An Inconvenient Trilogy Part 9

"I do, but I am not going to do anything about them." Michael said.

"Why not?" Elizabeth whispered, stunned. She did not know which affected her the most, the fact that he had admitted to his feelings, or that he refused to act on them.

"As mistaken as I may be, I am not going to put you at risk of being hurt more than you have already. You were right, I did not listen to you initially and I should have, but I want you to be accepted for who you are. I am your guardian and I will not be anything else to you apart from being a friend, if you will have me." Michael said firmly.

"Do I not have a say in my future?" Elizabeth asked, again annoyed that she had so little control over her life.

"In this, I'm afraid not." Michael responded gently.

Elizabeth looked at the man who sat before her. She loved him with all of her heart, but she would not beg for his affection. She sighed, "I will value you as a friend, if that is all you will allow yourself to be."

Michael felt a huge surge of relief. It had been a possibility that he would have been asked to leave by Elizabeth, she was fiery enough to do it. The feelings that had pulsed through his body when she had agreed to them being friends had made him pause. For a moment he had wondered if he had made a mistake, but he had to stick with what was right for her, rather than what he wanted. He was relieved he had not been forced to speak about his father. He had arrived with the intention that he would tell her the truth, but when sat before her, he could not. He could not face her if she pitied him, just as much as she had not wanted his pity. So once again, he had not explained, but as always Elizabeth had not acted the way any other female would have done. She respected his wishes when he had said that he could not tell her, and had not pushed him.

It took a few days for Elizabeth and Michael to settle into their new relations.h.i.+p. If anyone had asked Charles or Miss Fairfield of their opinions of the situation, they would have received a shake of the head in despair. Each seeing what certainly Michael and to some extent Elizabeth did not seem to be able to see, that they were made for each other, and would be incomplete by not being a pair.

Michael fell into the routine of arriving with Charles in the morning; he no longer made the effort to arrive early. His justification to himself was that they could start work straight away, rather than waiting for Charles. The reality was though, that although he wanted to be with Elizabeth every moment, he did not want to put temptation in his way again. He was not sure he would have the strength to stop himself if he was alone with her. The memory of her kisses and the longing for them to be repeated would always be a struggle to resist when he was alone with her, no matter what decisions he had made.

Smithson, the ever reliable butler opened the door to them every morning with the same calm expression. Although he had been employed by Charles to continue serving the house, he had very quickly fallen under Elizabeth's spell, and any outsider would have thought that he had served her all her life.

"Good morning Smithson, is Miss Rufford in the library?" Michael asked while handing his hat and gloves to the butler.

"No my Lord, she is speaking to visitors in the drawing room," Smithson replied.

Michael noticed the setting of the butler's lips into a disapproving line, and wondered who Elizabeth knew that could generate such a response on a first visit. "Charles, wait for us in the library. I shall go directly to the drawing room. No need to announce me, Smithson."

Michael walked along the hallway towards the drawing room listening to the sounds of voices as he approached, trying to see if he recognised the early visitors. Two strange voices were clearly heard and he paused at the tone of the three voices inside.

"The estate was profitable when I left it cousin. It cannot have gone into debt in such a short time. I have only been gone a matter of months!" Elizabeth sounded disbelieving but firm.

"I believe you may have been misled by the staff, Elizabeth. It has been poorly run for many years and we need more funds to make it profitable. You have to take part of the responsibility as it happened while you were supposed to be managing it. We would not wish the family reputation to suffer because of bad management," a female voice counter-argued.

Michael thought it appropriate to make his presence known and with one of his best bored expressions set firmly on his face he entered the room and approached Elizabeth. "Miss Rufford," he said as he bowed over her hands.

"Lord Dunham you are very welcome. My cousin and his wife have arrived unexpectedly this morning. I am afraid our meeting will have to be delayed." Elizabeth moved to introduce the two visitors to Michael, her expression betraying some of the tension she was feeling. "Lord Dunham, allow me to introduce my cousin Herbert Rufford and his wife, Miranda Rufford."

