The Paradise Will Read online

  ‘You deserve more,’ said Letty, resolutely. ‘You looked after your mother during her illness, gave me a home when I had nowhere else to go, and nursed your father through failing eyesight and ill health. It is high time you paid attention to yourself and married someone who will care for you.’

  ‘You make me sound like a martyr,’ Alyssa said, with a little laugh.

  ‘I don’t mean to but you’ve never complained about your circumstances and always found opportunity to indulge what interests you, particularly in teaching the children. Charles would stifle your spirit – you would have to dance to his tune because he’d have a miserable face if you did not. And he is odiously priggish when you are never so. Why, even if I do something wrong, you have a clever way of acknowledging it: you don’t ring a peal over me, or make me feel childish, whereas Charles …’ Letty’s voice trailed away, but she rolled her eyes, allowing her expression of dismay to say more than words.

  ‘He can be sanctimonious, but we all have our faults. Perhaps it is unfair to dwell on Charles’s when he has many good points as well.’

  ‘But if you loved him, you wouldn’t need to talk of his good or bad points; you would just accept they were all part of the man you loved and desired.’

  ‘Just so, Letty,’ agreed Alyssa softly, ‘I could never love someone blindly, ignoring their flaws, but I shouldn’t have to remind myself of his qualities.’

  ‘Do you miss him when he is not with you?’

  Alyssa, looking slightly guilty, said, ‘No, I don’t. If I am honest, I am flattered by his interest but don’t return his regard in the same degree.’

  ‘And how often do you laugh with him?’

  ‘Hardly ever: a sense of humour is not one of his virtues.’

  Letty leaned forward to murmur, ‘And does your heart leap every time you look at him?’

  Alyssa smiled. ‘You are incorrigible, child!’ she said, without malice.

  ‘I know,’ agreed Letty, her face glowing with mischief, ‘but answer my question, if you please.’

  ‘Oh, very well. No, it does not.’

  Letty sat back, satisfied. ‘Then it is settled: you do not love Charles; you are merely fond of him.’

  ‘But perhaps that is because I cannot love anyone.’

  ‘Bah!’ said Letty, dismissively. ‘Your nature lends itself to loving deeply – and that does not mean you will think him faultless – but rather you will feel he is the other half of you; someone you can laugh and cry with; someone to share your deepest fears, your hopes, your plans – a soul mate, if you will.’

  ‘You astonish me sometimes,’ said Alyssa, staring in admiration. ‘For a young girl, you show a remarkable perspicacity of human nature and quite put me to shame.’

  Letty considered this. ‘Well, I don’t know how I understand about love exactly since I have never felt more than the sad crush I had last summer on William Armstrong. It is just what I imagine, and have read, and gleaned from watching others who are in love. As for the rest of human nature, you and I have examples to observe at close quarters,’ she said, with a grin.

  ‘What can you mean—?’ began Alyssa, puzzled until understanding suddenly dawned. ‘Ah, of course – the children! How true. All of human nature is there, only in a more concentrated and uninhibited form.’ She laughed and added, ‘If I can deal with twenty little ones, I can surely manage one Sir Giles Maxton!’

  ‘What sort of man is he?’ asked her companion.

  ‘The most condescending, self-important person I ever met.’

  ‘So you have said. However, I actually meant what does he look like?’

  ‘I suppose he is not handsome in the conventional sense, but he is imposing: tall, with a powerful physique, dark hair and eyes which emit a fierce stare.’

  ‘You managed to take in some details of his appearance then?’ said Letty, giving Alyssa a curious look from under her lashes.

  ‘A few – I was too annoyed to notice everything.’ This was not quite true; in the intervening weeks, Alyssa had realized she could vividly recall every detail of Sir Giles’s face, figure and the sheer force of his presence. She murmured, ‘I expect he will call soon. You can judge for yourself then.’

  ‘I’ll look forward it,’ she replied, with a cryptic little smile.

  In fact, Sir Giles arrived the next morning. Alyssa was in the drawing-room with Charles and, when Rowberry announced her visitor, she felt a tingling anticipation mingled with apprehension. She would have preferred Charles not to be present and stole a glance at him. He looked angry, but quickly schooled his features into indifference and stood with his back to the window.

