April and May

by Beth Elliot

  At last the evening was over and they were in the carriage to return to Half Moon Street.

  ‘Detestable,’ yawned Helena. ‘I feel that we wasted our time entirely. The Bensons are not a family I wish to meet again.’ She kicked Rose’s ankle. ‘What do they suspect about you and Count Varoshenyi?’

  Rose glared. ‘That hurt. Do not take your ill-humour out on me!’

  ‘Surely you are not going to quarrel again!’ Lady Westacote stifled a yawn. ‘I am very grateful to you for spreading the word about my lectures and the prospect of deciphering the hieroglyphs. Most of the ladies showed a definite curiosity in the subject.’

  ‘There is certainly a growing interest in the ancient civilisation of Egypt,’ put in Sir Philip. ‘That will help us to raise funds for our next expedition. It is a costly business, and any help is welcome.’ He nodded. ‘I found a couple of possible backers this evening, so do not say the evening was wasted, young Helena.’

  Helena merely shrugged.

  ‘At least you were much admired in your new finery,’ said Rose.

  ‘I do not care for that,’ muttered Helena, then, realising how ungracious she sounded, she looked towards her uncle. ‘That is to say, Uncle Philip, I am very happy with my new dress and if it helps your cause for me to look fashionable, so much the better.’

  ‘Was that a thank you, miss?’ he chuckled. ‘Never mind, you can get back to your studies in the morning.’

  ‘Unless we have more visitors!’ she muttered.

  Chapter Twenty

  The only visitor to call the following morning was Max. He arrived while they were still at the breakfast table but he was so much part of the family that he simply sat down and Lady Westacote poured him a cup of coffee.

  ‘I met young Welland as I came through Piccadilly,’ he remarked. He seems to be recovering from that beating now.’ He sipped his coffee. ‘Of course, his arm needs time to mend. He told me he must return to Constantinople and plans to set off within the month.’

  Sir Philip merely grunted without raising his head from the letter he was reading. The ladies all looked at each other.

  ‘We cannot let Sebastian go away without organising a dinner for him,’ said Lady Westacote.

  ‘Dear Seb, he deserves that at least,’ said Helena warmly.

  There was a crash as Max’s cup hit the saucer. ‘Upon my word,’ he said sharply, ‘you are mighty fond of this young fellow.’

  ‘Of course,’ murmured Helena provocatively, ‘Don’t forget how well he looked after us on the journey home from Constantinople.’

  Max’s eyes narrowed. Helena gave him a stare. ‘We can have our own friends,’ she said cheekily, ‘we are not young ladies on the catch for a husband, like your new friends last night.’

  At that, Max threw back his head and gave a bark of laughter. ‘I began to wonder if they would drag me away to their lair. A pair of Gorgons.’

  ‘Were they interested in Egypt or in you?’ Rose asked him, her face innocent.

  He gave her his rare smile. ‘Well, they were certainly not interested in Egypt.’

  At the general laughter that followed, Sir Philip raised his head. He took off his spectacles and held out his coffee cup for a refill. ‘A busy day ahead, eh?’ he said, spooning sugar liberally into his drink. He looked at Max. ‘We must call on Lord Teyworth, he told me last night that he will help us set up a fund for a further expedition.’

  ‘Splendid!’ Max’s face lit up. ‘The sooner the better. I cannot wait to get back to explore further. And next time, we will take the ladies with us when we travel up the Nile.’

  Helena and Lady Westacote beamed at each other. ‘We could study hieroglyphs so much better if we can get more papyri,’ said Lady Westacote eagerly.

  Rose felt her heart sink right down to her toes. It was hard not to utter a protest but she knew from experience they would not understand her feelings. She forced her lips into a smile but nobody was looking at her anyway. For something to do, she took another slice of bread and spread butter over it slowly and precisely. Her chest swelled with a silent sigh while she cut the bread into tiny morsels. She was thinking of the heat and discomfort of another long spell of time in Egypt.

