Melinda Hammond (9 page)

 She said as much to him as they took their places in the set.

 'Are you glad now that you bought your new coat?' she added mischievously.

 He smiled. 'I am glad only if it finds favour with you, Cousin.'

 Well it does! You look very well in it, and the gold fob on your watch-chain, I have not seen that before -is that new too?'

 Mr Worsthorne hesitated.

 'Yes. A trinket that caught my eye when I was in Leeds before Christmas.'

 The start of the dance put an end to their conversation and Verity gave herself up to the enjoyment of the music, but not before she noted that Mr Bannerman was dancing with Miss Wetherby and Lady Winter's words came back to her: what man could resist the chance to increase his fortune?

Chapter Eight

 As the evening wore on Miss Shore found she had no time for reflection: her hand was claimed for the next two dances and after this she was content to sit and watch the proceedings. It was a lively party, where most of the guests were well acquainted and at ease with one another. She noticed Mr Bannerman approaching carrying two glasses of champagne.

 'I thought you might be in need of refreshment.'

 Her eyes twinkled. 'Thank you. Do I look very hot?'

 'Not at all, but I saw you were alone …'

 'My Cousin Luke is dancing, and Sir Robin has persuaded Megs to stand up with him. She was determined not to dance, but I am glad she has changed her mind. She knows so many people here.'

 'So will you, too, become acquainted with everyone, in time.'

 Verity sipped her champagne. 'Miss Wetherby is very pretty. She is much admired in the county, I think?'

 'Yes indeed.' He glanced down at her. 'You yourself have not gone unnoticed tonight: several persons have remarked you.'

 'Ah, but I have the charm of novelty, sir. I am unknown, and therefore remarkable. Once the weather improves and they see more of me, their interest will wane.'

 'You are right, soon you will be nothing more than the poor little female who lives at Highclough.'

 Startled, she raised her eyes to his face, relaxing only when she saw his lips curving into a smile.

 'Unchivalrous, sir! How can I contradict you without sounding conceited?'

 'You can't. But you can have your revenge by coming down to supper with me now: I will then be obliged to make polite conversation with you for a full half-hour.'

 She rose and placed one gloved hand on his arm.

 'Your conversation, Mr Bannerman, is
never
polite.' She murmured as he led her towards the supper room.

* * * *

 They found Mrs Worsthorne and her son already sitting at a table with Lady Winter, but even as Mr Bannerman started to guide Verity towards them, a soft female voice made him pause.

 'Will you not join us, sir?'

 Verity looked round. Miss Wetherby was smiling and nodding and after the briefest hesitation Mr Bannerman turned back. Moments later Verity found herself sitting with Mr and Mrs Wetherby and their daughter. Mr Wetherby greeted them with a genial smile before giving his attention to his supper, but it was immediately obvious to Miss Shore that Mr Bannerman was the object of the ladies' attention. She was in no way put out to realize that they considered her a rather insignificant addition to their party. The lack of attention suited her very well, and while enjoying the excellent supper, she took the opportunity to observe Miss Charlotte Wetherby. She was a handsome young woman, possibly a year or two older than Miss Shore, and where Verity's soft brown hair was caught up in a simple green ribbon, Miss Wetherby's golden curls tumbled from a diamond-studded topknot and danced about her shoulders. Her dress of white satin was deceptively simple and probably cost more than the Highclough ladies had spent on both their gowns.

 Mrs Wetherby, a formidable matron in a burgundy gown and turban, both lavishly decorated with garnets, was graciously complimenting Mr Bannerman on the success of the evening and as her daughter was engaged in echoing these sentiments, Verity had nothing to do but enjoy her meal. She was just laying down her fork when Miss Wetherby addressed her.

 'I understand, Miss Shore, that you were a governess.'

 'Why yes.' She noted Miss Wetherby's look of condescension and added gently: 'It is an occupation considered fitting for
impoverished
young ladies.'

 Miss Wetherby recoiled visibly at this, and her mama gave a thin smile.

 'As Mistress of Highclough you will no doubt be thankful
that
episode is in the past, Miss Shore.'

 'Well, one hopes so,' replied Verity with deceptive sweetness. 'However, I will only inherit Highclough if I am found to be a fit and proper person, and I believe the trustees are not yet convinced….'

