The Aim Of A Lady Read online

  Chapter Seven

  Diana took the precaution the next day of sending a message to Frank Edwards, Sir Lowell’s son, inviting him to spend the afternoon at the Park if he was free. Frank was the best fencer in the area. It did not particularly please her to have to invite him because he was another of her local suitors and he was aggressively persistent in his importunings. Walter considered him negligible as a rival for Diana’s hand—a frippery fellow carousing about the countryside when he was not living high in London. There was none of the solid, hard-working virtue Walter himself had to bring to Miss Savile. Frank led a life of pleasure, always dressed to the nines and ready for a lark. It must be admitted, of course, that he was exceedingly handsome, perhaps even intriguing, with his brooding air which gave place to laughing animation at the drop of a hat. Walter thought him loose in the haft; Diana found him annoying.

  Mrs. Lewis shared a companionable breakfast with Diana after which she adjourned to the small parlor to work on her embroidery. The old woman considered it strange that Diana’s guest kept so much to his room and she took to forgetting his presence at the Park at all, except when she remembered that he was her reason for being there. Diana sat with her for a while before sending a message to Alma that she planned to walk to the deer park if he would like to accompany her.

  Now this was an invitation Alma could easily refuse, but it arrived when he was intolerably bored. He had spent the previous evening playing piquet with his valet and then reading a book he had sought from the library. When he had been in the library he had heard the sound of the harpsichord and Miss Savile’s voice in song in the next room. Although he was tempted to join Mrs. Lewis and her there, he was determined that he would not be cajoled out of his black humor. He could have been in London at that very moment enjoying himself!

  His hand crept to his right buttock, which he had caused to bleed again that morning by his foolish action of riding the black horse. It exacerbated his temper rather than soothed it that Miss Savile had made no comment on his rashness. He chose a book at random and returned to his room to find that if he wished to read he might learn of the native plants of Cambridgeshire.

  So Alma joined Diana for her walk to the deer park. He was resolved to appear pleasant this morning, ashamed of his churlishness. When the opportunity presented itself, he pointed out the plants he had read of the night before, being possessed of a wonderful memory for drawings. After he had identified several obscure plants correctly Diana turned to him in amazement.

  “I had no idea you were so well-informed on our native oddities, Lord Alma.”

  Alma cursed himself for being a blatherskite. With a slight flush he remarked, “I happened to pick up a book in the library by mistake.”

  “Heavy going, I should imagine,” she retorted with a grin. “I wonder that you bothered.”

  “I was bored,” he said without thinking.

  “I have invited Frank Edwards to visit this afternoon. He is the finest fencer in the area, besides George, and I had hoped you might enjoy having a bit of sport.”

  He turned to her guiltily. “I have not been a pleasant guest, Miss Savile, and I hope you will forgive me. I cannot understand why such a little inconvenience should so discompose me. I am used to being very active, you know, but I would not have you rack your brains for ways to amuse me.”

  “It is a challenge.” She laughed as she gathered some brilliantly yellow daffodils into the basket she carried. Her eyes were impish as she told him mysteriously, “I think I shall have a surprise ready for you tomorrow.”

  He regarded her dubiously. “What is it?”

  “You shall have to wait and see. I am not altogether sure it will work out,” she mused. In an effort to turn the conversation she treated him to some escapades of George’s youth which soon had him laughing. They returned to the Park in charity with one another, but he did not join her for luncheon.

  When Frank Edwards arrived Mrs. Lewis and Diana had settled in the small parlor. He bore with him the equipment he needed for fencing, since Diana had requested him to do so, but he was more intent on flattering her than on participating in the sport with Alma, who joined them shortly.

  Mrs. Lewis regarded Edwards benignly, as did all of the old women of the neighborhood, since he adopted an exaggerated gallantry which was pleasing to them. Alma took an immediate dislike to him.

  “I have had George’s equipment set out for you, Lord Alma. I thought you might use the Long Gallery.” Diana made no move to accompany them when they turned to depart.

  “You don’t come with us, Diana?” Frank asked quizzingly.

  “I am sure you will do very well without me.”

  “Not I,” he declared fervently, his eyes sparkling. “Come with us, do. I dare swear you do not often have the chance to watch someone fence, and I know you are interested.”

  Alma was puzzled that his hostess had chosen not to accompany them and added his invitation to observe. When Diana turned to Mrs. Lewis and asked if she would like to see a fencing match, the old woman’s face lit with enthusiasm and eventually all four headed for the Long Gallery.

  Frank was an excellent fencer and conceived of this as an opportunity to exhibit one of his skills to Diana. The object of this exercise, however, was more interested in the general interaction between the two, explaining their advances, retreats, thrusts, and parries to Mrs. Lewis, who murmured admiringly the while.

  “You see, Frank is beating in fourth, and feinting with a straight thrust, while Lord Alma parries with the fourth and Frank deceives and lunges. Well done.”

  Mrs. Lewis had not the faintest idea what all these terms meant, but she was entranced by the spectacle all the same and urged Diana to keep up her commentary. Alma frequently allowed Frank to take the initiative but his defensive tactics were brilliant and Diana longed to fence with him, though she refused to suggest it again herself. If he wished to fence with her, an amateur, he would have to propose it himself. Perhaps he would become bored enough for even that.

