Ice Angel (18 page)

H
ARRIET
took Isabella’s hand and said gently, ‘I didn’t tell you last night because I didn’t want to add to your distress.’

Isabella, still reeling from Harriet’s announcement, shook her head as she admitted, ‘I feel utterly stupid. I – I had no idea that you and Sir Seymour had grown so close.’

‘You would not have noticed because we scarcely knew what was happening ourselves until we were in the midst of it,’ replied Harriet. ‘I should explain how this has come about. Of course, neither Dinny nor I had any thought of it when we met – you will recall that he was overwhelmed by your beauty, Isabella.’ She chuckled and added, ‘He is embarrassed to admit now that he was dazzled by you, but I was not surprised at all. You see, you are very lovely and yet you have no conceit; I was proud and pleased to see you so admired.’

‘You drew me back into the world even though I was unwilling.’

Harriet smiled. ‘And you began to enjoy yourself.’

Isabella agreed, but Harriet noted the sadness that clouded her niece’s features. ‘I am sure you are thinking about Lord Bramwell and I want to talk to you more on that subject in a moment. However, to return to Sir Seymour, I knew that you were the main reason for his visits, but there were many subjects we enjoyed discussing and I always felt comfortable with him. Whenever you left the room, there was no
awkwardness
between us. Indeed, and I blush to mention this, we often did not notice that you had gone because we were deep in conversation.’

‘You were always able to put Sir Seymour at ease,’ said Isabella.

‘Yes; whenever he arrived in Curzon Street to find you not at home, Dinny said it seemed natural to ask for me instead. I know he can appear a little eccentric, but he is a dear man, and very knowledgeable.’

‘There is no need to convince me of his qualities, Harriet. Sir Seymour was very kind when Dominic disappeared.’

‘He was, wasn’t he?’ replied her aunt, with indulgent pride. ‘He comforted me during those terrible hours. By then, it seems we had both realized how we felt, but each was afraid to speak of it – Dinny thought that I would consider him a libertine for transferring his attentions. In turn, I could not imagine that he would prefer me. We did not admit to our feelings until Dominic returned home. You had been in the library with Lord Bramwell and then wanted to see Dominic, so Dinny and I were left alone. Do you remember?’

‘How can I forget,’ whispered Isabella. Remembering the kisses she and Hal had shared that morning brought a hint of colour to her cheeks. With vivid clarity, Isabella recalled the feel of his body beneath her fingertips, his mouth moving slowly over hers, the way she had longed for more…. Pushing the image away, she denounced herself inwardly for a fool.

‘It was then Dinny found the courage to tell me how he felt,’ observed Harriet, smiling at the memory. ‘I was so happy, Isabella – I never thought that I would wish to marry again, but Dinny has proved me wrong. I told him that his feelings were reciprocated. However, I did not know what to do next.’

Isabella gave her a quizzical look. ‘Why? What do you mean?’

‘I was not certain that you loved Lord Bramwell. He seemed to be in love with you, but I was not sure how you felt. You keep your emotions well hidden, Isabella,’ said Harriet. ‘I knew that you did not love Sir Seymour – you were fond of him, of course, but you did not look at him in the same way. There was always something else in your eyes whenever you looked at Lord Bramwell.’

‘I thought it must be obvious how much I had come to care for him,’ said Isabella.

‘I assure you that it was not, my dear. When Dinny asked me to marry him, I explained that I could not marry him
immediately
and leave you alone. Dinny was most understanding – I have told him a little about your unhappy past, my dear – and we agreed to wait until it became clear if you were in love with Lord Bramwell or not. Of course, at Julia’s ball, you and Lord Bramwell appeared very close and affectionate, so I decided to talk to you when we returned home and explain afterwards about Sir Seymour and me. However, events made that
impossible
and it was not the right time to speak of my happiness.’

‘You are so generous, Harriet; I hope Sir Seymour appreciates your true worth,’ said Isabella warmly. ‘But I have ruined
everything
. Sir Seymour will not know where you have gone, and he will be angry or upset – probably both.’

‘He will be neither because I wrote to him last night to tell him of our destination, and, briefly, the reason for my
departure
. As soon as things are more settled, I shall return to London, or ask him to come to Sussex so that we may sort out our affairs.’

‘But you must still marry him,’ cried Isabella. ‘We shall still see you often, and Dominic and I will do very well on our own.’

