“Your fingers will start working again. Doctor Bell said your eyesight will clear as well . . . over time. You must get more rest. If Mother finds you in here, she’ll drag you back herself.”
“I thought a diversion from my bedchamber would be nice,” Phillip said, allowing Edward to pull him to his feet.
“Who did you convince to help you out here?”
“Hodgens. He brought my afternoon tea, and I convinced him to let me eat in here.”
“I think the staff will do anything for you right now, even if it defies Mother and Ashby.”
Phillip smiled as his brother walked with him into the hall. He had to lean on others for assistance and he moved slowly, but he was standing and walking. He refused to use the wheelchair the doctor provided. He was worried if he stopped trying to walk his legs would stiffen and never work again.
“I know I shouldn’t take advantage of their concern for my wellbeing, but when I can convince someone to help, I will,” he said without guile.
Edward helped him back into bed. “It won’t be long until you will be able to walk without help. Until then, you need to be patient.”
Phillip decided to agree instead of argue. On top of being supportive, his family was also nurturing him too much. “Edward, tell me what’s going on with Thomas.”
“You shouldn’t worry about him.”
“Yet I’m worried. He’s our brother.”
“Half-brother.”
“Edward, what does Ashby have planned for him?”
Edward looked down. “Ashby put him on a ship to Barbados.”
“I guess it’s better than the workhouse.”
“You shouldn’t worry about it. You need to rest.”
Phillip nodded. He wanted solitude. It was strange. When he was alone, he wanted company. When he was with others, he wanted seclusion. “I’ll rest now,” he said in response.
Edward gave him a look to let him know he didn’t believe a word of it, but he left anyway. As soon as he was gone, Phillip pulled himself out of bed and used the table to stand. Over the past week, he had spent time trying to get his body working again. Since his family was worried about over exertion, when they weren’t around, he would use the tables, bed, and walls to hold himself up as he exercised around his room.
He made it to the window and sat in the overstuffed chair. Although his vision was blurred, he looked out the window to see the trees. During his recovery the grounds around Wentworth Hall had moved from a frozen scene to lush green vegetation.
He was ready to go back to the bed when he heard a carriage driving up to the house. He changed directions and found his way over to the bell cord. He waited a few minutes before Mrs. Fraser, the housekeeper, rushed into his bedchamber.
“My lord, do you need help?” she asked.
“Who does the carriage belong to?” he asked, pointing out the window.
“The Duke and Duchess of Norland have arrived from London,” she responded as she took hold of his arm. “You need rest, my lord. Let me help you back to your bed.”
He nodded and allowed her to guide him. “Do you know why they are here?” he asked. Last he’d heard, Olivia still evaded her parents.
“I was told His Grace—your father—summoned them.”
“Do you know why?” It was a well-known fact the serving staff was more knowledgeable about the comings and goings of the families they served than the family themselves.
“I’m unaware of the reason, Lord Arundel.” She pulled the blankets over him and poured a glass of water. “I do know His Grace doesn’t want you to worry about the visit. He doesn’t want you to stress.”
Phillip drank the water and handed the glass back to her. “Do you know what Mrs. Brooger has prepared for dinner tonight?”
Mrs. Fraser’s face broke into a large grin. “It’s wonderful to hear you have your appetite back. I believe she’s prepared venison, potatoes, and vegetables, but for dessert she has made you a berry pie.”
“She knows how to get me to eat,” he said with a smile.
“My dear boy, she’s trying to fatten you up.” She again straightened his blankets. “Now, get some rest so you can mend.”
Phillip wanted to rest, but his mind filtered through possibilities for the visit. He wanted to know what Norland was doing at Wentworth Hall. Phillip pulled himself out of bed and found his way to the drawing room. He stopped every few feet to rest, especially during the descent on the stairs. He could hear the conversation as he neared the room.
“Olivia and Folly are settled with his family in Bath,” Norland informed whoever was in the room.
When Phillip entered, Edward stood and rushed to him. “What are you doing?”
“This sounds like a conversation I should be a part of,” he said, putting his arm around his brother and leaning against him for support.
“Don’t worry yourself, Arundel,” Ashby said, walking over to help him instead of allowing Edward.
“You didn’t tell us he was still ill.” Norland gave him an uncomfortable look.
Phillip raised his eyebrows. His family told him he looked better each day. They must be flattering him.
“I can’t believe you made it down here on your own.” Edward pointed to a spot on the couch.
Phillip waited until he was sitting before he asked, “Is Olivia well?”
Norland looked angry. He schooled his tone before speaking. “She’s happy and increasing.”
“I’m happy for Lord and Lady Folly,” Phillip said, using the titles to remind Norland his daughter was married and no longer available to hold him to an engagement.
“Olivia is married, so Phillip should be free to marry as he wishes,” Anne said from across the room. She was sitting next to Charlotte and Marianne, working on needlepoint. This was the first time Phillip had been in one of the main rooms since he’d been ill. He thought all the Parkers had left.
Ashby nodded. “Norland, we can discuss the gamble in my den.”
