Enchanted Summer: (Regency Romance) (16 page)

“She really is an awful girl,” said Henrietta with a grimace.

“She just knows what she wants and what she wants is Robert,” Celia said.

“She can’t force Lord Merrick to fall in love with her, Celia. Robert’s in love with you. You can’t think of her wishes when deciding your future and what’s best for you.”

“I wasn’t thinking of Caroline when I made my decision, Henrietta, but rather of my family.”

“But have you thought this out thoroughly, Celia? As the wife of Lord Merrick you would have many resources with which to help your own family. If their situation at Rook’s End should become insupportable as a result of your marriage to Robert, surely they could live with you. Shelton is a large place!”

“Oh, Henrietta, how easy everything seems to you.”

“But you see it altogether too hard yourself, Celia,” Henrietta insisted.

“Do you think for one minute I would decide their future for them in such a cold-hearted way? And would I premeditate such a large responsibility for Robert? ‘Here, Robert, you can marry me, but along with me you must take Mama, Fred and Bella, to care for the rest of their lives.

“Besides, Robert’s father is extremely ill. His illness makes him ill-tempered.

“Robert’s time is in large part dedicated to him for he has become reclusive in his illness. And when I say reclusive I don’t mean he spends his time in his rooms. No, he is pushed about the lower rooms in his Bath chair. His humor has deteriorated so that he often shouts. He also insists that Robert go with him when he goes about in Bath.

“Helen told me she hardly recognizes her father anymore. Although I love Mama, I know that moving her in proximity to Robert’s father would be an uncomfortable clash.”

“And, Henrietta, at a dinner at Shelton Hall to which we were invited, I overheard Lord Shelton tell Robert that it was
I
who was causing problems in his house! ‘Miss Meade pressed you and Ellen to take her to London, so you went against my wishes and left me alone to cope,’ he said.”

“I see Caroline’s hand in this, Celia,” Henrietta said, shaking her head. “Lord Shelton could not have come up with such a thing on his own.”

“Yes, Henrietta, I saw Caroline’s hand in it, too. But you see, she has already set Lord Shelton against us with whatever it was she said to him.”

“Yet Lord Merrick and Lady Ellen sought you out here, Celia, so they must not have taken any of that into account. They, too, must have seen Caroline’s hand in their father’s animosity toward you.

“If Robert knew the reason for your refusal of him I’m certain he would be glad to know
that
was the reason, for that is within what he can actually resolve. It’s a huge estate, surely your family could be in one side of the house where they would not come into contact with the old earl. Why not let Robert be the one to choose? I think it’s unfair not to give him the choice.”

“I could never tell him that, Henrietta!”

“Instead, you must condemn yourself as well as him to a life of regret. You don’t seem to be the kind of girl who can love twice as intensely as you love Robert.”

“In that, at least, you are correct.”

“Then let
me
be the one to tell him.”

“No!” Celia turned to Henrietta in horror. “Henrietta, if you should ever decide to do that, know beforehand that it would fracture our friendship!”

“Oh, my dear,” Henrietta assured her quickly, “I would never dream of doing it without your consent. I value your friendship too much to put it to such a test!”

“Well, then, hug me, Henrietta, and let us talk of other things. I cannot bear to continue this discussion. Besides, she added, I think Robert already suspects what the reason for my refusal is.”

“I’m glad!” Henrietta said with a grin. “You have made me very happy with that disclosure.”

CHAPTER 18

Celia received a long letter from her mother the day before their journey. It went thus:

Dearest Daughter Celia,

Bella has been befriended by her cousin Caroline. Imagine my surprise!

Celia, who had been reclining on the couch as she read her mother’s letter now sat up on reading this sentence and re-read it again in astonishment. She continued reading:

We are, after all, her own family, though she had tried to deny it before. It proves, dear, what I have said all along, that Caroline would in the end see what a sweet and innocent girl our dear beautiful Bella is.

I fear, dear Celia, that as I had predicted, your absence has done no one any good, least of all to me. During the last few days Bella has distanced herself from me! I know that if you had been here this would not have happened. She is now Caroline’s constant companion! Can you imagine that, when before she feared and mistrusted Caroline? Sylvia is left discarded, with only me for company. Sylvia is not an unpleasant girl but I would find her company more comforting if it were not for the fact that my heart is breaking from Bella’s neglect. Celia, take care, you have been away from us for more than a month. Is that reasonable?

Celia read the rest of the letter quickly, finding another disturbing sentence near the end that made her sit up in alarm.

Caroline, Jack and Bella go everywhere together. Perhaps Caroline will not oppose an alliance between Jack and Bella since she is now doing everything to promote it. As you well remember, her attitude was the complete opposite before. It would of course be an advantageous marriage for Bella, although the circumstances of Jack’s income have never been clear to me even though I have made some inquiries about it—indirectly, of course. I asked Sylvia about it.

