Chapter 7

Chapter 7

"They're so beautiful," whispered Jocelyn, as she bent and buried her nose in the flowers to inhale the fragrance.

"You must have an admirer," said Olivia. "Ellen, Was there a note? What did Mrs. Jennings say about their arrival?"

"Just that a carriage pulled up outside the house and a footman handed them to Mrs. Jennings."

"No note or letter with them?" Olivia asked.

"No, nothing. Shall I put them in water, Lady Jocelyn?"

"Yes please, Ellen. Let's keep them in here, in Mama's morning room."

While Ellen went to collect a vase and water, Jocelyn looked excitedly at Olivia. "It's him, isn't it?"

"You mean Lord Ludlow?"

"Of course. He has sent a note saying he will call this afternoon and would I like to go for a carriage ride."

"It seems you have made a conquest my dear Jocelyn. I'm delighted for you."

"And I believe you have good news too." said Jocelyn.

Olivia blushed, assuming her niece meant the Earl of Hatfield. Jocelyn was busy looking at the flowers and didn't notice.

"You've sent it to the publisher. How long before you hear back?"

Her niece meant her finishing her novel and sending it to Bertram & Stead, a publishing house in London.

"I don't know. Perhaps in a week or two."

Jocelyn waltzed around the room, handing a rose to Olivia. "I can't believe you've written a whole book, and it's a compelling story. Lady Leighton and I both loved the twist at the end. You'll be famous soon."

"No I won't. I used a pseudonym. No one will know it's written by me."

"A disguise. What name did you choose? Something romantic like Guinevere de Montford?"

"Absolutely not. I used the name Mary Newnham. I did wonder about just M Newnham."

"You used Mama's name. I like that," said Jocelyn. "I wish she were here Olivia, for my coming out season. I miss them so much."

"I know dearest Jocelyn. I miss them too. Everyday."

She took Jocelyn in her arms to give her comfort.

Soon the flowers were in the vase, and they awaited the arrival of Lord Ludlow.

"Jocelyn, I don't believe you've settled down since those flowers arrived," said Olivia in exasperation.

"But he might come to call at any point," insisted Jocelyn.

"We're not sure those flowers came from Lord Ludlow," said Olivia, reminding her that all was not always what it seemed.

"Oh, look at the sunshine Olivia," said Jocelyn, apparently not hearing a word of what Olivia had said. "It's a perfect day for a carriage ride."

If we are going to have many more of these afternoons of agitation and anxiety, I shall have to take up embroidery. I can't just sit here while you stare out of the window.

Olivia called for Ellen to bring tea. "Earl grey, I think, with that citrus flavor to wake me up whilst we wait."

"Jocelyn, I recall that Lady Leighton suggested the latest fashion plates from Paris were a little different. I think that puff sleeves might have made a return."

Anything, anything to detract her from standing there for hours.

Soon Ellen joined them with the tea and together the three of them looked over the patterns.

"My sister says there are a lot of changes this season," said Ellen, sorting through the plates with enthusiasm.

"I told you, Jocelyn," said Olivia. "Look at the detail on this dress."

Jocelyn was drawn into half an hour of fashion plates and planning. "I think this style will suit you Lady Jocelyn," said Ellen. "The sleeves are shorter."

"Thankfully I was wrong, the trend is not for puffed sleeves," commented Olivia.

"Most seem to have a lower neckline. I like this one, with the lace edging. The color would suit you Olivia," said Jocelyn.

"I don't think Uncle Harold will allow me another gown this season. However, he has assured me we can buy whatever you need to shine at court, balls, and recitals," Olivia replied.

"I believe, Lady Olivia, that it would be easy to convert that peacock-colored silk dress to this design. It always seemed a little plain to me," said Ellen, who, knowing her mistress well, added another incentive. "It's a difficult neckline for me to iron straight and a change would in fact make it easier."

Olivia wasn't fooled for one minute but went along with her maid's kind plan. "Very well Ellen. Ask Madame Beauchamps, the seamstress, to make the changes. Now, Jocelyn, do you prefer this coral or this rosebud pink shade?"

"Rosebud," said Jocelyn decisively, and Olivia knew the color would suit her complexion and brown locks.

