The Gaslight Journal

by Carla René

  She was then led into the room, which on first sight, caught her breath. All of the furniture was decorated in a heavenly powder blue damask, and the trim of the wood shined in beautiful gold. A matching powder blue carpet lay in front of the sofa, and gold framed pictures hung plentifully on the high-ceilinged walls, which were also decorated in powder blue wall coverings. A roaring fire filled the room with such warmth that Isabella almost forgot there was a beautiful lady standing in front of her, waiting to be greeted.

  "Miss Whentworth, Miss Audley," said the footman, before he bowed and left the room.

  Both ladies dutifully bowed from their knees. It was Miss Whentworth who spoke first.

  "Miss Audley. How very delightful for you to have called."

  Isabella, whose mouth had turned to cotton barely made her own greeting. "Uh, M-miss Whentworth. I thank you for your most gracious invitation."

  Interrupting further conversation of the women, a linen covered tea table was wheeled into the room, and again, Isabella gasped, so beautifully was it lain. She immediately recognized the Spode china, which was an available rarity to those who could indulge it; Waterford stemware was plentiful; the centerpiece was comprised of dried peach roses with golden gypsum, and golden tapers completed the warm color theme. She then turned her attentions to the array of delights that awaited her, from salmon mousse, to thin sandwiches with the crusts removed, to pepper jellies, and of course tea; hot, steaming, smiling tea served in a most delectable silver service, accompanied by silky cream.

  So satiating was the repast, that Isabella had to take extra care not to fill herself before tea with Thomas that evening. The conversation of re-acquaintanceship was always the sweetest, and today's held no difference on that account, so eager were the two women to reacquaint. Finally, when neither woman could eat another bite for fear of protruding their corsets, Miss Whentworth invited Isabella to take a turn with her around the drawing room, and she eagerly complied.

  "I understand that you have been home a mere few days," began Miss Whentworth. "Are you enjoying the familiarity?"

  "Oh, my, yes. I think out of all the things to look forward to when returning home, that is the one that holds the most promise for me. It was difficult not being home during my absence with Mother during holiday," said Isabella.

  Miss Whentworth stopped and turned to face Isabella squarely. "Miss Audley, I wanted to take this time to personally convey my sadness at your father's passing. I know this must be a difficult time of year for you both, and if there is anything I can do," she continued with much hesitation, "… then, please, let me know. I do know how hard it can be to fall on hard times."

  Isabella merely stared, too afraid to inquire if what she heard, was indeed, what she had heard. Miss Whentworth discerned the matter and immediately continued.

  "Oh, please do not think that I will think any less of you for it. I mean, people are people and when they have nothing better to occupy their time, then they of course will engage in dubious speculation, after all, but you cannot fault them for being human. I feel that we have been friends long enough and such good ones at that, that it would be mere lunacy for me to take my leave of you, simply because your family no longer had their wealth."

  And there it was; the secret that everyone else in this town had apparently been either too afraid, or too shy to voice. She considered her next words carefully, for if it were true, her actions would determine in what manner she would now be viewed by those in her circle, and that decorum must be preserved at all costs. She was certain that a mistake had occurred somewhere.

  "Miss Whentworth, I dare think that you have been grossly misinformed. I am certain that had we lost our finances, my mother, of all people, would have told me straight away." Yet as she said this, snippets of memory flashed through her mind that seemed to confirm what this creature in front of her maintained. There was the Peacock Lady in the Millinery showroom, the conversation with Mother and Mrs. Reddy at the bottom of the staircase, and not more than an hour ago, the chestnut vendor on the street. As the realization hit her that perhaps Miss Whentworth was correct, she felt her body go limp and she fainted.

  Chapter 8

  If The Truth Be Known

  If the truth be known… (Chapter Eight)

  It was a full ten minutes before Isabella came round, and then only at the prompting from the pungent smelling salts being waived under her nose like unreachable money. She took speed with assessing her scene, and her attempt to sit up was muzzled by the portly man wielding the salts.

