Journey's End (Marlbrook) (16 page)

Lord Henry Marlbrook
rightfully
claimed to be descended from royalty, his heritage apparent in his manner.  All eyes were upon him as he prepared to welcome his guests.  His mother had positioned herself to his right
,
with Miss Emily taking up residence on his left, the two donating balance to a portrait worthy of commemoration.

Lord Henry and Miss Emily made a striking couple.  Lord Henry
,
the Nordic prince with his blonde locks
,
and Emily a princess
.  T
he dark scarlet hue of
Emily’s
hair
was accentuated
by the golden glow of the candles as they flirted with her dress of glittering gold.

Lady
Catherine
had chosen a gown of subdued colour that covered the spectrum between purple and black.  Elegance, hers by right, was supported by the cut of her garment with diamonds called upon to enhance the setting.  The gems sparkled in a dance routine with the light.  Her hair, two-tone grey in parts, was swept high upon her head
,
adding the illusion of height and perfecting the ensemble.

Mesmerised, Laura could only stare in wonder at the grandeur of the
occasion
.

“Ain’t it glorious,” declared the parlour maid, seated beside Laura.  “What a sight for tired eyes.”

“That’s for sure,” Molly
added
, taking up her position. “You could be one of them there ladies,
Miss Jennings
.”

“That’s lovely of you to say, Molly” Laura
replied
, “but my feet hurt far too much to
dance after doing my chores.”

The gallery eru
pted into a chorus of laughter.

The evening promised to sustain secret aspirations.  Laura’s dreams served to animate her smile, transforming green eyes into pools of loveliness that were wasted on the night.

Ladies with varying degrees of beauty engaged Lord Henry, bothersome in their cries for
his
attention, but to one woman only he looked often.  Laura was his desire.

Blissfully unaware of any unwarranted attention, Laura appeared to be the only one to have missed the event
,
for
both
Miss Emily and Sarah
had
not.

At length, Laura made her way back to the industrious circus of the kitchen
,
accompanied by the squalling sounds that musicians emit while tuning their precious instruments.

Anticipation swelled as the audience waited for the conductor to liberate the music.  The crowd could be heard to gasp as the melodic notes were released.  The recital made a brief attempt to compete with the frantic atmosphere of the kitchen but soon forfeited the struggle.

Temperamental hysteria dominated the kitchen.  Cook claimed the privilege to be overwrought, and since circumstances warranted her condition
,
the poor scullery maid
bore
the brunt of
her
abuse.

Laura thought the word
“
lively
”
adequately described the scene
, as s
he set about stirring one
out
of the vast array of pots
that
cover
ed
the range
.  H
er recall tirelessly recreat
ed
the splendour that she had been fortunate enough to witness.  The open
access way
at the top of the stairs went unnoticed.

A dramatic silence brought the trespasser
’
s existence to everyone’s attention.  The elegance of the man’s dress riveted all eyes upon the intruder who had dared disturb the sanctuary of the kitchen during their finest hour.

Laura’s response was
automatic
.  Her hand smoothed her wayward hair, recapturing the escaping tendrils
,
as she made her way to greet the visitor.  She could not fathom why a gentleman would invade the kitchen unless, she supposed, he had taken a wrong turn.  If he proved to be here for any other reason, Laura trusted it was not to complain.  An incident of any sort would serve to dampen her enjoyment, and she was loath to let go of her dreams without a fight.

Familiar eyes met Laura’s, traces of arrogance still discernible in the
ir
dark ebony hue.  Remembrance jarred Laura’s world.

“Ma’am, I trust on such a grand night that I find you in good health and absent of worry?”

Laura felt
the heat of embarrassment swamp her,
as images reconstructed in her mind of their last ardent embrace.  She was consumed by the physical nearness of him.  “Indeed sir, you find me in good spirits.”

Thomas added softly.  “I have missed you more than you can imagine, Laura.”

Thomas’ voice reflected the want to say more but trailed away when he acknowledged the restrictions of their surroundings.

Thomas made a splendid figure in his evening attire.  A handsome man in looks and in body, every bit the gentleman, his aristocratic appearance confirming what Laura had always denied.  She held herself to account, condemning her folly.

“You are a guest at the ball.”  Laura’s statement would
not
stand
challenge.  Many instances had pointed to his class, but she had chosen to ignore them all.  The truth would now punish her.

“Laura, I have long sought an excuse that would bring our paths together again.  Tonight’s festivities have provided the pretext.”  Thomas used honesty to soothe Laura’s fears
,
now that he had identified them.

Laura realised that the congregation below would be listening.  The multitude would be straining to hear, endeavouring to gain an insight into what was taking place.  Rumours in this environment took hold quickly and would be circulating even as she spoke.

“Is everything satisfactory
,
cook, or do you require my assistance with some chore that is impeding your continuance?”

Laura’s query prompted a hasty return to w
ork.  T
he incessant bustle of the kitchen immediately resumed.