Edward pulled Phillip to his feet to take him back to his bedchamber. As they slowly walked, Phillip asked, “Ashby’s patience with me has been exceedingly lax while I’ve healed. It is out of character for him.”
Edward nodded as though he were trying to find a way to respond. As they started up the stairs, he spoke. “Nearly losing his heir has caused great reflection in our father. I do not know if it will last, but for now, he is learning to control his temper.”
“I have always wondered why he chose to hurt me.” It was a statement he’d never dared speak out loud for fear of his father overhearing and using it to an advantage.
“Generations of abuse passed down by Grandfather Ashby,” Edward said with a sideways glance in his direction.
Phillip wasn’t sure he’d escaped the anger of his father, but for now, he’d be thankful to heal without the added stress.
As they neared his bedchamber, Phillip asked, “Edward, did you and Anne marry?”
He hadn’t thought about the wedding during his illness. His heart fell as Edward responded, “We were married in December. It’s been three months.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” One of the biggest issues Phillip had was a mixed-up perception of the time while he was poisoned. He remembered hallucinations and the pain, but he didn’t remember much about his actions during the time.
“You were too ill.” Edward left the statement there. He didn’t elaborate.
“Are you happy?”
“Yes. Anne is a wonderful woman. I will always be thankful I met her.”
Phillip nodded. “How is . . . Emma?”
Edward smiled as he helped Phillip into bed. “She’s well. She asks about you in every letter she writes.”
“Do you think she’ll forgive me for the anguish I caused her?”
“Stop blaming yourself. She knows
you didn’t have a choice.”
Phillip continued to think about Emma long after Edward left. He hoped they could fix the relationship. He was still in love with her.
Thirty-seven
Edward watched his brother as he walked into the parlor. Phillip no longer needed physical assistance. After months of recovery, he was walking by himself, but the family still found the need to keep a close watch on him in case his legs gave out. The doctor wanted him to use a cane, but Phillip refused to use one just as he had refused the wheelchair.
“Phillip, darling, sit next to me,” their mother said, patting a spot on the couch. He obliged her. Edward moved to sit next to Anne while they listened to Marianne on the piano.
“Marianne, why don’t you allow Phillip to play for us this evening?” their mother commented, patting his leg to get him to move to the piano.
“Mother, I would prefer to listen to Marianne tonight,” Phillip responded. Edward knew Phillip was nervous about playing because he hadn’t played for their family since they were in London.
“Nonsense,” she said, refusing to take no for an answer. “The best way to recover is to start performing daily tasks you once had joy in.” As a side note she added, “Except riding! I don’t want you on a horse for at least another month.”
“If we keep waiting, it will be a full year before you allow me to do anything outside. My hair is darker than it’s ever been,” Phillip said to their mother.
Edward waited for her to argue but was surprised to see Phillip had moved to the piano. Edward put his arm around Anne as he listened to his brother play. The piano sounded as it always did when Phillip played. He ran his hands over the keys with a fluid movement. The music evoked feelings of warmth and love. Edward had a sudden realization life would, over time, go back to normal.
“Mother,” Marianne said as Phillip finished playing the piece. “Are we going to London this season?”
It was hard to believe the season started in less than a month.
“Yes, we are, although I want Phillip to wait until the spring session of Parliament before he travels.”
Edward was surprised when Phillip argued, “I’d prefer not to go to London this season.”
Emma was expecting Phillip to be in London. Edward exchanged a look with Anne before asking, “Is there a reason you want to stay sequestered at Wentworth Hall?”
“I think I caused enough scandal last year. It’s best I stay out of the spotlight for a while.” Phillip moved from the piano. “I can find diversions here to keep me entertained while you prance around London.”
“Prance!” Marianne said with a laugh. “I don’t believe I know how to. Will you please demonstrate?”
Phillip sat next to their youngest sister and pulled on her locks of curls to tease her.
“No one will remember the scandals of last season. Miss Prim is the newest scandal to hit the ton. Everyone is talking about her,” Marianne said as an aside.
Edward thought about mentioning Emma but decided to wait until they were alone so the entire family didn’t weigh in on the subject. He was ready to change the conversation when Charlotte spoke. She didn’t have the same reservations Edward did.
“What about Emma?”
Phillip didn’t flinch. Edward was certain he expected the question. “She’ll be better off without me.”
“How can you think such a thing?” Anne asked in defense of her sister.
Phillip pulled a paper out of his pocket. “This is why she would be better off. I have caused her too much pain.”
Anne rushed across the room and snatched the paper from his hands. She swatted Phillip on the shoulder. “You don’t understand women, do you?” She turned and walked back to Edward. “Why am I surprised? He’s your brother. Of course he doesn’t understand women.”
Edward laughed, amused as he watched his wife. “Emma is in love with you, Phillip. She doesn’t care about the gossip of society. Why don’t you send her a letter?”
Edward shook his head as Phillip grumbled. “We aren’t engaged. It’d be another scandal for me to write to her.”
“This news clipping is old. It’s from last year. No one will remember the fake marriage.”
