Loving Protector

by Sally Quilford

  She had one dance left on her card, and looked hopefully towards the colonel. But his eyes were fixed on a spot at the far end of the room. She saw his great aunt reach up and put her hand on his arm, as if to stop him from saying or doing something.

  Glancing in the direction he was staring, Calista saw that Blanche was pushing Mr. Purbeck forward. She could not hear what Blanche was saying but it seemed to be along the lines of, ‘just do it.’

  Purbeck crossed the room to where the colonel stood. “A word with you, sir.”

  “You may have as many words as you wish, Mr. Purbeck.”

  “You dishonored my sister, sir.” Purbeck’s tones became louder, more petulant. The music ground to a halt and everyone stopped dancing and turned to listen.

  “I do not think so.”

  “I should like to call you out on it, sir.”

  From across the room, Calista could see Blanche’s eyes shining with excitement.

  “Might I remind you, Mr. Purbeck that dueling is now illegal. I did not dishonor your sister. In fact, I believe I did her the honour of letting her marry the man she really loved rather than insisting on her keeping her promise to me.”

  “Purbeck!” Everyone turned to where a man in his late fifties stood watching the exchange. Even without being told, Calista knew it was the Duke of Midchester. He was as handsome as his son, apart from the fact that his mouth was set in a cruel line, and his grey eyes were as hard and cold as flint. She wondered that no one else saw the similarity but reasoned that people generally saw what they wanted to see.

  “Your Grace,” Purbeck stammered. “I did not realize you would be here tonight.”

  “You should remember who is your patron, Mr. Purbeck, and upon whose good graces you depend. Do not waste your time and your reputation on the … the nouveau riche.” The duke spat the last words out as if they were an obscenity.

  There was a gasp of horror around the room. The nouveau riche were not permitted through Almacks doors. One might be as poor as a church mouse and get in as long as one were of the nobility. But new money was considered vulgar.

  The Countess of Jersey, one of the patronesses, stepped forward and in quiet but urgent tones spoke to the Duke. He muttered something back to her, at which point she walked to where the colonel stood. Another muttered conversation took place, after which the colonel stormed across the room and left Almacks.

  “No!” said Calista, blushing when she realized that everyone turned to look at her.

  “Calista,” said Lady Bedlington, beckoning to her. “Come to me, child.” The tender use of her Christian name surprised Calista into silence. Lady Bedlington spoke to the room in general. “I am afraid Miss Haywood is distressed by the events. I will take her to another room and help calm her nerves.” When Calista had joined her and they were walking along a corridor, Lady Bedlington said, “I told you being here required a strong drink.” At which point she took a flask from her reticule and drank from it.

  “I do not understand why he has been ejected,” said Calista when she and Lady Bedlington were alone in one of the comfortably furnished private sitting rooms. “It is unfair. He is of the nobility, is he not? On his mother’s side.”

  “Yes, child, but you must not assume he has been ejected. He may have chosen to leave.”

  “Why would he?”

  “To prevent a scandal. So as not to spoil … someone’s … evening.”

  “It is not fair. Mr. Purbeck should be the one to leave. He shamed himself by his behaviour.”

  “Urged, I gather, by your step-sister.”

  “Yes. Yes, that is true and I am sorry…”

  “Calista, why are you apologizing for her behaviour? It is not your fault. I was merely stating a fact.”

  “We are related. Even if only by marriage.”

  “Hmm. That is unfortunate for you, I fear. I am afraid your step-sister got rather ahead of herself. She believed that one visit to Almacks meant that she had made society. But the patronesses can just as easily take a voucher back. I suspect she liked the idea of men dueling over her, but as Brook has treated her with nothing but civility, she had to content herself with persuading Purbeck to duel about his sister.”

  “Did the colonel love her very much?” asked Calista.

  Lady Bedlington looked at her thoughtfully. “I do not know, child. She was a flighty girl. And is apparently a flighty woman. Brook would not be told, but then young people never do listen. He did not lie when he said he paid her the honour of letting her marry the man she truly loved. Or at least the man she loved at that time. He could have made much more fuss about it and with good reason. She played them off against each other. Much as I think your step-sister is doing with Mr. Purbeck and my nephew at this moment.” Lady Bedlington went over to the fireplace and tugged on the bell.

