by Joyce Alec
Excusing herself, she went to her bedroom. It was her sanctuary. As soon as she closed the door, she began to cry. How could she possibly be happy for others when her love was taken from her? She remembered that day when Henry, her fiancé, had arrived. There was a gathering at the house for a hunt and she rode out on Bathsheba with Henry by her side. All she thought that day was how in another few weeks, they would be married. Life was perfect that morning.
As they dashed across the fields, Ginny was laughing as she was ahead of Henry. She jumped over a difficult hedgerow that was decidedly deceptive in its width. She turned around to smile at her beloved only to see him flung from his horse who hadn't taken kindly to the jump. She jumped off Bathsheba and ran towards Henry, but she knew by the way his neck was twisted and his eyes wide open that he was severely injured. It all happened in slow motion. Others gathered around him, and Ginny made her way through. She remembered calling his name as though willing him to jump up and come back to her. But he was dead.
Ginny hadn't ridden since, nor even visited the stables. As a child, she would always disappear to them, telling the horses her secrets and fears. It used to be her haven, but now it was too painful a place to visit.
Bathsheba had been the first one to know of her love for Henry, whom she had met at Almack's the previous year. It was her debut to society, and she had enjoyed every moment of the balls, the gowns, and visiting Paris beforehand. Bathsheba had been the first one to know when Henry told her he wanted to marry her, and she had described to her horse their new home.
“It will be wonderful,” she remembered saying. “So much happiness after so much sadness.”
Her father had died two years previously, and her mother was anxious for her to marry as soon as she came of age so she would not be a burden on her brother.
Now Charles was returning home with his wife, and Ginny would be expected to perform.
She was awakened from her thoughts by a knock on her door, and Ginny dried her eyes and said, "Come in."
It was her lady's maid, Dawson, whom she had acquired during her shopping trip to Paris.
"Excuse me, m’lady," she said. "But Her Ladyship has asked me to prepare you for His Lordship's return." Dawson curtsied to her.
"Dawson, could you come back later?" Ginny replied. "I need to rest."
"Do you have another headache, m’lady?" Dawson came over to place her hand on Ginny's forehead. "You don't feel clammy, but I will help you to bed and come back in a little while. Do you wish anything else?"
"No, thank you, Dawson."
Ginny pulled the covers over her head as Dawson closed the curtains. With Dawson gone, Ginny's crying returned. She cried for Henry but also for the loss of the life she was going to have. Ginny was lucky that she had loved him. She hadn't wanted to marry just for life security. She was a romantic at heart. She knew her mother wanted her to get past her sadness, but how could she ever love again? She couldn't open her heart to that kind of heartbreak again. The mourning period was over, and it was time for Ginny to return to normal. She reckoned it was probably easier if there was no love between people. Time hadn't healed anything for her.
"M’lady, it’s almost time. We have received word that the earl and the countess will be here within the hour."
"Oh, Dawson, I must have fallen asleep. What time is it?"
"Time to get up, m’lady, or you won’t hear the end of it. Her Ladyship was quite annoyed when I told her you needed to rest."
"Very well, Dawson. What has Mama chosen for me to wear today?"
Ginny’s mother had already chosen her ensemble. The new countess may have been a Southern belle, but the dowager countess was now going to show her the hospitality of the British.
Ginny made faces as Dawson pinned her hair. It had been so long since she was formally attired that she had forgotten the rigors of dress. However, as she looked at herself in the mirror, she had to admit it was nice to be dressed up again.
"Dawson, you have done a splendid job."
Dawson smiled at her mistress.
"You have lost so much weight, m’lady, that I had to take your dress in at the sides."
"I didn't notice."
There was a lot Ginny hadn't noticed in her grief, but there was no time to dwell. She joined her mother and the staff as they prepared to welcome the newlyweds. As if on time, the carriage came up the long drive. Ginny felt butterflies in her stomach and looked to the sun and closed her eyes to steady herself. It was good to feel the warmth of the sun on her face.
