Love Stories of Enchanting Ladies: A Historical Regency Romance Collection

by Bridget Barton

  “If that were indeed even a remote possibility, I’d forsake the stuff and never go near it again.” Tom laughed. “So? What is it you need to have a glass of brandy to discuss?”

  “Why the sightings of Charlotte Evans and Olivia McGowan. All four of us have seen them about London. All of us. And even Mrs Crabtree happened upon them in the butcher shop a few days before we came out here to Hempstead. It makes me uncomfortable, I tell you. I put nothing past Charlotte. Her nerve and audacity are beyond bounds. And even more curious, and frightening, is that both Charlotte and Olivia seem to have disappeared once again. Where do they go?”

  “It’s been some weeks since a sighting’s been had, but we’ve all been here for the last month.”

  “She’s planning something. I have no idea what it could be, but mark my words, Tom, Charlotte is planning something. As sure as I am that you are standing in this room at this moment, that’s how sure I am that Charlotte Evans has some kind of scheme up her translucent sleeve.”

  “I guess we can alert the colonel. He can place some soldiers outside to guard the house in London. Do you feel threatened here, at Hempstead?”

  “I don’t feel threatened at all. It’s Phoebe and Mary I’m worried about, Tom. Olivia spoke condescendingly to Mary, and she outright threatened Phoebe.”

  “Mary is a bit spooked by her. I don’t think she’s as afraid of Olivia as she is afraid of what she’d do to Olivia if she, or Charlotte, were to harm Phoebe.”

  “That’s just it. I live with the same fear. If either of those women hurt Phoebe or Mary, I don’t know if I could control myself.” Atwater looked at Tom with flashing eyes. His skin was as white as snow, and he trembled all over.

  “Your Grace. Robert. You must not let the thought of what could happen affect you in this way. You’ll be unable to protect Phoebe if your nerves are under such strain.”

  Atwater took a deep breath. “You’re right, Tom ... let us go to the drawing room and hear some music. I also have something I want to give you.”

  Tom chuckled. “Is it that three pounds you owe me from our whist extravaganza of one month ago?”

  “I’d forgotten all about that.” Atwater reached into his vest and pulled out three gold sovereigns. Here you go.” He tossed the coins onto the desk. “That’s not what I wanted to address, but now it’s out of the way, please come with me.”

  “Robert? You’re so serious. Is there something wrong?”

  “I might be overreacting, but I feel the presence of Charlotte and Olivia to be exceedingly wrong. You know my true father was an Irishman, Tom. The Irish sometimes ... well, they see things.”

  “I understand. My father’s mother was Irish. She had the sight. I presume you have it?”

  “Not exactly. But I feel things. And I feel something is very wrong. And I fear something bad is on the horizon.”

  “You mustn’t do that to yourself, Robert. You and Phoebe will be here, in the country, until November at least. Much can happen in five months. Charlotte and Olivia will tire of their game sooner or later.”

  “I hope that is true, and we both can bear witness to it. But enough of this unsavoury talk. Here we are.” He opened the heavy oak doors to the library. Susan was in the middle of a song, and the gentlemen stood near the doors until she’d finished.

  Mrs Crabtree came to the little side door as Phoebe and Mary clapped and oohed and aahed over Susan’s substantial talent. “That was lovely, Susan. Now, go ahead and take your bow, then I need you downstairs, love.”

  “Susan, I should like to enlist the services of a piano maestro to help you in furthering your technique. I will have you entertain at all my soirees. And you will be paid for your services. Is that agreeable to you?”

  The girl looked at Mrs Crabtree, who nodded pleasantly. “Yes, Your Grace. I should like that very much.” The girl curtsied and hurried from the room followed by the ample form of the housekeeper.

  Mary looked at Phoebe. “She really is quite talented. She’d learned every piece she performed tonight by ear.”

  “Exceptional.” Phoebe smiled wider when she saw her husband and Tom. “Your Grace.” She stood and went to his side and whispered. “Have you said anything?”

  “What’s this? Say something about what? What are you two conspiring?” Tom laughed as Mary joined him, then they all went to the sofa and chairs on the other side of the room.

  “My love ...you do the honours.” Atwater smiled indulgently at Phoebe.

  She nodded. “Lord Thomas. Lady Mary. This is a little beyond the fact, but His Grace and I were so busy planning our nuptials we lost track of the time.”

  Mary and Tom sat on the sofa with bewildered expressions.

  Phoebe extracted a rolled up sheet of parchment from another drawer in the huge mahogany desk. She curtsied and presented the scroll to the couple. “Mary. Tom. It is with much love and gratitude that Robert and I present you with this wedding gift.”

  “My word. Phoebe, what is it?” Mary was curious.

