The Bluestocking's Dilemma Read online

  “Very well, Tim,” Caro acquiesced with a considerable show of reluctance. “But it is so very tame riding in London that one could scarcely call it exercise.”

  “That’s the truth for certain, Miss Caroline.” The lad’s ordinarily good-natured countenance wore almost as woebegone an expression as his mistress’s. “But look on the bright side. Where else could you see so many bang-up pieces of horseflesh.”

  Caro brightened perceptibly. “You are right, Tim, and I stand corrected. It’s rather self-indulgent to feel sorry for myself, but I . . .” Whatever she planned to say in her own defense was cut short as her name boomed out across the park and she turned to see Tony at the head of a group of young men in scarlet coats, seated on magnificent mounts, waving vigorously as he made his way slowly in her direction.

  “Caro! I’m that glad to see you. I’ve been wanting to ask you what you think of Ajax here.” The viscount patted the neck of the powerful gray that sidled skittishly up to her side. “Got him for a song off Trevylan because old Trev’s a timid rider and Ajax is a bit short on manners. But we’ll come to an understanding. Not an ounce of vice in him, really. Poor thing’s a bit frisky and what with Trev for a master, it’s no wonder.” Tony looked around anxiously. “Say, you ain’t here with Lavvy are you? She don’t understand such things exactly and is forever complaining to the Pater that I shall go to wrack and ruin all because of my stable.”

  Caro laughed and assured him that she was quite alone. Then, unable to ignore the group of young men milling eagerly around her cousin while they cast meaningful looks—first at Caro and then at the unconscious Tony—she continued, “What? Have you just purchased him on the advice of these gentlemen? If so, you seem to have been well served.”

  Tony broke into a gratified smile, “Yes, and a good thing they were with me. Why Bedford would have beaten me to it if Charles here hadn’t had the forethought to distract him with an inquiry about the mill in Clapham on Friday.” A cough and a significant look on the part of the aforementioned Charles recalled the viscount to his duties. “Oh, eh.” Tony looked blank and then grinned sheepishly. “Sorry, Caro. This is Captain Charles Allen, Lieutenant William Forbush, and Lieutenant Edward Ceilings. My cousin, Lady Caroline Waverly.” Tony waved airily at the assembled group. “But Caro, I must ask, do you think he’s a bit short in the hindquarters?” Tony continued earnestly, forgetting his companions entirely in his concern over the latest addition to his stable.

  “Tony you are becoming a dead bore. Can’t you think of anything else but your confounded horse? You must forgive Tony, Lady Caroline. When he is involved with a horse, he can think of nothing else. As his cousin, you no doubt have suffered this single-mindedness more than once. But you yourself appear to be no mean judge of horseflesh,’’ Captain Allen praised, his eyes dwelling only a little less appreciatively on Xerxes than they had on his rider. “Tony tells me that you are an accomplished horsewoman besides being a devoted agriculturalist and that it is only because of singular circumstances that we are lucky enough to have you with us in the metropolis. I must say it is a blessed relief to meet a woman who can discuss something besides scandal and fashions. But tell me about Waverly Court. Tony says that you are setting the worthy country squires about their ears with your progressive notions.”

  By dint of his ingenuous admiration and friendly curiosity, the captain soon overcame Caro’s initial wariness of sharing her ideas with others. She watched suspiciously to see the expression of boredom or censure that soon appeared on the features of those to whom she had unwittingly confided her cherished projects, but all she saw in his open countenance was genuine interest and, oddly enough, a look of respectful appreciation that made her feel as though the captain found her attractive.

  This was such a novel sensation that, for a moment, Caro was completely silenced by it. Then, realizing that she had paused in the middle of a sentence while Captain Alien waited attentively for the rest, Caro blushed, looked conscious for a moment, and then continued, little knowing how charmingly transparent and endearing was her confusion.

  Accustomed to women who wished to converse on no other topic but themselves, Charles Allen was entranced both by the fact that Caro was able to converse knowledgeably on a topic entirely unrelated to the world of the ton, and by her evident embarrassment at his admiration. Truly, she was, as Tony Mandeville had claimed, a most unusual and companionable female.

