Enchanted Summer: (Regency Romance) (19 page)

We are no longer dependent on Worth and although he was kindness itself the thought of not being Caroline’s penniless relations (as she takes care to inform everyone) and always on the brink of being made homeless by her, at least the nicer part of a week that must have been fashioned by a mad genie.

Sir Hugh’s solicitor apprised Fred and me of everything to do with the economics of Sir Hugh’s situation, for the estate and the income passes to Fred’s hands. And although it was never sufficient to keep the place in repair it is at least enough of an income to ensure that the house, the farm and the fifty acres around it will continue to stand and that Fred may carry his inheritance with dignity. We shall be adding our small income to it, also.

Adieu, dearest, and may I soon embrace you.

Your loving mother, Margaretta.

While Celia read the words which jumped at her from the paper, a hundred thoughts raced through her mind and she felt as though a barrelful of bricks had been removed from her shoulders. She realized that tears rolled down her cheeks and that try as she would she could not sort anything out with any degree of sense.

Farley Hall now belonged to Fred!

One day they were beholden to their uncle for subsistence and the next day they were independent! The word had such a sweet ring to it. It was too much! And Fred, who had not yet reached his eighteenth birthday was now head of the family!

Celia went and sat by the window overwhelmed and overexcited. She must calm herself or she, too, would soon be in a fever; so many things had piled upon each other in the course of one week. It was no wonder her mother had said the week had been fashioned by a mad genie.

A maid came in to inquire after her and asked if she would like her tea. Celia was grateful for the offer for she felt her face flushed and her mind dazed. She saw by the clock on the mantle that it was nearing the nurse’s afternoon rest period, a time she looked forward to because she could spend two hours at her sister’s side.

Mrs. Pratt instructed Celia on the poultice that must be kept on Bella’s chest, for Bella, restless still, would unconsciously remove it.

“It must be warmed at the coals, Miss, when it starts to get cold. Not hot, mind you.” Mrs. Pratt was very nice and very efficient, but very repetitive. She had told her this about the poultice in great detail each time she left for her rest and meal.

“What is it made of?” Celia asked.

“Flaxseed, mostly,” said the efficient lady. “Also you must try to coax the young lady into drinking as much water as she can take. You will find she will only take a sip or two, so you must give her the water at least every ten minutes.”

“Yes, Mrs. Pratt,” said Celia wearily; she had found it was better to let Mrs. Pratt talk than to remind her that she had mentioned all this before, so she listened in silence for a few minutes.

Celia longed for the woman to be gone so that she could minister to her sister, for Mrs. Pratt was making her want to pull out her hair by the roots.

“In about an hour sponge her neck and face with water, don’t forget,” Mrs. Pratt still urged at the door.

Once the nurse had left, Celia went to the window to open wide a shutter that had slammed shut. Doctor Lorne had told her fresh air was most important, as it was beneficial to the lungs.

As soon as Bella recovered a little she would be carried out to the garden so that she could breathe as much fresh air as possible. Celia leaned out the window for a moment and glanced down at the curving garden lane lined with spring beds. The night was fresh and there was a gentle breeze with the scents of honeysuckle, gardenia and jasmine. She was glad the Merrick town house in an old area of centuries’ old houses that had more land and tradition. Beyond the house Celia could see the clustered trees of a park and beyond, Mayfair.

CHAPTER 21

“You did not have to come so soon, Mrs. Pratt,” Celia said. “I could have stayed another hour with Bella.”

“Ah—and then I’d have the devil to pay with the young lord, Miss!”

“Lord Merrick?”

“He was particular about me not letting’ you tire yerself over your sister. It’s of no use to have two ill young ladies instead of one!”

“Besides,” she added, “there’s that cocky young man come to ask about the young lady.”

“Mr. Welsh?”

“Him it be, and a more smitten young man my eyes have yet to see,” said Mrs. Pratt with a wide smile. It was obvious she liked and approved of Liddell.

“He’ll be waiting at the drawing-room for ye,” added Mrs. Pratt. “I imagine with the same request of seeing yer sister as he had yesterday.”

“Poor Liddell,” said Celia. “I suppose we should let him see her. He seems to hang on my answer each morning and each evening, and I am sad to have to tell him ‘Not yet.’ He is so helpful, it seems the least one can do.”

“It wouldn’t hurt—a peek at her pretty face, I mean,” said Mrs. Pratt eagerly, seeing an opening. “Just for a minute or two, Miss. The young love to over-flowing,” she added. “Not like when ye get older and the dam near as gets empty of all that nonsense.”

“I suppose I should allow him,” Celia agreed. “Bella seems a little better. Her color is not as pale as before.”

“Ye want I should go fetch him, Miss?” asked Mrs. Pratt eagerly.

“Yes, do, Mrs. Pratt,” Celia acceded. “I’ll wait here. But tell him he’s allowed only a little while.

“Ah, Liddell,” Celia greeted him at the door, stretching out both hands.

