by Kira Stewart
•••
On the next sunny day, the two set off. Sampson and Delilah had been found a home with one of the tenant farmers on the estate, who had plenty of room for the large dogs to run around. It was a good twenty-minute walk through the small village, but the fresh air would do them both good. Besides, Lucy was smiling for the first time since the move, and it gladdened her sister’s heart to see her happy again.
Jethro Armstrong was a genteel farmer, but his ways were still quite rough and ready, compared to the refinements of the two girls.
The farmhouse was built of grey stone with a slate roof, and as they approached, they could see a curl of smoke rising from the chimney.
“Hey, hey there.”
Shouting out a greeting, the farmer opened the door as he saw the two girls approaching. Sampson and Delilah lurched out from between his legs and almost knocked him over. Seeing their mistress, the dogs ran immediately to her side, placing their great paws upon her, and licking her hands with their pink tongues.
“They’ve missed you, Mistress Brancepth, that’s for sure. They have been pining for you, they have.”
The man whistled, but the dogs ignored him, too eager to see Lucy again.
“Sampson, Delilah.”
A young man stepped out of the doorway from behind his father. The resemblance was so keen that the relationship between the two could not be in doubt.
Immediately, the ears of the dogs pricked up and they stood looking first at Lucy, and then at the young man, not quite knowing who was their master.
“The lad here has a way with these two. I haven’t seen anything like it. I cannot do a thing with them, but Robert here, has a way with them. Isn’t that right, boy?”
Before the young man had time to answer, the two dogs had trotted over to his side and sat beside him, much to Lucy’s displeasure.
Robert Armstrong smiled, his handsome face looking smug. There was a swagger about him, an air of confidence, and he reached out his hand to tickle Delilah behind the ears.
“Don’t do that ...”
Lucy called out in warning, but it was too late, and the dog had already snapped at the young man’s hand, startling the boy so, that he pulled back his hand quickly. The smile fell from his face, as he reddened with embarrassment, his swagger now lost.
Lucy began to laugh.
“Delilah was only playing. She hates her ears to be tickled like that. She snapped, but she would never bite you. She prefers her tummy to be tickled instead.”
Shouting over the dog, Delilah lay on her back, and allowed the girl to rub her tummy.
“Once you get to know them, you’ll be fine. They’re just pussycats, really.”
Now, it was Lucy’s turn to smile.
Robert Armstrong soon regained his swagger. He was a good looking boy, and there was something about the way he looked at the two girls that made Rebecca feel uncomfortable. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, and when he offered to take them around the farm to exercise the dogs, she saw no issue. For a time, he walked besides her. When their father had been alive, he would not have dared be so bold. But with a new Duke already installed at the Hall, their position had lessened, if only slightly. Lucy was the more talkative, and soon she and Robert were walking together in front, with Rebecca watching the proceedings with a watchful eye.
By the time they returned from their walk, the sun had moved across the sky. It was well past midday.
Rebecca was pleased to see the color back in her sister’s cheeks, but it was time to leave.
“We better be heading back, Lucy. Mother will be expecting us.”
Lucy frowned, wanting to stay longer with the dogs, and besides, she had been enjoying Robert’s company. He knew all about the countryside, and had pointed out the different trees and birds, and the walk had been most pleasant.
“You are welcome to call any time, miss, to see Sampson and Delilah, that is. We even have horses, if you care for riding.”
Rebecca thought the young man blushed a little as he spoke.
Lucy smiled. She loved to ride, and there would be little chance, once they moved permanently to London.
The girl blushed, too. The young farmer was almost flirting.
“Why thank you, Mr. Armstrong. I would love that.”
Promising the young man that she would call once again, Lucy gave the two dogs a final rub, before the two sisters set off for home.
“Don’t get too attached to that young man, Lucy.”
Lucy shot her sister a look.
“I don’t know what you mean? He is a very interesting young man.”
“And handsome. You know that you have a tendency to wear your heart on your sleeve, Lucy dear, but the son of a farmer on father’s estate … well, that wouldn’t do. You shouldn’t have promised to see him again.”
“Why not? Mother said I could go see Sampson and Delilah at any time. You even agreed. Where would the harm be?”
Sticking out her chin a little, Lucy walked ahead, away from her sister. The morning had been the best since father had died, and she didn’t want an argument.
“Anyway, it’s no longer father’s estate. It belongs to the D’Arcys. Just because Thomas Buckingham has made you sour, you needn’t spoil it for the rest of us.”
The girl regretted her words, as soon as they were spoken, but she was rather hot-headed.
Rebecca looked sad for a moment, thinking that she had gotten over the fellow. However, it wasn’t so.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Becky. I didn’t mean it. That was unfair of me. It’s just that there has been so little fun around here for such a long time. Please, don’t deny me a little bit of pleasure.”
Perhaps there was no harm in it. How could there be?
The girls hugged in forgiveness, and set off, once again hand in hand, for home.
12.
Grace was waiting for her two sisters to return. She had walked a short distance from the cottage, in an attempt to meet them halfway. She had exciting news, and ran eagerly toward them as they approached.
