by Kira Stewart
12.
Despite the girl’s feelings, the preparations still went ahead for the visit to Thornton Manor.
Roberta and Henry Channing wanted to ensure everything went smoothly, to give their daughter the greatest chance of winning over the Earl, and they talked of little else. Isobel was instructed, over and over again, how she should behave to ensure a repeat of the Ball at Wentworth House would never happen again.
The poor girl did as she was told, because resistance was futile. Her mother fussed over her clothing and one day was dedicated entirely to shopping. With Emily still sulking and Isobel’s apathy, Mrs. Channing found it difficult to enthuse the girls. She looked for ribbon and lace and any such adornments that would enhance their dresses.
“Look at this beautiful cream lace, Izzie. It would look perfect on your blue silk gown. We could attach some to the sleeves. Now, come and have a look.”
Isobel didn’t care about silk, lace or anything else, apart from Jack Parnell, and she definitely didn’t want anything that would encourage the Earl further.
“I am sure it is not necessary, Mama. The dress looks well enough as it is.”
Roberta Channing sighed, wishing her offspring could be a little more enthusiastic.
“Well what about a new parasol? The weather is set to be fine this weekend and I hear there are fine gardens at Thornton Manor. That pale blue silk with the little pearl handle would look beautiful.”
Isobel sighed. Her mother was determined to find something to buy.
“Yes Mama, whatever you think. Now please excuse me, I have a headache and am in need of some fresh air. I will wait for you both outside.”
The girl could not wait to escape both the shop and her mother. Both were suffocating her. Emily would have to be her focus now.
“Isobel?”
At the sound of her name she turned around. It was Lady Annabelle Lennox.
“Dear Isobel. I was just thinking about you. What a coincidence. I have been meaning to call in to see you after what happened at the Ball. I wanted to see how you were.”
Isobel struggled to speak. She could not stop the tears welling up in her eyes.
“Oh my dear, come walk with me a little way. We can walk through the park and you can tell me all about it.”
“But what about Mama?”
Lady Lennox smiled.
“I think that your dear mama will be well occupied for quite a while. I wonder that she will miss you at all.”
As Isobel looked through the window, she could already see poor Emily being forced to try on several pairs of gloves. The Duchess was quite right.
“Now my dear, please start at the beginning and tell me all about it.”
Arm in arm, the couple strolled through the leafy park, whilst Isobel talked, leaving out no detail of her story.
“And now we are to take tea with Sebastian Adick and I cannot think of anything worse. Oh I do not want to go, Lady Lennox. I fear that my parents will push me into a match with him. I do not wish to marry the man, and I am sure that Jack will contact me. You once told me that true love will find a way. Is that not so?”
Annabelle Lennox smiled sadly. Her journey had been a difficult one and she sympathized with the girl.
“I cannot promise anything, my dear. Life is not always easy and the right path is usually the most difficult. Yet, I feel fate does play a hand in these things. I do not know the reason why your young officer has not yet contacted you, but what I can say, is that young man is in love with you. I could see it at the Ball, by the way he looked at you and the way you danced together. It was the same with Edward and me.”
Isobel frowned.
“But that does not help me. I am afraid that my parents will have me married to the Earl, before I have the chance to even see Jack again. I am afraid it is hopeless, Lady Lennox.”
“Now my dear, you must call me Annabelle. I think I can help you. As you know, we do not live too far from Thornton Manor. Edward and I will visit Sebastian this very Saturday, the same afternoon as you arrive. He will not refuse my husband. I will make sure to say that you are not looking too well and that a trip to the sea would bring you a world of good. It just so happens that I am due to take a month in Brighton. They say the sea air is wonderful, and now that the Prince Regent travels there, the place is becoming most fashionable. What do you say? At least it will give you some breathing space away from everything, and especially from the clutches of Sebastian Adick. I am surprised at his behavior. I do not particularly like the man, but that was mainly due to his vanity. We will see how real his threats are. I shall certainly speak to Edward about this.”
“Oh no, please Annabelle. Do not say a word to your husband. I know you are only trying to help, but I am afraid for Jack, and I would hate to get him into trouble. Will you promise me not to say a word?”
Annabelle agreed.
“Brighton will do you good, Isobel. The sea air will do wonders and we shall go dipping in the sea. There will be plenty of young officers around, too. There are at least four regiments in the area, sent there to protect the coast. Maybe they will take your mind off things?”
Isobel smiled.
“I am not sure that I will be interested in any of the officers. It is a shame my cousin Emily cannot be there.”
“Well, let us invite her, too. The more the merrier. And do not worry about Sebastian Adick. Maybe the Earl’s bark is worse than his bite.”
Isobel smiled.
“I hope so. I am not sure that my cousin will want to come with us to Brighton. She too had set her heart at Jack Parnell, and I am afraid he has come between our friendship.”
13.
The weekend of the visit soon arrived. Even with Annabelle’s plan, Isobel still felt vulnerable.
Emily and Charles had decided not to accompany the Channings on their visit. Things were still cool between the two girls, and Emily’s parents were due to travel to London for a few weeks, and Emily made the excuse that she wanted to stay home to say her goodbyes.