Liddell’s eyes were unbelieving, as though any moment Celia might retract her permission and not allow him to come in.

Celia moved aside for him to enter the room and he walked inside on tip toe.

“Sit by her,” Celia told him. She smiled, for he seemed in a trance. He looked as though he had walked into a temple rather than a sickroom.

He sat where Celia directed and his eyes rested on Bella with such a look of adoration that Celia thought she might go to the window for the little time Liddell would be allowed by Bella’s side. She was certain Liddell did not want to waste these few precious moments in conversation with her.

It was amazing to Celia this love Liddell had developed for Bella, and touching, too. She could not have chosen a more sober young man for her sister if she had searched far and wide. She was happy at this unexpected outcome.

Celia could not be certain of Bella’s feelings, for she had hardly glanced at him before she had fallen ill. But one thing was certain: a girl of Bella’s impressionable temperament could not withstand such devotion for long without returning it in kind. That was why Jack had been able to manipulate her in the way he did, for she had fallen for his total attention on her more than on his person.

After fifteen minutes Celia stood up from the window and rang for Mrs. Pratt. And with a last wistful glance at the bed Liddell went out of the room with her.

* * *

Downstairs, Celia spoke for a while with Liddell as she bid him good-bye and told him he looked forward to seeing him at dinner. She assured him that Dr. Lorne had every hope for Bella’s recovery.

Lord Merrick arrived, accompanied by Dr. Lorne, and on seeing Liddell, invited him to stay for dinner.

Celia wished Henrietta had not left so soon after her arrival, for she was the only lady at the table and felt conspicuous. But Robert and Dr. Lorne kept a steady flow of talk, with now and then Liddell being asked his views, or a comment directed at Celia which did not require much participation on her part.

“Ellen arrives this evening,” Robert said to Celia. “She brings you news of your mother and has expressed a wish to renew her friendship with you and to be of help with your sister.”

“I’m very glad,” Celia said, looking into his eyes. “I have missed her very much. At what time is she expected?”

“I hope they make good time,” Robert responded. “Barring any trouble with the carriage I imagine they should arrive soon.”

* * *

As Celia was the only lady present, Robert skipped the wine drinking with the men. Lord Merrick led the small party to the drawing room and they continued their conversation there when the sound of wheels outside announced Ellen’s arrival. They all trooped outside and assisted the travel-worn girl.

Ellen declined dinner, assuring her brother she had had a meal shortly before. At this time Dr. Lorne took his leave, and Liddell, seeing that he should not take advantage of Merrick’s hospitality reluctantly took his leave. At the door he expressed to Celia his wish to be allowed to visit the following day and Celia assured him he was most welcome.

“I’m certain by tomorrow I shall have even better news on Bella’s condition,” Celia told him, “for each day marks an improvement in her health. She is in good hands, as you have seen for yourself. Dr. Lorne is one of the best physicians in London and nurse, Mrs. Pratt is professional and efficient in her work.” 

“After a half hour’s rest I shall want to talk to you, dearest,” Ellen said to Celia when Liddell had left. “So much has happened and in so short a time. There’s so much I have to tell you!”

“There’s much I have to tell you, also, Ellen.”

Ellen went up the stairs, without giving Celia an opportunity to accompany her and Celia suddenly found to her embarrassment that she and Robert had been left alone. She could not just dash out of the room and as she searched her mind for an exit line Robert came to where she was and spoke in a natural, easy tone about Bella’s improvement.

It occurred to Celia as she spoke to Robert that there were no barriers between them anymore. Color stole up her cheeks as she remembered their last time in the wood, so she turned away from him and walked toward the mantle so that he would not see her blush.

“I hope very much that your stay with us is comfortable, Miss Meade,” said Lord Merrick.

“Oh, yes, it is,” Celia assured him. “I’m so grateful for your help, my lord. I shall always be in your debt. When I remember in what distress you found me and how you came to our rescue…”

When he said nothing she went on, “And Fred—I dare not think what could have happened if you had not interfered.”

“I’m glad I could be of service,” Lord Merrick replied.

Celia’s hands trembled. Her feelings for Robert were such that she could not trust herself in his presence. The thought of how much he had helped her and how he had brushed away her troubles combined with her love for him made her realize she should quit his presence at once. She could not trust herself to be alone with him. She knew he was aware of him as she was, that their bodies sizzled in each other’s presence.

She turned towards the door.

“I think Ellen wants to talk to me,” she said, hiding her hands in her back so that he would not see them tremble.

“Yes, of course,” Robert responded “Good night, Miss Meade.”

“Good night…Robert.”

* * *

Ellen knocked on Celia’s bedroom door and the girls embraced again. They sat for an hour while Ellen related her adventures at Farley Hall, and brought the story alive for Celia.

“Not only was Sir Hugh’s condition extreme,” Ellen told Celia, “but the urgency of the moment was at times almost unbearable. You see, his grandson’s remains were to be shipped back to the hall, and Sir Hugh was in no condition to manage anything himself. I was happy to make the arrangements for that, as well as the arrangements for the burial. So many things must be dealt with and in such an atmosphere of bereavement, Celia, that I wondered afterward how your mother and I were able to manage it at all.”

