The Dark Earl (17 page)
Harry and D’Arcy moved away from the table, and Thomas held a chair for Beatrix, sitting down beside her to lend her courage.
Trixy was eager and yet hesitant at the same time. As she shuffled and laid out the cards, her hands trembled.
Rachel picked up the first card. “Oh, the
Nine of Cups.
Trixy, that is the highest of all tarot cards. It means happiness, contentment, and fulfillment. It is the wish card, and anytime it begins a layout, it means you will get your wish.”
Nine of Cups.
Trixy, that is the highest of all tarot cards. It means happiness, contentment, and fulfillment. It is the wish card, and anytime it begins a layout, it means you will get your wish.”
Trixy gasped with joy.
Rachel continued. “The
Sun.
Trixy, I can’t believe how good your cards are. This means a golden opportunity. It means attainment, success. You will have both material wealth and personal satisfaction.” Rachel turned over another card. “Look at that—the
Three of Wands
. That is a time card. You will achieve your desires in a three—that could mean three days, three weeks, three months, or three years.”
Sun.
Trixy, I can’t believe how good your cards are. This means a golden opportunity. It means attainment, success. You will have both material wealth and personal satisfaction.” Rachel turned over another card. “Look at that—the
Three of Wands
. That is a time card. You will achieve your desires in a three—that could mean three days, three weeks, three months, or three years.”
“Well, I hope it doesn’t take three years!”
Rachel continued. “All your other cards are
pentacles
and, as you know, that means luxuries, jewels, property, and financial security.”
pentacles
and, as you know, that means luxuries, jewels, property, and financial security.”
“Thank you, Rachel, for telling my future, and thank you, Thomas, for giving me courage to have my cards read.”
“If you want something, Trixy, you should go after it,” Thomas urged. “The cards say you will achieve your desire in a three.”
“Rachel did say I was sure to get my wish. Now it’s your turn.”
Thomas hesitated. He didn’t believe in prophecy—he believed you made your own fate. But this was just a game. It amused Trixy, and he would be churlish to decline.
Rachel picked up the first card he laid out. “The
Magician
. This means you are your own man. It signifies self-mastery, self-control. It represents intelligence and confidence. You do not need the approval of others. When you set a goal, you will achieve it.”
Magician
. This means you are your own man. It signifies self-mastery, self-control. It represents intelligence and confidence. You do not need the approval of others. When you set a goal, you will achieve it.”
Rachel picked up the next card. “The
Chariot.
This often follows the
Magician
.
Chariot.
This often follows the
Magician
.
It means your willpower and your mind are your only weapons for survival. You will achieve your goals only if you exercise self-discipline.”
Rachel lifted the next card and she hesitated. Both she and Thomas saw that it was the
Death
card
.
He looked into her eyes and imperceptibly shook his head.
Death
card
.
He looked into her eyes and imperceptibly shook his head.
At that moment, Abercorn arrived. “There you are, Thomas. I believe your clothes are dry, and I was wondering if you’d like to give me a hand with the firework display.”
Thomas had a horror of fire, but he firmly pushed it away. “It would be my pleasure, Your Grace.” He placed the
Death
card facedown and got up from the table.
Death
card facedown and got up from the table.
Abercorn waved his hand. “Enjoy your tarot card readings, ladies. By the time you are finished, we’ll have the fireworks set up in front of the lake. I promise you all a fitting climax to a birthday celebration that will light up the sky.”
An hour later, the guests emerged from the house and began to gather at the spacious gazebo that overlooked the lake. As they walked, some of them separated into couples. Will Montagu accompanied Lady Jane, Captain Butler walked beside “Mademoiselle Rachelle,” and D’Arcy Lambton strolled hand in hand with Harry. When Henry Edgcumbe fell in beside Trixy, she gave him a grateful smile.
Abercorn, with the help of Thomas Anson, had set up the fireworks so that they would go off consecutively, one after another, without pause. He’d bought them from the manufacturer that had created the magnificent pyrotechnics for the opening of the Crystal Palace, and felt confident the display would be twice as spectacular as the previous year.
He spoke confidentially to Thomas. “Much as I’d like to set them alight myself, I cannot deprive the gamekeeper of doing the honors. Hawkins has done it every year and I don’t want to run the risk of offending him.”
