Beauty and the Beast of Thornleigh

by Kate Westwood

  Elizabeth seemed anxious and kept gazing around her as if expecting company, but when her hopes seemed disappointed she became disagreeable, and less talkative. After thirty or forty minutes, Georgiana saw in the distance Tom Laidlaw, coming slowly towards them on horseback. He had noticed their party, and she now felt some anxiety for Esme Osbourne, who had not observed him approaching, due to the crowds which had now formed for walking in the pleasant evening air.

  When the object of Esme’s heart materialised before her, the young girl cast a glance at her rival, and then dropped her eyes.

  Tom Laidlaw was a cheerful, lively young man, of thirty years and one or two, of genteel breeding and a tidy fortune, and a charming manner towards all he met. He was a great favourite with everyone, and his company always solicited for assemblies and the like, while he was in town.

  He approached their party and dismounted his horse to greet them all. His manner showed no preference for any of the young ladies, and if Elizabeth had had anything to complain of the previous evening, he was all general politeness now, including her in the conversation without singling her out.

  Elizabeth became animated now, her cheeks as flushed as the puce-coloured dress she wore, asking him many questions about mutual acquaintances, and assemblies he had attended. While he was very civil in his replies, Georgiana thought she could detect some slight disinclination to linger in conversation. Esme Osbourne, an exceedingly pretty girl, albeit much younger than he at eighteen, was his choice, if Georgiana’s intuitions were correct.

  He did not directly address Esme at first, but, near the end of their conversation, when she dropped by accident her open parasol, he bent immediately to fetch it for her, and handing it back, made some small comment on its beauty, and had the young lady hand-painted it herself, for he had heard of her skill with a brush and of the fame of her screens and drawings.

  Esme blushed prettily and affirmed that it was indeed her work, but pray, not to think her work better than her sister’s or any other of the skilled young women whose work was superior to her own. The little group gathered around to admire the brush work, much to Esme’s embarrassment.

  ‘But you do have such a good eye for colour, and these flowers are very finely done, indeed!’ Tom cried with sincere goodwill.

  Beside him, Elizabeth turned her head and affected to survey a party of people who had just passed them by. ‘Is that not Miss Beaufort, and Mrs Saddler with her?’ she enquired loudly.

  ‘Well,’ continued Tom Laidlaw, ignoring Elizabeth’s remark, ‘it is very fine work; I know a little of these things, having two sisters myself who paint and draw vastly well themselves. If Miss Osbourne will permit it, I shall bring my sisters to call on you tomorrow, so they can see your work for themselves. They have long wished to meet you, both of you,’ he added to Lilly. ‘I can speak for them when I say they have only wished for an opportunity to call. Will you do me the honour of allowing me to bring them to you tomorrow, Miss Osbourne?’

  Lilly, exchanging a glance with her sister, gave her assent. ‘Mama does not stand on ceremony, with regard to calls, not even in town. I am sure she will be very happy to receive you and your sisters tomorrow, Mr Laidlaw, and Esme and I will be honoured to meet them.’

  Tom replied only with a charming smile, bowed, and mounted his horse, leaving one young woman with a fluttering heart, and another with a bitter one.

  The daylight had now become faded against the pale blue sky, and Elizabeth informed their companions rather coldly that she and her sisters must return home. They parted, Georgiana and Lilly with a fond squeeze of the hands, and the Hall girls returned to dine early with Mrs Hall, who met the girls with a cunning look which belied her generally ingenuous air, and imparted the information that that they were to dine at Grosvenor Street on the morrow.

  Seven

  The next day brought a little light rain, which by seven o’clock had not eased, but had increased its powers of making those beneath its dubious bounty scurry about like mad creatures and complain bitterly of damp. The Halls however, arrived dry and warm at Grosvenor Street, having availed themselves gratefully of Fanny’s carriage, sent for them even though they were to travel only around the corner.

  Georgiana reluctantly stepped from its shelter, a warm cloak over her pale pink silk, into the wet, early evening light, and allowed the servant that had come to meet them, to hold an umbrella over her head as she made her way up the steps and into her aunt’s house.