As Isobel dressed and made final adjustments to her hair, Emily entered her room, something she had not done since the night of the Ball.
“You will be gone soon, cousin. I wanted us to part as friends.”
Isobel was touched by the girl’s offer.
“I had never stopped being your friend, Emily.”
The two girls hugged.
“All of this nonsense over silly officers. They will be soon back from France, Izzie, and then we shall laugh about this.”
Isobel smiled sadly.
“I just hope that they do come back.”
Emily looked shocked, as if the thought had never crossed her mind.
“Surely they will be all right, Izzie. They will come home, won’t they?”
Both girls hugged again, trying to keep the tears from falling.
“We are at war with France, Emily. Napoleon is our enemy. Many young men have already died in battle, and no doubt there will be more. We can only pray that they return home safely.”
“Oh Izzie.”
Emily began to cry.
“But ...”
“Now do not fret, Emily. I am sure that they will be fine. Both are strong young men and I am sure we have nothing to worry about. Anyway, I have some news that will make you happy. Lady Lennox has invited me to Brighton for a month and she has also invited you. There are at least four regiments in the area. You shall have your pick of red coated officers, Emily. Now what do you say?”
“Isobel, are you ready yet? The carriage is already here. We do not want to keep the Earl waiting, now do we?”
Roberta Channing appeared in the doorway, overdressed for the occasion.
“My dears, whatever is going on here? Emily, why are you crying? You two girls have barely spoken all week and now it comes for you to part and there are tears. Never mind, we shall be back before nightfall. Now come along, Izzie.”
Emily hugged her cousin closely.
“Oh I
zzie, will you ever forgive me?”
Her eyes were red with tears.
“Oh cousin. We are friends again. Let us never let a man come between our friendship ever again. Now you must come to Brighton, say that you will. But you must promise to keep it a secret, until I return tonight. Do you agree?”
Emily nodded. The girl did not need much persuasion, especially at the thought of the officers, and when the two girls said goodbye, they were the best of friends again.
14.
Her father bristled with pride as they pulled up in the carriage on the driveway outside Thornton Manor. Sebastian was waiting for them on the steps, surrounded by two large mastiff dogs. Isobel thought he looked too full of himself, as if he had already won the battle and was ready to receive his prize. Her!
“Welcome, my dear. May I say how beautiful you look today, and you, too, Mrs. Channing, charming simply charming.”
Taking her by the hand, he led them through the grand entrance hall and they were ushered into the Drawing Room, where tea and cakes were called for.
Sebastian seated himself on a small couch next to Isobel, the large dogs flanking both their feet. Isobel felt trapped, as if he had imprisoned her already—the great dogs as her jailers. As they discussed pleasantries, the girl sat uncomfortably on the edge of her seat, watching the second hand of the mantle clock move through the seconds and minutes. What if the Duke and Duchess did not arrive? What would she do then? She would be left to the mercy of her parents and Sebastian Adick.
As the little clock chimed three, a man servant entered the room. The Duke and Duchess had arrived.
Sebastian looked quite put out by the intrusion. He had wanted it to be a cozy party, one that he could easily manipulate. He already had her parents eating out of the palm of his hand, but he was still unsure about the girl. This visit was intended to secure an engagement.
Still, he could hardly refuse the Duke of Marlborough.
He smiled graciously and stood when they entered.
“Your Grace, Lady Lennox. What a wonderful surprise. I will order more tea. You already know my dear guests. What a jolly tea party this will be.”
Conversation was soon turned to how pale Isobel was looking and the state of the girl’s health. Annabelle Lennox was true to her word and she suggested the visit to Brighton.
“I am afraid it is a little short notice, Mrs. Channing, since I travel in two days’ time, but I am sure you will agree that Isobel is looking rather tired and pale. I do believe that Bath has worn the poor girl out. A month’s rest by the sea will do her the world of good, and I promise to take very good car of her.”
Sebastian pulled a face.
“I had hoped to arrange a little party for Isobel and myself next week.”
Annabelle smiled graciously at him.
“I am sure you would like Isobel to be in the best of health, Sebastian. Surely your party can wait until she is in better spirits. I plan to go ‘dipping’ in the sea in Brighton. It is very popular, you know, and the sea air and the salt water are bound to revive her. Do not you agree?”
Sebastian Adick could hardly say no.
The man could barely disguise his anger, but he could think of no other excuse why the girl should not go.
“That is very kind of you, ma’am. If Isobel wants to go to Brighton that is?”
Isobel smiled, the relief flooding her face.
“Oh Lady Lennox, I would love to come with you to Brighton, if my parents agree, of course.”
A Duke and a Duchess always outrank an Earl, and even though it wasn’t in their plans for their daughter, it was certainly an opportunity for the girl, and it could hardly harm her prospects with the Earl.
Annabelle Lennox smiled knowingly at Isobel. Her plan had worked.
Still determined to pursue his plan, Sebastian suggested a walk in the garden. The weather was fine and his grounds were looking splendid.
