Mesalliance (21 page)

‘The
Marchioness of Amberley is blind?’ she asked.

‘Yes. Didn’t
you know?’

‘No. I didn’t.
Why, do you suppose, no one thought fit to mention it?’

‘Probably,’
remarked Rockliffe from behind her, ‘because it is less important
than you might think. Well, Harry? Have you forsaken the card table
in favour of more cultured pursuits?’

‘No,’ said his
lordship flatly. ‘And what’s more, I’m not going to let myself be
roasted twice in one evening. In short, I’m going.’ And went.

The Duke turned
a lazy regard on his wife.

‘Now what, I
wonder, brought Harry to break the pattern of a lifetime?’

Adeline opened
her mouth to tell him and then, struck by the novelty of knowing
something he did not, changed her mind. She said, ‘My uncle has
written to say that the family are on their way to town. Harry
thought we’d like to know.’

‘Ah. Yes. That
would naturally explain it.’

His tone held a
trace of something oddly disquieting and she eyed him suspiciously
for a moment before saying, ‘Lord and Lady Amberley have a son. Did
you know?’

‘Philip told
me. It seems that he and Isabel are to stand sponsors to the child
and, being Philip, it’s a responsibility he is taking very
seriously.’ A gleam of humour appeared in his eyes. ‘Since Dominic
apparently said that he also plans to ask me, Philip was anxious to
seek my advice. It’s a habit with him. I believe he regards me
somewhat in the light of parent – but it is not a question I care
to probe too deeply.’

She smiled.
‘No. I can see why you wouldn’t.’

‘You comfort
me. And now, my dear, I thought we might go and listen to my friend
Mr Fox. He has a certain reputation for wit … largely undeserved,
of course – but it would never do to say so.’

*

On the
following afternoon whilst Adeline and Nell were taking tea with
Dolly Cavendish, Rockliffe’s man of law – having been charged with
certain enquiries – came to St James’ Square to report his
findings.

‘Your Grace, I
have visited the parish of Evesham in the Cotswolds from whence the
Horton family originate and likewise the parish adjacent to Sir
Roland Franklin’s property in Oxfordshire,’ announced Mr Osborne
primly. ‘At Evesham, I found the graves of numerous Hortons but
neither there nor in Oxfordshire could I locate a grave bearing the
name of Joanna Kendrick. Nor is there any mention of her in the
Parish Records.’

‘I see.’ The
Duke surveyed his hands. ‘No private chapels?’

‘None, your
Grace.’

‘No. I thought
not.’ He sighed faintly. ‘How very inefficient of them. It surely
cannot be so very difficult to bury a weighted casket?’

Mr Osborne
stiffened.

‘I am afraid I
cannot say, your Grace. It is not a matter I have ever had occasion
to contemplate.’

‘Nor I, Mr
Osborne – nor I. But you do see my dilemma, don’t you? The absence
of a grave suggests the lack of a body … and that naturally leads
me to suppose that my original suspicion was correct and my
mother-in-law is still very much alive. Only think, my dear fellow
– she could walk into my life even as we speak.’

A haunted
expressed crossed the desiccated face and then was gone.

‘But why, your
Grace, should the lady’s family wish the world to believe her
dead?’

‘Now that,’
said Rockliffe, ‘is probably the crux of the matter. And I can only
think of one reason.’

‘Scandal, your
Grace?’

‘Scandal, Mr
Osborne.’

The lawyer
shuddered.

‘Then how does
your Grace suggest we proceed? Without further information, our
hands are tied.’

‘Quite. But a
chain, so they say, is only as strong as its weakest link.’ The
Duke came unhurriedly to his feet. ‘I propose, therefore, to
exploit that link.’

Mr Osborne
looked dubious.

‘It is a very
delicate matter.’

The dark eyes
mocked him.

‘Do you doubt
my powers of diplomacy?’

‘No, no. Not at
all. But does your Grace not think that it might perhaps be best to
leave well alone? After all, a secret preserved so carefully and
for so many years by the lady’s family is unlikely to come out
now.’

‘On the
contrary,’ responded Rockliffe dryly. ‘Now is precisely when it
would
come out. And forewarned is most definitely forearmed.
But be of good cheer, Mr Osborne. I will take the matter into my
own hands for a time and see what comes of it. If and when I have
further instructions for you, I will notify you of them in due
course. Meanwhile I rely, as always, on your complete
discretion.’

