Lady Phillipa's Peril: Regency Romance Suspense Series ( Book 3) (Lords of Sussex 4) (9 page)

Venetia bit her lip. ‘No, I cannot, I have a meeting arranged next week with the Parish Council and the vicar. I am determined to help those poor children of the Parish. The Peninsula Wars left so many orphans.  The workhouse is crowded already and the poor mites exist on bread and cheese only.  It does not bear thinking about when we dine so handsomely ourselves.’ Her eyes rested on the delicate cakes.’ Why their little mouths would water at such delicacies which we take for granted.’

Phillipa took the proffered tea, not knowing now whether to lift a cake or not. ‘I agree; you are doing some fine work dearest, and I admire you for it. In fact, when I return, I might well join you, but I do have some ideas for a hospital on the estate, all we have at present is a wretched hut or barn. I will not go into the details, save to say there are three abed on straw, and the vermin run loose.’  

As Venetia went to speak, the door opened to admit Isabella’s mother, the Countess of Winton, carrying a small pug with large eyes and a black nose. ‘Ha, Venetia, what a journey, I came straight to find you both.’

‘Have you not rested my lady?’

‘Yes – yes. I slept most of the way here and am now ready for tea and news.  How fare you Miss Frencham, la when I see you both, I think of my Isabella. Oh dear where is the dear girl. I hope she is in no danger. Her abduction nearly put me in an early grave you know. That was a fair trial to me – a fair trial – why I never left my bed, not for a moment – a moment I tell you.’

‘Your ladyship,’  Venetia broke in, realizing the Countess would warble on for another half an hour.  ‘Pray have some tea.’

‘Why thank you my dear girl. Can never say no to tea, can we Aloysius. The dear little soul came straight to find you.’ She held up the pug, promptly kissing him on his small black nose. Phillipa tried not to cringe. She loved her own animals dearly, but stopped short of kissing them on the nose or lips, after all they did rummage in the filthiest  of droppings.

‘Miss Frencham, how are you coping with these pre-nuptials celebrations?

‘I find it very pleasant thank you, your ladyship.’

The Countess lifted her petite feet in soft kid leather onto the chaise longue, ‘When you marry m’dear, you must take care not to tire.  These men have unbridled energy.’

Phillipa raised her eyebrows, whilst Venetia’s mouth dropped.  The lady continued unabashed, ‘What with the  early morning rides,  shooting, hunting and the races.’ She paused for breath, stroking the pug.  ‘Isn’t it true Aloysius?’ She bent her head talking to the pug. ‘You know don’t you dearest, your papa leaving you for all those hours and then tiring you with all the news?’ Looking up at Venetia, she continued, ‘And then of course they hie off to Gentleman Jackson’s pugilism establishment. Then there is the dining and dancing into the early hours.  It fairly wears a lady out.’

Phillipa knew not how to reply, knowing the Countess did not pursue any of these feats, but it wore her out just thinking of them. Handing her a cup of tea, the lady sighed, ‘Ah thank you m’dear, I am fair parched with the worry of it all.’

‘Worry my lady?’

‘Well of course, my darling Isabella, as I said, being abducted. I have not recovered you know; I think I never will. It was the talk of the county, nay the country. I don’t doubt the ton will enjoy the scandalmongering for years to come. It is only because my dear Earl is so powerful I am not exiled. Oh – oh.’  Her hand fluttered to her forehead, My poor – poor dear girl, suffering at the hands of that – that blackguard.’ With which, she slumped her head back in a swoon, her mouth gaping open.

Phillipa looked on amazed, whilst Venetia, was well used to her fainting fits, and rummaging in the lady’s reticule, plucked out a vinaigrette and waved it under the lady’s nose. The Countess’s nose twitched and then her eyelids fluttered open.  ‘Oh – oh, I can’t bear it – I can’t that – that cur, carrying her off like that, ripping open the tent, whilst she slept.’ Furiously, she stroked the poor pug, buckling under her fervent hands, then promptly lifted him up to the light. ‘Tell them Aloysius, tell them how worried was your mama? Why is Isabella  still out there? She should have returned to the safety of our shores, to dear old England. What is a young woman doing out there anyway?’

The pug settled thankfully back on her lap, as she glared at Phillipa, ‘Don’t tell me, you are going out there Miss Frencham?’

‘Why – err … Lord Hector wishes me to be at his side.’

‘Well he can wish away young lady; you need not be there. See to his manor, his estate –not gallivanting off to those foreign shores.’

Phillipa winced, thinking of the uniform safely hidden away. ‘He has a groom of chambers and an able steward milady.’

‘Be that as it may, the lady or the master of the house cannot give full responsibility over to them; they need a firm hand.’