  "Now, now, dear, just take your time," he said. "I fear you have fainted."

  "Fear nothing, my good man, I did faint; be assured, that my bum kissing the ground was more than just my way of saying good-morning to the posies," she said as she moved to sit up. At her rather brusque comment, she heard Miss Whentworth gasp.

  "My apologies, Miss Whentworth. I forgot myself," said Isabella. She could not pinpoint exactly why, but she suddenly felt agitated.

  "My dear, are you well now?" said Miss Whentworth.

  "Fine, thank you. My proximity was too close to that of the fire," said Isabella. She then noticed several new people in the room who could do nothing but stare.

  Trying to seem insouciant in the matter, she proclaimed, "Please, everyone, do not be concerned. I am not ready for my burial dress fitting, yet, I can assure you."

  This seemed the prescribed appeasement, for the group chuckled and dispersed; all except for Miss Whentworth, who joined Isabella on the couch where she resided.

  After a moment's silence, she turned to Isabella. "Dearest, I assumed you knew."

  "What do you mean, Miss Whentworth? I still maintain that there has been some confusion in the line of communication. That is certainly no reflection upon you," she said.

  "We shall thank providence for that, yes?" said Miss Whentworth.

  Did Miss Whentworth mean to offend her, or was she misreading everything in light of the recent proclamation? "I only meant that if you were told some misinformation, then I would not fault you for the mistake."

  "I assure you, Miss Audley," said Miss Whentworth, in the sweetest voice she had, "that had my informative source been of a traitorous nature I would not have passed it on in such a haphazard manner."

  Again, Isabella could not discern the direction of Miss Whentworth's implications. "I do apologize; apparently my head is still bleary from the salts. Would you explain what you mean?"

  "Did you not think there was a reason I asked you to my home to partake of tea?"

  "Yes, as a matter of fact, I did. Perhaps it was my silly schoolgirl fantasy, but I thought that it had been far too long since our last tête-à-tête, and your wish was to renew your acquaintanceship with me. Was I amiss in this assumption?"

  Miss Whentworth laughed. "My dearest, I could have reacquainted myself with you at any time, but I thought it imperative that you find out the details of your present circumstance; that it come easier through a cherished friend and in a very expedient manner, seeing as how you have been in town for less than seventy-two hours."

  "Am I to understand, that in your informing me that we are now indigent, and if we are, no such behavior as this will ever induce me to be explicit, your only interest was for my well-being?" said Isabella, as her face began to burn.

  Again, Miss Whentworth expressed mirth. "Why, of course dear."

  She reminded Isabella of a serpent, romancing its prey before feasting on it.

  "Would you not find it in keeping with our acquaintance for me to pull you from in front of a runaway carriage, should the need arise?"

  "My dear Miss Whentworth, I confess verily, that as of this moment, I could not say for certain what you could do that would be in keeping with your character or your professed attachments. Were I not hearing this with my own ears, I would swear that you were kindly pushing me into the oncoming carriage." Isabella remained in shock, for it clearly appeared that this woman standing before her, actually believed the words
she ejaculated.

  "So then it is true," Miss Whentworth said.

  "If it is, then I shall be the last person to confess it. I will not deny or confirm it: your ladyship has declared it to be so; what shall I say in declaring it to be otherwise that would sway your beliefs of it? Truths are perceptions that are relevant to the teller only, not to the one having them uninvitingly bestowed."

  "What an insolent woman you are, Miss Audley!”

  "I have only to retain my honor, not to sway public opinion of it, and that includes yourself."

  "Perhaps you are not hearing me, Miss Audley… "

  "No Miss Whentworth, I heard you very well the first time you made the charges. What I now wonder, is what other motives you had in sharing this bit of good fortune with me?"

  "Dear girl, your impertinence prevents me from divulging anything further on the matter."

  "So there is more," said Isabella, her temper rising.

  "I am not at liberty to say, but if your attitude toward it is as insufferable and disrespectful as it has been at the present, then I feel there is nothing further to be said. I acted only out of my good conscience, wishing to spare you further pain, and this is the gratitude that I receive in return," Miss Whentworth said.

