A Sensible Lady: A Traditional Regency Romance (14 page)

She looked stricken.

“I am so sorry, Mr. Wharton. I have been so wrapped up in my own
dilemma,
I had not thought…it had not occurred to me that your affections might be engaged.”

“Please do not worry on that score, Miss Brampton, they are not.”

He stood. The storm had died down and he wanted to get away and sort out his thoughts.

“I was thinking of your affections, Miss Brampton. What if they became engaged elsewhere?”

Her blush made Gus suspect he had hit on something.

They walked into the front hallway, and Gus shrugged into the coat he had left on the chair beside the tall clock. He took his hat off the newel-post.

“If a priest marries, he must ask the approval of his bishop. The bishop would, no doubt, ask for a chat with the priest’s prospective wife—to assess her suitability for the vicarage, one assumes.”

“Oh! I…I suppose that possibility had not occurred to me.” Katherine covered her lips with her hand and gazed upwards, apparently looking for divine assistance.

She looked so unnerved it was all he could do not to take her in his arms and tell her of course he wanted nothing more in the world than to marry her.

“Try not to worry, Miss Brampton. In spite of Sir Clive’s insistence, there really is time before you must make any irrevocable decisions. I doubt matters will become so desperate for you that you must marry without your affections being engaged.  And I suppose, if matters become more desperate than I think they will, I could be a…an option of last resort, so to speak.”

Katherine Brampton scooped up the spaniel and held it tightly to her.

“Thank you, Mr. Wharton. I shall try not to presume on your generosity.”

 Gus was relieved to head for the stable and Brutus.

*****

The wind had died down and a fine drizzle replaced the driving rain. Gus pulled up the collar of his coat, tipped the brim of his hat forward over his eyes, and held his horse’s reins slack. Although not elegant in appearance, Brutus could be depended upon to be sure-footed on muddy roads. He picked his way carefully around ruts and rocks exposed by the storm.

In spite of the weather, Gus was in no hurry to get home. He really needed to try to sort things out, and riding
horseback
in a fine, misty rain was as good a place as any to do that. At least his privacy was guaranteed.

As surprised as Gus had been to receive a marriage proposal from Katherine Brampton, he was almost as surprised that he had not immediately accepted it.

What’s happened to your infallible sense of self-interest, Gus, old boy?
How many times had Katherine Brampton’s feminine appeal disconcerted him to the point that he could hardly finish a sentence? To be the recipient of her gratitude would be a pleasant change from the lonely denial that had been his lot for too long.

So, why had he stalled and temporized?

For one thing, Gus decided, it took no special powers of insight to see that Miss Brampton was not quite herself. Instead of the calm, almost dreamlike demeanor with which she had previously faced the challenges of her life, she had been tense and on edge. She looked as if she had not slept nor eaten much for some time. Gus had sufficient experience with the fair sex to be wary of a lady in such a state. Katherine Brampton was not usually the volatile type, but the warning signs had been there.

But he could cope with a volatile female. He had, many times. Soothing a volatile Katherine Brampton would be no harsh task. Still, he had hesitated.

Be honest with yourself, Gus. You resent being a safe harbor from life’s vicissitudes, even for a much-tried and frightened beauty.
He probably did not have the right to feel that way. Given his past history, the callousness with which he had treated the ladies in his life, it was perfect poetic justice, perfect penance, for him to dedicate his life to rescuing a damsel in distress.

But in spite of the justice of the situation, in his deepest soul, he was not ready to make that sacrifice. He knew he had not yet given up the hope, the remote—extremely remote—possibility that one day he would meet a lady who could understand, accept, and love exactly who he was now. Not a lady like Katherine Brampton, who refused to believe the stories—which happened to be
true—nor
one who was fascinated by the stories and felt vaguely sorry that he had made such a drastic turnaround, like Leticia Brampton.

Was it impossible there was such a lady?
Improbable, yes.
But not impossible.
 Gus knew he did not deserve that quality of love, but he was not yet ready to give up all hope of it.

