What About Cecelia? (4 page)

Jane thought for a few moments, then looked at
George. He was looking much better than he had when she first met
him. Life away from the city might have its advantages as well as
its disadvantages. If she were to live in the country with him she
would need to learn to ride well, and even to walk in farmyard mud.
She replied, “Cecelia, I'd be very pleased if you helped me select
a horse. But first I'll need to get some shoes that will stand up
to the mud in the farmyard.”

Cecelia smiled, she much preferred to be on good
terms with people than at dagger's end. She added, “There's a good
shoemaker in Abergavenny. He may not be the most fashionable, but
his boots are comfortable and last.”

Jane replied, “I'll have to try him. Can I do
that before we go to the horse market?”

Mr. Landor interjected, “The main markets in
Brecon are in May and November, so there is plenty of time.”

Jane responded “I'd much rather not wait that
long. It gets too cold in November for a pleasant ride.”

Her worries met with some good natured laughter.
George explained that those were only the big county meets. Mr.
Landor added, “Every Friday they have some sort of market, and
there are some others worth the candle. Cecelia, when do you think
you'll be able to help us?”

“Jane, what did the apothecary say?”

“He didn't.”

“I doubt I'll be ready this Friday. My head
hurts. You'll have plenty of time to get your riding clothes.”

“I know,” Mr. Landor added, “Julia can take you
to Abergavenny tomorrow. She's been wanting an excuse to go
shopping for some time.”

“An excuse?”

“I'm not the best company for a female when she
goes shopping as I have no patience for looking at muslins or
trifling things like that. I'd best get back, she'll be wondering
what trouble I've gotten myself into, and George?”

“Yes.”

“Don't drink so much. It won't help you get
better.”

“How do you know?”

“I tried it. Just delays the reckoning.”

True to Mr. Landor's promise, Mrs. Landor showed
up at Penyclawdd house early the next morning in her gig. She rode
with a groom in tow to look after the horses while they looked
after themselves in town. She waited inside, and chatted with Jane
until Cecelia slowly descended from her bedroom. Cecelia took up a
position of state on a sofa in the front parlor. Heulwen lay at her
side and accepted her due share of attention. Julia asked,
“Cecelia, how are you today? Mr. Landor said you were alive, but
frail yesterday.”

“Better, but my head still aches, and I feel
dreadfully tired.”

Jane asked, “Will you be fine alone?”

“Captain Wood will read to me while you're gone,
and Heulwen will keep me company. I won't be alone.”

George reassured them that he would be pleased
to look after his cousin. Since there were a couple of maids,
anything feminine would be dealt with in perfect propriety.
Besides, his valet Meadows was a stalwart fellow and should any
emergency arise be up to the challenge of it. Cecelia, herself, had
the last word of a convincing argument, “Jane, please go with Mrs.
Landor to Abergavenny. You've hardly stirred from the house since
you arrived, and must be terribly bored.”

“If you're sure that you'll be fine.”

“Of course I will. Go enjoy yourself in the big
city.”

It was late in the afternoon when the gig pulled
up outside of Penyclawdd house. Jane and Julia were chattering
happily away when the noise of Heulwen barking to announce their
arrival disturbed them. George called “Heulwen, Shh!” and the dog
quieted. Captain Wood came to the door and met both his fiancée and
Mrs. Landor. “Please be quiet, Miss Wood is asleep in the
parlor.”

“All day?”

“No, I read most of 'Count Julian' to her. She
started snoring sometime about three fourths of the way
through.”

“Mr. Landor will not be amused that his book
sent Miss Wood to sleep.”

“I doubt he'll mind that it helped a good friend
get through a fretful stage of her recovery.”

Jane added, “Nice recovery, my dear. I see
you're finally learning to be tactful. How is Cecelia?”

“As I said, sound asleep. She was a bit twittery
and restless all morning, didn't want to drink that potion the
apothecary left. Then when I read to her she lay still and
eventually went to sleep. If you're quiet, I can offer you some tea
in the dining room, and you can tell me how you found
Abergavenny.”

Julia replied that she was not sure she should
stay, but Jane insisted that she take some refreshment before
proceeding up Cwm Bwlch to Llanthony. “It's at least we can do
since you were so helpful to me.”

