The Second Lady Southvale Read online

  He smiled a little wryly. ‘But I’ll warrant your brother hasn’t plunged in quite as deep as me and that the duns aren’t beginning to gather in packs at his door.’

  ‘No, it hasn’t come to that yet.’

  ‘Don’t believe it when you’re told there aren’t wolves in Britain anymore, Miss Carberry, for there are, only now they’re called debt-collectors. It’s a novel experience being the hunted, not the hunter, and I’ve become quite cunning.’

  ‘I’m sure you have. Is there nothing you can do to placate them?’

  ‘I keep hoping to win vast sums at the green baize.’

  ‘A downward spiral, sir.’

  ‘So it increasingly seems. I’ll have to find myself a rich bride, Miss Carberry.’

  They reached the edge of the reservoir and paused for a moment to watch the toy boats bobbing on the water, then they turned to walk westward, parallel with Piccadilly, the noise of which was now tremendous. Hooves and wheels clattered, men shouted, dogs barked, stagecoach horns sounded, and various street calls rang out, from a woman selling lavender bags to a pieman recommending everyone to try his delicious hot wares.

  Another path led southwest toward the center of the park, and Gerald led her along it, away from the bustle of the street. A light breeze had sprung up, rustling through the autumn leaves and toying with the hem of Rosalind’s cloak. She could see the impressive façade of Buckingham House away to the south, and the rise of Constitution Hill, which got its name, so Gerald informed her, from the fact that King Charles the Second had enjoyed taking the air there after his triumphant return to his realm.

  Gerald put himself out to be as attentive and interesting as he could, telling her everything he could think of about the park and its surroundings. But he didn’t mention the mysterious mound in the middle, close to the two low hills. She could see the mound more clearly now and the rather eerie, delapidated building surmounting it.

  At last her curiosity got the better of her. ‘What is that building over there, Mr Beaufort?’

  ‘King Charles the Second’s icehouse, or what’s left of it. Apparently he liked his wines and cordials cooled in the hot summer months, and so he had a very deep pit dug just there. The mound enclosed it, making sure it stayed cool, and the building kept it all safe from the weather. Ice was collected in the depths of winter, placed in the pit and covered with straw, bracken, sacking, and anything else they could think of. It all stayed cold enough for there to be ice constantly available for his royal table.’

  ‘I do know what an icehouse is, sir, for we have them in America.’

  He smiled apologetically. ‘Forgive me. I didn’t mean to sound patronizing.’

  ‘Could we go closer?’

  ‘If you wish, but it isn’t very pleasant. In fact, it’s rather gloomy. It’s falling apart, to be quite honest, and I doubt if it will remain there for much longer.’

  They left the path and walked through the fallen leaves on the grass. The maid followed at a discreet distance.

  ‘How does London compare with Washington, Miss Carberry?’ asked Gerald, ducking his head beneath a low-hanging branch.

  ‘The cities are so very different that they can’t really be compared.’

  ‘Do you miss your home?’

  ‘Yes.’ She looked away, for thinking about her home and family made her feel suddenly sad. She was only too conscious of how very far away they were right now.

  The icehouse was indeed a gloomy place, and very cold indeed. It was built of stone, and was only one storey high. Its windows were small and little more than slits, and its door hung open on only one ancient hinge.

  The maid lingered a little way away as Rosalind stepped tentatively inside, shivering as the dank air folded over her. She could hear water dripping somewhere and see wisps of ancient straw lying on the uneven floor.

  Gerald’s shadow fell across the doorway behind her.

  ‘That’s the pit over there, and it’s very, very deep, so don’t go near it.’ He pointed to one side.

  She turned and saw the yawning black hole in the floor. It was from there that the dripping sound was coming. She shuddered a little, for there was something almost ominous about the place. ‘I – I think I’ve seen enough,’ she said, turning and going out again.

  He stood aside, grinning. ‘I did warn you that it wasn’t exactly pleasant. But it is interesting. One can imagine the merry monarch demanding his chilled wine on a baking hot summer day.’

  ‘I’ll warrant it wasn’t as dismal in his day,’ she replied, glancing back through the doorway, glad to be out in the sunshine again.

