The Richness of Love Page 11

  “Ah, the estate. I cannot say that I have seen much of mine lately,” replied Lord Kinross, loudly.

  The two cousins giggled and once again Moira noticed Emily casting shy glances at Ewen.

  “I have lately been in France,” continued their host, “and what a time I had in Paris. Ewen, you must visit. The Folies Bergere, the Moulin Rouge – a man can be treated like a man in Paris and find many amusements to suit his own particular tastes – ”

  Moira blushed at the innuendo and turned her attention to the trolley of cakes that was being offered by the waiter. Ewen seemed to find his friend hysterically amusing and the two swapped stories while the ladies ate and drank tea in silence.

  “Tell me, Ewen,” Emily finally spoke, “I have a fancy to see the Highlands. Do you think a lady such as I would find it interesting?”

  Ewen turned his gaze upon the young girl. She had sparkling blue eyes and her voice was soft and gentle.

  “Why, yes, indeed. The scenery is magnificent and there is riding and hunting, if you are of a mind to do so. If it’s shopping you are after, then Edinburgh would prove most worthwhile.”

  “Lord Kinross is always inviting us to his house in Stirling, but we have yet to find the time. London life is so hectic, do you not find?” Emily asked him.

  “Aye, I have been to more parties in the past month than I could count sheep!”

  “What brings you down here? It is hard to believe that we have not had the pleasure of seeing you in London before.”

  “No, it is my first time. We are staying with the Cunninghams for a wee while – ”

  “I expect you’ll be heading back to Lednock for Christmas?” asked Lord Kinross, demolishing a whole choux bun in one mouthful.

  “Why, no,” piped up Moira, “we are staying indefinitely. We have some business to attend to that has yet to be completed.”

  She glanced over at Emily as she spoke and noticed that the girl wore a thrilled expression as she looked at Ewen.

  ‘If my brother plays his cards right, he could well have acquired a new admirer,’ thought Moira and then vaguely wondered about Lord Kinross. He did not exactly please her, but he was Scottish and rich.

  “Well, you must both come to our party tomorrow evening,” cried Lord Kinross, slapping his thigh. “It is naught but a few friends and a little music provided by a classical trio, but you will find it most amusing.”

  “And will you be attending, too?” Ewen asked of the two shy girls.

  “Yes, we will,” answered Emily, not giving her cousin a chance to reply.

  “Good, it is decided!” shouted Lord Kinross. “You are familiar with Cheyne Walk in Chelsea? My house is there – just a modest abode but large enough for a gathering. Ewen, perhaps we can play a hand or two while the ladies chatter?”

  Moira dug Ewen in the ribs.

  She did not want him gambling what little money they had left. She knew that it would not be possible for them to write home for more.

  “Och, I cannot say, George,” replied Ewen, sheepishly.

  Moira was indeed relieved, but wondered if the smiling Emily had anything to do with his sudden change of heart. She knew that Ewen loved to play cards whenever he had the opportunity.

  “But you will come, won’t you?” persisted Emily. “I will have no other to accompany me in to dinner, if you would just say yes – ”

  “Of course,” agreed Ewen, blushing, “I would be delighted.”

  ‘I must say, these London girls are rather forward,’ thought Moira, as she drank her Earl Grey tea, ‘in Edinburgh, she would be considered somewhat unladylike.’

  “Of course, now that I am engaged, I am not allowed to play cards as much as I used to. Aye, the chains of commitment have finally caught up with me.”

  Lord Kinross let out another hearty laugh and Moira felt a little put out.

  ‘Well, that is another little fantasy to be exploded,’ she said to herself, but deep down, she could not really see herself taking up with such a loud irreverent fellow. She preferred the quieter sort – someone like Stuart.

  “Congratulations!” said Ewen, standing up and shaking Lord Kinross’s hand feverishly. “Who is the lucky young lady?”

