Heiress in Regency Society: The Defiant Debutante

‘Lavinia Howard.’

‘Lord Howard’s eldest daughter?’

‘Yes,’ Alex replied, watching his uncle closely.

Henry nodded slowly as he digested the information. ‘I see. Well, she is eminently suitable, I grant you, and her father has been hankering after a match between the two of you for long enough. She is a fine young woman of excellent character. Have you spoken to her father?’

‘Nothing has been decided. I’m giving a small weekend house party at Arlington in two weeks’ time and I have invited her along with her parents and a party of friends. If I am still of the same mind, I will speak to Lord Howard then.’

‘His daughter will certainly preside over Arlington with grace and poise and has been trained to manage the demanding responsibilities of such a large house. However, it is evident to me that you are thinking with your head and not your heart, Alex. I see you are considering marriage to Miss Howard with the same kind of dispassion and practised precision you employ when dealing with your business transactions.’

Alex shrugged. ‘Did you expect anything else? I am no more sentimental about marriage than anyone else. It’s a contract like any other. Besides, considering my success in that area, the odds for our marriage being successful are highly favourable.’

‘I think “excruciatingly boring” would be a more appropriate term to use. In this you are ill advised, Alex. Marriage is not a business transaction.’

Angelina met Lord Montgomery’s gaze, amazed by his indifference to such an important matter. ‘You are not in love with Miss Howard?’

Henry chuckled softly. ‘Alex cast a blight on love a long time ago, my dear.’

‘Why, those are my sentiments entirely, Lord Montgomery.’

‘I’m glad we are agreed on one thing at least,’ Alex responded.

For a moment they regarded one another in silence, finding it strange that they were in accord over something that to everyone else was the most important thing in their lives.

‘Maybe we are. But I do feel that where something as important as marriage is concerned, then it is essential that the two people concerned love each other.’

Alex suddenly smiled. ‘In my opinion, that is sentimental nonsense. Aren’t you going to congratulate me on my forthcoming nuptials, Miss Hamilton?’

‘No. You said yourself that as yet nothing has been decided. When it has and Miss Howard accepts your proposal of marriage, I feel the only sentiment I shall be able to offer will be my commiserations.’

The following morning Henry’s widowed sister, Lady Patience Fortesque, arrived at Brook Street. She was eager to see her brother after his journey to America, and to meet his ward. Two years his junior, Patience resembled Henry in many ways. There was a fragile quality about her and she radiated a kindness and gentility that was immediately endearing to anyone who met her, but when she pleased she could be awe-inspiring.

Patience politely restrained herself from saying anything until Henry had finished telling her all about what had happened in America. The secret fears of what Angelina might have suffered at the hands of the Shawnee he kept to himself.

When he had completed his tale, he looked across at his sister who was calmly assessing what he had told her. ‘Well, Patience? Am I a sentimental old fool? Was I behaving like a lovesick youth when I went tearing across the Atlantic the moment I received Lydia’s letter? Should I have ignored it after all these years?’

‘No, Henry,’ Patience replied with gentle understanding. ‘Lydia meant a great deal to you, I know that. Is Angelina aware how deeply you felt about her mother?’

‘If you mean does she know I was in love with her, then the answer is no. Angelina is a remarkable young woman, Patience. When I first saw her and how proud she was, how resilient and brave after all she had been through, she stirred all my protective instincts. I find her such joy to be with. She is a rare jewel and with just a little polish she will outshine most of her sex. Lydia taught her well.’

‘I am concerned about the matter of Angelina’s grandmother. I know that since the death of her husband Lady Anne never comes to town. But there is the possibility that she will find out about her granddaughter coming to England when she makes her curtsy next year. It could be a major problem if she decides to see her.’

‘I know, but we will deal with that if it arises.’

‘What about Alex?’

The name seemed to hang in the air a moment before Henry replied. ‘Ah—Alex!’

‘Oh, dear! I take it from the tone of your voice that he does not welcome the intrusion of this American girl into his life.’

Henry chuckled. ‘You’ve hit the nail right on the head. Battle lines were drawn and the artillery positioned the minute they set eyes on each other. Already they’ve had their first skirmish. Angelina refuses to be subdued and is unimpressed by both Alex and his title. At present I do not want her to go out into society—and nor does she wish to. She refuses to consider a Season, but I’m hoping that she can be persuaded. I feel some time spent in the country will be beneficial to her until she’s had time to settle down—which is why I would like you to accompany her to Arlington.’

‘Arlington? But why not to Mowbray Park?’

‘Because I am to leave for Cornwall early next week to visit my good friend Robert Boothroyd. Besides,’ he murmured, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, which did not go unnoticed by his sister, ‘Alex is to go to Arlington in a few days to check on the renovations he’s having done to the house.’