“Perhaps you would do me the honour of agreeing to accompany me on a walk within the grounds, as it is not often that I get to see something so beautiful.”

The double meaning of Thomas’ words served to reproduce the scarlet hue that was swiftly becoming Laura’s hallmark.

The two exited through a side entrance.

Fear of discovery overshadowed Laura’s rapture.  Her position would be in jeopardy if she were caught fraternising with a guest.  However
,
tonight Laura decided to banish common sense from her being.

The path they strolled led to the lake, and they walked without the bother of small talk
,
content just to have each other near.

In the semi-darkness, Thomas searched for Laura's hand to help guide her.  The touch brought the two to near climax
,
their love strong and compelling.

Thomas fought to conceal his ardour and
to
steady his nerves before engaging Laura in conversation.

“Progress has been made on the manor, Laura, so much so that you would hardly recognise some areas.  The work continues to consume my daylight hours, but my plans are well underway and I am content with the advancements.”

The tranquil air, damp from the rain, encompassed them
;
however
,
Laura doubted that she could lay fault with the weather for the warmth she was experiencing.

Thomas had timed his entrance perfectly.  The first dances were underway
,
thus occupying the majority, and the evening was yet too early for sweethearts to take a stroll.  Secure in the knowledge that they were alone
,
they walked arm in arm, ease mounting with each step.

The lakeside welcomed strangers.  Open to its charms
,
the
couple
viewed the water’s tranquil surface
,
as the house lights bestowed a make-believe aspect on everything they touched.

Thomas faced Laura, his want clearly portrayed, and she could not deny him.  His hand reached out in the darkness drawing her close, his mouth binding her to him. 

The lovers became lost in the experience of the caress, an act teeming with emotion.  When the lingering kiss ended
,
Thomas held Laura close
;
he required a degree of discipline before he could again seek the solace of her lips.

“Sir,” Laura struggled to
retain
control of her emotions.  “I cannot cry innocent nor do I intend to, but I
must
confess that I still experience doubt.”

Silence prevailed, their longings visible to both.

“Good evening, Lord Ashley
.
”
T
he high
-
pitched screeching erased any charm that the moment might have promised.  “It is a beautiful night, do you not think?”  Again, the ugly noise probed where it was not welcome.

Miss Emily draped herself on the arm of a gentleman who looked to her with large
,
puppy dog eyes.  She cracked open her fan, frantically waving the item about as if she were suddenly annoyed with the object.  However
,
her focus remained firmly on Laura.

“I find it highly unusual that a servant is out walking with one of my guests, madam
. Y
our
mere
presence
is
personally offensive,” Miss Emily stated, her formal
,
condescending tone designed to strike fear into her enemies.

Laura failed to offer a response
,
as wrongdoing tied her words.

“Miss Emily,” Thomas
g
r
eeted
, while bowing to kiss
the
L
ady’s
hand
, “
Y
o
ur company is always a delight.  However
,
I am afraid you may not choose to return the compliment as it is I you must rebuke.”  Thomas
continued to hold
Miss Emily’s hand firmly
in
his.  “I am responsible for this
young woman’s
predicament
;
therefore
,
it is I that you must punish in anyway you deem fit.”

Miss Emily responded to Thomas’ cavalier attitude with childish glee.

Thomas
knew he
had beaten Miss Emily at her own game.  “You see, I am acquainted with
your servant
through her travels to Marlbrook and
,
without appearing immodest
,
I can state that I saved her life. You
,
of all people, ma’am, know that a gentleman’s code is binding.”

Thomas’ manner, Laura noted, held the same traces of mockery that she had first experienced with him.  Cautiously
,
Laura glanced at Miss Emily.  Thomas’ comments appeared to have done their job.  The
l
ady acted beguiled, and Laura gave credit to Thomas
,
who obviously knew his target well.

Miss Emily held everyone’s attention.  “You, sir, are deserving of a commendation on the one hand and warrant a chastisement on the other
;
however
,
I suggest in the meantime that the
L
ady’s maid be excused.  She has chores to perform and should be allowed to complete them.”  Miss Emily glared at Laura, displaying unconcealed contempt.

Laura curtseyed and hastily thanked Lord Ashley for his interest before leaving the intimate party behind her on the lawn.

Thomas reprimanded himself.  Pen had committed to paper his expectations for Laura to read, his writings a declaration of his love and his hopes for their future.  Now he was undone.  He had bungled the delivery.

The kitchen door closed behind Laura.  Internal reprimands would come later in the privacy of her room, but in the meantime she hid her frustration
,
refusing to air her problems or put them on public display.  She snapped an order and went back to work.

Exhausted by the day’s events, when Laura finally retired to her chamber
,
her journal beckoned.  She longed to share the sensations that Thomas’ kiss had produced and the desire his
touch had aroused in her body. 
Feelings demanded of her but had nowhere to go.