Page 63 of The Book of Lost Stories
‘No, for I am a very good author, and my novels are neither trumpery nor sensational. I only keep my authorship a secret because it helps sell them to have people think they are written by a man.’
‘I am told they are scandalous, especially considering they come from the pen of a young and unmarried female!’
Alys shrugged. ‘If people wish to imagine more into certain scenes than I write, well, that is not my fault. I have never heard that Byron was ever accused of writing too scandalously for his youthful and unmarried state.’
‘He is a man and so the case is entirely different. But still, I am from an age when people were not, perhaps, so mealy-mouthed as today, so I will judge for myself. I have sent for copies of them all.’
He glowered at her again and she met his gaze levelly. ‘Andplaying at novel writing is the source of your income? It was forthatyou turned down the opportunity to become part of my household and make a respectable match?’
‘Yes, for I can support myself perfectly adequately on my income if I live in quiet retirement, which I intend to do. I find most of London society boring and superficial, on the whole, although there are a few people I will miss, of course.’
‘And what of your cousin, Nat?’
‘What of him?’ she said, surprised.
‘I had hoped that you and he might make a match of it.’
‘A match? But I have made it plain from the start that I do not wish to wed, and I am very sure my cousin does not wish to marryme.’
‘There you are wrong. He has assured me that he is very fond of you and asked my permission to pay his addresses to you.’
‘Askedyourpermission?’
‘I am your closest male relative, after all, and I admit I encouraged him.’ He paused. ‘Nat is essentially good-hearted, but has fallen in with a set of good-for-nothings who have been a bad influence on him. But he swears he will reform his life on his marriage. He wants only some excuse to withdraw from the society in which he finds himself, which marriage to a sensible woman will give him.’
‘He should certainly do so, for those same friends have had an adverse effect upon Mr Rivers. But I am afraid I have no desire to marry Nat, even to be the means of his redemption.’
‘He could also be the means of yours, for there is likely to be a scandal over your novel writing and the sooner you are respectably married the better.’
‘I thank you for your concern, Grandfather, and am sorryto disappoint you, but I will not marry to cover a shame I do not feel.’
‘You are very set against the match, yet many women would swoon with delight to have my nephew pay his addresses to them. I hope you have not fallen for some unsuitable man, like your fool of a mother did … unless it is Rayven? He has frequently been in your company.’
‘Where else should he have been, when you set him on to watch me?’ she said acidly, but feeling her colour rise.
‘He told you that? Well, it is true enough, although I did not expect him to do more than make a few enquiries into your circumstances.’
‘He did notneedto tell me, for since he seems to find me exasperating in the extreme, there could be no other reason for his attentions.’
‘With that I can sympathize, but I hope you do not have a tendre for him.’
‘Certainly not!’
‘Good, for I have it in mind that he and Bella might make a match of it. She will be well dowered enough, even if I settle most of my fortune on you when you marry Nat.’
Alys said, through gritted teeth, ‘Grandfather, I am not going to marry Nat or any other man, even for a share of your fortune! Let Bella and Nat inherit all, as they surely must have expected until my inopportune arrival on the scene.’
He eyed her with cold displeasure. ‘I had thought you a sensible woman, despite your obstinate, independent ways, but now I see I was mistaken. You had best go back to the ballroom. I dare say the rumours of your notoriety will have gone round by now, and you must be prepared for whispers, innuendo and even, perhaps, some cuts direct, although thecloak of my name and your acknowledgement by the family will shield you from the worst of it. You had best deny the rumours. I have already instructed your cousins to do so.’
‘I fully intend to deny them and also express great surprise that anyone should imagine me capable of such a thing,’ Alys said. ‘But perhaps it would be better if I now removed my unsavoury and scandalous presence from your house?’
‘Perhaps, but that would be the coward’s way out, and also a sad reward for Mrs Rivers’ hospitality, in leaving her to face questions alone.’
‘You are right,’ Alys said after a moment’s pause. ‘Then Iwillgo through with the evening, whatever slights I must endure. But after that I will leave London as soon as it may be arranged.’
24
Besieged
