A Suitable Bride Read online

She turned her back on him and presented her bent leg and was thrown up with more vigour than was strictly necessary. ‘Thank you for your assistance, my lord. Do you wish me to lead the loose horse back or will you do it yourself?’

  ‘You take him, I’ve wasted enough time already and wish to catch up with the other gentlemen.’ He handed her the reins of the second animal, remounted and vanished without another word.

  Although she’d offered to lead the horse back she now realised it was going to be impossible as there wasn’t room on the path for the horses to be side by side. She wished now she’d not been so curmudgeonly, had thanked him for arriving so promptly – but now she was left with an insurmountable problem of her own making.

  She leaned across and tied the horse’s reins around his neck so he couldn’t tread on them. ‘Right, let’s hope you have the sense to follow me and don’t wander off.’

  Eventually she arrived at her destination but was somewhat surprised to find no anxious crowd, no grooms, awaiting her arrival. Now there was room she reached over and pulled the spare horse’s reins over his head so she could lead him into the yard.

  Peterson, her own groom, strolled round from the rear of the yard and stopped in surprise when he saw her – then hurried across the cobbles. ‘Did you take a tumble? Are you hurt? We thought you’d gone on with the gentlemen, miss, I didn’t expect you back for an hour or more. Why have you got an extra horse in tow?’

  Grace dismounted puzzled that word of the mishap hadn’t reached the grooms. She quickly explained what had happened, but omitted to repeat what had taken place between her and Lord Sheldon, and her groom was shocked.

  ‘Didn’t hear a word about it, miss, otherwise I’d have been out to look for you. You want me to send the boy to find your hat?’

  ‘Yes, if he has time. I’d better try and repair some of the damage before I venture into public view.’ She pulled off her leather gloves and quickly twisted her hair into some sort of shape, and then rammed the few remaining pins into it praying it would remain in place until she could get back to her chamber.

  As usual the passageway was quiet when she stepped through the side door. However, she could hear the murmur of voices coming from the main reception areas so decided to take the backstairs and hope she didn’t meet any servants coming down with full slop pails, or worse.

  Annie was pottering around in the dressing room when Grace arrived and was suitably dismayed at her mistress’s dishevelled appearance.

  ‘My word, miss, you’ve quite ruined your new habit and I doubt that I can repair it. It’s a good thing you’ve got a spare one with you.’

  ‘Has Miss Newcomb called in this morning?’

  ‘Yes, miss, she said to tell you she’ll see you when luncheon’s served at noon.’

  Freshly gowned in a delightful green sprigged muslin, her hair freshly arranged, Grace made her way to yet another dining room in which a cold collation had been laid out for the ladies.

  When she walked into the room she’d expected to be greeted with friendly smiles, nods and the occasional good wishes, but instead she was stared at with opprobrium. There were more than a dozen ladies present and all of them gave her the cut direct.

  She was tempted to run out, but something prompted her to stiffen her shoulders and ignore the disapproval. There could only be one reason for this – Lady Drusilla and her daughter had spread their falsehoods and blackened her name.

  ‘Grace, come away, you’ll do no good remaining here,’ Aunt Sarah whispered from beside her.

  ‘No, I’ll not be driven out. I’ve done nothing wrong and I’m as entitled to eat as anyone else. Are you going to join me?’ She half-expected her companion to refuse.

  ‘Of course I am, my dear, we can take our plates somewhere more convivial. There are tables set out on the terrace for anyone who wishes to eat al fresco.’

  The assembled ladies moved away as if they were in danger of contamination and muttered, in small, disapproving groups, in the far corners of the room. Whilst they piled their plates with an assortment of delicacies Grace explained what had actually transpired. Then they headed for the French doors at the far end of the room.

  ‘That was most unpleasant, my dear, I just hope Lord Sheldon puts matters straight before this evening. I’ve no wish to experience something of that nature again.’

  ‘They’re like sheep, they follow the leader and don’t think for themselves. I’m heartily sick of all this nonsense and cannot wait to leave. I don’t fit in with the ton – I’m not one of them and never will be.’

