A Season of Romance Read online

  Before he could think of a pithy response she dipped in a curtsy and ran lightly across the road and back through the gate. As the hedges were high along this side of the garden he had no idea in which direction she went once she was out of sight.

  He hurried across, picked up his ruined beaver and stepped into the park. There was no sign of her and he cursed under his breath. She must be resident here, she was dressed fashionably, spoke as one would expect and he was determined to discover her identity and further his acquaintance.

  Without the required headgear he could not continue his walk but must return home and find a replacement. With luck Smith or his wife would know who the young lady was. He paused as he reached the magnificent frontage. His town house was one of the largest in the square and had been built by his grandfather on his return from India. It was more than three times the size of those terraced residences on the other side of the gardens – but all in Grosvenor Square were prestigious homes and only the wealthiest could afford to either rent or own one.

  Mason shook his head sadly when he was handed the hat. 'I fear this is beyond redemption, my lord, and your other one is somewhat moth-eaten.'

  'I've no choice, if I'm to go out to my club as planned I'll have to wear it. Explaining to my acquaintances the reason for my appearing with such a disgraceful object should cause much merriment.'

  Simon trusted his valet's total discretion and therefore explained his desire to know the identity of the girl who had caused the demise of his headgear.

  'I hope to have the information you require on your return, my lord.'

  Smith was waiting to speak to him on his descent. The change in his appearance was remarkable – he was now dressed from head to toe in regulation black and looked every inch a butler. 'My lord, I have reopened the accounts at the establishments that were used in the past. I hope this meets with your approval.'

  'I'm surprised you knew which ones they were, but I trust you to manage these matters for me. Another thing, I have sent word to Lady Emily asking her to come at once. I don't intend to return to Sawsbury. The house is fit to live in without the necessity of extensive refurbishment so I can see no reason to delay the transfer of our household.'

  'Yes, my lord. Might I be permitted to enquire if you will be requiring guest rooms and other chambers to be prepared as well?'

  For a moment Simon was mystified by this question and then he understood the significance of the remark. Smith would be expecting that there would be a respectable matron as part of the party. As yet he had not appointed a suitable chaperone and companion for his sister. He could not be expected to dance attendance on her everywhere she wished to go and she could hardly gallivant about the place with only a maid and footman to attend her.

  'Prepare both family apartments.' Another urgent reason for visiting White's was now to get a recommendation for a suitable chaperone for Emily.

  Smith bowed and stepped aside. His oldest son, now appropriately dressed in green livery, was there to open the door for Simon. He turned and called to the butler.

  'I'm happy for your younger son to work in the stables if that's what he prefers to do.'

  'Thank you, my lord.'

  The brisk walk helped him to clear his head. His hat was under his arm as its delapidated state was less evident there. He signed in on his arrival at White's as this gave him the opportunity to scan the other names and see if there was anyone here that he knew.

  Afternoons were usually quiet; the club became busier at night. He noted one friend was here and went in search of him. He had handed in his hat, gloves and cane and was still smiling at the look of horror on the doorman's face when he strolled into the room that faced St James's Street. The person he sought was sitting in the bay window watching the pedestrians walk past in the hope of seeing an attractive young lady he could ogle.

  'Featherstone, I might have guessed I'd find you sitting here.'

  The young man turned and seeing who it was leapt to his feet with a genuine smile of welcome. 'Tarnation take it! I'd no idea you were up in Town. Well met, Sawsbury, are you out of mourning now?'

  They shook hands and then took seats away from the window where they could converse privately. 'The year was up in January. My sister is to have her debut – she missed out last year because of our father's unexpected demise. I'd be grateful if you would spread the word that we're here as I want her to attend as many functions as possible.'

  'Happy to, old fellow. I'm obliged to become leg-shackled this year. The pater is threatening to cut off my allowance if I don't find myself a bride.' He beckoned over a hovering footman and ordered coffee. 'I expect you're on the lookout too.'

  'You know my views on matrimony, my friend, but I am, like you, five and twenty and should not leave it much longer to start filling my nursery.'

  They chatted companionably about the end of the war and the incarceration of Bonaparte, the high price of corn and the problems facing those without regular employment in the countryside. Then, coffee finished, he remembered he also wanted a recommendation for a chaperone for his sister.

  Featherstone banged the table making the cups jump and two elderly gentlemen glare at them. 'What a stroke of luck for both of us. My Aunt Jemima returned from her travels and asked me that very thing this morning.'

  'I assume that you mean she's looking for a temporary position of the kind that I just spoke of?'

  'Didn't I just say so? Aunt Jemima was married to my uncle, you will recall that he was a Colonel in the Light Brigade? Well, he died at Salamanca or some such place and now she's eager to find something to do.'

  Simon had been at Oxford with Featherstone and was quite fond of him, he was a genial fellow but not famous for his intelligence. 'Is the determination to find employment because she has been left without funds?'

  His friend looked bemused at the question. 'Devil take it, Sawsbury, I thought you were a clever fellow. I just told you, she's bored with civilian life, that she remained with his regiment until the war was over. She only returned a few weeks ago and finds life exceedingly dull after all the excitement.'

