behind Phipps and Amanda, looking glum, for he had hoped to drive her himself.
However, once the party had assembled and the carriages were removed by servants, leaving the ladies and gentlemen to enjoy their picnic, he attached himself to Amanda’s side and would not yield to any other’s claims.
The gentlemen had decided on a spot close to the river, a pretty place close to a bend where the willows hung down to caress the water. While the ladies sat in the shade of a tree, some of the gentlemen indulged in an impromptu game of cricket.
A stray ball chancing to fly Amanda’s way, she shot up her hand and caught it, to cheers from the bowler who declared that Shearne was fairly caught and out. He glared in Amanda’s direction, for she was not officially playing.
‘Perhaps Miss Hamilton would care to take my place in the field since I have no aptitude for catching and she is clearly proficient.’
Amanda ignored the veiled sarcasm and got to her feet, declaring herself willing to take his place. She was used to such games, having played with her brother for years, and soon proved herself worthy, preventing the new batsman from running as often as he might have wished.
‘I say, Miss Hamilton...’ Major Brockley applauded her as she once again made a splendid catch and Phipps was also out ‘...you should play for our team at home.’
Laughing at the compliment, she shook her head and was ready to retire, but when she turned to look she saw that one of Cynthia’s cousins had come forward and was claiming that she was good with a bat. The gentleman handed it over to her and then proceeded to bowl a gentle underarm ball, which was contemptuously sent flying into the river and lost.
A few groans went up, because no one had thought to bring a replacement, and the game broke up.
‘It’s time we had our picnic.’ Lady Hamilton beckoned to them. ‘Come, gentlemen, the food is ready...’
Amanda rejoined the party of ladies under the sheltering tree, as did most of the gentlemen. It was only as she reached for a small pastry that Amanda realised that Jane Field was not with the other ladies. Looking round for her, she saw that the young girl had wandered some distance from the others—and, to her dismay, Jane was not alone.
The sight of Shearne standing so close to Jane sent shivers down Amanda’s spine. There was something so predatory about his manner that she feared Jane might be in danger—especially if they disappeared round the bend and were lost to sight.
She put down the pastry and was about to rise, when she saw that Major Brockley had also noticed. He looked straight at Amanda, inclined his head and set after the others instantly.
Phipps sat down next to Amanda, leaning towards her to speak softly so that only she might hear. ‘Do not be alarmed, Miss Hamilton. Brock will see that your friend comes to no harm.’
‘Thank you. Her mother entrusted her to our care...’
‘And she ought to be safe. I fear our host is a little put out because the lady he desired to please could not come today. Miss Field would not have received a second glance had Miss Langton graced our party.’
‘Miss Langton is quite unwell. Her mama thinks she may need to take her home in a few days.’
‘That would be a pity,’ Phipps said and raised the glass of cooled wine to his lips. ‘I dare say there will be several disappointed gentlemen when they hear that she has left town.’
‘Chills can be very draining...’
‘Yes, indeed. I am sure...’
‘I am sure Miss Langton will be pleased to receive visitors in the country when she is feeling better.’
‘I imagine so. Shall you visit her?’
‘Perhaps—though we intend to stay in town a week or so longer than we had planned. Mama’s friend, the Countess of Sandown, has invited us to join her for a few days. Papa will go home, but Lord Armstrong will escort us home if need be.’
‘Pray allow me to offer my services,’ Phipps said. ‘Your home is not so far distant from my own and I shall pay my father a visit in a few weeks. I could quite easily escort you there—and take you home when your visit is done.’
Amanda looked at him steadily, trying to understand what he was thinking. His attentions were more marked today—was she wrong? Was he in fact thinking of making her an offer after all and how would she answer him?
Her heart raced for a moment, then he directed his attention to Jane Field, who was walking back to them with Major Brockley by her side. There was for the moment no sign of the marquis.
‘I am so sorry,’ Jane said, looking flustered as she came up to them. ‘I hope I have not kept anyone waiting?’
‘The picnic is quite informal,’ Major Brockley said kindly. ‘No need for embarrassment, Miss Field.’
The company had taken little notice, interested only in the delicious food being served to them by the marquis’s servants, and only Amanda seemed to be aware of the flush in the shy girl’s cheeks or the fact that the marquis did not immediately come to join them.
* * *
When he did return he studiously refused to look at either Jane Field or Major Brockley, and soon after the food was devoured the company split up to stroll by the river. Jane stayed close to Amanda’s side and Major Brock accompanied them, though Phipps had joined some of the other ladies and gentlemen.
* * *
It was not until they were on the way home that Jane confessed that the marquis had been a little too ardent in his attentions for her liking.