‘Of course you will, my dear – you will marry Hal, I shall marry Dinny and we will all be happy.’

Isabella gaped at her aunt. She laughed incredulously, hurt and disbelief on her face. ‘You must be mad to even suggest that when you know what he has done.’

‘But I do not know, Isabella. Lord Bramwell would not behave in that way in my opinion. Tell me, how did you hear of his involvement?’

Isabella proceeded to tell Harriet everything: how her initial attraction to Hal had grown into love, what she had witnessed at the theatre and in the garden, Lady Portland’s revelation that she and Hal still cared for each other, and of Hal’s
involvement
in the wager.

When Isabella fell silent, Harriet declared bluntly, ‘She was lying. If you had told me earlier that Lady Portland was
responsible
for this, I would not have let you leave London.’

‘You cannot know she was lying.’

‘Isabella, she is a spiteful, designing harpy who would use any means to destroy your relationship with Lord Bramwell.’

‘B-But I saw her kissing him,’ said Isabella. ‘And are you aware that they were once engaged?’

‘Yes. Lady Bramwell, who was extremely angry that the woman had arrived at Julia’s ball uninvited, told me all about Lady Portland. When Felicity jilted her son and married Portland instead, Marguerite was very relieved. She also told me that Hal realized long ago it was nothing more than a youthful infatuation.’

‘This much I already know – Hal has told me himself,’ acknowledged Isabella.

‘Then perhaps you should believe Lord Bramwell rather Lady Portland,’ retorted Harriet drily. ‘Did you know that Lady Portland has been pursuing Lord Bramwell since returning to London, but he would have none of it? From what you have said, you did not see Lord Bramwell kissing Lady Portland – you only saw her trying to kiss him.’

‘But the wager—’ began Isabella faintly.

‘Don’t be naïve, my love,’ interjected her aunt. ‘You know that wagers are commonplace. Indeed, there may be wagers surrounding you, but that does not mean Lord Bramwell is involved in them. Of course, only he can confirm that Felicity Portland was lying, but I advise you to compare the sincerity of his words and actions with her reputation. A predatory woman like Felicity Portland would sense your vulnerability and use it to her advantage.’

‘She was very convincing, but now I don’t know what to think.’ Isabella turned her troubled gaze to her aunt, ‘If you are right, then Hal must hate me now for doubting him.’

Sir Seymour was making good progress. He was travelling in his private post-chaise, emblazoned with his coat of arms and equipped with luxurious velvet upholstery. Occasionally, he leaned out of the window to instruct his postillions to not slacken their speed, but, an hour from Swanborough at a sudden sharp turn in the road, the carriage lurched violently and came to a halt at a drunken angle.

Sir Seymour stuck his head out of the window. ‘Why have we stopped, Thomas?’

‘Looks like we have a wheel trapped in a rut, sir,’ came the reply. ‘You’ll have to get out while me, Carter and Fielding try and release it.’

‘Deuced bad luck!’ grumbled Dinny in annoyance. ‘Can I help?’

‘Thank you, sir, but this will be a muddy job. Best stand clear and let us deal with it.’

‘This is no time to worry about mud,’ replied Dinny, stepping out of the chaise and trudging to the rear to inspect the trapped wheel with his servants. ‘If we lift the axle, Carter can go to the horses’ heads and lead them forward. Hurry, man!’

Thomas looked up in astonishment and tried to remonstrate again with his employer. ‘But Sir Seymour – your boots will be filthy afterwards.’

‘To hell with my boots!’ declared Sir Seymour roundly, ‘I need to get to Swanborough. Now help me with this axle!’

Meanwhile, some miles behind Sir Seymour’s stranded carriage, Julia and Theo were making rapid progress.

‘For God’s sake, Theo, have a care!’ cried Julia, as her brother swung the curricle expertly around a bend. ‘If you throw me into a ditch after your helpful advice to Freddy last night, I will never speak to you again.’

Theo grinned. ‘Is that a promise, Ju?’ he asked, urging the high-stepping bays to even greater speed. ‘If it is, I’ll make sure I throw you into a ditch.’

‘You are incorrigible – I pity the poor girl you fall in love with.’

‘No need to,’ replied Theo affably, turning to look at her. ‘Whoever it is, I won’t throw her into a ditch either – even Hal says I can drive to an inch.’