  Almost immediately a servant arrived. “Tell Mrs. Haywood and Miss Kirkham that I should like to see them both here immediately.”

  When Evelyn and Blanche arrived several minutes later, Blanche was flushed with excitement. “Is there a problem?” she asked. “I am rather enjoying myself and did not wish to leave the dance.”

  “Yes, Miss Kirkham,” said Lady Bedlington. “There is a problem. Shut the door please. I am going to say this in front of your mother and step-sister so that I have witnesses.”

  “Lady Bedlington, I…” Evelyn got no further before Lady Bedlington raised her hand.

  “Do not make any more excuses for your daughter, Mrs. Haywood. You are a good woman and your loyalty does you credit. I think you have struggled to try to be fair. That too does you credit. I, however, do not have to be fair. Sit down, Miss Kirkham. You will not like what I have to say.”

  Blanche looked as though she might argue, but instead took a seat on the sofa next to Calista.

  “You may think,” Lady Bedlington began, “that by being allowed through the doors of Almacks that you are now a part of society. It is unfortunate then that you failed the test on your first evening here. I saw you goading Mr. Purbeck to challenge my nephew …” Lady Bedlington held up her hand again. “Do not deny it, child. Others may be fooled by you, but I am not. Now you may be here because of the Duke of Midchester. It does amuse him to tease the young women whom Purbeck fools into believing he will be the next Duke, just as much as it amuses him to tease his favourites into believing he will name them his successors. But you are a guest in my home, and everyone here is aware of that. I have a great regard for your dear mother but I warn you now that if you behave in such an outrageous way again whilst my guest, whether you are under my roof at the time or not, I will send you back to Derbyshire. And I can assure you that once I have ejected you from my house, no one else will invite you to stay. Is that clear?”

  “Believe me, Lady Bedlington,” said Blanche, looking panic stricken. “I tried to stop Mr. Purbeck. Truly I did. But he believed the colonel had insulted me.”

  “I wonder whatever gave him that idea.”

  “I do not know. I only mentioned that I thought the colonel did not like me very much. It is something I cannot put my finger upon. So Mr. Purbeck decided instead to bring up the subject of his sister when really he meant to defend me.”

  “And is Mr. Purbeck to challenge everyone who does not like you? Because if he is, then I fear he will be up at the crack of dawn every day for the rest of his life.”

  “That is very harsh, Lady Bedlington.” Tears filled Blanche’s eyes, and unaccountably, Calista felt sorry for her. It is hurtful to be told one is not liked.

  “Yes,” said Evelyn, clearly feeling she had to defend her daughter. “Yes, Lady Bedlington, with all due respect, that is rather harsh. I understand your anger, but my daughter is very young and made a young woman’s mistake.”

  “Perhaps it was harsh, and perhaps I am now sorry I said it. But your daughter needs to learn two things. Humility and how to behave in polite society. I do not blame you, Evelyn.” Lady Bedlington’s voice became kinder. “Your manners are
impeccable, as are Calista’s. Though even she is prone to emotional outbursts when she feels strongly about something.” Calista blushed, but saw that Lady Bedlington was smiling kindly at her. “Blanche would do well to study from you both. Believe me, if Miss Kirkham does not hear the truth from me, in the privacy of this room, and does not take note, she will hear it in public, and I can assure you, much harsher things will be said of her. I am sure you do not wish that to happen. So as unkind as I may seem, I am in fact rendering your daughter a kindness in being so candid at such an early stage in her social life.”

  “We thank you for your candid words. Blanche, do you have something to say to Lady Bedlington?”

  “I humbly apologise for my behaviour, Lady Bedlington.”

  “Very well. Nothing that has been said in this room will be repeated by me, or anyone else, outside of it, and we will all leave here as friends. Now, if you will excuse me, I must go and freshen up.”

