by Fanny Finch
“I will stay if I can, Aggie. I do not want to leave. You still have a long way till you are recovered.” Lady Elizabeth said the last sentence in a lightly teasing voice, as both women knew Lady Agatha was well on her way to recovery.
Lady Agatha tilted her head to the side and gave her friend a soft smile.
Seeing Lady Agatha sad made Lady Elizabeth feel overly anxious to see what was in the letter from her parents. She looked down at the dreaded paper. Her appetite had left her.
She set the biscuit back into the basket and sighed.
She moved her eyes up to Lady Agatha. “Should I open it, Aggie?”
“The suspense will kill me if you do not open it, Lizzie. Please do.”
Lady Elizabeth pulled in a deep breath and reached into the basket, pulling the letter out.
She held it on her lap, turning her eyes up to Lady Agatha before cracking the seal and pulling the thread to remove it from the parchment.
Chapter 18
The Duke of Thornwall narrowed his eyes, watching the women leave. His sister was indeed a stubborn, hard-headed young woman. He suddenly realized why she and Lady Elizabeth must get along so well.
He tried not to feel resentful, sitting back in the chair and staring down at the table. He resumed tapping two fingers on the surface for a few minutes and then grumbled under his breath as he pushed his chair back and stood up.
He turned around to pour himself another cup of tea.
The duke took his tea to the large floor-to-ceiling window and pushed the curtain aside with two fingers. He could see Lady Agatha and Lady Elizabeth walking slowly toward the garden. They were talking, looking at each other, smiling.
The duke had to admit Lady Elizabeth already seemed to have a good influence on his sister. Not just his sister but the entire castle. He did not want to admit that she seemed just what the place needed, like the breath of fresh air his sister had craved.
He moved to the end of the window and pulled the cord so the curtains would slide open. They swung to the side with a swishing sound, allowing the bright morning light into the room.
For another five minutes, he stood at the window. He did not stare down at the women as they talked in the garden. In fact, he did what he could to avoid looking at them. He did not want to appear to be spying or keeping an eye on Agatha. She was not his prisoner and he did not want to make her feel as if she was.
The warm sun on his face felt good. He closed his eyes for a moment, sipping his tea. Turning to return to the bar behind his chair, he set the cup down and uncorked the glass bottle with his favorite brandy inside. He poured a drop or two into the tea and used a small spoon on the tray to stir it.
It was typically too early for liquor but he would indulge himself just for today. It would help calm his nerves as he attempted to get used to having Lady Elizabeth in the castle.
He took the tea and went from the room down the hall to the library.
The Duke of Thornwall pushed open the door and was surprised to see Ursula sitting in one of the chairs, her small legs pulled up beside her. Her head spun to him and she hobbled up to her feet as quickly as she could.
“Oh, your grace. I apologize! I did not expect anyone to be downstairs this early.”
The Duke of Thornwall grinned at her, crossing the room to stand in front of the table next to her. He picked up one of the books stacked on top and thumbed through it. “You must not apologize. It is I who should, as I seem to have startled you.”
“You looked just as surprised, my lord.” Ursula returned his smile.
“I believe you must have lost track of the time, my dear, as it is nearly 8:30 and breakfast would normally be served at nine.” He pulled on the chain of his gold pocket watch and flipped open the lid to affirm he had the correct time. “Yes, it is nearly three quarters past the hour. Have you had your breakfast?”
“Not yet, Your Grace. I will need to eat soon, as my stomach is making me aware it is empty.”
“I have had my breakfast. Lady Agatha and Lady Elizabeth have taken a basket to the garden to eat. Are you enjoying your book?”
“Yes, my lord.” She scanned the young man’s face. He tried not to feel uncomfortable but it was not often that she stared at him with such intensity.
“What are you thinking, Ursula?”
“You look different this morning, my lord. You must have slept well.”
The Duke of Thornwall returned her gaze before looking back at the book in his hands. “Do you have plans for today, Ursula?”
“I do not make plans anymore, your grace. I wake up thankful for the day the Lord has given me and wait patiently for the last one.”
The duke looked down at her again. “You do?”
Ursula nodded. “Oh yes, my lord. I have learned through these long years of my life to be patient and now that I am in the last days I will be on earth, I consider every day to be my last blessing. When I wake up to another day, it is one more blessed day for me.”
The Duke of Thornwall shook his head. “I do not know if I would want to live each day thinking it is my last.”
Ursula’s eyes did not lose their intensity. “It is a shame, your grace, but I must disagree with you about that.”
He frowned, wondering how she could disagree with how he felt he was living his life. “What on earth do you mean?”
“I agree that you do not live your life as if it was your last. You live it as if it is the last day for everyone else.”
He shook his head. “I still do not understand your meaning.”
