She exclaimed, “Oh, how lovely to find you here, Duke! It has been quite some time.”
“Yes, it has.”
“Well, welcome to our home. You will please excuse my appearance. It was quite a long trip.”
“You look lovely, My Lady.”
“You are too kind.”
As they spoke, Lady Teresa entered. She walked straight to her father and kissed him upon the cheek. As she pulled away from him and turned in Thaddeus’ direction, he was able to see her face. She was quite beautiful. She had warm blue eyes, a dainty nose, and pink, lips surrounding a dazzling smile. She reminded Thaddeus of the sprites depicted in many of Lord Fitzgerald’s paintings. She was wearing her traveling clothes, which included a hooped petticoat and leisurely skirts.
Lady Fitzgerald turned to her daughter saying, “Dear, this is Lord Thaddeus Wellington. Thaddeus, this is our eldest daughter Lady Teresa.” Teresa curtseyed to Thaddeus, who returned a bow. She said, “How do you do, Your Grace.”
Thaddeus returned, “How do you do.”
The ladies then excused themselves to freshen up for dinner. Lord Fitzgerald said that he too need to ready himself for the other guests. Thaddeus did the same. While changing his clothing, he thought of his first impression of Teresa. She was certainly a lovely woman. He still was not sure of what his intentions might be. He thought he might have occasion to speak with her and determine if he should even consider the two of them being a good match.
Once he was dressed, Thaddeus ventured back out to see if the other guests had arrived. Indeed a Lord Allen and Lord Egerton had arrived with their wives. It seemed that there would be three couples along with Thaddeus and Teresa. He wondered if this had not been done purposefully. If not by Lord Fitzgerald, then perhaps by his wife. Either way, Thaddeus received his introductions and sat about the drawing room with the others.
Lord Fitzgerald launched into more of his fascinating tales. Thaddeus thought that he felt Teresa’s eyes on him. However, whenever he ventured to look, she would be turned either attentively listening to her father or speaking with one of the other ladies. He thought perhaps it was a trick of the mind. Before long they were being called to dinner.
As they sat about the table, Thaddeus became aware that his place was beside Teresa. He glanced at Lord Fitzgerald, who raised his eyebrows in feigned innocence and looked towards his wife as the culprit. Thaddeus pulled out Teresa’s chair before seating himself.
The dinner went along quite pleasantly. All guests were beguiled by Lord Fitzgerald’s expansive talk of many subjects. Less charismatic and articulate men often dominated conversation, much to the chagrin of his guests. Yet, Lord Fitzgerald was so learned and utterly amusing that all who heard him was more than happy to have him as the center of conversation, feeling themselves much less capable of adding to the discourse.
Following dinner, the guests moved into the saloon where Lord Fitzgerald and Lord Egerton launched into some political debate about the state of roads and recent acts passed to address the problems of town. Lord Allen added his opinion on occasion. The ladies set a bit aside in separate conversation. Teresa was not far from Thaddeus. He ventured, “Your father is quite a fascinating man.”
She answered, “Oh yes! There is no ends to his stories. I do not believe even I have heard them all.”
“He certainly puts me to shame. It is as if I have hardly lived at all.”
“Quite true. I have not even been upon a ship before. I have not traveled beyond the reach of a coach.”
“I have been upon a ship only once. I hardly remember the journey or where it took me. It seems that I may not become such a gentleman as your father until I have ventured further into the world.”
“You seem to be quite the gentleman already.”
Teresa immediately blushed following the statement, obviously believing herself to be too forward. Thaddeus replied, “Thank you, however, you may find that I am not quite the gentleman you may think. Others are certainly of different opinion.”
“People are not so credible with their gossip. Particularly in higher nobility. Those people look for any opportunity to harshly judge others as improper or of poor breeding. You should hear the ghastly things that are said about my father.”
Thaddeus detected defiance in her. It seemed that she was quite like her father in that way. Thaddeus found it as charming in her as he did in Lord Fitzgerald. He said, “It is our ways as the noble, I suppose.”
“Excuse me, but it does not seem very noble to me.”
“You may be correct.”
Teresa fell silent after that, perhaps feeling that she had said too much. Thaddeus had received a passionate and colorful impression of her that he did not find off-putting. It seemed that he might certainly have some thinking to do after all.
As the gentlemen and ladies made to more formally separate, Thaddeus decided to take his leave. He said to Lord Fitzgerald, “I should like to thank you for your welcome and hospitality. Unfortunately, I must begin my journey back towards home.”
Lord Fitzgerald replied, “I am so sorry to see you go, however, I am glad to have received you. I should hope that moving forward you should come to call more often, regardless of what your decisions might be.”
“Certainly, I shall. I will be sending invitation to Wellington Manor, should you venture that way.”
“I shall be coming to town soon, I will take you up on your invitation.”
The two men shook hands. Thaddeus took leave of Lady Fitzgerald with a bow. He then turned to Teresa and said, “It was very lovely to make your acquaintance. I do hope that we will have occasion to do so again.”
