"Very well, my lord. I shall teach him cricket of course, and how to fish. You are not an uncle, sir?"
"I have neither brother nor sister, so I shall never be an uncle." The sadness was back in his voice. He recognized it with vexation.
"Perhaps when you marry," Harriet said, with a sharp look at her sister.
"Perhaps," he said, not daring to look at Dinah. "And where is Humberstone all this time? Has he been struggling with the effects of fever as well at his manufactory?"
Dinah coloured, but before she could speak, Geoffrey did. "He'll not come near us when there is illness, my lord. Dinah says he is not afraid but..."
"He is not," she said. "'Tis only that his mother is so delicate. He fears not for himself but to carry contagion to her."
"I think she is of that delicacy that enables her to outlive her generation," John said with uncharacteristic cynicism. He changed the subject. "At least the Luddites have been slowed by this fever. Can we suppose them vanquished?"
"Joseph says not," Sebastian said. "I was speaking with him earlier of the matter. He informs me that we cannot expect it. 'Their problems with progress have not gone away, nor have ours with the aristocracy' were his words. He was reading Shelley's poetry. Illness has not lessened his revolutionary zeal."
"I think nothing ever shall," John said. "But this is a celebration of returning health. We shall drink a toast to his recovery despite his politics."
The dining room rang with laughter and the toast was duly drunk. Then Sebastian said, "Miss Driffield, will you attend at the assembly next week?"
He could see that she did not wish to answer, that she did not like him to know her plans.
Finally, she said, "I will, if the fever subsides as it seems to be inclined. I am invited to dine with the Heslers and attend the assembly in their company. I should be glad of a cose with Juliana."
"I should also welcome a chat with Miss Hesler," John inserted with wry humour.
"It will seem odd to enjoy leisure and entertainment again but I shall be at the assembly," Sebastian said. "Miss Driffield, will you save a dance for me?" He thought he would give the earth to hold her in his arms again.
"Yes," she said.
They forgot their company in their exchange of glances. Mr. Driffield brought them to an awareness of the family's presence with a loud 'harumph'.
"That assembly may be enough celebration for some of you. But these youngsters deserve a treat as well." The two boys and Harriet transferred their gaze from the self-conscious couple to their father. "What shall it be?" he said, and the conversation turned upon suggestions for an outing.
* * * *
Life did return to something approaching normality over the next week. Holly's daily visits to Park Square, and his dinners with the Driffields' ended. Dinah did not think anyone of her family had suggested they should. Her trips in his company to aid the workers were of course no longer required. Their contact concluded suddenly, and Dinah missed him more than she would ever admit.
She thought with increasing sympathy of his explanation of the breach of promise suit. He had shown such sensitivity to the illness and needs of the lower classes that she could not imagine him entertaining a callous disregard for a young lady's feelings. She shamefacedly admitted to herself that she had done him a disservice. But she was at a loss to know how to redress her injustice. She supposed a simple apology would suffice but the opportunity to tender it did not seem to present itself.
So she returned to her regular schedule of dame school, evening school and Sunday school, and managed her father's house to the high standard set by her mother. The news from Oldham all was good, and Mrs. Driffield would return home within a sen'night. Dinah frequently longed for her calm counsel, and Adelaide's undemanding company.
In the meantime, she sewed until her fingers were sore, in an effort to put Sebastian from her mind. Her attempts were fruitless and further negated by her siblings' frequent mention of Holly. He saw them all with regularity and their discussion of his business indicated it was drawing to a close. It began to seem to Dinah that he was avoiding her but she could ask no one if it was so.
Dinah gladly attended dinner at the Heslers' home on the evening of the assembly. The weather was blustery, but the Heslers' home was warm and gracious, the conversation light-hearted. After the well-presented and delicious meal, she retired with Juliana to repair their toilettes for the party. As she retied the jonquil bows of her lutestring gown, Dinah wondered if Sebastian would remember his request for a dance in her company. She sighed as she poked at her russet ringlets. She had hoped she might put aside her confused reflections for this evening but it was impossible.
