Chapter Seven
T he wagonette carrying Joanna and five other ladies of the house party rolled slowly up the steep pathway toward the tent that had been erected in a clearing not far from the fields where the gentlemen had been shooting red grouse since the break of day. A faint pall of smoke in the distance and the sound of sporadic shots attested to their enjoyment of the sport.
Joanna looked around eagerly for signs that the gentlemen would soon arrive. Unfortunately, the only activity to meet her gaze were the servants putting the finishing touches on the glittering tables laid with the best china and silver. The wagonette came to a halt and with a sigh, Joanna clambered down.
The shooting breakfast—a glorious picnic for both ladies and gentlemen—was one of the highlights of the week that Joanna always looked forward to. The location never varied from year to year and she’d come to cherish the scenic beauty that surrounded the breakfast as the Scottish hillsides were awash with stunning purple heather in full bloom. Later this week, she’d ride up into the hills and gather as much of it as she wished to make sachets for the coming year. Her clothing and linen were ever scented with the fragrant smell so she could recall the beauty of the landscape even in the dead of winter in Middlesex.
“Come, Joanna.” Honoria, standing beside the head table, beckoned to her. “Your place is here beside Thomas and me.”
“Where is Mr. Dandridge to sit?” Joanna peered at her friend suspiciously. “Last evening he asked for my company today.” If they were to sit according to protocol, that gentleman’s ranking status was such that she supposed he’d be at the table farthest from theirs. If it wouldn’t have been incredibly rude, she suspected he would be seated outside the tent completely.
“He is to sit there,” Honoria pointed to the table at the very end of the tent—as Joanna had suspected—just barely underneath the canvas awning. “With Mr. Davis, Mr. Froggatt, and Mr. Carter.”
Joanna sent her hostess a long-suffering look. “Really, Honoria. The gentleman hasn’t done anything to merit his being sent to Coventry.”
“Except possess the lowest rank of every person here save the servants.” Honoria frowned. “It is scarcely my fault that protocol prohibits him from sitting anywhere else, Joanna.”
“I would think as he made such a magnanimous donation to your charity, that in itself would warrant a break with protocol.” The luncheon would be deadly dull with no one to speak to save Thomas and Honoria. They’d long ago run through every bit of new conversation they possessed. Guests were supposed to take up the slack and help entertain them and Mr. Dandridge was one of the guests. “I certainly wish to converse with him.”
“You seemed to have done that sufficiently last evening, if you recall.” Honoria sent her a sly look. “Thomas remarked on it after we retired.”
“As I said, Mr. Dandridge is a fascinating gentleman. We spoke of shooting, about which he seemed very knowledgeable.” Well, they’d spoken of her learning to shoot at least. That hurdle would need to be addressed today as well if she was going to hold Mr. Dandridge to his promise on the morrow.
“After the breakfast but before the gentlemen return to the fields there should be ample time for the two of you to speak.” Her friend’s mouth pursed in displeasure. “Although I must warn you, my dear, Thomas has tasked me with being your chaperon whenever you are in the company of Mr. Dandridge.”
Goodness, but that would certainly put a damper on any interesting conversation they wished to hold. Joanna wondered what Mr. Dandridge would think of this new turn of events. If he wished to speak with her in private, he was in for a nasty shock. “Is that truly necessary, Honoria?”
“Thomas insisted. And he’s written to your brother to inform him of Mr. Dandridge’s presence.”
Given Geoffrey’s reaction to her dancing with the gentleman in May, Joanna doubted he would stand for her being constantly in Mr. Dandridge’s company now. At least Thomas didn’t know about that debacle. Or rather, he didn’t seem to. But Geoffrey would be angrier than a hive of bees after their honey had been stolen when he found out Mr. Dandridge was at the lodge in Scotland. With her. The only consolation she could take was that Geoffrey wouldn’t be able to leave Longford until after the baby had arrived and his journey to Scotland would take him well over at week. So she and Mr. Dandridge had a bit of time to become acquainted.
“Very well. I shall speak with him after breakfast.” Joanna took her place beside Honoria as the first of the gentlemen appeared in the distance. She sent her friend a sideways glance. “But be assured I will speak with him.”
“Why are you being so insistent about Mr. Dandridge, my dear? He has no social standing whatsoever.” Honoria sounded bewildered.
