A Sisterly Regard

by Judith B. Glad

  "She must have bride clothes," Mama agreed, "and the notice must be posted in the Gazette." Phaedra could see her mentally making a list of all that must be done before Chloe could be wed.

  "Hang the Gazette. As for bride clothes, she's got a whole wardrobe of new gowns. Why should she need more?" Once again papa pounded his fist on the table beside his chair. "The wedding will be tomorrow!"

  "Lady Gifford, I have to agree," Wilderlake said quietly. "I feel it would be best if the wedding were to be a quiet one and held as soon as possible"

  "But you said she was unharmed," Mama protested.

  Chloe sniffled, but said nothing. Phaedra, who was squeezing her hand tightly as a warning to keep silent, could just imagine how she must appear to Lord Wilderlake. Her sister had early on learned the knack of letting tears well in her eyes, without ever having them drip down her cheeks. It gave her a most pathetic and affecting air.

  "And so she is. No one else will believe it, though. We must get this thing done quickly." Papa said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

  "Lord Gifford has the right of it," Cousin Louisa said, laying a soothing hand upon Mama's. "We cannot depend that Lord Everingham will not relate yesterday's events."

  Mama gave way, but Phaedra knew she was unhappy about having to do so. The conversation turned to a discussion of what arrangements had to be made before tomorrow.

  "Women's business," Papa said, rising. "Come, Wilderlake. We'll go to my study, finalize the financial details."

  Mama and Cousin Louisa soon moved to Mama's morning room to set about making arrangements for a wedding breakfast.

  "Well, Chloe, you have certainly landed yourself in the suds," Phaedra said, when they were alone. "What ever possessed you to run away as you did?"

  "Oh, Phaedra, I could not stand it! You were all so unkind and there were so many rules and I was not having any fun. I could not even waltz."

  "You did waltz, though."

  "So I did." She plainly had no regrets. "But I hated being locked in my room and knew that Mama would never let me out."

  "Fudge! Mama would have only kept you there for a fortnight. If you had promised to behave, she would probably have let you out sooner."

  "Well, I would not promise," Chloe retorted. "For, you see, I would not have been able to keep that promise. I so wanted to enjoy myself."

  Phaedra shook her head. She could not understand her sister's logic. "Do you enjoy being rushed into a marriage with someone you hardly know then?"

  "Of course. He is not unhandsome and has said that he will bring me to Town for the Season each year. And besides, he has a castle," Chloe said smugly. "Perhaps in time I can persuade him to take me traveling about the world, or at least to Paris. Oh, he is not what exactly what I had dreamed of, but he is handsome and kind, and I am sure that I will be able to manage him."

  "I doubt that you will be able to get him to do anything he does not choose to do, Chloe. He has a stubborn set to his chin."

  "Fear not, sister, I shall have him twisted about my little finger within a month." Her smile faded. "Oh, Phaedra, I have been horrid to you and Mama lately. Will you ever forgive me?"

  Phaedra hugged her. "Of course I will. But Chloe, do try to behave yourself from now on. Wilderlake is such a nice gentleman."

  A commotion in the foyer told them that Lady Wilderlake had arrived. Chloe blanched. "Oh, Phaedra, what if she dislikes me?"

  "Lady Wilderlake loves her son very much. If you are a good wife to him, I believe you will go on nicely together." Phaedra gave Chloe's hand a reassuring squeeze.

  "Oh, I intend to be a good wife. Just think, Phaedra, I will be a married woman by this time tomorrow. I will not be surrounded by all the strictures and rules that I have so chafed under since we came to London. But," she said, sobering, "we are not to stay in London. He wishes to take me to Castle Wilderlake immediately."

  "That is wise in him. It will give the gossip time to die down."

  "Oh, I know that. He has promised we will return next year."

  "Unless you are with child by then."

  "No! Oh, how terrible that would be. I will not allow it!"

  "You cannot prevent it, Chloe. He will be your husband. But perhaps it will happen immediately, so that you would be recovered by next Season."

  "Yes, that is what I will do." She was silent for several minutes. "Phaedra, will it hurt?"

  "I do not think so. Mama seems to enjoy it."

