A Radical Arrangement (18 page)

“What happened, exactly?”

“The young lady came into the kitchen, where we were at the baking. She said they were going, and she pushed some papers into my hand and ran out again. The next moment, the gentleman was there, taking the papers and giving me a coin. I never knew what they were.” She met Mrs. Dowling’s disgusted look squarely.

“Of all the—what are we to do, then?”

“I’m sure I don’t know.”

“We must find the girl.”

“She said her name was Camden.”

“And so, of course, it is not. Did she never mention where she lived?”

“Not to me. You can ask Dan and the others.”

“I shall. But what an underhanded trick.” She scowled again. “That father has a deal to answer for.”

“Do you think he
was
her father?” asked Mrs. Appleby avidly.

“Oh, yes. No question about that. But how are we to find her? I must speak to Jem. Where is he?”

“He’s supposed to be in the stables. But I imagine he’s down at the dock mooning over his boat.

“Send someone—no, I’ll go down myself.”

“Why do you need the young lady so badly?” wondered Mrs. Appleby. “They quarreled more than they got on.”

Mrs. Dowling gazed at her with contempt, shook her head, and went out without answering. The landlady looked after her angrily for a moment, then shrugged and went back to the kitchen.

Everyone who had spoken to Margaret or Keighley was questioned closely, but no one could remember anything about their homes. It might have been mentioned, admitted several, but if so it had gone right out of their heads again. By the end of that day Mrs. Dowling was seething with exasperation and so snappish that everyone avoided her when possible, not liking to be called dolts to their faces.

Only when she again took her place beside Keighley’s bed did the old woman’s face soften. “It’s a muddle we’re in, and no mistake,” she told him softly. He breathed raspingly on, unknowing. “If the young lady knew, she’d be here in an instant. But how to tell her? She’ll think you weren’t found or that you don’t care to see her. Tch, tch.” She took her seat again and set her jaw. “Not if I can help it,” she muttered. “Not if I have anything to say.”

Sir Justin’s fever did not abate the following day. Rather, it increased until by nightfall he was burning in a raving delirium, no longer making any sense and in real danger. The combination of his half-healed wound, overexertion in the storm, and the night and day of exposure had pushed him to the brink of death. Mrs. Dowling did not leave his bedside. She changed compresses, poured cooling drinks down his throat, and wished for something more to do. As always in such cases, she complained that there was not some drug that would lower a fever.

On the morning of the third day he was much the same after a difficult night. Mrs. Dowling, who had been looking older as the hours passed and now seemed even more like Margaret’s picture of a witch, sought out Jem Appleby in the cool dawn and said, “You must go and ask along the road for the young lady.”

“I don’t know which way they went,” he protested.

“Ask.”

“But—”

“Don’t argue with me, boy. Do you want the gentleman to die?”

“
No
.”

“Well then, we must find the young lady, wherever she’s gone. He calls for her night and day, and I can’t make him rest.”

“I don’t even know her name. And, besides, no one will tell
me
.”

“Are you trying to claim you can’t do it?” Mrs. Dowling glared at him, her eyes red rimmed from hours of watching.

Jem hung his head. “P’raps I can, but—”

“Well then,
go
.”

“Will it really help the gentleman?” The boy looked torn. He had been spending every free hour repairing the
Gull
.

“Nothing else will help as much, I promise you.”

“All right. I’ll try. But I don’t say I can find her.”

“Trying’s all I ask. You’re a good lad, Jem.”

He squirmed. “Don’t know what Mum will say.”

“I’ll see to her, and Dan as well. You get ready.”

“Need some money.”

She nodded and waved him away. As Jem went out the back door to the stables Mrs. Dowling started slowly up the stairs, muttering inaudibly to herself.

Margaret’s reunion with her mother was strained. Mrs. Mayfield heard the chaise pull up before the house late in the evening, and she was out on the front steps by the time they had climbed out. She bore down on Margaret like a ship in full sail, folded her in her arms for a brief instant, then held her away and said, “
Where
have you been?” in a tone that belied her first affectionate gesture.

