by Abby Ayles
Her heart’s desire was not right until he said the words, and until then, she would say nothing of it, but think of him every day.
Chapter 12
Two months abroad would be torture, but Elias had no choice. Helena’s family was still in a fragile state, and to be so far away should she need aid was a thing almost unbearable. He had responsibilities to his own family, however, and it was their business that called both him and his father away to Italy.
“I had forgotten how spectacular Venice is,” Lord Wismoth commented as they walked together through Palazzo Ducale.
“It has been many years since you last visited,” Elias replied.
“What need have I to travel to such places when I have a son who can do it for me?” he mused.
“As I have, Father. However, Signore Fulini insists on meeting with you as well. The present and the future of Repington Industries,” Elias joked in return.
“Planning to replace me already?”
“Of course, Father. I wish for nothing more,” Elias smirked.
“I hope you haven’t been planning for too long. I assure you there are a few years left before I leave it all to you.”
“As it should be,” Elias replied. “I would at least hope to be five and twenty before I took control. Though the thought of being the youngest Repington to take the reins of the company does have some allurements.”
Lord Wismoth chuckled. “What plans have you today?”
“I will be meeting Captain Amos Standish and his company for lunch at Café Severina.”
Lord Wismoth looked at his watch. “Shouldn’t you be headed that way now? It’s almost one.”
“I will, Father, but I promised you that I’d accompany you to your meeting with Signore Fulini”
“I’m not a child, you know,” Lord Wismoth replied with a smile.
“I do not think you one, but as you said, it’s been some time since you’ve lasted visited these shores. I just want to be sure you find your way.”
Lord Wismoth smiled again, but this time a sigh accompanied it as he stopped and turned to Elias. “Your mother would be so proud of you. It was her greatest wish that you would become a man of substance. Having your priorities in place.”
Elias couldn't help the sense of pride that welled up in his chest at his father's words. “I have always tried to honor her memory.”
“You have surpassed her greatest hopes, I believe. She must be smiling down on you even now.”
“I hope she will always have a reason to smile,” Elias replied.
“How is Helena?” Lord Wismoth asked as he again began to walk.
“Her last letter intimated that there were some difficulties still,” he confessed. “Things aren’t as they were, and though not completely altered, the changes are proving more difficult to accept than expected.”
“Is there anything we can do?”
Elias shook his head. “No. I have asked but she says there is nothing to help but time.”
“Thankfully that is something we have plenty of.”
“Not if her father’s health doesn’t improve,” Elias interjected.
“Does Ambrose’s health still falter?”
“The physicians have recommended he keep his stress as low as possible, but I do not think that can be helped given the circumstances.”
“Would a different position at the company help? Perhaps retirement? It would help his health considerably and relieve his stress. We could see to it that he received a sizeable pension that would take care of his family’s needs and wants,” Lord Wismoth suggested.
“I do not think that would be the best idea,” Elias cautioned. “I must rather think it would do him ill with nothing to do all day.”
His father remained silent.
“Mr. Leeson is a man of action,” Elias continued. “He has never been one to settle and do nothing. If he were to be removed from his post, even for health reasons, I believe it would further his illness and eventually cripple him.”
“I see your point,” Lord Wismoth replied. “I had not thought of it. I just want to help them.”
“I know, Father. They know it as well. However, I believe that some things will just have to be settled on their own.”
“Indeed. As much as I would wish to help, I cannot solve all of their problems. Ambrose would never hear of it,” he mused. “The man has pride, in the best of ways of course, but still, it is pride.”
“And a proud man robbed of his pride is a bitter man. I think we have done all we can. More would not help them or us.”
“Very well. We will no longer speak of it,” Lord Wismoth stated as he peered into the distance. “There is Signore Fulini” he said with a smile. “My, the man has gained a few pounds.”
“A few pounds? Father, he is twice the man he was when I was a boy,” Elias mused.
“Watch your tongue,” Lord Wismoth laughed. “I will be fine from here. Go to your lunch. I will have Sergio return me to the hotel later this evening.”
“Very well. I will see you this evening.”
Elias greeted Signore Fulini politely, but quickly excused himself to attend to his own business. He would leave the old friends to catch up while he bettered his acquaintances with Captain Standish and his party.
The restaurant was small but surprisingly bright, and furnished in the latest Italian styles. The opulence could be felt by the crimson curtains and gold tassels. It wasn’t what Elias had expected, and he was pleasantly surprised.
Inside smelled of tobacco and rich food.
“Lord Chatleton!” Captain Standish said brightly as Elias came into view. He was sitting at the innermost seat facing the door. A typical trait of those in the military. Elias’s father did the same.
