01 Sorcery and Cecelia Read online

  In any case, we had not been at the house for very long when an additional visitor arrived, a Mr. Wrexton. He stood stock-still in the doorway for the longest time after he had been announced, just staring over at Aunt Elizabeth and me. Aunt Elizabeth took one look at him and stiffened in her most absolutely starched-up manner. I could not see any reason for her to take Mr. Wrexton in dislike, for I observed him closely. (He is a moderately tall man of about forty-five, I should guess, and dressed with great elegance. I must hasten to add that I do not mean the exaggerated sort of elegance that Oliver affects; Mr. Wrexton is more like James Tarleton—positively understated.) This was a mistake, for it meant that both Aunt Elizabeth and I were all but staring at him. As soon as she noticed, she gave me one of her looks, and I knew I would be forced to endure a lecture on manners for the better part of the way home.

  In any case, Reverend Fitzwilliam performed the necessary introductions and Mr. Wrexton joined us. He says he is staying with friends in the area and has always made it a practice to call on the vicar when he does so. I thought this a little odd, but Reverend Fitz was flattered to have his profession so highly thought of. Aunt Elizabeth was quite cool for the remainder of our visit, which was much shorter than usual. Mr. Wrexton took her hand and bowed very low over it as we left, and said something about coming to call on Papa. Aunt Elizabeth was not encouraging.

  Just outside we met Robert Penwood, driving his gig into town on some errand. I could not say much, due to Aunt Elizabeth's presence, so I exercised all my powers of persuasion and managed to get Aunt Elizabeth to agree that I might drive with him, and Robert to agree to take me up. So I climbed into the gig and Aunt Elizabeth continued on home.

  "Robert," I said as soon as we were off, "I must talk to you about Dorothea."

  He looked at me with dislike. "I suppose she told you everything."

  "Well, I think so, but she was in the greatest distress!" I replied. "You did not meet Miranda—Mrs. Griscomb—but I did, and Dorothea has every reason to be terrified of her."

  Robert stared down at his reins. "I know. If there were only something I could do!"

  "There is a great deal you can do!" I said impatiently. "It only wants a little resolution, Robert!"

  "Don't be ridiculous, Cecy!" Robert said. "What do you expect me to do? Ride off with Dorothea across my saddlebow, like the hero of one of those novels you read? Elope to Gretna Green? Have a little sense!"

  "From what Dorothea said, I don't think she would have minded either one," I told him. "Though riding flung across someone's saddlebow sounds excessively uncomfortable to me. But something must be done to rescue Dorothea from Mir—from Mrs. Griscomb."

  "Don't talk fustian!" Robert said. "Mrs. Griscomb is Dorothea's Mother; she has every right to—"

  "No, she is not," I interrupted. "She is Dorothea's Stepmama, which is an entirely different thing."

  "It doesn't matter," Robert said gloomily. "She is responsible for Dorothea's welfare."

  "You think forcing Dorothea to marry the Marquis of Schofield is looking out for Dorothea's welfare?" I demanded. "Really, Robert!"

  "And how can I compete with a marquis?" he said roughly. "I'm neither rich nor titled, and as for prospects..." He snorted.

  "Dorothea loves you," I pointed out. "And she can't marry the Marquis of Schofield, because Kate has just become engaged to him."

  If I had thought Robert would be pleased by this intelligence, I was quite out, for he pulled at the reins so hard that the horse jobbed and we were very nearly overturned. He looked positively fierce. "Cecy! Is this another one of your queer starts? Because if it is, you and Kate can just stop your interfering right now."

  "Oh, stuff!" I said, "I didn't have anything to do with Kate's betrothal to the Marquis, and she's never even met Dorothea. All I meant was that we can turn it to our advantage."

  "How?" Robert said suspiciously.

  "You can become engaged to Dorothea before her Stepmama has time to find another man to offer for her," I said.

  "Don't be a fool, Cecy," Robert said, but he sounded a trifle more hopeful. "Mrs. Griscomb would never consent to her daughter's—her stepdaughter's marrying a nobody."

