“Yes, and Miriam was a great help. All is arranged and we have employed additional staff for that day. Oh, and we have both had new gowns made especially for the occasion,” his mother serenely informed him.
“I was worried that you and Miriam would not get on well with each other as you were much displeased when I married her.” Vincent could not believe that his mother had been so easily won over.
“I am still of the opinion that you could have done better in your choice of wife, but I must admit that I find Miriam a quick-witted young lady with good manners and good sense. I find that I am almost ready to forgive you for what you have done.”
“I’m pleased to hear that you have altered your opinion of her, and of course, I welcome your forgiveness.” He knew he should be pleased about this, but still something rankled. He had expected Miriam not to have had such an easy time in his absence and therefore be more pleased by his return.
Vincent’s mood did not improve over the dinner table. He soon realized that he had put a strain on what may have otherwise been a relaxed gathering. The conversation was polite but stilted. Lucy very prettily apologized for her earlier behaviour and begged him not to blame Miriam. Charles, too, apologized and was willing to take full responsibility. His mother did not know to what they were referring and wisely did not enquire.
At the end of the meal Vincent and Charles withdrew to take a glass of port and have a cigar.
“I must say Vincent, I was surprised to hear you had married so suddenly,” Charles said without preamble. “When Mother wrote to tell me, she seemed quite distressed by your choice of bride, but she appears to have come round now.”
“Now you have met Miriam, what is your opinion on my choice of wife?” Vincent asked.
“Well, I must confess, when I first saw her I wondered what on earth you had done. Why you should choose someone who could not even walk properly was beyond my reasoning, particularly when I know of many beautiful young women who have had their sights set on you,” replied Charles bluntly.
This was more the reaction Vincent had expected.
“However,” Charles continued, “now I have spent some time in her company, I totally forget that she walks with a limp and I find her absolutely lovely and delightful. She really is a very pretty little thing, too. I can only congratulate you on your choice.”
“Thank you,” responded Vincent dryly. He knew he should be pleased, but he had seen his main role in the marriage as acting as Miriam’s protector and it seemed now that she did not need a protector. The only other thing he wanted to offer her was not part of their agreement.
Charles did not seem to notice Vincent’s lack of enthusiasm and continued to extol Miriam’s virtues, concluding with, “I find her like the sister I never had.”
This final remark gave Vincent pause for thought. He remembered that when he first met Miriam he, too, had thought his feelings for her were like those he would have for a sister. He knew now that his feelings were very different indeed, most definitely the feelings a man had for a woman. He was still uncertain as to how he would deal with this knowledge.
When Vincent and Charles returned to sit with the ladies in the drawing room, Vincent noticed that Miriam, although she responded when spoken to, did not look very happy. He knew this was his fault. As soon as he could reasonably do so, he excused himself, saying that he was tired from the long day travelling.
When Vincent reached his bedroom he saw that a key had been found for the door leading into the adjoining bedroom. Was this a clear message from Miriam? The door was not locked, but this was probably because there had not been a need to do so while he had been away in London.
Vincent slept well and awoke early. He felt badly about how he had spoken to Miriam the previous day and knew he had upset her. Today he would apologize and speak to her more kindly in the hope they could resume the pleasant companionship they had previously enjoyed.
Looking out of his bedroom window, he saw two people walking across the yard. He immediately knew that one was Miriam because, even though a cloak totally concealed her features, it did not disguise her limp; the other person he recognized as his brother, Charles. He wondered what the pair of them were doing together at such an early hour.
Later in the morning, Vincent bumped into his brother. “Hello, Charles. Have you had a busy morning?” he casually asked.
“Not done much at all, but I may join the ladies in visiting Robert Bright this afternoon. Will you come with us?” invited Charles cheerfully.
“I may if I have no pressing estate matters. I haven’t spoken Robert since he left London. He left here yesterday just after I’d come home.” Vincent decided not to question his brother about the early-morning walk with Miriam.
With the suspicion that she was trying to avoid him, Vincent sent for Miriam to join him in the library. She entered timidly and took a seat opposite him at the desk.
“Good morning, wife. I am pleased to find you well and so obviously settled into your role as mistress of the house.” This greeting had a trace of sarcasm, which Miriam did not miss.
“Thank you, my lord, I do like Maudley Castle, and everyone has made me feel welcome.” Miriam looked down at her hands as she spoke; they trembled slightly.
“I was concerned that my mother may have made your life uncomfortable, because she was so against our marriage.”
“It was a little difficult at first, but your mother has tried very hard, and I think she now tolerates me for your sake,” replied Miriam honestly, hoping he would be pleased. “When you left, your mother offered to move into the dower house, but I could tell she did not really wish to do this. I think she was offering because she thought we may not want her here. I told her she was welcome to stay living at Maudley Castle. I hope you don’t mind?”
Vincent did not mind but found himself once again responding in a harsh manner. “I would have expected you to consult me on this matter. You did not tell me of this decision in your correspondence.”
Miriam hung her head and mumbled, “I’m sorry.”
Vincent realized he was doing nothing to restore good relations between them and so changed the subject. “Have you been busy this morning?” he asked.
