The Selfless Sister (5 page)

“Yes, which means she can marry Lord Carlson, and you”
—worry filled his eyes—”shall leave tomorrow for Southfield.” He slowly shook his head as he spoke, as if the prospect of her going to Aunt Pernelia’s was deeply troubling.

“Papa, can you please tell me what’s so awful about Southfield?”

Her parents again exchanged glances. Mama said, “It’s better you find out for yourself.”

“That’s only fair,” Papa added. “I deem it unadvisable to prejudice your mind concerning anything or anybody at Southfield. You will soon find out for yourself.” He smiled. “I shall tell you something to the good, though.”

“Please do.” Filled with guilt at having to defy her parents, she would welcome anything to lift her heavy spirits.

“You will find Southfield to be a large, rambling old mansion, fairly new, built around the middle of seventeenth century. There are countless rooms. No doubt you’ll have your own bed chamber for a change, so there’s something to be grateful for. There’s an excellent serving staff, as I recall. Also–and perhaps this is the best part of all
—Southfield stands next to beautiful, thick woods where you will undoubtedly discover new species of birds to draw.”

“Then how could it be so bad? Oh, Papa, do I have your blessing?” Her chest felt as if it was about to burst as she waited for his answer.

“Of course you have my blessing, child, but I still worry.”

Mama added, “You have mine too, Lucinda, although I confess I am perplexed as to why you have refused to make a perfectly good marriage.”

“I want to love the man I marry. It’s as simple as that.” Catherine’s words popped into Lucinda’s head.
To know passion—it’s such pure ecstasy, impossible to describe
. She had best not tell her parents that, though. She pictured the looks on their faces should she inform them that if a man couldn’t draw her to the heights of fire and passion she would not marry him.

“Well, it may not be so bad,” said Mama, who always tended to look upon the bright side. “Considering that if you stay a year, Pernelia has promised to provide a dowry. Of course, she had in mind Henrietta, but I’m sure she’ll extend her largesse to you.” She smiled brightly. “And perhaps you might find someone you love by then.”

Thus, Lucinda’s departure for Southfield had been light-hearted, with the exception of Papa’s last words, which still lingered in her head. “Be careful. You have never met the likes of Edgerton Linley. I shall worry about you. Feel free to come home any time.”

But to return home would be to admit defeat, Lucinda thought as the coach rolled along, especially after she had made such a show of defiance. Naturally she felt a slight trepidation because of Papa’s words. But was she not a mature, competent young woman who could keep her head in any situation? There was nothing she couldn’t handle.

As the coach neared Southfield, she looked out the window and saw such a magnificent sight she drew in her breath. An ancient castle, built of a silvery limestone, stood dramatically pale against the brilliant green of a thickly wooded slope. Directly at its base lay a small lake with water so clear that the castle, with its striking medieval turrets and towers, was perfectly reflected. Lucinda stared transfixed. It was like a divinely inspired picture–-a fairy tale castle. As the coach rolled by, she hardly dared take her eyes off it for fear that when she looked again it would have disappeared in a mist or a cloud.

When she got to Southfield, she must remember to ask who owned that beautiful castle.

* * *

“Aunt Pernelia?”

Carrying her portmanteau, Lucinda cautiously stepped into her aunt’s bed chamber. Although it was still daylight, heavy drapes were drawn across the windows. The room was so dark she could barely make out a big, four-poster bed and a small figure reclining therein. “I’m here, Aunt,” she called, “your niece, Lucinda.”

“Lucinda?” came a surprised voice from the bed. “I was expecting Henrietta.”

“Well, you have me instead, Aunt.” Lucinda approached the bed. “May we have some light?”

With a listless sigh, her aunt replied, “I like the dark.” She crooked a finger. “Come closer, I can’t see you.”

“You could see me better if I pulled the drapes back.”

“Oh, very well, pull them.”

After Lucinda had opened the drapes to rays of cheerful sunshine, she seated herself by Pernelia’s bed. “That’s much better,” she said, smiling down at the small, white-haired woman who gazed up at her.

