A Season of Romance Page 27

  'Thank you, Smith, I know who it is. I'll get rid of them myself. Open the door enough for me to slip out and then close it immediately behind me.'

  As expected he found a small crowd of very inebriated gentlemen gathered on his doorstep. They were demanding to be let in to continue the party. They were led by his friend who was the most raucous of them all.

  'There you are, about time too. We've been banging on your door this age. You invited us round and now are refusing us entry…'

  Simon took Featherstone's arm, turned him round briskly, and marched him back into the street. His cronies had no option but to follow. 'You're drunk as a wheelbarrow, my friend, and making a spectacle of yourself. Kindly go home and take your acquaintances with you before you have the whole square out here demanding to know what the commotion is.'

  His friend stared at him, his expression confused, then he beamed. 'Can't we come in for a drink or two before we go?'

  'You cannot. You were supposed to be going to Bolton Street, I suggest you go there now and let the residents of Grosvenor Square return to their slumber.'

  All might have been well if it hadn't been for one of the parties who became more demanding. 'Featherstone said we were invited here and I ain't going nowhere without a drink.'

  'You will leave immediately unless you wish for unpleasant repercussions.' Simon had intended his remark to send them on their way but the gentleman he had spoken to became belligerent.

  'I told you, whoever you are, we ain't moving. Lord Sawsbury…'

  'I am Lord Sawsbury and you will leave this neighbourhood immediately or will regret it in the morning.'

  He stepped in fast using his height and weight to intimidate. It did the reverse and the wretched fellow took a swing at him. Fortunately, the man was so bosky his aim was bad but this was the signal for the rest to join in.

  The unwanted visitors began fighting each other. There was little he could do about it as he had no intention of becoming involved. He stepped back into his own domain and firmly closed the gates.

  The blows rarely landed and he was sure the fisticuffs would stop of their own accord. Then lights began to come on, front doors opened and suddenly the square was full of footmen sent out to remove the noisy, drunken rabble.

  The identities of those involved would be noted – servants knew everyone – and they would be persona non grata in many drawing rooms once word had spread about their appalling behaviour. He grabbed Featherstone's arm and bundled him back up the steps. Smith had the door open in a flash.

  'Leave him to me, my lord, I'll get him settled in a guest room where he can sleep it off.'

  *

  Bella became so engrossed in the fracas that was growing in volume outside Lord Sawsbury's house that she stretched out and carefully pushed up the window so she could both see and hear more of what was going on.

  In the flickering light of the flambeaux that burnt outside the house she could clearly see a group of drunken young men staggering about whilst one of them hammered on his door and demanded to be let in. She watched with interest as the gentleman in question came out and moved the group from his premises into the road.

  When the fisticuffs started she could hardly contain her amusement as the fighters swung and missed on most occasions. Then lights came on in several of the houses and a positive army of footmen, most of them correctly dressed, rushed out and bundled the young men from the square.

  His lordship had, very sensibly, retreated taking one of the participants with him. Presumably this was a friend of his who he didn't wish to be associated with the inevitable disgrace that would follow this debacle.

  Where these young men had come from and why they were so inebriated she had no idea – but she was determined to find out on the morrow. She tumbled into bed and did not wake until she was roused by her maid with her morning chocolate and sweet rolls.

  It was but a short walk along Brook Street to Hanover Square where she and her mama were to meet up with Lady Danbury and her daughters before continuing into Bond Street. This road was the grand mart for fashionable items of dress and was the resort of ladies of the ton.

  They were seen as they approached and the three ladies came out of their house to greet them. 'My dear Mrs Burgoyne, Miss Burgoyne, we shall not dally here but go at once to New Bond Street. This is my Sarah and this Elizabeth.' Lady Danbury waved vaguely at the two girls who were only distinguishable because one was wearing a blue ribbon on her bonnet and the other a green.