  Rose had always been fascinated by London. Even this present short stay in Town was providing her with a taste of the life she enjoyed so much. She loved the bustle of the city streets, the wide avenues with splendid buildings, smart carriages bowling along, fine ladies and gentlemen out shopping or walking and riding in Hyde Park. There were so many famous places to visit, as well as all the theatres, art galleries and libraries. And she loved to browse in the smart shops and study the latest fashions.

  From her previous visit, she remembered the busy round of entertainment: dinner parties, balls, concerts and outings to more distant places of entertainment. She had been starved of these things for so long. The others were all talking excitedly about visiting new sites in the desert. Rose shuddered and wished they were not in such a hurry to return to Egypt.

  Aunt Emily had always been such a bluestocking that the family had despaired of her ever settling down. And then she was lucky enough to meet and fall in love with Uncle Philip. She sometimes said she had accepted him so that she could travel more freely. They were a happy couple, both kind and generous but completely absorbed in their expeditions and studies.

  Helena had shown the same scholarly interests at a very young age, which was why their father had consented to allow her to join Aunt Emily on that first expedition to India. That experience settled Helena in a determination to follow a life of travel and study, which she claimed was freedom for her. No wonder she was looking so radiant as she planned a return to Cairo. Rose darted a glance round the table. They were eagerly discussing what monuments they would visit and what type of boat to hire for their trip up the Nile.

  Oh, no! thought Rose. How can I submit to live on a poky little boat for months! Sand in everything…and there will be snakes and scorpions…and crocodiles! She clenched her teeth and pushed her plate away. The mangled slice of bread looked how she felt. There was a dark cloud looming over her.

  When she raised her head, Max was watching her. He said nothing, merely raising his eyebrows with a slight smile. He knows, she thought, but she could see how his face was so much more animated than usual. He would prefer to be out there with the crocodiles, just so long as there were ruins to explore.

  ‘Would you care for a visit to the opera this evening?’ he said, including the other ladies in his question. ‘Young Welland told me that the great Signora Bertina will be singing.’ He looked at Rose. ‘I know you enjoy music.’

  It was a bribe, and a poor one at that. However, it was one event she would enjoy so she nodded and thanked him. It helped her to forget the horrors ahead of her to think about the evening’s treat as she accompanied her aunt and sister on a visit to Hatchards Bookshop. While they searched for books on Egypt, Rose slipped away to browse the shelves for the latest novels and books of poetry.

  She selected three books and went to pay for them. She tucked her purchases in her muff, smiling at the difference in her choice of books from those lexicons that were making Helena talk excitedly to Aunt Emily. The rest of the day was spent at a lecture hall where Lady Westacote gave another talk on the importance of the discoveries being made in Egypt. It was well attended. Rose sat at the back of the room and discreetly read some of the poems in one of her new books. But even she sensed the interest in the room. Apparently Egypt was coming into fashion.

  When they reached the Opera house that evening, the ladies found a smiling Sebastian waiting for them in the foyer. They all greeted him warmly, with praise for his fashionable appearance and enquiries about his arm.

  ‘By Heaven, you must tell me your secret,’ growled Max. ‘I have known these ladies for years but they have never made such a fuss of me.’

  ‘Would you care for it if we did?’ Helena laughed at him. He shook his head at her, then took her hand a
nd laid it on his arm. They set off up the stairs together. Rose did not hear what he said in reply but she saw them laughing together, heads close.

  Sebastian walked up the stairs between Lady Westacote and Rose. ‘May I say how charming you both look in your elegant gowns?’ he said. He walked up another step, then went red and stuttered, ‘That is to say I have never seen you at such a grand event before. For all I know, you often dress like this.’

  ‘It is the first time I have been to the opera,’ whispered Rose in reply, ‘and you are looking very smart as well.’

  He glanced at her gratefully. He did indeed look very fine in his wine coloured jacket and ivory satin breeches. His fair hair was cut in the latest fashion and his cologne smelt expensive. Rose wondered if he still cherished hopes of winning Helena’s heart. She decided it must be obvious that Helena and Max were growing very close ever since the start of their visit to London.

