Briar Patch (3 page)

‘You're good to me,' Carrie said and reached for his hand, her fingers curling about his. ‘You and Dick are always kind to me – not like Pa. Ma gets cross but she loves me. Pa hates me.' Her wide eyes opened, innocent and free of guile. ‘What have I done to make Pa hate me, Tom?'

‘It isn't your fault, Carrie. Ma and me will protect you from Pa – but he's not a bad man, except when the drink is in him. Just do as Ma tells you and everything will be fine.'

Two

The hall was overflowing with people and all the activity made Roz feel more alive than she had since her father's funeral.

The family had been in mourning for months but now they were going to celebrate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. All over the country people had been putting up the flags and holding street parties; the potteries had been turning out commemorative ware as fast as they could for weeks. Having purchased quite a few mugs, plates and jugs showing the Queen's portrait, Philip had given them as prizes for the games the vicar was organizing the next day.

However, the dance was this evening. Roz was looking forward to wearing a pretty new gown and flirting with the gentlemen her brother had invited for the occasion. A party of men and women had come down from London for a few days, and it was this that had lent excitement to the evening ahead. Roz thought that two of the young men were attractive. Philip had said they were both wealthy and single.

‘You should grab one of them while you have the chance,' he'd told her.

‘Please do not be vulgar,' she'd replied, but she was excited about the dance.

‘Have you finished the flowers?'

Roz turned to look as her mother came into the small back parlour. ‘Yes, Mama. The gardeners sent them early. Philip said his friends from London were to have breakfast in their rooms. They won't show themselves before noon.'

‘Well, we were all quite late last night,' Lady Thornton said, her gaze going over the arrangement on the small table in the window. ‘You have just the right touch with flowers.' Her expression was expectant. ‘Now, tell me, what did you think of Mr Harcourt? I thought him charming.'

‘Yes, Mr Harcourt is charming, Mama. I liked him – but Captain Richmond is so amusing.'

‘His eyes are too bold. You could not trust him. Since your brother insists that you marry sooner rather than later, my advice would be to get Mr Harcourt if you can.'

‘Mama, please do not seek to influence my choice. I hardly know either of them. They are Philip's friends. Mr Harcourt is certainly kind but I have had no occasion to think he is interested in me.'

‘Well, you know the alternative. I should not have wished you to marry just yet but we shall not be able to entertain often at the dower house – and if Philip cannot persuade Miss Richmond to marry him, he might lose everything.'

‘Hush, Mama,' Roz said and glanced over her shoulder. ‘Supposing someone heard you? Besides, how can you be sure that Philip means to ask her?'

‘Use your intelligence, Roz. She's not the most beautiful girl in the world but she
is
the only heiress your brother has invited. I know for a fact that she has ten thousand of her own and her aunt is rich and may give her something when she marries. Philip showed her some attention last night, and I think you will see that he is in earnest this evening.'

‘If he truly loves her I suppose . . .'

‘What has love got to do with it? Your brother has responsibilities.'

‘Yes, I know. Poor Philip. I like her but she is rather . . . homely, wouldn't you say?'

‘She will make him an excellent wife. I hope you will be as sensible when the time comes.'

‘Yes, Mama.'

‘Well, go up and change into something pretty. I need to speak to Cook about supper for this evening.'

Roz left the room. Sometimes her mama made her want to scream but she was a well brought-up girl and thus far her rebellions had been small.

Looking out of the landing window, she sighed. It was a pleasant morning and she would rather be out riding than making conversation with Miss Richmond. Roz wondered what kind of a life her brother would have if he married her, but he seemed to know what he was doing and Julia seemed nice enough – if a little dull.

Roz supposed that she was what this house party was all about really. If Julia Richmond hadn't consented to come her brother might not even have bothered to hold the dance this evening – and that would have been a shame, because Roz was looking forward to it.

‘You look charming this evening, Miss Thornton,' the tall, fair-haired gentleman smiled down at her. ‘Beautiful might be a better word – and you dance delightfully.'