Venetia widened her eyes, the only hand the Countess used, was to pick up her glass of wine or stroke the dog. However, she was a sweet lady and an admirable mother-in-law to be.

‘Don’t you agree Venetia?  Why even now before your wedding, you are learning how to run the estate  under  the excellent tutelage of our steward, are you not? One day, you will have to take over you know, and there is so much to do; think of the Orangery.’

Venetia gave Phillipa a meaningful glance as the Countess Alicia continued, ‘We have the finest orangery in Sussex, and we supply our dear Prince of Wales with fresh oranges and even pineapples each year.  So much responsibility you see.’ She nodded, omitting to say her chief ground's man lovingly nurtured the fruits. 

Trying to cut off the tirade, Venetia said, ‘My lady, Lord Hector has a lovely surprise for Lady Phillipa, On their journey to the ship, they are invited to join the Duke of Billington.  He has engaged Madame Morella to sing for them after supper.’

The Countess’s mouth dropped, ‘Madam Morella – such a woman, such a voice, but she is greedy over money. I wonder how much the Duke will be paying her.’

‘I think it is a hundred pounds a song.’

Raising her head, she gently lifted the pug. ‘Hear that Aloysius. I think we must ask the Earl if he will give a dinner here, and invite Madame Morella to sing a few arias.  Why the guests would flock to dinner, in fact, we could give a sumptuous buffet feast. We must have something to cheer us up, must we not we Aloysius.’ Upon which she promptly kissed him again on his wet nose. Snorting, the little creature wriggled. ‘Ah I think it is time you relieved yourself is it not? Now the maid will take you for a little walk.’

‘Meanwhile I think I will return to my room,’ she said, ‘I am worn out, worn out with it all. Travelling does not suit me.’

Venetia rose from her seat, and went over to the Countess ‘Come my lady, let me help you and dear Aloysius to your room.’

Phillipa smiled; Venetia was just the sweetest girl; she wished she could be like her, but it just was impossible.  She did try her best to be sweet like her dear friend, but her personality would not allow it, neither would her tongue. Her thoughts sped to Delmare, to the river, of herself lying on the cushions, whilst he rowed. Perhaps, she could arrange it, so that Wilkinson took the twins. She silently upbraided herself for being such a hussy, but she could not ignore the quiver in her stomach, or the racing of her heart.

On entering the great hall, Phillipa espied Delmare, impeccable in a lightweight superfine frockcoat and a Belcher kerchief at his neck. To her surprise, Miss Eloise Templeton, stood with him, looking quite sophisticated in a flowing Indian print dress of cream with red designs, and a long train held up by a hoop. The puffed sleeves complimented elbow length cream gloves, and her matching straw bonnet decorated with cream and red roses completed a picture fit to grace any fashion plate.

Phillipa realised she could not match Miss Templeton’s beauty or elegance, so she was glad she changed into one of her best afternoon dresses.  The train was not too long, as she did not want to fidget with arranging it in the boat. Delmare’s heart rose, as he watched her approach, such a vision in lemon muslin decorated with embroidered sprigs of lavender; a bonnet of cream crepe with yellow rosebuds covered the dark bouncy curls and ringlets.  He noted her feet encased in satin slippers to match the dress. At least, the grass was dry, so she did not have to wear a stouter pair.  He loved the way she glided towards him, the train over a graceful arm, her small hands encased in fresh cream gloves. He noticed she never seemed to have any ingrained stains on the hems of her dresses, but then she did have the titillating way of lifting her skirts to her ankles to avoid dragging them in the dirt. It seemed she spurned decorum in this aspect, and indeed, she did have a fine ankle as elegant as any Arabian horse. Her eyes brightened as she neared them, her smile showing such dazzling white teeth, a creature of perfection. Why, oh why, did she have to be betrothed; the only woman to touch his heart, to fill his mind, with whom he could see a future of smiles and scowls, of love and above all companionship. Of course, like any other beautiful woman, she set his pulses racing, but she had a power other than sex over him; she enchanted him. 

Was there no way he could claim her for his own? However, such was her character; she seemed intent on honouring her promise of a childhood betrothal, a betrothal that did not include freedom of choice, which she appeared to value so highly.  Yet he could repine upon this for hours, and still not come to a conclusion that would resolve the situation. Of course, he could seduce her; he knew that already, she had a passionate nature that was just awakening to his touch. Yes, he could ruin her, force her to marry him, but he held her in too much esteem.  He was a rake, not a rogue.

Stepping forward, he took her hand and kissed the air above the knuckles, ‘Charmed m’dear, Miss Templeton has graciously assented to attend the boat trip this afternoon. The dowager suggested she join our party.’

‘Why that would be wonderful.’

Stepping over to the lady, she curtseyed, and took her hand, ‘Dear Miss Templeton, I am delighted you can join us, it is such a lovely day for boating. I must say, I do admire your gown, tis really of the first stare a la mode.’

