A gloved hand waved at them from an approaching curricle, motioning for them to stop. Patience had no difficulty recognizing the beautiful Miss Arlington, being driven by Philip. Julius slowed down and rested abreast of his cousin’s curricle. Both men nodded rather stiffly to each other, but other than that, no one would have guessed these two had been in a fight only a few days earlier.
“Dear Lord Rutherford! And Miss Bingham,” Miss Arlington added, almost as an afterthought. “How nice to see you again! Philip has been so kind as to agree to take me out with his new team. Aren’t they the most gorgeous pair?”
“They are,” conceded Julius. “I have always said you have extreme good sense when it comes to horseflesh.”
“And for other things, too, I hope,” Philip said, looking directly at Patience.
Patience felt Julius stiffen next to her. For a moment, she wondered if he would reach out and hit his cousin. Fortunately, Miss Arlington, unaware of the tension between the two men, said, “I wished to let you know that the invitations for my ball have been sent out this morning. I hope the two of you will do me the honour of attending?”
“Thank you, Miss Arlington. We will be sure to be there.” Julius nodded and set his team in motion. Whether he did not wish to hold up traffic or whether he did not trust himself to keep from doing bodily harm to his cousin whose penetrating looks were making Patience decidedly uncomfortable, she could not tell.
Julius took a couple more turns around the park before setting off for Lady Westbury’s home.
“I hope my cousin has not been making a nuisance of himself since you have arrived in town.”
“He has not acted in any way that was improper, if that is what you mean.”
“You have been in his company then?” Julius’ face hardened.
“Twice, in fact.” Patience could not help goading him. “Once when Aunt Louisa invited him for tea after we met him while we were out shopping, and this morning when he brought your great-aunt for a visit. Although for that, I am sure he would gladly have switched places with you, poor boy!”
“Serves him well!”
“You know, I am bound to meet him if I am to go into Society. I would appreciate it if you would refrain from being cast into the sullens after every one of our encounters.”
Julius stopped his horses in front of Lady Westbury’s house. He did not respond as he jumped down, helped her to descend, then led her into the house.
When they entered the empty parlour, Julius surprised Patience by shutting the door behind them and turning the key in the lock. He grabbed her and using his body, trapped her against the door. Tilting her face up, he brought his lips close to hers and whispered, “I will refrain from being cast into the sullens if you remember whom you are to marry.”
He brought his head down crushing his lips to hers in a feverish kiss that turned her knees to jelly. One hand released her back to slide up her rib cage, stopping tantalizingly close to her full breast. Patience could feel the heat of his palm radiating through her garments, warming up the sensitive skin and causing her nipples to harden. A moan escaped her, and she found herself pressing herself more closely against his hard body.
The doorknob rattled and Lady Westbury’s voice reached them through the other side.
“Patience? Are you in there? Is everything all right?”
Julius pressed one last hard kiss upon her lips before releasing her and going to stand behind a high-backed chair, but not before Patience caught a glimpse of the large bulge that had formed at the front of his breeches.
Patience passed a hand over her lips, hoping to erase any telltale signs before unlocking the door and opening it.
“Sorry, Aunt Louisa. We seem to have locked ourselves in by mistake.”
Lady Westbury glanced at Patience and then at the Earl’s position behind the chair.
“This door always gives me trouble. I will get one of the servants to take a look at it. The tea tray is on its way. I hope you will join us, my lord.”
“Certainly. I could use some refreshments.”
“How was your outing? Did you enjoy your first ride in the park, dear?”
“Town life is very much different than life in the country, is it not?” Julius came to sit in the chair facing the couch that Patience shared with her aunt. Patience could not help noticing that he seemed to have gotten his body back under control.
“Yes, but I believe that country life has the advantage of teaching one about the basic nature of things,” Patience said, her eyes briefly glancing down between his legs. She caught his eye and gave him her most innocent look.
Julius wisely switched to a safer topic. “We met Miss Arlington in the park. She mentioned a soirée at Arlington House.”
“Yes, the invitation arrived this morning. Will you be attending, Julius?”
“I believe so. I will be happy to escort you should you wish.”
“That would be lovely.”
After Julius left, Lady Westbury handed her a sealed letter.
“This came for you while you were out riding. It is from Farley, my man of business.”
“Thank you, Aunt,” said Patience taking the note. “I appreciate you lending me his assistance.”
“Farley can always be counted on for legal advice. I am fortunate to have him in my employ. I hope it is nothing of a serious nature?” enquired Lady Westbury, gazing hopefully at the note in her niece’s hand.
Patience hurried to the door.
“Not at all, Aunt. If you will excuse me, I will go up now and rest for a bit before dinner.” She was out the door and up the stairs before her aunt could remember that she never rested before dinner.
Patience closed herself up in her room and broke the seal of the note. Mr. Farley had written a name and address in response to her question. She would now be able to meet with the attorney who handled her mother’s family affairs, and hopefully learn what her father was up to.
