Authors: Linda Daly
“Well not knowing your aunt of course, all I can say is what Felicity
told me of her, and that was, Gwendolyn Phelps had risked her own life so
that Felicity could find true happiness. To my way of thinking, someone
that lived her life upholding certain moralities and traditions and broke
them to bring Felicity and Benjamin together thought long and hard before
making such a decision. Surely others in your set could be more tolerant, if
nothing more than out of respect for such a wise and caring woman, as
your aunt obviously was.”
“As lovely as that sounds Elise, I’m afraid you don’t understand the
complexities . . .”
“If I know anything at all, complex situations of the heart, I have a
clear understanding of. You see . . .” As Elise spoke of how she and Joshua
had met and the obstacles they had to overcome, not just from the war, but
the bitterness and hatred that challenged their love, Anne listened silently.
“All I can say is what Felicity said to me. Now let me think, I believe
she said something to the effect that
‘there are no words to describe the
utter peace and joy I have experienced since I became Mrs. Benjamin
Myles. I know this may sound strange to some, but when two people have
struggled to be together, I believe God blesses them with an extraordinary
gift, and that is bliss in loving one another completely and freely’.
And I
tend to believe her, Anne. Why, I risked everything, just to love Joshua. My
family, my beliefs, my life, and I can tell you I’d do it all over again.
Thankfully, Joshua and I have a happy ending, but it pains me to think
Felicity is being punished for loving that one man in the world who makes
her heartbeat quicken just by him walking into a room. Now I may not
understand all there is to know about proper English traditions, but no one
can deny that those two were made to be together. Why it’s as plain as the
nose on your face when you see them with each other. Why would you
deny yourselves the pleasure of their company when you all clearly miss
Felicity so much?” Shaking her head dramatically, Elise said, “And my
Mama says I’m stubborn . . .”
A smile crossed Anne’s lips. “How I wish it were merely being
stubborn, or that there were a group of people I could plead Felicity’s case
to. However, that simply isn’t the case here. Our codes of ethics are not
written down anywhere, and even if it were possible to change the thought
process of some very rigid thinking people, it would take more than one
person. Not to mention the fact that if Benjamin and Felicity’s marriage
could be accepted--which is highly unlikely--but for the sake of argument
if it were, there would still be the matter of Lavinia. And I can tell you that
is one woman none of us misses nor wishes to ever set eyes on again.”
Realizing she had said too much, Anne began to apologize for her outburst.
Elise hastily commented instead, “On the matter of Lavinia Sterling,
having only met her a few times I can assure you, I agree wholeheartedly.
However, that is where our agreement ends. You see I just witnessed what
an influence you have on others in your set. Need I remind you of the
incident earlier when you scolded Elspeth and that Francois fellow? It was
very clear that they respected you and your opinion. Otherwise, why would
they have kowtowed down to you so rapidly without a dispute? Perhaps it’s
out of respect for you that they do not say anything regarding Felicity and
Benjamin, fearful that it is you who doesn’t approve. From my own
personal experience, I’ve been afraid to discuss them simply because I
didn’t want to offend you or your cousin Rupert. Either way, one thing’s
for sure, life is too precious to be wasting it on some silly imaginary rules,
which if I’m not mistaken isn’t there a saying that says rules are meant to
be broken?” Elise said, smiling devilishly.
Anne reached out an arm to Elise, and smiled. “Mrs. Carmidy, I am so
glad that you and that handsome husband of yours came to visit us.”
Elise tenderly hugged the woman in return and walked arm and arm
back toward the house.
Playfully Anne asked, “Well, since everything is out in the open, pray
tell, how is Felicity coping with having that evil woman living so near? It
still amazes me that the four of them ended up in New York together, of all
places. Be honest and don’t you dare leave out a single detail.”
Giggling, feeling at complete ease with her new friend, Elise shared
how after her wedding to Joshua, she had foiled Lavinia’s opportunity at
embarrassing Felicity and Benjamin as they entered the ballroom. Spotting
Rupert nearby, she nodded reassuringly at him. He whispered something
into his wife’s ear, which caused Annabelle to react favorably by kissing
him on the cheek and beaming from ear to ear. As busy as Elise was
describing the events of her encounter with Lavinia, she noticed the
interaction between her two hosts. Being inquisitive, she wondered what
precisely it had meant but rather than question Anne, she followed her host
as they walked closer to Mrs. Haversham and Elspeth.
