‘In fine spirits. I took your advice and did not mention Miss Fairchild to her, although I did prepare the ground, telling her I thought it was time to settle down.’
‘Oh? And how did she take that?’
‘Not well. She started planning parties for me at Frimley, to introduce me to the families there, but I told her I was not in that much of a hurry. I said it can wait until my birthday in October.’
‘Did you, by heaven! And what excuse did you give her for coming back to Bath? Oh, of course,’ drawled Tristan, his voice heavy with sarcasm. ‘You were coming to visit me.’
Freddie beamed at him. ‘Yes. Has it not worked out well? But tell me, Tris, have you met Miss Fairchild? What do you think of her?’
Tristan took another sip of his wine and pretended to savour it. He had been expecting the question, but still felt unprepared to answer.
‘She is very pretty,’ he said at last.
‘Pretty! Tris, she is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen!’
‘Ah, but then, you have not seen very many yet, have you? Now don’t fly up into the rafters, my boy, I am only stating the case. Very well, let us agree that Miss Fairchild is beautiful.’
‘And is she not accomplished?’
‘Extremely.’
Freddie’s brows snapped together. ‘You are going to add a rider,’ he accused his uncle.
‘Merely that we know nothing about her birth.’
‘What does that have to say to anything? I love her!’
‘As you have told me, on numerous occasions,’ retorted Tristan. ‘However, as your guardian, it behoves me to know something more about the lady.’
‘Then approach the Pridhams and ask them. Tell them Lya and I want to be married.’
‘They do not encourage young gentlemen to dangle after their ward.’
‘As I am very much aware! However, once they hear from you that I am serious and that I have the means to support a wife, they will come around, I am sure. And besides, Lya will be of age soon, then we will not need their consent.’
Tristan said cautiously, ‘Have you spoken to Miss Fairchild of your feelings?’
‘Well, not in so many words. She is always so hedged about by chaperons that we have not been able to speak plainly, but she must know of it.’
‘She has never slipped away to meet you in secret?’
Freddie looked shocked. ‘Good Lord, Tris, Lya would never do anything so...so improper. How could you even think it?’
‘No, forgive me. But she has given you reason to hope your suit would be successful?’
For the first time in the interview, Freddie looked unsure.
‘Not as such. I did come close to declaring myself on several occasions, but for some reason or another the moment was never propitious. And her aunt and uncle are always so vigilant, we had no opportunity to converse alone for more than a few minutes at a time. However, now that you are here to support me, I will get to it as soon as maybe.’ He grinned at Tristan. ‘And I have another ally! I told Grandmama about meeting Mrs Ancrum in Bath and she has written a letter that I am to deliver to her. That will put me in credit with the old lady, I am sure!’
‘But not necessarily with the Pridhams,’ murmured Tristan. ‘Or my sister, when she learns of the reason for your return to Bath.’
Freddie dismissed this with a wave of his hand.
‘You mean my marriage to Lya? Mama will come around, when she sees how much in love we are. What objection can there be?’ Freddie finished his wine and pushed himself out of his chair. ‘Now, I’d best go and tell Platt to look out my evening coat and we can sit down for a snug little dinner together.’
Freddie hurried away, leaving Tristan to pour himself another glass of wine. Natalya had assured him she was not thinking of marriage. Until today. When he had asked her directly if she would accept an offer from Freddie, she had prevaricated. Was she waiting to know what her own fortune might be?
He shifted uncomfortably. He had not thought her mercenary, but if she was penniless then any marriage would be preferable to destitution. And then there was that portrait she had drawn of Freddie. It was too intimate and far too handsome, portraying Freddie as the man he might become, rather than the boy he still was. Surely she could not have drawn that if she did not feel something for the boy.
Tristan decided he must observe them together. If they were truly in love, then he would have to reconsider, but his instinct was to dissuade Freddie from proposing marriage to Natalya, to do everything in his power to prevent the match. The problem was, he suspected his judgement was flawed, because he himself felt a strong attraction to the lady.
Not that anything could come of that. He would not, could not become his own nephew’s rival for Natalya’s affections.
‘Well, well, my lord, do they not make a handsome couple?’ Mrs Ancrum nodded towards Freddie and Natalya, who were making their way on to the dance floor.
Tristan did not answer immediately and the old woman chuckled. ‘If one believed in Fortune, one might think it was more than mere chance that has laid Mrs Pridham low with a sore throat. When Mr Pridham told me that was the reason she was not at the morning service yesterday I was very sorry, of course, but then I saw your nevvy and Miss Fairchild stealing a few words together and saw how I might do the young lovers a good turn, so I sent a note to Sydney Place, saying I had a notion to look in at the ball tonight and offering to bring Natalya.’
‘Allowing him to stand up with her for a second time might not be the wisest thing,
