Felicia

by Leonora Blythe

  The scraping of the key in the lock brought her attention back to her surroundings.

  “I did the best I could, miss,” Jack Walsh said defensively as he laid the items she had requested on the table. “But candles are difficult to come by ’ere.”

  “It is adequate,” Felicia said, hurrying over, eyeing the small stub of wax that would have to do as a temporary light “Thank you. It won’t take me long to draft my note.” She bent over the table and started to write. Within minutes she had filled the sheet of paper and folding it in two, wrote David’s office address on the one flap. “Mr. Burton’s offices are at 40 Lincoln’s Inn, Mr. Walsh, and I am certain that his senior clerk will give you an extra guinea for delivering this.” She felt it necessary to dangle the enticement of further monetary rewards in front of him, for she was beginning to realize that it was the only language he understood. “Before you go, perhaps you could tell me how you know of Mr. Burton. I did not realize his reputation extended this far.”

  “’Im is well-known around ’ere, because ’e goes out of ’is way to defend the lowest of the low. ’Im and the judge, Lord Davenport, work together. If the judge is presiding, like, then you can be certain that Mr. Burton is defending. It’s a funny sort of justice they dole out, but they treat everyone fair. Unlike some I could mention.”

  “I see,” Felicia responded, not understanding. David seemed far too young to have gained such fame for himself…and quite what sort of justice he and this judge meted out was beyond her comprehension.

  “And if you say ’e’s a friend of the family, then maybe you knows all about ’ow ’e and some lord look after the children of convicted felons.”

  “Not very much,” Felicia said hastily, wondering if this was the charity Lord Umber was involved in. “Mr. Burton is very modest and does not talk too much of his good works.”

  Jack Walsh smacked his lips together as an idea formed in his mind. “See, if you really knows this Mr. Burton and you was to draw my name to ’is attention, then it’s possible, if you say the right thing so to speak, that ’e would consider putting me and my missus in charge of one of these ’omes he ’as for the urchins.”

  “The kindness you have shown me, Mr. Walsh, is certainly something to commend,” Felicia said diplomatically, trying at the same time to still the warm feeling that her captor’s words had evoked. For some inexplicable reason she knew that the lord he referred to was Lord Umber, and the elation she felt was caused by the knowledge that he was as generous to the underprivileged as he was kind to his mother. How she had misjudged him! “And…and…you may rest assured that I will certainly mention your name to Mr. Burton.”

  He regarded her shrewdly for a moment. “Well, I’ll be on my way, then, miss, else I’ll not get back afore nightfall.”

  “Perhaps you could tell me one other thing before you go, Mr. Walsh. The crime I am supposed to have committed, what…what is the penalty?”

  “Death by ’anging, miss, or deportation. Depending, of course, on the evidence,” he added quickly as he saw the color drain from Felicia’s face. “It’s a serious crime, miss, no matter who you are.”

  “But I am innocent,” Felicia whispered. “Innocent. Please hurry with my note. I shall only rest easy when I know that it has been safely delivered.”

  “You rely on Jack Walsh, miss. I’ll see to it that Mr. Burton gets this. And if it makes you feel better, I’ll make arrangements for you to be locked in this ’ere room until I return. It’ll cost a bit more than you ’ave given me, but I reckon we can settle the score when Mr. Burton gets ’ere.”

  “But what of this Mistress James you spoke of? Will she not be expecting me?”

  “Don’t you be worrying your pretty head over ’er. There being no rush to move you immediately, especially when I say the word.”

  “Well, thank you, Mr. Walsh,” Felicia said forlornly. “I really don’t know what I would have done without you.”

  “Easy on, miss,” he said in alarm. “Don’t go fainting away again on me. Nobody’s going to harm you yet. And, what’s more, if you really do know Mr. Burton, maybe ’e can even get the lady to drop all charges. ’E can be very persuasive, I’m told. Anyways, I’m doing no more for you than I would ’ope anyone would do for my daughter if, Lord ’elp us, she were ever to find herself in similar circumstances.”

  Felicia smiled at him wanly, knowing that his only motivation was greed. But she was too thankful that he had agreed to help her to care. “I shall wait for you to return then.”

