The Lady And The Military Man_Conquer My Heart Page 6

  Jane kept her head down when she hurried back to the small receiving room. A footman opened the door, and then closed the door behind her.

  Catherine looked up. "Kelly says that the duke will be with us in a half hour."

  "A little champagne s'il vous plaît," the courtesan said.

  Lady Tinerbrow rolled her eyes and threw up her hands, but walked to the door. She opened it, and ordered champagne. "What's happening in the ballroom?" She asked Jane when she'd closed the door again.

  "People are dancing — everything is calm."

  "It's the duke's name." Catherine said. "If Wellington wants a courtesan at a ball, the courtesan will be at the ball. No one would dare to squeak a protest. All we can do is pray that he arrives soon. In the meantime, I'll ask for some paper and a couple of pens, if I may, Barbara? I'll start writing my story for The Times."

  "Catherine, is that wise?" Lady Tinerbrow asked.

  "Don't worry, I will make your ball sound absolutely wonderful. The people who are here tonight will dine out on this for years to come, and everyone who isn't here will wish that they had been."

  Lady Tinerbrow managed a chuckle. "Thank you. I had a vision of myself becoming a complete outcast from the ton – of leaving town in disgrace."

  The courtesan cleared her throat loudly, and spoke to Lady Tinerbrow. "My lady, I do have another request — I came to find someone. Perhaps you could bring him to me?"

  "No," Catherine said, before Lady Tinerbrow could respond. "And no. You're waiting for the duke. No camp followers."

  The Duke arrived within 20 minutes.

  Monday, 7th July, 1817, Eardley House

  One morning, several days after Lady Tinerbrow's ball, Catherine said to Jane, apropos of nothing at all, "some men aren't the marrying kind."

  Jane and Babette had just returned from Babette's riding lesson. Babette was making good progress, and was gaining confidence by the day.

  She would soon come off the lunging rain, and the Eardley stable master suggested that she would be able to ride in the park by the end of the week. "On a quiet horse, and on a leading rein. A few mornings after that, she'll be able to ride off the rein. You'll see — we'll have her ready for the Boxing Day Hunt at Gostwicke Hall, my lady. The young lady has a real talent for riding."

  Babette had gone upstairs to change, and Jane had joined Catherine in the small sitting room, a room which Lady Delmere had redecorated. Its blue and white colors made it restful. However, Jane couldn't relax. She was unsettled, and didn’t know why.

  "Take Kelly, for example," Catherine went on. "He won't marry again. He married once, I think he was in his mid-20s. It didn't take. They separated, and the girl died of a fever some years later. He's never looked at a woman seriously since."

  Jane set down her teacup. She didn't look at Catherine but she was aware that Catherine's gaze was on her. Was this information directed at her? It had to be. Catherine was warning her — did Catherine think that she was forming an attachment to the man? That was ridiculous.

  "There's also Kelly's work for Wellington, and the Prince. That work is dangerous. He would never want a woman who sat at home and worried about him."

  Jane remembered those strange comments of Catherine's in the days that followed, because she didn't see the major at all. He wasn't riding in the park, nor was his sister. After Catherine's warning, she couldn't ask her about him, and then she wondered to herself why she concerned herself with the major's whereabouts at all.

  Catherine's aunt, Mrs. Smythe-Hamill, known as "Bunny" to her family and friends, arrived from York. Jane knew her well. She also knew her expertise in shopping. Bunny loved to shop. She shopped in York, in London, and now that the war was over, she went to Paris at least twice a year.

  She was taking Babette in hand, delighted that they had a new member of the family that she could spoil. "You girls must leave everything to me. I'll make sure that Babette has a wonderful wardrobe for her season – but there's the rest of the summer, the autumn and the winter to get through first. I'll out outfit her so well that she'll cause talk when we take her about. That's always a good thing — we'll build up curiosity… People will wonder about her. We'll need to let it be known that has a respectable dowery — we'll launch her in style, my dears."

  Bunny's arrival meant that Jane could leave dressing Babette to Bunny. She had only to supervise the girl's riding lessons, as well as her dancing and drawing lessons. They'd given up on piano lessons.

