Journey's End (Marlbrook) (11 page)

The expressions, while not elaborate or complicated views, imparted her account of the situation.
However
,
more importantly
,
they extended an offer of atonement, indicating possible future discourse.

Her letter concluded with
:

“I am heartened by your correspondence and pray that time will grant
me
a reprieve and allow my thoughts to settle
,
thus enabling me to face you again without the hindrance of appearing needy.”

Thomas would understand her subtle words and know that if he were patient
,
her door would again be open to him.

C
HAPTER
FOURTEEN
–
The Past

Weeks passed with a swiftness that confounded Laura, and the sense of longing
that
she had first experienced had abated to a manageable degree.  Seldom did anyone question her regarding her ordeal, the lack of interest a reflection of just how little she counted in the overall scheme of things.

Seated in the morning room
,
Lady
Catherine
’s regular visitors supped their tea
,
blissfully unaware of just how close they skirted the edges of Lady
Catherine
’s ill
humour.

“Cynthia, your companion appears to be unwell. Perhaps we should send her home without further ado,” Lady
Catherine
stated, knowing full well that the very thought of being banished from their company would send Ruth into a frenzy.

Lady Cynthia, a rather skittish woman
,
who could best be described as round in appearance, had long been a confirmed friend of Lady
Catherine
.  The women had nothing in common, but nevertheless they seemed to fill a void in each other’s lives.  Lady Cynthia's companion, Ruth, was a poor relation who enjoyed a privileged status in the home of her second cousin once removed.

“Oh my
,
” Ruth sig
h
ed. “Lady
Catherine
, I beg of you do not tease me so. You know that I am taken with bouts of the vapours. The doctors have assured me that it is not in my best interests to venture out of doors. No! Their professional advice is for me to rest and keep my sustenance up,” Ruth stated, as yet another bonbon disappeared from sight.

Lady
Catherine
cringed, as the hideously absurd snorting, disguising itself as Ruth’s laughter, followed.  As usual, the middle-aged woman irritated Lady
Catherine
beyond belief.

In reply, Lady Cynthia’s wit was sharp.  “
Catherine
, you know full well that you would miss our company should we be restricted indoors. Who else would challenge your good will so?”

Lady Cynthia rescued Ruth, as she did so on many occasions.  “Come
,
Ruth, the doctors are always right.  It is I who should be scolded for
inviting
you on this outing. We shall take you home immediately and have you put to bed until you are well again.”

  When the latch clicked shut behind her guests, Lady
Catherine
vented her frustrations.

“If I come across one more of these creatures I shall,
I shall
- quite honestly I shall forget that I am a Lady and,
and
- see! I am conditioned not to think, let alone say what I would do with one of these women.”

Lady
Catherine
’s glare was sufficiently intimidating for Laura to form no opinion at all.  Not that Laura’s lack of interest caused concern
,
for Lady
Catherine
often answered herself.

“Your lack of family does not appear to have harmed you!” exclaimed Lady
Catherine
.  “The women surrounding me have more blood relatives than I can count, and I cannot say that they appear to have benefited by their kindred’s existence. Wh
at say you to that, my girl?”

Lady
Catherine
fanned herself a bit too rapidly, a sure sign that she was agitated.  Laura responded to her antagonist with a knowing grin.

Inwardly
,
Laura likened her Ladyship to a man about to enter a duel, but the weapon, her fan, could hardly be expected to harm anyone.  Laura banished the picture that formed in her mind of Lady
Catherine
and Ruth duelling at dawn, fans at the ready.  Her Ladyship would not see the humour.

“Something amuses you, madam?” Lady
Catherine
never missed an opportunity.  “Perhaps you would like to share the focal point of your mirth and allow me to join
you
in your frivolity.”  Lady
Catherine
’s stern face hardened against such a possibility ever occurring.

“Ma’am,” Laura began, ignoring her Ladyship’s last delivery.  “I cannot deny my lack of family
,
but then the same cannot be said for Sarah, as she was raised by a caring father and therefore legitimately mourns her loss.  As for myself, I do not dwell
up
on such things.”

Lady
Catherine
’s mouth launched into an opening ready to retaliate, but the void remained empty of sound.

“When surrounded by your welcoming household,” Laura continued, “I am encouraged to work even harder in your employ.”  Laura sat with a straight back and bearing that was not in the least bit fitting with decorum.

Lady
Catherine
congratulated herself.  Her choice of companion had always held promise.

A steady tapping seized Lady
Catherine
’s attention, her cane the sly culprit.  She no longer exercised full control over some of her faculties, but no one would ever share this intelligence.

