Calamity Claresta

by Irene Estep

  It would do little good to tell Nan not to go into a tizzy now, for she seemed already quite beside herself with worry. But, nothing she could say would dissuade Claresta from her singular determination to do as she thought best. It may be her last chance to save her inheritance

  "The gentleman is ailing," Claresta said. "You know how easily Papa was to persuade when he became indisposed. And as Lady Norwood said, I am this Lord Norwood’s . . .’Tis hard to believe he’s convinced the widow of his claim, is it not? Anyway, he’s spoken highly of me to Lady Norwood and considers me to be his only friend. Can you not see the possibilities?"

  "Aye, a deathbed wedding," the housekeeper said sourly. "’Tis what every young lady dreams about."

  Claresta cringed. The thought of a dying husband did not sit well with her. The light perishing from Lockwood’s vibrant blue eyes discomfited her greatly. Lifting a hand to her face and shaking her head, she said, "Do not speak so harshly, Nan. Lady Norwood said the fever had passed. I’m sure the gentleman will recover quickly and appreciate my concern."

  Douglas scratched at the library door and entered. "Oim tae run an errand for ye, Miss?"

  "Yes," Claresta said. She scribbled two notes, one to Edwin and another to Mr. Thurmond, then folded them and hurriedly handed them over without bothering with a wax seal. After she instructed Douglas to deliver them at once, he left, giving Nan another opportunity to rant against the trip.

  Once Nan saw there was little she could do to change Claresta’s mind, she offered to make the trip in spite of her pressing duties. Claresta would hear none of it, insisting that her dresser, two maids, a groomsman, the coachman, and the footman, Douglas, would be escort aplenty. Eventually, Nan resigned herself to give up and see to the packing

  Presently Edwin arrived, but he was not alone. His mother accompanied him. While Lady Westhaven gave over her coat to the downstairs maid who answered the door in Douglas’ place--for he’d not returned from delivering the other billet to Mr. Thurmond--Edwin rushed forward to kiss his cousin’s cheek.

  She whispered, "Edwin, how could you?"

  "You should not send an unsealed message to Huntington Hall, my dear, if you do not wish Mother to scan it’s content."

  "The nerve," Claresta said, then smiled tightly when her aunt approached her.

  "I do declare, Claresta, you are the only one who can distract Edwin from his duties. He scoffs even at my simple requests to take time from family business to attend me for a simple turn in the park at the fashionable hour. But then, I suppose one only has to reflect on the prosperity of Gilbert and Huntington since his involvement to appreciate his efforts."

  Aunt Ester was a sturdy woman with very little gray in her hair to show her age. Considering her stature and tyrannical nature, it was hard to believe the naiveté the woman exhibited at times. She never credited Claresta with the success of Gilbert and Huntington. Lady Westhaven had convinced herself that Edwin, although she would prefer he not, directed--she so used this term when explaining his position to others--the affairs of the company single-handedly. She often chastised Claresta for her frequent visits to the warehouse and her silly little habit of getting involved in matters that should not concern her.

  Claresta ordered the maid to bring in tea and sweetbreads and they sat down. She was glad Nan had gone off to pack her things and wouldn’t be present to hear the bracing lecture about to be repeated by Lady Westhaven. To defend her actions with both loquacious women at once would be enough to put Claresta in a flat despair. Taking a dusting from one at a time, she thought, she could handle admirably but together . . . she shivered. She explained her plans to leave for Norfolk with as little detail as possible.

  "My poor, dear child, whatever has put it in your head to take to the country when the Season is almost upon us? Why Lady Morley is giving her famous pre-season ball in less than a fortnight."

  Claresta saw little need to mention not receiving an invitation to this prestigious event, nor did she think it prudent to state her true purpose of going to Norfolk. However, her aunt, although she might not approve, would not think anything amiss if Claresta’s trip were a business venture. "Well, I should think Edwin would know the reason for my going."

  When Edwin looked at Claresta quite baffled, she prompted, "You remember, the auction at King’s Lynn."