  ‘Probaby not.’ He smiled. ‘I’m sure crumbling icehouses aren’t what you came all this way to see, are they? Visitors to London prefer the grand sights, like the Tower, St Paul’s cathedral—’

  ‘I didn’t come here to be a visitor, sir,’ she interrupted quietly.

  His smile faded, and he became more serious. ‘No, I know you didn’t. Again I must ask you to forgive me, for I didn’t mean to suggest that your stay was going to be temporary.’

  ‘But nevertheless that’s what you do think, isn’t it?’ she asked directly.

  ‘I don’t know what makes you think that, Miss Carberry.’

  ‘You make me think it, sir. On several occasions yesterday you seemed so certain that Philip wasn’t going to marry again that I began to think you possessed some private information on the subject.’

  He looked uncomfortable. ‘Miss Carberry, I’m afraid I said a great many things yesterday, and I’m not proud of any of them.’

  ‘Nevertheless, you were certain on that, weren’t you?’

  He didn’t respond.

  ‘Mr Beaufort, you said you wished to make amends for yesterday.’

  ‘Yes, but …’

  ‘I’m asking you for your assistance. Why are you so certain that there isn’t going to be a second Lady Southvale?’

  His hazel eyes met hers. ‘I don’t want to upset you again, Miss Carberry.’

  ‘I’ll be more upset if you don’t tell me.’

  ‘Very well. Philip and my sister were very happy together, theirs was a love match of the very highest quality. He was grief-stricken when she, er, went away from him, and people began to wonder if he’d ever recover. Miss Carberry, I didn’t see him at all when he returned from America, but I know that he suddenly had Celia’s portrait put back in the drawing-room. In my opinion, he came back to Southvale House and realized that his feelings for Celia were still too strong to be ended. He fell in love with you in Washington, where he was away from all the past, but back here in London, he was suddenly surrounded by memories again. He really did love her very much, Miss Carberry, and it was the sort of love that I don’t think he can shake off. That’s why I don’t believe he’ll marry again, for when it comes down to it, he can’t contemplate replacing my sister with anyone else.’

  Rosalind looked away, for it was only what she’d began to think herself.

  ‘Miss Carberry,’ he went on gently, ‘I can’t think of any other reason why he hasn’t said anything to us about you.’

  She raised her chin. ‘Are you saying you no longer believe I’m an adventuress who stole the signet ring?’

  He looked embarrassed. ‘Yes, Miss Carberry, that is what I’m saying.’

  ‘You’re also saying you think that I’ll soon be on my way home to Washington again.’

  ‘He isn’t going to marry you, Miss Carberry, for Celia still has first claim on his heart.’

  She thought of the portrait, and memories of her dream slid over her, making her shiver again.

  He saw the shiver and drew her away from the icehouse. ‘Let’s leave this horrid place. My ten minutes is more than up, I fancy, and I don’t wish to fatigue you anymore, so perhaps it would be best if we returned to the house.’

  She nodded, and they began to walk eastward across the park toward Southvale House. The maid brought up the rear, still at a discreet distance.

>   As they walked, Gerald looked at Rosalind again. ‘Am I forgiven a little for yesterday?’

  ‘A little.’

  ‘That will do to be going on with. May I call upon you again? Tomorrow, perhaps?’

  ‘Mr Beaufort, I’m sure Lady Eleanor won’t expect you to give up another day on my account.’

  ‘Contrary to what you think, Miss Carberry, I’m quite happy to spend time with you. I know I didn’t give any such impression yesterday, but my opinion of you has changed completely. I think you are a very agreeable and interesting person indeed, and the thought of enjoying your company again is very pleasing.’

  She looked at him in astonishment. ‘Do you also stand upon your head, sir?’

  ‘It has been known,’ he murmured, smiling. ‘May I call upon you again?’

  He made her feel uncomfortable, and she nodded, more because she wished to bring the subject to a close than because she wished to agree to his request. She still didn’t like him, although she had to concede that he’d done everything possible to retract his rudeness of the day before.

