CHAPTER SIXTEEN #2
‘You mistake, ma’am,’ he assured her. ‘I find her a joy, however exhausting. She does not judge me by any preconceptions of how I should look or how I should be. She is entirely natural, and it is, I think, a very special thing to have the trust of a small child. I never knew any, not since I was a small child myself, of course.’
Louisa could not imagine the broad-shouldered dragoon in nankeen breeches, and chasing butterflies.
‘But surely, sir, a child is not discriminating in its judgement, and might settle upon any manner of person as a “friend”? They trust so easily.’ Miss Newent frowned, in blissful ignorance of the insult that was offered.
‘They do not, I believe, look for any ulterior motive for friendliness in others, Miss Newent, which is their 260vulnerability. But then, to only see ulterior motivation in others limits friendship. Both have an element of risk.’ Lord Barkby did not look at Louisa.
‘They are also unaware of social division, which has no bearing on whether a person is good or bad’ – he paused for a second as Lord Orlando Hurstwood drew close – ‘trustworthy or untrustworthy.’
‘Such a gathering. It might almost be a learned society, which would be a pity. Good morning, ladies. Gilmorton.’ Lord Orlando frowned for a moment, trying to place Lord Barkby’s face in his memory.
‘It is Barkley, is it not? Not seen you in years, and the uniform accounts for it.’ The smile was superficial.
‘Barkby, and no, we have not met since you were sent down.’ Lord Barkby did not bother to smile, superficially or otherwise, and his dislike was patent.
They looked at each other, seeing how the other had changed in over a decade.
Neither was impressed. Hurstwood saw an army man, unimaginative and boring, whilst Barkby saw a louche man of the world, interested in nothing but his own pleasures.
The thought struck him that little Emily would not like him, and then a slow smile spread across his face. Hurstwood found it oddly disconcerting.
‘I amuse you, sir?’
‘Only marginally, I assure you, Hurstwood.’
Louisa had never seen nor heard Lord Barkby so distant and dismissive, and it seemed so at odds with his normal manner that it was alien. He was usually open and engaging, and here he was, sabre drawn, metaphorically speaking, and prepared to face the enemy. He was not angry, but implacable.
261‘Well, you were never one for being much amused, now I think about it,’ Lord Orlando sneered.
‘Not by the sort of thing you found entertaining, no.’
‘Ever the dull dog, eh, Barkley.’ Lord Orlando intentionally got the name wrong.
‘Better a dull dog than a wolf.’
‘I have to disagree with you,’ drawled Lord Orlando. ‘A wolf is a free spirit whose life is exciting, and a dog just pads around following its master obeying orders and never thinking for itself. Come to think of it, very like a soldier, so I see why you might prefer it.’
Louisa was alarmed. She had made Lord Barkby promise that he would not goad Lord Orlando too far, but it was clear that neither man had any intention of giving ground.
‘But there have been many instances where a noble hound has protected, even rescued, his master, or their family, whereas wolves simply kill things to survive, and often, I have read, pick upon the weakest and youngest as least likely to resist.’ Miss Brailes stepped boldly into the conversation, and was rewarded with a sotto voce ‘bravo’ from Mr Gilmorton.
Lord Orlando looked down on her from under his fair lashes, and his sneer lengthened to a smile, but not a pleasant one.
‘There speaks the well-read Miss Brailes. Unfortunately, your great study has omitted classical learning. Romulus, the founder of Rome, and his brother, Remus, were brought up by a she-wolf.’
‘Well, since they are described as the sons of Mars, and the ancient gods are simple pagan myth, I think we can dismiss that as mere fancy, sir,’ she retorted briskly.
262‘Besides, in that story they were merely suckled by the she-wolf, fed by, of all unlikely things, a woodpecker, and actually brought up by a shepherd and his wife.’
‘I bow to your positively overwhelming learning, ma’am.’ Lord Orlando executed her a beautiful bow. ‘It is very brave of you, showing off that you are clever. “Clever” young ladies are so … singular.’
‘I make no claim to being very clever, merely to not being very ignorant, sir. I can see no reason why any gentleman would actively seek ignorance in a young woman, unless it be to make him feel superior.’ Caroline’s pink cheeks were now an unbecoming red, but as much through anger as embarrassment.
‘I do not think we men’ – Lord Orlando became inclusive – ‘look for ignorance, merely beauty and sweetness.’ He shot a glance at Miss Newent.