“There is to be a Ball!”
The girl could hardly catch her breath.
Lucy’s eyes lit up upon hearing the news.
“What? Where? When is this Ball?”
The young girl grasped at her sister’s hand, already starting to feel excited.
“It is to be given by Sir Percy up at the Hall, in just under a month’s time. He has invited mother and all of us girls. It’s to be a very grand affair.”
Rebecca frowned.
“We are in mourning for father, so we cannot go. Mother will have to write to decline the offer.”
“But mother says we are to go, Becky. Mother will wear her black crepe, but she says there is no need for all of us to wear black. Isn’t it exciting, Becky?”
The elder sister was not convinced.
“I’m surprised he has even bothered to invite us. I don’t think that I shall go. I want nothing to do with Sir Percy, or his son, Edward. I wouldn’t be sorry if I never saw them again.”
“Oh, Rebecca, of course we had to be invited. All of local society will be there … all of our friends, remember. Sir Percy will want to make a good impression. It would not reflect well on him if we were not in attendance, family feud or no. And you must go, Rebecca. You are the eldest, and if you do not go, then it wouldn’t look good on the rest of us, and the others are so excited. Do say that you will come. If you don‘t want to do it for yourself, then do it for mother and the rest of us.”
Smiling reluctantly, Rebecca agreed. With such a request, how could she refuse? The three girls then headed home together.
•••
In the coming weeks, in the run up to the Ball, all of the girls were excited, except for Rebecca.
The Dowager cottage was filled with talk of dresses and lace, satin and ribbons. There were new silk slippers to be bought, and hair to be curled. Rebecca could not have ignored the preparations, even if she had wanted t
o, and reluctantly joined in.
The night of the Ball finally arrived. The sky was clear, and a huge moon lit their way up to the Hall. It would be strange returning to their former home, now as guests. As they approached, their steps slowed, as they watched the carriages arriving. The Hall seemed to be lit in every room, and looked beautiful against the deep purple of the sky. Lady Brancepth stopped for a moment and stood gazing at the house, past memories filling her thoughts. She whispered closely into Rebecca’s ear, so her other children might not hear.
“Oh, my dear, I’m not sure if I can go through with this. All of those people we have not seen since your father died. It will seem very strange. Perhaps you can take the girls, and I will go back to the cottage.”
“Come, mother. It will be fine. I promise you. It has to be done sooner than later, and once we are inside, you will be fine, I promise. Now, take my hand and we will walk together.”
It was a strange sensation for them all, walking through the old doors again. Everything was so familiar, almost part of their blood, and yet, they were now detached from these things. The new Duke had taken no time at all putting his own stamp on the Hall, with the new additions, and the old things re-arranged.
A new man took their coats, and they were announced as they entered the Ballroom.
The place looked beautiful. Rebecca was especially surprised how lovely it looked. The rooms were filled with fresh flowers and hundreds of candles lit up the grand chandeliers.
Rebecca and Grace stood admiring the scene.
“I did not think that Sir Percy would have gone to so much trouble. I am quite surprised at his efforts. He seemed such a sour puss.”
Grace laughed.
“Be quiet, Rebecca. Here he comes now.”
13.
Despite the beauty and grace of the room, Sir Percy did not look any different. Looking down his long nose at them once again, he gave a small and courteous bow.
“Lady Brancepth. I am sure you will need no introduction to most of my guests here tonight. There are a few of my personal friends here, but they are in the minority.”
Rebecca whispered into her sister’s ear.
“I’m not surprised!”
With the brief formality over, Sir Percy gave a low bow.
“If you will excuse me, ladies, I must see to my other guests.”
“Well, he couldn’t get away quick enough. Look, mama, there is Lady Isobel and Sir Jack Parnell. We must go and speak with them.”
It was good for all of them to see old friends again. The funeral had been purposefully small, and although their friends and acquaintances had sent condolences and invitations to visit, this would be the first time since Edward Brancepth’s death that they had all been out in society.
It was also a relief to talk to old friends. Rebecca had always been on good terms with the young Duke of Norfolk and his wife, and Isobel singled the girl out to find out all of the news.
“My dear, how good it is to see you all again! Such a sad time for you all. How is your mother doing, and how are you?”
It had only been a couple of months since the two young ladies had met, but so much had happened in that short time.
“How do you find the new Duke?”
Rebecca was eager to know what others thought about Sir Percy.
“Well, the verdict is still out. He seemed very civil, but he does seem to rather look down his nose at everyone.”
The girls laughed.
“The daughter seems very quiet, but the son seems pleasant enough. What do you think of him?”
“I must admit that I am not fond of Edward D’Arcy. In fact, I find that young man altogether rude.”
“He is rather handsome, though, Rebecca. But never mind about him. There is your young man, Thomas Buckingham, and his parents. Shall we go over and say hello?”
At the mention of the name, Rebecca felt her blood run cold. Her friend noticed that the girl had turned quite pale.