  They curtseyed to Lady Bedlington and she left the room, reaching into her reticule as she did so.

  The moment the old lady left the room, Blanche’s humble demeanour changed. “I hate her, and I hate you two. When I am the Duchess of Midchester, she will be thrown out of society. I will make it my life’s work to make sure that happens. As for you two, you always preferred it in Derbyshire anyway.”

  “Blanche,” said Calista, feeling as if the cold hand of gloom gripped her heart. “Blanche, please listen to what she says. She is only trying to be helpful.”

  “Oh, but you are her pet. Everyone can see that. You think everything she does is wonderful. No doubt trying to keep on the good side of her nouveau riche nephew. ”

  “I am sorry that her harsh words caused you pain,” said Calista, keeping her anger under control. “Even if you do not believe it to be so. You are very well liked, I am sure. All the young men I danced with preferred to be with you.”

  “I do not need you to patronize me, Calista.” Even so, there was a look of triumph in Blanche’s eyes.

  “I wasn’t … I…”

  Blanche was not listening. She swept out of the room with a regal gait.

  “Oh Calista,” said Evelyn, sinking down onto the sofa and putting her head in her hands. “I have never been so ashamed in my life.”

  Calista knelt at Evelyn’s feet. “It was just high spirits, I am sure.”

  “But the way she spoke about ruining Lady Bedlington’s standing in society. I do believe she means it. I am afraid, Calista, desperately afraid. For her, for you, for me.”

  “I do not think you need be afraid for Lady Bedlington’s standing in society,” said Calista with a smile. “I have no doubt she can hold her own. I also suspect she does not care much more for society than her great nephew.”

  “People only say that until they’re faced with the fear of losing their standing in the Ton,” said Evelyn. Her eyes had a faraway look. “If Blanche knew how much she had to lose…”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Nothing. I am being silly. Nothing bad will happen. And if we are exiled back to Derbyshire, I for one will not be sorry. Will you?”

  “No, no of course not.”

  “Except,” Evelyn said perceptively, “there is no Colonel Windebank in Derbyshire.”

  “Or Mr. Benedict,” Calista teased. Instead of smiling back, Evelyn’s face took on a look of doom again.

  “Please tell me what troubles you,” said Calista.

  “I sometimes feel that if I do not tell someone I shall explode,” said Evelyn. “But I am afraid, Calista. You are a good, honourable girl and I have enjoyed having you as my daughter. I fear that if I tell you the truth about myself, I will lose your love and affection.”

  “Nothing could make that happen, I swear it.”

  Evelyn took a deep breath and seemed to come to a decision. “Very well. But I will tell you when we return to Lady Bedlington’s. I fear we may be overheard here.”

  They returned home in the early hours of the morning. Blanche swept past everyone and announced she was going to bed. Evelyn and Calista had a brief conversation with Lady Bedlington about the ball, avoiding the more emotional parts of the evening. Evelyn bid them goodnight, and Calista was about to leave when Lady Bedlington called her back.

  “What is it?”

  “Sit down, child.”

  Calista did as she was told. “Have I done something wrong? If it is about my outburst…”

  Lady Bedlington smiled and held up her hand to stop Calista. “You did nothing wrong. I just want to be sure about one thing.”

  “What is that?”

  “That you are as much in love with my nephew as I believe you to be.”

  “I …I would not presume to … what I mean is … I know he could never love someone like me. So please do not think I am out to trap him or anything like that.”

  “I did not suggest any such thing. But I think you have just answered my question anyway.” The truth was that Calista had not known it herself until Lady Bedlington asked her. The realization hit her like a tornado, churning up her emotions, and also terrifying her. “I only asked,” continued Lady Bedlington, “because my nephew has known a lot of pain in his life. I do not want to see him hurt again.”

  “Would you prefer it if I went away? I could return to Derbyshire tomorrow.”

  “No, child. Whatever made you think such a thing?”

  “I thought you disapproved.”

  “Believe me, if I did you would know about it. I just need to know that I can trust you, Calista. Because I am afraid.”

