The Chaperon's Seduction(41)

Ellen was remarkably unmoved.

‘I knew about the wager,’ she told Phyllida. ‘I heard a rumour and Richard confirmed it to me, but you have it wrong, Philly. Richard was doing his best to protect me.’

‘He was saving you for himself, Ellen.’

‘I do not believe it for a moment. We are friends, that is all, and he knows I have no intention of marrying for a long time yet.’

‘It is part of his charm that he is so very...likeable,’ said Phyllida, pleating the folds of her skirt between her fingers. ‘He draws one in, puts one at ease. When you are with him it is as if you are the only person in the world who matters.’

Ellen looked at her closely.

‘You are in love with him.’

‘I am not!’

Phyllida’s cheeks flamed, giving the lie to her words, and Ellen clapped her hands.

‘Oh, by all that is famous, I knew it! How I shall tease Richard when I see him.’

‘You will not see him. I forbid you to see or speak to Mr Arrandale again. And in fact, we shall not be in Bath much longer. We are going to Tatham Park.’

‘But why? The wager is over, there can be no danger now, and the Bath season is about to begin.’

‘The idea of coming here was to give you a taste of society. You have had that, even before the season, so we shall return to Tatham. It is only for the winter months. I am sure Bath in the dead of winter cannot be so very entertaining.’

‘It will be more so than Tatham,’ Ellen retorted. ‘You said yourself you were bored to screaming point when you were there.’

‘But that was because I was in deep mourning, and I was there alone. This time we shall have each other, and...and we will be able to dine with our friends there, and attend the local assemblies.’

She expected Ellen to point out that all her particular friends had moved away but instead she merely asked how soon they were leaving Bath.

‘It is Friday tomorrow, a day or so to pack up...I think we can be away on Monday.’

‘No!’ Ellen flew out of her chair and dropped to her knees before Phyllida. ‘There are preparations to be made, packing to be done. The house at Tatham will need to be opened and made ready for us.’

‘That can all be done in a trice.’

‘No, no—’ Ellen shook her head vehemently ‘—we have friends here, we must take leave of them.’

‘We may write notes to them. That can be done in a morning. If it were possible I would be away from here before Lady Hune’s party returns—’

‘That would set everyone gossiping. They are bound to discover we left Shrewton a day early and if we fly from Bath in such a hurried manner it will be assumed we have something to hide.’

Phyllida bit her lip. Ellen was right, and the most likely guess would be that Richard had seduced Ellen. Not that she cared a jot for Richard’s reputation, of course, but Ellen’s good name must not be questioned.

‘There is also the sketching party,’ Ellen continued, sensing victory. ‘Lady Wakefield has invited me to go with them to Beechen Hill next week. On Wednesday, if the weather permits, and I would dearly like a sketch of Bath to remind me of my stay here.’ She caught Phyllida’s hands and squeezed them. ‘Do say we may stay for that, Philly dearest. We would then have time to order some new winter gowns. And to take a proper leave of all our friends.’

Phyllida felt herself weakening. She was relieved by Ellen’s acceptance of the situation. She had been braced for tears, even tantrums and even another full week in Bath was a small price to pay to reward her stepdaughter’s co-operation.

‘Very well, we will delay our departure until Thursday.’ A sudden gust of wind sent the rain pattering against the window and she added, ‘But if the sketching outing is postponed for inclement weather you must give up the idea. I shall not stay longer.’

‘No, of course not, dearest Stepmama.’

Ellen jumped up, smiling. Her blue eyes were glowing as if they had been discussing a special treat rather than their imminent withdrawal to the country. Phyllida frowned, but before she could speak Ellen gave a yawn.

‘Goodness, the journey has made me very tired. I think I shall go to bed.’ She bent and hugged Phyllida. ‘Goodnight, Philly, my love. Sleep well, and do not be too unhappy. Everything will work out for the best, you will see.’

Phyllida returned her embrace and wished her a goodnight, too exhausted to question Ellen’s words or her behaviour.



The continuing dank, dismal weather of the next few days mirrored Phyllida’s spirits as she made her preparations to leave Bath. She gave strict instructions that Mr Arrandale was on no account to be admitted, should he call at Charles Street. That he was still in Bath she learned from his great-aunt when they met in the Pump Room a few days later. Phyllida was determined not to mention his name, but Ellen was not so reticent.

