Farringdon's Fortune, page 11
‘I’m sure they would prefer to dance or play cards,’ she murmured, only to receive a nudge in her side.
‘Now you see why I insisted you practise until you were note perfect, Victoria,’ Charlotte said, looking smug. ‘Still, at least this is an opportunity to be seen,’ she added, sitting up straighter in her chair.
They were attending a private recital at the family home of Lady Alice who had been presented on the same day as Victoria and Charlotte. However, the girl, pretty but slightly on the plump side, was clearly self-conscious, blushing unbecomingly as she continued picking her way clumsily through the Menuetto.
‘Schubert will be shuddering in his grave,’ Dorothea exclaimed, shuddering as another screech rent the air. ‘Whatever is her mother thinking allowing the girl to show herself up like that?’ As the audience began fidgeting in their seats, Hester leaned closer to Victoria.
‘Do you think we dare cause a distraction by dancing?’ she whispered, gesturing to the space on the highly polished floor in front of the trio.
‘No, Hester, you may not,’ her godmother remonstrated. ‘It is already hot enough in here as it is,’ she added, flapping her lace fan so that the silver handle twinkled in the candlelight.
‘Let’s hope supper is announced soon,’ Hester murmured, ‘I’m ravenous. Although Lady Bampton-Highcliffe is not renowned for laying on a generous spread. Oh, thank heavens,’ she added as Lady Alice ceased playing and the audience politely applauded.
‘Come along, Victoria, we must mingle,’ Charlotte said, rising to her feet. ‘Please remember to behave with decorum for you don’t know who you might meet. Although, I am pleased to see you have heeded my advice and dressed more becomingly,’ she added, nodding at Victoria’s emerald skirts as she nudged her towards the next room where supper had been laid out. Clearly, she still hadn’t been forgiven for appearing in Hester’s gown when suitors had called. Still, it was strange she hadn’t taken Vanny to task as she would normally have done.
‘What a boring evening with one meagre mouthful of food each by the look of it,’ Hester lamented, as they waited their turn at the buffet table. ‘If only Tristan and Roscoe were here to lighten the mood.’
‘Yes,’ Victoria agreed, feigning a sudden interest in the paltry selection of canapés to avoid the gaze of a thin man who was trying to catch her attention. It might have been the height of fashion to sport moustache and mutton chops in the style of Prince Albert, but ginger facial hair held no appeal. Helping herself to a Patum Peperium croute, she was about to make her escape, when her stepmother laid a hand on her arm. As the man smiled and introduced himself, Charlotte looked him up and down speculatively, before nodding and edging Victoria away from the others.
‘Might I present my stepdaughter, Lady Victoria Farringdon. This is Captain Crockett, my dear. Now, please excuse me, I’ve just seen someone I must catch up with.’
‘Delightful recital, what?’ the man said.
‘Well, actually,’ she began then realized he might be a friend of their hostess and nodded. As the man stood grinning and twiddling his moustache, Victoria nibbled at her croute, but the relish was so highly spiced it caught in the back of her throat, making her gasp.
‘I say,’ the captain frowned. ‘Dashed nuisance, what?’
‘Don’t stand gawping, man, fetch the lady a glass of fruit cup,’ Dorothea ordered, appearing at their side.
‘What? Oh, er, yes,’ he mumbled, hastily disappearing.
‘Allow me.’ A glass was thrust in Victoria’s hand, and she gratefully took a sip. Then another and another until it was drained.
‘Thank you,’ she said, smiling at the dark-haired man who was staring solicitously at her with hazel eyes.
‘My pleasure, although I fear the cup too warm to slake one’s thirst.’
‘Victoria, to whom are you speaking?’ As the strident tones of her stepmother pierced the gathering, causing heads to turn their way, the gentleman perfected a bow.
‘Forgive me for not introducing myself, Lady Farringdon, but I thought it best to save your daughter from choking first.’
‘Quite right, Tim Tom,’ Hester said, appearing beside them. ‘This is my cousin, Victoria Farringdon. Victoria, this is Timothy Thomas Rydon, known to his friends as Tim Tom.’
‘Not very flattering, I’m afraid,’ the man said, grinning ruefully.
‘Captain Crockett was getting my stepdaughter a drink,’ Charlotte said peevishly.
