Chapter 5
Amelia waited up all evening. She didn’t know what to do. She could return to her rooms in Hoxton; although she was not prepared to walk all that way at this time in the evening. Walking during early mornings would be safer as the drunken, unpredictable element was gone. She wasn’t quite that foolhardy. Or she could stay. If she was going to leave, she would have to beseech Lord Eldridge to avail her the use of his carriage. Surely he wouldn’t be so merciless as to refuse her.
She wasn’t sure how he would react. He seemed to be directionless in that account, sometimes cruel, sometimes indifferent and he even had moments that could be described as kind, at least in action. He was an enigma, lacking a certain consistency of character, she decided.
Irrespective of how Lord Eldridge reacted to her request to use his carriage tonight, it didn’t solve the bigger dilemma of what to do tomorrow when Edna still refused to leave. How do you explain to a senile woman that the one place of familiarity, her home, is not what it seemed? It seemed beyond cruel.
While she sorely wanted to lay all blame at the feet of Lord Eldridge, she wasn’t pig-headed enough not to know that he had rights to the property he had purchased. It was her father who had been remiss in providing for her properly, and she was also to blame for taking her life for granted. Maybe she would be more inclined to be pig-headed if she lamented to loss of her lifestyle. While the turn of events was terrifying, there was a certain excitement that had been missing from her protected and monotonous life.
Her life had been spelled out before her without much room for variance. The only real mystery had been the face of the man she would eventually marry. Things were different now; she had no idea what was in store for her, not even what would happen tomorrow. There was a certain thrill to that. A thrill that woke something in her, something she couldn’t define.
She heard Mr. Granson open the front door for Lord Eldridge as she sat in the parlor and waited. Muffled talk commenced and finished, and still he did not appear. Really, was it possible for the man to be any more rude?
Finally she got up to seek him out. She wasn’t going to sit there all night; he would have to contend with her. Light shone out the door of his study, so she knocked and entered before he had a chance to refuse her.
“Lord Eldridge,” she said sharply.
“I see you’re still here,” he said with a sigh. “How delightful.” She could hear the sarcasm in his voice.
“My circumstances may be reduced, Lord Eldridge, but it is still not appropriate for me to go walking around the streets of London after dark.”
“Why didn’t you take the carriage?” he said and put his drink down on the desk. He had taken his jacket off and looked more informal than she’d ever seen him. A crisp white shirt covered his shoulders and arms, and his waistcoat was unbuttoned. She knew his upper body were broad, but the contrast between the waistcoat and the shirt seemed to accentuate how solid his shoulders were—much more than the men she was used to seeing.
He didn’t make an effort to rise when she entered the room, obviously manners had slipped his repartee if he ever had any, or else he refused to show her the courtesy.
“I didn’t want any misunderstandings,” she said curtly. “In case you took offense and subsequently accused me of stealing.”
He regarded her for a minute. “You have permission to use the carriage, within reason.”
“Then I shall depart directly,” she said knowing that she had more or less forced him into loaning his carriage. There were some manners ingrained in him after all.
“It is close to midnight.”
“I am aware.”
“And when Miss Hessworth wakes?” he asked leaning back in his chair.
Amelia didn’t know what to say, she felt a lump of uncertainty settle in her throat.
“I have business to attend to in the morning. I cannot see to her,” he said. “But for the record, it’s not my place to see to her.” He was trying to bully her now, not that it was necessary; she knew full well what a predicament she was in.
“Someone will have to be here,” she said. “I can send my aunt’s maid back. Or I can return in the morning.”
“And then what, Miss Hessworth? What are you going to do then? Am I required to take care of your ailing aunt for the rest of her days?”
Amelia felt extremely uneasy, she didn’t have a solution. The only thing she could do was to take Edna back to Hoxton and hope she didn’t return here again, but even though her aunt wasn’t completely the person she grown up with, she was still stubborn as a mule. She would return her, to the place she saw as their home.
It was unfair to accuse her regarding to something she had no control over. It was not her fault; none of this was her fault. She still bristled with discomfort.
“You are incapable of controlling your aunt,” he stated. “She is traipsing all over London, putting herself in the path of any sorts of persons. What am I, in all conscience, supposed to do when you are clearly incapable of not involving me?”
“I will watch her more carefully,” Amelia said through clenched teeth. She hadn’t gotten a scolding like this since her lessons. The worst was that she didn’t have a defence against the accusations; she just had to tolerate it as he was not considerate enough to acknowledge the difficulty of her situation.
“And if you fail?”
“Then it is none of your concern,” she shot back revealing some of the anger she was feeling.
“No, Miss Hessworth, she will have to stay here,” he stated. “Where she can be cared for. You must understand it is a huge imposition, but what am I to do? You can either run my carriage down to the spokes travelling back and forth each evening and morning or you can stay here. Miss Hessworth’s maid must be here to care for her constantly. It will be the death knell to your reputation either way, as you must either live alone or stay here, neither of which will stand you in good stead.”
