CHAPTER FORTY
‘Mama, really!’ Dorothea exclaimed rather impatiently. ‘I am betrothed to a Marquis. I cannot understand why you are so put out about it.’
Lady Susan dabbed at her temple with a lace handkerchief.
‘It is just that I knew nothing of it!’ she said peevishly. ‘Your own mother was not told of your betrothal. It’s unheard of.’
‘It is what Lord Stowchester wanted, Mama,’ Dorothea said soothingly. ‘And I agreed to it.’
Lord Birkett strode into the room at that moment.
‘Susan, my dear,’ he exclaimed. ‘I have excellent news...’
‘I already know!’ Lady Susan snapped. ‘My daughter is to wed and I am the last to know. It is too bad!’
‘Susan, calm yourself, please,’ Lord Birkett said. ‘I have Lord Stowchester waiting to present himself to you. I would that you see him in a better temper.’
‘Very well!’ Lady Susan fanned her face vigorously. ‘He may present himself.’
Lord Birkett turned to the door as though to usher someone in and then exclaimed in annoyance.
‘Where the devil is he?’
He went back out to the hall and was heard to say loudly. ‘Come along, Stowchester, my wife awaits.’
Lord Birkett re-entered and was followed into the room by a tall thin young man, who stood before them with an almost apologetic expression on his face. He was dressed in a black coat and pantaloons; white stockings and a modest cravat of cream muslin.
Because of his rather staid appearance it took a moment or two for Eleanor to recognise him without his usual dandified attire.
‘Mr Brimbleton!’
‘Lord Stowchester now!’ Dorothea said proudly.
‘But how is this so?’ exclaimed Lady Chardsworth. She looked extremely put out.
‘It was as you said, Lady Chardsworth,’ Dorothea said excitedly. ‘The seventh Marquis had only daughters, and as his estates and title are entailed, his nephew Algernon Brimbleton succeeded to the title as his nearest male relative. Algi is exceedingly wealthy.’
She went to her betrothed and took his arm.
‘Come along, Algi, dearest, and meet my mama.’
There was general chatter and excitement as Lord Stowchester was steered around the room meeting all and sundry.
In a little while Dorothea left his side to seek Eleanor’s company.
‘Eleanor, I know that in your opinion Algernon does not rate well.’
‘Dorothea, really!’ Eleanor said with embarrassment. ‘I am sure I have never given an opinion of him.’
‘It might have been unspoken, and I might have agreed with you had I not got to know him better,’ Dorothea said. ‘But I find I like him very well indeed. All he needs is a firm hand. As you will see, I have already improved his appearance. He no longer dresses as a fop, but is in all respects a gentleman of some serious demeanour as befits his title.’
Eleanor managed a smile. ‘That is true. I hardly recognised him.’
‘And I shall continue to influence him as his wife. We will be very happy.’
Dorothea called to her sister Cecilie who was standing nearby with Viscount James.
‘Cecilie, dear sister, I think you will agree that a marquis outranks an earl.’ She tossed her head. ‘Therefore as marchioness I will have precedence in future, I think.’
All through the afternoon Eleanor was very conscious of Ambrose’s whereabouts in the room and now, a little while after he had been introduced to his niece’s betrothed, he took his leave without a word or glance in her direction.
As soon as he had gone she felt bereft and abandoned. With him went her happiness, she knew. Yet how could she have borne marriage with him with the spectre of Mrs Vallantine always between them; always unexplained. Instinct told her that eventually that would rankle in her heart and would destroy their love.
If only he had been willing to offer some justification of his behaviour with the widow, they might have been able to put the matter behind them. The fact that he was not prepared to do so spoke volumes to her. He thought more of his pride than of her. How could she ever respect him after that?
When the afternoon visitors had departed Eleanor managed to catch Lady Susan alone.
‘Lady Susan, I must tell you that I intend to leave for Northamptonshire in the morning,’ Eleanor told her.
Lady Susan looked astonished.
‘Does Ambrose know?’
Eleanor hesitated. ‘We are no longer betrothed. There are irreconcilable differences which prevents our union,’ she said simply.
She would not apportion blame to him, and their differences were entirely private.
‘I see,’ Lady Susan said. ‘I am most sorry, Eleanor. You would have made the most perfect wife for him.’
And he the perfect husband, Eleanor thought with an aching heart. But the principles she had always lived by were still strong and she would not break with them now, not even for Ambrose.
She sought Lord Birkett in his study. He rose to his feet at her entrance.
‘Lord Birkett I would ask a boon of you.’
‘Eleanor, what can I do for you?’
‘I leave for Charnock Park in the morning,’ she said. ‘The boon I ask is that you make your coach available to me for the journey.’
He frowned. ‘You are leaving London? But why? Does Ambrose go with you?’
‘Ambrose and I are at an end,’ she said simply.
‘Oh, what has that rascal done now?’
‘Rascal?’
Lord Birkett smiled. ‘Ambrose was a courageous soldier and a brave man, none braver, but he is a complete ass where women are concerned. He simply does not understand them. In what way has he sinned against you, Eleanor?’
Eleanor lowered her head. ‘I would rather not discuss it, Lord Birkett. Suffice to say that there is no future for us as man and wife.’
‘It’s that infernal widow, isn’t it?’ he said testily. ‘Ambrose is a stubborn fool, Eleanor. And in my opinion he needs you greatly.’
‘It would appear he does not think so, my lord.’
‘I see,’ Lord Birkett said quietly. ‘I am sorry for that. My coach will be at your disposal tomorrow, as early as you like.’
‘Thank you, your lordship,’ Eleanor said. ‘I will leave directly after breakfast.’