The Alter Ego

by Elizabeth Bramwell

  “I hope only for a night or two,” said Anna. “Mr Arthur is showing us around his cousin’s house in Sydney Place this afternoon, and I think we will have no choice but to accept it, whatever the cost.”

  “Arthur?” said Jane, her eyes flying wide. “Arthur’s showing you his property in Bath?”

  A wary look came into Anna’s eyes at Jane’s comment, giving validation to Seraphinia’s suspicions that the woman was more observant than people gave her credit for. It was Lily, whoever, that answered.

  “No, silly! His cousin’s property. He said that his relative had no use for it, and will be glad to put it on long-term let for us. It’s quite smashing, really, for then Anna’s family can come and stay, for her sister is only a year younger than I am, and great fun.”

  “You expect your family to come to visit, Mrs Clyde?” said Seraphinia, wondering what on earth that idiot Lord Arthur was playing at.

  Anna nodded. “Yes, for this is the first time I have been very far away from them. I confess from their last letter I could not tell who was the most excited at the prospect of visiting Bath; my father, mother, or my sisters.”

  Seraphinia smiled, drumming her fingers on the arm of her chair.

  “Jane, I have just been reminded that there is that book in the library that I wish for Mrs Clyde to borrow. Take her with you, my dear, and see if the two of you can find it.”

  Jane, the intelligent creature that she was, rose smoothly to her feet without question. “Of course, I remember it well. Please, Anna, if you will come with me? Aunt Seraphinia was talking about this book with the General only last night, and is determined to seek your opinion on it.”

  Anna, naturally taken aback by this odd exchange, nonetheless stood and followed Jane, as good manners dictated. “Thank you for thinking of me! May I ask what book you are talking about?”

  “A splendid one,” said Jane, firmly taking the widow’s arm and leading her out of the room.

  Young Lily, always eager to please, gave her prettiest smile. “That’s very thoughtful of you, Lady Seraphinia, for Anna loves to read.”

  “Wonderful, I’m convinced she’ll love it,” said Seraphinia, only half-concerned as to what book Jane would pick. No doubt something like Herodotus’ Histories in the original Latin, just to make it look like she was losing her marbles.

  Lily smiled again. “We’ve enjoyed reading the London House, and it was such an honour for you to introduce us to the authoress. She’s not at all what I imagined her to be, considering her own mother is very educated as well.”

  “Beatrix Drake is twice the writer her mother ever was,” said Seraphinia with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Now, tell me more about Anna’s family. I am very much looking forward to hosting a dinner party for them.”

  Lily, although a lovely girl, was far too easy to manipulate, thought Seraphinia as she coaxed all the information she wanted out of her young guest. The child had no idea about it, either, which would usually have caused at least a tiny pang of guilt in Seraphinia’s heart, but in this case, she had no qualms about her actions.

  By the time Jane and Anna returned – the former grinning and the latter looking extremely puzzled by the tome in her hand – Seraphinia was in possession of the full name of Anna’s parents, their direction, the virtues of their substantial property that bordered that of the Clydes, and an earnest expression of how upstanding and reputable the family were, despite the horrid rumours about Anna’s legitimacy.

  “I see you found it,” said Seraphinia, glaring at Jane.

  “Yes, Aunt, and I am sure she will adore it – as will Lily.”

  “Thank you,” said Anna, somewhat faintly. “I have not read Mr Godwin’s biography of his wife, although I have naturally heard about it.”

  Seraphinia sat up straight, biting down on her lip so that she did not say something completely outrageous. She counted to ten, using that time to plan elaborate revenge on her troublesome young companion.

  “I feel strongly that you cannot separate the author from her work,” she said when she was sure that her temper was under control. “Vindication of the Rights of Women is an excellent piece, and I feel it worthwhile for a young lady as intelligent as yourself to understand the entire picture.”

  “Precisely,” said Jane. Seraphinia had to stop herself from leaning over and wringing the girl’s neck.

