Laura Matthews (21 page)

“What sorts of things do you want to do that other people deny you?” he asked curiously.

“I like to dress as a page and ride about that way. Philip lets me when he accompanies me. He was even rather nice when I imitated the Young Roscius in Hyde Park, but he brought me back here when my aunt insisted. I cannot stand to be constrained! When I am at a party I want to do something that will shock them all—climb over the sofas or dance on the chairs.” When Kilbane laughed she shook her head sadly. “No, they are not all so simple. Philip saw me strike my groom once, and I lied about it, too.”

They had reached the stables and he handed her down without speaking. “Do you think they will still allow me to be in the play?” she asked hesitantly.

“Of course they will.” Kilbane stood by her, trying to think of what to say, but she knew there was nothing he
could
say, so she touched his sleeve fondly and fled off across the lawn. Slowly he remounted his horse and set off for the vicarage.

* * * *

When Jennifer had departed so abruptly from her fiancé and his friend, the captain watched Kilbane ride after her and turned thoughtfully to Pontley. “An attractive girl, Philip, but she seems a bit put out with you."

“She often is,” Pontley returned ruefully. “It’s nothing personal, you understand. I promise you I fare much better than her aunt.”

“Bit of a handful? I was surprised you chose from the schoolroom. Frankly, Miss Forbes seemed much more to your taste; but then, you were merely a navy man when last we met. Viscounts choose from a headier crop, I gather.”

Pontley had no desire to respond to this jibe, so he turned the conversation to the vicarage and the play the young people were rehearsing. Without any notice, Captain Andrews had arrived at Lockwood that morning to renew their acquaintance and ask that Pontley take him round to the vicarage. The captain did not wish to have a message sent ahead, as he was anxious to see Miss Thomas’s reaction in person.

In accordance with this wish, Pontley gave only his own name and asked for Miss Thomas and Miss Forbes, who were found in the drawing room over their needlework. Before the advent of the visitors they had a few moments to discuss what they would say to Pontley on his fiancée’s behavior if the subject proved to be the reason for his call, but every thought of such an insignificant occurrence dropped from Phoebe’s mind when she saw their second visitor. She rose from her chair with a wondering expression on her face and automatically extended both her hands to him, which he took in a firm clasp. “I—how—we had no idea..." Phoebe stammered.

“Unfair of me, I know,” Captain Andrews responded with a grin, “but I could not resist the temptation. When I found you had deserted Manner Hall without a word to me..."

Phoebe’s cheeks colored rosily, though she appeared unaware that he still held her hands. “But I could hardly presume you would be interested.”

When the captain turned to Pontley with a 'for God’s sake, lose yourself’ look, Glenna hurriedly expressed a desire to show him the garden. In the hall she firmly closed the door on her friend and asked to be excused for a moment, while she sought a wrap. She also took the opportunity to advise Mrs. Thomas that she had left her daughter with a most respectable man and that their conversation was of a private nature which it would be a pity to interrupt. A tender expression appeared on the older woman’s face and she queried, “A Captain Andrews, I hope?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m sure you will be introduced to him shortly.” Glenna pressed her hand and smiled. “I am to take Lord Pontley walking in the garden.”

“By all means, my dear. I will see that the vicar does not intrude inadvertently.”

When they were outside, Pontley and Glenna once again explored the empty flower beds with their neat paths and arbors. He studied her softly glowing countenance and asked, “You knew of this?”

“It was April and May every time they met. I could not believe he would let her disappear.”

“And you approve?”

She glanced up at him. “Why, certainly. I think him a fine man, and we became acquainted with him on your recommendation. Are you not pleased?”

“Yes, I like them both. Does Miss Thomas share in your desire for a husband who is away from home frequently?”

“No, of course not!” she retorted, stung. “She worries every time she knows he is at sea, and it will be hard on her to have him gone so much of the time.”

“A very natural attitude, I dare say.”

“For a woman who is attached to her husband!”

“Ah, yes, I can see that would make the difference.” He handed her over the stile into the adjoining fields, but she would not meet his quizzical expression. Abruptly he changed the direction of their conversation. “It would seem Miss Stafford was...upset at your rehearsal this morning."