  Calista looked at Lady Bedlington wide-eyed. She had spoken the exact same words as Evelyn. Calista had put her step-mother’s words down to nervousness and shame over Blanche’s behaviour. Now she truly understood that malevolence crackled in the air. Lady Bedlington had also picked up on it.

  “I must protect you, child,” said Lady Bedlington. “And between us, we must protect Brook. He is more vulnerable than he realizes. Can I count on you?”

  “Yes, of course, I would do anything to protect him.”

  Chapter Six

  “I just want to assure you of one more thing before you go to bed,” said Lady Bedlington. Calista had risen from the sofa and was halfway to the door.

  “What is that?”

  “Whatever might happen in the future, child, you are not without friends or protection. You may always come to me. Remember that.”

  “Do you mean if Evelyn marries Mr. Benedict and papa’s annuity ends?”

  Lady Bedlington did not answer for a long time. She just looked tired and old. “Yes, I suppose that is what I mean.”

  Calista was grateful to go up to bed. She needed time to think over what had been said. Only she remembered that Evelyn had promised to speak to her. She knocked quietly on her step-mother’s bedroom door.

  “Come in, Calista.”

  Evelyn was sitting up in bed. She too looked tired, but she also looked very beautiful. “I’m sorry I kept you waiting,” said Calista. She went to sit on the edge of the bed.

  “I understand. One does not ignore a command from Lady Bedlington. I cannot always work her out. One moment she is all kindness. The next … well, she has the sting of a scorpion. Though I do believe her kindness always wins out. What did she wish to see you about? Or is that yet another secret you are sworn to keep.”

  “I do not think it is a secret. She is afraid of something, as you are. Anything other than that, I cannot tell you. It is rather nebulous, and yet …”

  “And yet you do not doubt her fears.”

  “No. Nor yours. If you are tired, I could come back in the morning.” For reasons Calista could not fathom, suddenly she did not want to know Evelyn’s secret. The truth was a frightening prospect. The truth, she felt, might tear their lives apart, though she had no idea why that might be.

  “You do not want to know?”

  “Yes, of course.” Calista took Evelyn’s hand in hers. “Of course, but only if you wish to tell me
.”

  “It is rather a long story. Or perhaps it is not. I could just blurt out a simple fact and have it over with. Only … only I want you to understand that I did not feel at the time that I did anything wrong. I was in love.”

  “With Mr. Benedict?”

  “Yes. With Mr. Benedict. Harry and I grew up together. We were childhood sweethearts, with all the innocent pursuits that entails. Then …” Evelyn paused. “Then we were not so innocent. I was seventeen and he was eighteen and we were in love. Nothing seemed wrong then. Can you understand that? Regardless of what society says, or what the bible says, nothing seemed wrong to us. Because we loved each other. Do you understand what I’m trying to tell you?”

  “I think so,” said Calista.

  “But Harry had to go away to university and I did not want to hold him back. He is every bit as talented an architect as your father. So he went off to Oxford. I waited for him to write to me, but he did not. I sent him dozens of notes, declaring my love, but heard nothing. When my father announced that Mr. Kirkham had asked for my hand in marriage, I agreed. More out of anger than anything. I was sure Harry had forgotten about me and found a new love. Or perhaps lots of new loves. So I married Mr. Kirkham. Even then, with everything that had happened, I was an innocent. So when I found out I was expecting Blanche, I told my husband, thinking he would be pleased. Sadly he was better at arithmetic than I was.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Evelyn lowered her voice. “I mean Blanche could not possibly be his child. She is Harry’s.”

  “Oh.”

  “Now I have lost you.”

  “No, please do not think that. I am surprised, but not shocked or outraged. You must have loved Mr. Benedict very much.”

  “I did. Of course, my husband could not divorce me without bringing shame upon himself. But he never let me forget my own shame, and he never … I feel embarrassed telling you this, considering I have told you so much. He never touched me again. In public he would be a doting husband, but at home I would have to endure a dozen slights every day. That is the atmosphere in which Blanche grew up. She has no respect for me, because her father, perhaps reasonably, had no respect for me.”