Juliana's talk was all of Matherton, who had apparently been of great assistance to her at the schoolroom. It seemed that while Dinah had worked with Holly, Juliana had spent her time at the supply centre flirting with the London beau. And while Dinah's life had been returning to normality, Juliana's had been anything but tranquil. She had apparently been constantly in Matherton's company for the past three days.
Dinah tried to counsel her friend against intimacy with Matherton, but Juliana was full of the joys of the beau's company. Dinah's heart was wrung with sympathy for John, who had endeavoured to be understanding of his sweetheart's betrayal but was sorely hurt. Juliana seemed blind to the distress she caused.
Dinah understood more of her friend's indifference to John as the Hesler party was driven to the Cloth Hall. Mrs. Hesler was brought to the subject of Mr. Matherton and made much of his condescension, his rank and his attentions. Juliana had been encouraged to her uncharacteristic thoughtlessness by her mother's ambition.
As they mounted the crowded stairs to the assembly room, Dinah tried again to determine her friend's feelings. "Mr. Matherton may be all that you say, but what of John?" she said.
"What of him?" Juliana was busily occupied in greeting acquaintances, and made no attempt to meet Dinah's level gaze. "He is never so gay as Mr. Matherton, but burdened with work and duty. It is not as though we are betrothed. There was nothing formalized between us."
Dinah could recognize Mrs. Hesler's assurances in that remark.
"Mama begins to talk of a Season in London and Mr. Matherton says I shall be considered a diamond of the first water there."
"Oh, Juliana..."
But her friend was not attending her words. She was staring about the room, apparently seeking out Matherton. She found him and Holly after only a moment. "Come Dinah, let us join the gentlemen."
Dinah remonstrated with her friend. She tried to turn Juliana's course, and looked about, with little hope of reprieve, for Mrs. Hesler. She could not spy that lady, and so she attempted to remind her friend that one did not 'join the gentlemen' but waited for them to seek out the ladies. Juliana would not be deterred.
Dinah trailed her across the room to where Sebastian and Matherton stood in close conversation before an ornate fireplace replete with a warming blaze. They were unaware of the ladies' approach.
Juliana was about to speak a gay greeting when Matherton's unmistakable drawl halted her words. Dinah, spying John nearby, beckoned to him urgently. He came to her side with an inquiring look, but was obedient to her hushing gesture.
"So the merchant class is enlarged with another Driffield pup, eh?" Matherton spoke too loudly.
"Keep your voice down, for pity's sake," Sebastian urged. His next words were lost in the music heralding the new set.
John and Dinah were frozen with outrage at the disdain in Matherton's tone.
Miss Hesler was again on the point of speaking, but Matherton continued, "Did our fine Dr. Hesler assist with the delivery then? Gad, how can these people be so happy with their dreary, middle class lives--trade, medicine, manufacturing? 'S been an illuminating holiday, but I think I'll toddle back to London soon."
Juliana's blue eyes filled with tears of humiliation. Dinah stifled a surge of wrath with her concern for her friend.
The gentle
men turned at that moment. At the sight of Dinah, John and Juliana so near, Sebastian's face filled with mortification and anger at his friend. "Why don't you leave tomorrow, Matherton? I think you have just done enough."
There was not even embarrassment in Matherton's smooth face. "I thought you shared my views," he said in vague protest.
"Never," Sebastian stated.
John Driffield offered his arm to Miss Hesler, who took it, even as the tears blinded her wide eyes. They walked away from Holly and Matherton without a word.
Bernard Humberstone blundered up to Dinah, unaware of the undercurrents swirling in the vicinity. He said, "Miss Driffield, say you are not partnered for this dance! You will do me the honour?"
She took his proffered arm in silent acquiescence, and allowed herself to be born away with no more than flaming look of reproach at Matherton. She did not look at Sebastian at all.
