Lady Phillipa's Peril: Regency Romance Suspense Series ( Book 3) (Lords of Sussex 4) (20 page)

Hector and Damien stood aside, waving the ladies on to board ship first.  Amelia and Lily gasped aloud at the throngs of people, toing and froing, shouting, gesticulating and generally agitated. The smells of unwashed bodies, cattle and the sea mingled into a rich aroma that was not unpleasant. 

Amelia squealed, pointing to a crate of pigs carried aloft, some twenty feet above them. Phillipa smiled, the girl’s enthusiasm was infectious. The dread of actually leaving the manor, of actually carrying out their daring plans, and travelling to the ship now left her. The act was done and she began to feel a tingling of excitement.  However, for a moment, she thought of her mama and how she may feel. Their parting was strained and her papa brusque. In the main, she knew he was hurt that she blatantly disobeyed him, but he left her no option; he belonged to the old school where at the slightest glance, girls bowed to the merest whim of their papa.  Perhaps he realized too, that his fledgling was trying out her wings, ready to fly into an unknown horizon.

She looked back to see Damien helping Hector aboard, even with the aid of a crutch, he found it difficult to walk, but even though Damien remonstrated with him to stay a few more days at the manor, he insisted he would travel to Brussels. ‘The generals are gathering in Brussels, why even the King and Queen of The Netherlands have taken refuge. I have to be there; I shall crawl on my belly if I have to.’

‘Well old fellow no need for that, you just need another few days. So come we will do what we can to aid you.’ The captain broke through her thoughts. ‘Hah, Lady Phillipa, what a joyous occasion, and I have the greatest of pleasure in marrying you and Lady Amaryllis this very day. I must tell you we are all prepared with a sumptuous luncheon just as his grace the Duke of Denfordshire ordered. Now may I introduce my wife, Mistress Grace Thompson; she will be happy to meet your every need.’

The lady curtseyed, her ruddy lined face beaming. ‘Hah ma’am, your friends informed us you would also be sailing to Ostend. We are delighted that you will wed aboard ship.’

Phillipa gazed at the milieu of people on deck. It was an array of colour with the bright scarlet, green and blue of the uniforms against the pale hues of the ladies' muslins and crepes.

‘Now milady you will be having rooms to the fore of the ship. So if you would be good enough to follow me.’ Smiling, she led them to the foredeck whereupon, they descended some rickety wooden steps taking them it seemed to the bowels of the ship. Because of the very low ceilings and narrowness of the passageway, Hector went on his hands and knees,

‘Nothing for it old chap but to crawl. I told you I would, did I not?’  he murmured,

Up ahead, blind to his painful endeavours, Mistress Thompson chattered on, ‘You have clean linen in the staterooms, and there are also hot water and towels for your ablutions.’ Stopping at a low door, she unlocked it, and threw it open to a small stateroom which contained, a desk, two wooden chairs and two berths.  ‘My lords this is for you.’

Damien looked inside and grimaced; he would not spend too much time in here. 

Walking further on, the good lady locked a higher door leading into an opulent stateroom.  Stepping inside with Amaryllis, she was delighted to see the expanse of bow windows with a view of the sea. Chippendale chairs and a brocade chaise longue were casually positioned throughout the room along with mahogany armoires, with a large four-poster bed positioned against one of the walls and nailed to the floor.

Amelia ran to the far corner, ‘Look, they even have an escritoire and look a dainty ink set and quills.’

Phillipa beamed walking over to the bed, ‘La, Amaryllis; we can lay our wedding dresses out; Mary and your maid can see to the creases. Oh look; there is a dressing table over there with a large mirror where we can sit to have our hair dressed. Oh dear, my stomach turns at the thought of it. Why we only have two hours to make ready before the ceremony.’ A knock at the door interrupted her.

Damien entered, ‘Ah my love, Hector is resting but I have come to see how you fare.’ 

‘Oh Damien it is such a lovely room, and look at the view.’

‘Hmm, I just hope that you both do not have the sea sickness.’

‘Oh no, I am used to boats, and I love water, as you know.’ She turned to lady Amaryllis, ‘What about you dearest?’