  Babette wasn't musical; her first piano lesson was disastrous. Wincing at Babette's tinkling at the keys, Catherine suggest to Jane that she focus on Babette's dancing and drawing lessons.

  Finally Monday, 7th July arrived.

  They had to be at Newmarket by the 10th, so they were leaving today. "Lots of people will be Newmarket, so there'll be much entertainment — Melly's having a picnic on the 10th… I've already received cards for several suppers, and a ball. We'll stay at Newmarket until the weekend.”

  Lord and Lady Linton would be at Linton Lodge, with Henry — Henrietta — the youngest Eardley sister. Jane didn't know Lady Linton well, but she adored horse-mad Henry. That young lady would be making her comeout in another couple of years. Jane thought of Henry as a younger version of Catherine; her comeout promised to provide some excitement, particularly because Henry was becoming lovelier by the week.

  Rather than go downstairs for breakfast, Jane had had chocolate and buttered crumpets sent up to her room, so that she could supervise Lizzie's packing.

  A footman knocked on the door with her mail. She sat down on the sofa in her dressing room to read Dorinda’s letter.

  The letter's single sheet was crossed and recrossed, with lots of information about the household, the tenants, and the village.

  Jane was shocked that the major had visited Kennystowe Castle.

  My dear, such good news. Major Baker-Cornhill was with us for a few hours today. He's purchased shares in The Pirate — at a very good price. Alex was a little reluctant to sell the shares to him, but that may have been a ploy to raise the price…

  Our major also brought a friend, seeking employment as an estate manager. He says that Mr. Dewrigan worked for Cavendish. Of course we can't afford him, but the major says that Mr. Dewrigan will forgo payment until our second harvest. Alex and he became friends at once. Mr. Dewrigan has such plans, and says that we can make the estate pay…

  Also, Mr. Killock has been most accommodating — Alex agreed to let him lease the home farm, which he says will cover the mortgage each month. I know that that will shock you as it did me and Edie. Who would ever have thought that he would do such a thing. And he was so polite!

  So, my dear, for once we don't have the wretched mortgage to make us unhappy. And who knows, The Pirate may surprise us at Newmarket.

  Jane stared at the letter. She pushed Major Baker-Cornhill out of her mind with determination, and focused on the best news — Kennystowe had a new estate manager who might succeed in making the estate pay… And she could stop worrying about the mortgage.

  Catherine, Bunny, Babette, and Lady Jane arrived at Linton Lodge late on Monday evening.

  Linton's staff were wonderful. Not only did they have hot water and comfortable rooms waiting, the arrivals were provided with a cold champagne supper too.

  Although she knew that he would be at Newmarket, Jane didn't expect to meet Major Baker-Cornhill the next morning when she and Babette were exploring Lord Linton's vast stable complex. "We could ask a stable lad where they've put The Pirate," Babette pointed out.

  "No – let's wander around. I want to see all the horses. Linton has an amazing stable. We'll find The Pirate soon enough."

  The stables were a bustle of activity, with boys cleaning out loose boxes, grooms taking stamping, neighing horses out of their boxes, and other grooms returning calm horses, steaming from their morning gallop.

  Well-dressed gentlemen spoke quietly to trainers in corners. Jane knew that these were owners, men who
owned shares in Linton's horses, or who kept their own horses in his stables for training.

  Jane had brought a basket of apples for the horses from London, but she had left it with the stable master. She knew that the racehorses were on strict diets.

  "My feet hurt," Babette said after half an hour. "I hope we find him soon. I think I'm getting a blister. I do love these shoes, but they squeeze my toes."

  "Then why are you wearing them?" Jane stared at her charge in surprise. "Why did Bunny accept the boots from the boot maker if they hurt your feet?"

  "They are not from a boot maker. Mrs. Smythe-Hamill bought them for me at Madame Lola's." Babette lifted up her carriage dress, so that Jane could see the tiny red boots. "Aren't they wonderful? They're the finest Italian leather, Madame Lola said."

  Jane lifted her eyebrows and shook her head. Bunny meant well. "Do you have any other boots?"

