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His lip curled.
‘That may well have been the intention, but the gentlemen crowding around you were certainly doing more than offering their condolences and you were doing nothing to discourage them.’
‘That is outrageous. You have no right to say such things to me!’
He ignored her outburst.
‘Then I come out here to find you flirting so disgracefully in the darkness. By heaven you are as bad as your father.’
‘How dare you malign my sainted papa!’
Her dark eyes sparkled with wrath but he found his own anger diffused by a sudden flash of humour.
He said drily, ‘Your father was many things, including a good friend to me, Miss Salforde, but he was no saint.’
He thought she would fly at him for that, but although her eyes widened and the angry flush on her cheeks deepened, she bit her lip and regarded him in silence. He observed her resentful look, the shadow of doubt in her eyes. So she knew something of her father’s life then. But he was not here to argue with her. He tried to modify his tone when he spoke again.
‘Enough of this, Miss Salforde. Shall we go in and find your aunt?’
* * *
After the briefest hesitation Elyse laid her fingers on his proffered arm. Andrew Bastion. She recalled, now, that her aunt had mentioned his name when she had read out his letter, but Elyse had taken little note of it at the time, nor the fact that he had been appointed her guardian. She had been too shocked by the news of her father’s sudden demise. Since her mother’s death twelve years ago she had only seen Papa occasionally and for very brief periods. He would arrive, boisterous, laughing and bringing with him extravagant presents for them both, then he would disappear again for months, even years. He had become a distant figure, larger than life yet not quite real. That is why it felt so uncomfortable to be in deep mourning for a father she barely knew.
But that did not mean she would forgive this man for upbraiding her in such a brutish manner. A tiny prickle of conscience whispered that she might have deserved his reprimand but she was not accustomed to criticism. Mama had always spoiled her, and Aunt Matthews was of such a complaisant nature that she never made any effort to check her. It was the same with the gentlemen of her acquaintance. As soon as she had left the schoolroom she had been aware of their admiration. Why, even her aunt’s elderly gentlemen friends gazed upon her with approval.
Elyse glanced up at her escort as they stepped back into the light of the drawing room. As a friend of Papa’s she had assumed he would be of a similar age and she was surprised to discover that he was much younger—some years less than thirty, she guessed. As if aware of her scrutiny Bastion glanced down at her and she discovered he was also extremely handsome. Something, a flash, a bolt of attraction shot between them and she quickly averted her gaze, frightened by the sudden inexplicable feeling that came over her, as if she had always known this man. It could not be. She had never seen him before, although now his image was burned into her memory.
His face was lean, with straight dark brows above a pair of searching blue eyes. A coat of dark blue velvet embroidered with silver was moulded to his large frame and threw into sharp relief the snowy lace ruffles at his throat and wrists. His clothes were undoubtedly fashionable and had a distinctly French air. Despite the fact that he wore his own light brown hair unpowdered and caught back with a simple black ribbon she thought him very elegant, much more stylish than any other gentlemen present tonight.
Indignation welled up within Elyse. It would not do to let him know what she thought of him, especially when he so patently disapproved of her. But surely his disapproval would not last for long? He would come round when he knew her better. After all, she had not yet met a man who was impervious to her charms. She took another glance at the unyielding figure of her escort and a tiny doubt shook her. It was true she had never been short of admirers, but she had never before set out to attract a man. She shook her head at her foolishness. She was not trying to attract him, merely to make him like her. She buried her indignation and tried for a friendly tone.
‘Are you truly my guardian, Mr Bastion?’
‘I am. Your father left you to my charge. I have the papers with me, proving my identity, if you would like to see them.’
‘I beg your pardon, I did not mean to question you, but when we read your letter—I expected someone older.’ She flashed him a smile. ‘Why, you cannot be much older than I am.’
‘I am six-and-twenty, and old enough not to be bamboozled by your tricks and stratagems, madam.’
The glint in his blue eyes made the blush deepen in her cheeks. Had he guessed her thoughts? She was tempted to protest, but in truth she had been trying to charm him and decided it would be wiser to remain silent until she had the measure of Mr Andrew Bastion.