Michael coolly looked over the two before him. Herbert looked nervously at his wife as if a.s.sessing how he should react to Michael. He appeared to be firmly under his wife's instruction. He was a short man who carried more weight than was healthy. There was no family resemblance between him and Elizabeth. The clothes he wore fitted him tightly, but were of a good cut. The gentleman obviously did not commission poor quality clothing.

The wife Michael was very keen to look at, because of Elizabeth's previous description of her. She was a beautiful woman, he could not deny that from a quick glance, but a closer look showed more of her character than she probably would have wished to be revealed. Her mouth was pinched and her eyes were hard and a.s.sessing. Her attire was fussy, frills and lace in abundance over her clothing. Michael wondered if Elizabeth had taken her inspiration from Miranda in the clothes she had worn when they had first met.

The way Miranda held her body she almost looked ready to pounce. Elizabeth had accurately a.s.sessed her when she described her as feline. It soon became obvious that Miranda was to look to Michael as an ally in whatever scheme she had as she greeted him with a wide smile, but it did not reach her eyes, which remained cold and calculating.

"Ah, Lord Dunham, so nice to meet you. I must apologise for the appearance of my cousin, I did try to guide her on her clothing taste when she lived on our property. Unfortunately, she has continued to insist on wearing breeches when in the country, I see. Most improper."

Michael had seen Elizabeth stiffen at Miranda's words and hid a smile. "I see practical dress. I do not concern myself with my ward's choice of clothing, Mrs. Rufford. I feel my role as guardian does not extend to fas.h.i.+on advice. I may suggest something as grotesque as purple and orange."

Elizabeth struggled to contain her laughter, her eyes danced with amus.e.m.e.nt at Michael. "Purple and orange? Perish the thought!" She said giving an over-dramatic shudder.

"Quite so," Michael replied smoothly. "I interrupted your conversation when I entered. Please continue."

"My cousin has accused me of running my father's estate at a loss and hiding the fact from him," Elizabeth informed Michael, all the previous laughter dying from her eyes and her cheeks flus.h.i.+ng with indignation.

"I did not!" Herbert spluttered. "I merely said that the estate had been run down and you had not been told the full story by the staff. I would not accuse of you of hiding the fact from me. You were fooled by the staff, no surprise really, having a woman in charge."

"I see," Michael said before Elizabeth had time to retort. "And you came to your cousin's home to tell her this? You wanted to see her? To admonish her?"

Miranda intervened with a smile that Michael was beginning to dislike more and more, even on such a short acquaintance. "Of course not, but we thought that as Elizabeth loved the place so much, it was an opportunity for her to invest in the estate and help us to make a profit."

"Ah, so you didn't want to see Elizabeth, you just want her money," Michael said without any hint of malice, but Elizabeth looked at him warily. She sensed danger under his words.

Miranda obviously did not sense anything to be worried about. "I think you would agree that it could be considered as family money and as we are her closest family, she should consider investing in the existing estate, rather than invest in a new one. It is foolish to take on another estate, when her own family one is in dire need."

"But if what you say is true, why should she invest in an estate that is not profitable? That does not appear to make sound business sense, I'm sure you would agree?" Michael asked reasonably.

"If she had been more aware of what was really going on we would not be facing this current crisis, so in effect she is obligated to help. She a.s.sured Herbert that she knew what she was doing and that the estate was safe with her, when in reality it was anything but." Miranda responded with feeling.

"That estate was running at a profit!" Elizabeth snapped. "I can prove it! Just send to Mr Lawson and he can easily produce the books with all the expenditure and income in. We went over them weekly, together. There was no chance that the estate could have been making a loss without my knowledge."

"Ah, well, you see we've had to let Lawson go," Herbert muttered, going very red in the face and not meeting Elizabeth's gaze.

"You've done what?" Elizabeth exploded. "He has been with the family since my father was a young boy. He was promised one of the estate cottages when he retired. You knew that Herbert, and you agreed to it when I handed everything over."