  “We must take our leave of you now,” said Anna, tucking the book inside of her shawl. “As soon as I know when we are able to move into the house Mr Arthur is showing us, I hope you will be so good as to be our first dinner guests.”

  “It will be our pleasure,” said Seraphinia, before promising Lily that she would take care of Governess as though she were her own beloved pug.

  Seraphinia waited until the Clyde ladies had left the building before turning a scowl onto Jane.

  “Good Lord, child! You gave her Godwin’s memoirs about Mary Wollstonecraft? What are you trying to do to me?”

  Jane, as irrepressible as ever, just smiled. “It was that, some stuffy Latin, or A treatise On Sheep Farming On The Western Peninsula. I think I did rather well, considering you gave me no warning that you were about to pull a prank.”

  “It was not a prank, you impudent girl,” muttered Seraphinia. “I needed some information from Lily.”

  Jane’s smile faded. “About the house?”

  “It is related,” admitted Seraphinia. “Good God, what is Arthur playing at? If it became known that a pretty widow and her equally pretty stepdaughter were living in a property he owned, their reputations would never recover.”

  “I suspect that Arthur hasn’t thought that far ahead at all,” said Jane. “His heart is so good, it often engages long before his brain has time to consider the consequences.”

  “He’s an idiot,” snapped Seraphinia.

  “That, too,” conceded Jane.

  Silence, interrupted only by the contented snores of Governess, filled the room for several minutes.

  “I think it is time that I meddle,” said Seraphinia eventually.

  Jane raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure, dearest of Aunts?”

  “I’ve seen the way he looks at her, and she at him. There is only one way out of this mess without causing scandal – well, without causing a large scandal, at any rate. Fetch me my writing paper and a fresh quill, my dear, and then send the footman to request the General’s presence at once.”

  This last request seemed to genuinely surprise her companion – which was undoubtedly a good thing, for the girl was becoming increasingly unflappable.

  “General Mortimer? Why would you need him to stop by?”

  Seraphinia could not help the gloating smile that spread across her face.

  “Because he is to run an errand for me, my dear girl, and deliver a letter of utmost importance.”

  “He might have plans,” said Jane, looking dubious.

  Seraphinia said one of the ruder words in her vocabulary.

  “Any whims of mine are more important than a card game with friends. And besides, this is revenge for him daring to call me Phinnie in public.”

  *

  It was a beautiful day, and now that Governess was deposited safely with the Dowager Viscountess, Anna found herself almost in charity with her irrepressible stepdaughter.

  “Do you know, we have not dined at home once since we met Lady Seraphinia?” said Lily, practically skipping as they strolled, arm-in-arm, toward Sydney Place.

  “Are you tiring yourself out, dearest?” teased Anna. “Should we return back to the country, and live quietly?”

  “I don’t think I could live quietly ever again,” said Lily, looking thoughtful. “And how nice everyone is! I mean, I knew I would make friends with some of the ladies, because I made friends with you and your sisters so easily, but so many of the gentlemen have been pleasant as well, don’t you think?”

  “When they weren’t making cakes of themselves over you, I suppose they were quite agreeable,” replied A
nna with a wide smile. “Do you have a favourite, perhaps?”

  Lily laughed. “How on earth would I have a favourite – I don’t know any of them! Or are you suggesting that I am the type of girl who could be swept off her feet by a handsome face?”

  “Of course not; I rather thought a well-cut coat and excellent dancing skills would also factor into your opinion.”

  “How can you think so poorly of me?” said Lily with mock despair. “I also require good conversation, an excellent haircut, and a particular affection for pugs.”

  Their conversation got increasingly silly as they walked until they were both close to crying with laughter at the image they had conjured of the perfect man.

  “Of course, being able to shoot a crossbow backwards on the stroke of midnight is a desirable rather than an essential quality,” grinned Anna, wiping tears from her eyes, “but I quite agree that the ability to crow like a peacock is an indispensable skill.”

