Her Grace in Disgrace (The Widows of Woburn Place)

by Claudia Harbaugh

  Serena was thrilled with her room, and while her daughter slept in the parlor below, she got to work getting established. Mrs. Riggs and Serena instantly became thick as thieves, and they were rearranging furniture, or directing Renfrew to do so, and unpacking the Endicott’ bags. Isobel left them to it and went to check on Lady Tyndale.

  Lady Tyndale was awake and sitting up in bed. She was feeling better, but was becoming anxious about returning home and worried about Serena and Charis, not knowing they were safely ensconced in this very house. She was also determined to set things straight with Miss Kennilworth. Until now she and Isobel had avoided any serious conversation, but had talked of fashion and books and the foibles of the ton. Isobel had also read to her and played cards with her. And now, she was much stronger. She would not have the conversation put off any longer.

  Isobel came into her room in the early afternoon, Anna behind her with the tea tray.

  “I see you have woken up from your nap. It is a bit early for tea, but I thought it would be nice.” Anna placed the tea tray on the table by the bed and Isobel took her usual chair.

  “Tea would be lovely, Miss Kennilworth, but while we have tea, I would really like to have that talk.”

  “Of course,” said Isobel brightly, but inside she was dreading this conversation. She felt she should begin, but did not know how. Lady Tyndale, whose curiosity had been percolating since she first awoke from her fever, spoke first.

  “Why have you suddenly taken an interest in me? And if this has anything to do with what happened six years ago, why do it now?” Lady Tyndale was surprised at her own plain speaking.

  Isobel thought for a moment and then began to speak. “A friend of mine pointed out to me that I had been playing God. And so I took a hard look at myself and saw the grasping, haughty person I had become. This did not happen overnight, I assure you, and I highly doubt that I am permanently cured. I plan to have relapses.” Isobel gave her ailing guest a little smile. Isobel’s guest returned the smile, but she remained silent hoping Isobel would soon get to the heart of the matter.

  “I suppose it began with the shock and the humiliation of what Reginald had done to me to open my eyes. Of course, I have since realized that, while he was not blameless, I had done most of the harm to myself. But it was what I did to you, the life I condemned you to that has bothered me all of these years. Of course, I would not admit to myself that I was troubled by it. I tried to justify my actions for years. Nonetheless, almost every day I have thought of it at least once and cringed at the thought of my actions, but I quickly tamped down the thought. Until a few days ago. I could not live with the guilt anymore and decided to find you and try to make it right.” Isobel paused, not sure if she should continue.

  “I was angry with you, I will not deny it. But bitterness and blame are not comfortable bedfellows. They consume one and I did not want to live that way, with resentment eating at me from the inside out. I have long since forgiven you,” said Lady Tyndale

  “But, I was directly to blame, Lady Tyndale.”

  “Perhaps, but I always wonder had I married Michael, the man I was so in love with six years ago, would I have been any happier? He died in battle just months after I married Tyndale. He would have left me as just as alone and penniless.”

  “But you would have had love, even though just for a short while.”

  “Yes, I would have had that and so would you, had you married Andrew Stafford.” She paused, looking at the surprised Isobel. “Yes, I remember how you spoke of him early in the season. There are so many things that could have happened, but I think it best to let them go and look to what might happen.”

  “You sound like Aunt Maude.”

  “She is a wise woman.” Laura laughed again. “So, tell me, what is it you want? Do you want absolution? Let us be done with it. As I have said, you are forgiven.”

  “Just like that?” asked Isobel.

  “What, do you want me to wait a certain number of days to consider it and make you squirm? I am sorry, Miss Kennilworth, it is my nature, I cannot hold a grudge.” Lady Tyndale laughed.

  Isobel joined her. “I know it seems silly, but I feel I need to earn your forgiveness.”

  “Grace is a gift, Miss Kennilworth. It cannot be earned, only freely given.” Lady Tyndale’s teasing tone had gone completely.

  They were both silent for a moment and Isobel finally spoke. “Thank you. And please call me Isobel. We were friends once. I would love to be again, Lady Tyndale.”

  “Then I must be Laura. And friends we shall be.” Laura smiled, and Isobel’s heart sang.