  “Celia Trelawney. Her father is a court painter and her mother has a substantial income from the family business. She is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen and she is a feisty lass. I find her amusing company.”

  Moira noticed that Lord Kinross had mentioned the lady in question’s fortune before he had listed her other attributes.

  ‘Money is so important in these circles. No one should think ill of us, then, seeking to improve our situation through marriage.’

  She had been brought up to believe in love above all, but here in London, it would seem, it was about making a good match for financial reasons first and foremost.

  ‘Where does love come into his equation?’ she wondered, as Lord Kinross continued to extol his intended’s more material virtues.

  After a while, Moira felt quite tired. The noise and the crowds were too much for a simple Scottish girl like her and she whispered to Ewen that she wished to leave. He seemed most reluctant to go.

  “But I have so much to catch up with George.”

  “Sarah will be back soon and I think it would be nice if we were there to greet her.”

  “You are going?” put in Emily, unable to hide the disappointment in her voice.

  “Yes, I am afraid we must – the friends with whom we are staying are due to return from a funeral.”

  “Ah, that would be the Bramptons,” said Emily. “I had heard of their terrible tragedy. Now, Ewen, you’re not going to let me down, are you? We will see you and your charming sister for dinner tomorrow at half-past seven.”

  Ewen bowed to Emily and the silent May and then shook Lord Kinross’s hand.

  “We will be there, I promise.”

  *

  Back in the carriage, all that Ewen could talk about was Emily.

  “A fine young lassie,” he enthused, “and most attractive. I found her gentle manner appealing and her eyes are so blue.”

  “I gathered that you were impressed with her.”

  Ewen coloured a little.

  “Sister, do you think I was too attentive? Will I have put her off?”

  “No, dearest, I do believe that she was equally interested. Did you not see how she stared at you all through our tea?”

  “Och, I cannot wait to see her tomorrow. I did not know of George’s betrothal. The lassie must be a very special woman, George is quite a handful.”

  “Yes, I did notice. I was quite shocked when he spoke of his adventures in Paris.”

  “Aye, he always has been one for the ladies, which is why I am surprised that he intends to wed.”

  “And you, Ewen, do you think that Emily might be a likely candidate for the post of your wife?”

  He sighed deeply.

  “It all rests on whether she is from a good rich family. If she is related to George, then it is likely, but we will need to investigate her further. Do you think Sarah will ken more of her background?”

  “Most likely, she seems to know most people in London Society. We shall ask her this very evening, shall we not?”

  Moira hugged her brother’s arm and tried not think about Stuart.

  They had not been back at Curzon Street for very long, when the sound of carriage wheels was heard in the road outside.

  Moira looked out of the window and saw that it was indeed the Cunninghams returning from the funeral.

  ‘Maybe I should put on my lavender wool dress out of respect,’ she worried. ‘It would seem insensitive to be wearing my plaid at a time like this.’

  She took her lavender dress out of the wardrobe and changed quickly.

  Running down the stairs, she intercepted Lady Cunningham in the hallway.

  “Ah, Moira, dear, how lovely to see you. I have grown quite tired of looking at wan faces. It is a pleasure to see someone so ob
viously in rude health.”

  “Yes, I am feeling very well, thank you.”

  Lady Cunningham gave her one of her searching looks.

  “Maybe you have met a special someone?” she asked, dropping her voice so that her husband could not hear.

  “No, sadly not. But I think Ewen has.”

  “How thrilling!” declared Lady Cunningham. “Let me go upstairs and change and I will order tea in the drawing room. We shall let the men talk of horses and hounds in the library Laurence will be glad of some male company after my chatter.”

  Moira could see that Lord Cunningham had indeed taken Ewen into the library. Very soon, the smell of cigarettes was wafting down the corridor.

  She waited in the drawing room and presently Lady Cunningham returned.

  “It was most thoughtful of you to wear half mourning,” she said, gratefully. “Very sensitive of you.”

