Lady Phillipa's Peril: Regency Romance Suspense Series ( Book 3) (Lords of Sussex 4) (19 page)

The dowager appeared, looking quite becoming in a pale grey silk dress with a cream lace cap covering her dark curls.

‘Why mama. Good morning to you.’

‘Hah, my sweet son, you look more hearty today, thank goodness. I admit I hardly slept a wink last night; I feared you would take the fever, but here you are with a touch of pink in your cheeks. I could not come before, as I have been seeing off some of the guests.  Others left at dawn, although I had not yet risen, tis far too early for me. After all, we said our adieus last night.’ As she prattled on, Hector looked at Phillipa, and smiling wryly, nodded, She in turn turned her gaze to Damien who pursed his lips and then nodded as well.

So be it; she took a deep breath, ‘Your ladyship. Pray take a seat, we have something to tell you.’

The dowager gracefully obliged, sitting in the proffered Chippendale, gazing up at her innocently, her small hands resting in her lap. ‘Well – child what is it?’

‘Your ladyship, pray forgive me but we – we have not been too truthful with you.’

‘Such dour faces, is it so terribly bad? ’

‘We sought to deceive you, but only to save you pain, but then we realized that in all honour we had to reveal our sin.’

‘And what is this sin, come now, no more Banbury tales, tell me.’

Phillipa lowered her eyes, unable to look into the earnest gaze of the dowager. ‘Err … we all love another, your ladyship. Oh please, find it in your sweet heart to forgive us.’

The dowager gave a short peal of laughter, ‘Oh how juicy, you dear sweetings.  Hector you never could tell a fib and you dear Phillipa, I have known you since a child.’ She clapped her hands, looking at their astonished faces. ‘Now darlings, I fear I already know.’

‘Know? Mama, you are not angered?’ Hector cried, his eyes wide, his cheeks even a brighter shade of pale pink.

‘Of course not, I know I am of the older generation, but I hope I can keep up with you moderns. La, this is better than one of Will Shakespeare’s comedies; now tell me, if I am right. Pippa, you love his grace, and you Hector love the lady Amaryllis. Is that not so?

Phillipa nodded, bewildered, ‘Yes, tis so your ladyship. But—’

‘How did I know? I only had to see the glances and the expressions, then watching you dancing, well that really revealed all. I was mortified at first, but then became engrossed in your game of love. When you said nothing after the accident, I believed you would all wait for some time before telling me. However, now I am so happy you have included me in your lives.’

‘Oh your ladyship, you will ever be a part of us. I can truly say I love you.’ Upon which Phillipa almost burst into tears. 

‘My sweet little lamb, did you think I would ever forsake any of you? Now, tell me your plans.  Pippa, I think you are the more plainly spoken about this; the men will only hum and hah.’

‘Well your ladyship, we thought, err … we planned to marry on the ship; we thought the captain—’

‘Oh my goodness how romantic. Tis like an Ann Radcliffe novel. Now your grace, would you please pour—’

‘Please call me by my familiar your ladyship, I look upon you as my friend.’

‘Then so be it Damien, I was going to say, would you please pour us all a drop of brandy.  I think we should celebrate the news. Why such romance, only the  other day I hear that the Viscount de Montfort fell in love with the lady Eloise; I hear they are to marry by special licence. I am told she is accompanying him to Brussels. I do remember in the Peninsula wars there would be a rush of engagements and weddings before the major battles. I feel sure the twins will find a suitor.  All the matchmaking mamas are over there with their daughters.’

As she talked, Damien poured the drinks, handing a glass to each of them. 

The dowager raised her glass. ‘To love – may you all be ever truthful to each other.’

As they sipped the brandy, the dowager said, ‘Well I shall go and impart the news to the twins.’

They all looked at her, each one not daring to broach the subject.

As she reached the door, she smiled at them. ‘They can stand up as bridesmaids. La, what fun. But my dears, we shall keep this quiet just for the time being. The truth amongst friends eh?’