  Thirteen

  There was such a smug, well-satisfied air about Lady Ormstead when she returned to her rented house in Upper Grosvenor Street that the footman commented on it to Mr. Nestor. “’Erself is a delight this noon, and ’ere’s me be’en worrying that she would be letting me go for my failure to give the gentleman the message this morning. Wonders will never cease, will they, Mr. Nestor?”

  The butler gave him a frosty look before replying. “If it’s Lady Ormstead you is referring to, then kindly say so, lad. I don’t know really what the agency was a-thinking of, sending you ’ere as an experienced footman. I, myself, ’ave never encountered such unfamiliarity as to ’ow to comport oneself about one’s duties as you display.” He sniffed haughtily in what he considered his most superior manner, but the footman seemed quite unabashed.

  “Aw, come off it, Mr. Nestor. You know the agency ’ad no one else to send ’ere. It must be seven poor souls like me that ’erself, begging your pardon, Lady Ormstead, has gobbled up this Season, and I only undertook the position to get experience. For I am going to be a gentleman’s gentleman one day.” He grinned impishly at the impassive face of his mentor.

  “Then you ’ad better learn ’ow to behave in the presence of one,” Mr. Nestor answered scathingly, “and make sure that you deliver the correct message to that Lord Umber when ’e calls again.” His homily was interrupted by the sound of Lady Ormstead’s bell, and without more ado he moved away to answer the summons.

  “You rang, my lady?” he inquired grandly when he finally reached Lady Ormstead’s sitting room.

  “Yes, Nestor. I have changed my mind about not seeing Lord Umber this afternoon. So when he calls kindly see to it that he is shown into the brown room.”

  “If you don’t mind me mentioning it, your Ladyship, the fire smokes something terrible in that room. Perhaps I could suggest the library.” He coughed deprecatingly.

  “No. No, Nestor. Just do as I tell you. He won’t stay long enough to worry about a few plumes of smoke.” Her eyes glistened with suppressed excitement. “And there is no need for you to stay in the vicinity.”

  “I beg your pardon, madam?”

  “Eavesdropping, Nestor, eavesdropping.”

  “Madam!” the butler exclaimed in outraged tones. “I ’ave never been guilty of such an atrocious act in all my life.”

  “Good, good,” Lady Ormstead said unpleasantly. “Just insure you don’t change your habits today.”

  “Is that all, then, madam?” he inquired stiffly, checking his anger with difficulty at her vulgarity. All his sensibilities were offended by her suggestion.

  Lady Ormstead dismissed him with a wave and an order to send Wendy to her, before sitting back to contemplate the upcoming interview. “I do believe I have done it,” she said to herself gleefully. “This time, I think I have succeeded, and now no one need ever know that Richard and Arabella had a daughter.” She let out a mad cackle which shook her voluminous body like a partly set jelly. “Mama, Mama, are you all right?”

  The anxious voice of her daughter brought Lady Ormstead out of her daydream abruptly. “What is it, child?” she asked sharply. “How many times do I have to tell you not to creep up on me? You know any sudden movement is bad for my heart. Really, Wendy, you are so thoughtless.”

  Wendy stood to one side, biting nervously on her lower lip. ’I’m sorry, Mama,” she whined. “But Nestor said you wanted to see me.”

  Lady Ormstead eyed her daugh
ter keenly before turning her gaze in the direction of the window. It really was too provoking that she had been blessed with such an obese daughter. Absolutely nothing could be done to disguise those pimples which covered her face. As for the child’s figure, no amount of lacing would produce the small waistline that was so fashionable. And to crown it all, they had not received a single invitation that amounted to anything. The outrage of seeing Felicia, whom she had thought to be out of sight for ever, perched happily between Lord Umber and his dowager mother, was too much to bear with comfort. Why, Wendy had not met a single eligible male, and the only offer had come from their neighbor, Mr. Brown, who was old enough to be a grandfather. She muttered under her breath savagely. “It would serve her right if I accept.”

  “I beg your pardon, Mama? I…I didn’t hear.”

  “Don’t interrupt, Wendy. Do sit down and stop fidgeting, and smooth your dress, you look an absolute fright.” “Yes, Mama. I’m sorry, Mama,” Wendy whined as she obeyed.

  “I want you to know that you have received your first offer, and I am at this very moment considering whether to accept it.”

