A Change of Fortune (23 page)

He looked at her again. “Yes, I know that you will.” He went to the door. “By the way….”

“Yes?”

“I haven’t forgotten my promise to you concerning your father. I’ve been in touch with Harry Fitzjohn at India House, and I’ll be dining with him soon.”

“Thank you, Sir Guy.”

He nodded and then left.

She remained in the visitors’ room, going slowly to the window to stare out over the snow-covered garden, where large, heavy flakes were still falling from the dark yellow-gray clouds above. She watched them curling and dancing through the frozen air, but she didn’t really see them; she was thinking only of Guy de Lacey.

“I love you,” she whispered. “I love you with all my heart, but I will do my utmost to make things happy for you when you marry Imogen….”

Nadia had gone when at last Leonie went up to see Stella again. The girl was still tired and shaken after the accident, and still upset about arguing with Guy again, but she seemed in slightly better spirits, due, so it appeared, to Nadia Benckendorff’s kindness and understanding! Leonie was perturbed at how the girl sang Nadia’s praises, for kindness and understanding were alien to the Russian’s character, and so the concerned and friendly visit was very suspicious indeed. Leonie was careful not to say anything critical of Nadia, however, for Stella seemed very warmly disposed toward her new “friend” and wasn’t inclined to listen to anything even remotely denigratory about her. It was as if she was determined to turn to Nadia no matter what, and Leonie was dismayed to suspect that it was because she knew how much Guy disliked her. The latest quarrel between uncle and niece was evidently a little more serious than Guy realized, for Stella seemed more hurt, and therefore more intractable, than before. It all made for a great deal of difficulty, and made Leonie’s promise to him all the more impossible to carry out for the time being.

* * *

It was Thursday before the snow at last stopped completely and the sun shone down from the early-February sky. The snow had been cleared from the streets, but the ice remained, making everything smooth and glassy and very, very dangerous. Word spread that the frost fair was now a flourishing concern of at least thirty booths. There were swing boats, a skittle alley, coconut shies, Punch and Judy shows, several wheels of fortune, and many other diversions, including even a printing press. The atrocious weather hadn’t kept the people away, and already several thousand were said to have visited it.

At the seminary the pupils talked of little else, until Miss Hart let it be known that she disapproved and that on no account would anyone be permitted to go there. She told them that if she heard one more word on the matter, she’d write letters of complaint to the families of those concerned.

* * *

After breakfast, just before going to take her first class, Leonie went up to see Stella again, but she had barely sat down on the edge of the bed when Katy came hurrying to the door in great excitement. “Miss Leonie, I think you’d better come. Some more roses have been delivered for you.”

Stella looked up curiously. “More? Have there been others, then?”

“Yes—” began the maid, but Leonie interrupted quickly.

“Oh, they weren’t anything important,” she said, looking warningly at Katy, because she didn’t want Rupert’s name mentioned, not now that Stella had begun to hold Nadia in such high regard.

Stella was puzzled. “But why didn’t you tell me about them, Leonie?”

“I didn’t think they were important. Besides, it’s only someone playing tricks on me.”

“Expensive tricks,” said Katy, “for he’s sent twelve baskets this time.”

Leonie stared at her. “
Twelve?”

“Yes, all exactly the same as Sunday’s. They must have cost him a small fortune. Anyway, I just don’t know where to put them all, and that’s why I think you should come down and see them. They’re causing ever such a stir in the vestibule, and Miss Hart’s furious about it.”

“I’ll come straightaway,” said Leonie, leaning over to kiss Stella on the forehead. “I’ll come back and see you later.”

The girl smiled and nodded. “All right. And, Leonie…?”

“Yes?”

“
I’d
like some roses in here, if you don’t want them.”

“You shall have a whole basket to yourself.”

As Leonie went down the stairs, she saw that there were indeed twelve baskets. She reflected that Rupert Allingham, Duke of Thornbury, must have taken leave of his senses. Fortunately there was no one in the vestibule now—Miss Hart had driven them all away to their various classes—and so Leonie was able to inspect the card in the nearest basket without anyone watching. “Leonie, my adored one. I worship you with all my heart. R.” Her lips parted on an angry gasp, and she picked up the next card, only to find its message equally as intimate and offensive. “My darling Leonie, please say you will soon be mine. R.”