Teresa smiled at him and bid him farewell with a wave. Thaddeus went out to his coach and departed. As he moved away from the grounds, he thought once more as his potential to once again become wed. He thought that perhaps if he were to marry, Teresa might not make a bad match. He would need to discuss further with her, but he did not deem it out of the question. Quite the opposite, it might just be his answer.
Chapter 26
Evie felt much better about being at Wellington Manor following the trip to the seaside resort. While she had not gotten back to the point with Thaddeus in which she felt that they could talk as before, they were at very least cordial and it had lightened up the air in the place. It was not so troubling to find herself in the manor without Lady Grace any longer.
The season was more than half gone, yet Evie felt hopeful about what was to come. She felt as if it would not be much longer before she had found herself engaged. In the mean time she continued to enjoy the festivities of the season, particularly as she felt it would be her last as a maiden.
Lucy had sent a letter that there was to be a major house party at the home of one of Lady Lydia’s friends. She was excited because she knew that Lord Oliver would be there and it had been some time since the two had met. Evie was not happy about the reunion, but she thought that the party would be a sporting good time, so she looked forward to it.
Before they were to journey to the party, Evie returned to the family home. She stayed for a night before they caught a mail coach to the home were the party would be taking place. Lady Lydia had already informed them that they would be able to change their clothing ahead of the party.
After the journey, the Seymour ladies cleaned themselves up and donned their gowns. By the time they were ready, the party guests were beginning to arrive. At that point in the season, there was hardly anyone present at the party with whom they had not become acquainted with at some point. There were some visiting relatives that were new to the party scene, but many of the others were associated in some way.
Evie was glad to be in the midst of mostly familiar faces. She caught herself looking about for Lord Boyd, however, she did not see him amongst the gentlemen’s faces. She tried not to be disappointed as she took up a game of charades with a group of other ladies.
Lucy engaged with a few with whom she had become well-acquainte
d, but it was clear that her main focus was being able to spend time with Lord Oliver. Evie knew that her sister was becoming more and more sure that she and Lord Oliver would one day be betrothed. Evie felt that Lucy would be greatly disappointed, but knew that there was nothing she could do for her sister. She would simply have to be there when the time came.
Lucy’s face lit up as she saw Lord Oliver entering. She was very nearly bouncing with excitement. Lord Oliver spoke as he entered to many people, stopping to speak at length with his closer associates. Evie saw that Lucy would have liked to approach him, but instead waited for him to make his way around to her.
It seemed as if Lord Oliver spoke to ever other person in attendance before he finally made his way to speak to Lucy. When he approached she smiled broadly, anticipating their exchange. He walked up to Evie and said, “Good afternoon. How do you do?”
Evie returned, “How do you do?”
Lord Oliver then turned to Lucy with a bow saying, “Good to see you, Miss Lucy. You look quite well.”
Lucy answered, “Thank you. As do you. So good to see you here.”
Lord Oliver smiled at Lucy vaguely before turning to move on. For a moment, Lucy continued to smile, apparently not registering what was taking place. As she watched him walk away, her smile began to fade and she looked to her sister in confusion. Evie had found the whole exchange quite odd. In the past, he had been much more warm and amicable with Lucy. She had understood why perhaps her sister believed that he had special interest in her. Yet on that day, he had spoken to her as he had spoken to most in the party, as if it were only his manners that lead him to speak at all.
Lucy remained in silent confusion as Lord Oliver went about conversing merrily with others about, seeming quite unaware that he had caused any confusion. As Lucy and Evie both queried over what was taking place, they turned to see Lydia approaching with a rather unpleasantly shocked expression upon her face. She stood there for a few moments, looking at Lucy in sickened bewilderment. She then said, “Lucy, please sit.”
Lucy replied, “What is the matter?”
“Please sit.”
Lucy took a seat next to her sister. Lady Lydia remained standing. She said in a rushed, loud whisper, “I regret to inform you…oh I’m so sorry, Lucy.”
Lucy was becoming more and more alarmed. She said, “What is it?”
Lydia replied, “Oh Lucy! Lord Oliver has only just announced that he is to be married.”
Lucy spoke in a strained voice, fighting to comprehend what she was hearing. She said, slowly, “What?”
“I’m so sorry. He was just inviting some people to his wedding. He is to wed with Countess Madalene Gibbon.”
Evie looked on in horror. She could not believe it. Although she had been fairly certain that Lord Oliver had no intentions on marrying her sister, it felt so sudden that he should be engaged to another. Evie put an arm around Lucy, hoping to offer her some solace. She unfortunately knew exactly what she was feeling. She had experienced the same pain at learning of Lord Charles’ impending nuptials.
Lucy just sat there struck. Both Lydia and Evie offered words of comfort, but none seemed to reach her. Her mouth worked wordlessly and Evie could see the tears welling in her eyes. Evie and Lydia got Lucy to the bathroom for some privacy. Once they were inside, Lydia said, “Lucy, I assure you that it is for the best. Lord Oliver is not so charming as he seems. The Countess shall suffer greatly with a husband like him. Mark my words.”
