A Lady's Plight (Lords of Sussex) (6 page)

Isabella awoke with
thoughts and images of gowns crowding her head; oh lord the trousseau. There was little time to collate a decent trousseau. Flinging back the covers, she swung her legs from the bed, her feet sinking into the deep pile of the carpet. The door opened quietly to admit her maid Sarah, carrying in the water and fresh towels for her morning ablutions. Scurrying over to the dresser, she poured the hot water into the bowl. 'How fare you this morning milady?'

'Very well Sarah, considering all that has taken place. However, I fear I may have lost the opportunity to order a full trousseau in time for Brussels. I cancelled it after the attack. Now I must beg her to try and do as much as she can.'

'Why you have plenty in the press and the armoire.'

'Yes, I know but they are not the very latest fashion. I will look only "well dressed" instead of "much dressed" in up to the minute styles. I have need of new morning dresses, afternoon and evening gowns, a wedding dress and all the accessories. And that is besides pelisses, cottages, headdresses, bonnets, reticules and stockings.'

'You must be very disappointed milady.'

'Yes I am somewhat.
But, Lady Venetia will accompany me to Mrs. Wallis's this morning. Lord Horatio will chaperone us, as Lord Alexander is away at present. Perchance, I will have recourse to a Modiste in Brussels. Such a to do, so little time. I just hope I will appear suitably dressed for my entrance into the high society of Brussels.'

As Sarah fashioned her hair in front of the large mirror on the dresser, Isa said, '
D'you know, I think I would like to try the new short style, although I can't stand the woman, I really did admire Lady Broughton's hairstyle yesterday morning.'

'But milady what would his lordship say? You have such beautiful hair.'

'Tis not his business Sarah. He is not my master, my future husband yes. However, he does not own me.'

Sarah gasped, '
Oh my lady - I would be terrified to say that. Someone might hear us.'

'Desist
Sarah, never let any man dominate you. Of what use is your existence, if it is to be some rakehell's minion. I know they are not all roués, but they do not have the right to own our body and indeed, our soul.'

Sarah kept quiet, knowing how passionate her mistress was on the matters of the sexes and their rights. Nevertheless, she knew the master would be furious if Isabella was to appear with her hair shorn. As she braided the heavy locks, she paused, hearing a light tap at the door and a timid voice speaking hesitantly. 'Milady, I beg leave to speak with you.'

Sarah opened the door to an abigail anxiously carrying a small silver tray holding two cards. 'Beg pardon Miss Sarah, but there be two young ladies downstairs who ask to visit with Lady Isabella.'

'Thank you Mary. That's all.'

'But won't I be giving them an answer Miss?'

'No, I shall see to it myself. Thank you. Pray ask them to wait a few minutes.'

Frowning, Sarah brought the tray to Isabella, who smiled, as she saw the crests on the cards. 'Ah tis Lady Phillipa and Lady Henrietta. La, I shall make haste. Patting her hair, she said, 'That's looks very neat - thank you Sarah. Now if you would bring me my cottage, I shall go downstairs.'

Lady Henrietta sat on an elegant Queen Anne chair, the gilt glistening in the morning sun, whilst Lady Phillipa reclined on a Queen Anne settee upholstered in pale green velvet. Both girls rose and rushed to Isa. Phillipa hugged her. 'Dearest, I received Alex's note. I am so relieved. I knew, just knew Alex would not cast you aside.'

Isa eyes widened. 'Alex said nothing to me of this. The tease.'

Phillipa beamed. 'He wanted it to be a surprise.'

'So he arranged for you both to accompany me? La, I could kiss him.' Upon which, she sat down with tears streaming down her cheeks.

Henrietta hugged her, 'When he found out you'd cancelled the trousseau; he sent Mrs
. Wallis a note and asked her to continue with it. So, Mrs. Wallis has the seamstresses working day and night. There is a team waiting for you at the shop.'

The door opened to admit the
earl, his face beaming. Striding across, he took her hands, 'My dear girl, have wonderful day. Now you have no worries.'

Isa gasped. 'Papa you knew - you knew last night when we were talking. So Venetia knows as well?'

The earl laughed, delighted to see the joy on Isa's face. 'Yes of course.'

