“Or are you surprised because we managed to bravely rise from our sickbeds even though we are still exceptionally weak?” Camille popped the toast in her mouth. “And exceptionally hungry.”
“Yes, I can see that.” Delilah took her place at the table and at once realized what was different. “Good Lord, it’s all back to normal today, isn’t it?”
“Why yes, I believe it is.” Camille smiled. “The servants are back at their usual stations, performing their usual duties. Clement said Lady Fairborough’s servants left the first thing this morning. And Grayson is with Sam at the carriage house. Apparently there’s a problem with the motorwagon. There was an accident yesterday.”
Delilah sipped her coffee.
“Oh, I’m sure Sam and Mr. Moore will put it right.” Confidence rang in Teddy’s voice.
“I don’t know.” Camille shook her head. “Grayson didn’t sound optimistic. The vehicle sustained a lot of damage.”
Teddy’s brows pulled together. “How bad is it?” “Bad enough that their plans have been set back. And it appears Sam will have to extend his stay in England.” She slanted a quick glance at her sister. “Fortunately, Grayson and I weren’t planning on a wedding trip until spring. I suspect he would feel inclined to cancel a more immediate trip at this point. Although I can’t imagine he’d be of much help. As far as I know he’s not the mechanical sort.” She paused. “Although it’s entirely possible he knows much more about such things than I’m aware of.”
“When did you talk to Grayson?” Delilah asked.
“Last night.” Camille smiled innocently. “He too is feeling much better. He popped in to see how I was getting on.”
“Good,” Delilah said with a half-hearted smile, ignoring the thought of exactly what popping in might entail.
Camille studied her sister casually. “Grayson said Sam hit his head in the accident.”
“He’s fine,” Delilah said shortly.
“That’s right,” Camille said slowly. “He said you were there.”
Delilah nodded.
“Grayson said Sam was thrown out of the vehicle.”
“Good Lord.” Teddy’s eyes widened. “That must have been dreadful.”
The horror that had twisted Delilah’s heart at the sight of Sam flying through the air again stabbed her. She ignored it. “He’s fine.”
Teddy and Camille traded glances.
“Yes, you said that.” Camille stared at her.
Delilah shrugged.
“I understand you and Sam are getting along much better,” Teddy said in an offhand manner.
Delilah nodded and pushed the food around on her plate. She really wasn’t hungry.
“Camille told me you and Sam have become friends,” Teddy began. “She says you’ve been spending a great deal of time together.”
“The rest of you were indisposed.”
“I also mentioned that you like him,” Camille said.
“Of course I like him.” Delilah forced a light note to her voice. “There’s really no reason not to like him. He’s a very nice man. Intelligent, amusing, well read—”
“Charming, dashing,” Teddy added.
“And quite handsome.” Camille grinned. “I find his dark eyes coupled with his blond hair to be nothing short of delicious.”
“Why, I certainly wouldn’t have minded being the one forced to spend a great deal of time with him.” Teddy smirked.
“It wasn’t by choice,” Delilah said in a sharper tone than she had intended.
Camille’s eyes narrowed. “What is wrong with you? Yesterday afternoon you were positively lighthearted. But last night you scarcely said two words.”
“You were preoccupied and obviously concerned about something. And today . . .” Teddy pinned her with a firm look. “You’re not eating. That’s not like you.” She glanced at Camille. “The one sure way to know when something is bothering Dee is to watch whether or not she eats.” She nodded at Delilah’s plate. “You haven’t taken a bite.”
Delilah could deny it but it was pointless. Besides, she needed their help. Unfortunately, the price for their assistance would no doubt be complete honesty. She set down her fork and sighed. “You’re right.”
“It has something to do with Sam, doesn’t it?” Camille said.
Delilah’s gaze shifted between her friend and her sister. “I need to talk to you both. I have a, oh, a problem and I need your help.”
“What kind of problem?” Camille asked
“What kind of help?” Caution edged Teddy’s voice.
