Lady Phillipa's Peril: Regency Romance Suspense Series ( Book 3) (Lords of Sussex 4) (3 page)

Mrs Rawlings sniffed. ‘Sir, we do not wish to hear any of that.’  With her nose tilted in distaste, she handed back the hartshorn to the dour matron.

Further down the table, Phillipa espied an elegant young lady in a pale green silk gown, with cream rosebuds decorating her lustrous titian hair. ‘Pray Hector, who is that young lady, seated by the sanguine gentleman?’

‘Hah, that is Miss Eloise Templeton, she arrived just over an hour ago with the parents, they are old friends of mama. The gentleman beside her is her papa.  I do not know her too well, as she was away at boarding school for young ladies, quite an esteemed establishment. You may remember her, when we were children, she joined us once or twice when we played in the grounds.’

‘No, not really, But on second thoughts, was she not the frail little girl with long ginger braids. Hah yes, I remember you teasing her and pulling them. You were a naughty little boy.’ 

‘I never pulled to hurt, though, she was such a little mite, even though she was our age. She was prone to a weak chest and they feared consumption, Hence the boarding school which is situate on the coastline.’

‘She looks well now, although of delicate frame, her gown is so a la mode.’

‘And who is the other young lady, the one in the lustring silver dress. I do not think I have seen her before.’

Hector’s voice warmed,  ‘Hah now that is Lady Amaryllis Wilbraham, ward of the Marquess D’Astard, she has recently joined him at the Abbey.’

‘I must say she is quite stunning, her hair is such an unusual colour, a few shades darker red than the twins.’

Hector nodded, and seeing the young woman watching them, waggled his fingers in greeting.

‘Do you know her well, Hector?’

‘Hah, no, just met them out riding, and the odd family ball y’know. Pleasant young woman, not much up top, if you get my meaning.’

A gloomy looking man, with a prominent wart on the end of his nose dabbed at his lips, and leant toward Phillipa. ‘You talk of dancing my lady, how can you fit the two together, the women dance whilst the men die in battle? Fickle creatures.’

‘Take back your harsh words.’ The vicar spluttered, his jovial face creasing in anger. 

‘And what is a little dancing pray?’ Phillipa demanded, ‘Tis better to dance before the eve of a battle than sob in one’s cups. Tis better to flick a finger at the devil than lick the—’ 

‘Dearest duck.’ Hector cut her off swiftly.  He needed to correct his little kitten, but also felt for her being exposed to such insults; the man was obnoxious to say the least.

‘Who are you calling a duck?’

‘Well Byron wrote to his wife calling her such. Tis a compliment.’

Phillipa glowered, unwilling to upbraid him in public, she would give him ‘duck’ in private. 

Scowling, the man flicked the wart on his nose, ‘Didn’t mean to upset ye dear lady, but tis the truth.’

‘Before the battle, the men dance with their women, happy to be in their arms, happy to behold beauty and jollity instead of dread. For that is what we fickle women do, would you know – support and uphold our men.  La, many a young woman, is privately breaking her heart, fearful for the life of her beloved.  However, she is brave enough to hide her woe under a mask of gaiety.’

Brushing some crumbs off his superfine frock coat, the vicar tugged at his clerical collar. ‘Methinks an apology is in order sir, you really must take care not to assault the ladies’ fragile heads with the trials of war.’

Hector saw Phillipa’s eyes widen; her teeth clench. ‘Fragile heads? I beg to differ.’ she burst out,

‘But dear lady—’

‘Oh no Vicar Thompson, I shall ride by my husband’s side into battle, even now my uniform lies packed in my trunk.’

A silence reigned over the entire table. Hector moaned, uniform? What was the little duck saying now?

Hector turned to her. ‘Phillipa my love, it is not the time to—’

‘You females are surrounded with every comfort, cosseted and adored.’ drawled Demetrius.

‘Fustian.’ Phillipa exclaimed. ‘I tell you now—’

My dear, we value you delightful creatures,’ the vicar said in a ponderous tone, holding up his hand, as if in benediction, ‘yea I say, despite your frailty, we are here to guide you through the vicissitudes of life. Never fear, you can turn to us men for advice, and tutelage; we can free you from all your little worries never fear.’

‘Dear God, I can’t believe you just said that. Will you tell us how to die?’

A hush fell over the entire table
,
all eyes fixed on Phillipa and the vicar.