‘I too am a trained sailor; my papa regularly visits the continent on business, and as children, he often took us with him.’

Sitting at the dressing table, Phillipa began to unpin her hair. ‘I think my lord you should leave us; our maids will be here any minute now.’

Damien bowed and coming over to her, murmured, ‘My love we will have company at our wedding ceremony, I know quite a few of the officers and their wives, and they will be pleased to join us.  ‘Oh Damien that will be wonderful. It will not be such cold ceremony. That was the only thing  I regretted that we would not have family and friends around us. Now it will be far more cheerful.

‘That is what I thought. Now, one kiss, my love and I shall be gone. The next time I see you, we will be standing before the Captain.’

As he went to the door, Amaryllis said, ‘Tell his lordship to rest, and I shall see him in the Stateroom. Oh dear Phillipa, my stomach churns at the thought of it.’

Amelia and Lily looked radiant in bridesmaid dresses, one of the palest green satin and tulles and the other of a soft lavender. With their red hair air glittering like fire in the shafts of sunlight, they captured many a young officer’s attention.  Damien’s heart swelled, as he saw Phillipa glide towards him,  her  hair fashioned in a crown of curls with ringlets falling around her perfect heart-shaped face, her dress a dream of cream silk scattered with white roses, and  Valenciennes lace trimming the puffed sleeves and the hem. Hector, likewise, stood in rapture, as Amaryllis floated towards him in a white sarsnet, under folds of gossamer tulle embroidered with wild flowers and leaves, with the same flowers fashioned from satin in her hair. 

After some vibrant hymns, the Captain gave a short address interlaced with some light-hearted  remarks on the joys of matrimony, upon which the four young people knelt on velvet cushions for prayer. In those few moments, Damien’s hand stole to hers and gently squeezed giving her a message of love and devotion. She felt a surge of warmth rush through her; she knew she had made the right decision, although it nearly broke her heart, she knew now this was her destiny.

Taking the Captain’s hand, Phillipa rose from kneeling on the velvet cushion, then turned to face Damien. She felt her heart ripple as her beloved spoke the words, ‘I Damien Lionel Sheridan Usher Delmare take thee Phillipa Francesca Louise Georgina Frencham to be my wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I plight my troth.’

He held her hands looking deep into her eyes as they waited for Hector to give his vows to Amaryllis.

Then it was her turn, and her mouth felt dry; her heart not only rippled, but her legs trembled; she wondered if her voice would also quiver, as she attempted to speak.

‘I, Phillipa, Francesca, Louise, Georgina Frencham take thee, Damien, Lionel, Sheridan Usher, Delmare to my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance, and thereto I give thee my troth.’

Her hand shook as Damien placed a beautiful band of gold on her finger, she could not see for the tears gathering in her eyes, but heard his words, ‘With this Ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.

The Captain smiled, as he boomed, ‘You may kiss the brides.’

Phillipa was oblivious of all else, save his eyes glittering, smiling, his lips upon hers, his arms clasping her close, until he lifted her off her feet.  As he twirled her around, she became aware of clapping and cheering, and turned to a sea of faces, of smiles and good cheer.

The time sped in a whirl of rice, toasts and a splendid luncheon of roast beef, potted partridge, pigeons, chicken, rabbit, and Damien even remembered her favourite, prawns and lobster. The Captain even provided a quartet of musicians.  

After the repast, the musicians struck up some lively dance tunes. As Damien whirled her around the room, she saw Amelia and Lily in the arms of some handsome officers. As the afternoon wore on, to her delight, she saw them surrounded with the young men vying for their favours. Oh yes, these two lovely girls would definitely find a beau.

She watched Damien swooping down on her after a chat with his fellow officers.

Sitting beside her, he whispered in her ear. ‘My little dove, I have commandeered the stateroom for an hour.’

Her heart leapt, ‘But tis not enough time.’

‘Time enough, come.’

Laughing she allowed him to lead her from the room. Once outside, he picked her up in his arms, and kissed her neck. Swiftly, he carried thought the narrow passage to the stateroom, and kicking open the door, placed her  on the bed before going to lock it. Once he’d turned the key he grinned mischievously, ‘And now my love….’

