Shadows of Doubt (13 page)

“That should not be necessary, but if it comes to it, do what you must.”

Gwen knew she needed to move—that she should not be listening—but she was stunned by what she was hearing. Could they be so cold and calculating to force someone into marriage for gaming debts? It frightened her to hear them speak so coldly of compromising and forcing an innocent to the altar for their gain. She had no idea they were below the hatches. They certainly did not show it with their style of living or spending habits. It sounded as if her cousin Peregrine had her father’s tendency to gaming. She had heard it ran in the blood. She personally thought it showed weakness of character. A true gentleman would not put anything above his family’s security.
 

For now, she had to find a way out of the house. She would consider the rest of their comments later. She had no intention of finding herself the next Lady Kendall, if that was even their intention. It would explain their sudden willingness to receive her and convince her of their happiness to have found her! She decided to pen another letter to the Dowager and beg for her rescue. She was not certain she knew her whereabouts after all. Upon completing this, she sneaked out of the house and made for the nearest post office.

***

“Well, Duchess, what a pleasant surprise!” Lady Kendall offered a polite curtsy to the Dowager and Elinor, but not without glancing at the latter’s increasing belly with astonishment.

“Hello, Louisa. It has been some time. Are you acquainted with my granddaughter, Lady Easton?”

“I have not yet had the pleasure. Welcome. Please do have a seat and I will call for tea.”

They uttered polite inanities until the tea tray was set before them and the Dowager could take no more of them. She had never cared for Lady Louisa Kendall, and she struggled to mask her dislike long enough to find Gwen.

“The reason I am here is that I have been informed my goddaughter is at present under your roof.”

“Your goddaughter?”

“Indeed. Miss Gwendolyn Lambert. Do you deny she is here? My grandson, Lord Fairmont, sent an express enquiring after her, but it appears the messenger was detoured on his return.” She raised her eyebrow in challenge.

“I had no idea Miss Lambert had any remaining connections besides our family.”

“Her mother and I were cousins, and she solely charged me with her care after her unfortunate demise.”

“I see. But she is of age.”

“Of age, yes, and penniless. I have agreed to take her under my wing and provide her with an independence. She sent word to me, but when I sent a carriage for her, she was gone.”

“Lord Kendall was informed of the situation by Mrs. Lambert in a letter. He set forth as soon as he received it, but unfortunately she had already passed. He offered to provide for Miss Lambert, in fact would have done so this many years had he known where to find them.”

“It was no secret. They never left Bath.”

“Nevertheless, his enquiries after my husband’s death went cold. He was delighted to hear from her.”

“And how did you feel, Louisa?”

Elinor thought it best to intervene at this point. “May we see her? I’ve not yet had the pleasure of meeting her, having lived in America so long.”

“I am afraid she is out at the moment, but I would be happy to tell her of your call. Are you staying at Wyndham House or Loring Place?”

“I believe I would prefer to wait. I cannot be easy until I can see her.” The Dowager did not trust Lady Kendall.

“I assure you, she was in perfect health when she left earlier,” Lady Kendall said, affronted.

“When do you expect her?”

“By dinner. In fact, why not join us for dinner? We are a very dull lot, and would welcome the company.”

The Dowager and Elly exchanged glances.

“Very well. We would be delighted.”

“Shall we say eight o’clock? Is Lord Easton with you in town?”

“He is.”

“Please extend the invitation to him as well.”

“I am certain he will be delighted to accompany us. Until tonight.”

The ladies parted with practiced civility, but the Dowager left two footmen to watch over the house and report Gwendolyn’s return.

***

Reluctantly, Gwen returned to Kendall House, even though she had been gone longer than she intended, having lost her way. She had been disoriented by the congestion, noise and smells. Everything had begun to look the same as she tried to find her way back, and she finally found someone who paid her enough mind when she asked for directions. She was certain her absence had been noted by now. The butler opened the door for her before she had the chance to knock.

“Welcome, Miss Lambert. Lady Kendall is waiting for you in the parlour,” he said without a trace of emotion.

“Thank you, Gates.” She handed him her bonnet and pelisse, and made her way into the opulent room to greet her aunt.

“Dearest Gwen,” Lady Kendall exclaimed. “I have been worried to death. Where have you been?”

“I am sorry I caused you anxiety. I only intended to catch a breath of fresh air, but I became lost.”
 

“You should never leave the house alone! You are not in Bath any longer. Please promise you will at least take a footman if you venture out again, though Peregrine or I would be happy to escort you.”

“Yes, of course. I have no desire to repeat the experience.”

“Well, it appears you have come to no harm. We are to have guests for dinner, so you best go change.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

As soon as Gwen was out of sight, Lady Kendall sought out Peregrine in his apartments.

“It must happen tonight, or there will unlikely be another chance,” she demanded, as she interrupted his nightly dressing routine.

“What has happened?” he asked, unconcerned.

“I've had a call today from the Dowager Duchess of Loring and Lady Easton.”

He looked at her questioningly as if her social calls were of no consequence to him. He was consumed with his cravat and annoyingly threw off his fifth attempt at the waterfall as his valet handed him yet another rigidly starched cloth.

“She is her godmother and means to rescue her!” she said impatiently.

“No call for theatrics, Mother.”

“I'm not being melodramatic,” she said resentfully. “The Duchess said as much this afternoon. I was scarcely able to convince her to leave, and only by offering an invitation to dine this evening.”

