Madcap Miss (26 page)

“
I couldn
’
t go through with it again.
”

“
We'll keep in touch, Grace. Now I must go upstairs and face the wrath of Lady Jehovah. A regular dirge it will be, if I know anything,
”

“
A very lively, angry dirge. If you are wise, you will take a poker to defend yourself. She has been threatening to lay that cane across your shoulders.
”

“
The wages of sin,
”
he said with a shrug, and went up to confront Lady Healy.

The sound of the old lady
’
s voice raised very high was soon echoing down the staircase, with some intervening silences to indicate that Whewett occasionally got a word in edgewise. He heard he was an unconscionable dastard, a perpetrator of lewd behavior, not worthy to wipe Irene
’
s boots, and if the silly chit had used her wits, she would not have made such an appalling match in the first place.

Enjoying her rant to the hilt, Lady Healy went on to describe his bastard as a whey-faced moonling, and a demmed ugly one to boot. His sister was no better than she should be to let the bastard under her roof to corrupt her own children, and Irene was a knock-in-the-cradle ever to have given him the time of day.

He took it like a rock, and after her wrath was spent, Whewett also heard that Lady Healy was too fair-minded to deprive Augusta of her fortune only because her father
’
s carrying on was enough to shame the nation. At the end he also heard he had given his hostess such a setback, she was unable to leave her chamber, and he must dine alone. She was in such a state, she forgot to give any orders regarding Augusta, so that, in fact, Whewett dined with his alleged daughter and enjoyed a happier meal than he had partaken of under that roof since his arrival.

“
Still in one piece?
”
Grace asked when he descended.

“
Bloody but unbowed. She combed my hair with the footstool. Had herself a marvelous time but never once threatened to change the will. I
’
m amazed. Something else amazes me, too,
”
he added with a quizzing smile.

“
What is that?
”

“
It is half an hour past dinner time, and you haven
’
t mentioned food.
”

“
I haven
’
t even thought of it,
”
she said, and was surprised herself.

After dinner Grace played the pianoforte for Whewett. She thought he would take advantage of the privacy to speak again of marriage, but he seemed happy to just watch her and listen. After playing for some time, Grace joined him.

“
I hope you will play for me when we go home,
”
he said.
“
My piano at Downsfield is not so badly out of tune, for Invers gives Gussie lessons.
”

He rose at once and said,
“
How quickly the evening has flown. You will want to get some rest after this taxing day. I have a little accounting to
do before I retire, so I shall say good-night now, Grace.
”

“
Good night, Whewett,
”
she said rather coolly, and went upstairs, realizing that she would not see him again that night.

Lady Healy came to the table on Sunday morning, but to show her disapproval of Whewett, she said not a word to him. She gave many instructions to his daughter, finishing with the warning that as Lord Whewett had no interest in his daughter
’
s welfare, she must pay close heed to her grandmother.
“
Always remember you have good Brougham blood in your veins as well as that other bad stuff.
”

When the meal was over, Lady Healy had to bend her vow not to speak to Whewett.
“
You will no doubt go into the village to visit your sister and your bastard. Augusta will not accompany you. As I notice you are not in the habit of taking her to church on Sunday, she shall read her Bible.
”
On this speech she clomped out of the room, leaning heavily on her cane.

The minute she was gone, Whewett said to Grace,
“
My Gussie will wonder why you are not with me. She is eager to meet you.
”
Yet, for the first time in years, there
was
someone he would rather he with than his daughter.
“
Lady Healy has hinted I may remain away for lunch. I shall return for dinner, giving her one last chance to have at me. Take care, Grace.
”

The day dragged by slowly, with nothing of much interest occurring at Willowcrest. Grace rode and read without taking much pleasure from either. By evening Lady Healy
’
s curiosity about the illegitimate child, and more precisely the child
’
s mother, had reached such heights that she gave over being silent with Whewett and returned to the attack.

“
Who was the hussy, eh? Some tavern wench, I warrant, from the looks of the parcel she foisted on you.
”

“
You would not be interested. You don
’
t know the lady.
”

“
I
am
interested, I tell you. I would not ask if I weren
’
t. When did it happen? Was it while you were married to Irene?
”

“
Certainly not.
”

“
The child is younger than Augusta. I ain
’
t blind. She was born a good year or more after your legal daughter. It was while Irene was enceinte. You men always think that a good enough excuse to set up a convenient. If I had had the least notion you was a rake, Whewett, you would not have married my granddaughter, and so I tell you.
”

“
Many times now, Lady Healy.
”

“
You
’
re shameless. A disgrace and a scandal. Who was she?
”

“
A lady, a widow,
”
he said, hoping to satisfy her.

“
Lady, hah! Lady
’
s maid at best. I expect you are still running after the low-born wenches if the truth were known. For the sake of your immortal soul, you had best take a wife if you cannot control your base impulses. I hope He may forgive you for all the other women you have ruined in the meanwhile.
”

Whewett stolidly cut his meat and ate it.
“
Now, who shall you marry?
”
was her next question, which she went on to consider quite independently of the groom
’
s wishes.
“
Not that Elton creature, with her straw hair and painted face. It would not be necessary to marry the likes of her to have your way with her. Fondling her in conservatories! We shall be fortunate if you haven
’
t ruined your child
’
s morals as well as your own.
”

“
Discussing it in front of her won
’
t help,
”
he said.