'And Mama?'

The Earl beetled his brows. 'No - your mama could not cope with it. We decided not to talk of it with her. You know how delicate she can be.'

Henrietta said, 'Vaughan and Horatio will act as chaperones, so there is nothing to fear. Mrs
. Wallis will allow them inside the shop. They will not leave your side lest that scoundrel should make an appearance.'

Isa lifted her eyebrows. 'I know when I was there; Mrs
. Wallis said she was imposing a new rule, no men within the walls of the shop. She was so upset.'

The
earl nodded. 'Yes, she is insisting that she pay for the trousseau in the light of the attack. But, I declared I would pay. She is a lady of good repute and I did not want to insult her dignity, so she is giving you a ball gown.'

Isa took his hand. 'Papa you are so kind and so sensitive. I am very proud of you.'

Colouring up, the earl harrumphed, as Isa went on tiptoe to kiss his cheek 'That is really kind of her. I know she is very watchful, but her attention was caught up with such a large order as well. However, now I can relax.'

To Isa's relief, the dressmaker's shop was almost empty. Isa did not have to run the raised eyebrows and inquisitive glances of the clientele.'

The door to the dressing room on the far side was locked to save any chance of a mishap. Horatio and Vaughan guarded the front door whilst Isabella and Mrs. Wallis repaired to the fitting room. Isa was ecstatic with the haute mode and styles of the dresses, the silks and tulles fairly glowing in the morning sunlight seeping through the windows. Phillipa and Henrietta appeared with an array of headdresses, bonnets and slippers creating excited laughter.

Mrs
. Wallis slipped the wedding dress over Isa's lissom figure. Folds of the palest eggshell blue satin hung from a high waist with an embroidered satin band. Tiny embroidered roses scattered over whispering folds of the finest white tulle flowed over the satin skirt. Beribboned puffed sleeves set off the high waist decorated with an embroidered satin band. Mrs. Wallis produced the coup de grace with a pair of satin slippers dyed to exactly the same colour decorated with pale blue semi-precious gems. The veil of the finest eggshell blue tulle hung from a crystal-beaded tiara, twinkling in myriad colours as it caught the light.

Twirling in front of the mirror, Isabella exclaimed, '
La, Mrs. Wallis, tis beautiful.'

The dressmaker smiled, as she plucked pins from her pincushion.
‘We just need to nip the waist in here and higher the hem just a little. We want the slippers to peek from the folds. Then I think we should adjust the sleeves, so they sit more neatly on your arms. You are so slender milady.'

After Mrs
. Wallis carefully lifted off the gown, Isa stepped down from the stool to dress. Phillipa and Henrietta came through the door; their arms piled high with pelisses, shawls, and neatly knitted cottages. Holding one of the latter up, Phillipa exclaimed, 'Isa I just love this, see how the lace edging blends with the pattern of the crochet. This is just the thing for the cool nights at the camps.'

Mrs
. Wallis smiled. 'Now milady I think we should now concentrate on your undergarments, for your wedding night, I thought this nightrail would enchant your new husband. Isa giggled, as she fingered the gossamer lace, 'My, I think he will see everything through this Mrs. Wallis.'

'Exactly milady.'

Isabella did not reveal Alex's preference to have her nude in bed. But, this would certainly entice him.

As she buttoned up the crossovers on her dress, she heard a commotion outside. Startled Henrietta went to the door and peered out, to see a group of men fighting, Horatio and Vaughan amongst them. She was unable to recognize the assailants as they wore masks. To her horror, she saw one of them draw a sword, whilst another threatened with a vicious looking dagger.

Henrietta stiffened as one of them turned toward the window. She knew that sardonic twist to the mouth - Ladness. It was definitely Ladness. With her heart thumping, she sped back and closed the door to face Isabella. 'Some men are attacking Horatio and Vaughan. It is best you do not go out there.'

Isabella's face paled. 'Tis him, is it not?''

Nodding, Henrietta said, 'There are too many assailants, I fear Horatio and Vaughan are overcome.'

Venetia spluttered, '
But Ladness is wounded from the duel. I saw Alex cut him.'

