Amelia glanced through the pile of cards on the silver salver in the hall when they all returned from an outing the following afternoon. She looked pleased as she mentioned one or two names, and then frowned as she came to the last one. Her housekeeper was hovering near by and she beckoned to her.
‘When did Lord Coleridge call, Mrs Becks?’
‘Just after you all went out, Miss Royston.’
‘Was he alone?’
‘Yes, miss. I believe so. Is something wrong?’
‘Oh…no,’ Amelia said, but she still looked slightly bothered about something as she took off her hat and handed it to Mrs Becks. ‘I was just a little surprised that he should call. He is Lord Pendleton’s friend rather than mine.’
‘Do you not approve of Lord Coleridge?’ Helene asked as she followed Amelia into the small parlour, which they used when not entertaining. ‘He seemed very pleasant when he…when we met yesterday.’
‘You met yesterday?’ Amelia glanced at her, surprised. ‘You did not mention it, Helene. Are you acquainted with Lord Coleridge?’
‘Oh, no,’ Helene said and blushed. ‘I suppose I ought to have told you about the incident, but there were visitors when Emily and I returned—’ She broke off and blushed, for during the night she had lain awake, remembering her impulsive behaviour, and shuddering at the thought of what might have happened if Lord Coleridge had not come to her rescue. ‘I hope you will not censure me…’ She repeated what had occurred and was rendered a little anxious when Amelia frowned. ‘I know it was impulsive, and perhaps I ought not to have done it, but I cannot abide cruelty.’
‘No, nor can I,’ Amelia said and looked serious. ‘I would not recommend such behaviour, Helene, for if Lord Coleridge had not happened to be passing you might have been in some trouble. Also, your behaviour might be censured by some in society, though not by me. I can understand your feelings, my dear, though I would urge caution for your own sake.’
‘I am sorry if I have displeased you.’ Helene looked at her anxiously. ‘You will not mention it to Mama, please?’
‘No, of course not. And you have not displeased me,’ Amelia told her. ‘At least it explains why Lord Coleridge called this afternoon. No doubt he wanted to inquire after you, to make sure you had suffered no harm.’
‘That was kind of him, was it not?’
‘Yes, though I should be a little careful of becoming too friendly with that gentleman.’ Amelia shook her head, an odd expression in her eyes. ‘No, forget I said that, Helene. He is perfectly respectable…and it was a long time ago. I should not have said anything.’
Helene would have asked her to explain further, but her mother, who had gone straight upstairs earlier, now entered the room and looked at her. ‘Have you decided which dress you will wear this evening, my dearest? It is a soirée, so you will need one of your new gowns that we brought with us. I thought the pale green satin might look well—especially with the gloves and slippers you bought this morning.’
‘Yes, Mama,’ Helene said. ‘I think the green is perhaps the nicest of the gowns we brought with us.’
‘It will be very suitable for this evening,’ Amelia said. ‘Lady Marsh’s affair is quite small, but she is a particular friend and knows all the best people. We are fortunate to be invited to one of her musical evenings. You will meet some new acquaintances, which will make things easier for you tomorrow at the dance. You do not want to be sitting with your mama when the dancing begins, for everyone hates to be a wallflower.’
Helene smiled and thanked her. Amelia had warned her of becoming too friendly with Lord Coleridge, though she had immediately retracted her words. What had been in her mind? Despite her retraction, and her assurance that Lord Coleridge was perfectly respectable, Helene suspected that she either did not like or did not approve of Lord Coleridge. Why? What had he done that had made her feel it would be better if Helene did not form a friendship with him?
As Helene went up to change for the evening she was still pondering the question. She had liked Lord Coleridge. He had come to her rescue and dealt swiftly and firmly with what might have been an awkward situation, but, more than that, she had responded to his sense of humour and the twinkle in his eyes. However, on reflection, she recalled that he was a member of the aristocracy and perhaps it would be best to put the small incident from her mind. It would not suit her to marry a gentleman who had no idea of the value of money and wasted his blunt when it might be put to good use. Her mother had been slighted and ill used by Papa’s family and Helene did not wish for something similar to happen to her. She would do much better with a gentleman of moderate fortune who thought as she did about the important things of life.
She was a thoughtful girl and was sensible of the fact that she owed her chance to enter society entirely to Miss Royston. Without Amelia’s generosity, she would never have been given a Season in London. Rather than offend her hostess, she would try to avoid Lord Coleridge’s company as much as possible, though of course she would speak to him when they met. He had done her a service and mere politeness demanded that she thank him at least once more. However, it was more than likely that she would not often meet him. He was a titled gentleman and she did not suppose that he would be in the least interested in a country nobody. Nor indeed was she interested in anything more than a nodding acquaintance with a man like him!
‘Max!’ a voice hailed him loudly from across the road as he was about to enter his sporting club. Max turned and looked round; he grinned as he saw the younger man approaching on foot. ‘I am glad to have caught you. I am just this day come to town. Harry sent me to look at some decent cattle he heard of and I think they are just what I need. I wondered if you would give me the benefit of your advice in the morning?’
‘Toby Sinclair…’ Max clapped him on the shoulder. ‘The newest member of the Four-in-Hand. So Harry put you on the right track, did he? Your uncle is one of the best judges of horseflesh I know. I doubt you need my advice.’
‘I should like it none the less,’ Toby said. ‘I have no engagements in town as yet.’
‘Ah…’ Max nodded, looked thoughtful, then, ‘I am promised to Lady Marsh this evening. I think you know my great-aunt Edith? I am certain she would welcome you.’
‘Thank you,’ Toby said, his eyes lighting up. ‘I could have spent the evening at a gaming hell, but I’ve just accepted an offer from Harry to join him in a business venture and I am trying not too waste too much blunt at the tables.’
‘Sensible,’ Max said and frowned. ‘I happened to see Northaven this morning. I was surprised to see him back in town after what happened at Pendleton last year. He would have done better to take himself off abroad as Harry bid him.’
‘I dare say his pride would not let him.’
‘I dare say you are right.’
‘I have wondered if it was Northaven who attempted to kidnap Amelia Royston in Pendleton woods last summer,’ Toby said. ‘If, indeed, it was an attempt to snatch her and not merely a botched robbery?’
‘Ravenshead has his own ideas on the subject,’ Max said and looked thoughtful. ‘Miss Royston is in town, you know. She has some friends staying—Mrs Henderson and her daughter Helene.’
‘Really? I must call tomorrow,’ Toby said. He looked round as they entered the sporting club together. ‘Are you going to box or fence today?’
‘I thought to see who was here,’ Max said. ‘Do you fancy yourself with the foils, Sinclair?’
‘Well, I’m not sure I’m up to your mark, Coleridge,’ Toby said and grinned. ‘But I’m game if you are?’
‘Delighted,’ Max said and clapped him on the back. ‘Tell you the truth, I’ve been missing Harry and Gerard. Harry invited me down to Pendleton, and I may go in a few weeks, but I have not heard