  Julia followed, excited and yet solemn in her role as newly emerging ‘lady’ with almost all of the consequence of her sisters. She had been elated to find she was of the party, and now, dressed in her best white muslin, her hair decorated with the pretty shell pins that she was so adept at making, she followed at their heels, in as dignified a manner as she could summon.

  Mrs Fanny St. George, when in town, lived quite in the style to which she was accustomed at home, and therefore, the house in Grosvenor Street was a noble, elegant one, without its being overstated, Georgiana thought. She herself hated that exhibition of one’s wealth which could so easily be found in town, among the rich, and much preferred the simple decorations and unassuming proportions of Loweston. But she admired her aunt’s quiet good taste and respected her aversion to ostentatious display, even though she was a wealthy widow.

  Georgiana had been coming to her aunt’s house in town for several years and it was always with pleasure that she ventured through its doors. Tonight, however, she felt nothing but foreboding at the thought of the coming evening. She had determined that she would not give encouragement to Captain Brandt and she had resolved to avoid him as much as possible all evening. She hoped her aunt had had the good sense not to seat her nearby him, for she did not wish to give obvious offence and yet she did not wish to speak to him; indeed, she could not! She did not think it in her power to address him, given her suspicions!

  Therefore, she met her aunt with a quiet, more reserved air than was usual. She hoped very much to make herself as invisible as possible within a large number of guests, and knowing her aunt’s disposition for merriment, and her pleasure in filling her large dining room, she relied upon these facets of her aunt’s personality to gratify her wish. On hearing a knock at the door, she was rewarded by seeing two more guests come in, and congratulated herself silently that to avoid the Captain may not be so hard after all. It was to be quite a large party, sixteen guests in all, and Georgiana was satisfied that she might be able to avoid a certain guest by being constantly in conversation with others. The guests were acquaintances of her mama and aunt: Lady Appleby, her son, Sir Lawrence, and her married daughter, Mrs Laing and her husband, as well as two older, decrepit-looking gentlemen Georgiana had not met. Mrs Laidlaw and her husband also had been invited. Captain Brandt and his lieutenant friends were not long behind these, and were duly shown into the drawing room by the servant.

  Captain Brandt was received with great cordiality, and after a few polite comments, Georgiana perceived him scanning the room. She was ready for this, and had already bowed her head, and engaged herself in pointing out some small trifle in her aunt’s collection of porcelain figurines to Julia, when she felt his eyes upon her. She studiously avoided his gaze, feeling disordered and flushed under his eye. He did not approach her.

  Thus occupied, it was only a few minutes before they were called into dinner. Charles Hailsham immediately came to her and offered his arm to walk into dinner, and she gratefully took it. When they had found their places, Georgiana noted with some dismay that her aunt had, indeed, seated her next to Captain Brandt, with Lieutenant Hailsham on her other side.

  Captain Brandt stood beside her before she could turn away. ‘Good evening, Miss Hall. I hope I find you well?’ He pulled out her chair expectantly.

  Across the table, her mama cast her a glance and Georgiana looked quickly away. ‘Good evening, Captain,’ she replied coolly, a sense of the awkwardness of this meeting instilling her voice with a haughtiness she had n
ot intended. She sat down, wishing very much to exchange places with Julia, who sat with her mother opposite them.

  ‘I perceive that the young lady opposite is your sister?’ Captain Brandt leaned toward her and addressed her in a low tone.

  Determined not to encourage conversation, she nodded. ‘Julia is always with us when we dine in Grosvenor Street,’ she added. Julia, catching her name, looked towards the Captain, giving him her brightest smile, for she was yet unsullied by the world’s prejudices and found not in his face anything to be afraid or disparaging of; Julia Hall had inherited in her young heart all the compassion of her beloved older sister, and as yet, none of the prejudices of her mother and Elizabeth.

  Georgiana was dismayed however, that her younger sister seemed not at all intimidated by his bestial countenance. He smiled back at Julia, if it could be called a smile. Georgiana wished him not so charming, for it made her own determination to be indifferent to him seem churlish.

