Untitled

by Wendy Bayne

  The Clarkes on the other hand may have money but they possessed little taste. Mrs Clarke’s choice of a vile puce gown made her complexion look sallow and unhealthy. Her daughter Charity was in a beautiful pink dress that was far too pale washing out her already pale complexion. Plus, it was very girlish and didn’t suit her older, more serious countenance. I wondered how Miss Clarke had kept her complexion so pale while living for so many years in Jamaica. Ramsey on the other hand was the epitome of a fashionably dressed young man if a bit over the top for my taste, the only things out of place on him were bleached blond curls and his deeply bronzed skin.

  Conversation started out about the weather then moved onto gossip as is customary. I likened this conversation to feeling out your enemy while searching for their weaknesses. Miss Clarke spent a great deal of time looking about the room as if taking an inventory. It was very comical the way her eyes lit up whenever she spied something valuable. Still there was an air of sadness that seemed to cling to her.

  Finally, Mrs Clarke who was rather gauche in appearance and manner broached the subject we had been waiting for. “Mrs Turner, I understand from my son that you have just lately come from the country. I do hope that it wasn’t your health that was keeping you away.”

  Mother smiled graciously. “On the contrary, Mrs Clarke, I have always enjoyed exceptional health. It was the nature of my husband’s business that kept me away, he travelled a great deal and I didn’t want to raise our daughter in London, so I chose to remain in the country.” I thought Mrs Clarke would choke on her tea. Miss Clarke looked startled while Ramsey just smiled and tried not to chuckle.

  As if it had been perfectly timed, my father came in. The grand entrance could not have been better planned and I swear he’d done everything he could to make the most of his exceptional good looks from his doeskin beeches to his dark blue cut away coat with the high collar, his linen was as white as snow, his cravat expertly tied and his waistcoat the colour of butter with shining silver buttons down to his gleaming Hessians. Even Aunt Mary smirked as he walked into the room. He had obviously dressed to compliment my mother and they made a very attractive couple. Miss Clarke looked as if she might swoon, her eyes having a faraway look as she stared at my father. He took a calculated risk by ignoring our guests and going straight to my mother to kiss her lightly on the lips…in front of guests! The gasp that came from the Clarke ladies could hardly be ignored.

  Father turned as if he had just noticed our visitors. “You must excuse me, ladies, even though we’ve been married for years I find that finally having my beautiful wife with me every day now tends to go to my head and makes me act like a new bridegroom.” He nodded to each of the Clarke ladies then sat down close to my mother. She poured him a cup of tea working hard to control a smug smile, adding cream and sugar just as he liked it without asking. Then she took a plate and selected his favourite cakes placing them on the table in front of him. Miss Clarke who was watching her closely looked at them with longing as if she had been denied the sweetest treat. I suppose having been enamoured of my father for many months she now saw all that evaporate before her eyes. Yet she didn’t seem to be angry, embarrassed or morose. I could see that she noted all the small touches and smiles between my parents that spoke more than anything as to how close they were.

  Ramsey was slouched in his chair having a great deal of difficulty controlling himself. His shoulders were heaving with silent mirth as he watched his sister and mother.

  Mrs Clarke finally threw convention to the wind. “Well, this is most unusual. I’m not sure I really understand what you mean, Mr Turner. Are you saying that you have lived apart for sixteen years or more?” She pointed to me like I was a piece of furniture. “And that you had a child. A child that everyone knows Mrs Turner’s father has claimed as his own even though she is his late wife’s natural child?” Father glared at Mrs Clarke as she continued, “You really want me to believe that you were able to keep this all a secret even from him? That is preposterous, sir! I think it is unkind and unfair of you to have played upon my daughter’s affections these past months. This story is ridiculous!”

  Ramsey was fidgeting as he closely watched his mother through narrowed eyes as if expecting her to walk out in high dudgeon, or perhaps she had said something she shouldn’t have? It was obvious that we were the juiciest piece of gossip to come along in some time and Mrs Clarke seemed determined to squeeze every titbit of information out of us regardless of her daughter’s delicate feelings.

