“Perhaps not, but let us try it anyway, shall we?”
“As you wish.” A knock at the door disturbed their conversation. “Come in,” the Duke beckoned.
The butler, Mr. Wheatly, entered and bowed. “Lady Cordelia awaits you in the drawing room, Your Grace.”
The Duke straightened up, adjusted his collar, and turned toward the door with a resigned look in his eyes. “Thank you, Mr. Wheatly. Please, tell Lady Cordelia that I will be with her shortly.”
“Of course, Your Grace.” Mr. Wheatly bowed once more and then left the room.
Turning to Marybeth, the Duke bowed over her hand placing a kiss upon its back. “Until later, my dear friend,” he murmured, then left the room, his shoulders as ramrod straight as if he were going to his own execution instead of courting a beautiful noble woman.
Marybeth felt sorry for him and could not understand throwing one’s life away over the wishes of another, even if that person was your mother. Marybeth’s grandmother had raised her to be strong and independent. Intelligence had been encouraged as an asset, though it went against the fashion for young women of the day. Though she had been secluded, her grandmother had made sure that Marybeth was aware of the stark differences of her life and that of the rest of English society so that if the need ever arose, she could stand up for herself, protect herself.
Sighing, Marybeth examined the sleeping features of the Dowager Duchess’s face. Surely, she would not wish her son to suffer so on her behalf. I wonder if she knows the burden she has placed upon him by her request that he marry the Lady Cordelia? Marybeth knew that it was not her place to tell the Duchess such a thing, but she found the urge hard to resist. She hated the idea of a life such as the Duke’s being lost in a loveless marriage. As far as she could tell, there was not even one drop of affection between the Duke and the Lady.
“So very sad,” she murmured aloud to the silent room. “So very sad indeed.”
Chapter 6
Felix descended the stairs steeling himself for another encounter with his future bride. In an effort to please his mother, he had had tea nearly every day with the Weathertons. Today was no different, and yet somehow, it was. He found himself wishing that he were back upstairs with Marybeth instead of moving further and further away from her.
Honor and family above all else, he reminded himself as if he were going into battle, instead of his own drawing room.
“Your Grace,” Lady Cordelia arose and curtsied.
“My Lady,” Felix bowed in greeting. “I see you have come without the Earl?” Felix was surprised, as such a phenomenon had never occurred before.
“Yes, my dear brother is needed elsewhere today, but I have come to offer my services to your dear mother.”
“Oh?” he asked arching his brows in surprise.
“Yes, I thought perhaps I might read to her or some such thing. It can get so very dull lying abed all by one’s lonesome day in and day out.”
“That is most kind of you, My Lady.”
“Not at all. I simply wish to perform my Christian duty.” The look in Lady Cordelia’s eyes did not quite match the willingness of her words.
“I am sure that my mother will be thrilled to hear of your interest in her wellbeing. She is sleeping now, but perhaps after tea you might go up and pay her a visit.”
“Yes, of course,” Lady Cordelia nodded demurely. “I would be happy to do so.” Felix guided her over to the table and chairs by the window. The maid entered, bringing their teatime repast. “Has your healer settled in properly?” she asked, waving the maid away so that she might pour the tea herself. The act spoke of her expectations to one day be lady of the house.
“Yes, she is settling in quite nicely. She and Mother get along splendidly, and her herbal remedies are making a difference already.”
“That sounds encouraging,” Lady Cordelia noted, and yet she did not look encouraged. She looked the exact opposite in point of fact, but Felix had come to expect such things as a part of her reserved nature. It was not uncommon for ladies of the ton to hide their true feelings behind a mask of indifference. Felix silently hoped that beneath her icy shell lay a woman of deep feeling and intellect. His mother had always been an excellent judge of character, and he trusted her to be right in this case as well.
“I cannot begin to tell you how encouraging I truly find it. Just today Mother had come down with a terrible fever, but Miss Wright’s teas set her to rights again in very little time. She is a marvel to be sure.” Lady Cordelia’s mouth twitched in what appeared to be a spasm of pain. “Are you quite well, My Lady?” Felix asked in concern.
“Yes, quite. Thank you. I bit my lip, so clumsy of me. Sweet biscuits are my downfall. Please do go on,” she reassured him, taking another bite of her biscuit for emphasis.
Felix eyed her carefully, wishing for once that she would be open with him. She averted her eyes and looked out the window. “’Tis a beautiful day is it not?”
“Yes, it is,” he turned to look out of the window as well. “The sun on the water is superlative today, as a thousand tiny diamonds twinkling in the light.”
“Yes, a garden is simply not complete without a water feature. Have you been to see the gardens at Versailles or the fountains in Rome? Beauty beyond compare. We are attempting a much smaller version at Bredon. You must be sure to come and see it sometime. Won’t you?”
“I would be delighted. I thank you for the invitation. I am sure my mother would be glad to come as well when she is able.”