‘For goodness’ sake, keep your eyes on the road!’ shrieked Julia, gripping the side of the carriage as the lightly sprung curricle bounced over a bump. ‘I want to arrive uninjured.’

‘Do you want me to spring ’em faster?’ asked Theo, with a chuckle.

Julia groaned. ‘No! This pace is perfectly acceptable, but I would be happier if you concentrated on your driving.’

‘Then stop talking to me,’ he said, laughing mischievously.

Exasperated, she observed, ‘I’ll never understand why Freddy listened to you last night.’

‘As to that, it seems to me everything will turn out fine – you’re off to see Freddy, throw yourself on his chest, blame me for everything and declare your love. In response, he will gather you into his embrace, blame me for everything and declare his love – very simple, really. It just happens that this reconciliation will take place in Sussex instead of London.’

‘Oh, you’re quite impossible, Theo,’ said Julia, unable to smother a chuckle.

At three o’clock in the afternoon, Isabella’s carriage turned into the narrow lane that led to Haystacks. They had stopped briefly at The Plough so that Freddy could order a room for the night, and then moved on again, past the church, out of the village for another mile and a half until they had reached the lane. It was little more than a dirt track with deep, water-filled ruts and the coachman negotiated it with care to prevent the carriage getting bogged down.

Isabella could see the roofline of the house against the
afternoon
sky. Gables and chimney shafts rose over a stone-tiled roof, underneath which nestled a compact, two-storey Elizabethan brick building incorporating bays with mullioned windows and a projecting porch. This idyllic image was spoilt somewhat by the air of neglect which surrounded the property, evidenced by the occasional missing roof tile and overgrown garden.

They climbed out and Dominic and Aesop ran around the gravel drive, stretching their cramped legs while Isabella went to ring the bell. When there was no reply, she rang it a second time, saying to Harriet, ‘I hope Mr and Mrs Johnson will not be too shocked to see us. They live in quarters off the kitchen, at the rear of the house, so it will take some time for them to answer.’

Eventually, the heavy front door swung open to reveal a wizened servant, who stared in surprise at the collection of people on the doorstep, and the carriage laden with
portmanteaux
and a bird cage sitting in the drive.

‘L-Lady Vane,’ he stammered. ‘We were not expecting you for another month at least. Oh, Lord – the missus will be in such a panic; there’s not much food in the house and no fires lit.’

‘Don’t worry, Johnson,’ replied Isabella, walking through into the musty, oak-panelled hall. ‘Our departure was hasty and I had no time to send a message on ahead. We shall manage somehow.’ She introduced Harriet, Dominic and Freddy and explained that they would need beds made up for the night, but Freddy would be staying at The Plough.

‘It’s creepy here, Mama,’ said Dominic, who had been eyeing the gloomy interior.

‘It will seem more welcoming when we have settled in, love,’ said his mother. ‘Johnson, if it is convenient, I shall have the room that I stayed in on my previous visit.’

‘The bed will need airing, Lady Vane – it’s fearful cold and with all the repairs, the place smells of damp plaster.’

‘Then our first task must be to light fires in here, in the bedrooms, in one of the parlours, in the dining-room and the drawing-room.’

Mrs Johnson, who was as round as her husband was thin, came bustling in to see who was at the door. After expressing as much surprise as her spouse at the arrivals, she announced, ‘Some of the rooms can be prepared in a trice. The lad who works in the stables can go and get my niece to help us. There is a good supply of wine in the cellar – the late master was never close-fisted with his drink – but I’m worried about what you will have for dinner, Lady Vane. I’ve only a ham and a couple of chickens, and you and your guests will be used to far better fare.’

‘That will be acceptable,’ said Isabella. ‘Mr Isherwood, would you like to take your horse to the stables? They are in
reasonable
condition and should prove adequate.’

‘I’m sure they will, Lady Vane,’ replied Freddy with a smile. ‘Could I have a word with you in private first?

Isabella agreed and, after asking Harriet to supervise the unloading of the luggage and suggesting Dominic and Aesop went to the kitchen with Mrs Johnson for a glass of milk, she led the way into the small front parlour. ‘I have been most grateful for your help today,’ she said, adding teasingly, ‘You kept your promise, even though it was clear that you were not at your best.’