  “Talent with a crossbow is highly underrated,” declared Lily as they entered Sydney Place. A nearby door was opened, and Mr Arthur stepped out of one of the pleasant-looking houses to greet them.

  “Mr Arthur, do you know how to make a cow walk sideways?” asked Lily, her face so straight as she delivered the question that Arthur just stared at her in blank amazement, while Anna struggled to get her laughter under control.

  “Don’t be cruel to the man, Lily – he is here to show us the house, remember?”

  “Joking with me, are you?” said Arthur, his face breaking into a wide smile. “Can’t say I know the cow trick, but I did once convince a flock of geese to run through my mother’s sitting room during a stuffy tea party, so I have no doubt that I could manage it.”

  “Lord, how old were you when you did that?” asked Lily, looking impressed.

  “A month ago, so the same age that I am now,” he replied with a grin. “Blame my sister-in-law, Katie, for that one – she laid me a pony that it couldn’t be done.”

  “Do not get any ideas,” Anna said sternly to her stepdaughter, who just laughed.

  “Shall I show you ladies inside?” said Arthur, ushering the two of them into the house as though they were yet more wayward geese. “I hope you don’t mind, but I took the liberty of arranging for some light refreshments once we have completed the tour, where we can discuss whether you think the place is right for you.”

  “I have no doubt that we will adore your cousin’s property,” said Anna.

  Arthur looked momentarily confused, but his smile quickly returned. “Yes, my cousin, Weatherly. His house. Won it in a bet, you see.”

  “How could he not want to live here?” gasped Lily as they walked through the house. “So close to everything, and right opposite the Gardens!”

  Anna silently agreed. The house had four stories as well as a basement. A parlour and dining room were located at the front of the ground floor, with a sizeable room for a study or library at the back. Anna noted that as the street being level and there being no steps to the front door, they would be able to invite the Duchess of Devenish to dine with them, even if she did not wish to use the Sedan and preferred her wheeled chair.

  The first floor, reached by a nice-sized staircase, consisted of a magnificent drawing room that covered almost the entire level of the house. Lily went into raptures about the large, sunny windows that overlooked the Gardens, and although Anna’s praise was more measured, she felt herself falling in love with the property.

  There were three, good-sized bedrooms on the second floor, while the attics had yet more rooms for the staff. Lily showed no interest in the basement kitchen or the walled garden beyond, but Anna was relieved to find it all in such an excellent condition that she had no doubts the property had been cared for.

  Arthur introduced them to the six members of staff already working at the house; a housekeeper, the cook, two maids, the butler and the footman, all of whom seemed eager to please.

  “Naturally you will want to bring in more people, but I am confident that you will be able to live in tolerable comfort,” said Arthur.

  “I don’t think we’ve ever had more than five servants if you don’t include father’s groom. Do you think Molly will leave the White Hart to be our lady’s maid?” whispered Lily, but Anna gently shushed her.

  “We can talk about it later,” she whispered back.

  “Now, shall we have some light refreshments?” said Arthur, apparently very pleased with himself.

  “I would very much like some cake, and perhaps a glass of lemonade,” confessed Lily.

  The cook, taking this as a command, curtseyed and then quickly returned to her kitchen. The housekeeper, not to be outdone, beamed at Lily as though she were her own child.

  “Let’s get you settled into the front parlour, Miss Clyde, and you’ll have your pick of delicacies in a trice.”

  Anna would have laughed at the way the servants immediately began to coddle her stepdaughter, but they were treating her in much the same way. She supposed that good work was hard to come by even at the best of times, and resolved there and then to be as good an employer as her late husband had been.

  Finally, when they were sat on comfortable chairs in the parlour with a small feast laid out on the low table before them, the servants withdrew so they could talk.

  “How much is the rent?” asked Anna, setting down her teacup. She was prepared to haggle, but the grandeur of the house left her worrying that it may be above her touch, even with her generous income.

  “Oh, I don’t know, shall we say £75? Per year?” he replied with a lazy shrug.

  Anna stared at him. “You jest, surely? You cousin could command double that, I am sure!”