Roz gazed up at Robert Harcourt as their dance ended. He was attractive enough in a pale, slightly insipid way, with a gentle manner that might have drawn her to him had she not seen Captain Richmond.

‘You flatter me too much, sir. I do not think I am beautiful, though Mama says I am pretty.'

‘You're too modest. Yet your mirror must tell you the truth every time you use it.'

‘We shall not argue over it, sir. I thank you for the dance. I enjoyed myself – but now I see my next partner approaching.'

‘Ah yes, Richmond – all the ladies adore him. Be a little wary, Miss Thornton.'

Roz hardly listened. Her eyes were on Paul Richmond and her heart was racing. He was so handsome with his lean, chiselled features, black hair and dark eyes that looked silver sometimes in the candlelight. She wouldn't have dared to tell her mother, but she had been drawn to him from the moment they had met. Marriage had seemed distant, something she must do eventually if her brother had his way, but now she felt breathless, on fire with the need to be in his arms.

‘Miss Thornton – or may I call you Roz? At last we can dance together. You have been doing your duty as the hostess and I have been passing time.'

‘I saw you dancing with Miss James. Polly is a very pretty girl.'

‘Pretty, yes.' He snapped his fingers. ‘Pretty girls are two a penny. You are something more . . .'

‘Am I?'

‘Surely you know it? Philip told me half the men in the county have been after you for ages.'

‘Perhaps, but I do not care for any of them; they are dull and have no conversation but hunting, shooting or the land.'

‘We are all predators at heart.'

Paul's laughter was husky. The way he looked at her was hungry, speculative; almost as if he saw her as his prey – something to be hunted. Then his hand clasped hers in a masterful grip as he led her towards the dance floor and her heart seemed to slam against her chest.

It was a dream. Surely she could not feel this wonderful. Nothing on earth could ever feel as good as dancing with Paul Richmond. His hold was firm and yet light as he guided her round and round in a dizzying succession of circles.

He pressed her hand as their dance ended. ‘I want to talk to you alone – not tonight; we should be missed. Perhaps tomorrow.'

She inclined her head. Excitement curled through her and she gave her hand reluctantly to the next man to claim her. She was so lost in her dreams that she hardly knew she was dancing with Harold Rushden until he spoke.

‘Our families have been close for many years.' His deep voice recalled her from her dreams. ‘Because of that I believe you will not be offended if I drop a word of warning in your ear, Miss Thornton. That fellow Richmond is not to be trusted. I should not approve of a man like that being in company with my sister.'

‘Jane has been married for a year.'

‘So she has,' Rushden agreed and looked pleased with himself. ‘I arranged a suitable match for her and she was grateful to me. She is very happy and settled in Yorkshire with her husband.'

‘I am glad to hear it, sir.'

Roz held her tongue on the matter of Captain Richmond. She did not wish to argue with her partner in the middle of the dance floor.

Her reticence left him with nothing more to say on the subject and he proceeded to tell her about the new wing he was building at Rushden Towers. Since he had spoken of little else for months, Roz was able to listen, smile and transfer her thoughts back to Captain Richmond's intriguing remark.

He wished to speak to her alone. Just what did he mean? Surely a gentleman would not say such a thing to a lady unless he had marriage in mind?

‘Will you enter the archery contest tomorrow?'

Roz recalled her wandering thoughts as the dance ended.

‘Oh . . . I'm not sure,' she replied and glanced up at him. ‘I hadn't considered it. After all, I've won for two years in a row and it seems fair to let others have a chance.'

‘It would be a pity not to show off your skill. Jane always admired you. She had no talent in that direction at all.'

‘It is hardly a requirement for marriage or running a home. I dare say I should have done better to work at my sewing or my music.'

Rushden murmured a denial, bowed his head and left as yet another partner approached Roz. She took his hand, allowing him to lead her back to the dance floor, but her thoughts remained with Paul Richmond. Her gaze moved round the room, seeking him out.