“You don't say. I would have let her stay.”

“I could not tell her that Miss Lambert was unaccounted for, could I?”

“I suppose not,” he said as he looked appreciatively at the masterpiece he had created, likely thinking he would be obliged to sacrifice his art on the altar of compromise.

“I decided it would be the perfect opportunity for you to be found in
flagrante delicto
with her dearest goddaughter. She, being a high stickler, could not do anything but insist upon a quick marriage. After all, she should be thrilled to be saved the trouble of having to be saddled with her. Not to mention, marrying her off to a lord, when I guarantee even she has no aspirations so lofty!”

“No indeed,” he agreed. “How shall we arrange it, then?”

“I think I prefer to begin the evening with the entertainment. Then we won't be obliged to spend an entire evening in their wretched company.”

“Doing it too brown, Mother. Easton is a right one. Dowager, too, if I recall. Very good
ton
.”

“Not tonight they won't be!” she insisted.

“Perhaps not. I cannot say it is my preferred method myself. Goes against the grain.”

“We have no time left for your morals, Perry. Perhaps next time you will consider these things before you sign away our fortune in vowels!” she chastised.

“Shall I take my fair cousin on a walk through the garden?” he suggested more helpfully.

“As long as you put on your show in front of the company, it matters not to me where.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Make sure your best leaves no room for doubt.”

***

Andrew found himself sitting in the porch swing night after night listening to the crickets chirping and staring at the stars through the ceiling of trees. He was lonely, and spent more time than was healthy dreaming about returning to England and making a life with Gwen. Her letters had become less frequent, and he could not help but grow concerned.

They had finished the harvest, and the house restoration was coming along but the work was not yet complete. The servants were celebrating their hard work tonight, and Andrew could hear the music and smell fragrant aromas from the roasting pig. Back home, the lord of the manor put on a harvest-day celebration.

Abe and Cook had seen to everything, and Andrew wondered if he would be welcome or no. He had provided the food and the brew, of course. He stood and wandered down to the cottages out of curiosity. The music was different than what he was accustomed, but it was catchy and he found himself drawn to it.

He stood on the periphery, watching the workers perform gay dances to the tune of a fiddler and a drummer. He could not help himself from tapping along and smiling. The dances were full of life and fun, not a rigid ritual of steps as Society dances were.

Abe caught sight of him and waved him over.

“Good evening, Master Abbott.”

“Good evening, Abe. Am I intruding?”

“Not at all, sir.”

“What are the dances called?”

“This one is a reel. The others jigs.”

“I am glad to see everyone enjoying themselves.”

“It was good of you to come.”

Abe's young daughter ran up and stood smiling shyly at Andrew from behind her father. The shyness did not last long.

“This is my Harriet.”

Andrew bowed to the pretty young girl of perhaps twelve years. “May I have the next dance, Miss Harriet?”

She looked with large eyes towards her father. He nodded.

Andrew held out his arm. “I must warn you, I have no idea how to dance a reel or jig.”

The girl giggled. “I can show you how to go on. It is simple.”

Soon Andrew was keeping time with the rest. “I cannot remember ever having this much fun, Miss Harriet. I must thank you for the honour of dancing with you.” He bowed and escorted her back to her father who was grinning.

“Will you introduce me to some of your friends, Harriet? I find I am sadly lacking acquaintances.”

“Certainly Mr. Abbott.”

Andrew immediately found himself with more little girls to dance with than he ever bargained for. He was old enough to be their father, and felt the first paternal inclination he had ever had. As the night wore on, the younger girls were sent to their beds and his dancing partners advanced in age. He was only able to coax Cook out of her chair for one jig, protesting yet preening from the honour he bestowed upon her.

He returned Cook to her chair and went to the refreshment table for a drink. He found himself standing next to a beautiful young lady with much lighter skin than the other servants. He had heard these interracials were often to be found on manors where owners took advantage of their servants, but he was astonished to find one on his father's property. His father was adamantly opposed to that type of behaviour.

He had heard the children of such liaisons were often shunned amongst both communities and he felt sorry for the girl. He imagined it was difficult to be caught between two worlds, and even more so with her beauty.

“I'm Andrew Abbott. He said with a friendly smile.”

“I know who you are, sir. I'm Sally Cooper.”

“Do you work here?”

“Yes. I'm newly come from Williamsburg. My husband died recently, and I was hired here.”

“You are free, then?”

“I was freed when my husband purchased me for marriage. He survived the war, and was killed in a fight defending my honour.”

“I am sorry for your loss. I was also a soldier.”

She nodded and averted her eyes.

“Are you finding River’s Bend comfortable?”

“Yes. Only the others do not know what to think of me. “

“They will learn over time.”

“Are you lonely?”

“Sometimes.”

“I am lonely.” She looked at him boldly, offering herself with her eyes.

“My heart belongs to another, Mrs. Cooper,” he said kindly, without any rebuke.

“It was not my heart I offered,” she said quietly.

“My heart and body are offered together.”

“She is a fortunate woman,” she said, surprised at the refusal. “You are a rare find, Mr. Abbott.”

She walked off quietly. As Andrew watched her walk away, Abe was suddenly next to him.

“I'd beware of that one, Master Abbott. She is a good enough worker, but was married to a white man. Not that it is any of my business, I don't want no trouble for you.”

“I don't anticipate any trouble, Abe. Try to be kind to her. It must be difficult for her.”