Dear Deceiver

His doubts about her suitability gave way to a conviction that she would be an asset to any household, not as a servant, but as wife and mother. The thought startled him, for was he not engaged to be married? He forced himself back to the matter in hand and tried to look stern. ‘I presume you are unmarried with no emotional entanglements? I ask because you will be required to live in and devote yourself to my sister.’

‘I understand that, my lord. The man I was to marry died of fever four years ago. There has been no one since then, but, as you know, I do have a brother.’

‘I see. He is not yet suited?’

‘Oh, Dominic, do find something for Miss Woodhill’s brother,’ Lucy put in. ‘I do so want her to come to us.’

‘Lucy,’ he said patiently. ‘You know how careful we have to be over—’

‘Oh, my lord, I did not mean…’ Emma said. ‘I was not…’ She stopped and began again. ‘Teddy has been educated to good degree; he is not looking for domestic work. He has gone to India House and will doubtless be given employment there.’

‘Of course. Your father’s name will be known to them.’

‘Yes,’ she said, wishing the ground would swallow her. This was becoming harder and harder, but once started on the deception, there was no way she could stop it without confessing all. And she could not do it. Teddy was relying on her.

‘As for wages,’ he went on. ‘What do you say to fifty pounds a year and all found?’

Emma had no way of knowing that this was more than generous and did a quick conversion to rupees, which was a futile exercise because standards were so different in India. On the other hand, she would be living in and, as pin money, it would do very well. The only trouble was that if Teddy did not find a post where he could live in, she would have to pay for his lodgings. ‘I would prefer to be paid monthly, my lord,’ she said.

‘Very well, monthly it shall be.’ He smiled and held out his hand. ‘Let us shake hands on the deal and you may start as soon as you wish, then you will have time to become accustomed to your duties before the Season begins in earnest.’

Emma found her hand clasped in a cool, dry grip and found herself thinking what an uncommonly attractive man he was, not only physically, but in temperament. His smile made her feel as though she was of some consequence; he treated her like an equal even when he had no cause to think of her as anything but a servant. She hated herself for deceiving him and didn’t know how she was going to survive seeing him every day and living a lie.

Perhaps he would be busy, out and about doing masculine, bachelor things, and she would not need to see much of him. Why did that thought sadden her? ‘Thank you, my lord,’ she said, retrieving her hand. ‘I will start the day after tomorrow, if I may.’

‘Oh, I am so pleased,’ Lucy exclaimed, as Dominic went over to the secretaire and opened a drawer. ‘I shall look forward to seeing you then.’

‘You will need this.’ Dominic came forward, offering a small bag which Emma realised contained coins.

‘My lord?’ she queried doubtfully. ‘I have earned nothing yet.’

‘It is customary, Miss Woodhill, to give a small advance for clothes and suchlike.’ He gave Lucy a warning look to stop her contradicting him. ‘You know better than I what you need.’

Emma wondered if he were criticising her dress, but she was in no position to be disdainful of an advance. She accepted gratefully and took her leave, hardly noticing the young man who was at that moment approaching the house. She had done it! She had a job and somewhere to live, and she only hoped that his lordship never found out the truth. Somehow she knew he would be more hurt than angry and she never wanted to hurt him. She would have to work hard, learn her job and be a true friend to Miss Besthorpe.

Her reverie was brought to a startling end by a commotion in the street. A chimney boy, black as Satan and carrying a bundle of brushes on his shoulder, had turned suddenly towards one of the houses and his pole had come into contact with the rump of a horse which had been hitched to a tree outside the Marquis’s gate. The startled animal bolted, to the accompaniment of screams and shouts from passers-by, which only served to increase its terror. Its owner, who had been taking the steps, two at a time, up to Lord Besthorpe’s door, turned to run after it. Emma sprang back out of his way as he brushed past her, just as someone darted out from nowhere and grabbed the runaway’s reins.

In that moment she realised, with a shock, that it was her brother and he was being dragged along the road, while everyone in the vicinity stood and stared. But he clung on manfully and brought the horse to a shuddering halt. He was standing with his head up against the horse’s, murmuring soothingly to it, when its owner came up to him. Emma hurried to join them.

‘I’m obliged to you, young shaver,’ the man was saying and Emma realised it was the man who had been with Lord Besthorpe at Grillons the evening they arrived in London. There was no mistaking his red-gold locks. ‘That was a spunky thing to do. Nelson could have caused no end of a furore with the traffic. He might done untold damage, not to mention injuring himself.’

