by Brenda Hiatt
Sir George felt a surge of alarm at the first suggestion, but the last two made him more thoughtful. "As... as I recall, he told her of his feelings and persuaded her to an elopement," he replied after a lengthy pause. "He held no animosity towards the other fellow, after all."
"A clever solution, I must say." Lord Dearborn nodded as though impressed. "And far less bloodthirsty —or illegal —than a duel. I must recommend that course to my friend. He will need to act quickly, for there is reason to believe that the other fellow might offer at any time."
Sir George's felt another flash of alarm.
"I have no doubt he will be most grateful for this advice, as I am for your assistance, Sir George."
Sir George was already lost in thought. "Er, happy to be of service, my lord, as I said," he replied absently. His eyes were on the garden again, where he saw Rosalind herself, accompanied by the Earl's sister, just entering the maze. He did not notice Lord Dearborn's smile of satisfaction.
* * *
"Would you like me to show you the secret of the maze, Miss Winston-Fitts?" Lady Glenhaven asked as she and Rosalind stepped out into the bright sunshine. Juliet had proposed a walk in the gardens that the two of them might become better acquainted. "It is not especially large, but it is rather intricate nonetheless."
Rosalind acceded to the plan and followed Juliet into the cool, roofless green tunnels of the shrubbery maze.
"Remember to always turn left as you go in," said Juliet, doing so. "Then, take your next two rights." With the ease of practice since earliest childhood, Lady Glenhaven quickly led Rosalind to the centre of the maze, where a charming Grecian folly had been constructed in the grassy square.
"Oh, how lovely!" Rosalind exclaimed without any prompting.
Juliet smiled, sternly resisting a sudden urge to leave the other girl stranded there until she promised not to marry her brother. "It is, isn't it? My grandfather designed it, and the maze, as well. Why do we not sit here in the shade and talk?"
Rosalind regarded her doubtfully, but followed her obediently enough to a stone bench inside the miniature temple.
"Are you enjoying your stay at Huntington Park?" Juliet began, thrusting down her own habitual shyness.
"Yes, very much, thank you," replied Rosalind, not helping her along at all. Juliet had not expected that she would, however, and plunged on gamely.
"I think this house party was a wonderful idea of Mama's. So often, this time of year can be rather dull. I do so enjoy meeting new people."
This was not quite true, but she reminded herself of Ellie to reassure herself that she was not telling a falsehood. "You, your cousin, your parents, and of course that charming Sir George Bellamy," she continued, watching Rosalind closely. As she had hoped, she detected a spark of interest at the latter gentleman's name. "You have known him some time, I apprehend?"
"Oh, yes, since childhood," responded Rosalind with more animation than Juliet had yet seen in her. "He frequently dines with my family in Warwickshire."
"How nice. He seems to admire you greatly." This was said with just a hint of a question.
Rosalind coloured noticeably at this. "I—I suppose so... at least, he used to, anyway. At one time, I thought... But it is of no consequence now, I suppose," was her disjointed reply.
"Oh, I would not dismiss such a worthy suitor as Sir George as being of no consequence," said Juliet in apparent surprise. The conversation was going much as she had hoped, thus far.
"Oh, no!" exclaimed Rosalind quickly in dismay. "I did not at all mean that he was of no consequence. I simply meant that now, with, well, you know... his admiration of me is not likely to lead anywhere."
Juliet regarded her companion's downcast face with approval before asking gently, "Do you mean because my brother seems likely to make you an offer?" Rosalind nodded unhappily. "But you would not be forced to accept him, would you?"
Rosalind looked up at her, eyes bright with unshed tears. "My mother is quite counting on my becoming a countess, Lady Glenhaven. She will never allow me to wed Sir George, even were he to ask, for he has no title. I am very fond of him, but it is all quite hopeless, I fear."
"Hmm." Juliet considered for a moment. "If you and Sir George were to marry without her consent, I daresay she could be brought round in time. What are your father's feelings on the subject?"
"Oh, he likes Sir George well enough, but he will not go against my mother's wishes, I am sure."
