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‘No, no, gentlemen,’ Caroline said and laughed, her eyes dancing with mischief. ‘I have promised no one, but I shall yield to the gentleman who can quote Richard Lovelace to me—accurately, mind.’ She looked at them expectantly.
There was stunned silence for a moment, their faces falling as they struggled to bring a word to mind; though most had subscribed to books of more modern authors, they were unable to remember the lines of the seventeenth-century poet.
‘Stone walls do not a prison make,
Nor iron bars a cage;
Minds innocent and quiet take
That for an hermitage;
I’ll have freedom in my love,
And so in my soul am free;
Angels alone, that soar above,
Enjoy such liberty.’
‘Oh, well done, sir!’ Caroline clapped and turned as the deep voice finished his quotation. ‘That was excellent…’ Finding herself having to look up at the newcomer, she discovered that he was the most devastatingly handsome man she had yet met. His hair was the colour of a raven’s wing, almost blue-black where the light from the chandeliers touched it, his eyes very dark, just now mocking her, his mouth strangely enticing as it curved in a smile that made her heart jerk and then race on at frightening speed.
‘Good evening, Miss Holbrook,’ Freddie Rathbone said and offered her his arm, a glint in his eyes as a murmur of protest came from the other gentlemen when she took it. ‘The honour is mine, I think. Better luck next time—George, gentlemen.’ He inclined his head to them, his mannera nice blend of mockery and arrogance, as if he had claimed the prize by right.
Caroline laid her hand on his arm. She was laughing inside, though she did her best not to show it. ‘I do not believe we have been introduced, sir?’
‘Sir Frederick Rathbone at your service,’ he said and smiled at her. ‘I came late and was reliably informed that your card was full—young Asbury supplied the details. You must be aware that you have made a hit with that gentleman, and a few others, I dare say.’
‘They have been amazingly kind,’ Caroline said, a faint blush in her cheeks. She did not often blush, but there was something about this man’s gaze that made her a little uncomfortable. He seemed to demand her thoughts, and she was not sure that she wished to share them with him. There was something about him that seemed to challenge her. To accept that challenge might prove dangerous.
‘Come, now, no false modesty,’ Freddie said, his eyes seeming to dare her to respond in a way that was not at all fitting. ‘You must know that you are a sensation. I might almost say you are the belle of the evening, perhaps of the Season, though it is early days yet, I think.’
‘This is my first ball,’ Caroline said, her enthusiasm bubbling over. ‘I have been lucky enough not to sit down for one dance as yet, but I do not think I am the only lady to have been popular this evening.’
‘True enough, but people are talking about you. Everyone wishes to know where you came from—perhaps you were wafted here from some distant paradise? You are a siren come up from the depths of the sea to weave your spell over us poor mortals…’
‘You mock me, sir,’ Caroline reproved. She was a little uneasy—there was something about him, a glint in his eyes that told her he might be dangerous if she were to like him too much. And yet despite that she was drawn to him, much like a moth to an open flame. She tilted her head, deliberately challenging him. ‘If we are to speak of looks, I dare say yours have won you more than your fair share of attention from the ladies? And if you should be wealthy, of which I have no idea, I am sure you are much sought after—unless you are already married, of course?’
‘Oh, rich as Croesus,’ Freddie said and grinned at her. Her bold manner was immediately attractive to a man of his humour, intriguing him. He wondered how she would respond to his teasing. ‘And not married—a fact that some find irresponsible, for it must be the first object of a gentleman to marry, must it not?’
‘Must it?’ Caroline said, wrinkling her brow. He was clearly mocking her. She threw him a daring look, a flicker of defiance in her eyes. ‘I do not see it. Much better to remain unwed unless it is for the further happiness of both partners—do you not think so? It would be tedious to marry just for the sake of it, I imagine.’
‘Absolutely,’ Freddie said, much amused. He had not met such frankness in a young lady of her class before and found it refreshing. ‘Unfortunately, the match-making mamas of too many young ladies do not see it from your point of view. Now, what shall we have of this fine supper provided for us, Miss Holbrook? Please do not say you are not hungry. Surely you must fancy some of that delicious ham—or the chicken? Perhaps with a few green peas?’
‘I would prefer one of those savoury pastries, and a syllabub,’ Caroline said. ‘But you must certainly have some of that beef, sir. It is rare and I know gentlemen like their beef that way—at least Nicolas does and so did my papa, although my other brother, Tom, likes the first slice from the cut.’
‘Your father is dead, Miss Holbrook?’
‘These two years past,’ Caroline said and sighed. ‘I miss him sorely, sir, but, truthfully, I miss my brother more. Tom has taken on the estate, of course, but Nicolas has gone to become a soldier. I just wish that I might have gone with him. I think it must be a fine thing to wear a handsome uniform and march to the sound of the drums.’
