Felicia (10 page)

An involuntary chuckle escaped Felicia. “You leave me no alternative, ma’am, but to accept your generous offer.”

“I have also asked Ian to secure you a mount. I know how accustomed you have become to your daily rides at Alverston, and I know Ian has a string of horses that are always in need of exercise.”

“I hope Lord Umber will not consider it an encumbrance, for I do not wish him to think I am incapable of organizing my own divertissement,” Felicia retorted more sharply than she intended and quickly added in a lighter tone when she saw the questioning expression in Lady Louisa’s eyes. “What I meant to say was I do not want Lord Umber to feel obliged to escort me. I am certain he has better use for his time.”

“I think I am the best judge of that, Miss Richards,” Lord Umber said from the doorway. He bowed deeply. “Good evening, ladies.”

Felicia cast him a furious look and wondered why it was he always had her at a disadvantage.

“Good evening, Ian,” Lady Louisa answered. “I take it you have dined.”

“Too well,” he replied ruefully. “David has a fine chef.”

“Do come in for a moment, my dear,” Lady Louisa continued. “We were just talking about you.”

“So I heard,” Lord Umber said mildly. “Myself and horseflesh, I believe.” He turned to Felicia. “I merely dropped by tonight to ask if you will give me the pleasure of your company tomorrow, Miss Richards. I declare I have discovered the prettiest little filly in my stables who is surely in need of a gallop.”

Felicia felt his eyes mocking her, and she looked at him suspiciously. His conciliatory tone made her feel uneasy, but the temptation of riding in Hyde Park overcame her misgivings. “I will gladly accept, m’lord,” she responded lightly. “Especially as Lady Louisa assures me that to be seen in your company will of a certainty increase my consequence.”

Lord Umber gave a shout of laughter, and a smile lingered, softening the mockery in his eyes. “I will see you at ten sharp, then.” He bowed as he wished them a good night, at the same time promising his mother he would accompany them both to the theater whenever she desired.

“Such a dutiful son,” Lady Louisa breathed happily. “I am so fortunate.” Felicia, not wanting to disagree, steered the conversation to safer ground.

The remainder of the evening was uneventful, and both retired early, so Felicia had no difficulty in presenting herself at the appointed time the following morning.

The ride was exhilarating, and Felicia found the ritual of the morning ride fascinating. The mild weather had brought out a crowd of strollers, and it seemed to her that all the women were trying to outdo one other with their ridiculous fashions.

“I have never seen such a silly parade of peahens,” she whispered to Lord Umber, as her gaze took in the scene. Then her eyes picked out the hobbling gyrations of a young dandy who was mincing his way toward a group of young ladies. “Whoever is that, m’lord,” she inquired, her eyes dancing with mirth. “I swear I have never seen the like in my life. Those shoes! Oh! Dearie me!” Unable to hold her laughter a moment longer, she gathered her reins in and trotted away.

Lord Umber caught up with her and admonished her playfully. “Really, Miss Richards, you must learn to control yourself. Sir Ashbury holds himself in the highest regard and would be most displeased to learn that you are not swooning with admiration.”

“So that is Sir Ashbury,” Felicia said. “I recall some mention was made of him last week. Lady Philippa said his self-importance was as large as his fortune. I begin to see what she means.”

They continued on along Rotten Row, commenting from time to time on various people. They were at ease, and Felicia was once again surprised at their harmony.

A discreet cough broke into their conversation, and Lord Umber started forward as he saw Lady Barbara waiting to speak to him. Her coachman had drawn up the barouche to one side of the carriage way, but even so it was blocking traffic.

“Good day, Lord Umber, Miss Richards,” she said frostily. “A lovely morning for taking the air.”

A few pleasantries were exchanged, neither party lingering, but they stayed long enough for Felicia to get the impression that Lady Barbara was angry at not being included in their party.

“It would seem that Lady Barbara is offended,” she said, her voice deceptively mild. She had not found much to like in Lady Barbara the previous week, although she herself had gone out of her way to be pleasant. Lady Barbara was a willful, spoilt creature, who was happy only when the conversation concerned her. Felicia had been amazed to learn that Lord Umber had set her up as his latest flirt and wondered whether his intentions were serious.

