Love is Triumphant Read online

  "I hope all goes well with you," Rosina said warmly. "For I most fervently believe that love is the only thing that matters – far more than wealth or advancement."

  "Oh, so do I," Lady Doreen said fervently. "How wonderful that you understand! I feel that we are going to be the greatest of friends."

  "I think we should be going now," Sir John called from behind them. "We shan't be forgiven if we're late for lunch."

  "Nor shall we," Lady Doreen laughed.

  They all exchanged farewells. As they were turning away Miss Holden called out roguishly,

  "I am usually riding in Hyde Park about this time."

  "I shall look out for you," Sir John assured her.

  "Make sure you do," she told him. "I count on you."

  Rosina decided that she did not like Lettice Holden.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  It was wonderful how Lady Clarendon's manner to Sir John thawed when she learned of this encounter. On her return home Rosina told her everything, including how much in sympathy she and Lady Doreen seemed to be, although she left out some of the details of their conversation as unsuitable for a mother's ears.

  "So you think John is much taken with Miss Holden?" she asked eagerly.

  "He certainly seemed happy to ride beside her for some time," said Rosina.

  "Excellent. It will be a splendid match. You and he must ride together often and doubtless you will meet her again."

  "We certainly shall. She as good as informed him so, in a manner that I thought rather forward."

  "It may have seemed so to you, my dear, but depend upon it, he had given her reason to feel confident. You and he must go out often."

  "I thought you were afraid he was going to sweep me off my feet," Rosina observed, not entirely pleased with the way this conversation was going.

  "Oh, that's all in the past. He's going to marry Miss

  Holden. We must do what we can to expedite matters."

  But before she could take any action, there was a development.

  Rosina came downstairs the next day to find her mother talking to Sir John, obviously excited over something that had just arrived in the mail.

  "An invitation Mama?" she said, smiling. "But we have many invitations. What is so exciting about this one."

  "It's from Earl Blakemore," her mother exclaimed. "He's giving a dinner party, and we are all invited. You must have made a great impression on his daughter yesterday, and this is the happy result. I've always hoped that we could get to know him better. He's such an important man in the House of Lords, and he could help your father so much."

  "Then we must certainly get to know him better," Rosina agreed. "Nothing is more important than Papa winning his seat, the Liberals winning the election, and Uncle William giving Papa a Ministry."

  "Oh darling, you sound more like a politician every day."

  "In this family I could hardly help it," Rosina said gaily.

  "I know dear, but it sounds slightly alarming in a young girl. You should be thinking of your debut, planning a guest list."

  "But I am, Mama. We must make sure the list includes everyone who can be useful to Papa."

  She said this with an impish look that made her mother laugh, but she was also half serious.

  "And after that we must see about finding a husband for you."

  "Mama!" she protested with a chuckle, "there's no need to say that as though I were some plain Jane, past her last hope."

  "I don't believe anyone could think that," Sir John said wryly.

  "Take no notice of her, John," Lady Clarendon said, smiling. "She's only fishing for compliments."

  "Well you won't have any trouble finding me a husband if Papa is made a Government Minister," Rosina said wryly. "The men will flock around me."

  "My love, you're so cynical."

  "But it's true. There's no better dowry for a girl than a powerful father. Isn't that so, Sir John?"

  She gave him a challenging look, reminding him that he alone knew what she was really talking about.

  "I'm the wrong person to ask," he said lightly. "I've never been on the catch for a husband."

  Lady Clarendon gave a little scream at this witticism.

  "What a wicked thing to say! I just hope you'll tell Rosina that she really must not speak so frankly in company."

  "Oh, but we're not in company now, Mama. I say what I like in front of Sir John."

  "But perhaps you should not," her mother said, wide eyed.

  "Why not? We're old friends, and I'm not on the catch for him, so it doesn't matter if I shock him."

  "Ignore her ma'am," Sir John said, grinning. "She's trying to terrify us, but don't give her the satisfaction of succeeding."

