Apple Blossom Bride

by Marina Oliver

  'Your name is Ripon. Are you related to a Sir Frederick Ripon, a clergyman from Herefordshire?'

  'Why, yes, sir. He is my father. Do you know him?'

  'I met him once.' He frowned, and Eve wondered what had happened at that meeting. Nothing pleasant, she was sure.

  'And your mother?'

  'She died, sir, ten years ago.'

  He closed his eyes for a moment, then nodded. 'Yes.'

  The news clearly distressed him, though Eve suspected he had not been surprised.

  'You have a sister, I believe?'

  'Rachel, my elder sister. She is married to Viscount Benson. And two younger brothers.'

  'And does your father ever come to London? Is he here now?'

  'No sir.' Eve did not feel it right to tell this stranger who was so interested in her family that her father was somewhere in France. 'I am staying here with Sir Bernard Montgomery and his family. His sister Amelia is my great friend in Herefordshire.'

  'Sir Bernard? I don't know him. Well, my dear Miss Ripon, it has been very pleasant talking with you.'

  He shook her hand and moved away. Amelia, who had been watching them, came across the room to demand to know who he was, and why he had been paying Eve such close attention.

  'I didn't hear his name. He wanted to know all about my family. It was odd, I don't understand him.'

  'Bernard might know about him. But you haven't had any food. That man kept you from the buffet. Come on, let's see what is left, before we have to go and pretend to admire that soprano.'

  When they reached home and were able to ask Sir Bernard, he disclaimed any knowledge of who the man was. 'But I know who you mean. He was very brown complexioned. I was standing beside him, and he spoke about the East India Company. Their monopoly on trade with India has just been abolished by the Government, and he was feeling very strongly about it, from the few words I overheard.'

  'Then that is why he is so dark-skinned. He must have lived there,' Amelia said with satisfaction. 'Eve, you must ask Lady Farley who he is.'

  'I will, when I see her again. It was because she spoke so softly, and there was a sudden noise behind me, that I did not hear it.'

  They forgot about the man during the next few days. It really seemed as though the long war was over at last, and Amelia was deep in plans for her wedding.

  *

  CHAPTER 11

  At long last the war was over. Rumours abounded, but at the War Office they heard that some of the allies had entered Paris at the end of March, while Wellington was still mopping up pockets of resistance in the south. Napoleon was not to be seen for some days, but on the sixth of April, just before Easter, he abdicated.

  The Earl brought the news to Albemarle Street, where he and Sir Peter were invited to dine.

  'The King has been restored, the French constitution is back in force, and a treaty has been signed at Fontainebleau that has banished Napoleon to Elba and given him a pension to support his family.'

  'Where is Elba?' Amelia asked.

  'In the Mediterranean,' the Earl said, 'and in my view too close to the south coast of France. But he is apparently to have his own little court there.'

  'They discussed a variety of options,' Sir Peter said. 'It was even suggested that he might continue, under proper safeguards.'

  'After all he has done?' Caroline asked. 'How could anyone even consider such a thing?'

  The Earl laughed. 'I understand another option was to install a Regency for his sons, but that was abandoned because many people believe the boy was substituted for a dead girl Maria Louisa bore.'

  Sir Bernard groaned. 'Not another baby in a warming pan rumour?'

  'What do you mean?' Amelia asked. 'Why do you put babies in warming pans? Because they are too cold? It's silly!'

  This time it was Caroline who explained. 'This was a rumour when Maria of Modena, who was married to James the second, had a baby. Many people wanted to be rid of James, who was a Roman Catholic, who they feared would impose his religion on them, so they claimed the baby was not hers, which had been born either dead or a girl. A boy, they said, had been smuggled into her bed in a warming pan.'

  'Oh. What a lot of trouble to go to. Why could they not just switch the babies?'

  'Royal births are attended by all sorts of people, including Ministers, just to make sure no substitution does take place, and that the queen really does bear a child, since that child may in time become king or queen.'

  'Or Emperor like Napoleon. Another suggestion,' the Earl said, 'was to place Bernadotte of Sweden on the throne.'

