What About Cecelia? (8 page)

“But Miss Wood, isn't that what your groom
does?”

“Yes, and like yours he's an excellent groom,
but there are decisions about the stock that he shouldn't make by
himself. Besides, this way I get to know the animals.”

“So early, have you eaten?”

“No, not yet. Is that bacon I smell?”

Young master Charles Henry tried to comment,
sotto vocce
, that he was surprised she could even smell the
bacon with such a strong stench of horse coming from her
clothing.

Cecelia heard him and replied, “I can always sit
at the far end of the table, if you'd prefer. But I thought this
afternoon would be a good one for a long excursion, say to the top
of Holy Mountain, and people who don't like the smell of horses
can't come with Georgie and me.”

Lady Elizabeth interjected, “I presume you've
washed before you came back from the stables?”

“Oh yes. I always do after leaving the animals.
At home I keep one garment just for working the horses. I hope
you've sent for my clothes, because I will need to change for
dinner tonight.”

“We did last night, they should be here
today.”

“Thank you. Even I can smell the horses on this
one.”

Mary asked, “Don't you like the smell of
horses?”

“I do, but there is a limit.”

“I'm glad to hear it. It won't do in Bath.”

“I know. When would you be ready to go,
Georgie?”

Lady Elizabeth frowned, “I detest that slang
name. Please call her Mary.”

Cecelia was more at her ease during breakfast.
Lady Elizabeth noted with approval that her manners were not as
rough as she had thought them. As the last drops of the tea were
being consumed, she told her daughter to go and get ready. Then she
reminded her sons that they had lessons to attend to. Cecelia rose
and was about to take her leave so she could go to the stables,
when Lady Elizabeth asked her to sit.

“I have a few questions for you Miss Wood.”

“Yes?”

“I understand that the plan is for Miss Arnold,
Captain Wood and you to visit Bath in a few weeks?”

“Yes it is. I'm very excited because the last
time I was in Bath was ten years ago when I was only eight.”

“And Mary will be lending you her continence
during your visit?”

“I hope to see her there. It's not as if I know
many people in Bath.”

“Hmmn. Can you dance?”

“A little. Although I haven't had a chance to
visit the Abergavenny assemblies since my father died.”

“I see. So your steps will be a little, how
shall I say it? Rusty?”

Cecelia laughed, “Not just rusty, but rustic as
well. I doubt though that I'll be called upon to dance very often,
just being a plain country girl.”

“I wouldn't call you plain, Miss Wood. If
Charles Henry were Mary's age I'd be worrying about him paying too
much attention to you. However, you will need better clothes, if
that dress is anything like the rest of your wardrobe. It makes you
look like a frumpy old fashioned woman.”

“I know.”

“I presume you have some part of Sir Giles
estate?”

“Only my mother's portion of a thousand pounds
in the four-percents.”

“Oh dear. That's not much is it?”

“I can live on it, but it won't run to a
fashionable place.”

“Wasn't Penyclawdd profitable?”

“I'd say it was highly profitable, but my
brother died a few days old and my mother shortly after. So the
money from the farm is entailed upon Captain Wood.”

“You are in a predicament, aren't you?”

Cecelia refused to be disheartened and said, “I
don't know. It could be much worse. At least I will have something
to live on.”

“Sir Charles and I were on more than a nodding
acquaintance with your father. So I'll so what I can. You'll have
to work on your manners and deportment while you're here.”

“If you insist, but I thought I was here to help
your daughter learn to ride well.”

“You can do that during the day. I presume you
won't be riding at night.”

“Yes Ma'am. I hear and obey your commands.”
Cecelia rose and gave Lady Elizabeth a deep curtsy, the sort she
would give the queen if she were presented.

“You'll have to watch that tendency to levity. I
think I hear Mary, so you are excused.”

“Thank you, I'll do my best to not be an
embarrassment to you.”

“I'm sure you won't be an embarrassment, but I'd
like you to be a credit.”

Cecelia left and found Mary waiting for her in
the front hall. “How did you survive that interview with my mother?
She can be very severe when she wants to be.”

“She certainly was blunt, but I like
straightforward talk. In any case, there's a lot for you to do, so
if you'll follow me to the stables.”