  The two women sat down and Berbridge brought in the tea.

  “It was such a sad occasion,” explained Lady Cunningham. “The family is much depleted now.”

  “Do you know who will inherit the estates?”

  “There was talk of some distant relative but I did not like to pry. I received the impression that until the gentleman in question could be contacted, the family did not wish to discuss it. I only hope that the poor Duchess will not find herself homeless. A worse fate cannot befall a lady.”

  Moira remained silent.

  It reminded her of the desperate state of affairs back at home. In a matter of weeks that could very well be the fate of her own mother and she did not care to dwell upon the matter.

  “But, let us talk of more pleasant things. This young lady that Ewen has met, tell me more about her.”

  “She is a cousin of Lord Kinross and I believe her name is Emily Tennant. Do you know of her family at all?”

  Moira tried to phrase her sentence as casually as possible. She did not want her to know how important the information was.

  Lady Cunningham sipped her tea and thought for a while before finally speaking,

  “Ah, yes, the Tennants. Nouveau riche, but a totally charming family. Her father, Edward Tennant, made his fortune in spices from the Far East – China and so on. He owns a large shipping company in the London Docks. I am surprised to hear that Emily is coming out in Society considering she was so ill recently.”

  Moira’s relief at hearing that Emily was a rich heiress was slightly tempered by the last piece of information. Surely she was not a sickly girl?

  “Is she ailing?” she asked nervously.

  “No, but she suffered from terrible quinsy and was ill for many months. I had heard that she was better, but did not realise that she was fit enough to go out. That is good news, indeed. Her father will be pleased – he is keen for her to make a match before she is much older. I believe she is nearly twenty-one.”

  Moira could not wait to tell Ewen the news, but had to content herself with more chatter about who had been at the funeral.

  As dinnertime approached, she rose to go and see cook.

  Moira ran to the library, hoping that Ewen was on his own.

  Peeking around the library door, she was pleased to see that Lord Cunningham was asleep in his favourite chair, while Ewen was quietly reading a book.

  “Psst! Ewen.”

  Moira beckoned to her brother to join her in the corridor outside. Ewen crept out of the library and closed the door behind him.

  “What is it, sister?”

  “Good news. I have been speaking to Sarah about Emily Tennant.”

  “And?”

  “She is indeed a rich heiress and she is without suitors. It would appear that she was ill recently and has been out of circulation for many months. Sarah said that her father is most anxious for her to make a match soon.”

  “That could not be better news, but I must not tarry with my suit as there could be other young men who have set their caps at her.”

  Moira hugged her brother. It would seem that the tide had turned in their favour.

  “Dearest, I am so pleased for you. Promise me that you will do your best to woo her. But be gentle as she has been ill and will not be ready for too much ardour.”

  Ewen picked up his sister and wheeled her round, grinning widely.

  “Sister, our fortunes have changed for the better. But there is something I wish to discuss with you.”

  Moira suddenly felt concerned. What could it be? Her brother was not a man prone to hasty action, so whatever it was he wanted to say to her, he would have considered it long and hard.

  Leading her into the drawing room, he sat her down and joined her on the sofa.

  “Dearest sister, I am not an insensitive man and it has been most apparent to me that you have no heart for this marriage game.”

  “But Ewen, we made an agreement – ”

  “Hush. I wish to speak, so let me. Moira, I want happiness for you more than anything and there is plenty of time for you to find a husband.”

  Moira opened her mouth to protest, but Ewen gently placed his fingers on her lips.

  “Dearest, should things work out as I believe they will with Emily, we can return home and consider that we have achieved our mission. No arguing with me! I have made my decision.”

  Moira threw her arms around Ewen’s neck and hugged him. He was such a wonderful brother.

  “But what if things do not turn out with Emily? There is so much resting on her that I do not care to think of how depressed we shall feel should it all come to naught.”