  When Sir Giles strode in, Alyssa found his presence as equally compelling as it had been in London. He was dressed in buckskin breeches and top boots, his dark-green double-breasted coat cut to fit closely across his broad shoulders. His cravat was tied in a waterfall knot but his hair was not lovingly teased into the longer, fashionably dishevelled style; it was cut slightly shorter and the breeze outside had done the rest. It seemed Sir Giles was no pink of the ton, inclined to spend time and effort on achieving a supposedly natural hairstyle. As he approached, his cool gaze met Alyssa’s as he took her hand.

  ‘Welcome to Dorset, Miss Paradise. I trust you had a good journey?’

  ‘Yes – we arrived yesterday.’ Her small fingers felt lost in his large, shapely hand and she removed them quickly.

  ‘News travels quickly in this small community. Word of your arrival reached me and I decided to drive over this morning.’ He glanced at Charles. ‘I trust this is not an inconvenient time?’

  ‘Oh, forgive me!’ she exclaimed. ‘May I introduce Charles Brook, my….’ Alyssa hesitated; she had been about to say he was her good friend.

  ‘Your betrothed?’ prompted Gil.

  ‘Well, he – that is to say—’ stammered Alyssa. Fortunately for her conscience, Charles chose that moment to intervene.

  ‘Our betrothal is not yet official but soon will be,’ he said, eyeing the other man with suspicion but extending his hand in response to Gil’s outstretched one. ‘I have heard of you from Alyssa, Sir Giles – along with details of your meeting in London.’ His tone indicated he had heard nothing to the good.

  ‘Indeed?’ said Gil, raising his brows at this shrouded hostility. ‘It was a most unusual first meeting. Miss Paradise and I were both hasty in our responses that day, I fear,’ He turned to Alyssa and smiled, ‘May I offer my congratulations on your forthcoming betrothal?’

  ‘Oh! Y-yes, of course!’ she murmured, feeling trapped. ‘Th-Thank you.’

  Charles, throwing Alyssa a puzzled look, asked bluntly, ‘What say you to these ridiculous terms, Maxton?’

  ‘What am I supposed to say?’ replied Gil, equally candid. ‘We must comply to obtain what we want. The general was a friend of mine so I also feel under some obligation to follow his wishes.’

  ‘Have you no thought for Alyssa’s reputation?’

  ‘Charles, please!’ she said, annoyed.

  Again, Gil raised his brows. ‘The scandalmongers will find our situation newsworthy for a time, but the novelty will die away. Most people will understand Miss Paradise is simply carrying out her uncle’s request,’ he observed in a cold voice. ‘However, I can see why you are not happy with the arrangements—’

  ‘Charles knows I’m determined,’ interjected Alyssa.

  ‘I didn’t imagine you would change your mind,’ said Gil, amusement hovering on his lips. ‘I shall endeavour to remain compliant throughout dinner if you will do the same, Miss Paradise?’

  ‘I will try, but the provocation might prove too great on occasion.’

  His smile grew. ‘Then shall we be content to see where our conversation leads?’

  ‘A gentleman keeps a civil tongue in his head when in the presence of a lady!’ said Charles.

  Gil’s brows snapped together as he queried in a suddenly arctic tone, ‘True, but should I infer from your comment you do not consider me a
gentleman?’

  ‘I was not suggesting anything of the sort,’ replied Charles mendaciously. ‘I am merely concerned Alyssa’s time here should be as pleasant as possible.’

  ‘I also wish the least difficulty and disruption for both of us,’ said Sir Giles in a curt voice.

  Alyssa, feeling sidelined in this undeclared yet simmering confrontation, said quickly, ‘Sir Giles, may I suggest seven o’clock on Saturday for our first meeting, here at Hawkscote? I will then have had time to settle in and meet my land agent.’

  ‘That will be convenient. Ennis is your agent – he was your uncle’s for some years. He is very capable but if there are particular matters you wish to discuss or require advice on, we may speak about them on Saturday.’

  ‘Be aware, Sir Giles,’ said Charles, through gritted teeth, ‘Alyssa has friends who can offer advice.’

