Page 22 of Lady Audacious
‘I wouldn’t precisely describe her as pretty, but she is certainly opinionated and self-assured.’
Reuben glanced at the rigid set to Sarah’s features and knew that his responses had angered her. She was probably annoyed with him as well for deliberately staying away from the estate at the time when she and Emily customarily rode out. Ordinarily he would enjoy their company, but since learning of Sarah’s aspirations he found it difficult to behave naturally in her company for fear of encouraging her. He regretted the loss of Emily’s lively society but whenever she and Sarah rode together in future he would avoid them as much as he could. It was the only polite way he could think of to disavow Sarah of her ambitions without humiliating her.
‘It sounds as though she will liven up the district,’ Arthur remarked, taking a sip of his wine. ‘Emily’s right about that.’
‘She will not be able to receive visitors,’ the countess pointed out. ‘The house isn’t fit for it and anyway, she is there alone. That in itself will make it impossible for any gentleman to set foot over the threshold.’ She looked momentarily alarmed. ‘I hope she did not receive you inside, Reuben.’
‘We conversed in the gardens, Mother.’
‘Just as well. Mind you, Mrs Rashford is bound to call,’ the countess said, referring to the vicar’s wife, ‘and she will find out all there is to know about our new neighbour. We cannot depend upon Reuben to tell us all the things we want to know about her. Gentlemen never notice the important things, like the colour of a lady’s hair, the quality of her clothing or the elegance of her deportment. So vital and yet so often overlooked—the deportment, that is.’
Reuben picked up his glass and held it in front of his face. His mother couldn’t have been more wrong about his powers of observation and he was worried that his reaction would be evident in his expression. Miss Aspen’s hair had been tied back by a ribbon, but long, thick strands of burnished gold had escaped and hung down to her waist, unnoticed by her, and glistened in the sunshine each time she turned her head.
As for her clothing, he had decided against telling his family that she had been dressed as a boy. The shock would be too much for his mother’s weak heart. As to his first sight of her, bending over in those tight breeches and giving him an unintentionally close view of a pert backside and slender thighs…well, that was also a subject best left unspoken, even though he knew that the image would plague his dreams. Even the attentions of his mistress had failed to dislodge the picture from his brain, a situation that ought to concern Reuben but did not. Miss Aspen was most unconventional and would harbour no expectations as a result of his spontaneous visit.
A cavalier part of him wished that she would.
‘You are in the right of it, Mother,’ he said, sipping his wine and replacing his glass on the table, having regained control of his features. ‘Those inconsequential matters quite escaped my notice. Ask Chase.’ He dropped a hand to stroke his dog’s head. ‘He took a liking to her, and she to him.’
‘Never mind,’ Avril said. ‘Miss Aspen is bound to attend church on Sunday and we will all see her then.’
God forbid that she arrives in her lad’s attire, Reuben thought, not entirely putting it past her. It amused him to think just how scandalised the local populace would be if such a situation were to arise. Would he spring to her defence or join in with the censure?
‘You would be best advised to cut her, ma’am,’ Sarah said, ‘and everyone else in the district will follow your lead.’
‘Do you think so, Sarah dear. I don’t like to be…’
‘Why should my mother cut our new neighbour?’ Reuben asked, directing the question to Sarah. ‘It is one thing her not taking the lady up in our social circle. That is understandable, given her circumstances, but I can see no reason not to treat her with civility if our paths happen to cross. If we as a family turn our backs on her then she will be disadvantaged, quite unfairly, and I for one see no reason for spite.’
‘If that happened she would be driven out and you will be able to purchase the house,’ Avril said. ‘So perhaps Sarah is right.’
‘I will not play such underhand games,’ Reuben replied in a tone of mild admonishment.
‘I did not mean to imply that Miss Aspen is unrespectable, even if her unusual circumstances suggest otherwise,’ Sarah said calmly. ‘I am merely suggesting caution. It wouldn’t do to have any scandal attaching to your sisters’ names.’
‘I shouldn’t mind,’ Emily said, her mischievous grin easing the tension.
Sarah got through the evening somehow without screaming. She returned to her chamber the moment the party broke up, where she was finally able to give vent to her frustrations by letting out a low growl of dissatisfaction.
‘Your advice is getting me nowhere, Nelly,’ she said crossly. ‘Reuben has shown no sign of noticing that I am ignoring him, which implies complete disinterest on his part. And that is one humiliation too far.’ She paced the length of the chamber, her skirts tangling around her ankles each time she made an abrupt turn, threatening to trip her up. ‘He had given me every reason to suppose that my feelings are reciprocated. His mother thought so too and gave him a gentle nudge in the right direction, which has resulted inhimignoringme.Argh! It is beyond insulting.’
‘Well, you’ll either have to fight for him or admit defeat,’ Nelly said, unmoved by Sarah’s fury.
‘Admit defeat?’ She glared with incredulity at her maid, feeling a dull headache pounding against her temple as the red mist threatened to consume her. ‘Have you completely taken leave of your senses? You know very well that I have no money of my own and must find a wealthy husband to keep me in the style to which I have grown accustomed during my time here.’
‘There are plenty of well-heeled gentlemen who would jump at the chance of marrying a fine looking lady like you.’
‘Men in their dotage who already have children who will inherit all their wealth and look upon me as an inconvenience. Or young ones who resemble the rear end of that horse Reuben puts so much stock by.’ Sarah rippled her shoulders indignantly. ‘Reuben is everything I most desire in a husband, and I have put too much effort into attracting his attention to give up on him now. I thought I was succeeding too, until the countess’s well-meaning yet clumsy intervention made him reassess everything. What could she have been thinking? I have told her time and again that young gentlemen like to make their own choices and tend to push against their mothers’ suggestions simply to prove a point, and that is precisely what Reuben has done. He didn’t even look at me or address a single word to me tonight—until I criticised his new neighbour, that is.’ Sarah threw up her hands and let forth a string of curses that would have made the most hardened sailor blush. ‘Even his blasted dog took a liking to her, whereas the mutt growls whenever I go anywhere near him.’
Nelly shrugged. ‘Well then, cut your losses.’
‘Not on your life.’ The pacing resumed, as did her black mood. ‘He visited the neighbour this afternoon.’
‘What did he make of her?’
‘He admires her determination and probably everything else about her,’ Sarah replied scathingly, ‘which is a great deal more than he admires about me. He spoke absently but I was watching him and could tell that she had impressed him simply because she has the audacity to live alone whilst attempting to restore a house. If I’d known that’s what it would take…’
‘We should return to your mother for a while, and give him a chance to realise what he takes for granted. He might once have thought about you as another sister but he’ll likely change his mind now that his eyes have been opened. As things stand, clinging will do you no good.’
