Most Rebellious Debutante (13 page)

He knew that when he had set himself on this course of just retribution, he hadn’t really cared if his own life was forfeited, but he felt differently now. When his spirit flagged or his progress seemed to be non-existent, it was a certain pretty face that came into his mind and urged him to persist with it.

He wasn’t sure when his feelings towards her had changed from irritation at her presence to sensing a loss when she was absent. In the cold dark hours of night, when aches and pain racked him, he despaired that his war-torn body would ever be anything other than a deterrent to any young lady wanting to pursue a closer relationship with him, but, in the clear light of day, when he experienced minor steps forward in his progress towards physical fitness, he exulted in the memories of Miss Templeton’s gentle concern and total lack of any sign of abhorrence at his bodily weakness and facial disfigurement. Could he dare hope that she might learn to have some—? His thoughts jerked to a standstill – he dare not hope for love, but maybe, if he were allowed to court her, some feelings of tenderness might develop towards him?

But, first, he must become fit enough to face his cousin, if not on quite equal terms, at the very least, on terms that allowed him a chance of victory. Conrad deserved nothing less.

By the time the leaves were falling from the trees in late October, Theo knew he was gaining ground. His muscles were strengthening, his endurance increasing and the
intermittent pain in his back almost negligible. He
practised
swordplay but knew his impaired mobility would forever disadvantage him in that sphere and determined, instead, to use pistols in his avenging of Conrad’s death. This time,
he
would call the tune, not Piers! He would choose the time, the place and the means, allowing Piers the dignity of a face-to-face confrontation, not a cowardly shot in the back followed by a kick in the face when he was down!

As the time for retribution drew nearer, knowing that his cousin would never attempt to face him on his own, but would shield himself behind a number of paid assassins, Theo instructed Boulton and Dodds to carefully recruit more like-minded men from the village, trusting their
judgment
about who would remain loyal under fire.

At last he was ready. He had regained his physical strength; he had his plan of action and the men to support him, and the advantage of intimate knowledge of the lie of the land. All he needed to do was choose the date and time and then dangle the bait before his cousin.

A few weeks later, in late November, the Countess of Montcliffe was sitting in front of her dressing-table under the administering hand of her maid, when there was a discreet tap at her door.

Lady Montcliffe’s eyes met with her maid’s and a slight indication of assent sent her maid to open it.

‘A letter for m’lady,’ Dutton, the butler, murmured quietly.

Lady Montcliffe’s heart leaped, though whether in joy or terror, she wasn’t sure. All she knew was, for Dutton to have
brought the letter up to her door himself, it must be of some importance – and the whole household knew the sole cause of the state of anxiety their mistress was in! It
must
contain news of Theo! But was it good news or bad? Her face was pale and her hand trembled as she reached out to take the franked folded paper from the silver tray her maid was now holding towards her.

Although she felt, deep within her heart, that her remaining son was still alive, there were moments when she feared otherwise. Surely, he would have
communicated
with her before now if he were able to do so? He must know that she was almost driven out of her mind with worry about him. She only had to glance into a mirror to see what effect his long absence had had upon her. Only her maid’s skill with powder and paint had enabled her to face Society’s enquiring gaze with a modicum of self-assurance, and to cope with her odious nephew’s persistent and insincere enquiries as to whether or not his dear cousin had at last been in touch with her. He was even getting credit to fund his opulent lifestyle on the expectations of his imminent inheritance, if the
circulating
on-dits
were to be believed.

Lady Montcliffe’s lifelong training in well-bred
deportment
made her involuntarily straighten her shoulders and, although she almost feared to take the letter, she did so unaware that she was holding her breath, and forced herself to read its handwritten direction. Her left hand flew to her breast and her heart leaped with joy as she
recognized
the hand that had scribed it. It was from her dear Theo! At last!

Oh, she had known that if he were still alive, he would
eventually get in touch with her, and now he had! He had contacted her at last. Her face glowed with happiness. Oh, where was the dear boy? How was he faring?

She slipped her finger under the seal and eagerly began to read. The first words were,
Dear Mama, if anyone is with you when you receive this letter, delay reading it until you are on your own.

The countess immediately dismissed her maid, asking her to inform the servants not to disturb her under any circumstances until she rang for them. She was definitely not at home to visitors.

She eagerly resumed her reading. Theo didn’t go into many details of what he had been doing since he left her shortly after his discharge from the military hospital, except to say that he had been adequately cared for and was now much stronger and was looking towards reopening Montcliffe Hall for Christmas.