  The matrons bustled on ahead leaving Bella to make friends as best she could with these two fashionable young ladies. 'Please, which of you is wearing green and which blue?'

  The young lady with the blue ribbon smiled. 'I'm Sarah, I always wear blue and Beth always wears green.' She smiled mischievously. 'Although, it has been known for us to confuse our dearest parents by reversing this.'

  'It must be such fun being a twin. I have no other siblings – indeed, I had no friends of my own age at all until now.'

  Beth linked arms with her and shook her head at this depressing news. 'Why is that? Surely, there are families in the neighbourhood you could mix with?'

  Before Bella could answer Sarah, who was now holding her other arm, did so for her. 'You know how it is, sister, the aristocracy have no time for anyone but their own class. I expect your nearest neighbours think themselves too grand for you.'

  'Exactly so, I wish my parents hadn't decided to buy such a vast estate then things would have been quite different. Gentlefolk are not so fussy about such things.'

  'Mama insists that you come back for luncheon and she can give you a dozen or more invitation cards she has obtained from friends. I don't suppose you have vouchers for Almack's?'

  'I don't, but that place is only for young ladies with impeccable pedigrees. It sounds an insipid sort of event, not somewhere I wish to go.'

  Sarah giggled. 'The refreshments are indifferent, there's no alcohol served and gentlemen are not admitted unless wearing knee breeches and stockings. I much prefer to see a gentleman in trousers and evening slippers, don't you?'

  'My experience of such things is very limited – I hope you will still wish to be my friend when I tell you I've only attended one assembly in my entire life.'

  'How sad! I can assure you that our mama intends to change all that. You are so beautiful, your hair is the colour of autumn leaves and your eyes sparkle like emeralds. Your ensemble is the height of fashion and suits you to perfection.' Beth patted her hand. 'The fact that you are a substantial heiress as well will more than make up for your family.'

  'How true, sister, being beautiful and rich will make you popular with those not bothered by your birth.'

  Bella snatched her arms away, stopped where she was and looked at both girls with disfavour. 'I find I have the headache, please tell my mother I've returned home.' She turned and dashed off before they could protest.

  *

  Simon discovered a very repentant Featherstone waiting for him when he descended the following morning.

  'I apologise most humbly for bringing that rabble to your door last night, Sawsbury. The pater would not have been impressed if I'd been found amongst them. So, I must also thank you for your timely intervention.'

  'Think nothing of it, my friend, but it will not go so well for you or your cronies if it occurs a second time. Do I make myself clear?'

  'Perfectly. Forgive me if I don't join you to break my fast. I must return home and get out of my dirt. I can assure you that I'll not forget your help.'

  His friend sloped off through the stables and thence down the tradesmen's passages so he would not be seen exiting the house where the disturbance had taken place the previous night. Emily should be arriving today, or tomorrow morning at the latest. Featherstone's Aunt Jemima would also be here later so if he intended to take a constitutional he had better do it now. His riding horse had yet to arrive.

  He had not got to bed until the small hours and this morning had risen later t
han his usual seven o'clock. By the time he'd breakfasted it was mid-morning. Mason handed him his dilapidated hat.

  'No, I refuse to wear that or to carry it under my arm. I'll not take my gloves or cane either.'

  The weather was clement for the beginning of spring and in his own gardens at the rear of the building there were daffodils and other blooms, blue ones that he did not know the name of, giving a welcome patch of colour in the empty beds.

  The problem with not wearing a hat was that he couldn't tip it to acknowledge a greeting, instead he was constantly nodding and smiling at those that thought they might know him. He was surprised how busy the thoroughfares were with pedestrians eager to visit the splendid emporiums that lined New Bond Street.

  His walk was uneventful until he saw a group of young men emerge from Gentleman John Jackson's Gymnasium and accost a young lady who was, inexplicably, unaccompanied by either maid or footman.