  'But why? He was just one of Napoleon's marshals, wasn't he? Before he was put on the Swedish throne.'

  'I think they were trying all sorts of alternatives before they eventually decided that the Bourbons should be reinstated. After all, the French people might not be very happy to have that family back, considering it was partly their behaviour that caused the revolution.'

  'Well, we shall see,' Sir Peter said. 'And we will be able to go to Paris as planned, Amelia.'

  'Where is Wellington?' Sir Bernard asked. 'Has he been involved in these negotiations?'

  'He is still in the south, and we believe attacking Toulouse, almost the last town to hold out for Napoleon. The negotiations are being led mainly by Castlereagh and Metternich.'

  'The Austrian?'

  'Yes. But everyone wants to see Wellington in Paris.'

  'He will be there, in time,' the Earl said.

  'Meanwhile,' Caroline said, 'we intend to enjoy this sudden sunshine. We are having a picnic in the Park tomorrow, to make the most of it. We hope you will both join us.'

  *

  It was so warm on the following day that Caroline decided they would go as far as Richmond Park. 'The Park will be crowded. So many people have already come to town, and will be wanting to enjoy the sunshine. Bernard and I will go in the barouche, and we'll send Thompson and the other servants ahead to obtain tickets and select a suitable spot. I suppose you and Peter will come in your curricles and bring the girls?'

  The Earl nodded. 'I prefer that to the phaeton in case, after this harsh winter, the road is too deeply ridged for safety.'

  They set off in procession. The Earl was unusually silent until they had passed Kensington, and then he smiled at Eve, and took a deep breath.

  'I had a message this morning, when I called into the War Office to see if there was anything urgent to do. Your father has been located and will be coming back to England very shortly. In fact, he may have travelled almost as quickly as the message, and be here within days.'

  'Papa? Oh, where was he?'

  'In Spain, but I have no more information.'

  Eve was silent. Her father would be so very angry when he heard that James had always been in England, and his journey had been pointless. He would naturally blame James rather than his own impetuosity, and she was thankful her brother was out of his reach. That, of course, would increase his fury, but at least James would not have to face it until, perhaps in time, the strength of it faded.

  'I will know more in a few days,' the Earl said.

  'How will he travel home?'

  'With some of the army, I suspect. It is being reduced, now the war is over, regiments disbanded, and the men brought back to England. I'm sure your father will be assisted to come back with them, but I do not know where he will arrive. It may be in London, or any other south coast port.'

  'He will be furious.'

  'But you are not to blame.'

  'That will not count! Papa has never permitted facts and logic to influence him,' she said bitterly. 'I expect he will insist I return to Herefordshire.'

  'Surely he will permit you to remain until after Amelia's wedding? That is next week.'

  'I can only hope he does not reach London beforehand.'

  She tried to forget her father for the rest of the drive. They spoke of the suddenly blossoming countryside, what to expect now the war was over, the possibility of travel on the continent, and t
he celebrations which would undoubtedly be arranged.

  They reached Richmond and entered the Park, finding Thompson and his helpers had set up a table under some trees that were just coming into leaf, providing a little dappled shade, and were busy laying out the cold meats, the cakes, fruit and wine for the picnic meal. In the distance Eve saw a herd of roe deer grazing beneath some trees.

  'This is beautiful,' she said. 'I did not imagine it would be like this, so extensive and varied. I would love to ride here like those two gentlemen,' she added, indicating two men who were galloping up a grassy slope.

  The Earl laughed as he helped her to a chicken breast and some slices of ham. 'Do you miss being able to ride? It has not been possible since before Christmas.'

  'No, and Sir Bernard provided me with such a beautiful mare when we first arrived in London. Though we had to be so decorous in the Park, being told not to gallop, to avoid censure.'

  'Do you have a riding horse in Herefordshire?'

  'There is one pony we all ride. Papa has his own mount, but he will not allow us to ride him. So when we ride out we either have to go with friends, or alone. My brothers and I can never ride together.'

  'A pity. Would James prefer a cavalry regiment, do you know? Is he a competent horseman?'

