CHAPTER EIGHT

The Anstruther house-party was neither better nor worse than Anna had expected. Lily was pleased to see her – mainly, as she frequently remarked, because Anna was the only female to whom she could speak her mind without raising eyebrows and also the only one who didn’t repeat what she’d said elsewhere afterwards. As usual, Anna gave the impression of being similarly free in return … and, also as usual, Lily didn’t notice that she never was.

The weather remained pleasant, so there were numerous outdoor events. The company was also pleasant, if not especially stimulating. And, at the ball celebrating the announcement of Lily’s long-deferred betrothal to Lord Lycett, Anna was asked to dance by no less than four gentlemen – one of them, twice. But even this unprecedented event failed to distract her from worrying about what might or might not be going on in Daniel Shelbourne’s head.

Mr Landry had set out for Reculver Court with the money the day before she’d left for the Anstruthers. By now, four days on, it was likely that Mr Lowe was either already overseeing the packing of the collection or at least on his way to do so – which meant that there was a good chance the scent bottles would have arrived at Hawthorne’s by the time she returned at the end of the week.

But it wasn’t the scent bottles that kept her awake at night. It was her own inner turmoil. She’d plunged into the offer she’d made the viscount based solely on a degree of attraction that she hadn’t previously believed could exist. And she’d done it without a modicum of proper consideration – the result being that she wasn’t even sure she truly understood her own motivation. Then there were the things she’d said to the viscount … and the expressions that had crossed his face while she’d been saying them. Anger, astonishment and disbelief, to name but three.

He’ll say no. He’ll be insulted and furious at what he’ll see as an offer to buy him. He may be desperate but he has his pride , she told herself, and I wouldn’t want him if he hadn’t. No. So he’ll refuse. The only thing that might sway him is Rebecca. Without money, she can’t have a Season or a dowry or marriage and he wants her to have all three. He might accept for her sake, mightn’t he?

Then, angry with herself, she pushed the thought away as unworthy. Rebecca was neither a pawn in a game nor a bargaining chip. She was a good-hearted girl who wouldn’t want her beloved brother to sacrifice himself for her sake by marrying a woman who had what he needed but nothing he wanted.

***

At Reculver Court, meanwhile, letters were exchanged with Mr Lowe and arrangements set in place for collection of the wares. Benedict wrote to inform Lord and Lady Hazelmere that he and Daniel would be descending upon them a few days’ hence and passed the rest of his time either riding about the estate with Daniel or persuading the Dowager that her son needed to escape from his responsibilities for a little while. In this, he swiftly discovered that he had a staunch ally in Rebecca.

‘His lordship is right, Mama,’ she said firmly. ‘Dan hasn’t been himself since Papa died and it’s getting worse. You must see that.’

‘Perhaps. But – ’

‘No buts. He thinks of us all the time. Us and the tenants and the estate. Everything he’s doing is for someone else’s sake – mostly ours. It’s time we thought of him for a change. It will do him a world of good to spend a few days with his friends. He deserves it. And we can manage without him perfectly well.’

‘Well … since you put it like that,’ allowed the Dowager reluctantly. ‘I suppose a week or so couldn’t hurt. But not until after Miss Hawthorne’s people come for my scent bottles. Even, knowing what I now know, I couldn’t bear to deal with that alone.’

‘And you won’t have to,’ Benedict assured her. ‘It was Daniel’s first thought when I suggested he come with me to Hazelmere. So … may I steal him from you for a while?’

Seeing her mother hesitate, Rebecca said bracingly, ‘It’s only a week, Mama. You’ll barely notice he’s gone – let alone have time to miss him.’

‘Oh, very well. Yes.’ And then, ‘I am being foolish. Of course he must go.’

***

Having travelled the previous day and spent the night in the village tavern, the team from Hawthorne’s arrived bright and early with numerous small crates and quantities of soft packing materials. Shaking hands with Daniel, Mr Lowe said, ‘I’m glad to meet you, my lord – and for the opportunity to express my apologies for only belatedly becoming aware of your father’s passing.’

‘It is of no consequence,’ replied Daniel, leading the way into the dining-room. ‘Here it is – just as Miss Hawthorne left it.’

Mr Lowe checked on the threshold, took a few steps closer and then stopped dead, seemingly rooted to the spot.

‘Good Lord,’ he breathed. And with a little snort of laughter, ‘She wasn’t exaggerating.’

‘Had you supposed she might have been?’ asked Daniel.