He pushed his hat back on his head and lifted his face to the soft rain. A wonderful feeling, to know one’s mind: to acknowledge the truth, however embarrassing, even if only to
oneself
. Then he thought of Katherine Brampton, saw her drawn face in his mind’s eye.

Hearing her tell the story of her broken engagement to Sir Clive went a long way toward explaining the desperation he sensed in her. And the intensity of her attachment to the child she believed to be Richard’s explained a great deal, too.

But why had she felt the need to settle her future now? There was the problem of money. She was in strained financial circumstances. If
Prunella
Summersville died, Miss Brampton might very well lose much-needed income. But Miss Summersville had made it through the winter, and her health was improving.

Miguel would eventually need a tutor. But he was much too young for Katherine Brampton to be concerned about it now. Sir Clive Brampton could press his suit, but no one could force Katherine Brampton to accept it.

Whatever it was that had pushed Miss Brampton to the extraordinary measure of asking Gus to marry her was a puzzle. It was clear that she felt no romantic attraction for him whatsoever.

Gus suspected that a key piece to the puzzle was missing.
A large, key piece.
One that stood about six feet, three inches tall and weighed fourteen…almost fifteen stone—Harry Dracott had put on weight since returning from Spain. He was an imposing figure of a man. Gus suspected that his old friend Harry had said—or done—something to panic Miss Katherine Brampton. Gus suspected that Miss Brampton had withheld the most relevant and interesting details of her dilemma from him. If he were still a betting man, he would place a substantial wager that Lord Henry Dracott was the most important of those details.

How would Katherine Brampton have reacted if, after telling her of their need for the bishop’s approval for their marriage, Gus had casually mentioned that courtesy would dictate their asking Lord Henry for
his
permission?

Gus had considered saying something about that necessity, but decided not to. He hadn’t known what he would do if Katherine Brampton had fainted dead away in the hall.

Katherine was again cleaning the front parlor with Sally’s help. Miguel had found an extra broom, which he pretended was a horse, and was riding an intricate pattern around chairs, sofas, tables, and buckets. Princess followed him, barking from time to time for no apparent reason.

 If Sally wondered why she and Katherine were once more sweeping, dusting, and polishing every inch of the front parlor, she did not ask. Sally’s eagerness to re-establish herself in good graces would be fleeting, Katherine knew, so she was taking advantage of it while she could. Spring weather had returned and despite the fact that Katherine’s dilemma had not been resolved, she was feeling less pressured.

When the Reverend Mr. Augustus Wharton had departed the Dower House, Katherine could not believe that she had actually summoned the courage to propose marriage to him. And, although he had not accepted outright, he had left open the possibility of their marriage.
“If matters become more desperate.”
Perhaps that was why she felt relieved. Or perhaps she was relieved because she knew she had done all she could do to provide the best possible future for Miguel. Perhaps it was because she had told someone else all of her problems—well, not
all
her problems—but more than she had ever told another living soul.

The sound of carriage wheels in the driveway warned her of a visitor. She scarcely had time to remove her apron and mobcap before Sally announced Miss Leticia Brampton, who studied the brooms, buckets, and mops as if she had never before seen such objects.

“Good heavens, Cousin Katherine. I do hope I have not come at an inconvenient time, although I cannot imagine your needing to provide such close supervision for housecleaning. I find it best to retreat to another part of the house when such projects are undertaken. But then it would be difficult to remove oneself very far and still remain
in
this house, would it not?”

Katherine refrained from explaining that her role in cleaning was not confined to supervision, and invited Leticia to sit down. Miguel stood beside Katherine’s chair. He had converted his broom from a horse to a standard, which he held in proper military manner. He and Leticia regarded each other warily.

Katherine told Sally to fetch tea and biscuits and whispered to Miguel that he should help Sally. Katherine knew she could not spare her nephew awkward confrontations forever. He would have to learn to cope with people’s impolite scrutiny. But facing the exquisitely attired Leticia in her shabby black work dress took all the courage Katherine could muster.

Leticia looked where Miguel, followed by Princess, had just left the parlor.