  “Yes, Mama,” Wendy said dully.

  “Do you not want to know who has honored you so? Really, you are an exasperating child. Nothing, it seems, interests you except cream buns and bon bons. Mr. Brown is most anxious to take you off my hands.”

  “Mr. Brown, Mama!” Wendy exclaimed in agitation. “How…how could he? He doesn’t even know me except to say ‘good morning.’ Why, I have never given him the slightest encouragement. Please, Mama, I couldn’t possibly. He’s…he’s…far too old, and besides, he’s deaf.”

  “I haven’t given him my answer yet, Wendy, so don’t be in such a taking. Although the way you behave at the dances I take you to does not lend much encouragement to any of the younger men. You are a wallflower, my dear,” she said spitefully, “and a wilting one at that”

  “But, Mama,” Wendy snivelled. “It’s not my fault. If only you could find me a maid like Felicia. I know I would look better, but…but, the one we have now is worse than Sadie. No one is able to dress my hair like Felicia. No one. Why did you have to send her away?”

  “Who?” Lady Ormstead said in a dangerously quiet voice. “Whom are you talking about? Have I not forbidden you ever to mention that name in my presence? Have I not ordered you to forget that she ever existed? I will not be disobeyed, Wendy. Now, go to your room and remain there for the rest of the day. And, if you continue to disregard my wishes, I will accept Mr. Brown’s offer and let him drum some sense into you.”

  A storm of tears shook Wendy, and soon she was sobbing hysterically. “Please, Mama,” she begged. “Please don’t do that. And I am sorry to have disobeyed you. I promise it won’t happen again. Only, please, please don’t say yes to Mr. Brown.”

  “Go to your room immediately,” Lady Ormstead said irritably. “I have had enough of your tantrums. Spend the rest of the day contemplating the trouble you have caused me, and maybe by tomorrow I will feel more inclined to forgive you.”

  Wendy fled, crying uncontrollably, leaving her mother looking at the closed door with a pleased expression on her face. Now, she could rest easy, for her interview with Lord Umber would not be interrupted. She knew that Wendy would not dare to come downstairs for the rest of the day.

  *

  The peace and quiet of White’s had done much to restore Lord Umber’s humor, and he had just finished reading the morning papers when he felt someone tapping his shoulder. He looked round and saw, to his surprise, that Dr. Ross was standing behind him. Rising quickly, he followed him out of the reading room.

  “Paul, my dear fellow, to what do I owe this honor? I have never seen you out of your place before late afternoon.”

  Dr. Ross smiled. “I was hoping you would invite me to join you for a spot of lunch. And I do leave my offices, you know, on occasion.”

  “Luncheon? What a splendid idea. Excuse me while I organize a table.” He clicked his fingers at a passing waiter and said something quietly. He nodded at the reply and turned back to Dr. Ross. “Follow me, Paul. It appears we can be accommodated immediately.”

  Neither man spoke as they were ushered into the high-domed dining room and led to a solitary table in the far corner. Only after they had ordered did Dr. Ross break the companionable silence.

  “Ian, I know it is presumptuous of me, but I beg your understanding and indulgence.”

  “Whatever for, Paul. Surely we have known each other too long to be so formal. Whatever is bothering you so?” Dr. Ross hesitated for a moment. “I…I want to talk to you about Miss Richards.”

  “Aha! Your favorite patient. Why the serious air?” Even though he tried to be casual, a note of resignation crept into his voice. It seemed everyone was conspiring to make it more difficult than he had anticipated to forget about Felicia.

  “We had, at least from my point of view, a very good session this morning, in that Miss Richards remembered everything. She knows who she is, who her parents were and, more importantly, who Lady Ormstead is.” Dr. Ross sat back in his chair, wondering what it was that had prompted him to interfere and which was the best way to proceed now. The withdrawn expression on Lord Umber’s face indicated that his friend might well be relieved by Felicia’s decision to leave Lady Louisa’s household. “The result is that she has decided to seek gainful employment elsewhere.”

  “I see,” Lord Umber said thoughtfully, wondering why this information displeased him. “She is quite determined this time, I suppose?”

  Dr. Ross nodded. “My concern, of course, is for your mother, but Miss Richards feels that she cannot accept her charity indefinitely, even though she has grown extremely fond of Lady Louisa….”