“Why are you against him so suddenly? You were singing his praises to the rafters when he was simply Mr. James, your charity’s noble benefactor.” Joanna arched her brows. She’d thought Honoria certainly would not turn her back on a man who was so generous to her favorite cause.
“Besides the fact that Mr. Dandridge lied to me and to the charity’s board about who he was,” she said. From the pursed lips, Joanna understood that the lie had truly ruffled Honoria’s feathers. “Thomas brought it to my attention that he may very well have made his donations simply in order to pursue you.”
“I had wondered about that myself.” Joanna spoke low, mostly to herself.
“Then why would he not simply apply to Geoffrey to court you?” The triumph in Honoria’s voice rankled Joanna, something her friend had never done before.
“I suppose for the same reason he wished to remain unknown to your charity. He feels his reputation would prohibit him from being acceptable.” That was certainly true where Geoffrey was concerned. Unless they were very lucky, when Geoffrey found out about Mr. Dandridge’s presence here, things would go straight to the devil in a fast carriage. “I do not blame him for wishing to lead the life of an ordinary gentleman.”
“But Joanna, Mr. Dandridge is neither ordinary nor a gentleman.” Honoria frowned at her, then nodded toward the approaching shooters. “We must put this discussion aside for the moment. The gentlemen are upon us.”
“Yes, they are.” Joanna assumed a smile and nodded as Mr. Carstairs and Mr. Newcastle joined them. “Good afternoon, gentlemen. How goes the shooting?”
“Dashed tricky, I say, Lady Joanna.” Mr. Newcastle’s face wore a sour look. “The grouse have learned a thing or two about shooting I daresay. Never seemed to fly where they should, eh Carstairs?”
“I didn’t find them quite so elusive, my lady.” Mr. Carstairs grinned at her. “My numbers were decent at least.” He shook his head. “But they don’t hold a candle to what Dandy brought down.”
“Dandy?” Joanna perked up.
“Mr. Dandridge, my lady.”
“Ah.” Now here were a couple of interesting pieces of information. “Still, well done, Mr. Carstairs.” Joanna tried to keep her gaze on the gentlemen in front of her, but kept glancing about, trying to catch sight of Mr. Dandridge. Dandy. “And I daresay you will fare better after breakfast, Mr. Newcastle, with all this delicious food to fortify you.”
“This way, gentlemen.” Thankfully, Honoria steered them toward their seats several tables away.
Reluctantly, Joanna took her seat but continued to scan the figures heading for the tent for Mr. Dandridge’s familiar visage. When he finally came into view, Joanna’s heart sank as he was striding along, deep in conversation with Thomas of all people. That certainly couldn’t bode well for her desire to speak with the man.
They entered the tent, Thomas turning toward their table and Mr. Dandridge heading away toward the furthest reaches of the canopy. With a sigh, Joanna assumed her cheerful face again as Thomas sat down beside her. “And how did you fare, Thomas? I’ve heard the birds were too canny for some of your guests to hit.”
Chuckling, Thomas stood as Honoria joined them. “You’ve been talking to Newcastle, I’ll wager.” He shook his head as he sat again. “The man can tell you every single detail about a scattergun except how to fire it. His numbers are always wretched.”
“Well, I’m glad some of the poor birds managed to escape, my dear.” Honoria’s eyes were sad. “I do so hate this time of year. So much death in the sky.”
“But that means so much more fowl in the larder, my dear.” Her husband’s smile never wavered. “How else could we manage this splendor on the table.” He nodded as the footmen brought out the first course of broiled kidneys, pulled fowl, potted pigeons, stuffed tomatoes, and tongue.
Mouth watering at the sight, Joanna sighed and helped herself. The fresh air, the buzz of conversation, and the lovely scenery always gave her a keen appetite. She filled her plate and dug in.
“Mr. Dandridge acquitted himself rather well this morning.” Thomas paused as he speared a piece of kidney. “Excellent shot.”
The pulled fowl, drenched in gravy, went dry in Joanna’s mouth. She managed to swallow without choking and paused to collect herself. “Did he? Mr. Carstairs said he’d had a good morning.”
“Better than good, I allow. I will say, the man can shoot with the best of us.” Seemingly unconcerned, Thomas finished his kidneys and started on the potted pigeon.
