by Golden Angel
After Philip took his leave, Cordelia sat down and stared at the open packages in front of her. She still couldn't believe he'd spoiled her so outrageously. Of course, she didn't make the mistake of thinking this was somehow an apology for spanking her the night before. Her husband certainly didn't have any qualms about that. It was just something he'd done to make her happy.
It was at that moment Cordelia knew, with utter certainty, she was going to fall in love with her husband - if she hadn't already. How could she not, when this was the kind of man he was? Although she'd already experienced his protectiveness when he'd proposed, and his kindness and passion in the days before their wedding, this kind of thoughtfulness and caring on his part... well how could any woman resist such a thing?
Her heart was so full of feeling for him that it felt like it might actually burst out of her chest. She desperately wanted to make him as happy as he'd made her, although she didn't know how. A good start would be with whatever he wanted to show her later, she was sure. Cordelia had always accepted her lot in life and been thankful for the little things - like the security and stability she'd had in her first marriage, even if it hadn't been a love match and parts of it had been awful - but for the first time she realized that she might actually be able to be happy.
Could Philip come to love her as well? Eleanor and Irene had implied as much at the wedding. This gesture certainly seemed to bolster that conclusion.
"My lady? Would you like us to take these up to your room?" Several maids had come in to the dining room and were standing at attention, looking at her. Cordelia had been so lost in thought she hadn't even noticed.
"Yes, please," she said quickly, standing up.
She would have to do her best to make Philip fall in love with her as well, but she didn't know where to start. Perhaps something would come to her. Or she could always ask her best friend, Marjorie, who had a very happy marriage. She was sure Eleanor or Irene would be happy to give her advice as well, and she'd only had to observe both of their marriages for a few minutes to know the couples were besotted with each other.
In the meantime, she should check on Gabrielle. A small pang of guilt trickled through her as she realized that she'd neglected her stepdaughter for quite a while already this morning. Although her own spanking had been followed by caresses and comfort, and then passion, Gabrielle hadn't received that kind of reassurance. Then, to see Cordelia receive so many gifts when Gabrielle had none... well, it wasn't what the young woman was accustomed to. Cordelia knew she should harden her heart a little, because Gabrielle was going to have to adjust, but she couldn't help but feel sorry for her.
It must be so hard to go from only getting one kind of attention from her father, to move into a new household where she wasn't even receiving that, and Cordelia was instead. She must be feeling very alone.
When Cordelia knocked on Gabrielle's bedroom door, her usual anxiety when it came to dealing with her stepdaughter started to rise again. She doubted that this interview was going to be pleasant, but it was also her responsibility.
"Who is it?" Gabrielle's voice, angry and demanding, was very clear even through the thick door.
Cordelia opened the door and stepped through. "It's me."
"I didn't say you could come in." Flopped face down on the bed, Gabrielle didn't even look up as Cordelia came towards her. Her face was mostly buried in a pillow that she had bunched in between her arms. "Get out."
"Now, Gabrielle-"
"Get out! I hate you!" Gabrielle finally looked up at Cordelia, her eyes red and swollen from crying and her face streaked with tears. "Why are you even in here? You've gotten everything you want! A husband who gives you presents and beats me!"
"Gabrielle! He didn't beat you," Cordelia said, astonished. "I would never let him do such a thing."
"You sat there and watched while he spanked me!"
"You earned that spanking," Cordelia said, trying to be firm, although even to her own ears it didn't sound very convincing. "And Philip is letting you keep everything you bought, which is very generous of him."
"Oh, just get out. I knew you would side with him. I know how much you hate me. You probably enjoyed watching him humiliate me." Gabrielle burst into noisy sobs again and buried her face back in her pillow, rolling away from Cordelia.
Automatically putting her hand out, Cordelia let it drop, watching her stepdaughter with mounting distress. She wanted to gather Gabrielle up in her arms, but she didn't think the young woman would tolerate it. In the past, she'd never had to deal with an outburst like this from Gabrielle, because Gabrielle had always been favored over Cordelia. Now that it seemed the tables had turned, she didn't know what to say or do to soothe Gabrielle.