‘He is still very agitated,’ Teddy said, patting the stallion’s neck. ‘It is hardly to be wondered at—such an out-and-out thoroughbred is bound to be spirited.’ The horse whinnied with pleasure at the fondling and soft voice of the young man. ‘See, he knows, doesn’t he? I wonder you subject him to the city traffic, sir.’

‘Impudent young bratling!’

‘Teddy, do mind your manners,’ Emma put in. She turned to the horse’s owner. ‘I am sorry for my brother’s rudeness, sir. I am afraid he was always more outspoken than was good for him. He meant no criticism.’

’emma, I do not need you to speak for me, much less tell what is in my mind,’ Teddy said. ‘A man who subjects a horse like that to the noise and bustle of city streets don’t deserve to own such a one.’

Emma was horrified, but the man started to laugh and he kept on laughing, until Teddy’s own mouth twitched and Emma found herself smiling.

‘You obviously know your horses, young man. Where did you learn about them?’

‘In India. We take care of our horses there.’

‘So we do in England.’ He smiled. ‘I do not customarily ride race horses in town and you were quite right to chide me, but, you see, I have only half an hour ago purchased him at Tattersall’s and could not resist the opportunity to ride him home.’

‘I beg pardon, sir,’ Teddy said. ‘I should not have been so quick to criticise without knowing the whole, but…’

‘No, you should not.’ He took the reins from Teddy’s hand and patted the horse. ‘But I am obliged to you for stopping him.’ He felt in his pocket for a coin with which to reward the boy.

‘I’ve seen you before,’ Teddy said, reluctant to let the beautiful animal go and ignoring the proffered half-crown. ‘You were at Grillons the other night with…’ He stopped suddenly confused, when he saw the man he had referred to as a Corinthian striding towards them.

‘I heard the commotion,’ he said. ‘Bertie, what’s amiss?’

‘I was on my way to see you, wanted to show off my latest purchase, tied him to a tree. Trouble was he was spooked by a chimney boy and this young shaver, not only stopped him, but afforded me a lecture on how I should look after him.’

Dominic smiled. ‘And you disliked that, I do not doubt.’ He walked slowly round the animal, now standing patiently at the side of the road. ‘He’s a beauty, isn’t he?’

‘Top of the trees. I bought him for stud, but I think I might give him a race or two. You should have seen him gallop down the road. Scattered everyone, except the lad.’

Dominic turned towards Teddy. ‘Mr Woodhill, I am happy to make your acquaintance.’

‘Oh, I am sorry,’ Emma put in, suddenly remembering her manners. ‘Lord Besthorpe, allow me to present my brother, Edward. Teddy, this is the Marquis of Cavenham.’

‘Marquis?’ Teddy’s expression was almost comical. ‘I say, Em, that’s a turn-up, ain’t it?’

‘What is?’ demanded the owner of the horse.

‘Why, that we should have bumped into his lordship three times in less than a se’ennight,’ Teddy said. ‘First on board the ship from India, then at Grillons. And I said to Em…’A look from Emma silenced him, for she was sure he was going to say something indiscreet.

‘Teddy, his lordship has been kind enough to give me a position in his household.’

‘Has he? Oh, that’s capital!’

‘Are you looking for work, young man?’ The query came from the man Dominic had addressed at Bertie.

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Are you as good with horses as you say you are?’

‘Course I am. Ask my sister.’

‘Then I’ll give you a trial in my stables.’

‘A stable lad!’ said Teddy in tones of contempt. ‘I ain’t so sure…’

‘Teddy, don’t be so ungrateful!’ Emma remonstrated.

‘Mr Cosgrove doesn’t have your ordinary kind of stable,’ Dominic put in. ‘He’s one of the country’s foremost racehorse owners and breeders.’

‘There’s more like this one?’ Teddy queried, patting Nelson’s shining black neck.

‘Yes, several,’ Bertie said. ‘You’d have to come down to Newmarket and live in with the other lads. If you come up to the mark, you’d be able to exercise the horses of a morning.’

‘That’s no problem at all,’ Emma put in before Teddy should be foolish enough to turn down the offer. ‘He really is exceptionally good with horses. Why, I’ve known him break the most skittish pony and had him trotting around as docile as you please in no time at all.’

‘Let us go back indoors to discuss it over a glass of something,’ Dominic suggested. ‘We can hardly do business on the road.’

