The wallflower trap, p.15
The Wallflower Trap, page 15
When they reached the part of the garden where it was set up, there were others waiting to fill out the number of players. As Letty knew one of them from school, a Maggie Thatcher, introductions were quickly done. The court had been chalked and the wickets already placed. Teams were four men against four women, the hot and cold teams. Everyone played with a fierce competitive spirit. Maggie and Letty quickly gained the lead. Jack had just hit his red ball through the number three hoop when Letty, giving him a wicked smile tapped her blue ball into his, a roquet. She spent her first free stroke sending his ball to the other side of the court. Her second stroke popped her ball through the number four wicket for an even greater lead. The women cheered and the men groaned.
Jack came over as the other team members took their turns. “You, my lady, are a fiendish player.”
“I wager you say that to all the women who best you.”
Jack laughed at this, saying, “Too small a number to count.” He bumped her shoulder playfully, and it threw her off balance on her bad foot. She tried to use her mallet to keep from falling, but it snapped, and she fell hard on the grass.
She struggled to her feet, swatting away Jack’s hands when he tried to help. She stood and brushed off her dress, which she could see was grass stained. Looking around, the other players watched her, saying nothing. Jack retrieved another mallet for her. Close to her, Jack said, “I’m sorry, Letty, I didn’t think I bumped you that hard.”
Speaking in a whisper, she said, “Of course you did, you great ox.” Jack handed her the new mallet and again tried to apologize. “Just stay away from me.” The rest of the jokes and conversation remained tense because of Letty’s black frown. Letty hit her ball with a vehemence Jack had never seen. When the women won the game, Letty handed her mallet to Maggie and stalked off. The men and women all turned to Jack. He couldn’t think of a thing to say, so just shrugged with a weak smile. He knew where she was hiding off to.
~ ~ ~
Letty let the rippling sounds caress her, the still, cool air around the fountain bring her some calm. The trees around the fountain deadened the noises of the party to a distant hum. She sat on the stone bench cursing her foot, cursing herself for being a fool. Her anger over the embarrassment she felt only made the situation worse. She closed her eyes and tried to quiet her agitated state. Her success had been limited when she heard footsteps on the flagstones surrounding the fountain. Jack.
“Please go away.”
“Unlikely. I have a glass of champagne for you.” She heard the glass scrap on the stone bench as he set it down. The scrapping of leather on stone, the sigh of material as he sat on the bench made her nerves vibrate like the strings in Treccia’s piano. She was sure the note was C-sharp.
The silence then went on unbroken. What was he waiting for? She mentally sighed. He was waiting for her, to come to her senses.
“Jack, if you’ve come to apologize again—”
“No, I’ve already said how sorry I am.”
“Yes. Yes, you have.”
Neither spoke for a time. When Jack spoke, he sounded tired. “We were having such a good time. I’d hate to think the entire evening is spoiled because of one mistake on my part.”
She wanted to cry. It had been so good, not something she’d experienced outside of her sisters and finishing school with Emily. “I made it worse. I was embarrassed and made everyone miserable with my anger.”
“What is the concern with your foot?”
Fear coursed through her. He’d finally asked the question. She knew he’d been aware of how she favored it, refusing to dance. This is where he would be disgusted by her twisted, misshapen foot. Might as well have done with it. She reached for the champagne and swallowed enough to clean her palette and clear her head.
“I have a clubbed foot.” There was no reply for a moment. She was afraid he would simply leave.
“Oh. You manage it well.”
Letty hadn’t expected that reply. “Uh, thank you.”
After a time, with a thoughtful air, he said, “We have a trooper in the regiment with a clubbed foot.”
“What?” Letty finally turned to him. “He was allowed to join up?”
“Well, he tricked the recruiter. His name was Oliver Compost.”
“Honestly?” She smiled at that.
“Yes, he enlisted under a false name so no one in the parish would expose his ‘infirmity.’ He had been a cobbler’s apprentice and made himself a special boot. When his captain found out, the 15th was in Spain and Oliver had already proved himself more than competent. So he remained. He’s still with the 15th.”
