Verity

by Liese Anning

  'You will do no such thing,' came the reply. 'Major Ellington took advantage of your sister when she had no-one to protect her. I am afraid that this happens all too often.' He paused and then added, 'I will, however, make enquiries into your sister's whereabouts. If she is still here in Brussels, I will find her. Do not worry; I will try and bring her back to you.'

  There was a long silence that was eventually broken by Lord Harrington. 'Of course, now I am beginning to understand your friendship with Colonel Mitford. And why you were invited to attend tea at Lady Wrexham's on the afternoon you first met Lavinia.' He looked over to Verity and said, 'he wanted you to meet his family, did he not?'

  'Yes,' Verity replied. 'I met him again after I had discovered my brother was here in Brussels and not at school. He has been very kind to me, and he took Reggie under his wing.'

  'I also now understand why Lady Wrexham was so rude to you on that first afternoon. No doubt, she has other plans for his future.' Lord Harrington paused and turned around, so that he was facing her, and then said, 'Verity, I do not want to be impertinent, but do you love him?'

  Verity sighed and then nodded, 'yes, I think I do,' she said almost in a whisper.

  'When the war is over, maybe...' Lord Harrington said, 'you can tell him.'

  Verity just looked at her hands, that were in her lap, and then said, 'I think it is too late for that.'

  Lord Harrington, noting the despair in her voice and thinking that it was made because she was tired, smiled and then stood up, 'go back to your room and rest. I will talk to you again about your sister tomorrow after you have rested. Good night, Miss Stanford, or should I say good morning.'

  Verity left the drawing room and retired to her bedchamber. She lay down on the bed and tried to get a little sleep. Once she eventually drifted off, her sleep was fitful and interrupted by disturbing dreams about her brother. When she awoke, later that morning, she did not feel as though she had had much rest.

  The next morning felt a little surreal. Brussels, the usually busy and bustling city, was now quiet. The streets that the day before had been full of people were now virtually empty. The distant rumble of artillery could be heard, and it only added to the strange atmosphere.

  'I will arrange for you to go to Antwerp if you are feeling nervous about the war, my dear,' Lord Harrington said to his wife at breakfast the next morning.

  'Harry, my love, I will not let a nobody, like that little Corsican, dictate to me.' Lady Harrington replied with some force as she buttered a slice of toast. 'I will not run away like a frightened rabbit who has just seen a fox. Why should we not stay here?' She then turned to Verity and said, 'what do you think, my dear? Should we leave for safety, or stay here?'

  Verity looked up from her coffee cup, 'Lady Harrington, I want to stay. I need to be near Reggie.'

  Lord Harrington smiled, 'good,' he replied, 'I am glad both of you want to stay here. I have some business to attend to and will be out most of the day. But, I will be back in time for dinner.'

  'Well, Harry,' Lady Harrington said, 'if you are going out, I will visit Evangelina. There is no point me staying in all day waiting around for news. Would you like to come, my dear?' she said looking once more at Verity.

  'I feel drained after last night, my lady,' Verity replied, 'and I have some correspondence to catch up with.'

  'Yes, my dear,' Lady Harrington said with concern, 'you do look a little pale. Stay and get some rest.'

  After breakfast, both Lord and Lady Harrington eventually left, leaving Verity alone. Before he left, Lord Harrington had spoken to her at some length, regarding the location of her sister, and promised to find out as much as he could.

  She tried to get some rest lying on her bed, but she could not relax. Instead, she came down to the drawing-room and decided to read a book. Occasionally, she got up from her seat and looked out of the window at the quiet street below. She ordered tea, but she did not touch any of the freshly made biscuits that accompanied the beverage. Her stomach felt like it had been tied in knots and she could not eat. Every time she heard the distant thud of a cannon, she thought of her brother and imagined the danger he could be facing.

