The Lady And The Military Man_Conquer My Heart Page 4
To Jane's relief, half an hour later Major Baker-Cornhill called.
A footman set a place for him. He was still in his riding dress, fresh from his morning ride in the park. He greeted Mrs. Grove cheerfully, and winked at Lady Jane.
Mrs Grove set aside her newspapers, and waved a footman over to replenish her small pot of chocolate. "Kelly? I'm always happy to see you of course, but why so early? I hope that you found Lady Margaret well."
"My sister is well. I'm here because Lady Jane has something to tell you about Miss Severin. I promised Lord Alex that I would lend her my assistance when she did so. You're not to fly up into the boughs, Catherine. Will you promise?"
"Whatever are you talking about, you fool of a man?" She glanced at Jane. "Well, tell me, my dear. I know that it's said that I rend raw flesh with my teeth — but I'm quite unlikely to savage you. What do you have to tell me about the young lady that you’ve brought to me?"
Jane swallowed hard, and cleared her throat. There was no way of doing this kindly or gently or hinting at it. She decided to be straightforward. She took a deep breath, and began her rehearsed words. "Ma'am, Miss Babette Severin was brought to me as the natural daughter of Major Grove…"
She paused, but there was no reaction. "Miss Severin is 19 years old, her mother is dead, and so is her aunt, who had charge of her after her mother died. She is now alone. Mrs. Fenkirk, a kindly lady who took charge of her — thought that perhaps Major Grove might be persuaded to do something for her."
To Jane's shocked amazement, Mrs. Grove didn't seem particularly surprised. She grimaced slightly, then shrugged. "So — Philip's by-blow. No surprise in that… 19 is she? Of course I'll see the girl, and if she is Grove's child, then naturally she will be part of our family. I daresay I can convince Mother to present her as a distant cousin. Heaven knows we have enough of them." She glanced at Kelly. "Well there – does that satisfy you?"
"Of course it does. I told Lord Alex that you aren't such a dragon, but he's heard stories, and he didn't want you shouting at his sister."
Mrs Grove chuckled, then asked Kelly how long he would stay in town. "I know that you're still working for Wellington, and when I last spoke to him, your name was mentioned."
"Was it indeed? I haven't heard anything myself. I'm on extended leave until September, unless I'm needed… Lady Jane, could you accompany Meggie and me riding in the park at eight tomorrow? I thought if you and Meggie met in the park —"
Catherine Grove chuckled. "How wonderful. So you'll escort the child to Almacks, Kelly?"
"Not willingly," he said dryly. "She's not happy about a season, and neither am I. I would not wish that circus on anyone. But my aunt assures me that it's imperative, and that unless I take the matter in hand, she’ll involve Father."
“Lady MacKenzie is a force of nature. Jane, how do you feel about taking up your former occupation and bringing out another young lady?"
"I'm happy to do it. Eva returned home to Rayburn Manor in March, so she's still to have a season." The illness of Lady Fraser, Eva's mother, had meant that Eva had had to return home. "I did hear that Lady Merrill will sponsor her next year, and that Eva now has a companion, but I would like to see how she goes on."
Catherine lifted her hand to a footman. "Miss Severin must join us at breakfast. Robert, my compliments to our young guest. Have someone ask her to join us in the breakfast room when she's ready."
Jane couldn't believe how calmly Catherine was handling the situation. She seemed unperturbed. Then she realized that over the years Catherine must've understood that sooner or later she would be forced to deal with some of the major's by-blows. Had there been others?
Catherine went back to reading the paper, and Kelly made a good breakfast.
When Catherine asked him about his family, Kelly told her that the earl had been unwell. "I don't know his latest countess, but I hear that she is kindness personified. At least for the moment. I don't suppose that that will last. It never does. He's hard on his women."
Jane knew that the Earl of Branxton was said to be a tyrant over his family, and that Major Baker-Cornhill had long been estranged from his father. Perhaps that was why he didn't use his title.
Finally a footman open the doors for Babette.