Mr Osborne
bowed.

‘Your Grace may
safely do so.’

‘A thought,’
remarked his Grace, winsomely, ‘which is a constant comfort to
me.’

*

Two evenings
later and for only the second time in his marriage, Rockliffe
walked unceremoniously through the communicating door leading to
his wife’s boudoir.

Seated at her
mirror, with only a pink silk wrapper covering her under-dress
while Jeanne put the finishing touches to her hair, Adeline saw him
through the glass and froze. Then, summoning her resources, she
said lightly, ‘If I’m late, I beg your pardon. But it took me quite
twenty minutes to convince Nell that, however dashing she may think
her new coquelicot stripe, it is
not
the thing for Bedford
House.’

‘Certainly
not,’ he agreed placidly. ‘In fact, unless she cares to attend a
masquerade disguised as a travelling show-booth, it is out of place
anywhere. And you are not late.’

‘Oh.’ Since he
must obviously have had some special reason for breaking his own
embargo, this was confusing. Trickier still was the question of
whether or not etiquette demanded that, when one’s husband came to
call, one should dismiss one’s maid.

In the seconds
that she hesitated, Jeanne solved the dilemma for her by murmuring
that, with her Grace’s permission, she would retire to the
dressing-closet to lay out her Grace’s cloak. And almost before
Adeline knew it, she was alone with the Duke.

‘You wished to
speak to me?’ she asked. His eyes were tracing the line of her
throat, causing odd sensations to take place in the pit of her
stomach and making her absurdly shy.

‘Ah, yes. I
believe I did.’ Without any sign of haste, his gaze travelled back
to her face. ‘I came to tell you that my lords March and Carlisle
presented themselves a short time ago in the hope that you might
grant them the honour of admitting them to your
toilette
.’

Adeline stared
at him.

‘In the hope
that I’d
what
?’

‘It is, of
course, quite proper for you to do so once the under-dress is on,’
he explained. ‘They will advise you on the placing of your patches
-- ’

‘I don’t
wear
patches. I should think everyone knows that by
now.’

‘ – and on the
selection of your perfume and jewels,’ he finished urbanely. ‘I’m
afraid, however, that I took the liberty of having these helpful
gentlemen denied.’

‘Good,’ said
Adeline. And then, as an afterthought, ‘Why?’

Still smiling a
little, he advanced to stand beside her.

‘Well, it
seemed to me,’ he replied softly, ‘that I could advise you on all
these matters myself. If, of course, you will permit me?’

She found that
it was necessary to take her time about replying. Finally, she
said, ‘Gladly … on one condition.’

‘And that
is?’

‘That you
resign yourself to the fact that I’ve no intention of painting my
face.’

His brows
rose.

‘My dear, I’ve
not the slightest desire to have you do so. Your instinct is
entirely correct – and I can name at least three ladies who have
recently chosen to follow your example.’

A slow and
faintly incredulous smile dawned.

‘You mean I’m
setting a fashion? Really?’

‘Really,’ he
agreed. ‘You are becoming known as one of the most stylish women in
London. And I’d hazard a guess that, by the end of the Season, you
will be in the delightful position of being able to start any trend
which may amuse you.’

‘Dandelions in
my hair?’ she teased, only half believing him. ‘A gown embroidered
with strawberry leaves over a petticoat emblazoned from waist to
hem with your Coat of Arms?’

‘Why not?’ he
laughed. ‘In the meantime, however, we must establish your
influence. You are wearing the oyster satin this evening?’

She nodded.

‘Excellent.
Then you will require the sapphire set.’

He unlatched
the chest containing the family jewels and perused it for a
moment.

‘I appear to
have neglected to furnish you with the Wynstanton diamonds,’ he
observed idly. ‘For reasons best known to herself, my mother stored
them at the bank. I’ll have Matthew retrieve them for you
tomorrow.’

Then, selecting
the case containing the sapphires and, extracting the necklace, he
proceeded to fasten it around her throat. Adeline’s breath stopped
and she sat very still as his fingers completed their task and slid
down to rest lightly on her shoulders. His eyes met hers in the
mirror and then, the merest hint of a question in his smile, he
bent to lay his mouth against her neck.

The door
opened.

‘Aren’t you
ready yet, Adeline? We’re going to be dreadfully late,’ said Nell.
And then, staring at her brother, ‘Oh. Am I interrupting?’