Delilah huffed. “Does it matter?”
“No. Of course not,” Camille said. “It doesn’t matter in the least. However, if this help was of an illegal or immoral nature I would have to think twice.” She smiled slowly. “But I would still help you.”
Teddy nodded. “As would I.”
“Still, I would prefer not to be arrested or jailed before the wedding.” Camille wrinkled her nose. “That would be most awkward so I do hope it’s not terribly illegal. However, I have no qualms whatsoever about immoral. Although Beryl is much better at that sort of thing.”
“It’s neither illegal nor immoral.” Delilah pushed her plate away and drew a deep breath. “And I have a plan . . . of sorts.”
“A plan of sorts? Oh dear.” Teddy grimaced. “Your plans are even worse when they’re not well thought out.”
“Nonetheless, it is a plan. Or at least the beginning of a plan,” Delilah said. “Life is always so much better when one has a plan.”
“I’ve always been fond of plans myself.” Camille smiled. “Are you going to tell us or are we going to have to guess? I have a very fertile imagination and there are any number of things that would come to mind if I had to guess.”
“Of course I’m going to tell you. But not here where we could be overheard by anyone coming in for breakfast.” Delilah stood. “I’d much prefer to have this discussion in Mother’s parlor.”
Camille’s eyes widened. “This is serious, then.”
Delilah nodded. “Quite serious.”
Teddy looked from sister to sister. “I don’t understand.”
“Whenever we had discussions of a serious nature, Mother would always call us into the small ladies’ parlor,” Camille said. “It’s much more conducive to revelation and confession and has been the site of all manner of unexpected disclosures in the past. At least among the female members of the household.”
“Serious matters involving Father or Uncle Basil are usually conducted here in the dining room,” Delilah added.
“Mother told us Father was dead in the ladies’ parlor,” Camille said.
“And we learned he was alive in the dining room.” Delilah shrugged.
“I see.” Teddy nodded.
“I beg your pardon, Lady Lydingham, Lady Hargate, Lady Theodosia,” Clement said, stepping into the room. He looked fully recovered but he did appear older to Delilah’s eyes than he had only a few days ago. Millworth Manor would not be the same when the dear man finally decided to pass the mantle of authority to a new butler. “Lady Lydingham, Mrs. Gilbert and her assistant have arrived with your gown.”
“Oh, how wonderful.” Camille jumped to her feet. “Would you see them to the upstairs sitting room please and tell them I’ll be there in a moment.”
“As you wish, my lady.” Clement nodded and took his leave.
Teddy started toward the door. “I can scarcely wait to see—” She stopped and looked at Delilah. “Oh, but you—”
“The gown can wait,” Camille said with a nod. “Delilah’s problem is much more pressing.”
“Don’t be absurd.” Delilah waved off the comment. “Besides, I am just as eager for you to try on your gown as you are. Teddy and I have only seen a drawing of it after all.”
“If you’re certain.” Doubt battled with eagerness in Camille’s eyes.
“Of course I am.” Delilah was in no great hurry to reveal everything she had kept secret up to now. She ho
oked her arm through her sister’s elbow and started for the door. “Disclosure of my plan can wait a few hours.”
“Well, if you insist.” Camille practically dragged her to the door.
A scant half an hour later, Camille stood in the sitting room all three sisters had shared in their youth. A tall mirror had been brought in from a dressing room and reflected Camille in the gown she would wear when she promised to share Grayson’s life forever. The seamstress and her assistant stood off to one side beaming. Teddy and Delilah perched on a settee and stared. The gown fit like a kid glove and the overall effect was one of perfection itself.
Mr. Worth had outdone himself. The gown was magnificent, trimmed with ecru-colored lace and edged with tiny pearls. Peach-colored satin rosettes, as perfectly crafted as if they were real roses, were gathered on either side of the waist and trailed down the back of the gown. As a widow, Camille would never wear white but the blue silk was perfect for her. The color was a pale version of the blue of Camille’s eyes. A small diamond brooch that Mother had worn when she had married Father was pinned to the center of the bodice. With the fair color of Camille’s hair and the deep blue of her eyes, her sister was every bit as magnificent as the gown.