  "Ahh, the auction, yes indeed." Edwin said, remembering the handbill regarding the unclaimed warehouse goods that were up for grabs. He did not give Claresta the support she’d hoped for, however. "That isn’t until next month."

  "’Tis the truth," Claresta said, thinking quickly. "I knew you would want to know the worth of the merchandise before you waste a trip there yourself to place a bid."

  "Oh dear," Aunt Ester trilled, laughing lightly, "whatever do you know of such things?"

  "The merchandise, my dear lady, is something only a woman can evaluate for true worth, for I’m to understand the bulk of the wares are bolts and bolts of every nature of cloth to be imagined.

  "Cloth?" Lady Westhaven’s interest quickened.

  "Silks, cambrics, muslins, sarcenets and lace, yards and yards of lace," Claresta said, knowing her Aunt’s great weakness for fripperies and frou-frous.

  "Oh dear," Lady Westhaven spoke reverently for nothing enticed her more than fashionable finery. "Why I do say, that should be quite exciting. And, of course, one could not say your interest is anything more than a passing fancy to make a bargain for a fine selection of dress material. Why, many times your dear father accompanied me to the warehouse to pick out the best silks for a ball gown."

  After a moment of contemplation, Lady Westhaven added, "But, my dear, you cannot mean to go un-chaperoned? I know you consider that housekeeper to be some sort of a companion, but she seems a bit unaware of how to go on in Society, if you take my meaning."

  Claresta wanted to defend Nan, but then she’d have to admit the lady was not going with her and that would never do. "You fret entirely too much about such things, Aunt Ester."

  "But it all seems so improper, don’t you know. And where do you intend to stay? I’ve heard the inns in the area are quite atrocious."

  "I shall do quite well in that quarter, Aunt, for I’ve been invited to visit a sick friend near Holkham."

  "Well . . . well even so, you shall have to stopover at an inn along the way, and there could be any manner of riffraff frequenting the roads, making them unsafe for decent folk. Oh dear, it would never do for you to go with barely any suitable chaperonage and so unprotected. I see nothing for it," she stated quite emphatically, "but I shall have to go with you."

  Claresta gasped and looked beseechingly at Edwin. In this instance, she did not get any sympathy from her best friend. "Mother is right. You cannot think of making this trip without an entourage of some sort."

  "Reggie will go with us, too."

  To this declaration, both Edwin and Claresta looked aghast. Edwin was the first to regain his tongue. "You are forgetting Lady Morley’s ball, Mother. She will be sorely offended if neither you or Reggie show up, and I dare say, Reggie would be much put out if he had to miss it."

  "Nonsense, the affair is such a squeeze our absence will hardly be noticed. But, just so, I will send Lady Morley a note begging her pardon. I believe you mentioned a sick friend, did you not? What better reason for sending our regrets?"

  There was no gainsaying her aunt. In some cases Ester could be even more stubborn than her niece. Claresta groaned inwardly but could see no way to reject the offer out of hand. Reggie would be certain to try and sabotage her mission, but she would figure out some way to handle him before they arrived at Norwood Manor. She reminded herself to take along her father’s dueling pistols. After a lingering reluctance, she finally gave in to her aunt, and the lady took charge of making the travel plans.

  "Then I shall run along, my dear. I must locate Reginald and solicit his help to hire outriders for warding off bandits."

  Claresta almost groaned as the door closed behind
the woman. "This is all your fault," she berated Edwin.

  "Perhaps," Edwin said seriously. "But you cannot deny the folly of making such a trip without proper escort."

  She lifted a brow. "You knew then that Nan was not going with me."

  "A matter she instructed Douglas to make me aware of, I believe. You may as well face it, Claresta. In varying ways, we all have concern for your welfare."

  "How tactfully put, Edwin." Claresta understood Edwin’s anxiety for her well-being but knew all too well to suspect his mother and brother’s affectations of similar interest. "But, I suppose, it is a burden I must endure."

  "Sometimes, Claresta, one must accept the inevitable."

  She lifted a brow. She decided not ask him to expand on that statement. It would be disheartening to discover that Edwin, too, was turning against her.

