When supper was over, the younger guests began dancing in the main parlour, while the older ones retired to play cards. After the first dance Isabella stood chatting with some friends when she felt a touch on her arm. She turned to find Jack at her side, an unusually serious-looking Jack.
'Isabella,' he said softly, so that only she could hear, 'I must speak with you. 'Tis urgent,' he added to forestall her questions.
She regarded him closely. There was a strained look in his eyes, and with a murmured excuse to the others she walked away with him. Jack led her through an unoccupied parlour and out onto a terrace that ran along the entire back of the house.
'We can be private here.'
'What is so urgent and so secret?' Isabella asked curtly, shivering slightly, for the April evening was chilly.
Jack sighed. 'I have been a confounded fool!' he muttered.
Isabella laughed shortly. 'It is not the first time, I think!'
'I know it,' he responded dolefully. 'I would not have approached you could I have thought of another way.'
'Is it money as usual?'
'Yes. I am completely at a stand.'
'Father has helped you in the past, and cannot continue to do so,' she warned. 'He has many calls on his purse to right his estates.'
'I know, and I will not approach him. He has been so generous in the past. But I hoped you might have some idea. You always contrived to get us out of scrapes when we were children.'
'Well?' she asked, still terse, but secretly flattered he should value her ingenuity.
'My income is small, insufficient for me to live as my birth and title demand,' he began.
'You could contrive if you did not squander it,' Isabella pointed out.
'I have tried to economise, but you cannot know how plaguey difficult it can be! When one's friends are spending money, one must pay one's way!'
'Aye, that I understand, but must you have such extravagant friends?'
'Would you prefer me a hermit? That is the only way else. And advancement comes through influence. 'Tis the only way I shall ever improve matters, by obtaining some post at Court.'
'I doubt if your friends would be of much help to you there! If you retrenched for a few years, and spent the time looking after your estates, mayhap your income would increase in the future.'
'You do not understand,' he said angrily. 'It is now the King is giving away posts. I cannot afford to be away from his Court.'
'You will have to if you are to make a recover.'
'That is not enough, in any event. I am desperate.'
'Then marry an heiress, if you can,' Isabella suggested.
'Do you think I do not intend to do that? But that takes time, and I do not have time. Isabella, please do not desert me now!'
'Tell me the whole,' she commanded.
*
'I was put to considerable expense coming to Court,' he said slowly. 'I realised I was increasing my debts, and so I tried to right matters this afternoon by wagers on the races.'
'Oh Jack! Will you never learn?' Isabella exclaimed.
'It is the only way. If I could but have won on that one race, my debts would have been cleared, and I would have had some in hand.'
'Where did you obtain the money for the wagers?'
'I – I borrowed it from a friend,' he said reluctantly.
'And you must pay it back soon.'
'Naturally, a debt of honour must be paid. The others can wait awhile. If only I had prospects I could borrow elsewhere, but there is no money coming to me, and I cannot sell more land! If I can announce a betrothal soon, Isabella, that will satisfy my creditors, but some money I must have within a week!'
'I have no money, and even if I had I would be reluctant to lend it to you, Jack. I wonder your friends do!'
'That is beside the point! I hoped you would have some idea to help me, though I realised I would have to endure a sermon! 'Twas not entirely my fault. The race should have been a certainty!' Jack protested angrily. 'I would have won, but Jason Marlowe lost the race deliberately!'
Isabella gasped. 'What are you saying? You cannot imagine he placed the child there deliberately! 'Tis ridiculous!'
'Of course not! The other race. Marlowe is a damn good rider, and should have won easily. There must have been some trickery!'
'Jack, you are demented!' Isabella exclaimed in horror. 'Jason Marlowe may be – '
She was interrupted by a low laugh behind her, and swung round in dismay. A tall figure loomed up beside her, illuminated by the faint moonlight.
'Some other time I would be enchanted to hear what you think I am, but for the present your cousin's accusation concerns me to the exclusion of all else,' Jason drawled.
'How long were you listening?' Isabella demanded angrily, but Jason ignored her.
'You aver I cheated, Sir Jack?' he asked calmly.
Jack, horrified his incautious remarks had been overheard, could not reply, and after a brief pause Jason went on smoothly.
'I have a great dislike of being accused of dishonourable conduct.'
'Then what do you call listening to private conversations?' Isabella put in sharply.
Jason glanced at her. 'Be so kind as to leave us. I would speak alone with your cousin.'
'I will not! You had no right to listen to us.'
'I had no choice, since you conduct private conversations where anyone may hear you. If you will not have the decency to retire, then you shall hear what I have to say to your cousin, but I beg you will remain silent! You may be thankful, Sir Jack, I was the one who heard you. I will be content with a private apology, and your assurance you were wrong in your belief.'