Margaret merely slipped out of her grasp and went inside. Mrs. Mayfield looked startled and opened her mouth to speak, but her husband waved her into the library, leaving their daughter to do as she pleased.

She went upstairs. Her old bedroom seemed strange and alien when she walked in, like a place she had inhabited long ago and almost forgotten. She touched the bedpost and the dressing table, opened the wardrobe and gazed at the row of dresses there—she would be able to wear something other than the three gowns she had had in Cornwall. It all seemed unreal. It is as if, Margaret thought, I were only half here. I see and feel things as if through gauze. Her mind was still full of the village, the ocean, and, perpetually, Justin Keighley. Had he returned to the inn? she wondered. What would he tell the Applebys?

She heard footsteps on the stairs. Her mother was coming up. Unhesitatingly Margaret did something she had never done before in her life. She stepped forward and turned the key in her bedroom door, locking it securely. She had had enough for today.

The doorknob rattled, then there was a sharp knock on the panels. Margaret stood still and silent. She expected her mother to call out, but she did not. Instead, after rattling the knob once more, she walked away. When her footsteps died out, Margaret breathed a sigh and started to undress. She didn’t think she would sleep, but there was nothing else she could do just now.

In the morning she delayed going downstairs as long as possible. She had indeed slept poorly, dreaming of storms and waking to lie rigid in her bed, and she did not look forward to this day. But at last she could put it off no longer. She walked down to the breakfast room through empty corridors and found her mother there, her place cleared, writing a letter.

Margaret stopped briefly in the doorway, then slipped into her place and poured out a cup of tea. Her mother continued to write without looking up.

The girl took a muffin from under a silver cover and began to butter it. Her mother paid no attention.

Margaret glanced sidelong at her as she raised the muffin to her lips. Mrs. Mayfield’s jaw was set, but this was by no means unusual. Could it be that she was to escape a lecture? She bit into the muffin, and her mother said, “So?” in a penetrating tone.

Margaret choked a little, chewed and swallowed.

“What have you to say for yourself?”

“Nothing, Mama,” replied the girl wearily.

“Nothing. Well, I suppose there is very little you
can
say, but I would have expected some attempt at excusing your reprehensible behavior.”

Margaret kept her eyes on her plate and sipped her tea.

“Well?”

“I am not going to argue with you, Mama. I tried with Father, and it does no good.”

Mrs. Mayfield looked both surprised and frustrated. “What do you mean, it does no good?”

“You will not see my side.”

“I should think
not
. Could you really expect me to condone your refusing to marry a man who has utterly compromised you? When your father told me what he found in Cornwall, I could scarcely believe my ears. Actually in that libertine’s arms, and then both of you saying you
would
not marry. Could you imagine I would accept such a thing?”

“No, Mama.” Margaret’s voice, in contrast to her mother’s, remained quiet and unemotional. She felt as if she had used up all her store of feelings; there were none left to throw into argument.

Mrs. Mayfield stared at her. “What has happened to you, Margaret?” She surveyed her more closely. “Your looks are improved, I must admit—greatly improved. But I cannot say the same for your character. Indeed, I can hardly believe you are my daughter.”

The girl shrugged slightly and took another bite of muffin.

Her mother glared at her, started to speak, then paused and reconsidered. After a while she continued in a different tone. “What do you intend to do, then?”

Margaret looked up, meeting her eyes.

“You refuse to talk to me,” said Mrs. Mayfield. “What
will
you do?”

“I—I had thought of working.”

“What?”

“I—I should like to help people, Mama. I thought of going to London and finding work on one of the relief committees. The poor are—”

“You? Work in the slums of London? Have you gone mad, Margaret?”

Her daughter turned her head away.

“I have never heard such idiocy in my life. It is out of the question. You have no idea what you would find.”

“I have some idea.”

