Pride of the Courtneys

by Margaret Dickinson

  I searched my room as best I could, and promised myself a more thorough search by daylight: candlelight was inadequate. But for some reason I felt sure it had been taken, for it had been safely on the small table this morning, I knew, because I looked at it every morning without fail on waking.

  Why should anyone in this house wish to take my mother’s picture? I was not aware that anyone knew her well enough to want a picture of her. Was it another method of wronging me in some way? Did the thief hope I would make a fuss about its disappearance and cause more disturbance? If that was the case, then I would disappoint them. For, though I was most upset at its loss, I would say nothing to anyone about it.

  That night I slept fitfully, and when I did it was to dream of Bassett’s angry face close to mine and feel his strong hands gripping my shoulders and shaking me and shouting something about ‘ you should know about arranged marriages, if anyone does.’

  I awoke the next day, miserably aware that there was another day to face, and another, and another, filled with despair.

  The days passed. Lady Courtney pushed ahead with the arrangements for Georgiana’s wedding. And now another arrangement seemed to be taking shape. The marriage between Bassett and Millicent. Several times, when only the ladies were present. Lady Courtney suggested a double wedding in September. She and Millicent discussed at length how they could bring about a proposal from Bassett.

  ‘He is a stubborn boy,’ she said with pride and indulgence. ‘But don’t worry, Millicent, we shall bring it about, never fear. Why, I must suggest it myself if the poor boy is too shy to do it for himself. For I am sure that is what is holding him back. I know he holds you in the highest affection, my dear. He just seems to want to hold on to his bachelor state longer.’

  And here Millicent would simper and giggle sickeningly.

  I would think, on these occasions, how well suited Cedric and Millicent would be, two of a kind.

  Georgiana continued to grow thinner and paler each day. Eventually, I became so worried that I thought I would have to speak to Lady Courtney about her. I would not approach Bassett again, for since the day of our quarrel he had hardly spoken to me, and then only with a deep frown and a withdrawn expression in his eyes.

  But we were all due for a shock, such a great one that I think it took months for anyone to recover properly, except the person who caused it—Bassett.

  We were all seated in the drawing-room as so often when these things seemed to occur. Everyone was there, even Sir Hugh, Lord Rothbone and Cedric too, being guests at Courtney Hall now until the wedding. And also Dr Corby and Evelyn were once again guests for the evening.

  Lady Courtney, as always launched herself on the subject of weddings and steered the conversation round to the point of suggesting an alliance between Bassett and Millicent.

  ‘Georgiana is an extremely lucky girl, Lord Rothbone, to have found such a handsome intelligent young husband as your son. You must forgive the child if she seems a little distressed. I think she regrets that her carefree youth is over, and that she must become a woman.’

  ‘The girl is pretty enough if she would take that sullen expression from her face,’ remarked Lord Rothbone.

  How I kept my temper I do not know, but perhaps it was Georgiana’s restraining hand on mine, as if she knew I would leap to her defence and into trouble myself. So I held my tongue, but I was seething with anger that Lord Rothbone could belittle her so.

  But for once Charles could not remain silent.

  ‘Forgive me, Lord Rothbone, if I appear impertinent,’ and I saw the telltale flush on his handsome face. ‘But I think you insult Miss Courtney. She is a beautiful young lady, and I think it is Mr Rothbone who should count himself most fortunate in marrying her.’

  I could see it had cost Charles a great deal to say this in front of such a gathering and at the risk of offending his friends and benefactors, the Courtneys, by answering back their guest. But my heart rejoiced that he had at last dared to speak out and in doing so had shown that he cared to some extent at least for Georgiana’s feelings. For the first time since the wretched marriage arrangements had started, I saw that Georgiana blushed and looked happy because her dear, beloved Charles had spoken in her defence.

  Lord Rothbone looked quizzically at Charles and then, surprisingly, he smiled.

  ‘Why, my dear Dr Corby, I mean no offence to the child. But you must admit she seems a little sad. I think there is beauty beneath that mournful face, and I am sorry that my son seems to be the cause of it. However, perhaps things will change.’

