Pride of the Courtneys (10 page)

Charles, too, seemed restless like Bassett, but because he had not the freedom of his own house to walk about at will, he constantly fidgeted and fussed in his chair.

Georgiana and I were seated in the window. I always chose this position for it was the farthest I could get away from the others, and consequently they occasionally forgot my presence and left me in peace for a while. Tonight Georgiana had joined me in an attempt to escape from her family. Her face, ravaged by recent tears, held hardly any of its radiant beauty. She was a poor broken-spirited creature to whom my heart flew in pity. She nervously clasped and unclasped her hands and I could see that the tears were still not far away.

For once I was not impatient with her tears for I agreed that she indeed had reason to weep.

My thoughts were interrupted at that moment by the sound of carriage wheels on the drive, and Bassett went to the long windows of the room facing the driveway.

‘Their carriage is here,' he remarked, and I noticed with surprise that his voice held no anticipated pleasure, he merely stated the fact that they had arrived, and no more.

After a few moments in which the Rothbones entered the house and were met by the butler, they were announced.

With one accord, everyone in the room, except Lady Courtney, rose, and everyone's eyes without exception looked towards the door to greet Georgiana's future husband.

I took her cold hand and I felt her take in a deep breath as she saw Cedric for the first time.

Cedric Rothbone was a youth of moderate height, pale complexion and blond hair. His stature erect but slim, his hands long and elegant, he held no promise of masculinity. Indeed, his foppish manners and simpering attitude were almost sickening. He wore a perpetual smile on his childish face and, we were to find, he could not converse intelligently, for more than ten minutes at the most. He was selfish and spoilt by a doting parent.

However, when he entered the room, his appearance, though disappointing to me and I am sure to Georgiana also, must have pleased Lady Courtney, for very shortly after their arrival, serious discussion took place between Lord Rothbone and Lady Courtney on the proposed marriage between their offspring.

Cedric planted himself by his prospective bride and there remained, presumably with the intention of getting to know her. But Georgiana would not co-operate. She spoke to him, certainly, but with bad grace, and if the young man had not been so fond of talking of himself, he would no doubt have felt rebuffed by her manner. As it was, he evidently thought he had found a patient and interested listener in her, and launched himself on a chronological account of the life of Cedric Rothbone, Esquire.

Dr Corby and Miss Corby soon left, and I could hardly blame them for they were almost ignored. Lady Courtney gave her whole attention to Lord Rothbone. Millicent seemed to have secured Bassett in conversation and I was certainly not going to leave Georgiana's side whilst Cedric pestered her.

Sir Hugh, of course, remained safely closeted with his books, and how wise I thought he was.

That night when I went to bed I felt even more miserable for Georgiana.

I went to my bedside table to find comfort from the miniature of my mother. But the picture was not there.

I searched my room as best I could, and promised myself a more thorough search by daylight: candlelight was inadequate. But for some reason I felt sure it had been taken, for it had been safely on the small table this morning, I knew, because I looked at it every morning without fail on waking.

Why should anyone in this house wish to take my mother's picture? I was not aware that anyone knew her well enough to want a picture of her. Was it another method of wronging me in some way? Did the thief hope I would make a fuss about its disappearance and cause more disturbance? If that was the case, then I would disappoint them. For, though I was most upset at its loss, I would say nothing to anyone about it.

That night I slept fitfully, and when I did it was to dream of Bassett's angry face close to mine and feel his strong hands gripping my shoulders and shaking me and shouting something about ‘ you should know about arranged marriages, if anyone does.'

I awoke the next day, miserably aware that there was another day to face, and another, and another, filled with despair.

The days passed. Lady Courtney pushed ahead with the arrangements for Georgiana's wedding. And now another arrangement seemed to be taking shape. The marriage between Bassett and Millicent. Several times, when only the ladies were present. Lady Courtney suggested a double wedding in September. She and Millicent discussed at length how they could bring about a proposal from Bassett.