He seemed to have left the ballroom, and it was not until Roz went upstairs to tidy her gown an hour or so later that she chanced to see him leaving the room of one of their married guests. The lady was in her mid-thirties, a friend of Lady Thornton's and staying without her husband. Paul was pulling at his waistcoat and she noticed that his cravat was not as pristine as it had been earlier.

He did not notice Roz because he turned away to the right as she approached from the left, heading for the wing occupied by single gentlemen. He'd had no business to be here on this landing at all. Feeling shocked, she remembered Mr Rushden's warning earlier. Now she understood what was implied.

Roz hurried to her own room and washed her face in some cool water left in the jug on her washstand. Seeing Paul come from the lady's room had made her feel hot all over. She was not such an innocent that she could not guess why he had gone there. Similar things had happened during house parties on more than one occasion in the past. Mama had instructed her to ignore what went on.

‘Gentlemen will be gentlemen, Roz. Papa keeps his affairs away from the house, but if a married lady and a gentleman wish to . . .' Lady Thornton shook her head. ‘I do not approve, but it happens. One cannot dictate to one's guests, my dear. Discretion is all.'

She must ignore what she had seen. Gentlemen had affairs and ladies pretended they did not know. These things had nothing to do with marriage. Young girls of good family married for a home and the lifestyle they had been reared to expect.

Raising her head, Roz went back down to her guests. However, some of the glow had gone. Paul Richmond was not all she'd thought him.

Perhaps her mama was right. She might do better to encourage Mr Harcourt.

Roz spent the following morning arranging flowers and helping her brother oversee the arrangements for the fete that afternoon. She wished she might go for a good gallop on her horse but Philip asked her to set out a stall with the prizes for the children.

‘Shall you enter the archery contest this year?' he asked as he inspected her work later.

‘I thought it would be better if someone else won this year.'

‘I'm giving a prize of twenty guineas.' Philip eased his neckcloth. ‘The truth is I can't really afford it, Roz – but Father always gave a generous prize. If you won I wouldn't have to part with the money.'

‘Philip! Surely things are not that bad?'

‘Well, I could pay if I had to but . . .' He shrugged. ‘It was just a suggestion. Paul Richmond is entering so you probably wouldn't win anyway.'

‘Are you saying I couldn't beat him?' For some reason her brother's suggestion pricked her pride. Paul Richmond had flirted with her and then gone upstairs to the bedchamber of a married woman. ‘I think I'll enter after all. It will be interesting to have some competition for once.'

‘Good. I should like to see you take him down a few pegs, Roz. He's a conceited devil. I shouldn't have asked him to stay if it were not for his sister. She wouldn't have come on her own.'

‘Are you going to ask her to marry you?'

‘I like Julia. She doesn't make a chap feel as if he has to be clever or flatter her all the time. I think we might be comfortable together.'

‘Is that truly all you want of life?'

‘I've never been in love, Roz. Julia's money would put things straight. I should like to buy more land and make the estate prosper. Land and respect – they're worth more than love, don't you think?'

‘Perhaps. I'm not sure. I suppose if it is what you want . . .'

‘If Julia marries me you might have a London season after all. I thought of taking a house in town. You could stay with us sometimes.'

‘I should like that,' Roz said impulsively and kissed his cheek. ‘I hope you get what you want – and I wish you happiness.'

‘You'd better go and change for luncheon. Roz . . . be careful of Paul Richmond. I know he is charming but you would be better off with Harcourt – or Rushden. He keeps hinting that he's interested.'

‘Of the two I would prefer Mr Harcourt. If it isn't urgent I would rather wait for a while before I decide. Besides, I doubt whether Mr Harcourt will ask me. He hasn't shown any sign of being interested.'

Roz watched the children's games for the first hour or so. She presented prizes for the sack race and the three-legged race and then wandered off to where the targets were being set up. Because not everyone owned them, bows and arrows were provided and there was never a shortage of entrants, though most entered for a laugh and were knocked out in the first round. A small queue had formed already and she saw Paul Richmond checking out one of the bows. She walked towards him, a smile on her lips.