The butler bowed obsequiously, and stood back as Isabella gasped and clapped her hands at the group before her. She looked radiant in a jade green crepe dress that matched her eyes. Running to Phillipa, she clasped her in her arms, kissing her face and laughing. Stepping back, her eyes glittered with tears.  ‘La Phillipa, my dearest dear. How I have missed you.’

‘Oh Isa I could not wait to see you and Henrietta, but we arrived late last night, so we had to settle in. However, we’ve come as soon as we could.’

Isabella noticed Hector limp in with his cane, and his arm still in a sling. . ‘Oh Lordy Hector dear, what has befallen you?’

‘Shooting accident Isabella – shooting accident.’

‘But surely you do not intend—’

‘I can stand in a square or ride a horse, still good for something.’

‘Oh dear forgive me, come in, come in.

Beaming, Isabella led the way to the drawing room where a small crowd awaited them. ‘Dear friends look who has arrived.’

Phillipa espied her dear friend Henrietta, looking beautiful in an afternoon dress of pale blue muslin with point lace at the bosom and cuffs, who immediately ran towards her with a little shriek ‘Oh Pippa, how happy I am to see you.’ She looked so vivacious, far more confident than the rather timid friend she knew of old. 

Flushing a rosy pink that matched her Indian print dress, Phillipa introduced Damien and Amaryllis, whilst the twins stood nearby.  

Isabella smiled at them, ‘Tis lovely to see you both again. I know you are going to break a few young officer’s hearts.’

‘Amelia and Lily made quite a wave on the ship and then the boat trip.’ Phillipa said, ‘We were nearly overwhelmed with ardent young men, flirting, sighing and even received offers for their hands

‘And quite rightly so. Now let me introduce his grace Lord Ambrosius, Duke of Wiltshire and Lord Alexander Fitzroy, the Earl of Standford,  to Lady Amaryllis. ’

Henrietta added, ‘As I wrote Pippa dear, we are betrothed, but we must wait for the annulment to come through.’

Bowing the duke took Phillipa’s hand, her hand, kissing the air above her knuckles, ‘Charmed madame, but please call me Ambros, I feel more comfortable with that especially in this close circle.’ At a height of over six feet, with his dark locks and electric blue eyes, he was indeed a dashing fellow.

Blushing profusely, the twins curtseyed prettily for him. For once bereft of chatter.

Once the friends were seated, two maids appeared, carrying trays of tea and canapes. Alex looking debonair in a superfine frockcoat with a white cravat Napoleon style strolled to the drinks' cabinet offering the men something stronger than tea.

‘Now Pippa we are chattering on, but you must now tell us all. I received your letter, but you gave little away.’ Isabella said,   ‘So we are left brimming with curiosity.’

‘Tis a convoluted  story, so I shall start by saying that we have had a change of heart, Hector is now married to Lady Amaryllis and I to his grace.’

‘What?’ Married?’ When?’ Isabella erupted, her green eyes wide; her mouth dropped. ‘Pray to tell, where were you married and so soon?’

‘Well first, you must know, we do have the dowager Elizabeth’s countenance, and she is keeping the whole affair, confidential. I regret that my mama and papa have no knowledge of this, as yet. I do feel a little guilty, but you know papa of old, Isa, and how he is wont to be. He truly is so old fashioned. He gave me a severe set down because I referred to Damien by his familiar, so goodness knows how he would have responded if I told him all. But Damien and I truly love each other and could not bear to part especially with the war hanging over us, could we Damien?’

‘Of course not, my love.’ Damien looked a trifle askance at Phillipa’s passionate outburst, but then her lack of guile was one of the things he loved about her.

‘Oh Pippa, Hector, I am so glad for you and for you Lady Amaryllis, and of course, your grace, welcome to our humble circle of friends.’

Lord Alex Fitzroy, raised his eyebrows, humble was scarcely a word he would apply to his feisty Isabella.

‘It must have taken great courage to tell the dowager Pippa.’ Henrietta said.

Hector responded for her, ‘Mama already knew, being the astute woman she is; nothing really escapes her. However, she knows  how to hold a secret, even my brothers and married sisters do not know.’