“I am glad to hear it, Thomas. I haven’t heard many friendly words spoken of Mr. Dandridge since he arrived.” Joanna tried to keep the anger out of her voice, but she truly thought Mr. Dandridge was being sadly treated.
“Well, he got off to a shaky start, you must admit, my dear,” Honoria added. “No one likes to be told falsehoods.”
“But he’s explained that.” She might be treading on eggshells now with her defense of the gentleman, but this was something she must do. “And since then, he’s been nothing but good company.” If she was going to fight for Mr. Dandridge, then she needed to be bold. “You should wave the olive branch Thomas, and invite him to eat with us now.”
Honoria’s fork clattered onto her plate. “Joanna! You know the places are set according to precedence.”
“And they can be unset just as easily, Honoria.” Now that she had a crusade to rescue Mr. Dandridge from banishment to the far table, Joanna’s ferocity knew no bounds. “We are not in a stuffy dining room.” She turned to appeal to Thomas. “Please ask him to come here. He’s extraordinarily good company.”
“He does have an easy manner of conversation, I will say.” Thomas nodded. “We spoke of cattle on the way to the tents and he certainly knows his bloodlines. He has a good stable, from what I hear.”
“Then go invite him.” Joanna gave Thomas a none too gentle nudge under the table.
“Very well.” Thomas dropped his napkin on the table and rose. “I wouldn’t mind asking him about where he learned to shoot. I assume he wasn’t invited to parties such as this one.” He sauntered toward the back of the tent and Joanna took up her wine glass to fortify her.
“You do not want to make a fool of yourself, Joanna.” Honoria had dropped her voice despite the fact the closest person who could overhear them was seated at least ten feet away. “Mr. Dandridge may be an interesting man, but you must understand your association with him can go no further than mere acquaintanceship.”
“I don’t know what you mean, Honoria.” Joanna glanced away from her friend. “I simply wish for some spirited conversation. Mr. Dandridge’s background and experiences are so different from anyone I’ve known, of course I wish to hear about them.” She hoped her voice wasn’t trembling. “Nothing more than that.”
“Huh. May I help you, James?”
Joanna turned back to find Honoria speaking to one of the footmen.
“Begging your pardon, my lady, but the dessert wasn’t packed somehow.” James looked frightened to death to be imparting this tragic news.
“Not packed?” Honoria was on her feet in moments. “There was to be fairy cakes, a variety of cookies, and a blancmange. Are you telling me that somehow none of these items is here?”
“No, my lady.” The footman’s face was white as the icing on the missing cakes.
“Let me see what I can do.” Honoria strode away toward the tent set up for the luncheon viands.
Silently wishing her friend good luck, Joanna turned back to the table to find herself face to face with Mr. Dandridge who had quietly seated himself. She gasped and jumped, hitting her plate and making it spin perilously close to the edge of the table. She grabbed for it, but Thomas got there first.
“Careful, my dear.” His lips had a suspicious pucker to them. “You don’t want to do yourself a mischief, as the local folk say. Where did Lady Braeton disappear to?”
“A crisis with the dessert, I’m afraid. I’m certain she will return shortly after sorting it out.” That was an optimistic statement at best.
With a nod, Thomas turned his attention to Mr. Dandridge. “You shot well this morning, Dandridge. I appreciate that. Always good to keep the numbers up.”
“I’m happy to oblige you, my lord.” Mr. Dandridge sat easily in his chair, yet there seemed an air of tension about him. Especially when his gaze strayed from Thomas to her. “I’ve never been invited to such a shooting party before, so I’m glad I’ve acquitted myself well so far.”
“Where did you learn to shoot?” Thomas picked up his wine glass and sipped nonchalantly.
After a moment’s hesitation, Mr. Dandridge smiled and leaned back in his chair. “I taught myself, actually, my lord. When I was a lad.”
“Really?” Thomas cocked his head. “Where?”
“As I told you, my father was a tenant farmer for an estate in Essex, near Brentwood. After he died, I’d take his pistol into the estate forest and shoot rabbits and squirrels to help feed the family.” Mr. Dandridge eyed Thomas warily. “Eventually, I acquired a scattergun and started shooting partridges and woodcocks for the same reason.”