She went to all the other baskets, removing the cards and tossing them unread into the fire. “How
dare
he write such things to me and then send them in so public a way!”

“But suppose he means what he’s written?” asked Katy, who had heard one of the pupils reading the cards out earlier.

“He doesn’t, he’s merely trying to seduce me, and he’s so sure of himself that he thinks this will help him achieve what he wants. He’s very much mistaken, for I despise him as much as ever.”

Katy glanced at the roses. “Whatever will we do with them all?”

“Put them wherever you like, Katy, but be sure to take a basket to Stella, won’t you?”

The maid nodded. “Miss Leonie….”

“Yes?”

“She’s bound to find out about them coming from the duke, you know.”

“Maybe she won’t. I don’t want to tell her just yet, not now that Nadia Benckendorff has charmed her so.”

“There’s a carriage outside,” said Katy, hurrying to the window by the door. She turned quickly back. “It’s him! It’s the Duke of Thornbury, and he’s coming to the door!”

Leonie was startled, but quickly composed herself to face him. “Open the door, Katy, but be sure to remain here with me. I don’t want to be alone with him.”

“Yes, Miss Leonie.” The maid opened the door just as Rupert had raised his cane to strike upon it. He was momentarily surprised, but then he saw Leonie and smiled. He stepped inside, removing his top hat. He wore the gray Polish greatcoat he had had on the first time she had seen him in the park.

He came toward her. “Good morning, Miss Conyngham. I confess I did not expect to be greeted in person.” He made as if to take her hand.

She moved coldly away. “I merely happened to be here, sirrah, so pray do not read anything more into my presence than there is.”

He glanced at Katy and then back at Leonie. “May we not speak alone?”

“No, sir, we may not. I have very unpleasant memories of the last time I was unfortunate enough to be alone with you.”

“If I offended you then—”

“Offended me? Sir, I found you as repellent then as I find you now. I wish you would leave me alone, and I certainly wish you would stop sending me flowers, which, incidentally, I have given away. I don’t like you, your roses, or the improper sentiments you’ve seen fit to write on the cards accompanying them.”

“Improper sentiments? Leonie, I meant every word I wrote.”

“I gave you no leave to address me so familiarly,” she replied. “And I don’t believe anything you say.”

“But I’m serious about this,” he said, pausing then to glance again at Katy, who could hear every word he said. “Leonie, I don’t care if you don’t like me addressing you in this way, but I think of you by your first name and to me that is how I should speak to you. I
do
mean what I’m saying to you now, but I know that in the past I’ve both offended and angered you.”

He spoke quietly and looked so earnestly into her eyes that she could almost have believed him, had she not known better! She laughed a little incredulously. “Sir, you’ve missed your vocation, you should be vying with Mr. Kean on the stage.”

“Damn you for that!” he cried suddenly, as if she’d touched him upon a nerve. “I
love
you, can’t you understand? I love you and I want more than anything in the world that you should believe me.”

She stared at him, astonished at the vehemence with which he spoke. Then, before she knew what was happening, he suddenly pulled her into his arms, kissing her passionately on the lips. He released her again almost immediately, but his eyes were dark and he seemed almost overcome with emotion. “I love you, Leonie,” he said, his voice husky. “I love you, and you
must
believe me!” Then he turned on his heel and left.

The suddenness of the kiss had startled her, but as the door closed behind him, she turned quickly to Katy, her eyes flashing with fury. “How dare he! There wasn’t one word of truth in anything he said, and then he had the face to actually kiss me!”

The maid lowered her eyes. “But, Miss Leonie, I believed him. I really think he does love you.”

Leonie stared at her in astonishment.

* * *

Shortly afterward, when Leonie had at last commenced her first lesson of the day, Imogen came alone to the seminary. She wore a cream lawn gown under a fur-trimmed lilac pelisse, and her red hair was dressed up beneath a stylish beaver hat. She looked both beautiful and imperious as she instructed Joseph to conduct her to Stella’s room. He did as he was told, for there was something in her manner which did not invite anything but immediate obedience.

She entered Stella’s room unannounced, closing the door firmly on Joseph, who lingered nervously outside, wondering if he had done the right thing.