‘Well, he’s taking his time, Aunt Charlotte,’ Hester said, peering around. ‘Poor Victoria could have choked by now if it hadn’t been for Tim Tom here.’
‘Indeed. Well, please don’t let us detain you,’ Charlotte replied, her eyes glacial as she stared at him.
‘It has been a pleasure meeting you,’ he replied, perfecting another bow, then departing.
Whispers of appreciation rippled through the cluster of debutantes as he passed by but, when he took no notice, they turned their attention to Victoria.
‘Isn’t she the one they are calling the girl in the golden gown?’ asked a pretty woman, green eyes glittering as she smiled superciliously at Victoria.
‘How many men does she intend snaring?’ her fair-haired companion replied as she nodded in recognition.
‘Cheap trick pretending to choke, wish I’d thought of it.’ The woman’s high-pitched snicker reminded Victoria of a braying horse.
‘Hortence, Phoebe, Ophelia, it is time we took our leave.’ As an older woman with a fox fur stole draped around her shoulders shepherded them away, Victoria breathed a sigh of relief.
‘Apparently, it is acceptable to be derogative about a fellow debutante providing one does it with a smile on one’s face,’ Dorothea sighed. ‘Standards have slipped since my day. Time to thank our hostess and take our leave, I think.’
‘What an evening,’ Charlotte grumbled. ‘I cannot believe you let that charming captain leave like that.’
‘I’m sorry, Step Mama, but I do have the right to choose whom I spend time with.’
‘Well, he would have been a better catch than that other man. Tim Tom indeed; what kind of name is that?’
‘I disagree,’ Dorothea replied. ‘Not only is Viscount Timothy Thomas Rydon a handsome young man; it is rumoured he is actively searching for a wife this Season.’
‘Viscount? You should have said. How was I to know?’ Charlotte spluttered, peering around as if he might reappear.
‘It’s all in the breeding, Lady Farringdon,’ Dorothea replied acerbically. ‘Although, I must agree with Victoria, it is her choice whom she wishes to spend time with, and she obviously has the better taste.’
‘Aunt really is the mistress of put-downs,’ Hester murmured as Charlotte flounced away. Victoria smiled, thinking how wonderful it was to see her stepmother wrong-footed for once.
‘Dorothea has invited us to join her for a ride around Hyde Park this afternoon,’ Emmeline said, perusing the letter that had just been delivered.
‘It is right and proper the girls be seen out in the park, and the countess’s barouche does create a favourable impression,’ Charlotte said, smiling graciously. She took a sip of her coffee then frowned. ‘Did you say this afternoon? Regrettably, I have a prior engagement.’
‘Where are you going?’ Victoria asked, staring at her stepmother in surprise.
‘That is no concern of yours,’ Charlotte snapped, putting her cup down with a clatter. Victoria and Hester raised their brows. The woman had been in a terrible temper since finding out she’d favoured a captain over a viscount. Not that Victoria cared. Although Tim Tom had been pleasant and had saved her from nearly choking, he hadn’t set her pulses racing like Tristan. And, thanks to her stepmother, she still had to wait for days to see him again.
‘But it is a beautiful day and, as you yourself have said, the girls should be seen in the park; surely you could re-arrange your, er, appointment?’ Emmeline suggested, shooting her sister a knowing look.
‘Impossible, I’m afraid,’ Charlotte replied, dabbing her lips with her linen napkin.
‘In that case I shall convey your apologies to Dorothea.’
‘You mean you will go without me?’ Charlotte spluttered, looking incredulous.
‘Emmeline is quite capable of chaperoning,’ Nicholas said, looking up from his paper. ‘Not only will it be right and proper, but it will also create a favourable impression, which is more than can be said for your engagement,’ he retorted, throwing down his newspaper and striding from the room.
‘Well, really,’ Charlotte snapped.
‘You know how he feels, and quite frankly…’ Seeing Hester and Victoria watching curiously, Emmeline stopped mid-sentence. ‘Go and make yourselves useful, then make sure you are suitably dressed and ready to leave at two o’clock sharp,’ she told them.