‘Yes – though Miss Anna isn’t usually a great one for displays of enthusiasm.’ The manager paused. ‘Might I ask what her opening bid was, my lord?’

Daniel’s brows rose slightly but he said, ‘Sixteen hundred and fifty. Why?’

‘That must have taken some restraint.’

‘Meaning what exactly?’

‘Meaning that once she’d seen this, there wasn’t a chance she’d let it slip through her fingers,’ came the blunt reply. ‘Two thousand three hundred was a good price, my lord. But I reckon she might have gone higher.’

‘In a way, she did,’ said Daniel dryly. ‘She offered attribution to my mother when the collection is exhibited.’

‘Ah. She didn’t mention that bit. However … to business. I’ve brought four experienced packers and all the necessary materials. With a bit of luck, we’ll have this done by mid-afternoon. I reckon you’ll be glad to have your dining-table back.’

‘I’ll be glad because I’m going away for a few days and would like to leave tomorrow,’ corrected Daniel pleasantly. ‘And now, I’ll get out of your way. If you need anything, speak to my butler.’

Meeting his sister on the stairs, he said, ‘Does Mama know they’re here?’

Rebecca sighed. ‘Yes. She says she will stay in her rooms until they’ve gone.’

‘And I suppose she expects you to stay there with her?’

She nodded. ‘I don’t mind. It’s only one day, after all. And it isn’t as though I was planning to do anything else.’

‘You are now. It’s a lovely day and you’re coming for a walk with me – Benedict, too, if you know where I can find him.’

Rebecca’s face brightened. ‘He’s in the library, I think.’

‘Good. I’ll get him while you inform Mama that you’ll be back to keep her company when you’ve had a breath of air.’ He dropped a kiss on her brow. ‘Go and get your hat.’

When he entered the library, Benedict waved a letter at him and said, ‘Kit is looking forward to seeing us, as is Sophie. He says that, since Gerald is with them just now, he’ll send a note to Anthony in the hope that he’s also free to join us.’

Warmed by the thought of spending time with all his oldest friends, Daniel smiled and said, ‘Then let’s hope that he is. But for now, come for a stroll with Becky and me.’

‘Willingly. Any particular reason?’

‘Yes. Mama’s making sure we all appreciate her sacrifice by moping in her rooms while the Hawthorne men are packing. That’s fine. But there’s no reason why Becky should do the same – especially when Mama will be her only company while I’m away. So … let’s go.’

Joining them in the hall, Rebecca said despairingly, ‘She’s sitting there staring at the Music Lesson and heaving doleful sighs every now and then.’

‘Very dramatic. If only Drury Lane knew what it’s missing,’ returned Daniel sardonically, whilst throwing an arm about her waist and sweeping her with him. ‘Come on. Through the orchard to the village and a glass of cider outside the Crown.’

They chatted about various topics as they walked and lured Benedict into sharing such tales of his doings in Scotland that he’d deemed unsuitable at dinner. But when they were sitting in the sunshine outside the tavern, Rebecca said slowly, ‘I thought Miss Hawthorne might come to oversee the packing. In fact, I’m surprised that she didn’t.’

‘I’m not,’ muttered Daniel, thinking, It’s just as well that she didn’t. I’m not ready to lay eyes on her again yet . Then, realising that both his sister and Benedict were looking at him oddly, added with a shrug, ‘She made the acquisition. I imagine that’s her role finished.’

‘I suppose so.’

Benedict eyed Rebecca thoughtfully. ‘Did you like her?’

‘Not very much to begin with,’ she admitted. ‘But later … yes. She’s different. Interesting. And she cares a great deal for the people who work for her. I admire that.’

Benedict turned to Daniel. ‘And you?’

For a number of reasons, Daniel saw the wisdom of saying as little as possible.

‘Becky’s right about her seeming to look after her workers. For the rest, in my case, liking her or not liking her didn’t really come into it. The only thing that mattered was getting the best price I could for Mama’s bottles.’

‘And did you?’

‘I believe so. A profit of nearly as much again as Father paid for them.’

Benedict whistled. ‘She must have wanted them very badly.’

‘She did. According to the fellow overseeing the packers – and who, incidentally, is the manager of the manufactory – she might have gone even higher. But having no previous experience of bartering I wasn’t sure how far to push her. So I played safe.’

‘It sounds like gambling,’ murmured Rebecca.