She didn't think her stepdaughter was crying crocodile tears either. This was ugly, almost hysterical sobbing on Gabrielle's part.
Sitting gingerly on the edge of the bed, Cordelia placed in her hands in her lap to keep from reaching out and touching her stepdaughter.
"I don't hate you, Gabrielle," she said softly. Although Gabrielle didn't respond, something about the way she held herself made Cordelia think she was listening. "I never have. I only want what is best for you. I don't want to see you spanked again, and I didn't want to see it yesterday, but if you earn another spanking, I will be there for it. Not because I enjoy watching it, but so that you aren't alone. Things are going to be different now, but different doesn't have to mean bad."
"Different." Gabrielle snorted, her voice bitter. "Good for you and horrid for me. Just get out, Cordelia. Go away and leave me alone."
She hesitated and then stood. Even though Gabrielle's back was to her, it seemed that her sobbing had ceased. At this point, perhaps it would be better to give Gabrielle back some control in her life, even if it only extended to ordering Cordelia out of her bedroom.
Stopping at the door, she turned back to the lonely little figure curled up on the bed.
"We'll be going for a ride this afternoon in Hyde Park. Philip wishes to take us out in his landau."
"Lovely," Gabrielle said flatly. "Now leave. Please." The last was tacked on as an afterthought, a plea, a sign of how desperately Gabrielle wanted to be alone.
Sighing, troubled, Cordelia left the room and shut the door gently behind her. She had no idea what to do about Gabrielle, other than leave her alone for a bit, and Philip was busy... perhaps she would go pay a morning call to Marjorie. It would give her the opportunity to ask her friend what she'd done to make Irving love her.
******
That afternoon, in the landau, it was impossible to miss the undercurrents of tension. Philip sighed inwardly, keeping a blank expression on his face. Sitting across from him and Cordelia, Gabrielle was looking anywhere but at the two of them, a sullen look on her face. He'd noted her jealous reaction this morning, to the gifts he'd given Cordelia. It never ceased to astound him how incredibly selfish she could be. Although, if she hadn't overspent on her own shopping, Cordelia would have already purchased all of the gifts. It didn't seem to occur to Gabrielle that she'd brought in on herself.
Spoiled, selfish, little chit.
Of course, other than pouting and holding herself apart from the conversation, she wasn't doing anything that he could truly call her on. She did perk up a bit when they arrived at the park and he started pointing out the various members of the nobility. The park was quite crowded with carriages, riders and walkers. The grande dames of the ton were lined up in their landaus off to the side, observing everything and gossiping to each other, while the younger sets moved about more freely.
There was a bit of a mob scene when Philip and his carriage were spotted. So few people had met his new Marchioness that curiosity was running rampant. It was almost continuous introductions as the various members of the ton came to meet Cordelia and Gabrielle. Cordelia handled herself admirably, as he'd known she would, despite her nervousness. He doubted anyone else would even realize that she was a bit anxious; her smile was genuine, and her eyes
sparkled as she exchanged pleasantries with everyone she met.
To her credit, Gabrielle acquitted herself well also. Although, he kept a weather eye out as several young men drew her into conversation over the side of the carriage. They'd had to stop their forward movement, because of the crowd, which gave the gentleman ample opportunity to exchange nearly private words with Gabrielle. She’d blushed prettily at their attentions, seeming quite demure and modest, not even attempting to use the flirtatious wiles she’d shown towards Philip before he’d married Cordelia. Which was a relief, as she probably would have frightened them away. Instead they seemed intrigued by her blushes and her quiet, attempting to draw her out with their conversation.
Several of them were not men Philip would allow her to marry; fortune hunters, gamblers and rakes. He now knew gossip about the dowry he was providing for Gabrielle had certainly done the rounds; Lord Eckeridge was in dun territory, which was the only explanation for why he would be approaching a young lady. Ladies of any age held no interest for him and he spent a great deal of time at the molly houses, but Philip had heard recently he was now looking for a rich wife to settle his debts. Definitely not the kind of man he would accept for Gabrielle. Unfortunately, he was handsome and fashionable enough that Gabrielle obviously didn't realize there was anything amiss.