As she rose, she pursed her lips, ‘Oh by the way, our dear Demetrius had to leave unexpectedly during the night, the dear boy had to report immediately to Brussels.’ she paused, her bright eyes searching theirs. ‘Tis quite out of order  do you think to receive orders in the middle of the night?’

Phillipa wondered  how much the dear lady knew. ‘I hear there are thousands now following the Corsican.

The lady pursed her lips, ‘Oh so be it. I must rush to tell the twins; they will be so excited.’ With a gurgling laugh, she left the room, closing the door behind her.

‘See, I am sure Elizabeth suspects something. But I shall be using aversion, tactics as I cannot tell my parents, there would be hell to pay. Besides I am of age and can make my own decisions.’

‘What is good for the goose is good for the gander.’ Hector said.

‘Ah, but did not your mama ask us to keep it quiet? I think we should respect her wishes you know.’

‘Hmm, I suppose so. Got a point there duckie,’

‘Oh dear, one can go round in circles with truth. But now I must visit Venetia.’

‘So will you tell her all? ‘Damien enquired, his eyebrows raised, a slight smile on his face. 

‘Err ,… yes of course, we are all close friends I could not keep it from her, and I know she will respect my confidence. She may wish to write letters to Isabella and Henrietta and I can deliver them.’

Damien remained quiet, he was beginning to realize the deep bond between the four women. They were more like sisters than friends. It was apparent he would share his life with them. From what he heard of the young women it would be a pleasant experience, albeit they all had quite different characters. However one warning note was, they all belonged to the Wollstonecraft group so he would have to curb any patronizing speech. It would be quite an experience to treat the young ladies on equal footing, and he knew there would be instances where he may incur their displeasure. Nonetheless, he could foresee an interesting future, as they would challenge both his intellect and his prowess in the saddle, besides shooting and archery. It would be quite interesting to see how he compared with them.

Venetia hugged her as she entered the room. Catching up her parasol, she beamed. ‘Let us make the most of this lovely day Pippa, we can talk quite freely outside. Horatio is off flushing out coverts and shooting, so I am free for the whole afternoon and early evening. We said we would meet for dinner.’ Her afternoon dress of pale lavender muslin printed with delicate pink dots, the colours set off her pale blonde hair, caught up in a French chignon.

‘Why yes, what a good idea.  I think we should sit under the old oak tree. I do love it there, it is shady and it also holds lovely memories. Twas the first time Damien declared his feelings for me.’

The driveway was full of carriages being packed by footmen and maids.  Not many guests were left, as they took advantage of the good weather with dry roads and tracks.  The scent of roses and fresh lavender floated across the undulating lawns carpeted with masses of daisies.

‘D’you remember how we made daisy chains here, and blew the dandelion flocks?’

‘Yes, the boys would climb the oak tree – they had a tree house up there.’ Phillipa giggled. ‘Old Roberts built it for them. He is retired now to a cottage on the edge of the estate. Isabella would insist on playing house up there and the boys would get quite overset with her.’

‘Yes and Hector would charge around on his pole with the horse’s head, waving a wooden sword.’

‘Hmm, he has not changed has he, only thing is he now charges around on a real horse and waves a steel sabre.’

‘Hmm, Roberts was such a dear old man was he not? But, how he would scowl and scold the governess if she chased us with her whip.’  Venetia said, laughing.

On reaching the mighty oak, they sat watching the carriages being packed high with trunks, smiling at the drivers shouting and the footmen cursing.

Venetia took Pippa’s arm, ‘Oh I shall miss you dearest. I decided not to travel until I waved you all off.   Besides, on hearing the news of the shooting, the  Countess Alicia has taken to her bed with her hartshorn and Aloysius .  He is the most equable of dogs you know; there he sits with his little pug face, and huge black eyes. He doesn’t budge you know even if the Countess has one of her fits. But tell me how have your parents taken the news?

‘Well I have not revealed all Venetia, that is what I have to talk with you about. I know that I have your confidence and that you would not countenance any derogatory talk.’

‘Of course not, I guard your privacy with my life, you know that.’

