The Second Lady Southvale (14 page)

‘Richardson?’ she called suddenly. ‘Richardson, come here at once!’

The butler appeared at the double. ‘My lady?’

‘When was this delivered?’ She waved the note at him.

‘I’m afraid I cannot say, Lady Eleanor. The new footman has been attending to the door while I’ve been engaged with certain problems in the kitchens.’

‘I’m not concerned with problems in the kitchens, sir,’ she replied tartly. ‘This note is from Lord Southvale, he’s returning tomorrow evening at eight.’

Rosalind’s heart seemed to stop within her. Tomorrow? So that was when she’d know what her fate was to be. Was she still going to be the second Lady Southvale? Or would she soon be sailing back across the Atlantic to pick up the pieces of her former life, and to face the almost certain ruin of her character? Oh, the gossip in Washington would be tremendous. Rosalind Carberry had rejected a catch like George Whitby, had run away to England in pursuit of a dashing lord she hardly knew, and had, in turn, been rejected herself. What lady would have any name left after such a sequence of scandalous events?

Lady Eleanor looked at her, and not unkindly. ‘I’m sure everything is going to be satisfactorily resolved, my dear, and that the puzzle of Philip’s reticence concerning you will be explained.’

She turned and walked away across the hall to the staircase, and as she went slowly up toward her room, Gerald turned urgently to Rosalind.

‘Miss Carberry, whatever happens tomorrow, you do know now that in me you have a friend, don’t you?’ he said.

‘Mr Beaufort, I hardly think—’

‘I realize that we got off on an extremely bad foot, but I truly regret my behavior yesterday.’ His hazel eyes were serious. ‘If Philip should abandon his responsibilities to you, I …’ He broke off, lowering his eyes for a moment. ‘Forgive me, I didn’t mean to speak out of turn, it’s just that I’m afraid you’re going
to be very badly hurt, and I want to help you if I possibly can.’

Fresh disquiet rose within her. ‘Mr Beaufort, you do know something you’re not telling me, don’t you?’

‘No, Miss Carberry, I promise you I don’t.’ He met her eyes again and didn’t look away.

Her disquiet remained, but she had to accept his assurance. ‘I – I think I’d like to go to my room now, Mr Beaufort. I really am tired after the journey.’

‘Yes, of course. Miss Carberry, with your permission I’d still like to call upon you tomorrow. Philip won’t be here until the evening, so …’

‘Call if you wish, Mr Beaufort,’ she replied, wishing he’d go away.

‘Until then,’ he murmured, sketching her an elegant bow.

Richardson, who had been waiting a discreet distance away, hastened to open the front doors for him, and a moment later his carriage drove away across the courtyard.

The moment he’d gone, Gerald Beaufort slipped completely from Rosalind’s mind, for it was solely of Philip that she thought. Oh, if only she knew what tomorrow’s reunion would be like … She wanted it to be joyous, but a cold finger of doubt still touched her. Oh, how far away tomorrow evening seemed, but she had no choice but to endure the intervening hours as best she could.

Endeavoring to hide her inner uncertainty and fear, because Richardson was still nearby, she went to the staircase, gathering her skirts to go quickly up. Please let Philip still love and want her. Please.

Time did indeed pass slowly until Philip’s return. For the rest of that day Rosalind was in the company of both Lady Eleanor and Katherine, and in the evening there was an unexpected
diversion
from Annie.

Having given the maid the day off, Rosalind hadn’t really expected to see her when she retired to her bed that night, but when she went up to the pagoda room after dinner, she found Annie waiting to attend her. Far from looking reassured after having seen her ailing mother, the maid had obviously been crying a great deal again, so much so that her eyes were very puffy and red.

Rosalind’s own problems faded into the background for a while as she drew the unhappy maid to one of the fireside chairs and made her sit down. Then she crouched before the chair, taking the maid’s trembling hands. ‘Now, then, Annie, tell me what’s happened. Is it still your mother?’