  "Mrs. Smythe-Hamill said that I was to wear these, so that I will wear them in… She said that it would take a few weeks of wearing them an hour or so a day, before they stretched enough for me."

  Jane bit her lip and turned her head away. She pretended interest in a tall thoroughbred so that Babette wouldn't see her smile. From now on, she would see to Babette's footwear herself. Fashionable footwear was wonderful, but not if Babette couldn't walk in it.

  "There you are – what are you doing in this section of the stable?"

  Jane recognized the deep voice immediately. She turned and curtsied to the major. "Major Baker-Cornhill, how good to see you."

  Kelly bowed to Jane and Babette.

  Jane thought he looked very handsome in his riding coat. His neck was bare, doeskin breeches outlined muscular, horsemen's thighs, and his riding boots gleamed.

  "We're looking for The Pirate," Babette explained.

  "Come, I'll take you to him," Kelly said immediately. "I've visited him. If you'd come half an hour earlier, you could have seen his groom washing him down after his morning exercise."

  He strolled beside them, with his hands clasped behind his back. "Miss Severin, may I compliment you on the progress you're making with your riding lessons? I met a couple of grooms from the Eardley stables this morning, and they all praised you. Lord Linton's stable master has made two very calm horses available for you to ride during your stay at Newmarket. The man's waiting to show them to you. He's in the tack room, if you'd like to go and speak with him."

  Babette looked up at Kelly and grinned. She curtsied. Jane reflected that Babette knew very well that Kelly wanted to speak with Jane privately. She frowned a little. Did he have bad news from Kennystowe?

  When Babette hurried away down the long row of loose boxes, she turned to Kelly. "Major, I owe you thanks. My sister wrote to me about Mr. Dewrigan. I'm so pleased that the estate has a good manager."

  He grinned, and waved his hands. "No thanks needed — Dewrigan was looking for a place, and Alex agreed to take him on. He's a good man." He hesitated for a moment. "Lady Jane, I –" .

  "What is it? Is it bad news? Have you seen Lord Alex today? He should be here… I suspect that he is plunging deep on The Pirate, which I think is a mistake."

  “No — I need to warn you about Major Grove."

  What he was talking about? "Major Grove?"

  "Yes — he's at Newmarket. I was with him at an inn in the town last evening. He's here to see his daughter — Babette."

  Jane blinked. "He knows?"

  "Indeed he does. I can only imagine that he has a spy in Mrs. Grove's employ. Will you warn Mrs. Grove?"

  "I'll tell her, at once."

  He held out his arm to her and smiled. "No hurry. Grove drank very deep last night. I can't imagine that he'd be at Linton Lodge before this afternoon. He'll need time to recover."

  Jane bit her lip. She knew very well that Kelly had ensured that the major was completely shot in the neck so that he wouldn't surprise Catherine. "Thank you."

  "No thanks needed," he said again. He looked relieved. He knew that she understood.

  "Tell me truthfully — what are The Pirate's chances?"

  "He's a good horse… you know that I purchased some shares in him from Alex?"

  "He's that good?"

  Kelly shrugged. "He's a good horse, and he may do something. But horse racing is an uncertain business. I don't suggest that you bet on the horse yourself."

  She had to laugh out loud at that.

  He smiled down at her. She stared at him. His eyes – why did she feel that he was saying more to her than his words revealed?

  As soon as Kelly had escorted her back to the house, Jane went up to Catherine's rooms. Lord Linton had provided sumptuous accommodations for his wife's sisters at the Lodge.

  Catherine was up, and dressed in an elegant morning gown. Bessie had just finished putting up her hair.

  "There you are," Catherine said to Jane. "You're looking well — why are you blushing?" She paused a moment, and stared at Jane, her eyes narrowing. "Kelly's here."

  Jane inhaled deeply. She knew she was blushing. "I have something to tell you." She hesitated for a moment. Then she spoke in a rush. "Yes, the major is here. But so is Major Grove – he's in Newmarket."

  Catherine's eyes widened. "He's here? How inconvenient."

  Jane bit her lip.

