Chapter 14
Journey from London to Kent, 1830
The Duke of Somerset paid his respects to his stepmother, following his most interesting visit with Aunt Bea. Charlotte could smother him with her love if he wasn't careful. She tried to get him to stay longer but he was eager to get back to Brightmore Manor. It had been two weeks since the wedding, a reasonable time to give the bride and groom. Besides he could not wait to talk to Arden and prepare them for Aunt Bea's visit.
Who would have thought Aunt Bea had a grown daughter in her spitting image? He was having enough of a struggle with his thoughts about Miss Balston. Now it was more complicated. She was innocent and sweet and yet intelligent. Not a blood relative, but related to the people he loved. He had to get his head around this new development. He enjoyed being in her company. She made him laugh. She wasn't like the usual mold being turned out these days…women who couldn't hold an intelligent conversation. The weather and the latest fashion or party was the extent of their conversation. They didn't read books or know a twit about politics or what was going on in the world. He found them dull and boring and couldn't imagine himself tied to such a dreary creature. And yet his contemporaries were in agreement that women had a place in life as decorations for a man's arm. Deliver the heir and spare and stay in the background.
He discovered that he liked to be challenged by an intelligent woman. Miss Balston. Plus she has a sense a humor. He didn't recognize it at first, thinking she was serious, but she was actually teasing him. That was something he hadn't experienced since his boyhood days or perhaps at university. But she was Aunt Bea's daughter. It would stand to reason that she would have the same fine qualities.
Bloody hell. Did that complicate things? He would have to think on it. He decided to ride his horse to Kent. It was faster and he enjoyed the exercise. He started off with a reasonable trot and then Bradley gave his horse his head and they raced with the wind. All thoughts were forgotten while they raced as one. When his horse tired, he slowed the pace and inhaled the country air. It always felt good to experience the fresh air. He had that in common with Arden, that and being neighbors in Kent.
He had a purpose to this trip and yet he found himself thinking about seeing Miss Balston and renewing their acquaintance. That thought alone was of comfort to him. He thought to talk to Arden first to brief him not only on what he had learned, but the imminent visit from his aunt. He had no idea what to expect. Hysteria? Drama? That part was a mystery to him and he did not look forward to it. He decided it would help to have Arden aware and perhaps decide on a good strategy.
It seemed like his journey was short. Perhaps all the thinking distracted him. Even the brisk air and slight drizzle didn't take away from what seemed little time and a pleasant trip. He turned onto the road that would take him to Brightmore Manor. A line of oak trees welcomed him to familiar turf. His horse was tired and he too recognized the need to walk and relax. As he came to the cobblestone circular drive, a footman greeted him and took his horse to be cared for in the Brightmore stables. Godwin opened the door and greeted him.
“Ah, Good afternoon, Your Grace. Please do come in.” Godwin took his coat.
“Is His Grace taking callers, Godwin? I have important business to discuss with him,” Bradley said as he glanced around.
“He is in the library at his desk. I will announce you.” As Godwin turned and started toward the library, Bradley as usual waited for no announcement and followed him. Godwin sighed with boredom because this was a routine they had. Godwin didn't even bother to turn and scold Bradley because it never did any good. Godwin knocked briskly with his signature knock and opened the door to the library.
Bradley smiled around Godwin's torso. Arden was at his desk working with some papers as Amy was seen with her arms around his neck looking over his shoulder. Seeing Godwin she took her arms from around Arden's neck and smiled graciously.
“Look, Arden, we have company. How good to see you again so soon, Bradley. I trust you enjoyed the wedding festivities,” Amy said as she walked toward Bradley to greet him. He took her hand and brushed her knuckles with a kiss.
“Ah, you look well Amy. Married life suits you.” Godwin shook his head in defeat and backed out of the room. Amy blushed but kept her composure.
“I will send for tea,” Godwin said before closing the door, rolling his eyes as he did so.
“Bradley,” Arden said as he removed himself from behind the desk to greet his friend. “What brings you back to Brightmore Manor so soon?”
“I have some urgent business to discuss with you, Arden. It couldn't wait.”
“I will leave you men to discuss business. I promised Eva and Millie an outdoor adventure. Perhaps hide and seek in the garden will suffice,” Amy said as she nodded to her husband and then to Bradley. Bradley tipped his head in acknowledge of her exit and walked over to take a chair by Arden's desk. Arden could not hide his admiration for his wife as he stared at her retreat.
“I could use a brandy, old friend. I think I ate all the dust on the road from London to Brightmore Manor.”
Arden looked surprised. “You rode here all the way from London? A carriage would have been more comfortable, Bradley.” He went to the cabinet behind his desk and took his brandy bottle and poured two glasses of brandy and handed one to Bradley as he moved a chair to face his friend. “Now you have my attention. What drove you to ride all the way here just after seeing me just two weeks ago?” One eyebrow went up in question as he sipped the brandy.
“I met with my aunt and learned why the resemblance is so uncanny between Miss Balston and my favorite aunt.” Bradley took a sip of the brandy and sighed. “The brandy is good. I was parched.”
