Carolina, page 9
Lady Teasdale sat in silence for a moment as she fumbled at her sleeves. A few seconds later she produced a scrap of lace, which Carolina took to be a handkerchief, and dabbed her eyes. “Very prettily put, Miss Evans,” she said at length. “You make me wish I had known her.”
Carolina started guiltily, for it was quite conceivable that Lady Teasdale had met her mother. However, it was too late now to tell the truth, so she merely said that too few people had known her as they had lived in the country.
“My nephew did make mention of the fact that you kept a cow,” Lady Teasdale said, the laughter back in her voice. “A most unusual choice for a pet.”
“And not one we wanted,” Carolina replied, “but the farmer insisted on giving it to us after his bull had gored our dog. Daisy was a lovely animal, the only problem was she didn’t know how to behave like a cow. I swear she thought she was human.”
“It must have been the way you brought her up,” Lady Teasdale remarked, shaking her finger playfully. “That’s the trouble with parents nowadays,” she continued on a more serious note. “They teach their children to be ladies and gentlemen first, and human beings second. It’s disgraceful how thoughtless most of the younger generation are.”
Carolina nodded her agreement as she thought of Lord Pershore. He was a prime example of what Lady Teasdale was talking about. “I have to agree with you, ma’am. I find it appalling what liberties some of my contemporaries take. They…they seem intent on living their lives to the hilt without regard to the devastation they leave behind.” Having made this pronouncement she sat back, pleased that she had been able to condemn Lord Pershore, even if she was the only one who knew it.
Her satisfaction, however, was short-lived, for the sitting room door opened and the footman announced Lord Pershore. Carolina could hardly suppress her annoyance, and was certain that Lord Pershore would read in her face the wretched thoughts she had concerning him. Fortunately Lord Pershore greeted his aunt first, and by the time he turned to her she had herself well in hand.
“Miss Evans,” he murmured. “I hope your ankle has healed. You certainly appear in the best of health.”
“Thank you, my Lord,” she responded, uncomfortably aware of the appreciative gleam in his eye as he scrutinized her new look. “I have never felt better.”
“I hope you two have spent a pleasant afternoon Aunt?” His voice was sharp and Caroline moved uneasily in her chair as she intercepted the slight shake of Lady Teasdale’s head in response to a meaningful look from Lord Pershore.
“We have been chit-chatting about our families, Giles, but as usual I have done most of the talking. How…how has your day been?”
“Disastrous. I have spent all day trying to locate something I have misplaced.”
Carolina stiffened at the cool way he referred to Ella Louise. She had no doubt that that was what he was talking about.
“How inconvenient,” Lady Teasdale said, a genuine note of concern in her voice. “Is…is it serious?”
“That remains to be seen. Miss Evans,” he continued smoothly, “did I, perchance, leave anything behind when I visited with you yesterday?”
Carolina forced herself to meet his gaze as she shook her head. “No…” she said slowly, as though she were thinking on it. “Not that I know of. What are you talking about? A snuff box?” She could have sworn that a look of relief crossed his face, but it happened so quickly that if she hadn’t been staring at him she would have missed it.
“It was a slip of paper.”
Again Carolina shook her head. “I shall ask my maid if she saw anything when she tidied up. You see,” she explained in dulcet tones, “My brother has a terrible habit of emptying his pockets of all the bric-a-brac he has accumulated during the day, and the maid has been told to discard these each night. I’m sorry, I wish I could be of more help.”
“No matter,” Lord Pershore said brusquely. “I’m sure it will turn up somewhere.”
The talk then turned to lighter matters, and Carolina congratulated herself that her story of the paper had been accepted. She would have been most disconcerted had she known that Lord Pershore did not believe her. In fact, the description that Mrs. Bostock had given him of the woman who had collected Ella Louise last night fitted Carolina exactly. And, although he couldn’t conceive of any good reason why she would act in such a way, he was content to bide his time. He would find out what it was all about, eventually, and the very fact that Carolina had referred to a maid, when it was patently obvious that no such person had been in the Evans’s household yesterday, led him to believe that Ella Louise had found a happy home at last.