In Lady Montcliffe’s heart joy at her son’s recovery and her imminent reunion with him warred with anxiety over his immediate safety.

‘Oh, Theo, what are you planning to do? How can I
not
worry? Do be careful!’ she whispered aloud.

A
T THE
END
of the first week of December an air of excitement began to circulate in the village. A number of them, all former servants of the Montcliffes, had been recruited to give the Hall a thorough cleaning and an army of outdoor labourers began to tidy the grounds under the orders of Thornley, the previous head gardener.

It was Peggy, the upstairs maid who had brought a jug of hot water to Lucy’s room for her morning wash, who
excitedly
told Lucy that her mam and da were well pleased.

‘Da’s had to get work wherever he could since her
ladyship
left,’ she confided to Lucy, ‘but now he’s hoping to get taken on full-time again. It’ll make heaps of difference.’

‘Is it known who is returning to the Hall?’ Lucy asked carefully. ‘Is it just her ladyship? Or is Theo … er … Lord Rockhaven coming as well?’

‘I dunno, miss. I ’spect we’ll find out soon enough. Oh, isn’t it loverly, though? It’s said her ladyship will be back before Christmas.’

Lucy agreed. She was sure Marissa would allow her to visit Lady Montcliffe if she were still here when her
ladyship
was back in residence and, hopefully, she would then discover what Lord Rockhaven’s plans were.

Knowing that gossip was likely to be rife in the village, she offered to take some provisions to the villagers that afternoon whilst the children played under their mama’s watchful eye. She ended her round with Mrs Boulton. That good lady drew her inside her cottage with an air of suppressed excitement.

‘I shouldn’t be saying this, miss, but I knows you are as loyal to the family as we who has known them all our lives, but my Georgie has let me know that he will be home any day now! By the end of next week at the latest. Ain’t that wonderful, miss? He’ll be with us afore Christmas!’

Lucy’s heart leaped with anticipation. ‘Indeed, it is wonderful! Does that mean Lord Rockhaven is coming home also?’

Mrs Boulton touched the side of her nose knowingly. ‘Georgie didn’t say, but I know my Georgie well enough to know he wouldn’t be coming back wi’out him.’

‘Let me know if you get to hear anything definite, won’t you, Mrs Boulton,
especially
if anything is seen or heard of that man who came here before?’ She was sure Theo’s cousin would not have given up his plan to become the next Earl of Montcliffe, but, if she was able to do anything about it, he wouldn’t succeed.

The following Friday morning, Lucy awoke with a sense of excitement. Marissa was taking Bertie and Arabella to a pre-Christmas party at the home of some neighbouring gentry and Lucy was not included.

‘You know I would love to take you along, Lucy,’ Marissa had apologized on receiving the invitation the previous week, ‘but Mama insisted that you must not be allowed to
attend any social functions until she says so and it won’t be long now until she and Papa come to stay for Christmas. I am sure she will relent when she hears how good you have been. You aren’t too disappointed, are you, dear? I know Arabella especially will miss you.’

The imp of mischief that invariably sat on Lucy’s left shoulder made her grin impudently. ‘We needn’t actually
mention
it to Mama, need we?’ she suggested slyly, thinking of all the other undeclared violations of her mama’s orders that had occurred during her time of ‘exile from home and society’.

‘Lucy! How can you say so?’ Marissa exclaimed, her expression as shocked as her tone.

‘Did you
never
disobey Mama?’ Lucy asked curiously, then answered her own question. ‘No, I don’t think you did. Did you never even
want
to do so?’

Marissa seemed genuinely puzzled by the question. ‘Of course not. Mama and Papa always know what is best, besides, you did enough rebelling for the two of us.’ Her expression softened. ‘Oh, Lucy, I used to be in such a quake over you and often cried myself to sleep after you had been punished, but you never seemed to mind your punishments and you always bounced back straight afterwards.’ She reached out a hand and touched Lucy’s arm. ‘But, Lucy, you will heed Mama from now on, won’t you? You’ve managed to be good all the weeks you’ve been here and it wasn’t so very hard, was it?’

