George said, “You can't be serious? I've found the company pleasant. It's a profitable estate, and the calm is good for my nerves.”
“I am. Once we set a date, I expect you to put this place on the market. I certainly cannot live here. Miss Wood, I presume you have made arrangements for yourself. It might be time to look into them.”
Cecelia found she could not speak, and left the table. She could barely hold back her tears. The Captain asked her friend to see what she could do. “Miss Somerset, would you look for her.”
Mary found Cecelia in the stables, weeping as she saddled her horse. “What are you going to do?”
“I'm leaving. Now.”
“Where are you going?”
“I don't know. Yes I do. Swansea. My aunt. I can't stay here and watch my home destroyed by that woman.”
“I can't let you do that. If nothing else there's no moon and it's too dark.”
“Georgie, what am I to do?”
“I think Miss Arnold is showing her ugly side. Putting the knife in you. It was bound to come out sooner or later.”
“Yes, you're right. Still, I can't stay here. I must go now.”
“You can stay here tonight. In fact you will stay here tonight. I'll take you directly to your room and you don't have to meet her again. We'll ride for Raglan tomorrow. I know my mother would love to see you again.”
Cecelia fought back a sob, “Georgie, you're a true friend. Thank you.”
The next morning, while the sun was struggling to break free of the ground, two horsewomen left Penyclawdd. They headed down the Hereford road to Abergavenny and then out the Monmouth road to Raglan. One of them had to restrain her urge to gallop. The other one struggled to keep up.
It was the fashionable mid-morning hour for breakfast when Sir Charles and Lady Elizabeth descended from their room. They were met by the noise from a loud hubbub in the parlor. Mary and Cecelia had returned before breakfast and were now seated with the rest of the family at the breakfast table.
The hubbub quieted when Sir Charles opened the door. “Mary, what are you doing back so early?”
“Miss Wood and I rode back this morning.”
“That's fourteen miles. How long did it take you?”
“An hour and a half. We made good time.”
“While I am displeased that you would show such hoydenish behavior Mary, it does sound like your seat is much improved. I'm not sure whether to be proud of you or upset with you.”
“I'm sorry father, it was that Arnold woman. She was most unpleasant to Miss Wood.”
Cecelia spat out, “She insists that Captain Wood sell Penyclawdd. Just to spite me.”
“You know that was always a possibility.”
“I know, but Ge- Captain Wood likes Penyclawdd, and its quiet is good for him.”
It was Lady Elizabeth who explained things, “Miss Wood, it is your friend the Captain who will have to live with Miss Arnold. Let him learn to handle her.” She kept her thoughts of “or not” to herself.
8. Settling Up.
Lady Elizabeth drew Mary aside at the end of breakfast. “If you will excuse us, there are some private matters that I need to discuss with my daughter. Charles, would you look after Miss Wood for me?”
“With pleasure.”
Mary dutifully followed her mother upstairs to her room, where she closed the door behind them. “Mary, what happened at Penyclawdd? We were expecting you this afternoon or tomorrow. Not now and not without your luggage or a suitable escort.”
“It was that Arnold woman. She decided to put the knife into Cecelia last night. The only way I could stop Miss Wood from immediately riding to Swansea last night was to promise to bring her here in the morning.”
“What did she say?”
“That she would insist Captain Wood sell Penyclawdd to pay for her settlement when they were married. This was after she spent a good hour at dinner criticizing nearly everything else about her.”
“I can see why that would upset your friend. Why now, surely she would have discussed this before?”
“I don't know. She may have been upset that we didn't wait for her when Miss Wood drove to visit a few of her tenants.”
“Is that all?”
“It's such a change. The day before she was all sweetness. We rode together to Llanthony and chatted the whole time. I was beginning to think her reputation was ill-deserved. We all, Miss Arnold, Miss Wood, Captain Wood and I had a grand time visiting the Landors.”
“I suppose she had to assert herself. I never understood why some people like to be so nasty.”
