Eleanor was both surprised and angry to see that John instantly wheeled away. ‘How dare he? I think he must have gone mad!’
‘No, no, nothing of the sort!’ he said soothingly. ‘I ride a great deal with your uncle, you see. John knows me well. He knows I am to be trusted, even if certain others…’ He looked at her again with that quizzical gleam in his eye, and once again she felt a strong wish to respond. He went on, ‘But never mind him—I want to talk to you. Are you really a mindless doll? Tell me it isn’t so. Tell me my first impression was correct—that you’re a young woman with a mind of her own, that you don’t judge a man on hearsay and gossip.’
Eleanor made one last attempt to obey her aunt’s wishes. ‘Mr Guthrie, I know it must seem feeble—as feeble-minded as gazing in such an idiotic manner at the chandelier last night—’
‘I didn’t find that idiotic! I thought it was enchanting! The look of wonder on your face, the reflections of those crystals in your eyes. I was bewitched!’
This was so totally unexpected that Eleanor gazed at him in surprise.
‘Yes, that’s something like the look,’ he said softly. Eleanor snapped her mouth shut and made an effort to recover herself.
‘P-please!’ She was annoyed to find herself stammering.
He laughed and said, ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to put you into such confusion. Forgive me. What were you about to say?’
‘What was it…? Oh, yes! I believe I am not without a mind of my own. But I do defer to people whose judgement I trust. Tell me, why should I disregard my aunt’s opinion of you—which is that you are not a fit companion for me—in order to pay attention to anything you might say? I met you for the first time last night.’
He was silent for a moment, then smiled wryly and said, ‘You are right, of course. I seem to have caught the American disease of wanting to hurry things along too swiftly. You need time to get to know me. Well, that can be arranged. But dare I ask you to hold judgement until you do know me better?’
‘I fear that may prove difficult. From what I observed last night, my aunt would never allow you to enter her house.’
‘I agree with you—nor would most of the others! And I must confess that up to this moment I have not given a dam—’
‘Mr Guthrie!’
‘A dam, Miss Southeran, is a small Indian coin worth practically nothing.’
Eleanor was not wholly convinced of this, but let it pass, since her interest had been caught by something else. She asked eagerly, ‘Have you been in India? Oh, how fortunate you are! I have always been fascinated by the stories I have heard of it, and of the countries in Asia.’
He smiled at the expression on her face. ‘The romantic East? Don’t get too carried away, Miss Southeran. There’s a wealth of myth and legend about the East, not all confined to its history, literature and art. It’s true that when I was young fortunes were there for those prepared to work for them, or, rather, fight for them. But the climate—and the life of most of the people—is very hard.’ He looked down at her absorbed face. ‘Would you really like to hear more about India? Come for a drive with me this afternoon in the park.’ Eleanor hesitated. ‘Unless you’re afraid, of course.’
‘Afraid?’
‘Oh, not of me! You have nothing to fear from me. No, of what the tittle-tattling matrons of London might say. Any lady seen with me is automatically deemed to be beyond redemption! It makes for a somewhat isolated life.’ When Eleanor still hesitated he said somewhat grimly, ‘I see. I am to be condemned without a hearing, even by you.’
‘I…I…’ The battle with her conscience was lost. ‘What do you drive, Mr Guthrie?’
‘I normally drive a curricle. But if you were to consent to a drive with me I would use something more suited to a lady.’
‘No! That is not what I want at all! I have always wanted…that is, I should like very much…Do you have a phaeton—a sporting phaeton, a high one?’
He stared at her, then his hard face broke into a smile. ‘A woman of spirit! I knew it! I shall arrange to have one this afternoon—but what will your aunt say?’
‘I think my aunt would rather see me in a tumbril than in any vehicle driven by you, Mr Guthrie. But you are right. I am not a doll—nor a child! At what time do you drive in the park?’
‘Usually about five.’
‘If I happened to be walking there at that time, would you offer to take me up?’
‘I should be honoured. At five, then?’
Eleanor took a deep breath and said, ‘At five.’
They had reached the end of the path where John was waiting for her. Mr Guthrie raised his hat again, gave a nod to the groom, and rode off in the direction of Knightsbridge. Eleanor returned to South Audley Street, wondering if she had gone mad.
Chapter Two
By the afternoon she was sure she was mad. Hyde Park was crowded with the ton all taking their afternoon airing—walking, riding and driving in every form of vehicle. Gentlemen drove by in their gigs and curricles, ladies displayed their pretty dresses and parasols in open landaulets—the smarter set in handsome barouches—and Eleanor had the feeling that here was a world just waiting to watch her defy it. If she had not given Mr Guthrie her word she would have obeyed her strong inclination to go back to her aunt’s house before the fatal hour of five.
However, when the gentleman stopped and offered to take Miss Southeran up, Eleanor interrupted her aunt’s refusal, and accepted. In response to Lady Walcot’s startled protest, Eleanor said firmly, ‘Forgive me, Aunt Hetty. Half an hour only,’ and climbed into the phaeton. She ignored the stares directed at her and put on an air of serenity which belied the pounding of her heart as Mr Guthrie drove off.
‘Bravely done! Allow me to congratulate you.’
‘I am not at all sure it is a matter for congratulation, sir! As you very well know, I run the risk of being sent to Coventry for this venture. However, since I have only a short time left in London I can bear that. Why do people dislike you so?’
‘Because they mistakenly believe me to be dishonest and dishonourable.’
Eleanor blinked at this forthright statement. ‘Have they cause?’
Mr Guthrie paused. At last he said, ‘Matters are not always what they seem, Miss Southeran. They think they have cause.’
‘You are fencing with me, I think.’
‘You are right. Miss Southeran, there are reasons why I cannot be frank in talking of my own affairs. I do not intend to give you tedious half-truths. My hope is rather that if we could get to know each other better you would judge me more kindly than the rest of society does. But now you tell me that you have only a short time left in London?’
‘I return home in a week’s time.’
‘At the very beginning of the season? Do you not regret that?’
‘Not in the slightest. I love my home. I cannot wait to see it again.’
‘Tell me about it.’
Eleanor never needed much encouragement to speak of Stanyards, and with that and stories of India the half-hour passed swiftly for them both. It was with regret that Eleanor noticed that they were leaving the park and making for South Audley Street.
‘Where are you going tonight? Shall I see you there?’ asked Mr Guthrie as they drew up at the Walcot house.
‘Tonight? I think not. My aunt is taking me to a ball at the French ambassador’s.’