Patience studied her brother carefully. ‘Henry, are you matchmaking by any chance? If so, you must think very carefully and proceed with the utmost caution. Alex will not take kindly to your meddling.’

‘Meddling?’ Henry arched his brows in mock offence. ‘I have no intention of meddling in anything. There is nothing I want more than for the two of them to wed,’ he told her, taking her into his confidence. He needed his sister’s unquestioning co-operation and willingness to comply with anything he suggested if he was to bring Alex and Angelina together.

Chapter Four (#ulink_dcde803f-4305-5ae2-a351-9d008b09f66e)

‘Come here, my dear, and let me look at you,’ said Patience with a gracious smile when Angelina entered. ‘I’ve been so looking forward to meeting you.’

Angelina moved towards her and found herself enfolded in a sweet smelling embrace. ‘I am happy to meet you, Lady Fortesque. Uncle Henry has told me so much about you that I feel I know you already.’

Patience stood back and smiled, approving of what she saw. Her features were delicate and pretty like Lydia’s, but there was something untamed and quite unique about this lovely young woman.

‘Your mother and I were close, Angelina. I was so distressed to hear of her death—and your father’s, my dear. Come and sit by me, and please call me Aunt Patience. We are related, after all.’

At that moment the door opened and Alex strode in. He was dressed in riding clothes, his crop still clasped in his hand. Angelina noticed how fiercely elegant he was in his immaculate coat and polished brown boots, and the way his breeches fit his thighs like his coat fit the breadth of his shoulders, without a wrinkle—and, if they were inclined to do so, they wouldn’t dare on so formidable an owner.

Closing the door and advancing into the room with ground-devouring strides, his cool gaze swept over the three occupants, pausing a little longer on Angelina before moving on to his aunt.

‘Why, Alex, how lovely to see you,’ said Patience, her face shining with adoration as she looked up at her handsome nephew.

Bending his tall frame, Alex lightly kissed her offered cheek, and as his head passed close to Angelina she caught the spicy aroma of his cologne mingled with leather and horses. As he was about to stand up straight he turned his head and looked at her, his eyes on a level with her own and no more than a foot away. Finding herself in such close proximity to him brought an indignant flush to her cheeks, which Alex observed and brought a slight smile to his lips, his silver eyes gleaming with knowing amusement.

Her contempt met him face to face until he straightened, looking down at her from his daunting height, seeing turbulent animosity burning in her dark eyes. She looked serene and almost coy, and yet he had the feeling that it was a charade, and that the environment forced upon her was too restricting for her ebullient nature. She made him feel alert and alive, and curiously stimulated.

‘I really should scold you,’ Patience went on, her eyes following her nephew as he strolled towards the fireplace, where he took up an infuriatingly arrogant stance beside Henry’s chair, resting an arm on the marble mantelpiece and crossing one booted foot casually over the other, looking every inch the master of the house. ‘You did promise to visit me at Richmond while Henry was away.’

‘Forgive me, Aunt. I had pressing matters to take care of.’

‘So I understand,’ Patience replied with a note of reproof, having heard all about his affair with Amelia Fairhurst. ‘I had hoped that with all your years of experience you would have learned to conduct your affairs with a little more discretion, Alex.’

‘The pressing matters I spoke of were purely business, Aunt. And if you are referring to my friendship with Lady Amelia Fairhurst, I assure you it was nothing more than a harmless flirtation and was blown out of all proportion. I did not think you paid any attention to gossip.’

‘I don’t, as a rule, and I’m certainly not going to become embroiled in your personal life. Next you will be telling me that you took pity on her and were trying to console her in her marital unhappiness. But what may seem amusing and harmless to you, dear boy, others may find offensive and insulting—which was the case with Lady Fairhurst’s husband by all accounts, when he demanded satisfaction and challenged you to a duel.’

Chagrin and irritation flickered across Alex’s face. ‘And no doubt you heard that the old fool died of an apoplexy the night before. Amelia Fairhurst is a proficient flirt. You should know by now not to worry about my reputation, Aunt. You must know that most of what you hear is nothing but gossip and wishful exaggeration.’

‘Are you telling us that you have been unfairly maligned, Lord Montgomery?’ Angelina asked, gazing at him with an amazingly innocent smile on her lips, and an insolent light in her eyes. ‘That what people say about you dishonouring every woman who is foolish enough to fall for your golden tongue is not true?’

Content to sit back and listen to the interchange in an amused silence, Henry met his sister’s smiling, conspiratorial gaze, each admiring Angelina’s courage for daring to speak out, while Alex favoured her with an icy stare that was meant to put her firmly in her place. But she merely held his gaze with open defiance, which told him that her proud nature knew nothing of compliance or submission.

‘Not entirely,’ he replied tersely, his jaw rigid. ‘I see you have met our colonial cousin, Aunt.’