“Then I will stay here,” she said with as much pride as she could muster. She saw little reason in running back and forth to Hoxton each night when it served no purpose whatsoever.
“Well, I am sorry it has come to this, but there is nothing else I can do,” he said. “I am not responsible for you, Miss Hessworth, or your aunt, but you have left me in a difficult position.”
Amelia retired to her room. Her cheeks were burning with embarrassment and indignity. Staying here was the best solution for her aunt, but Lord Eldridge required a heavy price for it in humiliation. It was not a currency she was used to, but she had little choice. She needed time to think, think of something to do. If it worked out that she could give Lord Eldridge a good slap in the process, more the better.
If it wasn’t for Edna, she would be long gone. She wasn’t sure where, but she would certainly not put up with such treatment from a clearly abhorrent man.
It was a big house and she would do her very best to avoid spending any time with him whatsoever. From what she could see, he spent most of his time in his study. She’d spend her time in the garden if she had to, no matter how heavily it poured with rain.
Unfortunately he was right in that her reputation would not be helped by living with a bachelor who was not related to her, but any understanding person would give her leeway due to the difficulty of her cirumstances. Surely there were kind people in the world. They might not have been amongst her circle of acquaintances, but they did exist, she was sure of it. She didn’t need much, just one unmarried man predispositioned to kindness who felt that spending his life with her might be a superior idea. In all of England there must be one such man.
It didn’t prove hard to avoid Lord Eldridge; he left early in the mornings, or stayed in his study. Edna was clearly much happier in a familiar environment. She settled down like nothing had ever happened. Abigail was also relieved to be back in the comforts of a large house. It made Amelia feel guilty that she could not provide an existence that was comfortable for them, having instead to impose on Lord E
ldridge.
She still felt a mix of emotions, embarrassment for the situation, anger that it had happened, and displeasure with Lord Eldridge’s insistence that she was all her fault. It might not be her fault, but it was her responsibility, which made her emotions chase themselves around in an endless circle. What choice did she have but to accept his generosity and the derision that went with it?
She supposed that she should be concerned with Edna’s comfort more than her own, so she would just have to put up with it.
It was surprising how wearisome her existence was without the social engagements that occupied an inordinate amount of time through either planning for or recuperating from. Without them and the shopping, social calls and letter writing that went with it, there was actually very little to occupy her time.
She felt more conscious about going outside as there was a much higher chance of running into acquaintances who would either ignore her or hurriedly tell her how sorry they were for her change in fortune before moving on. Being stuck with Lord Eldridge’s chagrin was bad enough; she didn’t need to subject herself to others’ sympathy even if it was more genuine than his.
Saying that, Edna did require some things and she would rather walk on hot coals than ask Lord Eldridge. Edna had still not emerged from her bedroom, preferring to spend most of her time in bed, likely in case she would get pulled away from it again, Amelia thought.
Edna still liked to adorn things and Amelia had been tasked with finding the ribbons her aunt wanted. She pulled on her hat and coat and slipped out the door. She didn’t officially require a maid to accompany her around anymore, so she could freely go on her own. She decided to wander a little further afield than her usual stores where young ladies of the ton went to be seen. It also gave her a good excuse to take a little exercise.
She knew of a large haberdashery story that held all sorts of more unusual things. Edna would appreciate a more exotic set of ribbons.
She loved the gentle sun on her face that hinted at the coming prospects of spring. The air in London was never sweet, but it was a little crisper today. The country air would be lovely, but she had no idea when she would experience it again. It was unlikely she would spend the summers in Wiltshire like she always did. Somehow she didn’t expect that Lord Eldridge would bring them along if he went, even if they’re familiarity with him stretched as long as to accommodate the summer.
She was certainly rewarded with a wide selection at the store she’d chosen, and it were a little more affordable as well. Something she’d never had to consider before.
“Miss Hessworth,” a woman said next to her. Amelia turned toward an older woman she didn’t recognize. She searched her memory, but could not place her. She was well dressed with beautiful features.
“I’m sorry, I’ve afraid I have failed to recall your name,” Amelia said feeling mortified for the oversight.
“Oh, we’ve never met, but I know you,” the woman said.
“Oh,” Amelia said, unsure how to respond or what this woman wanted.
“I was acquainted with your father,” the woman said and smiled. “He told me a great deal about you.”
It dawned on Amelia that this woman might be more than acquainted with her father—perhaps someone he spent evenings with. She knew that he did leave in the evenings to spend time elsewhere. She had always suspected that he kept the company of a woman or women. Amelia wasn’t sure how to respond to this situation. She wasn’t sure how she was supposed to act.
“I am very sorry about his passing and the position he has put you in,” the woman said carefully. She put her hand out and said, “My name is Celeste.”
“Amelia,” she said and tentatively shook the woman’s hand, still uncertain what this woman wanted.
“I’m afraid such news travels fast—as it seems to always do. Are you well?”
It actually felt nice that someone enquired, even if it was her father’s former mistress. “I am fine.”
