by Sandra Heath
Her breath caught, and she halted. “Oh, wasn’t that...?”
Camilla paused as well. “What have you seen?”
“I’m sure I saw lightning.”
“You must be mistaken. Apart from anything else, it’s the wrong weather and wrong time of year.” Camilla glanced up at the lowering clouds. Lightning? She prayed not, for thunderstorms were always a distressing reminder of Harry’s death.
Elizabeth nodded. “You’re right, of course. It’s just...”
“Yes?”
“Well, thunder, this house, two years ago...”
“Please let’s change the subject.” Camilla quickly took her arm and ushered her into the brightly lit house, where Elizabeth immediately paused to look fondly around the lavish entrance hall.
“Every time I come here I’m taken back anew by how astonishing a place this is. I vow there cannot be anything left in the Orient!”
“You said you had some more disagreeable news,” Camilla prompted.
“Yes. It seems the Grand Duchess Catherine is impatient to see the Prussian match concluded as quickly as possible. She expects Mlle Arenburg to return to London as soon as she has recovered from her, er, ‘influenza,’ and then the actual wedding ceremony is to take place in—”
“In London in June,” Camilla finished for her. “Yes, we already know.”
“You do? Oh.” Elizabeth was nonplussed. “I thought it would come as a shock to you out here in the sticks.”
“Gloucestershire isn’t quite the sticks,” Camilla murmured.
Elizabeth went on. “You see, George was at Carlton House when Prinny first heard of the grand duchess’s decision. He immediately came home and told me, so you can imagine how I felt when I received your note saying William was here! There’s so much at stake, from Father’s marquessate to George’s friendship with Prinny. Heaven knows how badly this might reflect upon the latter, for the prince is clearly furious about the whole wretched business.”
Elizabeth unpinned her hat and put it down on a table. Then she looked a little reproachfully at Camilla. “To be frank, I feel you and Dominic could have shown more sense than to allow William to stay here.”
Camilla was provoked. “Would you have preferred us to throw him out, injured ankle and all?”
“You could at least have seen him safely installed at an inn, well away from that wretched Russian hoyden!” Elizabeth replied vehemently.
“So this is all our fault, is it? Your brother is the innocent victim of unfair circumstance? If that is your contention, Elizabeth, I think the sooner you leave, the better.”
The firm rebuke found its mark, Elizabeth flushed and lowered her glance guiltily. “Of course William’s at fault. I—I’m sorry, Camilla, I didn’t mean to point a finger at you, it’s just that I’m all of a dither about everything. Please take no notice.”
“It’s difficult to take no notice when you’re so free with your accusations,” Camilla replied a little coolly.
“Can’t we forget I spoke?” Elizabeth pleaded. “Oh, don’t let’s quarrel, Camilla, we’ve been friends far too long to fall out over this.”
Camilla managed a smile of sorts. “Yes, we have, haven’t we?”
Elizabeth cast around for something to say. “Er, how did William hurt his ankle? Your note didn’t say much.”
“He fell from the staircase in the pagoda. He shouldn’t have been able to get in because repairs are needed, but he’d arranged an assignation with Sophie.”
“No doubt she plagued him into it,” Elizabeth observed acidly.
“William doesn’t need plaguing where Sophie’s concerned,” Camilla pointed out.
“She takes advantage of his soft heart.”
“Oh, do stop this, Elizabeth. No one held a pistol to William’s head and forced him to embark upon this affair, he did it of his own volition, and now we’re all in a scrape because of it.”
Elizabeth looked contrite again. “I’m being foolish, and you’re right to tell me off.”
“You’re not being foolish, you’re being downright infuriating,” Camilla replied.
Something struck Elizabeth then. “How do you know about the grand duchess’s new plans regarding the wedding? George told me almost as soon as Prinny learned.”
“The prince sent word.”
Elizabeth was shaken. “The prince?” she repeated.
