Debutante in the Regency Ballroom: A Country Miss in Hanover Square

‘He and Lord Pendleton are good friends, I think?’

‘Yes, I believe they always were, despite the difference in age. I believe Ravenshead is slightly older.’

Susannah wrinkled her brow. ‘Do you think age difference is important in marriage?’

Amelia gave Susannah her full attention. ‘I think the gentleman should be a few years older,’ she said. ‘Though I do not believe in marrying very young girls off to men old enough to be their grandfathers! That is a disgusting practice in my opinion! But age is not important if there is love and mutual respect. Without it, life would be intolerable, I think.’

‘I do agree with you,’ Susannah said. She had the feeling that Amelia was talking for the sake of it, as though she were trying to calm herself. ‘I believe they are about to begin the music once more. Shall we take our places?’

‘Yes, certainly,’ Amelia said. She turned away at the same instant as the Earl of Ravenshead became aware of her. Susannah was watching both him and Lord Pendleton and saw the way his expression changed. He seemed stunned and then concerned, and he spoke urgently to Lord Pendleton.

Susannah was thoughtful as she followed her friend to a small couch near where her mother was already seated. The music was just beginning as they sat down, so she could not mention the earl’s reaction to Amelia, and by the time they rose to go into supper she had forgotten it.

However, she recalled it later that evening when she happened to catch sight of the earl in conversation with Amelia. His manner was everything that was correct, as was Amelia’s. No one could tell from their manner whether they were old friends or new acquaintances—they were being polite, but no more.

Remembering Amelia’s shock, and the gentleman’s violent reaction when he saw her, Susannah was certain that she was right. The earl was the gentleman Amelia had spoken of on two occasions. She had loved him once and she was not indifferent to him now, though she was trying to give that impression.

What a wonderful thing it would be if they could find each other again now that Amelia was independent of her overbearing brother! Was the earl married? She must ask Lord Pendleton, for he was sure to know. However, this evening was not the place or the time, because she must be discreet. Careless talk might lead to hurt for Amelia and she would not wish that for the world …

Chapter Four

Susannah did not need to wait long to put her questions to Lord Pendleton—they met when she was walking with some friends in the park the next morning. He tipped his hat, asked if he might join them, and after a few minutes she found that they were side by side and somehow a little behind the others.

‘Would you mind if I asked you something?’ she said impulsively. There was a sparkle in her eyes that had sometimes been missing for a few days, and her smile was compelling.

‘You may ask me anything you wish,’ Harry said, responding with a twinkle in his own eyes. ‘I assure you that any confidence you place in me will be strictly kept.’

‘Well … it is not actually my confidence,’ Susannah said. ‘Do you know—have you any idea if there has ever been anything between your friend the Earl of Ravenshead and Miss Royston?’

‘What makes you ask?’ Harry said, hesitating. ‘Have you noticed something?’

‘Yes, I did actually. Miss Royston was startled to see him last evening, and for a few moments it quite overset her. And I think he was equally perturbed when he saw her, for I was watching him at that moment.’

‘Ah …’ Harry considered; he would not wish to betray his friend’s confidence, but there could be little harm in admitting what she had already observed. ‘I believe they may once have known each other quite well. Something occurred and nothing came of the friendship. However, I can tell you no more, for I am not certain of the details.’

‘Or you are not at liberty to tell me,’ Susannah replied astutely. ‘I should not want you to betray a friend’s confidence, sir, but you have told me enough. Amelia had already mentioned that she once knew him and I too know things that I am not at liberty to tell anyone …’ She paused, a look of conspiracy on her face. ‘You must know that I should not have been given a Season in town if it were not for Amelia’s generosity, sir. I am very grateful for it and should like to do something for her …’ She hesitated, then, ‘He isn’t married—is he?’

Harry frowned. ‘Not to my knowledge. No, I think not … why do you ask?’

Harry was wary as he looked at her. Susannah had completely recovered from her loss of spirits after the incident with Northaven, and her eyes were bright with mischief.

‘I just wished to be sure,’ she replied airily.

‘What are you suggesting, Miss Hampton?’

‘Do you have to call me Miss Hampton all the time? Could you not call me Susannah in private? I believe we know each other well enough now, sir.’

‘Only if you will reciprocate by calling me Harry.’

‘Oh … I am not certain I should do that, but I could call you Pendleton,’ Susannah said, looking so adorable that he gave her a broad grin. ‘Anyway, I was talking about Amelia and the earl—do you think we could sort of encourage them to get together in some way? I should so like to see Amelia happy. Nothing obvious, just making sure they are at the same affairs and that kind of thing.’

‘I do not think we should meddle in things that do not concern us,’ Harry said, a little doubtful. He imagined his friend had been too busy getting his estate into order to think of mixing in society much, but something had made him decide to stay on in town. ‘Surely—’ Harry stopped as she frowned at him. He was doing it again! He must try for lightness. She wanted a white knight on a charger and he had to become what she needed or risk losing her. ‘It is true that I have always believed he cared for her, but something went wrong for them.’

