Sherida Read online

  He stood up, shaking down his cuffs. He would play fair by the girl and see that her inheritance throve. He would try to see that she found a good husband and not some ne'er-do-well who would give her a baby every twelvemonth, and then leave her alone on her estate to cope with her growing family whilst he frittered her money away on selfish pleasures.

  Resolving, therefore, to fulfil his obligations, he made his way downstairs feeling righteous. Yes, he would find the child a respectable husband. But it would not be he! Bad blood was bad blood, and Letty Craven had been no better than she should be; he wouldn't tie himself up with her daughter if she were heir to the Golden Ball himself!

  CHAPTER TWO

  'My darling boy! So here is my ward at last! Why, Sherida, you aren't a bit like your mamma, but your papa had just that twinkling look, and your colouring too. Welcome to Albemarle Street, dear child! Nothing could give me greater pleasure than to have you under my roof!'

  Lady McNaughton swooped upon Sherida and enfolded her in a scented embrace, then held her at arms' length the better to examine her.

  'I can't pretend I remember you, for you were such a tot, and I don't suppose you remember me! I played with you and held you on my knee once, when you were no more than three or four, such a darling little fatty you were!'

  'Aunt Fanny!' Sherida exclaimed. 'I could not forget you, for you were so sweet and pretty. And you've not changed one bit!'

  Lady McNaughton beamed at her. She was a pretty, lively blonde with big, light blue eyes and a fashionable cupid's-bow mouth. When Sherida dropped her eyes to her hostess's attire, however, she suffered a slight shock. Lady McNaughton was in her late forties, yet she wore a diaphanous robe of blue gauze over a silk slip which clung to her like a second skin. At first glance, indeed, she might have been a girl in her twenties, though a second look showed that her gown had been cut to enhance her best points and her make-up applied to hide her worst ones!

  'Mamma, are you going to keep Miss Winyard standing in the hall all afternoon? Why don't you take her to the small salon and ring for some tea? I'm sure Miss Winyard must be thirsty, even if you are not!'

  Lady McNaughton laughed and patted her son's cheek. 'Poor darling Greville, how it must annoy you to have a mother so light-minded! Now, Sherida my dear, you must call me Aunt Fanny once again and we must be friends, for I don't feel one day older than yourself!'

  With an exasperated sigh her son caught hold of her arm, steered her across the hall and through a doorway into an elegant little room, charmingly furnished, with a bright fire burning on the hearth. Crossing the carpet in a couple of strides, he pulled the bell and then turned and smiled affectionately at his parent.

  'Now, dear Mamma, all you have to do when Bates comes is to order tea!' He turned to Sherida. 'As you can see, my mamma is not of a practical turn of mind, Miss Winyard!'

  'Greville darling, why should I bore myself with practicalities when you seem to enjoy ministering to me? And you must call our guest Sherida, not Miss Winyard. So cold, when you're her guardian, dear.'

  She turned to her guest. 'And you must call my son Greville, of course,' she added kindly.

  Sherida noticed with an inward smile the pained expression which crossed her host's face at this ingenuous suggestion, and waited for him to refute it, but he only said in a bored tone, 'Certainly, Mamma. And now, Miss Winyard, I'll leave you to get to know each other. Tea will be along presently, I feel sure.'

  As her hostess chattered on, ordering Bates, when he appeared, to bring macaroons and orange-flavoured sponge cakes as well as tea, Sherida had time to reflect that charming though Lady McNaughton was, she must be quite a trial to her son. No wonder he had not viewed the intrusion into his life of another female with complacence! For it was easy to see that Lady McNaughton would do little for her young guest other than enjoy her company. It would be left to Lord McNaughton to manage her financial affairs and see that she appeared in the right places at the right time.

  Lady McNaughton, pouring tea, was blissfully unaware of her guest's silent criticism. 'Our first task,' she declared, handing Sherida a cup, 'must be to refurbish your wardrobe. I'm sure Letty kept you well provided with gowns, but they won't be the sort of garments you'll need for the season.'

  'But I'm still in mourning. Aunt Fanny. Would it not seem strange if I bought coloured gowns, and accepted invitations?'