"Coral would suit you. I think it is a color which would complement your skin tone," Jocelyn added.

Olivia looked at the sample of coral silk and sighed.

Such a beautiful color. I love it and always seem to wear gray, restrained colors nowadays.

" It is beautiful. The crushed silk seems to shimmer in the light, but Uncle Harold is already scrutinizing our bills," Olivia reminds Jocelyn

Jocelyn turned to Olivia with a look far older than her years. "Olivia, we need to have gumption and grit where our uncle is concerned. I have an inheritance still, even if we are all confused as to what has happened with regard to yours. Uncle has told you to marry, and yes, I do know, the whole household knows, because he does not have a quiet voice when he is berating you."

"Josie, please," Olivia replied, using the familiar childhood name Jocelyn's parents had called her.

"He expects you to marry this season?" Jocelyn asked her.

Olivia nodded.

"Then he must pay for your gowns. This color and cloth are perfect for you," Jocelyn said with certainty.

Olivia could see Ellen discreetly pretending to be busy with the color plates as the conversation took place.

Jocelyn squeezed her older cousin's hand. "Truly, Olivia, if you are to escape this house, then your only route is through marriage. Think of all the expense you will save the addle-pated miser in the long term. All those helpings of pot pie and chicken fricassee you won't eat in the years ahead, because you are married and gone from Swanbourne Place."

Olivia began to laugh. ‘You can't call Uncle Harold an addle-pated miser. It isn't appropriate," she said, nodding at Ellen to remind Jocelyn they were not alone.

"Hmm. I will remove addle-pated, though I do consider him foolish. But can you tell me truthfully that he is not a miser?" She peered at her cousin. "I thought not."

They collapsed in laughter. Ellen began to collect the fashion plates when Jocelyn spotted something different. "What's this?" she asked curiously.

"My sister told me about these. It's a petticoat which is firmer and makes a dress stand out a little. You know how some of the muslin dresses can cling to a figure. This keeps the muslin in place all evening."

"Just the thing for a ball which lasts all night," said Jocelyn. "We can't be the only ladies of quality not wearing the new petticoats. Add them to the list, Ellen."

A knock startled them, as Mrs. Jennings put her head round the door. "It's a gentleman asking if Lady Jocelyn is taking callers," she said.

Looking at the fashion plates and pieces of fabric spread out across the table she continued, "I'll tell the gentleman to return another day, shall I?"

Jocelyn stood up in alarm. "Is it Lord Ludlow?"

Mrs. Jennings nodded.

"He's here. Olivia, I told you he would call today."

"As you seem to be expecting him, I'll tell him you are available," Mrs. Jennings said, smiling. "I'll put him in the morning room for a few minutes while you tidy in here."

After a scurry of activity, Lord Ludlow was shown through and bowed stiffly. Olivia acknowledged him and indicated he should sit.

"Would you care for a cup of earl grey tea, your lordship," she asked, "and we have honey cake today."

He nodded and they all settled to tea and cake and the conversation flowed.

Listening to Lord Ludlow, Olivia realized he was quite a conversationalist. He was very polite and the stories he told about his life on his country estate at Granville were not in the least bit boring. Olivia realized that Marianne must know him as they were neighbors.

"Do you prefer town or country Lord Ludlow?" she asked.

Without a momentary pause, or hesitation, he told her. "That's easy, the countryside. I'd always prefer to be home in the Chiltern Hills.

He looked a little apprehensive, as if he wanted to say something, but wasn't sure if he could.

How charming . I really rather like Lord Ludlow. He could be perfect for Jocelyn.

"I wondered if you would care to take a ride in the park?" he inquired, looking longingly at Jocelyn.

"Oh yes of course," she said. "Olivia, can we go riding in the park?"

"I see no reason why not," agreed Olivia "It's a fine day. If you go to the mews, and prepare your team, have your coachman bring your carriage round to the main door, then Jocelyn and I can join you in ten minutes."

"I'll go and do that now," he said, with an over excitement Olivia found authentic and natural. "I brought the landau, so we have the roof in case there is a shower of rain."

After Lord Ludlow had gone to speak to the groom in the mews at the back of Swanbourne Place, Jocelyn could hardly contain her excitement. "He came to call and now we're going to ride in the park."

