by Vikki Vaught
“We haven’t had our formal portrait done yet. I’ll talk to my husband about it. I’m sure she’s as wonderful as you say she is, and I do so want a good portrait of my family. Once she graduates from the Art Institute, we’ll have to see about having her do our portrait.”
“We’ve talked about my siblings. Do you have other brothers and sisters?”
“Oh my yes, I have three sisters and two more brothers. My sisters are all still in the schoolroom. My eldest brother is, of course, my father’s heir. He married recently, and they’re already expecting their first child soon.”
“I’m sure you’re looking forward to being an aunt. I have several nieces and nephews and love them dearly. How did you and your husband meet?”
“We met in London during my first season, and I never expected to marry so well. Since I’m from such a large family, I didn’t even have a dowry,” Cassandra explained. “It was love at first sight. After a whirlwind courtship, we married three months later. What about you, how did you meet Lord Collingswood?”
Helen wondered what she should say to Cassandra and decided to be candid with her. “We met this past spring. He came to London to find a wife, and I was ready to get married and have children. Ours was not a love match. We’ve taken some time to get to know each other, and we’ve found out that we have quite a bit in common, and we care about each other a great deal.”
“So many ton marriages start out that way. I do realize I’m quite fortunate to have married for love.”
At first, Helen hesitated, but then she said, “I’ve fallen in love with him, and to be honest with you, it scares me to death. I was hurt deeply last spring and swore I’d never love again, but Matthew has slipped under my shield. I know he cares for me, but neither one of us wanted love, so I haven’t told him I love him…I’m sorry, I probably shouldn’t be telling you all this, but you’re a wonderful listener, and I’ve been dying to talk to another woman about how I feel. I hope I haven’t been too forward.”
“I’m pleased that you feel comfortable enough to confide in me. I’ll never betray your confidences, so you can feel safe sharing with me, and I know that I can do the same with you. I just knew we would become fast friends. When I met your husband, he seemed to be quite fond of you, so he may already be in love with you. Just give it some time, and I’m sure it will all work out for you. It can be frightening to love someone, but sometimes you just have to take a chance on love.”
Helen took a bite of her cake, and then she said, “That’s what I’m trying to do. Thank you for listening to me. It’s so nice to have someone to talk to about this.” Then changing the subject, Helen continued, “Matthew has a sister, Lady Margaret, and I’ve been getting to know her since she arrived. Have you met Matthew’s sister?”
“No, I haven’t. How old is she? Since she didn’t come with you the other evening, I assume she must still be in the schoolroom.”
“Yes, she is. Margaret’s sixteen, and she attends Mrs. Manning’s School for Young Ladies in Bath. She’s very energetic and wears me out sometimes. Her father spoiled her dreadfully, so she can be a little difficult at times, but you can’t help but like her because she’s so vivacious. She’s also a little bit too anxious to flirt with young men. One of Gregory’s friends has been flirting outrageously with her, and I’m worried that she’s going to get herself into trouble. Here I go again! I probably shouldn’t be talking with you about this either, but I’m so worried.”
Oh Lord, this was so unlike her.
She didn’t usually tell personal pieces of information to anyone, other than family.
Cassandra reached over and patted Helen’s hand. “Please, don’t worry about it. I understand because one of my sisters is sixteen, and she’s the same way. That’s such a difficult age because they think they’re grown, when that’s far from the truth. I’ve found that it’s best to keep them so busy that they don’t have time to get into trouble.”
Thank goodness Cassandra understood. Helen was feeling much better now that she’d shared some of her concerns. “Thank you for introducing me to your friends the night of your ball. Mrs. Arlington and Mrs. Winslow were the only women I had met in the area.”
“Isn’t Mrs. Winslow delightful?” Cassandra asked. “I’m very good friends with her. I noticed she’s got you interested in volunteering at the orphanage. I’m on some committees at the church with her. Is that something you would be interested in?”