Being a sunny afternoon, the Rotten Row was busy with gentlemen riders displaying their prowess, ladies sporting bonnets trimmed with peacock feathers intent on being seen as they paraded in their carriages, while others were promenading in their afternoon best. Shafts of sunlight glinted through the velvety green leaves, setting off Victoria’s moss-green outfit to perfection. With her hair dressed in side-coils under a bonnet edged with burgundy that matched her calf-skin gloves, she felt every inch the debutante.
‘It is good of you to arrange this wonderful outing, Aunt,’ Hester smiled. She was wearing a tiered cape jacket in rust and deep bonnet tied with a matching ribbon that complemented her copper colouring perfectly. ‘I wonder if we will see anyone we know?’ she added, staring around curiously.
‘Hmm, I wonder,’ Dorothea replied. ‘Although the objective is to be seen yourself, Hester, so it would be better if you were a little more discreet. Of course, when one gets to my age one simply cannot do without a parasol, which provides the perfect cover,’ she added, winking as she twirled it around, staring blatantly from under it.
‘Please don’t encourage her, Dorothea, she’s quite incorrigible as she is,’ Emmeline laughed good-naturedly.
Victoria smiled at their easy banter, not for the first time wishing Charlotte was more relaxed and carefree. It was not like her stepmother to miss the opportunity of being seen and she wondered what prior engagement she had. Whatever it was, she’d certainly dressed up for it, disappearing without saying goodbye. If Victoria hadn’t spotted her from the drawing room window, she wouldn’t have known she’d left the house at noon. Determined to enjoy this beautiful afternoon, she sat back and gazed around. There were families out walking, children playing, dogs barking at the ducks swimming on the waters of the Serpentine.
‘Look at them,’ Hester hissed, inclining her head towards the gentlemen on mighty steeds, their polished riding boots gleaming in the afternoon sun as they proudly exhibited their equestrian prowess.
‘I believe that is exactly what they are wanting you to do,’ Dorothea remarked acerbically. ‘One trusts they do not venture too close to the water and get a dowsing.’
‘That would be splendid fun to watch,’ Hester chuckled.
‘Goodness me,’ Dorothea cried, holding up her lorgnette. ‘I do believe that’s Tristan and Roscoe heading our way. What a surprise.’
Victoria’s heart skipped as she watched the two men approaching.
‘Good afternoon, ladies. What a lovely surprise,’ Tristan said, his gaze lingering on Victoria as he pulled on the reins.
‘I say, this is a surprise,’ Roscoe echoed.
‘And such a lovely one,’ Hester cried, clapping her hands in delight.
Victoria might have pondered at the emphasis being placed on surprise, had they not heard a startled shout. Turning, they saw a young child chasing excitedly after a dog; both were headed right in the path of an oncoming carriage.
‘Oh no,’ Victoria cried, her hands going to her mouth in dismay. But Tristan had already turned his horse and was galloping towards them, Roscoe following. Heart pounding, mouth dry, she could only watch and pray they would be in time. Suddenly, the dog barked, causing the horses to rear up in fright. The coachmen frantically pulled on the reins but the little boy, intent on catching his pet, didn’t stop. Tristan was the first to reach them and, for a moment, all they could see were hooves flaying, hear the frantic cry of the father and frenzied neighing of the horses. Then, Tristan leaned down and, in one deft movement, scooped up the little boy, setting him on the saddle before him.
Heart hammering, Victoria watched as the man ran up and snatched his son, cuddling him tight to his chest as if he’d never let him go again. As the coachmen brought the horses under control, Tristan and Rosco trotted back towards the barouche.
‘Are you having an enjoyable perambulation, Mother?’ Tristan asked nonchalantly, only the flush on his face betraying anything had been amiss.
‘Yes, thank you,’ Dorothea replied. ‘However, observing that drama has made me thirsty, and I find myself sorely in need of refreshment. Shall we all return home and partake of afternoon tea?’ she suggested.
‘Good idea, Mother. I’d better ride on ahead though; a wash and change of clothes are sorely needed. I’ll see you later,’ Tristan said, looking directly at Victoria. ‘Come on, Roscoe, you’re looking the worse for wear too.’ As the two men rode off, Emmeline turned to Dorothea.
‘What a brave young man,’ she sighed.
‘Yes, he is rather. Not that you must pass comment; his head is big enough as it is,’ Dorothea told her sternly. Yet Victoria noted the proud look on her face as she stared after her son.