“Captain,” he replied as they two shook hands. “It’s good to see you.”
“Good to see you too. We were beginning to wonder if you’d had a change of heart in joining us.”
Captain Amos Standish was a tall man of slender build and dark hair. He spoke jovially at all times and was never without a smile. He and Elias had met two weeks ago at Count Piras’s ball, the first week of Elias’s trip. They had instantly become friends.
“Indeed, Lord Chatleton,” Captain Payne agreed. “Our party wouldn’t be the same without you.”
“We saved a place for you, just in case,” Lieutenant Biggs added.
“Thank you, gentlemen,” Elias replied as he took his seat. “I see we are not all here,” he commented. “Where is Lieutenant Rock? Wasn’t he also supposed to be joining us?”
“Reginald was called away,” Captain Standish replied.
Lieutenant Biggs smirked. “I’d say, and what a pretty call it was.”
Elias was lost, and it clearly showed.
“Don’t mind Tom,” Captain Standish replied. “He’s jealous because Reginald has found himself a person of interest on this trip, while he has been left with just us men for company.”
“I would rather be here than wherever he is,” Captain Payne added.
“Why is that?” Elias questioned with a chuckle. “I would think the company of a lady preferable to that of men, under the right circumstances of course.”
“Of course,” he agreed. “However, when one is the favorite of too many a lady, one's character can be called into question.”
“Frank,” Captain Standish warned. “Leave the man be. His affairs are his own. I won’t have you filling the Viscount’s head with idle gossip.”
“Fine. I won’t say anything but this. If I had a sister, I wouldn’t want her anywhere near Reginald Rock,” Captain Payne stated flatly.
Elias considered what had been said in silence. Captain Payne clearly had some issue with Lieutenant Rock, while Captain Standish did not seem to share the sentiment. He wondered what cause Payne had to think so ill of the man. What cause had Standish not to?
“Shall we get you a drink?” Lieutenant Biggs questioned. “They have a mighty good raspberry brandy here.”
“Raspberry brandy sounds good. Have you not been served yet?” Elias asked.
“We waited for you, and now that you're here, I think we've waited long enough,” Captain Standish mused. He raised his hand to beckon to the waiter. “A glass of raspberry brandy for the gentleman if you would? And we are ready for our meal now.”
“Certainly, Signore,” the short, dark-haired man replied before turning away to fulfill their request.
“When are you gents scheduled home?” Elias asked as he waited for the brandy and food.
“The end of the week,” Captain Standish answered. “We barely have three days left before we sail.”
“Whereabouts are you headed?”
“Back to England,” Lieutenant Biggs answered. “Finally.”
“You men have spent some time away from home. How long has it been?” Elias asked curiously. Though a life in the military or admiralty had never called to him, he still had an interest in it.
“I have been gone this past year,” Captain Standish answered.
“We’ve been gone two,” Captain Payne answered for himself and Lieutenant Biggs. The lieutenant had sailed with him from Plymouth, and was a member of his crew since he’d joined the navy.
“Amos was between here and Scotland. We were in the West Indies,” the lieutenant informed.
“The West Indies?” Elias questioned as his curiosity peaked. “I have heard so much about the place, but I must say I’ve never had cause to see it for myself. Our business there is handled by a Mr. Pierce who resides on the island.”
“You mean you have business there and you've never seen the island for yourself?” the lieutenant questioned.
Elias nodded. “I have only just finished my schooling. There was no time for me to travel. However, I do plan to take a full and personal account of our business once I have familiarised myself with what has been happening here. I trust Mr. Pierce to continue to handle our matters as well as he has been doing in the meantime.”
“You have a lot of faith,” Captain Standish commented. “To trust a man so implicitly in matters of money can be a dangerous thing. Sometimes those you trust the most are the very ones who are not to be trusted.”
“I agree. Money can do strange things to people. It can turn a trusted friend into an enemy at any given time. If I were you, I wouldn’t take too long to take an account of your business,” Captain Payne warned.
“I agree,” said Lieutenant Biggs. “Not meaning to tell you your business, but a man who doesn’t know for himself can never be sure of what another is telling him.”
A knot began to form in Elias's stomach as he listened to his new acquaintances speak. They were right on all counts, but certainly, there were exceptions. A man of worth, a man trusted as a friend, would not betray the other. At least no man of his acquaintance would.
His glass of raspberry brandy arrived shortly after. Elias took a sip. The blend of raspberry and brandy was superb. An excellent vintage.
Elias spent the majority of his last year of study in Italy under the tutelage of Signore Franco Giuseppe, a man with a brilliant mind for business and a wealth of information on liqueurs. He had not only guided Elias through the hoops of modern business but on the delicate nature of good wine as well, a smooth cognac as opposed to a bolder brandy.
