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Chapter Twenty-Eight
“What will signify all the learning in the world, if you are wanting in generosity, in kindness, in good nature?”
Private Education: A Practical Plan for the Studies of Young Ladies.
Elizabeth Appleton. 1815.
“Do you know of a princess named Catrin within your lineage?” asked Lady Elen, her dessert spoon scooping up a last layer of stewed apple.
“Well…” Isabelle could scarcely remember her own dearest papa, let alone her lineage as such… “I must confess I’ve never had the chance to delve into my family history, but someday I would be most interested to discover more.”
“Excellent. I am in contact with many a historian who may be able to help.”
Isabelle smiled and sipped her sweet wine. She suspected her own and Lady Elen’s motives differed but the result would be the same, for Isabelle cared not for aristocratic titles and bloodlines but she did wish to know her family, to feel close to them – their names and lives.
Dinner tonight had been a curious affair, the ladies and chaperones – with numbers now rather diminished – still atwitter with the events of yesterday, pursing lips and concluding how they’d known it was the treacherous Lord Powell all along.
Lady Elen had disregarded her own seating plan and sat at the head, an invited Isabelle to her left and Mari opposite who conversed intently with Miss Vaughn. The rest of the guests had sat according to friendships formed over the last weeks not hierarchy, the Scandalous Mr Cadwalader inserting himself between the Craddock ladies with a wink.
Lady Bronwen and her father had departed at first light, followed by Lady Nesta, but other guests were not due to leave until after the morrow and had spent the day packing or in the music room listening to the gifted Miss Brecken.
So the sole blemish on the evening – indeed the entire day – was that her beloved Rhys had been absent, the Scandalous Mr Cadwalader citing ducal matters.
Isabelle gazed to her empty bowl.
She’d missed his fervent gaze. His hand which had never left her waist yesterday evening, his words of love whispered to her throat as he’d escorted her to her chamber.
His snug breeches as he’d walked away.
“You have inspired me, Isabelle.”
“Hmm?” And she turned to Gwen at her side. “Me?”
“Yes, indeed. With your bravery and determination. Through your own endeavour, you became a woman of independence.”
“Oh…” Isabelle fussed with her sleeve.
“So, I have decided…” Gwen pulled back her shoulders. “I have decided to do something with my life, rather than just lament it away on past sorrow.” She inhaled deep. “I intend to travel. To Paris and Rome. I wish to visit the pyramids and the Colosseum. I wish to…live life.”
Isabelle grinned. “That’s wonderful, Gwen.”
“I’m sending off for maps and I hope to have a route planned before Christmas. Perchance set off in the spring. In fact, I’m placing an advert in the newspapers for a companion. Someone who has experience of trav–”
“Ahem!” A tinkle of glass accompanied the call to attention and they both twisted to Mrs Craddock as she rose to her feet.
The company quietened, Lady Elen peering up in bemusement.
“I have one or two things I’d like to say on behalf of all the guests here tonight,” a pink-gowned Mrs Craddock began. “I should first like to give our utmost thanks to Lady Elen for entertaining us with such magnificent sights and outings these past weeks. For ourselves…” She glanced to her daughter. “We have had a most enjoyable time.”
Everyone raised their wine glasses while Lady Elen blushed and flapped her hands.
“Which brings me to…Miss Beaujeu.” Mrs Craddock coughed delicately into her clenched fingers. “We also wish to apologise to you. For holding our tongues when you were accused.” She tutted. “We could all sense it was a hoard of utter fibs, for you have been nothing but helpful and considerate to everyone but well…we…the ladies…”
Her daughter stood. “What Mama is trying to say is that we were all feeble widgeons, not wishing to be conspicuous or be seen as quarrelsome, especially at a duke’s house party. So, I… We apologise to you. Most sincerely.”
Miss Brecken and the captain also rose, lifting their glasses.
Then Miss Vaughn.
