Baroness Talbot, though she could be a difficult woman, was not an unreasonable one.
“We perhaps both said things we now regret. Let us put it behind us and make the best we can of the situation. I look to you to entertain Lydia during my infirmity and trust you will see to it that she is suitably safeguarded,” she added in a more robust manner. Well, thought Phoebe, she offers me a straw and it is comforting to know at the same time that she has not lost her spirit.
The day being marginally cooler, the picnic went ahead to the enjoyment of all who attended. Thomas Wainwright escorted his sisters, Mary and Elizabeth, having returned only the previous day from visiting friends in Brighton. Phoebe was surprised to see Max, and Sir Edward, persuaded by his daughter to attend, was delighted to have his friend to bear him company. She was mindful that suitable chaperonage should be provided. One glance at Duncan convinced her that he had encouraged Max to attend for the same reason and when she quizzed him about it later he admitted it to be the case, “for I had not thought you would be able to bring Sir Edward up to scratch.”
“I agree he is as impatient of convention as I am, but he knows his duty. In any case,” she said with a smile that reached her eyes and his heart, “he knew his sister-in-law was not here and was thus perfectly ready to join the party.”
Cooler it may have been but to have exposed oneself to full sun would have been foolhardy. Phoebe had planned the picnic well, choosing to go the short distance to the lake rather than subject Lydia to a carriage ride that might make her feel unwell. A clump of willow trees threw shade upon the grass and blankets were laid beneath them. Chairs and a table had been carried from the house as well as two large picnic baskets. A third was added by the gentlemen from Cranford and various additions had been brought from the Squire’s home, “for Mama insisted, you being kind enough to invite us, that we made some contribution,” Elizabeth had said.
Thomas, his holiday in Brighton still fresh in his mind, chose to put off his coat and boots and dangle his feet in the water. Attempting to stand, he discovered very quickly that the ground sloped away at a sharp angle and he found himself out of his depth and overbalanced. He spluttered to the surface full of merriment, declared it to be a great lark and submerged himself once more. Naturally, Rupert and Duncan thought it tremendous sport and followed him in, Rupert forgetting his aversion to cold water. The young ladies retreated from the water’s edge, none wishing to be splashed, but when Thomas emerged he embraced each of his sisters causing Mary to exclaim that he was the greatest beast in nature. It was all in good fun and, with an appetite that only the young seem to have, the various meats, cheeses, pies and other delicacies were consumed with an eagerness which, had the kitchen staff of the various establishments been able to see, would have given them much pleasure.
Rupert, hoping for an opportunity to become better acquainted with Lydia, was not gratified that she gave as much attention to Thomas as to himself. It didn’t occur to him that there was no way she would show preference for one man over another even if she felt it which, truth to tell, she did. He would have been thankful to learn that from their first meeting she had felt drawn to him. Thomas Wainwright, though likeable enough, was just a boy. Rupert, older and more sophisticated in her eyes at least, seemed the epitome of the hero in one of the books from the lending library that she was so fond of reading.
“Fine chaperons Edward and Max have turned out to be,” Duncan whispered to Phoebe, pointing to where both men were dozing gently.
“I’m certain their presence is not really required. Even my aunt would surely see that with this number of people assembled no harm could come to my cousin.”
“One would hope so at least. I’m not sure who has had the best time, the two of them, the young ladies, Thomas who entertained us all so well with his antics in the water, or Rupert who followed him in.”
“An action which you did not hesitate to emulate.”
“It was too good an opportunity to miss.”
“At least you all had the foresight to remove your coats and boots. Are your clothes yet dry?” It was not for her to add that the sight of him, his wet shirt clinging to his muscled frame, had evoked in her feelings she preferred not to acknowledge.
“Thank you, yes. And, now that I have been able to spend some moments with you in private conversation I can answer my own question.”
“Which question was that?”
“The one as to who has had the best time. Undoubtedly it is I.”