  Shyer than their friend, and somewhat bashful in the presence of a lovely young lady, the other two gentlemen had refrained from entering the conversation, but upon hearing how sensibly Caro spoke and how unconscious she was of her own beauty, they soon relaxed and began asking questions. Where had she purchased Xerxes? Who was his sire? Did she raise her own livestock? In no time at all, they found themselves in as lively and enjoyable a conversation as they could have had with one of their brother officers, but with the added attraction of being able to feast their eyes on Caro’s animated countenance and graceful figure.

  It was truly an unusual and delightful experience and one the four could have enjoyed for the rest of the afternoon had not an elegant barouche that was slowly making its way by them come to a dead stop. Its beautiful occupant, carefully shading herself with a delicate parasol, leaned forward to exclaim in accents of some surprise, “Why, Tony, you here? I had not thought you still in town, it’s been such an age since you have called. The boys have been asking after you.” Lavvy could not keep a hint of displeasure out of her voice.

  Upon discovering her brother happily engaged with what looked to be yet another set of gay young blades in scarlet coats instead of dancing devoted attendance on his widowed sister, Lavvy had not been best pleased. But when a second look had proven them to be paying court to another woman, she became thoroughly vexed with him. Now, to her intense annoyance, she discovered the identity of the equestrienne to be none other than her Cousin Caro, and a Cousin Caro who suddenly appeared to be unusually attractive.

  Narrowing her eyes suspiciously, Lavvy scrutinized her cousin’s new riding habit. Where had she come by such fashionable attire? Why the chit never gave the least thought to what she was wearing. It was entirely unfair that she looked so stunning. “Caro, I . “ Thoroughly irritated by the entire situation, Lavvy was at a loss for words. “I had thought you back in Grosvenor Square reading one of your boring reviews, not gallivanting about the park.”

  If Lavvy had meant to deflect attention from her cousin, she did quite the opposite. The touch of animosity in the countess’s tone as she referred to Caro’s reviews only caused the gentlemen to look at Caro with renewed interest. Tony’s cousin must be quite the unusual female if the Countess of Welham, who was notorious for confining her attentions to members of the male sex, could be unnerved by her. Though unsophisticated in the ways of the ton after their years in the army, the three officers were wise enough in the ways of mankind in general to recognize jealousy when they saw it, and there was very definitely an air about the lovely countess that suggested she disliked competition of any sort for the attention that was her due—even competition from a country cousin.

  Another observer was coming to much the same conclusion and, having had a hand in its inception, was consequently enjoying himself hugely. “Hello, Tony.” Approaching on a well-mannered bay, Sir Evelyn nodded languidly in the viscount’s direction before turning his attention to his cousin. “Lady Caroline, you are looking charming and what a magnificent animal. You quite take the shine out of every other woman in the park,” he remarked with gentle malice. “It is a rare creature indeed who can appear to advantage on a horse. You are to be congratulated. And here is Lady Jersey, who will back me up, I am sure. Will you not. Sally?” Without appearing to have raised a finger. Sir Evelyn had caught that inveterate mischief-maker’s eye and caused her to instruct her coachman to drive up alongside the countess’s barouche.

  “Oh, indubitably. To appear graceful and yet maintain control of one’s mount, especially such a one as
Lady Caroline is riding, is unusual indeed. You are to be commended, Lady Caroline.” Lady Jersey, whose sharp eyes never missed a thing, smiled slyly as she observed the compression of Lavinia’s delicate lips and the rigidity of her spine. One who relished byplay as much as Sir Evelyn, Lady Jersey was highly appreciative of the entire episode and would have been willing to bet that that exquisite gentleman had somehow been at the bottom of the entire thing. Glancing quickly under her lashes, she saw the ill-concealed look of satisfaction on Sir Evelyn’s face and she was sure of it.

  Very well, then. Her name wasn’t Sally Jersey if she wasn’t ready to make a push to help him. Smiling benevolently at Lavvy, she began, “I have not seen you at Almack’s this Season, my dear Countess. It is too cruel of you to deprive the world of your lovely young cousin.” Sally laid the most delicate emphasis on the word “young.” “I shall send you a voucher directly. But there, I see Lady Sefton beckoning to me. I must be off. I count on seeing you Wednesday next, Lady Caroline. We shall see if you command the same devoted attention there that you so obviously do here.” And smiling warmly at Tony’s three handsome companions, she was off again having given a further shove to the chain of events Sir Evelyn had set in motion.

