Untitled

by Wendy Bayne

  I also convinced Mother to allow Meg to take a few lessons with me to improve her mind. She was after all intelligent and inquisitive, so we concentrated on improving her diction and she joined me for etiquette and French lessons.

  Dr Jefferson was often a guest at dinner and accompanied us on many of our outings. I noticed that he had taken a keen interest in Louisa, my aunt’s companion, since the day we had all gone to the Tower to view the menagerie. When we picnicked in the park afterwards, she sprained her ankle tripping over a tree root as we walked along the Serpentine. After that day Aunt Mary announced that she was sure she’d be looking for a new companion before too long and I was inclined to agree.

  My father’s valet Richards was the enigma in our household. I couldn’t warm to the man, he had a sour and a deeply etched weathered countenance and always seemed to be angry. I wondered what made him so taciturn but more especially why my father even tolerated him.

  I finally asked my uncle’s valet about him one day when I passed him in the hallway. “Dalton, may I ask you a question about Richards?”

  He pursed his lips and rubbed his forehead, looking like he wanted to vanish into the floor. He looked about him then dropped his shoulders. “Oh, miss, that is a topic best left alone.”

  I persisted. “But why? He hardly ever seems to be here and from what I can tell you take care of my father even when Richards is here.”

  He toed the floor and pursed his lips again. I thought he was going to refuse to answer me but finally he mumbled. “Your uncle is right about you, you see far too much.”

  I watched him closely while he appeared to be considering his options, so I pressed my advantage and all I had to say was “Is it that bad?”

  He took a deep breath and in hushed tones said, “Richards is not a valet, miss, he never was, and that lout never could be. He’s a smuggler that your father fished out of a gaol somewhere along the coast and gave him this position to make use of his vulgar connections and his knowledge of the smuggling trade. I don’t trust him, miss, and you shouldn’t either.”

  He moved forward to pass me, but I stepped in front of him. “What does my father think of him?”

  I could tell that he was uncomfortable with my questions, but I wouldn’t budge. “You’d have to ask Mr Turner about that, miss, but your uncle doesn’t trust him, and I believe that your father has his measure as well. None of the staff like him being here, there really isn’t any reason for him to be part of the household if you ask me.”

  I felt that I should offer him some sympathy after putting him on the spot, “It must make a lot of work for you?”

  He smiled shyly. “Not really, miss, your father and uncle can be pretty independent, and Jacob can step in when I need him. He worked once for a ship’s captain who fancied himself a bit of a swell. Now if you’ll excuse me, miss, I need to see to these shirts.” And he walked away with them over his arm.

  I entered my room to find Meg waiting to assist me to change for dinner. She always knew the latest gossip in the household, so I broached the subject of Richards with her. “Meg, do you know anything about Richards or Dalton?”

  She became very quiet and her eyes got very large as she looked around as if one of them would jump out of my dressing room. “Oh, my, miss, Mr Richards gives me the shivers. He doesn’t talk much but when he does he’s mean. He tries to put the rest of the staff down all the time and says we’re to always call him Mr Richards, he puts on airs all the time and I’ve even seen him cuff wee Davey the boot boy for no good reason. He hit him so hard once that his ear bled. Cook wrapped his knuckles for that, she’s the only one that’s not afraid of him and she watches him like a hawk and keeps Davey close to her when Mr Richards is around.” She sucked in her lower lip, her eyes glistening. “When Mrs Turner allowed me to take some lessons with you, he said I was being lifted above my station and that nothing good would come from it.” She sniffed and used her handkerchief to wipe her nose, “None of the staff like him or trust him, miss. Mr Allan keeps our money and valuables locked up in his pantry whenever Richards is here. Michael, Murphy, John and Jacob watch out for the rest of the staff when he’s around, especially the maids.” Her lower lip quivered, and her hands were shaking.

  “Meg, has Richards made inappropriate advances to you?” She shook her head no, but I could tell he scared her. “He sounds perfectly awful! Has anyone approached my father about his behaviour?”

