Meg Alexander - The Reluctant Bride

Not for the first time he regretted the close proximity of Mrs Guarding’s Academy. So many of the local girls had gone there. Had he known that his own daughter would be exposed to the radical thinking of that redoubtable educationalist he would have sent Hester to a more conventional school for the children of the gentry. Greek, Latin and philosophy indeed! Of what use could those subjects be to any sensible woman? And that was not the worst. Both India and Hester had now what he could only describe as an odd kick in their gallop. Both were inclined to speak out as boldly as any man. These notions of independence would never do.

With a sigh he returned to the matter in hand, addressing Letty. She, at least, had some notion of what was acceptable feminine conduct.

“What plans are these?” he repeated.

Letty returned his smile, but she shook her head. “India will tell you,” she said shyly.

“India?”

“Uncle, we are trying to decide on something,” India admitted. “We cannot continue to rely upon your help.”

Sir James was not altogether surprised. He could understand her dislike of what she must regard as charity.

“And what have you considered?” He was determined to press her, knowing better than she that there were few options open to delicately nurtured girls thrown penniless upon the world. “You will not, of course, wish to leave your mother?”

“We may have no choice, but I heard yesterday that a teacher is to leave Mrs Guarding’s Academy. There may be an opening there.”

“Teaching, my dear? Shall you enjoy that way of life?”

“Enjoyment cannot be our first consideration,” India said quietly. “It would mean that we could stay here in the village. To take a post as a companion or a governess would mean leaving Mama. I’d like above all things to avoid that for the present until she is feeling better.” She raised her head. “Is the doctor leaving? I thought I heard a carriage. Surely he will speak to us before he goes?”

“It isn’t the doctor.” Letty had been gazing through the window. “We have another visitor.”

“Anyone we know?”

“I don’t recognise the carriage. I thought it might be someone who had lost the way, but young Jesse Ekin is pointing to our door.”

“How odd.” India rose to her feet as a thunderous knocking sounded at the door. “I’ll go, Letty. Martha must be upstairs.”

She had no presentiment of what awaited her, but the appearance of the man who stood before her caused her to recoil.

He towered over her, broad as well as tall, and as she looked up at his swarthy face a pair of keen dark eyes raked her figure from head to toe in obvious appreciation.

“Yes?” she said stiffly.

“My name is Isham,” came the brief reply. “I wish to see Mrs Rushford.”

For just a moment India was too astounded to reply. This was the author of all their misfortunes, and the sheer effrontery of his visit was unbelievable. It was in the worst of taste. Doubtless he had come to gloat over the downfall of his victims. He should not have that pleasure.

“Mrs Rushford is not at home to visitors,” she said in icy tones.

“I see.” The dark eyes studied her face. “And you are?”

“I am Miss Rushford, and I too am not at home to visitors…”

“On the contrary, you look very much at home, if I may say so. Miss Rushford, what I have to say concerns your family. Will you not hear me out?”

“Nothing you have to say could possibly be of interest to us…” India began to close the door and found a booted foot in the way.

“A rash statement since you don’t know what it is. I see that Sir James Perceval’s carriage is here. I will speak to him.”

“Sir, you are insolent! Kindly remove your foot.”

“Certainly not! I haven’t come all this way to be denied.”

India gave him a freezing look. It had no effect at all. She could not remove him by force, and well she knew it.

“Very well,” she said at last. “You may see my uncle. I doubt if you will attempt to force your will upon a man.”

To her annoyance his lordship’s lips twitched.

“It must be maddening to be a helpless female,” he agreed. “Now ma’am, if you will lead the way…?”

India’s back was ramrod straight as she marched ahead of him. In a moment he would get his just deserts. Sir James would brook no nonsense from this creature.

She was wrong. Much to her astonishment Sir James advanced upon their visitor with an outstretched hand.

“What may I do for you, my lord?” he asked. “We had not expected you before the New Year.”

“My business concerns your family, sir. I had hoped to see Mrs Rushford, but since she is not available…”

“My sister-in-law is indisposed, I fear. May I not be her proxy?”

“If you would be so good. This is a delicate matter. I should welcome your advice. Perhaps first you will present me to these ladies…?” Ignoring India, Lord Isham turned to Letty with an enquiring glance.

“Forgive me, sir. These are my nieces. India you have already met. This is her younger sister, Letitia.”

Isham bowed politely, but his bold stare brought a blush to Letty’s cheeks.

India could have slapped her. Must Letty look so…overcome in this man’s presence? She seized her sister’s hand, and making their excuses almost dragged her from the room.

“Oh dear! Should we not have been more polite?” Letty looked distressed. “India, you were giving his lordship dagger-looks.”

“Are you surprised? How he had the sheer effrontery to come here I can’t imagine. It is insulting.”

“But, love, we don’t know why he came…”

“Most probably he wants his money. There can be no other reason. Doubtless he has already visited the Grange and feels that he was cheated.”

“Well, it is in a poor state, you know. Nothing has been spent on it in years…”

“That isn’t the point. He gambled for it and he won it. That should be enough.”

India was still seething as she hurried up to her mother’s bedroom, but her expression softened as she looked at the wan figure lying in the old four-poster. Mrs Rushford’s eyes were closed.

The doctor put a finger to his lips. “Don’t disturb her. I’ve given her a draught. She will sleep now, and should feel better when she wakes.”

“She looks so ill.” Letty choked back a sob. “Is she…is she dying?”

“Not at all, you foolish girl! Your mother is a prey to nerves. Give her time to recover from the strain of these past months and she will soon be well again.” The doctor picked up his bag and took his leave of them.

“We had best let Uncle know.” India peered through the window, but Isham’s coach was waiting still.

“Damn the man!” she cried. “What can he have to say that takes so long?”

Letty giggled. “You may be thankful that Mama is sleeping. She would be shocked to hear you swear.”

“I’m sorry, but that creature would try the patience of a saint. Did you see how he looked at us? He might have been assessing prize cattle.”

Letty’s colour rose. “I know it, but, well…you know his reputation. It is the talk of London…”

“Oh, you mean his opera-dancer? The expensive bird-of-paradise? He can well afford to give her a house and carriages and jewels. She’s said to be the latest of many, but without his wealth no one would look at him.”

Letty was pink with embarrassment. “Oliver won’t discuss it, but other people do. The matchmakers have given up on Isham. They say that he will never marry.”

“Who would want him? It is no wonder that he tries to buy affection. I never saw an uglier-looking man. Why, he might be a gypsy or a pirate. All that is wanting is a gold ring in one ear.”