Felicia (22 page)

Felicia shook her head, too emotionally drained to speak. She glanced at David beseechingly.

Lady Louisa, suddenly realizing where she was, relinquished her hold on Felicia. “Shall we go into the salon? I am sure we will be more comfortable there.” She led the way, putting her arm through Felicia’s, leaving David and Adams to follow.

Once they were all seated and David had made the necessary introduction of Adams to Lady Louisa, a silence fell.

“I…I…
am sorry to have caused such a stir,” Felicia said softly, aware that Lady Louisa was waiting for her to speak. “It’s…it’s been such a
…”

“That you have been restored to me is sufficient for the moment,” Lady Louisa said swiftly, seeing the distress on Felicia’s face. “Tomorrow is soon enough to talk.”

David nodded his approval. “Your thoughtfulness is appreciated, I am sure, Lady Louisa. Miss Richards has been through an excruciating experience.” He smiled at Felicia encouragingly. “She wanted to come here tonight, preferring to wait until the morrow to meet her grandfather.”

Felicia looked at Lady Louisa candidly, her blue eyes enormous with strain. “I cannot think properly this evening, so much has happened and I know…I know I have to go to Lord Davenport’s tomorrow, but I wanted nothing more than to sleep in familiar surroundings tonight.”

“My dear, I would not want it any other way. You are always welcome here, you know that. Come, let me put you to bed.” Lady Louisa turned to David and Adams. “I beg that you wait for me to return. I will not keep you above a few minutes.”

The door closed softly behind her, and David sat back tiredly. “Thank goodness that is behind us, Adams—though how Miss Richards is ever going to forget her experience at Newgate is beyond me. I swear the memory of Mistress James will be with
me
for a long time to come.”

“She was certainly not a pretty sight tonight,” Adams agreed. He stood up. “If you don’t mind, Mr. Burton, I will be getting along now. I dare say my missus will have given me up for dead long since.”

“By Jove! I am sorry, Adams,” David exclaimed. “I must confess I never gave her a thought. My thanks to you for all you have done tonight. I will see you in the morning.”

“Yes, sir,” Adams said as he reached the door. “Good night.”

As good as her word, Lady Louisa reappeared soon after Adams’ departure. “The poor girl is exhausted,” she fussed. “I swear she fell asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow.”

“I am not surprised to hear that,” David replied. “Thank you for not creating a fuss, for that was one thing Miss Richards wanted to avoid.”

“What did happen to her, David? I cannot stand the suspense a moment longer.”

David regarded her pensively, uncertain whether he should divulge everything without Ian’s presence. “It’s a harrowing tale, which I would prefer to relate when Ian is here. Will he be in shortly?”

Lady Louisa clasped her hands together in annoyance. “Oh! Lordie me! I clean forgot. He went off to Lady Ormstead’s, convinced she was at the root of Felicia’s disappearance and determined to force her to talk. Excuse me, I must ask Sims to send a messenger there to let him know that Felicia is safe.”

“I think it would be best for me to go, Lady Louisa. If Ian has gained admittance, then a great deal of discretion will be needed, for he was right. Lady Ormstead was indeed behind Miss Richards’ misadventure.”

“Oh no!” Lady Louisa said faintly, sitting down hastily. “Then you must get there before Ian loses his temper completely.”

“Of course. I will return as soon as possible, but I must stop in at Lord Davenport’s for I have promised to give him word of his granddaughter.”

“I shall look for you both within the hour, then.”

*

However, it was nearly two hours before they returned and, if Lord Umber was relieved that Felicia was safely asleep upstairs, the scowl on his face belied his feelings.

“I am sorry we kept you waiting, Mama,” he said, as he poured himself another drink, “but Lord Davenport insisted that we stay for supper. In the circumstances it seemed uncivil to refuse.”

“I understand, Ian. Paul has been here, and he looked in on Felicia. He seemed quite satisfied that she was sleeping normally and said to tell you he would call first thing in the morning. Was…was Lord Davenport glad of your news, David?”