Cecelia and Mary were busy. Cecelia had Mary
brush her horse, then walk her around the stables on a lead.
Finally, with the help of the grooms, they saddled her horse and
another. Then they trotted out for a brief ride around the
paddock.

While Cecelia and Mary were occupied with the
horses, Captain Wood called on Lady Elizabeth and Sir Charles. He
brought Miss Wood's clothing with him in the gig. Lady Elizabeth
received him in the front parlor.

“Captain Wood, I'm pleased to meet you. My
brother-in-law Fitzroy asked about you in his last letter from
Spain. How are you doing?”

“Much improved, but I still have to be
careful.”

“Is it bad?”

“Not usually, but there are times it is awful. I
don't know if I'll ever be fully recovered.”

“I'm sorry to hear so.”

“That's more than enough about my troubles.
Talking about them bores me and must be tedious to anyone else. How
is Miss Wood doing?”

“She is teaching my daughter Mary to be a
comfortable rider.”

“Cecelia, Miss Wood is an excellent horsewoman.
I hope she's as good a teacher.”

“She says that you and Miss Arnold will take her
to Bath.”

“Yes, Jane has promised to help her with
husband-hunting.”

“I wish you good luck with that. How is
Jane?”

“She was feeling slightly indisposed, and makes
her apologies. A trip to Raglan today was more than she felt she
could stand.”

“I see. How long have you been engaged?”

“Since March 23. Why?”

“Just wondering. You know I eloped with Sir
Charles?”

“No, I didn't.”

“I disapprove of long engagements. If you're
ready to marry, just get married.”

“I'm afraid Jane would disagree with you. She's
waiting for permission from the head of her family.”

“Silly girl. I guess she enjoys the idea of
being engaged more than the idea of marriage.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Being engaged can bring such a feeling of
self-satisfaction to a young woman. She no longer needs to worry
about finding a husband, and in the meantime she doesn't need to
worry about satisfying one.”

“I'm sure you're being cynical. It isn't like
that at all.”

“Still I presume you're happy with her.”

“Absolutely, I'm counting the days until we get
the letter from Lord Pershore giving her permission.”

Sir Charles joined them, “I was watching your
cousin at work. Mary is already more confident in her seat. They
were just returning the horses to the stables.”

“I'm glad she's being helpful. Penyclawdd seems
a little flat and lifeless without her.”

Sir Charles nodded at Lady Elizabeth, who simply
commented, “Already miss her do you?”

Before Captain Wood could reply, Sir Charles
continued, “I caught their attention and told them you were here.
They'll join us shortly. I know it's a tad effeminate for a dashing
young captain, but will you join us for a nuncheon? I know Mary
will need it. She's not used to such strenuous exertion in the
morning.”

“It would be my pleasure. Miss Arnold and our
cook were having a heated discussion last night, so I'm not sure
what meal awaits my return. Breakfast was, how would you say it?
Interesting.”

For the next few minutes, conversation centered
on the safe and mundane aspects of farming, only once veering into
dangerous waters. Sir Charles asked, “How many sheep do you have at
Penyclawdd?”

“I don't know. I'd have to ask Cecelia, Miss
Wood.”

Cecelia answered from the door to the parlor,
“The farm itself, only three hundred forty-seven, give or take a
few lambs. About ten of those are rams. Our tenants run much more.”
She had changed from her horsey clothes into clean, although still
less than fashionable dress.

George started, “Cecelia! How are you?”

She blushed at his attention, “It's only been a
day, Captain Wood, and surely Penyclawdd is still standing without
me.”

“Yes, still standing, but whether it is as
comfortable as it was is an open question.”

“What happened?”

“Miss Arnold and your cook had a disagreement
last night.”

“She is a mite temperamental.”

“Miss Arnold?”

“No, I meant Mrs. Jones, our cook. Would it help
if I wrote her a note?”

“It might.”

Nuncheon went well. Mary, unused to the level of
physical activity that Cecelia set for her, was famished. Captain
Wood, after a breakfast of cold, congealed porridge and something
that more resembled dishwater than tea, was happy to eat whatever
was available. At the end of the meal Lady Elizabeth announced,
“Mary, Miss Wood, if you would please defer your afternoon's
exertions, I would like to see how well Miss Wood dances.”

