‘Far too bright for mourning.’ She sighed. ‘However, he insists I return, so it will have to do.’
Pausing only to say goodnight to Amy and Thomas, who were already in their beds, she ran lightly down the stairs and back to the drawing room. There was a martial light in her eyes as she walked in, but the Major merely nodded at her and Lady Varley addressed her with unusual graciousness. ‘I have made more tea so that you may join us, Miss Wrenn. I was mortified at my niece’s clumsiness.’
‘No matter, ma’am. Mrs Hartley has taken the gown to clean it.’
‘You shall have a new one, I will buy it for you,’ announced the Major abruptly.
Lady Varley cast a sympathetic look at Juliana as she handed her a cup.
‘It is so simple for my brother, Miss Wrenn. He says he will buy you a new gown, as if there were any number made up, just waiting for you to choose one. You forget, Damon, that you leave town on Friday. Why, even Madame Fleurie could not turn out a decent gown in such a short time. Although I have been most surprised at her endeavours on my behalf this week—she called here today for a fitting and I had only chosen the muslin yesterday! And that reminds me, dear brother. I must crave your indulgence and ask you to let me stay on here for a few more days after you leave for the north, because my gowns are not complete, and although I have had word from Sir James, begging me to return as soon as ever I can, I really must stay in town until all my gowns are ready.’
‘Yes, yes, Louisa, but you are straying from the point. Surely you know where to buy a new gown for Miss Wrenn that she can take with her?’
‘Sir, I pray you, it is no matter,’ put in Juliana, distressed by so much attention. ‘I am sure there will be no lasting damage; besides, I will not be requiring such a gown again for some months.’
‘Well, you may leave one of your old dresses with me, Miss Wrenn,’ pronounced Lady Varley. ‘I will have my modiste make up another to fit and it shall be sent on after you. Not another word, Miss Wrenn, my mind is made up. Now, let us talk of something else—Damon, did you go to White’s today? I hear Meyler was there, telling everyone that Mr Brummell is quite done up.’
The Major frowned. ‘Aye, I saw him.’
‘I have never liked Meyler. Bad ton, I always thought.’ She refilled her brother’s teacup. ‘How has Mr Brummell taken it?’
‘I have no idea. He was not there.’
‘But this is not good enough, brother. I made sure you would know.’
The Major shook his head. ‘I admire Brummell’s style of dress, Louisa, not his way of living.’
Giles had been sitting quietly in the corner all this time, but now he came forward. ‘I thought you were one of his friends, Papa.’
‘Sufficiently so that I would not listen to Meyler’s accusations. However, it is for the Beau to refute them.’
‘And will he do so, do you think?’ asked Lady Varley.
‘With Brummell one never knows. He has come about in the past: we shall see what he does over the next few days.’
However, Thursday morning brought even more exciting news for Lady Varley. Juliana had already joined the Major and his daughters in the breakfast room when she came in, saying as she took her place at the table, ‘Damon, you will never guess! I have had word that Lady Maltby is in town. I must call upon her this morning.’
‘Must you, Louisa?’ asked the Major, helping himself to a cup of coffee.
Lady Varley gave a little sigh. ‘Of course I must. She is James’s cousin, you know, and I would not want to be thought backward in paying her any attention.’
‘Especially since she is a viscountess,’ he murmured.
‘And what if she is?’ retorted Lady Varley. ‘Family connections are important. I shall take Gwendoline and Wilhelmina with me, if Miss Wrenn will give them leave—Lady Maltby was very taken with the girls when she came to stay with us last year.’ ‘Ooh, yes, please. May we go, Miss Wrenn?’ asked Wilhelmina.
Gwendoline said nothing, but Juliana saw her hopeful glance.
‘Of course,’ she said, ‘if Major Collingham agrees.’
He shrugged. ‘If that is what you wish, Louisa…’
‘Damon, how can you be so tiresome! A connection with the viscountess could be very useful for the girls when it comes to finding them husbands.’
Major Collingham gave a bark of laughter. ‘Good God, I trust I have several years before I need to address that issue!’