  “Moira, I have never felt like this before. I am sure that Emily is the one and that she feels the same way. Trust me, sister. I always knew I would recognise my future wife when I saw her and I do believe that Emily is she.”

  “Thank you, thank you so much,” whispered Moira, full of gratitude.

  ‘Thank you,’ she repeated secretly, ‘for now I can pursue my dream of Stuart Weston. But how will I find him? And can I be sure that he will return my feelings?’

  As Ewen chattered excitedly about their plans for the following evening, Moira was suddenly beset with fear.

  Ewen had given her a way out of having to make a match for the sake of money, but now that she was free to follow her dream, she felt so many doubts.

  ‘What if Stuart rejects me? I have scant evidence that he feels for me any emotion other than friendship. I could not bear to make myself vulnerable to him, only to have him cast me aside’

  It was with these anxieties coursing through her mind that Moira retired to bed.

  ‘Could I really win my heart’s desire?’ she pondered, as she brushed out her hair ready to slide in between the sheets. ‘Is it just possible that Stuart may harbour the same feelings for me as I do for him?’

  Moira could not wait for Ewen to come to a successful conclusion to his quest and then they could return home on Stuart’s ship.

  ‘I do not think I can wait that long,’ she thought, snuggling up in the feather pillows, ‘and what will we find when we return to Lednock?’

  As a result of her mind churning, Moira spent a sleepless night.

  Part of their mission was on its way to being accomplished, but the worst could still lie ahead.

  CHAPTER NINE

  The next day Moira brooded a great deal about her situation. She found herself feeling almost guilty that Ewen had given her a way out of having to make a financial marriage as well.

  Finally she came to a decision.

  Ewen was in the library poring over some of Lord Cunningham’s collection of maps. Moira knocked and hearing Ewen’s voice, put her head around the door.

  “Ah, Moira. Do come and see these maps. They’re grand. Sixteenth century. This one even has Loch Earn village marked on it.”

  “There is something I wish to discuss with you.”

  “Aye, what is it?”

  “Ewen, I have been giving a great deal of consideration to the matter we discussed last night.”

  He looked at her
blankly.

  “Heavens,” she said, impatiently. “You suggested that there was no need for me to make a match purely for money. Well, I have thought about it and I do not think it fair that you should carry the burden. We shall proceed as planned.”

  Ewen rose and hugged his sister.

  “No, you will do no such thing! I have made my mind up and that is the way it shall stay. If Emily is willing to allow me to woo her and matters run their course, you shall have no need of an enforced marriage. That is my final word on it, sister.”

  Moira knew that once Ewen had decided upon something, nothing could sway him.

  She left the library, secretly filled with joy. Even the thought of the impending party at Lord Kinross’s house no longer burdened her.

  Ewen, she noticed, was eagerly looking forward to it. That morning at breakfast, he had barely touched his food – a sure sign that he was excited about the evening to come.

  In spite of feeling more relaxed, Moira was still a little apprehensive at her lack of suitable clothes. But now that she was no longer on the hunt for a husband, wearing the apricot chiffon one more time really did not seem such a problem.

  *

  The day passed quickly.

  Moira spent most of her time with Lady Cunningham who was making preparations for Christmas. It was barely a week away now and she and Ewen had an open invitation to stay for the celebrations should they desire.

  There had been another letter from her mother, but she had had very little to say, apart from the fact that there had been no change in her father and that they were coping well under the circumstances.

  Moira wished that she could return home, even if it meant leaving Ewen behind to woo Emily. She did not think she would miss Mayfair and she knew that her mother would be overjoyed to see her again.

  “Are you looking forward to the party this evening?” asked Lady Cunningham, interrupting Moira’s train of thought.

  “Why, yes, I do believe I am,” she replied, thinking of how Ewen had told her that Lord Kinross’s parties were always splendidly informal affairs.

  “Perhaps tonight will bring you luck.”

  “I think that Ewen is the one who is really excited about this evening.”