The carriage stopped, and the footman opened the door. The earl stepped out.
"Mama, Ginny, how beautiful you both look!" He greeted his mother and sister.
"I am pleased to introduce my wife, Annabelle, the Countess of Deyonne."
"Charles, my, my, you didn't do this place justice. I believe I'm living in a real life castle." Annabelle looked up at the castle in awe.
"Pa would love this." She didn't seem to notice the staff. And worse still, she didn't notice Her Ladyship or Ginny. Ginny rolled her eyes at Charles who pretended not to take any notice.
"Belle, come and meet Mama and my sister."
"Do forgive my manners, Your Ladyship. It is a pleasure to meet you, and you must help me with becoming a countess. And Virginia, I do hope we can become sisters."
Ginny wasn't convinced as her new sister-in-law walked off again. It was not going to be easy dealing with the new energy in the house. In fact, Ginny had isolated herself so that she no longer received any visitors. Her friends didn't know how to be so sad in her company, especially when they had news to tell her, and they had grown weary of upsetting her. Her grief took some of the happiness from their news of engagements and marriages. They wanted to discuss the latest fashions and gossip about each other. Ginny wasn't fun anymore.
Realizing that the new countess wasn't truly interested in her, Ginny returned to her room. One small step at a time, she told herself. The American way would take some getting used to.
The following two weeks passed in a breeze. Ginny had seen little of the new countess, who was busying herself on making changes to the castle. Charles was in love and agreed to whatever his wife wanted.
All the dowager countess could do was squirm at her home being overturned, but it wasn't her home now. She lived there at the humor of her son and his wife. She was still worried about Ginny being in the changing environment. Something would have to be done for her daughter. It was the only power she had left.
2
Ginny had become withdrawn again. It was the way she was just after Henry's death. It distressed her mother to see her regress, but her plan was in motion. If Ginny had a familiar face to draw her out of herself, it would benefit her wellbeing, and who knew what might happen in that case.
Sitting in the drawing room working on her embroidery, Ginny could hear horses’ hooves on the gravel outside. She didn't even bother to look out of the window. It wouldn't be for her in any case, so she kept her head down.
There was a knock, and Carlton, the butler, opened the door.
"Lady Jane…." He was cut off by the door bursting in and a raven-haired beauty bounced through towards Ginny.
"Carlton, there's no need for formality here. Ginny, why are you looking so dull? Come and give your cousin a hug."
Ginny was startled, taking a moment to recognize the woman who stood in the middle of the room with her arms outstretched waiting for a hug.
"Jane, what brings you here?" Ginny finally said.
Then she stood and stepped forward to embrace her favorite cousin. As children they were inseparable, always happiest when they were together. But as they grew older, their lives went in different directions. Jane's mother, Ginny's maternal aunt, had married a duke following her husband's first death, and Jane had moved to the North of England.
"Well, all in good time, cousin," Jane said. "I've made note that your mourning period is now over. Poor Henry." She paused for a moment in reflection, bu
t didn’t hesitate long. "But now it's time for you to join me. I need your help. But firstly, tell me about our American. How is she? Is she ghastly? ‘All money and no class,’ my mama says. And I have no doubt that Aunt Sophia says the same!" Jane began to laugh, and Ginny realized how much she had missed her. She was the closest thing to a sister she had.
"She's settling in," Ginny said. "I keep out of the way just in case she wants my clothes changed or some such thing." Ginny gasped at her own words and put her hand to her mouth. Jane had a way of bringing her out of her shell.
"That wasn't very nice of me to be so indiscreet, Jane." Ginny hurried to correct herself. "I do not know her well enough to make a judgment. But I do know that Annabelle makes Charles happy. And that's the main thing."
"Yes, keeping our men happy," Jane smiled. "That is our job in life."
The arrival of the dowager countess disrupted their flow, as the ladies settled down for more formal conversation and Carlton served tea. But soon, Jane knew all about Annabelle and her ideas for change. She had already fired some of the staff to hire Americans in their places. She wanted to feel at home, and hiring staff was one of her duties when she lived with her Pa, she had informed the family. In the dowager countess’s mind, she would slowly erode their whole way of being.