Thomas glanced at Hawkins, who stood at the ready with his lantern and long wooden tapers with sulfur tips. Thomas was relieved to see a row of stable hands with water-filled wooden buckets. “I think that’s a wise decision, Your Grace. Shall we join the spectators?”
The crowd had now grown to include the indoor and outdoor staffs of both Campden Hill and Holland House. The Duke and Duchess of Abercorn’s younger children had been given permission to stay up late to watch the fireworks, and sat on the grass in front of their watchful nursemaids.
Abercorn joined his wife, and then he signaled Hawkins to start the show. As the first brilliant Roman candle shot into the air and filled the sky with a silver shower of stars, he slipped his arm about Lady Lu. “Happy birthday, darling.”
She gazed up at him with adoring eyes. “You promised me skyrockets, and you’ve always kept your word.”
Harry, standing near her parents, heard their loving exchange, and wished with all her heart that when she married, her husband would worship her with the same devotion her father lavished upon her mother. She felt D’Arcy’s arm steal about her waist and draw her close. She decided not to pull away from him.
I believe D’Arcy truly loves me.
I believe D’Arcy truly loves me.
Thomas began to watch the enraptured faces of the Hamilton children. It warmed his heart that their devoted parents had dedicated themselves to assuring their offspring had happy childhoods. He could not help but compare Abercorn’s paternal care with the shortcomings of his own father. He vowed that when he had children of his own, he would be a loving parent.
Thomas glanced down and saw Beatrix smiling up at him.
“I’m sorry I spoiled your day by falling into the lake, my lord.”
“Trixy, in no way did you spoil my day. You have been a delightful companion.”
She gave him a skeptical look. “You are a good friend to say so.”
“I mean it, Trixy. Would you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you to the queen’s Bal Costume at Buckingham Palace next week?”
“Oh, thank you. I would be honored indeed, Thomas.”
After the fireworks display, and before the guests thanked their hosts and departed, they enjoyed another piece of birthday cake and offered a final toast to Lady Lu. The family was spending the night at Campden Hill, and though the gentlemen had been offered accommodation for the night, they all graciously declined.
D’Arcy clapped Thomas on the back. “Why don’t you drive back to London with me? I’d appreciate the company.”
“I came with Montagu, but since you and I live so close, there will be no need to inconvenience Will if you’ll drop me off.”
When the stablemen harnessed Lambton’s grays to his phaeton, he took the reins and Anson climbed up beside him. Thomas complimented him on his matched pair and waited for D’Arcy to bring up the subject of the Hamilton daughters. He was shrewd enough to know it was inevitable.
“You lucky devil, Thomas. That was an amazing opportunity to play hero to Trixy.”
“Beatrix is such a delight. She is so fun loving and amenable and always ready to defer to a gentleman’s wishes.”
“Abercorn certainly seems to have taken a special interest in you.”
“That was just his way of thanking me for going in the lake after his daughter. He’s very fond of Beatrix. I enjoyed her company today—it was truly refreshing.”
D’Arcy gave him a level look. “You mean refreshing after dealing with Harry.”
Thomas flashed him a grin. “
You
said that—I didn’t. But we both know that Harriet has a mind of her own, and could never be described as amenable.”
You
said that—I didn’t. But we both know that Harriet has a mind of her own, and could never be described as amenable.”
“She’ll settle down once she becomes a wife.”
Thomas spoke with deliberate calculation. “I’m not so sure. Her main reason for marrying is because she’ll have more rights as a married woman. She has joined the suffragists so she can crusade for women’s rights.”
“When she becomes the Countess of Durham, she’ll have no time for that nonsense.”
“No, she will be consumed by the plight of those who work in the Durham collieries. She’ll take up the cause of the poverty-stricken miners. It is amazing that two sisters can be so different. Beatrix’s only desire is to have a noble husband she can love and serve.”
“You lucky dog, Anson. Will you offer for her?”
“Good heavens, no. We are just friends. Trixy has lost her heart to another.”
“Do you think so?”
“I know so, D’Arcy. She never stops talking about
you
.” He paused for emphasis. “It must be very gratifying to have both beautiful sisters eager to do your bidding.”
you
.” He paused for emphasis. “It must be very gratifying to have both beautiful sisters eager to do your bidding.”
“Good morning, Father. I thought I’d join you for breakfast.”