  ‘I am most ashamed of her,’ put in her mother. ‘She is a most ungrateful girl. I am afraid that Miss Lloyd has an undesirable influence on my daughter. Her whole attitude towards the family is one of ingratitude after we have given her a home. To say nothing of stealing from us.’

  ‘Mother,’ Bassett’s voice boomed out. ‘I said that was not to be referred to again and I meant it. As far as I am concerned, the matter is closed.’

  ‘I am sorry, Bassett, but I think you are letting the girl get away with it. No matter, we will say no more, for I want to talk of more congenial matters. Now, what do you say to a double wedding in September, Bassett?’

  ‘Double wedding?’ Bassett’s worried frown appeared. ‘ Between whom, may I ask?’

  Lady Courtney laughed.

  ‘Since you are too shy to do your own courting, Bassett my son, it seems I must do it for you.’

  A thin voice spoke from the far end of the room.

  ‘Emily, my dear, do you think you should interfere?’

  ‘Certainly, Hugh, and why not indeed?’ And she turned back to Bassett.

  ‘Between Cedric and Georgiana, of course, and you—and Millicent.’

  All eyes were on Bassett, expectantly. I saw him stiffen in surprise and the words he spoke were of shock.

  ‘Millicent!’

  The way in which he said it, full of incredulity, made me feel a flash of pity for Millicent, the girl who wore her heart so plainly for all to see, and how she must feel at his obvious rejection.

  ‘Who says I am marrying Millicent? I haven’t.’

  ‘Why ever not? What better match could you make?’

  Lady Courtney looked anxious, no doubt realising that she was up against sterner opposition than with Georgiana. Bassett would not be an easy prey.

  ‘I am not interested in making a “ match” as you call it. I shall marry whom I please and when I please.’

  ‘Now, Bassett, we must talk this thing out sensibly.’

  ‘Mother, there is nothing to talk out.’

  Bassett crossed the room to stand in front of his mother, no doubt feeling embarrassed that this discussion should take place before so many outsiders.

  ‘Bassett, what possible reason can you have for not marrying Millicent? Don’t say you have no affection for your cousin, for I know you have.’

  ‘I do not wish to marry Millicent, and there’s an end to it.’

  He turned towards her, probably sorry for Millicent as I am sure was everyone in the room.

  ‘Forgive me, Millicent, if I hurt your feelings, but mother brought this about, not me. You would never be happy with me, nor I with you. It would be foolishness.’

  Millicent however, was not to acquiesce.

  ‘I could be happy with you, Bassett, very happy.’

  Then my pity was no longer needed, for the girl was without pride. She would scheme and plead until she had secured what she wanted. If he was not careful, Bassett would find himself trapped for no better reason than that he did not wish to hurt her feelings.

  ‘Very well mother,’ Bassett was saying, ‘since you seem so desirous of having both your children enter matrimony on the same day, I will give in. I will marry but I am not marrying Millicent. I shall marry Louella.’

  There was a moment’s silence as the room vibrated with his words. Then came the violent reactions.

  I jumped to my feet and screamed.

  ‘No. Neve
r. I will never marry you, Bassett Courtney.’

  Lady Courtney fell into a swoon and Lord Rothbone and Charles rushed to her aid. Sir Hugh pottered over from his corner and clasped Bassett’s hand.

  ‘My dear boy, my dear boy, a Courtney and a Lloyd. Fancy, after all these years, a Courtney and a Lloyd.’

  The words brought back a vague disturbing memory that I had heard those words before, but I could not place it.

  Millicent burst into tears, whilst Georgiana, her own misery forgotten for the moment, hugged me joyfully.

  ‘Louella, you’ll really by my sister then. How wonderful.’

  ‘I won’t. I won’t,’ I shouted, like a cross child. ‘I won’t marry that—that—brute. How can you be pleased Georgiana, when he won’t listen to your troubles? How can you wish him on me? I thought you cared about me.’

  My temper, my fear of the Courtneys, burst in fury. I felt trapped and, like a cornered animal, I fought.