  'I believe so. But Papa will never permit him to join any regiment. Oh dear, I suppose I should be pleased he has been found, but I dread his coming home.'

  *

  On the following day, while Amelia was having a fitting for her wedding gown, Eve was seated by the window in the drawing room reading the latest novel from the circulating library. Thompson came into the room and shut the door behind him.

  'Miss Eve, there is a gentleman wishing to speak with you. He says he is your uncle. A Sir George Talbot. Shall I show him up?'

  'My uncle? But I have no – wait! My mother's name was Talbot,' she said almost to herself, 'and she had a brother. I have never seen him. Yes, Thompson, show him up,' she said more firmly. How very odd, and if it was her long-lost uncle, how did he know she was here?

  When he came into the room she recognised the elderly man who had been asking her so many questions at Lady Farley's musical evening. She rose to greet him as he crossed the room towards her.

  'Thompson, some wine please.'

  'Do sit down, child, and may I pull this chair to sit beside you? Did you not suspect who I was the other evening?'

  'I did not properly hear your name,' Eve confessed. 'You are my mother's brother?'

  'Half-brother. Our father married twice and I was much older than she was. I was saddened to hear dear Rachel had died. Tell me about it.'

  'It was a fever, going about the village. We thought she had contracted it when she visited one of her old servants.'

  'That was typical of Rachel.'

  'Did she write to you, sir?'

  'Yes, but secretly, because your father forbade her to have any contact with me. I was able to give her my direction in Cornwall, but I could not reply. I sold the family property in Lancashire, for after living in England I found it too cold, so I moved as far to the south as I could manage. When the letters ceased I hoped it was merely because your father had discovered it and forbidden her to write again. I was so hoping it did not mean she was dead.'

  Thompson came in with the wine, and some rafatia for Eve. It gave Sir George time to recover.

  'She told you about my brothers?'

  'James and John. Yes. But I never met them. This quarrel with your father was when you were a babe in arms, and your sister Rachel about three years old. I only came to the Rectory that once.'

  Eve took a deep breath. 'I am afraid my father quarrels with most people,' she said. 'Why did he quarrel with you?'

  Sir George frowned. 'I'm a wealthy man. My wife died in India long ago, and my son. It was an unhealthy place for women and babes. I never wanted to marry again, but I had my nieces, and I knew your father was not rich, having little more than his stipend. I wished to make settlements on you and Rachel, and any other children my sister had. He objected, and told me to take my pieces of silver out of his house.'

  'That sounds so like him!'

  'Is he in London now? When I met you I began to think time might have mellowed his mood, since he permitted you to be here, and he would agree to my proposal.'

  'He is somewhere in Spain at the moment,' Eve said, and explained. 'I fear he will be so angry when he comes home he would quarrel with you again.'

  'Rachel is married now. Is her husband wealthy?'

  'He owns a large estate in Worcestershire, and has a good income, but I do not know exactly to what extent. Several thousand pounds a year, I think.'

  'I see. And I understand you are staying with some friends?'

  'My best friend Amelia Montgomery, her brother Sir Bernard and his wife. They are our neighbours in Herefordshire, and they asked me to accompany them to be with her, or I would not be in London now.'

  'You stay for the Season? I will be here for a few weeks more, and hope to meet them, and see more of my niece.'

  'Amelia is getting married next week, and then we will go home. We were kept here after the Little Season by the weather, and because Sir Bernard was not well and needed to stay near his doctor. But if my father comes to London, I expect he will order me home at once.'

  'A pity. Well, I must be away, but I will hope to see you and meet your good friends soon. Will you write to me, as your mother did?'

  'Yes, sir, of course.'

  'Then here is my address in London, until the end of June, and then I will be at home in Cornwall.'

  *

  To Eve's relief, her father did not arrive before Amelia's wedding. She had been afraid he would suddenly appear and insist she went back home at once.

