What About Cecelia? (13 page)

“It must be hard to move into an estate where
another young woman has been in charge. It could tax a saint.”

“I guess so.” The breeze coming from the river
and the fading sunlight made Cecelia's beauty stand out. Captain
Wood found himself in a mawkish mood, but controlled it and said,
“We'd best head back. I'm sure Jane would appreciate our company
for dinner. I hope Meadows remembered to reserve a parlor for
us.”

“I'm sure he has. Meadows is reliable.”

The main coach road from Gloucester to Bristol
was in much finer condition than the roads in Wales. It was also
much busier and more diverting. The coach made good time until it
was time to turn off on the road to Bath. The road that cut the
corner to Bath was still better than most of the roads Cecelia had
seen in Wales. They arrived outside of the townhouse Captain Wood
hired, and started to unload. Miss Arnold and Captain Wood entered
the house and surveyed the rooms and furnishings. In the meantime
Meadows directed the disposition of the luggage. The maids started
to unpack and freshen their mistress's dresses.

Cecelia left this bustling activity behind her.
She had an errand of the utmost importance, namely finding the
circulating library and getting her account set up. Then, if there
was time, she would find the Somersets and tell them she had
arrived. A month's membership at the circulating library and
reading room at Milson Street cost a steep seven shillings. Cecelia
thought this cost was well justified. She was trying to decide
which of two books to check out when she heard a familiar bark.

There in the door were Captain Wood and Heulwen.
He said, “I wish you had told us where you were going.”

“I thought you'd know. I need my books, and the
circulating library in Bath is ever so much larger and more up to
date than the one in Abergavenny.”

“May I see what you are getting?”

“I thought to try Miss Tighe's '
Psyche
'
or perhaps Walter Scott's latest.”

“I seem to remember Psyche was the goddess of
something or other.”

“The soul. It is a poem about love and its
trials. The other is about knights and valor.”

“The Lady of the Lake?”

“Yes. Which do you prefer?”

“I find Scott's work too belligerently exciting
for my taste. Let it be Miss Tighe's.”

“The so shall it be.”

As they left the library, Cecelia turned to
Captain Wood and said, “I don't know if you wish to escort me, but
I should call on the Somerset's. They have a place on the Royal
Crescent.”

“Do you know the number? There are a fair number
of houses on the crescent and I'm not taking you to every
door.”

“Of course. Number 15.”

“It is a fair walk, are you sure they will be
ready to receive you?”

“Most likely not, but I should like to let them
know that we have arrived. I promised Mary I would tell her as soon
as I could.”

“However, books were more important?”

“Of course, I need my intellectual stimulation.
Before we go to the Somersets, should we get Jane?”

“She said she needed to rest, so I shall let her
sleep.”

They walked the half mile to the Somerset's
together. When they arrived at number 15, Cecelia dashed up and
knocked on the door. The doorman opened it and dauntingly asked,
“Who are you Miss and what is your business?”

“Is Miss Somerset in? It's Miss Cecelia Wood.
She was expecting me to call when I arrived in Bath.”

The man coolly looked her over, and frowned at
her.

“These are my traveling clothes. I came
immediately upon arriving.”

Captain Wood stepped forward and backed Cecelia
up. “Miss Wood and Miss Mary Somerset are friends.”

“And who are you? With this dog.”

“I'm Captain George Wood, this is Heulwen. Miss
Somerset knows her too.”

With the greatest of reluctance the doorman
opened the door and let them in. His manner that reminded George of
a dog presented with a cat and suspicious of its
bona fides.
He escorted them to the hall and then left them to tell his
mistress about the dubious visitors. Much to his surprise Miss
Somerset insisted on accompanying him when he returned to the
hall.

“Cecelia! You've finally arrived, and Captain
Wood. I see you decided to bring Heulwen.”

“She decided to come,” was George's dry
response.

“You agreed that she could.”

“Well then, who's a good doggie?” Heulwen barked
a joyful greeting, then rolled over for a tummy rub.

“I thought it best to let you know we had
arrived,” Cecelia commented, “This is just a visit of courtesy. We
won't keep you from what you were doing.”

“I wasn't doing anything to speak of. Mother and
my Aunt Esther are here.”

“Aunt Esther?”

Mary rolled her eyes, “A very virtuous
old-fashioned woman. They'll insist you see them. Though, Captain
Wood?”

