“But Caroline, surely you understand. How can I run away with a strange gentleman of whom I know so little, and leave Papa and my home and besides – Oh, Caroline, I have nothing to wear.”
There was such a cri de Coeur in Harriet’s voice over this last objection that Caroline could not help smiling. She rose to her feet and put her arms round the trembling girl.
“Now listen, Harriet,” she said, “There is only one thing that matters and that is if you are sure that you really and truly desire to wed with Mr. Stratton. Are you persuaded of that?”
“’Tis the only thing of which I am beyond all hesitation positive,” Harriet answered, “for, Caroline, he is indeed a most handsome, a most elegant gentleman and of the finest sensibility and to think that he should love me – me of all people!”
“And you don’t mind his being poor?” Caroline said. “Has he related to you his exact circumstances or spoken of his family?”
“No, he has not spoken of such matters,” Harriet answered, “and I know only what Papa has told me. I cannot imagine where he obtained such information, but it appears that he learnt that Thomas’ family is impoverished. That was why he forbade me to speak with him again.”
Harriet paused, looked as if she might cry, and then went on with her story.
“’If you marry,” Papa said to me, “though heaven knows ‘tis unlikely enough that any man would be such a fool as to offer for you, I will take care that ‘tis not some scallywag with pockets to let who will live on me.’ I am sure, Caroline, that Thomas would never consider such a degrading situation, but you know what Papa is like. And if he asks for my hand, Papa will enquire only as to the contents of his purse and my feelings will be his last consideration.”
“I am sure you are right there,” Caroline agreed. “Very well then, Harriet, quite obviously there is nothing for if but to run away with your Mr. Stratton. To be honest, I think this is the greatest thrill he has known in years. He has found life a bore, Harriet, and, if I am not mistaken, to play the knight errant to a maiden in distress and rescue her from a dragon – which of course is your papa – will be very much to his liking.”
“Then you think I should go?” Harriet faltered.
“Think?” Caroline enquired. “I don’t think, Harriet, I know you must. And now for your clothes. You cannot elope and not look attractive on such an auspicious occasion.”
“Mr. Stratton – I mean, Thomas – said that I was not to trouble to bring much with me. He promised to buy me all that I need once we were married, but Caroline – ,I am sure he cannot afford such extravagances, and besides, I must wear something in which to travel.”
“Indeed you must,” Caroline said solemnly, “and I will see to that, Harriet. ”
“Oh but, Caroline, I did not mean to impose on you,” Harriet expostulated. “I would not have you think that I came here for the very purpose of presuming on your generosity.”
“Fudge! As if I should think such a thing. You know I would like above all things to give you a gown for such a thrilling adventure but I will not spoil Mr. Stratton’s plans by giving you too many, for I guess that he wishes to dress you according to his fancy, and indeed I perceive that you are to be a very real interest to him and that you will disperse his blasé airs once and for all.”
“I have never seen him bored.” Harriet said quietly.
“No, my dear, and I hope you never will,” Caroline answered, “for I predict that once you are wed you will settle down to a life of domestic bliss and Mr. Stratton will quickly forget how fatigued he was by high Society. And now for your clothes.”
Caroline rang the bell and when Maria answered it she was entrusted with Harriet’s secret.
“You must speak of it to no one, Maria,” Caroline said, “and now let us look in my wardrobe and find something suitable for Miss Wantage to travel in.”
“There is your pale blue merino, m’lady, with the embroidered bodice, and it has an elegant manteau in the same colour edged with swansdown.”
“The very thing!” Caroline exclaimed, “and the bonnet which goes with it is entirely captivating. It will become you well, Harriet, and has the advantage of being warmer than most of my summer gowns. There is also a muff to match.”
“Alas, m’lady, I did not pack the muff,” Maria apologized.
