The House in Grosvenor Square Read online

  Her better judgment, which told her that of course he loved and trusted her, had no power to fight her heart when it concerned him. When the false light of a situation might cast his affection in doubt, why could she not have faith in him? She was sensing a chink in the armour of their love. A vulnerable place where her faith and trust—in Phillip, and by extension, God, for he had given him to her—wavered all too easily.

  And then Ariana spotted Princess Charlotte, and all her dark ruminations fled. She found it difficult to take her eyes off the princess. Surrounded by people, smiling and shaking hands, the royal young woman looked eminently comfortable in her role. Ariana had never been in the same room as the princess before and suddenly felt like an out-of-place country miss. She had been getting inured to such gatherings, but this was different. Not only did she hope for an acquaintance with the famous royal, but she felt sure that, if ever she was able to begin a society to aid the poor, Her Royal Highness could be a staunch supporter.

  The princess was a tall and sturdy young woman, large-boned, with proud shoulders and a large bosom, which the empire fashion suited admirably. Her hair was tastefully done up in a braided knot that could just be seen above a sparkling tiara. She had friendly large brown eyes, was known to be smart, compassionate, strong-natured but well-mannered, and, rather notoriously, treated shabbily at times by her father. Mr. Mornay noticed the direction of Ariana’s eyes, but said, “We must wait for her to request an introduction.”

  “Have you met her?”

  “Properly introduced once. I have been at gatherings where she was present, as tonight, but knowing that I am a friend of her father’s has not endeared me to her, I’m afraid.” He spoke with that little hint of a smile, telling Ariana that he was not the least bit flummoxed by the princess’s lack of approval.

  Neither noticed that while they were talking, the very person they spoke of had taken note of Ariana and Mr. Mornay, and was even now walking towards them. Lady Merrilton was with her, and suddenly Ariana was in the presence of the princess.

  Keeping her eyes on the marchioness’s, she listened with a beating heart as Lady Merrilton said, “May I have the honour, Your Royal Highness, of presenting Mr. Mornay’s fiancée to you?” Her words were a formality, as everyone understood that the princess had requested the introduction.

  She duly replied, “Please.”

  “Miss Ariana Forsythe, ma’am, from Gloucestershire, originally, I believe.”

  “From Hertfordshire, ma’am,” Ariana said, as she curtseyed. The princess wore a friendly face. Her eyes were intelligent and kind.

  “Miss Forsythe, I confess I have been eager to meet you. How do you do?”

  “I am honored, Your Royal Highness, thank you.”

  The princess flicked her eyes towards Phillip.

  “Mr. Mornay, Good evening.”

  Following a polite bow, he answered, “Your Royal Highness.”

  She looked back at Ariana. “I understand that you are to be thanked for arranging tonight’s dramatic reading?”

  “I hope you will enjoy it, ma’am. It may be that what I considered an admirable performance may not be as well received here, as it was in a chapel on a Sunday. “

  The princess smiled. “I assure you I am fully prepared to be edified this evening.” She looked at Phillip. “Allow me to borrow your fiancée. I should like to be better acquainted with her.” She slipped her arm inside Ariana’s, leading her in a walk about the room.

  Mr. Mornay settled a slightly accusing stare on Lady Merrilton, who bristled beneath it.

  “The princess requested the introduction, sir.”

  “And is the princess looking for a new lady in waiting? The Regent will hear of it, if she attempts to conscript Miss Forsythe.”

  “No fear of that; Her Royal Highness has never been allowed to choose her own retinue.”

  Meanwhile, the princess had said to Ariana, “I am very curious about you, Miss Forsythe. I followed your romance with Mr. Mornay, you must know, along with the rest of London.

  “You did, Your Royal Highness? I am astonished.” To think the princess had followed her and Phillip’s romance!

  “I am told of your great sense of religion, and yet knowing Mr. Mornay, I could not but be surprised that you would accept his offer. Your betrothal,” she continued, “was not expected.”

  Ariana was smiling gently at the princess while she spoke, a little shocked at how directly she had broached the subject of Phillip’s character. But then was not Princess Charlotte known for her forthright manner? There was no deceit in her.

