Page 17 of The Book of Lost Stories
‘No, I do not believe anyone saw what happened, and cannot imagine that he would tell anyone of it.’
‘I expect he has realized his error, Alys. How he came to be under such a dreadful misapprehension Icannotunderstand.’
Of course, Alys, not wishing to hurt Lady Basset’s feelings, did not in any way suggest that her manners and dress were such as to have helped lead him to false conclusions. But when alone, she could not help but go over and over the scene, wondering if there was also something lacking inherself, to have invited such an insult.
But when Alys confided the whole to Nell, her friend assured her that there was nothing about her that would lead any man to think her other than a respectable girl. Then she pointed out that at least Alys need never see his lordship again, whereasshemight very well run into him in Town when she went there next season.
Somehow, this did not console Alys as much as it might.
But at least she had by now realized that the expression in his eyes when, dripping wet he had saluted her, was both amusement and admiration … although of course the admiration of such a man was of no consequence to her whatsoever – that went without saying.
They elicited the information that his lordship had indeed left for London, and it was decided that they should continue their stay until the original departure date, rather than raise questions and conjecture by decamping abruptly. Lady Basset slowly persuaded herself that the whole incident neverhappened, or was but an accident, although her manner was somewhat subdued for the remainder of their sojourn in Harrogate.
In all the turmoil of emotion stirred up by this drama, Alys had not missed her letter: indeed, she had entirely forgotten about it until she received a note from Miss Grimshaw thanking her for it, and looking forward to her return.
It was a puzzle to her what had become of it, but she presumed she must have dropped it in the street and some kindly disposed person had sent it on.
The morning of their departure came, and how deeply sorry Alys was to part with her new friend. Nell felt the same, but they promised to correspond.
‘You are to be my window on the big, wide world, Nell,’ Alys said, embracing her as the last of Lady Basset’s numerous bandboxes was carried out, ‘for it is not to be supposed that I will ever travel anywhere again, so that I will relish every little detail.’
‘Andyoumust tell me how Malvina’s adventures end, for I am quite desperate to know,’ Nell returned. ‘Only think how exciting it will be when your book is published, and I know the author, although, of course, I will not admit it to anyone.’
‘IfI get it published. And then my real name must certainly stay a secret.’
Alys let down the window and waved her handkerchief for as long as she could still see her friend. Then she settled back opposite her aunt and, with her writing desk on her knees, beguiled the journey home by setting down all her impressions of her dealings with Lord Rayven as best she could, while they were still fresh in her mind.
The experience had at once angered, excited, alarmed and confused her, especially the realization that he had found her attractive, but not worthy of an honourable love. Then too, the emotions raised by being held fast in his arms and kissed so thoroughly proved hard to describe – and impossible to forget. Sometimes she fancied she felt the hard pressure of his lips on hers still …
But although his tall, dark and romantically scarred person had certainly disturbed her dreams since the encounter, in them he was always the villain of the piece.
All these new experiences, mortifying though they might be, would at least enhanceThe Travails of Lady Malvina, for she felt she had gained a maturity and insight into the perfidy of the male character – as opposed to its ingrained selfishness, which she already knew all about – that she had lacked when she began the book.
At least now she had purchased her own supply of paper, for the squire’s guineas had been expended on more than fashionable trifles and a length of pretty lace for Letty.
Alys scribbled away while Lady Basset snored in her corner, exhausted by supervising the packing of her many purchases, which threatened to engulf them at every jolt of the carriage.
‘Sir,’ Malvina said resolutely, though she shivered from cold and terror, ‘I fear that you, too, have some motive of your own in seeking to remove me from this place to another fastness. My mind is made up, and I will not go with you …’
They arrived back home in the midst of a furious thunderstorm, which was nothing, Alys discovered, to her papa’s mood. He had received the whole tale of Lord Rayven’s attentions fromthe rector, who was as much a gossip in his sanctimonious way as his wife.
Alys had barely put off her bonnet before her papa was pounding on the floor with his stick and shouting for her to come up, and when she did so she was quite afraid that he might have an apoplexy, his thin face was so suffused with rage.
‘Did I not specifically order you to have nothing to do with the son of Hugo Rayven, who was the means of fleecing me out of as snug a little property as you could please?’
Alys stared at him. ‘Hedid? This is the first I heard of it, for I always thought you had your way to make in the world, apart from a very small fixed income, and lived on your officer’s pay and prize money, Papa.’
‘Aye, so I did, till my father died.’
‘Then how did this Lord Rayven’s father fleece you out of your inheritance?’
‘Loaded dice!’ he said triumphantly, and fell back against the pillows.
While she knew that Major Weston had been a gamester, she did not know whether to believe him about the cheating. But shedidsincerely regret the snug little property, which would have greatly added to their comfort. However, if he had not lost it to Hugo Rayven, she supposed he would have gamed it away to someone else long since.
‘Andthisis the man you have been flirting with!’ Major Weston began again, feverishly lifting his head and fixing her with an angrily burning gaze from his one good eye. ‘And, for all I know, plotting to run away with, behind my back!’
‘I did no such thing, Papa. In fact, I did all that I could to discourage him.’
