The Companion of Lady Holmeshire (4 page)

“
Then we must hide our laughter. Or should we laugh aloud and then correct you?”

“
Correct me, please, sir, here at home, or I will be made a fool in company! And they shan’t forgive it as you do!”

“
You are right; they will not. I absolutely will not enjoy exposing you to the fangs of society. And it does, indeed, have fangs, you know. Only this house is exempt, and I believe you should not be dragged out of it. Mother, apparently, cannot fathom going into Society without you anymore, and so I suppose you will.”

“
I will learn to face the lions. And I am so thankful for your generosity! I feel that I dwell in heaven here.”

“
And when will you call me Wills? Should she call me Wills, Mama?”

“
Your Lordship! I could not!”

“
Perhaps later. I will insist some day! Mama, tell me about yourself now.”

“
Myself. Well, dear Wills. I was completely abandoned, you know, these ten months since you left until Emma returned,” Winnie’s whining was mournful, but derived from an understanding nature. “You know, I went to London and made an accounting of things, of Emma and Miss Wathem, of family there and such.”

“
And you went to glut yourself at dinners and spend my fortune shopping, I am sure; I do hope you bought me something quite entertaining! And you went to the Palace, I know.”

“
Yes,” she said with obvious aristocratic pleasure. “I was invited when the Queen learned that I was visiting Helena and His Grace. It was a surprise, you know, to be asked to visit Her Majesty at short notice! Actually, it was a great surprise to be invited, or even thought of at all!”

“
Because of not knowing her well previously, I am sure, Mama. She wishes to come to know her courtesans now.” His eyes widened at the sight of some chocolates, and he reached for one. “How could you have gotten acquainted, Mama? Nobody could, the way she was kept away from people until she was Queen herself!”

In went the chocolate, and there was a pause for savoring it with proper manners before he continued. “Emma, you remember that we went to the Coronation, and afterward the Ball. I danced with Her Majesty, and you know, she had to play at liking Albert better. Mama didn’t talk to her much, did you, Mama? But we shall go to town soon before Parliament opens. I hope to be invited to the Palace, too. I hope to visit Her Majesty myself; I must be proclaimed her favorite Lord before I am seated in the House. And I’m eager to see how she feels about our intentions.”

Wills turned to Emma. “Kings invite us to visit because the crown owes us so much, you know. Or at least His Majesty, King William, always said they do! I must take his word for it; it was all before my time. It is quite likely in the endless volumes of history books, should you care to check.”

Winnie interjected, “It is indeed, Emma. My father is considered to have been a hero in the Napoleonic Wars. I’m sure he did some wonderful things, though he claims he was simply having a bowl of beans at the time. But that is his humility and humor for you. Lord Breyton was honored, as well. Breyton saved one of the Regent’s dearest friends from a sure death. And it seems there was no end to the displays of appreciation for it all as long as he reigned as King George IV. There were the endless parties where Papa and Breyton received honors; they were bestowed new titles for their troubles, and properties. My sister and I were invited to every event for my father’s sake. King George was quite improvident. The wasting of resources improved when William came to the throne; thank heavens he was not quite like his brother.”

Wills continued. “When Caroline of Brunswick, George’s wife, was alive, my Mama was barely tolerated by the Prince Regent despite the honors heaped upon my grandfather. He hated his wife, you see, and lived apart from her. Mama and Aunt Helena were friends of their daughter, Princess Charlotte, and at times they visited her mother with her. The Regent was in quite a rage about it. The daughters of the Duke of Streybourne at the home of the hated Princess of Wales, can you imagine! We were quite surprised that eventually his disdain faded—enough so, in fact, that he allowed a younger brother, the Duke of Trent, to marry Aunt Helena! You shall meet him soon, if you haven’t already; have you?”

“
No, My Lord.”

“
Well, all that to do with George IV is done with now, and Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, has begun her reign! What a huge change it has been for the nation. The throne went from one old man to another for decades, you know, and now it has gone to Her Majesty, a very young woman. It is a welcome change. I have applied to marry her, you know, but it is not likely to be, as she has her eyes elsewhere, as her uncle suggests,” he teased. “I can assume that had she met me sooner, she would have forgotten Albert, and I would be king already, can I not?”

Winnie looked up to heaven and resignedly agreed. “Perhaps we will see her when we go to London, and Albert will be told to remain in Germany in favor of you, but remember that you are engaged to be married as well. It is all for naught. It is tied up and concluded, and you must comply. I apologize for it, but we were unaware that a queen would become available. Being nephew-in-law of a prince may not have qualified you for the position, in any event.” She became serious. “Have you begun to pay calls on Lady Genevieve, yet, Wills?” She leaned forward. “She has been waiting since
age four
, you know, and she is beginning to feel like an old maid.” She duly emphasized the years. “It has been a seventeen-year wait for her thus far.”

“
Yes, well her mother should not have told her so young, Mama. It puts a girl into a romantic state of delirium. I hear she played with dolls—me…and her.” Wills rolled his eyes, crossed his arms and slumped in his chair.

“
We told you when you were young, also, you know.”

He sat up straight. “And I threw a muddy stone at the apple tree for it. Boys are quite proper.”

“
I hope your mood has changed a bit?”

“
Well, she is beautiful. I cannot help but see that. But as I said. Romantic delirium.” He played the part of picking up another stone and threw it at a gold-framed mirror, which appeared to relieve the problem temporarily.

“
And how does that display itself?”