  The music was all that Rose could wish. She enjoyed the first act and was only sorry when it was time for the interval. From all around came the hum of conversation and the flashes of colour as people moved from one box to another to see friends. Rose sat in a dream, thinking over the fine singing.

  Gradually she came back to earth and realised that there was a visitor in their box. Although his back was turned towards her, she knew at once that it was Tom Hawkesleigh. He was talking to her uncle and aunt. Then he turned to speak to Max. Rose and examined his face. Tom’s features had always been finely chiselled but she felt certain that he was thinner than before. There were dark circles under his eyes that added to his gaunt appearance.

  She heard her aunt mention Sebastian’s name and then realised that Lady Westacote was inviting Tom to the dinner she was planning to give before Sebastian left. ‘And I would wish to invite Count Varoshenyi…’ Rose heard her aunt say. Her own thoughts whirled. Why was fate pushing her into contact with these men who caused her heart to beat faster? She had established a stable, emotion-free pattern to her life and after the crises she had endured, that was all she wanted now.

  She puzzled over the perversity of fate, looking vaguely round the large theatre. A face in a box opposite caught her eye. It was that young lady who was friends with the Benson girls. Rose studied Julia’s appearance this evening. Why did the silly girl wear so many frills and ribbons on her gown? And once again, she seemed like an advertisement for a jewellery merchant. Then she realised that Julia was staring at her, her face decidedly angry.

  Whatever have I done? wondered Rose. She turned her head and saw Tom giving her a slight bow. She nodded to him and he turned away and left the box! He had not approached her, not said a single word, not even smiled! All at once the magic was gone from her evening and she felt bereft.

  She looked back towards Julia but the girl was now talking to another member of her party. Rose took a deep breath. Did Julia consider Tom to be her property? Well, Rose could not tell her that she was determined not to marry again. She clutched her fan. Why then did it hurt that Tom was now aloof? This was ridiculous! She straightened her shoulders. She would enjoy the rest of the performance!

  Yet, somehow, the second act of the opera was less enthralling than the first as images of endless sand dunes and vast pyramids drifted across her mind and could not be entirely banished. From time to time she cast a discreet glance at Julia’s box but not once did she see Tom there. That was a comfort of sorts. Then she was angry with herself. She must not be a dog in the manger.

  ‘Will you be happy to return to Constantinople?’ Rose asked Sebastian at the end of the evening, while they were waiting for their carriage.

  He pursed his lips. ‘It’s a very good posting,’ he said. ‘If I have to work abroad, I consider myself very lucky to be in that city.’

  ‘Yes, but do you want to go abroad?’ she insisted.

  He gave her a curious look. ‘I enjoy travelling to other lands,’ he said. ‘and it is my work to learn about diplomacy.’ He shrugged. ‘I have three older brothers. I’m obliged to make my own way in life.’

  She smiled warmly at him. ‘You are already doing very well. One day, you will be a distinguished member of the government.’

  He gave a short laugh. ‘Maybe, but meanwhile, it is my diplomatic duty to inform you that your aunt is beckoning. Your carriage is here.’

  Chapter Twenty-one

  ‘Rose, are you still busy?’ Helena put her head round the drawing room door. Rose placed the last flower in the vase and stood back to check the effect. ‘There, I have finished everything now. And I have completed all the sketches Aunt Emily required. She does not wish to be disturbed. She is going over her notes for the speech she will deliver this evening.’

  Helena slipped an arm through her sister’s as they mounted the stairs. ‘It is a fine, dry day. Come with me for a walk in the park.’

  This was unusual. Rose wondered what her sister wanted to discuss that needed to be said so privately. In a very short time, they had pulled on their boots and coats. Rose tied the strings of her bonnet and picked up her new muff. Helena was adjusting the collar of her deep blue velvet spencer. She set her little bonnet over her dark hair and tied the pale blue ribbons under one ear.

  ‘For a scholar, you are very fashionable,’ said Rose.

  ‘For a widow, you are very young and pretty,’ retorted Helena, pushing her sister out of the door and hurrying her down the stairs. ‘We shall not be gone long,’ she informed Hudson airily as he opened the front door for them. ‘Any visitors can be asked to wait.’