  But now he was turning to her, as if to engage her again. Reluctant to be obviously rude, she forestalled any further conversation with him by turning immediately to Lieutenant Hailsham. This gentleman was fair headed, and although his complexion had been exposed to the weather, was not unhandsome. She had great hopes in his powers of conversation, for her friend Lilly had declared him an amiable and well-informed gentleman.

  ‘I have not had the pleasure of seeing you, since Lady Young’s dinner on Tuesday evening last,’ he opened warmly. ‘It was so large a party as to prevent Thomas and me from dancing with every lady present, although we did try! I am sorry that I did not get the honour of partnering you, Miss Hall.’

  ‘Indeed Sir,’ she laughed. ‘A fine crush it was, but you might remember, we did briefly dance together, for you were in the couples in the very first, with my friend Miss Osbourne.’

  ‘Ah! Very true! But I did not have the pleasure of speaking with you then! I am now happily situated to place myself at your service this evening.’ He paused. ‘We have some common acquaintance, I believe,’ he added, ‘in the society of the Osbournes. Do you know the family well?’

  Georgiana smiled, for Lieutenant Hailsham hid his preference very ill. ‘Why, not very well, but I am quite acquainted with the two girls, Miss Osbourne and Miss Esme. I have been lucky enough to secure Miss Osbourne’s friendship since I have been here these last two months.’

  The young man blushed in a very unmanly manner. ‘A charming girl, very pretty, and her sister so very lovely, too. They are a fine family, and Mrs Osbourne is very kind, and very hospitable to me, and everything to her credit, and the Misses Osbourne so amiable! But what a famous good assembly it was on Tuesday night! How did you like it, Miss Hall?’

  ‘Very well, Sir.’

  ‘But, how long did you all carry on after we left? I do so enjoy dancing, but I did not have the opportunity to indulge myself, for I accompanied Brandt, and as he had business very late, we were obliged to leave rather earlier than I would have wished. Did you have many more dances? Did the Misses Osbourne dance?’

  Georgiana, who immediately penetrated the object of his enquiries, smiled kindly and informed him that no more dancing was to be had after the Captain had left, and they had all, soon after one o’clock, been called for carriages.

  Lieutenant Hailsham looked quite relieved at this intelligence, said nothing more on the subject, and led the conversation around to the assemblies in general which they had attended, and what engagements the Halls were obliged to attend in the coming days. Georgiana was keenly aware of a marked silence from her other side, and taking care not to furnish both listeners with too much information she gave brief replies, saying that all depended on the kindness of their aunt and her requirements for their attendance.

  In stages, the courses were brought in and removed, and Georgiana managed tolerably well to remain engaged in varying conversation with Lieutenant Hailsham. This gave her the excuse of not being able to turn to her right and engage the attention of her other dinner companion, for fear he would address her and she would be obliged to answer him. It was only when dessert had been brought in, and the servants gone again, that in an unguarded moment, Captain Brandt was able to turn to her, before she could once again strike up an engrossing conversation with the Lieutenant.

  ‘You have gone to some trouble, Miss Hall, to avoid speaking with me throughout dinner.’

  She started at his bluntness and blushed a little. ‘Not at all, Captain! In truth, I was entirely taken up in conversation by your friend,’ she added, not quite truthfully at all, ‘who has detained me most agreeably.’

  He was silent a moment. ‘Charles is a good fellow, a good friend. He has been through the worst battles with me and we have both lived to tell the tale. Is it not said that in hardship, the closest bonds are made? Charles has never once made reference to my misfortunes, either in regard to my face, nor to my changed situation in life, for he does not judge me on outward appearance. He is indeed the most excellent friend.’

  She heard the insinuation behind the comment, and attempted to hide her hurt. He obviously believed her to be repelled by his looks. Her aunt signalled for dessert to be removed, and she saw her escape. Leaving her own lemon glace almost untouched, she rose from her chair and he stood courteously.