  “I don’t rightly—I mean, I don’t really know, miss. The staff here like to handle their problems in their own way, but it’s always like that below stairs. Besides he goes on about how important he is to Mr Turner’s work and none of us would want to upset Mr Turner.”

  I wondered if I should say anything to my father, perhaps if I asked Murphy or one of the others about him. I’d have to think about it and maybe ask my father about why Richards was so valuable to him. “Is Dalton well-liked?”

  Meg brightened and smiled. “Oh yes, miss! Dalton is a hard worker and a real gentleman. Did you know that he trained as a tailor, but he wanted an adventure before settling down, so he joined the army? That’s when he came into service with Mr Hughes.” She grinned even wider and lowering her voice, so I knew she had some gossip for me. “I think he’s sweet on Beth, but he’s too nervous to ask her to walk out, I mean, court her. He’s a fine man and would be an excellent catch for any woman.”

  I loved seeing people happy and in love. “Maybe we can do something to help him get her attention.”

  Meg chuckled before continuing, “Oh, miss, he has her attention! She says that if he doesn’t get on with it she’ll be asking him.” I giggled then we started talking about how we could throw Beth and Dalton together and Mr Richards was forgotten for the time being.

  I went down to dinner and for once I was not the last one to take my seat. That honour would be Mr Johnson’s who looked a touch flushed as if he had been exerting himself. While Uncle Samuel poured some lemonade for us he asked, “So, Johnson did Lettie give you the slip again?” He cleared his throat then took a sip of lemonade as he chuckled.

  Father rolled his eyes. “Miles, if you insist on toying with our female staff I’ll have to find you other lodgings. Besides if you get too familiar with her Lettie is as likely to stick a knife in your gut and if not her then her brother will.”

  Mr Johnson looked embarrassed. “Come now, Colin, it was just a little misunderstanding…” He played with his wine glass then murmured “…on my part it seems. The girl has spirit though and I wager that there is more to her than meets the eye. You say she and her brother are from the East End?” Father nodded. Mr Johnson raised a brow. “I seriously doubt it, Turner. I’m positive that they have a secret that they haven’t shared with you old man.”

  Father was obviously annoyed. “What the devil are you talking about?”

  Mr Johnson smiled. “Have you ever heard her when she’s angry? Her language is definitely not from the gutters of the East End, nor was she born to the servant class.”

  Father looked puzzled and glanced at my mother for a split second, but she seemed to be at a loss, so he tried to look bored when asking, “What do you mean by that, Miles?”

  Mr Johnson took a sip of his wine but before he could answer the footmen entered with the soup. The conversation then veered off into generalities such as the weather, gossip and politics.

  Aunt Mary took the advantage when there was a momentary lapse in the conversation to speak to my uncle. “So, my dear boy, when are you going to give Emilie a ring?” Samuel choked on his lemonade as Emilie blushed. “Come now, you’ve recovered enough from your illness that your natural urges must be exerting themselves. Don’t you think that it’s tempting fate with both of you living under the same roof?” My uncle looked shocked as he fumbled with something in his pocket then Aunt Mary turned to my mother. “Irene, my dear, do you think we can have a wedding pulled together in say three weeks? Nothing large, just family I think.”

  Samuel splutt
ered again, and Emilie just looked at her lap blushing a deep crimson. My uncle’s face was beet red, but I couldn’t tell if he was embarrassed or angry. Being put on the spot like that, he’d become almost inarticulate. “Aunt Mary, you, well, I of course, I have a ring!” He huffed and pulled his fist out of his pocket and through clenched teeth whispered loud enough for all to hear, “But it would have been nice to pick my own time and place!”

  Aunt Mary put on a face of mock surprise. “Oh, come now, Samuel, romantic declarations in the garden under the moon are highly overrated. Besides it’s raining. If I’m not mistaken, Colin proposed to Irene in the kitchen garden while she was pulling carrots and they’re perfectly happy.”