  He increased his pace and arrived at her side before anything untoward could take place. He recognised her immediately as the young lady he'd collided with yesterday. 'My dear, forgive me for dawdling, I should have remained at your side.' He smiled at her and she immediately played along.

  'My dear Lord Sawsbury, no apologies are necessary. I should have realised I had walked on alone.'

  Simon fixed the three dandies with an arctic stare. He had no need to do more as the mention of his name as much as his formidable size caused them to back away apologising profusely as they did so for behaving so rudely.

  Once they were alone he put his other hand over hers thus preventing her from escaping. 'You have the advantage of me.'

  'I am Miss Annabel Burgoyne and I thank you for your timely intervention, my lord. I was so angered by something my companions said that I dashed off, but I now discover it was in entirely the wrong direction.'

  'Allow me to escort you home, Miss Burgoyne.' He looked around in an ostentatious fashion. 'Your servants? Are they hiding somewhere I cannot see them?'

  She laughed and did not take offence. 'As you very well know, my lord, I'm unaccompanied. I was walking with Lady Danbury and her daughters, as well as my own mama, in New Bond Street so there was no necessity to bring my maid with me.'

  'I suppose I should not be surprised that you have a quick temper – russet hair and green eyes, I believe, are the usual indication.'

  'So I'm told, sir, but I can assure you I'm usually the most amiable of creatures, rarely raise my voice and famous for my patience under all circumstances.'

  'And I don't believe a word of it. Tell me, what so incensed you that you forgot not only your sense of direction but also your sense of propriety?'

  'I'm not sure that this is any of your concern, my lord. I should like to know, however, why those noisy gentlemen were hammering on your door last night.'

  When he explained to her the circumstances she told him she was impressed that he had had the forethought to remove his friend before the neighbours sent their servants out.

  'If I had known there was a curricle race I might well have joined you to watch.'

  'You would have done no such thing, Miss Burgoyne. You obviously have no notion of what is acceptable behaviour for a young lady. I must suppose that's because this is your first visit to Town.'

  He'd seen several heads turning as they strolled past arm in arm without a chaperone in sight. By rescuing her he might well have caused further damage to her precarious reputation.

  'Miss Burgoyne, you're unfamiliar with London society. For an unmarried young lady to be seen unaccompanied in Bond Street could give rise to unpleasant speculation. However, being seen walking with me might well be even more damaging.'

  'I don't give a fig for my reputation. I think the rules that govern your so-called society are both restrictive and unkind. I'll tell you why I was angry. Lady Danbury's daughters told me that my looks and wealth might almost compensate for my lack of breeding.'

  His pulse quickened. Could it be that by some strange quirk of fate he had met exactly the young lady he'd come up to Town to discover?

  'Forgive me for asking such a personal question, but are you here to find yourself a husband?'

  She detected something in his query and looked up at him her eyes wide. Was she thinking the same thing as him?

  'Then I shall ask you something impertinent in my turn, my lord. Are you an impecunious aristocrat in search of an heiress?'

  He drew her into the privacy of an archway before answering. 'I am indeed. Do you think you might be the bride I seek?'

  Her cheeks coloured and she trembled. 'I think it's entirely possible, my lord, that our fortuitous meetings might have saved us both a deal of unnecessary parading in overheated ballrooms with unwashed and over-perfumed guests.'

  'We've yet to be formally introduced so I can hardly speak to your father until we have.'

  'We cannot linger here, my lord, we're drawing unwanted attention to ourselves.'

  'As I'm hoping that we can announce our betrothal by the end of the day I hardly think it matters.'

  Her laugh was delightful but turned several heads in their direction. Young ladies of decorum didn't laugh out loud in public.

  'My lord, I think you're ahead of yourself on this matter. Admittedly you're exactly what I had in mind for myself, but I think we should get to know each other a little better before we make a lifetime commitment, however convenient it might seem.'