  Her hostess's face lightened. 'Mourning! Of course! You've relieved my worst fears, for I could not think why a girl with your colouring should be wearing black, unless you had bad taste, which I was sure could not be the case, for dear Letty always knew precisely what suited her! And your mamma wrote me that she would not hear of you wearing mourning, so her wishes must weigh with us above all else!'

  'I do feel morbid and guilt-ridden in black, knowing that I cannot feel as sad as I ought,' Sherida confessed. 'But ball dresses, Aunt Fanny? Surely I should not dance? What will people think?'

  'Oh, pooh, London people aren't so narrow-minded,' Lady McNaughton said grandly, rather spoiling the effect by adding ingenuously, 'And anyway, you're an heiress, dearest, which will make your behaviour acceptable to the most strait-laced! But I see you've finished your tea, so let's go to your room and examine the clothes you've brought with you. I do trust not all black?'

  'No, but they're all dull,' Sherida admitted.

  They had crossed the hall and were ascending the stairs, when Lord McNaughton came running down the flight towards them.

  'We're just going to Sherida's room, Greville, to see what new clothes she will need,' Lady McNaughton told her son. 'I expect we shall spend days shopping, for you will want your ward to be a credit to us both!'

  'If you think it right, Lord McNaughton,' Sherida began anxiously, 'for me…'

  He cut her short, his voice chilly with reproof. 'My mother can certainly be trusted on this score, Miss Winyard, and no one could better assist you in choosing suitable garments with which to dazzle the ton! As her guest, she will see you do as you ought. But since I am your banker, I beg you not to spend too freely!'

  She shrank back a little, saying in a subdued voice, 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean… that is, I intended no criticism…' She caught the apologetic tone in her voice and scowled, forcing herself to add, 'Though how can I keep within the limits of my allowance when I don't know how much it is to be? Perhaps before you censure the possibility of my over-spending you might acquaint me with the sum at my disposal!'

  He gave her a glinting look, then a grin. 'So the kitten has claws, eh? Very good, Miss Winyard, I'll pay your bills out of the money which your lawyer has placed at my disposal and then I'll work out a quarterly allowance, so that you may know the sum at your command and may not outrun the constable! So you see, your financial affairs, at least, are in safe hands!'

  He patted her shoulder and before she could answer he was continuing down the stairs and Lady McNaughton, now standing on the landing above, called as though there had been no break in their conversation, 'Muslins are useful, and Indian cotton is popular, and you'll want…'

  Chattering gaily, she led her charge into the room which had been set aside for her.

  Having found Sherida's entire wardrobe unsuitable, the next few days passed in a whirl of shopping, but at last Lady McNaughton pronounced herself satisfied.

  'The invitations to your ball, which will launch you into society, have been sent, of course,' she told Sherida impressively. 'I don't think I've forgotten anyone of consequence, but we must not forget you've relatives in Town. Did you ever hear of your Aunt Caroline?'

  'Aunt Caroline? Was she my Papa's sister?' 'Yes, she was. Is, I should say. She lives in London you know, because she had to sell a lot of the Tilney property when she was widowed. And she has a son, Roland, who is of an age with Greville, and a daughter, Diane, who's just eighteen. Naturally, I've invited them, but I thought it might be a little difficult for you to. meet quite close relatives for the first time at your coming-out dance. So if you don't obj
ect, I'll ask them to dine tomorrow night.'

  'That would be lovely. I know so few people, Aunt Fanny, that even the dullest cousins would be acceptable.'

  'I wouldn't describe them as dull, exactly,' Lady McNaughton said reflectively. 'Roland, indeed, is far from dull, and Caroline is a most determined woman. I can't speak of your cousin Diane, for she's not yet out, so I've not met her. But we'll remedy that tomorrow night.'

  The two women were sitting in the small salon, comfortable sandals on their feet, their shopping done for the day, and when Lord McNaughton walked into the room their exhausted attitudes made him smile.

  'You look worn to a thread, Mamma,' he said, lifting his mother's hand and lightly kissing the palm. 'But I suppose you enjoy your exertions, or you could send Miss Winyard out with a maid for chaperon.' He turned to Sherida. 'And even you look less animated than usual. I do trust the pile of boxes in the hall is the end, at last, of this orgy of buying?'