Thomas didn’t meet his gaze but pushed the wine glass in a small circle on the tablecloth. “Partridges are devilishly hard to bring down, Dandridge. You must have had a good eye from the time you were a boy.”
“Why are they hard to shoot, Thomas?” Joanna cut her gaze swiftly from her friend to Mr. Dandridge. She had no doubt the man was skillful. He seemed to exude competence in everything he did.
“They are small birds, my lady.” Mr. Dandridge spoke up before Thomas could answer. “Smaller than grouse at any rate. They are particularly agile, with rapidly beating wings that make them very speedy indeed.”
“They would certainly present a challenge to a boy of—” Thomas paused and looked inquiringly at Mr. Dandridge.
“Nine, my lord.”
Joanna’s brows shot up. “You were shooting on your own at the age of nine?”
Mr. Dandridge chuckled. “As the man of the family, one does what he must, my lady.”
“Even break the law, it seems.” Thomas stared at him, his good humor suddenly gone.
“What to you mean, Thomas?” A chill ran through Joanna.
“He means I was poaching, my lady.” Mr. Dandridge seemed unconcerned to have admitted to wrongdoing. “A rather grave crime.”
“But you had to keep your family fed.” Joanna frowned. “It’s not like you went out and robbed a mail coach.”
“It’s exactly like that, my dear.” Thomas had put on his stern face. “Had Mr. Dandridge been caught, he could have suffered transportation to Australia if not outright hanging.”
“Even a child?” Joanna was horrorstruck. “That is just wicked, Thomas.”
“Fortunately, my lady, my transgressions were not uncovered,” Mr. Dandridge grinned, completely unconcerned. “A year later we moved to London where my mother remarried and there was no opportunity for such criminal behavior on my part.”
Thomas continued to stare at the man opposite him, his eyes narrowing.
A sudden panic came over Joanna, a fear that Thomas might feel it his duty to report this criminal behavior to the authorities. What dire consequences might her innocent questions have brought about for Mr. Dandridge?
The stony silence that ensued seemed to last an eon. Joanna cast about for some subject she could introduce that would change the dangerous bent their conversation had taken. Before she could open her mouth to remark on the fine weather, Mr. Dandridge resumed speaking, as though no time had elapsed whatsoever.
“I did, however make some reparations to the landowner who had held our tenancy.”
Joanna released the breath she’d been holding and shot a look at Thomas to try to gauge his reaction. Her friend’s eyes were still narrowed, though there seemed less tension in his mouth before he spoke. “How did you accomplish that, Dandridge?”
“Once I’d made my fortune, I returned to Essex, to the estate and spoke to the owner.”
“Did he remember you? Did you confess to him?” Thomas’s voice was hard.
“Oh, he remembered me and my family. And yes, I did tell him about my youthful misdeeds.” Mr. Dandridge met Thomas’s baleful gaze with a smile. “After I’d bought the estate from him. He didn’t seem to hold any animosity toward me. In fact, he was much more interested in taking my most generous offer than in calling for the sheriff.”
“Do you live on the estate in Essex then, Mr. Dandridge?” Joanna couldn’t help her wide smile, happy he would not get into trouble with the law on her account.
“No, my lady. My business keeps me in London year-round.” His gaze softened. “My mother and my brothers and sisters reside there.”
“And your stepfather?” Joanna thought it odd he did not include that gentleman as well.
“He died shortly before this.” The coldness in Mr. Dandridge’s voice made Joanna shiver.
“Your mother has had more than her share of grief, Mr. Dandridge.” Thomas looked at the man keenly.
“Some people have more than others, I’ll admit, my lord. But the life of a dockworker in London is more than a little dangerous.” Mr. Dandridge shrugged. “My mother has borne her grief as best she could in her new surroundings.”
Something in Mr. Dandridge’s tone made Joanna believe there was more to the story than this, but she was determined to change the subject once again, and in a direction of her choosing. “Excuse me, gentlemen. I know you will be heading back to the fields shortly and I wished to get something settled before you do.” Joanna looked brightly from one man to the other. “Mr. Dandridge has offered to teach me how to shoot a pistol tomorrow, with your permission, Thomas. So I was wondering if we could agree on the time and place?”
Thomas’s eyes widened while a glance at Mr. Dandridge showed his had narrowed. “Why on earth would you wish to learn to shoot, Lady Joanna?”
