* * * *
On the ride back from the canal, Jane’s spirits seesawed between high and low. One minute she was positive Douglas could do nothing to prevent Percy from destroying her life and she was doomed. The next, she would remember Douglas’ utter confidence when he told her, “You are not to concern yourself further, do you understand?”
She believed him, and yet, how could she not concern herself? Percy’s threats hung like the blade of a guillotine over her head, and by the time Rennie’s coach rumbled up the driveway to Chatfield Court, she felt empty and drained. There was no way out; she was sure of it.
“Oh, look!” Millicent was looking out the coach window. “Isn’t that Percy’s carriage under the portico? It looks as if he’s going somewhere.”
Jane looked out and saw a footman strapping a piece of luggage to the back of Percy Elton’s high flyer phaeton. Percy sat in the driver’s seat, reins and whip in hand. “Hurry up!” she heard him yell. Obviously he was anxious to depart.
Lord Rennie’s coach pulled up behind the phaeton. As it did so, Rennie, always friendly and gracious, poked his head out the window. “Ho, there, Elton! Going somewhere?”
Percy turned in his seat and glared back. Jane saw he was hatless, cravat askew, his upper lip appearing twice its normal size. What on earth had happened? Her usually impeccably dressed nephew looked as if he had been in some sort of a fight. A wild look gleamed in his eyes. “No time to talk!” He turned back, raised his whip in a near-frantic gesture and lashed it above the backs of his two horses. The carriage started off so quickly that the footman strapping the luggage was compelled to leap back, barely escaping the rear wheel.
“How strange,” Rennie remarked as he helped his two passengers from the coach. “The man seems in a bit of a pet.”
Once inside, Jane was greeted by Griggs, who handed her a note sealed with a splotch of red wax embedded with an “E.” The straight-faced butler explained, “From Mister Elton, madam. It appears he was in too much of a hurry to deliver it himself.”
Jane was hard-put to keep from snatching the note out of Griggs’ hand and rushing to her bedchamber to read it in private. As it was, she wasted no time in getting to her room, closing the door, and ripping open the note.
Countess,
The matter we discussed has been settled and will never be brought up again. My apologies for any inconvenience you may have suffered.
—Elton
Douglas did it! Never had she felt so relieved, so blissfully happy. How did he manage? She must find out.
The servants knew everything. She would talk to Meg.
She found her chambermaid on her knees in the drawing room, scooping ashes from the fireplace. After a greeting, she asked, “Meg, do you happen to know if anyone came visiting today?”
“Indeed I do, ma’am.” Meg sat back on her haunches, the trace of a grin on her face. “Mister Cartland came calling on Mister Elton. They had a conversation right here in the drawing room. It was,” Meg bit her lip, as if searching for the right word, “most interesting. I didn’t hear it myself, but afterwards the sound of a scuffle was heard. Others—I shall not say who—were listening at the door.”
“A scuffle?”
“Oh, yes, ma’am. They were quite loud, and there was a bit of banging about and the like. Apparently, Mister Elton got the worst of it. It’s said when he left the drawing room, he was pale and shaking and had a big swollen lip. But that’s not all.”
“There’s more?”
“The person at the door just happened to have overheard some of the conversation,” Meg went on. “It was quite ... quite ...” she put her hand over her mouth to smother a giggle.
“Quite what, Meg?” Jane was dying to hear.
“I hardly dare say.”
“You can tell me anything and I shall not be shocked.”
“Well, then,” Meg calmed herself, took a gulp of air and carried on, “it seems Mister Cartland was telling Mister Elton what he was going to do if Mister Elton didn’t stop doing whatever it was he was doing. We don’t know what that was, madam, but it must have been something really bad.”
That is not the half of it. “Do go on. What did Mister Cartland say he was going to do?”
“Well, the person who was listening didn’t catch all of it, but among other things, it seems Mister Cartland was going to cut off certain ... I guess you could say, masculine parts of Mister Elton’s anatomy. He said he was going to,” Meg started giggling again, “it was something about stuffing the parts he cut off into Mister Elton’s mouth.”
Jane tried to keep a straight face. “How very boorish, so terribly unrefined.” She burst into laughter and couldn’t stop. Meg joined her. They laughed until tears streamed down their cheeks and they had to stop to wipe them away.
“Thank you, Meg,” Jane finally said. “I appreciate our telling me this, more than you will ever know.”
Her heart full of gratitude, she hurried to her room, sat at her writing desk and penned a quick note to Douglas.
My Dear Mister Cartland,
My heartfelt thanks for your handling of the matter we recently discussed. All is well now, thanks to you. I shall look forward to seeing you upon your return from the Berkferd Canal.
With utmost kind regards,
—Jane Lansdown
She folded the note, sealed it with a glob of blue sealing wax, and impressed it with her elaborate “L.” Lovingly, she pressed it to her heart. If sent by Royal Mail Coach, it would be in Douglas’ hands by tomorrow.
Her next stop was Granny’s bedchamber, where she relayed the happy news. “I am ecstatic, Granny. Douglas did it! I absolutely adore the man.”
