From Wallflower to Countess

by Janice Preston

  The closed door between her bedchamber and Richard’s taunted her. With a muttered curse, she flung across the room and threw it open. She froze on the threshold. The room was still, mockingly, empty. But the bed...was she going mad? The bed that had been so neat and smooth was now rumpled and crumpled, a head-shaped dip in the pillow.

  At the knock on her bedchamber door, Felicity hastily shut the linking door, her head whirling. Had she imagined it? No, she knew she had not. And that could only mean that Richard had not slept here last night, and that his servants were protecting him.

  ‘I shall wear the ivory walking dress with the rose pelisse,’ she said to Yvette, in no mood for anyone to dictate anything to her. ‘And when I have changed, please fetch your cloak and bonnet. We are going shopping.’

  * * *

  Felicity and Yvette, accompanied by Thomas the footman to help carry their purchases, spent a pleasant few hours strolling the length of first New Bond Street, and then Old, examining the variety of goods displayed in the shop windows. About to turn for home, Felicity was accosted by a familiar voice.

  ‘Good morning, Lady Stanton, or should I say “afternoon” as it is, indeed, past noon.’ Felicity turned to greet Charles Durant, who was bowing before her. ‘Might I offer you my arm?’

  ‘Good afternoon, Mr Durant. You may indeed. We are about to turn for home.’

  ‘That is indeed fortunate, for I happen to be heading in that direction myself.’ He crooked his arm for her. ‘Is Stanton at home?’

  ‘I cannot be certain, sir. I have been out these past two hours or more.’

  ‘No matter. I can always wait. Or mayhap he is at his club again. I saw him there last night, but he did not linger. Two hands of cards is all, and then he needs must rush off. One can only assume he had a more pressing engagement at home,’ he added teasingly.

  Felicity swallowed the bile that flooded her mouth.

  After a beat or two of silence, Charles said, ‘I trust you have spent a pleasant morning?’

  ‘I have indeed.’ Felicity indicated Yvette and Thomas, both laden with packages. ‘As you see, I have been thoroughly seduced by the contents of the shop windows.’

  ‘They have served their purpose, then.’

  Felicity raised a brow.

  ‘The shop windows, of course: the shopkeepers display their wares in the hope of enticing passers-by into their emporia to spend. And, lo and behold, you have obliged. One buys with one’s eyes in the first instance. Payment soon follows.’

  ‘That is most profound, Mr Durant.’

  ‘Oh, please, call me Charles. You did so at Fernley.’

  ‘Charles, then, though I must take care to revert to Mr Durant when in company.’ They crossed into Cavendish Square from Henrietta Street. ‘I have no wish to incur the censure of the grande dames of the ton so early in my marriage.’

  ‘Have you not, Felicity Joy?’ a deep voice said behind them. Felicity’s heart leapt, as though it might beat its way free of the cage of her ribs. ‘And what, might I ask, have you been up to, to risk such censure?’

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Richard had walked up Henrietta Street, unnoticed, behind Felicity and Charles, who were deep in conversation. Anger had flared, shocking him with its intensity. Why should the sight of Felicity on another man’s arm cause such emotion?

  Possessiveness. What’s yours is yours. Hasn’t it always been thus?

  He forced a calming breath. Charles was his friend and his cousin. This was a new situation for him, and it had provoked unexpected feelings. In time, he would adjust to having a wife.

  Before he could hail them, Felicity laughed at something Charles said, glancing up at him. Why could she not be so easy around him? Why was she so guarded?

  Except in bed. Perhaps he should be thankful she left her inhibitions at the bedchamber door. His mind drifted back to the night before, to the willingness of her soft, yet lithe, body in his arms. What would she do—how might she react—if he were to seduce her in the middle of the day? The idea excited him, despite the dull ache at the back of his skull.

  At the sound of his voice, Felicity had stiffened and her expression, when she faced him, was wary, in stark contrast to her easy manner with Charles.

  ‘Good afternoon, Richard.’

