A Nightingale for the Lonely Duke, page 17
On her visits to the manor, she had hardly acted in way that he would have counted as suitable and the way in which she had treated his own staff, rather infuriated him. He had spoken to her about it, yet it appeared his words seemed to fall on deaf ears, for not another day had passed, when he had not heard of her speaking in a derogatory manner to another one of the servants. How was he supposed to consider marrying this woman if her behaviour was to continue?
Later than afternoon, Harvey arrived at the manor. At least on this occasion, Frederick had expected his visit, for he had sent a missive that he would be calling upon him. It had been a strange occurrence, for it had near been the first time he had bothered to announce himself, and Frederick had to wonder if it had not something to do with their harsh words before the ball. Perhaps, knowing the precariousness of the situation with regards to his sister, Harvey had decided that a little respect toward Frederick may make some way of mending their fraying association.
Frederick could hardly call it a friendship, for if he needed a person’s support, Harvey would not be the person he would think of to run to. There was a history to their knowing each other, but it had been a rocky one and borne of family associations more than anything else. A true friend would not press another into a marriage that one did not want, nor would they attempt to blackmail them with ruining their reputation. No, Harvey was an acquaintance at most.
In the study, they once more sat in comfort and enjoyed a glass of brandy that Frederick had poured for them. He was certain of Harvey’s reasons for being there, for their conversations only seemed to circulate around his and Honoria’s wedding these days, and yet, Frederick had some home truths that he wished to relay to Harvey. The atmosphere was already frosty between them, given what had occurred the last time they had spoken, and Frederick had a good inkling that what he was about to say, would hardly make the situation any better.
‘I am happy that you decided to come alone today, Harvey, for frankly, Honoria’s behaviour of late, has been anything but satisfactory. I am sure you are aware of what has gone on in the last week, and yet, the way in which she went about it was deplorable.’
‘She only reported what she discovered, Frederick.’
‘Yes, Harvey. But to an entire ballroom of guests instead of coming to speak to me in private. Besides humiliating Miss Goodwin, she made a fool out of me before many of my close friends and connections.’
‘It is only because she was jealous, Frederick, and from what I have witnessed with my own eyes, she had every right to be,’ Harvey retorted in defence. ‘Perhaps you ought to have had your house in order and none of this would have ever happened. You cannot be persuaded by a member of staff when you were betrothed to another, and it is my opinion, that without her intervention, your loyalty to both our families would have been called into question.’
‘That is preposterous, Harvey. I did not nothing wrong. I have told you this more than once and I will continue to tell you the same thing. It matters little that Honoria discovered what she did about, Miss Goodwin. What matters most, is the way she went about bringing that information to light. It was cruel and unnecessary and hardly befitting a woman of nobility. It is not only that though, that I have an issue with. She comes into my home and treats my staff with utter disrespect. Until we are married, this is not her home, and I do not appreciate being ignored, for I have already spoken to her about it.’
‘Yes, well, I cannot disagree with you on that point and if I am honest, I understand your feelings on how she handled the situation with Lady Rebecca’s tutor also. She ought to come to you and allowed you to handle it in a way that was more fitting for your own household.’
Frederick could not say that he was not a little shocked by Harvey’s admittance, for it was perhaps the first time they had agreed on anything when it came to Honoria’s behaviour.
‘Honoria has never treated the staff well, wherever she happens to be. I know that my own staff are far from fond of her and at our country home, I have heard of their relief whenever she leaves for a trip. There is an entitlement about her that is not particularly attractive, I will admit. However, that does not take away from the fact, Frederick, that there is an agreement between our families that you have sworn to honour from the beginning.’
‘I am well aware of the requirements of my commitment, Harvey. You do not need to remind me again.’
‘Perhaps I do, Frederick. Your behaviour of late has brought your honour into question and I cannot help but ask you in a straight forward manner, whether you intend to break this agreement?’
‘My behaviour is none of your concern, Harvey.’
‘It is when the future of my sister is involved, Frederick. And I notice that you have chosen not to answer the question.’
What was he supposed to say? That he no more wanted to marry Honoria than go back into a bloody battlefield with men fallen at his feet? He did not love the woman, and he knew within himself that he never could. For a certainty, he could barely tolerate being in her presence, let alone love her. And yet, nor did he wish to dishonour his father and his family by going back on an agreement that had been made when he was only a child.
‘I do not intend to break the agreement,’ Frederick replied evenly. ‘I never have.’
‘Good. Then perhaps you can tell me when we are to hear the announcement of the wedding date?’
