Vintage Love (199 page)

Joy said, “You both went into the bedroom after that!”

Jenny moved close to her, and pleaded in a low voice, “You mustn’t be saying such dreadful things!”

“You were both stark naked!” Joy said.

The maid warned her, “You’re talking about one of the family’s respected guests. You’ve been prying. That could cause a deal of trouble.”

Joy asked, “What do you mean?”

“I mean, Mr. Weston could take action against your father in the courts for what you girls have done,” the maid went on glibly. “And Mr. Weston has a bad temper. He might come after you and whip you for spreading such tales!”

Nancy panicked, and sprung out of bed to Joy’s side. “I knew it! I knew we’d get in trouble!”

Joy said, “I promise we won’t tell anyone else. We won’t say a word!”

Jenny grimly regarded them both. “I don’t mind for myself. But Ben Weston is a proper gent. He and I expect to marry one day soon and that is why you saw us like you did. It’s all quite respectable for the married you know.”

Joy said, “I’m sorry we spied on you. We won’t do it again!”

Jenny became more stern as it was apparent she had the upper hand. “I should hope not. I shall have to warn Mr. Weston, and I’m afraid you must take the consequences. If he decides to go to your father and make a complaint about you, I’m sure Sir Richard and Lady Susan will be enraged!”

Nancy was now in tears. “We meant no harm!”

“I shall try and make Mr. Weston understand that,” Jenny said. “Mind you both keep mum. Not a word to anyone!”

“Not a word!” Joy echoed her.

“If Mr. Weston will forgive you, I’d say you can think yourselves lucky. I’ll let you know what he has to say.” And she quickly left the room.

As soon as she had gone Nancy turned to Joy and asked in a woeful manner, “What do you think?”

“I don’t know,” Joy said.

“I told you it was wrong,” Nancy reminded her.

Joy decided, “I think she wants Ben Weston to hate me because she didn’t like his paying attention to me.”

Nancy said, “He treats you like a child!”

“He has often held me close to him,” Joy boasted. “And he has kissed me full on the lips several times!”

Nancy worried, “What are we going to do?”

“Keep quiet and hope it all passes.”

“I’m not sure about Jenny! I don’t think she’s one to be trusted.”

Joy went to the commode, and poured some warm water into the basin as she prepared to wash. “I expect we’ll have to hope she plays fair with us.”

Nancy gave a worried sigh. “I think this began when we went to visit that wicked old Gypsy! She’s the one who put all that talk about loving and husbands into our heads!”

Actually, things were not as bad as they expected. At breakfast they learned all the men had gone off riding. So at least they were safe for the moment from Ben Weston.

Joy’s mother had to journey to Guildford to visit the drygoods store, and pick out material for a new dress. The girls were glad to join her. They went to the stable to see the horses hitched up, and Joy flirted with one of the groom boys — a handsome, dark-haired lad. The boys vanished when Lady Susan appeared.

On the drive Lady Susan sat across from them in the open carriage, her parasol up and over her head. She said, “This is historic country, girls. Guildford dates back to King Alfred.”

Joy’s mother, attractive in her blue dress and fancy, blue bonnet, continued, “All Surrey has links with history. Nelson stopped at the Talbot in Ripley, and dined in the parlor on his way to Portsmouth and the Battle of Trafalgar.”

Joy asked, “Didn’t Oliver Cromwell once visit the town?”

Her mother looked pleased. “It is bright of you to remember. You are right. Many famed people have come to Guildford: King John, Queen Elizabeth, Cromwell, and James the Second.”

They reached the ancient town. Its steep High Street was lined with picturesque houses, and a castle overshadowed all. As they left the carriage, Lady Susan told Joy, “Take Nancy to see the old Guildhall and its clock.” Then she went on to the drygoods store.

Joy and Nancy walked to the Guildhall and studied the clock which projected over the street. Joy said, “My governess told me it dates back to 1683.”

They stopped at a sweets shop and made some modest purchases. Munching on their candies, they halted at a toy shop, and at another shop which sold groceries. Outside, two elderly men talked earnestly; one smoked a long, clay pipe, and the other stuffed a pinch of snuff in his nostrils at intervals. When the snuff taker sneezed vehemently, the girls ran off in gales of laughter.