  Grace was enjoying her lunch when she saw the gentlemen returning from their ride. The three Sheldon brothers led the pack and the rest struggled along behind. ‘I think the duke’s horses are going to be excellent competition for Rufus. I don’t think there are any other animals in the same class.’

  ‘I doubt that the younger brothers will be so gentlemanly as to hand the prize over to you so let’s hope you beat them in the races. Look – there seems to be some activity over at the maze. Shall we go down and investigate when we’ve finished our repast?’

  ‘I seem to recall there’s to be a treasure hunt this afternoon and we must enter together. I expect that the young ladies will hope to entice a gentleman to accompany them, but we are made of sterner stuff than that and can accomplish so simple a task without the assistance of a man.’

  *

  Bennett dismounted and slapped his mount on the neck. ‘I hope you two intend to enter the treasure hunt which begins at two o’clock. It’s obligatory to ask one of the hopeful young ladies to join one’s team – do you have anyone in particular in mind, Aubrey, Perry?’

  ‘I thought I’d ask your Miss DuPont, old chap, she is a damn sight more interesting than any of the other young ladies our sister invited.’

  ‘That reminds me, I’d better make sure the true story of the fall is circulated or things might be rather unpleasant for Miss DuPont.’ He saw his brothers exchange a knowing look and glared at them. ‘I’ve told you, I’ve no interest in that young lady and she has even less in me. She certainly didn’t come here in the hope of becoming my wife, I think she’s got some other scheme in mind.’

  He had their full attention and had no alternative but to expound his theory. ‘It seems there’s a DuPont Stud, a couple of the gentlemen here have heard good things of it. It’s an unusual name so that has to be the same family. Miss DuPont has come to attract new customers for their business venture.’

  They looked at him as if he was speaking in tongues. ‘That’s fustian, brother. Where did you come up with a half-baked notion like that?’ Perry said.

  ‘Running a stud is a man’s business – I hardly think a gently born young lady would be involved. No, Bennett, she’s here for the same reason as all the rest – she’s hoping to snag herself an aristocratic husband. Possibly not yourself, but there are several other suitable candidates she might have her eye on.’ Aubrey wandered off with his twin and Bennett could hear them laughing at his expense.

  He’d sent his brother’s man of business away to make more extensive enquiries about the DuPont family. Her faults, and they were too numerous to catalogue, should outweigh her advantages but for some obscure reason not one of the other far more suitable young ladies appealed to him as much as Grace did.

  His lips twitched. Already he thought of her by her given name and he didn’t even know the names of most of the young ladies present. He was almost certain he’d seen her eating her lunch with her companion on the terrace if he hurried he could change and be back in time to ask her to be his partner in the treasure hunt.

  He didn’t, of course, want to escort her for a romantic reason, but merely to discover on what pretext she was here. On his way back from his apartment he bumped into Beau.

  ‘What is it about that young lady of yours, Bennett, that puts the cat among the pigeons so readily? The house is humming with her latest exploit and she doesn’t come out of it well.’

  Once
he’d explained the facts his brother patted him on the shoulder. ‘We know nothing about this girl, don’t do anything that would put you under an obligation to offer for her until Carstairs returns.’

  ‘Devil take it, Beau, I don’t even like the chit and she certainly doesn’t like me. I can assure you that even if I was stupid enough to make an offer, she wouldn’t accept.’

  ‘As head of the family it behoves me to remind you to be vigilant. I think you’re correct in your opinion about Miss DuPont, but there are several other scheming minxes here who wouldn’t hesitate to compromise you in order to get an offer. I’d prefer you to remain unmarried and our coffers unfilled rather than have you make an unwise choice.’

  ‘I intend to invite Miss DuPont and Miss Newcomb to join me in the treasure hunt. That way I’ll be safe from the machinations of the others.’