‘One should always be prepared,’ replied his sister. ‘Now, come along, girls, finish your breakfast, for we must make you ready. Miss Wrenn, I do hope I am not interfering with your plans?’
‘Not at all. I have to collect some last-minute purchases, which I can do this morning while you are out.’
‘I will send one of the maids with you—’
‘Oh, there will be no need for that, Major,’ Juliana interrupted him quickly. ‘I shall have Thomas and Amy with me—there is no need for any other companion.’
The Major would not countenance Miss Wrenn and her family taking a hackney carriage and, as Lady Varley would be using the landau, he ordered his own travelling carriage to be made ready. This was a large, impressive vehicle complete with liveried servants hanging on the back, and Juliana was not surprised to see a group of ragged boys standing on the opposite side of the road, watching with interest as the carriage rolled away.
‘This is the carriage we shall be using for our journey,’ she told Amy and Thomas. ‘Miss Gwendoline and Wilhelmina will be travelling with us, while Nurse and the Major’s man will follow in the baggage coach.’
‘And Major Collingham will be leading the way in his curricle, with Mr Giles beside him,’ added Thomas. ‘We shall create quite a stir when we drive through the town.’
‘And there will be plenty of room for the five of us in here,’ Juliana observed, leaning back with an appreciative sigh against the padded seat.
‘Then we will be able to bring Sarah and Lady Arabella?’ asked Amy, holding her doll on her lap.
Juliana smiled at her. ‘Yes. They shall have a seat to themselves.’
Due to the press of traffic in New Bond Street, Juliana had decided it would be quicker to walk between the shops and she ordered the coachman to pull up and wait for her. The errands were soon accomplished, ending with a visit to Hatchards the booksellers, and with the children beside her she began to retrace her steps. They had not gone far when she saw Major Collingham walking towards them. He stopped, looking a little surprised.
‘Miss Wrenn. I had thought you would be in New Bond Street, buying bonnets and gloves.’
‘I would not bring Tom and Amy along for that, they would find it very tedious work. No, you will see that our parcels are quite small—paper and pens for drawing, and I have purchased more reading books. I ordered them Tuesday and they promised to have them ready for me today. We are on our way back to the carriage now.’
‘I, too, have concluded my business, so I will walk with you, if I may?’
He turned to accompany her. Juliana took his proffered arm, glancing back to make sure the two children were close behind.
‘And have you ordered another gown, Miss Wrenn, as I instructed?’
‘No. Mrs Hartley has worked miracles with my grey silk and it will be ready to take with me tomorrow.’ She saw he was looking severe and added, ‘Lady Varley has already wrested an old gown from me, and will use it as a pattern for the new one that is being made up for me. She has promised to send it on as soon as it is ready.’
‘Quite right. I am very sorry for what happened last night.’
‘It was an accident.’
‘We both know it was nothing of the kind,’ he retorted. ‘Gwendoline does not want you to come with us. I shall talk to her today, and make sure she understands I will not tolerate her disobedience.’
She stopped. ‘Oh, pray do not be harsh on her, sir. It—it might make her resent me even more.’
Major Collingham turned to look at her. ‘Then wha
t would you have me say, Miss Wrenn?’
Juliana hesitated. She said slowly, ‘I think we should agree that if Gwendoline is of the same mind when we reach Lancashire, we will terminate the contract. She will learn little from me if we are constantly at loggerheads.’
‘Rousseau’s teachings, Miss Wrenn?’
‘Common sense, Major. I will do my best to make her like me, but you know that we cannot always order our affections.’
‘And you would have me tell her that she may decide once we get to Blackthorpe?’
‘Why, yes. I would like Gwendoline to know that I have no wish to inflict myself upon her against her will.’
‘But to leave then—you would be miles from your home, Miss Wrenn.’
‘I have no home now, sir,’ she said quietly. ‘There are no relatives to make it desirable for me to remain here. I can as easily find employment in the big towns of the north, and—’
A scream and commotion behind them made her break off. Turning, Juliana saw that Tom and Amy had fallen some way behind, and Thomas was fighting with two larger boys while Amy stood behind him, screaming for help. Passersby hesitated, but the Major was there before any of them could act. Grabbing Thomas’s assailants by their ragged collars he pulled them away and banged their heads together. The two boys staggered back and, as the Major turned his attention to Thomas, they tore themselves free and took to their heels.
