An Innocent Deceit

‘I see that all right, miss, but it’s not quite that simple,’ Mr Bingham said. ‘What happens when his lordship asks to see you? How am I going to explain that Mr Tony Davlin is actually a Miss?’

‘Oh, come now, Mr Bingham. Do you really think the Earl of Carlyle is going to trouble himself over meeting his daughter’s new riding master?’ Antonia said, trying to make it sound totally implausible. ‘I am quite sure that, on the few occasions when the Earl is here, he is far more concerned with the business of the estate, or with spending time with his daughter than he is with meeting new servants. And when you consider the infrequency of his visits, is he not far more likely to cancel Lady Clara’s riding lessons altogether than to encourage them?’

‘And what if he doesn’t cancel them, miss?’ Mr Bingham persisted, having more insight into the Earl’s mercurial personality than this young lady ever would. ‘What if the Earl not only wishes Lady Clara to continue with her lessons, but insists on coming down to watch?’

‘Ah, now that is a problem, Mr Bingham,’ Antonia admitted, ‘and one with which I am going to need your help. It may be necessary to…vary the timing of Lady Clara’s lessons, if you catch my meaning.’

‘I’m not sure that I do, miss.’

‘Well, the Earl is hardly going to spend all of his time waiting for me to come and give Lady Clara her riding lesson,’ Antonia said, ‘therefore, if you can keep me apprised of his timetable, and we can schedule Lady Clara’s lessons at a time when you know he is going to be away, Lord Carlyle and I need never actually…meet.’

‘I see. And if he asks to see you at some other time of the day?’

‘You shall have to tell him that I have secured…other employment which occupies the remainder of my time,’ Antonia said, rapidly thinking it through. ‘You can tell him that…I am not available to meet with him at any other time. I am quite sure that he will accept that. And besides, if the Earl knows that you are satisfied with my work, surely there will be no need for me to meet with him personally. After all, I shall be nothing more than a paid employee in the Earl’s household.’

Mr Bingham winced sharply. That nearly made him call the whole thing off then and there. It was madness to think that this scheme could work. There were just too many holes in the fabric of the deception.

‘There’s one other thing you don’t seem to have taken into consideration, miss,’ Mr Bingham said, the grooves in his forehead deepening.

‘Oh?’

‘What if Lord Carlyle happens to pass by when you’re giving Lady Clara a lesson? It won’t take him long to realise that you’re no gentleman.’

Antonia nibbled at her bottom lip. As much as she hated to admit it, this time Mr Bingham had a valid point. What good would all of their planning do if all Lord Carlyle had to do was catch sight of her? She had already attempted to disguise her looks by wearing a boy’s clothing, and it hadn’t worked. Catherine had told her as much—

Abruptly, Antonia stopped. Yes, Catherine had told her that the disguise would not work. But she had also said that it could work, if she was only to be seen from a distance!

‘I think I can take care of the matter of my appearance, Mr Bingham,’ Antonia said slowly, ‘and since I can ride side saddle or astride equally well, my presentation on horseback should not prove to be an obstacle either for the brief period of time required. After all, we both know that the Earl seldom spends more than two or three days here, and I feel confident that we can foo—that is, make…alternative arrangements for the brief time necessary. What do you think?’

Mr Bingham sighed. ‘I think I must be dicked in the nob for even thinking this will work. If the Earl should stumble on to any of this, you’ll likely be dismissed, and me right after. I suggest you be very careful that no one, and I do mean no one, hears about it.’

‘I shan’t tell a soul, Mr Bingham,’ Antonia promised. ‘Other than my father, of course. And my dearest friend, Miss Catherine Shand.’

Mr Bingham looked pained. ‘That’s two more than I was hoping for. Do you absolutely have to tell them?’

Antonia blushed. ‘I am afraid they already know. I could not proceed without my father’s consent, and it was Miss Shand’s idea to give me the fictitious address. I do, of course, live with my father at Buntings Hill.’

Mr Bingham shook his head again. ‘This will never work. Mark my words, it’ll never work. I’ll be looking for a new position, and with not a reference to be had.’

‘Now, Paddy, of course it will work,’ Antonia said, not sure why she suddenly felt compelled to address him by his Christian name. ‘With my planning, and your invaluable help, I do not see how it can fail. And you have to believe me when I say that we are not doing this to deceive the Earl. We are doing it to help Lady Clara. Oh, please say that you will help me, Paddy,’ Antonia said, bringing all of her persuasive powers to bear. ‘Are we in this together?’

She turned her most dazzling smile on the Earl’s steward and, hardened campaigner though he was, Paddy Bingham was lost. He had never been the recipient of female cajolery before and, coming now as it did from the beautiful and sweet Antonia Hadley, he didn’t stand a chance.

‘We are, though Lord knows I must be cork-brained for saying so. All right, we’ll give it a try, miss. Can you be here at quarter past ten next Monday morning?’

Antonia thought for a moment, and then nodded. ‘Yes, I’m sure I can be but…why are you waiting a week before we start?’

‘Because the Earl doesn’t usually spend more than a few days in the country, and I want to make sure he’s gone before you conduct your first lesson.’

Antonia nodded happily. ‘All right. Then quarter past ten next Monday it is. Thank you, Paddy. Thank you very much!’

‘Don’t be thanking me just yet, miss. If his lordship should chance to find out about this, there’ll be the very devil to pay,’ Mr Bingham said ominously. ‘And don’t say that I didn’t warn you!’

As it turned out, Sebastian was still in Upper Tipping on Friday, though his reluctance to leave was due more to the presence of the beautiful Miss Antonia Hadley than it was to any matters of business. He was aware of a growing feeling of curiosity about the young woman he had chanced to meet in town, and had been unable to forget the striking loveliness of her face.