‘Well tis now set, I am to marry Damien and Hector is engaged to Lady Amaryllis. Would you believe it? But he did take a shine to her this last week. When I was sketching Damien one evening I observed her standing quite close to Hector and she did not leave him all evening. Then she had three dances with him at the ball. I should have known then. But goose that I am I suspected, well maybe just a hint. But I just brushed that little suspicion aside.’ She then went on to recount the happenings since last she saw her friend.

‘Good Lord, how did you feel about it Pippa?’

‘I was overset somewhat ,as I truly believed Hector was true to me. I was loath to accept Damien’s hand as I thought I would be untrue to Hector especially as I believed him to be utterly faithful. Now I can honestly say I am so relieved. I have met the man of my dreams Venetia, a man I have always longed for.’

She then recounted the event on the lake at which Venetia looked at her, a wariness in her eyes. ‘Oh my, so he thought you were taking your life?’

‘Yes, I must admit to being in despair, what with the whole affair, and still trying to remain  faithful to Hector. So it came as a surprise to be swept up in Damien’s arms in the lake without any warning.’

‘Pippa you weren’t so unhappy that you….’

‘Oh no,’ Phillipa replied, her face flushing. ‘I was desolate and at one point I did feel … but then I just dispelled the notion. I think anyone would have the same thoughts if their heart was broken.’

‘Pippa, my dearest.’ Venetia held her close, stroking her cheek. ‘You should have come to me.’

‘I was not intent on doing anything Venetia, I just thought to go for a swim but then those black thoughts came over me. The words of the anthem, “Oh for the wings of Dove” flooded my head, and I felt so sad, so sad.’ Her voice faltered for a moment, but then she straightened her back and smiled ‘But now I am quite over it. But I would not have done anything – upon my honour, I assure you. Pray be not overset dearest, I am now so happy, in fact the whole thing was so romantic.’

‘It is so Arthurian, echoes of Lady of the Lake.’

‘Yes, but now I wander from my purpose. Dearest, we have decided on a double wedding on the ship over to Ostend.’

‘Oh how romantic, oh this is the stuff of novels, Ann Radcliffe, Jane Austen. Oh I am so happy for you.’

‘Yes, but it is a secret only the dowager and twins know, and of course Lady Amaryllis’s parents. I do feel a little guilty not telling mama,  and papa caused such a fuss when I called Damien by his familiar that I feel that he would do anything to prevent me marrying him, let alone travel to Brussels. As far as they know I am still marrying Hector.’

‘So what will you do?’

‘Well we are waiting a couple of days as Hector still needs to rest. But then we will travel to Ramsgate and then to Brussels.’

‘Oh my goodness, I wish now I was coming with you, but I cannot I have made the appointments with the parish Council and I must keep them. I have a man of affairs for the estate coming to see me as well.

‘What does Horatio say of this?’

‘Oh he is in good humour and says it is worthwhile not only for the foundlings but for the good name of the estate. Goodness knows there will be many orphans in the camps after the battles.’

‘But how will you help them if you are here?’

‘We are employing a man and woman to travel over and bring them back. ‘

‘But there will be hundreds – thousands.’

‘I know and that is the heart breaking bit. We can only offer forty places, as there will also be orphans on the estate, many of our tenants are foot soldiers.  So in a way I am glad I am not going over to choose, as it will break my heart. I mean can you imagine having to choose one child over another? No I would have nightmares for ever more.’

‘Yes I can believe that. So what about that uniform in your trunk Pippa? Venetia gazed at her with those violet eyes, so pale they were almost silver.

Pippa bit her lip, ‘I shall keep it with me. I don’t know why but I have this presentiment I may need it. But then, Damien is in charge of the medical facilities and retrieving of wounded soldiers off the battlefield, so I shall help in that area.’

‘Have you spoken of it with him?’

‘No, not yet but I will do.’

Meanwhile dearest, if you wish to write to Isabella and Henrietta, I will take the letters over to them.’

‘Oh Pippa, you are so brave, so impulsive, you will take care won’t you? I pray God to keep you all safe and bring you all back to me.’