Juliet nodded decisively. She thought she knew now how things stood. "Miss Winston-Fitts, listen to me." Rosalind blinked at her firm tone. "It would be folly for you to go down without a fight. You must at least make an attempt to secure your own happiness."
"What... what do you suggest?"
Juliet was pleased to see a glimmer of hope in Rosalind's face. Perhaps the girl had enough spirit to see it through, after all.
"You must speak with Sir George. Induce him to declare himself. Once he has done so, you can surely find a way around your mother's disapproval. Would it not be worth it?"
"Oh, yes!" Rosalind's eyes shone briefly, before clouding again. "But... suppose he does not really wish to marry me?" she asked in a small voice.
"There is only one way to find out," said Juliet bracingly. "Your life's happiness is at stake."
"You are right, Lady Glenhaven," said Rosalind, squaring her shoulders resolutely. "I must try."
* * *
CHAPTER 15
WHEN ELLIE returned to the house from the rose gardens late that afternoon, laden with dozens of the best blooms, her mind was made up. In spite of her determination the night before, she doubted her ability to keep her feelings for Lord Dearborn hidden. Juliet had already guessed them, and now, with the constant memory of that kiss last night to further unsettle her, it was only a matter of time before Lady Dearborn, Rosalind and, worst of all, Aunt Mabel divined her secret. The only solution, therefore, was for her to leave immediately.
She could not journey all the way to Ireland on her own, of course —for one thing, she lacked the funds— but she could at least go back to Warwickshire, to the Winston-Fittses' house. It was only a two hour drive over good roads, she knew, for she had heard Aunt Mabel discussing the convenience of future visits to her daughter, after Rosalind's marriage to the Earl.
The only problem that remained to be settled was how she was to get there. She could think of no way of doing so secretly short of stealing a horse, which of course she could not do. At the same time, she had no desire to generally advertise her departure, which would almost certainly require painful explanations to her aunt and uncle, to the Countess and possibly even to Lord Dearborn himself. Her best solution, she thought, would be to confide in Juliet, and to ask for her help.
Accordingly, as soon as she had put the flowers she carried into water, Ellie went in search of her friend. Glancing into most of the downstairs rooms with no success, Ellie finally asked Hutchins where Lady Glenhaven might be found and was directed to Lady Dearborn's chambers. There, she found Juliet ensconced on a sofa surrounded by several cats, enjoying a comfortable cose with her mother.
"So, you see," Juliet was saying, "I did what I could to move things in the proper direction." At Ellie's tap on the open door, she broke off and glanced up almost guiltily, Ellie thought.
"Ex-excuse me, Lady Dearborn, Lady Glenhaven," stammered Ellie, suddenly feeling the awkwardness of her situation. "I wished to tell you that I have brought in the roses you asked for, and... I wondered if I might talk to Lady Glenhaven when it is convenient."
"Come in, Ellie, do!" exclaimed Juliet at once.
At the same time, the Countess sprang to her feet, saying, "You girls go right ahead and have your talk. I'd like to go down and have a peep at those roses. They are in the basins in the kitchen, I presume?" At Ellie's nod, she swept out of the room, two of the cats dancing in pursuit of her trailing scarves.
"I have been dying to talk to you all day!" cried Juliet as soon as her mother was gone. "Whatev
er happened last night?" Her mild brown eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"Last... last night?" Ellie could feel her cheeks reddening and knew that Juliet noticed.
"After dinner, silly! You may thank me for Forrest's following you outside so quickly, for I made quite a point of relieving him at the pianoforte so that he could."
"Do you mean that everyone knew we were out there together?" Ellie's blush deepened to a mortified crimson.
"No, no! Of course not," Juliet quickly reassured her. "I don't believe anyone but Forrest and myself noticed you leaving, and he was quite sly about his own exit, I thought. But I can see by your face that something happened. You... you needn't tell me about it if you'd rather not, though."
Ellie could see the effort this last sentence cost her friend and almost laughed. It would be such a relief to pour her troubles into Juliet's sympathetic ear. Quickly and quietly, she related her talk with the Earl and the fact that he had kissed her, though she did not elaborate on her own— or his— response to that kiss.