So they all went back inside and the details were arranged to everyone’s satisfaction over claret wine for the men and ratafia for the ladies, as Lucy soon joined them. By the time they left, Emma and Teddy felt as if they had known the Marquis and his friend, Mr Cosgrove, all their lives.

‘There’s a turn-up and no mistake,’ Teddy said, as they made their way home, having been persuaded to take nuncheon at Bedford Row. ‘It’s fate, that’s what it is.’

‘What is?’

‘Why, meeting Lord Besthorpe again. I knew he was top of the trees when I first set eyes on him at Grillons. And to think you saw him before that and never said a word.’

‘Why should I? We simply passed each other when I was disembarking and he was coming on board.’

‘But he took the trouble to discover your name, didn’t he? It must have been more than that.’

‘Well, it wasn’t,’ she said, thoroughly annoyed with him. ‘Now, if you please, we will not say another word about the gentleman.’

‘I think he’s a real out-and-outer,’ he continued, ignoring her plea to drop the subject. ‘Now you are likely to see him every day, he cannot help but notice you.’

‘Teddy, if you do not hold your tongue this very minute, I shall never speak to you again.’

He laughed and skipped out of the way of her upraised hand. Not that she would have struck him; it was a meaningless threat. ‘Had you forgot I am going to Newmarket tomorrow?’ he said. ‘You will not be able to speak to me for a long time.’

It was perfectly true and the reminder saddened her. Because their father had frequently been away from home, they had fallen on each other’s company more than most siblings, which perhaps accounted for Emma’s ability in what might be considered masculine pursuits like shooting, fishing and riding hard. Only when Teddy was at school had they been parted. But he was right to say that he was no longer a child and must make his own way. She must learn not to mind.

‘I am going to spend the rest of the afternoon shopping,’ she said. ‘Do you need anything?’

‘No, thank you. Nor do I wish to be dragged round town looking at fripperies. I am going to Bullock’s Museum to see Napoleon’s coach. I believe there are other memorabilia from the Waterloo battlefield. Very gory, some of it. I shall see you this evening.’ And with that he sauntered off, leaving her to make her own way to Pantheon’s Bazaar.

A visit to that establishment had been suggested to her by Lucy when she had ventured to ask where she could buy ready-to wear clothes at a reasonable price. The name made her think of India, but the emporium, when she found it, was nothing like an Indian market, for it was a large store.

She spent some time wandering through its departments bewildered by the array of garments and accessories for sale and carefully enquiring the price of everything. The Marquis’s advance had been generous but she was determined not to spend it all at once. One good day gown and something for evenings should suffice, together with a pelisse, a good pair of half-boots, and a bonnet and gloves. These, together with the clothes she had brought from India would, she decided, make up an adequate wardrobe. After all, she would not be going on the town herself. When it came to choosing style and colour, she found herself wondering what Lord Besthorpe would prefer, which was very silly and did not help her make up her mind.

In the end she chose a round gown for day in a green and cream striped jaconet with a cream lace pelerine collar and puffed sleeves. The evening gown was more difficult; there was a bewildering display of materials: silk, satin, net, gauze, some of it almost transparent and in every colour imaginable, trimmed with beads, pearls, ribbons and feathers. The temptation to buy one of these gorgeous creations would have been almost impossible to resist if they had not been above her means.

She was not a giddy schoolgirl going to her first ball, she told herself, she was a mature woman who was expected to watch over the morals and well-being of her young charge. She must blend into the background. On the other hand, she must not be a dowd for that would reflect badly on the Marquis. She must be a credit to him.

She had been excessively cross with Teddy for his teasing, but that did not alter the fact that his lordship’s good opinion was very important to her. He had believed every fib she told him, and that made her feel distinctly unworthy. It behoved her to prove to his and her own satisfaction that she deserved the chance he was giving her.

The shop assistant was looking at her with a degree of impatience and there were others jostling behind her, clamouring for attention. She seized upon an open gown of amber crepe over a pale lemon satin slip. It had short puff sleeves and was decorated under the bosom with a cluster of silk primroses and floating velvet ribbons.

After that, buying accessories was a simple matter and having given instructions for her purchases to be delivered to Bedford Row, she made her way back to her lodgings for a last meal with Teddy. Tomorrow was the beginning of a new life. Whether it would be difficult or easy, happy or sad, she had no way of knowing, but whatever it was, she was determined to meet its challenge with good humour and fortitude.

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