"Jane, you haven't told me why you're here. It is lovely to see you, but it's been so long," Ginny said.
"I know. I felt utterly horrid for not being in England when poor Henry passed. Well, I have been holding out on you," Jane said with glee. "Aunt Sophia and Ginny, I have news." She looked from one to the other. Then she said, "I am to be married."
Ginny looked aghast as her mother smiled at Jane.
Jane continued, "My intended is William Travers, Marquess of Lynlithglow. I'll be Marchioness of Lynlithglow. Mama is delighted."
Her news shook Ginny. They had done their first Season together, and while Jane had some romances, none had come to anything. She had told Ginny she envied her engagement to Henry and of her ability to fall in love with, quite literally, with the first man she had met and to have found true love.
"Ginny, I need you more than ever. Mama will drive me insane with the wedding preparations. I need your sanity. I know it can't be easy, but we promised to stand for one another. Remember?"
Ginny’s sense of duty overrode her emotions, and she clasped Jane's hands.
"I would be happy to help you, dear cousin. Your happiness makes me happy."
"That's settled then. You will come home with me, well, when I say home, I mean to the Carvingham estate. The duke has insisted on us staying there. Home is too far away to make the arrangements from there. There is much to do. Aunt Sophia, you will come too, won't you?"
"If your mother doesn't mind," the dowager countess said.
Ginny and Jane gave each other a look only they understood. Jane's mother would love to rub her younger sister's nose in the good fortune of her daughter. The rivalry between the sisters had gone on a lifetime.
"The wedding itself will take place at the Duke of Carvingham's estate. You will love him, Ginny. He's a kind, wonderful old man with no family of his own and insisted that William and I marry there. William is best friends with his heir, James Pelham, Earl of Collingford. The duke's wife died in childbirth as did the child, and he never married again. He's on the frail side and not up to traveling. We will have the most wonderful time. William is a treasure, and you will adore him, Ginny. Now, let's go and meet my new cousin-in-law and have some fun."
Ginny's snickering would have annoyed her mother, but today it was good to see how Jane brought out her devilish side. Ginny needed to get away from here even it meant enduring her overpowering sister, the dowager countess thought to herself. The girls would have a merry time at the new countess's expense.
Meanwhile, as Jane visited her cousin, her intended, William was making his own journey. He was traveling to his cousin's estate, James Pelham, Earl of Collingford. As he jumped off his horse, he asked for James' whereabouts and was told he was in the stables. William followed the stable-hand and saw James brushing down his horse.
"Collingford, what the devil are you doing?" William said. "You have men for that."
"Lynlithglow, what brings you by?" James asked. "I didn't know you were coming. I'm doing this to stay out of mother's way. She is going on about me marrying soon and wants me to meet Lady Victoria de Vere. I'm avoiding that situation. Her mother is the Marchioness of Dorford…"
William held up his hand.
"Say no more. I have been one of their interests in the past," William said. "But it seems I may have to put you in a situation where you will meet them. I am sorry, Collingford, but I'm getting married, and I want you to stand for me. My single days will soon be over, and I couldn't be happier. She's the most wonderful girl, and your uncle wants us to marry in the Carvingham estate. Mama broached him on the subject. What do you say?"
"Well, Lynlithglow, I think you're crazy to get married," James said, reaching forward for a hearty handshake. "But she must be some girl, and I am delighted for her. Forget my mutterings about Lady Victoria; I would be honored to be by your side."
"Thank you," William said, returning the handshake.
"I guess we'd better find Mama and tell her the good news. It will give her even more reason to harangue me about Lady Victoria. The things I put up with for you!" James shook his head in mock misery as he and William strode to the house.
