Chapter Seventeen
Lord Richard Sends Word from the Country
Surprisingly, she missed his presence at Merrick House. It might be more peaceful without the irritation he caused, but it was certainly quiet.
Valentina and Lady Amelia slipped quietly in and out of the room as she played, stopping to listen or offer refreshments.
Fiona declined all food or drink, concentrating too much to stop.
When she paused, satisfied with the results of the Beethoven, the tall French clock in the corner indicated it was well into the afternoon.
There was still work to do refining the Mozart piece.
She heard the low murmur of voices in the foyer. Stretching her fingers, she rose and yawned. It seemed they had visitors. Valentina peeked around the corner, her face glowing.
“Denys is here. Would you care to join us?”
“Of course. You certainly look pleased,” Fiona teased.
Her friend blushed. “Hush, he will hear you. Come, Mama has ordered tea and cake.”
In the front drawing room, Denys Spencer rose from his seat next to Lady Amelia on the silk settee.
She loved the understated elegance of Merrick House, with its soft colors and beautifully fashioned furniture.
Aunt Muriel had favored bright chintzes and busy patterns in her Dublin townhouse, along with an excess of Wedgewood porcelain.
“Miss Rafferty. How charming you look. That frock is the color of sunshine.”
“Thank you, Mr. Spencer.” She smiled. “Might I indeed call you Denys, or is that a terrible breach of etiquette?”
“If Lady Amelia consents, I’d happy to exchange given names.”
“Denys is family, so at home we relax the rules a bit,” Lady Amelia confided.
“Thank you so much for the roses, Denys,” Valentina smiled. “The scent fills the room. It was so kind to think of me.”
“Wherever did you find roses this time of year?” Fiona asked in amazement.
“I’d like to take more credit, but I know of a wonderful hothouse not far from Bond Street. I thought immediately of you upon seeing them, Valentina. I sent a note this morning to see if I might call, and your mother said you have been indisposed.”
“Yes, but I am much better now. I hope you are planning on attending Lady Drummond-Burrell’s musicale tonight, Denys.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he assured her. “I look forward to hearing you play, Fiona.”
“We’ve missed you,” Lady Amelia told him. “Have you been out of the city?”
“Yes, I met Richard at Seldon for some grouse hunting on Thursday. As I left last evening, he asked me to bring a letter to you.” Denys reached inside his dark-green coat and withdrew an envelope, which he handed to Lady Amelia.
“So, is that why you have come to see us?” Valentina teased. “To deliver Richard’s letter?”
A tinge of color touched Denys’s cheekbones.
Lady Amelia took the missive eagerly. “Oh, I wonder if Richard will pick up Octavia from Bath and bring her home. He mentioned that he might before he left.” She broke the seal and unfolded the linen paper, scanning the contents.
A look of dismay crossed her delicate features and she refolded the letter quickly.
“What is it, Mama? Is everything all right?” Valentina reached for the letter but her mother quickly tucked it in the pocket of her gown.
“Perfectly fine.” Lady Amelia glanced nervously at Fiona. “He is fetching Octavia and will meet us tonight at Lady Drummond-Burrell’s.”
“He heard about my ride in the park,” Fiona guessed.
Denys regarded her with sympathy. “I believe he received a note from his stableman.”
Of course, Cedric had informed Richard. After all, his loyalty was to his employer. “I hope he did not blame you, Lady Amelia.”
“No, he did not cast blame, but he says that no more horses shall leave the stable until he returns home. I fear he is very angry.”
“You mean he forbids me to ride, or even take a carriage? Insufferable.”
“Fiona, you promised,” Lady Amelia reproached her.
“But there is good news, too. Viscount Atterbury has asked for an interview at Richard’s earliest convenience. It can only mean one thing, Valentina. He means to ask for your hand.”
“Why, we have hardly spoken.”
“No matter, dear. Sometimes that’s all it takes. The viscount is an excellent match. I’m sure Richard will request that you take time to become better acquainted. Perhaps you will find he suits you very well.” Valentina accepted her mother’s excited hug without enthusiasm.
Fiona glanced at Denys and caught the twist of pain on his face. It was quickly masked, but she was sure he shared Valentina’s feelings.
“I brought my phaeton hoping to take you and Fiona into the park, Valentina. My groom will drive, so that we may sit and enjoy our conversation. You are well enough to go, I hope? Lady Amelia, you must accompany us, of course.”
“I think I will rest, thank you.” She yawned. “Why don’t you go enjoy yourselves? It’s lovely outside.”
“Yes,” he agreed. “A perfect day for a carriage ride.”
“You are thoughtful, Denys, to think of us,” Valentina said. “A drive would be perfect.”
Fiona settled into Denys’s phaeton next to Valentina, and the driver handed both ladies a woolen blanket to tuck around their laps while Denys climbed into the opposite seat. She sat back and relaxed, enjoying the sunny day and sapphire skies that brought hope of more permanent spring weather.
Denys could scarcely take his eyes from Valentina. She wore a particularly fetching bonnet with burgundy velvet trim, and her matching gown boasted fine Mechlin lace at the collar and sleeves.
The carriage, though not as high-perched as Richard’s impressive black phaeton, was well sprung, and the ride to Grosvenor Gate pleasant. As the driver turned smoothly into Hyde Park, Fiona complimented Denys on his fine set of plain bays.
