Chapter 6
Rilbridge Cottage, the following afternoon
“I don’t believe it, Mother.”
Lady Aitken shrugged. “Choose, if you wish, Deoiridh to turn a blind eye. However, I know lovers when I see them. While Lord Fontus’s kiss of Lady Beatrix’s hand was quite proper, I know I heard him call her ‘the woman I love.’”
Sick to her stomach, Dee longed to rush up to her bed and bury her face in her pillow so no one might hear her cry.
She and Fontus were wed on paper only. She had no right to weep.
She still planned for an annulment. Did she not?
No, she should be glad he had found someone to love, to share his life with.
“How he could prefer her over you, I cannot imagine,” Mother continued.
“She is comely, but she has no presence. When her father is near, she cowers. Behind the earl’s manners, probably lies a fearsome temper.
No doubt his daughter learned to keep her mouth shut.
” Mother paused to take a sip of tea then set down her cup and saucer. “Did you hear me, Deoiridh?”
Dee forced a smile. “Certainly Mother. I’ll remind you that Lord Fontus’s affaires are none of my concern. As for Lady Beatrix, I will keep your comments in mind but decide what I think of her when I finally meet her.”
“So, you say.” Mother sipped again. “However, I did not think you unhappy to receive his invitation to ride out. How unfortunate that an urgent matter forced him to postpone your riding engagement… indefinitely.”
Mother is fishing for details. However, Fontus’s note provided no explanations.
At the time the lack made sense. Should anyone else see the note, details must arouse suspicion. Her mother’s information forced Dee to consider Fontus may possess more than one reason to omit explanation for the delay.
“My dear, you are quite distracted. Is something bothering you?”
A dozen things, none of which she wished to confide in her mother. The last thing she needed was Mother interfering.
“Nothing of any import. Tell me, what will you wear tonight? I gather most of the guests arrived, and Lady Somerville plans an evening of music after dinner.”
“She does, indeed,” Mother confirmed. “I shall probably don my midnight blue evening gown. It will give me opportunity to show off the sapphires your father gave me.”
“That is a lovely gown, and those gems are stunning. You’ll be the belle of the evening.”
“Lady Somerville will clear the music room floor for impromptu dancing. I intend to share a waltz with that scamp, Robin Somerville.”
Dee lifted a brow. “Please tell me you do not possess a tendre for him.”
Her mother waved a hand in the air. “Of course not. Recall, please, how much I enjoy dancing and rascals. Now tell me, what will you wear?”
“I am uncertain.” Part of her wanted to sparkle so much Fontus could not look away. He must know what he is missing. I’ll show him. I’ll flirt with every other man and leave him to suffer with his new beloved.
Not that he and she had been in love. Theirs was strictly a marriage of convenience. Once Barbeau was no longer a problem, she’d wish Fontus well of Lady Beatrix Sandrow.
“Let us go up and examine your gowns. By now, all your clothing must be new. Perhaps, I can help you decide.”
“That is a good idea, Mother.” Normally, Dee would politely decline the offer. Mother’s tastes were a bit more flamboyant than her own yet still very proper. However, if anyone could suggest an ensemble to draw a man’s attention, it was Mother.
* * *
At dinner, Dee flirted shamelessly with the gentlemen partnering her. From her peripheral vision, she saw Fontus staring. He and every other man had paid serious attention when she entered the grand salon before dinner.
The ice-blue velvet gown showed her figure to perfection, and contrasted nicely with her lapis eyes. The pale blue topaz parure, borrowed from her mother drew all attention to her face.
“You are very lovely tonight Lady Deoiridh,” murmured Sir Peter Somerville.
Penelope Somerville surveyed the room to see who was looking. “Indeed, my friend, you captivate every man present. I know some husbands who will receive scolds from their wives later.” She smiled.
“Thank you. It is always gratifying to hear one appears her best.”
“Come with me,” Lady Somerville said.” I will introduce you to everyone. All our guests are here, save for Mr. George Froppin. He arrived yesterday. Shortly after breakfast, his valet informed me Froppin felt ill and would spend the day resting. He expects that his master will be fine tomorrow.”
“I shall look forward to meeting him then.”
Lady Somerville introduced a number of guests, among them a viscount and his wife, a couple of lords, colleagues of Sir Peter Somerville’s in parliament. They crossed the room to the only people Dee had yet to meet.
“This next introduction is to Lord Sandrow and his daughter Lady Beatrix Sandrow. Sandrow is a life peer, and not normally someone we would include. However, we invited them at the request of His Grace of Leigh. Evidently, he and Lord Sandrow arranged a match between Lord Fontus and Lady Beatrix. I don’t know if you are familiar with the difficulty between the two families. You see…”
“I am aware of the history between Lord Fontus and Sandrow’s son.” Dee kept her tone casual. Inside she was shaking. Angry, frightened, confused, sad.
How could Fontus propose to someone else and not tell me?
“Oh good, then you will understand when I ask you to make a friend of Lady Beatrix. She is painfully shy, especially with her father nearby, and a bit awkward. I’m sure Lord Fontus would appreciate any kindness shown his prospective bride.
