Brown pretended to scold. “Before you spend time and energy helping strangers, Miss Fielding, you need to return kindnesses from your family and friends. Your immediate debt is to Jeremy O’Connell. After you have repaid something of what you owe to his brilliance and generosity, you can begin to express your gratitude to the Richfields for the monumental inconvenience and heartache this business has caused them.”
She opened her mouth and he cut her off. “No one blames you in any way, but you are certainly aware of the scandal and embarrassment all this has created.” He shook his head. “Not to mention the expense.”
She nodded and lowered her eyes. “What can I do?’
Still in his tutor’s mode he said, “Very simply, you can be the best actress, ward, cousin …” he looked at Rory, “… and friend that you can possibly be. After you’ve done all that,” he sighed, “then, and only then, should you contact Andrew Milligan and volunteer your services to aid his work with prison reform.”
Her eyes grew wide and his expression softened. “I’m sure Milligan will happily accept any contribution, financial, political, clerical, or other, that you will be willing to make.”
Sir Douglas nodded agreement. “Well said, Fred.” He patted Elly’s arm. “Concentrate on one thing at a time, young lady. It’s just gone four, so you have most of the day to rest and readjust. Get a good sleep, and do your best possible work for Jeremy O’Connell tomorrow.”
Elly smiled at the three men. “Yes, of course. Thank you, gentlemen. I shall do my very best in every role, I promise.” She smiled at Rory. “I’ll try to be as good a friend to you as you’ve been to me. You saved my life yesterday.” He shrugged and she insisted, “You did.” She laughed at herself. “And since you’ve taught me Mr O’Connell’s stage-blocking, I might not look like a goose at rehearsal, tomorrow.”
She leaned over, gave him a friendly kiss on the lips, and was surprised how much she enjoyed it. The carriage pulled up to the Hamilton Place mansion. “I love you all.” She hugged Sir Douglas and Mr Brown, and climbed down. As the carriage drove away, she turned to see Ned’s luggage loaded into a cab.
He raced outside. “Darling girl, I just left you a note. There’s a terrible muddle at one of my mills. The manager refuses to pay fifty workers. I should have gone to Scotland two weeks ago, but …”
She nodded, “You stayed for me.”
He gave her a brotherly hug and kiss. “I’ll be back in a few weeks, and drive you to Hereford Castle. Good luck with rehearsals. I know you’ll be a wonderful Helena.” He leapt into the cab and drove away.
As soon as she walked inside, servants of all stations hurried to greet her. She was delighted until she saw more trunks carried downstairs.
Smythe directed the footmen and smiled at Elly. “Welcome home, Miss Fielding.” He offered his hand, but she gave him hug. He blushed with pleasure. “Lord and Lady Richfield are travelling to her ladyship’s home, tomorrow morning. She’s in her boudoir and wishes to see you.”
“Thanks, Mr Smythe.” She dragged herself up the stairs to Isabelle’s suite.
Isabelle dozed on her wide bed. She opened her eyes. “There’s my fantastic little cousin.” She adjusted her huge belly so Elly could lie next to her, then. “These children aren’t due for months, but I’ll stay home for the duration. Bill will be with me some of the time. He misses the girls, and they miss him.”
Elly sighed wearily. “I didn’t know you were all leaving. Ned’s just gone. I’ve grown very fond of him.” She flushed and Isabelle smiled.
“And he’s very fond of you. You’ll see each other this summer. For the next few weeks, this house will be very quiet. Smythe will stay. So will your Mary, and a few other servants. You’ll be busy at the theatre and probably stay at Darry House some nights. When you do come here, you’ll be mistress. It should be fun.” She looked at Elly with an odd smile. “While I’m away, should you wish to invite a friend for say … tea … that would be quite all right.”
Elly’s eye grew large. “Really? Oh my!” She giggled and lay back, whispering, “All those nights in prison, I lay freezing on that hard cot, wondering if I’d ever … you know … with a man again. I know it’s wicked, but … well … I let myself pretend.”
Isabelle closed her eyes. “That’s not wicked at all. It probably kept you sane.”
“No, I really was wicked.” Elly bit her lip and looked at the ceiling. “You see, I imagined what it might be like with … other men, not just Robert. I’ve watched you and Miss Stewart, but I never thought that I could care for more than one man. I never wanted to.”
Isabelle smiled mischievously. “Darling girl, it’s possible to care for a whole herd of men at the same time. You’ll soon learn that men are quite interchangeable. Right now, you are tired beyond reason. Go to bed and have a long sleep.” She touched her cheek. “During the next few weeks, if you feel like snuggling with a darling young man, and there happens to be one on the premises …”
Tired as she was, Elly bit her lower lip and giggled. “I could invite him for tea. How lovely. I’ve learned to enjoy … tea parties.”
THE END
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About the author
A native New Yorker, Christina Britton Conroy is a classically trained singer and actor who has toured the globe singing operas, operettas and musicals, as well as being a Certified Music Therapist and Licensed Creative Arts Therapist. Beauty’s Doom is the fourth book in the His Majesty’s Theatre series.
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