‘Oh, I knew I was right about him!’ Susannah cried. ‘It was a tragic love story. Someone prevented their happiness … but now they have a second chance. How romantic it would be if they could be together again!’

‘It might be the very thing,’ Harry agreed, not wanting to hurt her feelings. ‘But I really think we should not interfere, Susannah. If they still like each other enough, it will happen without any interference from us.’

‘All I meant was to mention her name now and then—and I will mention how handsome he is to her.’

‘Gerard is very handsome, I suppose,’ Harry said doubtfully. ‘And Miss Royston is an attractive lady. I have wondered why she has not married before this. However, I must strongly urge caution. It would not be right to push them together. It can do no good and might do great harm.’

‘Do you think it wrong?’ Susannah’s face fell. ‘You must think me such a foolish creature. It was merely that I so wished to do something for her. She often looks … sad.’ she finished on a sigh.

‘Yes, I have remarked it myself,’ Harry told her. ‘I will make certain that Gerard attends various functions and parties, for it is time he mixed more in company, but I will do no more, and I think you should exercise caution—you would not like to make your friend angry, I think? She would perhaps feel annoyed if she thought you were meddling in her affairs.’

‘No, I should not do so,’ Susannah agreed. ‘Very well, I shall not go out of my way to praise him, though if the occasion arises …’ She gave him a look that was a mixture of defiance and appeal. ‘Surely you cannot censure that?’

‘I am relieved. I had thought you would beg me to arrange an elopement!’

Susannah saw that he was teasing and shook her head. ‘I should not dream of suggesting it for Amelia! I know she would dislike it of all things. It might be romantic with the right man, of course—but I do not think Amelia would care for such a thing at all.’

‘I am very sure Gerard would never agree. He is very much the gentleman, you know. It would not suit his notions of propriety.’

‘Is an elopement so very bad?’ Susannah asked, meaning to tease him now. ‘It would be an adventure—if one cared for such things …’

‘Perhaps, though it might be uncomfortable, unless the lady was very sure of the gentleman’s affections, of course.’

‘Yes, I suppose so,’ Susannah agreed. ‘She would have to love him to distraction, and then she would care nothing for discomfort.’

Her inhibitions concerning Lord Pendleton had quite disappeared. She had accepted Harry as her confidant and chattered away happily, as she discussed how they could bring the star-crossed lovers together, without interfering in their lives.

Listening to Susannah’s laughter and watching the changing expressions on her lovely face, Harry understood that he was fairly caught. He was not sure how it had happened, for he had had his reservations at the start. However, they had somehow melted away the night he found Northaven trying to seduce her.

Susannah held his future happiness in the palm of her soft hand. Being drawn into this enchanting intimacy was such a pleasant experience for a man who had, he admitted to himself, been very much inclined to hold his feelings in check. Harry was certain his feelings were more than the natural lust any man might feel for a beautiful girl. Yes, he wanted to kiss her until she melted against him, wanted to feel the softness of her yielding body beneath him as he taught her the pleasures of desire, but even more pressing than those very strong instincts was the need to protect her.

He smiled inwardly as she offered him a smile that was both innocent and provocative at the same time. She was enchanting! Indeed, he felt himself under her spell. He was not at all certain that she felt more than liking for him, though that in itself was an advance. He was certain that two weeks previously she would not have shared her thoughts concerning Miss Royston with him.

She had spoken of an elopement and for a moment he toyed with the idea of gratifying her wish, but he was fairly certain that she would in her heart enjoy a society wedding far more. It was merely a matter of convincing her that he was the man she ought to marry.

‘We must plan your dance,’ Amelia said when they had tea together that afternoon. ‘I had thought we would hold it a few days before we go home and we should begin to think of what to do once we leave London …’ Her gaze met Susannah’s. ‘Your mama and I have settled it that we shall go from here to Bath, my love. I wish to purchase a house there and I have asked my agent to find me a suitable property that I may rent and then purchase if I like it. I hope to spend quite a bit of time residing in the town in future. You are both welcome to live with me until you have other plans.’

Susannah understood that Amelia was speaking of her marriage. She could offer very little on the subject; although she liked Harry Pendleton very well and thought perhaps she might feel more, she was not certain—nor had he spoken to her.

‘I told Amelia that we shall certainly stay with her until she finds herself a companion,’ Mrs Hampton said. ‘However, we have another two weeks at least in town. Who knows what may happen?’

‘Plenty of time,’ Amelia said and smiled at Susannah. ‘We must draw up a guest list. We shall invite everyone who has invited us to their affairs, which is all of our close friends—but is there anyone special you would like, Susannah?’

Susannah was silent for a moment. ‘I should like the Earl of Ravenshead if that is acceptable to you, Amelia? He is a close friend of Lord Pendleton and I think him a pleasant gentleman.’