Stella sat up slowly in the bed, her face going pale. “Why have you come here?” she whispered.

“I think it’s time you and I had a little talk, don’t you?” replied Imogen smoothly, going to the window and gazing out over the snowy park. A basket of red roses stood on the table beside her, and her blue eyes flickered coldly toward them for a moment.

“Please go,” said Stella.

“Not before I’ve told you your uncle’s final decision concerning your future,” said Imogen, turning to face her. “You aren’t going to like this in the slightest, but there isn’t a single thing you can do about it….”

* * *

Leonie’s English grammar lesson was almost at an end when Joseph suddenly burst agitatedly into the classroom. “Miz Leonie! Please come quickly, it’s Miz de Lacey, she’s screaming and crying, and Katy can’t do anything with her!”

Leonie rose slowly to her feet, staring at him in dismay. “But whatever has happened?”

“Lady Imogen came to see her and when she left Miz de Lacey began to scream and scream! Miz Hart said I was to bring you straightaway!”

Leonie gathered her skirts and ran from the room, leaving a buzz of interest among her pupils. She heard Stella’s hysterical sobs long before she reached the bedroom. The disturbance had attracted a great deal of attention and a group of pupils had gathered at the door, peering curiously inside. Leonie pushed her way through them and saw Stella lying facedown on the bed, sobbing as if her heart was breaking. Katy was attempting to calm her down, while Miss Hart stood nearby, looking tight-lipped and angry.

Seeing Leonie, the headmistress advanced to her. “So you are here at last, missy,” she said icily. “I suppose one must be thankful that you do eventually attend to your duties, however belatedly. Well, since Sir Guy has seen fit to place you in charge of his niece, I believe it is now up to you to bring her under some semblance of control. I trust I do not need to remind you that the last thing I wish to do is send for Sir Guy, since that would reflect poorly upon the seminary. Am I quite clear?”

“Yes, Miss Hart.” Oh yes, it’s perfectly clear, for you still wish to please Imogen, and it wouldn’t please her at all if Guy could no longer bear his niece’s unhappiness and thought it best to take her home after all!

The headmistress turned coldly to Katy. “Briggs, you may leave Miss de Lacey now, you have other duties to attend to.”

Miss Hart then dismissed the group of onlookers and swept out. Katy followed her, closing the door softly behind her.

Stella seemed completely unaware of anything that was going on around her. She wept distractedly, as if her little heart was bursting with utter despair. Leonie hurried to her, sitting on the edge of the bed and gently putting a hand on her heaving shoulder. “Stella? It’s Leonie. Won’t you tell me what’s wrong?”

“Go away! Leave me alone!” The girl’s voice was choked with sobs.

“I can’t leave you like this.”

“I don’t want to speak to anyone! I wish I were dead!” Stella could barely speak, she was so overcome, and her words were muffled because she had hidden her face in the pillow.

“Stella, you must tell me, for if you do not, then I will have no option but to send for Sir Guy.” And to the devil with Miss Hart and the seminary’s precious reputation!

The effect of this on the girl was electrifying. The sobs caught on a gasp and she was suddenly very still. “No. Please, don’t do that!” she implored, sitting up suddenly and turning her tearstained face toward Leonie. “Don’t go to him, I beg you! You mustn’t, Leonie, you mustn’t!” She caught Leonie’s hand tightly, her eyes pleading.

“Then tell me what’s wrong.”

“No!”

“You leave me no choice but to send for him, Stella. He has to be told that you’re in such a dreadful state.”

“He won’t care! I don’t want him to know! I hate him!”

Leonie stared at her. “Oh, Stella,” she whispered, “you surely don’t mean that.”

“I do!” The girl was trembling again and fresh tears sprang into her eyes.

Leonie put her hand over the other’s. “Imogen was here, wasn’t she? What did she say to upset you so?” Stella didn’t reply, but Leonie felt how she stiffened. “Stella, was it something Imogen said?” she asked again.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” whispered the girl. “I don’t ever want to talk about it, not even to you. I hate her, and now I hate him too!” She took her hand away then, taking a deep, steadying breath to ward off the tears which were still threatening to engulf her at any moment. “There,” she said almost defiantly, “I’m all right now, you don’t need to send for him now, do you? Promise me that you won’t, Leonie.”