What About Cecelia? (14 page)

While they were enjoying supper, a footman
arrived from the Somerset's house carrying the fatal letter. Its
black seal indicated bad news, usually a death. He coughed to get
Miss Somerset's attention. Then he handed it to her and said, “I'm
sorry, Miss, to be the bearer of evil tidings. This came by express
and your aunt thought it best if you were presented it
immediately.”

Mary broke the seal and the sprinted through the
letter. “It is about Major Henry. He was killed in Spain.” She sat
stunned, and then began to weep. Captain Wood, on hearing the words
'killed in Spain', stood and wandered off. He was buried deeply in
his own world of smoke and death. Cecelia and Jane did their best
to comfort their friend, but there was little they could do in this
public place. She needed to go home.

Cecelia rose and strode to the Captain. She gave
him a hard slap across the face. He shook himself, and shouted,
“Cecelia what are you doing here? The French are coming!” As she
hauled back to give him another slap, and since she was not a weak
woman it would have stung, he suddenly started, “I'm in Bath, thank
God. Cecelia, what is it? Why did you slap me? That hurt.”

“It is Miss Somerset. She needs our help. She's
received terrible news from Spain and we must escort her home.”
Captain Wood began to drift off into his own world when he heard
'Spain', but pulled himself back to reality. Seeing Mary weeping,
he asked if he should get a chair for her. Cecelia replied, “No, I
think the walk will do her good. She shouldn't be alone, and she'll
need our support on the way.”

Together they talked Mary into rising. With both
the Captain's and Cecelia's care and support she walked out of the
Assembly room. They supported her on the long walk to the
Somerset's house. Jane followed behind, feeling very much the
unnecessary third wheel. After negotiating the maze of footmen,
they brought Mary to her mother, Lady Elizabeth. She asked them to
wait in the parlor while she comforted her daughter.

Jane, Cecelia and George waited in awkward
silence in the front parlor. Finally, impatient, Jane rose. She
told Cecelia with a touch of bitter haughtiness, “I would
appreciate it in the future if you did not slap
my
fiancée.
George, come. It's not eleven yet and there is still time to mingle
at the assembly.” With those words she made for the door. George
gave Cecelia a look of uncertainty. He would much rather have
remained with his cousin. Cecelia put him out of his misery by
saying, “Go with Miss Arnold, Captain Wood. I'll make your
apologies to Lady Elizabeth.”

Lady Elizabeth joined her a few minutes later.
Her face plainly bore the marks of anguish at her daughter's
suffering. “Have they left? I suppose it's for the best if that
Arnold woman isn't here, but I do wish Captain Wood had
remained.”

“I'm sorry that he had to go. Miss Arnold
desired his escort, and they are affianced.”

“Yes. Poor man.”

“How is Mary?”

“In a dreadful state. She and Major Henry had a
secret understanding. Even I didn't know about it, which was a
shame, since he was a more than suitable match for her. Both Sir
Charles and I would have gladly approved their marriage. She's
overthrown with grief.”

“Can I be of help?”

“No more than you've been. Oh Miss Wood, Cecelia
if I may, I had so hoped to pay part of Sir Charles and my debt to
your father with this trip in Bath. Now it seems I'm even further
in debt to you.”

“What debt?”

“Didn't you know? Your father helped us elope.
Even if you weren't such good company, I'd be bound to try to
launch you into society.”

“Don't worry about that. You've done more for me
than I could imagine or expect. At least I didn't make any foolish
missteps due to your help.”

“I did hope to see you engaged to a suitable man
with somewhere to go after that Arnold woman becomes Mrs.
Wood.”

Cecelia gulped at the thought. That dread time
was inevitably coming closer. The Captain and Miss Arnold could not
put off their wedding much longer, even if they wanted to. “You
know Lady Elizabeth, I'll be wearing the willow myself.”

“Captain Wood? I've noticed. It's a shame.”

“I wish I hadn't met him. Life would be so much
easier, and I could take advantage of your kind offer in good
faith.”

“As it is, tomorrow we're heading back to
Raglan. Mary will need some time to recover, and I don't know where
else to go.”

“There's not much I can do for you or her. If I
have the chance again, when, or perhaps if, I return to Penyclawdd,
I'll gladly ride with her if she feels up to it. It could be a
distraction from her grief.”