“You have stolen a march on her,” Lord Umber replied immodestly. “’Tis not something she is likely to forget or to forgive!”

“I do believe you are using me,” Felicia retorted angrily. “You deliberately invited me to go riding with you today, knowing that Lady Barbara would be affronted when she saw us. Oh! You…you are unspeakable.”

“But you do not let the fact that you are using me disturb you? Come, Miss Richards, let us act the part of friends, if only for the sake of appearance. It would not do your standing any good to be seen on the outs with me.”

The very fact that he was justified in making his comment angered Felicia more. “I wish to go home,” she said ungraciously, a tight smile barely creasing her face. “My thanks for parading me in front of the ton. ’Tis a pity no one recognized me.”

They trotted home in silence and were soon in front of Lady Louisa’s house. Before Felicia had time to dismount, Lord Umber was off his horse and by her side, forcing her to accept his assistance. He swung her easily to the ground and held her waist a few seconds longer than necessary before releasing her. “Am I forgiven?” he asked mischieviously, as he smiled down at her. “For I swear I did not mean to offend you—only give Lady Barbara a setdown, for she has come to expect too much of me.” Without waiting for an answer, he caught her hand and drew it towards his lips. “I shall look forward to escorting you to the theater.” He kissed her hand briefly and before Felicia could reply, he was up on his horse and away, leading her mount behind him.

She was more shaken by his action than she cared to admit and looked down at her gloved hand in amazement. Shaking her head, she mounted the steps and entered the house.

“Is that you, Felicia?” Lady Louisa’s voice floated into the hallway. “Hurry, child, I have need to speak to you.”

Felicia ran into the blue drawing room, carefully removing her riding hat as she went. “Yes, Lady Louisa,” she answered, stopping short as she saw the look of agitation on Lady Louisa’s face. “Whatever is the matter, ma’am?”

“I have just heard from my friend in Manchester, Felicia. And she says there is no such person as Mrs. Barton, and the address you were given is nonexistent.”

Eight

Dr. Ross had just seen the last patient in
his waiting room when the messenger from Lady Louisa arrived. Her note was short, merely asking him to call at his earliest convenience, so he dismissed the messenger saying he would be there later that afternoon. He was not expecting Felicia to resume her treatments with him until the morrow, so he assumed Lady Louisa was inviting him for a social visit

It was only when the second missive arrived an hour later from Lord Umber that he realized there was some urgency to the matter. Pushing aside the papers he was working on, he hurried out into the street and was thankful to see a vacant hackney on the corner. Ten minutes later he was being ushered into the small study at Lady Louisa’s house. Lord Umber rose to greet him.

“Paul! Thank you for coming so promptly. It’s Mama. Nothing serious, I am sure, but she has had another attack of nerves.” There was a worried note in Lord Umber’s voice.

“I will go and see her immediately, Ian, but I don’t think you need worry. I am certain it has been brought on by the excitement of seeing all her old friends. I rather suspected it might happen.”

“Not Mama,” Lord Umber smiled. “The attention she has been getting from all her old cronies has been most gratifying. No, she has just received word from her friend in Manchester, and it is that which has her overset.”

“Miss Richards is to leave soon, then?”

“Far from it, Paul. It would appear that someone has played a malicious trick on the fair Miss Richards. There is no such person as her Mrs. Barton.”

“No one!” Dr. Ross exclaimed. “Are you sure?”

“Absolutely. I have read the letter through umpteen times and there is no mistake. Here, read it for yourself.” Dr. Ross read the letter and was silent for a moment before asking, “How does Miss Richards fed about this?” There was a genuine note of concern to his voice.

“She took the news stoically enough, Mama said, but is now convinced that we will suppose she deliberately planned the entire gig.”

“What utter nonsense!”

“My words exactly, Paul. But I am afraid that I have the strange ability to rile Miss Richards, and for reasons best known to herself, she delights in misunderstanding everything I say to her.”