Jack breathed deeply, not knowing how to reply. He did indeed half believe his wild accusation, for he was near crazy with worry over his debts, and intensely bitter about the day's losses. But it would appear craven to withdraw his accusation, especially in front of Isabella. He remained silent, but not so Isabella, who was fuming because of Jason's words to her, but also from fear for Jack.
'My cousin had no intention of repeating his words about you,' she asserted. 'It was but a private opinion he expressed, and an ill-considered one.'
'I requested you to remain silent!' Jason said coldly, and Jack was also stung into speech.
'Can you not permit me to conduct my own affairs, Isabella?' he demanded.
Attacked by them both, she was silent, but only for a moment. Speedily recovering, she turned first on Jack.
'You were only too anxious to have my advice on the conduct of your affairs a while since! Well, since you reject my offer of help in this matter, I will make no offer on the other. As for you, Mr Marlowe, no man speaks to me as you have done without regretting it!'
*
She swung on her heel and marched back into the house, clenching her fists tightly as Jason's low laugh followed her.
'A doughty warrior, your cousin,' he remarked.
Jack, smarting under the humiliations, chose to regard this as an insult, and sprang to Isabella's defence.
'I do not require your opinion on my cousin, Mr Marlowe.'
'But I require your apology. Do you intend to offer it?'
'I have no proof there was no trickery,' Jack said slowly.
'Only my word,' Jason said curtly. 'But I can see a young cub like yourself, intent only in trapping some heiress into marrying you, would not know how to accept the word of a gentleman!'
Jack glared at him. 'You would dangle after Mistress Frances yourself,' he said, unwisely.
'I did not mention the lady, but your aspirations towards her are a trifle obvious. I recommend a less crude approach if you wish to succeed,' Jason advised.
Mortified that his as yet only partly formed plan of attaching Frances to him had been perceived, Jack lost the last vestiges of caution. He recalled scraps of gossip he had heard.
'You would marry her yourself, I suppose! And this is as good a way of disposing of me as any, you imagine! I know your reputation as a swordsman, and I'm told you shoot better than most men! Well, we shall see. I had no intention of repeating my suspicions to any but Isabella, and that was not intended either, but she would never repeat it, and you had no cause to challenge me. But it serves as an excuse!'
'You might not intend to repeat it to your next confidante,' Jason remarked softly. 'But if you give me your word, and apologise, I will believe you still a gentleman.'
'Apologise to you? Indeed I will not!'
'Then name your friends!'
Jack, too angry by now to be afraid, spoke as curtly.
'George Stowe will act for me. He is here tonight.'
With that he turned and almost ran into the house. Jason looked after him, then leaned against the wall of the terrace. It was there Isabella found him a few minutes later when she came out of the house. She walked towards him.
'Mr Marlowe, is it you?' she asked as she came near.
'Mistress Vaughan again. To what do I owe your return?'
'Jack says you have challenged him to a duel,' she said hesitantly.
'So he rushes straight to you for protection?' he asked scornfully.
'No! I was waiting for him, and forced him to tell me what happened.'
'Yes, I can imagine you would.'
Isabella caught the mocking tone in his voice, and stared up at him, but his face was in shadow, and she could not tell what his expression was.
'I came to ask you,' she said slowly and with great difficulty, 'if you would stop the affair?'
'I cannot do that.'
'You issued the challenge. Surely, if you so wished, you could withdraw it?'
'It has been accepted. Your cousin wished to fight rather than apologise for the insult he paid me.'
'If I can persuade him to apologise, will you then stop it?'
'How do you imagine you will be able to do that?'
'I have some influence with my cousin.'
'You seem to imagine you have influence, as you call it, with everyone. I do not think your cousin would be any more pleased by your interference than I am.'
'I only interfere because he is as yet a boy, and no expert such as you! You will be taking an unfair advantage of him. If I persuade him to apologise, surely that will satisfy your vanity?'
'I would prefer any apology to be because of his own good sense, rather than the result of the importunities of a girl who cannot mind her own business!'
Isabella breathed deeply, endeavouring to control the last shreds of her temper.
'I do not think we see things the same way,' she said in a tight voice, attempting to be conciliating.
'We are different people, are we not?'
'Please, Mr Marlowe,' Isabella at last forced herself to plead, 'I beg of you, do not go on with this affair.'
'Is your cousin so dear to you?'
'He is but a boy, and has no parents to turn to.'
'Boys need to be taught lessons. I shall do that.'
'Then you are adamant?'
'I doubt if he would apologise even with your good offices to prompt him,' Jason said. 'If he does not, I will go through with the business.'
'Oh, you are impossible!' Isabella raged impotently. 'Can nought I say move you?'
Jason laughed. 'Nought you say, but mayhap something you would do.'
