“You look as pretty as a picture,” he greeted her. She had indeed blossomed since he had last seen her; her face radiated happiness and she had gained back a little of the weight she had lost since leaving London
“Thank you,” Diana responded cheerily. “You, too, are in good looks,”
“Enough of that,” growled Rollo. “Let us agree you both look very well and then get inside the house before this rain soaks us through.”
After some refreshment Diana left the brothers to catch up with each other’s news and went straight to a small writing desk in the library. She penned a note to her parents, informing them that they would call on them the following afternoon.
The Westbury family had arrived in London the previous week, and Lady Westbury and Pru had been indulging in some shopping and sightseeing. Calling cards from friends and acquaintances had started to trickle in as it became known among the ton that they were in town. The note they had been eagerly waiting for had arrived the previous afternoon, and the family were now gathered in the drawing room ready for the visit from their eldest daughter, Diana, and her husband, Lord Brockwood.
Hearing a carriage draw to a halt outside the town house, Pru ran to the window. “They’re here!” she squealed, clapping her hands in excitement. She ran out of the room to greet her sister, followed by her parents at a more decorous pace.
Lord Westbury and Rollo exchanged a greeting, then wisely stepped out of the way and into the library while the ladies hugged, kissed and cried, all three talking at the same time.
“I swear you have grown, Pru,” Diana said. Pru gave a little twirl, then sidled up to Diana to measure herself against her older sister. Both sisters were petite, and there was little difference in height.
“And you look such a lady!” declared Pru. “Look at your coat, I swear it must be the latest fashion. Tell me, is it a redingote à la Hussar? I love the cream-coloured silk and the rows of yellow braid!”
“Yes, yes, it is,” confirmed Diana. She was more interested, however, in their family news than the latest fashion.
“We have vouchers for Almack’s, and Pru will be attending her first assembly there next Wednesday,” Lady Westbury told Diana as, coat now removed, Diana walked with her mother and sister into the drawing room. Within minutes they were joined by Rollo and Diana’s father, tea was served, and the conversation flowed until, upon hearing the clock chime four, Rollo indicated it was time for them to leave.
“It was so nice to see my family again,” Diana told him once they were in the carriage. “I have missed them so.” She paused, then asked, “Will we have time to secure vouchers for Almack’s before Wednesday?”
“I am sure if we call upon Lady Cowper or Lady Sefton, we will be able to,” replied a less than enthusiastic Rollo. “If you send them a card, I will accompany you, perhaps the day after tomorrow.” Rollo was eager to please his wife, and if he accompanied her, these ladies would be unlikely to snub her. He would gladly suffer through the assemblies to please her. And he was sure that, as a married man, the season would be a far less arduous undertaking.
It was Lady Sefton who, as a patroness, was able to grant them the vouchers for Almack’s; she had always had a fondness for Brockwood and was pleased to see him happily married. The events of two seasons ago were, hopefully, now forgotten, and Diana could once again enjoy the pleasures of the London season. Diana explained that her sister, Pru, was making her debut on the following Wednesday, and Lady Sefton said that she would look forward to being introduced to her.
Diana dressed with care for the assembly ball on the Wednesday, and at the ball, she and Rollo made a striking couple. Many pairs of eyes turned to watch them as they walked through the hall on their arrival, Diana with her head held high and Rollo flashing his cold blue eyes as if daring anyone to make an unkind remark about his wife. Lady Sefton, herself, greeted them, and when they brought Prudence to her for an introduction and Pru, dressed becomingly in white, executed a perfect curtsey, the patroness seemed delighted. Diana’s heart swelled with pride.
Rollo, having already secured several dances on his wife’s card, requested that Pru reserve him a set. Her eyes opened wide with both surprise and alarm, but as no one else had come forward to claim her as yet, she did not refuse him. Almost immediately the orchestra began playing the opening minuet, and Rollo led a nervous Pru onto the dance floor. At first stiff and unsure of herself, Pru soon relaxed and enjoyed the dance with her brother-in-law. Even though he looked fearsome, he was a wonderful dancer. Perhaps, she thought, that was one reason that Diana had lost her heart to him.