"I realized at once how foolish I had been to allow it, and promised him that I would leave as soon as possible. That is why I need your help, Juliet," she concluded.
"Leave!" cried Juliet. "Forrest wants you to leave? I can scarcely credit that."
Ellie shifted uncomfortably in her chair. "He... he never actually said so. It was my idea, and I fear I did not stay long enough to hear his reply. But you must see that it is the only way?" Her eyes pleaded for Juliet's understanding, but her friend was looking obstinate.
"I don't see any such thing," she replied. "It sounds to me as though you have made a most promising beginning. Surely, it would be sheerest folly for you to go away just as he is coming to his senses! "
"But what about Rosalind?" asked Ellie. "Aunt Mabel is quite counting on tomorrow night's ball doubling as her engagement party, and will doubtless make Rosie— and everyone else— miserable if it is not. I could never forgive myself if I were the cause of ruining her chances of a happy marriage with your brother."
Juliet thought for a moment. She recalled Sir George's sudden appearance in the gardens that morning, as she and Rosalind were leaving the maze. He and Miss Winston-Fitts had remained together after she went inside, both apparently eager to talk together. Juliet had no doubt that if that little romance were to develop, Mrs. Winston-Fitts would be quick to put the blame on Ellie, somehow. Perhaps it would be best if she were out of that dreadful woman's reach until Forrest was well and truly off her hook. Once Rosalind and Sir George reached an understanding— which Juliet refused to doubt that they would— Ellie could have no qualms about returning. She looked up.
"Where did you wish to go?" she asked.
* * *
"She's done what?" Forrest exclaimed after nuncheon the next day, considerably startling Charm and Token, who were curled up on either side of him on the sofa. "Mother, how could you allow her to leave, without so much as a maid to accompany her? Did that odious aunt of hers send her away?"
He had suspected yesterday that Ellie was deliberately avoiding him, especially when she failed to appear at the dinner table, taking a tray in her room instead. When her "headache" persisted through nuncheon today, however, he decided to seek an explanation from his mother, fearing that Ellie might really be ill. The Countess, however, informed him with maddening complacency that Miss O'Day had left more than an hour ago for Warwickshire.
"No, I flatter myself that Mrs. Winston-Fitts is even yet ignorant of her niece's departure," Lady Dearborn answered her son. "That is what Ellie wished, or so Juliet told me. It was actually she who made the arrangements."
Juliet was little more forthcoming when Forrest questioned her a short time later. Ellie had wished to go home, she said, and preferred that no one know of it until she was gone.
"No one?" asked Forrest in mingled irritation and disappointment. "She apparently felt herself able to confide in you, at least. Can you not tell me what was troubling her?" He had hoped that he and Ellie had reached a degree of understanding the night before last, but that seemed not to be the case.
Juliet's voice was sympathetic. "She needed to borrow a carriage, or I don't believe she'd have told even me, Forrest. I had Mills drive her, so you needn't worry for her safety, at least."
Forrest restrained an urge to shake his sister. "But why did she go, Juliet? Was it... was it because of anything I did?"
Lady Glenhaven regarded him innocently. "Why, Forrest? Did you do something to her?"
"Confound it, Juliet!" the Earl exploded. "What the devil did Ellie tell you?"
"Surely you do not expect me to betray a confidence?" Juliet asked, her brown eyes still wide and guileless. Then, seeing the dangerous glint in Forrest's eyes, she relented. "Oh, very well. After... whatever occurred between you and she two nights past, Ellie feared that her presence here might jeopardize Miss Winston-Fitts's chances of snagging you, my so-eligible brother. She was understandably nervous about her aunt's reaction to any upsetting of her ambitious plans, and wished to be out of her way. And yours, as well, I believe." Juliet thought the tightening of her brother's lips at this explanation boded well for her hopes.
"Hang Mrs. Winston-Fitts's ambitions!" he exclaimed, much to his sister's delight. "I'd not offer for her empty-headed daughter even if Ellie were on the other side of the globe! I must go after her at once."
"You will do no such thing," said Lady Dearborn, entering Juliet's chamber at that moment. "Have you forgotten that you are to host a ball this evening?"
