Louise Allen - Scandal in the Regency Ballroom - No Place For a Lady / Not Quite a Lady

‘Well …’ she settled back and regarded the other woman ‘… I will be frank, Miss Thorpe. I have never had a female companion before, nor a chaperon, and I suddenly find myself in a situation where that has become, if not essential, at least highly desirable. But—and here is where the frankness comes in—I have no intention of losing my freedoms and suddenly becoming a sheltered society miss. I run a stagecoach company.’ That did provoke a reaction from the self-controlled Miss Thorpe. Her lips pursed in a soundless whistle, then she smiled.

‘Unconventional indeed, Miss Mallory. Would I be required to assist with this enterprise?’

That had never occurred to Bree. ‘Would you be interested to?’

‘Why, yes, I believe I might. I am a competent book-keeper and I used to run a school—quite a large one, in Bath—until the proprietor decided to sell up, and I did not have the resources to buy her out. Then I found myself having to work as a governess, but I do miss having the variety of managing the school. You will be wanting to take up references, Miss Mallory, and to have a trial period, I imagine.’

‘I hire and fire staff for the company on a regular basis, Miss Thorpe. Few of them come with references, so I have come to trust my judgment on first impressions. I would be very happy if you would join us on the basis that you assist with the running of the office, accompany me in the evenings and act as my chaperon whenever I have company. We will give it a month and see how we feel at the end of it. What do you think? You may find us unacceptably unconventional.’ There was something about the governess that appealed to Bree. It was not so much what she said, but the calm confidence with which she said it.

‘It sounds fascinating, Miss Mallory.’ Miss Thorpe looked out of the window as the hackney drew up to the pavement. ‘I have never been interviewed for a position at Gunther’s. I think that bodes very well!’

‘Excellent.’ Bree led the way into the tea shop, glanced around and found a table in a quiet corner. ‘This will do. Now, what shall we have? Hot chocolate? I suppose it is really rather cool for ices, and perhaps too early in the day,’ she added reluctantly.

‘I never think it is too anything for ices,’ Miss Thorpe declared robustly.

Bree found herself laughing. ‘I really think we will suit, Miss Thorpe! Now, let me tell you all about ourselves. The household consists of my brother Piers and myself …

‘ … and so you see, what with Lord Farleigh’s engagement and the interest the members of the Nonesuch Whips are taking in the company, things cannot go on as they are.’ That account had skimmed lightly over some of her feelings on the stage, and censored completely that kiss the other night. Bree stopped talking at last and peered into the depths of the chocolate jug. ‘Shall we have some more?’

‘Yes, please, Miss Mallory.’

‘Bree, please. What is your name?’

‘Rosamund. My father was a Shakespeare enthusiast.’ Miss Thorpe smiled. ‘I answer very well to Rosa.’

‘Rosa it is, then.’ Bree gestured to the waiter. ‘Another jug of chocolate, and a plate of macaroons, please. So, what do you think? And when can you start?’

‘I think that it sounds fascinating, and I could start immediately, if that is what you would like. But I am afraid my wardrobe is singularly unfitted for the role as your companion, especially if you intend to accept any evening engagements.’

‘Goodness, we have not discussed salary, have we?’ Bree thought rapidly. She had not yet investigated the wages a business manager might expect, but now she might well not have to. The Yard Master, Railton, and his men were more than capable of supervising the operation in the evenings and at night as they did now, provided there was someone taking the major decisions and doing the bookwork. She named the amount Miss Thoroughgood had asked for a top-flight lady’s companion. ‘How would that be? And a suitable wardrobe as well? And you can move in today.’

Rosa gasped. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Why, yes. It will be hard work filling two roles. Now that I have been forced into society, I suppose I had better enjoy it, so we will be out and about a good deal.’ She poured the fresh chocolate. ‘Have a macaroon.’

‘I will need a new wardrobe if I am to eat many of these,’ Rosa commented, biting into one of the confectioner’s famous biscuits.

‘Well, any excuse for shopping is welcome,’ Bree said seriously, earning a chuckle from across the table. ‘Let’s make a list.’

Max reined in his team to a walk as they entered Gower Street. The road was relatively quiet and it did not require much concentration to negotiate it to the point halfway down where the Mallorys’ home was.

Which left far too much mental capacity for indecision. The Earl of Penrith was not given to indecision. Max Dysart, the man, was discovering just how uncomfortable it could be. The choices before him were clear-cut enough, but none of them were easy.

One , Max tried rehearsing them again, I can make no effort to see her again and treat her as a mere acquaintance whenever we meet. Two, I can attempt to act simply as a friend and an acquaintance and, thirdly, I can endeavour to attach her .

He pulled up in front of Bree’s house and sat there, the reins still in his hand. Gregg, the groom who was sitting up behind him, arms folded, jumped down from his perch behind and ran to the horses’ heads.

They are all dangerous . Max stared ahead unseeingly between the ears of one of the dapple greys, causing an approaching gentleman to wonder anxiously if there was something amiss with the cut of his clothes, given that the swell in the fancy rig was frowning at him so ferociously. Number one almost ensures that she will find herself courted by any number of other men before I am in a position to make my move .

Two— he reflexively steadied the offside horse which was taking exception to a passing dog— risks her thinking my interest in her is purely platonic and we are back to the numerous other suitors again. Three, I am risking everything on the chance I am no longer married. If I am wrong, then I am embroiling Bree in a scandal that will be plastered all over the papers in every ghastly detail. And all of this assumes I really do want to risk courting another woman and offering her marriage .

‘My lord?’ Gregg was regarding him anxiously.

‘Get back up,’ Max ordered.

‘I thought we were calling here, my lord. I could walk the greys if you are worried about leaving them standing in this wind.’

‘I’ll shake the fidgets out of them in the park,’ Max declared as the groom walked back.

With the licence of long service, the man let his feelings show on his face: the pair were as calm as high-blooded driving horses could ever be, and his lordship had just driven past the park on his way here.

Max gave a mental shrug. If he was going to become indecisive, he might as well get on with it. Once round the park, then I’ll make up my mind , he bargained with himself, lifting the hand that held the reins and sending the greys off down the street at a brisk trot.

‘Oh.’ Bree stood staring down Gower Street at the unmistakable back and shoulders of the driver of the retreating phaeton.

‘Is something wrong?’ Rosa climbed down from the hackney and joined her on the pavement.

‘That was Lord Penrith, the gentleman I told you about. The one who drove the stage for me.’

‘The one who advised you to employ a chaperon and a business manager.’ Rosa nodded, obviously ticking off a mental list from her morning’s briefing.

‘He must have been calling,’ Bree said, lamely stating the obvious. She gave herself a little shake and called up to the driver, ‘Wait a moment, will you? Someone will be out to pay you and collect our baggage.’