  “He could?” asked Arthur, blinking. He looked about him, as though truly examining the house for the first time. “Oh. Well, he’s richer than Croecus anyway, and would most likely have no idea what he is being paid for it, anyway.”

  “That seems very callous,” said Anna, but Lily pushed her gently on the arm.

  “Lord, Anna! Stop complaining! If Mr Arthur’s cousin is so generous, it cannot hurt for us to benefit, surely? Oh please, Anna! You know we must move anyway, and you did not like a single one of the other properties we’ve seen.”

  Anna chewed on her lip for a moment, but the large, encouraging gazes of both Lily and Arthur won her over. “Very well, I accept! How soon can we move in, do you think?”

  Arthur gave another lazy shrug. “Now, if you wish it.”

  Lily squealed with delight, but Anna shook her head. “Please do stop joking, Arthur! Surely I must sign the paperwork on the lease before we do anything?”

  Arthur however, didn’t respond to her directly, instead going to the door to inform the butler that Anna and Lily would be moving into the house at their earliest convenience.

  “But payment!” said Anna, twisting her shawl through her fingers. There was something so odd about the whole situation that even her love of the property could not overcome.

  “I’ll get the lawyers on it,” said Arthur, “but I am so glad this is settled. My dears, you just have to let your new butler know your directions at the White Hart, and he will see to the rest.”

  Lily was jumping in her seat, and for a horrible moment, Anna thought her stepdaughter would fling herself at Lord Arthur.

  Thankfully, sense won out, and Lily settled for clapping her hands together.

  “You are a prince among men, Mr Arthur, and so is your cousin!” she announced.

  Arthur blushed and stammered something incoherent.

  Anna knew she should put a stop to the nonsense, and at the very least insist that the lease was in place before they moved, for his cousin’s protection as well as her own. The moment was there for the taking, but his smile was so genuine and his happiness at having been of service to them so unaffected that she could not do it.

  “Thank you,” she said. Not trusting herself to say anything else.

  “Capital!” said Arthur. “Now the boring
matters are sorted out, ladies, I have something much more important to discuss – our picnic, two days hence!”

  The conversation quickly turned to fripperies, and it was with some effort that Anna was able to convince Lily that it was high time they returned to the hotel. Arthur, as ever a gentleman, offered his escort on the way back.

  Anna remained lost in her thoughts for most of the walk, even the feel of Arthur’s arm on hers not enough to shake the feeling that something about this entire situation was very wrong. She wished desperately for her father’s counsel and briefly entertained doing something so silly as asking the General for his thoughts on the matter.

  “Are you well, Anna?”

  She looked up at Arthur, startled to realise that they were outside of the hotel and that Lily had already skipped ahead into the building, no doubt to inform the manager that he would not have to put up with her for much longer.

  ‘Yes, why would I not be?” she said.

  He didn’t answer straight away, although his eyes dropped to her mouth for a moment, almost stealing her breath in the process.

  “I am concerned that I have pressed my friendship upon you too fast,” he said at last. “As I’m sure my Aunt Seraphinia will delight in telling you, I am not the sharpest of men, but I do pride myself on being an excellent companion. I fear that I have let you down in this regard and that I have done something to give you offence. Will you tell me what it is, so I can rectify it?”

  His words were spoken with such sincerity that she immediately felt a complete wretch. How could she explain all the tiny things, all so silly and so minor, that had filled her head with suspicions that he was not being truthful with her? Indeed, how could she claim such a thing when such notable personages as Lady Seraphinia and her Grace, the Duchess of Devenish, had known him since birth?

  Perhaps it was a lifetime of snide comments and snubs about her birth, she thought. Maybe they made her suspicious of people’s attempts at friendship.

  That was hardly Mr Arthur’s fault, now was it?

  “I am sorry, Arthur, for I do not mean to be ungrateful. I am shocked at your cousin’s generosity – and yours, of course, since you are acting as agent for him – but I am used to business being conducted in a very different way.”