“
At the balls, Mama. She watches me.” He wanted to secure his mother’s understanding. “Once she even dropped her handkerchief right in my line of sight, and I was under obligation to retrieve it, which, of course, led to a useless conversation regarding the rain. Why would a gentleman care to pick up a handkerchief, unaware of its condition?” He made quite a wretched face. “And her friends look at me with suspicion. At Canbury Lodge, my rifle went missing, and I found her friends had propped it up next to her chair! I had to claim it, and do you think I could get myself out the door? They surrounded me while the hunting party was getting on their horses, and this time we talked about the beloved sun! She may have been quoting Shakespeare; do not ask me, but she does that. I was worried about getting to my horse! This marriage...I can wait until I feel ready, can I not? I want to do some things, to not be...tied down with things...at least not her sort of things.” Wills glanced at poor, concerned Emma and then looked back, listening to his patient Mama.

“
Genevieve may fear that you do not care for her. Consider how that could affect your future happiness together. You must prepare now to have a happy home!”

“
I wish one could marry whomever one liked best, you know. Like timid little housemaids turned companion and dressed up like a doll. One might hurry a bit faster. If only I could ask Papa for a change in the arrangement.”

“
It was not your father’s doing. It was entirely between King George IV and his favorites, your grandfather and Lord Breyton. Your father and I truly did
not
wish it! But it is quite a tangled matter with inheritances, royal entitlements and politics. You or she could quite undo that by refusing to marry, but many things are involved, including many important contracts! Breyton has no son, you know, so he is all the more determined to have grandsons by you and Genevieve who will receive all that King George meant for him—your inheritances and his. There is no one to take Breyton’s title, either, unless Genny has sons, and he, at one time, saw himself as the first of a long line. He was even trying to make it law that the title of marquess be passed down perpetually. It would secure his name in the history books.”

“
Yes, that is the intent. Lord Breyton must go down in history. He must be the first of many Marquesses of Breyton. What better stud for the purpose than the grandson of two great heroes of Waterloo?”

“
But I am sure you can make yourself and Genny perfectly happy. It is a matter of developing the determination. Both of you must, that is. When you start to visit her more often, you may come to love her. You must look for her pleasing qualities. I visit there, you know, and she is a truly lovely girl. She is gentle, has a wonderful singing voice and is very well educated.”

“
All that she ought to be. I’m sure we will find much to bring us together. Some things, by degrees, you know. But for now...”

“
The Season in London begins soon. You will be seated in Parliament this year! Emma and I are to visit Handerton House within the week after arriving, and you have been invited to join us.”

“
Oh, Emma was invited!” A great smile appeared and his tone lightened measurably.

“
At my request.”

His dutiful spirit returned, and his kindly consideration for Genevieve, as well. “Of course. Of course I will join you. But I must return to Holmeshire for a week during Parliament’s sessions. I am eager to start on this monstrous castle, Mama. I have such plans! The fellow is coming in a month and...”

“
And Genevieve should be here for it!”

“
Mama.” His head dropped.

“
She is to be Mistress of Holmeshire Hall and should have her say! She will entertain here and raise children. She may care to make changes in the antediluvian servants’ quarters, you know. Since you are making major improvements and not just decorating, it should be done together, should it not?”

“
So I may not have my castle my way, then, you are saying.”

“
It certainly seems that it will all be Italian, will it not? Married life, though, will require many compromises; you absolutely must submit to that. It is not according to the law of Britain, but it is to the law of happiness. She will give you heirs to care for your holdings and preserve the family name. You are the last male in the family, you know! Someone must inherit everything from you! It is as though no one in your father’s family or mine can bear any boys other than you! You are everyone’s son! And I had no spare.” She sighed, but thought better of reminding him further of the weightiness of his responsibilities. “You will be surprised at how much joy and pride you will have from your little ones.”

“
I am sure that I will, Mama.” There was some boyish hesitation as he considered his direction. “I will go with the two of you to Handerton. And I think we should bring Nicholas. He should not spend his entire life in the nursery, should he? Not at all. He is a boy; he is full of energy. I’ve been a boy, and so I know better than you. Old and wise does not win in every case. He must see the world!”

“
He is young, Wills. He will see the world when he grows a bit. Handerton is not much for a child to see, anyway. There are no children there; what would he do?”

“
Gwyndolyn can see to that. That is what nannies are for! Genevieve needs to come to know that I have this child, does she not? Do I have no say at all in my life? Of what use is it to be an earl?” Wills smiled at his mother. “Don’t forget that I am an earl. I must make use of the power it bestows upon me and drag my child about where I wish.”

“
Of course you may decide the matter, darling; we shall inform them that you have accepted their invitation and that Nicholas will be coming along. Now, what about Italy?”

Barreby opened the door with a huge swoop, as if to announce a king. Behind him was a cart, piled with items and covered with a richly embroidered black cloth. “Are you ready, sir?” He then stood, sober; the pomp and circumstance had never occurred.

“
Yes, yes, bring it all in, Barreby. Mama, Emma, I have brought gifts for you both.” Suddenly he realized that he had forgotten someone. “And Nicky, we should retrieve him, as his gifts are on the cart as well! Barreby, could you send for Nick?”

“
Yes, sir. I will be in with everything when he arrives.” Off he went. Within minutes Gwyn brought the child, and Barreby the cart. “Your valuables are safely locked up, M’Lord.”

“
Fine, Barreby, thank you. You have always taken such care of things for us. Nicky, come sit here, my boy,” he said, pointing to a leather-covered ottoman, “and see what I have brought you
aaaall
the way from Italy! But you must learn patience, so first we will see what is on the cart for Emma!” Nicky puckered up his chin, but recovered and bounced on his seat while he tried to contain himself, enduring admonishment to sit still and watch and see what
she
was to have. Wilfred felt around on the occult mound and then looked under one end.

“
Ah yes, here we have it.” He turned the cart around and rolled it nearer to her. “Look here, Ems. Something every lady requires.”

“
I am not a lady,” she admonished firmly, “but I
am
delighted that you thought to bring me a gift!”