“I hope she will. She enjoyed riding with you.
Even if you're not welcome in Penyclawdd, you'll always find our
door open.”

“Please give Mary my deepest sympathy and let
her know that she still has at least one friend who cares for her.
If not more.”

The evening's ball at the assembly rooms found
Cecelia, as was usual for her since her friend Mary left, seated by
the wall with the chaperons and other unaccompanied women. Not that
she minded, she had her book. Not only did she have her book, but
it was a ripping good book and she was enjoying it immensely. She
was at the exciting chapter where Iolanthe found the third closet
with a hanging skeleton, and it almost made up for her lack of a
partner. Mr. King walked over to her, and attracted her attention
with a gentle cough. “Ahem.”

Cecelia looked up in surprise, “Mr. King!”

“Allow me to present this young gentleman. He is
desirous of a dance with you and since you are otherwise
unoccupied.”

“I've just reached the chapter with the third
skeleton.”

“As I said, since you are otherwise unoccupied,
let me introduce Mr. John Ames to you.”

Mr. Ames stepped forward and bowed. “Miss
Wood?”

Cecelia acknowledged his bow by rising and
curtsying. “Delighted to meet you Mr. Ames.” Mr. King left them to
their devices. He had other couples to introduce in his role as
master of ceremonies at the assembly.

“The sets for the next dance will form in a few
minutes, shall we converse?”

“I suppose so. What brings you to Bath?”

“Boredom, mostly. London seems so flat this time
of year. That and I must present myself to my family now and
again.”

“Present yourself to your family. What do you
mean by that?”

“My mother is concerned with the rackety life I
live in town and is convinced that it must sooner or later lead to
an inevitable decline.”

“You look well enough to me.”

“That's what I tell her. Still, she insists on
seeing me and reading me the riot act. If not that then it's a long
sermon on the wickedness and vanity of modern life. Such a bore.
Anyway the lines are forming, shall we?”

With that he led Cecelia to the floor. The
orchestra set up a fast quadrille which left them little time for
further conversation.

Miss Arnold and Captain Wood chose to sit this
fast dance out. Jane told her devoted heartthrob, “Captain, I'm
completely fagged with this dancing. Could you get me some
punch?”

“As you wish my dear.”

By the time he returned from the crush, the set
had changed and instead of Miss Arnold, he found Miss Wood.

“Miss Wood, whatever are you doing sitting here?
I went to get this punch for Miss Arnold, but she is gone.”

Cecelia pointed to the floor where a country
dance was underway. “Mr. Ames asked if Miss Arnold would dance, and
she agreed.”

“Oh.” Captain Wood was not sure what to think of
this.

“They make a lovely couple, don't you
agree?”

“Hmmph, certainly they dance well together, if
that's what you mean Miss Wood.”

“Yes, that's all. Nothing else.”

Captain Wood unconsciously drained the cup of
punch he had brought, then stared at Cecelia. She felt her heart
twinge with anxiety for him. Then he smiled and asked her, “Cousin
Cecelia, two can play at that game. Would you care to dance?”

The fatal hour of eleven struck, as it usually
did, all too soon for the dancers, and yet not soon enough for the
chaperons and wall flowers. Captain Wood and Miss Arnold had a
tense conversation as they walked home. Cecelia followed behind
them and did her best not to listen. Not that she could avoid
hearing parts of their discussion.

“Jane, that Mr. Ames.”

“What of him?”

“Did he have to pay you such close
attention?”

“No, but what were you doing with that cousin of
yours?”

“Someone should dance with her. Imagine coming
to Bath and not dancing at the assemblies.”

“It looked like you and her were enjoying
it.”

“She is a good dancer.”

“And I'm not. Is that what you mean?”

“No, not at all. I'd much rather dance with you,
but as you were so occupied with that Mr. Ames.”

“Mr. Ames is a respectable London gentleman of
good fortune. We are old acquaintances.”

“Is he?”

“Yes, what of if?”

“Larger than my fortune?”

“I think so. Many men have fortunes larger than
yours, and he lives in London. London, George. Think of it. No
sheep or dogs. Plenty of good company whenever you want. The best
shops. London.” Miss Arnold almost clasped her hands in
anticipation. “We need to go to London.”