  "Yes, she does, does she not?" Chloe laughed. "Oh, Phaedra, how I shall enjoy being married." She rose. "I am going to my room now, for I am sure that I must look a perfect mess. Will you come and get me when Wilderlake has finished speaking with his mother?"

  Phaedra agreed to do so, remaining on the sofa when her sister left the room. She was not completely happy about Chloe's marriage, but there was nothing she could do, except worry and fret. She prayed that Chloe would curb her willfulness with Wilderlake, for she had the feeling he would not tolerate a spoiled and selfish wife. He struck her as having a serious component to his character. Surely he would have little tolerance for childishness.

  * * * *

  Wilderlake met his mother at the entrance to the Hazelbourne house. She evidenced surprise at his presence, for she had thought him to be out of town. He kissed her, told her to hold her questions, and led her to the library. When they were private, he said, "Sit down, Mother. I have a surprise for you."

  She did so, many questions evidently quivering upon her lips. Wilderlake paced about the small room for several minutes, then knelt on the floor at her feet and took her hands in his. "There is no good way to say this, Mother. I am to be married tomorrow. To Miss Hazelbourne. Miss Chloe Hazelbourne."

  "Tomorrow? But how, Herne? You were never interested in Miss Hazelbourne."

  "It is a long story Mother, but when you have heard it, you will understand."

  She studied his face, then finally sat back in her chair. "I sense this is not going to be a tale to my liking."

  "No, probably not. However, Mother, I am determined to marry the lady."

  She nodded. "Tell me."

  Wilderlake did so, glossing over Chloe's having been the instigator of the elopement. His mother smiled slightly when told of her motion sickness and its messy aftermath. When she heard that her son was completely innocent of all but rescuing the girl from her own folly, she began to weep. "Oh, my dear, must you marry her? You did not compromise her. She should suffer the results of her sins alone, not drag you into it."

  "Colly and Tony and Peter saw her clearly at the inn. They did not know her, but they would recognize her. You know Colly. His tongue cannot be still when he is in his cups. I will not have her name bandied about the ton. Mother," he continued gently, "you have wished I would marry for some years. Can you not wish me happy now that I have decided to do so?"

  "But I hardly know the girl. She is the flighty one, is she not? Oh, Herne, if you must marry one of the Hazelbourne girls, can it not be the other, Phaedra? She at least is sensible. They look so much alike that no one would know."

  "We've agreed on the Settlements. I can hardly tell Lord Gifford now that I have changed my mind and want his younger daughter. Come, Mother, be realistic. I have offered for Chloe Hazelbourne and I shall marry her. She is not a bad girl, you know. Only undisciplined and, I think, a little selfish."

  "More than a little, if what I have heard is true. It is said she tried to seduce Everingham at their first meeting."

  "That gossip is the product of his mother's vicious tongue. Chloe is guilty of little more than thoughtlessness and youthful high spirits. She will outgrow those."

  "Your father never did."

  "No, he did not. But he had no good example to follow. Chloe has. Lady Gifford is one of the kindest, sweetest ladies I have ever met, and Miss Phaedra is all that is gracious. I cannot believe Chloe could be anything but well-mannered, coming from a family such as this. I am convinced her father has indulged her far too much, e
ncouraging her misbehavior. Coupled with her eagerness to taste all that life has to offer, that indulgence led her into this imbroglio."

  "Little tasting she will do at home," she commented wryly. "You are going to take her home, are you not Herne? You could not remain in Town after all that has happened."

  "Yes, Mother, I am. But I must ask you a favor." He hesitated, then continued. "Will you remain in Town for a few weeks? I feel that we have a thorny period of adjustment before us. Perhaps we will do better to be alone."

  "I most certainly will remain. How tedious to play gooseberry to a couple on their honeymoon." She looked at him. "I had wished better for you, my son, but I will never let Miss Hazelbourne know she was not my choice for you. You will have enough problems without your women being at outs."

  "I knew I could depend on you." He kissed her hands, then pulled her into a close embrace. "Mother, please do not be too unhappy over this. I have never met any woman for whom I had strong feelings, so Miss Hazelbourne will probably do me as well as any. I am content, now that I have had time to think it out."