“What happened to Henrietta?” asked Aunt Pernelia. “She’s the one I asked for.”

“She couldn’t come.”

“So you’re taking her place?” Lucinda nodded. Aunt went on with a sigh, “Actually, I’m surprised he sent anyone at all.” She looked up at Lucinda with child-like eyes. “He was reluctant, wasn’t he?”

She would have to be honest. “If you want the truth, Papa didn’t want either one of us to come. I talked him into sending me.” She smiled brightly. “I hope you don’t mind that Henrietta couldn’t come. You do have me, Aunt. All I ask is that you give me a chance and I shall be the very best companion I can be.” She opened her portmanteau and pulled out half a dozen watercolors of birds. “I thought you might like these. I painted them myself.” She held the first few up for her aunt’s inspection. “Here’s a robin, and this is a red kite, and here are a pair of curlew.”

Aunt Pernelia sat up, plumped up her pillows, and took the pictures, examining them carefully. For the first time, she smiled. “These are very good. You must do a lot of bird watching.” When Lucinda nodded, she continued, “Of course, you would. Come to think of it, your father always had a keen interest in birds.”

“We’ve bird-watched together many a time.”

“Lovely.” By now, the frown had eased away from Pernelia’s forehead. Her old eyes, which once must have been bright blue, were friendly and warm, although a bit vague. “Did you have a nice journey? Have you met the family? Did the butler show you to your bed chamber? I trust you find it to your liking.”

Lucinda laughed. “Yes to the first question, no to the second, yes to the third. My bed chamber is lovely.” She felt no need to add how stunned with delight she’d been when the butler showed her to a beautifully furnished room twice the size of the one she had at home.

Pernelia eyed her carefully. “So you haven’t met any of the family yet?”

“Only you.”

“Good.” The frown returned briefly. “This gives me a chance to warn you, this is a strange household.”

“In what way?” Lucinda, always direct, inquired.

“Best you find out for yourself. Suffice to say, the atmosphere at Southfield is a far cry from your own home. You won’t like it. You will no doubt want to return home on the next coach.”

Lucinda laughed. “I doubt it. From what I’ve seen of Southfield, it seems a most beautiful, most comfortable estate.”

“It’s not the house that’s deplorable,” Pernelia answered bluntly, “it’s certain of the people who dwell within.”

“Why don’t you just tell me what my duties will be?” Lucinda asked, making an effort to get on to a brighter subject. “How can I amuse you? I must warn you, I’m not very good at cards, mainly because I’m not fond of playing, but anything else I can handle with ease. As for the people who dwell here...” Lucinda raised her chin confidently “...I have been around people all my life, both friends and family. I’m sure there’s nothing I can’t handle.”

Her aunt awarded her a skeptical look of disbelief, but said no more on the subject. “Just as I wrote to your father
—you will be my companion. You will read to me, accompany me if I decide to go visiting, upon occasion, take your meals with me here in my rooms, although not tonight. We shall dine downstairs tonight.” With a smile that held a touch of the devil, she continued, “I want you to meet the family.”

“I do believe I can manage all that,” Lucinda said reassuringly.

Pernelia looked thoughtful. “I can’t understand why Henrietta didn’t come. And why you? As I recall, you’re the second eldest, are you not? Then for pity’s sake, why are you not married?”

Lucinda carefully explained the circumstances, emphasizing how Henrietta certainly would have come had she not fallen in love with Lord Carlton and wanted to marry him. She tried to avoid the delicate matter of the dowry, but Pernelia remarked in her direct way, “You gave up your half of the dowry to your sister, did you not?”

“Something like that, yes.”

A sympathetic look of understanding crept over Pernelia’s face. “And then volunteered to come to Southfield, despite your father’s objections.”

Lucinda nodded. “I must admit, Papa had some reservations, but I look at it as...well, almost like an adventure.”

“And a way to test your mettle.” Pernelia gazed at Lucinda admiringly. “I see strength in you, my dear, which, believe me, you’re going to need in this cheerless place.”