  The familiar pinched look began to appear on Alma’s face after a lengthy exhibition and Diana feared he would not admit his fatigue. She watched for another ten minutes, becoming impatient with Frank for not realizing that his opponent was spent. Unobserved she rang and when a footman arrived in answer to the summons, she sent him off directly to have tea served in the main parlor and announced to the two that their bout must be concluded. Frank appeared reluctant to relinquish his sport, since he felt that he had showed to excellent advantage. Alma gladly lowered his foil and removed his mask; he refused to acknowledge his pain and exhaustion, but he had seldom greeted the announcement of tea with such alacrity.

  Mrs. Lewis fluttered over the teapot with enthusiastic comments on the fencing skills of the young men. Frank was as susceptible to flattery as he was handy at delivering it, and repaid her enthusiasm by devoting some minutes in conversation with her. Alma took the opportunity to tell Diana that he would be retiring to his room to take care of some correspondence. “And I wish you will not allow that young man to ride Crusader,” he muttered darkly.

  “No,” she replied thoughtfully, “I think you are right. I fear he would do some mischief.”

  Although Diana did not really want to be alone with Frank, she felt it was inevitable. He had entertained her friend for her and she owed him the drive he soon requested. His ornate phaeton was at the stables and she wrapped a shawl about her to accompany him there.

  “I dare say you noticed how much better a fencer I am than your guest, Diana,” he remarked as they settled :themselves in the carriage.

  “What I noticed, Frank, was that you did not call a halt to the bout when you could see that Lord Alma was flagging,” she replied with asperity.

  “And why should I?” he asked indignantly. “I wore him down.”

  “I believe I mentioned in my note that he had recently suffered an injury. You might have realized that he has not as yet recovered his strength.”

 
“You refine too much on it, Diana,” he said crossly. “Come now, it’s a beautiful day. Let us forget all that and enjoy our drive.”

  They tooled along the lanes around the neighborhood while Frank disclosed to Diana his latest accomplishments in amateur dramatics, boxing, driving four-in-hand, gambling, and women. This last was only an inducement to her to understand how desirable he really was and what a bargain she would be passing up if she refused his renewed addresses to her. As they approached the Park again, but were still out of sight of the stables, he stopped his pair and turned to her.

  “Do say you will marry me, Diana. You cannot be interested in that clodhopper Dodge. What a dull life you would lead with him! Marry me and you will see some excitement.” He attempted to kiss her but she pushed him away. Chagrined he said, “Do not be so prudish, Diana. If you would let me kiss you, you would understand how it could be with us.” Convinced that this was true, he grasped her wrists and pinned them behind her so that he was able to bestow on her a passionate kiss. She bit him.

  Her voice was cold and angry when he abruptly released her. “Drive me home this minute, Frank, or I will get out and walk the rest of the way. I do not wish to see you again.”

  Since it was incomprehensible to Frank that his advances should be repulsed, he was genuinely dumbfounded. When he did not urge the horses to motion immediately, Diana jumped down from the high phaeton and, ignoring the pain in the ankle she twisted as she struck the ground, stalked up the lane without a backward glance.

  Alma, watching this episode from his window, decided that all the men in the neighborhood must be lunatics, and felt very little sympathy for Diana when she began to limp once Frank (in a snit) took himself off in the other direction.

  * * * *

  While George Savile read a book at The Bush in Staines and the rain continued, and his sister stormed about her bedchamber in an excess of anger at Frank for attempting to kiss her, Lord Vallert arrived at Trafford Hall. Vallert was not an early riser, especially after an evening when he had entertained his friends—a bachelor celebration of his engagement, he had informed them. It was, therefore, late in the afternoon when he arrived at Trafford Hall, and he was shown into the Red Parlor by a footman who was not sure exactly whom he should inform of the arrival.

  Although Lord Vallert had given him his card and asked for Miss Alonna Sanfield, the footman was aware that young ladies did not receive young gentlemen unattended. Since Lady Trafford was unavailable, he determined to find Lord Trafford, but he was unsuccessful and eventually a message was sent to Alonna that Lord Vallert awaited her in the Red Parlor.

  Alonna was sitting with her sister when this intelligence was brought to her and her distressed countenance caused Margaret to exclaim, “What is it, love? Who is he?”

  Owing to her sister’s condition at the time of her arrival and the excitement which had followed, Alonna had pushed the episode of the engagement announcement to the back of her mind. She now took the opportunity to inform her sister of the precise reason she had come to Trafford Hall.

  “So you do not wish to marry him?” Margaret asked quietly. “It is not just that he has been so foolish as to insert the announcement?”

  “I call it more than foolish!” Alonna exclaimed. “It was stupid, unfeeling, thoughtless, and dishonest!”

  “I see that you do not want to marry him,” her sister laughed. “Well, I cannot say I blame you. I would not be put in such a position for the world. Did Papa promise to have the announcement repudiated?”

  “Not precisely, but what else can he do?”