The dowager smiled inwardly, she dearly loved this new daughter in law – indecorous, but brave and fearless. Oh yes, the darling would show these pompous asses a thing or two. She missed her dear husband, but in her youth had, like her sisters, demurely submitted to an arranged marriage. Now after tasting freedom for the first time in her sheltered life, she vowed never to marry again. However, it was time to avert the argument. Unseen, she waved at a footman, who bowing, left hurriedly to return with a trio of musicians, who set themselves up  in the corner of the room. The other footmen hastily took off the first cover, and replaced it with a new one for the second course, by which time all attention was on the musicians, as they tuned their instruments, further distracting the guests.

Hector leant his head over the table to Phillipa, ‘Just like Mama, such a devious lady, tis like a deus ex machina.’

To his credit, the sombre guest whispered, ‘Forgive an old man m’dear, can’t keep up with times ye see.’

Seeing the sincerity in the lined pallid face, Phillipa smiled, and patted his hand. ‘You are forgiven.’ Glancing down the table, she saw Demetrius lift his glass in salute, then blow a kiss, Chatting to another guest, Hector missed it.

Leaving the men to their port, and the new fangled cigars, the women departed for the drawing room. One or two gave disdainful looks at Phillipa, whilst others smiled, signalling their camaraderie. Once in the drawing room, one of the guests sat at the spinet, whilst another sorted out some music.

Seeing the dowager seated sipping a port, Phillipa went straight over to her.  ‘Your Ladyship, may I apologise for my discourteous behaviour and remarks.  I really didn’t mean to—’

‘My dearest, despair not. You kept within the bounds of propriety and measured your words, with the exception of one cavil, ‘how to die’. I do declare I shall write that in my Journal – a complete gem. I am so proud to be the mother-in-law of such a brave young lady.  You speak for all of us, even those who do not agree.’

Phillipa felt her legs weaken and seeing her confusion, the dowager pulled her down beside her. ‘If anyone seeks an altercation with you m’dear, they will have to go through me first. Phillipa, I am so proud of you.’

Amelia came to Phillipa’s side, ‘Pippa. I do so admire you.’

‘I am not proud of protesting so, but it seems there is no other way;  men are not open to an amicable discussion. Well, it won’t do much good for us, but maybe our great granddaughters in time will be free.’

Lily walked up, taking her hand, her eyes moist, as she whispered, ‘You are so very brave, I hope you  are not too upset dearest.’

‘Sometimes it would be easier not to say anything, to just bob my head and refrain from demurring.’ Phillipa bit back her own tears ‘But alack I have given the pledge to women’s freedom, and I cannot gainsay it.’

The elegant woman with titian hair approached them. ‘Please introduce me Lily.’

‘Your ladyship, may I introduce Miss Eloise Templeton – the Rht Honourable Phillipa Frencham.

Curtseying, Miss Templeton clicked her fan shut.  ‘Your ladyship I was so impressed with what you had to say. I wonder how you came to such a philosophy?’

‘I think it is growing up with mainly boys. I do have a sister, but she is a child still. But I have four brothers and actually loved every minute of it. I was not given to dolls’ tea parties. I’d far rather sketch or ride a horse.’

‘Maybe it was the competition, you did not have sisters, so you competed with the boys.’

‘Maybe so, I do remember exchanging a doll for a hussar’s toy hat.’

‘Then we are in accord, I was mostly to be found in the stables mucking out, or helping the grooms brush the horses.’

Phillipa grinned, ‘To this day, there is nothing to compare to the smell of fresh hay, and a new saddle.

‘So, how does Lord Thurston deal with your modern views?’

‘Oh, he is supportive, albeit he finds it all amusing, but then I cannot expect him to suddenly change his views. Neither is it politic of me to try.’ Remembering the note left on her dressing table, she gazed up at the young woman. She asked personal questions, quite indiscreet really. Could she possibly be … no, her gaze was artless, and she appeared too finely bred to be a light-skirt or possible mistress.

‘Phillipa, will you sing for us?’ Amelia cried from across the room, holding up , a music sheet.

Laughing, Phillipa rose. ‘Excuse me, but I shall have to sit this one out. I’m afraid I sing like a goose on parade.’

‘Well at least you are honest.’ Lady Amaryllis laughed, and came to sit beside her.

‘So you are looking forward to living here permanently?’

Phillipa raised her eyebrows; the woman was a little too personal. Clicking open her fan, she began slowly fanning her face, a signal for the woman that she cared not for her intrusion.

Ignoring the rebuttal, the woman carried on. ‘La, dear Hector visits often; he swears we have the finest chef. He should be; my godfather went to Paris personally and brought him back.’