  Instead, she gave Edwin private instruction about running the business during her absence. Shortly after he departed, Mr. Thurmond arrived.

  The solicitor apologized for not having Claresta’s document ready but promised faithfully to have that article delivered into her hands at Norwood Manor before week’s end. If all went well, she would soon be engaged to Drake Lockwood. The intense shiver of anticipation that raked Claresta’s spine, surprised her. She shrugged it off as nothing more than exhilaration from knowing she’d located the man in time to satisfy her father’s decree.

  * * *

  The following morning Reggie and his mother pulled up in their landau to collect Claresta. Or rather to be collected. For comfort sake, they opted to ride in Claresta’s well-sprung Town coach.

  Nan waved them good-bye from the front portico, and Douglas wore a happy grin as he boarded the landau with her shy young maid, Lizette. Claresta heard a giggle come from the other vehicle and wondered if she could use the excuse of separating the pair as a reason to ride in the Landau and escape Reggie’s simmering gaze.

  He apparently had not given up on his chances at the inheritance and must have some idea as to the true cause for this venture to Holkam. As the day wore on, Aunt Ester prattled on as if her son’s mocking glare was not being returned with a seething look from her niece.

  "Oh dear, oh dear, it is abominably warm for this time or year, don’t you think?" Lady Westhaven flapped open her fan and waved it profusely in front of her face, giving Claresta the benefit of the overdraft.

  "Shall I have Reggie open the window, Aunt Ester?"

  "No, no, the dust would be atrocious. Oh, I do hope your friend has a garden, for I shall miss my evening turn about the one at Westhaven Hall with Reggie. I dare say, Reggie does enjoy taking the evening air, don’t you, love? I’m truly sorry you had to miss the Morley ball, dear."

  "Do not fret, Mother, for I’m sure there will be many distractions for us at his lordship’s residence," he said with a slight sneer.

  Claresta did not miss the sarcasm in Reggie’s words and felt compelled to defend her intended. "Lord Norwood is a gracious gentleman, and I’m sure if he were well, he would never leave us to a dull moment."

  "Dear, dear," Lady Westhaven intervened. "I did not realize . . . Lord Norwood is your sick friend?"

  Reggie ignored his mother and said acidly to Claresta, "Knowing you as I do, cousin, I’m sure you will not leave us to a dull moment."

  "Nor you to a lively one, I’d wager," Claresta said blandly.

  "Oh dear." Lady Westhaven fanned herself rapidly. "I do think we should pull into the next inn-yard for refreshment. This constant confinement is causing you to sound cross as a cat, my dear."

  Claresta wondered why Aunt Ester didn’t detect the same surliness in her son’s remarks but decided she’d better hold her tongue the rest of the trip, or they should be stopping at every hostelry between London and Norwood Manor.

  The rest of the day was uneventful, with Lady Westhaven carrying on a running commentary on the landscape and complaining of the heat. They stopped at various inns along the way so she could refresh herself, and, as Claresta anticipated, they had to take rooms for the night earlier in the day than she had wished.

  Once her aunt retired for the evening from their private parlor, Claresta decided it was time to speak a warning to Reggie about his unbridled remarks. If he cut up her peace in front of Lockwood as he had the viscount at Vauxhall she did not know how things would turn out. "I hope, Reggie, when we reach Norwood Manor you will harness your bent for stirring the pot."

  "Tsk, tsk. Is it my fault that you tend to fly into a passion over the simplest jest?"

  "I do not call it jesting when you make light of the misfortunes of others," Claresta riposted.

  "I dare say, you’re probably right, Calam--Claresta." At this deliberate slip, he snickered. "Perhaps it would be more interesting to discuss the latest entry in White’s betting book. Would you like to lay a pony on the outcome of your marital possibilities, my dear? Right now, the odds are running out of favor for your success."

  "Stuff!" For the first time, Claresta was appalled by the extremes the ton would go to for the sake of entertainment. "Don’t say your friends have nothing better to do than make wagers on such."

