The Castle of Love (4 page)

Jacina was listening keenly. She now ventured a question.

"Excuse me, Papa, but who was Lord Dalhousie?"

"He was Governor General of India," answered the doctor.

The Earl had for the first time turned at the sound of Jacina's voice. Perhaps he was surprised that a provincial young lady should express an interest in the politics of the day.

 Jacina's heart fluttered at the sight of the Earl's face turned towards her.

"Lord Dalhousie resigned in '56," Doctor Carlton mused. "Did matters not settle down then?"

The Earl turned back towards the doctor. "They did not. The rumble of discontent went on. Then in May of this year the mutiny broke out. Mutineers from three regiments seized Delhi. It was late June before the British managed to capture one of the ridges overlooking the city."

There was silence for a moment. Then the doctor spoke.

"It was at Delhi that you yourself were injured, I believe?" he asked softly.

"It was," replied the Earl dryly. He took a sip of whisky from his glass. "The siege had barely begun. A cannon exploded beside me and shrapnel hit me on the forehead. When I regained consciousness, I was blind."

Jacina's eyes filled with tears as she listened.

"What prognosis have the experts given?" enquired the doctor

"The doctors in London said it might be what is called a 'trauma blindness'."

Doctor Carlton nodded. "That occurred to me as soon as you described the accident. No doubt the experts explained that with an injury of this nature you may, in the fullness of time, regain your sight."

The Earl gave a dry laugh. "Of what practical use is that to me? When an expert says that I may regain my sight, he is equally saying that I may not! I refuse to live with false hope."

"Only you can decide what is the best way to deal with

this affliction," said Doctor Carlton carefully.

 "Affliction indeed!" said the Earl. He mused for a moment before continuing, "I am only grateful that my grandfather died before it happened."

"That was something of a blessing," said the doctor. "And, of course, he died happy with the knowledge that you intended to marry Felice Delisle."

"Ah, yes, Felice," said the Earl.

Jacina straightened at the sound of that name on his lips. She was longing to know what his thoughts were about the woman he was to marry. Was it possible to be in love with someone you had never actually met?

The Earl was ruminating. "The question is, though I may wish to marry Felice, will she now wish to marry me? I am not the man whose proposal she accepted. She does not know what has happened to me."

"I must interrupt there," said the doctor hurriedly. "She does know what has happened."

The Earl looked surprised. "How on earth – ! I had not yet informed her. I was uncertain as to how to break the news to her. I feared she might be in too delicate a state. She lost her first fiancé, my brother, as you know, and was ill for some time. She wrote to me after my grandfather died in February and sounded most desolate. I have not heard from her since. I was hoping to discuss the matter with someone who perhaps had some indication as to her current state of mind – someone like yourself – before I burdened her with further unpleasant news."

"I must apologise if I have exceeded my duties," said the doctor. "I wrote to her in June, as soon as I heard of your injury. I had already had occasion to write to her as executor of your grandfather's will."

The Earl, who had been brooding on the doctor's words, now gave a start.

"She was a beneficiary, even though she was going to be married to me?"

 "She was," said the doctor. "I was privy to your grandfather's thoughts on this subject. Perhaps you would like me to explain them?"

The Earl nodded. He reached forward and felt for the table at the side of his chair, where he carefully deposited his glass. Then he sat back to listen.

"Your grandfather was delighted when you wrote promising to marry Felice," said the doctor. "He was extremely fond of her and he wanted to make sure her future was utterly secure. The Ruven estate is entailed, remember. Should you marry Felice and then die before her and – God forbid – without issue, the whole estate would pass to a distant male relative.

"Since Felice has no family money of her own, she could in that case be left with very little. So your grandfather arranged for a generous sum to be settled on her in the unhappy event of your death. She would of course by law retain the title of Countess."

"I see," said the Earl.

"She sent a most courteous letter acknowledging mine in early March," said the doctor. "She was saddened by the old Earl's death and most touched by his thoughtfulness. I did not communicate with her again until June, when I sent her news of your injury."

