Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

O ne week later

For Jo, Captain Bengrove's stay had passed too quickly. They had ridden out or taken an excursion every day, as part of a party, or with only a groom for propriety's sake. Jo knew she would remember certain things for a long time: the way he handed her in and out of the carriage on their trips to Winchester and Salisbury, as if she were made of delicate porcelain; his strong fingers weaving a garland of poppies and buttercups for her when they rested their horses at the edge of a wheat field; his smile of sympathy when she made a careless discard at whist, which only served to distract her even more than his presence at the table. He had joined in games of battledore and shuttlecock on the lawn that turned into romps with the younger Yelden children, and even sat with Mama sometimes to keep her company when the others were playing cards.

Now, it was his last day, and the sun was shining. Before she went down to breakfast, Jo tapped on Mama's door and entered when she heard a response. Mama was already sitting up in bed, drinking a cup of tea.

"How are you feeling this morning, Mama? "

"I am feeling well, thank you. Such a pity that the dear captain cannot stay longer."

"The ship will not wait for him, Mama, although I wish it could."

"He seems to like you, Jo. When he has sat with me in the parlour, he talks about how your riding has improved and how much he enjoys your company."

"Yes, Mama." She felt more than liking for him—was this what it felt like to be in love? A kind of breathless excitement when she was with him; looking for him across a room full of people and feeling happy when their eyes met and they shared a smile.

"Your father will wish to check that he is not merely a fortune hunter before your acquaintance goes much further," Mama warned. "However, he seems such an open and honest young man to me; I cannot believe he could be."

Jo felt a sudden doubt; could she have been mistaken in him? "I'm sure he isn't. He has not mentioned Papa's business at all since the first morning, nor said anything that might make me think he is."

"That's all right, then, dear. I will breakfast here, and spend the morning with Sarah. Do not feel you need to keep me company on such a lovely day. Perhaps you should take the opportunity for some more riding practice before the captain leaves?"

"What a subtle hint, Mama! But unnecessary—we will have a last ride around the park with George this afternoon."

On her way downstairs, Jo thought that Papa would want more reassurance than her feeling that the captain was not a fortune hunter. Seeing George about to enter the breakfast parlour ahead of her, she called and drew him aside. "George, what did you tell Captain Bengrove about my family before you came here?"

George's brows rose. "Not much. I might have mentioned that your uncle is an earl, but that's all. Why?"

"Mama said my father will want to be sure he isn't a fortune hunter."

"Not a bit of it! I didn't say a word about that." He clapped her on the shoulder. "Don't worry on that score, Jo."

Relieved, she followed him in to breakfast .

When the time came for their ride, only Captain Bengrove and a groom were at the stables waiting for her, George having sent apologies just beforehand. The groom mounted a third horse himself, dropping behind as they rode through the park and up to a low hill that provided a view across the green valley beyond. Captain Bengrove turned and gestured to the groom, who stopped while they rode on a little further. Then the captain dismounted, and Jo slid off her own horse.

He stepped closer to her, his gaze intent, and she suddenly found it hard to breathe. "Miss Stretton… may I call you Joanna?"

Her heart racing, she nodded.

"The days I spent here have been some of the most enjoyable in my life."

The feeling in his voice did strange things to her stomach. "I… I have enjoyed the time, too."

"I wish… I…" He cleared his throat. "Will you wait for me, Joanna? This war cannot last forever." He took her hands and gripped them gently. "I never thought I would find a woman with whom I would be happy to spend the rest of my life, not until I met you."

She wanted to reply, but she could only nod again. She had known he liked her, but not that he felt strongly enough to say such a thing.

"I am expected back with my regiment soon, but if you will have me, I will make arrangements to sell my commission. We need not be apart for more than a few months."

She smiled, feeling oddly light. "Oh, Captain?—"

"Alfred. Do call me Alfred, my dear."

"Alfred." Their closeness felt even more intimate as she used his name. "This… this is so unexpected." Unexpected, but welcome.

He released her hands and stepped back a little, removing his gloves as he did so. Then he reached for her again and removed hers. His hands were warm when they clasped hers, his fingers making circles on her palms. "A week is long enough for me, Joanna. If it is not long enough for you, then I must wait. Only I fear that some other lucky fellow will earn your favour while I am away doing my duty."

"Oh, no. Of course I will wait for you." What was he asking? For her to wait, or to promise more? The latter would set the course of the rest of her life—it was too quick. "My father… I will… I mean, you will…"

"Forgive me, my dear, but I asked permission from your mother to pay my addresses before leaving the house. I hope you do not mind?"