“We had Mrs. Winslow and her husband over for dinner, shortly before your ball. We had actually met before, during one of my seasons in London. She told me about one of the committees. I agreed to join and asked her about the orphanage. I was supposed to go to St. Stephen’s with her, but with all that has happened with Gregory, I haven’t had an opportunity to go yet.”
“I volunteer at the orphanage, and I’d be happy to take you. Mrs. Mullins is wonderful with the children. We can go Wednesday if you would like, and we’ll get Mrs. Winslow to go also. Will that be acceptable to you?”
“Yes, Wednesday would be fine. Please let me know if Mrs. Winslow can come with us. I hope so, because I already count her as one of my friends, and I did promise her that I would go with her.”
Helen hesitated, but then she broached the subject of Mrs. Arlington. “I’d like to ask you about Mrs. Arlington. She seems to have decided she doesn’t like me, and I can’t imagine why. I remember you mentioning to me the night of your ball that you weren’t fond of her. Why do you think she dislikes me?”
“I’ve known Mrs. Arlington the entire time I’ve lived here. She flirts with all the men in the area, even the married ones, so I try to leave her alone. She had set her cap for your husband, and she’s probably jealous that he married you, instead of her. Now, I never noticed that your husband paid her any particular attention, but she was always trying to get him to.”
“I appreciate you sharing that with me. Margaret also told me that she had tried to capture my husband’s attention, so I guess it makes sense that she wouldn’t like me. Oh, by the way, I’d love to meet your sons. You know Matthew has twin daughters, and I’ve already grown to love them. I just love little children. That’s why I want to volunteer at the orphanage.”
Helen was glad she asked about Mrs. Arlington, and Cassandra’s answer put Helen’s mind at rest somewhat. She still thought that there was more to this woman’s hatred. She really needed to talk to Matthew about this.
Once they finished their tea, they went up to the nursery. Lady Ralston’s sons were adorable. They played with them for about thirty minutes. As Helen was leaving, they reconfirmed their plans to go to the orphanage on Wednesday.
When Helen arrived back home, she went to the nursery and spent a delightful afternoon with Christina and Catherine. The little girls were really starting to get close to her. They asked her when they could go to the garden again, and she told them that they could go there tomorrow.
Margaret didn’t come down for tea, and it worried Helen because no one seemed to know where she was. After tea she went to Margaret’s room, but she wasn’t there. Finding Matthew in his study, she asked, “Have you seen Margaret? She never showed up for tea, and she’s not in her room or anywhere else in the house.”
“No, I haven’t seen her. Maybe she went riding. Why don’t we check?” They walked out to the stable and found Mr. Edwards. Matthew questioned him about Margaret’s whereabouts.
The head groom, Mr. Edwards, said, “Lady Margaret went riding this mornin’ at eleven o’clock, but she hasn’t returned yet.”
“Edwards, what groom did Lady Margaret take with her?”
Edwards nervously pulled at the brim of his hat. “She didn’t take a groom with her, milord.”
After hearing this, Helen and Matthew became worried that something must have happened to her. “Edwards, why didn’t you come to me when she didn’t return? She’s been gone for over six hours.”
With trepidation in his voice, Edwards said, “Lady Margaret goes of
f loads of times for long periods. I didn’t know this was a problem, or I would o’ come and told ye. I’m sorry, milord.”
Helen turned to Matthew and suggested, “Why don’t we go look for her on the beach? I know she likes it there.”
They had Edwards saddle their horses, and they left to go look for Margaret. She wasn’t on the beach or anywhere else close by. By this time, Helen could tell Matthew was beginning to panic. Then Helen remembered something that Margaret had shared with her. “Margaret mentioned to me that she likes to go to the caves and explore. Do you think we should search there?”
“I think I know where she might have gone! Let’s go,” Matthew stated. “I just hope we make it there before the tide comes in, because the caves will be underwater at high tide.”