  It was at this point that Aunt Mary took over the conversation. She gave a wonderful performance playing the affronted dowager perfectly. By the time she had finished telling our family story you would think we were the stuff of a romance novel and fairy tale combined. She had Mrs Clarke apologizing to all of us while Miss Clarke’s eyes were full of unshed tears.

  Ramsey looked as if his self-control had reached the breaking point when he suddenly got up and walked to the far end of the room where he bent over a display of snuff boxes with his back to us. His shoulders were shaking but his fists were clenched. His mother noticed and at first appeared annoyed then her face melted into a look of admiration. Obviously, she was under the impression that Ramsey was touched by our story. But was he amused or angry he appeared to be trying to keep some strong emotion under control and I was not the only one that had noticed.

  My father took pity on him and went to save the oaf. “Mr Clarke, would you care to come out to the stables with me; Clarissa has a beautiful mare that I’m not sure is suited to town life and I’d like your opinion.” Ramsey was startled but had the decency to control his expression as he turned to look up at my father who continued, “I understand that your family raised horses when you lived in Jamaica and that you’re quite knowledgeable yourself.”

  Ramsey relaxed as he glanced at his mother who was almost beaming at the notice he was receiving, and he appeared to be grateful for the rescue. “It would be my pleasure, Mr Turner.” He turned with my father and walked towards the door, his face composed. Mother covered her mouth and I could barely hold back a snicker.

  Father frowned at me. “Clarissa, perhaps you’d like to join us. You’ve ridden Jewel both in town and the country and know her better than any of the grooms.” That was not exactly true since Jacob was the one who had ridden Jewel the most, but I was happy for the chance to escape. We had barely made it out into the garden before Ramsey burst into laughter and I started to chuckle. Father stood there with a smile on his face and waited for us to stop. Finally, we both sobered with Father standing there looking from one to the other. “I take it Mr Clarke that we can count on the ladies in your family to spread the word about my family?”

  Ramsey coughed. “Mr Turner, I assure you that the streets will be running with tears of sympathy by the week’s end. Please pardon me for asking, but my father will want to know if everything that Lady Alford related is actually true?”

  My father patted him on the back. “Yes, as unbelievable as it may seem it’s all true.”

  For a split-second Ramsey did not look pleased but quickly recovered himself. “Then, Mr Turner, may I say that you have an amazing family. Your wife is perfection, your aunt glorious and your daughter is a sweet child.” I raised my eyebrow and fisted my hands.

  Father caught my gesture out of the corner of his eye. “Ramsey, may I call you Ramsey?” He nodded his permission. “May I give you a piece of advice?” Father paused, and Ramsey nodded again. “If I were you, I’d never call my daughter a child within her hearing again. The women of this family can hold their own against any man, never doubt it. If you make any condescending remarks within their hearing, you will find yourself the recipient of their wrath in the future.” Ramsey gave him a sceptical look as my father continued, “Even I have to keep my mind razor sharp around them. However, I can say that there is never a dull moment with them around.” He laughed as Ramsey lost his smug expression. I relaxed my fists and flashed him a sweet smile. But when we made ey
e contact, his eyes were mere slits as if he was sizing me up as an adversary. Father started walking off towards the mews, so I moved to walk with him leaving Ramsey to follow.

  We reached the stable yard and Jacob was there in the courtyard grooming Jewel. She was being shown to her best advantage in the afternoon light. I wondered, how did they do that, my father and these people that worked for him…they always seemed to know exactly what he would want and when. I peered out of the corner of my eye at my father as Ramsey examined the horse and Jacob calmly continued his work. Jacob caught my eye and winked like he had read my thoughts, it was a bit disconcerting; I must be giving too much away in my facial expressions. I’d have to watch that in the future. Then I turned my attention back to the conversation taking place with Ramsey.