“Well, I assume they are related,” Arden said stretching out his long legs.
Bradley nodded. “It seems she was married young and without consent from her parents and ran off to America with her groom. She lost her husband to an unfortunate accident in America. When she was stranded with no money, and with child, she wrote her parents for help.” He shook his head in disgust. “Of course they came to her aid. She had the child in America and was told by her parents that the child died in childbirth.” He took another sip of brandy and sighed. “She then went back to England and started a new life.”
“That's quite a story. But the child did not die, as we both now know! How did she take the news that her child is alive,” Arden asked.
“It was met with surprise…no, shock I'd say, and anger. Her parents are no longer living so there is nowhere to place the much deserved anger. They betrayed her, Arden. She is distraught to say the least.”
“Does her husband know? That could indeed cause some problems.”
Bradley nodded and then smiled. “Maybe that's why I like her so much. She wouldn't marry Metcaffe until he knew the truth. Her parents didn't want her to tell him. They wanted to forget the entire incident. But she did tell him and they have a good solid marriage.” Bradley held his glass out for more brandy.
“So what's next? It's kind of touchy thing to approach Millie and what will it mean to her?” Arden poured more brandy.
“My aunt will travel to Brightmore Manor in a week or so to meet with Miss Balston. I wanted to warn you and see how we should plan this reunion.”
“I can't imagine Millie would take this badly. She is a lady in her behavior and has kindness in her heart. She has been a friend to Amy for many years. And Amy of course helped her father with his practice…Millie was of the same mind set. It should go well, I think. Do you plan to tell Millie yourself?” Arden asked.
Bradley nodded. “I think it would be best. After all, I do have my aunt to present in the best possible way. Do you think someone else should be present?”
Arden shook his head no. “I think it is a private matter and best done by you since you are the one who spoke to your aunt and have her interests at heart.”
“Perhaps I could talk to her after dinner tonight.” Arden nodded his approval.
“The sooner the better, with your aunt due here in two weeks. Gives everyone a chance to think about things.” Arden added. “I would think Millie will be pleased to have family.”
****
The garden was a riot of fall color. Tulips, daffodils, calla lilies, hyacinths and iris sprang to life with reds, pinks, orange and yellows in beautifully organized beds. The garden had some fruit trees that gave some shelter. There were statues of maidens with their trowels gardening, birdbaths, stone benches for sitting and cupids adding interest around the cobblestone paths. There was a gardening shed which housed gardening tools, pots for repotting and seedlings needing extra care and watering.
Amy walked into the garden seeking Millie and Eva who were already there awaiting her presence. Her eyes took a moment to accustom themselves to the vivid rainbow of colors greeting her as she walked down the first path leading to a bench. She was met with giggles from Eva who could not contain herself ready for some promised adventure. Amy bent down to hug the child and looked up at Millie who was all smiles. Suddenly a butterfly captured Eva's attention and she scampered after it hopping and jumping.
“You both look so happy and what a glorious day to play hide and seek.” Amy sat down on the bench next to Millie and they watched Eva and her excitement over the butterfly.
“I was wondering if you were coming. Eva was nearly beside herself ready for some play,” Millie offered as she watched Amy's face. “Rats. I'm sorry if I sounded like a scolding nag.”
Amy laughed. “You could never be a nag, Millie. You are always the even tempered sweet girl I grew up with.” Millie smiled at that and then watched a sparrow fly just above their heads. “We have a visitor at Brightmore Manor, Millie,” Amy teased as she watched for a reaction from her friend.
“You must not keep me in suspense. Who is the visitor, pray tell?” Millie asked.
“No other than the Duke of Somerset,” Amy said again watching her friend.
Millie frowned. “I wonder why he is back so soon. Perhaps he forgot something.”
“He did say he had urgent business with Arden. But I can't imagine what it is. I don't think they are in business on anything…so it is curious, to say the least. But he will stay for dinner and overnight since it is too late to ride back to London, unless of course he is going to his neighboring estate.”
“He was just being polite to me, Amy. Don't make more out of this than there is, please,” Millie replied urgently. “It is as you said, he has business with His Grace.” The last line was so soft, it was hardly audible.
Amy squeezed her hand. “I am sorry if I distress you. He was just so attentive to you…and his eyes simply glowed when he looked at you. I know he was interested in more than being polite.”
“I just know that a girl like me is not suitable for a Duke…rats, I mean yours was arranged, but I am an orphan who has no idea where she came from. My parents might have been bandits or crooks for all I know.”
Amy laughed. “You have such a vivid imagination, Millie.”
“The most I can hope for is a nice country gentleman or perhaps a vicar.”
“You have far too much spirit for a vicar. You would create quite a challenge for some minister. I can see it now. You would stir up a hell of a lot of trouble, to be sure.”
“You seem happy, Amy. Married life must agree with you.” Amy smiled and looked up into the sky at two birds flying by chirping to each other as they passed.
“Yes. Arden is more than I expected. He is sensitive and thoughtful and caring. I couldn't ask for more. Did I tell you he has forbid me to wear whale bone? He hates corsets and says I don't need to be cinched in. He is quite passionate about his feelings on this.”