The servant arrived with Abercorn’s food. “What would you like, my lady?”
“I’ll have exactly the same as my father, thank you.”
“Harriet, everyone is still sound asleep. To what do I owe this honor?”
“I always enjoy spending time with you, but to be brutally honest, I want to have a private conversation without the rest of the family interrupting.”
“Ah, you have an ulterior motive. But I’ll let you in on a little secret. Everyone in the world has an agenda.”
Harry thought about it for a moment, and then smiled at the truth of his words. “I have some questions about the role of lord lieutenant. What duties does it encompass?”
“Lord lieutenants are the queen’s representative in their county. They arrange visits for members of the royal family and they present medals and awards to industry on her behalf. They are responsible for law and order and to see that justice is carried out. For the most part, the lord lieutenant and his wife participate in social activities to promote a spirit of cooperation between the county’s people and its industry.”
“When you were lord lieutenant of Donegal, I don’t remember any royal visits, or award presentations, or many social activities for that matter.”
“That’s because there were none. It was during the time of the tragic Irish potato famine. The entire populace suffered devastation. Your mother and I were hard-pressed to keep the people of Donegal from starvation.”
“Did England pay for that, or did you use your own money?”
“I wasn’t naive enough to expect the government to send money to Ireland. It has always been a poor country that contributed little to England’s wealth.” He strove to lighten his words with humor. “And your uncle Johnny didn’t become prime minister until my two-year term was over.”
“Why on earth would D’Arcy Lambton want to be the lord lieutenant of Durham?”
“Now I see the reason for your questions. Durham is a very different kettle of fish than an Irish county. England derives a great deal of her wealth from Durham.”
“So you think D’Arcy could well afford to be its lord lieutenant? The appointment wouldn’t reduce him to being a pauper?”
Abercorn laughed heartily. “Since D’Arcy Lambton is the Earl of Durham, he will grow wealthier with every passing year. England is the leading industrialized country in the entire world, and coal is its most important commodity. Only think for a moment—coal heats our homes; it is the fuel we use for cooking. Coal is used to run our factories, our railroads, and our ships. Every shovelful of coal helps to fill D’Arcy’s coffers.”
“Thank you so much for enlightening me. You paint such a clear picture.”
“So D’Arcy entertains serious ambitions to become Durham’s lord lieutenant?”
“Among other ambitions.”
“Such as?”
“He wants you for his father-in-law.”
“So that’s the way the wind blows.” His brows drew together. “You know, Queen Victoria makes these appointments on the recommendation of her prime minister.”
Harry’s face fell. The present prime minister was Abercorn’s stepfather, and there was neither love nor even civility between them. Then she brightened. “There is a way around that obstacle. If you recommend D’Arcy Lambton to Prince Albert, he will be sure to mention it to Her Majesty. Victoria strives to please her husband in every way.”
“Did D’Arcy ask you to speak to me, Harriet?”
“Absolutely not. He was going to talk to you himself, but when I offered to speak to you on his behalf, he was extremely grateful.”
“Has he asked you to marry him, Harry?”
“He hasn’t formally proposed, because I’ve told him I won’t give him an answer until the end of the Season. But he has referred to me as his future countess, and he insists our marriage is what you and Mother want for me.”
“Harriet, your mother and I want you to make up your own mind when it comes to choosing a husband. The choice is yours, not ours. We want only your happiness.”
“Thank you, Father. Your assurance means a great deal to me.”
Chapter Nine
T
he family spent the day at Campden Hill and in the evening drove back to London.
he family spent the day at Campden Hill and in the evening drove back to London.
Before Harry left, she visited with Rachel to bid her good-bye. “You must try to come to the queen’s costume ball at Buckingham Palace next week. It will be so much more fun if we can both be there in our short skirts.”
Other books
Spartan Resistance by Tracy Cooper-Posey
That Girl Is Poison by Tia Hines
Killing Time (One-Eyed Jacks) by Gerard, Cindy
The Mystery of the Alligator Swamp by Gertrude Chandler Warner
HotText by Cari Quinn
She'll Take It by Mary Carter
The Vampyre by Tom Holland
The Returning Hero by Soraya Lane
Connor Rix Chronicles 1: Rules of Force by Steve Statham
El perro del hortelano by Lope de Vega