  “We shall have lots of time to rekindle our friendship,” Isobel said, beaming.

  “I look forward to it, Isobel. However, I am feeling much better and should be ready to return home within the next few days.”

  “Oh,” was all that Isobel could manage. Her face must have shown her dismay, for Laura stiffened in reaction.

  “What is it, Isobel? What is wrong?”

  Isobel decided nothing but the truth would suffice from now on. “I had planned…I had hoped that you would stay on here. There is plenty of room and I think it would be pleasant for all of us.”

  “I see. That is a very generous offer.” Despite her words, Laura did not seem pleased. “Well, as lovely as that sounds, for Bloomsbury is a rather large step up from Lambeth, I cannot. I am concerned about my young neighbor. I do not care to leave her on her own.”

  “As to that…” began Isobel.

  “Laura!” exclaimed Serena as she entered the sick room. This was followed by, “Wady Tindy!” as Charis bounced into the room, fully rested. Lady Whitcomb trailed behind the energetic toddler.

  “Serena! Charis! How lovely to see you, but whatever are you doing here?”

  “We live here!” said Serena triumphantly.

  The next few moments were a chaotic mix of questions, on the part of Laura, and wildly divergent answers, on the part of everyone else. After enduring several minutes of this muddled interchange, Isobel was able to able to explain the situation clearly to Laura.

  “So you propose that I live here and pay nothing. And since my rooms on Webber Street are gone, I have no option, but to stay or find other accommodations.” Unlike Serena, Laura was not rejoicing.

  The collective faces of all the others in the room fell, except for Charis, who was pulling on Laura’s hand. “Wady Tindy! I have a new woom!”

  “Perhaps, Aunt Maude, you would be kind enough to show Serena and Charis the rest of the house,” suggested Isobel. Lady Whitcomb led the subdued Endicott’s out of the room.

  “Put like that, Laura, it does sound a bit presumptuous of me,” Isobel conceded. “I simply hoped to offer you the chance at a better life.”

  “I do not question your motives, Isobel, just your methods. While I agree that it would be much more pleasant in many ways to live here, I would have preferred to have been consulted on the matter.” Laura’s voice was firm, but gentle.

  “You are right. I am sorry. I thought I had outgrown my impetuousness, but I see that it is only slightly more subtle.”

  “Do not be too hard on yourself, Isobel. I understand that your offer is meant to be kind. But my independence has been too hard won to live as a guest in someone else’s home. First my parents, then Tyndale. And then my aunt. I was enjoying a certain amount of freedom for the first time in my life. It was exceedingly difficult economically, but I was free. ”

  “I understand completely, Laura. And of course you are free to go once you are well. But, I would like you to listen to a little idea of mine before you make up your mind completely.”

  “Do I smell another scheme brewing?” chuckled Laura. Isobel grinned mischievously and verbally sketched her plan.

  Chapter 17

  “You are going to what?” exclaimed Lord Charles.

  “Were you not listening, Charles? They are going to convert Woburn Place into a home for widows in distress.” Lady Joanna playfully slapped hi
s arm.

  Charles glanced at the ladies assembled in the parlor. “I thought you already had.”

  “This is just the beginning, Lord Charles,” said Laura with a twinkle in her eyes. “How many more are there like us wandering around London, around England?” A week had passed since Isobel had described her idea to Laura. She was slightly hesitant at first, but after a short time of consideration, Laura became enthralled with the plan. Lady Whitcomb and Serena had added their enthusiasm for the scheme. And now they were all in the parlor having tea, explaining their plan to Lord Charles, Lady Joanna, and Miss Parrish. Captain Danvers, who would normally be a part of this gathering, had gone to Hertfordshire to speak with Mr. Parrish to ask for his daughter’s hand. Miss Parrish blushed fiercely when she explained his absence. Isobel was happy for her, but she was happier about their new venture.

  “You are going to bring them all here?” asked Lord Charles, only partially jesting.

  “You are just worried that you will be overrun with ladies,” joked Lady Joanna.

  “Already am,” mumbled Lord Charles.

  “Poor Charles, this is all too much for you. I understand completely if you want to leave Woburn Place. Why, you must feel like a rooster caught in a chicken coop!” Isobel teased, with only a hint of a smile.