Sylvia, who is closer to me now than ever before, answered this question with a laugh, saying: “Don’t trouble yourself with it, Aunt, Jack is not going to marry Bella. He has no income.” What do you make of this, Celia?

“Oh, dear,” said Henrietta after Celia had read her the letter, “this proves that our source for information about Jack was more accurate than we wanted to believe. But since you leave tomorrow, Celia, you can stop Bella’s association with Caroline. Caroline’s influence on an innocent girl like Bella can be very damaging.”

“I’m filled with anxiety and foreboding, Henrietta,” Celia pressed her hands to her temples. I’m astounded that Bella is distancing herself from Mama when they have always been so close. I felt great distress in Mama’s letter.”

“I have noticed that Bella seems drawn to and influenced by people who show an interest in her,” Henrietta said.

“She often told me Caroline was dangerous and now she’s her constant companion!”

* * *

The family was awakened at dawn the following day with an express from Mrs. Meade.

The man, his cape wet from the ride, for it had rained during the night, was directed toward the kitchen where he was given hot tea and food while Celia went to light a lamp in the blue glow of dawn. She tore open the letter with trembling hands.

What could possibly warrant an express? She feared a death as she scanned her mother’s letter quickly:

Celia, my dear daughter; what I feared in my heart has come to pass. I am distraught! Two things of terrible import have happened at once. Bella has eloped with Jack! Your Uncle Worth is away in Liverpool so I had no one to turn to. The other, just as disquieting is the news sent to me by express that my cousin, Sir Hugh, calls me to his side immediately. The messenger told me he has but little time left to live and he must have me at his side! The letter he sent with the messenger was lost—only the urgency told him again and again by Sir Hugh came forth from the ashamed messenger, with the plea that I leave at once.

You cannot imagine how terribly upset I am. I am pulled to two tragedies at once and must choose between them. I implore you to come at once. I would be of no use in chasing Bella, for I would not know where to begin,
although one thing I know for certain
:
I have found they are headed to London!

Her hands on the letter trembling, Celia continued reading:

I found myself also with no one to comfort me in my distress or to offer to make the journey with me to Farley Hall. You know, Celia, how terrified I am of traveling alone by post and how likely to lose the luggage or miss the connection. And although Sylvia offered to go with me, Caroline very haughtily ordered her to accompany her to Bath as they had planned. I cannot help but think that Caroline had something to do with the elopement for she did not sound surprised or even interested. Can you believe she made the galling comment that Bella was disgracing Jack!

Celia, I will definitely have a talk with Worth when he returns from Liverpool. Caroline’s attitude has gone from disdain to outright insult. I’m beside myself. Come at once on receiving this missive. I have applied to Ellen for help and that sweet, kind girl has offered to undertake the journey to Sir Hugh’s in her coach with me. We will be taking only Ellen’s maid with us for Nellie is very ill with a cold and cannot travel.

I am of two minds as to the elopement: should we interfere and separate them when they may have lived one night together when we catch up with them? Or should we let things take their course? I have never been good at decisions and all this will be the death of me. I leave at once for Farley Hall even as I write to you. Come at once, for Fred is in London, I know not where, with his cousin Tom. You are a brave girl and will deal with this trouble with Bella in a far more intelligent manner than I would. Please write to me by express at Farley Hall if you cannot come and apprise me of your plans concerning Bella. I will be in touch with you from Farley Hall and will write to you to Henrietta’s home and hope this missive reaches you post haste. Adieu!

Celia’s strangled sobs shook her shoulders as she finished the letter.

Henrietta, in night rail and cap sat close to her and tried to calm her down.

“I should not have left them. “I have failed them.”

“You can’t blame yourself for sister’s failings, Celia,” pressed Henrietta. “My goodness, it was only one month that you were gone!”

“I must leave at once!” Celia stood up, her face wet with tears.“I can’t wait until tomorrow! It falls on me to find Bella in London!”

“Yes. Of course you must,” Henrietta said soothingly. “I shall go to London with you. You cannot travel alone in the state you are in. I’ll consult with Liddell. He knows London well and can advise us about the hotels Jack would likely favor. From what we have deduced he must have very little money at his disposal.”

* * *

“Liddell has offered us his carriage and he will accompany us,” Henrietta informed Celia upon reading a letter from Liddell. The letter had reached Henrietta just as they were packed and ready to go. “He will be here within the hour. He assures me he may also be of help in locating Bella.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful!” But how shall we find them in such a great city?”

“Liddell knows London inside out,” Henrietta assured her. That’s where his shop is located and he spends more time there than visiting with his father. He is very resourceful and knows many people. I’m sure he will find a way.”

Had it not been a night of full moon they would not have been able to travel by night.

