He replied carefully. ‘Your father was very conscious that Mrs Matthews is a widow.’
‘And he thought you a more suitable guardian?’ She raised her brows and he observed the faint look of disbelief before she shifted her gaze to the cakes. ‘I believe you had known my father for some years, Mr Bastion.’
‘That is correct. We had become close friends.’
Her hand hovered over the platter before she selected a tiny iced fancy, saying as she did so, ‘If you were my father’s friend, sir, and you were with him in Paris, it occurs to me that you, too, are an adventurer. And quite possibly a rake,’ she added thoughtfully. ‘I am well aware that my father had that reputation.’
Touché.
‘What I was in the past is irrelevant,’ he told her. ‘As is the future. For now I have a task to perform. Before he died your father was in touch with Viscount Whittlewood concerning your marriage to his younger son, the Honourable William Reverson.’
‘Ah, thank heaven for that,’ exclaimed Mrs Matthews. ‘Elyse and William Reverson have been betrothed now for three years and I was afraid they would never marry.’
‘Quite,’ said Drew. ‘Harry considered the delay had gone on long enough and he was anxious to have the matter settled. He and the viscount came to an agreement, a date was set for the marriage and Miss Salforde will join the viscount’s household a month beforehand, that she may grow accustomed to her new family.’ He glanced at Mrs Matthews. ‘It was also agreed that you, ma’am, should be invited to remain with your niece as chaperon—and honoured guest—until the wedding.’
‘Well, of course,’ said the widow. ‘And that is even more important now, since I am the only relative the poor child has.’
Drew inclined his head at her before turning his attention to Elyse.
‘On his deathbed, your father charged me with the task of delivering you safely into Lord Whittlewood’s care by Michaelmas.’
The cake fell from Elyse’s nerveless fingers.
‘But that is my birthday, and less than a month away.’
‘Yes.’
‘But I shall still be in mourning.’
‘Your father knew that, but it is his express wish that the arrangements stand. The wedding will take place a month later, at the end of October.’
‘I cannot possibly be married so soon.’
From her startled gaze Drew knew that Elyse had not been informed of the forthcoming change in her circumstances. He felt a tiny spurt of irritation. It was just like Harry to want to keep such information to himself until he could return to Scarborough and whisk his daughter off to her new life. He would have considered the speed and surprise of the whole venture exciting. Elyse looked as if she needed more time to grow accustomed to the idea. In contrast to her niece’s shocked countenance, Mrs Matthews was beaming at him.
‘But of course you can, my love. Heavens, you have been waiting long enough. With Lord Whittlewood’s money and influence behind the alliance everything can be arranged in a twinkling.’ She turned her smile upon Drew. ‘That is wonderful news, sir. I know Mr Reverson and my niece are eager for the match, but we did not know a date had been agreed. And, Elyse, just think of it. You will be with Mr Reverson for your birthday on the twenty-ninth of September.’
‘Yes. I shall be one-and-twenty.’
‘At which date my guardianship of you comes to an end,’ stated Drew.
‘And not a moment too soon.’
Mrs Matthews tutted.
‘Now, now, Elyse, it was your father’s wish that Mr Bastion should have a care for you and we must respect that.’ She smiled at Drew. ‘So you will be accompanying us to the viscount’s principal seat, sir? I believe it is in Cambridgeshire.’
‘No. Lord Whittlewood informs me he will be at his town house in London.’
Drew recalled the viscount’s letter which Harry had passed over to him. It was unusually specific. Miss Salforde was to be delivered into his care by Michaelmas and not a day later, or he would consider the agreement null and void. Drew did not know how binding that last clause would be, but to drag the matter through the courts was unthinkable. It would not reflect well upon either party. The viscount’s standing was sufficiently good for him to survive it, but Harry’s name would fare less well, and the scandal attached to his daughter would ruin her for life. And as for his own part in the affair, Drew had no wish to attract the notice of the authorities.
He said now, ‘I intend to deliver Miss Salforde to Lord Whittlewood in London by the end of the week. I will then remain in town for the two weeks until Michaelmas. That will give me time to ascertain that Miss Salforde is happy with all the arrangements before I relinquish my guardianship. After that she will be in the care of the viscount, who plans to remove the whole family to Cambridgeshire for the banns to be called.’
‘Yes of course, but...’ Mrs Matthews frowned. ‘To be in town by the end of the week we will need to set out in a few days’ time.’
Drew nodded. ‘Wednesday at the latest, ma’am. If the weather turns we might easily take a se’ennight to reach London.’
Elyse had been listening in silence, but now she gave an outraged gasp. The news of her forthcoming marriage was shock enough, but to leave her home at such short notice was intolerable.
‘That’s the day after tomorrow,’ she said. ‘We cannot possibly be ready so soon.’
‘I’m afraid you will have to be.’
‘You are riding roughshod over us, Mr Bastion.’
His gaze flickered over her, the blue eyes cold and indifferent.
‘I would have thought you would be impatient to join your fiancé. Perhaps you are not so eager for the match as you once were?’
‘Of course I am, but—’
‘But nothing, Miss Salforde. You have tomorrow to do your packing and make your arrangements.’
She sat upright in her chair, bristling with indignation.
‘It is not long enough. Why, there are a dozen little things I shall need, including new gowns.’ Elyse turned to look at Aunt Matthews, but she received no support there.
‘We will manage with what we have, my dear. After all, we shall be able to go shopping in town, and think how much more exciting that will be. Do not worry, Mr Bastion. Elyse and I will be ready.’
‘Good.’ He rose. ‘I will organise a post-chaise and send you word of what time it will call for you.’
Elyse felt her anger bubbling up inside. She had one hand resting on the table and it clenched tightly into a fist as she drew in a breath to retort, but Aunt Matthews covered her fingers with her own and squeezed them warningly as she repeated quietly, ‘We will be ready, sir.’
* * *
‘What an insufferable man!’
Elyse had struggled to contain herself until Mr Bastion had been shown out and the door had barely closed behind him before her exclamation was uttered, resonant with suppressed violence.
‘Hush my dear, he may still hear you.’
‘I am sure I do not care. I declare I quite abhor him.’
‘Why should you do that, my love, when he is doing his best to carry out your father’s wishes?’
‘But in such a high-handed manner.’
Aunt Matthews chuckled.
‘He does appear to be in a hurry to get you to the viscount, does he not? But there, your father’s plans were never straightforward,