  "You are not a nobody," I said firmly. "Why, your grandfather was the son of a duke! And it is Dorothea's Papa who must consent to her marriage, not her Stepmama."

  Robert stopped the gig and looked at me with an arrested expression. "You're right. Cecy, I never thought of that!" After a moment, he slumped again. "But I cannot think that Mr. Griscomb will favor my suit any more than his wife does."

  "You won't know unless you try," I said. "And you simply cannot leave Dorothea at the mercy of that woman without any hope whatever!"

  "I'll do it!" Robert said. He paused, then went on diffidently, "I don't suppose—would you write to Dorothea and tell her? I know it isn't the thing to be asking, but..."

  "I'll see," I said noncommittally, for it occurred to me just in time that Miranda may well read Dorothea's letters (it would be just like her). And in any case, I do not think Dorothea would be very good at dissembling. It would never do for Miranda to become suspicious because Dorothea was happy! So I am writing you with this news instead, and when you meet Dorothea and have a chance to judge, you may tell her as much as you think wise.

  Robert was quite congenial for the remainder of my ride with him, if you can consider someone who is in ecstatic raptures over another lady to be congenial. He let me down at the end of the drive and went off to Tarleton Hall to discover Mr. Griscomb's direction. I sincerely hope that Mr. Griscomb is not in some outlandish place weeks from Town. I would feel much reassured if Dorothea's future were safely settled.

  When I arrived at the house, I was informed that I had had a caller while I was away. You will never guess who it was, Kate—James Tarleton! I cannot imagine what he wants of me, but whatever it is, he wants it rather badly, for he left a message that he will call again Thursday and hopes I will go driving with him. I am strongly tempted to have the headache.

  Your cousin, Cecy

  25 May 1817

  11 Berkeley Square, London

  Dear Cecy,

  Aunt Charlotte says I must go to bed and stay there until she tells me I may get up. I shall do so as soon as I finish this letter to you, and then, if possible, go into a decline of the most spectacular sort.

  I apologize for not having written sooner, but, indeed, things have been happening so rapidly there was not time to pause and think it out. Now it appears I shall have all the time I need and more.

  Dorothea arrived a week ago, Miranda apparently having no qualms about travel on the Sabbath. Dorothea wasted not a moment in calling here, for I returned from the modiste's on Monday to discover she had left her card. She paid another call on Tuesday, and I was able to offer her what comfort tea and sympathy could provide. The poor child has the most touching faith in you, Cecy. Every sentence she speaks has a "Cecy says" sprinkled in it somewhere. Evidently she has the notion that you have a sort of Grand Plan to reunite her with Robert. I tried to clarify matters a little, but could not really tell her much without contradicting her apparently unshakable faith in you. She seems to have been able to conceal much of her fear of Schofield since learning of my betrothal. Indeed, she wished me happy in a very affecting way, and then spent a merry quarter hour cutting up his character with me.

  My betrothal to the Marquis has had unexpected benefits, new gowns among them. The modiste required me for nearly the whole of Wednesday, but I own that judging by the dress I wore to Lady Melbourne's ball Thursday evening, all the fittings and consultings will be well worthwhile. Georgy helped me with my hair and I really do think I looked quite well. Isn't it funny, Cecy—I only came to London because Georgina could not come out before me, and I never thought I'd really find a suitable parti in Town— but the instant it became known that Schofield had offered for me, many eligible young men and a great many more ineligible old ones were suddenly able to perceive my charms for the
first time. I had a splendid time, for the first half hour.

  On our arrival, the room was almost full of the Ton, but neither Dorothea nor Miranda was in evidence. Thomas appeared and led me out in a country dance, selected according to some private strategy of his. He seems to have worked out a little timetable so we can appear together for the briefest possible time before the greatest possible number of people. Georgina was surrounded by her usual throng of beaux. Even Aunt Charlotte appeared to be having a nice fencing match with some of the mamas, who were inquiring pointedly about the suddenness of my betrothal.