“Excuse me, then, Ian. I had best see both ladies and try to calm them. Mayhap I can persuade Miss Richards that we don’t believe the worst. Though there is no denying that it is a setback for her. The question is, why would anyone want her out of the way?”

He left Lord Umber, shaking his head slowly. He was still shaking it when he returned.

“I just do not understand, Ian,” he said. “It is the most callous trick to play on anyone.”

“I am inclined to agree with you, Paul. How is she now?”

“Calmer. As you said, she has an amazingly prosaic attitude that enables her to bear tremendous stresses. She will come about, I have no doubt on that score. I am even hopeful that this may shock her into remembering something that will be useful. The mind works in such strange and deceptive ways, Ian, it is fascinating. Absolutely fascinating.”

“Quite so, Paul,” Lord Umber interrupted hurriedly, for he was in no mood to sit and listen to a dissertation on the therapeutic benefits of animal magnetism.

Dr. Ross smiled, as if he realized what was on his friend’s mind. “Oh! By the way, I have persuaded her that the job as companion to Lady Louisa is as permanent as she wants it to be.”

“Of course. How could it be otherwise? Did she accept?” His hidden anxiety was apparent to Dr. Ross as he asked the question. “At least Mama will be happy,” he continued as the doctor nodded his head in agreement.

“It was the best possible news I could give Lady Louisa. She perked up immediately, though she is still a deal upset by the thought that Miss Richards might have been stranded in an alien city without friends or money. I would prescribe a quiet night for the pair of them, and they will be as right as rain in the morning.”

“She…eh, Miss Richards. Did she indicate how long she wished to remain with Mama?”

“At least until we can discover who her family is. She is level-headed enough to realize that she cannot be wandering the streets without knowing who she is.”

“I should think not,” Lord Umber ejaculated. “Anyway, I would not let it happen. Does she say what she plans to do in the event her memory fails to return?”

“You mean, should I fail? That, my dear friend, is a word she does not accept, and I do believe I am beginning to share her optimism. You know how convinced I am that she is of a genteel background,” he continued abruptly.

Lord Umber nodded, wondering what was on his friend’s mind.

“I have asked Lady Louisa to make some inquiries through her friends about a family called Richards. Conceivably you could do the same, discreetly, of course?”

“You think we can turn up something to help you?”

“It is worth a try. I need hard facts to use when I have Miss Richards in a trance. I have still been unable to jolt her unconscious mind into recalling anything other than fragments of her happy childhood memories. I know I am on the verge of breaking through, but I need names and places that are familiar to her.”

“I will bear it in mind, then, Paul,” Lord Umber said as he pulled out his fob watch and opened it casually. “In fact, I can start immediately. I promised to look in at Lady Barbara’s for tea, and there is bound to be a cluster of her admirers I can ask.”

“Good, good,” Dr. Ross said absent-mindedly. “I look forward to hearing from you.”

However, it was Lady Louisa, on the following afternoon, who uncovered the first clue of Felicia’s true heritage. They had arrived at Lady Jersey’s imposing house in Belgrave Square at the appointed hour, and Lady Louisa was immediately surrounded by many of her old friends. Felicia managed to slip out of the circle without being missed and within a very few minutes had struck up a conversation with a shy, unimpressive young girl who looked pathetically out of place. Her chaperone was one of the women clamoring for Lady Louisa’s attention.

Some time after their entrance, Lady Louisa managed to find a seat and, drawing one of her oldest friends, the Honorable Mrs. Melanie Courtney, out of the main press of people, bade her be seated. This was not a thoughtless gesture, for Melanie Courtney was known to be a walking Debrett’s. Casual chatter composed the conversation for a while until Lady Louisa artfully brought up Felicia’s name and quickly outlined the mishap that had befallen her with the resultant loss of memory.

“How terribly confusing for the poor child,” Melanie murmured sympathetically, quizzing Felicia through her lorgnon. “And such a beauty, too. What a terrible shame. Your niece, you say, Louisa?”