"Unfortunately your family loyalty clouded your judgement," Miranda said with a condescending smile. "He was not performing and had to go. We cannot be responsible for poorly performing staff as well as an ailing estate. Why give him a cottage when we can charge rent for it?"

"Where is he?" Elizabeth ground out.

"I believe he has gone to his brother in Manchester," Herbert said.

"He would hate to live in the city, he loved the countryside and has known nothing else," Elizabeth said, distraught at the thought of her loyal member of staff being so misused.

Michael thought it appropriate to intervene. He had been watching the exchange with interest, but Elizabeth was becoming very distressed and his natural reaction was to protect her. "If I could make a suggestion?" he offered quietly, but firmly.

"Please do." Elizabeth said, looking close to tears.

"My dear, you could stand the cost of a man of business. Normally I would not have advised you to employ someone as your estate is smaller than would be usual for such a post. In this instance though as Mr Lawson appears to be of the age that he would want to spend less time working, perhaps you could offer him a position here? He then would not need to work for the full week and spend his time enjoying a partial retirement."

"That is a wonderful idea!"Elizabeth exclaimed. "Can I afford it?"

"It will not alter your overall financial position. I will instruct Charles to contact Mr Lawson and arrange the details."

"Thank you," Elizabeth smiled with relief. Both Michael and Elizabeth noticed the look that pa.s.sed between Herbert and Miranda at their exchange.

"That's all very well my Lord, but I do feel that Elizabeth should be helping her family rather than old staff. Do you not think family loyalty is important in matters such as these?" Miranda interjected.

Michael decided that he had humoured the woman enough. "Madam, Elizabeth may or may not wish to invest in your property, I have not yet asked my ward her opinion on the matter. Any financial dealings she wishes to undertake have to receive my approval. To invest in an estate that has gone from profit to loss in a matter of months would not be a venture I would allow my ward to invest in. So, in reality it is irrelevant what Elizabeth wishes, her money will not be invested in your estate."

"Well I never! May I remind you that your guardians.h.i.+p only lasts for a few months more and then Elizabeth can do as she wishes?" The smile had gone from Miranda's face. Any pretence at civility was removed. "It's not as if her money is doing her any good, it hasn't even been able to attract a husband."

"It has been more than enough to attract a husband. I have refused at least six applications for Elizabeth's hand, all of them eligible. Let me a.s.sure you that any man who would advise investment in such a scheme would not be the man to marry Elizabeth." Michael growled at Miranda. His smooth address had gone now, and the danger that Elizabeth had suspected to be lurking under the surface was very much to the fore now.

"I see how things lie here and there is no longer any point in discussing this matter further," Miranda said mulishly. "I had hoped that we could spend some time with you while we were in this part of the country. We had arranged to meet my brother later today; I know he was keen to become acquainted with you."

Elizabeth sighed, she wanted Herbert and Miranda as far away from her new home as possible, but she could not turn them away. She did feel some family obligation, but as always she was honest with her cousin. "You have never wanted to spend any time with me before, Miranda."

"You are family," Miranda replied sourly. "I had hoped that we could form some sort of relations.h.i.+p, but I see that all my attempts are going to be rejected."

Elizabeth groaned inwardly. She may not like Miranda, but Herbert was her only surviving relative. She did inwardly agree that he deserved some family loyalty and sighed; she would try and be accommodating, even if it pained her to be near Miranda. "Of course you are welcome to stay here Miranda and I include your brother in the invitation."

"Excellent. We shall take our leave, and collect our belongings and meet with George. Should we return at six?"

Elizabeth agreed, but had to bite her tongue in order to prevent herself from making a comment which would express what she was truly feeling. Herbert and Miranda said their goodbyes and were led out by Smithson.

Elizabeth sank into a chair. "Thank you for your support." she smiled weakly at Michael.

"You appeared to be doing very well before I entered, but I am happy to be of a.s.sistance. Your previous description of your family was too kind, I feel."

Elizabeth laughed, "I knew you would see them as I do! Now I need to live with them for a few days at least. I can't understand how they can be in debt so soon."