‘No,’ said
Adeline, arising decidedly pink.

‘Yes,’ said
Rockliffe with rare irascibility. ‘Don’t you ever knock?’

‘I didn’t,’
replied Nell affrontedly, ‘expect you to be here. How could I? You
don’t usually attend Adeline’s
toilette.
But I beg your
pardon, I’m sure!’ And she swept out of the room again, shutting
the door behind her with a distinct snap.

For a moment or
two after she had gone, Rockliffe communed silently with the
ceiling. Then he said simply, ‘If I didn’t know better, I’d begin
to think that her quite deplorable timing was deliberate. As it is,
I’m bound to own the justice of her remarks.’ He smiled suddenly.
‘It’s something, however, that can be mended.’

Adeline spotted
the ambiguity but declined – on the suspicion that it was
intentional – to query it. Instead, she said mildly, ‘She was right
about the time, too. I ought to finish dressing.’

‘Ought you?’ he
asked. Then, regretfully, ‘Yes. I suppose you ought. A pity. But
I’m sure you’ll say that it wouldn’t do to disappoint Nell.’

‘N-no,’ she
agreed weakly, wondering what else he had in mind.

‘No. I thought
not.’ He picked up the sapphire bracelet and clasped it around her
wrist. Then, toying abstractedly with her fingers, he said gently,
‘I have given you time, Adeline – and shall continue to do so. I am
also, you may have noticed, trying to rectify earlier omissions by
courting you. I don’t ask you to meet me half-way … but I would be
grateful if you could retreat a trifle less swiftly.’

Her throat
closed and she had to avert her gaze before he could read it.

‘I’m sorry. It
isn’t intentional.’

‘No.’ His hand
tightened on hers. ‘Tell me something. Do you trust me?’

She looked at
him then, her eyes wide and candid.

‘Of
course.’

‘Good.’ He
dropped a light kiss on her fingers and released them. ‘Remember
it.’ And turned to go, leaving her prey to a whole battery of mixed
emotions.

*

The first
person she set eyes on inside Bedford House was her cousin Diana,
dancing with Jack Ingram.

‘Armageddon,’
murmured Adeline to her husband. ‘The next time you imply that
you’d welcome an evening at home, I promise I’ll listen.’

‘And I shall
hold you to it.’ Rockliffe awarded her a flicker of ironic
amusement and raised his glass to survey the company.

‘Are we,’
demanded Nell, ‘supposed to appear enthusiastic?’

‘No,’ replied
her brother placidly. ‘Just beautifully civil. Lady Miriam is
sitting with Alice Morton. I suggest we take the initiative and pay
our respects. Adeline?’

‘Why not?’ Her
smile was brittle. ‘We may as well get it over with. But I’d advise
against looking her in the eye.’

‘The basilisk
stare? I don’t think we need fear it. Or not until she is finally
convinced that we’re not going to help her stalk a title for Diana.
And by then, my loved ones, it will not matter one whit.’

It was
Rockliffe whom Lady Miriam saw first. She stiffened and, ignoring
Nell, stared inimically at the strikingly elegant woman on his arm.
For a moment the oyster satin and sapphires produced a sense of
unreality; then she met long-lashed aquamarine eyes filled with
all-too-familiar mockery and, with a word of excuse to Lady Morton,
rose to meet her niece.

‘Adeline … how
very well you look.’

‘I
am
well, Aunt.’ Adeline allowed her smooth cheek to brush my lady’s
powdered one and took the opportunity to smile at Althea, standing
nervously in her mother’s shadow. ‘I have, after all, every reason
to be.’

‘Quite.’ Lady
Miriam extended her hand to receive Rockliffe’s languid salute.
‘How pleasant to see you again, your Grace. And Lady Elinor, too …
Diana will be so pleased.’

‘Will she?’
Nell arose from her curtsy and looked thoughtfully at Diana’s twin.
Then, as if making up her mind, she said, ‘Is this your first
party, Thea?’

‘Yes.’ Althea’s
fingers twisted on her fan. ‘It is so very crowded, is it not?’

‘And destined
to become more so, I fear,’ replied Rockliffe with suitable
gravity, having himself considered the rooms a little thin of
company. ‘But you will enjoy it all so much better when you know a
few people. Nell … I see the Delahayes are here. Why do you not
present Mistress Althea to Cassie and some of the other young
ladies? Lady Miriam, I feel sure, will have no objection.’