Diana watched the pair dance and was proud of both of them. Pru danced well, and her face, which at the beginning of the dance was tense with concentration, was smiling with enjoyment by the end of the dance. Because she partnered the notorious Earl of Ice, people noticed her and soon after she returned to her seat a steady stream of young men begged introductions. Pru’s dance card filled up in no time.
Oliver secured a dance with both sisters as did his old friends, Woody and Henry Straw. Diana was pleased to note that Lord Cotson was not in their party.
“Is Miss Colpert in town with you this season?” Straw asked Diana as soon as the dancing allowed conversation. His attempt at nonchalance failed utterly and made Diana smile.
“I had a note from Caroline just this morning,” Diana told him, “to say that she will be arriving in town on Saturday.” She saw his face light up. It seemed this young man still had feelings for her cousin that the passing of months had not diminished. The previous season in Bath it had seemed he had been gaining Caroline’s trust and she still harboured affection for him. Perhaps this season her cousin would find it in her heart to forgive him.
At the end of the evening the ball was declared a success by all. Even Rollo had found it enjoyable and was pleased to see Diana looking so happy. They agreed to be included in the Westburys’ theatre party the following week, and the number had been further extended to include Caroline and her younger sister, Emily, who, like Pru, was in her first season.
When Oliver learnt of their plans for the theatre, he immediately told Straw and Woody, and they managed to secure seats for the same evening. They did not give a fig that the play was Shakespeare’s Macbeth and the famous actress Sarah Siddons was playing Lady Macbeth. They were interested only in being granted an audience with the ladies in the Westbury party. Straw, in fact, was quite desperate for an opportunity to speak with Miss Colpert.
In the end it was contrived so Oliver and his two friends joined the Westburys in their box. This pleased Pru, who enjoyed practicing her wiles on the three young men, safe in the knowledge that Rollo would not let them do anything untoward. Diana saw Caroline’s face light up when she saw that Henry Straw was in their party. Perhaps enough time had now passed for the upset caused by the wager to be forgiven if not forgotten. Diana hoped so, because she was aware that Caroline had never shown any partiality toward any of her other admirers.
“What a magnificent performance from Sarah Siddons,” declared Diana as they travelled home at the end of the evening.
“It certainly was,” agreed Rollo. “I am not sure that your sister or cousins took note of any of it, they seemed too distracted by my brother, Woody and Straw.”
“I know,” agreed Diana, “and do you think that Henry Straw will continue his pursuit of Caroline? I hope so, because I know she still holds a tendre for him.”
“Do I detect some matchmaking going on here?” teased Rollo. “If so, I think I will keep well out of it.”
Rollo and Diana were busy throughout the London season, but they did not accept every invitation they received, and they certainly did not accept the invitation they received in June for the Whittington Ball.
“I am surprised that Lady Whittington had the cheek to send an invitation, considering how she treated me after what happened to me there,” Diana said in annoyance as she read the card.
“But, my dear,” Rollo
pointed out, “had it not been for the incident at that ball and the chain of events after it, we would not, in all likelihood, be married.”
This pulled Diana up short. “Oh, I had not thought of that, but you are right. You would never have married and I might well have been another’s choice of bride.” This thought made Diana realize how lucky she was, and she walked over to where her husband was seated and placed a kiss on the top of his head.
“Thank you, what did I do to deserve that?” asked Rollo, giving his wife a rare smile.
“I think, perhaps, I should be grateful for what happened at the Whittington Ball, because I cannot imagine being happy with anyone but you.” She gave him another kiss, this time fully on his mouth. In lightning reaction, Rollo grabbed her and pulled her onto his lap, whereupon he began to kiss her more thoroughly.
“I love you, Lady Brockwood,” he growled between passionate kisses.
“And I love you, Lord Brockwood,” was Diana’s swift response.