  "She terrifies me all the time," Lady Clarendon said with an alarmed glance at her daughter.

  The dinner party was only three days away, so clearly they had been invited as an afterthought. Rosina supposed that her mother was right, and her meeting with Lady Doreen was in some way connected.

  This suspicion was reinforced by the discovery that Sir John had also received a last minute invitation. Doubtless Miss Holden would also be present.

  It was Rosina's first really important dinner party. Since she was not yet officially 'out' she was not, strictly speaking, supposed to be invited to join such exalted company. But it was normal for a debutante to attend a few events prior to her ball, so that she could become used to society.

  Her dress was a vision of tulle and satin, in a delicate shade of pink. How different she already looked from the schoolgirl she had been recently, she thought. Now she could show off her tiny waist and elegant bosom.

  But there was more than her grown-up figure to mark the change in her. Her eyes held a sad, angry knowledge, which should not have been there.

  'Here we all go, waltzing off to the marriage market,' she thought. 'Mama has set her sights high for me, because she doesn't think Sir John is good enough for me – not that I'd want him anyway. And he is pursuing an heiress. I thought better of him, but et tu Brute!'

  'And the Blakemores, of course, want Lady Doreen to marry a man of higher rank than herself. But she, at least, gives love its proper place, and will hold out against them. I must do my best to support her.'

  Then she sighed and murmured, "Poor Miss Draycott! What chance did you have in this grasping world?"

  She and her parents travelled to Blakemore House together. Sir John was delayed by a meeting and would be following later.

  As the carriage rumbled through the London streets

  Lady Clarendon said,

  "I'm so glad that you struck up a friendship with Lord Blakemore's daughter."

  "Nobody could help being her friend," Rosina said. "She is delightful."

  "How fortunate! And even if she were not, it would still be advisable for you to seek her friendship."

  "Mama!" Rosina said, half laughing, half protesting. "I do wish you would stop scheming for five minutes."

  "When you're a mother, scheming is necessary," Lady Clarendon insisted, unperturbed. "You'll find that out one day."

  The carriage had stopped. Looking out, Rosina saw that Blakemore House was magnificent. She knew its reputation as one of the finest residences in all of London.

  The Earl was a great man, and his patronage could be very useful. This was the first time Sir Elroy and his family had been invited. Although wealthy, they were not of great social importance. But now that he might become a Minister, his value was enhanced.

  As they entered through the grand front door, with stone lions sitting on each side of it, Rosina's eyes widened at what she saw. There was no doubt that these palatial surroundings were very agreeable.

  The butler admitted them and led them down a large passage with magnificent pictures on the walls.

  Then he opened the door and announced in a stentorian voice,

  "Sir Elroy and Lady Clarendon, and Miss Rosina Clarendon, Your Lordship."

  Following her father and mother into t
he drawing room, Rosina thought it was one of the most attractive and magnificent rooms she had ever seen.

  There were several windows looking out on to the garden. There were so many flowers which not only made the room look lovely, but also scented it.

  The Earl greeted them. He was a man in late middle age with a large head of grey hair, and an imposing manner.

  "Good to see you, Clarendon," he said heartily. "My love, allow me to introduce – "

  As they all exchanged the proper pleasantries Rosina began to look around her, and saw that their hostess was glittering with diamonds and bracelets.

  She began to feel that both she and her mother were somewhat inadequately dressed. Each of them wore a necklace and a brooch, in contrast to the Countess who seemed to be smothered with jewels.

  Rosina's father was a prosperous man. Although his fortunes had originally been founded on his wife's dowry, he had risen in his profession and now earned large fees as a lawyer.

  But Rosina began to realise that the Blakemore's wealth was on another level entirely.

  Then, before anything else was said, the door opened and Lady Doreen came hurrying in. She was petite and exquisitely dressed in a fashionable gown of pale blue silk. Her fair hair was arranged in a way which made it seem almost like a coronet, and her jewels were clearly worth a fortune.