Celia sat for a few minutes while the carriage was being loaded with their luggage and composed two short notes for her mother; one she sent to Rook’s End and the other to Farley Hall. Either one would be sure to reach her. In them she told her mother that she was headed to London with Henrietta and her professor’s son, Liddell, to catch up with Jack and Bella. She tried to reassure her that everything would turn out well and not to worry. But she could not make the words sound convincing. Her life had suddenly turned into a nightmare and she boarded the carriage aided by Liddell with a heavy heart.

* * *

For a long time Celia, Henrietta and Liddell discussed the events outlined in Mrs. Meade’s letter in great excitement, going over them in careful detail and tried to surmise from the words a reason for Jack and Bella’s actions.

The girls also spent some time talking about Sir Hugh’s sudden request to have Mrs. Meade at his side. What could have brought such a softening in his attitude?

On all sides they were surrounded by mystery and they were anxious to have their doubts and fears assuaged. Liddell was invaluable in offering sober practical advice and helped them in finding answers to the puzzles. He was a comforting male presence against the menacing dark night outside the carriage and Celia was grateful to have both he and Henrietta to turn to in her trouble.

None of this would have happened if she had remained at the house when her mother pleaded with her not to leave. Had she listened to her mother, she might have averted this calamity.

Oh, that she were able to turn back the clock and do things differently!

But what good were these reproaches? And what could have brought Jack to do such a selfish and unmanly act?

Faces and events whirled inexorably in Celia’s mind until her head pounded with them and no explanations or solutions presented themselves. How grateful she was to Ellen for coming to her mother’s aid; she would be forever in her debt. And thinking of this Celia realized that not only was Bella’s behavior a disgrace but that many people must now be aware of it, even Robert. She knew well enough that Ellen seldom moved in any direction without consulting beforehand with her brother.

Celia writhed in shame for her family. Caroline must be smirking to herself and consulting endlessly with her Longard cousins. Celia could imagine how Caroline would take advantage of this to present to her father one more reason why the living arrangements were not suitable.

Had Caroline had anything to do with the elopement as Mrs. Meade suspected?

Questions with no answers twirled around Celia’s head.

“Caroline’s actions in this whole thing seems suspect to me.” Henrietta broke the silence, echoing Celia’s thoughts.

“Her callousness in refusing to help your mother and of preventing her sister from going to Farley Hall with her is really incredible,” Liddell said, and added, his face flushed: “I seriously think that fellow, Jack, should be horsewhipped.

“The more I think about it the more Caroline’s involvement seems obvious, although I would not want to accuse her wrongly,” Celia said.

“Celia, dear, you would not run the risk of accusing Caroline wrongly in anything,”

Henrietta assured her.

“But I have no definite proof of her involvement in the elopement, Henrietta. I would not want to be accused wrongly myself, and so I must give her the benefit of the doubt.”

“You may, but I certainly am not bound to give Caroline the benefit of anything,” Henrietta insisted. “Did not your mother mention the fact that she and Jack and Bella had become inseparable lately? Why then did she seem uninterested in the elopement of her two constant companions? She even left for Bath that same day without the slightest interest or curiosity about them.”

“Yes. That’s very strange,” Celia agreed.

“It’s more than strange; it’s revealing. Once Caroline’s dirty work was accomplished she wanted to be away from the scene so that she would not be suspected of involvement.”

“That sounds logical,” Liddell agreed.

They turned their attention to Sir Hugh and the fact that he was extremely ill and needed Mrs. Meade at his bedside. This, when he had ignored her all his life, was another intriguing matter which they endlessly discussed. They regretted that the letter that explained things had been lost by the messenger, for in it Sir Hugh must have explained his reasons for his urgent need of Mrs. Meade.

For a while all three were quiet, exhausted by the endless discussion. Then Henrietta, alarmed at the drained and tired look on Celia’s face said,

“Sweetest Celia, you must stop torturing yourself with this. You’ll see, with Liddell’s help we shall find Bella and get to the core of this business. And as for the trouble at Farley Hall, a letter from your mother is surely on its way to you with more ample explanation.”

Celia sighed in the dimly-lit interior of the coach. She longed to discuss things with Henrietta that could not be discussed before Liddell. Her opportunity came when on reaching a station in their journey Liddell got down to get the girls some tea.

“Henrietta, you cannot imagine my fears…”

“I know,” Henrietta said soothingly, hugging Celia. “You fear the worse; that Bella and Jack may have already…” Seeing the look of horror in Celia’s eyes Henrietta did not finish her sentence.

“You must not suppose Jack to have the worst intentions,” she said instead, for she feared even someone as strong as Celia was not ready to face reality when it concerned the sister she adored. “They may already have married by now.”

“And besides,” Henrietta added, “you did not leave Bella alone at Rook’s End. She was under the care and supervision of your mother.”

“Oh, Henrietta,” said Celia, her eyes watering, “I believe that Jack is penniless and it’s unlikely that he had matrimony in his plans. Knowing Bella’s impulsive nature I should not have left her when I knew how smitten she was with Jack.”