‘Hmm – I shall await your invitation.’ Phillipa said, with tight lips. Hector said he hardly knew her, why would he lie?

Later, sitting beside Miss Templeton, she listened to Lily’s sweet rendering of ‘Love’s Lost.’ Her thoughts roamed to Hector. He treated her like his little pet, but nevertheless, she held him in high regard.  They were inseparable when he returned home from boarding school and later university.

It was just the first season revealed there would never be any passion in their alliance. Her thoughts returned to that frisson of excitement as she danced with the young bucks, their strong vibrant bodies inching close to hers in the waltz. She’d felt her heart flutter, as she saw the passion in their eyes as they danced the minuet. Later in bed, her body would yearn for the touch of their strong hands, something that never happened with Hector.  Yet she owed him so much, not only childhood friendship, but the future of her family’s safety.  It was only through his generosity; the girls would have their coming out seasons and the boys a commission or placement at university. She tied to drum up some excitement, some joy, but failed.

Hector entered the room with the other men, his eyes searching. Seeing her, he beamed, making his way to her with an elderly gentleman trailing behind him. ‘Darling, let me introduce Colonel Marston; he was interested to know we sail for Brussels. 

Phillipa rose and curtseyed, whilst the colonel held her hand kissing the air above her knuckles. ‘Charmed I must say, what a beautiful young lady Thurston. Lucky chap egad.’

He turned to Miss Templeton, repeating the exaggerated bow, and the airy kiss. ‘My dear Miss Templeton, I drink to your beauty.’ With a gallant flourish, he raised his glass, only for his hand to tremble slightly.  Taking a generous swallow he turned to Hector, ‘So you are prepared young man, they could not cage the little Corsican.  War is war sir – tis  war I tell ye, war.’ The elderly man was carried away, his voice tremulous as his hands, as he repeated his words,

‘Yes Sir, tis a tiresome time, war after war, it seems they cannot cage old Boney – causing havoc on a worldwide scale yet once again.’

A gaunt woman of a certain age, with reddened cheeks and a low décolletage over a bony chest neighed, ‘The widow maker reigns again; The blood of our young men will redden the field, and their wives left bereft; I do wish someone would just shoot him.’

‘Tis a wonder no-one has, but he has the hearts of the French.’ Hector said, ‘Thank God the Prussians are on our side.  However, tis not a fit conversation with young ladies present.’

The woman shrilled, ‘I do wish they would shoot him. Pay an assassin; make an end to this talk of war.’

Ignoring her, the Colonel bent to Phillipa, ‘So are ye looking forward to the voyage m’dear?’

‘Yes and the boat trip to Ghent.’ She could hardly say she felt nothing, no excitement, just acceptance. ‘La, my friend the Lady Isabella writes it was so thrilling; she loved it, but then their joy was cut short, as she was abducted when they journeyed across country.’

‘Well precious girl, I shall see that you do not leave my side.’ Hector said raising his glass to drink. ‘I shall tie you to me when we sleep.’

‘I can hardly believe soldiers would actually kidnap women, as they slept beside their husbands,’ trilled the gaunt woman clutching her bony chest.

‘Well, some become quite desperate if you forgive such an indelicate phrase my lady.’ The old man blustered, ‘They fear they will die on the battlefield so the hangman’s rope does not deter them from delighting in a lady.’

Lily, sitting beside Hector paled. ‘Gracious, how terrifying. La, one may be kidnapped and murdered and no-one would know until the morning.’

Amelia clutched Phillipa’s hand, ‘Oh dear lord Pippa; you cannot go; you truly cannot. In fact, if you do, then I will go with you.’

‘So will I,’ Lily tuned it.

Seeing their frightened but determined faces, Hector quailed. They usually got their way. ‘My dears, you are far too young. Why think of dear mama, she would faint away at the prospect of it.’

Amelia raised her chin. ‘Brother, we are eighteen years and two months old; our dear sister to be is only a mere twenty months older than us.

Phillipa tried not to laugh, although of determined character, Amelia led a very sheltered life, both she and Lily would not allow the dowager to release their governess and nurse.

‘They would not allow it; I mean the Colonel would refuse to have two beautiful and single young ladies travelling with the regiment; it would fair put the men out.’

‘Oh and how did the seven Lennox sisters travel then? They could not exactly sail the royal barge on the high seas.’

‘My dearest girl, you would need a chaperone, a maid, a footmen and a groom.  Think of all the cost, the arrangements. Besides, I cannot envisage mama even contemplating such an idea.’

‘Then we shall put it to her.’