  She failed to meet his eyes, but tucked her hand willingly enough in the crook of his arm after he and Charles exchanged greetings. As they continued around the square, the thump in Richard’s head grew more insistent. Perhaps it had been unwise to walk home from Harriet’s house, where he had been taken after the attack last night. He had thought the fresh air might do him good.

  Richard glanced down at Felicity. ‘And where have you been this morning, Felicity Joy?’

  ‘I came upon her in Bond Street,’ Charles said, before Felicity could reply. He gestured to the two laden servants walking behind. ‘Your lady wife has been busy spending your fortune by relieving the merchants of their wares.’

  ‘I am pleased you have occupied your time in such a pleasant manner, my dear. I understand you are promised to Avon later today, to visit Westfield.’

  ‘Yes, I am looking forward to it.’

  ‘I thought I might come with you, if you do not object?’

  ‘There is no need, Richard. It will no doubt bore you beyond endurance, and I shall be quite safe with Dominic.’

  ‘I am sure you will.’ Richard hid his irritation behind his polite rejoinder. ‘However, I am curious about the place. I hope, therefore, you will indulge me by allowing me to accompany you.’

  ‘But of course, if that is your wish.’

  Her reluctance grated.

  ‘Thank you for your company, Charles,’ Felicity said, as they arrived at Stanton House. ‘Would you care for some light refreshments?’

  ‘I would indeed. Now I come to think of it, I am peckish.’

  Richard thrust aside his exasperation. It appeared Felicity would do almost anything to avoid spending time alone with him.

  * * *

  After having eaten their fill, they moved into the drawing room. Felicity was waylaid by Barnes in the hallway and Richard took the opportunity to tell Charles about the robbery the night before.

  ‘I was hit with a grappling hook.’

  Charles winced. ‘Painful. Did they steal much?’

  ‘Enough. They took last night’s winnings. I was lucky the night watchman came around the corner when he did. He sounded the alarm and the cowards ran off. I was taken to a nearby house to recover.’

  Harriet’s house. He must pray Felicity never got wind of that particular fact.

  ‘I’ve hired an investigator to make enquiries. He’ll start down at the docks. It seems logical, given they used a grappling hook.’ He heard a noise by the door. ‘Hush, not a word to Felicity, mind. I do not want her troubled.’

  ‘Coz! Soul of discretion, don’t you know.’

  Felicity entered the drawing room, a card in her hand. ‘It is an invitation from Lord and Lady Plymstock,’ she said. ‘Their ball is tonight, and they beg our attendance.’

  ‘It would be a feather in Lady Plymstock’s hat if you made your first appearance as a married couple at her ball,’ Charles said. ‘Shall you go, do you think?’

  ‘Yes,’ Richard said.

  ‘But—’

  ‘The sooner we become old news, the better, Felicity. People will soon find something else to gossip about.’

  ‘I shall hope to see you there,’ Charles said, as he took his leave.

  When he had gone, Felicity said, ‘I must go and change my clothes, ready for our visit to Westfield.’

  ‘Wait a moment, Felicity.’ Richard followed her to the door.

  She had opened it and he reached across her and pushed it shut. The scent of v
iolets tantalized his senses. He moved closer, trapping her between his body and the door.

  ‘What...? Richard...?’

  Richard lifted her chin with his finger, forcing her to meet his gaze. ‘What is wrong, Felicity Joy?’

  ‘Nothing...nothing is wrong...I just need to...’

  He silenced her with his mouth, angling his head, softening his lips. ‘Mmmmmm. I have been waiting to do that. Do you not like to kiss me, Felicity Joy?’

  ‘No. I mean, yes. I mean, not now. D...Dominic will be here very soon. I must change.’

  He nuzzled at her neck, mouthing at her soft skin. ‘You taste and smell delicious. I will help you change your clothes. Go upstairs and send Yvette away.’

  A sharp intake of breath met his words and his wife turned rigid in his arms. ‘It is not appropriate,’ she said sharply. ‘Not when a visitor is expected at any minute.’

  Richard released her.