  Mother and Father chuckled, and Mr Johnson leaned back in his chair with a bemused smile on his face. Turning to Emilie, Samuel took her hand ignoring the audible chuckling in the room, “Emilie.” He took a deep breath then scowled at everyone before starting again. “Emilie, oh bloody hell! I had a perfectly good speech ready and now. Aunt Mary, really how could you ruin it!”

  Aunt Mary just smiled. “Well, get on with it boy before the next course arrives.”

  He opened his fist to display a beautiful square cut pink diamond set in a gold band, Emilie gasped, “Yes, Samuel.”

  Samuel was taken aback. “Yes? You said yes! But I haven’t asked you properly yet.”

  Emilie leaned towards him and in breathless whisper said, “You have asked me more times than I can count before today and my answer to you all of those times has been yes in my heart but now I can yes aloud.”

  My uncle smiled, took her hand and placed the ring on her finger. He kissed the ring then Emilie.

  Aunt Mary smiled, picked up her spoon and started to eat her soup. I followed her lead as did everyone else except Samuel and Emilie.

  The next several days were a whirlwind of activity, all involving the wedding. I noticed that most of the gentleman of the household frequently and conveniently disappeared whenever discussions veered into the preparations. Surprisingly Mr Johnson was the only one of them who remained behind to assist with some of the more masculine details. He arranged with a vicar of his acquaintance to educate and indoctrinate Emilie into the Church of England and he gave his input into the music and refreshments. All the while pointing out when things would start to get out of hand much to Emilie’s relief. He noted that while Samuel was a man of means who would one day inherit vast estates, his wedding didn’t have to be an elaborate affair, just tasteful.

  Emilie was radiant during these days while Samuel looked terrified. It was not that he didn’t want to marry Emilie but the responsibility of having a wife and possibly fathering children weighed heavily on him. He had informed the General by special post of his impending nuptials but not of the actual date since he didn’t expect nor want him in attendance. Yet every time we were in the library and he heard a carriage or horse pass by his head would snap up.

  We were gathered one day in the drawing room taking tea and discussing wedding plans while Uncle Samuel, my father, Dr Jefferson and Mr Johnson were playing cards and ignoring any questions that came their way. Mr Allan entered with the mail which he usually left in my father’s study. Father looked up at him with raised eyebrows. “There is a something for you from the Home Office, sir, and something for Mr Hughes from the Abbey, along with the usual invitations and letters for the ladies.” My father took the stack from him handing the invitations and letters out. He opened his letter, read it through quickly then leaned back in his chair tapping the letter on his leg while deep in thought.

  Samuel read his while pacing in front of the garden windows. Then he threw the letter on the table near my father. “Good lord, he still thinks I’m a child to be bullied into doing what he wants. Well, I will not bow to his wishes. He can go to the devil. He’s already cut me off so there is little else he can do to harm me.”

  Emilie rose and went to him taking his hand. “What is it, my love?” Father handed her the letter after reading it himself. She moved to the window for better light.

  Samuel turned to look out the windows, but I could see the pulse in his neck beating, his face was flushed, and it was obvious that he was in a temper. He licked his lips and tried to look about him casually for something stronger to drink than tea but there wasn’t anything available to him, there hadn’t been for some time now. It was obvious that he was still fighting his demons. “God, I could use a drink.” his shoulders slumped at this admission, but it was not the first time he’d said such a thing yet never with such desperation.

  Aunt Mary and mother joined Emilie with my aunt reading the short letter aloud. The General’s missive announced his imminent arrival in two days’ time. He would be staying at Lord Gromley’s town house and expected Samuel and his bride to wait on him there.

  Aunt Mary returned to her seat and picked up her needle work. “Samuel, you and Emilie will go to see your father as will Colin, Irene and myself.” She looked at me, “I’m sorry, Clarissa, but I think you should stay home.” When I opened my mouth to protest, she added, “I promise that I will tell you everything that transpires.”

  Samuel was still in a temper. “Do you really think that I can’t handle him alone, Aunt Mary!”