‘It felt like it, too,’ he agreed, ‘only somewhat more nerve-wracking.’

‘Why?’ asked Benedict. ‘Surely the worst it could be was a missed opportunity.’

‘Not missed … lost. With cards or dice there’s always another chance if you choose to take it. If Miss Hawthorne had walked away, my bird in the hand went with her – and I might never have found the mythical two in the bush.’

***

As she’d expected, Anna returned home from Anstruther Park neither betrothed nor having obtained a potential suitor. Also as expected, Mrs Hawthorne said despondently, ‘You didn’t even try , did you? You never have and never will. I give up.’

‘That would probably be best,’ replied Anna absently, heading to her bedchamber so that she could read the notes awaiting her from Mr Lowe and Mr Landry in private. ‘I don’t enjoy disappointing you, Mama, and I certainly don’t do it on purpose. But none of Lily’s guests were gentlemen desperate for money. And even if they had been, what do you suppose is going to happen in the space of a week?’

And she walked away, leaving her mother mercifully lost for words.

Mr Landry merely reported that he had personally handed the money to Lord Reculver and obtained a receipt for it.Mr Lowe said he entirely agreed with her about the quality of the collection and looked forward to discussing where to situate the exhibition so they could proceed to the next step without too much delay.

Anna had some ideas about that – the most ambitious being a brand new extension. But that would take time which meant an interim solution was needed and she found it impossible to concentrate on that yet; and wouldn’t, she suspected, for the next two and a half weeks.

Mr Lowe’s note included the information that Lord Reculver currently had a guest.

A friend since Eton and the brother of a duke, according to the butler , he’d written, The pair of them are off to visit another such who’s an earl as soon as his lordship’s shut of us . Another world, isn’t it?

Anna folded the letter and put it away. The duke’s brother was almost certainly Lord Benedict Hawkridge; and the earl was probably the so-called ‘lost’ one that, according to his sister, Lord Reculver had seemingly found.

And friends since Eton? she thought dryly. No surprise there. Half the gentlemen of the ton met at school. More than half, probably. It’s how the aristocracy worked .

***

Having made a very early start, Daniel and Benedict arrived at Hazelmere shortly after five in the afternoon. Christian and Sophia immediately appeared at the top of the steps to beam at them. Then Christian ran lightly down to pull first Daniel and then Benedict into a fierce hug.

‘Welcome,’ he said simply. And, laughing, ‘It goes without saying that I’m delighted to see you both. And when we got the letter saying you were coming, Sophie was nothing short of overjoyed. Unnecessarily so, in my opinion. I’m still not sure if I should be jealous.’

‘That will be the day,’ grinned Daniel. And, trotting up the steps to a very obviously pregnant Sophia, kissed first her hands and then her cheek, saying, ‘You look wonderful, Sophie. Positively glowing.’

‘Thank you.’ She squeezed his fingers. ‘Kit and I are very glad Benedict persuaded you to come.’

‘I didn’t take much persuading,’ he murmured.

‘He really didn’t,’ said Benedict, saluting Sophia as Daniel had done. ‘I’ll swear you’re lovelier than ever, Sophie. How do you do it?’

‘Incantations under the full moon,’ she laughed. ‘And what I am right now is enormous .’ She slid an arm through each of theirs, drawing them to the door. ‘Come inside. Gerald and Anthony are both here.’ And, just to be clear – I am delighted that all of you are here for Kit’s sake. He’s overdue for some male company.’

‘And she’s hoping your presence will stop me hovering like a mother hen,’ added Christian, joining them. ‘Your rooms are ready. Bradley will see to your luggage and have hot water sent up. When you are ready, join the rest of us on the back terrace for tea – or something stronger, if you wish.’

When the party reassembled outside and greetings had been exchanged, Anthony took the seat beside Daniel and said quietly, ‘How are things going?’

‘A little better. We rotated the crops according to the plan you made, two of the three tenants with larger holdings have done the same and the results are promising. Your suggestions about a different way of pruning the apple trees seem likely to bear fruit – literally. And I’m more grateful than I can say for you lending me your land steward for a few days. He was immensely helpful.’

‘But?’ prompted Anthony.

‘But until there’s money to replace some of the ancient machinery everything else is pretty much at a standstill.’ He summoned something close to a smile. ‘I tell myself that things can only get better … but just wish I knew when .’

He looked up as Gerald joined them and, with a little of his old devilment, said, ‘And how is Miss Julia? Or is that a thing of the past?’