“I vow, Cousin Katherine! What an unusual child. More than just being foreign and never speaking, he is so strangely—what is the word—dignified. Yes, that is it. He is strangely dignified for one so young.”

“I agree, Cousin Leticia. And I believe it means that he was cared for by people of good breeding.”

Leticia looked surprised.

“Indeed. I had never given it much thought.” She shrugged. “Not that it matters. But enough speculation about that child’s past. I have so much news, Cousin Katherine. Where to begin?

“Mama and I have decided to depart for London next Monday, weather permitting. I can scarcely wait. It will be such fun to be in my second season and not be lumped with all of the fresh-faced misses straight from the schoolroom. I do believe that there are many gentlemen who prefer ladies with a little more knowledge of the world.”

Katherine murmured assent out of courtesy. What did she know of the preferences of London gentlemen?

“Of course by going to London for the season, it does mean temporarily abandoning my prospects for a match with Lord Henry Dracott. I do confess he is a puzzle.”

Leticia stopped speaking as Sally brought in a tray of tea and biscuits. Katherine concentrated on pouring out. She did not trust herself to comment on Lord Dracott.

Leticia Brampton sipped her tea and chewed a bite of biscuit before continuing.

“I had thought he showed a clear interest in me at his New Year’s dinner party. Mama said that he was enchanted by my singing voice. But would you believe? He has not followed those marked attentions with even one call at Oak End!
Most peculiar!”

Leticia frowned and sipped tea.

“It is commonly understood that his attachment to Lady Angela is still too strong for him to pay court to another lady,” Katherine offered.

“He will have to do something about the matter eventually,” Leticia insisted. “If Lord Henry thinks I will be available indefinitely, he needs to reconsider. It would serve him right if another gentleman offers for me while he dawdles.

“
Dracotts
always marry for money and social position. Look what Lady Elizabeth brought to Lord Cecil Dracott. And since Lord Henry neglected the financial aspect in marrying Lady Angela, I am certain he will want to remedy that with his second wife. Where else will he find such a creature but in London during the season? It would be no end amusing to watch him attempt to navigate among the
ton
.”

Katherine took a bite of biscuit to avoid commenting.

“But what I really came to discuss is not Lord Dracott.”

Leticia set her cup and saucer on the table next to her chair.

“What I came for was to urge you to join Mama and me in London.”

“But that is not at all possible…” Katherine began.

“No, no, no. Hear me out before you say any such thing. I know you have no money to spare for a new wardrobe and the expenses of a London season, but Mama would be happy to provide you with all you need. Of course you will have to leave that impertinent maid here to look after that strange child.  I intend to hire a dresser in London and we can share her services. Country maids will do for the country, but they are hardly up to a lady’s requirements in the metropolis.”

The memory of Katherine’s disastrous London season came flooding back. Then, she had been in the company of Leticia’s older sister, Rosaline. Although it had been the first season for both young ladies, Rosaline had not suffered from the awkward shyness that had plagued Katherine—nor the unruly ginger hair and the unfortunate tendency to blush at a gentleman’s slightest notice. Aunt Brampton’s only concern about Katherine’s difficulties was the possibility that the Brampton cousins might be too closely identified with each other, to Rosaline’s detriment.

Declaring Katherine’s coloring to clash with any of the pastels worn by young ladies in their first season, Aunt Brampton had insisted on an all-white wardrobe for Katherine—which only succeeded in making her pale skin look sickly and her hair gaudy. Beside such an antidote, Rosaline shone—and captured the first son and heir of a viscount.

“Your offer is truly kind and generous, Cousin Leticia, but it is impossible for me to accept. I cannot leave Aunt
Prunella
and Miguel. And, it would be a waste to invest in a London wardrobe. I would not need such elegance here in
Drayford
Vale.”

“I knew it would be difficult to convince you, Cousin Katherine, but you must reconsider. I see no reason why Miss Summersville and that little boy cannot go on quite well without you. They have Miss Summersville’s maid and that young maid of yours. She’s energetic if not discrete. And since the riding officers have rounded up the gang of smugglers, there can be no danger from them.
Nothing
much happens in the country.