“Nonsense. I believe you are a bit mad. The terrible experiences of the last weeks have turned your brain.” Mrs. Mayfield seemed pleased with this notion. She appeared to turn it over in her mind.

Margaret was finally getting angry. “What do you suggest I do, then?” she asked. “According to you, I am ruined. Do you wish me simply to pine away out of remorse?”

“On the contrary,” her mother responded eagerly. “I think if we put a bold face on this thing, we can pass it off without much more gossip. There
was
talk, of course, when you disappeared. Particularly since Sir Justin left at the same time. But we put it about that you had gone to stay with your aunt, and now we can simply say that you are returned from your visit. After the first whispers the matter will die down and be forgotten, I daresay.”

Margaret shrugged.

“There is a luncheon at the Camdens on…”

At the mention of this name, Margaret stiffened. “I couldn’t possibly be less interested in what our neighbors say of me,” she snapped.

Mrs. Mayfield drew herself up. “You cannot mean that.”

“I assure you I do.”

Her mother stared at her incredulously. Her angry expression wavered. “And do you care nothing for
me
? Because
I
am very conscious of our position both here and in town. And what of your father’s career? Are you trying to ruin him as well as yourself?”

Margaret met her intent blue gaze. Abruptly she realized that the flicker visible in the back of her mother’s eyes was a kind of terror, and her opposition melted. She really did not care what people like the Camdens said, and since she did not, it was all one to her whether she saw them or not. “You want me to go to this luncheon?” she asked.

Mrs. Mayfield leaned forward. “Yes. And we will tell them—”

“That I have been visiting my aunt. You may tell them what you like, Mama. I shall not contradict you. When is this party?”

“Next Monday.”

Margaret could hardly bear the intense eagerness in her mother’s gaze. “Very well. I shall do whatever you like about it.”

Her mother did not actually thank her, but the heartfelt sigh she gave as she leaned back in her chair demonstrated her gratitude and the depth of the concern she had been feeling.

“But here at home I will not be badgered,” added Margaret, extracting some exchange for her concession.

Mrs. Mayfield eyed her, some of her old truculence returning to her face. “I do not see—”

“Because if you and Papa are continually lecturing me, I shall simply run away again.” Margaret rose and stared down at her.

Her mother frowned and pressed her lips tightly together, far from defeated. But her silence was enough for Margaret, and she turned and left the room.

Her satisfaction at this victory was short-lived, however. Before she had regained her bedchamber, she was again thinking of Justin Keighley and of their ill-fated moments together. Where was he? Why had he run away without a word to her? And why had she let herself be dragged home before finding out what had become of him?

This last question almost sent her to the stables for her horse. But then she recalled the Applebys’ discouragements and, more important, Keighley’s rejection. She had been right to leave. The Applebys or Mrs. Dowling would write her if there was any news.

The next two days were agonizing. Margaret could not settle to any pursuit. She tried to read, walk, sew, but each time she found herself gazing blankly into space after the first few minutes, lost to the present. Her parents treated her warily, as one might a strange wild animal, and generally left her alone. When they met at meals, Margaret scarcely spoke, and the Mayfields exchanged worried glances. They were particularly concerned when, on the third day, she ordered her horse. But this time Margaret noticed their looks and said, “You needn’t worry. I am only going for a ride in the neighborhood.”

She did not take a groom, in defiance of her mother’s rule, and once she was out galloping across the fields, she felt somewhat better. She had not ridden like this in the past. Then she had trotted sedately along the lanes, her servant just behind. But now she felt she wanted to hurl herself over hedges, splash through streams, throwing up water on every side, and race the mail coach down the high road. Somehow, she thought, a great spring of energy had been released in her, and it would never be stopped again.

She had turned back toward home when suddenly she got an idea. She was not too far from Keighley’s house; she could easily swing past it on her way.

Even if Keighley did not mean to communicate with her, he must send word to his servants. She might be able to find out something there. He might even have returned home.