"You must look demure and not too enthusiastic Josie," Olivia warned her.

"I know. I know. But a carriage ride, and in a landau." She rushed over to the window, peering out. Do you know Olivia that the sun is shining, and there is actually a rainbow in an arc across the sky?"

"Go and get your velvet redingote. I think that will be warmer than a pelisse," suggested Olivia.

Olivia called for Ellen. "We are going carriage riding Ellen, and it's an open topped landau. What does Lady Jocelyn need in her hair? And does she need a bonnet?"

"Come quickly upstairs and I have just the thing," Ellen replied.

As they rushed across the hallway the study door opened for a moment and a dour-faced Uncle Harold stared at them both before retreating back into his study without making a comment.

An elegant lady in a blue bonnet with a turquoise feather, and a younger lady in a straw bonnet with a rose-pink ribbon, soon left Swanbourne Place, stepping into an elegant landau with a pair of handsome bay horses. The sun was shining as Lord Ludlow's coachman set off for Hyde Park.

Conversation continued much as it had in the drawing room, but in the glorious sunshine as the coach trundled towards the park.

Olivia smiled to herself, remembering the trivia of courting conversation.

He'll ask her what her favorite flower or color is in a few minutes. Or whether she prefers Bath or London?

As chaperone she could sit back, enjoy the ride, and smile and nod occasionally.

And there it was. "Do you prefer Brighton or Bath, Lady Jocelyn?" asked Lord Ludlow.

Well, I was almost right in my prediction.

The carriage slowed down as they entered the park gates with the four hundred acres of rolling green fields and little groves of trees in the distance.

"Oh look," whispered Jocelyn, "I think that's the Duchess of Dilmouth. She's a great friend of Princess Charlotte."

"Indeed, she is. She looks fierce, but it's all an act," said Lord Ludlow, indicating for the landau to slow down as they approached the duchess' carriage.

He bowed to the duchess as their carriage stopped, a small queue beginning to form behind. "Ludlow," she said, in a grand and haughty tone. "Delighted to see you, dear boy. Didn't know you were in town. You must call this week. Introduce me to your friends?" she commanded.

And so, Jocelyn and Olivia had a brief introduction to this grand and gracious lady, well known in London society.

"Hatfield's here somewhere, though on horseback. Can't imagine him on a carriage drive somehow. We passed him back there somewhere," she said, and with that she was driven off for another circuit of the Ring, the circular road around the park.

Lord Ludlow instructed his coachman to continue towards the Serpentine Lake. "I don't think there will be a duel near the Serpentine at this time of day," he said, with a smile.

"I shall make sure that I avoid the lake at dawn then," said Olivia, laughing and noticing the glint of water in the afternoon sun.

And there he was. A lone man, standing with his horse, looking out over the Serpentine Lake in the middle of central London. The Earl of Hatfield looked round, clearly surprised to see his cousin enjoying a landau ride around the park.

Olivia's heart skipped a beat.

It's the sunshine. I'm not used to the brightness and the warmth. She certainly felt it as heat spread throughout her body.

Lord Hatfield nodded in her direction, and he looked at her, his eyes making that intense contact with hers. Then he raised an eyebrow quizzically, and she looked away as she felt her cheeks flushing pink.

"May I join you?" he asked, and walked towards them to open the door, reaching out a hand to help Olivia step down from the landau. Colin was doing the same for Jocelyn on the other side of the carriage, the pair racing off towards the water.

Olivia felt the fire from the touch of his hands, gently helping her down to the gravel path. The tiny flicker of warmth grew steadily into a burning flame as he offered her his arm.

They walked towards the Serpentine, and he pointed out the moorhens dipping their heads under the water and swimming down in their search for food.

"Did you enjoy the ball?" he inquired politely. "You enjoy dancing?"

"Indeed, I love to dance. I believe dancing and the rhythm of the music is worth the tedium of the social contact."

He stared at her in surprise. "That's an unusual thing for a young lady of the ton to say. I like that spirit of honesty. It's refreshing. Although I'm not sure I appreciate being included in the tedium of social contact!" He said laughing.

"Oh, I didn't mean…" Olivia wondered if her feet would move forward and take the next step on the path. The flame of warmth spread down her body, through her stomach and down her arms to her fingers.