  ‘True enough, Bennett, but singling her out in this way might give the wrong impression to your guests and it’s far too soon for you to know if any of the other young ladies might make you a suitable bride.’

  ‘I assume that you won’t be joining in? Remember, I’m not the only eligible bachelor living under this roof. It’s possible that the majority of the young ladies here are secretly hoping to become a duchess rather than a lady.’

  His brother laughed. ‘I’ve no intention of becoming leg-shackled. There’s not a young lady in the country that wouldn’t bore me to death within a month of being wed. No, I’ll leave that tomfoolery to the rest of you. I thank the good Lord every day our parents had the good sense to produce a plethora of heirs and thus leave me free to remain a bachelor.’ He grinned. ‘My ladybird in Town provides me with all the entertainment I need.’

  ‘In which case, as your heir, I’d better get on with the task of finding myself a wife. I’ll bear your comments in mind, Beau, and make sure I’m not alone with any of our unmarried guests. However, as Miss DuPont is chaperoned I shall be safe with her.’

  As he rounded the corner the two ladies jumped to their feet and dashed away towards the maze. Unless he cared to shout, or run after them, they would have entered the treasure hunt without him. He had no intention of taking part with anyone else so he ducked back the way he’d come and made his way to the billiard room where he would be safe from predatory mamas and their daughters.

  Aubrey turned from his position at the window. ‘What have you done to offend those two ladies? When the companion spotted you and told Miss DuPont she was on her feet and off like a rabbit from a fox.’

  ‘The young lady in question has no more desire to further her acquaintance with me than I do with her.’ He unclenched his fists and forced his mouth into a resemblance of a smile. ‘I’ve no intention of joining in the treasure hunt so have come to play billiards.’

  He moved away from his brothers and pretended to be occupied in selecting a suitable cue. How dare the girl ran away from him and make him a figure of fun? He glanced around the assembled company and several of the gentlemen present smirked in his direction. This wouldn’t do – this wouldn’t do at all.

  The slender cue snapped in two and he hurled the broken pieces against the wall and strode off, ignoring the laughter behind him, and headed for the maze.

  *

  ‘I must warn you, my dear, that Lord Sheldon is coming this way with a determined look on his face.’

  Grace was on her feet and heading for the maze before Aunt Sarah had finished her sentence. She wished to participate in all the events with just the two of them – and if she did change her mind it wouldn’t be to team up with this particular gentleman.

  ‘Wait for me, Grace, it’s most unseemly to go everywhere in such a rush.’

  ‘I apologise, I’m behaving like a schoolroom miss.’ She slowed her pace and linked her arm with her companion’s. ‘I’m sure that his lordship had no intention of inviting me to partner him in the treasure hunt. I cannot think what possessed me to dash off like this.’

  Aunt Sarah patted her hand. ‘He’s gone now, so you can relax. I think we might be the first to arrive. I wonder how this will be organised as we might well have solved the puzzles before anyone else has even started.’

  ‘I would think that we probably just collect the clues and take them with us when we’ve completed the hunt and the time we’ve taken will be noted.’

  They both signed in the book and were handed the first clue. This merely required them to reach the centre of the maze where they would find the next one.

  ‘This is a magnificent maze, Aunt Sarah, the hedges must be over two yards tall.’ She led the way towards the dark interior hoping that the time she’d taken to study the maze from an upstairs window would be sufficient to lead her to the centre without difficulty.

  ‘I think we should have taken the flag with us, Grace, I don’t like the thought of being lost in here.’

  ‘Yes, that’s quite true but it would also mean we were eliminated from the contest before we’ve even started. There’s a prize of a guinea for the winner and I’m determined to have it.’

  She was about to move forward when her companion grasped her hand. ‘My dear, I apologise, but I cannot go in here. It’s making me feel quite ill. You must continue on your own and I’ll rejoin you when you’ve emerged. I can make my way surreptitiously around the outside and no one will know I’m not with you.’

  ‘The footmen with the book have their backs to us, if you go now you won’t be seen.’ She must complete this task on her own and hope she didn’t lose her way.