  Charles was doing much better. His face had healed quite nicely and he looked very much like the boyishly handsome Charles he had been, except for a slightly crooked nose. His hand was once again functioning, so that now he could wheel himself from room to room. His leg, however, was not quite healed and the doctor had confined him to the Bath chair for another week or two.

  The maid, Helen, arrived with a squealing Charis. “Wady Wady, Wady Tindy! Mama! Hewen wead me stowies!”

  Serena grabbed up the wriggling, giggling little girl. “If you will excuse me, I will take this little imp to the park!”

  “Hooway! Pawk! Jem come, too?” Charis asked as she twirled in circles.

  “Yes, you little hoyden, Jem can come too.”

  Isobel smiled at the sight of mother and daughter. It had been rather an adjustment having a young child in the house, but Helen had proved to be excellent with the child and the rest of the servants doted on her. Not to mention Aunt Maude. Charis had put a new spring in her step.

  “I shall go with you, my dears,” offered that lady.

  “As much as I would like to join you, I think I should lie down for a while,” said Laura.

  She did look a bit pale, thought Isobel. This was, after all, only the second time Laura had been downstairs since she had arrived almost two weeks ago. The party, including young Jem, left for the park in high excitement.

  “I will accompany you upstairs,” Isobel offered.

  “Nonsense. You stay and visit. I am sure Helen will not mind assisting me to my room?”

  “Of course, My Lady.” Helen went to Laura and helped her rise. Laura, leaning on Helen, slowly left the room.

  After the ladies had left, Charles shook his head and chuckled. “Truly Isobel, it was you that hatched this harebrained scheme?”

  “It truly was. It is very important to me, Charles. For the first time in a very long time I feel useful,” confided Isobel. She became silent, unused to sharing her deepest thoughts.

  “I am very proud of you, Miss Kennilworth,” said Lady Joanna.

  “I also think it an excellent plan,” added Miss Parrish.

  The three ladies looked at Lord Charles. “Oh, alright. I think it is a splendid idea Isobel. I am simply not used to living with such a large group of females and I cannot run away” Lord Charles looked helplessly at his injured leg. “But, I should be back on my feet in a fortnight or so, if Dr. Fillmore know what he is about. And then…”

  “And then what, Charles?” asked Isobel with concern. “Where will you go?”

  “He is going to Hidenwood to get it ready!” Lady Joanna enthused.

  “I have a mouth, brat. I can speak for myself,” snapped Lord Charles. Lady Joanna did not take offence, but sat smiled like a cat that ate the cream. “I have decided to make a go of Hidenwood. I plan to turn it into a dairy farm.”

  “How will you do that, Charles? You owe thousands of dollars to the moneylenders.” She stopped abruptly, remembering the two young ladies in the room.

  “It is alright, Isobel. Lady Joanna knows all and whatever Lady Joanna knows, so does Miss Parrish.” Miss Parrish, embarrassed, blushed furiously. Lady Joanna’s high color came from excitement. “I don’t know quite yet, exactly. I have some ideas,” said Lord Charles tentatively.

  “Charles! You do, too, know! We have discussed this.” Lady Joanna chastised Lord Charles then turned to Isobel. “You see, we have a plan, too!”

  “Joanna. I have told you it will not fly. How many times must I explain it to you?” Lord Charles said a bit condescendingly.

  “If you use that patronizing tone with me, Lord Charles Aiken, I will dump you from your Bath chair,” fumed Lady Joanna.

  Lord Charles smiled at her. “I dare you.”

  “Oh, do you now,” said Lady Joanna rising from her chair.

  “That is enough, you two. What is all this about?” demanded Isobel.

  “We are to be married!” blurted out Lady Joanna.

  “No, we are not!” argued Lord Charles.

  “Oh, you stubborn, stubborn idiot!” Lady Joanna threw up her hands in exasperation.

  Just then Renfrew could be heard clearing his throat from the doorway. Behind him stood Lady Doncaster. “What is this?” she cried in shock.

  “Mama!” exclaimed Lady Joanna, equally shocked.

  “Lady Doncaster,” said Isobel, rising. “Please do come in.”

