Chapter Four #2
‘I beg your pardon, your grace,’ Mama said politely. ‘My dearest husband did not reach Hampshire.’
‘So I understand, but since he told you that he intended to come down, how would he have made his way here? Did your coachman drive him? If that is the case, then presumably you have quizzed him on the matter.’
‘He did not tell my mother how he intended to travel, and we didn’t think to ask him,’ Farrah admitted when it appeared that her mother had been struck dumb; caught out by the first question to pass the duke’s lips.
‘But our coachman did not drive him, that much I do know. We only keep one carriage, and he would not have deprived us of it.’ Farrah turned towards her mother when she sensed her frowning.
‘The duke cannot help us if we are not honest about our straitened circumstances,’ she said quietly.
‘The upkeep of carriages and the horses to convey them is quite shockingly expensive nowadays,’ the duchess said. ‘You are to be congratulated upon your economy in that regard, Ruth.’
Farrah felt a wave of appreciation for the duchess’s empathy.
‘Indeed,’ Sophia said, perching elegantly on the edge of her chair, looking angelic.
How deceiving appearances could be, Farrah thought with a wry smile.
‘That is why I persuaded Mama to leave London before the end of the season, even though she wanted to stay for my sake.’ Farrah somehow managed not to gape at such a bold untruth.
‘I am much happier living quietly here in the country – or I would be if only we knew what had become of dearest Papa.’ She summoned up a tear and caught it as it trickled down her cheek.
‘I shall not know a moment’s peace until we have answers, but I am absolutely sure that if anyone can help us then that person is you, your grace. ’
Mama leaned across and patted the back of Sophia’s gloved hand, presumably to congratulate her upon the delivery of a near faultless pre-arranged performance. And to give Sophia her due, she had spoken her lines with a passion that made her seem almost sincere.
Almost.
Farrah glanced at the duke, whose expression hadn’t altered, although the amusement reflected in his eyes told her that he hadn’t been taken in.
Sophia was wasting her time on a gentleman who could see right through her; that much was already obvious to Farrah.
If he was not blinded by her helplessness and fragile beauty upon first making her acquaintance, then her efforts to attract him were doomed to failure before they had even properly begun.
The pragmatic side of Farrah’s nature acknowledged that Sophia making an advantageous marriage would be the answer to the family’s problems. If, unlike Farrah, she was willing to enter into a marriage of convenience to enhance her standing, then Farrah really ought to encourage her.
Papa would then perhaps be able to emerge from his self-imposed exile and Farrah would be free to …
To do what precisely? All she knew was that she had no appetite for marriage and no desire to become any man’s chattel.
She hadn’t thought beyond that point, nor had she considered her attitude selfish since she hadn’t been aware of the family’s precarious financial state during the course of her season.
Her determination to live independently now presented problems she had not previously contemplated.
How would she support herself if she remained unwed and there were no funds in the family’s coffers?
She had no desire to fall upon Sophia’s charity, and spending the rest of her days in Mama’s company would be an even worse fate.
Her secret employment would not last indefinitely.
Besides, what she earned from it was insufficient to support her fully, even though her needs were basic.
She had been too caught up with her own presentation, then Sophia’s and now Papa’s disappearance to think about her own aspirations.
The options for a lone female were limited – very limited, she acknowledged with a sinking heart – but now was not the time to dwell upon her future.
She didn’t know what she aspired to anyway, other than avoiding a loveless marriage simply to conform to society’s expectations.
‘Can you think of anyone who would be willing to give Dalton shelter, ma’am?’ the duke asked. ‘Who are his closest friends?’
‘He doesn’t have any as far as I am aware,’ Farrah answered before her mother could weave up imaginary connections in an effort to impress.
‘No particular lady ?’
‘Ezra, why don’t you show Lady Sophia the orangery,’ the duchess said abruptly.
‘It would be my pleasure.’ Lord Ezra stood. ‘Lady Sophia,’ he said, proffering his arm. ‘Will you do me the honour?’