Phoebe, who had bent to brush some grass from the hem of her gown, looked up quickly into his eyes. They were steady and serious. She said nothing, for what could she say.
Chapter Seven
Mrs Wiggins laid aside the book from which she had been reading aloud to Baroness Talbot.
“Like the girl within these pages, your daughter is a credit to her mama. A very prettily behaved young lady she is. You’ve done a good job there, Miss Sophy.”
Her defences down, her trusted confidante at hand, Sophia opened her heart.
“It has been hard, Wiggins. Unlike my sister I did not marry for love. Only you knew how entirely my heart was given to another. Deemed by my parents to be unsuitable, it was my duty as the elder daughter to form an alliance that met with Papa’s approval. I struggled to keep up appearances for many years but in truth I have never been as happy as since Talbot passed away.” These last words were spoken with an almost apologetic smile. “I thank heaven that Clarissa has married the man of her own choosing and my ambition for Lydia is that she will do the same, but how can I be sure she will make the right choice?”
“Tell me why you are looking so worried? Is there someone? A person of whom you disapprove?”
Sophia went on to explain. Two very flattering offers had been forthcoming but when she had approached her daughter it was found that her feelings were not engaged.
“Then both suitors shall be rejected, I told her, but I could see she had thought I might coerce her into marriage with one or other. It may not appear so, Wiggins, but we are very close and I am happy to say that Lydia confides in me. To the outside world I know I appear to be a very managing person but I believe this to be the product of my circumstances.”
Mrs Wiggins turned away to pour some water for her patient but in truth it was so she would not see the tears that had sprung to her eyes. The happy young girl had grown to be a lonely woman who had erected a protective wall about herself.
“Lydia is still very young, Miss. Are you a’feared her fancy will light upon someone you think unsuitable? Even I have noticed Mr Brendon is quite particular in his attentions.”
“Is anyone ever worthy of one’s daughter? No, I do not worry on that account. He is a personable young man but is he the right man for Lydia? I would see her comfortably established.”
“By that do I take you to mean financially well-established?” Mrs Wiggins asked. Sophia acknowledged the question with a guilty nod. Her nurse pointed out that Lydia’s idea of comfort might not ride with her own. The Brendon’s were a traditional family, fixed in Somerset for generations, even though their name did not carry a title. “Do not make the mistake your parents made. It is possible, for she is an obliging girl, that Lydia might marry to accommodate you for I am sure you have not told her of your own circumstances.”
Sophia’s expression was arrested. Mrs Wiggins was satisfied and left her patient to mull over what had been said.
The picnic party split up in due course but they resolved to do it again soon. Phoebe and Lydia went straight to the drawing room but as Sophia was fast asleep they retired instead to their own bedrooms. Lydia sat on the bed with every intention of passing the next hour absorbed within the pages of a book. As she read, the hero, of whom she had not previously formed a clear vision, appeared to her in the guise of Rupert Brendon. The words swam before her as she relived every moment spent with him that day. Did he like her? Had he given her any greater attention than Mary and Elizabeth? She could no
t tell for Rupert, like herself, had been raised to observe certain niceties. Had he a preference he would not, in public at least, have allowed it to show. And there is no chance I shall see him in private, Lydia thought, blushing at the very idea.
Phoebe’s impatience did not allow her to stay long in her chamber. Full of guilt (for she considered this to be Duncan’s adventure also) she entered the room containing the family silver. Her excitement mounted, certain she would soon hold in her hands the solution to Simon’s riddle. She had assured Duncan she knew of the location of the goblet. Not that she had ever seen it but because, aside from the ugly epergne which graced the table in the main dining room and other pieces placed for ornamentation, the rest of the collection was to be found in this place. Phoebe began a systematic search at one end of the room. It was exhaustive but some long while later she had to admit defeat. I cannot have missed it, she thought, not wishing to repeat the whole process. I shall have to wait for Mr Armstrong’s help after all though I have been meticulous and do not now believe the goblet is here.
