An Inconvenient Engagement Read online

  “My Uncle is my chaperone, and if he does not quibble, then why should you?”

  “Your uncle is a poor chaperone who does not watch over you as he should!” Fury made him reckless.

  Anger surged through Eliza, “Sir, you forget yourself. I will not hear talk against my Uncle.”

  He looked away, red with shame at his outburst. “Excuse my interference. It was merely concern on my part that your actions may open you up to some rather snide comments.”

  “Your conduct is more likely to do that as you have danced but two dances, though gentlemen as a whole are scarce, and many ladies lack partners.”

  “I am an engaged man, let that be my excuse.”

  Cold truth shocked her to silence, and her face drained of color. “So you are. As such, I cannot think why you concern yourself with me. I thank you for your consideration, but it is quite unnecessary.” She turned and walked away, weaving through the milling bodies until she disappeared from his view.

  William stood rooted to the spot. Dammit, dammit, dammit. Why did this matter? He could not sort out the feelings crashing through him. He had erred against decorum and, as a result, had offended the one young lady he least wanted to offend. Perhaps, he thought, George had been right…

  Eliza drew in several deep breaths before finding her nerves to be in any way calmer. Of all the officious…How dare he take her to task as though she was a child! She determined to find Henrietta and Penelope and take shelter. She saw Penelope sitting at one of the supper tables and sat down beside her. Henrietta soon all but plopped into the seat on the other side. “So, Pen, Eliza, how is my ball treating you?”

  “Very well.” Penelope’s eyes were shining.

  “Mmmm. My brother is a scapegrace! Imagine drawing you into an intrigue against his family! And just how many dances with my brother so far?”

  “Just the two – he abandoned me as soon as he saw you approaching.” She smiled even wider.

  “Yes. I had quite a tongueful to give him for surprising us like that. He has been dancing ever since, good boy. And I think I saw Eliza dancing with him at one point.”

  “No, not I. Which one was he?”

  Penelope and Henrietta laughed at that, and Eliza was able to coax a smile. “And you, Eliza? I don’t think I have seen you sit down until now!”

  “No, indeed. I have been so busy as to be twice accused of soliciting impertinent remarks by my behavior.”

  “You? My dear girl, nonsense! Oh…the dance with the Earl of Daunton.”

  “Eliza, no!” Penelope’s eyes widened.

  “I had, have, no idea who he is,” Eliza replied.

  The other two leaned closer and dropped their voices. Henrietta began, “Oh my dear, he is the most profligate rake! Father is livid that he is here but can say nothing for he is the guest of the Earl of Tollingham. Tollie is a sweet boy, but absolutely hopeless when it comes to any sort of discernment.”

  “Well, what has this Daunton done?” Penelope whispered.

  “Oh, my dears!” She glanced around for her mother. “He ran off with Miss Genevieve Taylor, the daughter of the house, while a houseguest there at Enderby, the family estate. By the time they were found -” She dropped her voice so that they could barely hear over the gentle roar of the ball room. “she had been living with him for two weeks! Yet he did not marry her!”

  Penelope clutched her hands before her. “Oh the poor girl!”

  “Oh, no wonder Sir William chided me!”

  “Sir William?” The other two looked at her. “Why should Sir William take such notice?”

  Eliza shook her head, “I don’t know, but he was quite forceful about it.”

  “But how can Lord Tollingham still associate with Daunton?” Penelope asked.

  “Oh, I say, the feller’s been misunderstood is all. Gel begged for a ride, and what’s a gent to do? Run off with another feller, don’t you know, and blames Daunton.” Henrietta replied in good imitation of Lord Tollingham.

  “Poor, stupid, Tollie,” Penelope said.

  “Not stupid, just stupidly loyal. I fear for him.” Henrietta looked at Eliza. “All right then, what was the second unbecoming act?”

  “What? Oh! Well, our curate informed me that my actions in saving Gower’s dog have opened me to some ‘rather impertinent remarks.’”

  “What was this?”

  Eliza quickly explained about meeting Sir William and saving Ben.

  “Oh! How romantic!” sighed Penelope.