“Enormously, Lady Louisa. He wants to do what is best for Miss Rich…I mean, Lady Felicia, and feels that perhaps it will be best for her to prolong her stay with you until she has adjusted to the idea of belonging to a family again.”

“How thoughtful of him, to be sure. He may be right, but I think we should ask Felicia in the morning what it is
she
wants to do. Mayhap we could invite Lord Davenport to luncheon, so they can become acquainted gradually.” She glanced at her son. “Don’t you agree, Ian?”

“Indeed, Mama, an excellent suggestion,” he answered absently. “Mama, are you certain that Paul said she was all right? I mean, he didn’t think that because she had suffered another shock she would lose her memory again?”

“He didn’t mention that possibility, as I was unable to supply him with any of the details of her ordeal. He thought it best not to speculate.”

“A wise doctor,” David murmured before turning to Lord Umber. “Ian, I am sure Lady Louisa has waited long enough to hear the story. Do you want to listen to me again, or would you be more comfortable with the telling?”

“No, no, David. It is something you had best repeat. Excuse me, Mama, but my temper is on a very short rein at the moment. Pray disregard any oaths that you may hear me utter.” He lapsed into an unhappy silence as he stared into the dancing flames of the fire.

He had paid scant attention to his mother’s words of caution not to rush into proposing to Felicia, but the last hour spent in Lord Davenport’s company had forced him to conclude that it would be most unfair of him to say aught until Felicia had had time to enjoy her new life. Now doubts were assailing him, for Lord Davenport had made it quite clear that he intended presenting Felicia to Society. How could he declare himself and deny her the opportunity of having what every young lady coveted—the romance of a Season in London. Yet, if he bided his time, it was always possible that she would form an attachment for some unworthy whelp. He let out an oath.

Lady Louisa looked at him anxiously, wondering what it was that was still bothering him. “I trust you left Lady Ormstead in one piece, Ian?” she asked lightly. There was something in his brooding expression that made her feel uneasy.

“I found him on the doorstep,” David answered. “He had been quite unsuccessful in his attempt to wake up anyone in that house, even though he caused the devil of a commotion and had most of the neighbors complaining of the noise.” He smiled reassuringly at Lady Louisa, trying to allay her fears. He, too, was concerned about Lord Umber, for the black mood of despair he was presently suffering had descended suddenly in the midst of their supper. It was difficult to console him, not knowing the cause.

“And well might she hide,” Lord Umber said suddenly, “for this is the last night she will ever rest easy. I was correct in my assumption, Mama. She was indeed responsible for Lady Felicia’s disappearance….” He broke off, rage choking him into speechlessness.

David quickly broke in, sensing that Lord Umber’s behavior was far more disturbing to Lady Louisa than the actual story of Felicia’s plight would be. “The ugly truth is that Lady Felicia has spent the better part of today in Newgate prison because Lady Ormstead accused her of purse-snatching.”

Lady Louisa sank back into the cushions as all the color drained from her cheeks. She felt strangely lightheaded as she absorbed this information, unwilling to believe her ears.

“The poor girl. The poor, dear, sweet girl. It is hardly any wonder she was so distraught tonight.” With an effort she struggled into an upright position and fumbled for her purse. The room spun in front of her and, as she tried to focus on a low coffee table in front of her, she was suddenly aware of a pair of strong arms forcing her back on the chaise. Somewhere in the distance she could hear a bottle being uncorked and a quiet voice whispering instructions. Then the familiar odor of her smelling salts steadied her vision and the faintness that had threatened to overwhelm her receded.

“That’s better,” she heard her son say. “She will be all right in a moment.”

“I am sorry, Ian. It never occurred to me that she would react so. Indeed, I would have held back if I had known.”

“She had to know sometime, David, so don’t be worrying yourself needlessly. And, I am sure my behavior affected her adversely.” He smiled ruefully. “My indisposition must be due to the combined effect of knowing that I must wait to declare my ‘honorable’ intentions to Lady Felicia, and thinking of Lady Ormstead. Mama,” he said as he patted her wrists lightly. “Mama, are you feeling better?”