‘Yes, he is staying with me a little longer,’ said Lady Hune, in response to Ellen’s direct enquiry. ‘Richard has given me his word he will remain until the doctor tells him I am well enough to live alone, and since my doctor is out of town he must kick his heels in Bath a few more days. There is nothing wrong with me,’ she added quickly, observing Phyllida’s look of concern. ‘It is merely that the trip to Shrewton Lodge was more tiring than I anticipated.’

‘I am so sorry you had to put yourself to such trouble for us all,’ said Phyllida quickly.

‘It was merely that I am unused to so much travelling in such a short time. The visit itself was delightful. I am only sorry you felt it necessary to leave so precipitately.’

‘Yes, so was I,’ put in Ellen. ‘Especially when you and I were getting along so famously, ma’am.’

‘Ellen!’ Phyllida frowned at her stepdaughter’s forthright speech.

‘Do not scold her, Lady Phyllida, I enjoy Miss Tatham’s company, she cheers me up.’ The dowager’s attention was claimed by another acquaintance and as Lady Wakefield arrived in the Pump Room at that moment, Phyllida carried Ellen off to talk to Julia. They had not met since Phyllida’s departure from Shrewton and the girls soon had their heads together. Phyllida took the opportunity to inform Lady Wakefield of her plans to leave Bath.

‘We shall be sorry to lose you, of course,’ returned that lady. ‘But I am not surprised, it is clear something has upset you.’ She patted Phyllida’s arm. ‘Do not worry, my dear, I do not mean to pry, although I can guess that you have had some sort of falling out with Mr Arrandale.’

Phyllida could not prevent herself from saying bitterly, ‘I am not convinced he is so innocent as everyone seems to believe.’

‘Truly? I know he has a fearsome reputation, but he has been behaving himself in Bath.’ A sudden inquisitorial gleam came into Lady Wakefield’s eye. ‘Or am I mistaken?’

Phyllida felt the betraying blush rising through her body. She said hastily, ‘He was involved in the wager to seduce Ellen.’

‘That is very bad, of course. I cannot understand why gentlemen must act so reprehensibly. It does make it very hard for those of us with daughters to look after. However, I believe he is regretting his rash behaviour, and we have certainly seen nothing of it. Indeed, Adrian informs me Mr Arrandale has turned over a new leaf.’

Phyllida shook her head. ‘I do not believe in repentant rakes,’ she muttered darkly.

‘How soon do you intend to leave?’ asked Lady Wakefield.

‘Thursday at the earliest,’ said Phyllida. ‘Ellen persuaded me to allow her to stay for your sketching party to Beechen Hill on Wednesday.’

‘Really? I do not recall setting a day for it, but no doubt the girls have arranged it between themselves.’

Lady Wakefield glanced up, smiling as an elderly matron came up to speak to her and Phyllida moved on. The Pump Room was crowded with her acquaintances and she would use this opportunity to take her leave of them. Ellen remained with Julia, but Phyllida was not concerned for her. Richard Arrandale was not in the Pump Room. In fact none of the gentlemen whose attentions to Ellen had been so marked were in evidence, which convinced Phyllida that they had all been party to that horrid wager. Thankfully Ellen did not appear worried to have lost the majority of her suitors and Phyllida was now happy for her to go off with her friends.



When it was time to leave Phyllida found her stepdaughter sitting beside the marchioness. They were deep in conversation but they broke off as she approached.

‘Well, now,’ she said, forcing a smile, ‘what is this talk of bishops, Lady Hune? Is my stepdaughter showing a healthy interest in religion?’

‘I regret not,’ replied Sophia. ‘She has an unhealthy interest in special licences.’

‘I wondered how easy it was to obtain one,’ said Ellen. ‘One of my friends at Mrs Ackroyd’s Academy ran off and was married by special licence.’ She laughed. ‘Do not look so concerned, Philly, Lady Hune has explained that the marriage would still not be legal without a guardian’s permission, if the bride is underage. I promise you I am not thinking of one for myself.’

‘You should not be thinking of such things at all,’ retorted Phyllida. ‘Lady Hune must be shocked by your conversation.’