Dulcie (The Daughters of Allamont Hall Book 4)

by Kingswood, Mary

  She laughed, picking up her needlework. “Who can say what makes a man look at a woman and decide that she is the very one for him? It is one of life’s ineffable mysteries, Alex. Do you not agree?” She looked at him archly.

  He had the grace to redden under the barb. “Perhaps. But one usually starts with some solid foundation — friendship, perhaps, or admiration. Then, over time, that lighter feeling grows into something more, something stronger, with roots deep enough to withstand the inevitable storms. One does not take one look at an otherwise unremarkable woman and fall head over ears in love, as Max has done. That is foolishness, and no rational basis for a lifetime together.”

  She said nothing, her head bent over her work, and he wondered if he had offended her. Perhaps it had been that way with Middleton, and in the space of a single evening, or a dinner, or perhaps no more than one dance, her heart had been lost. But if so, the point was only made more forcibly, that it was better to get to know one’s future spouse slowly over many weeks and months, in order to form a well-rounded opinion of his or her character. That was just how he had come to love Dulcie, he now realised, by degrees and without any great turbulence of mind, just a growing acceptance of her importance to his well-being.

  “Do you like her?” he said impulsively.

  Jess looked up at him, her face mischievous. “We are not speaking of Mary now, I collect? Alex, if you like her, that is enough for me.”

  “Hmm. That is not quite the resounding endorsement I might have hoped for, sister dear.”

  “Can you cast you mind back to the time before she first came to help you in my place? What was your opinion of her then? Be honest, Alex.”

  He chewed his lip, but answered quietly, “I thought her a spiteful, unlikable person, I do not deny it. But whatever she was then, she has changed, Jess, and I have seen her in a different light. Her determination, her resilience, her cheerfulness under duress and her willingness to do whatever is asked of her — no one could help but admire those qualities in her.”

  “And her pretty face,” she said, merriment bubbling up in her. “Let us never forget that.”

  Sheepishly, he laughed too. “Indeed, you have the better of me. She is certainly pretty. But in all seriousness, I would know your thoughts on Dulcie, for I value your opinion above any other. I know what you thought of her — what we both thought of her — before she came here. It is my belief that she is a very different person now, and that the charming way she struggled with the chickens and Polly’s ill-humour is proof of it. But perhaps you are not convinced. Do you consider her character fixed beyond all redemption?”

  She set her sewing down on the table at her elbow, and sighed. “Can you imagine how difficult it must have been for Dulcie, being one of six sisters? She is not the eldest nor the youngest, not the prettiest nor the sweetest-tempered, or the cleverest, or the most lively. Nothing makes her stand out from her sisters. I daresay Miss Bellows never berated the others with the words, “Why can you not be more like Dulcie?” Even getting her share of attention must have been difficult. So perhaps she learnt to be noticed by being unkind or spiteful. Look at Duncan, the middle one of five brothers. You and Donald were the shining stars of the family, always off doing important things. David and Dougal are the charming devil-may-care young ones, spoilt and petted accordingly. How did Duncan get anyone to pay attention to him?”

  “He got into scrapes, one thing after another,” Alex said, laughing. “He was always in trouble.”

  “Exactly. And I had the same problem, being the middle sister. Janet was so good, so meek and found herself a husband before she was barely in long skirts. Judith is the baby, loved by all. I had to make a great deal of noise to be noticed.”

  “So you are saying that Dulcie developed her unkind streak to stand out from her sisters?”

  “Not from intent, naturally, but I believe it to be a possibility. I did not like her much to start with, if you want the truth, but that was because I saw her only in company with one or more of her sisters, or forced into some situation against her will. But here, where she is the Miss Allamont, she need feel no jealousy, and shows to greater advantage. And I think when she has her own establishment, and is well-loved for herself alone, she will reveal the sweet nature that lies hidden inside her.”

  “You may be right,” he said. “I very much hope you are, but it does not help me. I still cannot do anything but adore her from afar, and try very hard not to spend too much time with her.”

  “So you will not be attending the Grahams’ card party tomorrow night?” Jess said, her face alight with merriment. “You will stay virtuously at home with me, reading improving works of a religious nature, or perhaps a poem in Greek.”