Jane felt for the girl. Although her dress was good for the country, here in Eardley House she looked like a servant, rather than a member of the family. She needed a new wardrobe.
Jane rose from her chair and went to meet the girl, and took her hand. "It's all right," she whispered to her. "Be brave."
Babette curtsied to Mrs. Grove and the major, and gripped Jane's fingers tightly.
Catherine's eyes widened. She stared, and then smiled. "Yes — you've the look of your father. I'd know that red hair anywhere, and you have his blue eyes too… Come in my dear, we won't stand on ceremony, and I'll call Babette, if I may. You'll take your breakfast with us – you're a part of the family, and you must accustom yourself to us."
Babette's mouth opened as if she wanted to say something, but then she closed it again.
"You must tell me about yourself," Catherine continued. "But you'll have your breakfast first. We'll have plenty of time to talk. How old are you my dear?"
"I'm 18, ma'am."
"Well there we have it, a solution, Jane. If you're bringing out Meggie next year, why not bring out Babette at the same time? Babette, would you like to have a season?"
Babette's mouth dropped open again.
Catherine merely smiled, then chatted about Lord Linton and her sister Melly. Melly was carrying again.
Lady Margaret
8 AM, Thursday, 26 June, Hyde Park
Lady Margaret Branxton didn't like her brother. Nor did she like Lady Jane. She definitely didn't like the idea of having a London season, and she wasn't shy about letting Jane know.
Lady Margaret's slate grey eyes had narrowed on Jane when she was introduced to her — eyes that were the precise shade of Major Baker-Cornhill's. "No!" She said. She shook her head.
Then she pursed her lips for a moment while she glared at her brother. "Kelly, I won't have it. When I saw the piece of prime horseflesh the lady was riding I thought to myself that she was one of your fancy pieces. Then I recognized her name, of course. Lady Jane Vernon? Have you lost your senses?"
The major tipped back his head and laughed. "Lady Jane, my apologies for my sister."
Then his laughter faded. Folding his arms, he studied his sister, meeting her defiant gaze. His voice became softer. "As you can see, my sister is quite unruly. However, if she wishes to stay on our father's good side she will behave. Or she will not enjoy the results."
Midnight danced, giving Jane an excuse to ride him forward, away from the hot-tempered siblings.
She gathered her thoughts while she allowed Midnight to prance and play. The stable master had turned the horse over to her with thanks. "He's missing Lady Delmere. He's grown attached, d'you see? Fair little demon performs something fierce for the stable lads and grooms. Maybe he'll calm down when another lady takes him in hand."
Jane's first impression of Lady Margaret was of a very pretty young lady, with a Scots burr. Her black curls were stuffed under a black top hat. She wore a perfectly tied snowy white stock with a diamond pin, and her blue riding habit outlined a generous figure.
After Eva Bywater, Jane had quit her occupation of preparing young ladies for their first season with relief. Now she had another young lady who didn't want to have a season. However, the Earl of Branxton was paying her a considerable amount to bring out his daughter. She was grateful for the money.
At least Babette enjoyed her good fortune. Yesterday, Catherine had taken Babette to her own dressmaker, and had ordered gowns for her to be delivered before they left for Newmarket. She also ordered two riding habits, over Babette's protests that she didn't ride — she had never had the opportunity to do so.
Catherine was adamant. "Then you will learn. We all ride, and learn you must… "
Jane handed Babette an apple to feed the horse. Babette held the apple with her fingertips and offered it gingerly. Midnight tossed his head.
Jane showed her how to feed the horse an apple, from the palm of her hand. She realized that Babette had never had anything to do with horses, so she was bound to be nervous, but Babette's anxiety seemed more like real fear.
She wondered why the girl was so afraid, but decided that she would wait for Babette to confide in her. Everything was new to her, she had never been to London, and had suddenly been pitchforked into a world that she hadn't known existed. It would take time for Babette to accustom herself to her new situation, and relax.
Glancing back, Jane saw that the major and his sister were still arguing, so she cantered down the Row on Midnight.