‘Oh, but I thought I should ?’
‘Go!’ Farrah said in a tone that brooked no argument.
With a darkling glance directed Farrah’s way that transmuted into an engaging smile as she turned to face the duke, Sophia stood and placed her hand on Lord Ezra’s sleeve. No one spoke until the door closed behind them.
‘You were going to ask if my father has a mistress,’ Farrah said briskly. ‘Someone who might shelter him.’
‘Farrah!’ Mama looked suitably shocked. ‘What a thing to suggest. I am sure the duke was not about to ask anything nearly so indelicate.’
‘On the contrary, madam. Lady Farrah has indeed anticipated me. That is precisely the question I intended to ask.’
‘A very obvious one, I’m afraid, Ruth dear,’ the duchess said. ‘Which is why I sent Lady Sophia from the room. Such sensitive matters are not for her delicate ears.’
But it was perfectly all right, it appeared, to discuss them in front of Farrah, who was glad of the duchess’s candidness rather than offended by it.
Besides, if she intended to remain independent then it was a compliment, at least of sorts.
Farrah was not about to swoon at the turn the conversation had taken and was glad to be a part of it.
The possibility of Papa being sheltered by a female had occurred to her, but she knew that if she posed the question to Mama then she would never get an honest response.
Her mother thought too well of herself to have the world, or even her daughter, imagine that she was incapable of satisfying her husband.
Papa was still a handsome man, charming and universally popular with the ladies, which made it highly probable that one of them had taken him in out of an act of charity. Perhaps he had spun her a convincing line about the need to lay low for a while.
‘Well, I am sure if he has then I know nothing about her.’ Mama rippled her shoulders and adopted an offended expression before recalling where she was and adjusting her features accordingly.
‘Are you intimate with particular families in this district, Ruth?’ the dowager asked.
Mama and Farrah both shook their heads.
‘No one who would take Papa in for all this time without letting us know,’ Farrah said.
‘Unless he has been taken ill.’ Mama sounded almost hopeful as she made the suggestion.
‘May I ask what happens to your estate upon Dalton’s death?’ the duke asked.
‘It is not attached to the title,’ Farrah replied. ‘That will die with Papa, since there are no male relatives for it to pass on to, but the house will become Mama’s.’
‘Ah.’ The duke looked disappointed. ‘Well then, I am not sure how much help I can be to you ladies,’ he said, ‘since there are precious few avenues for me to explore.’
‘But you will try, dear.’
‘Of course, Mother. I will put out some feelers.’
‘Thank you, your grace.’ Mama looked over her shoulder, seeming more concerned about Sophia’s prolonged absence than she was with any efforts to run Papa to ground.
‘Come, Ruth. You must see my orangery too,’ the duchess said, rising. ‘I am really very pleased with it.’
Mama looked set to argue the point but wisely thought the better of it and stood too.
‘If I did not know better, your grace, then I would be tempted to think that the duchess just made a clumsy effort to leave us alone together,’ Farrah said. ‘Please be assured that I did nothing to imply that I would like to …’
The duke smiled, waving a hand when her words trailed off in embarrassment. ‘She is not known for her subtlety, but don’t worry, your reputation is quite safe.’
‘I didn’t suppose for a moment that it would be at risk. I am not the beauty of the family. No one notices me when Sophia and I are in the same room, and I would not have it any other way.’
‘Whereas I barely noticed your sister.’
Farrah wagged a finger at him. ‘You are not supposed to say things like that, not when Mama has used Papa’s disappearance as an excuse to bring Sophia to your notice.’
The duke frowned. ‘Do you really think that was her intention?’
Farrah belatedly realised what she had implied and blushed.
‘I did not think so until we walked into your house,’ she replied, ‘but in all honesty, she is so ambitious for Sophia that there is little I would put past her.’ She paused.
‘Papa’s disappearance is concerning, but it has also created on opportunity.
’ Farrah flashed a whimsical smile. ‘Perhaps it is she herself who is responsible for Papa’s mysterious absence. ’