This was his first public dance since Rome, and it was time he regained his confidence in such things. Next year, he determined to accompany his family when they visited London in the season. He might see Lady Rosie again, and who knew what the outcome might be.
This was an excellent way to complete his social visit. Tomorrow afternoon, he would leave Hopstone Court. On Monday, work would begin on the final weeks of his farming apprenticeship, and by the middle of May, he would return home.
“By the way, sir,” said Kegworth, applying the clothes brush one last time. “I found this in the inner pocket of your coat.”
“The blue coat?” said Joshua, viewing with astonishment the fine length of gold coloured rope in the valet’s hand.
“Yes, Mr Norbery.” The valet’s voice was devoid of expression.
Joshua absently ran the silky threads through his fingers, recalling that on the night of the Ball at the Villa Borghese, the Contessa wore it as a belt around her shimmering toga. Later she used it to bind his wrists, when they were in the marble chamber – a few minutes before the interruption…
He remembered the moment in the courtyard when Lady Rosie discovered his bonds.
“The evil witch,” she had said in a furious tone, struggling to untie the silken strands. “How dare she do this to you?”
Then, her tone changed to one of curiosity as the Contessa’s intention of tying him to the bed dawned.
“How novel,” she said, in a teasing voice. “May I keep this one?”
Joshua flushed to the roots of his hair, realising the significance of Rosie’s question; but after her rescue, how could he refuse? She had slipped the memento into her reticule, and he stuffed the second strand in his inner pocket.
Seeing it again he thought differently.
“You were wrong, Contessa,” Joshua muttered under his breath, as he recalled the Italian diplomat’s wife who had sought to entrap him. “I have no use for such tawdry things, for I will never be a slave to the likes of you.”
Thus said, he tossed the relic from the past into the fire and watched it burn. Then he nodded thanks to Kegworth and walked towards the door.
When he entered the dining hall, Joshua found that more guests were present for introduction. Lady Gransden’s married sister was visiting, while her husband was on military duties in the town, as well as her oldest daughter, Charlotte, and her spouse.
Lady Gransden gave him a long appraising look, followed by a distinct nod of approval, and adjured her son to study Mr Norbery’s style of dress, which, she claimed, would recommend itself to people.
“But Mama,” said Michael. “Joshua has the advantage of having travelled to Italy.”
His mother’s only comment: “Well, that accounts for it.”
Michael’s older sisters said nothing, but Melissa declared, “Mama is right. You do look very fine. May I be permitted to hope you might dance with me?” She looked sideways at him and smiled.
Her father viewed her with an indulgent eye. “It is not quite the thing, little miss, to ask a gentleman to dance, but I am sure Mr Norbery will find a moment to sign your card.”
Joshua tactfully requested the pleasure of a dance with all the ladies, including Lady Gransden’s sister, Mrs Eccleshall, which accounted for most of the evening. Michael and James did the same.
When the time came to set off for the assembly rooms, the party climbed into two large coaches. Sir John Gransden, his wife and her sister, accompanied by their two older daughters, sat in one, while Melissa chatted happily to her brother and his friends in another.
Michael Gransden’s party arrived first, but rather than stand outside in the chill air, went into the vestibule to wait for his parents. He moved forward to sign the visitors’ book and introduce his guests, while Joshua stood to the rear of the group awaiting his turn.
Feeling a sudden blast of cold air, he looked around and saw a group of six or seven soldiers, dressed in smart regimentals, coming through the open door, one more loquacious than his fellow officers.
He heard one say, “You’re too bosky to be in here, Lieutenant.”
Another, with a hint of the Irish replied, “A trifle disguised I will allow, but ’tis a sad reflection if a man can’t celebrate his sister’s safe delivery from childbirth.”
Joshua would have recognised the voice anywhere, but it was the content of the conversation that froze his blood. Charlie Cobarne’s talk of childbirth could only relate to one sister…
His mind stopped mid-calculation of the months since their last meeting. It must be nearly a year since he left Linmore, but he could not recall how close. He was transfixed. If Sophie Cobarne had delivered a child, to whom did it belong? Suddenly, he felt sick.
A hand caught his arm. “It’s your turn to sign the book, Joshua,” Melissa said, standing at his side.