"I can and it is confirmed by their desire to rid themselves of Mr Lawson. Don't be surprised when he arrives if he tells you that your cousin brought debts with him. He looks to be the kind of man to be easily separated from his money. His wife would not see it as being taken advantage of if flattery was given at the time. There are many who will take advantage of the weak characters in society."

"The fools! They had such a good estate. It will break my heart if they eventually lose it." Elizabeth said quietly.

"I feel that is what they were hoping to hear from you. It would have made their task of separating you from your money far easier. You must be prepared for further bombardment. I suspect that Miranda at least won't give up as easily as she appears to have done today."

"That's fine; I have the perfect excuse now. My dragon of a guardian won't let me!" Elizabeth smiled impishly.

Michael smiled in return, "Ah you finally see the advantages of having a guardian; I never thought to see the day."

A much less congenial conversation was being held by Miranda and Herbert in the carriage leaving Elizabeth's house. Miranda was not one to accept a refusal easily and Herbert came in for the brunt of her criticism. He was accused of being weak-willed and spineless. Herbert accepted the abuse and promised to try and intimidate Elizabeth, underestimating her strength of character. He did sum up Michael's character quickly and accurately though.

"There was no point in arguing with him, he would not release the funds. He made that perfectly clear." he almost pleaded. Miranda in a bad mood was more than most men could bear; let alone such a cowardly one as Herbert.

"Hah, his intentions are obvious!" She snarled back at him. "He wants her money for himself."

"Why would he? He has enough wealth that Elizabeth's two thousand a year would almost be pin money." Herbert wanted his cousin's fortune, he felt aggrieved that he should be deprived of a further two thousand a year. With a wife like Miranda such an amount could come in very useful. He refused to acknowledge that Elizabeth's fortune came from her mother and would never have gone to him if there had been no children. He was a man who needed more income because of his own poor management, and he felt that Elizabeth was the only one who could provide it.

"A man who has money wants even more. Look around you at all the marriages where that happens. They are always money to money. Well if he wants to marry that woman, if that is what you can consider her, he has not taken me into consideration."

"What are you planning?" Herbert asked with a sinking feeling. Approaching Elizabeth as they had was bad enough, but he did not like the glint in his wife's eyes.

"George needs a wife. Elizabeth will do fine in that role and when they are married, we will take over the money. We can put her to use on the estate too. It's a simple, perfect solution."

"She will never agree to marry George." Herbert responded.

"Who said anything about agreeing? She will find herself forced into marriage, one way or another," came the menacing response. Silence descended on the carriage as Miranda sat plotting exactly how she could bring down her high and mighty cousin, while Herbert cowered at the thoughts of what he was being dragged into.

Chapter 13.

Unaware of what feelings she had stirred up, Elizabeth dressed with care for the evening's gathering. She did not like to admit it, but Miranda's condemnation did hurt her. It was not that she wanted to appear feminine, she was more than comfortable in breeches, but it was the way Miranda openly sneered at her, and had done even the first time they had met. Elizabeth's open acknowledgement of her lack of finesse had been seized on, and was used against her at every opportunity even when Miranda wanted Elizabeth's help.

The dress she picked to wear was one she had chosen with Violet. She knew it was more than suitable for the occasion. If she was honest with herself, a far less fas.h.i.+onable dress would have been suitable for a meal with family deep in the Yorks.h.i.+re countryside, but she was determined to silence Miranda. The pale blue taffeta whispered against her body as she walked, emphasising her slender shape. The cross-over bodice drew attention to the curve of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s and slender waistline. The material was edged with fine cream lace, standing out against the contrast of the material and her skin.

She wore a single set of pearls around her neck and had her hair piled high, with clips edged with pearls, on the crown of her head, with thick curls falling to naturally frame her face. The overall effect gave her more height. Her dress gave her confidence. She was not vain, but she could see that her appearance did her credit. She would be grateful for that during the evening.