“You carry with you a dark presence, Thornwall, and until you are able to shirk the bad feelings you carry inside you, you will not be able to rid yourself of it.”
“I carry a dark presence with me?” The Duke of Thornwall studied the old woman’s face. He did not feel resentment for the statement. He hoped Ursula, being an old woman and intuitive because of it, was the only one who could sense that darkness about him.
“You will rid yourself of it soon, Thornwall,” Ursula used a soft tone when she spoke to him. He felt warmth slide through him. “You wait and see. It will not be long before you are free again and peace enters your soul once more.”
The Duke of Thornwall picked up his cup of tea and sipped it, the taste of brandy filling his mouth and warming his throat as he swallowed.
He wanted peace again.
Chapter 19
With reluctant fingers, she unfolded the letter and read it aloud to Lady Agatha.
“Dearest Elizabeth,” she read. “Your father and I hope this letter finds you well. We have not had any difficulties here. How is Lady Agatha faring after her accident?
I am writing to request that you return home as soon as possible. We have been entertaining a guest from the North of England and we feel he would be a good husband for you. He is a gentleman, the Marquess of Cramilton, Bertram Johnstone.
It is with great urgency that we ask for your return, as there is only a small window of opportunity to meet with the Marquess of Cramilton. Many eligible ladies of the ton seek after him. We cannot wait until the social season begins or he will be taken.
You are to inform Lady Agatha and the Duke of Thornwall of your departure immediately. We do ask that you write back to us to confirm you have received this letter and will be returning. Inform us of the return date. We will arrange for the Marquess of Cramilton to visit that evening. Mother.”
She looked up from the letter, dismayed that she had been right about its contents.
Lady Agatha had an odd look on her face, prompting Lady Elizabeth to ask, “Why do you look that way?”
Lady Agatha shook her head.
“Have you met the Marquess of Cramilton before?” she asked.
“No, I do not believe I have,” Lady Elizabeth replied, shaking her head.
“I met him during season last year at a house party. It was the only occasion I have had to speak with him and I have not seen him since. He seemed quite pleasant and kind. I
am surprised he is not yet married. When I did not see or hear of him after the party, I assumed he was grabbed by a charming young lady.”
Lady Agatha was putting on a brave face but Lady Elizabeth could see the sadness in her eyes. She could tell her friend was thinking the worst.
“I know you do not want me to leave, Aggie,” she said gently.
Lady Agatha moved her eyes to the fountain. “I do not,” she replied in a soft voice. “You and my brother have not had an easy start. Will you be taking your leave so as to avoid dealing with him?”
Lady Elizabeth shook her head. “I do not want to leave. But what shall I tell my parents?”
Lady Agatha’s demeanor brightened. Her usual small smile was back and she lifted her shoulders. “I’m so glad you wish to stay, Lizzie.”
“I do. I think there is more to the Duke of Thornwall than I thought.” She looked down, continuing in a soft, shy voice. “The truth is, he has come to be a very different man from the one I met on the day of my arrival. I have come to know him better in these few weeks.”
“When you left home, how long did you tell your parents you would be gone for?”
Lady Elizabeth was quiet for a moment, thinking back. She lifted one finger to her lips and stared blankly at the ground. “Let me see. I do believe I told them that I would be gone a month. A fortnight is not long enough. But in my mind, I was hoping for an extended stay. I do not wish to wear out my welcome.”
Lady Agatha laughed softly. “I am attempting to get you to become a family member and you would be living here. You cannot wear out your welcome.”
Lady Elizabeth laughed with her. “I suppose you are right.”
She stood up to take a few steps closer to the fountain. She watched the rippling water falling from the teapot the cherub was tipping. She ran her eyes over the baby angel. It was sculpted into white granite rock. In certain areas, flecks of silver shone through, making the cherub sparkle.
“This is beautifully crafted,” she said, admiringly. She glanced over her shoulder when Lady Agatha answered.
“Yes, it is. The artist was quite talented.”
There was a moment of quiet while the two ladies contemplated the beauty of the art piece.
“Just think.”
When Lady Agatha spoke, Lady Elizabeth turned to her again and stepped back to the bench.
“If you end up wedded to my brother, it will be yours.”
Lady Elizabeth smiled. “It is a beautiful thing to own. I am sure you know, however, it is not the material things that I desire. I am accustomed to a large home, servants, and being clothed and fed properly. But I do not desire more. I only want what I need to survive.”
She lowered herself to the bench again, folding the letter and placing it back in the basket. “When it comes to marriage, I want to love my husband. I want to be in love with him all my life. Therefore, I must choose wisely. I do not want an unhappy life without love.”
“Yes. That is how I approach it, as well.”