Am I on fire? If this continues, I'll be jumping into the Serpentine to cool off, the thought led her to let out an inadvertent giggle.

Lord Hatfield looked towards her in intrigued surprise.

Oh no, he's going to ask why I giggled, and I really can't tell him.

"Erm. I was thinking of the lake at my home at Silverton and how we used to swim in the lake in summer," she improvised.

That was a close call. I'm having such a strange reaction to Lord Hatfield. This can't go on.

They stopped to gaze at the Serpentine, the shallow, man-made lake in Hyde Park. In the afternoon sunshine it sparkled as if it were scattered with diamonds.

"So beautiful," she said and then gasped as a man on a horse came up close behind them and leaned down and pulled the turquoise feather off her bonnet.

She stood in awestruck surprise as the rider, dressed like a dandy with a bright yellow frock coat, waved the feather in the air with a flourish and trotted away.

She turned to speak to Lord Hatfield, but he had disappeared. He'd already reached his horse, and she gazed open-mouthed as he almost jumped into the saddle in one fluid movement. Then horse and man set off in pursuit of the dandy who'd stolen her feather in such an audacious fashion.

Jocelyn and Lord Ludlow raced to join her. "Olivia, are you all right? What happened?" asked Jocelyn.

"A strange man, wearing the brightest yellow coat I've ever seen, rode up to us, and he ripped the feather from my bonnet, waved and rode off."

"Ah, from your description I suspect you have been a victim of the honorable Guy Pritchard. Every day one of his set is dared to do something outrageous. I suspect Olivia that you have been the victim of a drinking club dare.

After being dazzled by the earl riding off in pursuit, a cold grip of fear had washed over Olivia. He'd taken her feather, and she breathed a sigh of relief that he hadn't pulled off her bonnet. Ellen had dressed her hair, as always, to cover the scars. If her bonnet had been ripped off, then her hair would have been in disarray and her scars on display to all.

At that moment Lord Hatfield cantered towards them, her feather in his hand.

He bowed, waved the feather in a flourish, and returned it to her. "Your feather My Lady," he said with humor.

"Thank you kindly, sir." She laughed, "Such a gallant knight."

Looking more serious he asked, "Are you all right. I dashed after that blighter, and I should have stayed to make sure you were unharmed."

"I'm perfectly fine and grateful to my cavalier."

"He was heading off towards Rotten Row, and his group of friends who were waiting to see his trophy. The honorable Guy Pritchard offers his sincere apologies. I don't think he will be stealing any more feathers today. If he does then I shall have him banned from my club and all other gentlemen's clubs of distinction in London," Lord Hatfield declared with a smile.

After they climbed back into the landau, the sun sinking in the sky there was a definite chill in the air. As Lord Hatfield had helped her into the carriage the heat rose again in her body.

That was a strange and unusual afternoon .

Strangest of all is the total, annoying, reaction I have to Lord Hatfield every time we meet. And... somehow, I don't think I'm going to forget the sight of him jumping onto that horse and riding off to retrieve my feather.

***

As darkness fell, Cressida stared into the mirror and the candle flame reflected in the glass.

She poured the scented oil, made to her grandmother's recipe, into the crystal bowl on the polished walnut table. The walnut came from a sacred grove near their home in France. Everything in her home was symbolic, and designed to create an illusion of power which gave her confidence.

She chanted the words, feeling the sensation of the rhythm through her body, before gazing into the surface of the water.

Nothing. No images. No guidance.

What she did see was the image from Hyde Park. She had been there, some distance behind Lord Ludlow's carriage. Cressida had seen Marcus, her Lord Hatfield join them. She planned to meet him by chance in the park, but instead she saw him lured to the Serpentine by that conniving Lady Olivia Sherwyn.

Overcome by fury she had watched Lord Hatfield racing to his horse to retrieve that stolen turquoise feather. Was there a spark of attraction between those two? She sensed something between them. It would end in tears and distress for her rival in love. I will prevail, I always get the man I want.

In a few days it will be the opera and I know I will be close to Lord Hatfield all evening.

Start your tears flowing now Olivia Sherwyn. You won't have to wait long to feel the pain of sorrow and loss.