“Your father cared about you a great deal,” Celeste continued. “Although he wasn’t always the most fore-thinking man. In truth, considering others was not his strongest point.”
Amelia wondered if this woman actually cared for her father. She didn’t know anything about the relationships between men and their mistresses. She knew they existed. She’d suspected her father had several over the years, not that she ever met any of them or that he mentioned them. As she got older she realized that sometimes when he left in the evenings, he was going to spend time with women who were not entirely respectable.
“Would you like to go to the Patisserie across the street? They do a very good Chinese tea service there,” Celeste suggested.
The invitation caught Amelia by surprise. She debated what to do, but curiosity won out and followed the woman as she left the store. Amelia noted that this woman’s manner and dressed made it difficult tell her apart from the women with whom Amelia was acquainted.
It was strange to think that this woman knew her father, probably very well. She also seemed to want to talk about him, which was a novelty. Amelia hadn’t had anyone to talk to for quite a while. She suspected part of the reason she agreed to have tea with Celeste was that she herself needed someone to talk to, and any familiarity would do, even an indirect one.
Celeste picked a table and ordered tea and biscuits for them both.
“How long were you acquainted with my father?”
“About two years. He was an interesting man. I did like him, even though he was a bit gruff and inconsiderate at times. I was very cross with him when I heard how remiss he had been in planning for you. I am so very sorry. You must be beside yourself.”
“I’ve unfortunately have to rely the new owner of father’s properties. It is far from an ideal situation, but we are not starving.”
“Yes, Lord Eldridge,” Celeste said.
“You know him?” Amelia asked with surprise.
“No, but your father told me about him,” Celeste said and started to serve the tea that had appeared at their table. “Edward didn’t like him.”
“He’s not particularly likeable.”
“It seemed that things Lord Eldridge were doing caused stress for your father,” Celeste said. “I think he was aware that Lord Eldridge wanted his estate back and may have been working against him.”
“Lord Eldridge is a uniquely unpleasant man.” This was all new to Amelia; she had not realized that her father had known this man in any meaningful capacity.
“Men are men at the end of the day,” Celeste said. “They have their ideas and their competitions. I am just sorry that you got caught up in it. It is inexcusable.” Celeste actually sounded angry. It was nice to talk to someone who acknowledged that she had been misused in this whole affair.
“In what way do you rely on Lord Eldridge?” Celeste asked.
“Not in any disreputable ways,” Amelia said, shocked at the blatant query. “He provided us with rooms, that is all. There was a stipend. My aunt is very ill and the rooms did not suit, so we are living in the house again.” Her confidence slipping as she went on.
“He feels guilt.”
“He doesn’t act like it,” Amelia said with uncertainty.
“Actions speak louder than words and he feels guilty.”
“They were his family’s estate before my father acquired them.”
“All the same, it is a shame you were caught up in this nasty little affair. It must be quite a shock for you.”
Amelia didn’t know what to say. Part of her wanted to tell this woman how horrible it had been, but she wasn’t sure it would be a good idea to confide in a perfect stranger, even if they seemed perfectly kind.
“I take it you’ve lost all of your friends,” Celeste said and Amelia looked down in her lap. It did hurt that she had been completely renounced by her acquaintances. Initially she got letters of condolences when her father has died, but the letters dried up as her resulting situation became clear.
“Never mind,
there are new friends to be had,” Celeste smiled. “You should come to the dinner party I’m having on Friday. It will be an interesting affair, you will enjoy it.”
Amelia felt uncertain. She had no idea what such a dinner party would be like, or what would be expected of her.
“Just a bit of harmless fun with some very entertaining people—the odd artist.”
“Artists?” Amelia said with piqued curiosity.
“Painters. Poets. People with interesting opinions,” Celeste added. “You won’t regret it. Besides, have you got anything more interesting to do?”
Amelia clearly didn’t. “Alright,” she said tentatively.
“Good,” Celeste said and patted her hand. “Now I must run. I have to see my dressmaker before this evening. I will send you a note with the address. It should be such a diverting evening.” She pulled out some coins from her purse and paid for the tea. With a wave of her hand, she was gone out the door and down the street.
Amelia returned to the store and bought some ribbons before returning home. One never knew what would happen; she went out to buy some ribbon and came back with a dinner party invitation—and maybe a new friend. She was curious about this dinner party, particularly as there were to be artists present. She had never met a real artist; they didn’t typically travel in her circle. Artists and poets, they were people with passion, which was something strongly frowned upon by the dowagers, chaperones and society paragons.
She’d wondered again about life outside her social circle and if she had just made her first step toward it. She felt quietly excited as it would beat staying in her room reading yet another book that now belonged to the crabby Lord Eldridge.
Chapter 6
Richard watched from his study as Miss Hessworth leapt up the stairs to the front door. Her curls bounced with each step and her cheeks were rosy. He had to admit that she was a very fetching girl. He couldn’t do anything but admire the energy she had in the midst of her hardship. Or perhaps she was just too dumb to realize how dire her situation was.
Undoing One's Enemy Page 4