  ‘Forgive me Captain, but I must walk a little, now. I may not sit too long, you know, or I must suffer for it later.’ She could not but help adding in low tone, ‘As a cripple, Sir, I am not able to sit for long periods, but I would like to think that a person’s physical limitations are of small consequence compared to their character and reputation in the world. I hope that I judge you by your face no more than you, Sir, would judge me for my limp, nor try to take advantage of it.’

  He made as if to answer, a look which she could not read upon his countenance, or at least, upon that half of his face which had the ability to be read, but she had already moved away and gone to her aunt and Lady Appleby before he could reply. She felt his eyes on her, but whether in judgement or in surprise, she could not discern, for she did not trust herself to meet them. When the seven gentlemen finally stood to retreat to the library for port, she gave a sigh of relief.

  Eight

  Three days went by in which there were no unwanted visitors and no news from her aunt of Captain Brandt. Georgiana began to feel herself less anxious. The day after dinner with her aunt, her mama had again scolded her soundly for discouraging the only offer she was likely to receive in her lifetime, and for putting her interests before those of her family. While this unfairness stung Georgiana, she admitted in the privacy of her own room, that her mama could well be right, that she was discouraging perhaps the only suitor she would ever have! And yet, to be wanted only because she was thought desperate, to be made an offer on the basis that she was in no position to refuse, was so abhorrent to her nature, that she could not inure herself to receiving Captain Asher Brandt’s attentions without a sense of humiliation and depredation.

  It was with welcome relief that by Sunday afternoon, after church services had been attended and a meal taken, that Aunt Fanny had imparted the welcome news that Captain Asher Brandt was to leave London the following Tuesday morning, alone. Lieutenants Hailsham and Townsend were to remain in town for some several weeks longer. Georgiana rejoiced privately at the news of Captain Brandt’s removal, but was careful not to reveal this relief in the presence of her mother or sisters.

  Monday morning brought the usual tedious round of calls, one from Lady Appleby and Mrs Laing, and another from Colonel Walker, and then quite suddenly, a knock at the door preceded the happiest moment Georgiana had had for eight full weeks, when their cousin, Henry Hall, was announced.

  Henry, the only son of a Marie Bouchard and a young Englishman of no rank, had been unjustly deprived of his father in his early infancy. His mother, a French beauty, and still very young herself, had been more fortunate, and found early solace as a widow in a quick remarriage to Mr John Hall, Georgiana’s paternal uncle, who
had taken on the role of father to young Henry. Mr Hall had not minded that more children had not been quickly forthcoming, so taken was he with his adopted son. The marriage had been looked down upon by Georgiana’s mother, who despised the thin, dark-haired child her brother-in-law had adopted as his own but she managed to swallow her ill-will and rarely mentioned her distaste for her French relatives to her husband. When Henry’s mother had died while Henry was still in his skeleton suit, Mrs Hall was secretly relieved, for it irked her that French blood had infiltrated the family and now all trace of it was gone, except for Henry, whom she tolerated like a small, annoying dog.

  Now Mrs Hall bestowed upon this visitor a thin-lipped smile and a cool welcome. Henry was with them quite too much at Loweston for her comfort, for she held the impression that he blamed her for Mr Hall’s early death, and the prick of conscience can be but the most brutal pricks of all. Since the young man did, indeed, harbour some private thoughts as to the cause of his uncle’s untimely death by heart seizure, her prejudice was not without reason. There was, therefore, no love lost between Mrs Hall and Henry, and Georgiana, aware of this subtle nuance between her cousin and her mama, was at pains to subdue any ill-will on the part of her mother, for fear Henry would stop his visits.

  Henry, for his part, was devoted to the happiness of his three young cousins, especially of Georgiana and Julia, and devoted as much of his time as he could to visiting them. Georgiana had always looked forward to his visits at Loweston, for when he was with them, she was at her happiest. He accompanied them to every assembly and house party, providing her with happier companionship than she could ever hope from Elizabeth, an attentive ear, witty conversation, and a patient partner for her to stand up with at dances.