Pulling her bodice down, Rollo caressed her pink nipples till they hardened. Unable to resist, he took one in his mouth and suckled hard. Diana’s cry of delight only inflamed him more. He moved his hand to caress her thigh, pushing up and up, under skirts and petticoat, until he found his prize. She was moist and inviting, and his breath grew ragged as he pleasured her with his fingers until he could contain his passion no longer. Sweeping her up into his arms, Rollo carried a quivering fully aroused Diana into their bedchamber.
* * *
Caroline and Emily were frequent visitors at the Brockwood town house, as were Pru and her parents. Caroline had been in London only four weeks when she called to give Diana some good news.
“Mr. Straw, that is, Henry, has proposed and I have accepted!” Caroline excitedly informed her best friend.
“That is the best news!” Diana clasped Caroline in a warm embrace. “I am so happy for you.”
“He told me that he would wait a lifetime if needed, but he would never consider marrying anyone but me.”
“How romantic,” sighed Diana. “To think he has waited for you all this time.”
Caroline smiled. “I couldn’t resist him any longer, and with you now happily married, I felt that I can now forgive him and we can put the past behind us.”
“I certainly hope you will be as happy with Henry as I am with Rollo.”
* * *
Pru and Emily proved popular throughout the season, but neither girl made any serious attachments, and Diana even heard a rumour that her sister had rejected an inappropriate proposal of marriage. At the end of the season, both declared that they were looking forward to returning to London the following year.
By the end of August, London had become hot and somewhat smelly, and Rollo and Diana were ready to return to Hampshire and a quieter life in the country. Oliver, who was pursuing Miss Fanhope, a young lady from a good family, remained in London to continue with his courtship.
Diana dozed in the carriage on the journey home, feeling absolutely exhausted. She was certain that too many late nights were to blame.
Chapter 18
Several days after her return to Brockwood Hall, Diana found that she was still feeling very tired. She continued with her usual activities, but everything seemed more of an effort. She mentioned this to Tilly one morning while being dressed.
“Could it be that you are expecting?” Tilly asked.
“Expecting what?” was Diana’s absent response until it dawned on her what Tilly was suggesting.
“You have been married over a year now, my lady.”
Diana’s world caved in on her, and she felt the room spinning. Tilly, seeing her sudden pallor, helped her to the bed, where Diana curled into a ball and sobbed, “I cannot be, I must not be!” When she cast her mind back, she could not recall the last time she had had her monthly bleed. Goodness, she must have got caught with child on the night before the Whittington Ball. She remembered that on that night, when they had made love, Rollo had spilled his seed inside her. At his instruction she had douched herself thoroughly and had assumed all was well.
“Please don’t mention this to anyone,” she begged Tilly. “Oh, it cannot be right,” she moaned again. “I cannot have a baby.” She felt her stomach, and it did feel less palpable than usual. She knew that she had gained a little weight, but had thought this was due to the sumptuous meals they had consumed when in London.
“My lady, it will be lovely to have a baby in the house,” soothed Tilly, who was surprised that her mistress had not realized she was with child. Tilly had thought she may be for some weeks, because of the lack of her mistress’ monthlies.
Diana was not to be soothed. “I cannot have a baby,” she repeated, and Tilly now realized that Diana was serious. “You must help me get rid of it. I have heard there are women who can help with this.”
“My lady, I don’t know any such women.” If they did exist Tilly was not sure it was a good idea to seek one out.
“My husband must not find out,” Diana muttered more to herself than Tilly. Her mind was racing. Rollo was so adamant about not having any children in case they inherited his epilepsy. And with her own brother also having had this condition, the chance was even greater. She also worried about passing on her brother’s slowness with learning. Oh, how could this happen when they had been so careful?
“Tilly, I beg you, you must find out for me how women rid themselves of unwanted babies. Ask below stairs and I am sure someone will know, but don’t tell anyone about me, I will reward you handsomely, I promise.” Tears began streaming down her cheeks.