‘She’s very well,’ came the calm reply, followed by a series of swift hand movements.

Hearing Sophia laugh, Daniel said suspiciously, ‘What did you say?’

‘I said she’d be here now had her mother not felt that some of the company was undesirable. She didn’t name names but … I doubt she meant Benedict.’

‘That is wicked, Gerald – and not at all true,’ said Sophia, shaking her head. And to Daniel, ‘What Mama actually said was that, even with Jane in tow, she couldn’t allow Julia to spend a week in virtually all male company – apparently I don’t count! – unless she and Gwendoline accompanied her. And you can guess Kit’s reaction to that .’

‘Vividly!’ agreed Daniel, laughing. ‘Am I allowed to say Thank God?’

‘You may as well,’ offered Anthony. ‘ I certainly did.’

Managing to frown, Sophia said, ‘May I remind you that you are speaking of my mother and sisters?’

‘I know – and I apologise. But whereas Miss Julia is a delight, Miss Gwendoline …’

Anthony stopped, thus giving Daniel the opportunity to say, ‘… makes single gentlemen feel like a mouse with an eagle hovering overhead.’

She laughed. ‘Oh dear! As bad as that?’

‘Worse!’

Some distance away and pouring wine for the new arrivals, Christian handed Benedict a glass and said softly, ‘How is he?’

‘Not good. He still doesn’t know what that loan was for – the one you paid off for him; and the fact that you did so is chafing at him.’

‘Better that than the alternative. What else?’

‘He’s selling things. While I was there, it was his mother’s scent bottles – a hundred of them, if you can believe it, bought for her over the years by his late lordship. While they were being packed up for transportation, she spent all day sulking. As for what Daniel got for them, all I know is it was half as much again as they originally cost but less than the five thousand he owes you.’ He paused, then added, ‘Also, for what it’s worth, there’s something else on his mind that he won’t talk about any more than he’ll accept help.’

‘He won’t accept money ,’ corrected Christian. ‘But there are other things we can do – beginning with getting him to relax and reminding him how to laugh. So let’s start with those.’

***

The following days passed pleasantly. Although recently the five of them had seen little of each other, they slid effortlessly back into the easy companionship they’d always shared … talking and laughing, riding or swimming and, in the evenings, playing cards for sixpenny points. Within twenty-four hours, Daniel felt the load of the last months slipping from his shoulders; and somewhere around the middle of the week, he realised that he was beginning to recover his sense of perspective.

In trying to keep everything – especially the situation with Anna Hawthorne – secret, he’d bottled it up inside. And as far as his mother and sister were concerned, he still considered that the right course of action.

But these men are my friends , he thought. I know I can trust them – so I can tell them , can’t I? They’ll listen, they won’t judge … and they’ll give me advice if I ask for it. God knows, I need some .

But still he hesitated. And while he did so, Gerald announced that he was returning to London to attend to the quarterly accounts.

Christian grinned. ‘Seriously?’

Gerald flushed. ‘Yes. We’re a week into July and – ’

‘And the accounts will wait a few more days.’

‘I daresay. But I like to keep on top of things and – ’

Benedict murmured, ‘Better not let Sophie hear you put it like that.’

Daniel laughed and Gerald’s flush deepened. ‘I don’t know what you mean.’

‘Yes, you do,’ remarked Christian calmly. ‘You’re missing Julia and hoping she’s also missing you. Admit it.’

Gerald drew an exasperated breath and then muttered, ‘Yes. All right, I admit it. But I’m perfectly aware that nothing will come of it – so can we please leave it?’

‘Yes. But first let me say this. It will come to nothing if you don’t try. So on your way back to London, think about whether or not Julia should have some say in this. And when you’ve decided that she should, for pity’s sake do something.’ Christian smiled at him and added, more gently, ‘You have Sophie and me on your side, Gerald. And that counts for something.’

***

Gerald left the following morning and that evening after dinner, Daniel said baldly, ‘I’ve been offered marriage by a woman with the means to solve all my financial problems. Since I can’t solve them any other way, the sensible thing would be to accept. But I … I’m not sure I can bring myself to do it.’

Not unnaturally, this produced a deafening silence while everyone stared at him. Finally, Christian said, ‘Before we come to why you can’t, let’s be clear on one thing. You say she has the means to solve your problems. Does she also have the willingness?’

‘She says so. I don’t know her well enough to be absolutely sure but I’m inclined to believe her. And she must know that, if I were to agree, I’d make sure matters were nailed down legally and in every other way.’