"Cut are we?" Matherton's voice could easily be heard by those who had just departed his milieu. "They're in a swivet over nothing. How could they imagine I was looking to fix my interest with a surgeon's daughter?" He continued, "I'm for London. Why don't you come with me Holly? You've spent enough time here."
Dinah could hear Sebastian's final quiet words as she entered the set, even as her gaze followed her brother and the unhappy Juliana.
"You are an unconscionable ass, Burleigh; I think I have not known you before. No, I won't depart to London just now, but do feel free to go yourself. I really think I cannot bear to have you about anymore. And if Miss Hesler suffers one whit by your actions, I'll have your liver and lights--if John Driffield does not beat me to it."
Bravo! Dinah thought.
* * *
CHAPTER SEVEN
Mrs. Driffield had returned from Huddersfield and Joseph was recovered by the time Sebastian called again at Park Square. He had been to the manufactory several times in the days following the disastrous assembly and had held conversation with Mr. Driffield. He spoken with John, and Joseph, but he judged it prudent to allow some little time to pass before he presented himself to Dinah once more. Now, however, he intended to pay a call upon her.
Sebastian thought he and Dinah had come to a closer understanding and a harmony during the days they had spent ministering to the workers and their children. Delighted at the idea, he hoped and believed that Dinah's reservations about him had relaxed. Certainly she had interacted ordinarily with him toward the end of that difficult period. After the crisis subsided he had allowed her time for reflection. When finally he had intended to press his suit, he was forestalled by Matherton's stupid and hurtful comments at the assembly. He had watched his future collapse in those few moments.
Nevertheless he approached this formal call in an optimistic spirit. He held a hope that Dinah would have recovered her equanimity and would hear him out. And it would be a pleasure to him to see Mrs. Driffield again, and hear the homely, family news. He allowed Skelmer to dress him with every attention to detail and set forth on foot to Park Square. The weather had settled to a grey obscurity now that October was entrenched, and it threatened rain as he strode out with eagerness.
The entire family was gathered in the drawing room when he was shown in, but for Mr. Driffield and his eldest son. Lamps had been lit against the dullness of the day, and a bright fire flared in the grate. The floral carpet echoed the summer just past, and the several fine pictures hung upon the golden striped wallpaper offered sunshiny views that mocked the grey autumn without.
Sebastian was announced quietly by Bubwith and, as had been his constant custom, he did not interfere with the flow of the spirited discussion underway. He was granted some abstracted greetings, but he was apparently still regarded with familiarity, for the debate did not weaken.
Harriet as usual was newspaper in hand. "They say that Jamieson must see reason or his factory will be fired."
Adelaide was on the verge of tears. "Thomas cannot make his papa listen. He will not understand that the workers cannot buy bread. He does not equate high corn prices with hardship; he only knows what he will pay to obtain the margin he requires."
Sebastian bowed over Mrs. Driffield's hand, and then attempted to draw a smile from Dinah. His senses leapt at the sight of her beauty; she was gowned in peach-hued poplin made high to the throat and her lustrous hair was simply dressed. His heart sank as he won no response from her.
"He's a fool, and the workers are right to rise up against him." Joseph was adamant. "They must be paid a living wage even if the employer loses margin. Difficult times should affect all, not just the workers."
"Don't call my future papa-in-law a fool!" Adelaide fired up.
"I am well over my catarrh, Lord Holly. When may we practice batting again?" Hamilton called across the room.
Sebastian shook his head in admonition of this interruption of the discussion. The talk and cross-talk of the vigorous family no longer caused him concern.
"May I exercise Challenger this afternoon, sir?" Geoffrey queried at his elbow.
"Corn prices have risen again," Harriet was reading on. "There was a march in Manchester...oh, and another frame-breaking in Pontefract."
"More executions?" Joseph queried reaching for the paper.
Harriet held it out of his grasp. "No, but transportations. A list-- Mama, make him return it me!" This was said as Joseph twitched the paper from her careless fingers.
"Joseph! Return that to Harriet. The Mercury is beside you. Read that and then exchange. You are old enough to refrain from teasing your juniors."