  Rose frowned over this but already Helena was pulling her across Piccadilly and along to the wide gates that led into the park. They walked under the trees in silence for a while. Rose looked around at the greenery.

  ‘Shall you not miss this when we are back in Cairo?’ she asked.

  Helena shook her head. ‘Not really. There are many green areas along the Nile, you know. My chief interest is in unlocking that hidden language – and of course I want to do so before any French scholar manages it. That is most important to me.’

  ‘So are we walking out here while you attempt to convince me to return to Egypt with a light heart?’

  Helena gave her sister’s arm a squeeze. ‘I know it is not a passion for you as it is for the rest of us. Poor Rose, what choice do you have? Your dowry was taken by your husband and his family and Papa will not make you an allowance.’ They paced on, each thinking of their father.

  Rose sighed. ‘If only our dear mother had lived. Papa was not so- so narrow-minded when she was there to run the household.’

  Helena nodded agreement. ‘All this is Augusta’s doing. She is such a nip-farthing. The estate brings in plenty of money but she is not willing for us to have a penny.’

  Rose held up her hand. ‘We should not speak of her. She is our sister-in-law after all.’

  ‘And so full of family feeling that she denies you a home or even a penny of income.’ Helena’s voice shook with rage. ‘I think she is ashamed of us both and likes to pretend we do not exist.’

  ‘Well, thank goodness for dear Aunt Emily and Uncle Philip. They have been more like our real parents. They pay me a handsome amount for my drawings and they even provide most of my clothes.’ Rose looked thoughtfully at Helena. ‘And you have been with them for several more years than I have. You really are the daughter they never had.’

  ‘Fortunately, we are all passionate about the same things. I could never submit to live in this cramped and restrictive society here.’ Helena gestured in the direction of the city. ‘Oh, I know you enjoy being in society, - the dinners and the dances and the outings and new clothes –’

  ‘I have not noticed you refusing to be interested in pretty new clothes,’ retorted Rose, stung.

  ‘Yes, well, of course I like nice clothes – but I like ancient languages and I enjoy the freedom of my chosen way of life. I could not bear to be dependent on having a good reputation or never going out alone for fear of being gossiped about.’

&nb
sp; At the mention of reputation, Rose bit her lip. How she had suffered from Augusta’s narrow ideas on that subject. That brought her thoughts back to Tom. In spite of her resolve to keep her distance, Rose could not help wondering why he was looking so grim and worn. Was it something to do with his work and with Kerim Pasha?

  They had come out into an open space and a rather feeble sun was shining. It lit the grass and the russet leaves on the trees. Rose slowed and looked at the view with pleasure.

  ‘Are you planning another picture?’

  Rose shook her head. ‘Not now. I am waiting to learn what it is you want to discuss.’

  Helena bit her lip. ‘Can you not guess?’

  Rose looked at her. ‘I may have an idea. But you must tell me.’

  Helena returned her look very steadily. Her eyes glowed. ‘Max and I have agreed to marry. I hope you will not dislike it.’

  Rose put her arms round her blushing younger sister. ‘I like it very much. It has seemed more and more likely to me as I have observed you both recently. He is such a self-contained man but I could see he has been seeking your company more and more. And getting jealous,’ she added, remembering certain episodes over the previous weeks.

  Helena hugged her back. ‘I am so happy. It took me a while to realise how my feelings had changed. I used to be in awe of Max, he seemed such an independent man, so intrepid and focused on his adventures. After we arrived in Cairo, I began to feel differently about him. And he showed more interest in me.’

  ‘I should hope so,’ Rose pushed back a lock of her sister’s hair that had fallen across her forehead. ‘You are a beautiful girl, especially when you are talking about ancient carvings and hieroglyphs. How could one dedicated explorer fail to be attracted to another?’ She smiled, a little wistfully. ‘You were meant for each other. It is just like Aunt Emily and Uncle Philip. You are right, Helena, you could never submit to the usual restricted life of a woman in society.’