Shadows of Doubt (16 page)

She had never experienced such a dinner. These families were obviously close and informal, which helped to put her at ease. They spoke across the table and laughed jovially, unafraid to tease one another. Lady Fairmont informed her that the men had all grown up with one another, and had gone off to the Army together as well. Lord Fairmont’s sister, Beatrice, had married their other friend, Lord Vernon, but they spent most of their time in France now. The only one that did not seem happy was Lady Abernathy. She had a look of sadness about her. Gwen remembered Mr. Abbott speaking of his sister, Sarah, but had said little else about her. She wished Mr. Abbott was there. She would love to see him interacting with his family, and to know him better. She had only ever been with him alone, or with the Dowager.

“You are to stay with us permanently, then?” Lady Fairmont asked and smiled kindly. “I assure you, we do behave properly when we must.”

“No, Lady Fairmont. I had hoped to seek the Dowager’s help in finding a position.”

Gwen heard a
harrumph
from across the table where the Dowager sat.

“I will not consider discussing any such thing now.” The Dowager threw her chin back and turned away.

Gwen’s mouth gaped, and she heard suppressed laughter and snickers from around her.

“Don't mind her, Miss Lambert. She is only teasing you. That is her way of showing affection.”

Gwen tried to offer a slight smile. She had not expected such a reaction.

“You will grow accustomed to her ways,” Lady Fairmont remarked with a twinkle in her eye.

“Has anyone heard from Andrew?” Lord Fairmont asked.

Sir Charles, a pleasant older gentleman with an easy smile, spoke up, “I had a letter from him yesterday. It seems he has more work than he anticipated. He is having difficulty finding a steward that he trusts to treat the workers properly.”

Gwen wished she had received a letter. It had been some time since she had written herself. It took a month to send correspondence and she hadn’t had the luxury of being able to post from London.

“I wonder how things have changed since we left,” Sir Charles said thoughtfully.

“Perhaps someone here would be willing to take it on – start a new life there,” Lord Wyndham suggested, a kind, frail man.

“Yes, many of our veterans are improved enough that they could handle such a task,” Lord Fairmont said enthusiastically.

“An excellent idea!” Sir Charles agreed. “I’ve little doubt there is plenty of work for anyone who is interested.”

“It is settled then. I shall propose it to those suited in the morning and make arrangements if any are willing.”

“Andrew may have more help than he bargained for,” Lord Fairmont said humorously.

“Is there any need for a housekeeper there?” Gwendolyn asked somewhat timidly.

“Perhaps. Do you know of someone?” Sir Charles asked eagerly.

She blushed. “I was thinking of myself, sir.”

“Nonsense, Gwendolyn! Utter nonsense. Let us speak of something else before she gets any more nonsensical ideas into her head,” the Dowager said with vehemence.
 

“Your Grace, I must find a position soon. And I have always longed to travel.”

“Then we shall find a way for you to travel. But I will not hear of you going into service. I promised your dear mother I would see you
situated
properly.”

Gwendolyn ceased speaking about it for now. She could see she would get nowhere with the Dowager.

Sir Charles and Lord Fairmont were discussing who would make a good steward for the plantation.
 

Gwen became absorbed and fascinated with the discussion of the homes that had been set up to help the less fortunate orphans and veterans on the estate.

As the ladies were withdrawing, a carriage pulled up bringing Lord and Lady Easton home. Everyone gathered in the drawing room to greet them.

“I hope you do not mind, but Hendricks, would you please have a small dinner set for us in here? Lady Easton is famished.”

“I must defend my husband,” Elly spoke up. “He offered to stop several times, but I insisted we travel on.”

“We can return to the dining room, so you may be comfortable,” Lady Fairmont offered.

“That is not necessary. We do wish to speak with Miss Lambert.”

Gwen was about to retire and leave the family to speak in private. Lady Abernathy excused herself, but the others remained.

“Do you wish us to leave?” Lord Fairmont asked. “I would not intrude on something personal.”

“I cannot imagine anything about me that is not already known,” Gwen said frankly.

“Very well,” Lord Easton began. “I went to see Lord Kendall’s solicitor, who also happens to be my solicitor.”

Gwen creased her brow and wondered how it would concern her. She waited for Lord Easton to continue.

“Unfortunately, I wasn’t unable to see him. But his clerk did inform me that when your grandfather died, Miss Lambert, there was an inheritance tied to your marriage.”

“My marriage? I had no idea,” she said, astonished.

“I was unable to obtain the specifics, but I left request to speak to my solicitor as soon as can be arranged.”

“Thank you, Lord Easton. It had not occurred to me to do such a thing.”

“I hate to raise your hopes about a dowry. The will could state you must marry your cousin in order to inherit. I have seen it done before.”

“It would explain Peregrine’s sudden interest. Has the family been in financial trouble for some time?”

“I have only heard about recent losses at the tables,” Lord Fairmont said.

“If you wish to reconsider, we will try to help,” Lord Easton said. “It would not be a terrible match for you. The family is old and well-respected, even if the last generation’s collars were over-starched.”

“It most certainly would be a terrible match!” The Dowager, who had been listening intently, finally spoke up. “You do not wish for it, do you, Gwen?”

“I am uncertain.” She looked down at her hands. “I have been thinking on it. Perhaps I should swallow my pride. I might not receive a better offer.”
 

