Page 61 of The Model Debutante
‘But he is not in love with me,’ Tallie replied briskly. ‘And I have no intention of finding myself married to a man who will be making the best of things by regarding me as a cross between an unpaid housekeeper, a hostess for his entertaining and a brood mare.’ She paused and added with a rueful smile, ‘And not necessarily in that order.’
‘Tallie. I am certain Lord Arndale would never say such things.’
‘Oh he would be perfectly charming I am sure, and I would live a life enriched with every comfort and elegancy.’ She broke off to push open a door. ‘These rooms are very spacious for the second floor, aren’t they?
‘The children would be a joy, of course,’ she added somewhat absently, ‘although I would prefer it if their father had marriedme because he loved me, not first and foremost because he had compromised me.’
They had arrived at the end of the corridor and Tallie started to climb the narrow stairs in front of her. ‘Where does this go?’
‘To the attics and down to the kitchens. Tallie, do stop and come and sit down and have some luncheon and tell me why you will not marry his lordship. What has upset you so much?’ Zenna aught her arm. ‘Now this minute, Tallie. Or I swear I will write to Lord Arndale and demand to know what he has done to you.’
Miss Zenobia Scott was not given to making threats she would not carry out. Tallie allowed herself to meet her friend’s eyes for the first time that day and smiled ruefully, finding it difficult to prevent her lip quivering.
‘Very well, Zenna,’ she capitulated meekly, following her down the twisting back stair to the ground floor.
‘Mrs Blackstock is staying with her cousin, but that lady kindly lent me two of her maids so that I could stay here for a few days and assess the house better. The owner is proving so co-operative that I think he must be having trouble disposing of such a large establishment. That gives me hope we can drive a hard bargain.’
She tugged the bell pull and spoke a few words to the maid who appeared in answer. ‘There, something will be ready in ten minutes. Now sit down, Tallie, please, and tell me what has happened.’
Taking a deep breath Tallie repeated the tale she had told Lady Parry the day before. It was easier the second time round and without Nick there it was considerably less embarrassing. She was also far more frank with her friend about exactly what had happened when she awoke in Nick’s bedroom.
‘Oh, my goodness,’ Zenna said weakly, her eyes round with shock. ‘And his lordship did not…’
‘No.’
‘Goodness,’ she repeated. ‘I would have thought that his lordship is quite…er…that is, he is very…’
‘Very,’ Tallie agreed drily.
Zenna digested this for a moment. ‘And he does desire you?’
‘So it would seem. But then, most men appear to have very passionate desires. It means nothing in particular to them. It is certainly no basis for a marriage.’ Tallie turned to her friend, suddenly fierce. ‘I have no intention of sharing my husband with his mistress, however much Society may turn a blind eye to that sort of behaviour.’
‘It appears to be almost expected in Society marriages,’ Zenna agreed sadly. ‘But are you so sure he does not love you?’ She bit her lip, obviously searching for some hopeful comment. ‘Perhaps he is shy and…no, perhaps not.’
‘I cannot imagine the circumstances in which Nicholas Stangate would be shy,’ Tallie said with a smile at the thought. ‘Besides, he tried every argument to point out to me just how necessary this match is. If he loved me, surely that was when he would have told me?’
‘You would think so, but men are unaccountable beings,’ Zenna mused, breaking off at a tap on the door. ‘That will be luncheon ready. We will serve ourselves, so we can continue talking.’
The meal was set out in a charming parlour at the back of the house giving Tallie the opportunity to admire the garden.
But Zenna was not to be diverted. ‘So how have you left things? Surely you can’t avoid meeting Lord Arndale if you are continuing to reside with Lady Parry?’
‘He has wagered me that I will agree to marry him within two weeks of yesterday.’
‘He is very sure of himself.’
‘He is indeed, which is why I want you to promise me that you will not admit him here if he calls. A few days’ peace will allowme to think about how I can best dissuade him.’ Zenna looked doubtful, but Tallie persisted. ‘Promise me.’
‘Very well,’ her friend agreed. ‘Beside our friends and tradespeople I will admit prospective parents only.’
That provoked a laugh from Tallie. ‘Come now, Zenna. Even for someone as confident as you, that is carrying expectation too far is it not?’
‘It is not impossible,’ Zenna retorted, passing a plate of ham across the table. ‘I have confided my intentions to a number of people and I do think this house will prove suitable. Now, tell me more calmly about this idea of yours to admit young women of no means. How can we afford it?’
‘I will pay their fees. We cannot take many, I quite realise that, but even a few who leave with the skills to manage their own small business, or become governesses or companions – surely that is better for them than struggling in poverty when they have the intelligence and the spirit to do better for themselves?’
Zenna looked thoughtful. ‘Yes, you are right. Think what a difficult situation you or I would have been in if we had tried to make our own way in the world with no education.’ She delved into her reticule for the set of tablets and pencil which inevitably accompanied her. ‘This has given me much to think about and will change some of my calculations.’ She sucked the end of her pencil thoughtfully. ‘How many girls do you think we should start with?’