  Margaret studied her sister through lowered eyelids. “Papa has changed since Mama’s death, Alonna. I can tell from his letters. He wants to be free of his family, and you are the last one left. Do not let him force you into a disagreeable marriage. You can make your home here with me if there are any problems.”

  “He was not very helpful,” Alonna admitted sadly. “I had hoped that by tomorrow I might receive a copy of the repudiation from him.”

  “I would not count on it, love. You had best go to Lord Vallert and see what he has to say. He has probably talked with Papa.”

  “How can I face him after what he has done? I don’t want to be alone with him,” she admitted softly.

  “You will manage, my dear. The house is full of servants, some of whom will undoubtedly be listening at the keyhole.”

  Alonna smiled wistfully. “All right, I shall see him, but if I do not return to you within half an hour you must send me help.” She marched out of the room with her chin held high.

  Vallert had been left cooling his heels for some time before Alonna arrived at the door. He rose and bowed formally to her, then strode forward and attempted to take her hand. Refusing to allow this, she seated herself on a rather uncomfortable armchair upholstered in red plush which matched the red damask draperies in the room. Vallert seated himself opposite her in an identical chair and opened his mouth to speak.

  Alonna imperiously waved him to silence. “The only thing I wish to hear from your lips, Lord Vallert, is that a retraction of our engagement announcement has been published.” She tapped her fingertips on the arms of the chair and waited while he decided how to answer her.

  “Now, Miss Sanfield,” he said at length, “there is really no necessity for a retraction. If you consider your position for a moment you will see that a prompt wedding is the best solution to the whole matter.”

  “My position?” she asked coldly.

  “Yes, your position, dear lady. Your father has sent me here to fetch you back to town. He is firm in his desire that you marry me, and since the engagement has been announced I feel it would be better if the matter were expedited.”

  “Do you?”

  “Yes, indeed. You will feel more comfortable once we are husband and wife, and the little annoyance this has caused you will soon be forgotten,” he said with a bland and confident smile.

  “I wish to have you understand one thing, Lord Vallert. I shall never marry you. I told you so some days ago and you had the audacity to act in this underhanded way. If there was ever any possibility that I might have changed my mind, it no longer exists, and you may tell my father so,” she added with an outthrust chin.

  “But your father says you must marry me!”

  “I doubt my father said any such thing,” she asserted. His expression became mocking and she went on, “And even if he had, it would make no difference. He cannot force me to marry you. I shall come of age in a year and during that period of time I may remain with my sister if he does not wish to abide by my decision. That is all I have to say to you, Lord Vallert, except that if I do not have a copy of the retraction in my hands within the week I will take it upon myself to have one printed, and you can be sure that the manner in which I shall do so will not leave your reputation undamaged.”

  Alonna rose from her chair and proceeded to the door, intent on ignoring his angry, red face and blustering words. The last thing she heard before closing the door behind her was. “You would not dare!”

  Alonna sighed as she mounted the stairs to her sister’s room. In her attempt to be firm she had merely aggravated the young man’s hot temper further. Heaven knew what he would do now. Obviously she was far too inexperienced for such a man as George Savile; she could not even manage one obstreperous suitor.

  Chapter Eight

  Diana had been in no mood to encounter Lord Alma after her afternoon drive with Frank, and she was relieved that he took his meal in his room. His attendance in the music room would have been welcome, but she contented herself with the amusing thought that he was no doubt studying the plant life of Cambridgeshire in his room. Mrs. Lewis provided pleasant if unstimulating companionship and Diana found it wise to suggest an early retiring hour when her companion began to nod over her embroidery.

  In the morning Jenkins assured his mistress that her project would be complete by midday. He still shook his head disapprovingly, but Diana was convinced that it wa
s the only solution to Alma’s entertainment. She did, however, send a message up to him inviting him to go fishing with her that morning, or alone if he preferred, for George’s equipment would be put at his disposal.

  When the message reached him Alma was dressed, and his mood had swung once more toward friendship with his “younger brother,” so he joined Diana in the breakfast parlor where she was sipping at the last of her morning chocolate.

  “Does fishing appeal to you?” she asked, looking up.

  “Yes, I’ve always enjoyed it. You don’t chatter while you’re fishing, do you?”

  “Never,” she replied, her eyes twinkling.

  “Good. Then let’s go together.”

  She led him to her favorite spot along the river where the mossy bank was warmed by the sun the whole of the morning. Without the least embarrassment he spread the rug she had carried and lay down on it, offering her a pole as he did so. They stayed there companionably silent for several hours, occasionally exchanging languid, low-voiced remarks on the wildlife which wandered by, or compliments on each other’s catch.

  “Let’s take ourselves off now and have our fish for luncheon,” Diana suggested when the sun was overhead.

  Alma agreed and asked as they packed away their supplies, “Did you think about more things to study?”

  “No,” she replied with a puzzled frown. “I did not really think much at all this morning. I just ... felt good.”

  He smiled at her. “Is that something new?”

  “Well, I seem to spend a lot of my time planning what I am to do next, thinking about what I will enjoy most, or I am doing something, you know, and then I am only thinking about that. Perhaps I don’t spend enough time just sitting still and being happy.”