  She looked up at him, hesitated, lifted one hand to his cheek.

  Then she was gone.

  Chapter Thirty

  A familiar tremor raced down Felicity’s spine. Richard had settled one warm hand at the small of her back as they entered Peter Whittaker’s study at Westfield, Dominic having disappeared into the schoolroom as soon as they arrived. Would she ever be able to control her reaction to such casual intimacies? The touch meant nothing more than common courtesy to him, but to her...every nerve in her body screamed its awareness of him, triggering a yearning deep inside her body, and her heart.

  She wanted him.

  Desperately.

  She must resist.

  A weary smile crossed Mr Whittaker’s face as he rose to greet them. New lines had appeared on his face in the months since she had last seen him and his hair had noticeably thinned.

  ‘Good afternoon, Mr Whittaker,’ she said. ‘It is good to see you again.’

  He crossed the room, with hands outstretched. ‘Good afternoon, Lady Stanton. I was exceedingly happy to hear the news of your marriage.’ His gaze slipped sideways to Richard.

  ‘Mr Peter Whittaker, this is my husband, Lord Stanton—my dear, Peter Whittaker.’

  ‘I am honoured to meet you, my lord. I do hope you will not raise objections to Lady Stanton continuing her support of our school? I cannot tell you what a boon she has been to us these past few years.’

  ‘I am interested to see what good works you do,’ Richard replied.

  He did not reassure Mr Whittaker, and Felicity realized anew how much power he held. He could prevent her further involvement with Westfield, if he chose, despite his reassurances on the night of their betrothal.

  ‘Might I show you around our establishment, my lord? It is not large, but we do our utmost for the children in our care.’

  Richard motioned for Mr Whittaker to lead the way.

  ‘Where do you find the children?’ he asked as they left the study.

  ‘Sometimes the magistrates will recommend a child to our care, if they judge a child who comes before them to be capable of redemption. Sometimes they come from the Foundling Hospital. If we can bring them up to be useful members of society, able to earn their living, then we consider our duty done.’

  ‘Finding such children is never a problem. The problem is in choosing which ones are in most urgent need,’ Felicity said.

  ‘I understand from my wife that you seek employment for these children, when they reach a suitable age?’

  ‘We do, my lord; we apprentice them with local tradesmen, or we place them in households as kitchen maids and boot boys. It is then up to the individual child to work hard to better themselves. I do not believe we would place half the number of children without the invaluable help of her ladyship and Lord Avon, for they have contacts where I have few.

  ‘Come.’ He opened the door to the schoolroom and waved Felicity and Richard through. ‘The children are at their lessons. They have an hour of reading and an hour of writing every day. We do not presume to make scholars of them, but I believe it is important for every man and woman to have the ability to read the Bible and to sign their name at the very least.’

  ‘Most enlightened, I am sure.’

  Richard’s enigmatic comment gave Felicity no clue to his real thoughts. His subsequent silence unnerved her as he stood in the wood-panelled schoolroom, taking in the scene before him, attracting surreptitious glances from the children. Dominic crouched by a young boy’s stool, pointing to his slate, murmuring in a low voice.

  Jane Whittaker, smiling uncertainly, hurried over to be introduced.

  ‘I never imagined the next time I saw you, you would be a married lady,’ she said, eyes anxiously searching Felicity’s. ‘Are you happy?’ she added in a whisper as her husband explained more of the workings of Westfield to Richard.

  ‘Yes, of course.’ Felicity had no wish to elaborate. ‘Might I speak with Millie, Jane? Dominic has told me of her circumstances.’

  ‘I shall bring her to the study.’

  ‘If you will excuse me,’ Felicity said to Richard and Mr Whittaker, ‘I must talk to Millie.’ She briefly explained Millie’s situation to Richard. ‘I know you cannot keep her here, Mr Whittaker,’ she added, ‘but rest assured I will find a place for her.’

  ‘Thank you. It will be a weight off my mind. I should hate to see the poor girl forced into the seedy existence that awaits many of these silly creatures who cannot resist temptation.’