‘Can you tell us who she is?’ It was Sophia who asked. ‘We’ll understand if you’d rather not. But we might be better able to advise you if we knew.’

‘I doubt it. It’s unlikely any of you know her – or anything about her, other than what I can tell you.’

‘Point taken,’ agreed Benedict. ‘But we have to start somewhere. And you don’t need to be told that nothing you say will leave this room.’

Daniel hesitated. Then, deciding that it couldn’t do any harm and continuing to hold Benedict’s eyes but choosing his words for the benefit of the others, said, ‘Very well. The lady owns a porcelain manufactory and I met her when she came to value my mother’s collection of scent bottles. Her name is Anna Hawthorne.’

There was a brief silence. Finally, Sophia said slowly, ‘I’ve met her. She was in London during my first Season.’

‘So have I,’ said Anthony. ‘Trixie was out that year, too, and I was on escort duty. They called Miss Hawthorne the Hedgehog Heiress because she frequently managed to say, not just the wrong thing, but something … prickly.’

Sophia nodded. ‘She didn’t know how to play the game – by which I mean chatting about the inconsequential things everyone talks about at balls and parties.’

‘She still doesn’t,’ muttered Daniel. ‘She is an only child and her father educated her as if she was a son. When he died, she inherited the company. She runs it herself and intends to go on doing so. Basically, she’s interested in one thing and one thing only. Hawthorne’s Porcelain.’

Sophia shook her head, a tiny, wicked glint lighting her eyes.

‘Two things, Daniel. Clearly, she’s interested in you as well.’

Christian laughed. ‘Undeniably true.’

‘Maybe. But why? Why me? It’s none of the obvious things.’ He began ticking points off on his fingers. ‘She doesn’t care about London society. She doesn’t give a fig for my title or the status that would come with it. She doesn’t even really want a husband – or not unless he matches her precise specifications.’

‘As it seems that you do,’ remarked Anthony with a hint of amusement. ‘So … what are they?’

‘She wants the freedom of a married lady but to a man who’ll let her run her company – and, I suspect, the rest of her life – without interference, whilst having fish of his own to fry.’

‘The first of which you would do willingly and the second with a degree of caution. The fish, you already have in abundance,’ said Christian. ‘What else?’

‘Nothing really,’ shrugged Daniel.

‘Children?’ asked Sophia.

‘I don’t think she cares much either way. Her life is completely bound up in Hawthorne’s and that’s how she likes it.’ He drained his glass, then stared into it. ‘At present, all she’s asked is that I consider her offer, so I’ve no idea how she sees such a union working. For all I know, she may want a white marriage.’

‘She doesn’t,’ said Sophia, matter-of-factly.

‘She might,’ argued Benedict.

‘She doesn’t,’ repeated Sophia. ‘Although, to be fair, she may not know that yet.’

‘Well, don’t just sit there looking smug,’ begged Christian. ‘Tell us why.’

‘Daniel’s already told you that if you’d been paying attention. He needs money and she, apparently, has plenty of it. She doesn’t want the obvious thing that he does have – namely, the title. On the surface, all she claims to want is the freedom to run her company; and over the last four years, she’s probably met a dozen men who’d let her do that in return for the money she’d bring with her. But she hasn’t shown interest in any of them or in marriage … until now.’ She smiled at Daniel. ‘So what she wants is obvious because it’s really the only thing she’d be getting. You.’

Over a crack of male laughter, he croaked, ‘ Me? No. Surely not.’

‘Modesty aside, you must know women find you attractive. A very happily married friend of mine once described you as a particularly fine specimen of masculinity . I suspect Anna Hawthorne thinks the same. I also suspect she’s been struck, somewhat belatedly, with the sort of infatuation that most girls get out of their systems at the age of seventeen.’ Turning a quelling glance on Christian, Benedict and Anthony, all of whom were still chuckling, she said, ‘That isn’t helpful.’ And, once more to Daniel, ‘But that’s beside the point. What matters is that you don’t have to accept her proposal … but that, if you do, you would have an equal right to set the terms of your marriage. If you want a purely businesslike arrangement, at this stage she’ll probably agree to it.’ Sophia paused and then added, ‘But be careful what you write on tablets of stone, Daniel. Things can change. And even if they don’t, you shouldn’t make friendship impossible … or the marriage will be miserable. For both of you.’

~**~**~