  “How fortuitous!” said Henrietta.

  “How foolish, according to our curate!” said Eliza.

  Henrietta rolled her eyes. “Oh lord, such a fish that man!”

  “More like an eel, Hen.”

  “Penelope!” Henrietta cried, and Penelope suddenly blushed.

  “No! I meant because he is long like an eel. I mean tall! He is tall like an eel is long…..oh…..” She was bright red with embarrassment, and Eliza and Henrietta were laughing out loud at this point.

  “Henrietta!” She blanched as her mother’s reprimand shocked them to sense. “Manners!” the viscountess whispered harshly and shot an evil look at Eliza before sailing off.

  “Oh, lord, I just can’t stay out of trouble. Perhaps I should just go.” Eliza dropped her head in her hands.

  Just then, Reggie popped up from behind Henrietta causing her to scream before clamping her hand over her mouth. “Reggie!” she hissed, giggling. “I have already gotten in trouble with Mother!”

  “Yes, I saw and only just managed to avoid her!”

  “Horrible boy!” she said with a smile, and he made a face at her.

  “I have been working hard to dance with all the wallflowers.”

  “You have, now get back to work!” She pushed at him but he stayed.

  Eliza stood as thought to leave. “I don’t want to keep Sir William’s horses out too late.”

  “Ah yes, I forgot you came in Sir William’s carriage. How did that come to pass?” Henrietta all but pounced.

  She smiled, wanly, then giggled out loud. “Oh! He came upon me as I was washing the fleece that Ol’ Gower sent me in gratitude for saving his dog.”

  “The one Waddell accused you of impropriety about?”

  “The very one. Ben is very important to Gower, and he sent along the fleece from his prize ram.”

  Henrietta covered her mouth. Eliza nodded, “Exactly, very strong! But oh! So glorious – I really can’t wait to spin it.”

  “Enough artistic raptures, my dear, we want to hear about Sir William!”

  “Well, it started to rain while I was washing it, and he and his brother took shelter under the roof of our carriage house. He very kindly helped me lift the wet fleece out and refill the tub.”

  “I go away to the continent and come home to find all manner of things have happened! Gower’s dog and ram…I say that’s a good name for a pub. The Dog and Ram…”

  Henrietta elbowed him. “Reginald!”

  Penelope was all wonder. “What a kind act – twice to come to the aid of another!”

  “I would give my favorite gown to have been there!” said Henrietta.

  “Well, I am grateful you gave three of your old ones at least.” Eliza smiled.

  “And I meant to say how much I like what you did. That dress never looked so well on me.”

  Eliza smiled again. “Miss Darrow you really are too kind.”

  Henrietta waved it off. “Nonsense. It is the truth. Now, ladies, we have rested enough. We must return to the dance floor.”

  “You forget, we have no partners.” Penelope said.

  “Well, I can fix that for Miss Denham at least. You must accompany me!” Reginald stood and held out his hand.

  “I really should go…”

  “Eliza, please go with the poor boy, or he will whine all night over the rejection!” Henrietta fairly pushed her toward her brother. “There – one more dance and then you may go home.” She smiled broadly.

  Eliza al
lowed Reginald to lead her to the floor where they danced quite comfortably without speaking much. At one point, Reggie said, “I must apologize for my silence – I find that I have to think about my feet for some of these. Dances on the continent are so different.”

  “That’s quite all right – I have danced so rarely I need to concentrate on remembering as well.”

  “Well don’t let Henrietta find out, or she will organize dancing lessons for the both of us!” He grinned as he passed her in front of him. The dance finished, and the next, before he led her back to where she and the other girls had been sitting at the supper table. He excused himself with a rakish smile and disappeared into the crowd. She was lost in thought and did not see when the seat beside her was taken until she heard his voice.

  “Miss Denham.”

  She spun toward him and whispered, “Sir William.” She held her breath to see which form he would take this time.

  He looked down a moment, then said, “I wish to apologize for my overbearing manner earlier. It was quite uncalled for.”

  The warmth and gentleness of his tone took her aback, and she said, “Thank you for that.”

