Nine

Nothing intervened to postpone the proposed expedition, and on the appointed day the party met early at an inn near Richmond Park, on the outskirts of the city. All the invitations had been accepted, and the group consisted of Gwendeline and Lillian, the Greene sisters, Mr. Gorham, the elder sister’s fiancé, Sir Randall Jacobs, and the earl and his brother. Lady Merryn and her friends sat comfortably in her barouche, ready to look on and gossip. Surveying the party, Gwendeline felt that they made a very creditable appearance. The Greene sisters both wore becoming pale blue habits, and though neither was more than passably pretty, this dress set off their fresh complexions, blue eyes, and brown hair. Lillian looked beautiful in a cherry-red riding dress topped by a rakish hat with curling ostrich feather. Gwendeline wore her dark blue habit, in which she always felt well-dressed and modish.

The gentlemen also looked well in buckskin breeches and gleaming top boots. Mr. Gorham’s Hessians had white tops and silver tassels that matched the large silver buttons of his green riding coat. Gwendeline thought him rather dandified and not very handsome. His light brown hair was thin and his eyes rather close together, but he was a cheerful, friendly young man. Sir Randall, a solid, muscular gentleman, looked much more at home in the saddle than Gwendeline had ever seen him look in a ballroom—her opinion of him rose. But her keenest glances were directed at Andrew St. Audley, to whom she had been introduced only that morning. The major resembled his brother in coloring with auburn hair and cool gray eyes. But he was an inch shorter and slightly stockier than the earl. From her short observation, Gwendeline thought him more relaxed and open than his brother. As they readied themselves for the ride, he stood chatting easily with Sophy and Adele Greene, making them laugh at his stories of mishaps that had overtaken him as he traveled to Russia.

By eleven, they were well under way, the riders in front and Lady Merryn’s carriage following. They took the road at first, then turned into a lane lined with high hedges. The day was fine, and the bright sun counteracted the effects of a sharp breeze from the north. As she rode beside Lillian, Gwendeline felt her spirits rise effervescently. “What a glorious day,” she said buoyantly. Lillian agreed, but she seemed subdued. They rode on in silence until Adele Greene joined them.

“Oh la,” bubbled Adele. “I’m so excited, I can hardly keep my seat. I must thank Lord Merryn once again for asking me. I could scarcely credit it, you know, when we received the invitation. The Earl of Merryn! Why, he’s the greatest catch in London. I can’t tell you how many girls have set their caps at him. So handsome!” Adele sighed dramatically. “And so rich!” she giggled, looking at the earl’s back as he rode ahead of them. “I was never so surprised in my life when I saw the card.”

Gwendeline found this speech both surprising and unpleasant. When she’d ridden with the sisters before, talk had been chiefly of Sophy’s approaching marriage.

“I’ll ride up and speak to him,” Adele continued. “Shall I? I hadn’t the faintest notion he even knew who I was, but I mean to take every advantage of the opportunity.” She smiled at them as she straightened her lace cravat. Spurring her horse, she rode up to join the earl and his brother in the first rank of riders.

Gwendeline looked at Lillian. “What happened to her?” she asked. “I’ve never seen her act so.”

Lillian smiled. “You’ve never seen a great deal of her.”

Gwendeline made a face. “Sophy is so sensible. I wonder how sisters came to be so different?”

“Perhaps Adele is jealous of the attention Sophy has received since her engagement,” Lillian suggested. “But many girls have lost their heads over Lord Merryn. They call him The Unattainable, you know.”

“Whatever that may mean.”

“It means that every eligible female in the ton has been thrown at his head for years, and he’s offered for none of them. That, along with his appearance and position, have given rise to that nickname.”

“It’s extremely silly,” said Gwendeline, annoyed. “And who would wish to marry anyone who behaves like that?” She watched Adele simper and smile.

“They haven’t all behaved so,” Lillian said. “Girls of all kinds have tried and failed to captivate him. That’s why there was such a furor in the ton when it first heard of you.”

“Me?” echoed Gwendeline, puzzled.