  As they walked into the entrance hall of the house, they found that Lady Eleanor had just that moment returned from her somewhat lengthy breakfast with her friends. She wore a mustard-colored gown and matching pelisse, and a black velvet hat trimmed with several aigrettes. She was standing by the fireplace, reading a note she’d found waiting on the table.

  ‘Richardson?’ she called suddenly. ‘Richardson, come here at once!’

  The butler appeared at the double. ‘My lady?’

  ‘When was this delivered?’ She waved the note at him.

  ‘I’m afraid I cannot say, Lady Eleanor. The new footman has been attending to the door while I’ve been engaged with certain problems in the kitchens.’

  ‘I’m not concerned with problems in the kitchens, sir,’ she replied tartly. ‘This note is from Lord Southvale, he’s returning tomorrow evening at eight.’

  Rosalind’s heart seemed to stop within her. Tomorrow? So that was when she’d know what her fate was to be. Was she still going to be the second Lady Southvale? Or would she soon be sailing back across the Atlantic to pick up the pieces of her former life, and to face the almost certain ruin of her character? Oh, the gossip in Washington would be tremendous. Rosalind Carberry had rejected a catch like George Whitby, had run away to England in pursuit of a dashing lord she hardly knew, and had, in turn, been rejected herself. What lady would have any name left after such a sequence of scandalous events?

  Lady Eleanor looked at her, and not unkindly. ‘I’m sure everything is going to be satisfactorily resolved, my dear, and that the puzzle of Philip’s reticence concerning you will be explained.’

  She turned and walked away across the hall to the staircase, and as she went slowly up toward her room, Gerald turned urgently to Rosalind.

  ‘Miss Carberry, whatever happens tomorrow, you do know now that in me you have a friend, don’t you?’ he said.

  ‘Mr Beaufort, I hardly think—’

  ‘I realize that we got off on an extremely bad foot, but I truly regret my behavior yesterday.’ His hazel eyes were serious. ‘If Philip should abandon his responsibilities to you, I …’ He broke off, lowering his eyes for a moment. ‘Forgive me, I didn’t mean to speak out of turn, it’s just that I’m afraid you’re going to be very badly hurt, and I want to help you if I possibly can.’

  Fresh disquiet rose within her. ‘Mr Beaufort, you do know something you’re not telling me, don’t you?’

  ‘No, Miss Carberry, I promise you I don’t.’ He met her eyes again and didn’t look away.

  Her disquiet remained, but she had to accept his assurance. ‘I – I think I’d like to go to my room now, Mr Beaufort. I really am tired after the journey.’

  ‘Yes, of course. Miss Carberry, with your permission I’d still like to call upon you tomorrow. Philip won’t be here until the evening, so …’

  ‘Call if you wish, Mr Beaufort,’ she replied, wishing he’d go away.

  ‘Until then,’ he murmured, sketching her an elegant bow.

  Richardson, who had been waiting a discreet distance away, hastened to open the front doors for him, and a moment later his carriage drove away across the courtyard.

  The moment he’d gone, Gerald Beaufort slipped completely from Rosalind’s mind, for it was solely of Philip that she thought. Oh, if only she knew what tomorrow’s reunion would be like … She wanted it to be joyous, but a cold finger of doubt still touched her. Oh, how far away tomorrow evening seemed, but she had no choice but to endure the intervening hours as best she could.

  Endeavoring to hide her inner uncertainty and fear, because Richardson was still nearby, she went to the staircase, gathering her skirts to go quickly up. Please let Philip still love and want her. Please.

  16

  Time did indeed pass slowly until Philip’s return. For the rest of that day Rosalind was in the company of both Lady Eleanor and Katherine, and in the evening there was an unexpected diversion from Annie.

  Having given the maid the day off, Rosalind hadn’t really expected to see her when she retired to her bed that night, but when she went up to the pagoda room after dinner, she found Annie waiting to attend her. Far from looking reassured after having seen her ailing mother, the maid had obviously been crying a great deal again, so much so that her eyes were very puffy and red.

  Rosalind’s own problems faded into the background for a while as she drew the unhappy maid to one of the fireside chairs and made her sit down. Then she crouched before the chair, taking the maid’s trembling hands. ‘Now, then, Annie, tell me what’s happened. Is it still your mother?’