  ‘I expect she has,’ he replied, smoothly. ‘Remember Miss Paradise has only to seek my advice – she is not obliged to take it, although I would strongly recommend she does, or at the very least listens to Ennis. My local knowledge and experience in estate management might prove useful.’

  ‘I have estate management experience,’ said Charles.

  ‘Ah, I see.’ Gil paused infinitesimally. ‘May I enquire how many acres on your property?’

  ‘Almost two hundred.’

  ‘Eastcombe, my own estate, has one thousand acres. Perhaps we should leave Miss Paradise to decide who can offer the best advice?’

  Charles, looking furious, made no further comment. It was clear he could not compete with Sir Giles on estate management or acreage.

  Gil offered his hand and said, ‘I’ll take my leave now. We will surely meet again, Mr Brook.’

  Charles murmured an indistinct response and could hardly bring himself to return the salutation. Afterwards, he turned away and Alyssa watched Sir Giles give a brief shrug in response. Feeling compelled to atone for Charles’s childish behaviour, she smiled brilliantly at her guest and put out her hand.

  ‘Thank you for driving over,’ she said, warmly. ‘I appreciate it and look forward to welcoming you again.’

  His strong fingers closed over hers and he studied her smile with an expression that was hard to read. ‘I will be here promptly at seven,’ he replied. With that, he relinquished her hand and left.

  Silence followed his departure until Charles snapped, ‘Like you, I find I do not like Sir Giles Maxton in the least, Alyssa!’

  She did not reply immediately but a martial light glinted in her eyes.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  ‘What possessed you to be so rude?’ she demanded.

  Charles stared and exclaimed, ‘You said Maxton was overbearing in London and when I answer him in the same coin, you find fault with me!’

  ‘The circumstances were different today; he was a visitor and deserved to be treated with civility unless he behaved to the contrary. He seemed determined to be cordial until piqued by your offensive tone.’

  ‘I might ask why you find him acceptable now,’ said Charles, nettled.

  ‘I do not necessarily. I still believe him to be brusque and opinionated in general, but that does not mean you should be discourteous when given no provocation.’

  ‘I was protecting you!’

  ‘By being impolite?’ she asked, her cheeks flushed with anger. ‘You only made yourself look churlish! You do not hold sway over my actions, Charles, and I don’t need your interference – please, respect my wishes on this.’

  ‘Maxton is somehow aware we are betrothed in all but name – I had no need to tell him.’

  ‘I mentioned it when we met in London,’ admitted Alyssa, biting her lip, ‘I did not intend to.’

  ‘You speak as if it were something to be ashamed of.’

  ‘No, I was pointing out I should not have said anything as I have not yet given you my answer.’

  ‘Well, I’m glad you told him,’ he said, giving a thin smile and puffing out his chest. ‘If he thinks you are spoken for, he may curtail his behaviour. There is no guarantee – as I have said, many who appear gentleman later prove loose in the haft – but to know you are not without protection may deter him. You’re a gently bred girl, by God, not one of the muslin company!’

  ‘I’m sure he can see as much,’ she murmured, ironically.

  ‘Hmph! He realizes now I will stand no nonsense. Why, I would happily pelt him in the smeller if he lays one finger on you!’

  Laughter rose to Alyssa’s throat at his use of boxing cant, but she quickly stifled it, seeing he was in earnest. ‘Ch-Charles, all this is fustian!’

  ‘Fustian? I think not. And another thing – if he is a loose fish, he could make himself agreeable to get Hawkscote!’

  ‘So now he will succumb to the allure of my money rather than my beauty?’

  Charles merely scowled; he could not articulate the territorial instincts Giles Maxton had stirred in him on sight.

  ‘It is lowering to think my attractions come a poor second,’ she continued, amused. ‘Perhaps he will ravish me first, before making himself agreeable. I shall bear it in mind and be on guard for my neighbour’s iniquitous behaviour. However, if he owns a thousand-acre estate, he is already wealthy and has no need to ply me with soft words.’

  ‘But foremost, he has an eye to business,’ protested Charles. ‘If Hawkscote could be obtained without payment, or at a reduced value, so much the better for him.’

  ‘Can we leave the subject now, Charles?’ she said drily. ‘No purpose will be served by continuing.’