“Yes, when the earl brought you to his mother’s house, the gossips predicted that he’d made a choice at last.”

“Nonsense.” Gwendeline flushed. “He meant nothing of the kind.”

“And all acknowledge that now. The gossip has ceased; you needn’t worry.”

For some reason, Gwendeline didn’t feel unalloyed relief at this news.

“But Lord Merryn is a figure of fascination for many young ladies,” Lillian added. “Don’t be too hard on Adele.”

“The whole subject is ridiculous,” Gwendeline replied. “Come, let’s see if we can have our gallop now.” She spurred her horse, and Lillian followed. They found they were approaching a series of open fields and were soon flying across the countryside, the rest of the party in pursuit.

Gwendeline bent over Firefly’s neck, her hair and habit streaming in the wind. Her annoyance dissolved as she galloped across the open ground with Lillian beside her. The earl and his brother came up to them and passed, the other four remaining somewhat behind.

When they finally reined in, Gwendeline was out of breath. “Oh, I haven’t had such fun since I left Brooklands.” Her cheeks were glowing and her eyes sparkled.

“I’m glad,” said the earl, looking at her appreciatively.

“Indeed, this was a capital idea, Alex,” said his brother. “It’s wonderful to get out of the city for a while.”

“Isn’t it?” replied Gwendeline. “I miss the country so much. I used to ride like this every day.”

“We must see that you get the chance more often then,” said Major St. Audley, “if only because galloping becomes you so.”

Gwendeline blushed. “Thank you.” She turned to Lillian. “Isn’t it splendid?”

“Yes,” she answered. “Quite wonderful. It’s a fine day.” In spite of the gallop, she didn’t seem in her best spirits.

“It seems to do everyone good,” said the major. Lillian bowed but said nothing. “I’m pleased to find you well,” he continued. “I’ve been away from London so long, I thought to hear news of your marriage, or at least engagement, ’ere now.”

Lillian raised her eyes to his face, then hurriedly looked down again. “Oh no,” she replied quickly. “I have no plans…” She was interrupted, to the evident annoyance of the major, by the noisy approach of the other four riders.

They rode on through the morning, taking occasional gallops across the fields and chatting happily. The party worked its way gradually toward an inn where the earl had arranged for luncheon. Lady Merryn’s coach had proceeded directly there by the roads, and they found the countess comfortably settled under a spreading oak. The young ladies exclaimed over the crisp white cloths and vases of daisies and daffodils on each of the three tables.

One of the chambermaids took them upstairs and aided in brushing the dust from their habits and combing out tangled curls. Adele Greene was in raptures over the scene below. “Flowers and eating out of doors. It is quite pastoral. I declare I’ve never had such fun in my life! I shall try to sit at Lord Merryn’s table. He flirted with me quite outrageously this morning. Did you see?” Giving her skirts a hurried final shake, she went downstairs.

The others followed more slowly. “Adele is a bit overexcited,” said Sophy Greene as they descended. “She has been out very little, you know, and that chiefly with my mother.” Lillian and Gwendeline murmured polite rejoinders.

They found Lady Merryn and her friends already seated at one table. Adele was talking with the gentlemen as they waited. “Miss Gregory, if you would sit here,” said Lord Merryn. He handed her to a seat.

“And I shall sit here,” cried Adele before he could go on. She seated herself opposite Gwendeline.

The earl looked slightly vexed, but he said nothing. “Miss Everly and Miss Greene?” He handed them to seats at the remaining table. “And perhaps Mr. Gorham will join you? And…” He paused and looked at the others.

“And I,” said his brother, sitting down.

“Very good,” continued the earl. “I believe that leaves us at this table, Sir Randall.”

They were served with cold meat, bread and butter, and a wonderful selection of fresh fruits. There was also lemonade, tea, and ale for the gentlemen. For a while, relative silence reigned; everyone was hungry after the morning’s riding.

Even luncheon, however, did not quiet Adele, who kept up a ceaseless flow of chatter. Gwendeline became more and more annoyed. The earl appeared unmoved, and Sir Randall seemed to enjoy Adele’s remarks, even though they were chiefly addressed to Lord Merryn. When she had finished eating, Gwendeline could endure it no longer. She rose abruptly. “I shall take a stroll,” she said. The gentlemen stood. “I shan’t go far, please don’t trouble yourselves.”