“Yes?”

“Would you mind not bringing your dog?”

“Perhaps it's best if I remain here with her.
Please make my excuses.”

Mary escorted her friend upstairs to the parlor.
Cecelia commented, “I feel like a knight on his way to the dragon's
den.”

“Don't be silly. You know Lady Elizabeth. She'll
keep my Aunt's tongue in bounds.”

Cecelia curtsied when she entered the room. Aunt
Ester's acid tongue spat out, “So this is poor Sir Giles' daughter.
Pity that her dress is so incredibly out of style.”

“These are my traveling clothes, Ma'am.”

“Did you walk here?”

“Well, yes. How else should I have come? My
horses are back in Wales. I can only stay a few minutes as Captain
Wood and Heulwen are in the hall waiting for me.”

“What a hoyden. Elizabeth, are you sure that
this woman is a suitable companion for your daughter? She seems so
lacking in refinement.”

“Esther, dear sister, Miss Wood was most helpful
while we were in Monmouth. She will rapidly acquire the town bronze
she needs.”

“She taught me to ride well, Aunt.” Mary
interjected. Her aunt continued, “I'm not sure that I approve of
young women riding where they will. We didn't do that when I was a
girl.”

“Times change, Esther.”

“Not for the better. The rot started when you
ran off with that Charles of yours.”

“I'd say, since Sir Charles is a prominent
member of parliament, I've done rather well out of running off with
him. Especially since we're still in love with each other.”

“Why aren't you with him? You said that you were
planning to go to the village with him.”

“I thought I'd help Mary's friend find her feet
first. Then it's an easy post to London.”

Aunt Esther was not thoroughly satisfied with
this response. Before she could speak her mind, Mary injected,
“Miss Wood, I thought we should call for you tomorrow in the
carriage and take you to Miss Antoinette's. We dropped your
measurements off when we arrived, so the gowns should be ready for
a final fitting.”

Cecelia blushed, “You shouldn't have. I'm fine
with my own.”

“Not really Miss Wood,” Mary replied, “You'll
see how outre and old-fashioned your wardrobe is soon enough. Then
we thought to come back here and have a caper-merchant visit. Even
I will need some practice on the latest steps.”

“All I can say is thank you. Are you sure you
want to do this?”

Lady Elizabeth expostulated, “Yes. Miss Wood our
carriage will be outside of your apartment mid-morning. Should we
reserve a place for Miss Arnold?”

“I don't know, but it would be best if you did.
She could rightly take exception otherwise.”

“Mary, while you escort Miss Wood back to the
hall, make sure you get her direction.”

“Yes, Mother.”

The carriage arrived outside the townhouse in
the morning while Captain Wood and Miss Arnold were finishing their
breakfast. Cecelia had long finished hers and was anxiously waiting
by the window. She came bounding back through the townhouse,
shouting, “They're here!”

Jane gave her a hard stare and muttered,
“Deportment, Miss Wood, deportment.”

“I'm sorry. It's just I'm so excited. Should I
ask them to wait for you?”

“No, please go without me.”

After Cecelia skipped downstairs and out into
the street to board the carriage, Jane turned to George and
snapped, “I can't take much more of this Captain Wood. Seeing that
little commoner get special treatment by Lord Somerset's
family.”

“Jane, that commoner is a Baronet's
daughter.”

“Hmmph. If you say so. Still, it rankles. How is
she going to pay for those dresses? Not with
your
money I
hope.”

“It is my understanding that she has quite a
nest-egg saved, and that she is not planning to purchase many
gowns.”

“If you say so, but please do not let her charge
them to Penyclawdd.”

“She won't.” He neglected to tell her that he
had offered and Miss Wood refused.

Miss Antoinette's was an eye-opening experience
for Cecelia. Miss Antoinette, herself, was a thin woman of
uncertain age with a French accent that came and went as needed.
She had started her career as an English seamstress to members of
the ton in London. When her reputation started to spread she
adopted a stylish French name and French mannerisms.

Cecelia thought her plain high-waisted gowns
were serviceable enough, and that her few white muslin ones were
elegant. Unfortunately, the fashion had changed and was now
'Gothic'. The current style was for colorful gowns, a waistline
that was near the waist and many ornamental decorations. Where last
year, straight lines and classically inspired gowns were
de
rigeuer
, now gussets, frills and ribbons were in fashion. The
recent change in taste, like many paroxysms of style was rapid.
Mary's admittedly more elegant gowns from last year were almost as
out-dated as Cecelia's.