He took her back to her aunt, who greeted them with unruffled cheerfulness.
‘So you found her, Mr Bastion. Was she on the terrace, as we thought?’
‘I was, Aunt Matthews.’ Elyse answered quickly, to prevent her companion from doing so. ‘I had stepped out for a breath of air and Mr Scorton was so ungentlemanly as to forget himself.’ She could not resist a flicker of a glance at the man beside her. He should not be allowed to think she had been indulging in a light flirtation. ‘He made me an offer of marriage.’
‘Did he my dear? How tiresome for you.’
Knowing her aunt’s complaisant nature, Elyse was in no way disconcerted by her lack of concern, but Mr Bastion was much less sanguine.
‘You appear singularly unsurprised, madam.’
Mrs Matthews opened her eyes at him.
‘You are wrong, sir. I am very surprised, for everyone here knows Elyse is promised to Viscount Whittlewood’s son. However, I must take you to task, Elyse. It is all very well for you to be friendly with the gentlemen here. After all, you have known them for years, but as for going out on to the terrace alone with one of them, that was not at all wise, my love.’
Elyse bit her lip. It did not need her aunt’s gentle reproof to tell her that. She could only be grateful that Mr Bastion did not disclose just how unwise she had been. Yet his silence on the subject only increased her irritation, since she was now doubly beholden to him. When another guest claimed her aunt’s attention Elyse turned to Mr Bastion and began to offer him an apology. He cut her short.
‘Save your words, Miss Salforde. You will not turn me up sweet.’
‘I was not attempting to—’
‘It is my opinion that you have been grievously indulged,’ he continued as if she had not spoken. ‘No wonder your father asked me to take you in hand.’
She drew herself up, an angry retort rising to her lips but before she could utter it he had pulled her hand on to his arm.
‘Let us move away a little, Miss Salforde, where we may talk undisturbed.’
‘I have no wish to talk to you.’
‘I do not doubt that, but I am your guardian and I think I need to make a few things clear.’ He led her to the far side of the refreshment table, which was currently deserted. ‘You have been petted and spoiled and come to think of yourself as a diamond of the highest order.’
She gave a gasp of indignation.
‘I think no such thing.’
‘But you do think yourself up to every rig and row, and able to wrap any man round your little finger, is that not so?’ She blushed a fiery red and he nodded with satisfaction. ‘Let us get one thing straight at the outset, Miss Salforde. I am no callow youth to be dazzled by your smile, nor am I ancient enough to dote on you.’
She pulled her arm free and turned to glare up at him.
‘You are insulting, sir.’
He leaned a little closer. She saw again that disturbing glint in his eye, but this time it held her attention. She could not look away.
‘I am merely making sure we understand one another,’ he told her. ‘Your father appointed me to look after you, and not before time, from what I have witnessed tonight.’
He was towering over her and she had the strangest impression that she was enveloped in his shadow. His blue eyes bored into her as if he could see into her very soul. Her spine tingled, she felt threatened, imperilled, yet this man was her guardian, sent by Papa to protect her.
She blurted out, ‘I think you are far more dangerous than any of the gentlemen here tonight.’
The harsh look vanished and the corners of his mouth lifted.
‘You may well be right, Miss Salforde, so you would be wise to tread carefully.’ He gave a little bow, turned on his heel and left her to stare at his retreating form.
* * *
The remainder of the evening proved very long and frustrating for Elyse. She kept away from the infuriating Mr Bastion as much as possible, but she could not relax and enjoy herself. She was very conscious of every man who approached her, unable to respond to even the mildest compliment and instead she sought out her female acquaintances, determined that no further accusations of improper conduct should be levelled at her.
For once she was relieved when the guests began to take their leave, but even then her trials were not at an end, for she discovered that Aunt Matthews had invited Mr Bastion to remain behind.
‘I have ordered wine and cakes to be brought to us in the morning room,’ she told Elyse, directing a smile at the gentleman that showed how far she had fallen under his spell. ‘There are papers I need to hand over and I made sure you would like to talk to him about your father.’
‘I should, of course, Aunt, but perhaps it is a little late for Mr Bastion.’