“I’ll join you,” said Lord Merryn. He took her arm and led her away, out of the inn yard and down the lane.

“Well, I’m sorry I invited her,” Gwendeline said abruptly when they were out of earshot. “She was never like this before.”

The earl smiled, not pretending to misunderstand. “Miss Greene is very young,” he said. “One must make allowances.”

“She’s only a year younger than I,” answered Gwendeline. “And she says such awful things.”

“Awful?” asked the earl, surprised. “I should have said inane rather.”

She laughed a little and colored, not wanting to repeat Adele’s remarks about him. “Awfully inane,” she suggested. “But let’s not talk of her.”

“I hope you’re enjoying yourself otherwise.”

“Oh yes,” said Gwendeline. “I’ll be sorry to return to London.”

“I thought we might go back by a different route,” answered the earl. “Past the ruins of an old abbey. My mother is eager to see it.”

“Certainly, if you think it will please her,” she said. “I’m not excessively interested in ruins.”

Lord Merryn smiled down at her. “You’re interested in riding and nothing else, I believe.”

“That’s not true,” Gwendeline protested. “What a poor creature I should be if I cared only for riding. I’m interested in a great many things.”

“Tell me of them,” he urged her.

“I’m interested in my friends and in their concerns. I hope to see them happy and do what I can to make them so.”

“Yes, I believe you do.” He looked into her eyes for a moment. “What else?”

Gwendeline felt rather nervous; her interests suddenly seemed pitifully few. “I used to draw a good deal. At Brooklands.”

“So. An artist?”

“Not really. But I enjoy sketching and painting. Miss Brown always encouraged me.”

“You must show me some of your pictures,” the earl said.

“Oh, it is not… You would find that very dull, I’m sure.”

“I wouldn’t,” he replied. The look in his eyes made Gwendeline’s heart beat faster. “Nothing about you is the least bit dull, Gwendeline.”

To her intense frustration they were interrupted by a shout ahead of them. Turning, they saw Lillian and Major St. Audley walking at a little distance.

“We slipped away to join you,” said the major, looking over his shoulder in mock alarm. “Where can we conceal ourselves?” The two girls laughed at his hunted expression, and the earl smiled. “Laugh if you like,” the major went on, “but they’ll be after us momentarily. Miss Adele has clearly set her cap at you, Alex.”

“Don’t be silly, Andrew. Shall we walk back together?”

Lillian and the major fell in behind them. They seemed to have renewed their old acquaintance over luncheon and chatted easily of mutual friends and parties they’d both attended.

“You haven’t kept your promise, you know,” said Lord Merryn after a bit. “I’m disappointed in you.”

“What promise?” said Gwendeline.

“To take me to meet your Miss Brown. You’re not going back on your word?”

Gwendeline laughed. “No, indeed. We’ll go whenever you like.”

“Tuesday next,” he replied promptly.

“All right,” she agreed. “I’ll warn Brown that you’re coming.”

“Will she approve of me, do you think? I’ve developed quite a fear of her rigorous judgment.”

“We can only wait and see. You must be on your best behavior.”

“Naturally,” he answered, and they laughed together.

“There you are,” a voice broke in. “We thought you quite lost and were coming to find you.” Adele and the rest of the young people were approaching, and all returned together to find Lady Merryn and her friends readying themselves for departure.

“Alex,” called the countess when she saw them. “We must start back to town if we’re to be in time to change for dinner.”

The earl agreed and went to order their horses. He made no mention of the ruined abbey, Gwendeline noticed.

As they were preparing to mount, a post-chaise-and-four swept into the inn yard and jerked to a stop. “Fresh horses immediately,” called an imperious voice from within. “And some refreshment for the lady.” The voice sounded vaguely familiar to Gwendeline, but she was surprised when Mr. Blane leaped out of the chaise. For a moment, she had the unpleasant thought that he’d followed them and meant to join the party, but it was immediately clear that this was not the case. Mr. Blane was obviously astonished, and most displeased, to see them. He glared for a moment, then recollected himself and bowed. “I must see about a fresh team.” Blane gave the chaise one sharp glance and strode into the inn. His driver, a seedy-looking individual in a frieze overcoat, laughed harshly and spat.