“No, no, I haven’t. I have told Jeremy that while you are at home I will not need to meet with him. Did I do right?” Miriam hoped that this would meet with his approval.
“Yes, you did,” replied Vincent, now finding himself even less happy with Miriam than before. Where was she going with Charles this morning and why did neither of them admit they had been out together?
“Are you coming with us to visit Robert this afternoon?” Miriam ventured to ask.
“No, I don’t think so. I have much to catch up on.” Vincent felt he needed some time to himself.
“Of course,” replied Miriam, ashamed at feeling relieved by this. She was finding conversation with Vincent most uncomfortable since his return from London.
Vincent did not really have any pressing engagements that afternoon, but he was in no mood for a social visit. He knew that he was being unreasonable and unfair to Miriam and that he should be glad she had settled so well in his family home. He also knew he was partly to blame for their lack of ease with each other; he had, after all, left for London within only four days of being married. She had actually had more time in his brother’s company than his, so it was only natural, he supposed, that she would feel more comfortable with Charles.
He had his horse saddled up and went for a ride around the estate. He hoped this would pull him out of the black mood that seemed to have engulfed him since his return home.
When they all met up at dinner again that evening, Vincent found himself largely excluded from the conversation. The talk was mainly about the afternoon visit to Fairleigh Manor and the Christmas Ball, which, he was startled to learn, was to be held the following evening. When he expressed his surprise at this, his mother sharply reprimanded him. “As you took yourself back to London with such
haste, how can you expect to know what is happening here?”
Early the following morning Vincent again saw Miriam and Charles walking across the courtyard together, and again, neither mentioned this in conversation during the day. He saw little of his mother, Miriam or Lucy, because they were busy with the arrangements for the ball that evening. The ladies said they were having an early supper before changing into their gowns, and so Vincent decided to spend the afternoon with Robert at Fairleigh Manor, away from all the frantic activity.
Chapter Seventeen
The Christmas Ball
Miriam was glad to be busy the day of the ball, because it gave her something to think about other than why Vincent was behaving so coldly towards her. She had believed that one of the arguments in favour of their marriage was that they were so comfortable in each other’s company, but since his return from London, this was obviously no longer the case. She did not know what she could do about it.
Miriam knew that Vincent had been surprised and annoyed when he had caught them laughing in the drawing room on his return, but they had all apologized. Surely this could not be the sole reason for his change in behaviour towards her, could it? She had wracked her brains trying to think of what else she could have done to displease him so. He appeared to be his usual self with the other people in the castle, but not with her. The unwelcome thought that he was already regretting marrying her niggled at the back of her mind.
By six o’clock, all the last-minute arrangements for the Christmas Ball were in hand. The wood floor of the ballroom shone with polish. The candles burned brightly in the three huge chandeliers that hung from the ceiling and were reflected in the large mirrors on the Wedgwood blue-and-white decorated walls. Neat rows of finely carved Chippendale chairs were placed around the perimeter of the room to seat their guests. The musicians were starting to tune up their instruments, and it was time for Miriam and the ladies to put on their ball gowns. Miriam and the countess would need to be ready in good time so they could greet the guests as they arrived.
Miriam’s ball gown was a soft pink in colour, and Susan pinned tiny pink rosebuds in her hair to match the trimming on her gown. Miriam had never worn pink before, as she usually favoured blues, yellows and greens. However, the pink crepe material of her gown had been picked out for her by the countess, and she had not wanted to cause offence by rejecting her choice. As she looked in the mirror, she saw that the colour suited her complexion; it gave her face more colour and this became her well. The gown itself was most elegant, with the delicate fabric falling from the high waist in soft drapes around her body. The back of the gown dropped gracefully into a train on the floor. She pulled on her long, white, kid gloves and slipped her feet into white satin slippers before leaving her bedroom.
Miriam found the countess already waiting in the ballroom as she entered. The older woman was dressed in a magnificent layered gown with an underdress of cream satin and a lilac gauze overdress. A diamond tiara sparkled on her head.
“I think I will find tonight difficult as last year my husband stood next to me to greet our guests the countess confessed. “It will be you and Vincent who will have to take on this task tonight.”
Miriam knew she would not be able to stand for the prolonged period of time it would take to welcome people as they entered the room. “I was hoping you and Charles would join us in greeting the guests. Then, if I need to sit down for awhile, Vincent will not be left alone with this task. You both know all the people who will be attending, whereas I will only know the Bright family.”
The countess agreed but insisted that Vincent should take his place as the first in line to greet people. She cast a worried look at Miriam—she’d observed the strained tension between her son and daughter-in-law. “However, if he does not show his face here soon, it will be you, Miriam, who will be the first to greet people as they arrive.”
Just before the first guests were announced, Vincent and Charles appeared. The sight of Vincent caused Miriam’s heart to flutter. Although both men were handsome and dressed finely in their formal evening attire, she only had eyes for Vincent.
“You must be very proud of your sons,” Miriam said to the countess. “They are both such fine-looking men.”
“I am indeed proud of them, but as Vincent’s new bride, it will be you that everyone will be curious to meet,” the countess warned her.