“And you really must put off those depressing black gowns. It is far beyond the accepted time of mourning for a brother. You are not getting any younger, and you have now thrown away more than a year going about looking like…I do hate to say this, Cousin Katherine, but you are indistinguishable from a particularly unfashionable governess.”

Katherine blushed, remembering a specific occasion on which she
had
been mistaken for an upper servant. Leticia interpreted the blush as acknowledgment of the strength of her argument.

“I realize that many colors present a problem for you, given your…unusual…coloring. But subdued shades of green or blue would not clash too dreadfully with your hair.”

Katherine felt helpless to marshal a response to her cousin’s importuning. Leticia’s offer
was
beyond ordinary generosity. How could Katherine say that under no circumstances would she accompany Leticia to London without seeming ungrateful?

“I am certain that your assessment of my wardrobe has merit, Cousin Leticia.”

Leticia smiled and nodded.

“And, if I moved in more stylish circles, I would, no doubt, follow your advice. But you must understand
,
it would be a complete waste for me to go to London with you.”

Leticia pursed her lips, but remained silent.

“I know you think it is foolish of me, but, I could never cease worrying over Aunt
Prunella
and Miguel if I were separated from them. And consider: what sort of entertainments would I feel comfortable attending? I know no one in London, and meeting strangers easily is a skill I have never mastered.”

Leticia shook her head.

“Sir Clive has mentioned your stubbornness and your refusal to act in your own best interests, but I never really understood what he meant until just now. Let me put things as plainly as possible, Cousin Katherine. You are getting no younger. You are hidden away here with no
real
opportunity to make a match, which, if you are determined to raise that strange child, you will need to do.

“I know that my brother has renewed his offer of marriage to you and you are leaving him dangling. Of course, your foolishness in that matter is beyond my comprehension. But, it seems obvious that if you exposed yourself to the larger world, you would have greater appreciation for what Sir Clive has to offer—or, if you are determined to refuse him, you might put yourself in the way of other eligible gentlemen.”

“I am certain that there is great wisdom in what you say, Cousin Leticia. Nevertheless…”

Leticia rose and straightened her back.

“If you were wise, Cousin Katherine, you would take advantage of Sir Clive’s offer. He actually refuses to remain in London after escorting Mama and me. And I know that is because he does not wish to be very far from you. His patience with you is inexplicable. I really do not understand the hold you seem to have over him, but I advise you to act on it. I am not at all sure he is capable of denying you anything.”

Leticia stormed out of the parlor before Katherine could find words to bid her good day.

The front door slammed and the scrunch of carriage wheel on gravel sounded from the driveway.

“You really won’t go to London, will you, Miss Brampton?”

Startled, Katherine looked up to see Miss Lizzie Dracott standing in the parlor doorway.

Katherine could scarcely catch her breath from the shock of the little girl’s sudden appearance.

“It is very wrong to eavesdrop on other people’s conversations, Lizzie.”

The child made her way into the parlor and settled herself in the chair just vacated by Leticia Brampton. She was bonnet less. Her sash hung untied, and the skirt of her dress had pulled away from the bodice just above a soiled spot over her knee. She placed a bedraggled bouquet of daffodils on the table beside the chair and selected a biscuit left behind by Katherine’s departed guest.

“I am
sorry,
Miss Brampton, but I couldn’t help it, really and truly. When I got here, Miguel was in the back garden riding a pretend horse, and I thought it would be fun for us to have a race, so I came into the house to find a broom and I heard you speaking in here and I knew I should not interrupt grown-ups’ conversations, so I waited for that angry lady to leave.”

“Hiding behind the parlor door?”

Katherine struggled to keep censure in her voice.

Lizzie nodded while chewing a bite of biscuit.

“That’s how the daffodils got ruined. They got smashed against the wall. I’m sorry, Miss Brampton. I wanted to give them to you.”

“Thank you, Lizzie, dear. That was very thoughtful of you. But perhaps what happened to them will make you think before you consider eavesdropping again.”

“You won’t go to London, will you Miss Brampton?”