“Yes, and perhaps I should tell you he not only informed us of the new urgency in the wedding plans, but also gave due warning that if word gets out about Sophie’s indiscretions, or if Sophie carries out her threats, it will be the worst for her and for William.”
Elizabeth went pale. “William? In—in what way?”
“Your father will be denied his elevation to marquess, and that will inevitably result in—”
“In William’s disinheritance,” Elizabeth finished for her. “Oh, Camilla, I had no idea that the prince had already taken action. He didn’t tell George, which can only mean George’s friendship is to be dispensed with as surely as Brummell’s was last year. Oh, this is terrible!” She hid her face in her hands.
Camilla tried to comfort her. “You can’t possibly read all that into it.”
“Oh, yes, I can. Prinny has made it crystal clear that if any hint of this scandal rubs off on him ...” Elizabeth couldn’t finish the sentence.
“It won’t rub off, Elizabeth, for we’re all determined to keep the whole business under control. Everyone, including Sophie, is anxious for it to remain a secret, and that’s how it will be, provided we all keep our heads.”
“I can’t imagine Mlle Arenburg will wish to oblige us!” Elizabeth declared savagely.
“She’s afraid for William. You see, Elizabeth, contrary to your belief, she’s deeply and sincerely in love with him, and she’s already begun to accept that she can’t prevent the inevitable. Dominic and I have been waiting for the right moment to tell William and her what the Prince Regent’s message contained.”
Elizabeth studied her. “How cozy you both sound, to be sure. Almost like an old married couple.”
Dominic’s voice entered the proceedings. “I’m surprised you equate marriage with coziness, Lady Elizabeth,” he said, descending the staircase after eavesdropping on everything they’d said.
A dull flush stained Elizabeth’s cheeks. “Good evening, sir,” she said stiffly.
“Good evening. My, how very speedily you’ve arrived. I vow your carriage wheels must have struck sparks along the highway.”
She gave him a stony look. “You surely didn’t imagine I’d take my time?”
He gave a short laugh as he reached them. “You? My dear lady, I’d be the first to confirm that you are usually astonishingly prompt.”
“You don’t improve with the years, sir.”
“Nor do you,” he replied cordially. “Words fail me that you should attempt to absolve your brother of any blame. Only a milksop would be incapable of standing up to a young woman barely out of the schoolroom, but apparently you are content to fix him with that paltry label. As for blaming Camilla and me for his presence here, let me assure you we’re only too conscious of the awkwardness of the situation, so conscious we wish you to remove him as soon as you possibly can.”
“I’ve already apologized for being so foolishly biased in my brother’s favor, but even you must admit that Mlle Arenburg is willful to a fault.”
“No one denies it, madam, but she’s only seventeen, whereas William has not only reached his majority, but is also betrothed to Alice Penshill and has already been castigated for commencing this exceedingly ill-judged liaison. His conduct is indefensible, and I don’t expect any delay before you relieve us of his irksome presence. It wouldn’t do for Prinny to find out where he is, would it?”
“I intend to take him away as soon as possible, sir,” Elizabeth replied coldly.
“Good.” Dominic’s eyes shone as he held her gaze, and then his lips curved into a disdainful smile. “I’m sure you’d like
to pretend William is your sole reason for coming here, but he’s only part of it, isn’t he? What a horror you must have of all those old ashes being raked over again.”
“Old ashes? I don’t know what you mean.”
“My, how the boards must weep for never having known your tread,” he murmured. “However, my prime concern at the moment is how and when Sophie and William are informed about developments, and until Camilla and I have decided exactly how to go about it, I forbid you to say anything to either of them. You may tell your brother you’re here because of his broken ankle, but no mention is to be made of the wedding plans being brought forward. Is that clear?”
“By what right do you presume to order me?” Elizabeth said furiously.
“By right of being here on the instructions of both the Prince Regent and the prime minister, whereas you are only here to safeguard your own selfish interests.”
Elizabeth’s voice shook with anger as she replied. “I’m here because Camilla asked me.”