‘I will announce it at the end of the season. Without a tutor, I now need to concentrate on Rebecca, for she is my main concern at present. I do not wish to detract from readying her and continuing in her deportment, and I wish to give her my full attention.’
It was not long after, that Harvey departed. The conversation had moved onto superficial conversation, yet Frederick knew it was only Harvey playing for time to make his exit more suitable. Perhaps Harvey thought that Frederick was fool enough not to realise his real agenda.
That the only reason for his visit was to ascertain Fredericks motives going forward. The small talk afterward was clearly to give an impression that Harvey actually cared about Fredericks other interests. Yet the man could not fool him, and Frederick was relieved when he finally bid him farewell and left.
Back in his study, he sat alone in deep contemplation. No matter which way he looked at it, there was no way out. It would be dishonourable to his father’s memory if he reneged on this union. His father had, at the time, made this arrangement with the best intentions, not knowing, for how could he, the weight of responsibility he was laying at his son’s feet.
He wished that his father was still here, for now more than ever, he needed his counsel. If there was a way that Frederick could release himself from this situation, he knew his father, with his quick mind, would find a way. Or perhaps, that was wishful thinking on Frederick’s part, wishful thinking to be released from a life of misery and lovelessness.
Chapter 20
Rebecca had been utterly miserable since Miss Goodwin’s departure and Frederick had tried everything he could think of, to lift her from her melancholy. He had wasted his time, for trips out, or visits to other ladies’ houses had not helped her and frankly, Frederick was running out of ideas. The piano had not been played either and no matter how much Theresa had encouraged her, apparently, it was just not the same without Miss Alina.
It was strange to consider that something had also occurred within the atmosphere of the manor since Miss Goodwin’s departure, though Frederick could not be certain that other factors had not affected it. Like the more regular presence of Lady Richardson, for example. Yet, even when Honoria had been visiting the house regularly beforehand, the spirit of the staff had been much better than it had been of late.
No matter how much he tried to ignore it, Miss Goodwin’s presence was clearly missed by all and whilst no one would dare say as much to him, the change of mood—from light and happy to a sullener feeling—certainly relayed it to him. The truth of the matter was, he could not deny that he missed her presence also, no matter how much he struggled to decipher how much of her person had been genuine.
At first, he had been angry that he had been lied to and willingly believed that her whole presence had been an act. Since then, his rational mind had recollected his times with her and he had experienced much difficulty in imagining anything she had said or done was not indeed, the person she genuinely portrayed herself to be.
From her demure behaviour, her exquisite manners, and her ability to remain contained, coupled with the warmness of her personality and the genuineness of her soft smile, Frederick could not in all honesty, discover a false part about her.
He had kept these thoughts to himself, of course, for he could not allow any other to know that he may have doubted his decision, and yet, he had. He had not doubted that she had lied, but perhaps, in hindsight, her lie had been only to gain employment. That in itself, did not excuse her behaviour, though, and Frederick had remained certain that he had little choice but to dismiss her at the time.
If news got out that he allowed such behaviour to go unpunished, who knows what advantages people may try and take of his generosity. He had made his decision with a firm conviction and as painful as it was to witness, the household, including Rebecca, would just have to adjust to life without Miss Goodwin. He could only hope that Rebecca’s melancholy would lift with time.
Honoria had arrived that morning, sweeping through the manor with her typical air of acting as though she owned the place. Clearly, his conversation with Harvey had been pointless, for by her usual denigration and treatment of his staff, nothing more had been mentioned to her by her brother. Perhaps it had, yet, evidently, Honoria had paid little attention, which came as no surprise. The woman was intolerable and only due to the bounds that tied him, did he put up with her.
At lunch, Rebecca sat silently, having eaten little on her plate, with the same look of misery she had adorned for the last week. Honoria, of course, had hardly taken a breath in between her sentences, for Frederick had not really been in the mood for conversation either. As usual, Honoria had mostly talked about herself. A constant churning of hot air that no one truly cared about, nor did it seem to bother her that neither he nor Rebecca paid her much attention. She was talking at them rather than, to them.
After lunch, she had suggested they all go out to a salon, for as far as she was concerned, staying indoors was far too boring. She wished to be around people with a little bit of life, for in her words, ‘you are both like dead people who have forgotten to close their eyes.’ Frederick could hardly bear the thought of it, and yet, he had agreed.
At least there may be other’s he could converse with instead of having to listen to the constant verbose of her self-importance, and besides, it had occurred to him that getting out of the manor may distract Rebecca a little. Rebecca had shrugged with an air of indifference at the suggestion, yet after a little encouragement from himself, and though it was with evident reluctance, she did agree eventually.