Lady Margaret was another girl who needed time to accustom herself to her new situation. There was no point in Jane attempting to talk to her now, when the girl was so much against having a London season. With a little time to think, she might accustom herself to the idea.
She sighed. She hadn't realized how much bringing out young ladies had become a chore to her, until Lady Delmere had offered her the position of secretary. Jane had always been independent, and she had been determined to make a success of whatever she did, because there was no choice.
Ten minutes later, the major caught up with Jane, but she didn't see his sister anywhere. She settled Midnight down to an extended walk and glanced at the major. She wished her heart didn't beat so loudly in his presence. It was most disconcerting.
"Lady Margaret was unaware that she was to have a season?" She asked.
"I can see that it was a mistake that my aunt didn't warn her. I hope that you're still willing to bring her out — in spite of her words?"
Jane chuckled. "Of course I will. She has nine months to accustom herself to braving the Marriage Mart, but I would like her to attend an informal ball or two before next March."
"Yes, of course."
With that, they didn't speak any further. Jane allowed Midnight a faster canter. He longed to run. She could feel the coiled energy in him, as he fought the bit, then settled to mouth it. Ideally, she needed to ride him twice a day, to use up his energy.
After half an hour, Midnight settled, and she enjoyed the ride immensely. However, she warned herself not to become too accustomed to him. The horse must have cost Lord Delmere a fortune, even though he was a gelding. Lady Delmere would return, and Midnight would no longer be hers to ride.
That reminded her that her own purse was very slender, and that she had to find the money for Kennystowe Castle’s mortgage.
When Jane returned to Eardley House, Catherine and Babette were at breakfast.
"There you are," Catherine said. "How fares young Lady Margaret? Do you like her?"
Jane rolled her eyes. "Major Baker-Cornhill failed to tell Lady Margaret that she's to have a season next year. If she can, I imagine that she will convince Lady MacKenzie to allow her to forgo it."
"Another reluctant debutante, eh? Never mind, Jane. You have an expert hand with recalcitrant misses."
"I'll call on Lady MacKenzie at Branxton house later this afternoon, if you don't need me… I have some errands. I must see Mr. Jacoby."
"Certainly, my dear. Babette and I will visit Bond Street, and do more shopping. I wish Bunny were here — she's the expert on shopping in the family. I'll write to her, I think. She can take charge of preparing Babette's wardrobe for the season."
Money, Jane decided. She would find some money to save Kennystowe, no matter what she had to do to get it.
Chapter 4
At Branxton House, Lady MacKenzie kept Jane waiting for fully 45 minutes. She worried about the horses, because the day had turned cold, with a chill wind.
The only reason Jane waited, rather then leaving, was because Major Baker-Cornhill was Lord Delmere's close friend. Besides, she told herself firmly, hadn't she become used to these petty displays of power when she occupied herself teaching debutantes to make their first bows to the fashionable world?
Finally the butler entered the small drawing room, bowed to her, then escorted her to Lady MacKenzie's personal sitting room.
Jane curtsied briefly to Lady Margaret's aunt. She proved to be a thin, cold-eyed woman in her sixties, sitting in front of tiny, spluttering fire. Catherine had warned Jane that Fee MacKenzie was a renowned pinch-penny, and to be careful with her. "Make sure that she pays you immediately — she will promise to pay you after Lady Margaret's season. But if you accept, your heirs may get your money, but you won't see a penny of it."
Lady MacKenzie tapped her finger on a piece of paper lying on the desk. Jane recognized Mr. Kettering's copperplate. "My heavens, the prices you charge, Lady Jane! Quite outrageous. If you receive this kind of fee, it shows that most people have more money than sense. Nevertheless I'll pay you, and willingly, but only if Margaret's engaged by the end of the season."
She paused for a moment, and looked Jane up and down."You're successful at what you do. You've met my niece — she doesn't want a season, but you must be used to that."
Jane sighed inwardly. "I'm sorry, my lady, but I require payment now. I've retired from bringing out young ladies, but my terms have always been payment on taking a commission."
"That's outrageous."
