The counterfeit attachme.., p.17
The Counterfeit Attachment, page 17
Edmund clenched his jaw. Skirting the edge of propriety was Fitzroy’s way. He should never have introduced them. The man was bound to charm her. What were they saying? Knowing Fitzroy, it was all flattery and nonsense.
Mrs. Radforde arrived in the box and her welcoming smile spoke volumes. The lady had not smiled so warmly at him for a week. Did Miss Radforde also welcome Fitzroy’s attention?
“Is that Mrs. Radforde?” Sophy asked.
Edmund nodded but did not take his eyes from the scene.
They watched as the three conversed and Fitzroy made his bow. That the man’s visit had been short did little to alleviate Edmund’s annoyance.
Sophy lowered her glasses. “I do wish we could go and speak with them.” She sighed. “It is very tiresome not being out.”
Edmund turned to his sister, seizing on the change of topic. “Do not be in such a hurry to grow up. You will be out and fending off suitors soon enough. Until that time, you should strive to improve your mind.”
Sophy smiled, her hazel eyes brightened. “You really think I will have suitors?”
“Do you think of nothing but beaux and balls?”
“Of course I do.”
“Hmmm. So next time you won’t mind if we attend a lecture instead of a play?”
She made a face.
Edmund laughed. “Miss Radforde enjoys lectures.”
“Oh, well, if I can meet her, I will certainly go.”
Edmund thought it would be a good thing for Sophy to become friends with Miss Radforde. A sober, steady, mind combined with wit and intelligence was exactly what his sister needed.
Sophy stifled a yawn. “I am sorry that I am such an anchor and you cannot go and speak with her.”
After seeing Fitzroy, Edmund did not feel equal to speaking with the Radfordes.
“You are not an anchor. I am happy to stay with you.”
“You are a very good brother, but if you wish we might leave.”
“You don’t want to see the end of the play?”
Sophy shrugged. “I have already seen it. I only came to watch the audience and now that I have seen your Miss Radforde, I am perfectly satisfied with the evening. And if we depart now, I might get a better look at everyone in the hallways.”
Edmund tried to hide his gratitude. For his sister he would have stayed but he did not wish to be tortured by watching Miss Radforde for the rest of the performance.
“Then let us depart.” He stood and offered his arm.
Sophy took it with a smile. “Am I fit to promenade through the crowd?”
He looked her over in exaggerated fashion. She really was growing into a young lady. He tucked a loose piece of hair behind her ear. “Now you are.”
As they turned to leave, he couldn’t help taking one last look at Miss Radforde. His heart skipped when he saw she was looking directly at him. Did she see him through the gloom? He smiled and inclined his head in acknowledgment.
She frowned and looked away.
Puzzled, he turned back to Sophy, but she had not marked the interaction. Edmund was left to wonder about her frown for the entire carriage ride home.
As the carriage slowed before the large London townhouse, Edmund was surprised to see light in the drawing room window. Father was meant to be at his club and Mama had intended to retire early. What had kept her up?
The mystery was solved when they entered and the footman announced that Captain Glenhaven had returned.
“Kit!” Sophy cried and rushed off with gloves on and wrap still in hand.
Edmund paused long enough to leave his things with the footman and then strode up the stairs. When he entered, Sophy was enclosed in their brother’s arms.
Kit pulled back and surveyed their sister. “You are so changed I should not have recognized you.”
His warm, lyrical voice gave Edmund pause. He did not know if he had forgotten the precise timbre or if his brother’s voice had grown deeper. Both could be true. They kept up a regular correspondence, but Edmund hadn’t seen Kit in nearly four years.
Kit looked up from Sophy and grinned.
“Edmund!” He strode forward and they embraced.
Slightly shorter, Kit was broader in the shoulder, his muscles robust from years at sea.
“We did not expect you for another month,” Edmund said.
“The Admiralty released me early,” Kit replied.
“He just arrived,” Mama added. “You should have written to inform us of the change. Why, if I had gone to the theatre there would have been no one here to greet you. That is hardly a proper welcome.”
“I suppose that depends on what one considers a proper welcome.” Kit winked. “I quite enjoyed surprising you.”
“I enjoyed being surprised,” Sophy said. “Now you must tell us of the Cape Colony.”
They settled into chairs and Kit regaled them with stories of sailing from the tip of Africa. They talked for above an hour about his travels. Edmund couldn’t help but imagine when he would be the one sharing adventures. Would his family think him changed? Kit seemed more mature than the last time they spoke.
As Kit began telling of his time in Gibraltar, Mama got up and sat at her writing desk.
“Are you wanting to write down my exploits, Mother?” Kit teased.
She waved him off. “I must write George and tell him to come to town so we can have a proper family dinner.”
Kit laughed. “Whatever you wish, Mother. I am at your mercy.”
“Mama, you should invite the Radfordes to the dinner,” Sophy said.
“No, you shouldn’t,” Edmund countered.
“And who are the Radfordes?” Kit looked between them with raised eyebrows.
“Edmund is courting Miss Radforde and it will not be long before she is our sister.”
“Sophy!” Mama and Edmund said together.
“What? It is only Kit.”
