Chapter Sixteen #3
“Quite deadly,” Sir William complained. “Denys Spencer might best him occasionally; he’s extraordinarily fast and has excellent footwork.
But only on a good day. If the earl lands the first punch, few recover.
But Richard’s pursuit of perfection comes at a high price.
I’m quite content with mediocrity. You see that even Lady Cowper considers me harmless. ”
“As if you were mediocre in any way, Sir William.”
“But can I trust the opinion of one so new to London?”
After their laughter subsided, Fiona tried to glean more information about Richard and Eleanor Davenport. “Sir William, you know I cannot let the matter of Mrs. Davenport rest. I think it’s only fair that I understand her dislike.”
He sighed. Sir William Denton would most certainly be a perfect match, for he was amusing and easily managed.
“I don’t know if Lord Seldon ever intended marriage, but they kept company for more than a year.
There are rumors that she had a dalliance with Fellingham, and the earl immediately ended the relationship.
They’ve been cordial since, but it’s common knowledge that she still holds a tendre in that direction. ”
“That explains his aversion to the marquis.”
“Fellingham is a rather unsavory character. Most are polite due to his rank, but he has few friends.”
When Sir William turned left toward Serpentine Bridge, Fiona looked over at him in surprise.
“Shouldn’t we return to face the consequences of our ride?”
“No, we should not,” he answered. “To turn tail and slink home would only admit guilt. You started this wild prank, and now we must see it through, heads held high.”
She swallowed hard.
“Act as though nothing is amiss, Miss Rafferty. Perhaps we will emerge bruised but not broken.” He spurred his horse into a sedate canter, his posture straight and confident.
She touched Della’s sides with her heel, and the mare fell in behind Sir William’s gelding.
When Sir William deposited her at the Merrick House stable courtyard, Fiona caught Cedric’s disapproving expression and flushed guiltily. Peter took her horse with a subdued air, no doubt reprimanded for her rash behavior.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered as she handed over the reins. The young groom refused to meet her gaze. She thanked Cedric, who looked past her stonily, and walked toward the house, deeply mortified.
The reckless determination to prove her independence had a far greater impact than she had considered. Sir William had been drawn into the circle of disapproval that surrounded her, and now the servants. It would surely affect Lady Amelia and Valentina as well.
She hoped to enter through the door at the back of the house and avoid meeting anyone, but Hansen was there to greet her in his stiffest manner.
No doubt word of her behavior had reached the household.
Fiona straightened her shoulders; she dreaded facing Lady Amelia, but there was no sense in delaying the inevitable.
“Good afternoon, Hansen. Where might I find Lady Amelia?”
“She is in the front drawing room reading with Miss Valentina, Miss Fiona.” He took her hat, gloves, and riding crop.
The late afternoon sun poured into the tall windows of the large drawing room, illuminating Lady Amelia’s halo of blonde curls as she dabbed a handkerchief to her eyes, a magazine open on her lap.
Valentina lay dozing upon a stack of pillows on the pale-blue striped sofa, covered with a chintz blanket.
Lady Amelia looked up and saw her in the doorway. Her eyes were red-rimmed.
“Fiona, what have you done? How could you send Peter home? Riding alone with an eligible bachelor in Hyde Park…it’s just not done. Richard will be furious, and I will be to blame.”
“No, Lady Amelia, he cannot hold you to account. It is entirely my wretched fault, and I will make him see that.” Impulsively, she sank to the floor beside the chair and took Lady Amelia’s delicate hand, pressing it to her cheek.
“I am so sorry…it’s my awful disposition, you see. I just can’t bear to be ordered about.”
“But who is ordering you, my dear?” The older woman looked bewildered. “It’s just how things are done. We can’t just run amok, you know.”
“I understand. Believe me, I did not consider the repercussions. And I am so very sorry to cause you distress. How is Valentina?”
“Better,” mumbled a sleepy voice from the sofa. “Just tired. Tell me you didn’t meet anyone in the park?”
“We did,” she confessed. “Mrs. Davenport and Lady Cowper.”
“Not Emily Cowper,” moaned Lady Amelia.
“She is one of the biggest sticklers for propriety in London, and Eleanor Davenport can be vicious. I do wish you hadn’t gone, Fiona,” Valentina sighed. “It reflects badly on all of us.”
A wave of shame washed over her, and Fiona wished above all things she could take back the moment she galloped away from Sir William and young Peter.
“I truly did not consider the consequences. It was foolish and inconsiderate. Please, please accept my apologies. I will do whatever is necessary to repair the damage.”
Lady Amelia huffed and pointedly lifted her magazine between them.
“Well, I don’t know what Richard will have to say, Fiona, but I am sure it will not be pleasant. You must promise not to irritate him further.” Valentina drew the blanket around her fretfully. “Why don’t you go practice your selections for Saturday? I am sure no harm can come from that.”