The two friends engaged in a buying spree that
included an emerald colored Spenser Jacket for Cecelia, gloves for
both women, and a gown to be ready for a private dance tomorrow.
Mary left orders for several more. As they were leaving, Cecelia
turned to Miss Antoinette and asked about paying.

Miss Antoinette stared at her. “Mademoiselle,
one does not handle money.”

“But how? I mean I will owe you.”

“Your agent will receive
l'addition
when
it is ready.”

“Oh. I'm sorry. Did I just do something
rude?”

Miss Antoinette's uncertain French accent
dropped away as she laughed, “I wish all my customers were as ready
to pay as you, Miss Wood. Don't worry, Lady Elizabeth will put up
the blunt if need be.”

Once in the carriage and on the way back to 15
Royal Crescent, Cecelia asked her friend, “Miss Antoinette said
Lady Elizabeth will put up the blunt. I hope she didn't mean for my
clothes too.”

“I wouldn't worry about it.”

“I do. I hope your mother will let me stand by
myself. I must at least thank her, if nothing else.”

The caper-merchant was waiting when they arrived
back at the Somerset's house. After a hours practice, he pronounced
that Miss Wood was ready. At least as long as they weren't
waltzing. It seemed she had no trouble dancing when she wasn't
dancing with the Captain. Then much to Cecelia's chagrin, she was
bustled off to the carriage and returned to her residence without a
chance to corner Lady Elizabeth and insist that she pay her own
way.

As she entered the building and started upstairs
to the parlor, a brown and white streak came thundering down.
“Heulwen! I was only gone a few hours, why the excitement?”

Captain Wood called from above, “That dog. She's
been whining all day. Seems she misses you.”

“I'm sorry, has it been bad?”

“Not for us.” Jane was in a good mood. She spent
the morning clothes shopping. Several old acquaintances
complimented her about how well she was looking and how handsome
her fiancée was. This had made her day enjoyable. She said, “But
that dog will have to learn to be quiet.”

“She will, it's just so new here.” Cecelia
entered the parlor and continued, “What have you been doing?”

“Shopping, new clothes though not quite as fancy
as Miss Antoinette's.”

Heulwen was bounding around. “She needs a walk,
poor dog. Anyone else interested.”

Jane looked at George and then replied, “I think
that might be a good idea. Why don't we all wander down to the
Parade? Then we can have supper afterwards.”

A few minutes later the three of them emerged
onto the streets. Jane offered a possessive arm to George, while
Cecelia held Heulwen's lead. They headed downhill through the town
to the Parade garden. Then they slowly processed around it with the
other fashionable people. The evening's fine weather brought out
many of the ton. They were walking both to see who was here and to
be seen themselves. Cecelia noticed someone and said, “Jane, that
man over there. He's following you. Do you know him?”

Jane turned and gave the man a hard stare. Then
she declared, “I don't know that man at all. Captain Wood, when we
are married, what should we name our first child?” Cecelia watched
as the man turned and sadly stalked off. George said, “I hadn't
thought that far ahead, my love. Don't we still need to hear from
Lord Pershore?”

The next day flew by. Cecelia received her gown
from Miss Antoinette's and tried it on for her friends. Even Jane
admitted it became her. With Heulwen given her one last walk of the
day, Cecelia finally was able to put her gown on for real. She wore
a simple pearl necklace that was her mothers. Together they gave
her the appearance of a sophisticated young woman. She anxiously
awaited Miss Arnold and Captain Wood in the parlor, but finally
they arrived. George had a footman summon a cab and they rode the
few blocks to the assembly.

Lady Elizabeth and Miss Somerset met them in the
octagonal room and they entered the hall. The band was starting the
chords for the first country dance of the evening. Naturally,
Captain Wood led his fiancée onto the floor. Much to Cecelia's
surprise, Miss Somerset stepped back into the ranks of the
chaperons along the wall, but not before whispering to a few of her
friends. One of those friends, a dashing officer in his regimentals
introduced himself to her. Together they were out on the floor.
Cecelia was dancing her first dance in Bath. Other invitations to
dance soon followed. By the middle of the evening when the dancing
stopped, Cecelia found herself in need of the break. She joined her
friends in the crush for supper and then as they found a place to
eat.