‘He is a stubborn boy,' she said with pride and indulgence. ‘But don't worry, Millicent, we shall bring it about, never fear. Why, I must suggest it myself if the poor boy is too shy to do it for himself. For I am sure that is what is holding him back. I know he holds you in the highest affection, my dear. He just seems to want to hold on to his bachelor state longer.'

And here Millicent would simper and giggle sickeningly.

I would think, on these occasions, how well suited Cedric and Millicent would be, two of a kind.

Georgiana continued to grow thinner and paler each day. Eventually, I became so worried that I thought I would have to speak to Lady Courtney about her. I would not approach Bassett again, for since the day of our quarrel he had hardly spoken to me, and then only with a deep frown and a withdrawn expression in his eyes.

But we were all due for a shock, such a great one that I think it took months for anyone to recover properly, except the person who caused it—Bassett.

We were all seated in the drawing-room as so often when these things seemed to occur. Everyone was there, even Sir Hugh, Lord Rothbone and Cedric too, being guests at Courtney Hall now until the wedding. And also Dr Corby and Evelyn were once again guests for the evening.

Lady Courtney, as always launched herself on the subject of weddings and steered the conversation round to the point of suggesting an alliance between Bassett and Millicent.

‘Georgiana is an extremely lucky girl, Lord Rothbone, to have found such a handsome intelligent young husband as your son. You must forgive the child if she seems a little distressed. I think she regrets that her carefree youth is over, and that she must become a woman.'

‘The girl is pretty enough if she would take that sullen expression from her face,' remarked Lord Rothbone.

How I kept my temper I do not know, but perhaps it was Georgiana's restraining hand on mine, as if she knew I would leap to her defence and into trouble myself. So I held my tongue, but I was seething with anger that Lord Rothbone could belittle her so.

But for once Charles could not remain silent.

‘Forgive me, Lord Rothbone, if I appear impertinent,' and I saw the telltale flush on his handsome face. ‘But I think you insult Miss Courtney. She is a beautiful young lady, and I think it is Mr Rothbone who should count himself most fortunate in marrying her.'

I could see it had cost Charles a great deal to say this in front of such a gathering and at the risk of offending his friends and benefactors, the Courtneys, by answering back their guest. But my heart rejoiced that he had at last dared to speak out and in doing so had shown that he cared to some extent at least for Georgiana's feelings. For the first time since the wretched marriage arrangements had started, I saw that Georgiana blushed and looked happy because her dear, beloved Charles had spoken in her defence.

Lord Rothbone looked quizzically at Charles and then, surprisingly, he smiled.

‘Why, my dear Dr Corby, I mean no offence to the child. But you must admit she seems a little sad. I think there is beauty beneath that mournful face, and I am sorry that my son seems to be the cause of it. However, perhaps things will change.'

‘I am most ashamed of her,' put in her mother. ‘She is a most ungrateful girl. I am afraid that Miss Lloyd has an undesirable influence on my daughter. Her whole attitude towards the family is one of ingratitude after we have given her a home. To say nothing of stealing from us.'

‘Mother,' Bassett's voice boomed out. ‘I said that was not to be referred to again and I meant it. As far as I am concerned, the matter is closed.'

‘I am sorry, Bassett, but I think you are letting the girl get away with it. No matter, we will say no more, for I want to talk of more congenial matters. Now, what do you say to a double wedding in September, Bassett?'

‘Double wedding?' Bassett's worried frown appeared. ‘ Between whom, may I ask?'

Lady Courtney laughed.

‘Since you are too shy to do your own courting, Bassett my son, it seems I must do it for you.'

A thin voice spoke from the far end of the room.

‘Emily, my dear, do you think you should interfere?'

‘Certainly, Hugh, and why not indeed?' And she turned back to Bassett.

‘Between Cedric and Georgiana, of course, and you—and Millicent.'

All eyes were on Bassett, expectantly. I saw him stiffen in surprise and the words he spoke were of shock.

‘Millicent!'

The way in which he said it, full of incredulity, made me feel a flash of pity for Millicent, the girl who wore her heart so plainly for all to see, and how she must feel at his obvious rejection.