The Earl interrupted with a bitter laugh. "And, knowing how things stand with me, she has not deigned to write to me since then!"

Jacina bowed her head. For the Earl to speak in such a tone meant only one thing. He was in love with Felice Delisle!

The doctor had also noted the Earl's reaction. "I did

feel," he said gently, "that Miss Delisle should be informed of what had happened to you."

 "Of course, of course," said the Earl. He had picked up his glass again and was tapping his fingers on the crystal.

"As to you not having heard from her," the doctor continued, "I should not take that as any indication of her state of mind concerning you. You have forgotten how difficult it was to get letters through during the mutiny."

"It was difficult indeed," agreed the Earl.

"I have a letter with me that should further reassure you," said the doctor. "Shall I read it to you?"

"By all means," said the Earl.

There was silence for a moment as the doctor patted his waistcoat pockets for the letter and his pince-nez. All Jacina could hear was the ticking of the large gilt clock that stood on the marble mantelpiece.

At breakfast some weeks before she had seen the letter with the foreign postmark but her father – such was his sense of propriety – had divulged nothing of its contents.

Now she waited apprehensively while her father settled his pince-nez on his nose and began to read.

"Dear Doctor Carlton,

I write on behalf of my client, Mademoiselle FeliceDelisle. Mademoiselle Delisle wishes to thank you for yourletter of June. She apologises for not replying sooner. Shealso apologises for not writing herself.

She has been cast down with grief since hearing of theinjuries to her fiancé Hugo. She understands that you areexpecting him home by September at least.

She wishes me to advise you that she intends to travelto England in November to be with him.

Her feelings for Earl Hugo remain unchanged."

The doctor removed his pince-nez and looked at the Earl. "It is signed by a Monsieur Phillipe Fronard, notary at law," he said.

 The Earl lifted his head. His features were impassive and his voice when he spoke betrayed nothing.

"It seems then that I am to have a wife after all."

"This surely calls for another toast!" said the doctor.

The Earl gave a quick smile. "Indeed." He turned his head towards where Jacina sat at the window. "Miss Carlton, will you join us?"

"I – I only have tea here, my Lord."

"I am sure tea will prove equal to the task," said the Earl.

With a trembling hand, Jacina lifted her china teacup from its tray.

"To my future wife, Felice Delisle," proposed the Earl.

"To your wife," echoed the doctor.

"To your wife," said Jacina in a low voice.

She took a sip of tea. It was cold. She put down her cup and turned her face to the window. Her eyes were misty and she fiercely blinked away the incipient tears. She was cross with herself for being so affected. She was not one of those girls who had nothing but romance and embroidery to occupy their minds! She was luckier than most. Her father often allowed her to be involved in his work. She had the opportunity to make herself truly useful.

'Jacina Carlton, you are not to be a silly fool,' she told herself.

She heard the Earl rise and make his excuses. He had other castle business to attend to.

"As do I," smiled the doctor. "Some of the families on the Ruven estate are also my patients."

"We have much to discuss on other occasions," said the Earl.

 Jarrold escorted the doctor and his daughter to the entrance, where their gig had been brought round to the bottom of the steps.

Jacina was very quiet as she and her father drove home. She turned her head only once, to catch a last glimpse of the castle. It looked so imposing on its ridge above the trees.

A disturbing thought crossed her mind as she looked back.

It would be better for her if she never saw the castle or the Earl again!

 A week later Jacina and her father sat at breakfast in their little parlour.

At the doctor's elbow was a pile of books. Doctor Carlton was interested in epidemiology and, to Jacina's amusement, often had his head in a book all through breakfast.

This morning however the books remained closed. The doctor coughed and regarded Jacina over the top of his pince nez.

"Jacina."

"Yes, Papa?"

"I have found employment for you."

She looked at him quizzically. "Yes, Papa?"

"It is connected with the Earl."

Jacina toyed with her teaspoon. "Oh?"