Smiling lovingly at Joshua who was now joined by Anne’s husband
Edward, Elise heard Anne say, “Mrs. Haversham, would you mind terribly
if we borrowed Elspeth for a few moments?”
Graciously accepting Anne’s offer, Elise heard Elspeth whisper softly,
“Can you ever forgive me dear Anne, for my insensitivity earlier?”
“Oh Elspeth, don’t be silly darling . . .” Anne replied while walking
back toward the stone patio, extending her hand to a table far removed
from other guests mingling freely about. “Francois has a way of drawing
those into his web. Since the accident he’s gotten worse, I’m afraid.”
Curious about Anne’s comment, Elise walked ahead of her hostess and
waited until all three of them had taken their seats. “Would it be considered
terribly rude of me to inquire further as to this accident? I’ve heard several
people mention it, yet I know little else other than it left him partially
paralyzed.”
Obviously taken back by the American’s boldness, Elspeth looked at
Anne, her eyes as wide as saucers, waiting for an appropriate reaction.
Instead Anne reached across the table and gently patted her friend’s hands,
saying reassuringly, “It’s alright, Elspeth. We’ve become dear friends and
are beyond polite conversation. As a matter of fact, Elise has told me the
most amusing tale regarding Lavinia, which I’m sure would be alright if I
shared with you, dear friend.”
Nodding at Anne reassuringly, Elise watched in amusement while the
masterful aristocrat drew Elspeth back into the fold, reassuring the
painfully dull woman that all was well between them. As the three of them
sat around the table, Elise soon discovered that not all was what it appeared
to be on the surface of the elite of society in England. The only difference
between those in England and in America that Elise could tell was that they
acted as if they were above reproach.
Within moments, Anne and Elspeth disclosed that the accident that had
taken Edwin and his personal secretary, Elaine’s life, was also the reason
for Francois’s condition. Shortly after the accident, Annabelle had traveled
to Rupert’s chateau in France where the injured Francois was convalescing
under the care of Anne and Edward. As it turned out, Annabelle needed
time away from Ashwillow, following the death of her own father, the
Squire Randolph Bailey-Smythe who had been shunned following the
incident of the ball and had never recovered.
Once Anne and Edward Spencer returned to their own home--Pixie
Halt, back in England--they received word that Gwendolyn Phelps, the
matriarch of their clan, had also passed away following the wedding of her
niece in America. Elise’s head was whirling.
“Am I to understand then that the Squire--Annabelle and Lavinia’s
father--passed away almost at the same time as Felicity’s Uncle Edwin and
both of your aunts?”
“Yes, Elise. They say bad news comes in three’s and by-George it
certainly did back in sixty-two . . .” Anne said sadly.
Hastily Elspeth added, “Four I suppose, if you include Francois’s
sister, Elaine Freeport to the equation.”
Confused even further Elise asked, “Elaine Freeport was Edwin’s
personal secretary? Am I to assume then that Francois saw his sister perish
too?”
“We all did,” Anne whispered, obviously still shaken by the incident,
so Elspeth filled in the events for Elise. On the carriage trip to Rupert’s
chateau, the first rig with its passengers including Rupert, Francois, Edwin,
and Elaine, broke an axle and rolled over several times, killing Edwin
instantly while Elaine, suffering severe injuries, died shortly after.
“So Rupert was in the carriage too, yet suffered no injuries?” Elise
asked.
“Yes and don’t you think that man hasn’t suffered every day since.
Following the accident, I tried to reassure him it wasn’t his fault, yet he
insisted that if he had been sitting across from his father rather than beside
him, perhaps Elaine or his father would not have perished. And frankly, I
believe he even blamed himself for Aunt Gwendolyn’s death, too. You see,
he and his father had known Gwendolyn’s intentions for the trip to
America, despite never telling Felicity or Edward and myself.” Anne added
hastily.
“Well that explains the accident. Yet I’m still confused as to why
Francois seems so bitter over Annabelle’s and Rupert’s wedding. It was
obvious to me earlier that he is pining over Annabelle.”
Again, Elspeth’s eyes widened as she looked at Anne before
commenting herself. “My, but you are extremely perceptive, Elise. You
must have been quite a cunning spy,” Anne said admiringly.