"You must tell us all about this young lady. Do I know her?" Lady Collingford asked her nephew. She knew, of course, about the wedding. She and her sister were close, but seeing how full of love he was for his bride-to-be, she hoped some of his enthusiasm would rub off on her son. She wanted grandchildren and to secure the heir to the dukedom, but James was stubborn. He had refused to get involved in the social activities of the Season this year. How else was he going to meet a wife? She looked at her son as he watched his cousin talk about love and everything looking brighter and sweeter the closer he was to Jane.
She remembered a time when James had waxed lyrically about a young lady, but she had broken his heart and married his best friend. He hadn’t put his heart on the line again, so she was trying to appeal to his sense of duty. He could marry someone of his own status to ensure the Duchy of Carvingham stayed within their family, and Lady Victoria de Vere was very well bred. A wedding would be the perfect opportunity to bring them together. This was going to work out perfectly.
3
Lady Virginia and the Dowager Countess of Deyonne prepared for their trip to Carvingham Estate. The earl and the new countess would arrive with the rest of the guests on the day of the wedding. Lady Virginia and Lady Jane sat side-by-side in the carriage as Lady Jane told them of stories of her beloved.
Ginny, while happy for her cousin, was finding it difficult to keep listening to such stories. She just wished they could talk about anything except love, but that wasn't going to happen.
"Jane, darling, Ginny looks tired. She's not a good traveler, and it's been a while since she's undertaken such a journey. Perhaps we should try and rest. We still have some time before we reach our destination," the dowager countess smiled at her niece as she spoke.
"Yes, Aunt Sophia. Poor Gin. I keep forgetting that you've been in mourning, and here I am chatting on about goodness knows what. I promise I will keep silent."
Ginny rubbed her temples. She had a headache. The last few days had been overwhelming, and her disposition didn't seem up to the challenge that a change of scenery would bring. But what else could she do? It would be churlish to decline Jane's invitation. However, poor Jane was a chatterbox at the best times, but now that she had wedding fever in her system, she spoke incessantly.
"Look, Aunt Sophia and Gin, isn't it a marvelous view?"
While unladylike to peer out of a carriage window, they couldn't help but gasp at the beauty of the house unfolded as they rode up the entrance. It was breathtaking.
"Oh my, this is fabulous, J
ane. I don't think I've ever seen such a sight before," Ginny's mouth fell open.
"Wait until you see inside. It's said the duke is the richest man in England…"
"Jane, that's uncouth to speak of such things," her aunt interrupted.
"But why, Aunt Sophia? It's common knowledge, and you'll get to meet the duke's heir, the Earl of Collingford. Remember, I mentioned that he and William are the best of friends and cousins. Like brothers really. Imagine it Ginny, if you and James got married."
That was enough to bring Ginny back to reality.
"Please Jane, you must promise me there will be no matchmaking. I cannot open myself to that again."
"I'm sorry for speaking out of turn. It was childish of me."
The carriage came to a halt and each lady was escorted off the carriage.
"William will arrive tomorrow. It will be wonderful for all of us to be together. Lennox, is the duke up for visitors?" Jane asked the butler.
"Indeed, m'lady, he has insisted that you and your guests call upon him. He is in the study."
Lennox led the way to the study as Ginny was left open-mouthed at the décor of the entrance. She had never seen such opulence before. Lennox opened the door of the study to announce the visitors.
"Your Grace, Lady Jane Percival, Lady Virginia Croft, and the Dowager Countess of Deyonne."
"Your Grace, are you quite well?" Jane rushed to the elderly man who sat by the window, and she knelt beside him fixing his blanket.
"All the better for seeing you, Lady Jane. You are a sight for sore eyes. Now, young lady, come closer to me," the duke wiggled a finger at Ginny.
"Your Grace. Thank you for the invitation. Your home is beautiful." Lady Virginia was still trying to take in the opulence of the room. The ornaments and paintings and decor were a feast for the senses.
"My wife's doing. I can take none of the credit.” He paused, as he fondly remembered his late wife. He then continued the conversation. “Your father was the Earl of Deyonne. I met him once. He was a fine man."