‘Who says I am marrying Millicent? I haven't.'

‘Why ever not? What better match could you make?'

Lady Courtney looked anxious, no doubt realising that she was up against sterner opposition than with Georgiana. Bassett would not be an easy prey.

‘I am not interested in making a “ match” as you call it. I shall marry whom I please and when I please.'

‘Now, Bassett, we must talk this thing out sensibly.'

‘Mother, there is nothing to talk out.'

Bassett crossed the room to stand in front of his mother, no doubt feeling embarrassed that this discussion should take place before so many outsiders.

‘Bassett, what possible reason can you have for not marrying Millicent? Don't say you have no affection for your cousin, for I know you have.'

‘I do not wish to marry Millicent, and there's an end to it.'

He turned towards her, probably sorry for Millicent as I am sure was everyone in the room.

‘Forgive me, Millicent, if I hurt your feelings, but mother brought this about, not me. You would never be happy with me, nor I with you. It would be foolishness.'

Millicent however, was not to acquiesce.

‘I could be happy with you, Bassett, very happy.'

Then my pity was no longer needed, for the girl was without pride. She would scheme and plead until she had secured what she wanted. If he was not careful, Bassett would find himself trapped for no better reason than that he did not wish to hurt her feelings.

‘Very well mother,' Bassett was saying, ‘since you seem so desirous of having both your children enter matrimony on the same day, I will give in. I will marry but I am not marrying Millicent. I shall marry Louella.'

There was a moment's silence as the room vibrated with his words. Then came the violent reactions.

I jumped to my feet and screamed.

‘No. Never. I will never marry you, Bassett Courtney.'

Lady Courtney fell into a swoon and Lord Rothbone and Charles rushed to her aid. Sir Hugh pottered over from his corner and clasped Bassett's hand.

‘My dear boy, my dear boy, a Courtney and a Lloyd. Fancy, after all these years, a Courtney and a Lloyd.'

The words brought back a vague disturbing memory that I had heard those words before, but I could not place it.

Millicent burst into tears, whilst Georgiana, her own misery forgotten for the moment, hugged me joyfully.

‘Louella, you'll really by my sister then. How wonderful.'

‘I won't. I won't,' I shouted, like a cross child. ‘I won't marry that—that—brute. How can you be pleased Georgiana, when he won't listen to your troubles? How can you wish him on me? I thought you cared about me.'

My temper, my fear of the Courtneys, burst in fury. I felt trapped and, like a cornered animal, I fought.

‘I do care for you, and Bassett. That is why I am so pleased.'

Lady Courtney was recovering and was not going to let such an announcement, even from her masterful son, pass without reprimand.

‘Bassett, have you taken leave of your senses completely? Marry
her
. How can you? Think what it will mean to me, your own mother, to have that girl as a daughter-in-law? It's bad enough that she should live here, but to think that she will be the future Lady Courtney is beyond comprehension. After what her mother did, you would do this, to me?'

‘I am sorry, mother, that you feel it so. I have made up my mind. Louella shall become my wife whether she likes it, whether you like it, or anyone else likes it, or not.'

And he left the room.

The remarks about my mother did not go unnoticed by me, but I was in no mood to argue that point then. Millicent's tears and anger were directed at me, joined, of course, by Lady Courtney.

‘How can you, you vixen? You have schemed this.'

I ignored her and spoke to Lady Courtney.

‘Lady Courtney,' I was, for once, not afraid of her. ‘I don't want to marry Bassett any more than you want me to, so I suggest you do everything in your power to stop it. For once, we shall be in agreement.'

‘Don't be impertinent, girl. And if you think anyone in this house can dissuade Bassett from this ridiculous idea, then you don't know my son. I am more sorry than I can express, Louella, but when Bassett says something like that, he means it, mark my words. If he means to marry you, however much it may hurt us all, then he will do so.'

I sighed and moved away. I was afraid her words were true. Lady Courtney was a forceful personality. She ruled her husband and daughter, but beside Bassett, her might was insignificant.