Gayle Buck (12 page)

Lady Caroline did, indeed, go upstairs to her room. She sent away her maid, saying again that she had the headache and wished to lie down quietly for a few moments. It was an unusual excuse for her, and well she knew it before she was ever treated to the maid’s dubious expression, but she did not care. She was in full retreat for the second time in her life. She wanted to be alone in order to catch up her rampant emotions. Otherwise she suspected that she might fly apart in such a manner that it would embarrass both herself and whoever was witness to her unaccustomed fury.

For fury it was. She was unexpectedly consumed by it. She had endured a particularly grim week with Mrs. Burlington’s strictures and malicious unpleasantries, only to have it all capped with Lord Eddington’s startling though characteristically timid insinuation that she leave Berwicke Keep. What was most infuriating about the entire business, of course, was that she had been forewarned by her aunt.

Lady Caroline had thought it possible that Mrs. Burlington had exaggerated in her insistence that Lady Eddington would not wish to compete with a sister-in-law’s presence, but she had succeeded in suspending judgment upon the matter until she had time to see how the wind might blow. She had never expected to be hit so swiftly by the possibility. She had been caught completely off-guard by Lord Eddington’s confidences, and as a consequence had been hit harder than perhaps she should have been.

Lady Caroline had ample space for reflection before it became time to change and go downstairs for dinner. She made up her mind that no good purpose would be served if she were not to accept her brother’s awkward hints as realistically as she was capable. Indeed, she was too used to her brother’s sensitive nature not to realize that for her to treat him with the distant civility that her anger urged upon her would only bewilder and hurt him. Therefore she intended to make an effort to greet Lord Eddington in her usual convivial manner.

Chapter Thirteen

After the disastrous outcome of the interview earlier that day between himself and Lady Caroline, Lord Eddington was anxious at first of his reception at his sister’s hands. However, when she met him in the drawing room before dinner was announced, she spoke to him in her usual fond fashion.

He was greatly relieved and thereafter put out of his mind the previous unpleasantness. He made himself agreeable to his sister and to his wife, and if his efforts fell somewhat flat with Mrs. Burlington, no fault could be laid to his lordship’s door.

In truth, Mrs. Burlington was vaguely disgruntled. She had been surprised by the countess’s faintly aloof air toward her, for she had been anticipating being at once able to establish herself somewhat in the guise of a mentor and confidante. She could not imagine what was wrong with the girl, for she had had that most respectful letter from Lady Eddington written not more than a month before. She could not complain that Lady Eddington was no longer respectful toward her, but there seemed to be an air of standoffishness that Mrs. Burlington did not recall had been in the girl’s manner before the marriage.

Mrs. Burlington decided that perhaps Lady Eddington was simply overwhelmed by her new status. Once the young countess had settled a little more into her role, with gentle guidance from herself, naturally, Mrs. Burlington felt that she need have no doubt of her own indispensability.

The talk over the dinner table was desultory and ranged from estate business and neighborhood gossip to travel anecdotes from Lord and Lady Eddington. The conversation changed tone, however, when Lord Eddington made the surprising announcement that he and his lady planned to leave Berwicke Keep.

“What! But you cannot be serious, Lord Eddington. Why, you have but just arrived at Berwicke,” Mrs. Burlington said. She was taken so by surprise that she spilled her wine on her dress and in utmost irritation dabbed at the stained silk.

The Earl of Berwicke instantly sensed his aunt’s strong disapprobation and sought refuge in an even heartier tone than was his habit. “Oh, well, there is not much happening here in the country this time of the year, and Lady Eddington and I are not much for rusticating at any time. We prefer town amusements and making a splash among the
ton
and such.” Not wishing to be forced into argument by Mrs. Burlington, Lord Eddington turned to his sister. “May I rely upon you for the estate awhile longer, Caroline? I should be ever so grateful to you, as would my dear lady.”

Though Lady Caroline’s surprise at the announcement was at least equal to Mrs. Burlington’s, she managed it better. “Of course you may rely upon me, Ned. But I had quite thought you and Lady Eddington were fixed here at Berwicke for a time. At last, that was the impression I gathered from you earlier this afternoon.”