  She never looked up from her needlework. “Of course, you can handle him, Samuel, that’s not the issue. It’s about making everyone else believe that we are a family, besides I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” She smirked. “I can’t wait to see how Colin and Irene being there will put him at a disadvantage.”

  Samuel and my parents looked puzzled while Emilie smiled. It was my mother who spoke first, “Whatever do you mean?”

  “Really, Irene, I should think it would be obvious. You and Colin, Samuel and his bride will be seen visiting my brother and what is more natural than that his own sister should pay a call along with her niece and nephew with whom she is residing? To the world at large it will appear to be just a simple family visit to welcome the family patriarch to London. Richard will have to behave himself. If he doesn’t behave, it will make the rounds of the Beau Monde like wild fire even before the next dinner party and that would not be pleasant for him… I will make sure of that.”

  She looked at each of us. “Good lord! Are you all dense?” She took a deep breath and continued. “You have all been embraced by London society! Do you really think that we have invested all this time in visits and dinner parties without a goal in mind?” She hastily bundled up her needlework and laid it aside. “First, we did not hide the fact that Samuel was shot by persons unknown for reasons unknown. Second everyone is aware that he has been ill with an addiction to alcohol because of his long-suffering love for Emilie and that he is under Dr Jefferson’s care. It has become the romance of the season! Colin and Irene are now looked upon as if they are archetype hero and heroine from one of those romantic novels that are so popular these days. You’re both living examples of a love match that works against all odds. Byron couldn’t have written anything better. Your constancy and moral fortitude are excellent examples to their own children. Everyone loves a good love story, my dears, and this family has two. Believe me your father will think twice before causing a scene, though I’d love to have him try.” She ended with decidedly evil chuckle.

  I was puzzled as to why I was to be left out, I looked around the room for an answer. Mr Johnson sat staring at the fire and Dr Jefferson looked uncomfortable being privy to family business. Father was watching them both. “What is it, gentleman, you both seem to be disturbed about something.” Dr Jefferson looked at me pointedly and raised his eyebrows Mr Johnson merely turned to give him a scornful look. Father licked his lips before saying, “Clarissa, my dear, would it bother you to have to face the General?”

  Aunt Mary immediately glared at us both. “Colin! You can’t possibly expect the child to confront her grandfather. He made her life hell!”

  Father looked unsure but still said, “She must confront him at some point, ma’am, and I’d rat
her it happened when we’re together than in a chance meeting. Besides aren’t you the one that wants to catch him off guard and unsettle him? Clarissa has been established legally as my daughter, he has no claim to her now so what could be more unsettling to him than being out-maneuvered.”

  Aunt Mary glanced my way then back at Father. “Good point…what do you say, Clarissa?”

  All faces were turned to me with anticipation except Mr Johnson who looked deep in thought, his brow was furrowed with lines of concern.

  I gazed at him, willing him to look my way and when he finally did, he smiled giving me a slight nod. I had come to value his opinion over the past few weeks, so I answered, “In for a penny in for a pound.” Mr Johnson was the only one who didn’t laugh.

  Chapter 13

  September 1827: The Visit

  Aunt Mary made sure that our other immediate neighbours, the Clarkes and the Summers, were aware of our planned visit to the General. The next morning, she informed us at breakfast that she had an express letter from Lord Gromley stating that he was coming to London hard on the heels of the General. She confessed to us that she’d a long-standing practice of corresponding with Lord Gromley to keep him apprised of what had transpired in our lives. This was a surprise to my mother and father; Samuel’s attention was focused on Emilie, so they were both ignoring the conversation at the table and Mr Johnson seemed to be focusing on his breakfast, but I had no doubt that he was interested in what she had to say.

  Mother was horrified. “Why? He’s father’s oldest friend, how could you?!”

  Aunt Mary chuckled. “You’re wrong, Irene, he was your mother’s oldest friend. He only ever tolerated Richard for her sake and then yours.” She took her time as she explained that Lord Gromley had willingly assisted in keeping the General away from the Abbey while we had made our escape. He had also provided affidavits to our lawyers that established my status as my parent’s daughter and not the General’s or Charlotte’s child.