They rejoined Lady Susan, and the carriage had them back at Canby Hall in time for luncheon. At James’s suggestion the meal was served as a picnic on the lawn behind the house. A near by balcony made it easy to move the food and drink outside.

A white cloth was spread on the green grass. The men drank ale; and there were all kinds of cold cuts, breads, and jellies. Even cold pheasant. It was a jolly, relaxing occasion. Only Joy and Nancy were tense. They could not bring themselves to look directly at Ben Weston.

He was elegantly dressed in sleek, fawn breeches, dark fawn vest, and a brown jacket. He sat next to Lady Susan, and paid her court in a most obvious fashion. It upset Joy, who worried that he might be planning to take off all his clothes with her mother.

Her father seemed to be paying no attention to his wife and the bold fellow. Instead, he mostly talked with Roger, saying, “When we were riding along the river today I passed by the old Gypsy, Peg. I had no idea she was still on the estate.”

Roger nodded. “She’s old enough to be bones!”

“I know,” Sir Richard agreed. “But she is much alive. She even had the gall to curtsy to me as I rode by!”

James laughed. “Proves you’re not too old to please the ladies, father.” He picked up some slices of bread, and some thin cuts of ham.

His father tugged his white mustache. “I should hate to make a conquest in that direction.”

Roger said, “She lives in an old shack near the river bank.”

“Yes,” Sir Richard said. “She was going in that direction when I rode by her.”

James left off munching his sandwich to say, “I remember her when I was a lad. She gave me a good luck omen.”

His father frowned. “I fear she has made her living off the superstition of the simple farm folk.”

Roger said, “We could tear the hovel down. But that would not be right. She is old and needs some place to live. She does no harm. I say, let her remain there.”

His mother spoke up, “You know she has somewhere found herself a crystal ball, and pretends to read people’s futures in it.”

Ben Weston laughed. “I’d hate to have her read mine. Once she told me about the scaffold awaiting me, I’d collapse!”

James joined in his friend’s laughter. “Perhaps she might instead see you shot at a gaming table!”

Sir Richard glared at the two young men. “I do not find your humor pleasant. Especially not in the presence of ladies. Two of them are of a tender age!”

Joy protested. “We are not so young we do not know a bit about life, father. I’m aware of gaming and hanging.”

Ben Weston delighted her by winking as if nothing had happened at all. “I tell you this girl is ready for romance. She is chafing at the bit!”

It was then that Joy saw Jenny arrive to replenish the tea. The servant deliberately knelt close by Ben Weston, and again Joy saw a certain look pass between them. She was grimly reminded of the previous night, and that she was not completely out of trouble yet. Jenny finished changing the teapots and walked swiftly away.

The afternoon had begun quietly enough. Sir Richard retired to his study to work on a proposed speech for the House of Lords. Lady Nancy put her seamstress to work on the silken material she had purchased for her new dress. James and Ben went off somewhere on their horses; and Nancy dutifully went up to the bedroom to write an overdue letter to her parents.

Joy was seated on the balcony overlooking the lawn where the picnic had been held when her older brother, Roger, came out to join her. He smiled as he sat with her.

“You’re looking terribly gloomy, Joy!”

“I’ve a slight headache. It will pass. It’s so good to have you here, Roger.”

“I’m happy to be here,” he said. “Some of the fellows wanted me to join them on a grand tour of Europe but I preferred to spend the summer at home.”

She said, “Don’t you want to see Paris and Venice and all those places?”

“In time,” he admitted. “Just now I’m interested in my own country. England is on the brink of a new age, Joy. There is going to be an industrial expansion the likes of which people have never dreamed.”

“Will it be a good thing?”

“Good and bad. I want to understand the meaning of it more. If I’m to take father’s place one day, I must understand the changes going on.”

“Does father keep up?”

“Not as well as he should,” her brother sighed. “Most of the older men think of Wellington, Napoleon, and Nelson. Even King Billy dotes on the past. And what will happen when he dies I can’t guess.”

She looked at him earnestly. “When do you plan to marry, Roger?”

“I don’t know. Why do you ask?”

“You are twenty-three.”

“Men tend to marry at an older age than women,” Roger told her. “I may even find myself cut of the cloth of an old bachelor.”

“You should have a wife.”

“Thank you,” he smiled. “I hope you have a fine husband one day.”

“What if I should have more than one?”

