Frederica Read online

  ‘Well, I’ve done more than that!’ interrupted Harry callously. ‘What a jackstraw to be making up to a sister of mine! When it came to his saying that he wished to serve her in this time of affliction – such impudence! – I told him to his head that she needed no services from him, or from anyone other than myself! Which put him in the bag, I’m happy to say!’

  ‘Poor Mr Nutley! And Mr Navenby? Has he called?’

  ‘Oh, yes! Brought his mother with him. She was much inclined to laugh at the affair, but he wasn’t! He didn’t seem able to believe it at first, and then he sat staring. It was all in the papers, you know – not very much, thank the lord, but enough!’

  ‘I suppose it must have been,’ she sighed. ‘Has it shocked everyone?’

  ‘I shouldn’t think so. Well, Lady Elizabeth wasn’t shocked, was she? And I can tell you of two others who aren’t: Barny, and Dauntry! They think Felix is as game as a pebble – but I’ve told ’em not to put that notion into his head!’

  ‘So I should hope! Harry, I do hope Endymion Dauntry isn’t haunting the house?’

  ‘No such thing! Haunting it, indeed! But why you should prefer that fribble, Navenby, to Endymion I’m dashed if I know! If I were you, Freddy, I’d give him my blessing! I don’t say it’s a brilliant match, but it’s perfectly eligible. And if Charis don’t care for his being a nodcock why should you? At least he’s a right one, and not a man-milliner!’

  ‘And if he were removed from her sight she would forget him within the month,’ Frederica answered. ‘Don’t let us fall into a dispute! We shall never agree on that subject. Tell me instead what Charis is doing today! Is she with Lady Elizabeth?’

  ‘No, but she’s not alone. Chloë Dauntry is spending the day with her, and they were going to walk in the park this morning. I daresay they have been pittle-pattling all the afternoon!’

  ‘And I wish your idiotish cousin may not have been their escort!’ Frederica said, later, when recounting this to Alverstoke.

  He was amused. ‘I imagine that their escort – if they had one – may quite as well have been my far from idiotish secretary. Is that affair likely to prove lasting?’

  She glanced quickly up at him. ‘Are you opposed to it?’

  ‘My dear girl, what possible concern is it of mine? I own I think Charles might do much better for himself, and I am very sure that he will meet with formidable opposition from Chloë’s fond mamma. I am even of the opinion that he would be well-advised not to rivet himself before his feet are firmly set on his particular ladder; but I haven’t the remotest intention of meddling.’

  ‘I’m glad. I agree with you, too – and Chloë is too young to be thinking of marriage – except, of course, that she is thinking of it! Too young for a formal engagement. But I fancy that their attachment will prove to be lasting. As for Mrs Dauntry, I know exactly how she may be brought to consent to the marriage. In fact, I have an excellent scheme in my head!’

  The Marquis eyed her with foreboding. ‘If your scheme involves me, Frederica, – ’

  ‘Well, it does, but only a very little! How long is it since you saw Diana?’

  ‘I should think it must be a very long time, for I can’t immediately recall anyone of that name,’ he confessed. ‘But you know how wretched my memory is! Who – er – is Diana, and in what way is she concerned in the business?’

  ‘Alverstoke!’ she exclaimed. ‘She is Chloë’s sister, of course! How can you have forgotten that?’

  ‘Oh, easily!’ he assured her, adding, with an air of mild triumph: ‘But now that you’ve put me in mind of it I do remember that there were three of them!’

  Her eyes danced, but she said severely: ‘You know, sir, you are an abominable person!’

  ‘Yes, indeed I do! You have frequently told me so, and I have complete faith in your judgment.’

  She choked on one of her involuntary chuckles. ‘Moonshine! Do, pray, be serious for a minute!’

  ‘I am utterly serious.’

  ‘And I cut my eye-teeth years ago!’ she retorted. ‘Stop joking me, and pay attention! Unless I very much mistake the matter, Diana will become the rage when she makes her come-out. My dear sir, she is the most promising girl! She and Endymion favour Mrs Dauntry, and if you mean to tell me that Mrs Dauntry was not a diamond of the first water when she was young, you may spare your breath! Furthermore, it is of no consequence at all when a female is bird-witted –’

  ‘Is she?’ he interrupted.

  ‘Oh, yes! a lovely widgeon!’ She paused, and said carefully: ‘That is to say, her understanding is no more than – than moderate! It doesn’t signify: she will take just as Charis has, and will very likely achieve a splendid alliance – with just a very little help from you! You will naturally give a ball for her –’

  ‘I beg your pardon? Did you say naturally?’

  ‘Certainly I did! You gave one for Chloë, remember!’

  ‘I remember nothing of the kind. I gave a ball for you and Charis.’

  ‘Yes, and with the most ignoble motive! However, I am too much obliged to you to say more on that head. The thing is that you were thought to have given it for Jane Buxted, and for Chloë Dauntry, so naturally you will do the same for Diana!’

  ‘And shall I naturally do it for Jane’s sisters?’ he enquired.

  She wrinkled her brow, considering this. ‘I must own,’ she acknowledged candidly, ‘that that is a very daunting thought! But recollect that they have a brother who is well able to provide for them, and – to do him justice! – would much prefer to do so. What I wish you will do, cousin, when the time comes – and assuming that Chloë is still of her present mind – is to suggest to Mrs Dauntry that it is of the first importance to dispose of her, before she fires Diana off! Which it will be, if Chloë has formed no other attachment at the end of her second season. So do bear it in mind, I beg of you!’

  He looked down at her, with his glinting smile. ‘I can’t. You must remind me, Frederica. But why do you care?’

  ‘Do you mean that it’s no concern of mine? It isn’t, of course, but I like them both so much – and one can’t but care for what becomes of persons one holds in affection, and try to help them.’

  She seemed to take it for granted that he shared her sentiments. He said nothing, but when he thought the matter over he could only suppose that there were very few people whom he held in affection – no one, in fact, for whom he was prepared to put himself out. He had more than once come to a friend’s financial rescue, but there was little virtue in that: such assistance had entailed no sacrifice on his part. Charles? Yes, he was fond of Charles, and he meant to foster his career, but there was little virtue in that either: it would be an easy thing to do. The only person on whose behalf he had really exerted himself was Felix, and he had done that because he loved Frederica. Or had he? If Frederica had not been in question, would he have handed Felix over to the unknown Mrs Hucknall, an ignorant woman, skilled in nothing but midwifery? No, he would not! He had no real responsibility for either of the Merriville boys, but he had grown to be fond of them: perhaps because they interested him, perhaps because they had such a touching faith in his ability to solve all problems, and never doubted his willingness to do so. None of his sisters had desired, or needed, his help in rearing her offspring; but, little though she might think it, Frederica did need it. If he had his way, Felix should go to school, and he would find a suitable tutor for Jessamy, not some needy usher ready to undertake the education of two boys of widely differing ages and abilities.

  While these plans were revolving in his lordship’s head, another of Frederica’s suitors, equally convinced that her lawless brothers stood in urgent need of guidance, was on his way to Monk’s Farm, and arrived there two days after Harry’s visit.

  He entered the parlour to find Jessamy seated at the table, with his books spread about him, and Alverstoke frowning over the obscure passage on which he had been consulted. He exclaimed: ‘You, sir? Still? I had thought you must have been a