“Richard chose them, of course. I defer to his advice on horseflesh. While we were at Seldon, he brought out a new two-year-old, imported from County Wicklow. It is a magnificent colt. Coal black and as flashy a mover as you could wish for. He partners with a breeding farm there. Have you been to the Newmarket Races, Fiona?”
“No, but my father and I enjoyed going to the races in Dublin.”
“It’s quite a sight. Carriages lined up as far as the eye can see. Richard always has a fine horse there…I hear his brown gelding is odds on to win next week.”
Of course, it would be; Lord Richard enjoyed success in all his pursuits. “I was unaware the earl had business in Ireland. I wonder why he did not mention it.”
“He rarely discusses his holdings, but they are quite numerous.”
The minutes passed in agreeable silence as they surveyed the surrounding sights, including a parade of well-dressed riders and elegant vehicles.
“I shall look forward to seeing Octavia again. The house has been remarkably dull in her absence,” Valentina commented, watching an extremely high carriage approach.
It was manned by two gentlemen dressed in long drab coats and blue waistcoats with bright-yellow stripes.
Both wore very tall hats and nodded pleasantly as they passed.
“What strange outfits,” Fiona commented.
“Members of the Four-in-Hand Club,” Valentina explained. “Richard is a member, and I enjoy quizzing him whenever he dresses in their uniform. You can’t tell from here, but the breeches have rosettes.”
Fiona chuckled, imagining the fastidious Richard in such a gaudy outfit. “That I would like to see.”
“Are you prepared for tonight, Fiona? I think people will turn out in numbers to hear you play. I fear Mrs. Davenport has been talking of nothing but your excursion yesterday,” Denys warned.
“No doubt she is eager to see me fall flat,” she sighed. She wondered if that would be the general expectation among her audience.
“Richard praises your talent, and I am confident you will not disappoint. There is little real talent in our small circle. A few lovely voices, perhaps—and Miss Gunstead plays the violin rather well—but no accomplished musicians.”
“I have a few more hours of practice when we return, but I am ready.”
“Yes, you are,” Valentina agreed. “The bigger question is what will you wear?”
Denys’s eyes flickered in amusement. “Yes. That is important indeed. I don’t doubt for a moment you’ll be the two most beautiful women in the room. Did you know the ton refers to the pair of you as ‘Ebony and Ivory’?”
“So you’ve heard that silly nickname too? Really, Denys, do people have nothing better to do?” Valentina exclaimed.
“That particular shoe fits very well.”
She slapped his arm lightly, her blue eyes alight with affection.
“This has been a charming ride, ladies, but it’s time to head homeward. The sky is clouding, and I know you have preparations for tonight.” Denys turned to the driver. “Back to Park Lane, if you please, Dearborn.”
In front of Merrick House, a smattering of rain fell. Fiona and Valentina alighted from the carriage, assisted by Denys and the footman. Hansen greeted them at the door and summoned a maid to take their damp hats.
Fiona led the way to the drawing room, choosing a seat near the fire. She patted the cushion beside her. “So, now you must tell me the truth, Valentina. What is between you and Denys Spencer?”
“Really, Fiona, you are imagining things.”
“The truth, if you please.”
She was silent for a long moment, her hands twisting in her lap. “I suppose it will be a relief to finally tell someone. Yes, I love Denys. I have loved him forever, but he only sees me as Richard’s little sister.”
Fiona burst out in laughter. “Do you think so? What a goose you are. He looks upon you with far more feeling than that, I assure you.”
“Oh, Fiona. Truly?” Valentina’s face fell. “But Richard would never allow marriage between us. Denys has a modest income and no title. How little I care about such considerations. I don’t need all this to be happy,” she said, waving at her surroundings. “Not if I had Denys.”
Fiona stood resolutely. “Well, we shall have to do something about that. First, he must declare his feelings. Have you ever shown your desire for more than friendship?”
“Oh, no—I couldn’t be so forward.”
“Well then, I shall have to help things along.”
“What will you do?” Valentina asked with some foreboding.
“Perhaps I can pull Denys aside and tell him that Richard is insistent you marry Viscount Atterbury. If he knows how unhappy you are, he might speak up.”
“Fiona, you must not do anything to anger Richard on my account. You are already in his bad graces for your ride in the park yesterday.”
“Fiddlesticks,” she snorted. “I was born in your brother’s bad graces.
“I am sure you misunderstand him…”
“Don’t worry; I’ll take care of everything. You should go upstairs and put on a dry gown before your cold returns.”
“Aren’t you going to change, too?”
“No, I am scarcely damp, and I must get in an hour or two of practice.”
“After supper, you must let me help you choose your dress.”
“Of course. But promise me you’ll take a nap first. I need you at your glorious best tonight for Denys Spencer, and as my pillar of support in facing the judgment of the ton.”
At the piano, Fiona went through the Mozart with a few minor mistakes, then repeated it cleanly.
She sat, idly fingering the keys, and thought about her next meeting with Richard…
how angry would he be? Perhaps her escapade in the park would be enough to discourage him from marrying her.
But to be honest, she had missed his company.
Why, oh why, were things so complicated?