The noisy arrival of Mr. Landor on horseback put
their attempts at silence to flight. He cried, “Captain Wood, the
weather bodes well for a shooting party tomorrow. Are you
interested?”

Julia added, “Why Mr. Landor what a good idea.
Perhaps Miss Arnold would care to visit Llanthony and keep me
company while you shoot.”

Jane hesitated, “Someone should remain with Miss
Wood. At least until she's clearly on the mend.” A scrambled,
barking noise, coupled with a clear command of “Heulwen quiet!”
presaged the invalid's arrival. Cecelia stood in the doorway and
leaned on the jamb for support. Still pale and a bit shaky, she
asked what they were discussing.

“Captain Wood, if you feel up to it, shooting
with Mr. Landor and the local huntsmen is an excellent idea.”

Jane reiterated her concern, “But my dear, will
you be well without us?”

“My head feels much better, and I won't be
alone. Meadows and my maid will be here. I might need to send for
you to keep them from cosseting me too much. Did I hear someone
mention tea, or was I dreaming?”

The next morning, after Miss Arnold and Captain
Wood set out together in the gig for Llanthony, Cecelia found
Meadows and asked him for answers to some pressing questions she
had.

“Mr. Meadows,” she began, “I'd so much like to
know more about Captain Wood.” She paused, then hastily added, “And
Miss Arnold, of course.”

“It's simply Meadows, Miss Wood.” He paused,
then carefully chose his words, “I valeted for the Captain before
he left for Spain. Then I valeted for his father in between, and so
naturally when the Captain returned I resumed his employment.”

“Meadows, that's not what I was asking
about.”

“Miss? I must be discreet about my employer's
interests. Otherwise, I'd be a very untrustworthy valet.”

“Oh, I suppose you know what you're about. It's
just I'd like to know my cousin, and, I suppose Miss Arnold
better.”

“An admirable objective Miss Wood. I'll endeavor
to comply with your interrogations.”

“Is that a yes?”

“With reservations.”

“Where did they meet and how long have they been
engaged?”

“The captain returned from Spain in March. They
met at an 'at home' in London and were engaged almost at once.”

“He seems a bit shy around women, at least he
was around me at first. I'm surprised he was such a fast
worker.”

“Miss Arnold isn't shy, Miss.”

“She is rather forthright in her opinions, isn't
she?”

Meadows nodded, but replied, “That's not for me
to say, Miss Wood. Do you have any other questions?”

“It sounds like she scooped him up before he
even found his bearings.”

Meadows simply looked like a stuffed frog.

“I sorry. I guess that question is a bit over
the line.”

“I would appreciate it, Miss if you don't pursue
that line of questioning any further.” Cecelia noticed that he
didn't say 'no'. Clearly Meadows had his misgivings about his
master's helpmate-in-waiting.

“He mentioned that he has other estates, and
might sell Penyclawdd. Would he?”

“His father is still living, but the family
estate in Berkshire is heavily mortgaged, and not as well managed
as this one. I doubt he will see much from it.”

“Thank you, I've managed this estate ever since
my father first fell ill.”

“You have? I'm sorry to say that I don't know
the Captain's plans for it.”

“Oh.” Cecelia's worries about Penyclawdd, the
place she loved more than any other were writ plainly on her face.
“I suppose there are other places I could learn to love.”

“Have you traveled anywhere else?”

“Not really. We traveled to Bath for a few days
when my uncle took orders, but I was a little girl then. I've been
to Gloucester of course.”

“Then, miss, I suggest you see some more of the
world.”

“I'm going with the Captain and Miss Arnold to
Bath.”

“That's a start, miss. Bath, however elegant, is
hardly the chief city of England.”

A commotion at the front entrance to the house
broke into their discussion. Meadows and Cecelia went to see what
was happening. Captain Wood found the shooting too much for his
nerves and was escorted back to Penyclawdd by one of the beaters.
Cecelia immediately took charge. “Mr. Meadows, would you take the
Captain to the front parlor, while I deal with this young
gentleman.”