'What do you mean?'
'Would you be prepared to buy your cousin's safety?'
'I do not understand you, sir!'
'You have already endangered your reputation by coming to me out here.'
'What nonsense!' she protested.
'Are you not afraid of being in such a compromising situation with a notorious rake such as myself?'
Isabella could hear the laughter in his voice, and turned away from him, but before she could move away he caught her arm and swung her back to face him.
'If your reputation is of so little moment to you, would you not risk it a little further to save your cousin?'
'I know not what you mean!'
'Do not play the innocent with me!'
Before Isabella could answer, he pulled her close into his arms, and his lips, hard and demanding, came down on hers. After the first shock of surprise that held her rigid, she struggled to free herself, but he was far too strong for her, and held her imprisoned for what seemed an eternity. At last he lifted his head without taking his arms from around her.
'Well?' he asked mockingly. 'What of your reputation now?'
Isabella was breathing deeply, and as he slackened his hold slightly, she freed her hand and slapped him hard across the face. He merely laughed.
'Would you provoke me to another challenge, my dear Isabella?' he asked softly.
'You are insufferable! Release me at once!'
'To be perfectly honest, I am enjoying this.'
'You are an unprincipled bully to take advantage of me so, when I came to beg your charity! You have insulted me!'
'No, I meant a compliment,' he replied, infuriatingly. 'So we are to have a duel as well, of a different sort, I suppose? We can contrive without seconds, I think?'
Isabella deigned no reply, but finally broke away and walked swiftly back into the house, where she tried, unsuccessfully, to forget the feel of Jason's hard body against hers, and his lips that had bruised her own. By the time she had been up to her room to tidy herself and recover her composure, and then went in search of Jack, she was told he had left with his friend Stowe, at whose house he was staying.
*
Clare had hoped to find an opportunity during the dancing to slip away with Edward for a while, but she found herself too closely watched by Mr Aloysius, who at last managed to secure her for a dance.
'This is a fine house your aunt Lady Lyndon has, though I can well appreciate the problems she has with it,' he said as the dance ended.
'Problems?'
'Yes. She was so condescending as to confide in me, and I hope to be able to put my own not inconsiderable experience and knowledge at her command.'
'Oh? Yes,' Clare said somewhat faintly. 'I am sure she will be delighted.'
'I was admiring the pictures,' Mr Aloysius continued, undeterred by Clare's lack of response. 'Would you care to walk with me in the gallery, and mayhap tell me who the subjects are?'
'I have not visited the house before, I do not know many,' Clare objected hurriedly.
'No matter. You will not deprive me of your charming company, I trust?'
'Very well, sir.' Clare capitulated, realising it was a necessary politeness to her aunt's guest. She led the way to the long gallery at the top of the house which contained the collection of portraits of the Lyndon ancestors. There were several other people strolling about, and they walked slowly along, Mr Aloysius displaying some familiarity with the painters and expatiating on their weaknesses, while admitting these were not too strongly evident in the samples of their work possessed by Lady Lyndon. Clare was able to name some of the sitters, having been shown over the house the previous day by Frances, but she was thankful when they reached the end of the gallery.
'Let us sit here for a moment,' Mr Aloysius suggested when she would have turned to retrace their steps. Before she could refuse, he led her across to a pair of brocade-covered chairs, and after she was seated in one, he drew the other close and sat beside her.
'I consider myself fortunate to have been invited here tonight,' he began ingratiatingly.
'Yes, my aunt is famed for her parties,' Clare answered.
'It was not the party I had in mind, though of course that is to be commended. I was thinking of my excellent fortune in securing more of your company, and to achieve such comparative solitude is bliss indeed.'
'I think we ought to return to the parlour,' Clare said, trying to rise, but he caught her by the wrist and held her firmly.
'Pray, Mistress Clare, first listen to what I have to say. No, little bird, do not struggle, or your wings will be hurt. Oh, Clare, I can conceal my feelings for you no longer. Pray forgive me, Clare, for speaking to you so, but your sweetness overwhelms me, and I can restrain myself no longer!'
'Mr Aloysius!' Clare protested, after the first shock of his words had left her for a moment speechless.
'Had you no idea of my feelings? Have I not hinted what you mean to me?'
'Pray release me! I – oh, I cannot – '
Clare was stammering and blushing in her distress and anger, but he took these signs for maidenly confusion and pressed her hand which he held in his.
'You are young and innocent, my dear, and I should not have startled you like this. I am too impetuous, but I cannot gaze on your beauty and remain unmoved. Pray give me but one word of hope. I shall approach your father with my offer as soon as I return to London.'
Clare shook her head, helplessly.
'Do not worry, my little one, for I know he will consider me favourably. There are no problems, for I am wealthy, and not, I flatter myself, ill-connected.'
