Page 32 of The Cornish Bride

Chapter Fourteen

Oliver returned to the Castle Inn, and Ysella, barely able to conceal her excitement, and Ellen rejoined James and the barouche when he brought it round to the dressmakers’ shop. Ysella had called in at the haberdasher’s near the Castle and bought the mob cap she’d told Kit she was going to buy for Martha. That had been a last-minute purchase, as she’d nearly forgotten about it. She also bought a length of wide blue ribbon to give to Ellen as a reward for her silence. A bribe, perhaps. Overjoyed at her luck, Ellen promised absolute silence about Ysella’s clandestine meeting with Oliver. After all, Ysella told herself, there was practically nothing to tell, anyway, as Ellen couldn’t possibly have heard their whispered plans.

Back at Ormonde, Ysella went to great pains to describe to Mama all her purchases, although Kit, whom she’d really wanted to tell, was conspicuous by his absence at luncheon. “He’s eating upstairs with Morvoren,” Mama said. “I had a tray sent up for them. She’s a little stronger today, but Doctor Busick wants her to stay in bed another week.”

“I ordered some beautiful baby gowns for George,” Ysella expanded as they nibbled dainty sandwiches together in the drawing room. Luncheon was never a large meal.

Mama seemed delighted at Ysella’s interest in the baby, and the conversation drifted to her reminiscences of when her own children had been that little, which, now the floodgates had been opened, brought more confidences about the lost children. Somehow, today, Ysella didn’t want to hear about them for fear their tale made Mama too sad. And her, as well. She managed to turn the conversation towards lighter tales of when she herself had been a small child.

A tiny pang of guilt assaulted her, though, as she listened to fond reminiscences of her naughtinesses, which seemed to be all Mama could remember, as though she’d never been well behaved. Of course, she’d always known how much Mama loved her, but these little stories brought it home with a jolt. Tomorrow morning, when Ysella’s absence was discovered, Mama was going to be distraught. Might it bring back to her the loss of her other children? Ysella surprised herself with her own insight.

Could she do that to Mama? The sandwich she’d been nibbling turned to dry sawdust in her mouth. Was she not doing a very selfish thing, running off like this?

“Ysella,” Mama said, calling her back to the moment. “Is something wrong? You’re not eating and are looking quite pale.”

Ysella hastily popped the remains of her sandwich into her mouth, chewed a moment and swallowed. It went down like a lump of lead. “Nothing’s wrong.” Why was that lump lodged in her throat? It couldn’t be the sandwich as she’d swallowed that. She forced a smile. “I’m perfectly fine.”

Mama’s expression said she didn’t believe her.

Ysella took a small cake. “I think I’ll go up and see little George in the nursery after luncheon.” Anything to distract Mama’s gimlet gaze, because if she wasn’t careful, she was going to cry, and that was silly. Why would her decision to elope with the man she loved be bringing tears to her eyes and that lump to her throat? Ridiculous.

It worked. Mama smiled. “Every time I go to see him, he’s changed a little. Jessie’s little girl is thriving as well, which is good to see. What good fortune it was that she should have been born on the same day as George. Morvoren told me it’s very important for a baby to have the first milk a mother produces.” She frowned. “Something about something she called ‘antibodies.’ She does have such a lot of surprising scientific knowledge for a young lady.”

Ysella smiled and nodded, catastrophe averted.

*

When she wentupstairs after luncheon was finished, she found George was not in the nursery. Nanny told her she’d find him in Morvoren’s room, so she walked along the corridor, knocked, and went inside.

Loveday was bustling about tidying, while Morvoren sat up in bed, supported by many pillows, with George sleeping in her arms.

Ysella paused in the doorway taking in this delightful scene, the realization washing over her that she would be abandoning both Morvoren and George this very night, and possibly not seeing them again for some time. If Kit were very vexed, possibly not for years. A nub of indecision formed in Ysella’s heart. Could she really give all this up? Was she ready for the changes being married to Oliver would necessitate? Had she made the right decision in agreeing to elope with him? Was she not being a tad impetuous? Perhaps, even now, she could persuade Kit to favor the match and accept Oliver’s suit for her, and then she would have no need to abandon her family until the wedding, and afterwards would be able to visit whenever she wanted.

“Ysella,” Morvoren called. “Come, sit beside the bed and tell me about your morning.”

Ysella closed the door and did as she was told, perching on the edge of the chair by the bed. “Nothing much to report,” she said, forcing a cheery smile. “I went into Marlborough to order a new dress. And I ordered some delightful baby gowns for George.” She’d been going to say that when Morvoren was better, they could go in together and choose some more, but had to stop herself. When Morvoren was better, she would be married to Oliver and living who knew where. A sobering thought.

Morvoren sighed. “How lucky you are. I can’t wait to be up and about again. Doctor Busick insists that I stay in bed, but I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.” She sighed. “I can’t wait to be back on my feet again and able to look after George myself.”

“And ride with me,” Ysella said, before she thought. Another thing she was going to miss. Why was she only now thinking of all this? When she’d agreed to elope, none of this had crossed her mind, but now Oliver wasn’t with her, she wasn’t even sure she still wanted to run off with him. Not if it meant leaving all this behind.

Morvoren nodded. “I have missed my rides with you. Particularly the ones when we were wearing our breeches.” She put out a hand and patted Ysella’s hand. “Those were the most fun.”

Ysella bit her lip. Would she ever be able to ride out again in breeches? Was Oliver the sort of man who would disapprove of his wife doing something like that? And where would they be living? The notion that neither of them had discussed this seared through her brain like a hot knife. As far as she knew, Oliver had not looked further ahead than a marriage ceremony conducted by a smelly blacksmith on the Scottish borders. She certainly hadn’t up until this point. A hollow formed in her stomach.

“Are you all right?” Morvoren asked. “You look like you’re miles away.”

Ysella started. “Yes, yes. I’m quite fine. Just dreaming about riding astride again one day soon.” She managed a smile. “I’m sure you’ll be well enough for that before long.” There, none of her reply had been a lie. She didn’t want to have to lie to Morvoren.

Morvoren sighed. “I hope so. I’m so fed up with being confined to my bed.” She looked down at George’s sleeping face. “Although I’m very glad to have George in my arms at last.”

Ysella stroked the baby’s soft downy cheek. “I have to say, he does seem to be a particularly beautiful baby.”

Morvoren nodded. “Although we are perhaps a little biased.” She looked up. “But aren’t you looking forward to your return to London to finish the season? I feel so guilty that you’re missing so many balls because of me.” She smiled. “I’m sure you’ll find yourself another handsome gentleman. You’re so pretty and vivacious. How can any man not be smitten by you?” She patted Ysella’s hand. “I’m so glad you saw sense about that young man who was here the other day. If he’s a friend of Fitz’s, he can’t be a true gentleman. Although, Loveday did tell me that she peeked at him over the bannisters and he looked very handsome and quite the dandy.”

Heat rose to Ysella’s cheeks. “He is indeed very handsome,” she said, fidgeting a little. “But Kit doesn’t like him and I have seen him for what he is, as you know.”

Morvoren nodded. “Very sensible of you.”