“I’m convinced you were invaluable, Ellen,” Celia said. “I’m sure most of the work fell on your shoulders. I love Mama dearly, but I know that without you there she would have been overwhelmed, as she is not equipped by character to deal with a crisis.”

“Your mother’s contribution to the emotional side was of equal value, dear,” Ellen assured Celia, “for she was tireless in her wish to put Sir Hugh’s mind at ease and kept him informed of each step we took. He wanted her at his bedside, fearful of his coming death. Your mother complied, although I could see exhaustion in her face and at times I insisted she be relieved, at least during the times when Sir Hugh drifted off to sleep.”

“How can I ever thank you and Robert for all your help?”

“I’m glad we were able to be of service to you,” said Ellen. “Your trip to Squireville and the length of time you remained there saddened us both and I wondered if either Robert or I had done something to distance you from us.”

“Celia shook her head. “I’m so sorry you got that impression, Ellen. I—I only needed to get away for a while, to think about certain things in perspective. And I regret terribly that I didn’t take the time to write you a long letter and explain this to you. I hope you will forgive me, for I value your friendship!”

They turned next to Bella’s elopement. Ellen’s eyes widened as Celia re-enacted for her the night’s terrible events and their shock at finding Bella alone in a third-rate hotel.

And when they exhausted that subject Ellen once more went back to the events at Farley Hall.

“I’m so happy Farley Hall now belongs to you and your family, Celia.”

“It’s sad that it should have been through a tragedy of such proportion,” Celia said, “but I would be dishonest if I did not confess that I’m happy that we shall not be dependent on Uncle Worth anymore. Although the income is not a great one, combined with the income we had when Uncle Worth brought us to Rook’s end it will be sufficient. You don’t know, Ellen, how it feels to be independent once again.”

After her sojourn with Mrs. Meade, where the two ladies were in each other’s company for many hours during the course of one week, Ellen had become acquainted with the family’s history and through Mrs. Meade’s words had come to realize that Celia’s courage had saved the family and pulled them through a crisis that would have thrown any other family into dispersal and chaos.

“Your mother confided in me about the meeting Caroline had with you, your mother and her father, Celia. I wonder Caroline had the gall to try to prevent a friendship between you and my brother,” said Ellen, and added, “Celia, I have suspected for some time that Caroline was the reason you left Rook’s End so suddenly. I wish you had confided in me, dear. I so wish to be your friend!”

“You’re right, Ellen,” said Celia. “Caroline had all the cards in her hand when she called a meeting with her father, Mama and me. Uncle Worth stated Caroline’s wishes clearly. I was ordered to stop any contact with your brother or risk having us all evicted from Rook’s End.

“My only recourse was to remove myself from the estate in the hope that while I was gone, at least, Caroline would stop harassing Mama and Bella.”

“Caroline has pursued Robert for the past two years, Celia, and I can assure you, even had she managed to remove you and your family from Rook’s End permanently it would have meant nothing to Robert, for he would have followed you to wherever you went.”

“Even to a third-rate boarding house in London, Ellen?”

“Yes, my dear,” Ellen’s eyes filled with tears, “even to there. Robert is not one to shy away from the woman he’s in love with because adversity befell her. But knowing you, Celia, I know that you felt you would let your family down if you did not acceded to Caroline’s wishes.”

“But know this, Celia,” Ellen added, giving Celia a hug. “Love always triumphs!

“Have you been in touch with Caroline?” Ellen asked.

“Certainly not. Caroline and I have little contact, Ellen. From the first Caroline shunned us. I’m sure you must have noticed this.”

“I have found out there was involvement on the part of Caroline, concerning Bella’s elopement.”

“Yes,” Celia agreed, “Unfortunately there is. Jack said it for all to hear when we stopped the duel.”

“She wanted to discredit your family?”

“Yes, Ellen, that was her reason. She has been against us living at the house from the very beginning.”

“I was a monstrous thing for her to do and if that was her reason then it was doubly so. It seems easy for Caroline to play with peoples’ lives to advance her wishes.

“When applying for my assistance, your mother mentioned that she had asked Caroline for help and that Caroline denied her help and was very rude,” Ellen confided. “She left for Bath shortly after. Perhaps she wanted to be away so that she would not be suspected of involvement.”

“Yes,” Celia said, “I came to the same conclusion in examining her actions. But as always, in such plots, something always goes badly. She had no idea that Jack would change his mind at the last moment or that in being pressed into a duel he would confess before a group of people that the elopement had been Caroline’s idea and that he had changed his mind.”

“Caroline’s still in Bath with my sisters,” said Ellen. “I’m afraid Julia is taken in by her wiles and flattery. I have spoken on several occasions to Julia about this but she refuses to listen. Julia and I have never been close, as we are poles apart in character. I went to Rook’s End very seldom before you came to live there, Celia.”