  "As long as you give me grandchildren before I am too old to enjoy them, I will not complain, Herne. Unless she makes you unhappy."

  "She will not, Mother, I am sure."

  "I pray so. Now, should we not join the family? They will think us rude."

  "No, for they understood that I must break the news to you. Now that I have, and you have dried your tears, we should go to them. Smile, Mother, your son is about to marry."

  She smiled, and they went to join the Hazelbournes.

  * * * *

  The next morning Phaedra assisted Chloe in choosing what to pack for her honeymoon and what to have shipped to Castle Wilderlake.

  Despite her excitement over being married, Chloe was somewhat subdued, as was Phaedra. They had never before been separated. Phaedra paused before adding a fringed silk scarf to the honeymoon pile. "It will be as if part of me is missing, Chloe."

  "I know, for I felt that way in the inn. I was lying in that smoky little room, thinking that I wanted you to come so we could talk it over, and you were not there."

  "We will see each other next Season, but that is so far away. Oh, Chloe, I shall miss you so!"

  "And I you. But Wilderlake said that you could come visit us. He did. I just remembered. He said that perhaps my family could come to Castle Wilderlake in a few weeks. You must, Phaedra!"

  "I do not think it would be a good idea if we did so. You and Lord Wilderlake will need time together to adjust to one another. Perhaps at Christmas, but no sooner. No, Chloe," she said as her sister's face clouded, "I know I am right this time. You will need to get to know one another, without your families to depend upon. I am sure that is why his mother is remaining in Town."

  "I suppose." Chloe sighed. "How cruel life is. I am marrying, which I have so badly wanted to do, but I must give up you and Mama and Papa and the boys. Why can we not have everything all at once?"

  "Silly. It is your wanting everything all at once that got you into this pickle in the first place. Now, do you want these gowns to be packed to go with you, or should they be sent? You will have little need of five ball gowns on your way to Castle Wilderlake."

  "Oh, send them. I will have my wedding gown--how strange to be wed in a ball gown--and the rose wool and that should be enough. We probably will not dress for dinner every night at the inns where we will stay."

  * * * *

  The wedding service took place just before noon, with a festive breakfast following. Cousin Godfrey Stevens performed the service. He had agreed to do so with reservations, admitting he did not like the hurried nature of Chloe's nuptials.

  Chloe made a lovely bride. She was clad in the pink gown she had worn on her first visit to Almack's. Its soft color called attention to the slight blush in her cheeks. Her head was crowned with white roses, matching those she in her wedding bouquet. Phaedra wore palest yellow with a golden overskirt. She carried a posy of white roses with gold streamers.

  The ceremony was over quickly. Wilderlake kissed his bride's lips for the first time. It was a gentle kiss, for which Chloe was grateful. She was suddenly shy with this man she barely knew. When they drew apart, Chloe turned to her father and kissed him, then embraced her sister.

  As the sisters hugged one another, she saw her mother and Wilderlake's, each standing alone, both with tears streaming down their cheeks. Chloe was overcome. She flew into her mother's arms. "Do not cry Mama, please. I am so happy and so should you be." She kissed her mother's cheek, then turned to the other woman. Shyly she put her arms around her husband's mother. "Oh, ma'am, I shall make him happy, I promise. Please do not cry."

  "Why do women always cry at weddings?" Papa held out a glass of champagne. "Here, my lady, drink up. This is a happy occasion. Chloe, get some champagne. Everybody, have some champagne," he roared.

  Even the Duchess laughed. "Your husband must have been sampling the champagne, Isabella," she said. "Or is it just that he's relieved to have her off his hands?"

  "A bit of both, I think," Mama replied. "George, do calm down and let us toast the newlyweds."

  Papa led the company in a toast to Lord and Lady Wilderlake. Chloe beamed. It was the first time she had been called Lady Wilderlake. The Duchess held up her glass.

  "Never could see the sense in the men getting to make all the toasts. Phaedra, here's to your wedding next."

  Everyone laughed as Phaedra's face grew hot.

  "Hear! Hear!" Mr. Farwell contributed. "Too bad it was not a double wedding."