  There was little point in saying that he'd said nothing of the kind. 'I see. If she spent the last few years following the drum I can't see that she'll have the right credentials and be able to obtain invitations and vouchers for my sister.'

  'She's Lady Jemima Featherstone, the daughter of some earl or other, as well as the widow of my uncle who was Colonel, Lord Edward Featherstone. She knows everyone who matters.' He surged to his feet and grabbed Simon by the shoulder. 'Come with me now and meet her.'

  *

  Bella guessed the very large, extremely attractive gentleman would come in search of her so dashed though the nearest gate on the other side of the gardens and pressed herself up against the railing. She heard him on the other side, but he didn't look over the hedge, and a few moments later he departed.

  She ran back to her own house and was delighted, but surprised, when the door opened as she arrived. She smiled her thanks and stepped inside what was to be her home for the next few months. Papa was right to say the house was far more palatial than was apparent from the front.

  The entrance hall was the full width of the building and the length was double that. The smart black and white marble tiles set off the grand staircase admirably. She walked into the drawing room and again was impressed by not only the size, but the excellent furniture and decorations.

  She would leave further exploration of the ground floor until after she had refreshed herself from the journey. She asked to be directed to her own apartment and the footman took her up himself.

  'These are your chambers, Miss Burgoyne, the door opposite leads to Mrs Burgoyne's sitting room. Is there anything else you require?'

  She shook her head and stepped into her new abode. Her own sitting room had everything she wanted and more. There was a small desk fully equipped with ink, paper and quills. The bookshelf was overflowing but on examination she found none of the
volumes to her liking. The sermons, travel guides and books on flora and fauna would remain unread.

  It hardly seemed worth the effort to change her gown when she had only been wearing it for a few hours but it was a travelling ensemble and if she was to conform with what was expected she must now put on a morning gown.

  Her maid had put out another new dress, this one mint green with darker green embroidery and sash, there was also a spencer and reticule made from the same material and decorated in the same way. The slippers were dyed to match.

  She completed her ablutions quickly, stepped into the necessary underpinnings and then barely restrained her impatience whilst her hair was tidied.

  'Do you require anything else, Miss Burgoyne?'

  'No, I'll not need you until I'm obliged to change for dinner later.'

  She picked up her skirt and rushed through the house and went in search of her parents who had established themselves in a smaller reception room that overlooked the little garden at the back.

  'There you are, my love, did you enjoy your promenade?'

  She told them what had transpired and they laughed. 'I have a list of the names of those who own houses on that side of the square in my study. Would you like me to find it so you know the name of this gentleman?'

  'No, thank you, Papa. He was an irascible gentleman, although I'm forced to admit he was a prodigiously handsome one too.'

  Her father chuckled and went in search of his list. He guessed her protestations were false. 'Mama, what are we to do about my lack of a sponsor?'

  'We have been discussing exactly that and have concluded that we shall manage very well without one. There's no urgency in our search for a suitable husband for you. Lord Danbury is calling here later today and I'm sure that Lady Danbury will be happy to escort you anywhere her two girls are going.'

  'Then why did Papa think it necessary to appoint that obnoxious woman?'

  'You know your father, my love, he wants only the best for you and believed such a person would benefit your introduction to the ton. I just hope that woman does not ruin your chances of being accepted by spreading malicious and untrue rumours about us.'

  'There's nothing we can do about it, Mama, so we must put it from our minds and concentrate on what we can do. Have your cards been sent out to all the houses in the square?'

  'Oh no, that would be presumptuous of me…'

  'It would be nothing of the kind. How will anyone know we're here if you don't inform them? What's the worst that could happen?' This was a rhetorical question and she continued without waiting for an answer. 'If you receive morning calls tomorrow afternoon and cards from them then you will know you have been accepted.'

  Her father strolled in and heard her last remark. 'And what do we do, Bella, if your mama's cards are ignored?'

  'There's nothing we can do but hope Lady Danbury's approval will rectify matters. I suppose we could always put an advert in The Times – ask any impoverished aristocrat to apply directly for my hand and thus cut out the nonsense of attending Almack's and numerous events in order to get noticed.'

  Her father knew at once she was jesting but her mother thought for a second this suggestion was genuine and went quite pale. They were still laughing together when Lord and Lady Danbury were announced.

  A tall, spare gentleman of middle years and florid complexion walked in closely followed by his wife. Lady Danbury was small, rounded and was smiling and looking around with interest.

  'Good afternoon, my lady, my lord, thank you for coming. Allow me to present my wife and my daughter, Annabel.'

  Bella curtsied as did her mother and Lady Danbury immediately rushed forward shaking her head. 'No, no, I will not stand on ceremony with you. You must not curtsy to me; my parents were in trade as you are and I know exactly how you must feel.'

  Papa led his lordship away no doubt to discuss business and left them to talk amongst themselves. 'Bella, will you ring for refreshments?'

  She did so and then sat beside her mother eager to hear more from this charming and unpretentious lady.