“Miss,” Meadows bowed in salute and helped
George to a seat in the parlor. In the meantime Cecelia rewarded
the beater with a couple of shillings. This would make up for the
time and payment he lost escorting Captain Wood home. The beater
pocketed the money then said, “Miss Wood, that Captain he was
shaking from the noise. He wasn't acting very brave at all.”

Restraining her impulse to clump the little
blighter on the head, Cecelia replied, “Alwyn, Captain Wood bravely
fought the French in Spain for our good King George.”

“What did they fight with? Sticks? He shook like
he was afraid of the noise of guns.”

Cecelia's hand twitched to clump the boy again,
yet somehow she restrained herself to reply in a lady-like manner.
“They used guns and cannon. The French destroyed Captain's division
at Badajoz, and he was badly wounded.”

“Doesn't show. Where's his limp? Does he have a
scar? My brother had a big scar from his wound. It looks corky on
him.”

“His wound is inside him, and doesn't show. Now
get back to the other beaters before I clump you.”

Alwyn knew Miss Wood's threat was rhetorical,
although he wouldn't have used such a word to describe it. He
grinned at her and then ran back towards Hatterrall hill and the
grouse shooting. There were still tips to be had for helping the
shooters.

Meadows was standing next to the Captain when
she returned to the parlor. George was sitting on one end of the
sofa, quietly sobbing to himself. “Miss Wood, if you would stay
with the Captain, I will return with a glass of brandy as a
restorative.”

“No. Go find my maid to chaperon us, then send
for Miss Arnold. I'll comfort him in the meantime.”

“Miss, the brandy usually works wonders.”

“Do you remember what Mr. Landor said about
drink? He may be a hopelessly romantic poet, but his practical
advice is usually sound. I'd like to see how the Captain does with
a little kindness and patience first.”

“Yes, miss.”

Cecelia, with no little trepidation, sat next to
George on the sofa. She asked him, “What is it Captain Wood?” He
gave only a stifled sob in response. So she tried again, “Is there
anything I can do to help?”

His reply took her by surprise. His words were
conventional enough, “Nothing you can do. Just sit with me.”
However, his actions weren't. He turned, hugged her for reassurance
and sobbed for few minutes on her shoulder. She was a tall girl
with big shoulders that gave him plenty of support. It was just as
well as that she was also a sensible female who was not given to
vapors. Her maid, Martha, entered the room. Seeing her mistress
receiving a close embrace from the Captain left her shocked and
speechless. Embarrassment fought with pleasure for the dominant
place in Miss Wood's expression. After a few minutes the Captain
stopped, seemed to regain control of himself, and said, “Thank you,
Miss Wood. I'm better now.”

Cecelia wasn't sure that she was feeling better.
She felt a little breathless. Being held this close by a man, a
handsome one at that, left her feeling more than a little odd. Once
she recovered her breath and then her composure, she told him, “You
should rest for the afternoon, why don't we read one of my books
together?”

“As long as it's not one of Mr. Landor's.”

“He does tend to the obtuse, doesn't he?” She
looked at her maid and addressed her. The maid was sitting in a
chair across the room and viewing them with a mixture of sympathy
and shock on her face. “Martha, would you get the two books I just
received from the circulating library?”

“Miss, will you be safe? Here alone with Captain
Wood?”

“I'm sure he will behave like a gentleman while
you are gone.”

“That's what I'm worried about, Miss.”

“Please get them. I'm sure Captain Wood can
restrain his baser urges for a few minutes.” She thought, but
didn't add, “I'm not as sure that I can control mine.” Fortunately
for her domestic tranquility, she was not put to the temptation.
Meadows, ever vigilant for his master's safety, came into the room.
He held out the books and said, “Miss Wood, here are the two
volumes you were referring to. Might I suggest the novel, 'by a
Lady' as more calming than the volume of Lord Byron's poetry.”

Jane arrived back from Llanthony as quickly as
she could. It was only about two hours after a messenger was sent
to her. Captain Wood's mellifluous deep voice was reading,
“Marianne's performance was highly applauded. Sir John was loud in
his admiration at the end of every song.
ⁱⁱⁱ
” She entered and found him
and his cousin seated close together on the sofa and reading aloud
from a book that they held between them. They were sitting against
each other as they leaned over the book to follow the story. Just
as Cecelia was about to start with,” and as loud” she voiced her
disapproval.