It was a quieter than usual Phoebe who sat down to dine with Sir Edward. Lydia was taking her meal with her mother in the drawing room and it was the first time for days that father and daughter had been alone.
“You are looking disturbed, Phoebe. Do you have something on your mind?”
“Not at all,” she replied, not wanting to burden him. Not knowing either if he had been aware of her mother’s fruitless search. She didn’t wish to rake it up for even at this distance her father was sensitive to his loss. “I was reflecting upon today’s activities. It went well, don’t you think?”
“Splendidly. Max and I were able to indulge ourselves in just the way we like. We have arranged to go fishing tomorrow, that is if you haven’t organised some other treat you wish me to participate in,” he said, looking at her with a jaundiced eye.
“You are free to go to the trout stream for nothing is to happen until the evening. You will recall that we were invited to the Fairweather’s. I sent my apologies, naturally, explaining about my aunt’s indisposition, but they begged we still attend, and my cousin with us. I asked Aunt Sophia myself but she insisted we go and is happy to have Mrs Wiggins sit with her for the evening. I believe she is finding it a comfort to have responsibility removed for a while. She worked hard during the approach to Clarissa’s wedding.”
“Are you finding it a burden, entertaining your cousin?”
“Not at all. She is a delightful girl. Tomorrow I plan to take her to Bath for it is no great distance if we take the Wolverton Road. We were discussing the London shops and I informed her of the several superior establishments to be found in Milsom Street.”
Sir Edward wondered that they would undertake such an expedition for he knew of Lydia’s dislike of travelling.
“This cannot compare with the journey from Eaton Square. It was Lydia’s own suggestion that we go.”
“In that case I shall enjoy my fishing without the feeling that I have not given you adequate support.”
“And perhaps, if you are returned before us, you might spend a while with my aunt,” she teased. Both laughed and for the time being at least Phoebe was able to put the riddle of the goblet aside.
Phoebe and Duncan, enjoying their habitual ride the next morning, stopped in the clearing as usual. The weather was cooling so as to be almost pleasant out in the open and Duncan confided that he was looking forward to going fishing with Max and Edward, he and Rupert having been invited to join them. Phoebe told him of her intention to journey to Bath with her cousin, “but we shall be back in time to see you at the Fairweather’s.”
“Yes, it seems we shall have to put off our search for another day.”
Phoebe didn’t pretend to misunderstand him and confessed to having been a little beforehand, “but to no avail for it is not there.”
“I have not yet been in the room but if it is anything to compare with others in your home it must have been like searching for a needle in a haystack.”
She laughed and admitted it to be somewhat cavernous. “But I feel sure I should have found it, had it been there. I have racked my brain to no avail trying to think where else it might be.”
“And it is not the sort of establishment one could search from top to bottom. We could be old and grey and still not have discovered its whereabouts,” he said, smiling ruefully.
“To be truthful, I doubt if I have even seen the whole myself. I cannot understand what possesses people to build homes they are never going to be able to fill.”
“To outdo the neighbours of course,” he said with a laugh.
It was decided they should search the silver room together at the next opportunity. Parting at the exit to the wood, Duncan went back to Cranford and Phoebe went to change into attire more suitable for a day’s shopping than one in the saddle.
Lydia was in fine spirits and professed when they reached Bath that she felt as fresh as a daisy. As they had been sitting all the while, Phoebe suggested they might first take a walk in Sydney Gardens and perhaps venture into the Labyrinth, so much had they enjoyed themselves in the home maze.
“Well if you are not famished after that I certainly am,” Phoebe said as they retraced their steps along Great Pulteney Street. “Shopping must wait until we have refreshed ourselves, don’t you think?”
“Yes, for I am excessively thirsty. Should we partake of the waters? I have heard they are very beneficial.”