  Unable to convince herself that she was not wickedly overspending, Sherida blushed hotly, but before she could reply Lady McNaughton cried, 'Fie on you, Greville! What else should we do but shop, with Sherida's first ball less than ten days away? And dearest, you remember the Tilneys? I've invited them to dine with us tomorrow night, to meet Sherida, and…'

  He had been leaning against the mantel, smiling down at them with an expression of gentle mockery, but at this he stood upright, frowning intently down upon his mother. 'Sir Roland Tilney? Dining here? What on earth…'

  Lady McNaughton cut in, hands fluttering in warning. 'Greville, dearest! Caroline Tilney was Richard Winyard's eldest sister, and is thus Sherida's aunt. We could scarcely not invite them to the ball, and I thought it best that they should dine and meet Sherida first. Indeed, Roland and his mamma may be met everywhere, and since Diane is to make her come-out this year too, it would be nice for Sherida to become friendly with her.'

  Lord McNaughton frowned. 'You don't have to justify your actions to me, Mamma,' he said with obvious untruthfulness. 'It is none of my concern who you invite to this ball. And as you say, the Tilneys are to be met everywhere.' He turned and strolled out of the room, leaving the two women gazing silently after him.

  'Oh, dear,' Lady McNaughton said as the door closed behind her son. 'I forgot that… Well, Greville can be a trifle… But he and Roland meet with perfect amity at their clubs and Almack's, and I thought… However, we shall go ahead with our plans.'

  'Indeed, ma'am, I don't in the least mind meeting the Tilneys for the first time at the ball, if it would ease matters,' Sherida said, trying not to show the curiosity which was consuming her. She paused delicately, is there something about my cousin Roland that I should know, perhaps? Is he a rake?'

  'A rake? I wouldn't say that. I don't scruple to tell you, dearest, that Greville and he have probably quarrelled. Greville's manner has caused him to quarrel with a great many people at one time or another. If I were only to invite my son's close friends to the house, it would be very thin of company indeed!'

  On the evening that the Tilneys were to dine, Sherida descended the stairs in a primrose gown with a gauze overdress in a deeper yellow, feeling considerable trepidation. But Lord McNaughton, ushering her into the room where they would receive their guests, dispelled her nervousness by making her cross instead.

  'You look charming, but you really must not look so frightened,' he said as they heard the butler escorting their guests across the hall. 'Come now, smile and hold your head up!'

  Shooting him a look of fury, Sherida glided across the room in Lady McNaughton's wake, head high, back straight—and made an instant impression on one member of the party. Aunt Caroline was small and dumpy, with a determined jaw and a fixed smile; Diane a tall brunette with a full figure; but it was Cousin Roland who brought the colour flaming to Sherida's cheeks. He was taller than his sister and even darker, with a wing of black hair falling romantically—and intentionally—across his broad white brow. Dark brown eyes fringed with long black lashes fixed themselves on Sherida's small face with unsmiling intensity, and his gaze never left her for a moment while Lady McNaughton performed the introductions.

  When at last he shook her hand it was a relief to smile naturally, able to acknowledge his burning glance and to say how much she was enjoying her stay in London, and how nice it was to meet her cousins.

  'I'm glad. For you are very different from your mamma,' he said, taking her hand and holding it in his own. 'Cousin Sherida, I hope we shall be… good friends! Are you able to ride with me? Drive in the park?'

  Lady McNaughton, who had apparently been deep in conversation with Lady Tilney, said lightly, over her shoulder, 'Don't press her to accept invitations yet, Roland dear. It would not be at all the thing until after the ball which is to introduce her. Once that is over, then she may drive with you, and walk with you,' an infinitesimal pause, 'if she wishes to do so.'

  'But cousins should be friends,' Diane said warmly. 'You may walk with me, may she not, Lady McNaughton, before her ball? And then I can introduce my cousin to other girls who make their come-out this season.'

  Before Lady McNaughton could reply the butler came quietly into the room and caught his lordship's eye. In the bustle of the two younger men politely giving an arm to the older ladies, and Sherida and Diane laughingly clasping hands, no answer was given, but Sherida thought that it might be fun to walk with Diane, and very much hoped that Lady McNaughton's consent would be forthcoming.