  He looked up at her. Their eyes met, and he was caught. “Then,” he said softly, “If you have quite forgiven me, perhaps you will dance the next?”

  She was lost in his expression. “Of course.” Her feet barely touched the ground as he led her back to the floor. Her hand in his, he stood there looking at her, and the band began. Neither saw anyone else until the spell was broken when Sir William made a misstep.

  “I apologize!” His expression contrite.

  “None needed. My goodness, you are human after all!” She laughed.

  “Never more so.” He smiled, “My brother George would be laughing out loud.” Then he remembered who he was dancing with and realized his brother would have a very different reaction. He pushed the thought away. He felt that freedom again.

  “Well, I thank you for not mentioning my little bobbles.”

  “Never, Miss Denham!” he said gallantly, but with an almost roguish smile.

  She laughed then, “We make quite the pair, then!”

  “Yes – we neither of us dance to strangers…” He sobered suddenly, inexplicably, and realized their dance was ending. He bowed, then led her back to where Henrietta and Penelope were now waiting. He bowed again and released her.

  She stood watching him go, barely breathing. Henrietta slid a glance to Penelope and said, “Sir William, again! How kind of him to dance twice with you!”

  “Oh…he was just apologizing.” Eliza fidgeted with her gloves.

  “Lord, I wish he would apologize to me!” Henrietta smiled but looked thoughful. “Come girls, we must conquer the dance floor yet again.”

  “Hen! We do not have partners.”

  “I wager we will by the time we reach the ball room.” She said gaily and pulled Penelope up after her. “Come, Eliza, I will brook no argument.”

  “Miss Darrow…”

  “Henrietta.”

  “Henrietta, then. I think I must leave. Uncle will be tired by now.” She bid them farewell and went in search of her uncle.

  She saw the other two wend through the crowd, and sure enough each was claimed before reaching the end of the ballroom. She turned into the card room and wove through to her uncle’s side. Within moments he was up and following her to the elegant stairway to where the carriage could be called. Uncle talked gently most of the way home, relieving Eliza from the burden of doing so. Once home, she excused herself and climbed wearily up the stairs to her room. Strange, she thought, how swiftly the evening had passed! It was already nearly one, and she had left early!

  She heard a light knock and let Bessie in to unbutton her dress and loosen her corset before leaving her to finish undressing. Bessie took one look at her face and went silently about her work before leaving. Eliza laid the dress across her chair for Bessie to clean and pulled her nightgown over her head. Then, wrapped in her dressing gown, she curled onto the window seat to stare out over the driveway and the road toward Hadring Hall. She heard hoofbeats on the gravel and looked up to see a figure in shadow ride to the beginning of the driveway and look up at the house, before turning to ride off in the direction toward town.

  It was a dark, nearly moonless night, with clouds dulling what light there was. Still, she was fairly certain it had been Sir William.

  Chapter Eight

  Eliza woke late in the morning with a headache. She pushed herself up and wrapped her dressing gown about her. She had lain awake much of the night reliving every interaction with Sir William. One moment feeling light and tingly, the next angry at his scolding, the next fighting a weight that threatened to pull her down. He is engaged.

  The tie of her night cap had become tangled and she pulled and worked it until it was free. She straightened it before sitting on the edge of her bed, feet dangling listlessly. With a sigh, she pushed up and dressed slowly, calling Bessie for help with her corset.

  Bessie was smiling as she pulled the strings snug. “Eh Miss, ‘ow did it go?”

  “Oh, it was lovely.”

  “Did you dance every dance?”

  “Nearly. I was worn out long before the evening ended.” She forced herself to sound happy.

  “Anyone special?”

  She forced a chuckle, “No, Bessie, but it was lovely just the same.”

  “Did you dance with Mr. Waddell?”

  “I could scarcely avoid it.”

  “I see,” said Bessie as she shut the door behind her and left Eliza to finish dressing.