  "I fear the ruckus you created at Vauxhall made it the most interesting wager of the year. Such vocal remonstrations carried on in public, Claresta." He shook his head. "What would you expect? Besides, a gentleman will make wager on just about anything."

  "You should be quite an authority on that subject, I would imagine." Claresta threw down her napkin and stood. "Tell me, Reggie, did you put down your last groat that I would not make a match in time?"

  "Of course not," Reggie said. Truth was he didn’t have a groat to put down until quarter day. But it couldn’t hurt to do it up brown and perhaps gain a little approval from her. Maybe it would change her unworthy opinion of him. "I may lay a pony on a cloudy day for the time the first raindrop will fall. Or, drop a quid on how many hours a candle will burn before wax cascades down its side. But I would never participate in a gamble that, no matter the result, puts a blight on my family’s good name."

  At first, Claresta stared at Reggie in silence. He expected she was bowled over by his family loyalty. He waited for a compliment, but instead she quietly said, "What a pretty speech, Reggie. I wonder how long you could hold out from placing any wagers, if you set your mind to it."

  The thought practically terrified him. "Whatever do you mean?"

  "I’m saying that quarter day comes ‘round soon. "'Twould be a shame if you should go lacking for blunt to game with."

  "What can you be saying, Claresta?" Reggie’s breathing became rapid, and he could feel the beads of moisture pop out on his forehead. He’d done all right at Castle’s card party, but he’d turned his winnings and then some to a heavy wager on a bang up piece of flesh that had turned surly from the get-go. It was the jockey’s fault. The devil blood had fire in his eyes and the spirit of a true racer, but his rider lacked the courage to give him his head. Reggie had placed the wager with a disagreeable fellow with an even surlier disposition than the horse but had somehow persuaded the gent to wait for next quarter day to cover his bet. He tried not to even think about the blunt he owed Baines and his mentor.

  Without his allotment, he’d be in a worse pickle than he was with Baines. And, too, he’d had every intention of recovering the sapphire stickpin from the cent-per-cent man on Clarges and discretely returning it along with the other contents of the jewelry case to his cousin’s parlor. But things did not look promising on that account, now. And mayhap, he would have to hock more of her father’s jewelry to pull him out of the River Tick for a time.

  "If you so much as breath a word," Claresta said quietly, "of the dishonorable wager on the betting books of the men’s clubs, or, spread about any other tales that place me in a less than favorable light with Lady Norwood and Drake Lockwood, I shall see that you never receive so much as another shilling from my father’s estate."

  Reggie felt a warm flush suffuse his face. His cousin was forever treating him li
ke a disobedient child. But he remembered, this time, he could give her tit for tat. Maybe he’d even get in the last say for a change. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the dampness from his brow.

  "You best go lightly, Claresta. In another couple of months, I’m likely to be the one making the decisions on whose allowances to cut." Reggie was so pleased with himself he started laughing and couldn’t stop.

  "Only over my dead body!" Claresta flared. She whirled about, knocking a tankard of ale over onto Reggie’s lap. Then, she left the room slamming the door closed behind her.

  Reggie quit laughing. The vivid memory that popped in his mind of finding his father hung from the rafters overshadowed the discomfort of wet breeches. He rushed to the door, yanked it open, and every patron in the main room turned to stare.

  He watched Claresta’s proud, retreating figure. As she reached the top of the stairwell she turned, smiled and waved goodnight as if they’d never had a row.

  He was tempted to get in that last word he’d hoped for, but not wanting to draw more attention from the rowdies sitting in the taproom, he was forced to hold his tongue. He mumbled angrily, "Dash it! She done it again."

  CHAPTER NINE

  Drake’s eyes slit open when he heard Lady Norwood, puffing tiredly, enter the sick room carrying a foul smelling tisane. He recalled on one of her earlier trips that morning she’d mentioned making up one of her concoctions. He thought of pretending he was still asleep, but since the lady had gone to such trouble, he slid upright in the bed and said, "You should have sent Shipley up with that draught. It is too much for you to be climbing the stairs back and forth all day."