  During the meal Roland behaved well and did not again stare so embarrassingly at Sherida, instead giving his attention to his mother and Lady McNaughton, chatting charmingly to them both and drawing Lord McNaughton into the conversation so that the two girls began to become quietly acquainted.

  After they had left the men to their port, Lady McNaughton announced her intention of taking Lady Tilney up to her room for a chat, and advised Sherida and Diane to talk likewise. Sherida was anxious to get to know her cousin better, so the two girls climbed the stairs and entered Sherida's pretty bedchamber.

  'Cousin, I must apologise for the way my brother stared,' Diane said as soon as the door shut behind them. 'I could see he was very struck by you, but he should have remembered it is ill-bred to fix one's gaze so.'

  'I thought I must have a smut on my nose,' Sherida responded frankly, picking up her brush and attacking her soft curls. 'But then I'm not used to parties, and I'd best become used to being stared at. for though I know I'm not anything out of the ordinary, I'm Letty Craven's daughter, and an object of curiosity to those who never even knew she had a child!'

  'Indeed, you're very pretty,' Diane said earnestly. 'But I'm glad Roland didn't offend you. And another thing, dear Sherida, we would so much like to offer you our hospitality this season, especially as you and I are both coming out together. If you would explain to Lord McNaughton that you would rather that the family undertook the task of bringing you into society, I'm sure we could persuade him to let you come to us. My mamma charged me to suggest it to you, should the opportunity arise.'

  'That's impossible,' Sherida said firmly. 'I'm the McNaughtons' ward, you know, and could not even suggest such a thing.' She was rather surprised to find that she had not the slightest desire to move in with her aunt and cousins, however pleasant they might seem, but was careful not to let a trace of her feelings show in her voice or expression.

  'I feared as much.' Diane agreed sadly. 'It would have been so lovely to have you staying with us, but in the circumstances…'

  She left the sentence unfinished and Sherida, her hair tidied, said, 'Shall we join the others?' and moved towards the door.

  'One moment,' Diane said, catching her arm. 'Lord McNaughton is an attractive man, is he not? Perhaps more attractive for his scarred cheek, we foolish females might think! But as you may have guessed, he's not reached the age of thirty-two without having his fair share of… experiences. So while you live under his roof, it might be as well to make it clear that you are by no means living in his pocket!
'

  'Diane, how can you be so ignorant when you've lived in London for years?' Sherida asked incredulously. 'Even I know better than to live in any man's pocket!'

  She moved towards the door again but once more, Diane detained her. 'My dear cousin, don't think I thought you such a goose. But you may be coerced into accepting Lord McNaughton's escort simply because you're living beneath his roof, and I just wanted you to know that if you need squiring to a party or picnic, my brother…'

  'Lord McNaughton hasn't shown the slightest desire to squire me anywhere,' Sherida said. 'Are you trying to suggest he has an interest in me other than his duties as my guardian?'

  Diane was beginning to look harassed. 'No, no, cousin. It's just that… well, if his attentions do begin to seem too particular…'

  Sherida faced her squarely, a challenge in her eyes. 'Why should he pay me particular attention? He's rich enough not to be interested in my inheritance! And he's Crome's heir, I understand, so far from being on the catch for an heiress, heiresses must be on the catch for him!'

  'Yes. But Crome's land marches with Knighton,' Diane said with the air of one telling an unpleasant truth. 'There, I've said the worst, and if you're angry with me I have only myself to blame. But I didn't know if you were aware of all the facts. Lord McNaughton usually dances attendance upon very sophisticated females, and if he does pay you any attention—well, Knighton would round off the Crome estates very nicely, should we say!'

  'We should say nothing of the sort,' Sherida retorted firmly. 'Gossip can be dangerous, Diane. As for your brother, I'm much obliged to him for his offer to squire me to parties, but though he's my cousin, I know less of him, if anything, than I do of Lord McNaughton. And since he and my guardian are much the same age, I suppose Sir Roland, too, has had his fair share of… experiences!'

  This carrying of the war into the enemies' camp was something which plainly discomfited Diane. She blushed and lowered her eyes, saying evasively, 'Roland is not inexperienced, precisely, but the cases are not at all similar. However, let's not quarrel! It was wrong of me to interfere, though I did so with the best intentions. Do forgive me, and then we may be friends!'