  “I daresay not, ma’am. I have heard much on that theme, I assure you.”

  A woman came to claim the princess’s attention, but Her Royal Highness lifted a hand to stop her before she could say a word. She continued addressing Ariana.

  “Then you will understand my returning to it.” She surveyed Ariana a moment. “I have been given to understand that Mr. Mornay is a changed man, due to your influence.”

  Ariana hesitated. “Not my influence, Your Royal Highness. I believe God calls people to Himself, and only God can draw a man to know Him.” She looked briefly for her betrothed. “Happily, He has called Phillip to a greater depth of faith.”

  The princess nodded. “I agree with you, but—” She leaned in toward her confidentially. “I pray you, petition the Lord to call my father! Now there is a man who could benefit from an earnest faith. To hear of Mornay’s transformation gives me hope; and I am sure you will pray if I ask it.”

  “I shall indeed!”

  The princess moved back. “I congratulate you on your betrothal—to think Mornay won you!”

  “Ma’am, to most people, the wonder is that I have won him.”

  “Ah, but who has won most? I am certain you have already been exceedingly good for him. As you must be for all who know you.”

  “Your Royal Highness is too kind!”

  “Not at all. You must have tea with me sometime, Miss Forsythe. I will send a card to your home.”

  Ariana curtseyed. “I am honoured, ma’am.”

  The princess smiled and then turned to give her attention to those waiting for her. Ariana started back to find Mr. Mornay, but he appeared out of the crowd and offered his arm.

  Before she could tell him about her conversation with the princess, a flurry of excitement revealed that the Regent had now arrived. He entered the gallery in proud strides with two of his gentlemen, but slowed down to nod at the curtseying and bowing subjects making way before him.

  Ariana noticed the Lord Mayor of London as he bowed, with his large medallion hanging about his neck, and his wife beside him in a many-feather’d headdress. Dukes, duchesses, marquesses and marchionesses, lords and ladies of all ranks gave due respect to the Regent with formal correctness. The prince was dressed in a sober dark twin-tailed frock-coat, a top hat, and dark pantaloons. He stopped by various lords or ladies from time to time and addressed them as he wished. When he came upon Ariana and Mr. Mornay, he grinned at Phillip. Then, recognizing Ariana, he stopped and smiled. She curtseyed properly.

  “When do you tie the knot?”

  Mr. Mornay smiled. “Eight days until the wedding.”

  “Ah; but we’re not counting, are we?” He chuckled, as did others who were listening. He turned to Ariana. “Delighted, Miss Forsythe.”

  “Thank you, Your Royal Highness.” She curtseyed again, and he moved on.

  Finally everyone was seated for the drama. Ariana was anxious for the performance to start, or rather, to see how the audience would receive it. They sat through a short concert first, which she would have enjoyed more if she did not have a nagging concern over Mrs. Tiernan’s performance. But at last the musicians let their instruments rest. Candles were snuffed. Only the footmen, who circled the edges of the room at intervals, held softly glowing tapers in a statue-like trance.

  Mrs. Tiernan climbed a makeshift stage. She wore a white dress, which appeared luminous in the dark. A single la
mpstand near her gave off just enough light so everyone could see her facial expressions—very important to the overall effect. The Regent, sitting only two rows ahead of Ariana and Phillip turned his head, and Ariana could see, as he murmured something to a companion, that he was smiling.

  The lady on the platform began to search the faces of her audience. It was dark, but she acted as if she could see, and took every bit as long as she had done at the chapel. Ariana felt herself squirming. Did the woman not realize that one did not stare at royalty?

  “What the devil is she looking at?” someone said sharply.

  Finally Mrs. Tiernan, taking a deep breath, began with the announcement that her words came from the Book of Revelation, chapter twenty-two.

  There was a great silence from the audience, and the actual reading began. Ariana did not feel the same thrill as she had on that Sunday morning at the London Orphan Society. The Word of God was being read with great feeling, as then, but somehow she could not enjoy it. It felt all wrong in this irreverent company. Was she hearing murmurs from the audience, already? She tried to focus on the lady’s words:

  “And there shall be no more curse...”