“You do not mean Miss Charity Radforde?” Kit said slowly.
“Yes! Do you know her?” Sophy asked.
“Only by reputation. They say she is intelligent and rich. Am I to wish you joy, little brother?”
“No. I am not going to marry. Sophy has let her imagination run wild.”
Kit laughed. “I think the gentleman doth protest too much.”
Sophy giggled and Edmund groaned. As much as he had missed his brother, he wished to be done with this conversation.
“How long will you be on shore?” Edmund asked.
“Long enough.” Kit smirked. “Now about this Miss Radforde...”
Edmund shook his head. How had he forgotten Kit’s love of teasing? He moved to the sideboard for a drink. Kit followed.
“I saw her tonight, Kit,” Sophy said. “Of course we did not meet, but our box was opposite hers. I should not have known her, but Edmund was staring and eventually told me why. She is very elegant. I am sure we will be friends. Though she has many friends already. She was sitting with two of them. Edmund, what were their names?”
Realizing there was no escaping the conversation, Edmund answered, “Mrs. Aston and Miss Gilbert.”
The sideboard glasses clattered and everyone turned to Kit.
“Apologies, it slipped from my hands,” he mumbled and quickly righted the tipped over glasses.
“You are tired,” Mama said. “You should rest.”
Kit waved away her concern. “But then I would miss Sophy’s recounting of her night.”
Sophy looked chagrined. “I do run on. That is something you will have to get used to now you have returned.”
“I was only teasing. Please continue.” Kit said.
But Edmund could see her embarrassment had dampened her high spirits. Sophy was much younger than Kit and had only seen him briefly over the years. It would take time for them to understand each other.
“What were you saying about Gibraltar?” Edmund asked.
Kit took up the change and continued his story.
Edmund sipped his drink, content to listen and avoid further teasing. An hour later, they dispersed to their rooms. In the quiet of his own room, his worries about Miss Radforde returned and it was a long hour before he finally slept.
The next morning, Edmund was alone in the breakfast room when Kit arrived. The long journey and late night had not dampened his high spirits. He had a bounce in his step as he entered, greeted Edmund, and filled his plate.
“It seems we are the only ones awake.” Kit said as he sat next to Edmund.
“Mama and Sophy take a tray in their rooms, and I believe Father is already off on his morning ride.”
Kit hummed as he began to eat.
“I am sure you might ride if you wish,” Edmund said.
“Will you come with me?”
Edmund shook his head. He did not enjoy riding the way his brothers did. He would rather walk on his own legs than perch atop a horse. “I am afraid I have other engagements.”
Kit raised an eyebrow. “Miss Radforde?”
Edmund didn’t want to admit his brother was right and so decided to share his other appointment for the day.
“I am meeting with some members of the Linnean Society.”
“Whyever for?”
“They are sponsoring my expedition.”
“Are you really going, then?”
Edmund tried not to be hurt by his brother’s astonishment. He had been writing for years of his plans. Had Kit thought he would never make good on his ideas? Eager to prove him wrong, Edmund explained recent events.
“I am hoping to leave in October and spend the winter in New York or Boston. I’ll gather the rest of my supplies and employ reliable guides. We will depart for the interior as soon as the weather breaks.”
“It seems you have it all well in hand. I always knew you would do it. I should like to have seen the look on Father’s face when you told him.”
“You may yet see it. I haven’t told the family.”
“Oh?”
“But I will, soon. There are still some details to work out.”
“And is one of those details a wedding?” Kit’s lips quirked and eyes danced.
“Please, I get enough of that from Sophy.”
“That was not an answer.”
“This is no time for me to be taking on a wife.”
Kit cocked his head. “While I do not recommend a long engagement, it would be better to secure her before you leave.”
“You don’t understand. I have no intention of marrying Miss Radforde.”
“So why do Sophy and Mama think different?”
How to make him understand? Edmund could not share the arrangement with Miss Radforde.
“They are merely being fanciful. Miss Radforde is a friend. We have common interests and I enjoy her company. That is enough for them to assume matrimony in my future.”
He stopped short of saying that Miss Radforde wished to stay a spinster and had no interest in him as a husband.
Kit chewed thoughtfully. Edmund was about to give more reasons he would not be marrying Miss Radforde when his brother spoke.
“I see. If they are that quick to assume matrimony, then it seems I must be mindful where I give my attentions.”
“Unless you want to be caught in the parson’s noose. Mama is likely making a list of potential women as we speak.”
“Perish the thought,” Kit murmured.
“You should also be prepared for a house party when you take possession of your estate.”
Kit chuckled. “In that I fear she will be disappointed.”
“You don’t intend to send George packing from Haverfield?”
“Not yet, perhaps not ever.”
Edmund wanted to ask what his brother meant. Haverfield belonged to Kit through Mama’s family, but it had only come into his possession four years ago. Kit, happy as a naval officer, had asked George to take possession and manage the estate. As the future Lord Glenhaven, George knew how to run an estate and by all accounts had made Haverfield prosperous.
When Kit had written about coming home, their parents had begun to talk of him taking up residence at Haverfield as a near certainty. Edmund realized he had accepted their predictions the same way Sophy accepted their predictions about his marriage. Perhaps Kit’s plans were quite different.