“Oh, Isobel, I had not thought that Thomas would be here tonight. Why did I not think so? Oh, there is much I have to tell you.”
All evening, Rebecca tried to avoid meeting Thomas. She was certain that he had seen her, but seemed keen to avoid her, too. Despite her best efforts to ignore him and not think about him, the old wound in her heart opened up, and she could not help but watch, as he chatted happily with the other young ladies. He seemed especially keen on paying close attention to Theresa D’Arcy, whom for once, seemed rather animated and had a sparkle in her eyes.
If only she knew what had happened, why his sudden change of heart, perhaps then, she could finally move on and forget about him.
Scanning the Ballroom, she looked around for her sisters. Lucy was already dancing with a curly headed young man, her cheeks flushed with both the company and the exercise. Hannah and Juliet were chatting away in a corner, catching up with some old friends. Grace, Olivia and Lady Brancepth were heading for refreshments in the next room, so Rebecca thought to join them. As she reached the Ballroom door, she stepped aside to allow another couple through. Too late she realized, it was Thomas Buckingham with Theresa D’Arcy. It was impossible to avoid them and she could see Thomas was thinking the same.
Embarrassed, he stepped forward in a most formal fashion.
“Miss Brancepth. I hope that you are well?”
Rebecca’s heart raced. She had so much to say to him, but not here, not now. Now, she could think of nothing to say, except to be polite.
“I am well, sir, under the circumstances. And you are well, I hope?”
The young man gave a small bow in acknowledgement, his manner cool.
“I am well, thank you.”
“And Miss D’Arcy, you are well, I hope? You seem to have settled in very well. Now, if you will excuse me, I must join my mother and sisters.”
Stepping away rather too quickly, the girl felt rather light-headed and sick. She needed air more than a drink, and rather than move directly into the Drawing Room for refreshments, she stepped back through the Ballroom and out of the French windows and onto the balcony. The air was chill, but she did not feel cold. She was alone, and hurried down the stone steps she knew so well, toward the edge of the fountain wall, so she could not be seen. Her heart ached and she struggled to breathe. Before she knew it, tears were streaming down her cheeks, and she was sobbing into the night.
“Oh, Thomas, how can you be so cold toward me?”
Shouting the words out into the night, she sat on the old stone parapet. Only a lone owl watched and hooted its haunting reply.
“The young man doesn’t sound worth bothering about to me.”
Rebecca looked up in alarm, almost as if a ghost had appeared before her.
It wasn’t a phantom, it was Edward D’Arcy. She stood with a start.
“Forgive my intrusion, Miss Brancepth. I saw you rush out here from the Ballroom, and I knew that something must be wrong.”
“I am quite all right, sir. I just needed some fresh air. Now, I must rejoin my mother and sisters. They will be worrying where I am.”
“You must dry your eyes first.”
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a pristine white handkerchief and handed it to her.
“We seem to be making a habit of this? He is not worth it, you know.”
Taking the handkerchief, she dabbed at her eyes.
“I don’t know what you mean, sir.”
“Thomas Buckingham. I see he makes a play for my sister, now that my father is the Duke. He is wasting his time. Father will not tolerate him for long. He is letting things go this evening, but I doubt he will let Theresa see that particular young man again, in fact, any young man. Theresa is far too young, and her health far too delicate.”
Suddenly, it all made sense. Thomas had only been interested in her, because she was the Duke’s daughter. The sudden shift in his so-called heart had happened when her father had died. It had been so obvious, and yet she could hardly believe it. Not of Thomas.”
Now she was angry, the grief and heartache making way for a different emotion. And she was angry at Edward D’Arcy, for understanding too much, and just for being there, witnessing her grief.
“How dare you insinuate such things, sir. Besides, Thomas Buckingham means nothing to me. We have no understanding. The young man is free to speak to whomever he wishes.”
“Then why are you so upset?”
Rebecca wished the young man would go away.
“I am not upset, sir. I am … I am just over tired, that is all. The past few months have been very trying, and coming back to the Hall has been very emotional for me, that is all. Now, if you will excuse me, I must rejoin my sisters.”
“Please, wait a moment. There is something that I want to say to you.”
Grabbing her tenderly by the arm, Edward D’Arcy pulled her toward him, and she looked at him properly for the first time that evening. There was something different about him, and he suddenly looked serious in the moonlight. There was something in his manner that quieted her rage, and for brief moment, she looked deeply into his eyes.
The world seemed to stop as the two young people stood looking at each other. Rebecca swore she could hear a nightingale singing in the distance as Edward took her hand.
Drawing her toward him, her heart began to race, and almost swooning she closed her eyes, allowing her body to rest against his. Her lips parted instinctively, waiting for his.
“Edward.”
The sound of the young man’s voice being called out from the balcony, echoed out across the garden, and immediately broke the spell.
“Your father is looking for you.”
Rebecca opened her eyes, the spell broken and immediately transported back to the real world.
Edward looked angry; confused and his hands trembled with emotion as her let his grasp fall from the girl and stepped forward to listen.
“Edward, where are you?”
The voice rang out again and sounded angry.