They arrived at Aubrey House in Campden Hill in the mid-afternoon and entered the building to discover it full of a mixture of people involved in what appeared to be, deep and intense conversations. A pianist was playing further into the room, giving background noise to the hum of conversation and after they had sat for some time, Honoria thought it would be good sport to sing. The pianist, seemingly used to people asking him for requests, acquiesced to whatever it was that she required, and propping herself beside the piano, she opened her mouth and sang.
Frederick could not help but compare her voice to Miss Goodwin’s, for Honoria was a far cry from the beauty he had been privileged to over the last few weeks. Of course, by her showy display, Honoria clearly felt she was a wonderful vocalist, and yet she could not compare to the notes of Miss Goodwin, for like some captivating Nightingale, Miss Goodwin had raised him from the ordinary and sent him soaring across plains he had not before, experienced.
He remembered the emotions she had evoked from him with the notes she had reached, and the sensation that had rushed through his body as his nerves had tingled of their own accord.
After her song had ended, Honoria came back and sat beside himself and Rebecca once more, with some sort of victorious look upon her face as she awaited his compliments. Instead, Frederick turned toward Rebecca, ignoring the rather frustrated noise that left Honoria’s lips.
‘Why do you not go up and sing, Rebecca? I am certain many would enjoy hearing your voice.’
Rebecca had looked doubtfully at him in return, but after another encouraging nod, she had reluctantly left the table and approached the pianist. Once more, the pianist seemed to search through his music sheets, evidently trying to find the one he required. On sourcing it, he straightened himself on the stool, and with a nod toward Rebecca, began the intro. After several notes, Rebecca opened her mouth and began to sing, just as Honoria had done.
Frederick did not compare Rebecca to Miss Goodwin as he had with Honoria, for he knew his sister’s voice was not to Miss Goodwin’s standards. Yet, he could not be prouder of her, for he knew well how much she had progressed in her lessons. Previously, she had struggled to hold her notes or control her breath, but with her tutorage, she had made a vast improvement in a very short period of time. Clearly, her beautiful voice impressed those around them, for many conversations died down and the patrons of the salon turned to listen with appreciative gazes. Frederick could not help but regard those who observed her and noting how she was affecting the audience, was struck with a deep sense of pride.
A little later, as Frederick conversed with one of the patrons who congratulated him on his sister’s beautiful voice, a familiar voice interrupted the conversation.
‘Good day, my lord. Please excuse my interruption.’
Frederick turned to see Mr Guzman standing beside him. A range of feelings ran through him all at once, and at first, he was unsure on how to greet the gentleman. After all, he had worked with Miss Goodwin in her deceit. The patron he had been talking to, excused themselves and left, leaving Frederick and Mr Guzman alone.
‘I must congratulate you, my lord, for your sister’s voice has vastly improved since I last heard her sing,’ Mr Guzman continued, seemingly not aware of Fredricks inner conflict.
‘Yes, Mr Guzman, she has done well. I must say, I am more than proud of her and all that she has achieved.’
‘Indeed, I can imagine you are, my lord. How is Miss Goodwin getting along? I can only assume by such progress, that Lady Rebecca is working hard in her lessons.’
‘I am afraid Miss Goodwin is no longer with us, Mr Guzman.’
Frederick watched as a deep frown burrowed across the older man’s brow, clearly disturbed by the statement. ‘I do not understand, my lord.’
‘It is quite simple, Mr Guzman. I discovered the lie that Miss Goodwin manipulated you into telling me, and I refused to tolerate her deceit and lies. She was dismissed from my employ only last week.’
Mr Guzman’s face seemed to turn a shade paler, which surprised Frederick little, for the man had been found out and it could not be easy being told such. Though, he did not fully blame Mr Guzman. He could see how easily, with her beauty and her voice, a man could be seduced by Miss Goodwin, for he imagined, she would be difficult to resist.
‘Oh dear. What have I done?’ Mr Guzman muttered.
It was now Frederick’s turn to frown, as he regarded Mr Guzman with a look of confusion, for in his tone, Frederick could hear something more than being found out. In fact, if he was not mistaken, there was a sound of deep regret.
‘I am afraid, my lord, that the deceit was mine and mine alone,’ Mr Guzman admitted.
‘I do not understand your meaning, Mr Guzman. Please, explain.’
‘It was I, who embellished the story about Miss Goodwin, my lord. It was clear to me at our interview, that you were hesitant to employ her given that she did not have any professional training. Yet, I knew if you only gave her a chance, that she would be quite perfect for Lady Rebecca’s needs. Tell me please, was I wrong in my assumption?’
