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Chapter 10
There had been no timefor Rebecca to dwell on her conversation with Ben after that dreaded afternoon when she had called on him. She and Isobel had spent the next two days writing invitations and offering suggestions to Martha, who was in charge of the celebration; Cook, who was preparing the menus; and Mrs. Pugh, the housekeeper, who was ensuring the house was in order. It was all a bit daunting, because until Mama and Papa arrived, no one was precisely sure who or how many would be arriving at Alderwood besides Susan and her new husband.
In the meantime, Lavinia and Delia, with input from Artie and Hannah, organized a grand musical revue to follow the banquet that was to be held in the new couple’s honor. Thomas, Isaac, and Lucas had agreed to organize games and activities for the villagers during the day.
They had all been so busy that Rebecca had not thought about Ben for even a moment. She hadn’t thought about him when she’d written his invitation. She hadn’t thought about his singing when Delia had mentioned the folk songs to be performed, nor had she thought about the look in Ben’s eyes as he’d listened to her playing Beethoven when Delia had suggested she play the pianoforte. And shedefinitelyhadn’t thought about sitting next to him on a picnic blanket, talking to him about Isaac’s sermon and trying to truly understand the depth of his grief and pain.
Indeed, Rebecca hadn’t thought about Ben or any of those things as all the work and discussions for Susan’s wedding celebration had occurred over the past few days—or that was what she kept telling herself every time an image of him flitted through her mind and tried to take a firm hold there. She’d been only somewhat successful.
Or not successful at all.
At least she’d managed to keep her thoughts of Ben to herself, appear cheery with her family, and be productive and helpful, despite her inability to use both of her legs.
And so, plans had been well underway by the time Mama and Papa arrived home on Saturday afternoon.
“We are truly blessed with the best children, are we not, Thurlby?” Mama exclaimed after Thomas and Isobel had reported on what preparations had occurred thus far, the entire family present in the dayroom to welcome Mama and Papa home properly. “I know it’s going to be the most splendid celebration our Susan could ever wish for, and she has wished a long time for this.”
“Has she, Mama?” Isaac said. “I’m glad to hear it. I have been rather concerned for her the past several years and wondered if she truly wished to be a wife and mother. I’m sure the Lord is pleased.”
“I expect the Lord has been pleased with Susan all along, Isaac,” Mama said. “It merely takes longer for some to find their place and calling in life.”
“Tell us about the Duke of Aylesham!” Lavinia exclaimed, abruptly changing the subject—for which Rebecca was grateful, considering she felt very nearly a spinster on the shelf now herself. “I never laid eyes on the gentleman, and that is saying quite a bit, considering how many of them spent time attending the theater and wishing to make my acquaintance. Sorry, my love,” she said in an aside to Lucas, “but ’tis true, as you know. You know it better than anyone.”
“Except, perhaps, for Artie and Hannah and me,” Delia said. She tapped her chin. “Aylesham, hmm. I have thought on that title a great deal since we heard the news of Susan’s nuptials, but I cannot put a face with it.” She looked at Artie, who shrugged, and Hannah, who shook her head. “He must be lofty, indeed, for there were plenty of the Quality of London who sought the entertainments of Drury Lane.”
“Aye,” Artie said. “Even saw Prinny in attendance a time or two or three.”
“I believe a more suitable word thanloftywould benoble,” Papa said. “I say that based on my conversations with him. I think he suits Susan extremely well.”
“He must be a man of great fortitude, then,” Lucas said. “Susan is nobody’s fool.”
“I believe she has already shown that to be the case,” Papa said with a knowing look.
Everyone laughed at the familial jest regarding their highly intelligent and strong-willed Susan, but Rebecca had been struck by Lucas’s comment that Susan was not a fool. Lucas would not say the same about Rebecca.
Well, she told herself, it was time to start afresh. Put her best foot forward, so to speak. Ha! Apparently, she still retained her sense of humor. There was no point in pining away for Ben when she clearly knew his position.
She vowed to do her very best to be his friend and a cordial neighbor, set her own attachment for him aside, and do everything in her power to look forward to next year’s Season and the opportunities it would offer her.
On Sunday, she returned to church services for the first time since her injury. Mama had asked Mrs. Pugh to see if she could find an old cushion to support Rebecca’s foot when she was sitting in the pew. Rebecca felt rather conspicuous at first, but everyone greeted her and wished her well.
Not long after, she felt the air in the chapel change and turned to see what was happening—right as Ben walked through the doors. He looked about, nodded greetings to a few of the parishioners, and then located Rebecca and all of her family.
He headed straight in their direction.
Rebecca froze in panic; now that he was walking up the aisle to their pews, she tried desperately to hide that particular fact by fiddling with her reticule.
“Lord Thurlby, Lady Thurlby,” he said, greeting her parents in a friendly whisper. “I’m pleased to see that you have returned from London safely.”
“Thank you, Lord Winton,” Papa said. “We are glad to be home again. I much prefer my Alderwood to the bustle of London, but as the occasion was a joyous one, I must say I enjoyed myself.”
“Good to hear it,” Ben said. He then offered greetings to the rest of Rebecca’s family, although he was much more decorous than he’d been with Papa and Mama. Rebecca took steady breaths, in and out, in and out . . .
“Good morning, Rebecca,” he said at last, offering her his hand. She looked up at him, and he gazed back at her, his eyes serious although his expression was amiable. “I hope you are well.”
She set her hand lightly atop his. “I am, thank you,” she replied, grateful they were in church, because she barely managed a whisper when she uttered the words.
He bowed over her hand, and to her relief and dismay, he didn’t press a kiss to it.