The four men continued their conversation around the quality of the drink, the elegance of the atmosphere, and the prospects of returning home. Finally, their meal arrived.
“If you are going to Surrey then you must visit Lendenbarrow,” Elias insisted after they had finished eating. “You could visit Balwell. The house is always open to visitors when we are away. I could furnish you with a letter to let our housekeeper know that you are a special guest of mine.”
Captain Standish laughed. “Lord Chatleton, you honor us with this invitation. I have visited Lendenbarrow a few times in my life and find it a beautiful country to be in. I would be pleased to see Balwell. I have heard of the house, but have never ventured near.”
“Indeed, you honor us,” Captain Payne and Lieutenant Biggs agreed.
“That settles it,” Elias said with a smile as he sipped his drink once more. “Before you sail, stop by my hotel and collect the letter. I will see to it that every courtesy is extended to you.”
“You are too kind,” Captain Payne insisted.
“I think this deserves a toast,” Captain Standish replied. He called the waiter over and ordered a round of port. The moment it arrived, he raised his glass as did his men. “To Lord Chatleton, the winningest Viscount we have ever had the pleasure of being acquainted with.”
“To the men of Her Majesty’s navy, who bravely go where I would not, and who deserve the best this country has to offer,” Elias returned.
The four men raised their glasses and celebrated the toast before falling back into jovial conversation. Elias was glad to have met them. They were indeed fine fellows. He hoped to see more of them when he returned home.
Chapter 13
The weeks rolled on predictably and, with each passing day, the atmosphere in the Leeson home improved. Her father's hurt dissipated, as did his irrational beliefs about Elias and his father. He wasn't yet himself, but he was vastly improved, and Helena was glad for it.
His turn of mood was accompanied by numerous unexpected gifts. Neither Helena nor her sister or mother thought it prudent, but he wouldn't be deterred. He said it was his way of apologizing for the mistakes he made, the pain he caused.
Helena cared little for gifts. All she wanted was her family the way it was when they were happy. If it meant he gave them presents, then so be it, but she didn't encourage it. Her sister was more concerned over the matter than she was.
“Helena, he’s brought us more gifts,” she said as she barged into Helena’s room.
“Again?” Helena turned to the clock. It was just past one. “He’s home early.”
“Yes. He was too excited with his new purchases to wait until the end of the day, so he said. Helena, this cannot continue.”
“What is it now?” she asked as she got to her feet and began to pace. Her father's spending was of some concern, but this new turn and his leaving work before the end of the day were even more so.
“New bonnets. He’s bought Mother a cap. He's in the parlor showing her now. No doubt he’ll be here any moment to summon you to see what he’s brought you.”
No sooner were the words spoken than an exuberant knock resounded on Helena’s door. “Helena, are you in here?”
She looked at her sister who returned a concerned gaze.
“Yes, Father,” she replied aloud. She mouthed to her sister to smile. She did.
“Beatrice, you’re here as well?”
“Yes, I came to fetch Helena for you,” she lied. “It seems my journey was unnecessary.”
“Not at all,” Mr. Leeson replied smiling as he stepped in the room. He moved toward Helena with a smile on his face. “Has your sister told you what I’ve brought for you?”
Beatrice shook her head behind her father’s back.
“No,” Helena replied. “What have you brought?” she asked eagerly. Her sister mouthed her thanks over their father’s shoulder.
“Shall we?” Mr. Leeson asked as he offered an arm to each of his daughters. Beatrice hooked hers into his immediately. Helena followed suit.
He was very happy, that much was clear, as they walked the corridor to the stair and down to the parlor. He spoke of nothing unpleasant. The memories of the passed unhappy months seemed over. She hoped it was true.
Once in the parlor, he presented her with an elegant poke bonnet. It was trimmed in black and white lace along the edge. A large black and white bow was attached to the side and accentuated with black and white ostrich feathers.
Her sister's bonnet was green and adorned with peacock feathers. Expensive gifts indeed.
“Father, you shouldn’t have,” Helena insisted as she admired the workmanship. “It’s too much.”
“Nothing is too much for my family,” he replied cheerfully. “Don’t you think?” he asked as he turned to her mother.
“Of course not, dear, but aren’t these gifts rather extravagant? What will people say?”
“They’ll say I take care of my family well,” Mr. Leeson replied.
“But after the scandal, Father, isn’t it prudent to reserve our spending?” Beatrice asked.
"What is this? Aren't you happy with the gifts I've bought for you? Can I not spend something on my family?"