She made a face. If they hadn’t been in company, she’d have stuck her tongue out at him. “You have no idea how tiresome it is, Thomas, to not be allowed to do so many interesting things just because one is a lady. I cannot hunt, I cannot shoot. I cannot attend the theater or go anywhere by myself. So when Mr. Dandridge and I were talking yesterday and he offered to teach me something I’d otherwise never be allowed to do, I told him yes wholeheartedly.”
“I see.” Thomas’s stubborn look was back. “And you offered your services as instructor to Lady Joanna for what reason, Dandridge? This is not something most well-bred young women are taught.”
“The lady expressed her dismay at women not being able to join a shoot.” Mr. Dandridge shrugged. “Our conversation then turned to what it would require for her to be able to do so, and I offered to teach her to shoot—first with a pistol, of course. If the lady proves proficient with that weapon, we could continue with a scattergun, if she desired it.”
“Well, I think it’s preposterous.” Thomas tossed his napkin down. “Ladies do not need to know how to shoot.”
“I’m not certain I agree with that, my lord.” Mr. Dandridge shook his head. “A lady may not always have a gentleman to defend her. Wouldn’t you agree that it would be prudent for her to be able to defend herself?”
“Huh.” Thomas grumbled. “As Lady Joanna just pointed out, a lady is never without a companion.”
“In usual circumstances, I grant you that is true.” Mr. Dandridge was watching Thomas like a hawk. “But what about unusual circumstances? What if there came a time when a lady was alone at home and the need arose for her to have to guard her own virtue? Would it not be prudent for her to have the means to protect herself and others?”
“That truly should not be necessary, Dandridge. Even in a house without a man present, there are always servants—butler, footmen, hall boys—who could come to her aid.”
“And if she were caught unawares in a carriage or on horseback? With only one coachman or groom?” Mr. Dandridge looked at Thomas askance. “I’d want to know that she could at least assist in her own rescue if it came to that. Which is why I taught both my sisters to fire a gun when I had to leave them at the estate in Essex. They have servants aplenty, but I wanted to know that they could protect themselves as well as my mother, if need be.”
“Indeed, Mr. Dandridge.” Joanna sat up, suddenly even keener to have him instruct her. “So you have proven a proficient teacher then?”
“To my knowledge, my lady, there has been no need for my sisters to demonstrate their skill with a pistol. However,” he crossed his arms over his broad chest, “I rest easier in London knowing they can act if the need arises.”
“There you have it, Thomas.” Joanna lifted her chin triumphantly. “Mr. Dandridge makes several excellent points about why I should learn this skill.” Well, one also got more flies with honey. “And of course the instruction would be carried out under your and Honoria’s chaperonage. What could be safer than you keeping your eyes on me the entire time?”
Thomas jerked his head up, peering toward the makeshift kitchen tent, but Honoria was nowhere to be seen. The debacle of the dessert seemed to be taking up her whole attention. “I will need to confer with my wife about this, Dandridge. To make sure she can spare the time.”
“But if she can’t, your presence alone should still act as enough of a chaperone, Thomas.” Joanna couldn’t help invoking her best wheedling tone. “Please?”
Shaking his head, Thomas sighed and rose. “We should be getting back to the fields, Dandridge. We don’t want to keep the others waiting.”
“Of course not, my lord.” Rising as well, Mr. Dandridge addressed himself to her and bowed. “It was delightful to have your company during the breakfast, Lady Joanna. I will look forward to telling you about the afternoon’s shooting after dinner tonight.”
“I will look forward to that as well, sir.” She turned her attention to Thomas before he could get away. “And to our lesson tomorrow.”
Thomas gave her a withering look, but said only, “We shall see.” He then stalked off, Mr. Dandridge following along behind, finally catching him up as they strode toward the far field.
Joanna slumped into her chair, happy to have at least proposed tomorrow’s activity to Thomas, although not at all sanguine about it coming to fruition. Still, she believed she and Mr. Dandridge had gotten Thomas to thinking about the benefits of the lessons. And if she had to put her foot down, she’d absolutely do so. Mr. Dandridge was proving the most interesting gentleman she’d ever met. Therefore, she refused to allow her brother or his friend to keep her from furthering his fascinating acquaintance. No matter what it might take to do so.