***

Gwen was awake at her usual early hour after having spent a restless night in thought about her predicament. She dressed and decided to explore the grounds before the household awoke. She chose the pathway they had used the night before to walk towards the sea. She had been reassured by the Eastons that she was welcome anywhere. As she got closer to the water, the winds grew stronger and blew her bonnet off. It was quite a climb to the edge, but the view was beyond imagination. Her artist’s eye soaked in the beauty of the chalk cliffs and the sun on the horizon shining its glory across the ripples in the water. Her favourite part was the brilliant patterns the waves made against the rocks. She closed her eyes in an attempt to capture the moment for later, wondering if it was possible to accurately portray the spray that the waves made. She wished she had brought along her sketching paper, but she dare not return to retrieve it or she would miss the moment. She inhaled deeply of the ocean breeze, and savoured the glorious feeling.

“I see you have found our favourite spot as well,” Lord Easton remarked.

“Good morning, Lord and Lady Easton.” The couple were holding hands, clearly enjoying some quiet time together.

“I beg your pardon, I did not mean to intrude.”

“Nonsense!” They both dismissed her objections. “We are happy you appreciate our view. We think it the finest in England.”

“It would make a lovely painting,” Gwen said enthusiastically.

“Are you are an artist?” Lord Easton asked.

“I used to fancy myself one, but it is more of a luxurious extravagance now.”

“We would both dearly love to capture this,” Lord Easton swept his hand out towards the sunrise, the water and the cliffs. “If I may be so forward as to request you to paint it for us? We have been discussing finding someone to capture its beauty for years.”

“I would be delighted. I only hope I may do it justice,” Gwen said modestly.

“I am certain you will. I have heard you worked wonders with Bath stone,” Lady Easton chuckled.

“I have a meeting to attend this morning, if you will excuse me, ladies. Miss Lambert, may I trust you to ensure Lady Easton returns to the house before long? She tends to think her condition does not warrant special attention.”

“I am not certain anyone can make Lady Easton do anything,” Gwen said. “But I will do my best, sir.”

They all laughed. “We shall get along famously, Miss Lambert. Come, let me show you around and introduce you to everyone. I am a bit biased and proud of course, but I do not think you will find a finer school in all of Britain.”

“What made you want to open this school, if you don't mind my asking?”

“Lord Easton already had an orphanage, and he had begun the idea of schooling the orphans to train them for useful work. They don't remain children for long, and those that have no training often are taken to be chimney sweeps or other unsavoury occupations.”

“Such as the workhouses.” Gwen knew that to be true. She had seen it before, and had worried often that she would wind up there herself.

“Indeed. The medical training was my idea, I confess. I became rather attached to the art of medicine when I was in America. It began with helping wounded soldiers and grew from there.”

“Are you a physician?” Gwen asked Lady Easton with surprise.

“Oh, nothing so glamorous, I'm afraid. I am a mere amateur. We have Dr. McGinnis in charge of the school, and Josie and I help out a little. And we have Dr. Craig here from Scotland from time to time. We are attempting to convince him to join us here permanently.”

“It sounds like quite a venture.”

“We have only been operating about three years, but I would like to think we have helped improve medicine in hospitals and in the Army.”

“And what about the veterans?”

“The ones that are able are trained to help in the breeding stables, or are placed on estates with people who we trust to treat them right. Sadly, there are many that will never recover. They are given as comfortable a home as we can provide them with, and they have all the medical care they need at their doorstep.”

“It seems you have thought of everything.”

“Unlikely, but we do what we can. We feel it is our privilege to take care of others who have fallen on hard times, or who cannot help themselves. None of the people here chose this path.”

“No,” Gwen agreed quietly. She had not chosen her path either, but she would do her best to make the most of her abilities.

“Here is the good Dr. Craig now. Dr. Craig, may I present to you Miss Gwendolyn Lambert.”

“A pleasure to meet you, lass.” He proffered an elegant bow and she gave a slight curtsy. He was an extraordinarily handsome man, with deep blue eyes and a Scottish brogue. If her heart weren't in America, it would be awakened by his
surplus
charms.

“Miss Lambert’s mother was Grandmother’s cousin.”

“May I offer my condolences, lass.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“I was showing her around the school. Are you teaching anything of interest today?”

“It is almost time for seminar. I find it interesting, but I am not certain if Miss Lambert would find it so.
 

“Seminar is the time of day when the students read an essay or journal piece and discuss it,” Elly explained.

“A compelling essay on shaking palsies was recently published by James Parkinson, a surgeon in London. We have two veterans with similar symptoms as he describes, so I thought it an appropriate topic.”

“This shaking palsy; is it when the person’s body shakes?” Gwen asked.

“Sometimes it is the entire body, sometimes it is only an arm or hand.”

“My mother had shaking. It was not her only problem, but her doctor did not understand what was happening to her.”

“Would you like to sit in our seminar? I would love to speak to you more about your mother’s condition as well.”

“Of course.” She looked towards Elly. “Would you mind?”

“Not at all. In fact, I would be delighted. It is time I checked on the children anyway.”

“This way.” Dr. Craig placed one hand on Gwen’s back, and the other was held out to show her the way.

***

Elly watched them walk away, and could not help but wonder if the two would suit. She knew Miss Lambert and her brother had become acquainted, but Andrew never seemed interested in marriage, despite all the females making cakes of themselves over him. He had written of meeting Miss Lambert and their painting escapade, but surely he would not have left for America if his intentions towards her were serious? He’d been highly sought after in Society, and had never shown any interest in anything more than flirtations. Miss Lambert did not seem inclined to accept her cousin either, and who could blame her after his trying to compromise her!
 

She walked back towards the house pondering the situation. Miss Lambert needed a good marriage, and Dr. Craig needed a good wife, especially after his heartbreak with Beatrice. Elly would make sure they had plenty of opportunity to spend time together, and let Nature take its course.