“
Let her find out what men are like. Here is what passes for a
good
man in the world, Augusta. You may imagine what the bad ones are up to. You shall marry Lady Eleanor, Whewett.
”

“
I am afraid not, ma
’
am.
”

“
Not wanton enough for you? The governess, then. You say she can handle him, Augusta?
”

Grace had all the lively embarrassment of commenting on herself.
“
Pretty well, Grandma,
”
she said.

“
Is she a decent sort of woman?
”

“
Oh, yes
—
that is, fairly decent,
”
she added in confusion.

“
That is, as decent as your father could endure. What of her looks? We don
’
t want any more of those demmed whey-faced brats running around the world calling Whewett Papa.
”
She turned to Whewett before Grace was required to describe her appearance.
“
Make her an offer when you get home. I want to receive a wedding notice in the near future.
”

Whewett leveled a cool stare across the table at Grace. She lowered her eyes to avoid looking at him.
“
I have already offered for her. She refused.
”

“
That shows she has some taste,
”
Lady Healy said.
“
Get rid of those tavern wenches who are giving her a disgust of you, and ask her again. A penniless governess won
’
t have as good an offer, from a material point of view. There, it is settled. I am going to bed. We arise at seven. Come and kiss me good-night, Augusta.
”
Grace did as she was told. Whewett received an angry scowl and a sound that might have meant good night, and Lady Healy was gone.

“
Thank God that is over,
”
he said, looking after her departing form.
“
I keep thinking how disastrous it would have been had Gussie gone to Scotland and been subjected to one of her rages. Gussie is so petrified of her that she does not want to go on writing to her.
”

“
You must write the letters in her name.
”

“
I
’
ll work something out. It is a detail.
”

“
It will be important to Grandma. Will you tell Augusta the truth about all this one day?
”

“
Perhaps, when she is old enough to understand. Well, our adventure is about over, Grace. You have been a formidable ally. How do I thank you?
”

“
With a check
—
and of course by helping me conceal my blemishes from your sister till I am safely hired.
”

“
I think this calls for a toast.
”

“
We aren
’
t home free yet,
”
she warned.

“
There won
’
t be time in the morning.
”
He filled their glasses, lifted his, and said,
“
To Miss Farnsworth.
”

She raised hers.
“
To Lord Whewett and all his daughters. Or should we say
women?
”
she added with an arch smile.

“
I
’
ll drink to that. I haven
’
t been having as merry a time as she thinks, you know.
”

After they had drunk, Grace asked if he knew where Grandma had hidden the pink bonnet and her old slippers.

“
I slipped them out to my carriage. You will have to leave here dressed as a child. The best thing will be to change in Mary
’
s room before we leave the inn.
”

“
That will be confusing for Augusta. What will she think?
”

“
I don
’
t know, but she is not a humorless, spineless child, if that is what you are thinking. She was tired, and frightened of Lady Healy. She likes a good romp as well as anyone. You two will get along famously when you come to know one another,
”
he said, in a considering way, as though thinking aloud.

“
I hope so,
”
Grace murmured in much the same spirit.

* * * *

The last adieus were being said. Lady Healy
’
s antique traveling carriage was pulled up to the door with her trunks tied on top, while Whewett and Grace walked to the road to bid her farewell.

“
Don
’
t forget, Augusta, you are to come to me soon. Come in the spring. The Highlands are lovely in spring, with bluebells and heather and all that. You will like it. Till then, be sure to read your Bible and clean your teeth, and take plenty of exercise.
”
She turned to Whewett.
“
Take good care of her.
”

“
I will,
”
he promised.

The old lady held out her arms for a last embrace from Grace.
“
You
’
re a fine gel. A fine gel,
”
she said, her voice lowered so Whewett would not hear this weakness.

Grace kissed the lined cheek, feeling the coolness of a tear against her lips. As the final moments drew to a close, Grace felt a wash of regret. She didn
’
t know whether she was glad or sorry she had ever met Lady Healy, but she knew that in some inexplicable way, she would miss the old tyrant. Her own tears, already difficult to control, started to ooze. Soon they were both crying.
“
I
’
ll miss you, Grandma. I love you. Be sure to write.
”

“
There
’
s a good lass. I
’
ll write often. Take care of your papa. Don
’
t let him run amok with the females. Find him a good wife, you hear?
”

“
I
’
ll try.
”

“
Good-bye, Whewett.
”
Lady Healy offered her hand. He ignored it and placed a kiss on her cheek.
“
Flirt! I am too old for you.
”
She laughed, pleased with his gallantry. It was her manner of expressing forgiveness.

“
Devil a bit of it.
”
He smiled.

“
I am expecting to receive that announcement. A mother for Augusta. Don
’
t disappoint me.
”