Page 17 of Lady Audacious
‘Because she doesn’t want to withstand the rigours of a season?’ Emily quirked a brow. ‘Sorry, Sarah, but I don’t see anything particularly noble about that. I hate the idea myself and will marry the first farmer who offers for me.’ She sent Reuben a mischievous grin. ‘Especially if he has a greyhound that is capable of beating Reuben’s. Anything would be preferrable to putting myself through the ridiculous rigmarole. One might as well have a sign round one’s neck advertising oneself as a potential bride available to the most advantageous suitor. However, Mama insists that I must.’
‘Go and take up residence with the woman at Fox’s Reach then,’ Arthur said in a teasing tone. ‘It sounds as though she doesn’t give two figs for society’s mores either.’
‘We have yet to ascertain whether she is a lady, dear,’ the countess pointed out. ‘She might be one of these new monied people,’ she added, wrinkling her nose. ‘But whatever her circumstances, I cannot approve of her connections sending her down here alone. It really is a disgrace and her reputation will suffer, you just mark my words.’
‘For my part, I care about maintaining standards,’ Sarah said, ‘which is why I keep quietly to myself and occupy myself with pursuits that interest me.’
‘How very noble,’ the countess said, sighing as she sent Reuben a significant look.
When the ladies withdrew, Reuben and Arthur stretched out the time they spent over the port by common, unspoken agreement.
‘What will you do about Sarah?’ Arthur asked, leaning back in his chair and twirling his glass in front of the candelabra, the crystal reflecting the light and sending patterns dancing across the ceiling.
‘Absolutely nothing.’
‘She was different tonight. Reticent, which is not like her. She usually puts herself forward, and I wasn’t sure what to make about all the guff over presentation. Mother means well, but she didn’t think it through when offering to sponsor Sarah. We all know it isn’t just a case of curtseying to the queen. There’s the not inconsiderable expense of gowns, and balls and all the other paraphernalia that’s deemed essential. I suspect that Sarah’s mother can’t afford it and Sarah is wise enough to know that beauty isn’t enough to snare her a suitable husband. Well, not one who would match her exacting standards.’ Arthur grinned. ‘You appear to meet those criteria, big brother.’
Reuben snorted. ‘I would have happily paid for Sarah’s presentation if our mother insisted upon it,’ he said. ‘That would have made me her sponsor and one doesn’t marry one’s sponsor. Oh God!’ Reuben threw his head back and groaned. ‘Do you think that’s why she declined our mother’s offer?’
Arthur chuckled, enjoying himself at Reuben’s expense. ‘You’re notthatgood a catch,’ he pointed out.
‘Well anyway, I already have our sisters’ presentations to pay for, and the costs are horrifying.’
‘Only two if Emily has her way.’
Reuben laughed. ‘She was probably serious about not going through with it as well. I never thought I would have to persuade any of them to take the plunge. I ought to have realised that Emily would be a challenge.’
‘She looked very fetching tonight though—Sarah, that is. As though she’d made a special effort. But then again, perhaps she always looks that way and I took more notice of her after Mother revealed her hand. She’s an attractive young filly, there’s no denying it, but there’s something about her…’ Arthur took a healthy swig of his drink as he took a moment to articulate his thoughts. ‘I don’t know; it’s almost as though she’s pretending to be something she is not.’
Reuben nodded, glad he wasn’t the only one to have reached that conclusion. ‘For my part, I wish she’d go home. She does have a mother, even if she’s assumed to be more or less permanently indisposed.’
‘It will certainly be difficult for you now that you know what her aspirations are. But still, cheer up, big brother. The races you have planned will soon be upon us, and you can put the best of Chase’s progeny through their paces.’
‘True enough.’ Reuben drained his glass and sighed. ‘Come along then, we’d best show our faces for a while.’
Reuben was relieved when they returned to the drawing room and no further clumsy attempts were made by his mother to throw him together with Sarah. For her part, Sarah kept to herself, and Reuben didn’t exchange a private word with her for the rest of the evening.
He rode out early the following morning, before any of the ladies were likely to be about, desirous of his company. With Chase loping alongside, he rode fast, inspecting the furthest reaches of his estate on a fine day that lifted his spirits. By late morning he found himself close to the stream that formed the border between his land and Fox’s Reach and noticed a great deal of activity in the grounds. He decided to make a call and introduce himself to his new neighbour. He owed it to his mother and sisters to ensure that the occupant was suitable company for them.
Recalling that he was riding hatless and in shirtsleeves, he postponed his planned visit until the afternoon, when he would present himself more suitably attired. First appearances were important, especially since the property was occupied by a lady on her own. He briefly wondered about taking one of his sisters with him for propriety’s sake but as quickly dismissed the idea. He knew nothing about the lady’s circumstances. If she was below par, he would prefer not to expose any of his sisters to her vulgar influence.
He turned Bandit back in the direction of Amberley Hall, intent upon checking in with Musgrove, his batman during Reuben’s time as colonel of the local regiment in the fight against Napoleon. Musgrove had a way with all animals—dogs in particular—and had planted the idea of racing greyhounds for sport into Reuben’s head. Reuben had enjoyed mixing with all classes of society during the conflict, war being no respecter of the social divide. Aware that a lot of local farmers enjoyed coursing, Reuben himself had no taste for killing animals in the name of sport. And so he and Musgrove, whiling away the endless hours whilst they waited to be called into action, came up with a scheme for a new local custom in which all members of society could afford to participate.
It had since taken over Reuben’s life and made him popular with local farmers and landowners alike.
Musgrove had trained Chase to follow scents and not get distracted. The dog proved to be a natural and had remained unbeaten until his retirement a few months back. He was now happily siring future generations, the best of which, a young pup by the name of Archer, Reuben had high hopes for.
‘They’ll all do well enough,’ Musgrove told Reuben when he met with him in the field that they used for training purposes, ‘with the possible exception of the runt.’ He pointed to a timid creature huddling behind her brothers and sisters. ‘She doesn’t have what it takes. Might as well keep her for breeding though.’
Chase busied himself by sniffing at his offspring. The timid bitch hunkered down and whined. Reuben held out a hand to her and she shied away at first. He persevered, curiosity gradually got the better of her and she inched forward on her belly to lick his hand. She was a mixture of colours inherited from both parents and had bright eyes. Reuben felt an affinity with her.
‘We have quite enough forward females in this family,’ he told her, scooping her into his arms. ‘I think you will do very well as you are. We cannot all be champions.’
Odile was agreeably surprised by the amount of progress that had been made during an absence that had taken the entire morning. The men Harris had spoken to about the roof, a father and son, arrived shortly after her return and took their time examining the extent of the problem. When they had done so, they climbed down their ladder and explained what needed to be done. Odile approved of the fact that they addressed her directly and didn’t talk through Harris. They quoted an amount to fix the leaks in the slate roof, replace the missing and broken slates and repoint the chimneys. The amount made her blink and she looked at Harris, anxious to ensure that she was not being exploited.
‘If the work can be completed within a week, then I think it’s fair,’ Harris said, rubbing his chin and nodding his approval.
The men agreed that it could be.