‘Oh, Miss Carberry …’ The maid couldn’t say anything else, for the tears began anew.

Rosalind gave her her handkerchief and waited until she was a little more composed. ‘Can you tell me about it now?’ she asked gently.

‘The doctor’s been to see her now, madam, and he said that she has …’ The maid hesitated. ‘It was a very long word,
madam, and I can’t remember it, but she has a very bad pain in her right side, and the doctor said there is a very bad abscess there, and that unless she has an operation, she’ll die.’

‘I’m afraid he’s right, Annie, for it’s very serious indeed.’

‘But I can’t afford an operation like that, madam. The doctor says it’s very expensive, and very dangerous. If she has it, she’ll be bedridden for a long time afterward, and certainly won’t be able to take in laundry like she has been doing. She says such expense is out of the question for her, because she has all my little brothers and sisters to look after. I’m the oldest one, madam, and the only one in work, apart from Mam herself. Dad left just after my littlest sister was born, that’s about five years ago now. We just can’t afford the operation, Miss Carberry.’

‘Nor can you afford to leave things as they are,’ Rosalind said gently. ‘What will happen to your brothers and sisters if your mother dies? You can’t be a lady’s maid and look after them, and it’s my guess that yours is the money that provides most. Am I right?’

‘Yes, madam. My money’s very important to Mam. That’s why I have to keep my place, no matter what.’

‘Annie, your mother has to have the operation.’

‘But we can’t afford it, madam.’

‘I’ll give you whatever money you need.’

The maid stared at her. ‘You’d do that? But I’m not even really your maid, madam.’

‘You’re my maid at the moment, Annie, and as your mistress, I have a duty to look after you. I have a mother, too, and she matters very much to me. Besides, I’m sure I’m only doing what Lady Southvale would have done if she were still alive.’

‘Oh, no, madam, she wouldn’t even have asked me what was wrong.’

Rosalind stared at her. Celia Beaufort may not have been a saint, but surely she’d have had a little compassion for her maid’s predicament.

Seeing her expression, Annie shook her head. ‘She wouldn’t have cared, Miss Carberry, for she was unkind. She was always saying she’d dismiss me without a reference. The only person in this house who mourned her was Lord Southvale himself, and he broke his heart over her. The rest of us didn’t like her at all, and we’re all glad about you, Miss Carberry, even Mr Richardson. We only hope that everything’s going to be all right and that you’re going to marry his lordship.’

Rosalind was a little startled to realize she had so much support belowstairs, especially when the butler had seemed so unfavorably disposed toward her the day before. ‘Annie, I’m flattered to know you all wish me well and rather surprised to find Mr Richardson among my supporters.’

‘Mr Richardson wasn’t sure about you,’ admitted the maid, ‘for he said that it was very odd that his lordship had neglected to tell anyone about you, but when I told him this morning how you’d given me the rest of the day off just to see my mother, he said that that was the mark of a true lady. He said he was forced to change his view of you, for you were obviously worthy of his lordship.’

‘Thank you for telling me this, Annie. It’s comforting to know you welcome me. I only wish …’

‘Yes, madam?’

‘I only wish I could be sure Lord Southvale himself is going to welcome me.’

The maid stared at her. ‘But of course he will, madam. He gave you his ring.’

‘I no longer think it’s as simple as that, Annie,’ replied Rosalind, getting to her feet again.

‘Lord Southvale is the most honorable gentleman in London, madam, and if he asked you to be his bride, then he will marry you.’

Rosalind wished she could have such simple faith. She looked at the maid again. ‘We mustn’t forget the urgency of your mother’s situation, Annie. Is it far to your home?’

‘Southwark, madam, south of the river.’

‘Hire a hackney coach and take one of the footmen with you, for it isn’t safe for a young woman to be alone in the dark. I will tell Lady Eleanor that I told you to do so. You must inform the doctor that I will meet any bills that arise where your mother is concerned, and that he’s to proceed with the operation as quickly as he can.’