“I have overheard conversations in my mother’s sewing circle. Some of the ladies did not marry for love or had the marriage arranged for them by their parents. Many try to hide it by saying of what society instructs, but that look on their face at the mention of love never goes away.”
She shifted on the bench, getting more comfortable. “They do not reveal it to anyone but their closest friends. As a typical curious young girl, I would sit with them, sewing garments and quilts, listening to them complain about how uneasy they were.”
She shook her head. “Oh, Agatha, I simply cannot be like that.”
“I do not want a marriage like that either. I do hope you do not consider what I have done as an unwanted arrangement.”
“I do not. I think the Duke of Thornwall might.”
Lady Agatha looked like she had not thought of that possibility. “He is such a good man. I just want to see him married to a good woman. He could so easily get his heart broken again. It has been four years and he has never mentioned once how he felt about finding a bride.”
“He must or he will not have an heir,” Lady Elizabeth pointed out.
Lady Agatha nodded. “Yes, I know. I have mentioned this unfortunate fact to him several times. He pays no mind and will not speak to me. When I do mention it, he stops the conversation altogether. It seems he insists on pursuing a life of loneliness.”
“Is it because of his losses? Your parents? His betrothed?”
Lady Agatha ran her eyes over the surrounding beds of flowers. “Such pretty colors,” she murmured before answering Lady Elizabeth in a louder voice. “I am quite sure that has something to do with it, yes.”
Her friend’s confirmation was not making it any easier for Lady Elizabeth to decide whether the Duke of Thornwall would welcome her. He did seem to have warmed up to her but the possibility of being courted by him seemed a bit unlikely.
“Do you think your brother will allow me to stay? He has not given me any indication he is interested in courting me or even talking to me about it.”
“Malcolm will allow you to stay as long as I want you here,” Lady Agatha said firmly. “You need not worry about that.”
“I do not want to stay where I am not welcome.”
“You are always welcome here!” Lady Agatha exclaimed.
Lady Elizabeth grinned. “All right. I am going to write to my parents and tell them that you are not well enough for me to leave. This is not a lie, as my plan was to stay until you are fully recovered and you are not yet. You still need my help.”
Lady Agatha smiled wide. “You will stay?”
“Of course I will stay! I have come too far to leave after only a fortnight.”
“I am so happy to hear that, Lizzie. You are my dearest friend.” Lady Agatha leaned forward and gave Lady Elizabeth a one-sided hug, keeping space between them so the arm in the sling would not be pressed between them.
Lady Elizabeth opened the basket, her appetite returning. The food was no longer hot but she did not mind. A cold hard-boiled egg was just as good as a warm one and the biscuits were still fluffy and light. The raspberry jam spread on top with a small jam knife was like icing on the cake.
Lady Elizabeth and Lady Agatha spent another hour in the garden, reminiscing about the parties they had been to together, when they first met. Lady Agatha attempted to get Lady Elizabeth to scan her memory in search of the presence of the Duke of Cramilton at any of them.
Lady Elizabeth had no recollection of ever having met him and her parents had not mentioned that she might know him. After a few tries, Lady Elizabeth stated she did not care to think about the Marquess of Cramilton any longer. She would rather talk about the Duke of Thornwall.
That made Lady Agatha smile from ear to ear.
Lady Elizabeth saw when her friend shuddered visibly.
“Oh dear. You are getting cold. We must go in. Come, we will enjoy the rest of our breakfast in the parlor.”
Lady Elizabeth stood up after gathering the items around her and placing them back in the basket. Her heart ached when she saw her friend looking peaked. She was pushing her too hard, she surmised and felt an overwhelming sense of guilt.
She held out her hand and grasped Lady Agatha’s, helping her stand. She guided Lady Agatha inside, walking with one arm around her friend’s waist.
Once they were inside, Lady Agatha broke away from Lady Elizabeth’s grasp when they reached the bottom of the stairs.
“I must rest. I will go up and take a nap. You are free to do whatever you wish, you know that.”
“I will check on you in a few hours, Aggie,” Lady Elizabeth said.
“I’ll walk you to your room.”
Lady Agatha shook her head. “There is no need. I must try to be strong or I will remain weak. You must write a letter to your parents.”
“Are you certain?” Lady Elizabeth’s voice was filled with concern and she pulled her brows together, watching Lady Agatha slowly ascend the stairs.
; Her friend looked over her shoulder and nodded. “I will be fine. I will see you in a few hours.”
“All right.”
Lady Elizabeth stayed at the bottom of the stairs until the curve in it took Lady Agatha from her vision. She turned and walked toward the library, which was the only place besides the Duke of Thornwall’s office – where she did not dare go without Phoebe – that she might find some paper, ink and pen.
She entered the library and saw Anna at the end of the hallway, running a soft cloth over a bust of Beethoven.