Tilly was moved by the sight of her mistress, who was clearly distraught. “I will do my best, my lady,” she promised as she left Diana sobbing into the pillow.
Tilly took only her sister Mary into her confidence and between them they hatched a plan. Tilly was to let the other servants believe that it was Mary who had got herself into trouble.
“Any case,” Mary declared, “they think I’m a funny one working in stables with menfolk and horses.”
It seemed there were such who claimed to rid women of unwanted babies in Hampshire, and Mrs. Hutchins, the cook, gave them directions for a woman who lived in Harping, a village less than three miles from Brockwood Hall.
“We had a parlour maid here who went to her to get rid of a little problem,” Mrs. Hutchins explained.
Diana was relieved when Tilly told her she had contacted a woman who claimed she could help and they had arranged to visit her the following week. Meanwhile, Diana tried other ways to get rid of the unwanted burden. For two mornings she asked for Demon to be saddled. It was well known that a pregnant woman should not ride as it could cause the loss of the baby.
She gave Demon his head and had him jump hedges and walls, but it seemed that she was more in danger of injuring herself than the unborn child. And poor Demon strained his fetlock, and still no sign that the baby had been dislodged.
Worried that Rollo might notice the subtle changes in her body, Diana kept to her room for the next two days pleading a headache and had him to sleep in the adjoining room. She could see that this had upset him, but she couldn’t risk his discovering her condition. On the day of her visit to the woman in Harping, she had no choice but to declare herself well again.
“I am pleased to see you are feeling better,” was Rollo’s greeting as she helped herself to some breakfast that morning.
Diana forced a smile. “Yes, indeed, and I feel so much better that I intend to go into town and visit the library and the dressmaker.” She hated lying to him but had no choice. “Tilly will accompany me, I expect to be home for dinner this evening.”
“Enjoy your day,” her unsuspecting husband replied.
Diana left soon after breakfast. Tilly gave the driver directions and then rode in the small unmarked carriage with her while Mary sat atop.
“I am scared,” Diana confided to her maid.
“Do you really have to do this, my lady?” asked Tilly, who wa
s very worried about her mistress and the part she was playing in this.
“I cannot tell you the reason, but you must believe me that I need to get rid of this baby.” Diana could not tell her maid about her husband’s fits and about his determination not to sire children. She couldn’t think what to do if this did not work.
Eventually the carriage pulled up outside a tumbledown house just outside the village of Harping. An old woman opened the door to them and showed them into the one room. The room was not clean and neither was the old woman. Tilly grabbed Diana’s arm and tried to pull her back out, but Diana shrugged her off. She needed to do whatever it took to end this unwanted life growing inside her.
“Lie down,” the old woman instructed and pointed to a bed at the rear of the room. Diana lay on her back on the unwashed bedding and had to stop herself gagging at the smell coming from it. Much to her dismay, the crone then put her hands up her clothing and began prodding her stomach.
“Quite far on, aren’t you, dearie,” she croaked. “Reckon about four or five months, so well established. Will be difficult.”
“Please,” begged Diana. “I will pay you well, do what must be done quickly so I can get back home,”
“It’s not that easy.” The old woman went to a dresser and began pulling down bottles and mixing different liquids and herbs together until she seemed satisfied with the potion. “Sit up and drink this.” She passed Diana a dirty mug containing the brown liquid. “Down in one is best. It will not taste pleasant,” she advised.
As directed, Diana tipped the liquid down her throat in one go, resisting the temptation to hold her nose to escape the pungent aroma. “What happens now?” she asked.
“Be still,” the crone snapped. “Stay there and give it time to work. We’ll see soon enough.”
Diana did as instructed and stayed on the bed, Tilly and Mary both anxiously watching her. After about twenty minutes Diana felt stomach cramps. “I think it is working,” she cried out in pain. She then started vomiting, and the cramps and vomiting continued until she no longer had the strength to sit upright.
The Earl of Ice Page 14