But what if the rumours turned out to be true? It was both an exhilarating and worrisome thought, she realized. Exhilarating because she would not be dependent on her father, or any man for that matter, not even Julius. And here was the worrisome thought. Would Julius still act the same toward her? He had grown quite bold of late. She had enjoyed this afternoon’s lovemaking very much. To tell the truth, she was looking forward to his company more and more, not to mention their physical encounters. Had it been any other man, she might have broken his nose just like that awful innkeeper.
But hadn’t Julius been acting lover-like only since the night of the ball? Was it because he was resigned to his fate or could she hope that he was growing fond of her? Not very probable if she was to believe those ladies on the terrace the night of her engagement ball. She was nothing like the woman he had described on his list. Although he had said the list no longer existed, his thoughts may not have evaporated as easily. Again her mind wondered about the possibility that he may also have heard the rumour of an inheritance. Those same women had said his coffers were half empty. Was he just hoping that he could seduce her into filling up the other half?
If that were the case, he was doing a very good job of it. Patience smiled as she stretched out on the bed, allowing herself the pleasure of going over their more intimate moments. If he continued along this vein, she would find it very difficult to resist him. She might even get used to the fact that he was marrying her only for her money, if money there was!
The next morning, Patience set out alone before her aunt came downstairs. With any luck she would be back before that lady was ready for a round of morning calls or shopping expeditions, which Patience had quickly discovered seemed to compose the greater part of her aunt’s daily routine.
Letting herself out of the house quietly, she walked down the street until she came upon a hackney. She climbed aboard and told the driver the address she had be
en given. The driver set his horse in motion and headed down Oxford Street. Patience soon lost her bearings, as she had not been to this part of town yet. After some time, she was reassured when she recognized such names as the Bank of England and the Royal Exchange. This busy section must have been the business district, she realized, as they now stopped in front of an imposing brick building with an engraved sign reading “Clifford & Son” placed next to the massive front door.
She paid the driver and walked up the steps. Upon reaching the door, she stared at it, unsure what to do next. As it did not have a knocker, she pulled it open and found herself inside a large foyer. A young man wearing spectacles sat at a large desk at the other end. Upon seeing her, he stood and came to meet her.
“May I be of assistance, ma’am?”
“I am looking for Mr. Clifford Senior.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
Patience, not wishing to be turned away so soon because of her ignorance concerning such matters batted her eyes at him the way she had seen various ladies do to get a man to get them a glass of champagne.
“I am afraid not. But I would greatly appreciate it if he would see me this morning.”
The young man looked taken aback for a moment but finally smiled shyly before asking, “And who may I announce?”
“Miss Patience Bingham.”
The brown eyes behind the spectacles widened. The young man bowed deeply before saying, “If you will but sit down for a moment, I will be back directly.” He led her to the most comfortable chair in the foyer and hurried through the door behind his desk.
If she had but known the effect her batting eyelashes produced on men, she would have used the trick much sooner, thought Patience as she admired the various paintings adorning the walls.
The young man soon returned, biding her to please follow him as Mr. Clifford would be happy to see her now.
Patience was conducted to a luxurious room filled with bookcases and expensive looking ornaments and furniture. A short, rotund man rose from behind an imposing desk, and came toward her, his red face all smiles. Patience had a nice view of the bald spot on his head as he bowed over her hand.
“My dear Miss Bingham, it is an honour to finally meet you. Please, come and sit down.” Mr. Clifford led her to his desk and assisted her in one of the two chairs facing his. He sat across from her and opened a folder lying in front of him.
“I assume you have come regarding the will?”
“I have come to gather any information you may give me. You see, I have not been told of any will.”
“Didn’t your father inform you of the situation?” Mr. Clifford’s cheeks puffed up and took on a darker shade of red.
“I am afraid not. And I would be glad if you would enlighten me, as I gather this will concerns me?”
“It certainly does! Were you also unaware of your grandmother’s death?”
“If you mean my maternal grandmother, then yes. We have not been on speaking terms since my mother married my father. I believe my mother married against her parents’ wishes and they never spoke to her again. When she died giving birth to me, they did not even come to the funeral. All this I have heard through our servants, of course, since my father does not like to discuss such matters.”
“Then let me tell you how things stand. Your grandmother died a rich woman. As you are her only descendant, she made her will in your favour. The terms are as follows: should you wed before your twenty-first birthday, the money will go to your husband. But should you remain unwed by the time you turn twenty-one, the money will go to you.”
Her father’s behaviour suddenly made a lot more sense.
“And how much money is involved?”
“The sum reaches slightly over fifty thousand pounds.”
Patience gazed at Mr. Clifford in incredulity. No wonder her father wanted her to get married as soon as possible to Sir Rupert. Those two charlatans must have planned to split the money between themselves!
“I believe you are not yet twenty-one?”