Mary asked, “What are we going to do now? Could we bring Cecelia to Bath with us?”
“I'll have to consider that and discuss it with Sir Charles. Mary, I'm proud of how you handled yourself. Thank you.”
For someone who received a major shock, Cecelia seemed surprisingly happy. As she chatted with Sir Charles, she explained, “It was a decision I would have to make sooner or later. Miss Arnold's conduct made it for me. It's best if I leave a house where I am a cause of contention.”
“I can see your point.”
“If you and Lady Elizabeth can put up with me for a few days, while my clothing arrives from Penylawdd, then I can be off to stay with my aunt and uncle.”
“That is the least we can do. I'm not sure what my wife is planning, but certainly we can do better by you than that.”
“You don't need to. I'll be happy in Swansea. That was always my plan.”
“We'll see. In the meantime why don't you entertain yourself with what you can find in the study. I think you've done enough riding for today.”
“If you insist.”
“I do, and it would do you good to practice on our pianoforte. Most likely it's a better instrument than any at Penyclawdd.”
“It can't be worse. Mary told me my spinnet was ill-tuned and painful to play.”
“She shouldn't have said that.”
“It was true. She could barely stand to play it and she's a much better musician than I am.”
“Still it was rude of her.”
Cecelia laughed, “It might have been, but I'm one for plain speaking. The other thing I'll need is a nap. I didn't sleep well last night for some reason.”
Mary did her best to keep her friend busy with the things that a distinguished young lady of refinement did for entertainment. While Cecelia did not seem to mind the stables and indeed seemed to relish visiting them, Mary had had enough of stables and horses for today. Instead, she showed Cecelia to the pianoforte and found some relatively simple music for her to play.
“You were right, Mary. This is a much superior instrument to mine. It almost sounds good when I play now.”
“It will sound better if you practice.”
“I'll try.”
“You will do more than try, you will do it. I know you can. Mother made me practice at least an hour a day when I was little. I hated it, but now I like playing.”
“An hour? My arms will drop off.”
“No they won't. I'll stay here and time you.”
Early in the afternoon a farm wagon squeaked into the yard at the Somerset's house. It carried a couple of trunks as well as its driver. Cecelia, released from her bondage at the piano, was looking for a book and saw the wagon from the library window. “Oh no! It's George!”
Mary asked, “Who?”
“Captain Wood, he's come from Penyclawdd. I can't see him. What should I do?”
A few moments later Lady Elizabeth entered and said, “Captain Wood has come to visit, He has requested you talk with him, Miss Wood.”
“I can't.”
“I think you should at least do him the honor of listening to what he says. Sir Charles and I will attend you. Just listening to him should not be difficult.”
Mary asked if she should come. “No my dear, it is best if just your friend and us meet with him at first. Though maybe later.”
Lady Elizabeth escorted a reluctant Miss Wood t
o the room where the Captain and Sir Charles were talking. When one footman opened the door for them to enter, she hesitated, and then she froze in panic when he saw her. It was all she could do to keep from bolting herself when the two men rose to greet them. Lady Elizabeth kept a steadying hand on her shoulder and directed her to sit on the sofa, then joined her.
Sir Charles started the conversation, “Captain Wood has just been telling me how much he and his fiancée regret what she said.”
“Sir, it is best if I go to my aunt's. Then you can sell Penyclawdd without worry.”
“I promise you, I'm not going to sell Penyclawdd. It may have only been a month, but I've grown fond of this place.”
“But the money for Miss Arnold's settlement?”
“I'll find it some other way. I'm not without resources of my own.”
“You're not?”
“Did I ever tell you of my father's estate? It too is settled on me.”
“No you didn't.”
“That estate will likely have to be sold when he dies. It's mortgaged to the hilt. Between his gambling debts and the way he lives, there won't be much left over after his death.”
“Surely it can be recovered.”