Isobel glanced nervously at Annabelle. She had dreaded being alone with the man, but it would be difficult to say no.
Taking her by the arm, Sebastian led the way across the sweeping lawns at the back of the house. Annabelle tried to stay close to her friend.
Suddenly, Sebastian stopped.
“Now I would particular like to show Miss Channing my roses. I have some spectacular blooms this year I would very much like her to see. If you all carry on down the path, you will reach a very fine fountain. Now if you will excuse us for a few minutes, we will join you shortly. Come along, my dear.”
Isobel panicked. She had not counted on being alone with the Earl. It was obvious why he wanted to see her alone. There was no way out.
Reluctantly, Annabelle left her friend. There was nothing she could say that would help the situation. The girl would have to deal with the man alone.
His arm was tight around hers, as he virtually marched the poor girl in the opposite direction to the Rose Arbor.
The air was warm and sweet and it suddenly reminded her of the time she spent alone with Jack so many nights before on the terrace. It felt almost a lifetime away.
“Isobel?
She struggled to look him in the eye.
“Now Isobel, you are not a foolish girl. I think you know the reason I have asked you here today. Your parents certainly do. You are beautiful, my dear, and I should very much like to make you my wife.”
There was no feeling in his proposal. It was if he was buying a beautiful object, rather than a declaration of love.
The girl was silent, hardly knowing what to say.
“You are quiet, my dear. You are bowled over by my proposal, no doubt? You are but a tradesman’s daughter, but you are by far the most beautiful woman in the County.”
Isobel felt sick. Her heart beat wildly, but this time through fear. She did not know how to respond.
“I take your silence as acceptance, my dear?”
The girl almost choked at his words.
“I do not love you, sir.”
The words were spoken, before she had time to speak, yet they were the truth.
“Love?”
She could hear the exasperation in his voice.
“Marriage is not about love, my dear. It is about money and a title. You have none and the match is all on my side. I overlook all that for your beauty. Do you not find me attractive?”
Isobel stared blankly at him.
“No, sir, I do not.”
At first, he thought that he had heard incorrectly.
“I am sorry, my dear?”
“I said that no, I do not find you attractive.”
Turning quite pale, the young man’s voice turned from exasperation to anger.
“How dare you insult me in this way, Miss Channing? I bestow the greatest honor upon a girl in your position, and all you can do is insult me. I expect I am not as handsome as your officer, am I not?”
The girl did not reply, which only served in making the Earl angrier.
“I see that you think you are in love with that man. You have secretly promised him. After all I said. Well I warned you, my dear. I have great influence with the general. Why do you think the regiment moved so quickly after the Ball? If you think so much about Jack Parnell, then perhaps you will reconsider my proposal. I would hate to see anything happen to that young man. And do not worry, my dear, I will not hold your words against you. Now what do you say?”
Isobel shivered in the warmth of the sun. It was an impossible situation. What would Annabelle advise? She had suggested the trip to Brighton as a way of buying time. Perhaps that’s what she needed to do now, to buy some time so she could think?
“I will consider your proposal, sir, if you are true to your word. I will consider your proposal, whilst I am away with Lady Lennox, and will give an answer on my return.”
Eyeing her warily, he did not speak for a moment. His eyes narrowed as if weighing up the situation.
“Very well, my dear, but I expect an answer as soon as you return. Now, let us join the oth
ers.”
Her mother and father, who had been contemplating an immediate engagement, were both disappointed and surprised when the couple returned with no happy news.
The Duchess smiled, guessing what might have taken place.
The mood of the group had cooled noticeably. Sebastian Adick was quiet, all of his previous enthusiasm disappeared, and it was obvious that he was not in good temper.
Now that the purpose of the visit was concluded—although not to his satisfaction—it was obvious that he wished them gone.
With final arrangements for the visit in Brighton with Lady Lennox settled, they made their goodbyes and left, the Earl remaining cool and indoors, and let his manservant see them out.
As soon as they were back in the carriage on their way home, her father demanded an explanation. What had the Earl said to her in private? And more importantly, what had she said to so obviously annoy him. Her father was livid.
“What on earth did you say to the man, Izzie? He had a face like thunder?”
As Izzie explained, her parents looked on aghast.
“For God’s sake girl, you have just been proposed to by an Earl! Do not you realise what that means? I am not surprised the poor man acted like he did. It is a wonder that he has given you the opportunity to think about it, you ungrateful girl. Well, I hope that Lady Lennox makes you see more sense. At least we are grateful for her attentions. Think well on it, Isobel, for we will be expecting to announce your engagement to the Earl on your return.”
Sitting back in the carriage, Isobel closed her eyes. Would the brief month in Brighton be enough? It would stall her decision for a time, but what then? It was but four short weeks, and she had no idea what she would do after that. She prayed Annabelle Lennox would know what to do.
15.
Brighton was just as Annabelle Lennox had described. She had rented a very smart town house in a fashionable quarter, near to the Royal Pavilion. As promised, the town was full of officers, and Emily squealed with delight, as their carriage drove through the cobbled streets that thronged with the red coated gentlemen.