  "And here is my daughter, who always manages to be late," the Earl said in a fond voice.

  "I'm sorry, Papa, but I was riding and forgot the time," said the charming young woman.

  "My daughter rides better than any man," the Earl said. "And she can forget everything in favour of a horse."

  "Mine is the same," Sir Elroy said, drawing Rosina

  forward. "But I understand that you two young ladies have already met on horseback."

  "Indeed we have," Lady Doreen said, embracing Rosina. "I am so glad to see you again." To the others she said, "We are already such good friends."

  "But of course," the Countess said. "You will always have so much to talk about. Horse lovers can talk their heads off, sometimes until dawn is breaking."

  They all laughed, and Lady Doreen drew Rosina aside.

  "Wasn't it clever of me to arrange this?" she said. "Now we can see each other often. I knew from the first that we were deeply in sympathy, and it will be like having a sister to confide in."

  "What about Miss Holden?" Rosina could not resist asking. "Can you not confide in her?"

  Her companion made a face.

  "I like her very well, but we see things differently. She is more impressed by great titles than I am, and she would regard my wish to marry a poor, honest man as madness."

  Something impelled Rosina to say,

  "But she is interested in Sir John, who does not have a great title."

  "But he is exceedingly good looking," Lady Doreen teased.

  "I disagree. I think his looks are no more than ordinary."

  "Well, I can tell you that Miss Holden thinks he is extraordinarily handsome."

  "Then Miss Holden is welcome to him," Rosina said. "But she should be aware that he is a mere knight, as my Mama would say."

  Lady Doreen's eyes twinkled with mischief.

  "Oh ho! Your Mama is afraid that you will make a match with him."

  "I – don't know what you mean," Rosina said, confounded.

  "She is trying to put you off him. She plans something more exalted for you. But what are your wishes? A woman should have her own ideas at all times, otherwise she is in a poor position to counter her parents' schemes."

  "I agree," Rosina said firmly.

  "So do tell me, my dear friend. What are your plans? Oh forgive me, I was forgetting. You are not out. You have yet to look around you."

  "That's true," Rosina said with relief. "My debut will be in a few weeks."

  "And then all the young men will flock around you, and you can make your own choice. We will strike Sir John off the list – "

  "He was never on my list," Rosina insisted.

  "Well, we'll strike him off anyway, and yield him to Miss Holden."

  "That will suit me admirably," Rosina declared stiffly.

  "Will he be here tonight? I know he was invited, but I don't see him."

  "He has a meeting to attend, but I believe he said he would come on afterwards," Rosina said in a voice that clearly indicated that it was nothing to her whether he was at this party or not.

  The room was becoming crowded. Lettice Holden arrived with her parents. All of them were dressed in ways that puffed out their extravagant wealth. Lettice, in particular, dripped with diamonds in a way that was quite unsuitable for a young girl.

  A young man appeared beside them. Although not handsome he had a kind face and a merry grin which inspired Rosina's instant liking. Lady Doreen introduced him as her eldest brother, George. He regarded Rosina with evident admiration, while his sister beamed on them both.

  When George had moved away to greet other guests, Rosina asked Lady Doreen,

  "And the gentleman you have been telling me about? Will he not be here?"

  "Oh yes, he's been acting as Papa's secretary, and now he's been nominated to fight one of the new seats at the election. He's been invited because Papa regards him as a man of great talent, who should be encouraged."

  "But not where you're concerned, it seems."

  Lady Doreen gave her impish chuckle.

  "I can do all my own encouraging. Oh Rosina, I love him so much. Not that I tell him that, of course. I leave him in doubt so that he isn't too sure of me, but I long for the day when we can proclaim our love openly."

  She stopped suddenly with a little gasp, and her hands flew to her mouth.

  "There he is! Oh, look at him. Isn't he wonderful?"

  Smiling, Rosina turned to look at the doorway, where a young man, splendid in evening dress, had appeared.