"Blast it! You can get on without me, can you not, Mother?"
"I fear not, Forrest," the Countess replied, not without sympathy. "Miss O'Day will be quite safe at her uncle's home for a day or two. Surely you will not leave me to face Mrs. Winston-Fitts alone when she discovers that her niece is gone?" Her look reminded him that he also had other obligations to resolve.
Forrest chafed at the delay, but realized that his mother was right. To all appearances, he was still Miss Winston-Fitts's suitor. He wondered irritably whether Sir George had lost his nerve since their promising conversation yesterday.
"She's likely to be more upset when she finds I have no intention of marrying her daughter," he finally said with a snort. "What with one and the other, we are like to have our hands full with her, I'll not deny. Very well, Mother. I'll stay for the ball, but I promise nothing beyond that."
He stalked out of the room, leaving his mother and sister to exchange satisfied glances.
* * *
As the carriage approached the Winston-Fittses' neighbourhood, Ellie fought to control her tears. It would never do to appear at the door with her eyes red from weeping —Mrs. Flynn, the housekeeper, would be alarmed at once and ask dozens of questions.
Dabbing ineffectually at her eyes with the corner of her shawl, Ellie wondered, for the hundredth time since leaving Huntington Park, if she were doing the right thing. Yesterday, she had been so certain that this was her only course. She remembered her conversation with Rosalind last night, which had only served to strengthen her resolve to run away.
Shortly after dinner, Rosalind had come to her room to see if she were feeling better. To Ellie's surprise, her cousin had been flushed and rosy, her eyes sparkling brilliantly, with a happy smile playing about her mouth. Her own mouth had suddenly gone dry.
"You are in high spirits, Rosie," she said with false cheerfulness. She could think of only one thing that could account for her cousin's sudden happiness. Lord Dearborn must finally have made his offer! Ellie's heart contracted within her at the thought.
"Yes, I suppose I am," Rosalind fairly chirped. "In fact, I believe I must be the happiest woman alive!"
Ellie felt that she had suddenly turned to ice. "Why... why is that, Rosie?" she had forced herself to ask, only because it would seem odd if she did not.
"Oh, Ellie! I— but no, I mustn't tell you yet. I promised faithfully to say nothing to anyone, even you, before tomorrow night. Please, though, tell me you
wish me happy! " Rosalind's eyes danced with some delicious secret.
Though all her dreams were dashed, Ellie managed to convey the appropriate wishes for Rosalind's future. Looking at her radiant cousin, she felt as plain as pudding by comparison. What foolish hopes she had nurtured!
That was when she had resolved once and for all to leave. If she stayed to attend the ball, she would somehow have to pretend pleasure at her cousin's betrothal announcement, no doubt intended as the piece de resistance of the evening. She would never manage it.
Now, though, miles away from the scene of her heartbreak, Ellie questioned her motives. On leaving, two hours ago, she had felt quite selfless, as though she were martyring herself for the sake of her cousin's happiness. But now she suspected that she was merely being cowardly —and perhaps foolish, too.
Rosalind, she was sure, could never love Forrest as she did, nor did she think he truly loved Rosalind, either. If that were the case, what chance for happiness did they really have? By leaving, rather than staying to fight for his love, was she condemning them both, as well as herself, to a lifetime of misery?
Just a few hours before, she had managed to convince herself that marriage to the Earl was still what she wanted for Rosalind, but suddenly she knew it wasn't so. She wanted Lord Dearborn —Forrest —for herself! It was shameful, she knew, but there it was. Only now, when he was lost to her forever, could she finally admit the truth to herself.
For a moment, Ellie considered asking the coachman to turn around, but after a brief internal struggle sat back with a sigh. No, what would happen would happen. If that kiss had meant so little to Forrest that he had gone ahead with his offer to Rosalind, then the best thing she could do would be to forget him. And if she were wrong, if he had not offered for her cousin, if he had begun to care for her instead, then maybe— just maybe —he would come after her, as Juliet had seemed so confident he would. Setting her chin firmly, Ellie took a deep breath as the Winston-Fitts house came into view.