  “I daresay it’s something you will love, Lady Mary.” Atwater winked at his wife.

  “Open it, dear Mary. You too, Tom. Open it together. It’s for the two of you.”

  They unrolled the parchment. Tom immediately began briefing it. “Why it appears to be a lease of some sort.” He looked at Atwater.

  “What sort of lawyer are you, Tom?” Atwater laughed. “It’s a deed.”

  “A deed? You mean to a property?” Mary questioned Atwater.

  “Yes. The deed to a property, Lady Mary.” Atwater and Phoebe beamed.

  “Mary, it’s the deed to Pinebrook Manor.” Tom seemed overwhelmed.

  “What? You mean to say it’s ours?” Mary tore the parchment from her husband’s hand. “Pinebrook Manor?”

  “The estate now belongs to the Radcliffes. Both of you. And if anything were ever to happen, to one or the two of you, the estate would stay with your children ... all of them. Divided equally. If you have only one child, and it should be female, the house would go to her, not her husband or cousin. This ensures that the members of your immediate family will always have a place to call home.”

  Mary had tears in her eyes. “Oh. This is too grand. I am without words.” She ran to Phoebe and hugged her. She curtsied, and then hugged Atwater.

  Tom still sat on the sofa. “Phoebe, Robert. No one has ever been so kind to me. My wife has told me that she’s never had kinder treatment than when in your employ, Phoebe. I don’t know what to say. This gesture has rendered me speechless.”

  “Then say thank you, and let’s have a toast.” That was the prearranged signal Atwater had set up with Terence.

  The butler entered the drawing room with a bottle of French champagne, proceeded to pop the cork, and poured four glasses of the golden liquid. He then bowed and turned to leave.

  “Oh, no you don’t. You will join us Terence. Please.” Tom stopped the butler with a hand on his arm. “Please toast with us, Terence.”

  Phoebe and Atwater nodded. “Yes, stay Terence.”

  The butler shyly accepted a glass of the bubbly, and the five toasted to health, happiness, and long life.

  *******

  It was November. The London season would be starting soon. The Atwaters and Radcliffes planned on returning to the city in a week or two.

  In the meantime, Mrs Crabtree had suggested a ball at Hempstead to kick off the season. Phoebe and Mary got to work writing cards of invitation to those still residing in the country. Susan oversaw the staff in the cleaning and readying of the library, drawing and ball rooms when she wasn’t assisting Mrs Crabtree or practicing on the pianoforte.

  The house looked beautiful. Candles lit up every corner of every room on the main floor with soft, golden light. Mary and Phoebe both sported new frocks, Phoebe resplendent in pomona while Mary dazzled with her favourite ... white silk. Their husbands were finely dressed with tall hats and buckskin pantaloons.

  The musicians were hidden behind a screen of pl
ants, and the couples stepped out to the dance floor as the music began. Atwater watched his wife dance with a soldier. Tom twirled Mary about causing her to giggle.

  Everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time.

  Atwater inhaled deeply. He hadn’t felt so good and rested in quite a while. All was well, and as he looked all around the room at the smiling faces and whirling couples, he exhaled. There was nothing to be afraid of. It was going to be a grand season.

  Chapter 15

  “Phoebe?” Lady Mary stood in the foyer of the Regent Street townhouse. It was almost time to move to the country for the summer. Mary had a frock to give Phoebe. She’d had it made for her friend as a thank you for all the help Phoebe had given Mary in learning to be a lady.

  She had a key to the house, so instead of disturbing Terence, she let herself in. She removed her bonnet, setting it on the side table and proceeding up to Phoebe’s chamber. It was after six in the evening. Her friend was most likely having a little supper in her sitting room.

  “Phoebe.” Mary looked around. The house appeared empty. “Hmm. How odd.” She wondered for a moment what she should do. She caught a glimpse of movement on the lower level and turned towards it thinking it to be her friend. “Phoebe?”

  Laughter and voices came up to her ears, and Lady Mary made her way back down to the main floor. Phoebe and Atwater were coming in from the mews having gone for a ride in Hyde Park. “Phoebe? Your Grace?”

  “Mary! How nice to see you. What a pleasant surprise.” Phoebe hugged her dear friend. “You will stay to supper, won’t you? I’m terribly sorry no one was here to assist you when you came in.”

  “No one is here? Why I thought I saw someone.”

  “No. They’ve all gone into the countryside for a Mayday party.” Phoebe smiled. “Isn’t it lovely? Our staff is like a little family. In fact, I feel almost as a proud mama when I think of them at the party playing games and having fun. Dancing and laughing.”

  “So we’re alone in the house?”

  “I believe that’s what I just said. Are you unwell, Mary? You look strange.”