  Then her smile faded.

  She stared in horror, hoping to discover that this was no more than a bad dream.

  The man was Arthur Woodward.

  It was impossible, she told herself wildly. It simply couldn't be true.

  But it was true. This was the man she had seen in the teashop that day, making eyes at the woman who worshipped him to the point of idolatry, and whom he would soon betray.

  Now another woman worshipped him, unaware that his cruelty had killed Miss Draycott.

  He looked fine, Rosina thought bitterly, standing there in the doorway, apparently diffident, but actually allowing time for all eyes to fix admiringly on him.

  He was handsome, elegant, perfectly groomed. Also he had an air of authority and an obvious pride in himself that made him appear to be very much at home in this glittering company.

  Only she knew that he was a cruel, heartless schemer.

  She watched as Lord Blakemore summoned him to be introduced to someone of note and saw his ingratiating manner. And she hated him.

  Finally, when he had oiled his way around the assembled company, he came over to where the girl who loved him was waiting.

  "Forgive me," he said contritely to Lady Doreen. "For myself, I longed to come to you at once – "

  "But you had your duty to do first," she said. "Arthur, let me introduce my friend, Miss Rosina Clarendon. Rosina, this is Arthur Woodward."

  He bowed low over her hand and she had to fight not to snatch it away in disgust.

  "Miss Clarendon, this is an honour. I admire your father greatly. In fact, everyone who knows him must admire him."

  She longed, as she had never longed for anything before, to reply by telling him how much she hated and despised him. But that was impossible, so she murmured conventional thanks.

  There was something in his eyes, as they met hers, which made her shiver. Clearly he was assessing her and she could tell that he thought she was rather attractive.

  He smiled at her in a way which made her want to strike him.

  "I suppose you realise that I shall be standing for South Gradley, the new constituency nex
t to Sir Elroy's," he said, speaking as though the whole world must be interested in him.

  He smiled at her as he went on,

  "It is not as large as his, but I'm hoping, almost against hope, that I will, with a great deal of help from Lady Doreen, win the seat."

  "I imagine it must be very interesting to be the first in a new constituency," Rosina said. "And of course you are fortunate to have the power and influence of the Blakemores on your side."

  She could not keep a slight bitter emphasis out of her voice, but he did not notice. Nor did she expect him to. This man was blinded by vanity and assumed that everyone took him at his own estimate.

  "I am indeed fortunate to have Lady Doreen on my side," he replied smoothly. "She has promised to canvass for me, and I know she will do it brilliantly."

  He smiled at Lady Doreen.

  "Are you listening?" he asked. "I am singing your praises."

  "So I should hope," she said at once. "Otherwise I'll go and work for the opposition."

  "You are wonderful!" Arthur said, looking at her as he spoke.

  As their eyes met, Rosina knew exactly what Lady Doreen was feeling. It was the same as Miss Draycott had felt just before she received that fatal letter, and it was terrible to witness.

  She turned away biting her lower lip to prevent herself from telling this man what she thought of him.

  Lady Blakemore bustled up to them.

  "I hope you two aren't talking politics again. I declare, Miss Clarendon, my girl is always trying to engage Mr. Woodward in political discussions, when I'm sure he gets enough of them with my husband."

  Lady Doreen smothered a giggle, and Rosina knew that whatever their discussions were about, it wasn't politics.

  "Sir John Crosby," announced the butler.

  Sir John entered the room quietly, and was warmly welcomed by the Blakemores. When he had done his duty he made his way to the little group in the corner, smiling at Rosina, bowing low over Lady Doreen's hand and then doing the same for Miss Holden, who simpered and sighed.

  It seemed that he had met Mr. Woodward on a previous occasion, and they exchanged bows.

  Suddenly a silence fell over the room. Everyone looked up to see a new arrival standing in the doorway. He was in his late fifties with a strong face, a beaky nose and sharp, penetrating eyes. At his side was a plump, comfortable looking woman.