‘Do you, indeed?’ Freddie hid his smile at her naivety. ‘I have had my share of it, Miss Holbrook. I can assure you that it is not all drums and flying colours.’
‘Were you with Wellington when Napoleon was defeated?’
‘No, I had resigned my commission, but I was with him at Salamanca.’
‘Truly? Did you resign because you were wounded?’
‘I was wounded several times, but I resigned because my father died and I had commitments at home.’
‘Ah, yes, you are the elder son, I assume. I think poor Tom wishes that he were Nicolas at times. He has all the burden of the estate, while Nicolas may do much as he pleases.’
‘Within reason, I dare say, but he will have to make his fortune—or marry into one. I dare say he has not much fortune of his own?’
‘Oh, no,’ Caroline said candidly, unaware that she was being quizzed for information. ‘None of us has. Poor Papa was not a good manager, you see.’
‘Ah…’ Having gained all the information that Asbury had not been able to give him earlier, Freddie was satisfied. The girl clearly needed to marry well, which in her case should not be difficult, even without a fortune. She was undoubtedly beautiful and her easy manner had made her a favourite with the gentlemen. He found her amusing company himself, but could not help wondering if there were some artifice behind her easy manner. It would be interesting to discover more about her. ‘Now, we must eat, Miss Holbrook. Please seat yourself, and I shall arrange for our supper.’
Caroline saw that a table by the window was still free, and she went to sit there. Before Sir Frederick could bring her her supper, Mr Bellingham came and sat down, supplying a third chair for himself.
‘Freddie looking after you?’ he asked. ‘Decent chap, but rather stole my thunder. I was recalling what I know of Lovelace when he jumped in. I dare say he won’t mind my joining you. We are close friends, you see.’
‘I set the question, thinking that you might answer it,’ Caroline said truthfully. ‘I particularly like his letter to Lucasta—do you know it?’
‘“Tell me not, Sweet, I am unkind…”’ George quoted, raising an eyebrow. ‘Is that the one?’
‘Oh, yes, written to Lucasta when he was about to go to war. I find that period so romantic, do you not agree? I have a book at home, which tells the story of a lady defending her home in her husband’s absence. It was a brave age, less polite than today, I imagine.’
‘Yes, indeed,’ George Bellingham agreed and smiled.
‘George,’ a voice said from behind him. ‘What is this, my dear fellow—stealing a march on me?’ Freddie waved the servant forwards who had brought various plates of the delicious food on offer. The servant deposited them and bowed, leaving the company to serve themselves. ‘Please do join us…feel free to eat whatever you wish, but not the syllabub.’
‘Very well, I shall,’ George said, impervious to the sarcasm in his friend’s voice. ‘Miss Holbrook and I were discussing Lovelace—and the Civil War, a brave age.’
‘Really?’ Freddie said drily. ‘With the whole country in arms and most of the aristocracy ruined for years?’
‘Oh, you have no soul,’ Caroline said, throwing him a challenging look. Her eyes were bright with mischief, making both men aware of her wayward spirit. ‘The men were so gallant, and the ladies very different from the ladies of today, would you not say?’
‘In what way?’ Freddie asked, a gleam in his eye as he realised that his friend had been quoting her views, not his own. It seemed that this young lady was not afraid to voice her opinions.
‘Oh, we are hedged about with convention,’ Caroline said. ‘I think it was easier to speak one’s mind then than now.’
‘Indeed?’ Freddie was hard put to it not to answer in kind, for she was speaking quite freely. ‘What would you like to say that you dare not, Miss Holbrook? Please do not hold back, for you are amongst friends. Neither George nor I will censure you.’
‘Oh…’ She looked into his eyes and saw the mockery. ‘Have I been speaking too freely? My aunt forbade it, but I have been used to speaking as I find with my brothers. Forgive me.’ A faint blush touched her cheeks.
‘No, indeed, you have not. I find your frankness refreshing,’ George assured her hastily. ‘Do not let anyone tell you that you should be otherwise, Miss Holbrook.’
‘Yes, well, perhaps I should not be quite so open,’ she said, belatedly realising that her aunt might be right in some instances. ‘Do you go to Almack’s this week, sir? I believe I am to be given vouchers.’
‘Then I shall certainly be there,’ George said and shot a look of triumph at his friend. ‘But I believe Freddie has other engagements?’
‘Yes, I fear I have,’ Freddie said and gave his friend a look that spoke volumes. The challenge was fairly joined and both men were enjoying themselves. ‘But I shall be at Lady Broughton’s rout—do you attend?’