‘I have already assured you I am not in my dotage, Miss Salforde.’ His eyes gleamed with a challenge as he anticipated her next argument. ‘And everyone assures me that you have boundless energy.’
She shot him a smouldering glance but was not yet beaten.
‘I have,’ she responded sweetly, ‘but perhaps my aunt may be fatigued.’
Aunt Matthews laughingly disclaimed.
‘Not a bit of it. Why, it is not much past midnight. Now come along, both of you, let us repair to the morning room and make ourselves comfortable.’
She sailed out of the room and Elyse followed, head held high and ignoring the gentleman who fell into step beside her.
‘I would not advise you to cross swords with me, Miss Salforde,’ he murmured.
She gave a little huff of impatience.
‘I have no wish to do so,’ she hissed at him. ‘But I will not allow you to browbeat me, you...you bully!’
He stopped caught her arm, turning her to face him.
‘I shall do whatever is necessary to look after you as your father would have wanted. Is that clear?’
‘Perfectly.’ The harsh look in his face made her quail inwardly, but she kept her chin up and met his eyes with a defiant stare. ‘But that does not mean I have to like you.’
To her consternation his frown disappeared at that and he grinned.
‘I am desolated, of course, but doubtless I will survive.’
She gave a little gasp of indignation. How dare he laugh at her. Pulling her arm free she hurried on to the morning room, determined to be revenged upon the hateful man.
* * *
‘So, Mr Bastion, you were with my brother at the end.’
Drew, Mrs Matthews and her niece were sitting around a small table in the morning room, wine and a selection of delectable little cakes provided by Mrs Matthews’s indefatigable cook set out before them.
Drew sipped his wine, wondering how much to tell them. That he and Harry had been thrown out of Paris, ostensibly for cheating at cards? That might not shock the ladies as much as the real reason, that Harry had been having a liaison with the duc’s mistress. He glanced across the table at Elyse, looking very demure as she nibbled at one of the little cakes. She had probably inherited her beauty from her mother, but she certainly had Harry’s charm of manner. She looked up at him at that moment, peeping at him from beneath her lashes in a way that immediately aroused his interest. He fought it down quickly and frowned. She also appeared to have inherited Harry’s propensity for flirting.
‘You said he died of an injury,’ Mrs Matthews continued, when he tarried too long over his answer. ‘Was he involved in a duel, perhaps?’ She smiled when he looked up, his brows raised in surprise at her question. ‘My brother was a scapegrace, Mr Bastion. An adventurer with an eye for the ladies. He never made any secret of it. Even when Elyse’s mama was alive he could not change his ways and settle down, so you need not think to shock us.’
‘There was a little trouble,’ he confessed. ‘In Paris.’
He paused, remembering how he had half-carried half-dragged Harry to the inn where Harry had told him he knew the landlord’s wife. Drew’s lips tightened. Harry’s trouble was that he knew every man’s wife.
Drew saw that Elyse was watching him, although he acquitted her now of trying to flirt with him. Her gaze was steady, direct. He knew she would not be satisfied unless he gave some explanation of what had happened. But her candid look made him uneasy. He wanted to protect her from the truth.
‘Footpads. Harry was more seriously injured than we thought at first. I summoned a physician but it was no use, he died within hours, but before he did, he drew up certain papers. Including one making me your guardian, Miss Salforde.’
‘Yes, I have been considering that,’ Elyse said. ‘Why should he do such a thing, sir, when my aunt has managed very well on her own for the past dozen years?’
He replied carefully. ‘Your father was very conscious that Mrs Matthews is a widow.’
‘And he thought you a more suitable guardian?’ She raised her brows and he observed the faint look of disbelief before she shifted her gaze to the cakes. ‘I believe you had known my father for some years, Mr Bastion.’
‘That is correct. We had become close friends.’
Her hand hovered over the platter before she selected a tiny iced fancy, saying as she did so, ‘If you were my father’s friend, sir, and you were with him in Paris, it occurs to me that you, too, are an adventurer. And quite possibly a rake,’ she added thoughtfully. ‘I am well aware that my father had that reputation.’