  The mystified lady walked slowly into the room and sat down in the seat that Isobel offered. “I had not heard from you since we last spoke and Joanna has visited here quite often of late. I was concerned. Now I see that I have reason.”

  Isobel opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by Lady Joanna. “What? You knew? When?” Lady Joanna stammered in her astonishment.

  “Yes, Joanna, your silly, staid mama has known of your scheme all along and allowed it. But we will get to that in a moment. I believe Miss Kennilworth was about to speak.”

  “I do apologize. We are all at sixes and sevens here. First my brother…my friend Lord Charles was badly hurt in an accident and came here to convalesce and of then an old friend, Lady Tyndale, was severely ill with measles and was brought here to be cared for. We have also just taken in a young widow and her daughter.”

  “I see that life is not dull in Woburn Place,” said Lady Doncaster and then added with concern, “I remember Lady Tyndale. I hope she is recovered.”

  “She is, thank you, Lady Doncaster. But as a result, I have been amiss in my duties as chaperone. I have not had the opportunity to arrange… what we had discussed on your last visit.”

  “Mama was here before?” Lady Joanna’s head whirled with confusion.

  Ignoring her daughter, Lady Doncaster addressed Isobel. “I see. Lord Doncaster is growing impatient, and I fear, so is Lord Pelton.”

  “Pelton! Ha!,” spit out Lord Charles in disgust.

  “Mama! I have told you I will not wed Lord Pelton. He does not love or respect me. I will not have him,” repeated Lady Joanna petulantly.

  “So you have said and I begin to see why,” replied her mother, glancing at Lord Charles.

  “I am going to marry Charles.” Lady Joanna’s chin jutted out in defiance, Lady Doncaster looked troubled and Charles’ face was as black as a thundercloud. Lady Doncaster pulled herself together and fixed Lord Charles with a withering glare.

  “Now, Mama. Charles is not looking his best right now, but you should have seen him last week. His lip was horribly swollen, both of his eyes were quite puffy and had the most interesting, colorful patches ringing them. Why, he is looking almost human now.”

  “Thank you, brat,” drawled Lord Charles wryly.

  “And I know he is
a bit disreputable and has made some foolish choices in the past. He also has no money to speak of, but…”

  “Lady Joanna,” Lord Charles growled. “Are you trying to give your mother a disgust of me?”

  “Of course not. I am getting your negative traits out of the way before I move on to the positive,” Lady Joanna assured him.

  “I am ill favored, disreputable and poor. What could possibly be in my favor?”

  “You are the son of a duke,” returned Lady Joanna practically.

  “A penniless second son of a duke, to be accurate,” argued Lord Charles.

  “That is not accurate. You are not penniless. You have land. You are simply temporarily without funds,” Lady Joanna lectured.

  “Which amounts to the same thing,” bemoaned Lord Charles.

  “It is not at all the same thing,” debated the stubborn young miss, her chin facing skyward.

  “It does not matter. We are not getting married.” Charles chin matched his beloveds.

  “Oh! Why must you persist in this nonsense?” Lady Joanna cried in frustration.

  Isobel had had enough of their bickering. She cut off Lord Charles’ retort with a glare. Lady Joanna pouted, Lord Charles fumed, and Lady Doncaster looked sick with apprehension. Miss Parrish sat very still, her hands in her lap, her eyes cast down. She was startled when Isobel addressed her. “Miss Parrish, since you know all the doings of Lady Joanna, could you please make sense of this for me. These two seem incapable of lucid speech.”

  Miss Parrish glanced at Lady Joanna for approval. Lady Joanna responded with an unladylike shrug. Miss Parrish took a breath and gave a succinct summary. “It seems that Joanna and Lord Charles have formed an attachment. Marriage was discussed, but Lord Charles seems to feel that due to his financial situation and his reputation, Joanna could do better. He also is doubtful that Lord Doncaster would accept his suit. He is determined to make a go of his estate, Hidenwood, by adding dairy cows and making cheese. But he has no capital to invest. On the contrary, he has a great deal of debt. Lady Joanna is convinced that he is the man for her. She assures him that her dowry could pay off all of his debts and there would be enough left to start the dairy. She is very excited about the prospect and feels she would be an asset to him. They are both very much in love.”