‘Yes, Miss Carberry.’ Annie got up and then hesitated,
smiling
shyly. ‘I don’t know how to thank you, madam.’

‘You don’t have to.’

The maid bobbed a curtsy and then hastened out.

The next morning was wet, cold, and windy. Leaves were torn from the trees in Green Park, and the smoke from London’s chimneys was snatched raggedly away by the blustering wind. Breakfast in the rotunda was out of the question on such a disagreeable autumn day, and so Rosalind ate inside with Katherine and Lady Eleanor, who both approved of her actions concerning Annie’s mother. No one mentioned Philip’s
imminent
return, and the omission was very loud indeed. Rosalind already had grave doubts about the outcome of meeting him again, and by the end of the meal she knew that his sister and great-aunt shared those doubts.

Gerald’s arrival to escort her again came almost as a welcome diversion, for it served to take her mind off her unhappy
situation
. Annie accompanied them, because it was once again
necessary
to have a chaperone, especially for a lengthy drive across London. The maid was in a much lighter mood, for the doctor had performed the operation on her mother straightaway, and with complete success. A lengthy recuperation now lay ahead, but the immediate danger was past, and the change in the maid was very noticeable indeed.

No one could have been more attentive and considerate than Gerald Beaufort. He showed Rosalind all the sights, from Greenwich and the Tower of London, to St Paul’s cathedral and
the Palace of Westminster. He took her to Ranelagh Gardens and then showed her the prime minister’s residence in Downing Street, Almack’s assembly rooms in King Street, and the Italian Opera House, where Signora Segati was soon to appear. They had luncheon at Grillion’s Hotel in Albemarle Street and then joined the afternoon display in Hyde Park’s Rotten Row, where he pointed out numerous famous people, from politicians and admirals to artistocrats and actresses.

Gerald was kindness personified, and so very conscious of her every need that she began to feel a little uncomfortable, for it was plain that from disliking her intensely in the
beginning
, he now viewed her very warmly indeed. Far too warmly. He held her hand for a little too long when she alighted from the carriage, and he smiled a little too frequently whenever she spoke. There was an admiring and inviting look in his hazel eyes and something that told her she had to tread very carefully, for fear of seeming to encourage him in any way.

But at last the afternoon began to draw to a close, and it was time to go back to Southvale House. The moment of Philip’s return was very near now, and with each passing moment her feeling of deep apprehension increased. The streetlamps were being lit as the carriage bowled along St James’s Place and into the courtyard of the house, and as it drew to a standstill, Gerald leaned forward to take her hand suddenly.

‘Miss Carberry, I would like to be present when Philip arrives,’ he said.

‘I – I can hardly prevent you, sir,’ she replied, gently
with-drawing
her hand.

‘If you would prefer me not to, I will do whatever you wish, but I do feel that you may be glad of as many friends as
possible
.’

He did know something, there was no mistaking the certainty in his eyes. He knew that Philip was going to reject her. Her pulse quickened, and the awful feeling of vulnerability that had
first come over her in Falmouth now returned with swinging force.

Gerald alighted, turning to assist Annie down first and then Rosalind. His fingers closed a little too warmly over hers, and again she began to pull her hand away, but he tightened his grip a little, drawing her resisting fingers to his lips. ‘I will call again within the hour, Miss Carberry.’

‘As you wish, Mr Beaufort,’ she replied, almost snatching her hand free.

Followed by Annie, she hurried up the steps to the doors, which opened before her as a vigilant Richardson attended smoothly to his duties.

In the warmth and brightness of the entrance hall, Rosalind turned to the maid. ‘Mr Beaufort knows something, doesn’t he?’

‘Well, he
does
seem to,’ agreed the maid.

‘He’s far too certain that things aren’t going to go my way tonight, and he was equally as certain yesterday as well.’

‘But what can he possibly know, Miss Carberry?’

