As he hoped, Vaughan smiled. “Maybe Lord Metcalfe will catch influenza and—”
Philip put a finger to his lips, and both men laughed. Vaughan rose and held out his hand. “I will see you at Belleville Hall in September.” His cousin gripped his hand a little longer than necessary. “I know you are frustrated with Miss Tilney, and you are angry with the general. Keep your patience with her during your travel to the ruins, will you? Remember that Miss Tilney is a woman, and she only wants what small bit of peace she can ever have away from General Tilney.”
Vaughan went away, and Philip wondered what unfortunate situation had led to Lady Metcalfe’s unhappy marriage.
* * *
The excursionto Longtown Castle began after their party had an early breakfast, and they set off in high spirits, eager to be happy, save for Philip who wished it had rained and put off the whole event. They were now two-thirds of the way there; the ladies were in the general’s carriage, and Philip rode with the other two men, cursing his unfortunate luck with every mile.
Dryden he could tolerate well enough; Philip had known him for years. He was a man who did nothing with zeal but sport and read the newspaper. Still, Dryden was civil, agreeable even. Sir Charles, however—aside from being the first object of the woman Philip had loved his entire life—enjoyed quizzing people and provoking them.
“What is that oddity of a hat that Miss Tilney wears today?” Sir Charles asked as the men gained on the carriage as it climbed a hill.
Eleanor wore a loose-fitting small hat, set back on her head with ribbons under her chin, but Philip had thought nothing of it and brusquely said so.
“Dryden, do you think Lady Alice ought to have worn it instead? It might make one forget she has unsexed herself by chopping off her hair.”
Dryden did not seem to feel the slight against his sister’s prettiness. “My father does not care about such things, and apparently the style is up to date, which would satisfy my mother.”
“But you would not want your wife to appear that way?”
He agreed. “I do not mind a woman wearing her own hair, or a man cutting his hair short, but to have a woman cut her hair does not please me.”
Philip thought when hair was grown long, a lady braided it or rolled it, thereby reducing it until it appeared shorter anyway. “Why does a lady need the difficulty of maintaining long and annoying hair when she can procure a wig when she desires it?”
Sir Charles shook his head. “It speaks to a French influence; that I cannot trust. More importantly, what could be less agreeable and more embarrassing than to be seen with a woman with short hair?”
He supposed Sir Charles must be an entirely different man amongst those whom he needed to vote for him.Philip wondered if Sir Charles would be less taken by Eleanor if she had cropped her hair like Lady Alice had.Of course, General Tilney would be against anything like a woman acting with autonomy.
“You expect to marry Lady Harriet Burlington in June?” Sir Charles was now asking Dryden.
“Yes, everything ought to be settled within a fortnight, and I see no need for a long engagement.”
“Eager for the nuptial bed?” Sir Charles asked in an emphatic voice.
Dryden only grinned.
Sir Charles then gave Dryden a shrewd look. “Lady Harriet cannot offer you any pleasures you are yet ignorant of.”
“Of course not, but I suspect it shall be a unique experience with my wife.”
He shrugged disbelievingly. “It will at least always be available to you, right, Brampton?” Sir Charles added with a knowing leer.
Philip gave a tight smile. Sir Charles seemed to mistake vulgarity for wit.
When Philip gave no further answer, Sir Charles drew his horse nearer as Dryden fell back and said, “What is Miss Tilney’s opinion of such things?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Has she taken any lovers, do you know?”
“Good God,” Philip cried. “How can you ask such a question of a respectable woman?” He hoped his face was not red, although it felt it.
Sir Charles shrugged. “Because if she is warmly affectionate as I would need her to be, then she might make me a suitable wife.”
Philip narrowed his eyes. “You would not be appalled if your future wife had taken a lover during her single days?”
“Not so long as she stopped the practice once she took my name. As far as I am concerned, such a thing is merely a venial offence, not a moral one, the result of a natural desire. She might even have learnt a thing or two that would be to my benefit.” Sir Charles lowered his voice. “I feel for Dryden having to coax a virgin bride.”