“What a pity!” Caroline answered, then she added, “But with any degree of luck it should be here by this evening. When I wrote to Mrs. Edgmont yesterday, I begged her to have my clothes despatched to me here as soon as possible. Now let me think. The groom would have reached Mandrake yester eve, and if the things were sent off before noon today they should arrive before dusk and Miss Wantage can take the muff with her. I have two other things I would like her to have - my green gauze with rose ribbons and the negligée of India muslin inset with thread lace.”
“Yes, m’lady,” Maria said.
“‘Tis over-generous of you, Caroline,” Harriet interrupted, “but I dare not take so much. How indeed could I convey such luggage from the Vicarage to the trysting place? I can wear one dress and perhaps carry a night-robe in a small parcel, but that is all.”
“This is a problem!” Caroline said. “But wait, I have an idea. Maria and I will arrange for your luggage to be hidden somewhere by the lodge gates. Is there anyone who can be trusted, Maria, to carry a box for you?”
Maria nodded her head and looked coy.
“There is James, m’lady. He has asked me to walk out with him and I am sure that anything I ask of him he would do and keep secret on it.”
“Then that is splendid,” Caroline said. “James shall take the trunk, just a few things in it, Harriet, for I must not spoil your future husband’s pleasure and hide it by the lodge. Remember to pick it up before you start off on your journey.”
“Oh Caroline, supposing I cannot find it,” Harriet faltered, “and if Papa is following me or suspicious of where I am going, what shall I do then?”
Caroline sighed. She found it difficult to understand the hesitations and the apprehensions of the weaker members of her sex.
“I’ll tell you what I will do, Harriet,” she said. “I will meet you at the lodge gates myself. Maria will arrange with James to hide the trunk earlier in the evening. I will find it and wait until you arrive. You will not be afraid to look for me, will you, Harriet?”
“Oh no, indeed, Caroline, but why should you do this for me? 'Tis too much to ask. I would not think of troubling you.”
“It is no trouble, to be sure,” Caroline answered. “I think perhaps I should be wise to be there in case you are too chickenhearted at the last moment to embark on your great adventure. I will, not let Mr. Stratton see me, and, all you have to do Harriet, is to flee from the Vicarage a trifle earlier. I will be at the gates at a quarter to nine o’clock and will expect you as soon after that as you can manage. Do not be any later in case Mr. Stratton in his impatience to be away with you is also early.”
“But, Caroline, how can I leave the Vicarage wearing a dress of yours?” Harriet asked.
“I had forgotten that,” Caroline exclaimed, “although actually it would not matter your wearing a dress of mine save that it is a driving gown and your father might be suspicious. La! but I have an even better idea, Harriet. You must meet me at the gates, earlier still. You will change behind the trees and then be ready for Mr. Stratton when he comes. That will be safer, won’t it, Maria?”
Maria nodded.
“Yes, indeed, m’lady, and I will come with your ladyship so as to help robe Miss Wantage and arrange her hair.”
“Nothing could be better,” Caroline exclaimed, “now all is settled. I dare not invite you here, Harriet, for your father might consider it strangely unconventional for me to entertain so soon after my marriage, and besides, I think Mr. Stratton relishes the idea of collecting you straight from the dragon’s lair.”
Harriet giggled at this and then she was serious again.
“Oh dear! I am so afraid of Papa
.”
“Mr. Stratton will protect you,” Caroline smiled, “do not hesitate to tell him of your fears. And, Harriet, let me give you one word of advice. When you are married, if your father seems anxious to be friendly and to give his blessing to your marriage, don’t be in too big a hurry to lose your dragon. He is your greatest asset, if you but knew it.”
Harriet wrinkled her brows in perplexity.
“But I fail to understand you, Caroline. Papa will never approve of my marriage. He would never give his permission for me to marry unless the gentleman who offered for me was wealthy or of noble birth, so indeed how should I ever find anyone to please him? Such distinctions are not for me.”
“You are far too modest, dear Harriet,” Caroline said, “but remember what I have told you. I have my reasons for it.”
“I will remember, as you ask it of me,” Harriet promised.
