Chosen by the Lieutenant

‘You make me ashamed,’ Cynthia said, her cheeks pink. ‘When I first took you up, Amanda, I did so because I thought I showed to advantage in your company.’

‘Yes, I was little competition for you,’ Amanda said and laughed, her eyes bright. ‘I believe I realised that, my dear friend, but I think that after a while you came to value me for my wit, despite my lack of height and too many inches about my waist.’

‘It’s strange,’ Cynthia replied thoughtfully. ‘When one comes to know you, my dearest Amanda, one no longer notices. You were such good company, and everyone laughed and smiled when you were there.’

‘As they do when you are,’ Amanda reassured her. ‘You are much missed, believe me.’

‘Thank you for remaining my friend.’ Cynthia clasped her hand emotionally. ‘I know I have been proud and cold...’

‘Towards some I believe you may have,’ Amanda said, ‘but not to me. What is this, Cynthia? You must not doubt yourself. When you are feeling more yourself, you will soon have all the friends and admirers you could wish for.’

‘I believe I shall always have your friendship,’ Cynthia said. ‘You will come to Bath with us later in the summer?’

‘We shall see each other at Lord Brockley’s estate. Major Brockley is one of your admirers. I know that you will receive his invitation soon—and now I must go, for I have a fitting this afternoon.’

‘How I wish that I could come with you.’

‘I shall call again as soon as I am able,’ Amanda promised and took her leave.

She was thoughtful as she made her way home, her maid walking silently at her side. Cynthia had ruled supreme in the drawing rooms for some weeks, but it seemed she’d had fewer visitors than might have been expected. Her lack of female friends had clearly made its mark on her and she had realised that her aloof manner had brought its own reward.

Amanda would speak to Jane and ask her to visit Cynthia. Jane had not thought she would be welcome to the proud beauty, but she would go if Amanda asked it of her—and take a little gift, which Amanda would provide.

Perhaps she ought to have told Cynthia of Shearne’s behaviour to Jane, and also that the last time she’d noticed him, he’d seemed to have a new flirt. Yet she knew that her friend was feeling low in spirits and it was obvious that she liked the marquis, too much for her own good. If Amanda told her something she would not like, she might think she was being spiteful. Hopefully, she would enjoy herself at Major Brockley’s house and forget him.

* * *

After spending a pleasant afternoon with Jane at the fashionable seamstress’s establishment and choosing two new gowns, one in pale blue silk and the other in sea green, Amanda left feeling pleased. Jane’s suggestions had seemed sensible to her and, after draping various silks against her, she felt that her new gowns would be an improvement on some that she’d had made earlier.

‘Because you are so tiny, full skirts make you look dumpy, but a slim skirt would emphasise your waist, which is good, Amanda. I can alter the neckline on two of your gowns, make them fit you tighter at the waist and take off those awful ruffles at the back that make you look bigger than you are.’ Jane looked at her. ‘That dove-grey walking dress you tried on really suited you. I could take the fullness out of your green walking gown and then it would look the way the grey did.’

‘I do not want you to spend all your time working on my gowns,’ Amanda said. ‘You must make your own new gowns, too—and have time for reading and walking.’

‘I love to sew,’ Jane told her. ‘When we are in the country you may read to us as I work. I enjoy hearing you read, Amanda—you put such meaning into the words.’

Amanda was about to reply when they found their path obstructed. Looking up into the hostile face of the Marquis of Shearne, Amanda felt a chill down her spine. He was clearly brooding about something and she knew that Jane had shrunk closer to her, seeming afraid of him.

‘Miss Hamilton, Miss Field,’ he murmured silkily. ‘What a delightful picture you make—the sparrow and the plump dove, what tasty morsels for the taking.’

Jane gasped and clutched Amanda’s arm. Glancing at her face, Amanda felt a spurt of anger, for his taunt had taken all the colour and pleasure from Jane’s cheeks.

‘And you, sir—are you a hawk or a wolf?’ she asked, her voice sharp and her eyes shooting a challenge at him. ‘How dare you address us in such a manner? Whichever you see yourself, let me assure you that neither of us are yours for the taking.’

‘You think not?’ Shearne leered at her, a cold malice in his eyes. ‘I would not be denied if I truly wished to have either of you, but to tell the truth neither is worth the trouble. I am after more enticing prey.’

‘If you mean Miss Langton... I think you despicable and shall certainly inform her of your true nature, when next we meet. Perhaps I should write to her...’