Mr Gilmorton’s shapely hands were clenched into fists. Knocking a fellow down in the Pump Room was out of the question, but he longed to do so. A muscle worked in his jaw.
‘The discerning gentleman, of course, knows that “beauty” is not simply something seen in a looking glass,’ he declared, made a decision, and plunged on further.
‘A marble statue can have the perfect form, but one does not fall enamoured of it, and, besides, it would have no conversation at dinner.’ With a struggle, he had managed to revert to his normal manner.
Miss Newent, who had not understood the half of what went before, could conjure up the image of a statue placed at the other side of a dining table, and giggled.
Miss Brailes felt not just vindicated, but 263appreciated.
Could it mean that Mr Gilmorton was not seeking to further himself with Lydia Newent after all?
‘Ah, well you see, Gilmorton, I have never set an ability to provide interesting conversation at dinner as my priority in the fair sex.’ Lord Orlando, without saying anything shocking, yet managed to convey his meaning through his look.
Miss Newent thought he was merely making a clever riposte, Miss Brailes looked at the floor and Louisa looked at him with open revulsion.
The atmosphere was such that she was convinced everyone must be staring at them, and she could not see a way of diffusing the animosity that was sucking them in like a vortex.
The answer came from an unexpected quarter. Mrs Newent and Mrs Goodworth joined them, Mrs Newent being keen to have an introduction to Lord Barkby, of whom she had learnt much in the last five minutes from Hetty Goodworth.
‘Lady Dembleby, do forgive me for intruding …’ Mrs Newent very adroitly made up some reason for her doing so.
Lord Orlando smiled at her, though he despised her.
Mr Gilmorton, swallowing his ire, greeted her politely, and Louisa, much relieved, presented her to Lord Barkby.
This also had the advantage that it would make that gentleman appearing upon her doorstep to warn her about Lord Orlando far less awkward.
Whilst the animosities that had been made evident did not go away, all parties seemed to step back and behave with cool, if not chilly, civility.
The only person largely unaffected was Miss Newent, who was both charmed by Lord Orlando clearly setting her up as a model of womanhood, and conscious of the uncomfortable 264feeling that he might have been hurtful to poor Miss Brailes, who was so obviously a plain girl.
Of course, appearing to be a perfect bluestocking was her own fault, and Miss Newent gave thanks that she was not encumbered with the contents of learned tomes stuffed inside her head.
‘Mama, may I go to Sydney Gardens with dear Lady Dembleby this evening? The weather is so warm today it would be far preferable to promenade in the evening, and there will be the military band playing.’
As Mrs Newent acquiesced, Louisa watched the secretive smile that passed over Lord Orlando’s features, and wished she could banish him from Bath.
It was obvious that he would make it his mission to find them there and, if at all possible, slip away for a few moments to one of the more secluded bowers.
Even though it would not be dark, the number of people present would make keeping Lydia at her side for the entire time without looking like a gaoler very difficult. She made a quick decision.
‘We will be quite a party, ma’am,’ declared Louisa, ‘for Miss Brailes will be with us, and Mr Gilmorton, and’ – Louisa glanced at Lord Barkby, and received a small nod – ‘Lord Barkby also.’
‘But the number will be uneven,’ bemoaned Miss Newent.
‘My dear Lydia, we are merely promenading along the walks, not taking our places at a dinner. I am sure we are not going to form a column like soldiers.’
‘Or Miss Emily’s animals, “two by two”,’ added Lord Barkby.
265‘Exactly so.’
‘And I am not at all averse to walking in the evening. I like the sound of brass instruments. The trumpet has such a clear, clean sound.’ Hetty Goodworth joined in.
Louisa thought it sounded as though they were placating a child, but Lydia brightened.
‘If we walk in an informal group, you may well find yourself with gentlemen upon each side. It would, of course, be placing a rose betwixt thorns.’ Mr Gilmorton smiled encouragingly. ‘But Barkby and I will account ourselves very fortunate, and promise to guide everyone to refreshments.’
‘Very noble,’ murmured Lord Orlando.
‘Will you be attending, my lord?’ enquired Miss Newent.
‘Oh, I do not know. It shall be as the whim takes me, Miss Newent. Will I feel the need for music for my soul?’ He placed a hand over his heart, and his eyes mocked Miss Brailes and Louisa, who appeared far from impressed. ‘Now, ladies, you would not deny me a soul?’
‘No, my lord, but upon theological grounds only.’ Louisa’s reply was swift, and Lord Barkby choked.