He gave a thin smile. “As I’ve already said, William is only part of it. You’d have come here soon anyway, because you can’t bear it that I’m in this house.”
“I despise you,” she breathed.
His smile didn’t falter. “Good, for I’d hate to have your so-called friendship.”
Camilla felt very uncomfortable. “Please stop this. I know the situation is awkward for all of us, but we’ll achieve nothing if all we do is trade insults. We aren’t the only people concerned in this, Sophie and William are very much involved, and we can’t put off telling them for much longer.”
Dominic nodded. “I don’t relish the prospect.”
“Nor do I.”
Elizabeth shrugged. “Then let me do it. I see no purpose in delaying.”
Dominic shook his head swiftly. “It must be left to Camilla and me, for I have no doubt how tender an intervention yours would be, especially for Sophie.”
“William’s my brother, and I’m the one who should tell him,” Elizabeth insisted.
Camilla sighed. “No, Elizabeth. Dominic’s right, he and I should be the ones to break the tidings. We’ll do it after dinner tonight, when everyone has calmed down a little.”
But Elizabeth was impatient to have it over and done with. “Why wait?”
Camilla looked at her. “Because Sophie has a headache and is lying down. She’s been dreadfully upset by all this and needs to rest. I certainly don’t intend to disturb her in order to break such disagreeable tidings.”
Elizabeth shrugged. “Oh, very well. I just feel that the sooner they’re told, the sooner William and I can leave.”
“Dinner will be in about an hour and a half. I’m sure Dominic and I will have decided what to say by then.”
“Would that I could feel as optimistic, but I won’t do anything to rock matters, you have my word on it.”
At that moment a distant roll of thunder echoed through the gathering darkness outside. It was accompanied by a spattering of rain against the windows, and in the space of a heartbeat they were all painfully reminded of the past.
It was as if Harry’s wraith had joined them, and Camilla felt it so strongly she could almost see him. To break the sudden spell, she turned swiftly to Hawkins, who waited at a discreet distance to escort Elizabeth to the room that had been prepared for her arrival. “Hawkins, attend to her ladyship, if you please.”
“Madam. Please come this way, my lady,” he said to Elizabeth, who inclined her head and went with him.
The thunder rolled again, and Dominic spoke softly. “The past isn’t what it seems, Camilla.”
“No? Then what is it?” she challenged.
He hesitated, wanting to tell her all he knew, but again he stepped back from the brink. “It doesn’t matter.”
“The past doesn’t matter? You’re wrong, sir, for the past matters very much where you and I are concerned.” Gathering her skirts, she walked away, and as she did she felt as if she brushed past Harry.
Chapter 18
Elizabeth changed out of her traveling clothes into a fuchsia pink gown that was suitable for dinner, and then went to see William. She intended to stand by the agreement as to how and when he and Sophie should learn of the developments that would affect them so, but that wasn’t how it turned out.
William’s room was candlelit, for it was now completely dark outside. He was sitting by the fire, with his injured leg propped on a little stool. Another growl of thunder stole across the heavens beyond the tightly drawn curtains, and the wind drew the chimney, making the fire glow. He sat forward in surprise as his sister walked in unannounced.
“Elizabeth!”
“I’m sure you’re delighted to see me, brother mine,” she said, closing the door.
“I knew Camilla had written to you, but I didn’t expect you to come quite so swiftly.”
“I was ever the concerned and loving sibling,” she murmured, leaning back against the door and studying him in the candlelight. “How could you do this, William?”
“Because I’m in love with Sophie.”
“Really? How sweet. Don’t let it bother you that George might forfeit his close friendship with the Prince Regent, that Father might be denied his marquessate, or that you happen to be betrothed to Alice Penshill. And heaven forfend that it should even cross your mind to remember dear Sophie’s imminent betrothal to royalty. No, don’t let that be of any concern, for all you must do is think of yourself!”
“Follow your example, you mean?” he retorted defensively.