  Just after four o'clock, the butler came into the room and coughed to gain her attention. Once he was satisfied that she was aware of his presence, he announced that there was a guest downstairs. Verity looked up in surprise when he announced Lady Caroline's name. 'Please tell Lady Caroline, that Lady Harrington is not at home,' Verity said, trying to sound calm, 'and that she should call tomorrow.'

  'She specifically asked for you, miss, not her ladyship,' the butler replied.

  'Me?' Verity said in surprise, mainly to herself, not expecting an answer. 'You had better show her up.'

  'Very good, miss,' he said as he closed the door quietly and left.

  A few minutes later, the door opened again, and Lady Caroline entered the room. Verity stood up and greeted her, 'good afternoon, Lady Caroline,' she said politely, 'please, come and sit down,’ motioning to the empty chair opposite hers.

  'I hope you are well,' Verity said, breaking the awkward silence that ensued. 'I did not see you at the Richmond's ball last night,'

  'I am quite well,' Lady Caroline replied curtly, 'unfortunately my father was a little under the weather.'

  'I hope he is feeling better today,' Verity answered.

  'He is now quite well,' she replied.

  There was another silence, even longer than the first. 'Miss Stanford,' Lady Caroline said in a commanding voice, 'this is not a social call to enquire after your health. There is another more important matter I wish to discuss with you.'

  Verity took the time to examine Lady Caroline's face. She could see dark smudges under her eyes that looked a little red and swollen. Her cheeks were pale and sallow. Lady Caroline did not look at all well. 'Please continue,' Verity said.

  Lady Caroline sat with perfect poise, on the edge of her seat, her back straight and her head held high. 'I came to clear up a misunderstanding that has developed between us,' she eventually said.

  'I was not aware that there was anything untoward between us, that might have given rise to any misunderstanding,' Verity replied.

  'I think there is,' Lady Caroline responded sharply. 'I have observed, over the last weeks, that you have become close to Colonel Mitford. I was also informed that last night, at the Richmond's ball, you were seen alone with him.'

  'My friendship, with Colonel Mitford, is none of your concern,' Verity replied, trying to suppress the anger she was feeling inside, and not let it show in her voice.

  'I think that you will find it is very much my concern,' Lady Caroline replied icily. She then reached into her reticule and pulled out a page from a newspaper. 'This,' she said forcefully, 'is The Times from three days ago, and will prove why I have an interest in your friendship with Colonel Mitford.'

  Verity took the paper and glanced at the page, 'Lady Caroline,' she then said, 'I think that you are about as interested in old news from London, as I am.'

  'Read the first announcement that begins; the Duke of Hittlesleigh.' She then pointed towards an announcement halfway down the second column.

  The Duke of Hittesleigh is pleased to announce the betrothal of his only daughter, Lady Caroline Charlotte Maria Atkins to Colonel James Gregory Mitford, younger brother of the 4th Earl of Wrexham.

  Verity stared at the few lines and re-read them again.

  'Now do you see, Miss Stanford, why it is my business,' Lady Caroline said, her head still held high, 'I am to marry James as soon as this nonsense with the French is over.' There was a brief pause, where Lady Caroline sat upright and pulled her shoulders back, 'you, of course, maybe the first to congratulate me.' Lady Caroline sat motionless, with her hands in her lap. 'We were to announce our betrothal last night, but dear papa was too ill to attend the ball.'

  'Do not be too disappointed,' Lady Caroline then said smugly, 'you would have never been able to marry him anyway. His family are high stic
klers, and they would never have agreed to a match between a Mitford and a lowly schoolteacher.'

  Lady Caroline, satisfied that she had said enough to warn her rival away, stood up to take her leave. 'Do not bother getting up,' she said authoritatively, 'I can see myself out. Good afternoon, Miss Stanford.'

  Verity did not know how she managed to stand, her legs felt like jelly, but she did get up out of her chair. She did not want Lady Caroline to be aware of how shocked she was by her news. 'Good afternoon, Lady Caroline,' she finally managed to say.