  "Jane… Why does that concern you? There's no reason he shouldn't be here. I expected it. He's a man who will never forgo a chance to gamble. If he can persuade anyone to lend him any money, that is. He hasn't a sixpence to scratch with."

  "It's more than that. He knows about Babette."

  "What?" Catherine paled.

  "Major Baker-Cornhill fears that he has a spy in the household. He says that the major knows that Babette is his natural daughter. He wants to see her. But Major Baker-Cornhill got him drunk, so he won't be here before this afternoon."

  "I have a spy, have I? Well, we'll soon see about that." Catherine hesitated for a moment. "Bessie, leave us – send Doyle in to see me in my private sitting room in an hour, would you?"

  Jane knew that Doyle, ostensibly Catherine's footman, was a great deal more than that. The man had been a spy for Wellington's army, Catherine had told her.

  "Doyle's not doing what I hired him to do. How aggravating. Just when I was thinking that we had would have a pleasant few days at the races, Grove decides to make a nuisance of himself. Well, there's nothing to be done. I suppose… Jane, will you speak to Babette? Warn her?"

  "Would he try to take her away do you think?" Jane knew that a man had complete control of his wife and children. If Major Grove decided to take Babette away from Catherine, there was nothing that his wife could do about it.

  "Perhaps. He wants money, as he always does. I have no doubt at all that he will use Babette to bargain for more. The wretched man."

  Elaine, the Duchess of Sommerforth, had helped Mrs. Grove to hide a couple of her estates from her husband. Catherine had owned them, and received the income from them for years, but Jane knew that Catherine suspected that the major knew that she had more money than he was aware of.

  "It's most annoying. Melly, Elaine, and Anne have all married well. The major knows that we have access to money. He wants more…" Catherine sighed. "I've been reluctant to do it, even though Sommerforth has urged me."

  Catherine looked down at the Savonnerie carpet for a long moment, outlining a red peony with her foot.

  Jane waited for her to speak.

  Finally, Catherine looked up. "Sommerforth believes that I should make a final settlement with the major. The duke intends to go to parliament, to make our separation final. That would mean that I would need to make a final payout to Grove — I'd have to give him enough money so that he wouldn't make a fuss. Sommerforth and Delmere have both promised to help."

  Chapter 6

  Jane and Catherine were writing letters in Catherine's personal sitting room when Major Grove was announced.

  "Philip," Catherine said calmly. She rose from her desk, and smoothed her hair.

/>   Jane set aside her lap desk onto the sofa, and stood. She clasped her hands at her waist. She’d met the major.

  Major Grove had the pudgy, bloated look of a veteran drinker, and the high color of a man of choleric temperament. Redheaded as well as red-faced, large, and solidly built, he was an imposing figure, but not an elegant one, nor an especially clean one. He wore a dirty cravat, buttons were missing from his coat, and his riding boots had never seen a shine.

  Although she stopped herself as soon as she realized what she was doing, Jane stared from the major to his wife. It was hard to imagine an elegant, refined lady like Catherine married to this rough man-mountain.

  He paused in the doorway. His gaze flickered over Jane to his wife. "Hoy ho, Cat. You're keeping secrets from me again — this time, you're hiding something important."

  "You've taken the correct word right out of my mouth — secret. And it's not my my secret. It's yours. You've come to see your daughter, I suppose — did you know that you'd left a daughter behind in York some twenty years ago?"

  The major sat down on a chair which creaked alarmingly under his weight. Jane blinked at the state of his boots. They were almost worn through at the toes and severely down at the heels. However, they were fixed with sharp spurs which made her frown. She hoped that the spurs were an affectation.

  He looked Jane up and down, then turned to his wife. "Who's this lady then? She's a pretty piece – you've taken a companion?"

  Catherine sighed. "Keep a civil tongue, husband. You’ve met her before, but no doubt you were drunk at the time… Lady Jane Vernon, may I present my husband, Major Grove. My husband and I have chosen to live apart, to the mutual benefit of us both."

  Catherine sat down at her desk again. "What do you want, Philip? And spare me any faux interest your daughter. You've only ever been concerned about your own welfare."