“That is all very well and good,” came Granny’s sharp reply, “but don’t forget, your troubles aren’t over yet.”
“I have not come ’round yet, if that’s what you mean.”
“How many days now?”
Jane sighed deeply. “It’s getting on toward a month.”
“Hmm ... that is very, very late, even for one who is so absolutely positive she is not with child.”
“I still do not believe it.”
“Isn’t it time to face reality?”
Jane’s high spirits slowly plummeted. “I was feeling so happy about Douglas Cartland, knowing I’ve fallen in love with him. I even dared to think he might feel the same and we could have a future together. But now? Why is it that every time I think my troubles are over, I’m forced to realize they are not?”
“That’s the way life is, I’m afraid.” Granny nodded wisely. “I told you once before, whether or not you’re carrying a child is in God’s hands.”
“Well, I wish God would take pity for once and make me come ’round.”
That night, Jane went to bed with a sad heart. If she was expecting, and it looked like she was, Douglas would have no part in her life. She would be the Dowager Countess, mother of the new earl, and expected to act accordingly.
No more Douglas.
No more happiness.
Her life stretched before her like a dark abyss.
Chapter 15
When she awoke the next morning, she gradually became aware of something unusual. Slowly she realized her lower abdomen felt heavy, the way it always did before her monthly. Her breasts were sore. Could it be? With bated breath, she slid from her bed. With careful fingers, she explored, and when she brought them up ...
Dear God in heaven, I have my monthly.
She hastened to the washstand. While she washed, the impact of her discovery hit her full force. She would not be presenting the world with the next Earl of Lansdown after all! Beatrice would be thrilled. Mama would be crushed. As for herself, a vast relief flooded through her. She felt like pinching herself to make sure she wasn’t in the midst of a wonderful dream. Douglas. Could she have him now? Why not? What could possibly stand in the way?
Soon after, her sister and grandmother came to take her down for breakfast. Jane drew them both into
her room. “Wait ’til you hear, I’ve come ’round! I am not carrying the next Earl of Lansdown!” She did a little jig in her billowing white nightgown.
Granny beamed. “What good news! I wonder what brought it on.”
Jane hadn’t even thought. Whatever brought it on, she was joyous. “We will never know what brought it on, and I really don’t care.” She looked at her sister. “What do you think, Millicent? I hope you’re happy for me, too.”
Millicent managed a reluctant smile. “That’s wonderful news. I knew you didn’t want the earl’s child, but, of course,” her face fell, “Mama will be devastated.”
“I know.”
Granny shrugged. “She will get over it.”
“Poor Mama has exhausted herself with worry lately,” Millicent said. “Among other things, she was upset when we went to the canal without telling her where we were going.”
“I should have told her,” Jane said, “but you know she would not have approved.”
“Of course, I understand,” Millicent continued. “It’s just ... well, it’s a shame after all she’s been through, and now this. She was so hoping we could all continue to live at Chatfield Court. It’s going to be so galling, knowing Beatrice will get everything she wants and we will be living like paupers in that tiny house.”
“It’s not so tiny, and we shall not be paupers,” Granny scoffed.
Millicent shook her head in dismay. “You know what I mean. Jane, I don’t envy you having to tell her.”
“Neither do I, but it must be done.”
Later that morning, Jane joined her mother in the dining room. Amelia Hart, dressed in black with a simple white lace cap perched atop her gray head, sat at the table sipping her morning cup of tea. “I have something to tell you,” Jane said.
“Is it something good or something bad?”
“It depends on how you look at it. I have my monthly.”
“Oh, no!” The color drained from Mama’s face. Blindly, she set her cup down, nearly missing the saucer. “Are you sure?”
“Very sure.”
“I am astounded. I was so certain ... what could have brought it on?”
“Who’s to say? What matters is, I am definitely not with child, so I think the sooner we move to the dower house, the better.”
“Beatrice did it,” Mama snapped.
“I really don’t think so. Why would you say that?”
“Because she’s the one who caused the stables to burn.”
How irrational. Jane spoke in her most calming voice. “The stables burned days ago. Although I understand your concern, I really don’t think Beatrice had anything to do with my coming ’round.”
Mama opened her mouth to reply but, though her mouth worked, she could not get the words out. Instead, she covered her face, bent her head to the table, and broke into wracking sobs.
Her heart wrenching in sympathy, Jane reached across the table and took her mother’s hand. “Please stop. I cannot bear to see you cry.” She gripped Mama’s hand until finally the sobbing ceased and she raised her head.
“I might as well be dead,” Mama said, tears glistening on her cheeks.
While Jane searched for comforting words, she was struck by how much her mother’s appearance had changed since Papa left. Her once-abundant mane of chestnut hair had thinned and gone gray, her once rosy cheeks were now pale and gaunt, and her eyes no longer sparkled with the joy of life. Shame on me for not noticing. I was too caught up with my own problems. “Mama, please don’t talk that way. I know how you suffered when Papa left. If there were anything I could do, anything that would make you happy, you know I would do it, but what choice do I have? We must leave this place and go to the dower house whether we like it or not.”