Hearing a crash of glass, Phillipa shrieked, and ran to the door. 'They are fighting in the shop. We must go - now.'

Mrs. Wallis gave a startled cry, and running to the door bolted it. The five women looked at each other. Phillipa whispered, 'Is there another way out of here - out the back?'

Mrs
. Wallis nodded. 'Yes, but they will easily catch up with us. I have a cellar, with a secret entrance. They will not see it. Come quickly.' They followed her as she ran to another door that led out into a parlour. Swiftly moving a rug, she pushed on one of the planks of polished wood. It slid to one side to reveal a small opening with stone steps. Hearing further crashes, she waved them down. 'Hush, be very quiet - not even a whisper.'

As she positioned the rug, she heard heavy blows upon the door into the fitting room. Sitting in the chair, she tensed, as she heard the door to the room crash upon the floor. Her hand flew over her mouth, as the
parlour door burst open and four masked men confronted her, their large chests heaving, weapons glittering. One of them stepped forward, his neck bandaged. 'Madam - where are the ladies?'

She felt the blood rushing through the veins in her head. 'I know not of whom you speak Sirs.'

The man advanced, his voice silky, but sinister. 'I have no wish to hurt you madam. But hurt you, I will if you force me.'

In the pitch-black darkness of the cellar, Isa recogni
zed the hated voice. She felt a hand squeeze hers in comfort. The dust from the cellar floor coated her throat and her lungs causing her to feel the need to cough. Putting a hand over her mouth, she tried to clear it. Again, the hand squeezed her. Feeling the irritation in her throat overwhelm her, she threw her skirts over her head to smother the sound. She managed to clear the dust with the slightest of sounds. Holding her breath, she prayed it was inaudible.

She heard a thump above and a small cry. Straining to hear, she rose to her feet.
She would not allow Ladness to hurt Mrs. Wallis, she would reveal herself first. Why, he could even resort to murder. She felt a restraining hand upon her arm and the slightest of whispers, 'Ssh Isa - Ssh.'

The dressmaker tried to stem the tears, as Ladness twisted her wrist. 'Tell me madam, lest I hurt you more.'

Shaking her head, she shrieked, raising her voice so the girls would hear her. She didn’t want them to think they had to save her - not yet anyway. She said, 'The back door - they went out of the back door.'

'And where does it lead?'

As if in fear, Mrs. Wallis shouted, 'There is a door in the walled garden, I told them to make their way through it to the meadows. There you will not find them.'

Ladness smirked.
'Four young women stumbling in their skirts. Huh.'

Jerking his head to the door, he rose, racing into the fitting room and out to the back garden. 'Come, the chits will not be far.'

Waiting a few moments, Mrs. Wallis rose and quietly left the room. She dare not open the cellar, as the men could trick her by hiding in the next room. Seeing the fitting room was clear, she ran into the shop to find the windows smashed and the front door in pieces on the floor.

In the cellar, the girls remained silent. They heard the crashing doors, breaking glass and stampede of feet, but still they dare not move or make a sound. Isa knew Ladness was intent on abducting her. Even though wounded in the duel, he still had the power to pursue her and engage in yet more fighting. Hearing Mrs
. Wallis’s words, they knew she was outwitting them, giving a false lead. As the pounding of feet receded, they felt stifled, cloaked in darkness. They heard Mrs. Wallis's light steps leave the room. Was she going for help? Intuitively, they knew they should stay still and silent.

Stepping over the glass, she saw a crowd of people trying to help two young bucks groaning on the cobblestones. One nursed his twisted leg, whilst the other tried to plug a wound in his shoulder as a small group of people crowded around trying to help.

The dressmaker cried out, 'I am going to call the watchman, please care for them.'

Horatio clutched at her skirt. 'The young ladies - are they alright?'

'Yes my lord, I have them hid. I am running for help to the watchman now.' Picking up her skirts, she ran down the small high street to the watchman's cottage.

Banging with her fist on the small wooden door of the
watchman's cottage, Mrs. Wallis cried out, 'Help - help me - please help.'

A small man appeared; his rugged face reddened from the outdoor life. He peered at Mrs
. Wallis, his red walrus moustache twitching. 'Mrs. Wallis - come in, come in - calm thyself now.'