'No Amelia it is out of the question.’

Lily, who had remained quiet throughout, said demurely, ‘Tis a way of finding husbands brother. We did not find anyone to our liking this season.’

Phillipa grinned; they were certainly very astute young ladies. ‘Besides,’ Lily continued, ‘it would save you the expense of another season, for both of us. Think dear brother, you have to pay twice over and even then we may not find anyone to our liking, or maybe the bucks will not find us alluring.’

‘Come, come now, you are both beauties, and well you know it, why you had London's males dangling from your pretty finger tips.’

‘Please brother, please let us come with you.  We would be companions for Phillipa, and besides by sheer numbers; we could protect each other.’

Hector raked his fingers through rich brown curls. ‘Good Lord, I cannot contemplate travelling with three women. One is enough.’

‘Don't be so rude,’ Amelia protested, ‘besides, you will be away most of the time, at your officers’ meetings and things that you men do. Poor Phillipa will be left to her own devices.’

‘Or alternatively, snatched away under our very noses.’ Lily said spiritedly. ‘Anyway, it would be fun to see the Lennox sisters; I know we are well below them in rank, but we had a grand time with them on our last gala visit.’

Hector looked to Phillipa, his eyebrows raised. ‘What say you dearest? Could you put up with these two scamps?’

‘How could you say that of two charming girls? Of course, I could. I would welcome the company; you men are not prone to chatter, and I actually live for it.’

‘I thought you were a quiet puss, what with your etchings, and horse riding?’

‘Yes, but I cannot talk to the horse can I? And besides you do not know me; you have not lived with me.’

‘Of course I know you; I've known you all my life Phillipa.’

‘Yes, but as I said, not living with me. Isabella, Henrietta, and I chatter for hours.

‘But what do you women find to tattle about?’

‘Everything, we find something and talk about it, and then we look at it from another angle, and then we pick it to pieces and then—’

‘Yes – yes, enough.’

‘You mean we can?’ Amelia squealed, clapping her hands together.

‘Well it is supposed to be our honeymoon you know.’

‘But darling, it is only a few hours at sea, and you will be working from the moment you step on board, and I shall be left in an empty suite. Besides I will not know the other ladies, and it will take time to become accustomed to them.’

Hector grinned, ‘Egad, I shall have three little kittens to care for. I think I shall look forward to it with interest.’ He stopped, looking at the flushed faces, the bloom on their tender cheeks – what angels. He would have his work cut out with the officers on board the ship and the river trip to Ghent. It would be a case of en garde for him and the footmen, and then of course he had the groom. Sighing he went over to Phillipa, to kiss the top of her head, only for her to move away.

Looking down he could see the consternation on her face, ‘Darling. What is it?’

She shook her head; it would be unkind to voice her thoughts in front of the girls. How could she explain the desolation that almost overwhelmed her? In those few words of pleading with Hector, her life flashed before her.  Thoughts raced through her mind, strange and shattering. Was this her aim in life, to chatter, to gossip? How shallow.  She realized she relied upon chatter to while away the hours. Of course, it was pleasant, but was this the whole extent of her being? Where were the goals? There was her art, but young ladies were not allowed to visit a working studio, let alone receive lessons even with a chaperone. To exhibit was the height of impropriety, as was publishing a book of her etchings. They laughed about putting her journal into print, but all knew it was frowned upon by the ton.

She felt a rush of almost panic; the years ahead loomed, years of increasing, giving birth, and attending tea parties in another aimless day. Why she was not even allowed to bring up her children, a nanny would take care of that, and later she would lose them to boarding schools.  Was that all she was worth, providing the future heirs to the estate? She shook her head, trying to clear the strange thoughts.

She looked up to hear Hector’s voice as if coming from afar. ‘Come my little pet, be not so desolate of mien, you shall have company to fill your little day.’

She tried to smile, tried to banish the dark epiphany that assailed her. ‘La tis nothing, I am just overwhelmed with the coming wedding. Heed me not.’ Yet his words rang in her ears, ‘Your little day.’ Was that all she was worth, a doll – a plaything?

‘Hah, I have it, let us go twist the tiger’s tail.’ Hector grinned, wiping his hands together.

The twins laughed, ‘Yes what a good idea. Can we join in?’

‘Of course, come.’ Hector said, waving his arms expansively,

Moving over to the card tables, the players welcomed them. ‘Hah Hector, we have need of more players tis rather dull with only the four of us.’ The colonel beamed.

Phillipa could not resist a smile at the gaiety of the players, and determined to lift that sense of bleakness.