“Anne, have you forgotten about it?” Phillip asked.
“Of course, I haven’t. She’s my sister. But Marianne is correct. Miss Prim has caused much more of a scandal than you and Emma.”
“So, you think I should write to your sister as well?”
Anne’s voice took on a tone of intrigue. “Far too forward, Lord Arundel.”
Phillip shook his head. With a jest he said, “Thank you, my lady.”
Edward wrapped his arms again around his wife and listened as Charlotte took a spot at the piano and played for them. He was content. “I am thankful I don’t have to worry about the marriage market any longer.”
Anne smiled as she turned to him. “Wait until we have daughters, my lord.”
Thirty-eight
As her family arrived at Almack’s Assembly Hall for the first ball of the season, Emma had a sense of dread when she saw Edward and Anne across the room, with everyone in Edward’s family except Phillip. She’d told herself many times over the course of the previous year to fall out of love with Phillip, but the problem was she couldn’t. She was more in love with him this season than she was the last. But did he love her? He hadn’t made any attempt to contact her since he’d healed.
Phillip had been very ill. She’d known he’d almost died from the poison. But Anne had told her he would be able to reenter society. She wanted him to fight for her. She wanted him to declare his undying love for her, similar to what all of her beloved characters from Shakespeare’s works would do. Romeo stood outside Juliet’s window and called up to his love to show how devoted he was. Am I expecting too much? she wondered as she scanned the rest of the room to see if Phillip was in attendance.
Every time she thought about Romeo and Juliet, she thought about the poison and how Phillip could have died. She still hadn’t reconciled the fear she’d had when she realized he might never wake. It took days for him to open his eyes after the final dose of poison. Emma turned as someone touched her arm.
“Miss Parker.” Disappointment plagued her as Mr. Bennett stood before her. She had danced with him many times the previous season and was surprised he approached now. “Will you join me for the quadrille?”
“I’d be delighted.”
Emma took his arm and allowed him to lead her to the floor. She was stiff and graceless as she danced with Mr. Bennett. He wasn’t his usual charming self, which added to the displeasure she had with the dance.
“Mr. Bennett?” she asked as he joined hands with her. “Is there a reason you look uncomfortable?”
“I’m sorry, Miss Parker. You don’t deserve my rudeness. I’ve just had a disappointing conversation and I am letting it seep into our dance. Please forgive me.”
“It isn’t a problem.” They separated and then came back together through the steps of the dance. “Will you allow me to help you with the disappointment?”
“No . . . no . . . it isn’t something a woman should need to worry about.”
She didn’t speak again, waiting for Mr. Bennett to start a conversation. He stayed silent through the rest of the dance and led her back to the side of the room. “It’s been a pleasure.” He bowed before walking away from her.
What a strange encounter with Mr. Bennett, Emma thought as she looked around the room. She noticed Marianne and Charlotte walking out to the floor with partners, and a pang of longing accompanied her thoughts. She wanted to see Phillip.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Lieutenant Brady said as he approached.
Emma thought for a moment, trying to think of an excuse for staring off into the crowd. “I was admiring the number of new styles this season.” She gave a sigh of relie
f when Brady accepted her excuse. “How is your family, Lieutenant Brady?”
“Very well. Thank you for your kind inquiry.” He smiled as though she were the only woman in the room. “Would you do me the favor of dancing with me?”
Emma smiled her agreement and allowed him to lead her to the floor. She plastered a smile on her face as they danced. She had to keep reminding herself to listen as he spoke.
“Have you tried Parmesan ice cream?”
“No, sir, I must admit I haven’t had the pleasure.”
Emma looked over at Anne as Brady turned her in the dance. Phillip was still absent.
“I’d love to take you to an icehouse. Are you available tomorrow?”
Emma looked at him and gave a kind smile. “Thank you, Lieutenant.”
“I’d appreciate it if we could move past the words lieutenant and miss. How do you feel about calling me David?”
Emma was taken by surprise and missed a step. She wanted to tell him no, because the only man she wanted to give permission to was Phillip, but he wasn’t there. She worried she would have to settle for a marriage of convenience or stick with the goal of being a spinster, because she would never love another as she loved Phillip.
“I don’t think it would be appropriate, Lieutenant. We have recently met.”
Lieutenant Brady guided her from the floor as the dance ended and stood next to her longer than necessary. He brought her a glass of punch and stood off to the side as she danced with Mr. Cox. Unfortunately, when Mr. Cox took her back to her place, Brady was waiting for her.
Lieutenant David Brady was a nice man, but he was a bit of a bore. “Emma, have you ever been on a Navy ship?”
“No, I have not.”
“I suppose it wouldn’t be a normal past time for a lady.”
“What did you want to tell me about the ship?” Emma continued to scan the room, hoping she would find Phillip at some point.
“When I was first stationed on the ship . . . ” Emma stopped listening. She nodded when he paused. She looked amused when he laughed. She held back tears when she realized the night was nearing its end and she’d spent the majority of the evening listening to Lieutenant David Brady talk about his first year in the Navy.
The Earl of Arundel Page 22