“He's right you know. You are wasting your discomfort on a corset. You have a perfect figure. Although it is unusual that a man would care.”
“Perhaps because he is a doctor and sees it as a hindrance to good health. I must admit that it probably was initially caused by an incident at dinner.”
“What kind of incident?”
“I had decided to wear a gown that was a bit too tight and asked Daisy to get another inch off me. She did and I nearly passed out. I couldn't get my breath and panicked.”
“What did he do?”
“He actually got up from the table and opened the back of my gown and loosened my stays…ever so casually…as if he had done so a million times. The shocking thing was that he was not only adept, but more so than Daisy.”
“That must have been…humiliating. I am blushing just thinking of it. It's warm out here is it not?”
“He threatened Daisy if she ever….actually, he asked me not to wear the contraptions.”
“So, you are not wearing a corset?” Millie asked with wide eyes.
Amy smiled. “Do you think me insane? Of course I'm not wearing one. What if he checks…which I am not putting past him. I would be humiliated yet again. I think he means what he says. It would not be good to cross him, I am certain. I have not yet seen him angry, but I do not think I want to see it.”
“That is wise, Amy.”
They could hear giggling coming from the path beside them. Eva poked her head around a gardenia bush laughing and giggling, clearly out of breath.
“You shall pass out from laughing Eva, just you wait and see. I shall have to call for a footman to carry you off to bed!” Amy said smiling at the child who was so full of energy and mischief.
“I want to be the one to hide,” Eva said once the laughing subsided.
“All right. We will give you to the count of 50 and then Millie and I will find you. Remember you have to stay in the garden,” Amy said as they covered their eyes.
“No peeking.” Eva said as she took off down the path. The counting was started by Millie. Amy and Millie laughed as they huddled against the garden wall and covered their eyes. Millie counted aloud and slowly to give Eva an opportunity to hide. Eva would hide in one place and decide it wasn't good and then move to another. Finally, she hid in a large empty planting pot and curled into a ball at the bottom. The counting was over and Amy called out so Eva could hear.
“Here we come.” They walked slowly looking left and right.
“Maybe she is hiding under the lemon tree,” Millie whispered loud enough for Eva to hear.
“No, I think she is hiding in the potting shed,” Amy added a moment later. They walked by Eva's hiding place several times deliberately looking over her hiding place. The women ignored a little giggle that erupted from the garden pot.
“Do you think we will ever find her? She is pretty good at hiding, don't you think, Amy?”
“Perhaps she is in the plum tree….” Amy said looking up into the plum branches. Another giggle came from the garden pot. Millie peeked into the pot.
“Ahhh…got you!” Millie said grabbing the child and causing a squeal from Eva.
“I gave myself away when I laughed. I couldn't help it. It makes me laugh. Why can't I be quiet? I do try so hard,” Eva said as she crawled out of the pot and brushed off her gown.
“I know what you mean. We women do have a challenge keeping quiet, don't we Amy?”
“It's your turn to hide, Millie.” Eva said.
“Well, I think your mama should take a turn. I have been the one to hide several times and Amy has not had a turn as yet,” Millie said winking at Amy.
“Well, that's because she never finds anyone!” Eva offered. Amy and Millie both laughed.
“Really, Amy, you ought to be more observant,” Millie added with a grin and winking at Eva who nodded her head in agreement.
“We will start counting and you must hide, Mama.” Eva said looking at Millie. Millie and Eva turned their backs, put their hands over their eyes and started counting together. Amy started to walk down the path to inspect possible hiding places. She assessed the potting shed ahead and it seemed a possibility for a good hiding place. Perhaps she could crawl up on a shelf and hide herself with some pots. But her skirts would make that idea difficult. She quickly looked around and saw a pile of trimmings on the ground near the shed. She could hide behind the trimmings and use a few to cover herself. Ahh, but she hated to risk ruining her beautiful new gown. Arden had been so generous with her wardrobe and she had more gowns that she could use…and yet to be reckless with the care…she was just too frugal. That pile of trimmings looked dirty.
As the counting approached the end of her opportunity to hide, Amy stepped behind the shed in the shadows of a tree that hung its leafy branches over the roof of the shed. It was dark and shadowed. She took a deep breath and leaned on the side of the shed. This would have to do. At least she would not get her new gown ripped or dirty. She peeked around the corner of the shed to see if Millie and Eva had come near her hiding place. She thought she heard a rustle in the leaves near the shed. Yes, a few leaves crackled and crunched as if being stepped on. She held her breath, hoping not to give her hiding place away. Something wasn't right. Goosebumps ran up and down her body and suddenly a fear caught hold of her. Eva and Millie would be giggling and yes, she heard that pleasant sound across the garden. Not near the shed. Then a familiar smell…one from her past. Chloroform. Before she could react a dirty rag was place over her nose and strong arms wrestled her against a strong body that reeked of sweat and body odor. She was gagging at the strong smell that was over powering.
Amy struggled and wanted to scream but the chloroform took its toll and she finally sagged against the man who captured her. Blackness took over and she lost consciousness.