Touché.
‘What I was in the past is irrelevant,’ he told her. ‘As is the future. For now I have a task to perform. Before he died your father was in touch with Viscount Whittlewood concerning your marriage to his younger son, the Honourable William Reverson.’
‘Ah, thank heaven for that,’ exclaimed Mrs Matthews. ‘Elyse and William Reverson have been betrothed now for three years and I was afraid they would never marry.’
‘Quite,’ said Drew. ‘Harry considered the delay had gone on long enough and he was anxious to have the matter settled. He and the viscount came to an agreement, a date was set for the marriage and Miss Salforde will join the viscount’s household a month beforehand, that she may grow accustomed to her new family.’ He glanced at Mrs Matthews. ‘It was also agreed that you, ma’am, should be invited to remain with your niece as chaperon—and honoured guest—until the wedding.’
‘Well, of course,’ said the widow. ‘And that is even more important now, since I am the only relative the poor child has.’
Drew inclined his head at her before turning his attention to Elyse.
‘On his deathbed, your father charged me with the task of delivering you safely into Lord Whittlewood’s care by Michaelmas.’
The cake fell from Elyse’s nerveless fingers.
‘But that is my birthday, and less than a month away.’
‘Yes.’
‘But I shall still be in mourning.’
‘Your father knew that, but it is his express wish that the arrangements stand. The wedding will take place a month later, at the end of October.’
‘I cannot possibly be married so soon.’
From her startled gaze Drew knew that Elyse had not been informed of the forthcoming change in her circumstances. He felt a tiny spurt of irritation. It was just like Harry to want to keep such information to himself until he could return to Scarborough and whisk his daughter off to her new life. He would have considered the speed and surprise of the whole venture exciting. Elyse looked as if she needed more time to grow accustomed to the idea. In contrast to her niece’s shocked countenance, Mrs Matthews was beaming at him.
‘But of course you can, my love. Heavens, you have been waiting long enough. With Lord Whittlewood’s money and influence behind the alliance everything can be arranged in a twinkling.’ She turned her smile upon Drew. ‘That is wonderful news, sir. I know Mr Reverson and my niece are eager for the match, but we did not know a date had been agreed. And, Elyse, just think of it. You will be with Mr Reverson for your birthday on the twenty-ninth of September.’
‘Yes. I shall be one-and-twenty.’
‘At which date my guardianship of you comes to an end,’ stated Drew.
‘And not a moment too soon.’
Mrs Matthews tutted.
‘Now, now, Elyse, it was your father’s wish that Mr Bastion should have a care for you and we must respect that.’ She smiled at Drew. ‘So you will be accompanying us to the viscount’s principal seat, sir? I believe it is in Cambridgeshire.’
‘No. Lord Whittlewood informs me he will be at his town house in London.’
Drew recalled the viscount’s letter which Harry had passed over to him. It was unusually specific. Miss Salforde was to be delivered into his care by Michaelmas and not a day later, or he would consider the agreement null and void. Drew did not know how binding that last clause would be, but to drag the matter through the courts was unthinkable. It would not reflect well upon either party. The viscount’s standing was sufficiently good for him to survive it, but Harry’s name would fare less well, and the scandal attached to his daughter would ruin her for life. And as for his own part in the affair, Drew had no wish to attract the notice of the authorities.
He said now, ‘I intend to deliver Miss Salforde to Lord Whittlewood in London by the end of the week. I will then remain in town for the two weeks until Michaelmas. That will give me time to ascertain that Miss Salforde is happy with all the arrangements before I relinquish my guardianship. After that she will be in the care of the viscount, who plans to remove the whole family to Cambridgeshire for the banns to be called.’
‘Yes of course, but...’ Mrs Matthews frowned. ‘To be in town by the end of the week we will need to set out in a few days’ time.’
Drew nodded. ‘Wednesday at the latest, ma’am. If the weather turns we might easily take a se’ennight to reach London.’
Elyse had been listening in silence, but now she gave an outraged gasp. The news of her forthcoming marriage was shock enough, but to leave her home at such short notice was intolerable.
