13
Archer Maitland was cursing himself for a fool, a mutton-headed idiot of a fool!
He tossed a coin to the small boy holding the horses, told him to wait with Andrew’s mount and swung himself up into the saddle.
He had stormed away from Jane Darcy, in great danger of losing his temper and saying words he would later regret.
But her reluctance to see Celeste as a suitable wife for Andrew had upset him.
His friend was a good man, clever, kindhearted, generous.
So he was not from some titled or rich family, but would one day no doubt be honoured in his profession with a knighthood.
But obviously that was not enough for Miss Jane Darcy to welcome him into her family circle!
As he trotted through the crowded streets, back to his offices, he realised he would not have been surprised if Anne had similar views—that was part of her damnable Darcy pride and vanity—but he would never have believed Jane could feel the same way.
Well, it was a hard lesson for him, well learned.
Women were impossible to understand and in future he would keep his emotions under control.
Because he knew he had been in danger of losing his head, forgetting that it was Anne his grandmother wanted, indeed insisted he marry, and picturing himself in the future with Jane at his side as his wife.
Which was ridiculous! How could he have fallen in love with a quiet, unassuming girl, a delicate creature, who expected to be cared for? Anne in comparison was all elegance, energy, wit and beauty—Jane was …
Jane had stolen into his heart and mind!
And he refused to accept it! He would not give in to soft emotions such as love.
His dear mother had married for love: a lowly lawyer who hardly made enough money to keep them in food and shoes.
She had been cast aside by her very own family and even though she had seemed extremely happy with his father, as a young boy Archer had seen how she struggled to manage without all the comforts and servants that had surrounded her since she was born.
And he had also seen how distressed his father had been as the years passed and his situation and salary did not alter.
It wasn’t just the material things in life that had sometimes lowered her spirits.
Mr Maitland had been a well-read, sensitive man, with a great love of poetry and music.
But there was no meeting of minds between herself and the rest of his friends and colleagues.
By self education he had elevated himself above the social position he had been born to but, on his death, there was no one in their circle to whom she could turn for emotional and spiritual support.
Violet, his dear mother had been born a Goddard, with two very determined and opinionated parents.
When his father had died, she could have returned to their home, if she had apologised for her marriage, but Archer knew she had stubbornly refused, although she had never prevented his contact with his grandparents.
He had watched her wilt and fade away, missing his father more and more with every passing week until she joined him in the graveyard.
Archer was left knowing that marrying for love was a very dangerous thing to do. He would not make the same mistake: no, he would marry for convenience, marry the right woman, the type of woman everyone expected him to take as a wife.
He urged his horse forward, ignoring the shouts of pedestrians who were spattered with mud as he passed. Enough of this nonsense! He would propose to Anne Darcy just as soon as was possible and end this nightmare of roaring emotion.
***
Jane was sorely tempted to break her promise to Grace and confess everything to her mother when she returned to Matlock House with Celeste.
She could hardly listen to her cousin’s chatter about her many purchases, of how lucky they had been to meet with Andrew and Mr Maitland, of how exciting the good Doctor’s expedition to Greece sounded, what a kind, clever gentleman he was.
At last she vanished upstairs, vowing to try on all her purchases before dinner.
All Jane could think of was the terrible position in which Grace found herself.
Whether the girl had brought this on herself was, at the moment, of no importance.
Grace had been a servant at Pemberley for many years: in Jane’s eyes that meant the Darcys were responsible for her.
She would never have met Edmund Avery if she had not been a maid in their household whilst he was a guest.
If Mr and Mrs Darcy had been at home, Jane would have found it difficult to have kept silent, but they had gone with Anne to call on Mrs Caroline Tremaine, whom having lately been staying with Jane and Charles Bingley, had letters from them to distribute.
Bennetta was practicing her piano playing in the drawing room and smiled mischievously at Jane when she asked why she had not gone with the rest of the family.