Lady Louisa nodded. “Yes, thank heavens. I am sorry to be such a wet goose. I don’t know what came over me. Please, David, continue.”

“There is little else to say, except that I will settle the score with Lady Ormstead tomorrow.”

Lord Umber broke in quickly as he saw an apprehensive look enter his mother’s eye. “There is no need to worry that I shall interfere, Mama. I have already given my word to Lord Davenport and David that I will stay well away.”

“That is a relief,” Lady Louisa murmured faintly.

“And,” David continued with a smile, “I will insure that she never attempts to see Lady Felicia again.”

“Do you think she will listen to you?” Lady Louisa asked. “She sounds to me like a person who will do exactly as she wants and bully anyone who stands in her way.”

“She will listen. Lord Davenport calls it blackmail, I merely regard it as tightening the purse-strings. You see, I control her late husband’s estate, and consequently have to approve all her major expenses….”

“Call it what you will,” Lady Louisa laughed. “I approve of your plan entirely.”

Seventeen

Felicia woke the next morning feeling
refreshed. The horror of the previous day was still with her, but the security of being in familiar surroundings was reassuring. She refused to think of her aunt—indeed she couldn’t do so without shaking—and David had been most insistent that she concentrate on the more positive happenings of the previous day. Especially on the fact that her grandfather wanted her to live with him.

She tried to imagine what he would be like, but it was difficult as the face of Lord Umber kept intruding. If the truth were known, she would be far happier away from London, away from anything that would remind her of him. However, David had made it quite clear that her grandfather wanted to present her at Court and let the world know that he had found a part of his family he had given up for lost years ago.

Well, she would do her best to please the old man, but she knew it would not be easy. Her heart was not ready for enjoyment of that kind.

Yesterday, to keep her mind from the terrors of Newgate, she had spent hours imagining what life with Lord Umber would be like. She had fantasized at great length about the richness of their life together and how, between them, they would expand his charity program to all parts of England.

This morning she could laugh at those dreams, but she did not discount them, for one day she might well find herself in a position to give help on her own.

The usual morning sounds of the giggling housemaids and whistling footmen all busying themselves about their chores seemed immensely satisfying today, and she lay back in her bed and listened to them with pleasure. How much we all take for granted, she mused, when in reality everything we do or see should be treated as something special.

The door opened quietly, and Lady Louisa’s maid peeked in. “Good morning, miss, Madam was wondering if you felt well enough to join her for some hot chocolate. She is in her bedroom.”

“Of course I do, Lucy. Tell her I will be right in.” Quickly she swung her legs onto the floor and wriggled her toes into a pair of fur-lined slippers. Reaching over, she picked up her robe, which was on a near-by chair, slipped it on, tying the belt neatly around her waist. She hurried along the cold corridor and tapped lightly on Lady Louisa’s door before entering. “Good morning, Lady Louisa,” she said smiling. “I cannot tell you how good it is to see you.”

“My dear Felicia,” Lady Louisa fluttered. “The very sight of you looking so well makes me feel immeasurably happier. I swear, if I had not known that you had been through a terrible ordeal, I would never have guessed.”

Felicia laughed. “I am just following David’s orders. He instructed me to think of all the nice things that have happened to me. And…and . . .” she paused before continuing diffidently, “you certainly have been the nicest.”

“You flatter me, child. You have been far more beneficial for me than I for you. But, I am determined not to argue today. There is much to be done.”

“I…I know, but I am finding it difficult to realize that I do indeed have a home and a grandfather. Actually, I am quite terrified at the prospect.”

“As I suspected you might be, Felicia, and so, if you agree, I thought to invite Lord Davenport to have luncheon with us so that you may meet him without too much strain. And, if you like, you can stay here for a while longer and visit with your grandfather as much as you want, until you feel ready to move in with him.”