“Well?” Camille studied herself in the mirror. “What do you think?”
“It’s quite simply stunning.” Teddy stared. “It’s perfect, Camille. Absolutely perfect.”
“Delilah?” Camille pulled her gaze from the mirror and glanced at her sister. “Will it do, do you think?”
For a moment, Delilah was again a young girl staring at a beautiful older sister in a glorious ball gown who, on those rare occasions, didn’t mind the presence of a younger sister. Then, she never would have cared what Delilah thought. Now, well, now was different.
A lump lodged in Delilah’s throat and she swallowed hard. “You look like a princess in a fairy tale.”
“I do, don’t I?” Camille laughed with delight and her gaze met her sister’s. “Thank you.”
Delilah cleared her throat. “Thank you for . . . for letting me be part of this.”
“You’re my only younger sister and you should be part of my life. That you haven’t been in the past is nearly unforgivable. This is long overdue and I am so sorry.”
Delilah nodded and choked back what felt suspiciously like a tear.
“Goodness, I’ve never seen the two of you being at all sentimental,” Teddy said in a teasing manner, then sobered. “I need to apologize as well.”
Camille’s brow rose. “Oh? Do you too have a younger sister you treated abominably in the past?”
“No, I don’t have sisters, but . . .” Teddy blew a long breath. “Dee has been my dearest friend for much of my life. I must confess I have always resented the way you treated her.”
“You have been a good, true friend to her.” Camille studied the younger woman. “She was lucky to have you.”
“And I was lucky to have her,” Teddy said. “And, while I admit I was skeptical when she told me you and Beryl and she had agreed to be better sisters to one another, this time spent with both of you has shown me that I was wrong to doubt you.”
“Thank you, Teddy.” Camille paused. “So are we friends as well now?”
“I’d like that.” Teddy smiled.
“Apparently, there’s nothing like an exquisite, expensive Paris gown to bring sisters and friends together,” Delilah said wryly.
Camille and Teddy stared at her for a moment then all three burst into laughter.
Mrs. Gilbert cleared her throat. “I beg your pardon, my lady, but we do need to make certain of a few more things and then we must take our leave if we are to return to London today.”
“Yes, of course, my apologies. Besides . . .” Camille met her sister’s gaze directly. “We have matters of a serious nature to attend to as well. Delilah, why don’t you arrange for tea to be served in the parlor and Teddy and I will join you as soon as we’re finished here.”
“Excellent idea. I’m famished.” It was amazing what having a plan, even one somewhat less than solid, could do for one’s appetite. She took a step toward the door then paused. “Camille, you are positively glowing in that gown.”
“That’s what marrying the man you love does for you, dear.” Camille grinned. “But an extravagantly expensive Paris gown helps a bit too.”
Delilah laughed, bid Mrs. Gilbert and her assistant good day, then headed toward the stairs. It wasn’t nearly late enough for tea, but biscuits and some of Mrs. Dooley’s dainty sandwiches and perhaps tarts if they were available would be lovely.
It was hard not to envy Camille her happiness. She was at long last marrying her true love. For Camille love was the beginning of happily ever after.
Delilah heaved a heartfelt sigh. In her own case, love would surely destroy everything.
“Lady Hargate.” William hurried toward her and met her on the stairs. “Mrs. Dooley needs some instruction as to dinner tonight.”
“Yes, of course.” Delilah started toward the kitchen. Camille had been managing the house but apparently she was only recovered enough to be the bride. She winced. Now that was rude. She really did have to try to be a better person. She’d always thought she was quite a nice person until recent months.
Until her blasted adventure!
Now, in one way or another, the man was going to ruin her life. Or she might ruin his. It scarcely mattered, she’d soon be rid of him. It would hurt but it would be over quickly. And she could continue with her life as planned. No reason why she shouldn’t begin immediately. She raised her chin slightly. She used to be quite pleasant. She certainly could be again.