"I am old enough that my needs should be paramount," her son retorted unwisely.
"You may return to the manufactory," his mother directed. "Now!" Such was her influence with even her grown children that she was obeyed.
Harriet protruded her tongue at her older brother's retreating back, and was the recipient of the next motherly admonition. "Miss Grey will have finished her luncheon, Harriet. You may return to the schoolroom."
"Geoffrey go and exercise Challenger now, will you?" Sebastian could not but be glad as the clamour reduced. He presented his compliments to Mrs. Driffield on the birth of her grandchild, and enquired after the health of mother and babe.
Then he turned to Hamilton. "If your mama permits, we shall go out to bat tomorrow, if the weather holds fine. Ma'am?" He looked to Mrs. Driffield for her permission.
She said to her youngest son, "If you will lay down upon your bed now and read for an hour or thereabouts, I will allow a brief practice tomorrow."
With a whoop the boy headed for the door.
She raised her voice as they heard his footsteps clatter on the stairs. "Only if the weather is fine and if does not come on to rain in the night!
"You must forgive us, my lord. You will see that we are back to normal here--ever chaotic."
Hamilton had left the door open on his abrupt departure. Bubwith appeared soundlessly in the doorway with Humberstone at his shoulder. "Mr. Bernard Humberstone, ma'am. "
Sebastian contained his impatience and wondered if he would ever get his love alone. She did not appear conscious of any desire for his exclusive company. He could only wonder if he had exaggerated his hopeful belief in her attachment.
Humberstone was greeting them all laboriously, and paying patently gallant tributes to Miss Driffield.
Sebastian returned the fellow's brief bow, and was astonished to receive a particularly venomous look from the merchant's small eyes.
If he thinks that Dinah is attached to me, I wish I might have his assurance of it, he thought to himself as he watched Dinah greet Humberstone effusively.
As Humberstone monopolized Dinah, Sebastian chatted patiently with Adelaide and Mrs. Driffield.
When Mrs. Driffield excused herself, he continued to converse with Adelaide until an opportunity arose to draw Humberstone and Dinah into their discussion. Then, with an acuity with which Sebastian would not have credited her, Adelaide engaged Humberstone in conversation. Eventually she removed him to the cent
re table to look through a new book of views of London that had been delivered only that morning.
Sebastian slipped into the chair next to Dinah. "I must speak with you," he said in an undertone. "How is Miss Hesler?"
"Well enough, despite your friend's hurtful, hateful words."
"I am wondering how much of a friend Matherton is." He hoped the very real regret he felt over Burleigh's iniquity was apparent in his voice. "Had I thought he could be so unkind, I should have been shut of him long since."
"He only said what you both must think."
"Do you believe that of me?"
Dinah would not meet his steady gaze. He watched her slim, pale hands nervously pleat the ends of the figured shawl that swathed her shoulders.
"Do you?" he repeated.
The urgency in his tone drew her glance to his face.
She hesitated then said, "No. I think you have not the prejudices of Mr. Matherton. And I think you would not be so carelessly unkind."
Sebastian rejoiced in this small indication of her trust. He gave her his complete attention as she continued. "Juliana was much overwrought. But I believe she now understands that she was infatuated with the idea of Matherton, rather than the reality. To attract a town beau is no little thing for a doctor's daughter from Leeds, my lord."
"I suppose that is true, however we might wish it otherwise." Sebastian was aware of a rasp in his throat, and greeted the arrival of a tea tray with relief. He was conscious that Humberstone was watching them, his jealousy unconcealed.
"May I not speak with you alone?" he begged, without pride.
"I can see no need for it."
"Please," he pleaded. Adelaide brought him a cup of tea, but to his relief, her attention was reclaimed by Humberstone.
"Go to my father's bookroom," Dinah whispered. "I shall meet you there shortly." She raised her voice. "Yes of course you may use Papa's atlas, my lord. You know the way to his bookroom I think. He would wish you to make free of it."
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