The questioning note in her voice made Lord Eddington flush. He waved his hand, saying uncomfortably, “Oh . . . as to that! The thing of it is, Caroline, I had not given the matter proper thought. My lady’s family is not yet aware that we have returned to England, and naturally she wishes to call upon her father and his wife. I should like to pay my respects as well, of course.” He eyed his sister in a half-apologetic fashion.

“I understand, dear brother,” Lady Caroline said with a small laugh. Indeed she did, she thought. She had been given a reprieve of sorts because yet again her feckless brother needed her to take over the responsibilities of the estate. For the first time, Lady Caroline began to look upon her departure from Berwicke as a move in her own better interests. She simply could not allow herself to evolve any further into her brother’s permanent crutch. Something must be done, and perhaps her best course would be to discuss the earl’s indifference with his lordship’s man of business, who was, after all, employed to look after Lord Eddington’s concerns.

“Well, it is more than I can understand!” Mrs. Burlington exclaimed. “I do not know how long you mean to continue shirking your responsibilities here at Berwicke, my lord, but I think I must tell you that in my opinion it is a grave mistake. It should not be made your sister’s position, for nothing could be more unseemly. And dear Lady Eddington must be wondering at the manner that you have kept her capering hither and yon, as though she were a Gypsy rather than the proud mistress of a grand and old house. I wonder at it, indeed I do!”

Lady Caroline threw a glance at her brother. Lord Eddington appeared more and more uncomfortable under his aunt’s scolding tone of censure. His normally jovial face had lengthened into deep, unhappy lines. She sighed, for though she had meant what she said to him about learning to deal with their aunt, she found that the old habits of childhood were too strong. She could not sit idly by while he was bullied by Mrs. Burlington. “I think that the earl could be allowed to voice his decision without being subjected to these embarrassing exclamations, Amaris,” she said quietly.

“By Jove, so I should,” Lord Eddington muttered. A dull flush of resentment shaded his cheekbones.

“Mrs. Burlington, I shall look forward to our return to Berwicke, if for no other reason than to speak at length with you,” Lady Eddington said.

On the point of addressing her nephew again, Mrs. Burlington instead shrugged as though the matter was one of indifference, after all. Though ill temper still hardened her eyes, she smiled at the countess. She said in a surprisingly tolerant manner, “As I am certain that I shall do also, dear Lady Eddington. It is all me same to me, of course, but I had thought to point out what I thought to be your own interests in the matter.”

Lady Eddington inclined her head. She said softly, “I shall not forget that, I do assure you.”

Mrs. Burlington’s severe expression relaxed completely into a satisfied smile. She threw a rapid glance at Lady Caroline to be certain that her niece had not missed the progress she had made toward becoming the countess’s ally. “That is most gracious of you, my lady.”

Lord Eddington let out his breath on a long sigh. He said feelingly, “I am glad that is settled.”

“But when shall you be leaving?” Lady Caroline asked.

The Earl of Berwicke warily eyed his aunt, unwilling to be the cause of another outburst. It was Lady Eddington who replied. “My lord intends to start off early in the morning, being most anxious to make London as speedily as possible so that we shall not be required to spend the night at some remote inn.”

“Too right. One can never be certain of the airing of the sheets at those places,” Lord Eddington said, nodding.

Lady Caroline lifted her napkin briefly to her lips to hide her smile. She had never before known her brother to express concerns over an inn’s housekeeping. It was but another example of the ascendancy of Lady Eddington’s quiet and pervasive influence over him. She dropped the napkin back to its place. “Indeed, Ned! Then I shall bid you and Lady Eddington a good journey this evening, for though I am usually a prompt riser, I might yet miss your departure if it is to be so very early. Or worse still, come upon you and Lady Eddington just as you are stepping up into the carriage. I do so dislike hurried farewells, as you know.”

“Oh, indeed! The Earl of Walmesley could well testify to that,” Mrs. Burlington said.

Lady Caroline did not acknowledge her aunt’s interjection and she hoped that her brother and sister-in-law had not heard it, or, if they had, that neither would understand the allusion. In an effort to cover the awkward moment, she smiled at Lady Eddington and inquired, “Shall I request the usual coffee to be served in the drawing room, my lady, or do you have a preference for something else?”