“Wonderful! It is settled then. As soon as your mother is feeling better you may both come to our estate for tea and a tour of the gardens.” Her demeanor seemed to cheer somewhat, and Felix took hope from that.
The moment was interrupted by Mr. Wheatly informing him that his mother had awakened and was asking for him. Felix arose. “Shall we?” he asked his guest. “Now would be as good a time as any for you to present your offer to Mother would it not?”
“Yes, of course,” Lady Cordelia agreed and accepted his proffered hand. “If it is not an imposition.”
“My mother is quite fond of you, Lady Cordelia. It was she who suggested that I seek out your company. I doubt that you could ever be an imposition to her.”
“You seek my hand for the sake of your mother’s wishes?” she asked in surprise.
Felix hesitated. He had not planned on revealing such a thing to her. He had simply meant to put her mind at ease concerning his mother. Deciding that the truth was always the best choice, he took a deep breath and plunged ahead. “Yes, that is precisely the reason.”
Instead of getting angry as he had suspected, she smiled. It was the first genuine smile he had ever seen from her. “I am here because my brother desires it.”
“So, you are not angry then?”
“No, not at all.”
Felix laughed. The moment allowed an ease of relief to fall between them that had not existed before, and they continue walking together toward the Dowager Duchess’s bedchamber. “Perhaps they are right.”
“Perhaps.”
When they entered the room, they found Marybeth and the Dowager Duchess conversing in low tones. The smile immediately left Lady Cordelia’s face when she saw Marybeth. Felix knew that she disapproved of the healer, viewing her as a witch of sorts, but he hoped that in time she would grow accustomed to Marybeth’s presence. “How are you feeling, Mother?”
“Better than before. Miss Wright is a worker of miracles.” The Dowager Duchess smiled warmly at each person in turn. “Lady Cordelia, what a pleasant surprise to see you again.”
“Yes, His Grace and I were just having tea, but the real reason I came calling today was to see if you might be interested in a bit of company from time to time, reading and such?”
“That sounds lovely, my dear.”
“I am glad you approve. Shall I start today?”
“Yes, of course. That would be wonderful.”
“Excellent. Do you have a selection in mind, or sh
all I go down to the library and choose something for us?”
“Surprise me,” the Dowager Duchess answered delighted with the turn of events.
“Very well. I will return in a moment.” Lady Cordelia turned on her heels and left the room in search of the library.
“Shall I accompany you?” Felix offered calling after her, unsure whether she would need his assistance.
“I will be fine, thank you,” she threw over her shoulder and continued walking.
“I see the two of you are making some progress,” the Dowager Duchess remarked eyeing her son questioningly.
“Yes, I believe that we have come to an understanding of one another.”
“That is wonderful, Felix! Shall I begin planning the wedding?”
“Not just yet, Mother. We have a long way to go before that. ‘Tis a bit premature to be sewing wedding dresses.”
“It is never too early for that,” the Dowager Duchess smiled knowingly.
“Just because we can tolerate to be in the same room with one another for more than a few moments does not a marriage make, Mother. I love you and would do anything for you, including marry someone I do not love, but even loveless arranged marriages take some time. Give us time to grow accustomed to one another before you bind us together for life.”
“I am sorry, my dear. You know I simply want what is best for you, don’t you?”
“Yes, Mother, and I love you all the more for it.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. When he looked up, he found Marybeth sitting silently in the chair beside the bed, her eyes wide with curiosity at the conversation between them. “Please forgive us, Miss Wright. We seem to have forgotten our manners.”
“Not at all, Your Grace. ‘Tis I that am the intruder.”
“Nonsense. You could never be such,” the Dowager Duchess protested, patting her young friend’s arm. “’Tis only that I wish to see my Felix settled with a good wife before I die.”
“Well, let us see if we cannot postpone death for a time longer, shall we?” Marybeth asked with a smile.
“That would be grand,” Felix answered with a grin. “I would be most pleased indeed.”
The sound of a scream pierced the air startling everyone. “Lady Cordelia!” Felix left the room at a run for the library.
Chapter 7
Felix raced down the stairs and into the library where he found Lady Cordelia lying upon the floor. Marybeth entered right behind him. She ran over to the lady’s prone form on the floor. “She is alive. It appears she only fainted.”
Felix sighed in relief. “Why?” he asked, knowing she probably could not answer as she was not present at the time.
“I do not know. It would appear that she was looking at this book.” She picked up the book where it had fallen on the floor and handed it to him. The cover simply read Marriage.
“Ah, yes, one of Mother’s books. It is written by an acquaintance of hers, a Susan Ferrier. It was published anonymously, but she shared a copy with Mother. I do not believe there is anything within its pages that would cause a lady to faint, but then again, I have never read it in its entirety.”
“Nay, I doubt that it was the book that made her faint.” Marybeth examined Lady Cordelia carefully.
From where Felix stood it did not appear that the lady in question had any physical injuries. “I will go and get Mother’s smelling salts,” he offered.