Her father had been twice to sup at the castle, but each time Jacina had declined the invitation, pleading a headache.

"He is a proud man and does not like to accept help," explained the doctor, "but even he has to admit that the one thing he cannot do for himself is read the newspapers. Yesterday he asked whether I knew of anyone who might come to the castle and read to him. Without a second thought I suggested you."

"Oh, Papa," burst out Jacina, "I wish you had not!"

The doctor looked astonished. "Why Jacina, what possible reason could you have to refuse?"

 Jacina stared into her cup. She had resolved not to return to Castle Ruven until she believed herself to be immune to the Earl's attractions, but she did not feel she could tell her father this.

"S-surely his Steward and secretary are more equal to the task?" she murmured instead.

"His Steward and his secretary read official papers but he says that is quite enough. He finds their voices grating. You are the perfect candidate. The Earl himself reflected that you have a sweet tone of voice. He was also impressed that you seemed to take an interest in the world at large."

"But Papa, I like to go with you on your rounds!"

"The Earl would only require your help each morning," said the doctor. "That would still leave the afternoon for you to accompany me."

The doctor regarded his daughter closely. "I do not understand your reluctance. You would have access to all those books in the Earl's library. And Sarah was delighted when I told her you might be at the castle every day."

At this mention of Sarah, Jacina fell silent.

*

The very next day the Ruven coach was once more making its way up the long driveway to the castle. The white coats of the horses shone in the newly risen sun.

The Earl had sent the coach early to collect Jacina. Her father's mention of Sarah had undone her resolution not to return to Castle Ruven until she was resistant to the Earl's charms. She gazed out at the frosty woods, hugging her green cloak tight about her.

Jarrold was waiting on the castle steps. He came down and opened the coach door.

"His Lordship is in the library," he told her.

 The Earl sat in the wing chair before the fire, just as he had done on her last visit. This time the fire was lit. The Earl looked very distinguished in black. He turned his head towards the door as it opened. With a pang Jacina saw that his features were drawn and weary, as if he had not slept well.

"Miss Jacina Carlton, my Lord," announced Jarrold.

Jacina stood uncertainly in the doorway.

"Well, step forward," invited the Earl.

She went forward and took his outstretched hand. His fingers closed tightly over hers.

"A cold hand!" he exclaimed. "Were you not wearing gloves?"

"I forgot them, my Lord," replied Jacina.

She could not tell him how flustered she had been that morning, preparing to leave for the castle. Neighbours had stood on their doorsteps, watching with interest as she had entered the grand coach marked with the Ruven coat of arms.

"Well, come and sit down," said the Earl. "I told Jarrold to manoeuvre your chair so that you get light from the window to read by as well as sufficient warmth from the fire. I hope it is placed to your satisfaction?"

"Thank you – yes – it is," said Jacina.

She sat down opposite the Earl. By her chair stood a small table on which was placed a newspaper. The Earl asked whether she wanted some tea but she said she would wait.

"You have, I hope, conquered your ill health?" enquired the Earl politely.

"My – ill health?" repeated Jacina.

The Earl raised an eyebrow. "The headaches that deprived us of your company at supper on at least two occasions this week."

 Jacina bowed her head against his unseeing gaze. "I – am much improved – my Lord," she murmured.

"That is good," said the Earl. He turned his face towards the fire and fell silent. Jacina waited.

"My Lord," she began after a moment or two.

The Earl lifted his head. "Yes?"

"Shall I begin reading?"

"Of course, of course." He gestured in the direction of a small table on which the newspaper waited.

Jacina picked up the newspaper and began reading the main article. It was concerned with the situation in India and described the endeavours of the British to retake positions that had fallen to the rebels.

Every so often Jacina paused and stole a glance at the Earl. He had rested an elbow on an arm of the chair and leaned his head on his palm. A lock of his dark hair fell forward. Suddenly he gave a loud groan.

"Enough!" he cried. "Why should I listen to this? What has any of it to do with me now?"