She left the door and came to stand by the fire. “I admit to many a selfish sin, William, but I’ve never done anything that would harm my family.”
“Your halo is positively blinding,” he muttered, shifting his sore foot and wincing.
“Your facetious quips don’t impress me when I’ve just suffered the insult of being ordered to remove you from this house.”
“I didn’t expect to be allowed to stay.”
“No? You surprise me, for your conduct has been so arrogantly thoughtless of late that it’s quite conceivable you might think you should be allowed to do as you please.” Suddenly she changed the subject. “How are Camilla and Dominic getting on?”
“Eh? What’s that got to do with it?”
“Just answer me.”
William shrugged. “I don’t really know how they’re getting on. To be truthful, I haven’t been taking much notice.”
“Nevertheless, you must have some idea,” she pressed. “How do they behave toward each other?”
“There are definite undercurrents.”
“What sort of undercurrents?”
“About Harry, I suppose. Sometimes it’s so bad one can almost slice the atmosphere with a knife.”
“So they aren’t becoming close again?”
“I don’t think so.”
“I need to know, William. It’s important.”
He frowned. “What is this? I’ve told you what I think, and can’t say more. I don’t know what they say and do when I’m not there, nor do I particularly care. I’ve got problems of my own, in case you’ve forgotten.”
“Forgotten? I’d dearly like to enjoy that privilege, William, but your actions have made it quite impossible! I don’t think you have any conception of how disastrous this could be for the family. We might even be excluded from court circles! This isn’t some mild provincial stir, it’s a stir on a grand scale, and all because you and dear little Sophie want to have your own way. It isn’t always possible to have what one wants, William, and the sooner you realize that sad fact, the better!”
He avoided her eyes by looking steadfastly into the fire. Rain dashed against the window as more thunder rolled over the park, and Elizabeth glanced toward the sound. “It was like this when Harry died,” she murmured.
William didn’t respond. He and Sophie were about to be driven apart forever, so what did it matter if there had been thunder on the day Sir Harry Summerton went to his Maker?
The silence was broken by a soft tapping at the door and Sophie’s low voice. “William? Can I come in?”
He glanced uneasily at his sister, for Sophie couldn’t have chosen a worse moment. Elizabeth’s face was set as she crossed the room and flung the door open. “Do come in, Mademoiselle Arenburg!”
The diamonds in Sophie’s hair flashed in the candlelight as she gasped and stepped back. “Lady Elizabeth!”
“The same. Come inside, mademoiselle, for there are things I wish to say to you!”
Sophie obeyed reluctantly, edging past Elizabeth and then hurrying across to William in a rustle of silver taffeta. He caught her hands as she knelt beside him. “It’s all right, my dearest...” he murmured, drawing her palm to his lips.
Elizabeth closed the door sharply. “How touching,” she said acidly. “William says it’s all right, and, hey presto, it is. Except that it isn’t, indeed it’s all the very opposite.”
Sophie’s lilac eyes crept anxiously to him. “What is she saying?”
“That she’s been sent for to take me away from here.”
“But—”
“It’s for the best. Your reputation ...”
Elizabeth’s anger bubbled over. “Her reputation! What about everyone else? Oh, I’m really tired of this. Why should others have to suffer because Sophie Arenburg is a spoiled, self-indulgent, mischievous, and downright exasperating chit?”
“Elizabeth!” William cried, struggling to his feet, but pain jabbed through his ankle and he fell back again with a gasp.
Elizabeth felt no remorse. Sophie, the root of all the trouble, was suddenly at her mercy, and all promises to Camilla and Dominic were forgotten as she gave in to the urge to vent her spleen.
“I wish you’d stayed in Russia, miss, for your pampered and tiresome ways are surely more suited to St. Petersburg than anything here in England. You don’t deserve a royal match, but that’s precisely what you’re going to have. The Grand Duchess Catherine expects you to return to London as soon as possible, because you’re going to marry Prince Ludwig in June, when the czar and the Emperor Frederick arrive!”