“Now let us choose you a night-robe,” Caroline said, “it must be of the most elegant transparency, and you will need a shift and –”
It was luncheon time before all the things necessary for Harriet’s elopement had finally been decided upon and when at length they were set aside for Maria to pack, Caroline said it was too late for her to bathe and dress and that she would have her luncheon brought to her room.
“Convey my apologies to his lordship,” she said to Maria, “and say I hope that I may have the pleasure of speaking with him this afternoon.”
Maria went below with the message, but came back looking doleful.
“His lordship went out riding this morning and has not yet returned. Oh, m’lady, is there still something a variance between you?”
Caroline did not answer, but she was disappointed and discomforted. Why must Vane keep up this pretence of in- difference? she asked herself. Why indeed, would he not let her give him an explanation regarding Sir Montagu?
She sighed as she dressed, and decided that sooner, or later she must force Vane to listen to her story. But it seemed as if he was determined to avoid her.
Caroline had tea alone with Lady Brecon in her room, and though she waited anxiously for Lord Brecon to appear as was his usual custom, he did not come.
After tea she wandered about the house, looking into the various rooms and had she not been restless and depressed by his lordship’s absence, she might have been amused at the difference in the servants’ attitude. Whenever she encountered a flunkey, abigail, valet or page, they were almost embarrassingly subservient. After the indifferent and often disdainful air with which they had treated her when she was a dependent, like themselves, it was amusing to see how anxious they were to ingratiate themselves with her. As she went to her landing to change for dinner, Caroline had an idea.
Besides her personal problems where Vane was concerned and quite apart from the terrible secret they now shared, there was always in Caroline’s mind an awareness that he was still threatened by his cousin Gervase. Their marriage had, she was certain, if anything intensified the danger, and she could not forget the look on Mr. Warlingham’s face as he stood watching them across the ballroom on, the night they were married.
Sooner or later Caroline was certain that he would try once again to be rid of Vane and it seemed to her that the sooner an incident occurred and, in being circumvented, revealed Gervase Warlingham in his true colours, the better it would be. What was frightening was the idea that with her mind otherwise preoccupied she might be lulled into a sense of false security. Gervase Warlingharn’s nefarious designs might prove themselves successful if he were lucky enough to take both Vane and herself unawares.
Caroline was sure that it was Mr. Warlingham from whom she had to save her husband. However oblivious Vane might be, she could sense danger in the very air of the Castle.
It was also obvious, Caroline considered, that Mrs Miller was in Gervase Warlingliam’s confidence. They were acting in unison and she thought now that as Mrs. Miller was the more indiscreet and excitable of the two, it might be worth-while to inflame her further so that like all her sex she would find it hard to possess herself in patience and must act impetuously and on the spur of the moment.
It was but a vague plan, but nevertheless Caroline determined to act on it. She called Maria and sent her in search of the housekeeper. Mrs. Timmins came immediately, her dress of stiff black silk rustled as she walked, her hands were folded over the black apron which she wore as a symbol of her office.
“Good-evening, Mrs. Timmins,” Caroline said pleasantly, in the friendly tones which she had heard her mother use so often when speaking with the domestic staff.
Mrs. Timmins curtsied.
“Good-evening, m’lady.”
She stood waiting for orders. She was a sallow-complexioned woman of uncertain age, with frightened, short-sighted eyes and a nervous habit of licking her lips.
“How long have you been at the Castle, Mrs. Timmins?” Caroline enquired.
“Fifteen years come Michaelmas, m’lady, and I hope your ladyship will see your way to let me remain. If things weren’t to your ladyship’s liking when you first came, I hope you will not blame me. I was not to know who your ladyship was and if the housemaids weren’t as attentive as they should be, I can only beg your ladyship’s pardon.”
“I am not blaming anyone, Mrs. Timmins,” Caroline said soothingly. “I sent for you on a very different matter. I want the Chapel cleaned and set in order. It will not be any easy task, for it is a sorry picture of neglect, but the maids must begin on it tomorrow morning. Is that clear?”
“Indeed it is, m’lady, and it shall be as your ladyship wishes, although I’m afraid we shall have to ask the manservants for their assistance in cleaning the ceiling.”