  "Then perhaps our meeting is over for the time, Miss Whentworth. I cannot say that I enjoy having my family's gossip, whatever its nature, spread all over town like dirty linen, and available to the first beggar to pick up off the street when the mood strikes. Please importune me no further on the matter; I am duly disgusted at its entirety, and would implore you to speak no further of it until you have all of your facts. At least do me that honor," said Isabella.

  Perhaps it was the soothing quality of Isabella's voice in spite of her obtuse anger, or perhaps Miss Whentworth chose at that moment to devise a plan of deceit against Isabella, but whatever the reason, Miss Whentworth immediately softened, and said, "Miss Audley, you do have my word, and while I disagree with your obstinate assessment of my motives, I will do you that courtesy; for that much I owe you."

  Isabella was appeased. "I thank you Miss Whentworth, now if you will excuse me, this meeting is over. I take my leave of you," and she bowed quickly, then exited.

  She found the ride through town on the return trip to be much more arduous than its contrary, and wished above all else she were already situated safely at home. However, it afforded her the necessary time to process all that had transpired, and to put it in proper perspective before facing her mother. Had Miss Whentworth picked up on a gratuitous rumor that was currently floating about town and conveyed it, without checking its validity? That had to be the case, as she was sure of her former statement: Mother would certainly have told her had something been amiss with their present circumstances.

  Satisfied in her own reasoning, she braced herself for the visit with Thomas that was to come, yet was filled with dread at knowing she had just quarreled with his only sister. She sincerely hoped that Miss Whentworth would have the good grace to keep propriety, as she promised. Was Miss Whentworth sincere in her proclamation? Only time would tell, and at that, the carriage rolled up to the front steps of Capriolé. Isabella took a deep breath before stepping down, and quickly formulated a tale to tell mother's awaiting curiosity. She must never reveal the incidents of today, for her mother would be so disheartened to find the great change in Isabella's once cherished friend, that worry over Isabella's state of mind would eventually consume her. Izzy could at least protect her.

  Two hours later, Isabella was in the sitting room, involved with her own thoughts.

  Lilly took notice and said, “Dear? What is it that has your attentions so caught up?”

  “Nothing.”

  Lilly pressed. “I do not think I believe you. You seem quite unlike yourself. Is it something with which I may help?”

  “I said nothing was wrong,” Isabella said, as she turned her back to Lilly.

  This was enough signal for Lilly to gracefully change the subject. "Isabella, dearest, you have chosen your gown well.”

  This time, Izzy’s gown was of a wondrous royal blue with dramatic black trim, and created in her such confidence of appearance, that her nerves regarding Thomas's call were put to permanent rest.

  "Thomas will be very impressed."

  "Mother, you promised not to meddle; will you please keep to your bargain?" said Izzy. "This is just to be a friendly meeting, nothing more. He is an old school friend, and I owe him the courtesy of seeing him, especially since you went to so much trouble to arrange it," she said.

  "Fine and well. I will behave," said Lilly. “You know me—sometimes I just cannot help myself.”

  At that instant, Mr. Wilhelm entered, and announced, "Mr. Whentworth, for Miss Audley."

  Both women stood and faced the door, and Isabella wondered suddenly at the attack of nerves. She felt ridiculous and the more she tried to suppress it, the more it controlled her.

  But her wonderings were promptly interrupted as Thomas Whentworth the Third entered the drawing room and bowed courteously before the two women. He cordially greeted Mrs. Audley first, and just as he extended a hand to Miss Audley, she quickly blurted forth, "It is you!"

  He stopped short, and stood his full length to get a better look at the creature before him.

  Isabella immediately took note of how tall he was, and she hated to admit it, but Mother had been correct; he was comely indeed. She almost did not recognize him—in fact, she had not recognized him earlier—so handsome he had become, and as she stared into his brown eyes, she questioned an involuntary skip of her heart. She was not, however, to be derailed. Before he could respond, Isabella ejaculated yet again, "And how is it that you find yourself in my home? Have you not wrecked enough havoc upon the streets of Fairtown, without choosing to do the same to our humble drawing room?"