  'I am five and twenty, have no vices, and am only in this position because of my father's gambling. I have a sister, Emily, who is nineteen years old and as far as the ton is concerned I'm here to find her a husband. She is to have her debut ball in May.'

  'I am the same age as Lady Emily, my parents have always wished me to marry well, but the decision as to who I choose will be left to me.'

  'She will be here later today or first thing tomorrow. If your mama leaves her card then we can call tomorrow afternoon without raising eyebrows. On reflection, I think it might be better if we keep our plans to ourselves for the moment.'

  Her gurgle of laughter made him smile in return. 'I wasn't aware, sir, that we had any plans. All that has transpired as far as I'm concerned is that we've both admitted we're looking for a partner and that it's possible we might suit.'

  'I hesitate to disagree with you so early in our acquaintance, Miss Burgoyne, but I believe it was you who said our meeting had saved us both the bother of attending balls and soirées in order to find a suitable partner.'

  'Touché, my lord. I did indeed say exactly that. You had startled me by your remarks so I spoke without thought. Am I now allowed to retract that statement without causing offence?'

  'I'm not so easily dissuaded. The fact that you discovered my name means you were also interested. I made similar enquiries but was not successful. Why should we fight fate? We were literally thrown together yesterday and again today – as far as I'm concerned, my search is over. I shall marry you whether you want me to or not.' His words had tumbled forth of their own volition but he did not regret them. 'In fact, I'm quite prepared to go down on one knee right here in New Bond Street and make you an offer.'

  'You'll do no such thing. Anyway, I can see my mama waving to me from across the street so I shall thank you for your assistance and make my farewells.'

  Chapter Five

  Bella attempted to extricate her arm from his but he was having none of it. She could hardly struggle in so public a place so was obliged to cross the street still attached to him.

  'My dear girl, where have you been? Lady Danbury and her daughters were most put out by your sudden disappearance and have continued on their shopping expedition in high dudgeon.' Her mother stared pointedly at her companion.

  'Mama, allow me to present to you, Lord Sawsbury. You will recall that I met him yesterday outside his house. Today he came to my rescue when I was in a difficult situation.'

  Her parent curtsied and smiled politely but did not seem at all overawed by meeting someone so toplofty. 'Thank you,
my lord, for bringing my daughter back to me. I am most grateful for your intervention.'

  Finally, he allowed her to remove her hand. He nodded politely. 'I'm delighted to meet you, Mrs Burgoyne. As we are almost neighbours I'm certain we shall see more of each other in future.'

  He nodded again and then strolled off. The fact that he winked at her before he departed made her heart skip a beat. He really was an attractive gentleman and ticked all the items on her list. Why was she not in high alt at having found exactly the husband she was hoping for?

  'Annabel, what were you thinking? If his lordship had not been there to rescue you I shudder to think what could have happened.'

  'I apologise, Mama, it was both rude and stupid of me to rush off like that unescorted. Those silly girls deeply offended me by their thoughtless comments – if you expect me to be bosom bows with them you are going to be disappointed.'

  'It would have made your time in London easier, made people more ready to accept you…'

  'That's exactly why I got so cross. You and Papa are as good as anyone with blue blood and I'll not have anyone imply differently. Papa is where he is today because of his own hard work, he wasn't handed everything on a silver platter like those you wish me to mix with.' As she finished the sentence she understood why she had not been thrilled that Sawsbury wanted to marry her.

  'I'm sorry, Mama, but I am no longer sure that I can marry an aristocrat after all however much you both wish me to. Lord Sawsbury is determined to make me an offer and I should have been pleased because he is everything I thought I wanted in a husband. However…'

  She was forced to jump aside to avoid being knocked down by a trio of young gentlemen driving curricles with complete disregard to anyone who might be walking in their path. This meant they were obliged to walk single file until they were safely inside their own house.

  'Goodness me, Bella, where did all the traffic come from? I thought Grosvenor Square was a select place, yet we were almost killed by those vehicles.'