‘Yes, I believe so,’ Caroline said. ‘Indeed, we have so many cards that I am not sure how we shall manage to attend a half of the affairs we have been invited to.’
‘You will no doubt simply make an appearance at some and then go on as many of us do,’ Freddie said. ‘But I shall engage to dance with you at least twice at the rout, Miss Holbrook. Please mark your card for me as you will.’
‘Thank you, sir…’ She looked at Mr Bellingham, for she sensed a friendly rivalry between the two and was amused by it. ‘And for you, sir?’
‘I believe two would be suitable,’ he said, ‘and I should like to take you driving in the park—perhaps tomorrow afternoon, if you have no prior engagements?’
‘I know we are engaged for the evening, but I think there is nothing as yet for the afternoon. I shall be delighted to drive out with you, sir.’
‘I shall look forward to it,’ George assured her and glanced at Freddie. Their habitual rivalry was good-natured, but often quite fierce, and their friendship was all the stronger for the occasional clash of temperament.
Freddie was eating his supper. He made no comment, apparently leaving the field for the moment, though George did not doubt that he would re-enter when he chose.
Caroline looked up and saw her aunt bearing down on them. ‘Gentlemen, I think my aunt may need me.’
The gentlemen got to their feet as Lady Taunton descended on them, but she smiled and indicated that they should sit. ‘Please continue with your supper, gentlemen. I came only to see if my niece wanted to accompany me to the rest room?’
‘Thank you, Aunt.’ Caroline rose obediently, for she knew when she was being told to do something, however charmingly it was put. ‘Excuse me, Mr Bellingham—Sir Frederick. I shall hope to see you at the rout we spoke of.’
She followed Lady Taunton from the room and up the stairs to the bedrooms that had been set aside for the comfort of the ladies, waiting for the tirade to begin. However, when they were alone, her aunt smiled at her.
‘You have done well, Caroline. Mr Bellingham is a wealthy gentleman, though some think him a confirmed bachelor—but of course Sir Frederick is one of the catches of the Season. He has been for years, of course, but so far has shown no inclination for matrimony. If you were to receive an offer from either of those gentlemen it would be highly satisfactory, though Sir Frederick is the better catch of the two. He is his uncle’s heir, you know—and will be the Marquis of Southmoor one day.’
‘I am sure that they were just being gallant,’ Caroline replied. ‘They wanted to pass the time pleasantly.’
‘I am not quite so certain,’ her aunt replied, looking thoughtful. ‘Rathbone’s godmother is a friend of mine. I do not think you have met her—Lady Stroud?’ Caroline shook her head. ‘No, I thought not. She told me that he has been attending more of these affairs recently, something he hardly ever does. I imagine that must mean he has set his mind to taking a bride. You have clearly caught his eye. It might be to your advantage to make a push, Caroline.’
‘We share an interest in certain poets,’ Caroline told her, ‘but I dare say that is all we have in common. Besides, there were many others who asked me to dance, and to take supper, Aunt.’ Her aunt’s untimely interference was irritating, for she had only just met the gentlemen in question.
‘Yes, of course. You must not show neglect in your manner to any gentlemen who take an interest in you, my dear—but bear it in mind that Rathbone is a good catch.’
Caroline did not answer. Her aunt’s words had the opposite effect of the one she had surely hoped for. If anything were calculated to set Caroline against someone, it was being pushed in his direction.
Freddie looked across the card table and sighed inwardly. He had been holding the winning hand for the past few minutes, but was reluctant to declare it. He would have preferred not to play Farringdon, but had been unable to refuse the challenge, having won from him only a few nights previously. He was aware that the fool was playing out of his depth, and could probably not afford to pay a half of the notes he had so carelessly thrown on the table. He toyed with the idea of throwing his hand, but that was against all the rules of play. Farringdon must learn not to gamble beyond his means.
He took a card from the pack; it was the one card that could improve his hand, which was now virtually unbeatable. He discarded and then laid his cards on the table. A groan broke from two of the other players; they complained of his incredible luck, but did so with a smile and a careless shrug, for both were well able to pay what was owed. Freddie looked at Farringdon’s white face as he sat staring at the cards in disbelief.
The other gentlemen got up and left the table almost immediately, in search of wine or food, but Farringdon sat on, almost as though he were frozen to the spot.
‘It will take me some time to raise the cash,’ he said in a flat voice, the seriousness of his situation showing only by a slight nerve flicking at his right temple.
‘Yes, of course,’ Freddie said, gathering up the various gold coins and notes that had been tossed on to the table. ‘Unless you would wish to toss for double or quits?’
‘No, no, I think not,’ Farringdon said with an attempt to seem casual. ‘It is a temporary thing, Rathbone. I should be able to settle in a few weeks.’