  “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever...”

  While she was speaking, a man carried up a life-sized cross, but it was evidently not heavy as he lifted it easily. He stood it up directly behind her, and then took his place behind the cross as its support.

  Mrs. Tiernan stretched out her arms. “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be...”

  Then, her voice grew passionate. “For without are dogs, and sorcerers,” she said, turning her gaze directly upon the Regent and with blazing eyes continued, “and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters.”

  It seemed as if the entire audience was suddenly holding its collective breath. Ariana certainly was. She felt faint, in fact, though she had never swooned in her life. Lady Merrilton came to her feet, but even she seemed at a loss as to what to do.

  Mrs. Tiernan continued. “And whosoever loveth and maketh a lie...”

  Indignant murmurings started sporadically but grew louder as more people joined in. Soon Mrs. Tiernan could not be heard at all. The Regent was sitting ram-rod straight in his chair as the footmen hurriedly lit the candles around the room. Mrs. Tiernan at first ignored the unrest, but then gave in and exited the stage.

  The room grew lighter as the candelabra were lit. People were coming to their feet, and soon it was all confusion. Ariana noticed two footmen escorting Mrs. Tiernan from the room.

  “What are they doing to her?” she asked, alarmed.

  “I’m sure they are merely returning her home. It is no doubt for the best,” replied Mornay.

  Then Ariana noticed that some people were giving her strange looks, hostile ones. The Regent had come to his feet and was speaking in clipped tones to his hostess, who was apologizing profusely.

  Ariana’s hand went to her mouth, but Mr. Mornay gently took it and held it fast.

  “It isn’t our fault,” he said.

  She looked at him worriedly. “Everyone will think it is. They will think I had a hand in this. I know it!”

  “Then we shall set them straight.”

  “If they give us the opportunity.”

  The Regent and his retinue were leaving. Lady Merrilton watched them go with a decidedly unhappy frown. She turned then, met Ariana’s gaze, and began walking toward the couple.

  “Here is our first opportunity,” Mr. Mornay murmured. “Allow me to handle it.”

  By the time Lady Merrilton reached them, there were others in her train, and a small crowd was gathering around Ariana and her companion. Mr. Mornay held up an arm for silence, but Lady Merrilton was not about to be silenced in her own house, particularly when she had something of import to say.

  “Mr. Mornay, you are no doubt blameless in this affair, and I am perfectly prepared to allow that it is so. Yet Miss Forsythe, I daresay, does owe an explanation!”

  Lord Merrilton had joined them, and was glaring at Ariana. “If there is one to be had!”

  Others in the crowd expressed their approbation of this thought. Lord Horatio approached, looking concerned and meeting Ariana’s eyes with compassion, but he was silent. What could he say? Fortunately, Mr. Mornay had no qualms about making his sentiments known.

  “Miss Forsythe had as much to do with that lady’s performance as you yourself, Merrilton!”

  “Me?” The man returned. “But of course I had nothing to do with it! As for her, it is a different thing, as it was her doing!”

  “Not at all! She merely spoke about her own pleasure at seeing Mrs. Tiernan in an entirely different sort of performance, and her ladyship, your wife, insisted she must perform here. Miss Forsythe warned her to expect an exceedingly religious reading.” He looked at Lady Merrilton, daring her to deny his words. She didn’t, but her eyes were expressive of her resentment, and her mouth was set in a decidedly disagreeable frown.

  The marquess looked at his wife. “You were keen on having her, I do recall.”

  Her ladyship balked. “Miss Forsythe painted her as being so wonderful! I was utterly misled into the opinion that she would make a proper entertainment for His Royal Highness.” She looked accusingly at Mornay. “You should have known better, I daresay.”

  “How could anyone guess at her intentions? The only person who could answer for this night’s work is the lady who presented it.”

