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Because perhaps it is not love, but lust.
“Come along, Tabitha.”
Aunt Caroline’s shout brought her out of her ruminations.
“All right, Auntie, I’m coming,” Tabitha said as she came down the stairs, fastening her hat.
The ladies left the house and entered the carriage. It would take until nightfall to reach the city, if the weather held out. Dark clouds formed in the sky, and the wind blew a warning of an impending storm. Hopefully, they would be in front of the storm and not get stranded on the road.
They began their journey headed away from the clouds, but as the day progressed, a light rainfall slowed their trip, and just as they reached the outskirts of London, the heavens opened in a downpour. Her aunt voiced concern regarding the safety of driving in such weather, but Tabitha assured her they would not be long. They pulled up to the townhouse just after nightfall and were escorted in.
Due to the late hour, the ladies took a light supper, then Tabitha excused herself and retired for the night. Tomorrow promised to be full of excitement, Tabitha was sure of it.
The next day, Tabitha was eating breakfast when her brother, Phillip was announced. She jumped out of her chair to embrace him. The siblings had always been close because they were twins, although she was older by mere minutes and took every chance to remind Phillip.
Her brother had a similar appearance, with gray eyes and brown hair dusted with golden highlights. His nose was slightly larger than Tabitha’s, as expected in a man, and he was almost a foot taller. Like her, Phillip had a keen mind and was the most loyal friend anyone could wish for. There wasn’t much that Tabitha did not tell him.
The one flaw her brother had was his reputation as a rapscallion. Phillip and his friends had a penchant for mischief and intrigue. The gossip papers had never mentioned anything scandalous about Phillip, but Tabitha worried he would get himself into trouble one day. For now, she was happy to see him.
“Oh, Philip, I’m so glad to see you. You look wonderful.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t get to see you after Paris last year. I’ve been busy with other commitments.”
“It doesn’t matter. Your correspondences were enough to entertain me. So, are you off on business today, or are you meeting with that group of rascals you call friends?” Tabitha smiled, slight amusement in her voice. She enjoyed teasing Phillip about his group of friends.
“Now, now Tabby,” Philip said, patting her hand like she was a child, using his best sarcastic tone. “You know we are all fine upstanding gentlemen who are merely amusing ourselves until such time that we must face the responsibilities that come with our titles. You wouldn’t begrudge us some fun before the rest of our lives are over, would you?”
Tabitha laughed. If there was one thing she knew, it was that Phillip was more than ready to handle the obligations which came with the title. He was smart, resourceful, and hardworking. He would be an excellent viscount someday.
“I’m leaving on the afternoon tide for the continent. I have business to attend to regarding trade contracts. I’m helping a friend with the negotiations. He has no head for figures and is fearful of getting the short end of the stick. Of course, being the obliging chap that I am,” he continued in a boisterous voice, “I have agreed to help so he does not come to financial ruin.”
Tabitha waved her hand. “Very well, go off and have your adventures with your friends while I am left alone to face mama.”
“Ah, yes, you must ask forgiveness from the shepherdess and see if she will accept you back into the flock. Good luck. Mama has been in one of her moods lately. Poor father. He will be happy to have you back. I know he has missed you terribly.”
They exchanged a few other pleasantries, and Phillip stayed for breakfast. He filled Tabitha and their aunt in on town gossip. He left an hour later, with a kiss for each of them.
Shortly after, Tabitha went up to change for her visit while Aunt Caroline went through the correspondences already coming in. Tabitha didn't know what to expect from her mother. Lady Bedford was a fickle woman. One never knew which way her mood would lean. Even though Tabitha was not looking forward to the confrontation, she knew she couldn’t put it off. Best to get it over with now.
Tabitha asked her aunt not to come, fearing her mother might go into a fit. She didn’t want Aunt Caroline to be on the receiving end of her mother’s wrath. Tabitha had a thick skin and was used to it after all these years. She knew she wasn’t the daughter Diana Bedford had hoped for, but she did her best at trying to appease her mother when it did not go against her personal principles.
The last straw had been Lady Bedford’s insistence that she marry Lord Vance. Tabitha had disobeyed her mother’s commands in the past, but this had been the one thing her mother had been adamant about. Since Tabitha left two years ago, she hadn’t spoken or written to her mother except for the few initial letters exchanged.
By the time the carriage pulled up to the house, the vein on the side of Tabitha’s neck beat frantically. Stepping down from the conveyance, a mild sense of apprehension washed over her. She loved her mother, but she could be difficult in these types of situations, and Tabitha knew she would find it hard to hold her tongue.
The butler, who had a large grin on his face when he saw her, greeted Tabitha at the front door.
“Welcome home, miss. It is good to see you again.”
“Thank you, Carl. I will see myself in.”
The servant bowed, then left. Was her mother up at this hour? There was only one way to find out. First, Tabitha went to the parlor, but it was empty. Next, she tried the breakfast room, but no luck there. Finally, she rang the bell and asked to speak with her mother’s lady’s maid, Agatha. The maid’s eyes went wide in surprise when she saw Tabitha. Then she remembered her manners and curtsied. “Welcome home, miss.”
“Thank you, Agatha. I was looking for my mother. Is she awake?”
“Yes, miss.”
“Would you tell her I am here and that I wish to speak with her?”