Lucy was so touched by her sister’s obvious concern that it was almost on her tongue to confess her misdeeds. Only her sworn promise to say nothing to anyone about Lord Rockhaven’s recent sojourn in the area constrained her. ‘I’ll
do my best,’ she promised honestly, ‘but I can never be as compliant as you, dear Marissa. As to whether I am
disappointed
not to be included in the party invitation, I am a little, but I know what Mama said and I am quite happy not to be included. Don’t upset yourself about it. I know Cook is making up some charity baskets with special Christmas treats in them for the villagers, so I will make good use of the time and distribute some of those.’ And, hopefully, get to hear the latest news that might have reached the faithful villagers regarding Lord Rockhaven, if neither he nor lady Montcliffe has returned by then, she added in her heart.

She had been on tenterhooks throughout the week, but no one in the village seemed to know anything more
definite
other than one of the Montcliffes was expected to be back in residence before the end of the week.

Now the last day had arrived, she bounded out of bed, swiftly dressed and hurried downstairs to breakfast with her sister. Since their parents were due to arrive the following day, the house was filled with a hum of activity and Marissa was already presiding over the informal breakfast table, determined to personally oversee the maids as they performed their routine cleaning tasks with extra diligence – a decision that wasn’t altogether approved of by Mrs Hardy, her housekeeper.

Lucy greeted her with a sisterly peck on her cheek and helped herself from the array of foods kept under covers on the sideboard … some tea, two poached eggs and a slice of grilled ham. Fresh baked rolls of bread were in a shallow wicker basket on the table with lovely cool curls of butter on a silver platter.

‘The coffee is quite fresh,’ Marissa commented, as Lucy
sat down opposite her. She picked up a folded note from a plate which a footman had placed at her side and broke the seal of the hand-delivered note. ‘Oh, that’s a nuisance!’ she declared petulantly. ‘The Misses Treddam have finished the new carriage dress I am giving you as your gift for Christmas, but both have severe colds and cannot bring it here for your final fitting. I did want it to be ready for when Mama and Papa come tomorrow, for your other one is a perfect disgrace and I cannot for shame allow them to see you so shabbily dressed. I really don’t know how you have got it in such a state, Lucy. It looks as though you have romped in the woods in it!’

Marissa wasn’t far wrong, Lucy reflected … but knew it wouldn’t be circumspect to say so. She composed her features into as innocent an expression as she could. ‘We could go
there
, couldn’t we? I haven’t been into town whilst I’ve been here this time and it would give me the chance to purchase a few Christmas gifts for the children, wouldn’t it?’

‘That’s not possible! It would need to be done today in case it needs some alteration. You surely haven’t forgotten that I am committed to taking the children to visit the Darlingtons this afternoon and they live in quite the
opposite
direction! Bother!’

She tapped her fingers impatiently on the table, as she ran through her plans for the day. ‘I suppose you could go by yourself,’ she murmured hesitantly. ‘I can’t let you have the town coach, though, since Taylor is conveying me and the three children and Nurse Harvey in that. You’ll have to use the barouche. With its hood up and warm rugs to cover your knees, it will suffice. And you can have Higgins in attendance,
Taylor says he is doing well under his tutelage, and Nora could go as your abigail. She is eager to learn the duties such a position entails – and her parents live in town, so she could pay them a visit whilst you are having your fitting. Yes, I’m sure Mama would find no fault in such an arrangement. It is hardly a social call, after all, is it? … Oh, dear!’

Another complication had occurred to her and an
expression
of consternation puckered her face. ‘I cannot allow the Misses Tredham to see you in your tattered carriage gown. I know, you must wear my second-best one. I find it tight around my waist at the moment but, apart from that, thankfully, we are much of a size. There! The problem is solved, Lucy.’

Lucy’s initial reaction was of disappointment that she wouldn’t be able to make use of her free afternoon to visit Mrs Boulton in order to learn the up-to-date news of Lord Rockhaven, as, surely, he and Lady Montcliffe must be coming any day now, but she swiftly saw that the expedition to town needn’t disallow a visit to the village on her way home so she eagerly fell in with Marissa’s suggestion.

As soon as lunch was over, Lucy left Bertie and Arabella in the care of an undermaid and she hastened to her room to change into Marissa’s carriage gown. It was a deep russet brown, a colour that suited Marissa more then herself. She posed in front of the cheval-glass, turning from side to side, reflecting that, although it was slightly loose around her waist, the style suited her slender figure. It had a matching bonnet with a feather that curled around the brim and perched quite cheekily on top of her head. With matching gloves and a small reticule dangling from her wrist, she felt pleased to be dressed once more as a member of the
haute ton.