 'Miss Shore is very fond of levity.' Mr Bannerman interrupted her, a warning in his glance.

 'You must forgive dear Charlotte's curiosity, Miss Shore,' remarked Mrs Wetherby. 'My daughter has never had the need to contemplate such a life.'

 'Indeed?' replied Verity. 'She is most fortunate.'

 'I think it might be rather entertaining,' Miss Wetherby continued, 'to look after dear little children, and to make them mind one.'

 Verity smiled. 'Cast your mind back to your own schooldays, Miss Wetherby. Can you truthfully say that you behaved well for your governess?'

 'High spirits are only to be expected,' declared Mrs Wetherby, casting a fond glance at her daughter. 'A
good
governess will have no difficulty with that.'

 'Not with the children, perhaps,' muttered Verity. Beneath the table she felt Mr Bannerman's foot press down upon her toes but when she looked up he met her gaze with a bland smile as he said, 'I think you would agree Miss Shore, that you are fortunate to be able to give up that role?'

 
'Most
fortunate, sir!'

 Mrs Wetherby smiled complacently, unaware of the dangerous sparkle in Verity's eyes. 'My dear Miss Shore, you are far too young to have much experience. When dear Charlotte was in need of a governess I chose a much older female to school her, one unlikely to be distracted from her duties.'

 'One unlikely to be seduced by the master,' murmured Verity, wincing as she again felt the pressure of Mr Bannerman's foot while the gentleman smoothly addressed Mrs Wetherby.

 'I am informed, ma'am, that Miss Shore was most a proficient teacher. When I tracked her down she had the schooling of three lively children at a house in Cromford –'

 'Hah, Cromford you say?' Mr Wetherby jerked awake. 'I thought you went there to look at the new mills, Bannerman?'

 'Yes. I was invited to visit there, and I took a young engineer with me - James Marsden. He is staying on to study Arkwright's methods, with a view to implementing them for me here. It was a fortunate coincidence that Miss Shore was living in the area.'

 But Mr Wetherby was not interested in Miss Shore.

 'Well sir, will it work, d'you think? Using these infernal machines for spinning?'

 'Yes, I think it might.' Mr Bannerman pushed his plate away. 'The machines never stop, you see. The workforce is divided into two shifts, and the lights blaze from the mill throughout the night. Such a mill here would keep every weaver in the area busy.'

 'Arkwright's mills use cotton, I believe.'

 'Yes, but there are many practices that would work as well for wool, or worsted. That's what Marsden is to determine.' He leaned forward, warming to his theme. 'At the present time the farmers can only sell their fleeces to the staplers who sort the wool and sell on the yarn for spinning. My plan is to set up our own mill here in the valley, where we can purchase the wool direct, giving the farmers a better price. Once it is spun, the yarn can be put back out to the cottagers for weaving. By keeping the industry local I believe we can improve everyone's lot.'

 Mr Wetherby looked sceptical.

 'But what do you know about spinning, Bannerman? What in fact do you know about wool?'

 Rafe Bannerman grinned. 'Very little, but I have every faith in Marsden. He is the son of a local weaver, so he knows the trade. We've the best wool in the country here, Wetherby, and you know it. Long-staple wool, perfect for worsteds. I want to make the most of that, and if I can improve the lot of my tenants and the small-holders on the hills, so much the better. Besides, these new methods are coming, whether we like 'em or not, and if we don't move now the work will go to Halifax and Bradford and our local people will suffer.'

 Mr Wetherby shook his head.

 'Bannerman, I don't hold with these new ideas, breaking up the old order. It does no good, only look at the trouble it's caused in France.'

 'But surely, Mr Wetherby, that was precisely because they would
not
change from the older order,' put in Verity. She found all eyes turned upon her and coloured. 'That is, there was no attempt in France to improve the lot of the poor. I believe everyone is entitled to earn a living.'

 'Well done, Miss Shore,' murmured Mr Bannerman, his eyes glinting.

 'By Gad, Miss, you are very young to be expressing yourself so!' declared Mr Wetherby, eyeing her uncertainly.

 Miss Wetherby began to fidget.

 'Well I for one find the subject most tedious. Mr Bannerman, pray take me back to the ballroom, for I am sure it is time for the dancing to begin again.'