“We'll see. Maybe on our honeymoon.”

“Yes, on our honeymoon.” Somehow Miss Arnold's
voice lacked the enthusiastic tone she used to describe the wonders
of the city. While Captain Wood missed the change in her tone,
Cecelia didn't.

The next day the weather was fine when the sun
rose, and more amazingly, was still fine by late-morning when the
members of polite society rose. Cecelia was bounding with energy as
she made plain to Jane and George when they broke their fast. “I've
seen so much in the last few weeks, balls, concerts and wandered
around the city.”

“I'm glad you're enjoying yourself,” Jane
replied, “Have you met any suitable young men yet?”

“Not many. I liked Mr. Ames.” Jane frowned at
her words. “Only he wanted to dance with you, Jane.”

George said, “There's no accounting for tastes,
is there?”

“It's just we've spent so much time exploring
the city, I wondered if we might get into the country? Go for a
ride?”

“You forget, Jane doesn't ride as comfortably as
you do.”

“Oh, true. I'm sorry that I forgot. You will
once we return to Penyclawdd and I teach you. It's really not
hard.”

“Maybe not for you, my dear, but you've been
riding as long as you can walk. Haven't you?”

“Not quite, but close enough. I suppose what's
easy for me might not be for you. Still, I'd like you to try.”

“I know,” George interjected, “why don't we go
for a walk? The path down river beside the Avon is supposed to be
very pretty, and at this time of year the river will keep the heat
away.”

Cecelia jumped at the idea, “I would love that,
Captain Wood. I've felt so caged here in the city and even a short
walk in the countryside would be refreshing. Heulwen can follow us,
she needs the exercise.”

Jane was less certain, but gave her grudging
approval. “I suppose, if the two of you are resolved on it, I could
accompany you.”

“That's capital, and we can stop on the way back
for refreshment that is suitable for the fair sex.”

Jane's lack of enthusiasm for the walk was
notably abated when they ran into Mr. Ames. He was loitering in the
street outside. “Why Mr. Ames! Whatever are you doing here?”

“I'm not sure. I, I was hoping to,” he paused,
unsure of how to tell Jane about his feelings in front of her
fiancée. Jane, suddenly enthusiastic for a stroll, answered for
him, “We were just going on a walk along the Avon. Would you care
to join us?”

“I'd be very pleased to.” He strode to Jane and
took her arm under his, “If I may?” Jane blushed but acceded to his
demand. George was momentarily staggered, and said “I say, what is
this about?” Jane ignored his question, but Cecelia offered her arm
and suggested, “I think they are old friends from London, and have
a fair bit of catching up to do. Why don't you escort me? I'm a
poor replacement for Jane, but a willing one.”

“I wouldn't say you're a poor replacement, but
I'll have to talk to my fiancée this evening. She is much too
attentive to this Mr. Ames for my liking.”

George soon found his chagrin fading due to the
diversion of walking with his cousin. Soon even his resolution to
talk to Jane about Mr. Ames faded into a distant memory. Somehow,
even though their conversations bordered on the commonplace,
talking with Cecelia was never boring. He found it very refreshing
that she didn't need to put him in his place every so often.

Jane and Mr. Ames stopped short at the entrance
of the Weston cut, across from the brass works. Cecelia asked her,
“Miss Arnold, what is wrong?”

“My heel, I think I'm developing a blister. Do
you mind if I turn back?”

While Cecelia was obviously disappointed, both
she and the two men were all conciliation. George said, “I suppose
we should return.”

Cecelia added, “Yes, shame it's such a pretty
day, though.”

Jane interjected, “Since Miss Wood obviously
would like to walk farther, why don't you escort her my love? Mr.
Ames would be willing to forgo the pleasures of the walk to see me
home.”

George hesitated while sorting out his emotions,
and then replied, “If you are sure that you will be fine with that.
It is a very clement day and we've just begun our walk.”

Mr. Ames reassured him that he would take very
good care of Miss Arnold. The two couples parted with George and
Cecelia proceeding along the Avon while Jane and Mr. Ames returned
to Bath. Heulwen danced along with George and Cecelia, thoroughly
enjoying herself in the countryside.