  During the remainder of Charles’s stay, the matter was not raised again although Alyssa knew this was only by considerable effort on his part. Two days later, she was truly thankful he was leaving. Relations between them had deteriorated further. Alyssa was at a loss to understand his surly attitude; Charles, on the other hand, saw it as a reasonable response to Alyssa’s lack of empathy with his view. As he stood by the waiting carriage, he kissed her hand, saying gravely he would return soon and expect an answer. In the meantime, he would write. He climbed in, the equipage rumbled slowly away and Alyssa returned to the house.

  Letty was reading, but looked up to see her companion’s despondent expression. ‘I’m glad Charles has gone,’ she said, ‘He has made you unhappy.’

  ‘His behaviour only arouses my irritation,’ observed Alyssa, rubbing her forehead wearily.

  Letty closed her book. ‘Now he has left, what shall we do for the rest of the day?’

  ‘Ennis is due at eleven o’clock. I’ll suggest he stays for lunch and shows me the estate afterwards. Would you care to join us?’

  ‘I’d like to meet the farm workers, and their families.’

  Alyssa agreed. ‘Yes – it is time I introduced myself.’

  The day passed quickly. Unhampered by Charles’s presence, Alyssa enjoyed her new role. She discussed the running of the house with Mrs Farnell, listening to her ideas for improvements and cost savings and suggesting some of her own. She met Ennis, a mild-mannered, middle-aged gentleman who had no qualms explaining business details to a woman, and he was neither patronizing nor sycophantic as they studied the accounts.

  ‘I will not trouble you with too much detail at this stage, Miss Paradise,’ he said, with a smile, ‘it is better to learn a little as we go along. Of course, problems can be discussed as and when they arise. Does that meet with your approval?’

  ‘Oh, yes! I have a great deal to learn, but I’m willing to apply myself. As you may know, my uncle requested I seek additional advice from Sir Giles Maxton.’

  ‘Then you will receive help from an experienced source.’

  ‘Do you regard him well?’ she queried.

  He nodded approvingly. ‘He is a respected figure for many miles, both for his business expertise and his stewardship of his own estate. In my dealings with Sir Giles, he is always plainly spoken but eminently reliable. Your uncle, I believe, consulted him regularly.’

  ‘So I understand.’ Alyssa smil
ed, and added, ‘Thank you for your help this morning. Would you stay for luncheon if you have the time?’

  He agreed and, at Alyssa’s request, gave her and Letty a partial tour of Hawkscote afterwards. They met most of the labourers and their families apart from Jonas Draper, who was out working in the fields. Alyssa discovered through careful questioning that the labourers did not own any land or property and, secretly shocked at the ragged, poorly nourished children and adults she had met, she was quiet on the return journey. As they walked back from the carriage to the house, Ennis was a little way behind when Letty asked softly, ‘Are you feeling quite well? You have spoken little since we left the cottages.’

  ‘I am troubled by the poverty I have seen,’ she whispered. ‘Having witnessed the privation striking farm workers in Oxfordshire, I did not expect much, but the harsh realities of country living are even more pronounced here.’

  ‘The children were very thin,’ agreed Letty.

  Mr Ennis took his leave shortly afterwards, advising he would return on Monday. This was payment of wages day and, he said, smiling genially, Alyssa would be most welcome to attend.

  Friday was spent showing Letty the rest of the house, including the secret passage which made her giggle delightedly, and looking over the account ledgers provided by Ennis. As seven o’clock on Saturday approached, Alyssa felt she could meet Sir Giles with a modicum of knowledge.

  She checked her appearance with a critical eye; she had chosen her best evening gown, a dark-blue three-quarter crepe over a pale satin slip, for the occasion. The neckline was fashionably low and revealed enough of the smooth white skin of her shoulders without being de trop. A pearl necklace and earrings completed her toilette.

  She looked stylish yet respectable, but when Sir Giles walked into the drawing-room, she felt a shiver of apprehension and wondered how the evening would progress. Alyssa’s nature was not vindictive; she voiced her opinions too readily but was as happy to laugh at her own foibles as those of others. She might tease but she would never prolong disagreements unnecessarily. However, she could not remain silent on issues which troubled her deeply and there were questions she needed to ask when a suitable moment arose.