Lord Merryn’s party was mounted by this time. The Greene sisters turned their horses toward the gate and were about to start off when the door of the chaise was flung open suddenly and a young girl jumped out. “Oh, help me, help me, please!” she cried, running to the nearest rider, Adele Greene. “Please help me get away from here.” The girl was dressed as a chambermaid and very pretty. Her black ringlets were disheveled and her face flushed. She looked very frightened.

“Abandoned creature,” replied Adele, pulling her skirt away from the girl’s clutching hands. “Let go of me.”

The girl began to sob and fell to her knees, still holding Adele’s skirt. Adele tugged at it. “Let go I said. You’ll tear it. Will someone please get this creature away from me?” She looked at the earl.

“Indeed I will,” cried Gwendeline, jumping from her horse. She ran to the weeping girl and knelt beside her. “Here. I will help you. Please don’t cry. It will be all right.” She patted the girl’s back, and her sobs diminished. “There,” said Gwendeline, when she stopped crying. “Now, tell me your name and what’s wrong.” The girl looked at her warily. “I will help you. I promise.”

The earl had dismounted by this time, leaving the others still frozen in surprise, though his brother was watching the inn door. “Yes, speak up. We’ll help you if we can.”

His voice seemed to frighten her further, but Gwendeline patted her hand, and this appeared to give her courage. “My…my name is Rosie Grimes. I’m in service with Lady Dorn. He…he…” She stopped and looked nervously toward the inn. “He took me away when I was going to buy some ribbon for my lady. Pulled me into that carriage, right in the street. I seen him once or twice at her ladyship’s, but I never spoke to him or nothing. I didn’t!” Her tears seemed about to start again. “I’m a good girl, miss. And he tried to kiss me and maul me about…”

“That will do,” interrupted the earl. “We understand. Gwendeline, you’d better go on ahead. I’ll handle this.”

“Yes indeed,” put in Adele above them. “Can you imagine? I feel quite faint.” She swayed in her saddle, but her face showed only avid curiosity.

“What will you do?” Gwendeline asked Lord Merryn. “We must help this poor girl.”

At this moment, Mr. Blane came out of the inn and, seeing them, strode over. “You little slut,” he hissed at Rosie. “What have you been saying?”

“She says that you kidnapped her,” retorted Gwendeline.

“Oh, that’s what she’s saying now, is it? She came willingly enough before she got her money.”

“It’s a lie,” cried Rosie. “I never took no money and wouldn’t. I’m a good girl, I am.” She began to cry again.

“Gwendeline, I really believe you should go,” said the earl. “I’ll see this taken care of. The girl will be all right.”

Gwendeline looked uncertain, but Rosie grabbed her hand. “Don’t leave me with them,” she said tearfully. “Gentlemen don’t care what happens to the likes of me.”

“I’ll help you,” Gwendeline promised. She looked around. “Only I don’t know just…” Her gaze lit on Lady Merryn’s carriage.

“Couldn’t Rosie ride back in your mother’s carriage?” she asked the earl. “We could take her back to Lady Dorn’s.” One of the ladies in the countess’s carriage objected shrilly and insisted they leave at once.

“Gwendeline,” Merryn began, but he was interrupted.

“A touching sight,” sneered Mr. Blane. “Like calls to like. Your mother was mistress to half of London; it’s no wonder you feel a bond with a slut like this.”

“Hold your tongue, damn you,” said Lord Merryn through his teeth.