“I'm sure you could run it well, and maybe I could, but he can't. He has more servants in attendance than the Somerset's do here, even though Sir Charles is a much more eminent man than Sir Neville. Everything there is extravagance and waste. If he trimmed his sails to the breeze it might recover in a few years, but not the way he's going.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“I explained it to Jane, Miss Arnold, last night. There isn't a choice. If I'm to have an estate, a place in the country to live and I want one, then it's best if I plan on keeping Penyclawdd. There's an outside chance the other might be saved, but I doubt it.”
“Captain, I still can't stay at Penyclawdd. Miss Arnold cannot like it if I did.”
“She did use her sharp tongue last night, didn't she?”
“Yes. I'm sure I provoked her somehow.”
“She apologizes. She was feeling poorly and her temper got the better of her. Indeed, she joins me in begging you to return.”
Cecelia found herself thinking, “What did you have to offer her to achieve that?” It was Lady Elizabeth who put her similar thoughts into words. “Captain Wood, I've known Miss Arnold for a long time. Much longer than you have. This sharp speaking was perfectly consistent with her character. How did you convince her to apologize? More to the point, why should my guest believe you that she is contrite?”
“I thought you might ask that, though I know Miss Wood would not.” He pulled out a short note, “This is from my fiancée. It is a note of apology. All I can add is that Miss Arnold has always had to struggle with her temper, and occasionally she loses the fight. We both would like to escort Miss Wood to Bath and help her find a suitable husband.”
While Cecelia read the note, he continued, “Lady Elizabeth, I think we both have the same goals in mind, do we not?”
Lady Elizabeth turned to her protégé and asked, “Cecelia, what do you think?”
“I – I don't know.” She found herself confused. “I should like to stay friends with you, but I don't like hearing such hurtful words, and always watching myself lest I set off my hostess.”
Sir Charles spoke and offered a compromise worthy of the seasoned statesman that he was. “May I make a suggestion? My daughter Mary would appreciate Miss Wood's companionship for a few more days. Let her help Miss Wood develop more skill in the finer aspects of feminine grace. Indeed, I could tell that her instruction on the piano had already greatly improved Miss Wood's performance. Then Miss Wood could return to Penyclawdd later, when she and Miss Arnold have allowed the distance of time to calm their feelings.”
This suggestion was readily agreed to by all parties.
One evening after she returned to Penyclawdd from the Somersets, Cecelia went looking for Jane. There were only two days to go before they left for Bath, and she felt it was important to pay attention to her. She found Jane in the front parlor, doing her share of the everlasting task of mending clothes. She sat beside her and grabbed a piece from the basket. While they stitched together in silence, Jane abruptly shot out, “I hate this tedious work. I so wish we would hire a needlewoman.”
“I don't mind it. Keeps the hands occupied and passes the time.”
“Why? I suppose living in this backwater, there's nothing else to do.”
“There's always riding or walking up on the high moors. The blueberries on Hatterrall hill should be ripe. I could show you some of my favorite places.”
“Suppose you're right, there's plenty to do if you like those things. I'm just not cut out for living in the country. There's always something going on in London or in Bath. This wilderness, it is just so so -.”
“Wild?”
“Barren. Devoid of any refinement or entertainment at all.”
“It's good for George to be here. He's quieter, not drinking as much.”
“So what?”
“Don't you love him? I'd have thought you would want him to be happy.”
“Love, a man, me? Does anyone ever truly love a man? I doubt it. While I have some tender feelings for him, I tolerate him and give him guidance. Eventually, I guess, one grows fond of them. But love, I don't think so.”
Cecelia was shocked. “Are you sure? Never feel anything for anyone?” She had started to have this strange feeling when George looked at her, or when he walked close to her or accidentally touched her. It was as if the bottom of her stomach was about to fall out. It almost seemed he felt something about her, but was too honorable to say anything. It was hard for her not to follow him with her eyes when he walked by. The trouble was that he seemed to follow her with his as well. To feel nothing for one's love was simply inconceivable. She felt she could endure seeing him married to someone who loved him, but not to someone who felt nothing for him.