“I leave the arrangements in your hands, Mrs. Timmins,” Caroline answered, “and now ask the chef to bring me the menu for dinner. There may be some slight change that I wish to make in it.”
“Very good, m’lady.”
Mrs. Timmins curtsied, but when she got to the door she hesitated.
“Forgive me mentioning it, m’lady, but Mrs. Miller has already approved the menu for dinner and has requested that the housemaids shall tomorrow –”
Caroline stood up.
“Let me make this quite clear, Mrs. Timmins. I am not interested in what arrangements Mrs. Miller has made or not made. My orders will be carried out as I have given them.”
Mrs. Timmins was completely overcome, and curtsied several times in her flurry.
“Yes, m’lady. Of course, m’lady. I will see that everything is as your ladyship desires.”
Caroline waited and when the menu was brought to her, she crossed out the chine of mutton and ordered a fillet of veal with mushrooms and a high sauce. She also added roasted sweetbreads and hot lobster to the dishes listed in the second course.
The chef made no comment, but Caroline was not surprised to hear a knock on her door a few minutes later and when she invited whoever was without to enter, Mrs. Miller came into the room.
The woman was in extreme good looks and Caroline thought that it was more than likely she was truly in love with Mr Warlingham. She seemed more voluptuous than usual, her evening gown of scarlet silk net did little to conceal her ample charms, and her eyelids seemed heavy with the languor of love.
Caroline looked at her as if in surprise.
“Good-evening, Mrs. Miller, you wish to see me?”
“If you will be so kind as to spare me a few minutes,” Mrs. Miller said. “I have no wish to trouble your ladyship, but I have just been informed you have given certain instructions to Mrs. Timmins and to the chef. Of course any order you give in the Castle shall be seen to immediately but you will understand, my dear Lady Brecon, that it would be far easier if such orders could be given to me and I will pass them on to the staff.”
Caroline raised her eyebrows.
“Why should I do that?” she asked.
“Merely so as to facilitate that things are carried out speedily and that instructions do not overlap. You mus
t see, Ma’am, that if you give orders and they countermand those I have already given –”
“Those you have given?” Caroline queried. “But of course, Mrs. Miller, you cannot be so naive as to imagine that you will continue to give orders here now? I am, as it happens, very conversant with housekeeping, and what is more, I intend to run my household in my own way. I do not propose to inconvenience you unduly, but it will of course simplify matters if you can find other employment as speedily as possible. I am sure Lady Augusta will graciously provide you with a reference.”
The expression on Mrs. Miller’s face changed. Her lips tightened until they were only a thin line and her eyes narrowed until they were dark slits of anger. Twilight was falling, and Caroline, watching the woman opposite her change before her very eyes into something evil and malevolent, felt a sudden shiver of fear sweep over her. But she held her head high and her eyes met Mrs. Miller’s unflinchingly.
“So you mean to be rid of me,” Mrs. Miller asked.
“But of course,” Caroline answered quietly. “Did you expect anything else?”
For a moment Mrs. Miller seemed taken aback by Caroline’s candour, and then her voice came hissingly between her lips.
“Your ladyship is making a big mistake. You will repent your decision.”
Caroline smiled. “I think not, Mrs. Miller and in truth I am somewhat particular as to the company I keep.”
Caroline meant to be insulting and she succeeded. Mrs. Miller quivered with the sheer violence of her feelings.
“You will be sorry for this,” she said, “and so will your husband, if indeed he is your husband as yet.”
Her mouth curved over the ugly sneer in the last words then she turned and went from the room, closing the door very quietly and carefully behind her, which was more alarming than if she had slammed it.
It seemed to Caroline as if the room were dark because of the atmosphere the woman had left behind her. There was venom and a menace in her tone and if Caroline had wished to stir up a rattlesnake’s nest with a stick, she had succeeded. For a moment she was afraid, not for herself but for Vane, then even as the fear crept over her, something made her glance out of the window.
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