‘Yes, of course. There is no hurry, none whatsoever. You may take as much time as you please, sir. Will you drink a nightcap with me? It is my intention to walk home.’
‘Thank you, no,’ Farringdon said and got up. He left the table and walked from the gaming club without looking from left to right, his face set in a frozen expression that gave no indication of his state of mind.
‘Have you won again?’ George Bellingham wandered over to Freddie as he sat on for a moment in contemplation. ‘Farringdon looked desperate. I heard a rumour that unless he finds some way to come about he may be forced to sell his estate.’
‘The damned fool should have cut his losses earlier,’ Freddie said with a frown of displeasure. ‘I have no desire to ruin any man, George, and if he comes to me with the truth, I shall return his notes to him. However, he must retire from the tables. He should take a bolt to the country and stay there until he has the funds in his pocket. The rule is that if you can’t pay do not play.’
‘A gaming debt is a debt of honour,’ George agreed immediately. ‘Why do you not put the poor fellow out of his misery, Freddie? Send the notes back to him if you mean to do it.’
‘He needs a lesson,’ Freddie said. ‘Had he lost to Markham or Lazenby, they would have demanded payment within the month. If I give him his notes, he may be tempted to play again with someone less lenient than I.’
‘Well, yes, there is that to it,’ George said. ‘But he will hate you if you show him leniency—it will damage his pride.’
‘Then he must hate me,’ Freddie said. ‘The man is not ruined yet—not while I do not press my claim. No, no, Farringdon must come to me, and then we may settle this thing like gentlemen.’
‘Well, I dare say you are right, though you may make an enemy,’ George said, and then grinned at his friend. ‘Tell me, what did you think of her?’
‘I am not certain what you mean?’ Freddie said with a lift of his mobile brows, though he was perfectly aware of George’s meaning. Caroline Holbrook had made her mark with him, even if he was not prepared to admit it. There was something very appealing about her, which had drawn him to her despite her youth.
‘Miss Holbrook, of course,’ George said. ‘Do you not think she is everything we spoke of the other day, Freddie? She has beauty, a liveliness of spirit that one cannot but admire, and when she smiles the room seems to light up. Enchanting would not be too strong a word.’
‘Ah, I see you have been smitten. When am I to wish you happy, my dear fellow?’ Freddie raised his brows
‘Oh, as to that…I am set in my ways, you know. I am not certain that I should be comfortable married to any lady…but I must admit that, if I were tempted to change my ways, I might ask Miss Holbrook if she would do me the honour. Not that I expect she would accept me. I am too old for her—and she may take her pick of a dozen or more gentlemen, I dare say.’
‘All this on the strength of one ball?’ Freddie looked incredulous. ‘She is not quite in the usual style for one so young, I give you that, George—but you have met lively young ladies before.’ He refused to allow that Miss Holbrook was anything out of the ordinary, even though she had unaccountably lingered in his thoughts these past few days. He had not yet decided if that ingenuous manner was genuine or whether it hid something rather less pleasant. The girl had been frank about her lack of fortune—but was she a fortune hunter herself? For the moment he was inclined to stand back and watch as others fluttered about the flame.
‘Yes, of course,’ George said. ‘I am not sure what it is, Freddie—but does she not strike you as being remarkable?’
‘She has an amusing turn of phrase,’ Freddie conceded. ‘But is that artlessness real or assumed? I am reserving judgement for the moment. You will not see me at Almack’s just yet, George.’
‘I shall certainly attend,’ George said. ‘Sally Jersey has been giving me hints for ages. She thinks I should bestir myself to find a wife before I sink into the murky waters of old age.’
‘Good grief,’ Freddie said, revolted. ‘You are in your prime, George. But if you fancy the little Holbrook filly, I shall not stand in your way—though I warn you she has scant fortune.’ Now why had he added that piece of information? It could make no difference to George, who had fortune enough not to need a rich wife.
‘Where did you hear that?’
‘She told me herself.’
‘Well, you may be right, though…’ George shook his head. ‘It matters not a jot either way. I am not on the catch for a fortune. I may not have your luck at the tables, but I am not done up yet.’
‘I never imagined you were, my dear fellow,’ Freddie said, amused as much by his own feeling of pique as George’s enthusiasm. ‘Do you care to walk with me?’
‘I have my carriage,’ George said. ‘Let me take you up, Freddie. It has started to rain.’
‘Has it? I had not noticed,’ Freddie said. ‘Very well, then. I had thought to stretch my legs, blow the cobwebs away, but I do not care for a soaking.’
The two men smiled at each other, in perfect accord as always as they went out of the club and into the waiting carriage. Neither of them noticed the shadowy figure watching as they were driven away.
