Who? The beautiful Dorothea? had asked Hazelmere, all at sea.
No, fool! Cynthia! She died a few months ago and the girls have gone to Darent Hall for a while. Pity. I should have liked to see Dorothea again. No namby-pamby miss, that one!
How is it that, despite never having been presented, this paragon is not yet wed? Surely the country gentlemen are not such slowtops?
Great-Aunt Etta had chuckled. I rather suspect thats because no gentleman has yet shown her any good reason to marry! Look at it from her point of view. Shes got position enough, wealth enough and her independence to boot. Why get married?
He had grinned back, responding to the laughter in the old ladys eyes. I dare say I could make a few suggestions.
Yes, I dare say you could! But thats neither here nor there, for youre not likely to meet her. Unless Hermione Merion takes an interest. Ive written to her, so she may do. Theres Cecily too. The younger sister, and another beauty, though of a different style. Shell have to be brought out, too. But Cecily would try the patience of a saint. And, as you definitely aint one, she wont do for you. But enough of the Darent sisters. I merely give them as examples. And so the conversation had moved on.
The idea that Great-Aunt Etta had, in fact, been trying to make him look at Dorothea Darent as a potential wife had occurred to him shortly after he met that remarkable young lady.
Over the past ten years he had steadfastly refused to seriously consider any of the flighty young females paraded for his approval at Almacks and the ton parties. This had caused considerable consternation among other family members, notably his two older sisters, Maria and Susan, who were constantly pushing one or other of their favoured aspirants in his way. His stance had been fully supported by his mother and Great-Aunt Etta, both of whom seemed to understand the almost suffocating boredom he felt within minutes of attempting to converse with the latest simpering and apparently witless offerings. He knew his mother longed for him to marry but had reputedly told an acquaintance that unless they changed the prevailing fashion in débutantes she never expected to see it. As for Great-Aunt Etta, she had never said a word to him on the subject until that night.
Given that Great-Aunt Etta had known him every bit as well as his mother, it was perfectly possible that she had intended to draw his attention to Miss Darent. She would never have been so gauche as to approach the matter directly, knowing that the most likely outcome by that route was polite and chilly refusal to have anything to do with the chit. Instead she had introduced her name in a roundabout fashion, merely telling him that the girl was in every way suitable, but leaving him to make his own ground. Very like Great-Aunt Etta! Well, Great-Aunt Etta, he mused with a smile, Ive met your Dorothea, and in a more effective way than I think even you would have dreamt of!
Chapter Two
A low moan brought Dorotheas head around sharply to peer through the dim light at her sister, curled in the opposite corner of the carriage. Cecilys eyes were shut but the line between her fair brows showed clearly that she was far from sleep. She moved her head restlessly on the squabs. The coach lurched into a rut as the horses hoofs skidded on the icy road. Dorothea caught the swinging strap to stop herself from being thrown. As the coach ponderously righted itself and resumed its steady progress she saw that Cecily had drawn herself up into a tight ball and wedged herself firmly into the corner, her face turned away.
Dorothea returned her attention to the dreary landscape, glimpsed fitfully through the bare branches of the trees and hedges lining the road. The grey February afternoon was closing in. The patter of drizzle on the coach windows punctuated the stillness within. Then, rising like a castle through the gathering gloom, standing on a crest surrounded by the dark shadows of its windbreaks, loomed the Three Feathers Inn. As it was just over halfway to London from the Grange, situated on the Bath Road, she had chosen it as their overnight stop. If it had been only herself travelling to London she would have made the journey in a single day. But Cecily was a poor traveller. With luck, their slow pace broken by a nights rest would allow her to arrive in Cavendish Square in a fit state to greet their grandmother.
The only other occupant of the carriage was their middle-aged maid, Betsy, who had tended them from the cradle. She dozed lightly, enveloped in woollen shawls on the seat facing Dorothea. After much consideration, Aunt Agnes had been left behind. There had been nothing specific in Lady Merions letter summoning them to London, but the discussions at Darent Hall had clearly been on the unspoken understanding that Aunt Agnes would continue to do her duty and escort her charges to Cavendish Square. However, Aunt Agness rheumatism was legendary, and Dorothea had no wish to saddle herself with the querulous, though much loved old lady, either on the road to London or once they were arrived, supposedly to enjoy themselves. Furthermore, Aunt Agness opinions on men, of whatever station, were dampening in the extreme. Dorothea thought it unlikely that her presence would aid in the push to find Cecily a husband. Nevertheless, her polite note to Lady Merion, informing her of their expected date of arrival, had made no reference whatever to Aunt Agnes.