  “Mr Turner, may I ask how you came to know that I raised horses? I don’t believe that it ever came up in any conversation during our previous encounters.”

  Father put his hand on his shoulder. “No, it never did. It was my brother-in-law who remarked that he’d seen you at Tattersall’s the last time he was in town, conversing rather knowledgably with one of the grooms there.” Ramsey pondered this obviously trying to recall the encounter he’d had with the groom as my father quickly continued. “I am to meet with your father at my club for a private luncheon on Thursday, I hope that you’ll join us to discuss a business venture I have in mind.”

  “I would be delighted to, sir, but if you will pardon me, you never answered my question about how you knew that we raised horses.”

  Father only smiled evading his question. “I’m sure I heard it from someone I can’t rightly remember now, it was probably from a mutual acquaintance. But I understand that you are frequently at Tattersall’s when you’re not engaged in trying to find a way to get through our garden gate.”

  They both laughed but I could tell that Ramsey was irritated by my father’s evasive answer, yet he had to accept that he wouldn’t get anything further in response. He turned his attention to Jacob, asking him questions about Jewel. All the while he continued to walk around and talking to her. Finally, when he was up at her head he closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against her. He remained that way for what seemed like ages, yet Jewel seemed to enjoy the contact. Then he abruptly turned and walked into the stables. Jacob, Father and I all looked at each other shrugged and followed him. We found him standing by a stall looking intently at Baron. He didn’t touch Baron, yet the big stallion met his stare and stayed still under this scrutiny. Finally, Ramsey turned to us and sighed. “Regarding Jewel going to Somerset alone, it’s already too late, they’ve formed a bond. To remove one from the other now would make them both very unhappy. Jewel prefers the country, but she will go wherever Baron goes and Baron will go wherever she does. Would Mr Hughes be amenable to sending this fellow to live in the country? I imagine that he would make a remarkable stud.” Father shook his head no and I nodded yes. Ramsey looked puzzled watching us both before saying, “Well, it never hurts to ask.”

  With a look of scepticism on his face my father crossed his arms then asked, “Mr Clarke, do you mean to tell me that these horses have fallen in love? And they told you?”

  Ramsey didn’t flinch at my father’s taunt, instead he looked smug again as he crossed his arms. “Yes, sir, they’re mates, you can try to separate them but neither horse will do well without the other.”

  I looked at the faces of the men around me to see how this decree affected them. Even the stable boys had stopped to listen. Father was sceptical, Jacob was thoughtful, and the two stable boys looked to be caught somewhere between awe and mirth.

  I was the one to break the spell. “I think we need to consider what is best for the horses, Papa. Perhaps you could start a stud! Baron and Jewel can be your first pairing.” Father looked from me to Ramsey then turned to look at Jacob who quickly excused himself without comment.

  Ramsey was smiling. “Mr Turner, that might just be the kind of business proposition that my father would be interested in. We were both saddened to have to sell off in Jamaica and not be able to bring any of our stock with us.”

  Father gave Ramsey a sideways glance and puckered his lips as if pondering something. “Perhaps we could discuss that with your father when we meet at my club. But for now, I would like to know more about how you ascertained this bond, would you care to join me in my study?” Ramsey agreed readily, it was obvious that neither of them wanted to rejoin the ladies.

  Father looked at me with pity in his eyes, so I shrugged. “I know I should go back and join the ladies.” I trudged off to rejoin my mother in the drawing room. But before entering I stopped to eavesdrop for a bit. My mother it seemed had taken Charity aside and was giving her a litany on the advantages of taking a young husband and grooming him to her liking rather than setting her cap on someone like my father who was already set in his ways." I almost laughed at the way she made Father sound like an old man though I was sure he would approve if it helped Miss Clarke to focus her attentions elsewhere.