Before Edmund could ask, Kit stood. “I think I will go for a ride.”
They said their goodbyes. As Edmund watched his retreating back, he resolved to discover his brother’s true plans.
Once alone, Edmund’s thoughts turned to his meeting with Miss Radforde. He had planned another afternoon at the London Botanic Garden. While she drew, he could tell her of his brother’s return and ask to introduce them. After Sophy’s excitement last night, Edmund had realized that he wished Miss Radforde to know his siblings.
Hours later, Edmund stood outside the Radforde home. The familiar footman opened the door but instead of stepping back to allow entrance, he stood firmly in the doorway.
“Mr. Glenhaven, sir. My apologies, but the ladies are not at home.”
“Not at home?” Edmund knew what the words meant but didn’t understand. He had made plans with Miss Radforde; surely she had not forgotten?
“Are they unwell?” he asked.
The footman hesitated, as if unsure what he was allowed to divulge, which was its own kind of answer. To be refused on Friday when he had arranged an outing on Wednesday was both confusing and humiliating. What could she mean by it? Did she no longer wish for his company?
He recalled her frown the night before. Was she angry with him? But then surely she would just talk to him. She had never been shy about sharing her opinions.
“Perhaps.” The footman looked about conspiratorially. “If you come back in a quarter-hour, the young miss will be able to receive you.”
It seemed even the footman knew he had been treated abominably. Edmund gave his thanks and turned to leave with as much dignity as he could muster. The footman’s information had been another blow to his pride.
It seemed Miss Radforde was not refusing to see him, but away from home. Why? She knew they had an appointment. Was it possible she had accepted an offer from one of her admirers last night? Was she with someone else?
He did not know if the boiling of his blood was from jealousy or indignation at her ill treatment. Not wanting to be caught waiting on her doorstep, Edmund sent the carriage away and turned to the green oasis of the square.
Walking would alleviate his feelings. It was merely a coincidence that he would be able to monitor the Radforde’s door as he walked about the square.
Nineteen
From her perch in Mr. Fitzroy’s high phaeton, Charity had a clear view of the crush of pedestrians and carriages in Hyde Park. If they had been walking, she might have found much in the surrounding plants to catch her interest. But on the road, among the carriages, all she could see were other people. Charity had no desire to categorize or study any of them.
Though she had hoped for rain, the sky was clear and the day comfortably warm. There would be no early return to Radforde House, no chance of seeing Mr. Glenhaven.
She reminded herself that she did not care to see him. She did not care to ask him why he had not come to her box last night. She did not care to learn the identity of the young woman that was on his arm, the young woman with whom he had been alone.
It was not her concern. He had made her no promises and she had no claim on him. But Charity still felt betrayed. Did he have a mistress? Would she be bold enough to ask him?
“You are quite silent, Miss Radforde,” Mr. Fitzroy said as he slowed the horses to greet another carriage. “Anyone would think you were not enjoying yourself.”
“I was lost in thought,” she said.
“Unpleasant thoughts, it seems.”
Fitzroy turned to the approaching carriage and Charity forced a smile through the short conversation. Mr. Fitzroy had proudly introduced her to many fashionable people. Like a prize horse he had bought at auction, he enumerated her pedigree and qualities.
Charity saw the envious looks of the young women and heard the whispers of the old matrons as they passed. The scrutiny reminded her of the animals at the Exchange.
Mr. Fitzroy appeared not to notice as he expertly maneuvered the horses along the crowded path. Charity supposed that being handsome and heir to a title had accustomed him to such attentions.
Other women likely swooned at his dark hair, flashing smile, and endless array of pretty words. But Charity had come to prefer lighter hair, lopsided grins, and conversations of substance. Mr. Fitzroy kept up a steady stream of chatter, but it was full of comments about the people around them. She longed to discuss something like the morphology of the plants found in the park.
“It surprises me,” Mr. Fitzroy said when they were alone once more, “that you are so unknown in society. I fear Glenhaven has been keeping you all to himself.”
“Or perhaps I do not care for society.”
The response came too quickly for her to censure. The evidence of Glenhaven’s bad influence. She had spent too many afternoons speaking her mind.
Fitzroy laughed and more heads turned their way. He leaned close to whisper his reply. His shoulder pressed firmly into hers in the confined space. She felt nothing but annoyance at the contact.
“In truth, I do not care for society either,” he murmured.
“For one who does not care for society, you spend a great deal of time in it.”
“What would you have me do? Run away to America?”
Charity had no reply.
Did Fitzroy know of Glenhaven’s plan or was it a turn of phrase? There was no way to ask. The approach of more people delayed the continuation of the conversation. Charity kept her tongue. She smiled and talked inanely of weather and parties.
By the time they left the park, she felt like a well-beaten carpet. Mr. Fitzroy’s smiles had grown tiresome and she wished he would urge his horses faster. But he seemed content with a leisurely pace as he spoke of the dinner party he would attend.
“It is a pity you will not be there, for I am guaranteed an enjoyable evening when you are in attendance.”