  'I did not bring my girls today, but you will meet them when you come to supper tomorrow. We are in Hanover Square, no more than five minutes from here. My daughters, Sarah and Elizabeth, are twins, have just reached their eighteenth anniversary, and if my husband had his way they would be made to wait another year for their come out. He has no wish for them to marry and leave us.'

  'My lady, I cannot wait to meet them. Do they ride?'

  'No, they dislike anything energetic apart from dancing. However, they will be happy to accompany you to Hatchards bookshop or to Gunter's for an ice.'

  Bella noticed that Papa had left the list he'd gone to fetch on a side table. She politely excused herself and took it to the window to read leaving the two matrons to a comfortable coze. Small wonder Lord Danbury had become a close friend of papa's as he had happily married out of his class as she hoped to do.

  As she walked to the window she glanced over her shoulder. From the lively conversation taking place between her mother and her new friend she was certain that before Lady Danbury departed Mama would be fully cognizant of the circumstances that saw Lord Danbury marry to his disadvantage.

  She ran her eye down the list until she came to the grand houses that stood alone. The one from which the unknown gentleman had emerged was Sawsbury House and presumably he was Lord Sawsbury. From the appearance of the house, and his lordship, he wouldn't be looking for an heiress – for all she knew he was already married.

  'My lady,' she called, interrupting the conversation before she realised how impolite this was. 'Can you tell me anything about the occupants of Sawsbury House?'

  'Come and join us and I will tell you everything I know. His papa, the previous Lord Sawsbury, was killed in a shooting accident just over a year ago. Lady Emily, the new lord's sister, might well have her come out this year.'

  'Then I'll hope to make her acquaintance in due course. Mama, did you regale her ladyship with our unfortunate encounter with Lady Jones?'

  'I have yet to do so. Listen, I can hear the tea tray coming, can I leave you to deal with that, my dear?'

  Lady Danbury and her husband stayed for more than an hour and everyone was well-satisfied with the encounter. Bella was eagerly anticipating meeting Elizabeth and Sarah the following morning when they were to walk together along Bond Street.

  When she was about to climb into bed she heard the sound of raised voices coming from the other side of the square. Her bedchamber overlooked the communal gardens and sound travels wonderfully well at night.

  She moved swiftly to the window making sure she could not be seen and listened to the altercation.

  Chapter Four

  Simon appointed Featherstone's aunt without hesitation. There was no need to consult his sister as he was certain she would prove. Having achieved both his aims, one to appoint a suitable chaperone and the other to be seen about Town, he was happy to acquiesce to his friend's cajoling that they go to watch a curricle race in which several young bucks were taking part. This was to be run in Green Park, no distance from Grosvenor Square, which would mean he could return home easily enough when the race was done.

  'It will be capital fun, Sawsbury, then you can invite the participants to your house for a few drinks to celebrate.'

  'I'll do no such thing, I only arrived today and my staff are not ready for such an invasion. I'm sure we can find somewhere else. If we cut down Queen's Walk we'll be in Piccadilly and can go to Pulteney's Hotel in Bolton Street.'

  'Excellent notion, old fellow. They won't give a fig for us not being changed for the evening.'

  On the way there it occurred to Simon that half a dozen curricles would not be welcome in that part of town. 'I assume that the drivers of these vehicles will have grooms to take their curricles home?'

  'No idea. But knowing them they'll expect to bring them to the hotel.'

  They arrived at Green Park to find a small crowd of eager spectators waiting t
o see the race. Wagers were being made on the outcome for extraordinary amounts of money – gambling was not something he approved of after the way it had destroyed his father and his family's finances.

  The crowd of young gentlemen became rowdier as they drank constantly from their hip flasks. Featherstone had wandered off to talk to one of the racers which gave him the opportunity to drift away unnoticed. These young men were of the same generation as he but he was no longer comfortable as part of this crowd. No doubt they too would be bowed down with responsibilities in the next few years so he didn't begrudge them their harmless enjoyment.

  He heard the cheers as the race began and prayed that no one would come to grief. He strolled back to his dwelling and this time decided to enter through the stables as the archway that led behind the house was closer than going to the front door.

  His horses were comfortable, the carriage already pristine, and he went inside satisfied with the day. Smith met him as he emerged into the hall.

  'Good evening, my lord, I thought you might like to dine in the rose room this evening.'

  'I'd be quite happy with a tray in the library, Smith, there's no need to go to any fuss.'

  'Your cook arrived, along with your luggage and other staff, and she has already prepared an excellent repast for you.'

  'In which case, I'll be down shortly to eat.'

  The meal was excellent and he drank rather too much claret with it. Mason had not discovered the identity of the young lady but was certain that she lived opposite in a house that was rented for the Season.

  He settled in front of the fire in the library which had always been his favourite room and made considerable inroads into a decanter of excellent cognac. He was thinking of retiring when there was a racket outside and then someone hammered on the front door.

  Who the hell was this? He decided he should investigate himself, despite the fact that he kept staff to do this for him. His butler was standing in front of the closed door holding a conversation with those outside.

  'Lord Sawsbury has retired, I suggest that you call tomorrow, sirs, and cease disturbing the neighbourhood with your noise.'