“And very distasteful, I assure you. We shall instead visit Sally Lunn’s Tearoom. I trust you are enjoying your visit to Glendale. Such a pity your mama is so incapacitated for you must be tied in the country perhaps for longer than you would wish.”
Lydia assured her cousin it was no such thing and that truth to tell she envied Phoebe her rural existence.
“Well I have to say it would not be my choice to reside in a large city, but you have lived in London all your life! There must be all manner of things there to entertain you.”
It was acknowledged to be so but the oppression in the summer and the mad round of events at other times Lydia confessed she found absolutely exhausting. She had not enjoyed her coming out Season and though the theatre was exciting one did not go every day after all. In company her natural reserve was taken for shyness, “and I fear I must appear somewhat insipid to those with whom I am not acquainted.”
“Never say so!” Phoebe exclaimed, though she had at first acquaintance also imagined her cousin to be painfully shy. “Does your mama know of your sentiments?”
“No, for though we are close I would not burden her for I can see no way my situation will alter.”
“Upon your marriage perhaps?”
Lydia seemed for a moment to be covered in confusion. “You will not know that I refused two very eligible offers. But I could not bring myself to accept either for my feelings were not engaged. Mama exerted no pressure upon me and yet I am aware she must be disappointed. And now the thought of returning to London fills me with dread for I know I shall be expected to participate in all those things I find most distasteful.”
Phoebe folded her hands and regarded her cousin thoughtfully. She had observed Lydia and Rupert. There was no doubt in her own mind that they were strongly drawn to one another. If Lydia did indeed desire a life in the country nothing could be better. What though of her mother? No wonder the young girl was feeling despondent. For the moment nothing could be done so Phoebe had recourse to something that over the ages had given cause to uplift the spirits.
“Come, it is time to go shopping.”
Chapter Eight
Fifteen sat down to dine that evening. Fortune was not on Lydia’s side. Thoughtful hostess that she was, Harriet Fairweather was aware that to place Thomas Wainwright next to either of his sisters would not be welcome. Max was seated next to the Vicar’s wife, a lively and talkative lady whose company would always be enjoyed. Phoebe sat by Squire Wainwright, “and I must apologise for I know he is profoundly deaf but you are
one of the few people I can rely upon to ensure he does not feel isolated,” their hostess confided at the first opportunity. Thus, Lydia and Phoebe had of necessity to ignore Rupert and Duncan who were across the table from them, Mary, Elizabeth, Edward, the Squire’s wife and the Vicar making up the rest. Lydia was well-entertained by Thomas and Phoebe was adept at diverting the Squire, but both girls were glad when the meal came to an end and the ladies adjourned to the drawing room to be joined by the gentlemen after they had drunk their port.
Duncan, no slave to circumspection, made straight for Phoebe’s side, taking the chair next to hers.
“I trust you enjoyed the fishing. Were you successful?”
“Yes, and threw some back for we cannot consume them all.”
“Perhaps I mistake the matter but could it be that you bring the scent of fish with you,” she said smiling, for she knew he would appreciate her teasing him.
“No such thing for I went from stream to lake and had a good swim, removing I am sure, any residual odour.”
Dismissing the vision this conjured up she was for once grateful when asked to perform on the pianoforte. No relief was to be had there, however. Duncan followed her to the instrument to turn the pages for her and was the first to congratulate her on the fine singing voice that had accompanied her playing.
“Is there no end to your talents?”
“You make too much of it, sir,” she replied crisply, for her aptitude though adequate was not above the ordinary.
“No, you are supposed to say thank you while at the same time bowing your head modestly.”
She laughed aloud and he with her, causing the rest to ask what was the joke. Duncan handled it well enough but there could be no doubt now in her mind that he was wooing her. She spent the rest of the evening trying to ignore him but succeeded only in smiling at the most inappropriate moments when he caught her eye, well aware of her discomfiture and, drat the man, enjoying it.
The Ghost of Glendale Page 5