'Please, sir, I wish to go back to the parlour. I am feeling overcome.'
'No wonder, but you must blame your own charms, my love, for you render a man insensible of all propriety.'
He stood up and assisted Clare to her feet. Looking round, he saw there were only a few people in the gallery, at the far end.
'My love, my angel! Grant me but one token of your regard for me!'
Before she understood his intention, Clare saw his face come closer. She recoiled, but he grasped her shoulders. She could not step back for the chair was immediately behind her.
Horrified, she tried to twist away as she felt his lips, wet and slack, descend on hers for a brief moment before he released her. Clare, shocked and outraged, collapsed onto the chair and stared at him in anger.
'My dearest, I have been too abrupt! Forgive me.'
'Will you please leave me!'
'Not alone, my little love.'
Clare's wits had not completely deserted her. 'I would like some wine,' she said faintly, and with a beaming smile he nodded and moved away.
*
As soon as he had left the gallery, Clare rose, and quickly went to a door partly concealed by the panelling. It led to the servants' quarters, and Frances had taken them that way. She glanced round and saw no one observed her, then slipped hastily through. She leant for a moment against the wall, shivering at the disgust she had felt, and then, calculating the time it would take for Mr Aloysius to obtain the wine and return upstairs, she went slowly down the back stairs and then to the parlour, almost colliding with Edward as she went hurrying through the doorway.
'Edward! Thank God I have found you!'
'Clare, what is it?' he asked in alarm, noting her distress.
'I must talk with you, 'tis urgent!' She looked round quickly. 'I have it, the dining parlour. The servants will have finished in there by now, and there will be no one there.'
She led the way into the deserted room, and Edward closed the door behind them. He gathered her to him, and felt her tremble as she clung to him and burst into tears. Gently he soothed her and she was soon coherent enough to tell him what had happened.
'That odious man! He made me an offer, and then, when I was trying to tell him I would not, he kissed me, and oh, Edward, I felt sick!'
'My poor love! But you are safe now. I will not leave you until he has gone.'
'It is not that I fear. Edward, he is rich! He spoke of seeing my father, and it was as though he knew there would be no objection! I thought he might already have hinted and received encouragement! I am terrified they will accept his proposal!'
'He would not consider such a man! He is ill bred and an upstart, and a laughing stock for all his wealth.'
'I know, but I was brought to London to contract a rich marriage. My parents may think this will be the best offer I shall receive.'
'They would not force you to wed him,' Edward insisted.
'I would not, whatever they did to me, but I am so afraid! Edward, take me away! I beg of you! We will never persuade my father to allow us to marry, and even if they do not accept Mr Aloysius, there will be others. I cannot bear the constant pressure. We must run away, 'tis our only hope.'
Edward stared in dismay. 'Surely in the end they will allow us to wed,' he suggested.
'No! They are determined, and they will plague me day after day, and I will not be able to withstand them. Please, Edward, if you love me, take me away! I cannot live else!'
'You are under age, and I would be charged with abduction. That would not help us,' he warned.
'I would explain that I asked you. Besides, once it were done, my parents would not be vindictive, though they might not receive us.'
'If we could achieve it.'
'Why not? We need only a few hours start to get to France, and there we could hide and be safe.'
They argued it out, and eventually Edward reluctantly agreed that they must elope, as Clare infected him with her fears of a forced marriage, and he realised how great a strain she would be under resisting these proposals. They began to discuss the practical details.
'Jack will help us,' Clare decided. 'He was always ready for a prank.'
'This is more serious,' Edward demurred.
'It will not deter Jack, and I must have help to escape from the house and an excuse for a few hours, so they do not begin to search at once.'
They agreed the best time would be during the Coronation festivities in the following week, and having made their plans, rejoined the party.
Soon afterwards people began to leave. Clare kept well out of the way until Edward reported Mr Aloysius had gone, but he was disappointed he could not find Jack.
'We will see him tomorrow or on Friday, when there will be more chance of talking,' Clare tried to reassure him, and Edward then took his own leave.
Jason Marlowe, to Isabella's chagrin, was one of the last to go, and he gave her a conspiratorial grin as he bowed over Lady Lyndon's hand.
'Farewell. I will undoubtedly see you at the races tomorrow,' he said softly as he took leave of Isabella.
Angry but helpless, she watched him stroll elegantly out of the house, and when the last few guests had departed went thoughtfully to bed, more desperately worried for her cousin than ever before in his adventurous career. She was convinced that Jack's early departure was because the meeting had been arranged for the next morning, and Jason's parting remark had confirmed this. She knew where these meetings took place, at a secluded spot on the heath, and she lay in bed for hours, unable to sleep, while Clare lay breathing peacefully beside her, dreaming of Edward and their plans for elopement.
*