Bubbling over with curiosity, Elspeth asked, “Spy? You Elise? Why I
would have never guessed . . . You must tell me everything . . . Does
Joshua know?”
“Yes. I was a spy for the Confederates at the beginning of the war. And
yes, Joshua knows. Actually he found me out . . . but before I fill you in on
all the details, you must finish telling me of Francois, Annabelle, and
Rupert.”
Eagerly, Elspeth began speaking while Elise listened intently,
fascinated by how Annabelle had nursed Francois back to health while
Rupert sat and watched from afar the woman that he loved have her heart
broken. Francois, the son of a wealthy businessman, had been disinherited
by his family when he pursued his art, rather than a nobler profession.
Anne quickly explained that artists were not considered gentlemen in
England. Even after Francois’s accident, no longer capable of pursuing his
craft, Francois’s father still would have nothing to do with his only son.
With no family left, and his ability to paint gone, Francois was a broken
man.
“From what I hear, Annabelle was wonderful through his depression
and even following when he took up the drink,” Elspeth said, adding to
Anne’s explanation.
Agreeing with her friend, Anne said, “As only Annabelle could. Never
have I seen a gentler spirit.”
“From what I’ve observed in the short time we’ve been here, I must
say her tenderness shows in everything she does. But when did she and
Rupert know . . . I mean, when did they decide to wed?”
Eagerly Anne filled in the gaps, explaining in a low tone so not to be
overheard. “Rupert had been assigned the responsibility of overseer of
Annabelle’s inheritance from the Squire, and if rumors were true, Lavinia
had received virtually nothing.”
It was Elise’s eyes that widened this time, and Elspeth said in earnest,
“It’s true. Go on Anne, you have such a way of explaining things.”
“Well, let’s see . . .” Anne paused to gather her thoughts before
continuing. “Over time, Annabelle had learned to confide in Rupert, more
than for financial matters, viewing him as a dear friend and confidant,
never suspecting that he loved her desperately. As Francois’s drinking
worsened, he insisted on living on his own and moved to his sister’s villa.
From what I heard from Edward, Annabelle--consumed in worry after not
seeing Francois for days--demanded that Rupert take her to Francois.
That’s where she found the scoundrel with several undesirable women, all
in quite a state, following a night of . . .” Leaning across the table in a
dramatic fashion, Anne continued. “Well let’s just say, Annabelle was quite
unnerved by what she witnessed. Now mind you, I’ve only heard bits and
pieces of this part of the story, but I can tell you when she returned to
Ashwillow shortly thereafter with Rupert by her side, Annabelle was
devastated. Especially since Francois had apparently spoken words of love
to the vulnerable and naïve woman, according to Edward. And of course,
the poor dear believed every word he had said to her. I’m not saying
Francois wasn’t sincere, but Annabelle--after having to endure the shame
and ridicule her father and sister had brought down on her family name and
dishonor-- simply could not take another disappointment.”
“No one could,” Elspeth added in her defense. “For weeks, we all
worried about the poor dear, but slowly over time Rupert seemed to bring
her out of her shell. In truth, Annabelle seemed to bring life into Rupert as
well. Don’t you agree Anne?”
“Oh absolutely! Rupert is a changed man. You see Elise, prior to that
time, Rupert was . . . well . . .” Anne hesitated, as if searching for the right
words to say.
“Dull as dishwater!” Elspeth proclaimed. “Don’t you recall how he
spoke back then, rolling his r’s in a most annoying and unflattering
manner.”
“Really Elspeth, you needn’t be so unkind.” Turning her attention to
Elise, Anne continued. “In truth, Rupert’s whole persona has changed
drastically in the past few years, even his speech, as Elspeth so boisterously
has mentioned. Although I’ve never discussed it openly with either Rupert
or Annabelle, I recall distinctively how following the tragic incident of
Felicity’s ball that Rupert showed remarkable calmness. He took complete
charge of rectifying the injustice brought against Reverend Myles, when
the rest of us were all in shock. And never once did his speech seem
different than that of anyone else, so I’ve assumed over the years that
Rupert used this façade to keep people at a distance.”
Nodding her head, Elise asked, “What a lovely story. Yet Francois
doesn’t appear to be under the influence now?”