  “Ladies, I must see to our lovely mare since Jimmy is at the Mayday party. I will be in the mews playing groom.” Atwater chuckled to himself.

  “Yes dear heart. Come Mary. Come downstairs to the family sitting room. I’ll make tea. It will brighten your mood.”

  “Oh, I’m fine, Phoebe. I just thought I saw ... oh, it was nothing. A shadow perhaps.”

  “Shushie. Mrs Crabtree left cold supper and also some dishes that are warm in the oven. I will serve.”

  Mary, lightening at the thought of Phoebe serving supper, laughed and went to the kitchen. “No, My Lady. I will serve.”

  The two burst into laughter.

  “But let us eat here at the kitchen work table rather than carry everything into the sitting room,” Mary suggested.

  “Lady Radcliffe, how wise you are.”

  “Thank you, Your Grace.”

  Again the two young women fell into paroxysms of laughter.

  “What are you two giggling about? And, Lady Mary, look what I’ve found.”

  Tom came into the kitchen and kissed his wife. He brought Phoebe’s hand to his lips then took a seat at the table. “It’s a perfect night for a game of …”

  “Whist!” Lady Phoebe cried out. It was a source of never-ending delight to Phoebe that Tom Radcliffe took as much delight from card games as she did.

  “We trade for teams,” Mary supplied. “Your Grace ... you are my partner, and Phoebe, you and Tom are partners.”

  “I hope you’re not an ungracious loser, Lady Radcliffe.” Tom grinned.

  “No more ungracious than you can be, My Lord.” Mary and Tom enjoyed teasing each other.

  “Very well then. Let us get started. Oh, but first. Your Grace …”

  “Yes, my darling. I will get some wine from the cellar.”

  Phoebe smiled at her husband.

  *******

  Two hours later, the whist game was still going strong. The couples had taken to light gambling, and they laughed and laughed some more.

  “I for one cannot believe it’s been a year since our marriages took place. I can say with all honesty that I’m ecstatically happy. I don’t believe I’ve ever been happier.” Mary wiped a quick tear from her eye and took a sip of wine.

  “It’s been glorious.” Atwater smiled again at Phoebe. “I still remember the first time I laid eyes on you, darling.”

  “Oh yes, on the road out of town. I remember. But never did I think I’d meet you, much less marry you. I did dream about you, though.”

  Atwater caught her hand and squeezed it then looked at his guests. “It has been a wonderful, wonderful year. And I daresay we need to make a toast.”

  Tom was laughing, “You and your toasts!”

  “I can’t help it, Tom. Mary, you must be informed that Phoebe knows this about me. I love to make toasts.”

  “I didn’t say I didn’t know this about you, Robert!” Tom laughed harder.

  “There’s so much to be thankful for. We are all so blessed. But, I truly feel like the luckiest man alive,” Atwater declared.

  “Oh darling.” Phoebe blew a kiss to Atwater. Mary and Tom gazed deep

  into each other’s eyes.

  Atwater raised his glass, “To Lady Aphrodite and the blessings she has bestowed upon us. Here, here.” They clinked their glasses and drank the expensive champagne that Atwater was so fond of.

  “Oh la! I’m famished. What did Mrs Crabtree leave for us?” Mary asked.

  “Hmm, let me see ... ooh, there’s seed cake,” Phoebe announced. “Cold roast chicken, rolls, cheese, jam tarts, madeira which is perfect after champagne.” She winked at Atwater. “And there’s warm custard pudding, and tea.”

  “Wonderful, wonderful.” Atwater nodded his head happily. “Let us all eat. And on the morrow we will make our way to Hempstead.”

  “And we will head to Pinebrook.” Tom and Mary laughed.

  The four clinked their glasses together and drank deeply. Life was good, and all was well.

  *******

  Three days later, after an impromptu ball held by a neighbour, Phoebe slept in while Atwater shaved and dressed. He was in the library by eight a.m. having coffee and reading one of the newspapers, catching himself up on some of the latest happenings in London.

  The library door opened, and Terence came in with a small glass of brandy for Atwater. “Your Grace.” Terence set a small silver tray on the desk. “A young man brought this round today, Your Grace.”

  “Hmm? What‘s that Terence?” Atwater set the paper down and looked at the butler.

  “A letter, Your Grace.”

  “Oh, must be an invitation to something or other. Thank you, Terence. I’ll read it later.” Atwater took the letter from the tray, looked at the wax seal and finding no crest, set the packet back down on the tray. He went about finishing up with his paper.

  An hour later, the Duke emerged from his chamber in his riding clothes.

  *******

  Phoebe’s new lady’s maid, Abigail, entered Phoebe’s bedchamber. Her mistress was just awakening.