  It was a beautiful sunny day, and Amelia was radiant. Sir Peter looked so proud as he led his wife down the aisle after the ceremony that Eve had to choke back tears. Then they all went back to Albemarle Street. Amelia had insisted she did not wish for a big party, just as many of the cousins as could come to London and a few close friends, and Caroline's cook declared she could provide a feast as good as any that an hotel might offer.

  'Are you going on a wedding journey?' one of the cousins asked.

  'First I am taking Amelia to Devon, to introduce her to my people there, and then we mean to go to Paris, maybe further if the continent is quiet.'

  'Did your mother come to the wedding? I have not seen her.'

  'She said she had done sufficient travelling during the past few months, in dreadful conditions, and it was too far. Besides, she has determined to move to the Dower House, and there is need for some small alterations there, so she has stayed to ensure everything is done as she wishes.'

  'Thank goodness she is moving there,' Amelia whispered to Eve. 'I really didn't want to have to live with her.'

  Sir George, who had met Sir Bernard and been invited to the wedding, came to talk to Eve.

  'You look delightful in that blue gown,' he said. 'You are the prettiest girl here, just like your mother was at the same age. It was that resemblance which made me ask Lady Farley to introduce us. When will you be getting married yourself?'

  'Me? Oh, I don't expect to be married,' Eve said. 'Papa was planning for me to marry his curate, which neither of us wanted, but fortunately Nicholas has decided to become a missionary and he has gone to Africa.'

  'If your father is still in France, who is looking after his parish?'

  'I don't know. Perhaps the Bishop has sent someone. He is angry, so far as Bishops allow themselves to be angry,' she added, laughing, 'with both Papa for vanishing on his own concerns for months, and Nicholas for deciding he could no longer do Papa's work as well as his own, and just leaving.'

  'This time, I mean to come to Herefordshire when your father is back, and I will not allow my own anger to drive me away. I intend to do something for you and your brothers, and Rachel, unless I discover she has no need of help, and I will not permit his pride
to deter me.'

  Eve thanked him, but privately thought he would not prevail against her father unless Papa had changed dramatically after his time away.

  There was time for no more. Sir Peter and the new Lady Sankey were to start on their long journey to Devon that afternoon. When they had gone, cheered on their way by the wedding guests, Eve retired to her room. For the first time in days she could think of her own concerns. What would happen to her now? She could not remain with Sir Bernard and Caroline, and if her father had not come back by the time they went to Herefordshire, she could hardly stay at the Rectory on her own, especially if the Bishop had installed a temporary replacement for her father. Her best plan would be to go to Rachel's, and she was sure Sir Bernard would help her. He would not permit her to go on the stage, but he might send her, with a maid for propriety's sake, as soon as they reached his home. She sighed. It would be far better than having to face her father.

  *

  The Earl frowned. He was being sent to France, for consultations with Castlereagh. Wellington was still in the south, where he had fought the final battle at Toulouse. It was no time for him to be away from London, especially as Peter had resigned and was no longer working with him.

  Napoleon was finally defeated, and the Treaty to settle his fate was being negotiated at Fontainebleau.

  'But is he finished?' one of the men involved asked Justin when he arrived there and was catching up on the news.

  'They say,' another put in, 'that as he was leaving he claimed he would be back with the violets.'

  'I always thought Elba too close to the French coast,' Justin said. Perhaps he ought not to do as he had planned, resign his commission as soon as possible and leave the army.

  He put aside his doubts and listened to the rumours. Wellington was to be made a duke. He stifled a smile. One who had got away from Talia! Then it was said Napoleon had tried to commit suicide, but the poison, whatever it was, had lost its potency. A pity, many thought. While he lived he would be a focus for discontent, and would need always to be watched and guarded, even if it was pretended he was still an emperor but living in retirement.

  There was to be a review of the Allied troops in Paris. The Russian Emperor and the King of Prussia were to be there, and there was considerable annoyance that Wellington might be absent. Because of his brothers' disputes with Lord Liverpool, he did not think he could serve in the government, so when he was offered the post of Ambassador in Paris, he took it. In the end he would be there for the triumphal entry, Justin learned. But that was not until May the fourth, and Justin wanted to be back in England before then.