‘That’s the day after tomorrow,’ she said. ‘We cannot possibly be ready so soon.’
‘I’m afraid you will have to be.’
‘You are riding roughshod over us, Mr Bastion.’
His gaze flickered over her, the blue eyes cold and indifferent.
‘I would have thought you would be impatient to join your fiancé. Perhaps you are not so eager for the match as you once were?’
‘Of course I am, but—’
‘But nothing, Miss Salforde. You have tomorrow to do your packing and make your arrangements.’
She sat upright in her chair, bristling with indignation.
‘It is not long enough. Why, there are a dozen little things I shall need, including new gowns.’ Elyse turned to look at Aunt Matthews, but she received no support there.
‘We will manage with what we have, my dear. After all, we shall be able to go shopping in town, and think how much more exciting that will be. Do not worry, Mr Bastion. Elyse and I will be ready.’
‘Good.’ He rose. ‘I will organise a post-chaise and send you word of what time it will call for you.’
Elyse felt her anger bubbling up inside. She had one hand resting on the table and it clenched tightly into a fist as she drew in a breath to retort, but Aunt Matthews covered her fingers with her own and squeezed them warningly as she repeated quietly, ‘We will be ready, sir.’
* * *
‘What an insufferable man!’
Elyse had struggled to contain herself until Mr Bastion had been shown out and the door had barely closed behind him before her exclamation was uttered, resonant with suppressed violence.
‘Hush my dear, he may still hear you.’
‘I am sure I do not care. I declare I quite abhor him.’
‘Why should you do that, my love, when he is doing his best to carry out your father’s wishes?’
‘But in such a high-handed manner.’
Aunt Matthews chuckled.
‘He does appear to be in a hurry to get you to the viscount, does he not? But there, your father’s plans were never straightforward, so doubtless there is a good reason for it,’ she added shrewdly.
Elyse tossed her head. ‘He is the most arrogant, overbearing man I have ever met.’
‘Is he? I think it more likely that he is the first man you have met who has not succumbed to your charms.’
Elyse flushed, not at all pleased at her aunt displaying such unwonted perspicacity. She said no more on the subject and presently took herself off to bed, where her rest was disturbed by dreams of an autocratic gentleman with searching blue eyes.
* * *
Despite a long journey and the bracing sea air, it was a long time before Drew slept. He had very reluctantly agreed to become guardian to Harry’s daughter and now he realised that his qualms had been justified. Harry had described his daughter as intelligent, spirited and beautiful, but he had not told Drew just how spirited she was. Nor had Drew believed she would be so beautiful. A veritable diamond. Oh, Harry had described her as such but Drew had dismissed that as a father’s natural partiality. And after all, Harry had not seen his daughter for three years, he could not have known with any certainty that the pretty seventeen-year-old would become a nonpareil.
As soon as Drew had arrived in Scarborough he had heard bucks in the taproom toasting the incomparable Miss Salforde and the way they had been clustering around her in her own drawing room convinced him that all the menfolk of the town were in thrall to her. It was not difficult to understand why. She was witty and beautiful and she had a smile that could light up a room. And those large pansy-brown eyes—he had no doubt that her local swains had written odes to them. He had seen for himself how they could be velvet soft or sparkling with anger. He imagined they would be heart-stoppingly glorious when they were shining with happiness. Or love.
The thought had him turning restlessly in his bed. He might not have his old friend’s weakness for a pretty face, but he could not deny the attraction he felt towards Elyse Salforde. What was it that Harry had said?
‘Who better than a rake to look after a beautiful woman? Poacher turned gamekeeper, my friend.’
Well, perhaps there is still a little too much of the poacher about me, thought Drew.
There was no doubt that he found Elyse Salforde too damned tempting for comfort. It wasn’t just her beauty, but something within her, some force of nature that shone out. When their eyes met it seemed to call to him, like a kindred spirit.
By God he was turning into an old fool. He pushed himself up and thumped his pillow before settling down again and pulling the blankets more securely around him. He was honour-bound to carry out Harry’s dying wishes and he would do so. He would deliver Harry’s daughter safe and sound to her bridegroom if it was the last thing he did.
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