“I thought I did once. A rather handsome young man claimed to love me, even proposed, and then he called it off. I will not let anyone hurt me like that again.”
“So you don't deeply love Captain Woods?”
“You aren't going to be missish are you? Marriage is largely a matter of convenience. I'm very fond of George and I'll gladly give him his 'heir and a spare' when it comes to it, but after that he can find his own entertainment.”
“Jane, I couldn't be so cynical.”
“Then you'll die an old maid.”
“No I won't.”
“Well I hope you meet someone to your liking when we visit Bath. You can't stay at Pena, Penac, whatever you call this damned place, forever. There are no suitable young men for you to marry here, and you have to get married. What would become of you if you didn't find a husband?”
“I don't know. Maybe I'm meant to be an old maid.”
Jane shivered at the thought, “No, Cecelia, you're not. I'm sure there is a more than tolerable man for you somewhere.” Cecelia felt an upsetting twinge of jealousy and regret. So far the only more than tolerable man she'd met was engaged to Miss Arnold. She rapidly banished that thought and replied, “My portion won't carry me to Bath or London. I have an Aunt in Swansea. It's not quite as stylish as Bath or Brighton, and I'm sure she'd like my company. That will make up for the inconvenience. I'll probably find some dashing sea captain with all those sailors who call it home.”
“If you say so,” Jane gave her future cousin's appearance a serious study, “but you're a handsome enough lass if I may say so. I'll do my best to find you a husband when we visit Bath. It's the least I can do.”
“Thank you.”
“However, you do need to carry yourself with more dignity. Put some distance between you and the common herd.”
“I'll try, but Miss Somerset said my manners were refreshing and welcoming.”
“What is mild eccentricity on the part of a noblewoman, is unbecoming for the more common.”
“I suppose
you're right, Jane.”
The big day finally arrived. It was the morning they left for Bath. The carriage was in the yard and loaded. The hired postilions awaited the call to start the trip while their mounts sidled with impatience. They would drive via Gloucester rather than change carriages at the ferry in Chepstow. It would mean an extra day on the road, but would make for a much more comfortable trip.
Cecelia stood with one foot on the carriage step and took a long last look at Penyclawdd. Then she stepped up and joined Captain Wood and Miss Arnold in the chaise. The Captain knocked on the carriage and shouted, “Drive on!”
They had hardly crunched their way out of the yard when Heulwen ran after them. She was barking, and frantic that her people were leaving. Cecelia asked, again, “Could we please take her?” The answer again was “No.” This was followed by, “Don't worry, she'll turn back home soon.”
Heulwen was still following the carriage and barking at it when the carriage reached the Hereford road in Llanvihangel Crucorney. The postilions stopped for a moment, and Cecelia opened the door. Heulwen jumped in. She explained, “I don't think she was going to leave us, and she shouldn't run all the way to Bath.” Then she cuddled her dog and told her, “Who's a good little doggy, then.”
Jane was not amused, but the Captain shushed her and said, “All right, she can come, but you will have to keep her under good control in the city. She can't just run loose like she does at home.”
Cecelia blushed, “Thank you. I will.”
He then laughed, “I'm glad she is along. She'll keep you busy and out of trouble Miss Wood.”
The fifty mile carriage ride to Gloucester was uneventful. More to the point it was dull, tedious and long. Where was a highwayman when you needed the adventure? The road from Abergavenny to Monmouth was fine enough, but then they snaked through the hills and the carriage took its time. Cecelia found that immersing herself in her book and her dog helped with the tedium. They didn't make up for the enjoyment she would have had driving herself. George simply wondered if he should have brought that bottle of brandy after all. In the meantime Jane simply glared out the window at the passing scenery. Sharing the ride with Meadows and one of Miss Arnold's maids did not help. Even Miss Wood's normally sunny outlook and joyful disposition were fraying by the time they arrived in Gloucester.
What About Cecelia? Page 9