After twenty minutes had elapsed, Carolina rose, saying that it was time for her to go. Much to her chagrin, Lord Pershore, turning a deaf ear to her protests, insisted on taking her home.
Lady Teasdale supported him, reminding Carolina of her earlier advice about not being seen abroad alone. “And, before you leave me, my dear, I simply must extract a promise from you that you will visit me again next week. I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed talking to you. So refreshing a change.” Carolina reluctantly gave her word that she would return, for to refuse would surely arouse Lord Pershore’s suspicions. It was not an everyday occurrence that an Unknown was accorded the signal honor of being taken in hand by a dowager duchess. “I would be delighted,” she said, “unless something untoward happens to prevent me.”
On the drive home Lord Pershore was at his most charming. It seemed as though he was purposely putting himself out to captivate her. At least that was the impression she received, and Carolina found it difficult not to respond. Only by keeping her father’s death and Ella Louise uppermost in her mind was she able to rebuff his friendly overtures.
The effect her cool attitude had on Lord Pershore was to make him exert himself more than he usually did to engage the interest of a member of the fair sex. “I expect you miss the countryside now that you are residing in Bath?” he asked. “I know, for myself, that any long stay in town makes me appreciate my estates all the more.”
“Do you find much time to enjoy the rustic life?” Carolina asked in surprise. Her image of Lord Pershore was that of a man-about-town, and certainly what she knew of his reputation supported this.
“Oh! don’t misunderstand me, Miss Evans. I enjoy, to the full, all the pleasures London offers, but the country holds a certain lure that is difficult to ignore.”
“I know what you mean,” Carolina concurred, and then added with a touch of sarcasm, “It has an innocence that is difficult to defile.”
It was Lord Pershore’s turn to look surprised and he stared at her thoughtfully. It was quite apparent that she wasn’t in the least overawed by his presence. “Would you care to drive out with me tomorrow, Miss Evans?” he asked, breaking the silence that had developed. “I have to visit my aunt’s bailiff and it occurs to me that you might enjoy the scenery. Another week of this October sunshine and the bloom will have vanished.”
“Thank you, my Lord. It is very civil of you, but I’m afraid that I will be otherwise engaged.” She noted with relief that they were approaching King’s Terrace, for she did not think she could tolerate another moment of his solicitude. It unnerved her to know that he could be thoughtful.
She must remind herself, she determined, to think of him as no more than the libertine he so obviously was. “Ah!” she exclaimed, “we are nearly home. Please don’t bother to get down, I can manage.”
As Lord Pershore brought the horses to a standstill, he put a detaining hand on her arm. “Some other day, then, Miss Evans?” he asked. “For that ride.”
Carolina shook herself free and jumped to the ground. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Lord Pershore. Your aunt would be shocked at the very idea of a respectable young lady driving out alone, unescorted.” She waved airily and disappeared into the house before Lord Pershore could reply.
He drove straight back to Lady Teasdale’s and demanded angrily what she thought of Miss Evans.
“A delightful creature, Giles. Refreshingly direct and shows an unusual degree of attachment to her family. I liked her enormously. I’m sorry I failed to get the information you wanted, but we started talking of other things.”
“Well, it might interest you to know, my dear aunt, that I have every reason to believe that Miss Evans, using the receipt I lost, spirited away Ella Louise last night, and has installed the girl in her household as the maid.”
Lady Teasdale tried to look suitably shocked at this disclosure, but a small smile tugged at her lips. “You’ve been outwitted, Giles, and you can’t blame Miss Evans if she believes the worst of you. After all, that note was open to misinterpretation.”
“I must say you do seem pleased by the whole mess,” Lord Pershore said, his annoyance increasing. “Indeed, Miss Evans left me in no doubt of what she thought of me. I asked her to come for a drive with me and she refused in no uncertain terms.”