  She closed her eyes and visualised the centre of the maze and the way the hedges had been laid out to confuse those within its walls. If she remembered rightly she must take the first path, and then turn right and right again and then straight ahead before turning left. This should lead her directly to the centre in no time at all.

  Chapter Twelve

  Bennett had no intention of playing fairly. Members of the family knew about a secret route to the centre of the maze. This didn’t require going past the footmen as the entry was at the far side, and invisible to anyone who didn’t know it was there.

  There was plenty of time as it would take the girl at least half an hour to find her way to the centre where he would be waiting. He wasn’t sure exactly what he was going to do when he confronted her, but he was damn sure she wasn’t going to make a fool of him again.

  He ignored the basket of clues placed neatly on the stone obelisk upon which the directions for escaping were carved. He sat on the moss-covered marble bench, crossed his legs at the ankle, then threw his arms over the back of the seat in order to give the impression that he was relaxed – when the very opposite was true.

  The sun was warm on his face and he closed his eyes letting his mind drift. Despite his anger the warmth and peace of the maze worked its magic and the tension left his limbs. What was it about this girl that ruffled his normal calm persona? He couldn’t remember the last time he’d lost his temper and was rarely even mildly irritated since he returned from his soldiering. And yet in the space of two days he’d been snapping and snarling at the slightest thing.

  The only explanation he could think of was that his decision to marry for expediency was unsettling him. Perhaps his altruistic offer to save the family through sacrificing himself in parson’s mousetrap had been a grave error of judgement.

  ‘Excuse me, Lord Sheldon, are you quite well? Do you wish me to send for assistance?’

  This concerned enquiry jerked him from his reverie and he almost catapulted from the bench. How the devil had she arrived so quickly?

  ‘You startled me, Miss DuPont.’ He gathered his wits and scrambled to his feet.

  Her smile diffused his irritation. ‘Obviously, my lord, and I beg your pardon for doing so. However, I’m mystified as to how you’re here before me. Is there a secret entrance somewhere?’

  ‘There is indeed, and I intended to surprise you – not the other way round.’ He reached out and removed one of the clues from the basket and handed it over
to her. ‘This is what you’ve come for; I’d better leave you to continue your hunt.’

  She read the clue and waved the paper in excitement. ‘We must go to the clock tower. I’ve not seen one, so must rely on you to take me. I’m quite determined to win this challenge and now you’re here you might as well assist me.’

  He flipped the paper from her fingers and perused it. ‘Two hands aloft – well deduced, it took me a moment to work it out.’

  She was already halfway down the path that led to the exit. ‘Come along, sir, there’s not a minute to waste.’

  He ran to catch up with her – he seemed to be doing a lot of that lately. ‘Miss DuPont, where’s your companion? I can’t possibly accompany you unchaperoned.’

  ‘Fiddlesticks to that! I gave you my word I’m not here to seek a husband – even one as toplofty as yourself. Miss Newcomb is waiting for me at the exit so, unless you intend to inform your cronies that we were alone in here, no one will be any the wiser.’ She pursed her lips and stared at him. ‘And anyway, it’s rather too late for you to be complaining about decorum, my lord, as it was you who accosted me and not the other way round. What exactly were your intentions?’

  His neckcloth became unaccountably tight and he ran his finger around it. He was hoist by his own petard and could think of no way to wriggle out of this awkward situation without looking ridiculous. He shrugged and smiled. ‘I’d better own up to my misdeeds. You were seen running away from me and this caused considerable hilarity in the billiard room at my expense. I decided I would wait for you and...and I’ve no idea what I intended to do.’

  Her delighted burst of laughter was totally unexpected. ‘If you hadn’t fallen asleep and had hidden behind the bench you could have jumped out at me – that would have sent me into hysterics. However, I apologise for causing you embarrassment and promise to do better in future.’

  They emerged from the exit together and the look of astonishment on Miss Newcomb’s face when she saw them made up for the earlier missed opportunity.