Instantly Lady Caroline knew that she had erred.

Lady Eddington’s eyes flashed and her voice was considerably chillier than it had been before. “Thank you for your kind consideration, Lady Caroline. However, I think that I shall relay my preferences myself.” She beckoned the footman in attendance and spoke to him quietly.

A short laugh sounded from across the table. Lady Caroline did not need to glance at her aunt’s face to know that that lady was wearing a malicious expression. Indeed, she had put her foot well into it, and as clumsily as the most awkward of debutantes, Lady Caroline thought resignedly.

After Lady Caroline’s unintentional blunder in taking to herself the precedence reserved for the mistress of the house, the remainder of the evening was decidedly less convivial than it might have been. Lady Caroline excused herself soon after the coffee was served, saying that she was unaccountably tired and so she would retire early.

Lord Eddington looked upon his sister’s exit from the drawing room with alarm, not wanting to be left without what he perceived as Lady Caroline’s protection from Mrs. Burlington’s caustic tongue. He instantly took his sister’s declaration as his own cue. He reached for his wife’s hand and pressed her fingers. “The hour is not so far advanced, but I know that you also must be wanting to retire, my lady. And so should we both, for it shall be an early morning.”

“Quite so, my lord,” Lady Eddington said, agreeing at once. “I should like to see how the packing is progressing too.”

Mrs. Burlington pursed her mouth as Lord Eddington politely bade her good night. “I am not as easily readied for my pillow. The nights have become very indifferent for me and so I shall sit up yet awhile. You shall undoubtedly be gone before I rise, I am certain, so I shall say good-bye tonight.”

Lord and Lady Eddington acknowledged the farewell and exited the drawing room to make their way upstairs.

* * * *

There was a knock at Lady Caroline’s bedroom door. A soft voice said, “May I come in, Lady Caroline?”

Lady Caroline realized with incredulity that her sister-in-law stood outside in the hall. She hesitated, for it had been a long and most emotional day. She certainly did not feel equal to the task of entertaining anyone at that hour, and particularly her sister-in-law after so stupidly giving offense by taking on the office of hostess. But Lady Caroline also felt constrained, by the strict social code in which she had been reared, not to send Lady Eddington away.

She gestured dismissal to her maid, who quietly went away to her adjoining sleeping closet. “Enter,” Lady Caroline said, turning toward the door.

Lady Caroline waited until Lady Eddington entered the room and closed the door before she spoke. “Yes, my lady?”

Lady Eddington advanced across the carpet. Her angelic blue eyes were fixed unwaveringly on Lady Caroline’s face. “Forgive me if I have chosen an odd time to hold conversation with you, Lady Caroline. But I felt it imperative that I speak privately with you before our departure in the morning. I wished to discuss the interview that Lord Eddington had with you earlier today. He was naturally most distressed that he gave offense to you.”

“I see. Am I to take it, then, that you have designated yourself as my brother’s deputy?” Lady Caroline asked quietly.

Lady Eddington regarded her for a short moment. “I think you know all too well that his lordship relies on others in that capacity, my lady. Just as you were his deputy in administering this estate while he was in London and abroad, so am I here now on his behalf. However, in this instance, I am acting as much for myself as I am for Lord Eddington.’’

Lady Caroline regarded the countess for a silent moment. Then she gestured to the wing chair in front of the fire. “Pray forgive my lapse of courtesy. Will you not be seated, Lady Eddington?”

Lady Eddington smiled and seated herself, even as Lady Caroline took the opposite chair. “I am glad that you have granted me this time, Lady Caroline. After I heard what had passed between Lord Eddington and yourself, I was not at all certain of my reception at your hands. You had every right to your anger. So would I have felt if someone, especially one whom I loved, had suggested that I leave my childhood home.”

“It was put to me in an intolerable fashion, otherwise I do not think that I would have responded in such a way. That is not my usual style,” Lady Caroline said shortly. She misliked to be reminded of her regrettable lapse of control by Lady Eddington, for though the lady was her sister-in-law, she was still very much a stranger.