Juliana had snatched Amy into her arms, but now she turned to her little brother. He was panting heavily and holding a handkerchief to his bloody nose.
‘In heaven’s name, what happened?’ she asked as Amy sobbed against her shoulder.
‘They—they pounced on Amy,’ Thomas said thickly.
‘Aye, I saw it.’ An old gentleman stopped beside them. ‘Dashed footpads, to attack a child, and in daylight too. Scoundrels!’
Juliana nodded, unable to speak. Silently she hugged Amy and watched while the Major took out his own handkerchief and began to wipe the blood from a cut over Thomas’s eye.
‘Don’t worry, this looks worse than it is. There, that’s better. Well done, my boy. You gave a good account of yourself there. But you are sadly lacking in science.’ He straightened and patted Thomas on the shoulder. ‘Remind me to give you a few lessons.’
‘I will not have you teaching Thomas such a rough sport,’ objected Juliana.
‘I would teach him to defend himself better, Miss Wrenn,’ retorted the Major.
‘Coo, sis, this is nothing,’ said Thomas. He looked up at Major Collingham and added shyly, ‘I should very much like to learn to box, sir. To learn properly, that is.’
‘Well, we can discuss that later,’ said Juliana. ‘For now we should take you both back to the carriage. If I stand you down, Amy, do you think you could walk a little? There’s a good girl.’
She gathered up her packages and the parcel of books that Thomas had dropped when he had rushed to defend his sister, then, with the children walking safely between herself and Major Collingham, they set off towards New Bond Street.
It was not to be expected that such exciting news could be kept secret. As soon as they were back at the house, Juliana took the children upstairs, where it was necessary to explain their dishevelled appearance to Nurse. Thomas and Amy lost no time in giving the kindly old retainer the full story, while she and Nelly, the chambermaid, did their best to repair the damage to clothes and persons.
Nurse confided only in Mrs Hartley, the housekeeper, but Nelly thought it a fine tale with which to regale her colleagues in the servants’ hall, and although Lady Varley’s superior dresser did not consort with the lower servants, she overheard enough to pass on the story to her mistress.
Thus it was that when Juliana brought Gwendoline and Wilhelmina to the drawing room that evening, the subject under discussion was not the visit to viscountess Maltby, but the attack upon Miss Amy Wrenn.
‘My dear, I have made Damon tell me the whole.’ Lady Varley addressed Juliana as soon as she entered the room. ‘How is little Amy, and Thomas, the brave boy?’
‘They are fully recovered, ma’am, thank you. Thomas has an interesting black eye and a few cuts, but that is all, and he has enjoyed himself thoroughly over dinner, telling the Misses Collingham how he acquired his wounds.’
Lady Varley shook her head. ‘You see, brother, why I insist on taking a footman about with me when I am in town? The streets are no longer safe.’
‘You refine too much upon it, Louisa. Such attacks are not common.’
‘I should not have let the children fall behind,’ admitted Juliana. ‘I can only think they believed Amy to be alone and unprotected.’ She shuddered, then said in an attempt to throw off the gloom, ‘At least the ruffians did not get away without some punishment; they will have very sore heads now, I think.’
She smiled gratefully at the Major.
‘I hope so, Miss Wrenn, although I wish I had held on to them, and handed them over to the magistrate.’
‘Well, ’tis too late for that now,’ said Lady Varley. ‘Tomorrow you leave for the north. What are your plans, Damon?’
‘I have arranged three nights on the road, at Northampton, Derby and Macclesfield. We leave early tomorrow morning.’
‘I am to ride in the curricle,’ said Giles with a grin. ‘I hope you will let me handle the ribbons, Papa.’
‘Aye, for part of the journey.’
‘But what of Fewell?’ asked Lady Varley. ‘You told me Benns is to go on ahead, but surely you will not travel without your groom as well as your valet.’