“Poor Giles,” Lady Teasdale sympathized. “Not only are you no nearer to finding out the truth behind Miss Evans, but you’ve lost your latest charity case as well.”
“But dammit, Aunt, I can’t understand her attitude. I put myself out by taking her home, and instead of being flattered by my gesture she gave me the distinct impression that she would have preferred to be alone.”
“She delivered you a set-down, did she?” Lady Teasdale chuckled. “Well, don’t forget that you were the one who first admired her spirit.”
“I can assure you of one thing,” he said, the light of battle in his eyes, “I’ll not rest until I uncover the truth about her, and when I confront her with it I shall enjoy seeing her crumble.”
“Will you, Giles?” Lady Teasdale asked softly. “Are you sure?”
Ten
It wasn’t until later that night that Carolina had an opportunity to tell Evan of her visit with Lady Teasdale. “But, as for returning next week,” she concluded, “I don’t think I’m up to continuing this deception. Lady Teasdale is a wonderful person, and I really don’t want to tell her any more lies.”
“That’s the first lesson I learnt in the Diplomatic Corps,” Evan observed. “Never tell a direct lie. It’s all right to stretch the truth, but one lie leads to another and, before you know it, you have difficulty in remembering between fact and fiction.”
“It’s a bit too late for that little homily, I’m afraid,” Carolina said in some exasperation. “No matter, I’ll think up some plausible reason to excuse myself from attending another tea.”
“And how did Bethany enjoy herself this afternoon? She seemed in the best of spirits at dinner.”
“She had a far better time than I did, of that I can assure you, and she will probably continue to do so until Lord Pershore leaves Bath.”
“You are thinking that it will not be wise to walk abroad just in case he sees you, and addresses you as Miss Evans?”
Carolina nodded.
“Perhaps you are right, though won’t you run the risk of offending George? He will think that you are trying to avoid him.”
Carolina sighed unhappily. “I know, but what else can I do? Anyway,” she continued as Evan gave her arm a sympathetic squeeze, “I don’t know that I should encourage him, for…for I’m not certain that I care for him as I used to.”
“Women!” Evan exclaimed, and rolled his eyes back in mock exasperation. “Such contrary creatures. I thought that George’s reappearance had made you the happiest person alive.”
“Well it has…did… Oh! Evan, I just think that in the circumstances it is best for me not to nurture any false hopes.”
“What nonsense. Does Sally agree with you?”
A look of consternation spread across Carolina’s face and she touched her brow with her hand in agitation. “In all the excitement I’ve forgotten about her. Evan, how could I be so awful? Why, she doesn’t even know that George is in Bath.”
“You had best tell her everything as quickly as possible then, for she will feel terribly hurt to think that she has been excluded. Honestly, Caro, you are fast becoming a complete scatterbrain.”
“Don’t make me feel any worse than I do already,” she pleaded. “I’ll visit her first thing on the morrow.”
“Do that,” Evan advised, “and send her my love.”
*
“I declare, Sally,” Carolina said the next morning, when she was ensconced in Mrs. Lacker’s small withdrawing room, “Bath is quite the most exhausting town I’ve ever lived in.”
“What have you been up to to cause you to make such a remark?”
“Well, first there are my plans for Bethany…”
Carolina started to say and then stopped. “I’m ahead of myself. First I must tell you that George is in Bath.”
“George! Oh! Caro, have you seen him? Are you here to tell me that all is well between you?” She clapped her hands in delight. “You have made me so happy.”
“Do you mean that?” Carolina asked, somewhat perturbed by this reaction. “Are you honestly telling me that you consider George and I are suited?”
Sally, equally perturbed by Carolina’s odd behavior, cast her a puzzled look. “You confuse me, Caro. I was merely expressing my pleasure in your change of fortune for I know how you have grieved over him these past four years.”
“Would it shock you if I said that I think I have been nursing a false adoration for him?” Carolina pressed.
“No,” Sally replied candidly. “Is that what you truly think?”
Carolina shrugged her shoulders. “I’m so confused, I don’t know what to think. Seeing him again was so exciting, but I feel that he needs someone who will always look up to him, and love him in spite of his faults.”