  ‘Oh, Miss Carberry …’ The maid couldn’t say anything else, for the tears began anew.

  Rosalind gave her her handkerchief and waited until she was a little more composed. ‘Can you tell me about it now?’ she asked gently.

  ‘The doctor’s been to see her now, madam, and he said that she has …’ The maid hesitated. ‘It was a very long word, madam, and I can’t remember it, but she has a very bad pain in her right side, and the doctor said there is a very bad abscess there, and that unless she has an operation, she’ll die.’

  ‘I’m afraid he’s right, Annie, for it’s very serious indeed.’

  ‘But I can’t afford an operation like that, madam. The doctor says it’s very expensive, and very dangerous. If she has it, she’ll be bedridden for a long time afterward, and certainly won’t be able to take in laundry like she has been doing. She says such expense is out of the question for her, because she has all my little brothers and sisters to look after. I’m the oldest one, madam, and the only one in work, apart from Mam herself. Dad left just after my littlest sister was born, that’s about five years ago now. We just can’t afford the operation, Miss Carberry.’

  ‘Nor can you afford to leave things as they are,’ Rosalind said gently. ‘What will happen to your brothers and sisters if your mother dies? You can’t be a lady’s maid and look after them, and it’s my guess that yours is the money that provides most. Am I right?’

  ‘Yes, madam. My money’s very important to Mam. That’s why I have to keep my place, no matter what.’

  ‘Annie, your mother has to have the operation.’

  ‘But we can’t afford it, madam.’

  ‘I’ll give you whatever money you need.’

  The maid stared at her. ‘You’d do that? But I’m not even really your maid, madam.’

  ‘You’re my maid at the moment, Annie, and as your mistress, I have a duty to look after you. I have a mother, too, and she matters very much to me. Besides, I’m sure I’m only doing what Lady Southvale would have done if she were still alive.’

  ‘Oh, no, madam, she wouldn’t even have asked me what was wrong.’

  Rosalind stared at her. Celia Beaufort may not have been a saint, but surely she’d have had a little compassion for her maid’s predicament.

  Seeing her expression, Annie shook her head. ‘She wou
ldn’t have cared, Miss Carberry, for she was unkind. She was always saying she’d dismiss me without a reference. The only person in this house who mourned her was Lord Southvale himself, and he broke his heart over her. The rest of us didn’t like her at all, and we’re all glad about you, Miss Carberry, even Mr Richardson. We only hope that everything’s going to be all right and that you’re going to marry his lordship.’

  Rosalind was a little startled to realize she had so much support belowstairs, especially when the butler had seemed so unfavorably disposed toward her the day before. ‘Annie, I’m flattered to know you all wish me well and rather surprised to find Mr Richardson among my supporters.’

  ‘Mr Richardson wasn’t sure about you,’ admitted the maid, ‘for he said that it was very odd that his lordship had neglected to tell anyone about you, but when I told him this morning how you’d given me the rest of the day off just to see my mother, he said that that was the mark of a true lady. He said he was forced to change his view of you, for you were obviously worthy of his lordship.’

  ‘Thank you for telling me this, Annie. It’s comforting to know you welcome me. I only wish …’

  ‘Yes, madam?’

  ‘I only wish I could be sure Lord Southvale himself is going to welcome me.’

  The maid stared at her. ‘But of course he will, madam. He gave you his ring.’

  ‘I no longer think it’s as simple as that, Annie,’ replied Rosalind, getting to her feet again.

  ‘Lord Southvale is the most honorable gentleman in London, madam, and if he asked you to be his bride, then he will marry you.’

  Rosalind wished she could have such simple faith. She looked at the maid again. ‘We mustn’t forget the urgency of your mother’s situation, Annie. Is it far to your home?’

  ‘Southwark, madam, south of the river.’

  ‘Hire a hackney coach and take one of the footmen with you, for it isn’t safe for a young woman to be alone in the dark. I will tell Lady Eleanor that I told you to do so. You must inform the doctor that I will meet any bills that arise where your mother is concerned, and that he’s to proceed with the operation as quickly as he can.’