Elizabeth entered her drawing room after the others in the party had gathered. Michael and Charles were stood near the fire, a little away from the others in attendance. Martha was seated near the gentlemen. Herbert and Miranda's brother hovered protectively near to Miranda who sat in regal splendour on one of the wing backed chairs. Conversation halted as Elizabeth walked into the room.

"Good evening," she smiled at the group.

Michael smiled, his eyes showing his approval of her apparel. Elizabeth smiled slightly in return, she knew that Michael would see immediately what she was trying to do and hoped he would not tease her for it. Her insecurities were irrational with regards to Miranda, but it did not make them any less real.

The look on Miranda's face would have been comical if the implications were not so hurtful. She looked with disdain at Elizabeth, openly letting her eyes rake up and down the outfit and turning away with a look of contempt. Herbert looked in surprise at his cousin before collecting himself and moving to introduce Miranda's brother.

"Elizabeth, allow me to introduce George Watson to you. He has heard us speak often about you, and is eager to make your acquaintance."

Elizabeth raised her eyes at her cousin in a question at his words, but he did not meet her gaze. When she did not receive anything further from Herbert, she turned to George and placed a smile on her face which would be in danger of becoming a grimace if she looked at Michael. George stood before her bowing low over her hand. She resisted the urge to pull her hand away, but thankfully he did not kiss it. He was a stout man of around twenty-five. His hair was fair like Miranda's, but was plastered to his head in a most unfas.h.i.+onable way. He looked hot, even though the room was not overly warm, and pressed a handkerchief to his top lip regularly. His eyes were small and Elizabeth had the uncomfortable impression that she was being a.s.sessed as if she was a piece of meat.

"Miss Rufford, a delight to meet you at long last. My sister has often spoken of you," George smiled at her.

"Really? I would be less surprised if she had never mentioned me at all," Elizabeth muttered at which Michael suffered from a coughing fit. It gave the opportunity for Elizabeth to move across to Michael after offering her apologies to George. "Do you have a problem my Lord?" She asked innocently.

Michael waved her concern away, but quietly whispered "My problem goes by the name of Elizabeth." His words received a mischievous smile that was interrupted by dinner being announced. Michael offered Elizabeth his arm and they led the way into the dining room.

Elizabeth sat at the head of the table with Michael at the opposite end. Charles sat on one side of Michael with Miranda on Michael's other side. Herbert sat next to Charles and Miss Fairfield and George completed the party on Elizabeth's other side. Elizabeth had hoped to spend as much of the evening as possible talking to Martha, rather than George, but it was obvious that Herbert had set out to dominate her companion leaving Elizabeth no option but to speak to George.

After only five minutes, she knew it was going to be a long evening. At every opportunity he tried to compliment her, but they were shallow compliments meant to pander to the vanity of which she had little. She tried to give him a hint that compliments were not necessary or welcome, but he did not seem to hear anything she said. He had opinions about everything, especially the food they were eating, and took great effort to explain every detail of how her cook was preparing the food wrong.

"The soup is far too thick," he said as he was given a ladleful. "The consistency needs to be thinner to be a truly fine dish."

Then, when he piled his plate high with the other dishes on the table. "I feel the pheasant should have been cooked longer, the sauce on the goose did not contain enough wine," he said, as one piece of food after another was devoured.

"I shall introduce you to cook after the meal if you wish," Elizabeth offered, desperate to stem the flow of nonsense. "I am sure she shall appreciate your advice. You will understand that your instructions to me are wasted really, my time is spent outside on the estate."

George paused for a moment, making Elizabeth hope that she had managed to stop such a tiring conversation, but it was not to be. "I shall of course speak to her," George said with authority. "I do wonder at you working outdoors though, Miss Rufford. Is that advisable?"

"Why would it not be?" Elizabeth responded trying to be polite, but becoming slightly defensive.

"Surely you would want to spend your time making a home?" George asked, leaning closer. "A home for a family? I could see you being surrounded by a brood of children."

Elizabeth's skin crawled, but she forced herself to smile. "A home would be useless without the means to support it wouldn't it Mr. Watson? We are planning the work on the house during the spare moments we have."