When they made it back to the beach, they rode for about a mile before spotting two horses tied up outside of one of the caves. One of the horses definitely belonged to Margaret. The tide was starting to come in, but it was still possible to get into the caves. “Helen, I’m going inside to look around, but since they’re dark, I’m asking you to stay here. I’ll be able to search faster without you, since I know the caves so well.”
“That’s fine with me. I don’t care for dark, closed in spaces anyway. I’ll wait out here for you.”
He was gone for about fifteen minutes, and she started to get nervous when she noticed the tide was starting to come in. Finally, Matthew came out of the caves. Margaret and Mr. Boling were with him, and by the expression on Matthew’s face, she could tell he was furious.
Margaret’s clothes were all disheveled, and her hair was hanging down her back. Peter’s clothing was also disheveled, so whatever they’d been doing, they’d been doing it together. Helen cold icy fear rushed to the pit of her stomach.
“Margaret, Mr. Boling, follow me back to the house now, and you’d better not disappear on me.” Once they were back to the house, he said, “Margaret, go upstairs to your room. I’ll be up shortly to speak with you.” Matthew looked over at Helen. “Will you please go upstairs with Margaret and stay with her until I get there?”
“Of course.”
Matthew grabbed Mr. Boling by the arm and jerked him into the study. Helen had never seen Matthew so furious. She hoped he didn’t do anything he might regret. The expression on Matthew’s face told Helen that something terrible must have happened.
When Helen got Margaret up to her room, she asked, “Margaret, what happened? Why are your clothes a mess? Did you and Mr. Boling do something that you shouldn’t have?”
With a belligerent expression on her face, Margaret retorted, “I’m in love with Peter, and there isn’t a thing you or my brother can do about it!”
“Oh Margaret, what have you done? Did you let him take liberties with your person?” Helen certainly hoped that Margaret hadn’t allowed Mr. Boling to touch her. She hoped it hadn’t gone any further than kissing.
Margaret started crying. “I told you we’re in love, and yes, we’ve been intimate for weeks now. He told me we would get married just as soon as he gets his inheritance from his uncle. He’s Viscount Hartford’s heir, and the viscount isn’t expected to live much longer. Once he dies we’ll get married.”
Helen felt sick to her stomach. Surely, Margaret hadn’t allowed him to take her virginity! “How intimate have you become with Mr. Boling? Please tell me you haven’t given him your innocence?”
Margaret went over to her bed, lay down, and turned her back on Helen, refusing to discuss anything further. Soon there was a knock on the door, and Matthew entered. He looked as if he had aged five years in the last thirty minutes. There were lines of tension all around his mouth and a crease between his eyes.
Matthew solemnly said, “Margaret, I’ve spoken with Mr. Boling, and he’s leaving to go get a special license so the two of you can be married right away. He should be back here in two days. I just hope this doesn’t ruin your life. You’re entirely too young to be getting married, but at this point there’s no other solution. Mr. Boling says he’s in love with you and that he wants to marry you, but I don’t trust him. He’s just too wild and immature to even be considering marriage.”
“I know you think I’m too young to know my own mind, but I know I love Peter, and we will be fine,” Margaret derisively replied, “His uncle is on his deathbed, and when he dies, Peter will become the viscount. We’d planned to wait until that happened, but since you had to be so overbearing and sneak up on us like that, we’ll just have to move up our plans!”
Matthew sighed, clearly at his wit’s end. “There’s no use in continuing to discuss this. What’s done is done. Helen and I will leave you alone now. Why don’t you get cleaned up, and we’ll see you at dinner.”
Matthew and Helen left the room and went to his study to talk. “Helen, I caught them being intimate. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Why would she do this? Doesn’t she realize she’s probably ruined her life? I don’t trust Boling at all, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he just disappears. What will we do if that happens? She’s ruined!”
“Surely Mr. Boling wouldn’t do a thing like that. Margaret says they’re in love, and they were already planning on getting married.”