Letty glanced at him. “Were you his captain?”
“Well, yes.”
Letty let out a breath, and straightened her skirts. “My father never accepted my, my . . .”
“Infirmity?”
“Yes. He thought if he made me walk miles a day, it would correct itself. He refused to see doctors who might have actually helped.” She sighed. “The men in my family, my father, uncles, and cousins have been in the mold of Mr. Blusterfield. It has left me resentful and reticent around men. This evening, where men and women who just met could find the interactions pleasant, even amusing is, well, new to me, other than visiting your aunt.” She fluffed out her skirts, covering her feet completely. “Until I spoiled it.”
Jack just shrugged and remained attentive.
“When you maneuvered your way into the Gillyflowers efforts, adding to their success . . .my first response was to doubt your motives and resent your help. It seemed to threaten all I had so carefully planned.” She before looking at him. “I have found men, starting with my father, to make my life a struggle.”
Her stomach ached, as though she had bared her soul and lay helpless. She had never said such things to a man.
Jack didn’t say anything but gazed at the fountain for a time. She could here music starting up for a new set.
“Would you care to dance?”
“What?”
“Well, I mentioned to my aunt that the flag stones around the fountain were tippy and uneven. She hadn’t known. Our corpulent Regent came this way during a party on the first of the month and apparently did the damage. I see Lady Cosingwell has had them repaired. They are nice and even now.”
Jack stood and held out his hand. “We will take it slow. What do you say, Lady Mimolette?”
She gazed at his hand, feeling emotionally drained, with not enough energy to be afraid or embarrassed. She took his hand and stood. She had danced with her sisters at times, but this was different. He faced her and held up his right hand holding hers, and placed his left on her waist. In the cool evening air, his warm touch made her shiver. She placed her right hand on his shoulder. She gazed up into his eyes, never having been this close to him, or any man.
He started slowly counting 1-2-3 in time with the ballroom music. He then took one step toward her left. She awkwardly stepped back. He moved to her right, stepping out and she followed with right foot. He repeated this slowly until they were circling at a languid pace. He held her closer as they danced. She could feel the beat of the music in their steps. She found if she moved her clubfoot a little off-center, she could follow the steps without much trouble. Jack smiled down at her and increased the pace. She laughed and followed.
~ ~ ~
It was some time later that Ovolina, Charles and Treccia returned to the ballroom. Laughing at something Charles had said, they stopped stunned. On the dance floor, Letty was dancing with Jack, slowly compared to the other couples except Duncan who was slowly dancing with Miss Farthingale, Ovolina having introduced him to her. The two couples slowly dancing in the middle of the ring of quicker-paced dancers captured everyone’s attention. The music ended and the sisters rushed over to Letty, who was sitting down. Jack and Charles went off retrieving drinks.
Treccia grinned, falling into the seat next to her. “You were dancing!”
“Shush,” Letty whispered, wanting to put a hand over her sister’s mouth. “You don’t have to announce it to the world.”
“But you were dancing, with Lord Tremaine.”
“I can see there is nothing wrong with your eyesight—and your lungs.”
“Have you been practicing somewhere when we weren’t around?”
“Treccia, you know I can dance. I did with you teaching you how to dance.”
“Yes, but this is in public.”
Letty gave her a disgusted look and said, “Yes, and I am delighted about it.” Treccia gave her a studied look that warmed to a grin. Letty gave her a patient look, and changed the subject. “What have you all been up to?”
“Well, said Treccia, “we have been gambling, playing Whist in the card room. Ovolina won two shillings.”
“Did she then lose it?”
“No, silly. She immediately tossed them in her reticule and left the table to me. The other players were sorely put out that they didn’t have a chance to win it back. I however, only lost a shilling and ten pence after winning a pound and two.” Treccia grinned. “It was so exciting.”
Letty gave Charles a stern look as he returned. “I expect you to keep these innocents away from the cardsharps.”