These words did not seem to help Lucy at all. Evie looked at Lydia and said, “We should just go. I do not think it best that she remain here. You understand.”
“Oh certainly. I will see you all out.”
Lucy and Lydia practically had to drag Lucy out, as she did not seem to have either the strength or desire to pick up her own feet. They were able to get her to the mail coach and load her in. Lydia went back to the party while Evie and Lucy sat waiting for the coach to take off. Once it had been sufficiently loaded, it was on its way.
Lucy laid with her head on Evie’s chest. Evie felt dreadful for her sister. She knew that no words could counter the tremendous amount of pain in which her sister was currently feeling. She thought tearfully of the night at a party in which she had been brought face to face with Lord Charles’ impending nuptials. It had been as if a dagger had been pressed through her heart. She wished more than anything that she could take Lucy’s pain, but alas, much like Lucy’s dream of a union with Lord Oliver, it was not to be.
It was quite a journey back, with multiple stops and some bumps in the road. Yet they made it at last back to the Seymour household and Evie brought her sister in. Lucy had still not spoken, she simply cried soundlessly, on occasion rattling out a gasping breath.
Their entry was greeted by their mother, who detected at once that something was very wrong. She helped Evie get Lucy to her bed. Miss Seymour tried to get Lucy to speak, but she simply would not. Evie did not want to repeat the indignity where Lucy could hear, so she had her mother follow her out into the hall. She said, “Mother, Lord Oliver has become engaged.”
Miss Seymour’s expression was very pained. Evie could tell that her mother felt quite as awful as Lucy. Miss Seymour had held Evie’s head as she had cried over Lord Charles. It seemed that she would once again find herself cradling the head of a distressed daughter, disillusioned and heartbroken.
The two women moved back into the room. Lucy had gotten herself undressed, which offered at least some sign of life. Miss Seymour helped her to bed and stroked her hair. Evie wished to stay and sleep beside her sister, yet she knew that it was perhaps best that Lucy be left alone. She could offer her no words of encouragement so it seemed best to give her some space.
The following morning Lucy did not come to the table. Neither Miss Seymour nor Evie could cox her into eating. She simply languished in her bed, intermittedly sobbing and sleeping. The following day, it was much of the same. Evie had arranged for the coachman from Wellington Manor to retrieve her on that day, but sent a letter back with him to inform Lady Grace and Thaddeus that an urgent matter had arisen at home and she would need to stay.
The following day, Lucy received a letter from Lady Hannah. Evie had sent letter to her eldest sister detailing what had occurred, to which she had promptly replied. Evie could not be sure of what was written, but it had some effect. Lucy came to the table and ate something.
Later on that evening, Lucy came into the sitting room and announced, “I shall marry Sir Green.” She then turned and went back into her room. Evie and her mother looked at each other. Although Miss Seymour would have liked very much for her daughter to wed with Sir Green, she was concerned about the circumstance. Evie went into her sister’s room to talk with her.
Evie said, “Lucy, how are you feeling?”
Lucy answered, “You were right.”
“I’m sorry?”
“You were right. You tried to warn me, but I would not listen.”
“Oh Lucy, that is of no consequence. You had every reason to believe in Lord Oliver’s intentions. Were he a proper gentlemen, you would indeed be his intended.”
“I was foolish. I should not have put all of my hope into him. Soon the season will be over and I will not have paid any other gentleman any true attention. Only Lord Oliver.”
“Is that why you have agreed to wed Sir Green?”
“Yes. However, now that I am no longer fixated on Lord Oliver, I can see that he is a promising match. I shall be well fixed with him.”
Evie could not be sure if her sister meant that or not. Before she could subsist, she was overcome by a coughing spell. Evie had been feeling less than herself for some days. It appeared that she was falling ill, although she had not believed so before. She raised herself to get some water. She hoped that it was just something that would pass.
The next day, Lucy seemed to be a bit more settled, as if she had accepted what had happened. Evie knew that she was still in a great deal of pain, but she was better. Mea
nwhile, Evie was beginning to feel weaker. She set to return to Wellington Manor, not quite sure what to do about her condition. She continued to hope that with some time outdoors it would pass.
Chapter 27
As soon as she had returned, Thaddeus became greatly concerned about Evie’s condition. It seemed to be getting progressively worse. It had been clear to him upon her entry. She had lost a bit of her color and lapsed into a small fit of coughing. He said, “We must send for the physician.”
She replied, “Oh no! Do not trouble yourself. I believe I just need some fresh air. I will go out about the grounds and be quite alright.”
However, she had not been. Evie remained in dwindling health. It felt eerily reminiscent of how Abigail had been. Thaddeus sent for the physician. Initially it took an effort to keep Evie in bed, but after a day or two, it seemed she no longer had the strength to drag herself from it anyway.
Regency Diaries of Seduction Collection: A Regency Historical Romance Box Set Page 21