The coach lumbered on through the steadily thickening mists. It had been overcast all day, but for the most part the rain had held off, much to the relief of their coachman, Lang. The journey to London with the roads only just cleared was always a risky business. Wrapped in his thick frieze coat, he was deeply relieved to turn his team in under the arch of the inn. It was a large establishment, one of the busiest posting houses in the district. The main yard was devoted primarily to travellers changing horses or temporarily halting. The large travelling carriage rumbled through and on under another archway into the coachyard. Ostlers ran to free the steaming horses, and the landlord came forward to assist the sisters into the inn.
Here, however, a problem lay waiting.
While they warmed themselves before the roaring fire in a snug, low-ceilinged parlour Mr Simms apologised profusely. Theres a prize-fight on in the village, miss. Were booked out. Ive kept a bedchamber for you, but Im afraid theres no hope of a private parlour. The rubicund landlord, middle-aged, with daughters of his own, eyed the young ladies anxiously.
Dorothea drew a deep breath. After travelling at a snails pace all day she did not really care what was going forward in the neighbourhood, as long as she and Cecily were adequately housed for the night. She automatically appraised the neat and spotlessly clean room. At least there would be no danger of damp sheets or poorly cooked food in this house. There was no point in being overly distressed by the lack of a parlour. Drawing herself to her full height, she nodded to the clearly worried Simms. Very well. I see it cant be helped. Will you please show us to our bedchamber?
Mr Simms had correctly guessed the Darent sisters station from Dorotheas letter requesting bedchambers and parlour. While he rarely criticised the ways of his clients, he thought it a crying shame that two such pretty young ladies were travelling escorted only by servants. He led them up to the bedchamber he had had prepared for them. Experience of the goings-on likely to occur within his house before the night was through had led him to house them in the large bedchamber on the north side of the inn. This was the oldest part of the rambling building, isolated from the rest, and reached only by a separate stairway close to his private domain.
Arriving, puffing, on the landing, he threw open a stout door. Ive put you in this bedchamber here, miss, because its out of the way, like. The inn will soon be fair to burstin with all the young gentlemen been to see the fight. My missus says to tell ye to stay put in your chamber and lock the door and shell see to it that only she and my daughter come up with your meals and suchlike. That road, well all like as not avoid any unpleasantness. Ill have your bags brought up in a jiffy, miss. With these words Simms bowed and retreated, leaving Dorothea, brows flying, and Cecily, pathetically pale, staring at each other in consternation.
Oh, my! said Betsy, sinking down on one of the chairs by the fire, eyes round with dismay. Maybe we should travel on, Miss Dorothea. Im sure your grandma wouldnt like you staying at an inn with all these rowdy, boisterous, ramshackle lads, miss!
I dont believe theres any other inn near, Betsy. And after all, as the landlord says, if we keep the door locked and stay in our room, surely well come to no harm? Dorothea spoke in her normal calm tones, drawing off her gloves and dropping her travelling cloak over a chair. After her momentary dismay, undoubtedly due to tiredness, she was inclined to dismiss the situation.
Well, if its all the same to you, Thea, I would much rather stay here than try to go on, said Cecily.
The thin, reedy voice clearly conveyed to Dorothea just how unwell her sister was feeling. She walked briskly to the bed and turned down the coverlet. The sheets were dry and clean. She plumped up the pillows invitingly. And so we shall, my love! Why not curl up on the bed until dinner arrives? I must confess, Im not convinced that removing from here wouldnt land us in a worse pickle than the one were in at present.
A tentative knock came at the door. Who is it? said Betsy, rising.
Its only me, maam. Hannah, the landlords daughter.
Betsy opened the door to reveal a stout damsel with a mobcap perched above a comely face. My mum will have the dinner ready shortly, but she was wanting to know if you needed anything else, maam? Hannah hefted the sisters bags into the room and stood looking enquiringly at Dorothea.
Why, yes! Wed like some warm water, and could a truckle-bed be put up in here for our maid? Id rather she spent the night with us.
The girl nodded. Ill be back in two shakes, maam.
Five minutes later Hannah was back with a jug of steaming water and a truckle-bed in bits. While she and Betsy struggled with this contraption Dorothea and Cecily washed the dust of the road from their faces and felt considerably better. Finally conquering the recalcitrant truckle-bed, Hannah wiped her hands on her apron and addressed Dorothea. Ill be back in halfn hour with your dinner, miss. Be you sure to lock the door after me.