The Reluctant Bride. Meg Alexander

Mrs Rushford’s eyes were closed.

      The doctor put a finger to his lips. “Don’t disturb her. I’ve given her a draught. She will sleep now, and should feel better when she wakes.”

      “She looks so ill.” Letty choked back a sob. “Is she…is she dying?”

      “Not at all, you foolish girl! Your mother is a prey to nerves. Give her time to recover from the strain of these past months and she will soon be well again.” The doctor picked up his bag and took his leave of them.

      “We had best let Uncle know.” India peered through the window, but Isham’s coach was waiting still.

      “Damn the man!” she cried. “What can he have to say that takes so long?”

      Letty giggled. “You may be thankful that Mama is sleeping. She would be shocked to hear you swear.”

      “I’m sorry, but that creature would try the patience of a saint. Did you see how he looked at us? He might have been assessing prize cattle.”

      Letty’s colour rose. “I know it, but, well…you know his reputation. It is the talk of London…”

      “Oh, you mean his opera-dancer? The expensive bird-of-paradise? He can well afford to give her a house and carriages and jewels. She’s said to be the latest of many, but without his wealth no one would look at him.”

      Letty was pink with embarrassment. “Oliver won’t discuss it, but other people do. The matchmakers have given up on Isham. They say that he will never marry.”

      “Who would want him? It is no wonder that he tries to buy affection. I never saw an uglier-looking man. Why, he might be a gypsy or a pirate. All that is wanting is a gold ring in one ear.”

      Letty was moved to protest. “He is not ill-favoured, India. He is of a dark complexion, but his eyes are very fine.”

      “You are a model of Christian charity, sister dear. Let us say that his reputation must be very bad indeed if even a massive fortune does not attract the marriage market.”

      “It isn’t that, I’m sure.” Letty was determined to be fair. “I think he frightens people more than anything. His look is so…so shameless. I felt as if I had forgotten to wear my gown. I wanted to run away and hide.”

      “Oh, Letty, must you be so timid? We must not let him see that we care at all for his opinion. I intend to treat him with contempt.”

      Letty shuddered. “Must we go down and take our leave of him?”

      “Certainly not! As far as Lord Isham is concerned we are not of the least consequence. Unless I am mistaken he sees women as fit for one purpose only…”

      Letty blushed again. Then she gave a sigh of relief. “Oh, India, he is going. Thank heavens for that.” She stood by the window until his lordship’s carriage had disappeared.

      “Had we best go down again?”

      “In a moment. Letty, Uncle is sure to question us again as to what we mean to do. Have you any ideas?”

      “I can’t think of anything,” Letty admitted helplessly. “I couldn’t teach, even if Mrs Guarding offered me a post at the Academy. I might take a post as a companion, but that would mean leaving home.” Her lips quivered.

      “Dearest, don’t distress yourself. You are clever with your needle, which I am not, and you sing so well. You might think of teaching music.”

      “I don’t know. Mrs Guarding may not have an opening for both of us. In any case, Uncle will not like it…”

      “I don’t expect he will. He blames Mrs Guarding for Hester’s advanced ideas, but that is not quite fair. Hester would be of an independent mind, however she was taught.” India chuckled. “Uncle wishes me to speak to her and to bring her round to a better understanding of her duty. By that he means marriage, as you know.”

      Even Letty twinkled at that. “I wish you luck,” she said more cheerfully. “Shall we visit her today? She is such a fund of gossip.”

      “Then come with me and enjoy a coze. We could go back with Uncle, since Mama is to sleep for hours. The change will do you good.”

      “I’d like that. We have been so dull of late…with nothing but worry and disappointment.” Letty’s face grew sad. “I had hoped to hear from Oliver, although I did say that we must give up all thought of an engagement. He must have taken me at my word.”

      “Nonsense, you silly goose! Have you no faith in him? If he loves you truly he will not give up so easily. Now bathe your eyes. We’ll go down and hear what Uncle has to say. Isham has probably suggested sending us to the salt mines to earn a crust…”

      This outrageous statement finally brought a smile from Letty. Still protesting at the ridiculous notion she followed her sister down the stairs.

      “You think Isham capable of anything,” she teased.

      Yet even India was unprepared for the news with which Sir James greeted them. He looked so serious that both girls were alarmed.

      “What is it?” India asked. “Is Isham demanding more? We have nothing left to give…”

      “Sit down, my dears. It is nothing like that. Now what I have to say concerns each of you. Lord Isham came to offer for you…either of you. He wishes you to decide between yourselves which of you is willing to become his bride.”

      Chapter Two

      For a few moments India was too stunned to speak. Then she found her voice and began to smile.

      “Uncle, I believe you mean to punish us for our rudeness to Lord Isham. You have hit upon the very thing to frighten us. What a fate for any girl! It is a dreadful prospect, even if you mean only to tease.”

      Still smiling she looked up at her uncle, but saw no answering amusement in his face.

      “India, I do not tease. His lordship has made a serious offer, and I must insist that you treat it as such.”

      India stared at him in disbelief. “You cannot mean it! If this is Lord Isham’s idea of a joke it is in the worst of taste. Hasn’t he done enough to harm our family? Must he indulge in mockery too? I hope that you ordered him from the house.”

      “I did no such thing. This is no joke. I am surprised at you, my dear, though I will make allowance for the shock. Your manner towards Lord Isham left much to be desired. I had not expected such a want of courtesy from any of my family.”

      “A want of courtesy?” India cried wildly. “That man is our enemy. Would you have us fawn upon him?”

      “You forget yourself, I fear. Must I remind you yet again that Isham did not force your father to sit at the tables with him? I am disappointed in you. Reason is needed here, not an exhibition of ill-temper.”

      His tone was severe, but India was too distraught to heed his displeasure.

      “You can’t believe that he is serious,” she pleaded. “I have never heard of such an offer. Are you saying that Isham has no preference? That either of us will do? It is insulting. Forgive me if I question his motives.”

      “India, you are not a child. The offer is unusual, certainly, but Isham needs an heir. Should aught happen to him the title goes to his half-brother, and Henry Salton is scarce fit…” He left the sentence hanging in the air.

      India struggled to regain some semblance of composure.

      “So Isham needs an heir? That I can accept, but why offer for Letty or myself? All the matchmaking mamas in London have been hanging out for him for years. He might take his choice of a dozen girls.”

      “I am sorry to see that you will believe no good of him. Perhaps you might consider that Isham has a conscience. He is well aware of your present