  The marquess had heard enough. “All right, then. Prinny will get over it. Let us not stand around arguing like a bunch of coves!” He looked directly at Ariana. “Come, Miss Forsythe. Has anyone shown you the conservatory?” Then, looking around, he added, “We have illuminations to go off shortly. The conservatory window gives an excellent view.”

  The crowd began to scatter. Her ladyship turned abruptly on her heels and stalked away, with a few other women hurrying to keep stride.

  Mr. Mornay was grateful to Merrilton. Taking Ariana on his arm was the perfect gesture to convey he did not hold her a whit responsible.

  Ariana too was grateful, but she did not feel certain that the worst was over. Lady Merrilton was a formidable woman. She could be immensely amiable, but her disapproval was daunting. Ariana thought of Lady Covington and how injurious her disapproval had been, for she had spread odious lies about Ariana.

  She hoped Lady Merrilton was not to do the same.

  Chapter Ten

  Princess Charlotte had not arrived with the Regent, so neither did she leave with him. However, when Ariana noticed how the marchioness hovered over the princess the rest of the evening, all her hopes for a future acquaintance with Her Royal Highness dissipated.

  With a mere look, her ladyship let Ariana know that she was far from ready to forgive what she was determined to view as Miss Forsythe’s fault. Even if Princess Charlotte did not hold Ariana to blame for Mrs. Tiernan’s insult, Lady Merrilton did, and the Regent may well have felt the same. Further, it was not beyond the Regent, she knew, to bar his daughter from keeping an acquaintance he did not approve of.

  She thought, too, of the mysterious events at Grosvenor Square and felt sad. The illuminations from the conservatory had indeed been as beautiful and spirit-lifting as promised, but the Regent’s displeasure had left a pall over the gathering that nothing could erase. This only added to Ariana’s regrets so that by the time she was back in the coach with her beloved, she had fallen into a melancholic mood.

  She felt as tragic as Cordelia, the good but misunderstood daughter of King Lear. No, she was Ophelia, singing sadly and strewing flower petals as she glided down a stream, not knowing her very death was around the next bend. Better yet she was Desdemona, the wife of Othello, whose own husband was going to kill her under false suspicion of wrongdoing. Perchance, she was Jepthah’s daughter, a virgin dying before her time d
ue to an ill-spoken oath. Oh, the slings and arrows of outrageous—

  “Ariana?”

  She was pulled abruptly from her tragic deaths.

  Mr. Mornay was watching her with a little smile. “What are you thinking?”

  She searched for how to answer, shaking her head. “I am exceedingly cast down from tonight’s work.”

  “On what account? Nothing will come of it, I assure you.”

  “Nothing? I feel as though tragedy has struck me again without warning. As when Lady Covington spread her odious falsehoods about me.”

  “Which brought me to your parlour, recall,” he said, his eyes warmly upon her.

  She smiled reluctantly. “True.”

  “All is not lost. The marquess has shown his favour to you, and Lady Merrilton has ever courted mine, and will continue to do so, I am persuaded. She will not remain out of countenance with you. She really has no one to blame but herself. Which is no doubt why the episode vexes her so!”

  “But this is the second scandal you said my name could not survive!”

  He chuckled. “No such thing. Your mind has a dramatic turn. Next time we ought to give you the platform. It would be much more to the company’s liking than Mrs. Tiernan, I daresay. And the Regent has never disliked a beautiful woman to my knowledge. We will pay him a call and you will win him over in a matter of minutes.”

  “Do you indeed think so?” her eyes came alight with hope.

  “I know it.”

  On the following evening, the Herleys were having a card party. It was nothing like the card parties of the most tonnish families, for wagers were kept strictly low. Ariana had, of course, been invited and felt it incumbent upon herself to attend. Mrs. Bentley had an invitation to a ball from Viscount Dickson and was much against the Herley party, so Ariana was in a flummox, not wishing to displease her friend or her aunt. Mr. Mornay saved the day by agreeing to take Ariana to the Herley’s for a short visit (with the emphasis on short) and then join Mrs. Bentley at Viscount Dickson’s ball. With the usual footmen on the back of the carriage as chaperons, he came for Ariana in good time.