Clara laughed. “I’m so glad you aren’t my parent Milly! I would never have got away with anything if you had been!”
Milly smiled. “I just observed your glowing face when you returned from your walk with Lord Chertsey. It certainly brought some colour to your complexion.”
Clara flushed. “He’s very appealing.”
“We could stay here and further our acquaintance with him,” Milly offered. It was a serious consideration for Clara to ponder. A young lady of two and twenty to give up on a potential suitor was not an action that should be taken lightly. At that age suitors were few and far between, even for a girl as handsome as Clara.
“I wouldn’t be able to enjoy my time not knowing what Charles was doing,” Clara admitted.
“I thought you’d say that. You’d better practice being polite to Mr Shambles then if he is to be a house guest,” Milly said gently.
“That is going to be easier said than done!” Clara said with feeling.
Chapter 8
Clara smiled as Edmund approached her; she had hoped to see him as she walked in Hyde Park. She had picked out his form as he paraded on horseback. She had been obliged to leave her horse in the stables; Milly was no horsewoman and preferred to walk and so her cousin always accompanied her on foot.
Edmund dismounted as he approached Clara; her bonnet could not hide her blushes or the sparkle in her eyes as she smiled at him. He had never been greeted with pure unaffected pleasure; most people saw him, as well as all the other aristocratic single men, as a ticket to either title or fortune, or if lucky enough, both. Clara just seemed pleased to see him, and it warmed something inside him.
“Good afternoon, ladies,” Edmund said with a bow. “Are you well?”
“We are perfectly well, thank you, My Lord,” Clara responded with a curtsey.
“May I walk with you?” The ladies nodded their agreement, and Edmund fell into step beside Clara and Milly. “I’m glad to see you; I wanted to secure my next dances with you–I’m presuming you will be attending Lord Westford’s ball on Saturday, it being one of the highlights of the season?”
“We were supposed to be attending,” Clara said stiffly. “Unfortunately, my brother has decided that he is to entertain Mr Shambles at Glazebrook House. We are to leave the day after tomorrow.”
“Really? Is that a sudden plan?” Edmund asked, knowing full well that it must have been.
“Yes,” Clara confirmed. “I chose to accompany them rather than stay in town.”
Edmund understood the meaning behind the words; the sister was not prepared to leave Charles alone with Joshua, but Edmund wished she would. He did not like the thought of Clara being under the same roof as Joshua Shambles. Henry’s opinion of him seemed more severe than his actions deserved, but until Edmund had confirmed Joshua’s character one way or another, he would rather Clara not be so close to him.
“It will be strained with the four of you together at your home,” he said gently, succeeding in keeping the tone of his voice level and restrained when all he wanted to do was instruct her to stay away from Joshua Shambles. He had never felt protective of anyone before, and it did not rest easy with him.
“It will, but we would not enjoy the season knowing Charles is so far away with that man. Anything could happen,” Clara responded, once again being open with her feelings.
“Could you invite some other friends? More people in residence might provide you all with a diversion and, if playing host, your brother would be prevented from spending every moment in the company of Shambles,” Edmund suggested.
Clara frowned as she thought but then turned to Edmund with a smile that lit her eyes and made his stomach clench with pleasure. “What a wonderful idea! We would have to think carefully about who to invite, but you could just have saved us from a very bleak time, My Lord.”
Edmund smiled. “Glad to be of service.”
The party soon split, and Clara and Milly walked back to Half Moon Street. Clara made plans, trying to work out who would be willing to visit the seaside. Leaving London at the height of the season would be too much to ask for some at this point in the social calendar which was considered a vital part of the season. It was important to secure a marriage before everyone left for the coast or country.
“Would you wish to invite your new friend?” Milly asked as they returned to Half Moon Street with a teasing look at her cousin and was gratified to see Clara flush.
“I admit the thought crossed my mind,” said Clara admitted. She could be honest with Milly at least. “But it wouldn’t do; an Earl in the company of Mr Shambles would be a step too far. We are going to have to choose guests carefully; not everyone would welcome such a house guest, and I don’t want Charles further damaged by his association with him.”
“It’s a pity you couldn’t invite him; I’d hoped there would be opportunities for you to become further acquainted,” Milly said with a mock innocent look.
“Milly! Control yourself! It wasn’t too long ago that you didn’t trust our new acquaintance; now you are matchmaking,” Clara laughed. “Concentrate on who might be persuaded to put up with Mr Shambles rather than someone who would never lower themselves to mix with such a person. Believe me, Lord Chertsey is definitely aware of his own self-importance; he would never accept the invitation even if we were foolish enough to issue it.”
*
Edmund handed his horse to the footman and bounded up the steps to Henry’s home in Berkeley Square. Henry was still wrapped in his silk banyan, even at the late hour. He was unconcerned at his friend seeing him in such a state of undress due to having had an extremely late night. He smiled at Edmund’s raised eyebrow.
“All in the name of King and country!” Henry said as he poured two glasses of brandy.
“Was she very pretty?” Edmund asked.
Henry chuckled. “Pretty and married and very talkative about her French sympathising husband ̶ the best kind of woman in my humble opinion. She might not look kindly on the visit the family will be getting this afternoon; I expect there will be a hasty move abroad before too long and good riddance to them!”
“Will he not hang for his treason?”
“No. It wouldn’t benefit anyone to see a member of the aristocracy hanged. It could put ideas into the heads of those who would like to see a revolution in England. If it’s all the same to you, I’d like to keep my head! He’ll be exiled, probably to Italy; it’s best that way,” Henry responded.
“So, you’ll be glad to see the likes of Shambles hanged, but no one with a title?” Edmund asked with derision. Henry’s double standards did not agree with his own principles. If someone did wrong; they should suffer the consequences; it should not depend on who they were. It was one of the hypocrisies that made him despise the class of people he belonged to.