“I know and it makes me nervous. I am more used to sitting in the background on such occasions and I worry that people will find me a disappointment,” admitted Miriam.
“That is as may be,” said the countess not unkindly, “but you are now Vincent’s wife, and regardless of what people think of you, they must give you the deference that your position deserves.”
Vincent took his place near the door, Miriam stood next to him and then Charles and his mother. At first the guests arrived at a steady pace and then slowed to a trickle. Charles nudged Miriam and she followed his glance at the door.
“It is Lord and Lady Cloves making their way in. See Miss Cloves behind them? She is their only daughter. I am not sure I should tell you this, but we all expected she and Vincent would marry,” Charles whispered.
Miriam found herself looking at one of the most beautiful women she had ever seen. Miss Cloves was tall, perhaps five-foot-nine or -ten. Her low-cut gown with its tight-fitting bodice showed her slender figure and long, graceful neck to full advantage. She had thick, dark hair piled on her head in an elaborate style and decorated with pearls to match the colour of her ivory ball gown.
Miss Cloves greeted Vincent warmly and they spent a few minutes deep in quiet conversation. Miriam watched as Vincent smiled at the woman as they spoke. She felt a sharp stab of jealousy. He has not smiled at me in such a way since his return from London. She realized sadly that Miss Cloves was everything she was not—tall where she was short, dark where she was fair, and graceful where she was lame.
Lord and Lady Cloves greeted Miriam formally and quickly moved on to speak to the countess. Miriam expected the same from Miss Cloves when she stood before her. After the formal greeting, however, Miss Cloves went on to say, “I have been a neighbour and very close friend to Vincent for many years, and I hope you will understand that I do not wish this to change now he has married you.”
“I am sure my husband would not want it otherwise,” replied Miriam, not sure if Miss Cloves’ remark had any underlying meaning. Did she imagine that Miss Cloves had stressed the words “very close friend”?
Feeling shaken by this encounter, Miriam asked Vincent if he would mind if she went to sit down for awhile and rest, as she had stood for too long. Vincent agreed and asked Charles to see her to a seat. Miriam had hoped that Vincent would have done this for her himself, especially as at the moment, there were no guests being announced. She sat alone, feeling quite despondent.
By eight-thirty, most of the guests had arrived and the orchestra began to play. Etiquette demanded that Vincent and Miriam, as his new wife, should take the floor first for the first dance. Miriam, however, had already explained to the countess that, due to her lameness, she would not be able to perform this duty. Vincent already knew this, for the waltz with him at the Brights’ earlier this year had resulted in her leg giving way after only a few bars. She watched as Vincent took his mother onto the floor to dance a quadrille.
Robert took Lucy onto the floor, and she saw Charles dancing with a pretty young lady whose name she could not recall. As the first dance ended Lucy came to sit with her but stayed only briefly, as she had promised the next dance to Charles.
“My dance card is nearly full already,” Lucy excitedly told Miriam. “I do hope you don’t mind me rushing off from you so quickly. It is such a shame you can’t join in.”
Miriam was happy to see Lucy enjoy herself before she returned to Derbyshire the next day. “You must enjoy yourself, Lucy. I really am all right sitting here. I enjoy listening to the music and watching the dancing. Also I can keep an eye on things from here t
o check that all runs smoothly.”
The second dance, a cotillion, was announced, and Miriam watched as Vincent led Miss Cloves onto the dance floor. She heard a woman seated near her remark to her companion what a striking pair they made. Miriam did not hear the response, but watching them dance, she had to admit that they did indeed look striking. Miss Cloves danced well and she nearly matched Vincent in height. And from their smiles and conversation, it was obvious that they were enjoying themselves.
Between dances, Charles and Lucy came over to talk to her. The countess was at ease being the hostess on Miriam’s behalf—it was a role for which she had many years’ experience. Miriam saw little of Vincent. His company was obviously in demand by all the people attending the ball.
The orchestra stopped for a break just before ten, and refreshments were set out in the dining room. Vincent came over to Miriam for the first time since the dancing had started. She smiled, pleased to see him, but he did not respond. He did ask if she wished for him to fetch a drink for her, and she gratefully accepted this offer. By the time he returned to her with a lemonade, Lucy and Robert had come to sit with her, and as there was not another chair, he gave her the lemonade and moved away to talk to a group of people standing nearby. She felt bereft.
As the orchestra struck up after the break, Miriam tried very hard not to feel sorry for herself. Vincent was again dancing with Miss Cloves and she was feeling very neglected. She knew that the guests would see how little attention Vincent had paid her and would comment on this to one another.
Lucy had noticed. “What has happened between you and Vincent?” she asked in concern. “ He has barely spoken to you this evening.” Miriam did not have an answer because she simply did not know the answer, so she merely shrugged her shoulders. Lucy, seeing unshed tears brimming in her friend’s eyes, did not press her further.
When Vincent danced for a third time with Miss Cloves, Miriam felt humiliated. She was shocked that Miss Cloves had agreed to this; surely her reputation must come under question by such an act.
In Pursuit of Miriam Page 14