“My son will soon establish himself at Marlbrook, as the estate demands his permanent residence here.”  Lady
Catherine
’s tone was abrasive within the confined space of the parlour.  “He is a handsome rogue
. A
nd while you may look upon me as biased, I would dare you to find a mother, when confronted with this topic,
who would
deny the obvious.”  Lady
Catherine
paused, taking breath before adding.  “Henry is not responsible, Laura, and I have worked too hard to let my efforts go to waste.”

Emily, daughter of the wealthy Parkinson’s of
Kent
, would see Lord Henry settled.  The girl’s family were greedy and craved a title to offset their money, while the Marlbrook’s merely required a mother to sire grandchildren and heirs.  The match was suitable and would benefit everyone.

Lady
Catherine
had worked tirelessly during the last
London
winter to find a bride for her son, scanning the crowds of debutantes that were, for the most part, of no consequence.

“Of course
,
Henry will not take up residence until his marriage date draws near but that event grows closer,” her Ladyship
continued
.

Cynicism had crept into Lady
Catherine
’s voice, and Laura’s own experiences of Lord Henry added background to her cause.

Lady
Catherine
did not share her afterthought with Laura, which included the women and the gambling that were constant companions of her son, habits she held doubts he would renounce in marriage.

“Laura. Do you feel how this house demands care? How it lures you with its grandeur? Money and power call for total dedication, and we were all unprepared.”

Aged eyes steeled themselves to look into the past.  The faint stoop was gone, a rigid backbone taking its place.  Lady
Catherine
was not as senile as she sometimes led her followers to believe.

Tales of intrigue had been woven into the fabric of Marlbrook with few generations
having
escap
ed
unscathed.  Perhaps the sheer magnitude of their wealth claimed some form of payment?  Lady
Catherine
had been called upon to make hers.

Lady
Catherine
had
feelings
for her husband
,
given the circumstances, but in all honesty it had been his home that had consumed her with passion.  And over the years, it had been Marlbrook that had kept her sane when all around her faltered.

Marlbrook’s b
ygone
generations
had looked to
Lady Catherine
to save their heritage, and she had undergone some bitter lessons in fulfilling their bidding.  Her eyes spoke memories of what the real cost had been, sorrow
being
a cross that manifests itself in many forms.

The trial the heavens had designated she suffer had denied her children.  Imperative to the survival of Marlbrook
,
the weight of carrying out her duty had been oppressive and she had nearly collapsed under the strain.

A family of the ruling class did not tolerate barrenness, especially
a family
that could trace its foundations to the very emergence of
England
.  However
,
her secret did not warrant special treatment
,
not when compared with the losses that might have resulted.

A clandestine production, enacted behind closed doors, had yielded the desired outcome and she had been the principal player.  Her father-in-law had bedded her and given her a son. 
Lady Catherine
did not fear condemnation from her husband
,
for he had been a knowing conspirator.  His father had not molested her nor had he used physical constraints to gain access to her body
;
he had simply impressed upon her the meaning of obligation and duty.

Jubilation at the arrival of an heir had been tempered by the certainty
that
there would be no more children.  She would not endure a second degradation.  However, the decision had been
moot
.  Three months later
,
her father-in-law had died, his attendant years at an end.  She had sacrificed her husband for the child and
he,
her
;
the house
,
the silent beneficiary.

Nature had instigated her ordeals, and Lady
Catherine
would query until the day she died why her husband had fathered a child with his mistress but
had
failed her.  Cruelty comes in many guises but suffering was always the same.

Secrets abounded in Marlbrook and weighed heavily upon Lady
Catherine
’s mind
;
silence was the price she had to pay.

Nowadays
,
Lady
Catherine
attempted to pass some of her insights to Laura, schooling her on the wisdom that comes with age.

Lady
Catherine
’s obligations neared an end.  Her son had
agreed to take
a bride
.  S
oon the house would be full of
her
grandchildren
that
she unashamedly looked forward to spoiling.

CHAPTER
FIFTEEN
- The Return

Sarah outwardly blossomed.  The elegant surroundings and lifestyle that Marlbrook offered appeared to suit her, but only she was privy to the information that they were all wrong.  Jealousy constantly chipped away at her insides.  Lady
Catherine
preferred her overly capable sister who handled most of the mundane chores, and Laura was so irritatingly perfect that she left little in her wake for Sarah to carry out.  Sarah’s days were humdrum and her nights confined, an eternity of sameness dominating her existence.  Boredom drove
Sarah
to look for distractions.

#

The first days of summer were glorious.  Laura roamed the grounds of Marlbrook familiarising herself with every nook and cranny
,
the estate
brimming with floral tributes.  Colours exhilarated the senses while evocative scents floated upon the air, their perfume lingering well after the light had withdrawn.