  Mother immediately questioned Isabella.

  "Mother, let us just say that we have previously bumped into each other. This man, Mr. Thomas Whentworth the Third, was the self-same man who clumsily and with forethought of malice knocked me over on the street on my journey home the very night I arrived in town," said Isabella.

  "My dear, was that you?" said Mr. Whentworth in a teasing manner.

  "You know full well that it was," said Izzy. As her blood began to boil, she tried hard to ignore the lock of long, dark hair that had disobediently fallen across his eye.

  "Well, I do beg your pardon, it was difficult to tell the difference, for that very day, you were covered in snow and it was hard to discern just whom I had knocked over," said Mr. Whentworth again, if only to aggravate her. "I knock over so many people these days."

  "Is that your idea of humor? I feel very strongly that we can do without it, if you please," said Isabella.

  "I do apologize Miss Audley, and I bow grandly before you, in honor of you," and with this, he did an exaggerated bow, nearly touching his head to his knees. "And to you, Mrs. Audley, my folly was meant only to lighten an otherwise awkward moment."

  "My dear Mr. Whentworth, there is nothing to forgive," said Mrs. Audley, stifling the urge to laugh as he kissed her hand. "Will you please sit down? We have prepared a savory repast, as it is well past my tea time."

  Mr. Whentworth happily consented.

  However, his chosen seat was directly to Isabella's left in closer proximity than she would have liked, and so her mood was sullen at this most untimely turn of events. She quickly reminded herself to speak to Mother about it as soon as Mr. Whentworth had gone, which for her, would never be soon enough.

  Mr. Whentworth, however, seemed to enjoy the look on her face and was not to let an opportunity such as this go by.

  The tea table was rolled out at that time, with Mrs. Reddy outdoing herself.

  Mrs. Audley noticed Mr. Whentworth sneaking a peek at Isabella without her knowledge, and the thought of it made her spirits soar.

  Clearing her throat, she began, "So tell me Mr. Whentworth, how does it feel to be a college graduate no
w?"

  "I have not had much time to consider it, to be honest; I am now happily employed at the Fairtown Savings and Loan, in the accounts receivable department, and most recently, was given a promotion to officer of loans."

  "Oh how nice for you. I believe that is where we have our note on this very home," said Mrs. Audley.

  Mr. Whentworth agreed, while tasting one of everything. He went on to explain that business had been extraordinarily good, in spite of the upcoming holiday, and while that made everyone busier, there certainly were few complaints of it. "Yes, it seems as if holiday will be exceptional for all around," he said as he neatly finished off a crab tart. Neither he however, or Isabella, had chance to notice the forlorn look that painted Mrs. Audley's face.

  Mr. Whentworth turned his conversation toward Isabella, inquiring kindly of her own college progress, hanging upon every word she said. Isabella found herself volunteering information, in spite of her resolve to hunt down his carriage after dark and string up his horse.

  "And how is your sister, Mr. Whentworth?" said Mrs. Audley.

  "She is well, thank you. I will tell her you inquired," said Mr. Whentworth.

  "Oh, that is not really necessary," intercepted Isabella. "I was there not more than three hours previous, and I passed along Mother's inquiries then."

  "Is she not something else?" said Mr. Whentworth. "Was your visit interesting?"

  "Like nothing I have ever encountered. And yet, I find her much altered than when I knew her," and before she could stop herself, the words were out.

  Mr. Whentworth sat up straighter in interest, as if his spine held the key to his hearing. "Really? Do tell? Perhaps she is more mature than you remember."

  "Um, yes, that is it. She has grown into her own person and I was just not used to seeing it. Would you like more tea?" she said, and the diversion worked.

  A full hour later saw Mr. Whentworth bidding farewell to the ladies, and then stopping short of the door while his carriage was being pulled round to the front. "Miss Audley, would you do me the honor of accompanying me to the steps?"