  It was at this critical juncture that Nicholas, agreeably tired from his session at Gentleman Jackson’s and strolling casually through the park with Tubby, caught sight of the little group clustered near the elegant barouche halted in their path. Not so far removed from the military life that he did not look to see what formed the center of attraction for a group of scarlet coats, Nicholas glanced idly in their direction. Because they were fellow soldiers, he was perhaps more curious about the woman who commanded their attention than he might ordinarily have been.

  In truth, she was a woman to make the pulse quicken-tall and slender, sitting her mount with such careless grace that she seemed to be at one with the magnificent animal beneath her. The rich color and elegant cut of her riding habit emphasized the exquisite lines of her figure, which seemed to flow directly into those of her horse. Standing somewhat aloof from the crowd, barely restraining their wish to break free and indulge in headlong flight, horse and rider seemed possessed of an energy and vitality that made those around them appear petty and insipid. There was something in the proud tilt of the woman’s head under the rakish hat and in the impatient gesture with which she brushed a stray lock of black hair from a soft cheek that struck a familiar chord. Where had he seen her before? Nicholas shook his head. Women who held themselves with such distinctive independence were virtually nonexistent in the fashionable world.

  Then, one of the attentive group of admirers made some comment and she raised a gloved hand to her mouth to stifle a laugh. Caro! It was Lady Caroline Waverly! And yet, it was not Caro. Where had she learned to tilt her head so provocatively? No. She was above such things. She despised women who played the coquette. Nicholas looked again. No, it remained true. She was above such things. Caro was not consciously flirting with the besotted captain. It was just that she invested every gesture with an innocent sensuality that was enough to drive a man mad. The marquess’s mind harkened back to the day he had come upon her in her breeches, standing boldly on Duke’s back as she rode him around the stableyard. She had been entirely unconscious of her effect on him then—as unconscious as she was of her effect on the admiring group surrounding her now, and therein lay part of her power to attract.

  Nicholas ground his teeth. It was all very well to appear thus in the privacy of her cousin’s stableyard, but to be exercising that same magnetic attraction here in full view of the entire world? Well, it just wasn’t proper. Nicholas was on the verge of marching over to tell her so when he was stopped dead in his tracks by his virtually forgotten companion.

  “By God, what a lovely creature!” Tubby exclaimed reverently. “Who is she? Surely she cannot have been on the town that long and not be the toast of the ton. With that face and that figure, why . . .” At a loss for words, the hapless Tubby was content to stare as Caro leaned forward to calm the impatient Xerxes who, tired of standing, was beginning to take exception to all the idleness.

  “Who? Oh, that’s Lady Caroline Waverly,” Nicholas replied in as noncommittal a tone as he could muster. “Quite above your touch, Tubby. She’s a bluestocking of the most ferocious sort.”

  “You know her? Will you introduce me?” the young guardsman begged eagerly.

  “Yes, I know her,” the marquess responded impatiently. “But I am not at all sure that you wish to. You’re a great gun. Tubby, but you haven’t all that much in the brainbox, old fellow, and this is a woman who interests herself in politics and worthy causes,” he continued in a dampening tone.

  “That’s as may be, but by God, she’s magnificent! Furthermore, if it’s as you say, what’s Mandeville doing with her? Why, he’s got less in his cock-loft than I have!”

  Nicholas frowned. Of course, Tubby was entirely correct. Somehow, despite her clever intellect and serious pursuits, Caro managed to make everyone feel comfortable around her, even the insouciant Tony, who was looking at her again with that damnably possessive air. Insolent puppy! What chance did he have with someone like Caro. And furthermore, she was his cousin. Tubby was correct for once in his life. She was magnificent, but it was not purely a superficial thing. There was something majestic in the way she approached life—a nobility and generosity that were all too rare among men and virtually nonexistent among the fairer sex.