  Dorothea and Miranda arrived in a little stir of attention, which grew until the entire room was murmuring like the wind in a grove of trees. When Dorothea was presented to Lady Melbourne, a hush fell upon the room. It lasted only a moment, but for that single moment there was not a sound from the guests and the music seemed loud and just a touch flat. Dorothea glanced shyly about once, then dropped her gaze to the fan she held and kept it there. As one, every man young enough to walk without a stick surged toward her. A great sigh ran through the room, and then the murmuring began again, like the wind rising.

  The dances continued, but this time Georgina lacked her beaux, and I was one of the many in the chairs along the wall. A throng of young men surrounded Dorothea, and first among them was that odious man, Thomas.

  Miranda stood watching it all with an expression of serene amusement, until she caught sight of me, seated across the room and attempting to look as though I didn't care two pins for anything. She gave me a graceful little inclination of her head as a nod of recognition and then smiled at me—quite the most unpleasant smile I've ever seen in my life.

  I spent the remainder of the evening paying no attention whatever to Dorothea and Thomas. (He stood up with her for three waltzes, that monster. And Dorothea would never have consented to a single one, had she not had a childlike faith in me and my ability to rescue her from him.) I was far too concerned with Georgina in any case. She took her sudden fall from grace with great composure, but the gossip that rose in whispers all around her required many brilliant smiles from both of us to deflect.

  The next day, I was startled to receive an invitation to tea with Miranda and Dorothea Griscomb. Georgina went with me, on the theory that it would do Georgy's reputation nothing but good to be seen to be friendly with the beauty who had so recently taken the shine clean out of her. The pair of them hit it off at once, and departed in short order to examine the Griscombs' collection of India curiosities, leaving Miranda and me alone over the teacups.

  "Will you have more bread and butter?" Miranda inquired.

  I accepted, though it was rather stale, since the alternatives were marzipan bonbons shaped like little clenched fists and meringues tinted a distinctly peculiar shade of green. I took a cautious sip of tea.

  "Your sister is truly lovely," said Miranda.

  I regarded her with suspicion. It seemed most out of character for her to praise anyone, still less a stranger. "Dorothea is as beautiful or more so," I replied carefully.

  "Thomas certainly appeared to think so," agreed Miranda. "It must be very galling for you to be treated so. Yet perhaps it is wise for you to be used to such behavior from the very start, for I'm sure he'll be just the same once you're married."

  "That's of little importance to me," I said in as indifferent a tone as I could muster. I took another sip of tea and added, "I hardly think our marriage will last long enough to inconvenience either of us."

  Miranda gave me the full benefit of those cold dark eyes. "Your romance was a whirlwind affair."

  I smiled. It was hardly more than a baring of teeth, but I managed it. "My romance was timed precisely according to my instructions."

  Miranda's expression did not change but I could sense the focus of her attention as it sharpened. "Instructions?" she purred.

  I put my teacup down on my saucer and gave my best snort of exasperation. "Don't play the innocent with me."

  Miranda's eyes widened at my words. If she has spent any time at all in Sir Hilary's company, she could hardly fail to recognize both the snort and the sentiment. Remember how you and Robert chopped your hole in the hedge of the maze? Those were Sir Hilary's exact words when he questioned me. I flatter myself I even came close to the cadence of his voice.

  Miranda's eyebrows crept up her forehead as she peered at me searchingly. I wanted very badly to take another sip of tea but was afraid that if I tried the cup would rattle in the saucer and betray my nervousness.

  At that moment, very fortunately I think, Dorothea and Georgina returned. We took our leave with much affection on Georgina's and Dorothea's behalf and much insincerity on Miranda's part and mine. I think the seed of a suspicion has been planted. I hope it turns out to be suspicion of Sir Hilary and not entirely suspicion of me. If Sir Hilary and Miranda are conspiring to rid themselves of Thomas, surely they wouldn't let him marry Dorothea and live happily ever after, when with a little resolution they could kill him and gain control of his estates through Dorothea. And if that is so, surely Miranda could believe that I should find the prospect of wealthy widowhood an appealing one. I preferred to try for a light touch in my reference to Sir Hilary. If she questions him, he may admit to a long-standing acquaintance between our families. Is that the sort of suspicion you had in mind?