  Aunt Mary on the other hand was talking fashion with Mrs Clarke, being subtly manipulative. She expressed the value of having a good seamstress who knew what would suit you. “Those decisions should be left up to them, after all, what are we paying them for.” Then all the ladies together started talking about the best haberdashers and milliners in London.

  Without warning Lettie came up behind me and whispered, “Your mum and aunt will have your hide if they find you standing out here.” I jumped and almost fell against the door. She smiled when I turned to glare at her, “Lady Alford and Mrs Turner have set the Clarkes up right and proper! Now they have them eating out of their hands. I imagine your aunt’s seamstress Madame Price will be very busy with dress orders this season, especially once those two spread the word about her. It’s very nice of your mum and aunt to do that for madam.” I opened my mouth to ask why when she continued, “You know she’s got a real talent, but it’s hard to keep a business going with only a few repeat clients. This kind of help should set her up right and proper with her own shop.”

  I smiled at Lettie, “You were eavesdropping too!”

  She didn’t look the least offended by my accusation, “Yes, miss, you never know when you might hear something useful.”

  I was intrigued now. “How do you do it? You can’t hang about the doorways all the time and not get caught.”

  “It’s easier than you might think, miss, guests treat servants like we’re deaf and blind. They’ll say all kinds of things in front of us without a second thought like we’re part of the furniture. Mr Turner knows the value of that kind of slip up so it’s useful to him to have us very attentive to his visitors. Now these two here, they’re lost in London society. I imagine that they used to be important people in the Indies. But I can tell that they want something from your parents, but I don’t know what that might be…yet. I expect we’ll be seeing a great deal of the Clarkes though.” I loved that she didn’t find my own behaviour scandalous. She nodded towards the door, “I think you’d better join them now, miss.” As she walked away I noticed that her brow was furrowed like she was trying to work out a problem.

  I opened the door then blushed when all heads turned towards me. Aunt Mary signalled for me to join her. As I walked towards her Mrs Clarke looked me over from head to toe while Mother had returned to her conversation with Charity. Mrs Clarke nodded approvingly as I sat down. “Yes, Lady Alford, I can see what you mean that less is more.”

  I arched one eyebrow as my aunt as patted my hand. “We were talking about colours, Clarissa. And how people should choose colours that suit them rather than what is popular. Peach for instance has not been fashionable for a few years yet on you it looks superb and not the least gauche. Yet any of the pale pastels favoured by many young ladies currently would be awful on you.” I just smiled and nodded since my opinion wasn’t needed. My mind drifted off to Lettie and why she had looked puzzled until I heard my aunt mention how much my riding boots and
hat favoured the style worn by men. She had not approved at first but after seeing me wear them she thought that they were not only practical but very attractive. Mrs Clarke glanced at me quickly with narrowed eyes like I was a disagreeable bug. Further discussions included the advantages of training your own lady’s maid and ended with where to obtain reliable staff; a point on which I almost choked knowing that my father’s staff recruitment had been far from conventional. As if it had been timed Ramsey and my father returned and the Clarke ladies prepared to leave. For a first social call, it had gone on for an inordinate amount of time. Perhaps Lettie was correct that there was a deeper reason behind the Clarkes’ attempt to make friends with us.

  After the goodbyes and promises to return the call, Ramsey exerted his token influence as their chaperon to usher them out the door and into the street to return to their own home.

  Mother collapsed back into her chair. “That was exhausting but I think beneficial.” She looked at my father. “I’m sorry to say it, darling, but your deficiencies have been laid bare to Miss Hughes. I acquainted her with the pitfalls of falling in love with an older man, so I believe you will no longer be the object of her affections.”

  My father feigned shock. “Ah yes, the pitfalls of falling in love with an older man. Tell me, were you speaking from experience, my love? Should I be concerned?” He chuckled as he leaned down to kiss her forehead.

  She reached out to pull him down beside her. “My experience with you, my dear husband, was enough. After all, I was very young when you swept me off my feet.”