  Once Lady Caroline had left, Verity fell back in the chair and buried her head in her hands. She now began to understand the conversation she had had with Colonel Mitford the previous evening. When he had spoken to her about their possible marriage, he had said that time had run out for them. Now she knew he could not ask her for her hand because he had already promised to marry Lady Caroline. His family had probably arranged the whole affair and given him very little choice. Of course, Verity thought to herself; Lady Caroline would make James a perfect society wife. She would bring a large dowry to the marriage, and her family connections would open political doors for him.

  Verity was pondering this thought when she heard carts trundling down the cobbled street. She walked over to the window and looked with horror at the scene below. The street, that only twenty-four hours ago, had been full of people going about their everyday business, now looked very different.

  The street below was full of carts pulled by large and tired looking horses. The carts were full of injured soldiers, fresh from the battle. At first, Verity thought that the soldiers were dead, due to the severity of their injuries, but she could see then moving, and then she heard their cries of anguish. It was difficult at first to identify them as men at all; they had been so mangled by their injuries. She soon forgot her troubles, as well as Lady Caroline's cruel words; they now seemed unimportant in the face of this carnage. Once more, she thought of her brother. What if he was one of these injured men?

  Verity ran up to her room and grabbed a shawl and her reticule that contained the little money she possessed. She then ran out of the house, without telling a soul, to see if there was any way she could be useful.

  Chapter 25

  'Verity, thank goodness, I was so worried about you,' Lady Harrington said as she walked over to her. 'Where have you been?' She said as she stood in front of her, holding both her hands in hers. 'Oh Verity,' she said, with a sigh, her eyes moist with tears, 'please do not leave without telling anyone where you are going.'

  'I told you not to distress yourself,' Lord Harrington said to his wife reassuringly, 'Verity is far too sensible to get herself into trouble.'

  'Where have you been?' Lady Harrington said, giving Verity a hug. Lady Harrington then let Verity go and added, 'have you had anything to eat, my dear? You must be faint with hunger.'

  Verity shook her head, 'no, my lady, I have not eaten since breakfast.'

  'Then, I will go to the kitchen and ask the cook to prepare you a little cold supper.'

  'What an excellent idea,' Lord Harrington said to his wife, 'you should organise the servants to bring a tray, and then set a place for Verity to eat here in the drawing-room. It is far too late to open up the dining room.'

  Lady Harrington hurried away, leaving Verity alone with Lord Harrington. 'Please sit down, Miss Stanford,' he said politely.

  'I am sorry if I have distressed Lady Harrington, but I could not stay in the house. I saw those poor unfortunate souls, injured, and I had to go and help.' Verity looked down at her hands that were stained with blood and said, 'it was awful. I have never seen such suffering.'

  'Yes, it is,' Lord Harrington replied, 'by all accounts, it is far worse than anything that happened in Spain.'

  'Is it true about Lord Hay?' Verity said, 'I heard he fell this afternoon.'

  'Yes, he was killed today. His death has come as a shock to us all.' Lord Harrington said solemnly.

  'I suppose he was like that young man I spoke to at the ball. He thought he was invincible.' Verity whispered.

  'Lord Hay was always far too gung-ho,' Lord Harrington replied, with a sigh, 'apparently, he was wearing his best, most ostentatious uniform. No doubt, he made an easy shot for some fortunate French soldier.'

  They sat quietly for a few minutes. 'I owe you an explanation, for my disappearance,' Verity then said. 'Late in the afternoon, I heard the injured arriving in the city. I kept on thinking that one of those wounded men could have been my brother. I had to go and see for myself. There was chaos everywhere, and these poor unfortunate souls were left to die on the street. I had to help. I could not go back to the house and leave them alone.' Verity took a deep breath. She would have cried, but she had run out of tears. 'I began to help the locals who were helping the injured. We gave them water and tried to patch up their injuries. We were also joined by a local doctor who came into the street and administered rudimentary surgery. They opened a public building and let him set up a make-shift hospital. He needed assistance in his operating theatre, that was no more than a dining table, and I assisted him.' Verity looked down again at her blood-stained hands and then said, 'he has just sent me home and told me to get some rest. But, I will return tomorrow.'