“Cheerless?” Lucinda frowned in surprise. “Southfield doesn’t appear cheerless to me at all.”

Pernelia sighed. “That’s because you haven’t met the family.” She smiled at her niece. “It’s lovely to have you here. I can see already we shall get along famously.” With a chortle, she went on, “My poor brother-in-law! Seven girls to marry off and not one son. Does he have any hair left?”

“Some. I have a letter from him to you.” Lucinda reached into her portmanteau. “I’ll read it to you if you like.”

When Aunt nodded, she began,

My Dear sister-in-law,

By now I am sure Lucinda has explained the reason why she, instead of Henrietta, came to Southfield. You will find Lucinda to be pleasant, considerate, and loyal. I trust you will find her as suitable as Henrietta. I know she will please you and hope that since she is still unmarried, you will, as promised for Henrietta, facilitate her social life in York.

With the warmest of regards, Arthur Linley

Lucinda dropped the letter into her lap. “I just want to say one thing about that dowry you promised to provide Henrietta after a year. For me, I can assure you that won’t be necessary. At this point in my life, I really don’t care one whit whether I ever marry, so don’t feel obligated.”

Smoothly, as if she were not the least surprised, Pernelia answered, “Of course, my dear, whatever you want. I am able to get out of bed now, and walk with a bit of assistance.” She slowly swung her feet to the floor, reached for her cane, and stood. She was taller than Lucinda had thought, and despite the injury to her hip, had a proud, straight carriage. “Come along. It’s time you got settled in your new rooms. Dinner is at eight o’clock. Promptly,” Aunt added with special emphasis. “Edgerton is not kind to those who are late. Best take care when you dress, or—” She had appeared to be about to issue further warnings but changed her mind. “I’ll send you Celeste, Alethea’s lady’s maid. I trust you brought a dinner gown. Edgerton insists upon great formality.”

“Don’t worry, Aunt. I shall dress appropriately.” Feelings of apprehension shot through her. Lucinda most definitely liked Aunt Pernelia, and that was good. Still, all things considered, a nagging worry hung over her.

She wasn’t sure how sincere she was when she said to her aunt, “I look forward to meeting the family.”

* * *

She would be gracious, cheerful, and charming, no matter what, Lucinda thought as she got ready for dinner. Heeding her aunt’s warning, aided by Celeste, she dressed with meticulous care. Thank heaven she had brought several lovely dinner gowns. After much consideration, she settled upon the pale blue, long-sleeved chemise with the low neckline and chose her favorite fan with leaves of mother-of-pearl. Celeste dressed her hair in ringlets atop her head, adorned with a blue satin bandeau trimmed with flowers. Lucinda felt confident she looked her best as she swept down the staircase and into the formal drawing room where, she discovered, the family had proceeded her.

Aunt Pernelia, dressed in a gown of lovely violet lace, was sitting on a settee, her cane beside her. “Ah, there you are!” she called. She looked toward a man dressed in black who sat, ramrod straight, beside her. “Edgerton, this is your cousin, Lucinda Linley.” To Lucinda, she said, “I want you to meet my son, Edgerton Linley.”

Taking his time, Edgerton stood to greet her. He was impeccably dressed, she noted, his jacket and breeches cut from the finest cloth, his cravat perfectly tied. He was of medium height and rather on the thin side. He had close-set eyes, a long, sharp nose, and an exceptionally small, rather prissy mouth which turned slightly down. His brown hair was cut short and hung uncompromisingly straight, in no particular style. He neither smiled nor frowned, giving no indication of his inner thoughts, until...

She looked into
the coldest pair of eyes she had ever seen in her life.

He doesn’t like me. He doesn’t want me here.
Repulsed but maintaining her smile, Lucinda extended her hand and dipped a curtsey. “I am delighted to meet you, Cousin Edgerton.”

Edgerton took her hand and shook it with all the enthusiasm of a dead flounder. “Cousin Lucinda,” he murmured back in a marble-cold voice. He flashed an inquisitive glance at his mother. “I trust she has been acquainted with the rules of the house?”