‘Thank you for your felicitations, dear Miss Frencham. ’ she said prettily.

‘Pray, we have known each other for some time now, please address me as Phillipa.’

‘Why thank you, I would like to reciprocate the compliment, and beg you to call me by my familiar, Eloise.’

Lieutenant Wilkinson came forward, and proffered his arm. When she put her elegant hand on his sleeve, he grinned, ‘Enchanted m’dear.’

Phillipa lifted her brow slightly, so he had returned to the lady but what of Amelia, he was surely enamoured of her last night?  It appeared he was rakish in his behaviour, flirting with the most available female; first, it was Venetia, then Eloise, then Amelia and now Eloise again. But, he was such a polite gentleman and of pleasant demeanour, one could overlook his dallying with a variety of ladies. 

As they strolled ahead, Delmare murmured, ‘You look like a budding rose that I would love to pluck.’

‘Now, you put me to the blush, behave.’ She flushed, looking around, assured that Wilkinson and Eloise did not hear his amorous greeting. She frowned. ‘Where are the twins, are they not accompanying us?’

‘No, it appears, they are at the dressmakers and the haberdashery since early this morning; they have need of apparel and accoutrements for the forthcoming trip to Brussels.’

‘Oh I see; I saw the dowager at nuncheon; she is quite caught up with the guests. I have seen carriage after carriage arrive. However, she forcefully bade me to have the afternoon off. She said there is a plenitude of servants, besides the groom of chambers and housekeeper. She wanted me fresh and merry for the wedding. But, now I fear it will not be appropriate for me to accompany you without the twins.’

‘Hector is aware and gave me his blessing.’ Indeed he thought Hector was altogether too trusting, perhaps a little on the dim side, for taking this little minx for granted. He was sure if she was his own, he would not let her out of his sight, at least until they were married. ‘Come, we have a skiff each now, and can take a leisurely trip down the river.’ Lifting up the picnic basket, he said, ‘We both have enough food and drink to last a few hours.’

Phillipa laughed, ‘Wonderful, but we cannot stay too late, don’t forget we must be back in time to dress for the ball this evening. I for one will want to bathe.’

‘You put irresistible images in my mind m’dear. However, first let us enjoy the afternoon.’ Delmare said, longing to put his arm around her tiny waist, but unable to do so with Wilkinson and Eloise walking in their wake. He beamed, already his plan was working, if all went well, he would find some quiet idyll all to themselves whilst Wilkinson and Eloise floated on up the river.

The stroll from the castle walls to the river was delightful; the sun shone over fields of waving grass thick with wild celandines, buttercups, clover and daisies, enclosed with overgrown hedgerows of hawthorn, blackthorn, crowding in with elder, and maple trees. Dog roses, ivy and clematis climbed overall, painting splashes of colour with their flowers and berries. In the distance, they espied the cows escaping the shimmering heat as they waded into the shallow depths of the river. It was a scene Phillipa would love to paint if she had the knowledge of using oil paints.

The footman bowed as they arrived at the side of the river, the boats floating gently in the water.  After divesting himself of his frockcoat and handing it to the footman, Delmare stepped in and then turned to Phillipa. ‘Come I will help you, upon which he bodily lifted her in, steadying her as the boat rocked. She turned to hear Eloise squeal and then saw her giggling as she stood in the middle of the boat clinging onto the lieutenant’s hands. She looked like a happy young girl far different to the  elegant persona she usually exuded. Undoing his cravat, Delmare set to with the oars, pushing them away from the bank, as Phillipa clung to the edge of the boat not quite willing to trust matters.

‘I have not been boating since last summer, I must say, I love it, but poor Venetia, she has a terror of boats and loathes the water. Even as children, she would never swim with us in the pool on the estate, but she did keep watch for any one coming near.’

Delmare grinned, in acquiescing; he was relieved; it suited his purpose. With the twins at the dressmakers and Venetia’s fear of boating, Phillipa was his for the afternoon. ‘So you swam in the pond, with estate workers about – your mama sanctioned that?’

‘Ah, so you are narrow minded, the first thing that leapt to your mind was if we were on view to the workers, not that we enjoyed the swim. For your information, when mama threw a house party, we children would wait until the governess was abed, and then we would creep out and escape to the pond. I still love swimming in moonlight.’

‘You crept from your beds at night?  My, you were a rebel even as a child.’

‘Yes and proud of it, but still tis a shame Venetia could not be with us today; she is really pleasant company and apart from her fear of water, she is such a jovial, high-spirited girl. La, she always sees the fun of things.’

Delmare smiled; it was just as well, she was not here to foil his plans.

Her next question startled him, ‘How came you to be a physicker?’