It took far longer than she’d anticipated to talk to Mrs. Dooley. In the course of recovering from the ill effects of the tainted food, the cook had had a dream that something dire was going to happen. Mrs. Dooley confided her vision in the dark and forbidding tone of a Shakespearean witch. Given what surely was some sort of premonition, she wanted to be prepared and go over any possibility. One could hardly fault her for that. Or stop her. Any number of disasters might well befall Millworth Manor but Mrs. Dooley’s culinary offerings would not be one of them. Delilah resisted the temptation to mention the food poisoning.
By the time Delilah finally arrived at the small parlor, Teddy and Camille were already there. As were sandwiches and cakes and tea. They were gracious enough to keep their curiosity in check until she had eaten a biscuit.
“Well, here we are,” Camille said in the manner of an older sister. “Now, how can we help you?”
“What kind of plan?” Teddy’s eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“This is very difficult for me. I rarely have anything to confess and I hardly ever have, well, secrets.” Delilah looked from her sister to her friend and back. “I’m going to tell you this story once. I don’t want to be overwhelmed with curiosity and queries; this is hard enough as it is. Therefore, I will only answer one question from each of you. Do you understand?”
They nodded.
“Very well then.” Delilah rose to her feet. This did seem the sort of thing one should stand for.
“Well?” Camille smiled encouragingly. “Go on.”
Perhaps sitting was best after all. Delilah sat back down in one of the matching chairs that had been in this parlor for as long as she could remember. Camille and Teddy shared the settee and waited expectantly. Delilah drew a deep breath. “I did meet Sam in New York.”
Teddy choked.
“I knew it,” Camille said under her breath.
“He and I . . . well . . . we had . . . oh, I don’t know . . . an adventure you might call it.” She braced herself. “Of an amorous nature.”
“You?” Camille stared. “Do remind me never to ask you to chaperone again.”
Teddy’s eyes widened. “Why didn’t you tell me?’
“Are those your questions?” Delilah said sharply.
Teddy and Camille exchanged glances then shook their heads.
“No,�
� Camille muttered.
“Not at the moment,” Teddy said. “Please continue.”
“I thought I would never see him again. Then, of course, he arrived here. Needless to say I didn’t want a reminder of my adventure, which is why I wasn’t as pleasant to him as I should have been.” Entirely true as far as it went. “But the more I got to know him the more I realized he would break my heart if I let him.” Because she realized as well that she loved him and probably had from the first. And he was so very wrong. “So I want you to help me get rid of him.”
Camille crossed her arms over her chest. “What exactly do you mean by get rid of him? And that’s not my question but part of the plan you have yet to explain.”
“When we said we would do something illegal, neither of us meant murder,” Teddy said.
Delilah stared. “Do you honestly think I would kill the man?”
“No, of course we don’t. Do we, Teddy?”
“Absolutely not,” Teddy said with scarcely any hesitation at all.
“Well, I wouldn’t.” Delilah sighed. “He’s quite a wonderful man, really. He’s just not the right man for me. And the longer he stays here the harder it is going to be to see him leave.” She shook her head. “Make him leave I mean. And really, I wish him nothing but the best. But I also wish him gone.”
Both her sister and her friend stared as if she had gone mad before their very eyes.
“Well?”
“I’m more than a little confused,” Teddy said.
“We’re more than a little confused.” Camille frowned. “You think he’s a wonderful man yet you want nothing to do with him?”
“Is that your question?”
Camille huffed.
“We have no common ground. We’re entirely different people. We envision our lives, our futures, differently. How can I expect love to succeed between two people who have no commonality of background or desires or ambitions when love can fail between two people who are completely perfect for each other?”
Teddy stared and realization washed across her face. “Oh.” She nodded. “I see.”
The Scandalous Adventures of the Sister of the Bride Page 27