‘By no means. He can sit up behind us or on one of the coaches, if he would prefer it. Giles will act as my groom, when necessary.’
‘Oh, by Jove, yes!’ cried Giles. ‘I can handle the yard of tin, and make sure we are not delayed at the turnpikes—’
‘We will not be racing, Giles. I intend to keep in sight of the carriages.’ The Major saw the disappointment in his son’s face and his lips twitched. ‘Well, most of the time.’
Lady Varley shuddered. ‘Well, I wish you luck, brother. I brought the children with me from Kewhurst. Less than half a day’s travel and that was enough for me.’
The Major’s good humour was not diminished. He turned his sardonic glance upon Juliana. ‘I think it is Miss Wrenn who needs your good wishes, Louisa. She will have charge of the children, not I!’
Chapter Seven
Inside the Major’s elegant travelling carriage an air of excitement prevailed, even though the rain beat steadily against the roof and the windows were already misted.
Juliana smiled at her companions.
‘I have bought a scrapbook,’ she said. ‘It is to be a record of our journey. We will all add notes and drawings of everything we see and do on our travels.’
Gwendoline looked at the rain-streaked window and pulled a face. ‘There will be precious little to put in it.’
Juliana laughed. ‘But we have not yet been travelling an hour. There will be plenty to add during our journey, never fear. But I agree that for the present there is very little to see, so we shall entertain ourselves instead with making up a story.’
Thomas looked up. ‘Juliana is very good at make-believe.’
‘Thank you, Thomas, but I want everyone to join in. We shall make up a story of great adventures and when we stop in the evenings you can write it down, if you wish, and draw pictures to illustrate it.’
‘Well, I cannot think of anything.’ Gwendoline pouted and turned to the window.
‘No matter,’ said Juliana. ‘I am sure that Minna and Amy will start us off. First of all we need our characters.’
Amy held up her doll. ‘One can be called Sarah.’
Wilhelmina leaned forward. ‘And can we have Lady Arabella, too?’
‘Of course.’ Juliana smiled. ‘But we must also have some male characters. Thomas?’
‘Leo,’ said Wilhelmina. ‘And he can be a farmer.’
‘That’s too dull,’ said Amy. ‘He should be a…
a doctor!’
‘No, a sailor,’ cried Thomas. ‘And he can have a wooden leg, and just one eye!’
Gwendoline looked round. ‘That’s silly,’ she said. ‘He would not be a hero.’
‘Oh, yes, he would,’ retorted Thomas. ‘Lord Nelson had only one eye, and one arm.’ He saw Juliana frowning at him and added pacifically, ‘We could have another hero, if you want.’
‘Very well.’ Gwendoline thought for a moment. ‘He will be called Roland, and he will be a soldier.’
Juliana sat back while the children continued to create their make-believe world. Even Gwendoline was drawn in, and the morning was spent discussing the lives of their favourite characters, until they made their first stop at a wayside inn and the children tumbled out of the carriage and into the inn, still chattering.
The Major raised his brows as he helped Juliana to alight.
‘Congratulations, Miss Wrenn. I thought you would have been at cap-pulling by now.’
He took her arm and hurried her through the rain to the inn.
‘Not yet, Major. They have decided to write a novel, where the hero and heroine will undergo the most appalling hardships.’ She laughed as she preceded him indoors. ‘You would be amazed to know the gruesome fate they have in store for the poor villain.’ She stopped and put a hand to her mouth. ‘Oh—that is, pray do not think that I allow them to run too wild in their imaginings, sir. I—’
‘You do not need to explain to me,’ he said, stripping off his gloves. ‘I trust you.’
He reached out and brushed a curl of wet hair off her face. She flushed, partly at his words, and partly at his touch. She had to steel herself not to rub her cheek against his hand.
‘You t-trust me? Oh, but…’
He looked amused.
‘Come, Miss Wrenn. You told me yourself that you have impeccable credentials.’ He took pity on her confusion and explained. ‘I drove to Clapham on the day you moved into Burlington Street, to follow up your references with your old schoolmistress. She gave a glowing account of you. You look surprised—do you really think I would entrust my children to the care of a stranger?’
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