Glenna could detect no emotion in the statement, nor on his face, which was blandly good-natured. “You have seen her since she left?”

“Yes, briefly. Lord Kilbane was seeing her to her aunt’s.”

“He was concerned about her.”

Pontley placed a restraining hand on her elbow. “What did she do?”

“Her nerves were a bit on edge this morning.”

“What did she do?”

Glenna could think of no satisfactory answer and began to walk again, but Pontley refused to be shunted from his purpose. He strode beside her and offered some possibilities. “Did she rip the manuscript to shreds?” Glenna shook her head. “Did she stamp her feet and rail at you all?” Again a negative. “Did she destroy your props?”

By now Glenna had stopped walking and was regarding him with astonishment. “Does she do that sort of thing?” she asked curiously.

“Oh, yes, but I presume she took another tack today. Let me see. Did she strike someone?” There was a barely perceptible nod from his companion, and he sighed. “Kilbane, then, for I doubt even Miss Stafford would dare touch you or Miss Thomas.”

“He...was not treating her as he was used to do, and I could not blame her for being upset.”

“Come now, Miss Forbes. There is no need to justify her temper. Why was Kilbane acting differently toward her?”

Glenna made a nervous gesture and asked, “How should I know?”

“I feel sure you do, so please tell me. Or would you rather I went through another list of possibilities?”

“The vicar spoke to him,” she said softly.

“I see, and was the vicar present when Miss Stafford lost her temper?”

“No, only Phoebe and I, and of course Kilbane.”

“Of course. Well, I think she has disillusioned the poor devil.” He gave a resigned shrug. “I regret the vicar spoke to him.”

“Well,
you
certainly made no attempt to put a halt to their...flirtation,” she muttered.

“I thought things were going on prosperously.”

“I beg your pardon?” Glenna was confused by the turn the conversation had taken, and she glanced up to find him regarding her wryly.

“Never mind, my dear. There was never much hope. I should perhaps warn you that Miss Stafford is unlikely to make mention of the incident or ask your pardon.”

“It is Kilbane to whom she should apologize.”

“She may have done so.” He stooped to pick up a stone and toss it accurately at a fence post. “Have you made any arrangement for leaving the vicarage?”

“We had a letter from my cousin Mary today; she’s delighted we’re presenting her play and plans to attend the performance. Having had a gentle nudge, she invited me to return with her to her home for a while. I suppose I shall.”

“And beyond that?”

“I have made no plans.” They were headed back now and he handed her over the stile again, pressing her hand as he did so.

“Something will turn up.” He watched her nod dubiously and silently cursed Jennifer for ruining her chances of happiness with an Irish peer.

Chapter 17

When Glenna and Pontley emerged from the garden they found Kilbane approaching the house wearing a distracted air. Pontley could sympathize with him and greeted him cordially, thanking him for seeing Miss Stafford to her aunt’s. The door to the drawing room was open when they approached and they found Phoebe alone there. She met Glenna’s questioning look with a wide grin, saying, “He’s with Papa now, and no doubt Mama is hovering.”

“They cannot help but like him,” Glenna assured her with a hug. “I am so happy for you.”

Kilbane could see that there was no explanation forthcoming from the two young ladies, so he turned with a puzzled frown to Pontley, who provided a succinct statement. “Captain Andrews is a particular friend of Miss Thomas."

“Is he? I see!” Just as he was headed over to Phoebe, the vicar and his wife entered the room with Captain Andrews, who immediately went to her side.

“Quite an audience we have for our occasion,” he murmured with a glance about the full room. "Your father and mother are agreeable, though your mother’s spirits are a bit low to think of you going so far away.”

“She’ll become accustomed to the idea, and she is happy for me.” Phoebe cast a despairing look around the room. “How can we talk in this gathering?”

“Miss Forbes seems to think the garden worth a visit. Perhaps you would show it to me,” he suggested solemnly.

When Phoebe and the captain had escaped, Glenna spoke with Mrs. Thomas while the vicar found himself with Pontley and Kilbane, who appeared to him to be at ease with one another in spite of the previous evening’s occurrences. Nonetheless he avoided any mention of Miss Stafford, instead circumspectly questioning Pontley on his acquaintance with Captain Andrews. “He tells me his home is not far from Manner Hall.”