“That would be best, I think,” Marybeth answered, lifting the lady’s eye lids to examine her pupils.
Felix left the room and quickly went in search of his Mother’s smelling salts. Running up to the Dowager Duchess’s bedchamber he rummaged through her medical drawer. “Which of these bottles are smelling salts, Mother? Lady Cordelia has fainted.”
“Oh, dear! The smelling salts are in that brown bottle there. Yes, that one,” she instructed as Felix’s hand floated over the bottles in question. “Will Lady Cordelia recover?”
“I presume so, but I cannot be certain. I will inform you as soon as she has recovered.”
“See that you do. I will be up here worrying.” She laid back against her pillows, the brief exchange having worn her out.
“I will be sure to do so, Mother. Please do not take on any more strain than you are already under. It will not be to your benefit, and it will most certainly not aid Lady Cordelia in her recovery.”
“Yes, of course. I will do my best. Now hurry along.”
Felix ran out of the bedchamber, the vial of smelling salts firmly in hand. When he entered the library, he found Marybeth rubbing Lady Cordelia’s hands and calling her name. “The smelling salts,” he announced handing them over to her.
Marybeth unstopped the cork and passed the bottle under Lady Cordelia’s nose. Lady Cordelia coughed and sputtered at the noxious odor. “A ghost!” She cried out sitting up. Her eyes were near to bulging out of her head and her breathing was rapid and irregular. “There was a ghost standing right in front of me!” Lady Cordelia’s eyes turn to Marybeth. “Did you do this? Did you summon the spirits?”
“Me?” Marybeth asked stunned. “What control could I possibly have over the spirit realm? Is that not God’s realm?”
“You speak of God whilst you serve the Devil?” The horror on Lady Cordelia’s face was quite dramatic.
“I do no such thing!” Marybeth looked indignant.
“Lady Cordelia, I sincerely doubt that Miss Wright had anything to do with the apparition that you claim to have seen.” Felix attempted to make her see reason, but instead inflamed her more.
“Claimed?! I do not claim anything! I am telling the truth. I saw it with my very own eyes, and who else but a witch would or could summon the spirits of the past?”
“Miss Wright is not a witch and I find it very hard to believe that she would ever do such a thing even if she were.”
“She has you under her spell. You have fallen for her feminine wiles. Well she cannot have you!” Her eyes darted to and fro, then rolled back in her head. “There!” she shouted pointing a finger in the doorway opposite the bookshelves.
Felix turned expecting to find it empty with a ready rebuke upon his lips, but instead was shocked to find a very pale man standing in the doorway. “Who are you and what are you doing in my house?” The figure stared at him blankly and said nothing. “Sir, I demand that you answer me.” Felix moved forward a step, but the man moved on into the hallway. “Sir?” Felix repeated with force and followed him, but when he stepped out into the corridor the man was gone.
“Where did he go?” Marybeth’s voice asked from beside him in bewilderment.
“I do not know,” Felix answered. Ringing for the butler, Felix had the entire house search for the intruder, but came up empty. “How can this be?” he asked, confused. “A man does not just vanish into the air as would a puff of pipe smoke.”
“Did you recognize the man?” Marybeth asked.
“No, I did not. He was so pale, and his clothes were moth eaten and worn. Where could he have gone?”
“I do not know, Your Grace,” the butler answered. “We have searched the house top to bottom twice over now and have found nothing. Do you wish for us to search again, Your Grace?”
“No, you have done enough for now, but if you or any of the staff sees anything out of the ordinary, you are to let me know immediately.”
“Yes, Your Grace. I will pass your message on to the staff.” The butler bowed and went about his duties.
“Now do you believe me?” Lady Cordelia huffed.
“Something suspicious is certainly going on here, I will give you that, My Lady. Perhaps it would be best if I saw you home and you could return to spend time with Mother another day?”
“Yes, I believe that would be best. Thank you.”
Felix escorted Lady Cordelia out of the house to her waiting carriage. He called for his horse to be saddled and brought to him. He gave strict instructions for his mother and Marybeth to be guarded at all times in his absence. Once he was mounted, he and Lady
Cordelia took off down the drive leaving Arkley Castle and its so-called ghost behind.
* * *
Marybeth watched as Felix and Lady Cordelia disappeared down the drive. The lady had accused her of being a witch. The absurdity of such a notion! People had been calling the women in her family witches for centuries. If a woman lived alone in the forest and possessed a knowledge of herbs, she was considered a witch whether the title was earned or not. Truth meant very little to the superstitious mind. Marybeth was relieved that the Duke was not such a person.
Turning to go back inside, she went into the hallway where they had last seen the pale man. She searched the corridor and the walls looking for a secondary entrance or secret room that might explain where the man had gone, but she found none. She ran her hands over every surface in hopes of catching the most subtle of deceptions and yet she found none. She looked for dirty footprints or boot impressions in the floor, but that also yielded nothing.
A Duke Under Her Spell: A Historical Regency Romance Novel Page 6