‘My trouble is I want the best of both worlds,’ she spoke to herself, thinking how she also enjoyed romping through the wood in her oldest clothes and, with a last approving glance at her image, she went downstairs, where Nora, one of the junior maids, awaited her.

Their groom, Higgins, had the barouche ready waiting for them at the front steps. He had only recently been promoted from more lowly stable duties and, resplendent in his new uniform, was pleased to be have been chosen to drive the mistress’s young sister into town. The stable lads were more aware of Miss Templeton’s irregular escapades than his master and mistress were and they regarded her with a mixture of reluctant disapproval that a young lady of her class should so freely flout the laws of convention and admiration that she readily did so! They also knew of her frequent trips to the village during the mistress’s weeks of absence and recognized her genuine concern for the welfare of the struggling village families.

Consequently, when Miss Templeton, looking as pretty as a picture, lightly tripped down the front steps in the wake of a junior footman, followed by Nora, a maid for whom he felt quite a fancy, his breast swelled with pride. He managed to maintain his polite impassive pose until Miss Templeton was seated within the barouche, but risked tipping Nora a cheeky wink as she scrambled up the step behind her and was rewarded by a pretty blush and a toss of the maid’s head, an air of
hauteur
that was lessened by a gratifying sparkle in Nora’s eyes.

The footman folded up the step and slapped his hand against the carriage, the command to depart. They were off!

Under normal circumstances, it would have been an uneventful drive, but to Lucy, it was her first proper outing since her arrival five months ago and she felt greatly
liberated
. Nora, intent on showing that she deserved her chance of promotion, knew better than to take liberties with Miss Templeton’s easy manner, but, nonetheless, quickly relaxed and responded readily to questions about herself and her family and her hopes of promotion, and a comfortable camaraderie was soon established between the congenial pair.

In answer to a question regarding her family, Nora confided, ‘Me mam and da run The Red Fox, a tavern in the middle of town, miss. I used to help out there, but when I got the chance to work for Mrs Cunningham, me mam decided I must take it. Our Dottie and Edna do my work now. I can’t wait to see what they think of my smart uniform! Did Mrs Cunningham tell you I’m allowed to visit them while you’re getting your dress fitted?’

‘Indeed she did, Nora. I don’t know the exact layout of the town. Will it be practical if I am first taken to the Misses Tredham’s establishment and then you can direct Higgins to your parents’ tavern?’

‘It’s only across the road and down a bit, miss,’ Nora agreed with a giggle. ‘He can’t miss it. How will I know when you’re ready for me to come back to you, miss? Mrs Cunningham said I’ve to look after you at all times.’

‘The Misses Tredham will send a message to let you know,’ Lucy assured her, smiling at the girl’s eagerness to do everything properly. ‘And then, you’ll be able to show me where I can buy some suitable Christmas gifts, won’t you?’

‘And can I tell me mam that you’ll pop in to say hello to her?’ Nora asked ingenuously. ‘She’ll be ever so pleased to
see what a fine lady I’m working for … and Dottie and Edna’ll be green with envy!’

Lucy laughed. ‘Yes, I’ll “pop in” to say hello. Now, it seems we have arrived. Higgins will come round to lower the step. He will hand me out first and then you may follow. Come inside with me so that all proprieties are kept and then come back to the carriage. Higgins will wait for you, and then you can pretend that it’s
your
carriage and draw up at your parents’ tavern like a grand lady.’

‘Ooh, miss! I’ll send Higgins inside to fetch them out. I bet their eyes will pop right out!’ Nora’s face glowed with
merriment
and both were still chuckling at the thought when Higgins opened the carriage door and lowered the step and assisted Lucy to descend gracefully on to the narrow paved footpath.

She stood still and looked around, making a sigh of contentment. She was enjoying this afternoon of freedom. But she must remember not to delay too long in town: there was the other important matter to attend to.

The two spinster sisters welcomed her into their
provincial
parlour. Sniffing delicately into their handkerchiefs, they fussed and twittered and directed their underlings in the fitting of Miss Templeton’s carriage dress and showered extravagant compliments upon her, but they were talented at their jobs and Lucy felt delightfully elegant in the royal blue carriage dress that they had made for her. It fitted her to perfection. With a matching bonnet perched over her curls, a fur-trimmed muff to warm her hands and a pretty reticule dangling from her wrist, she twirled and posed in front of the many angled mirrors that showed every aspect of her trim form.