  He shrugged a shoulder ruefully. If only he could! Dulcie perhaps he could resist, but the prospect of an evening of pleasure, to be once again Mr Alexander Drummond of Wester Strathmorran, mingling with the nobility and gentry — that he could never resist. So her teasing raised no answering smile from him.

  “If you wish for my company, sister, then of course I will decline the invitation, but otherwise…”

  She reached across and took his hand in hers. “You miss it all as badly as I do, I know. As soon as I am well enough, I shall accept every invitation, too. And whereas I have the possibility of escape, if I can find a husband charitable enough to take me on, you have none. If you marry an heiress, you are at once marked as a fortune-hunter, and if you do not, you are condemned to make your own way in the world as best you can. Did we make a terrible mistake in leaving Strathmorran, Alex? You could have found a position as an estate manager, you know, after so many years of helping Papa.”

  “The Earl would never have allowed me to settle so close to Isobel. Did I ever tell you he offered to buy me an army commission? He was to choose the regiment, of course, so I would have found myself in Kent or Hampshire or some such, which are undoubtedly very fine counties but a long, long way from Strathmorran. No, we are better off here, beholden to no one, and at least we are still accepted into good society.”

  “And something will turn up,” she said, although the words sounded forced to his ear.

  “Of course it will,” he said, as he had said so many times before, but he no longer believed it.

  ~~~~~

  A card party at Graham House was no ordinary affair. In addition to the card tables, there was always a magnificent supper, music from the young ladies present and, as often as not, some impromptu dancing. Dulcie took some music with her, in case she was called upon to play, but she rather hoped to be dancing, not providing the music. It was a pity that Connie was still at Drummoor, for she was an excellent performer, and always happy to play for the dancers, whereas Grace and Hope would not do. Grace missed too many notes, and Hope had never applied herself to learning, and was too shy to perform in public. Perhaps the Grahams’ daughter Elizabeth would play? But no, Lady Graham would want to display her to best advantage, and not tucked away behind the instrument.

  The carriage lurched into a larger than usual rut, eliciting a squeal from Hope and throwing Dulcie against Miss Bellows, who accompanied them in the absence of their mama.

  “We are going to overturn!” Hope wailed.

  “Oh, do be quiet!” Dulcie snapped. “You are so silly sometimes, Hope.”

  “I had rather be silly than horrid, like you,” Hope spat back. “I hate you!”

  “Now you have made her cry,” Grace said accusingly. “Why are you always so nasty, Dulcie? It is very bad in you.”

  Dulcie’s retort was on her lips, but Miss Bellows intervened calmly. “This road is always a little uneven,” she said in her matter-of-fact way. “The Allamont carriage is well equal to it, however. You need not be afraid of a spill, Hope.”

  The sisters fell silent, and the carriage lurched on to Graham House.

  Anger burned in Dulcie. Hope was very silly, sometimes, and made such a fuss about trivial matters, and who could help being cross with her?
And she was not always nasty… But here her heart misgave her. How many times had she snapped at her sisters, or, worse, at Miss Bellows, who could not even answer back? And however stridently she told herself that it was not her fault, it was theirs for being so foolish, she could not sustain the argument. She knew there was a wicked streak in her, and sometimes she just could not help herself.

  Was that really true? An image rose in her mind of Alex Drummond praising her for apologising. What had he said? “No one is innately bad. You can do better if you try.” And so she could, if she tried. She could at least be kind to her sisters, for who else did she have in the world? If she could be tolerant of Polly, she could surely do no less for Hope.

  As the carriage swept through the open gates of Graham House onto the blessedly smooth drive, she leaned forward and patted Hope on the hand. “I am sorry I snapped at you, sister. I beg your pardon.”

  Hope stared at her, astonished, but Grace sniffed and said, “As if that makes everything all right!”

  “Now, Grace, that is uncharitable,” Miss Bellows said. “That was a very handsome apology, and you might take a leaf from your sister’s book, and accept it with humility, not barbs. Well done, Dulcie.”