His hand shot out, gripping her wrist so tightly that it was all she could do to stop from crying out. She felt a cold fear grip her as she saw hatred in his eyes and knew she had made an enemy.

‘If you do not allow us to pass, I shall call for help, sir.’

‘You are a sight too proud for your own good and one of these days...but you are not worth the trouble. I shall allow you to pass, but remember, if one word passes your lips concerning me to Miss Langton, I shall take my revenge.’

‘You do not frighten me, sir.’

‘Do I not?’ For a moment the look in his eyes was so evil that Amanda felt faint, but then a gentleman crossed the road towards them and he flung her away from him. ‘You are less than nothing to me—just a fat little frump—you and that mouse you take about with you.’

‘We are much obliged to you, sir,’ Amanda replied, holding back sharper retorts for she had already said too much. ‘We shall bid you good day, sir. Come, Jane, we must not keep this...person dallying.’ She gave him a look of disdain that was calculated to make him squirm.

Seeing the flash of fury in his eyes, Amanda wished she had not made her tone quite so insulting. She had implied that he was not a gentleman and, a little to her surprise, it seemed to have touched him on the raw.

‘Think yourself fortunate that I have other business, Miss Hamilton. Had I the leisure I might take the time to teach you a lesson...’

Deciding that retreat was the better part of valour at this moment, Amanda propelled Jane past him, ignoring the temptation to tell him that nothing he could do would tempt her to spend a moment longer than necessary in his company.

‘Oh, Amanda,’ Jane whispered once they were safely out of reach. ‘Ought you to have answered him so? I think he is a cruel man. He would delight in punishing you, if he could.’

‘I do not fear that slimy creature,’ Amanda said. ‘Besides, I have only to tell Major Brockley what was said and he would...’

‘What?’ Jane looked at her curiously, but she shook her head.

‘I believe the marquis to be in need of a lesson himself,’ she said. ‘If I thought either of us truly in danger, I should beg Major Brockley to help, but I do not think him interested in either of us. He needs neither fortune nor wife—and if he did he would more likely look at Miss Langton than either of us. Indeed, I fear she may be in some danger...’

Amanda felt a chill at her nape. The marquis was the kind of man who would look for revenge if anyone offended him. Phipps had told her that Brock hated him and there must be a good reason for that... It might be as well to tell Phipps when she next saw him that the marquis had tried to intimidate them. However, in another ten days or so she would be leaving town and would probably never see Shearne again.

Chapter Four (#ulink_5bbd0f60-d0d1-5f2e-81d2-c3129e202c5d)

Although they met at a card party and again at a dinner, with readings of poetry afterwards, Amanda did not have the opportunity to speak to Phipps privately until the morning of her own dance. He called then to bring her a posy of beautiful white rosebuds. She happened to be at the top of the stairs when he was admitted and went down to greet him and take the flowers from his own hand.

‘It was so kind of you to bring me these,’ she said. ‘As it happens they will be perfect, for my gown this evening is pink and white. Thank you so much, sir.’

‘You will save me two dances,’ Phipps said with a caressing smile that made her heart jump for joy. ‘You are looking very well, Miss Hamilton. Are you anticipating this evening with pleasure?’

‘Yes, very much,’ Amanda replied. ‘I think it may be our last big engagement before we leave for the country. You know we are to stay with Lord Armstrong and the countess for another few days, but I think we shall attend only small affairs, though the countess will give two evenings of music and cards herself.’

‘I hope I shall be invited?’

‘I was asked who I would like to invite, sir. I gave the countess your name, also Major Brock’s and Jane Field’s. Jane is to stay with me after we leave town, just for a week or so...’

‘I am glad you made friends with Miss Field. I think her a nice girl and Brock likes her. He was angry when Shearne frightened her, you know.’

‘I meant to tell you,’ Amanda said. ‘We encountered him in the street a few days ago and his behaviour towards her was predatory—and to me hostile, because I’m afraid I gave him a set-down. He made what I considered a threat towards Miss Langton and I said something unwise. Indeed, I warned him that I should inform her of his true nature when I next see her—I fear I may have made an enemy of the marquis.’

‘And do you intend to say anything to Miss Langton?’

‘When I see her I shall attempt to warn her...but one must be careful of such things. To write hints of what I suspect in a letter would be slander.’

‘No, you must not do that, for you have no proof.’