Page 25 of Lady Audacious
‘At last! What time is it?’ she asked crossly.
‘A little after eleven.’
‘Still early then. What sort of a day is it?’
Sarah had recruited Nelly to her cause when she’d fallen on hard times and applied to Sarah’s Mama, her second cousin, for help. Sarah recognised in her a confidante and budding friend whose straitened circumstances would guarantee her loyalty, and appointed her as her personal maid at the age of fourteen. She was wise enough to realise that an ally below stairs was vital if she intended to get ahead, even before she’d settled her interest upon Reuben. Servants in any household missed little and the gossip was always accurate. If Reuben developed atendrethen Sarah would know about it within the hour.
‘See for yourself,’ Nelly said absently.
She pulled the curtains back and sunshine flooded the room, vying with the blackness of Sarah’s mood. She got out of bed and wandered to the window. She could see Reuben in the field where he trained his blasted dogs. He was in shirtsleeves, standing beside the man who helped him as young greyhounds tore down the length of the field as though their tails were on fire.Stupid animals. Sarah shuddered, unable to see the point of it all, especially since Reuben appeared to enjoy rubbing shoulders with local farmers and competing against them on supposedly equal terms.
‘I might be able to afford to breed the best dogs,’ she’d once heard him say, ‘but farmers work the land all day and training dogs comes as naturally to them as breathing. That is what makes us equal and that is what I find so stimulating.’
‘Horse racing I can understand,’ Sarah said, turning away and yawning behind her hand. ‘It’s called the sport of kings for a reason. The riff-raff cannot afford to compete and are kept in their place. But this business with dogs…’ She threw up her hands. ‘I simply do not understand it.’
‘He will lose interest once he’s married and has more responsibilities,’ Nelly said. ‘Men are little boys at heart until they are forced to face up to their duties. Anyway, I’ll pop and fetch you some breakfast.’
Sarah spent the time that Nelly was away by returning her attention to the field that Reuben occupied. Arthur had joined them and appeared to be consulting with his brother regarding the dogs’ prospects. Sarah opened the window and the sound of Reuben’s careless laughter reached her on the gentle breeze. He never seemed so relaxed, so ready to laugh when she was present in his drawing room, except when he engaged Emily or Arthur in conversation. Only then was he truly himself.
It was for that reason that Sarah had singled the youngest of his sisters out as her particular friend, thus far with discouraging results. Emily might be the youngest, but she was also astute. She didn’t seem to look up to Sarah and never confided in her despite Sarah’s encouragement. She accepted her presence amongst them though and willingly rode out with her almost daily.
‘He visited that floozie he keeps disgustingly close to here, where his mother might encounter her at any time,’ Sarah told Nelly when she came back, feeling disgruntled and unsettled. A headache threatened due to lack of sleep, adding to her list of complaints. ‘I could see it in his expression of smug satisfaction when he arrived late for dinner last night and would be very surprised if his mother didn’t notice too. Given that he supposedly concerns himself over her comfort, I am shocked by his willingness to subject her to evidence of his baser needs. If he must visit the woman then he ought to have the decency to do so late at night, after his mother has retired.’
‘All gentlemen of his standing have mistresses. It’s rather expected of them and it doesn’t mean anything.’ Nelly settled Sarah’s tray on a small table in front of the empty fireplace and Sarah seated herself in a flounce, sipping at the hot chocolate that Nelly poured for her. ‘I dare say Lord Amberley’s father kept one and that his son is carrying on the tradition. Lady Amberley would be aware of that and she knows it’s her place to turn a blind eye. Gentlemen must have their fun and their ladies will not improve their own circumstances if they make a fuss about it.’
‘It seems to me that gentlemen in general have a far better time of it. Rules are made to be broken, as far as they are concerned, whereas we…’
‘You will have him eating out of your hand, pet. Just give it time. You are not an official member of theton,but if anything he will approve of your disinclination for its pleasures since he himself avoids London society. His name hasn’t been linked with any of this year’s debutantes, which ought to encourage you because it follows that if he is thinking in terms of taking a wife—which he cannot postpone doing indefinitely—then he will have to find her here, on his doorstep.’ Having dispensed her daily words of comfort, Nelly disappeared into Sarah’s dressing room and emerged clutching her riding habit which she commenced brushing down. ‘And you are the only possible candidate now that Miss Finnigan has announced her engagement.’
‘Other than the doxy who has taken Fox’s Reach.’ Sarah frowned. ‘There was something in his expression when he spoke of her last night that concerned me.’
‘He won’t consider her as anything more than mistress material,’ Nelly said, flapping a dismissive hand. ‘She is not a lady and we both know that he cannot marry anyone outside of his own class. His mother would have a conniption if he thought along those lines. For all her amiability, she is a stickler for society’s mores and we are aware that he wouldn’t do anything to denigrate his noble family name.’
‘But hewillhave to show his face in town next season when Beth is presented,’ Sarah protested angrily, ‘and then it will be open season as far as the matchmaking mamas are concerned, which is why I had depended upon engaging his affections before then.’ She threw back her head and growled. ‘Damn Lady Amberley and her misguided interference, just at a time when things were going so well!’
‘Then a little subterfuge is called for.’
‘What do you have in mind?’ Sarah asked, giving her conniving maid her full attention.
‘I went to the village at first light, tracked Doris down to the hovel where she lives and waited for her to emerge from it so that our meeting could be made to look like an accident.’
‘And?’ Sarah asked impatiently.
‘The girl is full of resentment and doesn’t like her new mistress much. I got her talking by suggesting that I might be able to improve her circumstances.’
‘Didn’t she find that suspicious? I mean, she had no idea who you are and I hope you didn’t tell her that you are engaged in my service.’
‘Credit me with a little intelligence. I recognised her greedy and manipulative personality and played upon her feelings of ill-usage when we accidently met one another at the water pump. Anyway, regarding Miss Aspen, she says that she is puffed up with her own self-importance and has ideas above her station.’
‘I knew it!’
‘Suffice it to say that the few shillings I invested, along with vague promises about finding Doris a position better suited to her talents, will pay dividends. The girl can’t read or write but there’s nothing wrong with her ears and eyes. I’ve arranged to meet her at the end of each day in the village so that she can give me chapter and verse on what’s happened at Fox’s Reach.’
‘What did she say about Reuben’s encounter with this Miss Aspen yesterday?’ Sarah asked eagerly, leaning forward.
‘She doesn’t know what was said because the meeting took place in the gardens—but,’ Nelly added, her eyes gleaming with malice, ‘she did mention that Miss Aspen was dressed in boys’ clothing and—’
‘What?’ Sarah shook her head and then laughed. ‘Clearly I have worked myself up into a taking for no reason. Reuben would never look twice at such a creature.’