  ‘I do care for you, and Bassett. That is why I am so pleased.’

  Lady Courtney was recovering and was not going to let such an announcement, even from her masterful son, pass without reprimand.

  ‘Bassett, have you taken leave of your senses completely? Marry her. How can you? Think what it will mean to me, your own mother, to have that girl as a daughter-in-law? It’s bad enough that she should live here, but to think that she will be the future Lady Courtney is beyond comprehension. After what her mother did, you would do this, to me?’

  ‘I am sorry, mother, that you feel it so. I have made up my mind. Louella shall become my wife whether she likes it, whether you like it, or anyone else likes it, or not.’

  And he left the room.

  The remarks about my mother did not go unnoticed by me, but I was in no mood to argue that point then. Millicent’s tears and anger were directed at me, joined, of course, by Lady Courtney.

  ‘How can you, you vixen? You have schemed this.’

  I ignored her and spoke to Lady Courtney.

  ‘Lady Courtney,’ I was, for once, not afraid of her. ‘I don’t want to marry Bassett any more than you want me to, so I suggest you do everything in your power to stop it. For once, we shall be in agreement.’

  ‘Don’t be impertinent, girl. And if you think anyone in this house can dissuade Bassett from this ridiculous idea, then you don’t know my son. I am more sorry than I can express, Louella, but when Bassett says something like that, he means it, mark my words. If he means to marry you, however much it may hurt us all, then he will do so.’

  I sighed and moved away. I was afraid her words were true. Lady Courtney was a forceful personality. She ruled her husband and daughter, but beside Bassett, her might was insignificant.

  The days wore themselves into weeks, and no one could change Bassett’s mind. After pleading with him once to release me from his intention of marrying me to be met with a sardonic smile which quickly changed to anger. I left him severely alone and avoided his company. His only answer to my impassioned plea was to place a diamond ring on my finger.

  I was not unaware of the great honour he was bestowing upon me, for I knew that once he married me, for a man like Bassett Courtney, it would be until death.

  But why he wanted to tie himself to a woman he did not love, and who almost hated him, I could not imagine. I realised that he had reached thirty without having any serious romantic attachments. But still that did not rule out the possibility that one day he may meet a woman and fall in love with her, a woman who would reciprocate and be far more acceptable to his family.

  Sir Hugh and Georgiana were delighted. And this, to some extent, lessened my misery, for in Georgiana’s distress at her own forthcoming marriage, if she found happiness in that I was to be her sister, then naturally I took comfort in that, for I found my affection for her growing every day.

  I was rapidly becoming fonder of Sir Hugh, also. Occasionally now, since the announcement that I was to be part of the family, he would take me into his study and talk to me about his books. When we were dining or sitting in the drawing-room, I would often find him looking at me long and hard and smiling softly to himself as if dreaming pleasant dreams.

  At these times, I had only to turn to see Lady Courtney’s furious glances from her husband and back to me, to wonder again what lay behind my ancestry and the Courtneys. Never once, though, did Sir Hugh indulge in reminiscences whilst we were in his study. It seemed that the occasional references he had made to my mother were purely accidental, and he would still absent-mindedly call me Victoria, which did not improve matters.

  But no one would enlighten me, and so I continued to wonder.

  Because I was so appalled at the thought of marrying Bassett, my mind turned to whys, wherefores, and how I could escape. I thought of running away, but where should I run? Uncle James was now happily established in Canada, so his one letter to me had reported. I certainly had insufficient money to buy my passage out to Canada to find him. And besides, he obviously did not want me, or else I should never have come to Courtney Hall.

  I had the ability and education to become a governess, but how was one supposed to start? One still had to live and eat and sleep whilst finding employment. I realised that if I were to apply for a post, any post, the Courtneys, if they wished, could follow me and ruin me wherever I went, because they believed me to be a thief.

  I like to think that it was not because I was cowardly that I did not take matters into my own hands and fly from a disastrous marriage. I believe I dealt rationally with the problem in the only way I could.

