Page 21 of The Chaperone
‘I … Er, I simply made sure that it would circulate that my sister does not come dowerless.’
‘I think that could safely be assumed anyway, Tyneham.’
‘But my father did not—’
‘Since everyone knows your estates are in good order, they will know that your sister is not some church mouse.’ Lady Chelmarsh interrupted, with a note of finality and a glare at her nephew. If Susan, still seething, had not noticed it, Sophy had. There was an undercurrent, but she did not know of what. ‘However, to bandy such things about in your club, where no doubt you made the information public, shows a sad lack of sense on your part, Tyneham. There will be those who will wonder why you stated the obvious, and those whom one would not wish to encourage, who will prick up their ears at the scent of a potential heiress, since you make so much of it. It was an act of stupidity, Tyneham, the worst that you could have done.’
Lord Tyneham looked uncomfortable. He disliked censure, especially from an aunt. He set about a rather convoluted self-exculpatory speech to which nobody attended.
‘Might I just say,’ announced Susan, cutting across the end of this monologue, ‘that whilst you are clearly prepared to do almost anything to get me off your hands, the feeling is mutual, and I would even entertain the most unsuitable of men if he was guaranteed to ensure my escape from your aegis.’
‘Marry to disoblige me, madam, and you will get not one penny beyond the little our mother left to you.’
‘Almost, brother, you persuade me to do just that,’ she spat back at him.
‘Susan, please. This is unseemly heat for my drawing room.’ Lady Chelmarsh attempted to regain control of the situation. ‘And I find these outbursts of sibling animosity unedifying, Tyneham. You will kindly remember where you are.’
Her nephew squirmed, but her niece tossed her head.
‘I apologise, ma’am, but for the location, not my sentiments. I am not a commodity to be sold for the most advantageous price, nor a burden to be placed upon another’s shoulders.’
Her brother half stifled his snort of disagreement with this view. Lady Chelmarsh looked at Sophy, her expression one of entreaty to do something, say something, that would part the arguing pair. The only choice was to initiate a completely different line of conversation, however odd it might sound.
‘Have you a mount stabled in London, cousin? We have but yesterday obtained horses so that we may take exercise in the Park at the social hour.’ Privately, Sophy would be happy to exercise at a less social hour also, but had no intention of letting her cousin know this.
‘I have had my curricle brought up, but not my hack. You should have asked my advice. I would have been happy to have assisted you.’
‘Oh, we had the assistance of Sir Esmond Fawley, so we did not need yours,’ murmured Susan, smiling very sweetly.
Lord Tyneham ignored this comment.
‘Will you be riding later this afternoon?’ He addressed Sophy.
‘It is likely, for we would like to try our new mounts.’
‘Then I may encounter you. I sometimes drive for an hour then.’
Sophy hoped fervently that they would not, but was to be disappointed.
Since the weather was clement, and she wished to see how her charges looked upon horseback, Lady Chelmarsh decided to order her barouche so that she might take a turn about the Park at the fashionable hour. This could not be said to have been greeted with unalloyed delight by the three young ladies, who considered walking, or at best trotting, behind the equipage most unexciting. Her ladyship was on the point of leaving the house when a letter was delivered, franked by her son-in-law. She dithered, opened it, and looked worried. The girls were already outside and mounted, so she came out and approached Sophy, looking up at her daughter.
‘I have just received a letter from Tattersett. I really think I am going to have to go to Frances immediately, Sophronia.’
‘Has something happened, Mama?’
‘No, not exactly, but … take your ride. I shall have to make plans, of course. It is at the most awkward moment, and I had hoped to remain in Town another month but … I shall have things ordered in my mind by your return.’
Sophy would have dismounted and abandoned riding, but her mama assured her it would be better if she could think ‘without interruption’, and so reluctantly, the trio set off as the barouche was driven back to the stables.
‘Poor Frances. I do hope nothing awful has happened,’ murmured Harriet, rather pale.
‘I think if anything too dreadful had occurred, Mama would have said and been less composed. Perhaps Frances is just in need of maternal support rather more than anticipated. We must not jump to terrible conclusions, Harry.’ Sophy reached and squeezed her sister’s gloved hand.
Susan, without any emotional involvement in the situation, was more concerned with London practicalities.
‘What about our Presentation? Will we have to cancel our own party?’
‘I am sure that Mama will arrange everything. Whether it is possible for me to present you I do not know, but if not, I am sure she would be able to call upon a friend such as Lady Orpington to do so in her absence. As for our own party, I am perfectly happy to act as hostess. After all, I have been at Mama’s right hand throughout the preparations. Now, let us be calm and enjoy our ride as much as is possible, and at least present a facade of normality.’
