Page 26 of Lady Audacious
‘That is what I have been trying to make you understand,’ Nelly replied calmly. ‘She was apparently undertaking manual work in the gardens and not even wearing gloves when he came upon her. Doris couldn’t hear what was said but she seems to think that the upshot was that Miss Aspen sent Lord Amberley away rather than him taking offence at the woman’s lack of dignity.’
‘Well, he enjoys rubbing shoulders with thehoi polloi,’ Sarah said, glancing out of the window to where he stood with his brother, laughing at something his trainer had just said to him. ‘Even so, I intend to encourage Emily to accompany me later. We shall ride over so that I can see her for myself and make up my own mind about her intentions.’
‘As you like.’
Nelly sat herself on the window seat, picked up Sarah’s embroidery and set to with her needle. In actual fact it was all Nelly’s work. She embroidered magnificently, whereas Sarah could barely set a stitch. So every spare moment Nelly worked on the set of cushion covers that Sarah was supposedly making as a gift for her godmother. Lady Amberley and her daughters exclaimed over her exquisite work at regular intervals but none of them seemed to notice that she merely held it in her lap when they sat together and seldom pulled the thread through in their presence. Another example of preconceptions overcoming evidence, Sarah often thought, amused by just how easily she managed to dupe them all.
Two hours later, Sarah went in search of Emily, but instead found Lady Amberley and her two older daughters sitting in the drawing room poring over fashion plates in the latest edition ofLa Belle Assemblée,seeking inspiration for Beth’s new wardrobe to be made for her presentation. Sarah thought how tight funds were for her own attire and knew a moment’s envy.
‘Ah, Sarah my dear, there you are.’ Lady Amberley looked up and beamed at Sarah. ‘We wondered what had become of you and we urgently need your advice about this latest satin twill. I trust you slept well. Indeed, I am sure you must have done since I see you are dressed for riding, so your opinion upon the satin can easily be postponed.’
‘Indeed, ma’am. It is such a lovely day that I thought I might persuade Emily to ride out with me.’
‘Oh, I am sure she will be delighted.’ She glanced somewhat vacantly around the room. ‘I am not altogether sure where she’s got to, but I expect she’s outside somewhere.’
‘She mentioned something herself about riding,’ Avril said, ‘so you will probably find her at the stables.’
‘In that case, if you will excuse me, I will catch her before she sets off.’
‘Send one of the servants to do that, Sarah. Don’t wear yourself out.’
‘Oh, it’s no trouble. We shall not be long and I look forward to seeing you later when you can be sure that I will give you my opinion upon the satin, Beth.’
Sarah went directly to the stables and found Emily there, feeding a carrot to her mare while a groom spruced her up. She chatted to the groom as though he was a friend rather than a servant, and Sarah only just managed to stop herself tutting with disapproval, wondering how to delicately warn Emily that boundaries were there for a reason.
‘Ah, there you are.’ Sarah summoned up a smile, which took an effort of will since Emily continued to concentrate her attention upon the horse and its groom. ‘I hope you will accept some company. I thought to ride across to Fox’s Reach and meet the elusive Miss Aspen. I know you are curious about her.’
‘If you like,’ Emily said, finally dragging her attention away from the mare and smiling at Sarah. ‘Although I am surprised she is of any interest to you, frankly.’
‘Why?’ Sarah blinked in genuine confusion. ‘I confess to being curious about her circumstances as well.’
‘I don’t suppose she will tell us anything, and we certainly don’t have the right to ask. But I have no objection to accompanying you if you are determined to go.’
‘You should not ride out alone, Emily, and since your brother appears to be pre-occupied with his dogs, I am happy to have your company,’ Sarah said a short time later when her own mare was produced. She stood on the mounting block and slipped onto her sidesaddle, taking up the reins and adjusting her position.
‘Why on earth should I not ride alone?’ Emily asked, impatiently pushing the plume attached to her hat to one side when it fell across her eyes. ‘No one around these parts is likely to accost me. Besides, I don’t venture off our own land unless I ride into the village. That is one of the benefits of living in the country.’
‘Have I made you cross with me?’ Sarah asked, summoning up a concerned expression. ‘If so, I apologise. It was not my intention. It’s just that since the end of the war there has been a lot of disruption. Men returning to find no work awaiting them are forced to roam the countryside, and a lady of quality riding alone might be too tempting a target for them to resist.’
‘Oh, do stop being so stuffy!’ Emily laughed aloud. ‘I get quite enough of that from Mama. Reuben is more understanding and seldom lectures me, which is why he is such a very good brother. He understands what drives me and doesn’t scold me because I don’t conform to the accepted form of behaviour that goes with my situation.’
‘Are you really averse to the idea of dancing your season away, and being feted and admired?’ Sarah asked, swallowing the mild reprimand issued by Emily and pretending not to be offended by it. Really, she only had the girl’s very best interests at heart, yet Emily seemed as stubbornly disinclined to take her position seriously as her brother was. They were two of a kind and Sarah needed to somehow drive a wedge between them if she was to meet with success.
Divide and conquer.
‘Youturned your back on presentation.’
‘My circumstances were different.’
Emily opened her mouth to say something and then closed it again with no words emerging.
‘I think it all rather pointless,’ she eventually said, but Sarah knew that wasn’t the remark she had originally intended to make. She had been on the verge of referring to Sarah’s preoccupation with Reuben, she sensed, and Sarah wished that she had done so. At least then she would know if Emily supported her cause. She needed an ally, someone more discreet than Lady Amberley. Someone whom Reuben actually listened to and whose advice he might act upon. He made little effort to disguise his partiality for Emily, who was exuberant and a little precocious. She was not, however, easily influenced and Sarah couldn’t decide if the young woman approved of her pursuit of her brother.
‘I think of all the good that people in our position ought to be doing to help the poor and disadvantaged, instead of frittering our advantages away on hedonistic pursuits. When I think of the cost of Beth’s wardrobe, the amount of clothing she will require for one season, it takes my breath away. It could be put to much better use.’
‘We do what we can to help the needy.’
‘I disagree. We live in our privileged little bubble, dolling out charity that makes us feel better about ourselves, and then closing ranks against anyone with the temerity to attack our borders. How often have I heard it said that standards must be maintained? Why?’ Emily turned her mare in the direction of Fox’s Reach, talking more frankly than she was accustomed to when alone with Sarah. But what she had to say for herself wasn’t of much help to Sarah’s ambitions, especially if Emily was repeating her brother’s thoughts on their lifestyle. When she was married to Reuben, she certainly didn’t envisage entertaining the localhoi polloi. ‘And who sets the standards by which the most entitled live? As I say, it seems pointless, which is why I admire Miss Aspen and what I have heard about her endeavours. It is brave of her to set up alone, especially when the house requires so much work. Anyway, shall we canter?’
