‘With the whole country in arms and most of the aristocracy ruined for years?’
‘Oh, you have no soul,’ Caroline said, throwing him a challenging look. Her eyes were bright with mischief, making both men aware of her wayward spirit. ‘The men were so gallant, and the ladies very different from the ladies of today, would you not say?’
‘In what way?’ Freddie asked, a gleam in his eye as he realised that his friend had been quoting her views, not his own. It seemed that this young lady was not afraid to voice her opinions.
‘Oh, we are hedged about with convention,’ Caroline said. ‘I think it was easier to speak one’s mind then than now.’
‘Indeed?’ Freddie was hard put to it not to answer in kind, for she was speaking quite freely. ‘What would you like to say that you dare not, Miss Holbrook? Please do not hold back, for you are amongst friends. Neither George nor I will censure you.’
‘Oh…’ She looked into his eyes and saw the mockery. ‘Have I been speaking too freely? My aunt forbade it, but I have been used to speaking as I find with my brothers. Forgive me.’ A faint blush touched her cheeks.
‘No, indeed, you have not. I find your frankness refreshing,’ George assured her hastily. ‘Do not let anyone tell you that you should be otherwise, Miss Holbrook.’
‘Yes, well, perhaps I should not be quite so open,’ she said, belatedly realising that her aunt might be right in some instances. ‘Do you go to Almack’s this week, sir? I believe I am to be given vouchers.’
‘Then I shall certainly be there,’ George said and shot a look of triumph at his friend. ‘But I believe Freddie has other engagements?’
‘Yes, I fear I have,’ Freddie said and gave his friend a look that spoke volumes. The challenge was fairly joined and both men were enjoying themselves. ‘But I shall be at Lady Broughton’s rout—do you attend?’
‘Yes, I believe so,’ Caroline said. ‘Indeed, we have so many cards that I am not sure how we shall manage to attend a half of the affairs we have been invited to.’
‘You will no doubt simply make an appearance at some and then go on as many of us do,’ Freddie said. ‘But I shall engage to dance with you at least twice at the rout, Miss Holbrook. Please mark your card for me as you will.’
‘Thank you, sir…’ She looked at Mr Bellingham, for she sensed a friendly rivalry between the two and was amused by it. ‘And for you, sir?’
‘I believe two would be suitable,’ he said, ‘and I should like to take you driving in the park—perhaps tomorrow afternoon, if you have no prior engagements?’
‘I know we are engaged for the evening, but I think there is nothing as yet for the afternoon. I shall be delighted to drive out with you, sir.’
‘I shall look forward to it,’ George assured her and glanced at Freddie. Their habitual rivalry was good-natured, but often quite fierce, and their friendship was all the stronger for the occasional clash of temperament.
Freddie was eating his supper. He made no comment, apparently leaving the field for the moment, though George did not doubt that he would re-enter when he chose.
Caroline looked up and saw her aunt bearing down on them. ‘Gentlemen, I think my aunt may need me.’
The gentlemen got to their feet as Lady Taunton descended on them, but she smiled and indicated that they should sit. ‘Please continue with your supper, gentlemen. I came only to see if my niece wanted to accompany me to the rest room?’
‘Thank you, Aunt.’ Caroline rose obediently, for she knew when she was being told to do something, however charmingly it was put. ‘Excuse me, Mr Bellingham—Sir Frederick. I shall hope to see you at the rout we spoke of.’
She followed Lady Taunton from the room and up the stairs to the bedrooms that had been set aside for the comfort of the ladies, waiting for the tirade to begin. However, when they were alone, her aunt smiled at her.
‘You have done well, Caroline. Mr Bellingham is a wealthy gentleman, though some think him a confirmed bachelor—but of course Sir Frederick is one of the catches of the Season. He has been for years, of course, but so far has shown no inclination for matrimony. If you were to receive an offer from either of those gentlemen it would be highly satisfactory, though Sir Frederick is the better catch of the two. He is his uncle’s heir, you know—and will be the Marquis of Southmoor one day.’
‘I am sure that they were just being gallant,’ Caroline replied. ‘They wanted to pass the time pleasantly.’
‘I am not quite so certain,’ her aunt replied, looking thoughtful. ‘Rathbone’s godmother is a friend of mine. I do not think you have met her—Lady Stroud?’ Caroline shook her head. ‘No, I thought not. She told me that he has been attending more of these affairs recently, something he hardly ever does. I imagine that must mean he has set his mind to taking a bride. You have clearly caught his eye. It might be to your advantage to make a push, Caroline.’
‘We share an interest in certain poets,’ Caroline told her, ‘but I dare say that is all we have in common. Besides, there were many others who asked me to dance, and to take supper, Aunt.’ Her aunt’s untimely interference was irritating, for she had only just met the gentlemen in question.
‘Yes, of course. You must not show neglect in your manner to any gentlemen who take an interest in you, my dear—but bear it in mind that Rathbone is a good catch.’
Caroline did not answer. Her aunt’s words had the opposite effect of the one she had surely hoped for. If anything were calculated to set Caroline against someone, it was being pushed in his direction.
Freddie looked across the card table and sighed inwardly. He had been holding the winning hand for the past few minutes, but was reluctant to declare it. He would have preferred not to play Farringdon, but had been unable to refuse the challenge, having won from him only a few nights previously. He was aware that the fool was playing out of his depth, and could probably not afford to pay a half of the notes he had so carelessly thrown on the table. He toyed with the idea of throwing his hand, but that was against all the rules of play. Farringdon must learn not to gamble beyond his means.
He took a card from the pack; it was the one card that could improve his hand, which was now virtually unbeatable. He discarded and then laid his cards on the table. A groan broke from two of the other players; they complained of his incredible luck, but did so with a smile and a careless shrug, for both were well able to pay what was owed. Freddie looked at Farringdon’s white face as he sat staring at the cards in disbelief.
The other gentlemen got up and left the table almost immediately, in search of wine or food, but Farringdon sat on, almost as though he were frozen to the spot.
‘It will take me some time to raise the cash,’ he said in a flat voice, the seriousness of his situation showing only by a slight nerve flicking at his right temple.
‘Yes, of course,’ Freddie said, gathering up the various gold coins and notes that had been tossed on to the table. ‘Unless you would wish to toss for double or quits?’
‘No, no, I think not,’ Farringdon said with an attempt to seem casual. ‘It is a temporary thing, Rathbone. I should be able to settle in a few weeks.’
‘Yes,