  'You must do what you think is best,' Lord Harrington replied, 'and help any way you can.'

  'Thank you,' Verity said, 'for being so understanding.'

  'Today, I tried to find your sister,' he said after another lengthy silence. 'I went to Ellington's club, the last place you saw her, but the building was pretty much deserted. It appears that they all left on the night of the 15th, probably for Antwerp.' He sighed as he saw the look of disappointment on Verity's face. 'I did, however, find a local woman who had worked there as a maid. She remembered your sister vividly. Unfortunately, she could not tell me anything about her whereabouts as she had not seen her for several weeks. It appears she disappeared, just after you last saw her.' Again, he stopped, probably aware of the look of sadness on her face, 'but,' he continued, 'she thinks that your sister ran away. She told me that Major Ellington increased security. No-one could leave or enter the place without permission, and he only did this when someone escaped.'

  'How did she know it was my sister?' Verity asked.

  'The description she gave me, matched your sister's perfectly,' he replied.

  'Do you think she escaped?' she asked him.

  'Yes,' he said, 'I believe she did.'

  Verity closed her eyes and felt a little relief. He was grateful that her sister was not still with Major Ellington. 'Thank you,' she said, 'I am very grateful for everything you have done.'

  'Please do not thank me,' Lord Harrington said, 'your sister should never have been put into this situation.' He looked at the floor and said, almost to himself, 'this happens all too often, and men like Ellington need to be stopped. I have also heard news about your brother.'

  Verity sat up, 'is he...' she trailed off.

  'No, no, my dear,' Lord Harrington said quickly, 'he is quite well. He was involved in the fighting at Quatre-Bras, but he finished the day unscathed.'

  Verity shut her eyes, 'thank you. It is a relief to know he is still alive.'

  He then looked at Verity and smiled, 'You had better go and clean yourself up before Lavinia comes back, and asks us what we have been talking about.'

  Verity got up, and, before she left the room, she once more turned around to look at him, 'but I will thank you. You have been very kind to someone who does not deserve your help.'

  The next morning, just before dawn, Verity got up out of bed. She had not slept well. Her sleep had been fitful and full of disturbing and vivid dreams. In her dreams, both her brother and sister were dead. They had seemed so real, and when she had awoken, her eyes wet with tears, it had taken her some time to realise that they had only been dreams.

  She got out of her comfortable bed and put on one of her old dresses she had worn at the school. The dress she had worn yesterday, one of the ne
w ones Lady Harrington had given her, was now ruined. Splatters of blood-obscured the delicate floral pattern that had once been a feature of the material. Verity felt guilty about ruining the lovely dress that would have cost far more than the rest of her old wardrobe put together. The dress she now wore was made from a plain dark blue muslin material. It had no unnecessary decoration, and the dark blue material would not show the blood that would inevitably be splashed over her. It suited her sombre mood.

  It was still early in the morning when she crept out of the Harrington's residence. This morning, as she left, Verity had written a brief note that alerted them to her whereabouts. She did not want a repeat of yesterday when Lady Harrington had spent most of her evening worrying about her. Last night, once more, her ladyship had tried to persuade her not to go back to the make-shift hospital. She had told Verity, 'It is far too dangerous for a lady on her own to be wandering around Brussels. What would happen if, heaven forbid, the French overran the city? A young woman, on her own without protection, would be vulnerable.'

  'I cannot stay here,' Verity had told her, 'with my brother risking his life in battle when I can help.'

  'Harry, tell her how dangerous it is?' Lady Harrington had said, imploring her husband to intervene.

  'You must let Verity do what she feels is right,' he had said to his wife, 'if she wants to help, you must let her. She must live with the decisions she makes, for the rest of her life. If she does not help, and something happens to her brother, she may regret her decision and hold us partially responsible.'