“Of course, you come to her defense,” replied Blane. “You had her mother, as did I. And I suppose you mean to put her in Annabella’s place, milksop that she is.” He said no more because Lord Merryn knocked him down with one strategically placed blow. Adele began to scream. Major St. Audley dismounted and went to put his hand on his brother’s shoulder. The earl shook himself. “Yes, I’m all right,” he said.“Sir Randall, perhaps you could aid Miss Greene.” Sir Randall jumped like a man waking from a dream and hurried to comfort Adele. “Mr. Gorham,” the earl continued, “I would be much in your debt if you and Sir Randall would escort the ladies home. My brother I will detain, if I may.” With a jerk of his head he directed Andrew to the inn. Mr. Gorham bowed his agreement, his pale blue eyes bulging nervously.

“No!” said Lady Merryn and Gwendeline simultaneously.

“I wish to stay and help,” began Gwendeline.

“Alex, I shall take that poor creature to town,” said his mother.

“I shan’t have her in the carriage,” said one of Lady Merryn’s companions. “She can walk.”

“Nonsense, Helen, she’s exhausted,” snapped Lady Merryn. “And it’s my carriage.”

“She can ride with me,” said Gwendeline. “I am sure Firefly can carry us both.”

“Ladies, please,” the earl said. “Trust me to arrange things.”

His brother returned, and the two men exchanged nods. “We’ve hired a conveyance for Miss Grimes, and if you, Mother, are willing to accompany her, that will be all to the good. If the rest of you ladies will now return to London, all shall be made right. Allow me to help you mount, Miss Gregory.” Reluctantly, Gwendeline let herself be assisted into the saddle. She looked down at Lord Merryn, but the things she had heard moments ago kept her silent.

Lady Merryn stepped down from her carriage and took charge of Rosie. The rest of the ladies started back to London under the escort of Mr. Gorham and Sir Randall. Gwendeline rode next to Lillian. Looking back, she saw Lord Merryn standing over Mr. Blane. She heard the latter’s hideous accusations again and felt her world tumbling about her ears.

Back in the inn yard, the earl handed his mother and Rosie into the inn’s vehicle as Mr. Blane was reviving. It drove off as he rose to his feet, looking murderous. “This isn’t the first time you’ve crossed me,” Blane hissed. “First Annabella, now this stupid servant girl. I should kill you, Merryn.”

“You’re welcome to try.”

“Here, with your brother behind you to finish me?” jeered Blane. Major St. Audley clenched his fists but remained silent. “I’m not so stupid. Or perhaps you think I’ll call you out?” A sneer made his dark face ugly. “Forcing you to flee the country isn’t worth dying for. But I’ll repay you. Perhaps with our pretty Gwendeline, eh? She’s not quite the innocent she seems, I wager. Not with the mother she had. I daresay you have plans for her.”

A vein stood out on Merryn’s forehead. Otherwise, there was no visible reaction to these words.

“And I’ve already put a spoke in those plans,” Blane added with an ugly laugh. “She’ll not likely follow her mother of her own will.”

“I have only this to say to you,” replied the earl evenly. “Stay away from me and my friends, for the next time you annoy any of them, I’ll see that you pay.” He turned on his heel and went to his horse. The major followed, keeping one eye on Blane as he went. They mounted and rode off, leaving Mr. Blane standing in the inn yard, a bruise forming on his jaw. Swiftly, they caught up to the inn’s carriage, then slowed to escort it back to town.

Farther ahead, Gwendeline found the ride home endless. Her mind was in turmoil, and Adele Greene’s laments over her shocked sensibilities were no help. Thoughts of her mother, of the earl, of Mr. Blane, and of what she was to do now revolved in her brain. It was as if a nightmare had become real, and she wanted nothing so much as to fling herself down on her own bed and cry. Lillian reached over and pressed her hand sympathetically, but nothing could comfort Gwendeline now.

They reached London at last, and Gwendeline ran up the stairs of Lady Merryn’s house to her room. She sat on her bed, covering her mouth with her hand, trembling. Then she jumped up and pulled a bandbox from the wardrobe. She stuffed some of her things into it and started out the door. The long skirt of her habit tripped her, and she looped it up impatiently. She had to get away from this house, from the man who had been her mother’s lover. She ran back down the stairs, out the front door, and through the streets, heedless of the stares of passersby, heading for Miss Brown and sanctuary.