Charles bowed. “I shall do better in the future, my lady. However, the cardsharps were happy to see your sisters leave.”
As they were chatting, a couple strolled up to them just as Jack returned with their drinks. Letty blanched. It was one of the couples from the croquet game. A Mr. and Mrs. Cornerstone. Jack greeted them and introduced them to Charles and Treccia.
Mrs. Cornerstone sat by Letty and said in a solicitous manner, “I hope you have recovered from your fall. You seem much better, even dancing. I thought it brave of you to continue the game when you were obviously favoring your foot.” She leaned in and said smiling, “It just shows that the women can win with any handicap.”
The group had a pleasant chat for a while and Mrs. Cornerstone gave Letty her card, saying she should call sometime.
Watching them leave, Letty placed the card in her reticule and looked at Jack who cocked his head, a roguish gleam in his eye. “Lady Mimolette, your mouth is open.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
An Endless July
Mieux vaut être seul que mal accompagné
[ Better to be alone than in bad company ]
—A French Belief
June 28th, Beddington House, London
Letty sat on a couch in the Beddington’s very large parlor, having a comfortable coze with Caroline Beddington. They had reviewed all the Gillyflower successes and Caroline’s new beau, who she hoped would propose. “This was kind of you to invite my sisters and I to your Soirée. It is a lovely evening.”
Caroline waved her hand dramatically. “Posh and fiddle sticks. You have done so much for me and my friends in the Gillyflowers, I count you as a friend too, a good friend.” She took Letty’s hands and gave them a shake. “And don’t you doubt it. When I wed I want you to be there.”
Letty smiled, not sure what to say. “I, why thank you Caroline. It would be an honor. You have been wonderful in organizing and energizing our group.
“Just following your example, my dear.” Caroline saw someone waving at her. She beamed and said, “That is Frederick. You met him at the Cosingwell’s last party. I think he is the one. He is hailing me, so if you’ll excuse me.” She rose and met a well-dressed man with a firm chin and hair as blond as Caroline’s. The two grinned at each other and left the room. Letty could imagine where they might go to be alone.
Her sisters were playing cards—again. She sipped her punch and thought about all Caroline and she had discussed. Jack and his friends featured significantly in the review. She wondered where he was when he sat down beside her in his white corded blue hussar uniform.
“Good evening, Lady Mimolette, you are looking stunning and thoughtful as always.”
She gave him a hooded look at his description. “I had not expected to see you, “Lord Tremaine.”
“I could hardly refuse an invitation from the Beddingtons, now could I?. Bad form, don’t you know.” He smiled and accepted a glass of port from a passing tray. “So, what were you and Lady Beddington discussing with your foreheads nearly touching.
She grinned at his observation, true and revealing. “Why we were discussing the latest Gillyflower successes, and you, of course.”
“Hmmm. That could be good or not so much. Have you two conjured up more for the Three Cavaliers to do?”
“Not at the moment, but I am sure you will receive ‘marching orders’ very soon.”
Jack’s bottom lip played with his mustache, as though considering a weighty subject. “I am sad to say I won’t be available for any more campaigning for the next few weeks.”
“What? Why?” She realized she sounded far more unhappy at the news than she’d meant to convey. It just slipped out.
A smile appeared on his face she hadn’t seen before. It was new, but she felt her cheeks warm. The smile completed what was a soft, affectionate gaze. She looked away.
“I will be helping my Aunt Cathy. She isn’t well and with Will Gant just getting the lay of the land, I need to be there. I don’t know how long it will require, but I have to be back by July 27th to prepare for the August 1st Jubilee.”
She frowned and gave him a jaunty look to hide her blushing. “Well, that is a shame. Caroline and I had planned so many ‘activities’ for you.”
He laughed, and seeing the servant with the beverage tray coming around again, quickly emptied his glass of port, exchanging his empty glass for a full one.
“I hope that while I am at Plumwell Park that you will trot by on your way to Lindsey Hall to check in with Terrance. Is that a possibility?”