‘Roscoe was brave too, going after them like that,’ Hester declared loyally.
‘He was indeed,’ Emmeline agreed.
It was only when refreshments had been served and they were all sitting in Dorothea’s comfortable drawing room, that Victoria began to relax. She couldn’t resist glancing at Tristan and her heart flipped when she saw he was gazing back at her. Looking quickly down at her plate, she was wondering how she could possibly eat the cake she’d selected, when a hand reached out and took it.
‘Allow me,’ Tristan grinned, popping the fancy into his mouth in one fell swoop.
‘Tristan, really,’ his mother admonished. ‘If you are going to behave like that, I shall insist you go outside.’
‘Certainly, Mother,’ he replied, jumping to his feet. ‘I thought you’d never ask. As our taking of the afternoon air was curtailed, would you permit me to show Victoria the gardens, Aunt Emmeline?’ he asked politely.
‘And knowing Hester’s fondness for food, perhaps I could show her the chestnut trees for later in the year,’ Roscoe added.
‘Which she has already seen,’ Dorothea pointed out. ‘Oh, very well, but we shall be watching from the window.’
Outside, the two couples crossed the path then grinned gleefully before taking separate gravelled walks.
‘This is delightful,’ Victoria cried, inhaling the fragrance of the summer flowers.
‘I must say I do find the scenery here today particularly delightful,’ Tristan said, darting her a look that sent her pulses racing.
Trying not to blush, she followed him further along the path. Her skirts brushed against the lavender bushes releasing more perfume into the air so that she began to feel quite heady. Stopping by a wooden pergola, he turned to face her.
‘I must confess that when we arranged a surprise encounter, we didn’t expect it to be quite so dramatic.’
‘You mean our meeting in the park was planned?’ Victoria asked, staring at him in astonishment. Then she remembered how much had been made of their ‘surprise’ meeting earlier.
‘Faint heart never won fair maiden, or in this case, the delightful lady whose hair gleams like burnished chestnuts in the sunlight.’
‘Oh,’ Victoria murmured, thinking she had never heard anything so romantic.
‘Despite your stepmother’s obvious objection, I wish to spend time with you, Victoria. Luckily Mother likes you and is happy to assist.’ He shot her a disarming smile then produced a perfect orange rosebud from behind his back and presented it to her with a flourish. ‘To show my admiration and desire. Do you have any objections to our getting to know each other better?’
‘None at all,’ she murmured. They were standing so close she could smell the freshness of his clean shirt, the tang of his cologne. She stared into his eyes that reflected the cerulean of the sky above them, her heart beating faster. Not only was he the most handsome man she had ever met, but he had displayed courage and fortitude, traits she found admirable in a man. ‘I can’t think of anything I would like better,’ she told him.
They were so engrossed in each other they didn’t notice the figure watching closely from an upstairs window of the house, a calculating expression on his face.
Chapter 14
As the carriage bowled along the streets towards Marylebone, Edwin was still berating himself for losing his temper with Charlotte. Reasoning would have been better, but her high-handed manner and spendthrift ways had got under his skin. He could think of no other woman who would insist on purchasing unnecessary clocks and commissioning a portraiture for a place they were only staying in for three or four months. Not for the first time he wished he’d seen through Charlotte’s veneer earlier, for beneath her pretty and fragile skin she was brittle and vain. That iridescent blonde beauty and sweet smile that had captured his affection was merely a veil for selfishness and a heart as cold as marble. Was it really any excuse that she’d caught him at his lowest ebb? Shouldn’t he have questioned her so-called devotion after they’d only known each other a short time? Well, it was no good him encouraging Victoria to be more assertive if he couldn’t practise what he preached himself.
Shaking his head to clear his dark thoughts, he glanced out of the window and saw the soot-stained buildings packed close together, clouds of smoke belching from their chimneys and swirling around the carriage. The persistent noise from the build-up of traffic and shouts of the pedestrians dodging between the mass of horse-drawn vehicles made him shudder. How he preferred the quiet of the lush green rolling hills of Devonshire where farmers tilled their land and only vagrant sheep ventured onto the lanes. Bea, who had been lost in thought, looked up and gave him a nervous smile. Naturally, she was apprehensive about her forthcoming interview with Professor Todd and, reaching out, he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