  “What prompted this decision, Paul?” Lord Umber broke in impatiently. “Something that happened in her past that makes her an unfit companion? Was I right, all along, about her true profession?” He suppressed a bitterness he suddenly felt with difficulty.

  “No, indeed not, Ian. As far as I know she has impeccable credentials. But you must have observed how independent she is. It is this spirit of independence that is prompting her to make her own way in the world. In fact, the only reason I mention any of this is that I want your assurances you will not make her leaving any more difficult than it is going to be.”

  There was a hidden meaning to the words that Lord Umber was astute enough to recognize, but not clairvoyant enough to understand. His only reaction was to raise an eyebrow as though in query. “Whatever do you mean by that, Paul? I can hardly chain her to my mother’s side, can I? If Miss Richards is really of a mind to leave, then I shall do my utmost to aid her. And by that, I mean I shall insure mama does not go to any great lengths to prevent Miss Richards from doing as she wants.” As he was speaking, his one hand was unconsciously stroking his cravat, which was the only sign to Dr. Ross’s trained eye that something was bothering him. But Dr. Ross was wise enough to know that he would have to content himself with these assurances. It would serve no useful purpose to probe Lord Umber’s feelings on the subject. “Good. Then I can put my concern aside for both my patients and do justice to this meal.”

  Lord Umber watched his friend for a few moments while he struggled to appear calm. His earlier resolution of getting on with his own life suddenly seemed hollow as the knowledge that he would never see Felicia again penetrated. What nonsense had gotten into her that made her so independent? For someone as intelligent as he knew her to be, she was quite senseless at times.

  “As a matter of curiosity, Paul, who is Lady Ormstead? I called on her this morning but was refused admittance.” Dr. Ross wavered for a second before answering. “Lady Ormstead is an aunt of Miss Richards, I believe. They are not very close.”

  Lord Umber thought back to last night at the theater. “Judging from her behavior towards Miss Richards last night, I am inclined to believe you.” Again he appeared casual, but his senses were alert. Something was not quite right about the story that Dr
. Ross was telling him. “I had intended calling on her again, but if you say that Miss Richards’ memory has returned, then I will gladly forfeit that dubious pleasure. Do you agree?”

  “Absolutely, Ian. Another attempt seems quite unnecessary now. Also, I am sure Miss Richards would prefer that you didn’t.”

  The response was too quick, but Lord Umber let it go. There seemed little point in pursuing something his friend quite obviously did not want to discuss. “If you say so, Paul,” he said smoothly, while vowing to himself to keep the appointment. Was there indeed something in Miss Richards’ background that needed burying? “What of this trip to Manchester, Paul? What explanation did Miss Richards have for that?”

  “A fairly simple one, actually. She had the wrong address. When I confronted her with that, she was not at all perturbed, for it appears she has relatives there and would not have experienced any difficulty. Certainly none of the nature Lady Louisa envisaged,” Dr. Ross lied and was astonished that he should have done so. But as Ian seemed satisfied with his explanation, he felt well justified. All he had to remember now was to tell Felicia not to contradict his story.

  “So all our concern was for naught, eh? What a bunch of worry warts we have been.” He raised his wine goblet in a toast. “Here’s to you, Paul, and for the remarkable success you have achieved. May Anton Mesmer be equally delighted.”

  “Thank you, Ian. Thank you. I must confess to a great feeling of elation, for there were many times when I doubted my ability to break through that barrier. There were two main clues that helped….”

  Lord Umber sat still, giving every outward appearance that his full attention was with his friend. In truth, though, he was thinking of Felicia and the extraordinary behavior of Dr. Ross. There was something highly suspicious about the whole affair. Not that he doubted the part about Felicia’s memory returning. It was just a feeling he had, but nothing he could put his finger on. However, there was no denying the fact that Paul was bent on protecting her. What from, he could not fathom. But surely that was his prerogative. Surprised at the intensity of his feelings, he tried to channel his thoughts away from Felicia. Impatiently he took out his fob watch and saw that it lacked but forty minutes to three. “I hate to interrupt your dissertation, Paul,” he said hastily, “but I have a previous engagement. Please excuse me.”