‘I wish I knew.’

‘Things are going to go well for you tonight, madam,’
reassured
the maid. ‘I just know they are.’

‘Well, we’ll soon see, will we not?’ murmured Rosalind, moving toward the staircase.

Annie exchanged an unhappy look with the butler and then followed her new mistress up to the pagoda room.

Now that darkness had fallen, the autumn wind seemed to howl even more around the eaves. It drew down the chimney, making the fire flare in the hearth, and the slight draft swayed the candles glowing in the porcelain pagodas.

It was nearly eight o’clock, the time appointed for Philip’s return, and Rosalind sat before the dressing table while Annie put the final touches to her hair, which was pinned up in the Grecian style that became her so well. She wore a long-sleeved
gray velvet gown, high-waisted with a low, scooped neckline, and with it an amethyst pendant and matching earrings. The amethysts winked and flashed in the light of the candlestick placed on the dressing table next to the mirror.

Putting the last pin in place, Annie went, as previously agreed, to keep watch from a window overlooking the courtyard, so that she could tell Rosalind the moment Philip’s traveling carriage arrived. Everyone else, including Gerald, was already waiting in the drawing-room, and they had been expecting Rosalind to join them for some time now, but she couldn’t bring herself to sit in awful anticipation with them. No, she intended to let Philip arrive and speak to them first, before she summoned the courage to face him, or them.

Only a few minutes had passed before Annie came hurrying back. ‘He’s here, madam!’

Rosalind’s heart almost stopped and then began to race unbearably. Annie brought the same knotted shawl she’d carried at the Washington ball, and she rose to her feet, feeling almost sick with anxiety. Please let the outcome of this be good….

She went slowly to the head of the staircase and paused there, leaning over the marble balustrade to look down past the gilded Chinese lanterns toward the entrance hall, two floors below. Richardson was already waiting and must have heard Philip’s steps, for he went quickly to the doors, flinging them open. ‘Welcome home again, my lord.’

Rosalind waited breathlessly for her first glimpse of the man she loved and had come so very far to see, but as he stepped inside, all she saw was his heavy gray Polish greatcoat and his top hat.

Richardson waited attentively. ‘I trust you had a good
journey
, my lord?’

‘The five miles from Greys isn’t exactly arduous, Richardson,’ replied Philip, turning for the butler to help him with his coat.

‘Greys, my lord? But—’

‘I needed to think, and it’s as good a place as any.’ Philip teased off his black leather gloves and gave them to the butler.

‘Is all well here?’

‘Yes, my lord, except—’

‘If there are any problems, I’ll make myself available a little later.’

‘Yes, my lord, but I think you should know—’

‘I said later,’ interrupted Philip firmly, removing his top hat and pushing it into the other’s hands.

Richardson fell silent.

Philip glanced around the entrance hall, and Rosalind could see him properly at last. He wore a dark-purple coat and tight-fitting cream breeches, and there was a large diamond pin in his complicated neckcloth. He was a little thinner than she remembered, and his face looked pale and drawn, but his eyes were still an incredible blue. He ran his fingers briefly through his tangle of coal-black hair, glancing at the butler.

‘Are my sister and great-aunt in?’

‘Yes, my lord, they are waiting in the drawing-room. Mr Beaufort is also here.’

‘Dammit, what the devil’s he here for?’

‘I believe he wishes to see you, my lord. We’ve all been most concerned about you.’

‘I’m a big boy now, Richardson, and well able to take care of myself,’ Philip replied drily.

‘Yes, my lord.’

‘I’ll go to them, then.’

‘My lord.’ The butler bowed and withdrew.

Philip paused for a moment, toying with his cuff, then he turned abruptly to come lightly up the first flight of the
staircase
.

Rosalind drew hastily back from the balustrade. She heard him pause again on the floor below, then he pushed open the
doors of the drawing-room and went in.

She took a deep breath in an endeavor to compose herself, then she went very slowly down to the next floor.