“La, you would never believe the headache I had after luncheon. I fear I was quite laid flat on my bed with a lavender compress on my temples and could not possibly have entertained the thought of visiting Mrs Tremaine!”
“You look quite well now!”
“Yes, it is amazing how quickly the pain went after the carriage left. I do believe that Mama would have joined me in my prostrate state, but she has too keen a sense of duty. I am quite sure she doesn’t care greatly for Mrs Tremaine, but feels she must not offend dear Uncle Charles’ sister and the thought of receiving a letter from Aunt Jane settled the matter. ”
“What time will they return?”
Bennetta idly picked out a little tune with one finger.
“I believe they are asked for early supper, so not before eight, I imagine.
Do go and take off your hat and cloak. I want you to help me with the guest list for the ball.
Mama says we cannot have twice the number of men than women, but I think that is very unfair.
You are certain of dancing every dance if there are more men than women.
“Anyway, I need your help to think of more girls to invite. I do wish Cassandra and Richard would come down from Derbyshire, but I cannot persuade them. Richard is always so busy with his patients and Cassie will not be parted from Victoria even for a few days.”
“Anne will surely know a great many suitable young ladies. She is so often in town.”
Bennetta banged several keys together in discord.
“All Anne wants is Archer Maitland’s acceptance of the invitation we sent him.
Our sister is, I believe, more than interested in that gentleman.
She told me this morning that his grandmother let slip a secret—she believes it probable that he intends to propose to Anne at our ball!
So that will make a suitable climax to the proceedings. ”
“So it is all settled. They are to marry.” Jane could hear her voice as if it came from a long way off. Bennetta glanced up at her sharply. She had long suspected that Jane cared a great deal more for Mr Maitland than his intended!
“Who knows? His father, I believe, was a gentleman, but of no account socially. But on his mother’s side, the Goddards are an old and respected military family.
His grandfather was an Admiral and there are generals and colonels going back generations.
At least Archer has turned his back on becoming a soldier or sailor.
He is ambitious, determined and, I imagine, a little ruthless. ”
She giggled. “You have to admit that sounds just like Anne, so I suppose they are a good match. What do you think of him? You were in his company a great deal down in Dorset, I believe, or so Celeste tells us. Do you find him handsome? I admit he is tall and broad shouldered but sometimes his expression is so very dark. Is he a worthy husband for our sister?”
Jane muttered something under her breath, then said she had to change her shoes and left the room, blinking back tears she refused to shed.
Bennetta returned to her piano practice and moodily played a little waltz tune. She didn’t like to see Jane upset but surely she could not have feelings for Archer Maitland. Only weeks ago she had been head over heels in love with Digby Frobisher! It was all very confusing.
She sighed: sometimes she wondered if this was all life had to offer her. She was eighteen years old and did nothing except enjoy herself, arrange balls and watch as those around her got married and began new lives.
She thought of her cousin Miriam, sailing away from England with Nicholas, her sea captain. They could be anywhere in the world by now, having all sorts of adventures. And all she had to think about was the order of dances for her next entertainment!
Bennetta pushed her hands through her dark curls, absently pulling out her pins and ribbons. She wanted to do something dramatic, wanted to make a difference in the world about her, but she had no idea how.
Thoughtfully, she crossed the room to a desk and perused the list of possible invitees to the ball.
She had always prided herself that she had been partly responsible for her cousins, Cassandra and Catherine, finding happiness with their husbands.
Well, if she was doomed to spend the rest of her life making sure the right people married each other, then she might as well do her best for her favourite sister.
Bennetta had noticed that sometimes gentlemen reacted well to a touch of jealousy. Her parents would not be pleased; but as the list had already been approved, they would not know until the night in question. She picked up her pen and carefully added the name Digby Frobisher to those to be invited.
Jane hurried up to her room, pushing all thoughts of Anne and Archer to the back of her mind. She had the rest of her life to grieve for a love she could never have. Grace Frost had to be her main concern at the moment.