“Can't we do that this evening?”

“We could, but then you would have to stand with
each other. Who would play?”

“Surely I could dance with Sir Charles?”

Sir Charles, catching the look his lady gave him
and understanding its meaning, quickly interjected, “Not with my
gout, Miss Wood.”

“If you say so. But I promised Geor- Mary that
we could go for a long ride this afternoon, and Charles Henry as
well if he wishes.”

“We'll only be a few minutes. We can always
delay dinner.”

The party trooped to the drawing room were a
small, somewhat dated, pianoforte sat in the corner. Lady Elizabeth
asked her daughter, “Mary, would you play a country dance, say 'the
Miller'. Captain Wood, please take Miss Wood as your partner.”

“If you insist.”

Somewhat awkwardly and shyly, both the Captain
and Cecelia took their places as Mary started in on one of the hot
new dances of 1810. George and Cecelia bowed and then started the
dance. It didn't take long before they collided.

“I'm sorry,” Cecelia apologized, blushing, “I
just don't know how this dance goes.”

George said, “The fault is as much mine.”

Lady Elizabeth intervened, “Mary, if you would
dance and show Miss Wood how. Miss Wood, could you play?”

“I can try, but I don't play nearly so well as
Miss Somerset.”

“As long as you keep to the tempo, don't worry
about the rest.”

It was soon clear that for all her knowledge
about horses and farming, Cecelia's education was lacking the
refinements required of a young lady of culture. She could play the
tune, or she could play in time. Playing the tune in time was
beyond her skill.

Lady Elizabeth clicked her tongue in dismay. “I
see we'll have to hire a caper-merchant for you. I think Mary, that
I shall be coming to Bath with you after all.”

“Oh Mother, do you have to?”

“I'm sorry Mary, but yes. If we're to help
launch your friend onto the seas of society, you'll need my
help.”

“Lady Elizabeth, I'm not expecting to dance.
Just give me a book and I'll sit with the chaperons.”

“Not dance! Miss Wood, how in the world to you
expect to meet a suitable young man?”

“I don't know.” Cecelia was near tears. The
rules of society were so beyond her comprehension.

“There, there, my dear.” Lady Elizabeth unbent
her formality. “You will do fine, perhaps you'll run into one while
riding on Claverton Down. I'm sure a few hours with a good
caper-merchant will work wonders, you'll see.”

George watched this exchange and worried about
Cecelia's feelings. He said “Cecelia, I know we collided and almost
tripped over each other, but it was much more interesting to dance
with you than with Miss Somerset.”

Cecelia looked at him, and her tears seemed to
dry. “If you say so, Captain Wood. Thank you.”

“I'll see if Jane will play for us when you
return to Penyclawdd. We can get some practice then.” Somehow,
Cecelia doubted that would work. Instead of expressing her doubts,
she said, “Captain Wood, I'd be happy to practice my playing if you
and Miss Arnold would dance.”

Lady Elizabeth noted the time on the mantelpiece
clock and pronounced it was time for Captain Wood to return home.
She added, “Miss Wood and Mary. There is still time for you to have
a ride. We will set dinner back until you return.”

When Cecelia and Mary reached the stables, they
were surprised to find Captain Wood and Sir Charles were already
there.

Cecelia inquired, “I thought you had returned to
Penyclawdd?”

“I will, shortly, but first I needed to ask Sir
Charles about a horse for Miss Arnold. That is, unless you want
Mrs. Landor to return Awyr?”

Cecelia shivered at the thought, Awyr was her
special horse, and Mrs. Landor was doing an excellent job of
looking after her. Somehow the idea of Miss Arnold riding Awyr
filled her with dismay. She replied, “No, I think Miss Arnold needs
her own mount.”

One of the grooms brought the two horses that
Mary and Cecelia were using over. Captain Wood helped Mary to mount
and then offered to help Cecelia up. While perfectly capable of
mounting her horse herself, she accepted his aid. He took her hand
while steadying her. Their eyes met and locked on each other. It
felt as though a slight shock ran through her, and once mounted
they were both reluctant to let go of the other's hand. Then he did
and returned to discussing horses with Sir Charles while Cecelia
and Mary rode out.