“Well, only time will tell if this is really going to happen. I’ve got to find Gregory and let him know what his friend did to his sister. I’ll see you at dinner.” Then Matthew turned and left the room.
Helen went upstairs to their sitting room and sat down on the couch.
What a shock.
How could Margaret have been so foolish?
She was only sixteen and far too young to be getting married, but under the circumstances, there was nothing else to do. She just prayed that Mr. Boling came back. Poor Matthew was so devastated by this. All Helen wanted to do was hold him and tell him everything would be all right, but she knew…that might not be the case.
Dinner was a solemn affair. Matthew could tell Gregory was in a state of shock over what had happened. He was so angry about what his friend had done to his sister that he was talking about challenging him to a duel. Of course, Matthew had to calm him down and convince him that a duel would only make the situation worse. Gregory’s other friends were very quiet throughout the entire meal. Margaret chose not to come down to dinner and had a tray sent to her room instead.
The next two days were very tense because Matthew feared Boling wouldn’t show up again. He didn’t know what he’d do then, because he could hardly challenge him to a duel, since he was so young. If Boling didn’t come back, he’d have to get in touch with his family and let them know what he’d done.
Mr. Boling showed up three days later, and he did indeed have the special license. Margaret cried when she saw him. Boling seemed to be more than willing to marry Margaret, and had a long talk with Matthew.
“Sir, I know Margaret and I went about this the wrong way,” Boling said, “but I do love her, and I promise I’ll be a good husband to her. I know I don’t have any money right now, but my prospects are promising. I’ll be a viscount in the near future, because my uncle isn’t a well man. Of course, I don’t wish for his death. I’m just being realistic. The doctors don’t give him long to live. If we could impose on you for a while, I’d appreciate it. I don’t want Lady Margaret to suffer while we wait for me to inherit.”
Matthew poured himself a glass of brandy and looked over at Boling. “I’ll allow you to live here, however it will be on my terms. You’ll no longer stay out all night, and there will be no gambling or excessive drinking. This is a major step you’re taking, and you must start acting like an adult, since you’ll be taking on adult responsibilities. You do realize you won’t be able to continue your education, don’t you?”
Boling hung his head in shame. “I understand all that, sir. I didn’t take school seriously, and so I don’t deserve to finish my education. Lady Margaret has to come first. I promise no more excessive drinking, and of course, no more gambling. To be quite honest with you, my lord, I don’t actua
lly enjoy gambling. I did like to spend time with your brother, and since he likes gambling so much, I went along with it. I appreciate you allowing us to live here, and I promise you’ll not regret it. I’ll do my best to make Lady Margaret happy because, whether you believe this or not, I do love her very much.”
After Matthew talked with Boling, he went and got the vicar so they could get married. Margaret was ecstatically happy and did make a lovely bride. When Margaret and Boling said their vows, they looked very solemn and seemed to understand the importance of what they were promising to each other. Helen quickly put together a wedding breakfast and invited just a few of their closest friends. Helen also held a celebration for Matthew’s tenants and the farmers, which added credence to their marriage.
Matthew just hoped she wouldn’t live to regret this marriage.
God knows he wasn’t ready to marry at one and twenty, and Boling was only twenty.
He hoped Margaret didn’t get with child right away. She was too young to be a mother. Matthew knew his father had spoiled Margaret, and so in many ways she was younger than most sixteen-year-olds were. Boling wrote to his mother and told her about his marriage.
Lord knows how she was going to feel about it.
Boling’s only source of income was an allowance that he received from his uncle, so obviously the couple would be dependent on family to survive.
Matthew knew Gregory was very angry with Boling, and this situation with his sister had damaged their friendship. Of course, it didn’t stop him from going out with his other two friends. They were still staying out until all hours of the night. Matthew was about ready to ask Harold and Melvin to leave his home. Maybe if they left, Gregory would settle down. He didn’t know what was going to happen to his brother if he kept acting up. At least they would all be gone by the end of next week, because the new school term would be starting.