  Despite Schofield's behavior at Lady Melbourne's ball, I agreed to drive out with him on Friday. Again, obedient to some schedule of his own, he selected a spot in which the most people would observe us in the briefest period of time, St. James's Park. We spoke scarcely at all, so industriously were we nodding and smiling at our respective acquaintances, but I knew immediately when he saw Dorothea, for he stiffened beside me like a hunting dog coming on point. She was strolling with Michael Aubrey and Alice Grenville, looking perfectly fetching in a lilac walking dress and pelisse. Really, she reminds me terribly of Georgy, that perfect profile and the elegant line of her throat. It made it worse, in a way, that she did resemble Georgina, for it has happened to me before, that chill sensation when I feel my companion's attention drawn from me to her. Not that I cared for his attention, mind, only it was disagreeable to have it happen again.

  Schofield pulled up and we chatted, and in a matter of moments, I was walking beside Alice Grenville and Dorothea was up in the carriage. It seemed the most natural thing in the world, and I'm sure no one could have remarked upon it. Only, of course, Michael Aubrey stayed to speak with Dorothea as Alice and I strolled on along the way alone.

  I have mentioned, I believe, the Oriental footbridge over the long duck pond. Alice and I were at the center of the bridge, discussing the ducks and swans that paddled nearby, hopeful of crumbs, when Alice spied the Grenville twins strolling past. She greeted them with enthusiasm and walked forward to meet them. George and Andrew met her before she was off the bridge. Andrew and Alice stepped onto the footpath, debating the merits of a visit to Gunther's. George passed them, intending to join me. Briefly, I was alone at the highest point of the bridge, perhaps seven feet above the surface of the water. At that moment, I felt the structure tremble; then, as the bridge shivered itself into splinters, I fell into the duck pond.

  My first thought was "Earthquake!" My second, "I will never be able to wear this bonnet again." Then I was able to get my feet under me and rise, cascading green water, shocking the ducks, and offending the swans. When I stood, the water only reached my waist, so I was able to clamber out of the pond unassisted.

  Judging from the needlelike bits of wood that had once been the footbridge, which now bobbed and floated on the surface of the pond, nothing natural caused the bridge to collapse. It was a sensational event and attracted much attention on every hand. Most of it, however, was directed toward George Grenville, poor man, who managed somehow to fall off the bridge as it went down and break his arm. While he was being attended to, Frederick Hollydean and Mr. Strangle drew up in their landau and insisted I allow them to escort me home. I was wet to the skin,
chilled to the bone, and torn between embarrassment and fury (not a sign of the Marquis, of course), but I was otherwise unharmed, so I accepted. I did some damage to the upholstery, since I was covered in mud and streaming with water. I'm afraid neither of them got much sense out of me, though both of them cross-questioned me the entire way home, since all I could do was clutch my reticule to my chest and sniff back silly tears.

  Aunt Charlotte was very severe with me, calling for a mustard plaster to be applied to my chest, and explaining to me that if I had not so improperly abandoned my escort for another, this would never have happened. It seemed a good idea to let her work off her rage by allowing her to minister to me, so I submitted to a day of scrubbing and scolding and being tucked up in bed with a stocking around my neck to keep off the cold.

  Next morning I was permitted to go down to the blue saloon when Alice called to say that George was going to be fine. We condoled together over the catastrophe and speculated on the probable effect it would have on the ducks. Shortly after her departure, Thomas, Marquis of Schofield, called. I received him in the blue saloon, this time taking pains to seat myself in the chair he had claimed on his earlier visit. I was a little piqued to receive him once again looking less than my best, but at least this time I was decently dressed and groomed, and only the redness of my eyes and nose betrayed the cold I had contracted.

  "You're looking very earnest this morning," I said when he had accepted a chair across the room from me and stared at me without speaking for a full minute.

  "I have come to ask you to cry off, Kate," he said. His voice was very even but his expression was gloomy.

  I regarded him with astonishment. "I thought you needed a fiancee rather urgently."