“Yes,
I called on him there on my first visit to Manner and met his brother, who lives close by with his family. A charming house with a view to the water, as you would expect, not too large but comfortable. The brother and his wife have a fine family of spirited children who adore their uncle.”

“Captain Andrews mentioned that you have known one another for a number of years.”

“Since we first went to sea, but our ways parted some years ago. We’ve managed to meet now and again, and we correspond.” Pontley glanced up as Glenna joined their group.

She was surprised by the warmth of his smile and for a moment forgot what she had intended to say, but the vicar blinked at her curiously and she was recalled. "There is a cold collation in the dining parlor, and Mrs. Thomas thought perhaps we would not wait for Phoebe and Captain Andrews, since they may be a while.”

Kilbane, never one to miss a meal, on this occasion showed no alacrity and ate very little while they sat at table and made desultory conversation. The newly engaged pair joined them when they were nearly finished, but showed no disappointment in missing such a mundane and unnecessary occurrence.

The glow which emanated from Phoebe and the air of satisfaction about Captain Andrews permeated the small assemblage when they returned to the drawing room, where Phoebe explained that the captain would return in a week with a special license. "There would have to be a much longer delay if we waited for the banns to be read, for James must return to Bristol in a few weeks and this way I may sail with him.” She turned to her parents a bit hesitantly. “I know that is rather hurried, but it seems a pity for James to have to make an extra trip here. Will you marry us the day after the play, Papa?”

The glance that passed between the vicar and his wife was melancholy but understanding. “Certainly, my love,” he finally replied. “There is no need to present the play if you think it will interfere with your preparations.”

“Pooh! And miss the opportunity to show James my acting abilities? Never.” Phoebe swung around to face Glenna. “You and Kilbane and Miss Stafford will not mind if I do not help with the scenery and props, will you?”

Her friend laughed. “You’d only be in the way. Tomorrow and Christmas we won’t be rehearsing in any case, and the day after I shall see to the backdrop. Jennifer has already gathered together most of the props for the three of us and Kilbane can do it for his two roles. There will still be plenty of time to get you organized.”

The Irishman had not been paying as much attention to the discussion as the others present, and sat seated with an absent frown on his face. When applied to for assent to their plans, he did not notice and Pontley intervened. “I will be happy to assist in whatever way I may. Where is the play to be presented?”

“In the school, so there will be sufficient seating,” Phoebe said. “Boxing Day we will go there and see what is needed.”

“We have sent announcements of our project to everyone imaginable and put posters in the village shops. There should be a good audience.” Glenna smiled at Phoebe teasingly. “Of course, we will be sure to draw more people to see you and Captain Andrews the evening before your wedding."

Captain Andrews, who had been content to sit silent through these discussions, now commented laconically, “A regular raree show. I have a mind to offer my services as a singer of sea chanties, with Pontley’s assistance.”

"The musical entertainment is to be provided by Miss Forbes,” Pontley retorted.

“Then we are assured of its excellence,” Captain Andrews returned gallantly with a bow to Glenna. “I see you have brought your harp from Manner Hall.”

The thought occurred to Glenna that she could not very well drag the harp off to her cousin’s and, although she said nothing, Pontley immediately answered her as though she had remarked aloud on the problem. “If you do not wish to take your harp to Miss Stokes’s, you might leave it at Lockwood. I’m sure no one would touch it there, and we have more space to store it than the vicar.

Glenna experienced a touch of alarm at his reading of her mind, but accepted his offer calmly enough. It would be very dangerous if he could so easily decipher her thoughts, for many of them she felt must at all costs be kept from him. She had only herself to blame that he had found himself another bride; if she had been conciliating when he came to her as the new viscount, it was unlikely that he would have cast a second glance at Miss Stafford, so honorable were his intentions. Probably she should be happy for him to have found someone to whom he could truly attach his affections, but she was not feeling particularly altruistic that day. Besides, there were so many qualities about Miss Stafford with which Glenna could not be altogether comfortable. She drew herself up sharply. Pontley had disclosed that he was aware of his fiancée’s defects, if they were such, and obviously accepted them. Certainly she should do no less.