Amelia took up a serviette and dabbed at her eyes. “I’m sorry. I should not burden you with all my woes. It’s just ... I don’t have much to live for anymore.” With a weak smile she continued, “I shall get over it. In the meantime, I assure you I’m not going to kill myself, even though all I see in my future is bleakness and despair.” She dabbed at her eyes again and said in a firmer voice, “Unless ... There is something you can do.”
“Anything.”
Mama’s lips twisted in a wry smile. “Perhaps you had better wait until you hear what I’m about to ask.”
“Just tell me.”
“I want you to remain silent and not tell anyone you got your monthly.”
Moments passed before her mother’s astounding request sunk in. “That is impossible. How can I kept it a secret? Why should I keep it a secret?”
Mama sat straight again, some of her confidence restored. “I shall be very honest.”
“Please do.”
“You know how I feel about Beatrice.”
“It’s how we both feel.”
“You know how galling it is for me, watching her take over the household and have her own way. I could not believe she poisoned your tea, but she did. Then the fire at the stables. You could have been killed, thanks to Beatrice and her boundless greed.”
“That is exactly how I feel, too, but what does that have to do with—?”
“I am coming to that.” The older woman paused a moment before she took a deep breath. “You are having an affair with Douglas Cartland.”
Jane gasped, utterly shocked by her mother’s words. “Why do you think that?”
“The night of the fire I saw you two together.” Mama leveled a knowing gaze. “You can’t fool me, my dear daughter. If only you could have seen the two of you like I did. I saw the love and concern in Douglas’ eyes. The way he was holding you, touching you. It was as if you didn’t have an inch of skin with which he was not familiar. You were so very comfortable in his embrace, as if you’d been there before. His feelings were obvious and so were yours. I am just glad Beatrice wasn’t there or she’d have seen it, too, and would instantly have known.” Mama’s piercing gaze drilled into her. “It is quite obvious you’ve been intimate with the man.”
Words of denial raced to Jane’s lips, but she couldn’t say them. Why lie? If ever there was a time for honesty, this was it. “If you must know, it has only happened the once, well twice. I am not ashamed of it, and I really don’t know why I should tell you.”
“So I was right.” For a time Mama remained silent, as if in deep thought. “I know it’s risky. It might be impossible to pull off, but I do believe it is most certainly worth a try.”
“What is worth a try?”
“Use your head. Think. What did Sir Archibald say? That ten months would have to go by before it was an absolutely proven fact you are not with child? Well, then ...?” Mama fell silent and sat waiting, obviously expecting an enlightened answer.
“I still don’t understand.”
Mama pursed her lips in annoyance. “Such a delicate subject, but you force me to lay out all the details.”
“Just tell me straight out.”
“Straight out then. You have just delivered the devastating news that you got your monthly. We shall, however, keep your news to ourselves. By that, I mean that absolutely no one must know other than the two of us. Cartland will be gone two weeks?” Jane nodded. “Perfect. When he returns, you and he will resume your ... for the sake of propriety, I shall call it friendship. If good fortune shines upon us, you will soon be in a family way, and, of course, give birth to a boy who will be the next Earl of Lansdown.”
Jane’s jaw dropped open. “That’s ... that’s ...” At first she could find no words to express her shock. “I cannot believe you would even suggest such a thing. It’s obscene. It’s insane.”
Mama shrugged. “One does what one has to do.”
“We would never get away with it.”
“Au contraire. Sir Archibald might be suspicious, but there’s a real chance we can fool him. I know you’re shocked.” Mama spoke in a voice so casual she might have been discussing which guests to invite for dinner. “But there’s a real chance this plan will work. If it does, we c
an stay right here in Chatfield Court where we belong, with every advantage that’s due us. Millicent will have an ample dowry. As for Beatrice, just think! Would you not love to see the look on her face the day she must pack her bags and leave this place forever? That’s how I feel, Jane, as should you. Don’t forget, you nearly died in a fire Beatrice is responsible for, and don’t tell me otherwise.”
Jane shook her head in amazement. “What astounds me the most is how my very proper mother, who always obeys the rules, could even suggest such an outlandish scheme.”
“Out of sheer desperation, I assure you.”
Had her mother lost her senses? This could not be real. Soon she would wake up and discover she had just had a horrible dream. “All right, I do understand, but what you suggest simply isn’t feasible. In the first place, you know very well nothing is sacred around here. What with Bruta constantly snooping around, I would not be surprised if she’s already found out I’ve come ’round and rushed to tell Beatrice.”
Mama appeared unfazed. “I am well aware my plan might not work, but if you have any love for your family at all, you’ll at least agree to try.”
“Do you realize what you’re asking?”
“Of course I do, but ...” Once more, Amelia’s eyes filled with tears. “Everything in my life has gone wrong. This is my only chance for an even halfway decent life. Yours, too, and, of course, Millicent’s.”
“Have you forgotten Papa’s letter? Could we not go to America and forget all this?”
“I would never be happy in America. I admit I’m a creature of habit. I don’t want anything to change and that is that.” Mama folded her hands in her lap, sat back and waited for an answer. “So what’s it to be? Will you give it a try?”
The Last of Lady Lansdown Page 20