  Nicholas could not have said whether it was Tubby’s unabashed admiration or Tony’s air of almost paternal pride that prompted him, but all of a sudden, he found himself pushing his way over to the spot where Xerxes was restlessly pawing the dust. Completely ignoring all the others, he addressed Caro. “Lady Caroline, how delightful. After this morning’s outing, I had not thought to have the pleasure of seeing you again.” There, let Tony Mandeville stare. “I can see that Xerxes is longing to be gone so I won’t detain you any longer than to ask you and any young companions you might happen to know to join me at the balloon ascension in Hackney tomorrow afternoon.”

  Caro’s face lit up in a way that caused the other men there to wish they had thought up such a fortuitous suggestion. “Why, thank you, my lord. I should love to. I have been longing to see a balloon, and I am certain that nothing could keep Ceddie and Clarence away.”

  “Very well, then. I shall look forward to it.” Then, realizing that no matter how much he might wish to establish his friendship with Caro, it behooved him, for her sake at least, to remain on good terms with her hostess. Nicholas turned to Lavinia with a dazzling smile. “That is, of course, if their enchanting mother will entrust them to me.” Seeing the gathering frown on the beauty’s brow, he hastened to add, “Of course, I should be charmed if you could accompany us, Countess, but knowing how sought-after your company is, I should not dare to insult you by inviting you at such short notice,” effectively making it impossible for Lavinia to join them and relieving her of the unpleasant choice between losing Nicholas’s company or having to enjoy it as best she could among a crowd of cits gawking at a ridiculous spectacle.

  Trapped, and with all eyes upon her, the beauty was forced to smile as graciously as she could. “That is very kind of you. I appreciate your taking them when you know the delicacy of my sensibilities. I really cannot support these rude public gatherings, pain me though it does to deprive children of amusement. Besides, as you so correctly surmised, I am otherwise engaged.” The emphasis Lavinia placed on the word “children” was not lost on any of the principals at whom it was directed, but far from having its desired effect, it served only to amuse the marquess and Caro and bring a sly twinkle into Sir Evelyn’s eyes.

  Chapter 23

  In fact, it could have been said that Caro was nearly as excited by the prospect as were the boys when she relayed the marquess’s invitation to them.

  “Hooray, hooray! What a lark.” Ceddie cried, bounding around the room with Argos yapping exuberantly at his heel
s.

  “I say, it’s very kind of the marquess, isn’t it, Cousin Caro?” Clarence, though more restrained than his sibling, was just as thrilled for more scientific reasons. “I have been reading of the early attempt by Lunardi, but I find it all rather difficult to picture. I hope we shan’t be too much trouble for his lordship. I shall do my best to see that Ceddie behaves himself. He isn’t at all naughty, as Mama thinks-it’s just that he is sometimes carried away by his own enthusiasm.”

  “I appreciate your concern, Clarence.” Caro was hard put to keep her lips from quivering. “But I expect that among the three of us, we can keep Ceddie from falling into mischief.”

  In fact, it appeared that the person Nicholas considered most likely to fall into a scrape was not Cedric, but Caro. As he watched her lean forward in the carriage, her eyes eagerly absorbing every detail of the colorful scene, the marquess could not help smiling. It was obvious from the moment she caught sight of the gaily colored ball of silk that Caro was entirely captivated.

  “Oh, how lovely!” she gasped as the red-and-white striped mass slowly took shape and rose majestically into the air. Entirely forgetting her companions or the discussion she had been in the midst of with Clary—convinced to accompany them by her brother’s repeated appeals—she gazed entranced as the balloon filled and rose gracefully like some magnificent bird until it swayed aloft over the awed spectators tugging gently at its tether ropes. “How I should love to see what the world looks like from there. We humans must appear so insignificant compared with the vast view one must have from such a lofty perch. It must be wonderful beyond all imagining to fly as free as the clouds over the countryside.”

  “I daresay you will think me a dreadful coward, but I confess I should think it would be excessively uncomfortable up there at the whim of the least little puff of air, with the wind whistling about one and never being certain of where one was going to land,” Clary protested mildly. “I admire your courage, Caro, indeed, I do.”