Letty suddenly felt shy. His request was welcome. She had instantly thought of it too. “Yes, I would like that. I will be ‘trotting’ in that direction next week in the carriage with my sisters.”
“Wonderful. I will see about cleaning the fountain and finding a bench for you.”
~ ~ ~
July 6th, Plumwell Park, Hertfordshire
Letty strained to see the first glimpses of the Park. Her sisters grinned at each other over her hardly suppressed anticipation. The carriage rattled up the drive, and it was clear that someone had taken the time to rake it and trim the hedges. Stopping at the front door, Letty saw that the granite Fountain sparkled, and benches sat on two sides, shaded from the noon sun by the giant oak.
Their man Lester hopped down from the bench seat and opened the carriage door for the sisters. Rowdy came out the front door to welcome them. Lester and Rowdy eyed each other, sizing up who would be whose servant. He invited them into the house, saying Lunch was about ready. Rowdy led them into the dining hall, which smelled wonderfully of meat pies and sweet baked goods.
Mrs. Trout, the housekeeper, wheeled Aunt Catherine to the head of the dining table and Letty did the introductions. Letty thought Jack’s aunt looked much better than her first visit. There was color in her cheeks and an attractive animation she hadn’t seen before.
“I asked Lester to bring Jack. He will need to clean up. But let’s not wait.” She signaled the cook to bring the food out. Letty hadn’t expected all this food and said so. Aunt Cathy laughed, saying, “Well, when you wrote you would visit, it was the first chance Mrs. Belevier, our cook has had to prepare a full meal of any kind.”
Rowdy stood behind Letty as two servants and Mrs. Belevier brought the food out. Scrunching up his face, he said, “I beg your pardon, Lady Catherine, but where can I and Lester, the ladies’ driver clean up and find lunch?”
“Gracious. You can all see it has been some time since we entertained here. Mrs. Trout, will you show Mr. Rowdy and Mr. Lester where they can wash and have their dinner?”
Jack entered, rolling down his sleeves and slipping on a coat without a waistcoat or a cravat. He .sat down, and glanced around the table, his eyes lighting on Letty, who stared at him before shaking off the sight of his tan, muscled forearms, and the glimpse of how his shoulders and chest filled his white linen shirt.
“Well, don’t stop on my account. Pass me the chicken and leek pie.” Everyone went back to eating with a laugh. “Sorry I am past my time, but Aunt Cathy is a grueling task master. She had me shoveling out the stables, beating the rugs and pulling the cattails from the lake.”
“I never told you to do any of those things.”
“Ah, Aunt Cathy, you are so used to ordering me around, you forget all the labors you assign me. Hercules would have baulked at the mountain of tasks.”
“John Tremaine, what have I said about you telling stories and fibs?”
He grinned. “A great deal, Aunt Cathy, for nearly twenty years if I remember rightly.”
Everyone laughed, and the conversation flowed congenially, asking what Jack had been working on. He asked about the Gillyflowers and how the sisters’ romances were progressing. Both Lina and Treccia blushed when he called them romances, but they certainly enjoyed talking about Captain Whitebread and Mr. Everhard. Everyone praised the delicious food and beautiful grounds, very welcoming and, while not wild, were very unpretentious.
Watching the interplay between Jack, Aunt Cathy and her sisters, how they were enjoying each other, Letty wished her family life had been this boisterous when she was growing up. When dinner was over, Rowdy wheeled Aunt Cathy as she showed them Plumwell. After a great deal of walking, they ended at the lake. Rowdy had a bag of breadcrumbs and invited the sisters to feed the ducks before taking Aunt Cathy back to the house. Jack came up to Letty, and taking her arm, suggested she sit by the fountain, just to test it out. She could see her sisters were happy flinging morsels to the crush of ducks, so she concurred.
Once seated, Jack waited as Letty relaxed now she was off her feet. The sound of the fountain differed from the Cosingwell’s, a different rhythm, but it too had a soothing effect. After a time, she glanced at Jack, who was staring off towards the house, rubbing his left thigh, roughly, she thought.