  Phaedra gaped at him. He returned it with a wink. Had he already drunk too much?

  Chloe's laughter interrupted her musings. "But she has not received an offer. How could it have been a double wedding?"

  "Never mind, gel," the Duchess said. "Your sister will be wed sooner than you think. Now where is that breakfast you promised me? I am sharp set,"

  They all trooped into the dining room where a lavish spread had been set out. Everyone but the newlyweds filled their plates more than once. Phaedra noticed that both Chloe and Wilderlake picked at their food, moving it about on their plates but consuming little.

  * * * *

  Finally the last toast was drunk, to Wilderlake's great relief. Although he had only sipped at his glass with each salute, he was lightheaded and queasy.

  Chloe and her mother went upstairs together. Miss Phaedra engaged Wilderlake's mother in conversation, and Lord Gifford teased Lady Mary Follansbee. The Duchess and the Reverend Mr. Stevens began a good-natured argument about the role of the clergy in politics. Wilderlake paced, until Reggie caught his arm and led him out of the room and to the library.

  "Here, man, you look ill. Nervous?"

  "Reggie, I am scared stiff. We are only going as far as Claridge's. What am I to do?"

  "Only one thing to do on your wedding night. Bed the girl."

  "But..." He felt himself flush. "Reggie, I don't know... I mean... Damme. How can I say it?"

  "Herne, are you virgin?"

  "Yes."

  "Oh, my God! But you've been on the Town. How could you be?"

  "I was determined not to follow in my father's footsteps, so I avoided the cyprians. And there was never an opportunity at home. I just never did," he admitted, feeling the fool.

  Reggie laughed. "And now you two innocents will come together, neither of you knowing how to go on. This is rich. Well, Herne, it is too late for lessons. You will have to muddle through somehow. There, I hear them coming downstairs. Go to meet your fate. I wish you luck." He continued to chuckle as they went back into the corridor.

  Wilderlake felt the little food he had consumed congeal in his belly.

  Chloe halted halfway down the stairs, holding her wedding bouquet. She looked at her sister and Lady Mary. "May the best girl win," she called, and threw it. Lady Mary made no attempt to catch the flowers, and they nearly fell to the floor before Phaedra put out a hand to catch them.

  "Folks would say you d
on't want a husband, gel, from that poor catch," the Duchess remarked, under cover of the laughter.

  "I am not sure I do," Phaedra told her softly.

  "Well, you'll get one, want him or no," Her Grace replied.

  Phaedra did not reply, for her sister had come to the foot of the stairs and was saying farewell to her family. All too soon the newlyweds had departed in a hail of rice. The Duchess's party followed them in a few moments, and shortly thereafter Mr. Farwell took Wilderlake's mother away. The remaining Hazelbournes were left alone.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Lady Gifford collapsed into a chair. "I never want to go through another day like this again in my life." The family had returned to the parlor after seeing the wedding guests on their way. "More than once I felt myself on the verge of saying something unkind to someone."

  "Like 'why do you not all go away and leave me alone,' perhaps, Mama," Phaedra teased.

  "Exactly like that. I am so tired, and it was such an effort to smile and say the correct things."

  "Then why do you not go and rest until dinner?" Cousin Louisa suggested.

  "No, I cannot. There is one more task..." She closed her eyes for a moment. "Would you excuse us, Cousin Louisa? Phaedra, come into your papa's study, if you will."

  Phaedra was mystified. What on earth had her mother to say to her that would not wait until later? "Mama, you should rest."

  "No, Phaedra," Papa said. "Now. Want to get this over with."

  She was alarmed as well as mystified at her father's words. What could be so serious that Mama's well-being did not take precedence? She followed her parents into the study, where Mama seated herself in a comfortable chair. Papa did not sit, but paced back and forth between the fireplace and the desk. Phaedra stood uncertainly near the door, waiting for the silence to be broken.

  Finally her father cleared his throat. "Sit, girl, sit. You look like a frightened colt, standing there."

  She perched on the edge of an armchair.

  "Your mother wants me to say this, though I think she'd do better at it. But still and all, it's my duty. Well, then Phaedra. Ah...you see..."