Jo shook her head. How could she mind? This had all happened so fast she could not take it in. But nothing could be settled until the captain… Alfred… returned from Spain again. It would do no harm to promise to wait until he could get leave again.

"Joanna? Do say yes."

"Yes, Alfred, I will wait for you."

That enticing smile lit up his face again. "Thank you, my dear. You have made me the happiest of men." He lifted her hands and kissed the backs of them. She held her face up to his, wondering if he was going to kiss her mouth, but he cupped one hand on her cheek, then stepped back and shook his head. "It tests me to do no more, Joanna, but I would not dishonour you by going further."

She should have felt reassured rather than disappointed, but he was right. This was not the place for her first kiss—not with one of Uncle Henry's grooms watching. "Shall we ride on?"

They went on, along a route they had taken before, not saying much but exchanging happy smiles. When they returned and dismounted, he took her hands again. "I think it best if we do not tell our news, Joanna. Apart from your mother, of course. I would like my family to know before we tell others."

"Very well." She would like Papa to know first, too. "You will write to me, will you not?"

"How could you doubt it? And you—" But the grooms came to take their horses and there was no more chance for private conversation.

Mama was overjoyed at her news, but agreed that they should not tell anyone else just yet. That evening, Jo found it difficult to keep her mind on the talk around the dinner table and in the parlour afterwards. A shared glance from Alfred was enough to fluster her, and she had to make an effort not to keep looking at him, so she wasn't too sorry when he chose to spend his time after dinner in the billiards room instead of the parlour. Things would be so much easier when everyone knew they were courting.

Jo found it harder still the following morning to stand with the Yeldens on the front steps waving goodbye as Alfred rode away, looking more handsome than ever dressed once again in his scarlet regimentals. She had hoped for a few minutes in private to bid him farewell properly, and had lingered in the breakfast parlour after everyone else had left, but all he managed was a quick squeeze of her hand and an intimate smile before they were interrupted by the footmen and maids coming to clear the table.

She watched from the steps until Alfred disappeared around a bend in the drive, then joined Mama in the parlour.

"I think we should return to Town soon, dear," Mama said.

"Are you feeling well enough?" The journey here had been difficult, even travelling for only a few hours each day, but Papa had thought it worth the risk so that Mama could enjoy the clean Hampshire air and the company of her sister.

"I am feeling very well, Jo. I think it is your happy news—I am so pleased. He is such a pleasant young man, and I can't wait to tell your father all about him."

Mama did have a healthy glow to her cheeks, as well as looking happier than Jo had seen her for some time. "Shall I write to Papa to come for us?"

"Wasn't George talking about returning to London now that Alfred has gone? He could escort us."

"Mama, are you sure you are well enough?"

"Yes, dear. We need only spend one night on the road, so George will not get too impatient. John will send someone ahead to arrange our rooms, I am sure, and won't mind us using his carriage."

"Very well. I will ask Uncle Henry to arrange things."

London, four days later

Uncle Henry had sent a man ahead with a letter for Mr Stretton, so the household was expecting them when the carriage drew up in Russell Square. The journey had gone far more smoothly than Jo had anticipated, and although Mama was tired, she did not retire to her room immediately. Instead, after a quick wash, they had tea in the parlour with Papa while Mama told him all about Alfred.

"I expect he will come to see you as soon as he returns to England," she finished. "I believe his family is in Town, so Lady Bengrove may call on us."

"Indeed, my dear. It will be an interesting meeting." Papa did not seem as happy as Mama about Alfred, but Jo supposed that was only because he had not met him.

"Come into my study, Jo," Papa said, when Mama retired to her room to rest. "I am happy to see you again, but there is?—"

"Mama insisted on returning," Jo interrupted, as she sat in her usual chair in front of his desk. "And truly, she does not seem to have suffered from the journey."

Papa sighed. "It is not that. Your mother wrote to me a few days ago, and mentioned that Captain Bengrove was staying at Yelden Court." He picked up a newspaper from his desk and handed it to her. It was folded to show the society page. "Halfway down."

Jo ran her eyes down the column, not noticing the item of interest at first. She didn't usually peruse that part of the paper, and wasn't used to the coy phrasing and use of initials. When she found the item Papa meant, she had to read it twice.

Lord B's troubles may soon be over, if rumours of AB's forthcoming advantageous alliance with a young heiress are to be believed. A small price for the young lady's elevation into an aristocratic family.

"You think this is referring to me?" Jo asked, although she knew it must be. She placed the paper back on the desk, a hollow in her stomach replacing the happiness of the last few days. This was not how she had wanted Papa to find out .