  Dulcie was left in a warm glow of satisfaction, as if she had accomplished some magnificent achievement, rather than making a modest apology for some careless words.

  Graham House was lit as bright as a midsummer day, with candles everywhere and fires blazing in every hearth. It was not cold outside, and inside it was as hot as an oven. Dulcie felt sure they would soon all be roasted like joints of mutton. The two saloons already had several games in progress. Grace and Hope were swept into a noisy game of speculation with George Graham and some of his Oxford friends, while Dulcie was seized upon by Sir Matthew with delight to make up a four for whist.

  “We only need one more, Miss Dulcie,” he said. “I have Mr and Mrs Wills settled already, but I need a partner for myself.”

  She was just about to accept with pleasure when she saw the forlorn look on Miss Bellows’ face, for she was a keen whist player and rarely had the opportunity to take on superior opponents.

  Dulcie was in a mellow mood, so she said, “I believe you would find Miss Bellows closer to your high standard than I am, Sir Matthew.”

  “Oh, no, no…” Miss Bellows began, but Sir Matthew was nothing if not courteous, and accepted the hint immediately, leading Miss Bellows away with every appearance of pleasure.

  “We have no place available for you just at this present,” Lady Graham said, frowning at Dulcie, as if blaming her for being an odd one out. “You could assist Lady Hardy and Mrs Edward Wills at cribbage, if you wish. Help with the scoring, you know,” she added in an undertone.

  Dulcie did know. The two dowagers were notorious for surreptitiously moving their pegs a little further along the board than their cards warranted. Although she was in a good-humour, she was not feeling quite that generous. “Perhaps in a while,” she said. “I am a little warm. May I sit over by the window, where it might be cooler?”

  “Of course, my dear.”

  It was indeed cooler, but if Dulcie had hoped to be left in solitude for a while, she was to be disappointed. Lady Graham made one circuit of the room to ensure everyone was enjoying their games, and then plumped herself down beside Dulcie while she waited for more guests to arrive.

  “It is very close in here, but that is better than the opposite, would you not say? One must ensure that no one takes even the slightest chill, for at this time of year it could all too easily be fatal.” Perhaps she remembered that Dulcie’s father had indeed succumbed to a fatal chill in the autumn two years earlier, for she looked a little conscious, and went on rapidly, “Elizabeth is enjoying herself. She always does, of course. Such a good-humoured girl, and such an even temper. Nothing puts her out of countenance. One would think that with such pleasant ways and ten thousand pounds she would be snapped up, but it is not so. She just does not take. I cannot account for it.”

  Dulcie looked at Elizabeth’s homely face, and the unbecoming, overdecorated gown, and thought that perhaps there might be reasons for her lack of suitors.

  “Shall you give her a London season?” Dulcie said. “Brinshire society is rather confined. She might do better elsewhere.”

  Lady Graham sighed. “I have pleaded with Sir Matthew for just such an occurrence, but he will not hear of it. With four more in the nursery, he feels he would have to do the same for all of them. Which is ridiculous, for once the first is well-married, she will help to launch her sisters, as Miss Connie is to help launch you. That is how it should be, but to my regret Sir Matthew is implacable.”

  “I am not to be launched in London,” Dulcie said sorrowfully. “Mama will not allow it, even though Connie so wants to—” She was suddenly struck by a wonderful idea. “Oh, Lady Graham, I have had a thought. Connie wants to take a debutante with her to London, but I cannot go, nor any of my sisters. Perhaps she could take Elizabeth instead, if I asked her. What do you think?”

  Lady Graham’s mouth dropped open, and it appeared that she had lost the power of speech, or even movement, for she was as still as a statue. A very startled statue.

  Dulcie went on, “Now, do not say anything to Elizabeth, I beg of you, until I have talked to Connie, because it might not be possible, but it would be such a famous scheme, do you not think? And if you would allow Connie to have the dressing of her, because she knows all the London styles and the very newest fashions, Elizabeth would do exceedingly well, I am certain of it. How could she not, going about with the Marquess and Marchioness of Carrbridge. And even if she does not find a husband in London, it will give her that touch of ton polish which will put her at the greatest advantage when she returns home.” And she might enjoy escaping from her mama for a while, she thought, but did not say. “What do you think?”