 Taking the hint, Miss Shore rose smoothly to her feet.

 'I believe you are right, Miss Wetherby. I can see my Cousin looking for me, so I shall take my leave of you.'

 She sketched a slight curtsy to the party and made her way across to Mrs Worsthorne, who was preparing to leave the room with Lady Winter.

 'My love, I have been watching you all through supper! How animated you all looked. How do you like Miss Wetherby, would it not be wonderful if you two were to become close friends?'

 Wonderful indeed, Megs. I fear she is too well bred for my taste.'

 'I do not understand you.'

 Verity's green eyes sparkled with anger. 'The lady is too full of her own importance. I do not think she felt at ease conversing with a
mere governess!
In fact, I wanted nothing better than to shock her out of her complaisance.' Her lips twitched. 'Fortunately Mr Bannerman was on hand to remind me of my manners.'

 'Rafe playing propriety, I cannot believe it!' Lady Winter clapped her hands. 'Oh bravo, Verity. I made sure you would not like her – and my poor brother, is he besotted then?'

 Verity spread her hands.

 'He may well be. Miss Wetherby and her mama paid him every attention, and agreed with every word he uttered.'

 Lady Winter gave a little crow of laughter.

 'Poor Rafe, he will be bored to death. Come, let us go back to the ballroom and watch the rest of this merry farce!'

* * *

 'Well, Miss Shore, are you enjoying yourself?'

Verity looked round to find her host standing beside her.

 'Very much so, Mr Bannerman. My experience of parties is limited, but this is so lively, everyone in such good spirits – you are to be congratulated, sir.'

 'For what? I have done very little, merely brought in the musicians and laid on good food and wine. Where is the skill in that?'

 'I cannot say, but there must be something.'

 'The people perhaps? Do you think I have a gift for throwing together those with similar minds - like yourself and Miss Wetherby, for instance.'

 Verity smiled but shook her head. 'I was very rag-mannered, it was bad of me. But it is not only my conscience that is nagging me - my poor toes are still hurting!'

 He grinned at her. 'Yes, I'm sorry about that, but I could see you had lost your temper and were in danger of uttering something you would later regret.'

 'So uncivil of me,' she retorted, 'when I feel sure the Wetherbys were trying to put me at my ease.'

 'Trying to put you in your place would be more the case! You know that and so do I. Can't have a little upstart governess coming into the area and taking the shine out of all the local beauties.'

 Verity gave a little crow of laughter. 'I am sure you are wrong there. Miss Wetherby must be ignorant of her own considerable charms if she is afraid of that.'

 'Oh Miss Wetherby is well aware of her, ah, charms, as you put it, but since she does not have your generosity of spirit she cannot bear to admit to any other woman's attractions.'

 'Is - is that a compliment, sir?' Verity asked him, startled.

 'Possibly.' He held out his hand to her. 'Come and dance with me.'

 'Thank you. And to demonstrate my
generosity of spirit
, I will do my best to be agreeable, sir, and not to contradict you.'

 'I beg your pardon?'

 'Is that not what pleases a gentleman, to be fawned upon and flattered?'

 'Not this gentleman!'

 'I confess I should find it difficult to concur with everything you say.'

 His eyes glinted. 'I knew I could depend upon you to add a little spice to the evening.'

 'Well, I hope I don't add too much – I am a little out of practice at country dances.'

 'Don't worry, I was watching you earlier – you danced beautifully.'

 The compliment was uttered in a matter of fact tone but Verity flushed, gratified as they took their places in the set. She enjoyed dancing with Mr Bannerman, for he was a graceful dancer, his clasp on her hand was reassuring as he led her through the movements. She knew a moment's regret when the music ended.

 'Let me take you to my sister,' he said. 'My duty as a host precludes my dancing with you again.'

 'Your tone does not suggest you regret the fact, sir.'

 'No, my feet need time to recover.'

 Verity gasped. 'How dare you! You know I trod on you but once.'

 His dark eyes glinted down at her. 'Only because I took care to keep well away from you, I thought after my - er - gentle remonstrance with you at supper you might be out for revenge.'

 'It would be no more than you deserve, Mr Bannerman.'

 'Hush now, or Sally will hear you, and think you no better than a fishwife to be scolding so.'