Papa nodded. "It would be too much of a coincidence, don't you think, for another young man with those initials, who is also the son of a lord, to have become betrothed recently to a woman with expectations? I thought you had left your impetuosity behind you."

"I only promised to wait for him, Papa." Although Mama seemed to believe they were betrothed; perhaps because she wanted to believe it. "But how did the paper get this information?" Surely Alfred would not have told them.

"I don't know." He tapped the paper. "This only came out this morning. I sent Farley to enquire, but the editor would not say who sent the information. I will discuss the matter with Lord Bengrove."

"It could not have been Alfred, Papa. He agreed that our families would be the first to know." He would not have broken his word.

"Well, that is irrelevant now, I suppose. I do not want you to become the object of gossip, Jo, and I fear there are enough busybodies to work out who is meant." He sighed. "I suspect that trying to deny the implication would only make matters worse."

"I did promise to wait for him, so it is not completely incorrect." Could Alfred have misunderstood her, and taken her agreement as accepting his offer of marriage?

Papa rubbed his forehead. "Jo, I have no intention of dictating who you choose to marry, you know that. But what do you really know about this young man? If nothing else, it would have been polite of him to have discussed the matter with me before suggesting marriage, and certainly before allowing your promise to become public knowledge. I only want to protect you from fortune hunters."

"It wasn't like that, Papa. George swears he said nothing of our circumstances to Alfred, so he cannot be a fortune hunter. And Alfred did speak to Mama first."

"And he had to meet his ship," Papa added, before Jo could. "Your Mama said as much. Tell me about it."

Papa listened to all she had to say, although she was feeling flustered and was not particularly coherent. His expression was what Jo called his ‘business face', which did not show his feelings. He nodded when she had finished. "Very well, Jo. There is nothing settled, after all, and nothing to be done about any possible gossip."

"Papa—"

He held his hand up. "Now, Jo, I only meant that when he returns, the pair of you may spend more time together before making any final decision. That is all."

"Mama hoped his mother might introduce me into her circle."

"It might be better to wait until Captain Bengrove returns. I have no objection, however, to you getting to know his family."

Lord Bengrove called on Papa several days after their return to London, and Jo was summoned to meet him in Papa's study. She hoped he was more approving of her courtship than Papa had been.

Alfred's father was of a similar build to him, but with a larger girth and a face whose angles were softened by rolls of fat. Jo couldn't help comparing him to Papa's still-trim figure.

As Jo made her curtsey, Lord Bengrove bowed his head briefly and smiled—although with none of the charm his son had. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Stretton."

"Do sit, Jo. Lord Bengrove came to discuss settlements, but I think we should wait until his son can take part."

"Yes, Papa." That wasn't quite what he'd said to her, but she would not question him in front of Lord Bengrove.

Lord Bengrove cleared his throat and looked at Papa. "I invite you and your family to visit us at Bengrove Hall when Alfred returns to us, Mr Stretton. That will allow the young people to be together while we discuss the settlements."

"Thank you, my lord. We accept with pleasure. Will you stay to take tea? Or brandy, if you prefer? My wife will be pleased to meet you."

"Unfortunately, I have another appointment, Stretton. Pray give my regards to Mrs Stretton."

Papa stood up. "Thank you for calling, Lord Bengrove." He rang the bell and Chivenor came to show Lord Stretton out .

"Was that all he had to say, Papa?" Jo asked, when the door closed behind the man who might become her father-in-law. It did not seem a promising beginning.

"Unfortunately, no. It seems that Lady Bengrove is settled in Staffordshire until the spring. Your acquaintance with the rest of the family will have to wait, I'm afraid."

"Oh, I thought Alfred said he saw both his parents in London. Mama will be disappointed."

"Not you, Jo?" Papa asked, tilting his head to one side.

"I will miss Alfred, but there will be time to meet his family when he returns. I suppose I should break the news to Mama."

Mama was not too displeased. "Alfred did say he would return as soon as he could, dear. I'm sure Lady Bengrove will come to Town then."

Jo hoped that time would be soon—not more than a few months, at most. It was hard to have found someone with whom she might wish to share her life, only to have him leave so quickly.

But Lady Bengrove's absence was not the worst news. That came two months later, a few weeks after Jo had finally heard from Alfred; a disappointingly brief scrawl from him saying little more than that he had arrived in Lisbon safely. Papa came into the library, where Jo was reading, holding a copy of the London Gazette in one hand.

"I'm sorry, Jo. Captain Bengrove is reported missing during the army's retreat from Burgos."