The door opened onto a small room with a large cooking range to one side replete with a small baking oven in the wall. Over a small fire, hung a large cooking pot, filled with boiling water in which bobbed two bags of food wrapped in muslin. The aromas of boiled beef and
pease pudding pervaded the small space. A diminutive elderly woman, her grey curls covered with a large laced mobcap, sat in a high-backed wooden chair busily tatting. Speaking through a toothless mouth she said, 'Are ye alright madam?'

Shaking her head, Mrs
. Wallis dropped onto a seat of woven rushes. Looking at Mr Hutchins, she cried, 'Some vagabonds broke into my shop, intent on harming four young ladies. Please you must come; I fear they will return. I sent them on the wrong path, but they may discover my ruse and return. Please hurry Mr. Hutchins, the girls are in danger.'

'Calm thyself now mother, I shall get my gun, and we shall be off.' Going to a small latched door into what appeared to be a stone walled area for logs, he unlocked a low-lying wooden cupboard, bringing out a flintlock blunderbuss. 'I just have to load this now, and we
be off.'

Mrs
. Wallis clenched her fists. 'Hurry Mr. Hutchins - hurry.'

'I must take care with this; I'll only have one shot ye see.'

Returning to the boutique, Mr. Hutchins stretched out a pudgy hand. 'Stand aside Mrs. Wallis; I shall make sure those varmints have not returned.'

Stepping quietly into the shop, he crunched through the glass and peered around. 'It
be safe I reckon. Come in now.'

Mrs
. Wallis followed him, as blunderbuss to the ready; he searched every room and then the garden. Coming back inside, he said, 'nN sign of 'em. Right now, where be the young ladies.

Mrs
. Wallis led him into the parlour and lifted the rug. Bending, she pushed the plank of wood to reveal the cellar.

The
watchman hunched over. 'Why I be damned, a priest's hole no less.'

Mrs
. Wallis nodded. 'Thank God we have one.'

Isabella squinted against the light, her heart pounding, was it Ladness? She slumped with relief as she heard Mrs
. Wallis's soft voice. 'Come up my ladies, all is safe. I have the watchman here now.'

Blinking, the girls ascended. Isa said, '
Have they truly gone?'

Mrs
. Wallis nodded. 'No sign of them, and we have the watchman and some helpers now. They dare not come back.'

Isabella shook her head. 'I do not trust Ladness; I fear he might be mad, after all, trying to abduct me in broad daylight.' Hearing people coming through to the
parlour she went to the door, to hear Venetia cry out as she saw the wounded Horatio. 'Dear Horatio, he has already wounded you, and now to do it again in the space of two days. Oh, dear God - your shoulder.'

Horatio, winced as they laid him on the settee. 'Fear not my love. I am but wounded, tis not a lethal cut.'

Henrietta ran to her fiancé. 'Vaughan darling, your leg?'

'Tis twisted, but it will heal Henrietta. I just thank God those curs did not hurt you.'

Isabella looked around. 'D'you think they'll come back?'

Mr
. Hutchins wriggled his moustache. 'I'll shoot the varmints if they as much as set foot inside this shop.

Isa looked at the small rounded man. He was no match for Ladness and his vicious dandies, why
they'd eat him for breakfast.

Hutchins turned to the dressmaker. 'Now Mistress Wallis, did ye get sight of any of these assailants?'

'No, they wore masks.'

Isa said, 'I am sure one of them was Lord Ladness.'

Horatio said, 'I recognized the lot of them. They will be called out, and this time it will not be just a blooding.'

Mrs
. Wallis interrupted. 'Mr. Hutchins can you get word to the earl? He will send help. We also have need of a physician and a carriage to transport the wounded.'

As the
watchman rose to his feet, they heard a strong male voice calling out.

Seeing Alex's strong figure towering through the doorway, Isabella leapt to her feet.
'Alex - oh Alex.' She ran to him, feeling the hardness of his body, the muscled legs; the sheer might of his arms.

Stroking her hair, he said, '
They told me of the attack outside. Ladness has seen his last day.'

Isa cried out, '
No Alex - please. I want to marry a living man, not a corpse.'