Page 56 of An Affair at Stonecliffe

“Carlisle. And Lady Rutherford. How delightful.” Belinda’s eyes glittered as she took Noelle’s hand. “I am so pleased you came. I don’t doubt you had to drag my son with you. He avoids parties like the plague. Carlisle is the dullest of men.” She cast a smile up at him to soften the sting of her words.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Noelle demurred and cut her eyes toward Carlisle. “I’ve found he can be quite entertaining.”

Carlisle’s eyes warmed, and a faint smile touched his lips. His mother looked sharply from him to Noelle and murmured, “Really? Interesting...”

“I need to talk to you, Mother,” Carlisle said.

“Ah. I see. So it was not for the pleasure of my company that you attended? Well, of course, dear, we shall talk later. But first you must allow me to introduce Lady Rutherford to my guests. The French ambassador and his wife are here. I believe you have spent much time in Paris?” She guided Noelle toward a knot of people.

Noelle went with her, Carlisle following with a resigned air. Lady Halder began the introductions, and all eyes turned to Noelle. Some were bright with interest, others more avid; a few glittered maliciously. Noelle could feel her palms sweating inside her gloves. She reminded herself that her dress could compare to any of theirs and that Carlisle was there to support her. Maintaining a measured smile, she exchanged greetings and chatted for a moment. It was a relief, actually, to slip into French with the ambassador’s wife, who spoke little English and was delighted at the chance for a conversation.

“Mother, we wanted to talk to you,” Carlisle said as they left the first knot of guests, but by that time, they had reached the next group Lady Halder sought, and there was another round of introductions and pleasantries. Before she could lead them to yet another cluster of guests, Carlisle took his mother’s arm and steered her toward an empty spot by a palm. “We need to talk.”

“But dearest,” Lady Halder protested, “I cannot simply disappear from my own party.” She used her folded fan to indicate the rest of the room. “I must see to my guests. There are several more people whom Noelle should meet. We are doing well, though it would help if you wouldn’t glower at everyone so. But it will quite cement Noelle’s place in the ton to make friends of the Chesters.”

“No doubt. And I’m certain the Chesters can’t wait to tell us about their seven spaniels—”

“Carlisle! You know they only have five, and I didn’t raise you to be rude.”

Noelle wanted to tell Lady Halder that it didn’t sound as if she did much raising of her son at all, but she held her tongue.

“Either way, Noelle and I have more important concerns than establishing her in society.”

Lady Halder’s look conveyed her disbelief that anything could be more important, but she sighed and said, “Very well, I can see that I won’t be able to attend to my duties until you’re satisfied. Why do you ‘need’ to talk to me?”

“Did you ever know anything about my father buying into a tontine?”

His mother stared at him blankly. “A what?”

“A tontine. It’s an insurance contract.” He started to explain, but Lady Halder interrupted him.

“Yes, I do remember the concept. Vaguely. What an odd thing to be asking about.”

“Did Father take part in one?”

“I wouldn’t think so.” She frowned. “Surely you would know more about that than I. Drewsbury handled all that after Horace died; he must have told you about his financial affairs.”

“Yes, he did, but he said nothing about a tontine. I went through many of Father’s old papers after I came of age, and there was no mention of a tontine. However, Sloane told me—”

“Sloane? Sloane Rutherford? Carlisle, whyever are you talking to that man?” Lady Halder’s brows knitted. “He’s thoroughly disreputable. You cannot be friends with him—it would not reflect well on Lord Halder—” Carlisle cocked an expressive eyebrow, and she grimaced. “Yes, I know, you don’t care how it would look for my husband, but you should have some care for your own reputation. And Lady Rutherford’s, not to mention her son’s.”

“Mother... I am not friends with Sloane Rutherford. Far from it. But he told me my father entered into a tontine with Lord Drewsbury and Nathan’s father.”

“Well, it sounds like exactly the sort of foolish scheme Nathan’s father would have gotten into. George Dunbridge was always trying to recoup his fortune in one idiotic fashion or another.” Her mouth twitched in irritation. “And if Drewsbury asked your father to join it, no doubt he would have. Horace would do anything Drewsbury wanted, no matter how nonsensical it might be.” She sniffed disdainfully. “But if George Dunbridge was involved, I am sure it was a failure and they lost all their money.”

“I suppose that could be why there was no record of it among Father’s papers,” he mused. “Still, I must look into it.”

“Good...now if that is all...” Lady Halder turned to Noelle. “You really must meet the Chesters.”

Noelle nodded and braced herself, but Carlisle, with a swift glance at Noelle, intervened. “No, Mother, she does not really need to meet the Chesters.” He took Noelle’s arm. “I think Lady Rutherford has furthered your agenda quite enough already. I am sure she must be tired.”

“My goodness, Carlisle, you are the rudest man alive. Sometimes I wonder how you could be my son. Lady Rutherford might wish to remain for a while. Some people actually enjoy parties.” She turned to Noelle. “Please stay. Carlisle can leave if he wants, and I’ll have the carriage take you home later.”

“Thank you; you’re very kind, but I fear I do have a bit of a headache.” Noelle smiled. “And we are returning to Stonecliffe tomorrow, so we shouldn’t stay too long.”

“Of course,” Lady Halder acquiesced gracefully. “I do hope you will come again, though. Carlisle, why don’t you fetch Lady Rutherford’s wrap? I’ll walk her to the door.”

“Mother...” He frowned.