“Good lord, Chertsey! You do have the most peculiar ideas sometimes. Enough of this nonsense; I have made my report, and he will be receiving a visit later today. I thought it best not to make an appearance. I can’t stand it when a woman realises she’s been used and turns into a watering pot; it is pitiful to witness,” Henry said with a shudder.
“Sometimes I don’t know how you sleep at night.” Edmund shook his head at his friend. He was sure Henry would be capable of using anyone to get what he wanted.
“Perfectly soundly, my dear man! My conscience is completely clear! Anyway enough of this nonsense. Back to more interesting matters. What have you been up to that results in such an early visit?”
“Finding out something interesting actually. It appears our young Baron and his friend are going to the coast to arrive on Thursday for a short stay,” Edmund said smugly.
“Really? Well that is worth knowing!” Henry said, swirling the liquid in his glass before downing the drink. “It appears we will be visiting Brandon sooner than I anticipated.”
“Are you sure he will welcome you?” Edmund asked. Their mutual friend had been livid the last time they had seen him.
“I shall be my usual charming self,” Henry said reassuringly.
“That’s what I’m worried about.”
“He won’t be able to refuse; I’ll make sure of it. You worry too much. It appears that Joshua is about to show us what he’s really up to.”
“It could still be smuggling,” Edmund reasoned.
“No, he wouldn’t be going to the coast for something as trivial as watching the barrels being landed. There must be another reason.”
“Is there something you’re not telling me?” Edmund asked. He was not one for romantic ideas, but Henry seemed far too focused on Joshua Shambles; they had chased other offenders in the past, but Henry had never been so intent on bringing down one specific person.
Henry had the grace to look a little uncomfortable, but the expression was fleeting and soon replaced by his usual confidence. “I keep telling you he’s up to something; that’s all I know.”
“That’s a hunch. We are going to a lot of effort for something that is based on pure feeling.”
“Trust me! It’ll be worth it; I’m sure of it.”
*
Charles almost exploded into the drawing room. “Excellent news, Clara! Mr and Mrs Beresford and Miss Beresford are to join us at Glazebrook House!”
“Oh, Charles! That is wonderful indeed!” Clara said genuinely. “It must mean you are considered a serious suitor for Miss Beresford.”
“I jolly well hope so!” Charles said with a grin. “They can only arrive on Sunday, but will stay until Thursday.”
“That’s a lot of time away from London at this point in the season,” Clara responded.
“Yes, and if everything goes to plan, Miss Beresford will be engaged by Thursday!”
“I hope it does. Is that everyone confirmed now?” After thinking long and hard Clara had decided to leave Charles to invite who he wished; it was to be his house party, and she thought interference would only cause another argument between them.
“Yes, that’s Arthur and Herbert attending; along with the Beresfords and a friend of Miss Beresford, a Miss Walsh. Along with Joshua, and ourselves, it will be a cosy party,” Charles finished, well pleased with his arrangements.
“There are more single gentlemen than unmarried ladies,” Milly interjected gently. “A house party usually tries to have even numbers.”
“As long as there are more gentlemen than ladies present, it will always be considered a good thing for the ladies,” Clara responded with a smile.
“That’s a good point,” Charles mused. “The numbers will actually be even more uneven. I bumped into Lord Chertsey today, and he informed me that Lord Grinstead and he have been invited to stay with Mr Brandon. They’ll be our neighbours from Sunday, so I obviously extended an invitation to them and the Brandons to visit regularly and take part in our little house party.”
Milly and Clara had both looked at each other in surprise at Charles’ information. It was only hours previously they had seen Edmund, and he had not been going on a visit, of that they were sure. Milly gave her cousin a knowing look which caused her to flush. Charles was too engrossed in the excitement of the visit to notice the exchange.
Eventually Charles bounded out of the room intent on meeting Joshua and telling him of his plans for a fun week.
When silence settled on the room, Clara became focused on her sewing. Milly watched her relation with amusement as Clara refused to look at her.
“So, Lord Chertsey is going to Dorset,” Milly said eventually.
“It appears so,” Clara replied with a nonchalant shrug of the shoulders.
“And yet this morning, he was not.”
“Single men are often prone to change their plans; just look at Charles.”
“Young, single men, I agree, but the more mature man I believe less so.”
Clara smiled at Milly, for the first time meeting her cousin’s gaze. “Are you saying Lord Chertsey is in his dotage? I’m sure he’ll be delighted to hear that!”
Milly laughed. “You know exactly what I am referring to. Charles might not be the only one announcing an engagement by the end of next week.”
“Oh, Milly, stop it!” Clara pleaded. “Don’t let your imagination run away with itself.”
“I won’t. But I will be watching with interest, my dear. You continue to ignore the signs; I don’t. It seems the Earl is sweet on you after all!”
Clara smiled at her cousin, but refrained from commenting. Her own imagination was running wild enough for the both of them. She could not but wonder at the reason for two Earls to travel down to the coast at the height of the season. She tried to think of a reasonable excuse but her heart refused to be sensible, and she was left feeling a little breathless at the thought of what could happen.
Chapter 9
The journey to Dorset was not undertaken in the usual way. Clara would normally ride alongside Charles, preferring horseback to the confines of a carriage. Milly was more than happy to occupy the carriage, busying herself with crochet or knitting while the carriage trundled along at its steady pace.
Joshua Shambles was no horseman, which was further ammunition to Clara that his claim to being a gentleman was an untruth; most gentlemen were put in the saddle almost as soon as they could walk. With Joshua travelling in the carriage, Clara felt obliged to travel with Milly; as Charles was under no illusion what his sister thought of his friend, Charles was forced also to travel in the carriage to try to keep the peace.