Although the betrothal has not yet been announced.
That should happen before the end of our house party. ”
Less than two weeks. Hopefully the engagement would last a year or more. That had to be enough time to obtain the annulment.
Lady Somerville halted before the Sandrows and performed the introductions.
In conversation with Robin, Fontus stood watching a few feet away.
“We met your mother, Lady Deoiridh. She is French but wed a Scot.” Lord Sandrow sniffed. He used ‘French’ and ‘Scot’ as condemnations.
Color left Lady Beatrix’s face.
“Her friendship with King Louis is long-standing,” Dee informed.
Sandrow’s brows rose. “Really.” He drew the word out as if there might be some question. “Do you approve of such an arrangement?”
Beside him his daughter paled even more, and swayed.
Dee stepped closer to the woman, leaning her shoulder into the lady’s side for support.
“Lady Aitken does not need her daughter’s approval or anyone’s.” Lady Somerville answered.
“Harrumph,” Lord Sandrow snorted. “I also note she is well acquainted with Lord Fontus.” In Sandrow’s mouth, ‘well acquainted’ indicated inappropriate intimacies.
Dee usually tried to be patient with idiots like Sandrow, but she found her temper slipping from her grasp. Beside her, Lady Beatrix trembled.
“Lady Beatrix, are you quite well?” Dee asked loudly enough to draw the attention of anyone able to hear.
“Oh dear,” Lady Somerville uttered. “I’ll send for your maid.”
“N…n…no, pl…ease.” Lady Beatrix whispered.
“Don’t be mawkish, daughter, you need…”
Dee interrupted, “Lord Sandrow. I believe your daughter is in need of some wine. Please get her some,” she ordered. “You will find us on that settee near the fire.”
She guided Lady Beatrix slowly around to the designated settee.
The lady’s father frowned and signaled to a footman.
Fontus spun on his heel, intercepted Sandrow and the footman. Sandrow left to speak with another guest. Fontus took the wine from the footman then approached Lady Beatrix.
As the two took places on the settee, Fontus appeared at Lady Beatrix’s side, and offered the glass of wine he held. He smiled at both Dee and the other woman.
Dee gave a nod of thanks but did not answer his smile.
“Thank you.” Her voice raspy, Lady Beatrix drank deeply.
“Better now?” Dee asked.
“Yes, thank you for your help. My father is not always the most tactful of men. He had no business implying anything about your mother.”
“He said nothing I haven’t heard before. Too many people prefer to think badly of someone rather than learn the true circumstances.”
“I’m glad you understand, Lady Deoiridh,” Fontus said.
“Do I?” She referred not to the incident with Lord Sandrow but her husband’s relationship with the man’s daughter.
He gave a slight nod of comprehension. “Perhaps we could clear up matters by taking that ride I requested tomorrow?”
So, he wanted to explain. She wanted to refuse, but in light of her own comments about pursuing the truth, she accepted. “After breakfast?”
“Yes.”
Aware of their audience, Dee turned to Lady Beatrix. “Do you ride Lady Beatrix?”
“I know how,” she stated. “However, it is not my favorite activity. You need not invite me to join you. I shall enjoy a little solitude in Sir Peter’s library. He has a collection of works by Pliny the Elder that I have not yet obtained for my own library.”
“I am certain you will enjoy them. I prefer the younger Pliny’s work. However, reading one in light of the other, enriches the knowledge of both.”
Fontus blinked.
Dee smiled. No doubt her husband’s very English education included some of each Pliny. He must be surprised she knew of the Roman authors let alone admitted reading their works. It was obvious that Lady Beatrix’s mention of her reading preference astonished him.
Lady Beatrix perked up. “Perhaps we could share tea in Somerville’s library later and discuss both Plinys.”
“I would love to.” Dee said. “Shall we say tomorrow? I can ask Lady Somerville to serve us tea separately in the library, if that suits you.”
“Please. I’d rather not ask in front of my father. He’s sure to scold me for spending time on musty books when I could be…” She trailed off into silence. Her shoulders slumped, and she lifted a stricken face to Fontus.
“Shall I tell him that Lady Deoiridh is a friend, and I asked her to spend some time with you?” Fontus suggested.
“That is kind of you.”
Dinner was announced.
“Ladies may I escort you?” He offered both elbows.
However, Lord Sandrow hurried over and asked to escort Deoiridh. Courtesy forced her to accept. She prayed for a seat quite distant from him.
In between bites and conversation with her dinner partners, she pondered about the ride with Fontus in the morning.
Did she really hope he had a reasonable explanation for courting Lady Beatrix?
He’d proven himself trustworthy to this point.
Would he lie to her now? Would she be able to tell if he did?
She recalled a conversation on shipboard while crossing the channel.
“I do not think you lied to me. When you do play someone false, I’m certain you believe it necessary,” she had said.
“You are determined to think well of me.” he had replied.
“You give me no reason to think otherwise.” Nor had he now. She must be patient and not jump to unwarranted conclusions.
Tomorrow, she would learn whether her trust had been misplaced.