Her heart began to pound as she pulled her horse’s head around and headed toward his house. If he
were
there, what would he say to her? She quickly reached the wall surrounding his park and rode to the front gate. The grounds looked deserted. For a moment she wavered. It was unusual, unheard of, really, for an unchaperoned young lady to visit a single gentleman. The servants would be shocked. But then she grimaced and started up the drive. Her purpose overrode convention.

At the house she slid off her horse and strode up to knock before she could lose her nerve. The door was opened by a footman. “Hello,” said Margaret. “I wish to inquire whether Sir Justin has yet returned from his…his journey?”

The footman, who had seemed surprised to find her alone on the doorstep, shook his head. “No, miss. He’s still away.”

“Did he say when he would be back?” asked Margaret valiantly.

“Not so far as I know, miss.”

“I—I see.” She wondered if she dared go further, then decided she had nothing more to lose. “Could you inquire? I wished to speak with him about a rather important business matter.”

“Yes, miss. If you’ll step in?” The man seemed only too glad to refer this problem to a superior.

“I must stay with my horse.”

He looked uneasy but disappeared into the rear of the hall. In a few moments he returned, accompanied by a stately butler. “May I be of some assistance?” inquired the latter.

Margaret repeated her request.

“I’m sorry, miss, but Sir Justin has given no indication when he plans to return,” answered the butler. “Perhaps you should write. I’ll see that he gets the letter as soon as he arrives.”

“Or perhaps I could send it wherever he is staying,” responded Margaret, amazed at her own effrontery.

The butler looked slightly uncomfortable. “Unfortunately I am not at liberty to give out his address.”

It was clear to the girl that he did not know it. “Oh? Well then, I suppose I must do as you suggest. Thank you.”

“Certainly, miss.”

She remounted at the mounting block and trotted back down the drive, frowning meditatively. At least she had made sure there was no news from Keighley. She was glad to know that, but it left her as perplexed as ever over what had happened to him.

The week passed in this fashion, and Monday arrived all too soon. Having promised to attend the Camdens’ entertainment, Margaret felt she must, but she did not look forward to the afternoon. As she put on a white muslin gown sprigged with pink flowers and her straw hat, she watched her reflection with astonishment. It appeared so familiar, so unconcerned. How could her mind and body be so at odds?

Mrs. Camden had arranged tables on the lawn for luncheon, and most of the other guests had arrived when the Mayfields walked out to them. Margaret saw the Twitchels, and was immediately reminded of that long-ago dinner party at which everything had begun. Her own presence seemed to be attracting a good deal of attention.

The Camdens came to greet them, and Mrs. Mayfield told her story. Margaret was just back from a long visit to her aunt. She had had a splendid time. And wasn’t she looking well? Mr. and Mrs. Camden agreed, though they kept casting sidelong glances at her, as if not quite sure whether to speak directly to her. “Come and say hello,” said their hostess finally, when Mrs. Mayfield had run down. “You know everyone, I think.”

At first Margaret’s mother kept close at her side, and there was little discussion of her absence. But when luncheon was served, they were seated at separate tables, and Margaret saw, with a sinking sensation, that Maria Twitchel and Alice Camden were both members of her party. Between the former’s acid inquisitiveness and the latter’s naive wonder, she was probably in for an unpleasant time.

Predictably Mrs. Twitchel leaned forward as soon as they were seated and said, “I understand you had a delightful stay with your aunt, Margaret.”

Margaret nodded unencouragingly.

“Such a distinguished woman, I thought when we met last year. How are her two dear boys?”

But Margaret was not so easily caught. “Hardly boys now, Mrs. Twitchel. Ronald is up at Oxford, and Dennis just finished his last year at Eton. They were not home this summer. Reading parties.”

“Really. How interesting.”

“Do you know that Sir Justin Keighley has been away also?” offered Alice Camden, seemingly unaware of the delicacy of this subject. Eyeing her, Margaret wondered if anyone could be so truly innocent and decided they could not.