“…And someone who will agree with most of what he has to say, without giving him any heady arguments,” Sally added, smiling broadly.
“Precisely. And I’m not sure I’m capable of behaving so. I have spent too many years organizing the family and being in charge to suddenly change my ways.”
“Do you want my advice, Caro?” Sally asked, her manner serious.
Carolina nodded, anxious to have another opinion on the subject.
“Spend as much time as you can with George. Reacquaint yourself with him and then make your decision. However, are you certain that someone else hasn’t entered your life and alerted you to a change of heart?”
“Lordie me, no,” Carolina responded, and quickly abandoned her idea of telling Sally about meeting Lord Pershore. For, she knew if she did, Sally would be bound to think that he had had something to do with her dilemma. “Unless you consider Mr. Pheebs capable of persuading me that George and I don’t suit.”
“Mr. Pheebs? From Duffields? Why, Caro, he’s old enough to be our father. Surely you haven’t allowed him to pay court to you?”
“Peagoose,” Carolina laughed, relieved that she had diverted Sally’s attention from the original question. “He has taken to calling on Aunt Evelyn.”
“How sweet. I must tell Mrs. Lacker immediately. She’ll be overjoyed to hear that piece of gossip. I can quite see why you are so exhausted. Matchmaking can be very tiring. Who have you in mind for Evan?”
“Enough, enough! I’m worn to a frazzle organizing myself and Aunt Evelyn. I have no energy or inclination to do more. Anyway, I would be wasting my time introducing either you or Evan to anyone eligible, for you are wedded to your art and Evan to politics.”
“I hope I do not prove to be a disappointment to you, Caro,” Sally said soberly. “But for the moment, at least, my only interest lies in painting. Mrs. Lacker, has quite given up finding me a suitable spouse and is now arranging for a showing of some of my works. She…she believes that I have a great deal of talent.”
“That’s wonderful news. When is it likely to take place?”
“That’s the rub. The earliest date that can be arranged in Bath is three months away, so Mrs. Lacker has decided to try for a London gallery. In fact, one gallery has already made an offer to show my work next week.”
“London!” Carolina exclaimed in delight. “How exciting!” And then, as the realization that Sally would be leaving Bath came to her, her smile faded. “Will…will you be away for long?” she asked, valiantly trying to keep the dismay she felt out of her voice.
“I don’t know that I shall go at all. Mrs. Lacker assures me it is not necessary. I think she says that because she doesn’t want to make the trip, and as much as I would like to see all my paintings displayed under one roof, I can hardly insist on going, can I?”
“Certainly not, at least not by yourself. But…” she paused momentarily to give herself time to consider an idea, “but…what if I were to suggest going with you? It wouldn’t cost that much by stage, and we need only stay a day or so.” She sat back, well pleased with herself for finding a solution that would be beneficial to them both.
“Would you really do that?” Sally asked, her eyes bright with excitement. “Are you sure it wouldn’t take you away from more interesting pursuits? I am certain Mrs. Lacker will agree, especially if we don’t plan on making it a long trip.”
“More interesting pursuits?” Carolina repeated as she suppressed a sham yawn. “Well, I might just be able to squeeze this intended jaunt in between my trip to Duffields Thursday next and an appointment I have with Mrs. Arvin the following Tuesday. Oh! Sally, it’s a diversion I would welcome.” And, she told herself gleefully, I have the perfect excuse for canceling tea at Lady Teasdale’s.
“And what are you two so busily planning?” Mrs. Lacker asked as she entered the room. “You both look positively alive with excitement.”
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Lacker,” Carolina said as she sprang from her chair. “I’m glad you came in, for I want your permission to deprive you of Sally’s company for a few days.”
“Humph! I suppose you are thinking of going to London?”
Carolina nodded, and emboldened by the kindly look on Mrs. Lacker’s face, smiled and said archly, “I thought you might welcome a break from my sister’s company, and we don’t plan to be gone long.”