He was also hopeful that he would be able to breach the wall of reserve which seemed to have sprung up between them. It had been clear from the tone of her voice that he had offended her by his careless remark about her mother, and he truly wished that he had known of the situation beforehand so that he might have avoided it. But Sebastian refused to believe that Miss Hadley would continue to hold a grudge against him. If he took pains to call upon her and her father, and to make his apologies in a sincere and meaningful way, surely she would relent. He did not like to think that the lady held him in any personal dislike. They had not known each other long enough for that kind of enmity.

The ride to Buntings Hill was not a long one, but Sebastian’s thoughts were suitably occupied the entire way there. There were a number of matters which he needed to review in his mind: the cost of improvements to several of the older tenant cottages, the wisdom of clearing another field for the purposes of increased crop production and, of less importance, the commencement of Clara’s riding lessons with Mr Tony Davlin.

Bingham had informed him of his decision with regard to the riding master that morning, in fact. He had said that, after watching both of the applicants at work, there had been no doubt in his mind that Davlin was the one more suited to the post. It seemed that Lady Clara too preferred Mr Davlin to the other gentleman, and that they were already on a first-name basis.

Sebastian had been satisfied with his steward’s decision, though he had been somewhat surprised at the vagueness with which Bingham had responded to his questions regarding Mr Davlin. It seemed, for example, that Clara’s lessons were not to be held at a fixed time each day, but that they would, out of necessity, fluctuate, given that Mr Davlin had suddenly secured other employment.

When questioned as to the nature of this other employment, however, Bingham had been rather vague, saying that he had not thought to ask. He was, however, quick to assure the Earl that Davlin was both a conscientious and likeable person, and one whom Bingham felt sure would not disappoint them in any way.

Now, as Sebastian made his way up the long, tree-lined drive leading to Buntings Hill, he could not help but wonder at his steward’s peculiar behaviour that morning. It was almost as though he had not wished to discuss the matter. Indeed, when the conversation had ended, Bingham had moved on to the next subject with surprising alacrity.

Still, every man was entitled to his moments, Sebastian conceded. Even the unflappable Paddy Bingham.

Antonia was in the music room when Sebastian arrived to pay his first social call. He was shown into the drawing room upon his arrival, but when he heard the strains of a well-loved sonata, he decided to go in search of the source, suspecting it might be Antonia.

He found her at the instrument soon after, looking absolutely charming in a gown of pale pink muslin, into the bodice of which was tucked a dainty lace fissu. Her gleaming hair was styled in a loose cluster of curls around her face and, as she played, an enchanting smile hovered about her lips.

Sebastian stood in the doorway of the room and silently watched her play. This was no stumbling miss who dutifully learned her music so that she might entertain at musicales. This was a truly gifted young woman who played for the sheer pleasure of making music. Her fingers danced nimbly over the keys, never stumbling once as she played the complicated piece completely from memory. It was not until the sonata came to an end and Antonia’s fingers stilled, that he finally made his presence known. ‘Exceptional, Miss Hadley,’ Sebastian said softly. ‘You do the instrument proud.’

Antonia spun around on the bench and gasped. ‘Lord Carlyle!’ Her cheeks flushed crimson as she quickly got to her feet. ‘My lord, forgive me, I had…no idea that you were standing…just there.’

‘The fault for which is mine entirely,’ Sebastian said smoothly. ‘In truth, I did not wish to disturb you for fear that you would not finish the piece. You play exceedingly well, Miss Hadley.’

‘Th-thank you,’ Antonia said, struggling to regain her composure. ‘It is…kind of you to say so, though I am sure that you have heard…far better from the many accomplished ladies in London.’

‘In point of fact, I have heard none better,’ Sebastian told her. ‘You combine a learned skill with a true love of music. That in itself is a rare combination. You must bring a great deal of pleasure to your family and friends.’

‘She does indeed, Lord Carlyle, though I would warn you not to compliment her too grandly,’ Mr Hadley said upon entering the room. ‘I have told my daughter that too much flattery turns the head.’ He walked across the carpet to stand in front of their visitor, and bowed. ‘We are honoured by your visit, my lord.’

Sebastian inclined his head apologetically. ‘Pray forgive my not remaining in the drawing room to greet you, Mr Hadley. When I heard the music, I felt compelled to go in search of it.’

‘No apology is necessary; it would not be the first time that Antonia has drawn a crowd.’ Mr Hadley’s pride and affection for his daughter was evident. ‘She is a gifted performer, for all her protestations to the contrary.’

Relieved by her father’s arrival, though somewhat embarrassed by his flattery, Antonia moved away from the instrument. ‘Now, Papa, you know that it is you who are guilty of complimenting me too much. You embarrass me when we are in public by insisting that I play far more than I should, thereby preventing the other ladies from exhibiting their own talents.’

‘Had the other ladies any talents which deserved exhibiting, I would be the first to encourage them to do so, my dear,’ Mr Hadley told her with a smile. ‘But I think I speak the truth when I say that I have yet to hear anyone who is more accomplished than you.’

‘I hope I will have the opportunity of adding my compliments to your father’s when we are next at a gathering together, Miss Hadley,’ Sebastian said. ‘I would not wish him to be accused of being your sole devotee.’

He was amused to see that his compliment did nothing to diminish the colour in those lovely cheeks. ‘Perhaps we should…adjourn to the drawing room,’ Antonia said quickly.

Sebastian inclined his head, and stepped aside to allow Antonia to take the lead. He fell into step beside her father and enjoyed an amiable conversation relating to parliamentary matters and affairs of the church. Once in the cheery parlour, however, he kept the topics more general so as to include Antonia in the discussions.