Jane waited. She said nothing while Lady MacKenzie glowered. "Oh very well. I'll pay you £100 on account."
She hadn't been asked to sit, so Jane merely nodded to the lady, and turned to walk to the door.
"Wait!"
Jane turned.
Twenty minutes later, when she walked down the steps to her carriage, she laughed. She had no idea why Lady MacKenzie had taken her in dislike. Well, the lady had paid for her services, with a bonus to be paid should Lady Margaret become betrothed either during the season, or within three months of it. So she could be as cold as she liked.
Mr. Kettering would send her ladyship her usual agreement. He would ensure that her terms were laid out clearly. Lady MacKenzie would doubtless query every item on the bill. She'd never see the bonus, but at least she would get the money for the commission.
She directed the coachman to Ludgate Hill. At Rundell and Bridge, the jewelers, she offered her sapphire pendant, and three exquisite gold chains which had belonged to her mother. She received a miserly £100 for them all. She had hoped for a little more, but knew that Mr. Bridge's offer was fair. She told herself firmly that she had to be satisfied.
She climbed back into the carriage and ordered the coachman to Mr. Jacoby's shop in Fleet Street.
Major Baker-Cornhill had promised to send Mr. Jacoby the paintings that she'd brought from York. Over the past few years, she had come to know Mr. Jacoby well. His son had a shop in York. Alex had told her that the family had connections not only in England, but in France, Italy and Germany as well; the Jacobys were the primary source of information on the possible locations of the treasure.
Traffic was heavy, and the coachman had to wait for several carriages to pass before he could pull out from the curb.
Jane studied her list of the remainder of the Castle's salable furniture, then glanced up. Her gaze took in the carriage alongside hers, which had also been forced to wait. For a moment, she blinked, unable to make sense of the scene. Surely that man wasn't — but it was.
It was Major Baker-Cornhill, with a gorgeous woman whom Jane recognized immediately. She'd seen a painting of Ninon Parisi. Sketches of her appeared in the newspapers regularly. She was a renowned beauty — a courtesan had once been the Emperor Napoleon's mistress.
Jane's mouth dropped open. She stared at Madame Parisi's small heart-shaped face, which was surrounded by a mass of black curls topped by a
cunning yellow hat. The woman also happened to look up, right at Jane, and Jane saw that she had lapis blue eyes.
Madame's gaze moved over Jane's face without fully seeing her, and Jane wasn't surprised. In her staid bonnet, and neat brown pelisse, she knew that she was invisible to the gorgeous creature.
The major was talking to someone sitting opposite him and Madame Parisi, and didn't glance around at Jane. He laughed, sitting no more than ten feet away from her.
Jane still hadn't recovered her wits when suddenly the other carriage moved off, and the major and the courtesan vanished. Briskly, she told herself to put the major out of her mind.
At Fleet Street, Mr Jacoby welcomed her into his shop and offered her some tea. She accepted with thanks. After her interview with Lady MacKenzie, and the stunning vision of the French courtesan, she needed something to steady her nerves.
"You leave Lord Alex and your sisters well, I hope? And Lord Kennystowe?" Mr Jacoby queried.
"All are well, thank you. My brother will be at Newmarket next month for the races. He's acquired a racehorse, The Pirate."
"Has he indeed? Then I must make arrangements to travel to Newmarket."
Mr Jacoby travelled all over the country to buy goods for his four London shops, and shops in the north. He and Lord Alex had become friends from their first meeting. They shared interests in hunting, shooting, horses — and the treasure.
Jane spent a pleasant hour with Mr Jacoby, then left the shop well satisfied with the money which they would receive for the paintings and the furniture. Lord Alex would be pleased too. Unfortunately the money still didn't come anywhere near the amount needed for the mortgage repayments.
At Grosvenor Square, the coachman took the time to take Jane to the front of Eardley House before he took the carriage around the corner to the mews. He could have taken her straight to the mews, so she would enter the house by the back entrance. Unlike of the aristocratic households in which Jane had worked, the Eardley servants were always respectful and kind to her, and she was grateful.