Phillipa joined in, ‘Yes, she told us she knew by our glances at each other, by the way we danced together. So – so we married on the ship, the Captain gave a wonderful ceremony.

‘Where are you staying?’ Henrietta asked, as she sat down next to Phillipa on the settee.

‘Well It was difficult for his grace, to arrange a suitable dwelling, but—’

‘Please call me by my familiar,’ Damien said addressing the group, ‘seeing as we are all on first names. But pray continue Pippa.’

‘We managed to procure one in the northern quarter of the town not far from Allee Vert.’

‘Oh, tis near to the Duchess of Richmond’s house on Rue de Blanchisserie,’ Isabella said, ‘the Duke of Wellington has nicknamed it the Wash house, as  it is built on the site of a seventeenth laundry. It has large grounds and boasts an even smaller house, occupied by the young Lord March when he is in Brussels.’ 

‘Yes, our house is very near.  I fear to hear what old Nosey would call it, as it is very small indeed. There are just enough rooms for us all and the garden is the size of a handkerchief. However, we are well satisfied, seeing as we are such latecomers to Brussels.’

Isabella looked at Amaryllis drawing her into the conversation. ‘So that suits you my dear?’

‘Oh yes,’ she blushed prettily, ‘I am just happy to be with my dear Lord – I mean Hector.’

‘I am sure you will be very happy; it is such a joyous place here, with pretty walks in the park as well as riding, croquet, morning and afternoon coffee and teas, and lavish picnics.  Every day, one of the regiments has a band playing, and then there is a large gazebo for dancing, with an excellent group of musicians. In the evenings of course, there are parties on the lawns of the park, as well as in the houses around.’

‘Yes, with Napoleon’s return, many have fled from Paris and other parts of France to here. It is a stronghold with the Allied Forces.’

‘Wellington has outposts in France, but they are scattered over an area of ninety by sixty miles wide. I hear there are skirmishes, but we appear to be sound here.’ Alex said.

Ambros cut in for the first time, ‘There has just been a fete and ball in honour of the King and Queen of The Netherlands. Their sons are also here,  the Prince of Orange, is in command of the General Army, a young gallant, always alert, ready to wave the sabre. Plucky youngster, but they’ve brought over Lord Hill and put the prince under his aegis; it will calm the young fellow down a bit.’

Alex put in, ‘His brother Prince Frederick; ADC to General Maitland is also here, a rigid young man  – no humour – hasn’t got the handsome looks of his brother.’

Hector murmured, ‘I heard General Blucher  has been present for some time, and Wellington’s old cronies have arrived, the generals,  Marmont, Berthier and Vic. Marmont’s in the Allied camp. Then we’ve got the Prussians, General Roder, Commissioner—’

‘He’s a grumpy old so and so.’ Ambros said, ‘takes offence at the slightest thing – makes everyone stand to attention and remain standing in his presence. Sir Hudson Lowell is just as poker faced though.’

‘Lord Hay cuts a dashing figure,’ Isabella said, ‘he has all the ladies swooning at his feet, such a handsome fellow, only three and twenty or is it four – not sure – young anyway.’

‘There is the saying, that Wellington prefers his officers just out of the nursery, but then one has to count the Dukes in as well, so it cannot be a second son sort of thing.’ Alex added, ‘But suffice to say, Brussels is a fortress.’ 

Isabella grimaced, ‘Let us go on to lighter things Alex.’

Henrietta joined in, ‘I must say there are soirees, dinners and balls every night. In fact, it can be quite exhausting, so we now take care to have our beauty rest.’

‘Talking of balls, Isabella said, the Duchess of Richmond is giving one tomorrow night. I am sure with Damien being a duke of first consequence; he will be on her list of invitations.’

Alex laughed, ‘Hah; we know she is of strong character, but a generous lady with an exhausting  vitality that could fell another weaker body.  It would not do to refuse an invitation from her. She  is high in the instep, a really feisty character.’

‘Yes but so generous.’ added Isabella.

Hector grinned at the twins, ‘So you’ll have your pick of admirers tomorrow night what?’

‘Oh we can’t wait.’