  Felicity bit her tongue against a surge of fury. Why did everyone assume such events were the sole fault of the female? She knew how persuasive and silver-tongued men could be in order to get what they desired. And the gullible girls—like her beloved Emma—were left to pick up the pieces of their broken hearts.

  Millie, pale and slightly built, was in the study with Jane.

  ‘Will you not name the man responsible, Millie?’ Felicity asked.

  ‘He said I mustn’t or he won’t love me no more.’

  Felicity closed her eyes, hearing Emma’s voice, stubbornly voicing the exact same sentiments eight years before. ‘Does he know you have been turned off?’

  A tear trickled down the side of Millie’s nose as she shook her head.

  ‘You do know you cannot stay here, Millie?’

  ‘But where will I go, milady? I got nowhere else to go.’ Panicky hands clutched at Felicity.

  ‘Hush.’ Felicity put her arm around Millie. ‘There is a house for girls like you and I shall try to place you there. But you must face facts, Millie—this man does not even know you are in trouble. And you need to understand he is unlikely to stand by his word even if he does find out.’

  Sobs racked the girl’s slight frame. ‘Oh, milady, but I love him. He said he loved me.’

  Of course he did.

  ‘It is a harsh lesson you must learn, Millie. Men—some men—will say anything to get what they want. Come, dry your tears. We will not see you on the streets, whatever happens. But I would urge you to tell me this man’s name.’

  And what would you do then? He would laugh in your face. She’s expendable: a servant, with no family.

  Sheer frustration over Millie’s plight churned inside Felicity. The girl would be judged a hussy and beyond redemption by most people. Looking at her blotched face and swollen eyes, Felicity silently swore not to abandon her. She would not allow Millie to sink to the same depths of despair as Emma.

  Nausea choked her as the image of her sister’s body, lying broken on the flagstones, filled her mind’s eye. Emma had died without ever naming the man responsible for her ruin. Scandal had been averted, of course. Suicide was a criminal act as well as a sin against God. Her death had been declared a tragic accident. Felicity knew the truth, however—as did her mother. She dug into her heart for forgiveness for her mother, who had failed to protect Emma. Her foolis
h, selfish mother, who was now more than half-convinced that the story they had concocted about Emma’s death was true.

  * * *

  ‘Well, Fliss?’ Dominic demanded, once they were on their way back home. ‘What will you do about Millie?’

  ‘I shall visit the house Yvette told us about, and see if they have room for her.’

  Richard, sitting next to Felicity, stirred. ‘I will escort you; you are not to go there unaccompanied.’

  ‘Thank you. I admit I should not like to go without a male escort. I had intended to ask Dominic if he might accompany me this afternoon, but I am sure he has more interesting pursuits planned.’

  ‘It is rather late to go today, but I shall hold myself at your disposal tomorrow.’ Richard’s voice was weary. Glancing at him, Felicity saw him touch the back of his head, wincing as he did so.

  ‘Do you have the headache, Richard?’

  ‘No. The merest twinge, that is all.’

  Why won’t he meet my eyes? What is he hiding? Suspicions over his whereabouts last night churned her stomach.

  ‘Well, I must say I’m grateful to you, Stan,’ Dominic said. ‘Helping the children is one thing, but I can’t say I’m eager to get embroiled in this other business. Besides, you’ll be better placed than me to curb Fliss’s enthusiasm for lost causes.’

  ‘Dominic!’

  ‘Sorry, Fliss, but you know it’s true. Especially after—’ He stopped abruptly as Felicity glared at him. ‘Well, you know what I mean.’

  ‘I confess that I have no idea what you mean, Avon,’ Richard said. ‘Pray enlighten me.’

  Felicity thought quickly. She was not ready to confide in Richard about Emma’s disgrace.

  ‘Dominic merely means I was determined to help at Westfield despite my family’s objections.’ It was no lie. She had been unwavering in her effort to find some purpose to her life. ‘You heard for yourself how Mama and Farlowe feel about the subject.’