Her older brother showed surprise. “Where did you get such an idea?”

Joy found herself having to improvise hastily. Flustered, she said, “Miss Kendall says some women have three or more husbands and some men marry many times.”

Roger laughed. “For a prim governness she shows imagination. For my own part, I say if one is able to find one mate who is true and loving, he should be well satisfied.”

“James would call you sentimental.”

“James may be your brother and mine, but he is a hard, reckless man. Don’t ever forget it.”

“You don’t approve of him?”

“No. Nor of his friends like that Ben Weston,” her older brother went on. “They are squandering their lives and their money.”

“Father encourages Ben Weston to come here. He gives Ben a cottage to himself.”

Roger said, “I prefer him out there than in the house. I’ve heard some stories about him in London. Tales I won’t repeat to one of your innocence. But his presence here upsets me.”

Tensely, she asked, “You think him dangerous?”

“Yes,” her brother said. “I do not like the lascivious looks he offers your way. He is much too interested in you. A man like Weston could be your ruin. Remember that!!”

A chill ran through her. “I’ll remember!”

As soon as she could, she excused herself from Roger’s company and raced upstairs. She found Nancy sealing her letter, and went over to her. “I’ve been talking with Roger and he says Ben Weston is a dangerous man!”

“Oh, no!” Nancy said, looking terrified.

Joy nodded. “I guess that is what Jenny meant. I only hope he isn’t too angry at us.”

“Maybe we’d better tell your mother and father so they can protect us.”

“I don’t want them to know!”

“But if Ben Weston tries to harm us?” Nancy worried.

“We’ll know when Jenny comes to turn down the beds.”

“I think Jenny is wicked,” Nancy said.

“But there’s no one else to help us,” Joy pointed out.

They worried until-evening. When Jenny came to do her nightly chores it was almost a relief. The two girls went to her to find out what she had to say.

Jenny eyed them, “You two have kept mum?”

“Yes,” Joy said.

“We haven’t said a word to anyone,” Nancy chimed in.

“Good,” the pretty, dark girl said. “I have talked with Mr. Weston and I can tell you he was fair beside himself. I had to plead for you two!”

“Thank you, Jenny,” Joy said fervently.

“It hurts me pride,” Jenny sniffed.

“So it is going to be all right?” Joy asked.

“Not so fast, Miss Joy,” the maid said. “His feelings are hurt. As well they might be with you two spying as you did!”

“We are sorry,” Nancy insisted.

“We won’t ever do such a thing again,” Joy promised.

“No,” Jenny said with a strange smile. “Now, here is what Mr. Weston wants. Miss Joy is to go to his cottage tonight and apologize to him.”

Joy was aghast. “I couldn’t!”

Jenny’s tone was hard. “You’ll do as he says or take the consequences. And I warn you he’s a dangerous man.”

Near tears, Joy protested, “I don’t want to go to the cottage!”

Jenny said, “Then look at it this way. You’re a lady. And a lady always does the proper thing. And the right thing is to face him and say you’re sorry!”

She hesitated. “When does he want me to apologize?”

“When it’s safe,” Jenny said. “And that won’t be until late like last night. Go there at the same time and make sure no one sees you.”

Nancy said, “You shouldn’t expect this of her. I’ll go along as well. We’ll both apologize to that awful Ben Weston!”

Jenny glared at her. “He doesn’t want you to go.”

Joy turned to her friend, “Jenny is right. I’m the one to make the apology.”

“I’m afraid for you,” Nancy worried.

Jenny said, “If you do as I’ve told you there’ll be no trouble.”

Joy took a deep breath. “I’ll go. You can tell him I’ll be there.”

“Mind you remember,” Jenny warned as she left them.

Nancy turned to Joy in despair, “You can’t go!”

Joy shook her head. “I’d rather risk anything than go alone to that cottage tonight. But I have no choice.”

“I should be with you,” Nancy maintained. “We are both to blame.”

“I’m the one he wants to punish!”

“I don’t like it,” Nancy worried.

“I’ll go and apologize and rush right out,” she said. “You can wait for me somewhere near.”

Night came and Joy timidly made her way to the cottage, frightened as she had never been before. By nature she was a vivacious, courageous girl. But she was terrified as she approached the cottage in the midnight darkness. She reached the door and knocked on it softly.