“No, not until three weeks from now,” Patience answered with a feeling of doom. She barely listened to Mr. Clifford as he listed various financial options open to her. When he was finished, she made sure to give him Lady Westbury’s direction should he need to get in touch with her. Shortly after, Patience left the offices of Clifford and Sons in a daze.
Upon reaching the sidewalk, Patience looked uncertainly about her, not quite sure what to do next. She did not feel up to returning to her aunt’s house yet. That lady was sure to notice her shocked state and comment upon it. The last thing she wanted to do was discuss the matter with her. She suddenly very much wished for Miss Thimble’s presence and her wise counsel.
Chapter Fifteen
After waving down an approaching hackney, she gave the driver Miss Thimble’s direction before climbing in the carriage. They sped away, this time toward a very different part of town.
“Will you be wishing for me to wait, ma’am?” asked the driver as Patience stood on the side of the road examining her surroundings with some curiosity. “This neighbourhood’s better than most, but I wouldn’t advise for a lady of your quality to be hanging round here for too long unattended.”
“Thank you, sir. That would be most kind of you,” she said before entering the rundown building. Finding the correct door number on the second floor, she knocked against the peeling paint and moved slightly away from the door so she could be seen easily through the peephole. She heard the sound of footsteps followed by a startled cry. The door was thrust open and a scream of “Patience!” suddenly resonated in the hall as Miss Thimble pulled her inside the apartment, nearly choking her in a rough embrace. When that lady finally released her, Patience found four additional pairs of eyes trained on her.
“This is Miss Patience Bingham,” announced Miss Thimble to the two boys and two girls assembled in front of the door.
The oldest, a girl no more than ten asked, “Did you really used to keep a snake in your room?”
Patience laughed at the unexpected question. “Yes, I did and much more besides. I see your auntie has been speaking about me.”
“Auntie tells us stories when we do our lessons well. Yours are the best!” piped in her younger brother.
Miss Thimble coloured up at that.
“No need to be embarrassed. I am only pleased my antics can be of use!”
After Miss Thimble had shooed the brood away back to their lessons, they sat at the kitchen table with a cup of tea.
“Your new charges look adorable,” said Patience.
Miss Thimble beamed at her. “They are little darlings and so intelligent! It is a pleasure to be around them.”
“I am glad to see you are still here. I was afraid to discover you had gotten another post already.”
“No, nor do I intend to. I am very happy here. Oh, we do not live in the first style, but we may soon be able to move to a better neighbourhood.”
“How so?” inquired Patience.
“Although I hate to admit it, your father is very much responsible for our good fortune. The extra money he gave me upon my hasty departure allowed my sister to start the milliner’s shop she had been dreaming of for so long. While I take care of the children, she is free to pursue her dream.”
“But what about you? What about your dreams? Wouldn’t you rather be free to do as you wish?”
“But I am, dear! Were I at liberty to live cosseted in a little house of my own somewhere, I would soon die of boredom. Like you, I need to be doing something, and that something happens to be caring for and instructing children. So the arrangement between my sister and me suits us both perfectly.”
“I guess I came here on a loose errand then,” said Patience with a mock sigh. “What will I do with the large sum I am about to inherit?” At Miss Thimble’s stunned expression, Patience burst out laughing. She then spent the next few minutes filling in her old governess with her adventures since they had last seen each other.
At the end of her recital, Miss Thimble was holding on to her head. “I am so glad the children were not present to listen to this story. It will be many years I think before I dare to divulge that one! As for you seeking my council, I am afraid I cannot offer you advice aside from agreeing to your original recourse. You must speak with the Earl and tell him about the will.”
Patience nodded. She had known it might be the case, but was glad to have her doubts assuaged nonetheless.
“Thank you for listening to me. It feels wonderful just to be able to finally share the full story with someone I can trust to be impartial. Now what about that money of mine? Are you sure I cannot tempt you with a little cottage by the sea?”
Miss Thimble laughed. “No, I thank you. But if you do wish to help, maybe you could do something for my sister. Although not a gift of money as such. My sister is very proud, you see. It took all of my persuasion to get her to accept my financial help in the first instance. But perhaps if you were to let your aunt know of a new milliner shop containing the most darling little hats? Your aunt’s patronage alone could set my sister up for life!”
“You may be sure I will do that!” Having witnessed first-hand the enormous sums her aunt spent on her attire, she had no doubt this arrangement would work out perfectly for all concerned.
As promised, the hackney was still waiting for Patience when she parted from her friend. On the return ride to her aunt’s house, she stared unseeingly out of the hackney window until a disturbing thought crossed her mind. What if her father had her watched? Was he waiting for the first available opportunity to snatch her away? She suddenly paid more attention to her surroundings, taking note of the many people milling about the streets. Coming out all this way by herself might not have been such a good idea after all. She was glad to reach the safety of her aunt’s house. From now on, she would make sure to never venture out alone, at least not until she was either married to Julius or past the age of twenty-one.