Her clear sweet voice carried to the new arrivals. Charlie looked him straight in the eye, and for a brief second, the old flame of friendship glowed. Then an icy glaze of enmity extinguished it.
It was hard to keep a steady hand to write his name in the visitors’ book. However much Joshua wished otherwise, the prospect of a confrontation seemed inevitable. He glanced over his shoulder, beyond the soldiers to the outer door, hoping for deliverance, but it remained obstinately closed. Where was Lady Gransden?
“Who the devil let you in here amongst decent people?”
Joshua met the other man’s gaze, willing him to say no more, but this was not Charlie as he had known him. It was a harsh-faced stranger in uniform, unsteady on his feet and hell-bent on humiliating him.
“What’s the matter, Norbery?” Charlie Cobarne taunted, his potations putting words in his mouth. “Does the cat have your tongue, or are you afraid I will tell these people about how the heir to Linmore Hall preys on innocent women? I’ll do that readily enough, and give you a thrashing you’ll never forget.”
The soldier’s words sent a horrified gasp echoing around the vestibule. People shrank back from Joshua, leaving him standing alone in the middle of the room. He faced Charlie with outward calm, but underneath he was in turmoil.
“Say what you like, Charlie; you let yourself down as well. I will not fight you. There is not, and never has been a valid reason.”
Joshua’s apparent calm seemed to inflame the other man.
“Sophie said there was…” Charlie insisted, bunching his fists.
His fellow officers tried to hold him back. “You can’t cause a mill in here, Lieutenant Cobarne. Jolly bad form.”
Michael Gransden stepped haughtily forward. “What’s all this about, Norbery?”
Dear God; what was it all about? “It was a disagreement… from… our schooldays.” Joshua said the first thing that came to mind.
“Schooldays, be damned,” Charlie slurred. “You, sir,” he pointed at Michael, “should have a care about the company in which you entrust your sister.”
“My sister…?” Michael Gransden’s haughty demeanour heightened. “What the deuce do you mean, sir?”
His hand snaked out and caught Melissa’s arm, pulling her away from Joshua’s side.
Charlie Cobarne was more than ready to enlighten him.
“What I mean, my fine buck, is that you should take care not to let a rake like this… creature, anywhere near her.”
There were murmurs of dissention. “Here, I say, steady on, there’s no need for that kind of talk in here with ladies present.”
Others in the group moved to intercede. Door attendants came forward.
“Well, Norbery, are you going to admit it? Did you, or did you not ravish my sister?”
The former friends stood glowering at each other. The taller was pale-faced and rigid as a marble statue. The other, with a flushed, wild-eyed look, was increasingly unsteady on his feet. They had the attention of everyone in the assembly rooms vestibule. Not a soul dared move for fear of missing the next word.
“Irrespective of what she told you, I…did…not,” Joshua said through gritted teeth.
“Lying scum.” Charlie spat on the ground. “I should have killed you for it at the time, and I would have, but for…”
“My father’s appearance on the scene,” Joshua said quietly. “Isn’t that what you were going to say? Are you satisfied now you have tarnished my family name for no good cause?”
“Wasn’t my sister’s honour reason enough?”
“If what she said was true, then maybe; but what harm did my father ever do to you, or her, to deserve having his name bandied about? Where would either of you have been if he hadn’t cared enough to give you a home, when nobody else wanted you?”
They were verbally fencing now with the foil off the blades. Joshua’s words caused Charlie’s guard to waver. He struggled to make a recovery, but was too late for Joshua attacked without mercy and thrust the point home to the heart.
“And don’t forget Ed Salter…” he hissed, “without whose help neither you nor your sister would have learned to ride, Lieutenant Cobarne of the Dragoons.”
For a brief moment, Charlie stared at him uncomprehendingly, then his eyes clouded with tears, and he stood with head bowed and shoulders sagging in defeat.
Joshua’s control similarly reached its limit. He knew he must leave before it snapped. He turned to his companions.
“Please make my apologies to your mother, Michael. I think it would be better for everyone if I return to Holkham tonight. I’d be obliged if you’d ask Kegworth to bring my bag when you come back.”