  Slowly, Eliza slipped into her drop-front gown and fastened it up. Socks, slippers, and then downstairs to the table where her place was set with a steaming cup of tea. She sipped her tea and did not see the slight frown Bessie gave her. Thoughtful, Bessie watched as Eliza placed a spoonful of eggs and marmalade toast on her plate before going to sit at the table. She noted that Eliza did not eat, merely sat toying with her fork in the eggs.

  There was a light knock at the back door, and Bessie went to investigate. She came back a moment later and said, “If you please, Miss, Gower is here wanting to know if you would have a look at his dog.”

  “What? Oh, of course.” She rose and went to the back door where Gower stood stiffly to one side with Ben wriggling in his arms.

  “’E keeps wantin’ to go work, but I ‘ave ‘im locked inside so as ‘e won’ ‘urt ‘imself.”

  Eliza saw that the bandage had been changed and quickly undid it to look at the injury. “It looks clean and as though it is healing well. Can he walk?” Really, she wondered, surely he was familiar with animals and their injuries. But then she saw the softened look and realized he was just overwhelmed with concern for his dog.

  “But ‘e’ gimps a bi’.”

  “Well, I think he will know his limit. Perhaps let him walk with you a little.”

  “Ef ee says…” He set Ben down and stood back, ready to catch him if he should fall over suddenly. Ben merely sniffed the ground, then walked a few paces with his leg touching the ground but lightly. Then he came and sniffed all their feet and reached up to lick Gower’s hand. A smile cracked the old man’s face, and he began to walk away. The dog limped after him, tail wagging and ears up.

  Eliza watched them go, then went to check on the fleece drying in the sun. It was still damp and would take days to dry completely. The garden was nearly empty of flowers, but she went inside to get her gloves. Then, basket over her arm, secateurs in hand, she cut the last blossoms for an arrangement.

  A movement from the direction of the haunted cottage caught her eye and her heart jumped in her chest. It was not Sir William, but rather the Earl of Daunton coming down the road from the direction of the abandoned cottage. He tipped his hat toward her but made no move to pause. Instead he spurred his horse to a canter and rode off in the direction of Stanton.

  She was puzzled. He still looked dressed as he had at the ball, though slightly disheveled, no
surprise after the length of time he had been in those clothes. She cut another flower and laid it amongst the others in the basket. Something nagged at her but she shrugged it off and went inside to set the basket down on the table. Bessie saw her and brought the big crystal vase that had belonged to her grandmother. The frog went in, water followed, and she arranged the flowers, trimming stems and positioning them until they formed a pleasing spray of bright color. This she placed on the table in front of the parlor window. She sat for a while, tidying her workbasket and trying to find the energy or will to be productive.

  He is engaged. The words would not stop echoing in her brain. She stood up, fighting the lethargy that sought to keep her down. Basket in hand, once again, she went outside. One step led to another, and soon she was far along the lane heading toward the old cottage. She still held the basket which she swung dispiritedly. Seeing a familiar leaf pattern, she dug to find the root of the madder plant and pulled the whole plant up to place in her basket. A few more, and her basket was full. A little way further, and she was near the old, abandoned cottage.

  Her stomach contracted as she looked at the gaping maw where the door had once been. The steps were overgrown and obscured, stone barely showing through. She stepped carefully through, along a portion that seemed somewhat beaten down. Even so, she had to step carefully. She paused in the open doorway. Leaves and all manner of detritus filled the entryway, blown in by years of unhindered wind and weather. She looked down and stepped cautiously inside. Something scuttled away from the pile of leaves, and she stifled a scream.

  “Oh! For shame! Nothing but a mouse!” she said aloud.

  She looked around and wondered for the hundredth time who would leave such house to ruin. It had such a pleasant situation, and the design must have been welcoming at one time. Now, wallpaper peeled and hung in strips, an old couch stood near a fireplace that had some large rodent’s nest filling it. There were two things that seemed out of place. A lantern sitting on the floor next to the couch where a neatly folded blanket sat.

  She pondered this, then was startled as the house creaked somewhere overhead. She jumped and made her way back outside, exiting through the warped back door that hung askew. There was a post that looked to have some fresh scratches on it. So intent on these was she that she very nearly stepped in a pile of fresh horse droppings. She frowned at this, and wondered,