Philip kept one eye on her and the other on Cordelia, as he did his best to help his wife navigate her new acquaintances.
After a bit, the crowd thinned, and he signaled his driver to start them moving again.
******
Hyde Park was both glorious and overwhelming. Cordelia was stunned by the amount of people roaming across the pathways and greenery, all decked out in their finery. It was certainly the place to see and be seen! And it seemed as though quite a few people wanted to see her.
Some of the older women with young daughters weren't entirely friendly, but no one was uncivil. It was quite daunting, actually, to realize how many women felt snubbed by Philip's choice in bride. He'd had his pick of a veritable bevy of young, virginal beauties, with impeccable breeding and large dowries, for a bride, and yet he'd chosen her. Impoverished, widowed, and not nearly as fashionable, although her current dress was much better than what she'd worn as a Baroness. She mentally thanked him for the wedding trousseau he'd provided; without that, she'd look like a poor country relation.
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Gabrielle was smiling, as young men were introduced to her and seemed quite interested in speaking with her. Cordelia hoped the attention would bolster Gabrielle in a way Cordelia hadn't been able to earlier that morning. She certainly looked more like her old self - the best of her old self - smiling and blushing under the attention. It was obvious she wasn't very discerning, however, as Cordelia could easily see that several of the men vying for her attention were also eyeing some of the other young beauties in the park, yet Gabrielle seemed not to notice. She was too flattered by the attentions that were being paid to her.
Philip seemed to be keeping an eye on Gabrielle, however, and so when Hugh and Irene came up to the landau on horseback, accompanied by two others Cordelia hadn't met before, Cordelia felt free to turn her complete attention to them. In fact, it was a relief to know she could rely on Philip to watch Gabrielle; it gave her a freedom she hadn't had since becoming the girl's stepmother.
"Cordelia! You look lovely," Irene said, bringing her horse up to the side of the carriage. "Obviously marriage agrees with you."
"Marriage to Philip certainly does," Cordelia replied with a little laugh. Beside her, she felt her husband reach for her hand and give her fingers a little squeeze. She blushed, but it made her smile even more broadly as well. When she'd visited Marjorie earlier in the day, the Countess' words of advice had been succinct - let Philip know how much she appreciated him, take an interest in his interests, be open-minded when it came to the marriage bed, and, most of all, be herself. So she didn't mind Philip overhearing what she said, but it wasn't entirely natural for her to be so forthcoming with her emotions, which made her blush.
Hugh grinned at her from his horse, obviously approving of her sentiment. Beside him, a very large, almost piratical looking man was studying her, while simultaneously keeping an eye on the impish young woman next to him. She was dressed in a fashionable, garnet riding habit that set off her dark hair and eyes wonderfully, making Cordelia feel a touch envious. Perhaps she should try wearing garnet sometime. "Lady Dunbury, may I present my good friend, the Earl of Spencer, and his wife."
"Call me Cynthia, please," the young woman said, with an exasperated look at Hugh, before she smiled brightly at Cordelia. "I'm sure we're going to be good friends. Irene and Eleanor have told me that you're not at all stuffy."
Practically choking on a laugh, Cordelia tried to tamp down on her mirth as the Earl of Spencer turned an irate and long-suffering look on his young wife.
"Cynthia," he said, warningly.
From the conversation Cordelia had had with Eleanor and Irene on her wedding day, she remembered them saying Cynthia actually tried to get into trouble. It didn't seem as though she had to try very hard. She was obviously naturally exuberant and didn't seem all that bothered by the conventions of Society. Cordelia liked her immediately, even though she could tell they were opposites in many ways.
Rolling her eyes, Cynthia smiled winningly at Cordelia, ignoring her husband completely.
"I'm very glad to meet you," Cordelia said, looking from Cynthia to the Earl. "Irene and Eleanor have told me how glad they are of your friendship."