Michael rounded on him, saying in a furious undertone, “No, I’m dashed if I will. If you leave, then you admit he is right. You have to stay, otherwise it reflects badly on my family, and I will not have that.”
With no other choice, Joshua said, “I will stay, but if your sister wants to change her mind about dancing with me…”
“It’s up to her what she decides,” Michael growled. “That fellow is in his cups. Everyone can see that.”
The bonhomie had gone; but almost immediately, an icy draught swept Lady Gransden forward from the outer doors.
“What is the meaning of this unseemly obstruction, Michael?” she said in an imperious tone. “It is preventing Colonel Eccleshall from entering the assembly rooms.”
At the mention of their commanding officer, all military heads snapped to attention. Shoulders went back, feet clicked in unison, and within seconds, they melted away before anyone challenged their presence. Some dashed towards the card room. Others bolted through side doors, dragging Charlie Cobarne with them.
Hardly had they disappeared, than Lady Gransden said in a voice that would brook no refusal, “Mr Norbery, would you care to take a turn with me around the ballroom?”
Joshua offered his arm. “I’d be honoured, ma’am.”
“Michael,” she turned to her son. “Attend your sister, and James, escort Harriet, if you please.”
No one dared refuse.
Footmen sprang to open the inner double doors, as the matriarch swept through the opening on Joshua’s arm. The sound of orchestral music filled the air, and the assembly rooms glowed with the candlelight reflecting on the crystal chandeliers running the length of the room, with more fittings around the walls.
Joshua breathed in, wondering the purpose of the exercise. It almost seemed as if the lady wished to be seen with him, for she bestowed gracious smiles on the worthy and deigned not to see anyone beneath her notice. As they promenaded the length of the room, she said in a quiet tone, “I hope you will not think ill of me if I offer a word of advice, the sort that I might give to my son. It is better in these situations to affect not to notice such people, and then no one gives credence to their ramblings.”
He breathed out again, wondering how much she heard.
“A look of disdain can be most effective,” she said, and suited the word to the deed towards anyone with the temerity to approach.
Having completed the circuit, they stopped whilst the lady selected a seat that gave her the best vantage point of the ballroom, and waited for her family to join them.
“Now, if you care to leave me, you may safely return to your friends. My husband will attend me.”
“I am obliged to you for the advice, ma’am,” Joshua felt compelled to say.
“This show of unity has not been simply for your benefit, young man, as my own. I live amongst these people, and know their propensity to gossip. I have no way of judging the validity of that person’s scurrilous claim. It is between you, and him; but what I will say is if Mr Coke deems you worthy to go to Holkham, who am I to cavil?”
Joshua bowed over her hand as the family approached them. Michael was looking stormy, but he dared not speak out for fear of attracting his mother’s ire. James Inglethorpe arrived with Harriet Gransden on his arm, and Melissa with her father.
What was he supposed to do now? After the altercation in the entrance lobby, he did not know if anyone would dance with him.
He stood on the outer rim of the family circle, wishing he had stayed at Holkham, until Michael and James gravitated to his side.
“We’d better make an effort to find a partner before the master of ceremonies finds one for us,” Michael said, and James nodded agreement. They slid away, leaving Joshua to make his own move.
He sensed a movement at his side, and looked down as a hand touched his arm. Melissa Gransden stood looking at him.
“Would it be very forward of me to ask you to dance now?” she said. “You’re the only person who doesn’t tread on my feet, and I was so looking forward to it.” Her quaint little face had a determined look.
“Thank you, Miss Melissa,” he said. “I’d be honoured to dance with you.”
She pouted. “Only if you call me by my name, Joshua; the other thing makes me sound as old as Harriet, and she’s ancient.”
That was her older sister who was all of twenty years of age.
It was agreed. They went through a set of country-dances, and then she said, “That was lovely. I do hope we can repeat it later.”
James came to interrupt. “I think this is my dance, Melissa.”
“Is it?” she said, peering at her dance card. “No, there’s nothing written here. Oh, I see, Michael sent you…” She wrinkled her nose.
Joshua thanked her for the dance and moved away. Clearly, Michael thought his sister was too much in his company. The last thing he was going to do was harm a friendly little soul like Melissa. Still she could not be too careful.