  With a huge effort, Lady Graham managed a nod of her head, but the ability to form words was still beyond her.

  18: A Betrothal

  When Lady Graham went off to greet a gaggle of new arrivals, Dulcie moved about the room, looking over the shoulder of this player or that.

  “Shall you join us, Dulcie?” George Graham said. “We might squeeze in another chair if you want to play.”

  But just then she saw Alex Drummond enter the room. Hastily she declined the invitation and made her way across the room. He always looked so splendid in proper gentlemen’s attire, especially in the evenings. In his cottage clothes, he looked like a respectable farmer on market day, or perhaps a miller or land agent. Now he looked like someone of importance, and so handsome! That delightful smile and the charming way his hair fell into tight curls could easily set a lady’s heart aflame, if she were not careful, or if she were not fully aware of his attachment to another lady. Still, she could not prevent herself from returning his smile with real warmth. He was a friend, after all, and she might show a little affection towards a friend, might she not?

  “Miss Allamont.”

  “Mr Drummond. How is Jess today? She continues to improve, I trust?”

  “Every day she is a little stronger, and the fresh pork will do her much good.”

  “Oh no! You have killed the pig!”

  “We have, and much as I would like to say that it wrung my heart to do so, I cannot lie. My life is now immeasurably improved, for I am no longer kept awake at night listening for unusual grunts, or the breaking of wood that might signify another escape.”

  She laughed, and said, “You cannot blame the poor beast for wanting its freedom.”

  “It is not so much the desire for freedom I mind, as the undignified chase around the fields to catch the wretched creature. I beg your pardon, Miss Dulcie, I have kept you talking and now the Donboroughs and Endercotts have made up their table and we are left out in the cold. However, there is a backgammon board over there in the corner. Should you like to play?”

  “I should enjoy it of all things!” she cried with the utmost sincerity
, for she could hardly envisage a pleasanter way to pass than evening than in backgammon with Alex. If only Jess were beside them with her sewing, making her amusing little asides, it would be perfect.

  She quickly laid out the board, and they settled to play. Perhaps she was on form, or perhaps he was distracted, for he was hard pressed to defeat her in the first two games and the third game she won easily.

  “There! Now I feel I have truly mastered the game,” she said, clapping her hands with glee. Then, anxiously, “You did not allow me to win, did you?”

  “By no means. You have the better of me tonight, Miss Allamont, for you played quite magnificently.” His countenance and tone were both uncommonly serious, but there was a warmth in his eyes as he spoke that brought a glow to her face and caused her to lower her gaze. “But may I take you in to supper now?”

  “Supper? So soon?” She looked around the room. “Oh — we are quite the last. The game absorbed my attention so well that I did not notice the time passing. Mr Drummond, I cannot remember when I have enjoyed an evening so much.”

  That brought the familiar smile, as his face lit up with pleasure. “Nor I, Miss Allamont. Nor I.”

  They squeezed into the supper room, crowded despite its capacious size, and found seats in a far corner. As Alex went to find refreshments for her, Lady Graham whispered in Dulcie’s ear, “You made a good choice in sending Miss Bellows to Sir Matthew’s whist table, my dear, for he is quite delighted with her. A most superior player, he tells me, for they won every game, but now Mrs Wills is in such a state, and Mr Wills barely speaking to her. It would be better to find a calmer player to replace poor Mrs Wills, but I did not quite like to disturb your game, for I could see how well you and Mr Drummond were getting on. It would have been quite dreadful to tear you away, especially as you were so obliging about Elizabeth. But perhaps you will not mind taking Mrs Wills’ place after supper?”

  Dulcie smiled and agreed to it, and then spent the rest of the evening watching Alex on the next table teasing Grace, Hope and Elizabeth to such good effect that he kept them in gales of laughter. She did not mind so very much, she told herself, for she had enjoyed an hour of his undivided attention, and had bettered him at backgammon for the first time. And he had smiled at her in such a way! It was as well for her peace of mind that his heart was taken.