  All around me, girls were forced into arranged marriages with men they did not love, and they led reasonably happy lives. Bassett Courtney, in marrying me, was giving me a home, wealth and position. I should be foolish, I told myself, to run away and probably starve through my own rashness. Besides, they had me in their power over the incident of the dagger. Were I to arouse their enmity further, I should possibly find myself hounded throughout the country as a thief and punishment for such a crime I dare not contemplate.

  I remembered Bassett’s words over the young boy who had pilfered eggs.

  The atmosphere of tenseness did not lessen during the weeks which preceded my marriage. Bassett seemed more morose than ever towards me. Now he turned his attention to Evelyn Corby, and some of her surliness disappeared under the charm which Bassett could exert when he felt so inclined. Millicent still remained at Courtney Hall, still hopeful, no doubt, that Bassett would change his mind. Indeed, the only reason I could think of for his intention of marrying me, was because he wished to escape from Millicent’s clutches.

  This made me more unhappy for I felt that I was merely being used to get him out of a situation he did not want. I felt that he did not want to marry me at all, but he felt less inclined to be ordered about by his mother so contrarywise, he would marry someone, anyone, of whom his mother disapproved.

  And the nearest person was me.

  Feelings between my future husband and myself were not improved when he called me to his study one day and told me that he had ordered a dressmaker from London to attend upon me.

  ‘I wish my wife to be dressed as befitting her station. Choose whatever you like, Louella, expense is immaterial. I wish to see you grandly and tastefully dressed. I have no fear but that your taste will be excellent.’

  My head rose in proud defiance.

  ‘You have no need to spend money unnecessarily.’

  Anger flashed in his eyes. Why is it, I thought, that whenever we meet, sparks fly?

  ‘I order you to have a trousseau of new clothes,’ he said between his teeth. ‘ Do you hear me?’

  ‘Yes, Bassett,’ I replied meekly and lowered my head.

  I was a fool to rouse his anger so, but it seemed that we awoke in each other some violent emotion and harsh words flowed.

  During these days, I found myself more in the company of Charles Corby. I was beginning to notice a subtle change in him. He had always been an interesting companio
n. But now, often as not, his thoughts turned inwardly and he would sit in silence and melancholy from which I could not rouse him.

  I don’t know when I first began to hope that these thoughts may be of Georgiana, but as the September weddings approached, his depression deepened and I was convinced that he loved her.

  Well, I told myself, as I brushed my long, red hair one hundred times before retiring, If I could do nothing to alleviate my own misery, surely I could help one person in the world I loved, Georgiana, to say nothing of a dear friend, Charles.

  As I fell asleep, I determined to tackle Charles the very next day.

  But next day, I found I had left matters too long.

  On walking to the village to the Corbys’ house, I was met by Evelyn.

  ‘Good day, Miss Lloyd,’ she greeted me sullenly.

  ‘Good day, Miss Corby. Is Dr Corby at home?’

  ‘No.’ At once her eyes gave away the fact that she was jealous of my friendship with Charles. She feared, even yet, that he may marry me, and a wife would oust the sister-cum-housekeeper.

  ‘When will he be in?’

  ‘Charles has been called to London on an urgent conference. Some new discovery has been made, I believe, in the field of medicine, something in which he is directly concerned. I have no idea when he will be back.’ She smiled, but the smile did not reach her eyes.

  ‘Possibly not for a month or two.’

  ‘A month!’ I gasped. ‘But that will be too late.’

  Miss Corby bent forward.

  ‘What will be “ too late”, Miss Lloyd?’

  ‘Oh—nothing—nothing. I was thinking aloud.’

  Again she smiled in that humourless way.

  ‘I doubt if he will be back before your wedding, if that is what you’re thinking.’

  ‘No—I—of course not.’

  I realised my thoughtless slip may complicate matters, but at least Evelyn did not suspect that it was on Georgiana’s behalf and not my own that I sought Charles.

  I turned away from the Corby house, then I thought.

  ‘But what of his practice?’

  Miss Corby seemed lost for a moment.