Any chance she'd had of distracting the Earl from his wife's antics were completely ruined when Cynthia shot her husband a smug look upon Cordelia's words. He scowled back at her, looking quite threatening, and growled something under his breath. Cordelia almost thought he called his wife an "annoying piece of baggage" but surely that couldn't be right... Irene and Eleanor had told her they were a love match, so he couldn't have said something so insulting to her.
Especially since Cynthia didn't seem insulted at all, the smug expression still on her beautiful face.
Drawn by the group, Gabrielle scooted over her on seat, and Cordelia introduced her stepdaughter to the Earl and Countess of Spencer. It didn't surprise her when Gabrielle frankly looked Spencer over. He was very handsome, after all, in a dangerous manner; just the sort to appeal to young women. Not that he seemed to notice; he and Hugh struck up a conversation with Philip, who now had his arm about Cordelia's shoulders and was leaning back to talk with them.
Surprisingly, Cynthia did notice and didn't seem to mind at all. Although, Cordelia supposed she must be used to the attention paid to her husband. She probably garnered quite a bit of attention from other men as well, Cordelia mused, as Cynthia began chatting with Gabrielle. Irene was watching Gabrielle warily, but Cynthia was just as open and friendly with her as she had been with Cordelia - and Gabrielle was responding warmly. It occurred to Cordelia that perhaps Cynthia and her husband were so secure in their regard for each other that it didn't matter to them what anyone else did.
That kind of emotional stability was quite enviable. Cordelia knew if she saw Philip looking over another woman, she'd be quite distressed. She had no way of knowing how deep his emotions went for her and she was already frightened of losing his attention.
"I received your invitation for Gabrielle's coming out ball," Irene said to Cordelia, obviously noting she wasn't involved in any of the conversations happening around them. "Hugh and I will be there, of course."
"Thank you," Cordelia said, smiling. "It will be good to see a friendly face among the crowd." Fortunately, there had been very little for her to plan; it actually hadn't been her that had sent the invitations, it had been Eleanor on her behalf. As Philip's closest relative in London, he'd asked her to make the arrangements so Cordelia wouldn't have to spend her first few days as his Marchioness penning invitations for Gabrielle's come-out. Cordelia had been relieved and grateful for the assistance.
; After a few more minutes of chatting with Irene about the plans for the ball, the Earl of Spencer noticed his wife and Gabrielle had attracted a group of young men who were flirting outrageously with both of them. Gabrielle was bright pink and the Countess seemed to be urging them on. With a scowling look on his face, he chased the men away before practically dragging his wife away - as much as one could drag someone on horseback. Cynthia looked over her shoulder and gave Cordelia a cheery wave goodbye, obviously immune to her husband's mood. Obviously, Cordelia had been incorrect - while Cynthia wasn't bothered by Gabrielle's attention to her husband, the Earl was certainly bothered by other men's attentions to his wife. Perhaps her own jealousy at even the thought of other women flirting with Philip wasn't so outrageous.
Chuckling, Hugh and Irene said their own goodbyes and departed after their friends, at which point Philip decided it was time for them to return home as well. Although Gabrielle protested, it only took one look from Philip to quiet her. For herself, Cordelia was glad to be returning to their house; the crowds at Hyde Park had been overwhelming. Not to mention that, after her talk with Marjorie that morning, she was eager to spend more time alone with Philip. Especially since he'd promised to show her a way to express her appreciation for all the gifts he'd given her - she absolutely wanted to know what he felt was the best way to show her gratitude.
Chapter 8
All in all, Philip considered the afternoon's outing a success. Gabrielle had behaved herself, Cordelia had been introduced and shown off to the ton at large - he didn't consider the teas and at-homes she'd been attending to be a true measure of Society as they were much smaller gatherings which she'd been expressly invited to - and he'd been able to catch up with Hugh and Spencer. He hadn't met Spencer's wife before today, and he'd been a bit surprised at how young she was, but he had to say she certainly seemed to suit the man. And he was quite possessive of her.