What About Cecelia? (5 page)

“George! Cecelia! What are you doing?”

George jumped up and replied, “Nothing, I mean,
just reading with each other.”

“I can see that.”

“It's only a novel.”

“I disapprove of novels.”

“Jane, the alternative was Byron's poems.”

“Those too. Don't you have any wholesome
literature in this house? Something like a book of sermons or
'Evenings at home'?”

“We might, but these are new books from the
circulating library. They make every so much more interesting
reading.”

“Captain Wood, I will have some words to say to
you about this later.”

Cecelia rose to defend her cousin, but George
motioned her to sit down. It was better that he talked with his
dearest companion himself. “Jane, I was over-set by the shooting
and Miss Wood was simply helping me calm down.”

“Couldn't you have just had some brandy?”

“I was following Landor's advice to not drink to
dim my memories. He was right, I feel better for living through
them rather than running into a bottle.”

“That is as may be. I am most displeased with
your conduct, but will not berate you in public. Upstairs,
now.”

George shrugged and followed the light of his
life to his doom.

Cecelia heard the start of her lecture before
they walked far enough upstairs that it faded into silence.
“Couldn't you wait to set up a flirt until after we were
married?”

“Miss Wood, a flirt? No she's not a flirt.”

“Think of me at least, and don't seek your
entertainment in public. It's humiliating. Why don't you read with
me?”

“I didn't think you liked novels, or Byron. I'm
sorry, would you like me to read them to you?”

“I would prefer that you don't read them to Miss
Wood.”

Cecelia turned to her maid, who had not left the
room through all this and said, “Martha, I think the sooner I'm
away from this the better it will be for George as well as for
me.”

“Miss, mayhaps you'll be lucky in Bath. I do
hear that there are balls and concerts for the gentry like you to
meet each other. They say Bath is a great place for finding
husbands.”

“I hope it is. I'll need one soon enough.”

Meadows entered the parlor followed closely by
the ubiquitous Mr. Landor. He bowed to Cecelia, and said, “Miss
Wood, Mr. Landor is desirous of some conversation with you.”

“I can see that. Mr. Landor?”

“I came to see how Captain Wood is doing. Had I
thought he would be so affected by the shooting, I would never have
embarrassed him by inviting him to it.”

“He's upstairs with Miss Arnold. I believe they
are having a discussion about that now.”

Mr. Landor could hear the muted and indistinct
voices from that heated discussion despite the closed hall door.
“What happened?”

“Captain Wood returned from the shooting visibly
upset, almost crying.”

“So you nursed him to health and she took it the
wrong way?”

“I'm sorry, but it seems I have been the cause
of some domestic tension.”

“Miss Wood, I like your modesty. What were you
and him up to? If it upset Miss Arnold so much, it must have been
interesting. Tell me all.”

Cecelia tried to give him a quelling response,
“We were just reading to each other. That's all. Mr. Landor, why
are you visiting us now?”

“Two reasons. First to check on George, and
second to see what you thought of my latest verses.”

“I thank you for your concern about Captain
Wood, but do you have to read me your poetry right now?”

“Yes. I value your opinion.” He waited until she
sat and began to recite to his captive audience.

She I love (alas in vain!)

Floats before my slumbering eyes;

When she comes she lulls my pain,

When she goes what pangs arise!

Thou whom love, whom memory flies,

Gentle Sleep! Prolong thy reign!

If even thus she soothe my sighs,

Never let me wake again!
^iv

He stopped, and waited for Cecelia to comment.
After a few moments she replied, “Very moving.” She kept her
thoughts, namely that she'd prefer if she could move it out of
earshot, to herself. Summoned by Meadows, the Captain and Miss
Arnold entered the room. The tension between them was palpable, but
Mr. Landor continued. “Excellent, more people to hear my next
verse. I think this one is truly excellent.”

Past ruin'd Ilion Helen lives,

Alcestis rises from the shades;

Verse calls them forth; 'tis verse that
gives

Immortal youth to mortal maids

Soon shall Oblivion's deepening veil

Hide all the peopled hills you see;

The gay; the proud, while lovers hail

These many summers you and me.

Jane sniffed, “Very moving.”

“Funny, that's what Miss Wood said.”

“I see that we agree on several things then. I
wish there were one less of them.”

George added, “Mr. Landor, I apologize that you
find us at a moment where it is difficult to offer you hospitality.
What was the purpose of your visit, besides giving us the pleasure
of listening to your verses?”

“I was just checking on you George. It looks
like you have recovered from the morning's exertions.”

Jane shot George a jealous look, “Which
ones?”

“The shooting, of course, what did you think I
meant?”

“You know.”

“Miss Wood and I were reading together when Jane
returned. My fiancée thought it implied more than just a friendly
gesture on Miss Wood's part. It wasn't and it doesn't.”

Mr. Landor became aware of the tension between
them. “I see. I hope this won't upset my plans for tomorrow.”

“What plans?”

“There will be a livestock fair tomorrow in
Raglan. Much closer than Brecon. Won't get as good a price but that
Ionie is eating her way through my hay-store, and I want to get her
sold.”

Cecelia brightened, “So you would like it if I
came with you?”

“Not just you, Miss Wood, but Miss Arnold and
the Captain as well.”

Jane answered for both her and George, “We
should be happy to come with you, especially if Mrs. Landor is
included in the party.”

“I should hope she is. Especially since I'm
counting on Miss Wood's horse sense to find her a suitable
mount.”

Mr. and Mrs. Landor arrived in his gig early the
next morning. Ionie was tethered to the back of it and making it
clear that she did not enjoy leaving her stall. If it was needed,
her side-saddle was in the gig. Cecelia came trotting out before he
could dismount and knock. “Thank goodness you're here. I don't
think I can take much more of this.”

“Much more of what, Miss Wood?”

“This continued sniping. Jane, Miss Arnold is
still upset from yesterday. I like and admire the Captain, but he
is affianced to her. I would never come between them. Somehow it
seems I have.”

Julia called her over, “Cecelia come and talk
with me. Walter, would you make sure that they are getting ready to
go. I'd like to get to Raglan while there are still some decent
horses still for sale.”

“Yes, my love. I hear and obey.”

Cecelia mounted the gig and sat beside Mrs.
Landor. Julia started the conversation, “Cecelia, I had a long talk
with Jane yesterday. You must understand that she's not sure of
herself.”

“Not sure of herself. What do you mean by
that?”

“It's simple, remember when you rode Ionie and I
couldn't?”

“Yes, you just have to show the horse who is in
charge.”

“Which means you have to be confident that you
can control the horse. You are, and I'm not. That's why I can ride
a sweetheart like Awyr and not a difficult mare like Ionie.”

Cecelia thought for a moment, and said, “You
mean she's not sure she can ride George? That doesn't make sense to
me. He's not a horse is he?”

“She's not sure she can run a household like
Penyclawdd and keep George happy. It scares her.”

“Oh. Is she scared of me too?”

“Yes.”

“That's silly.”

“No it's not. If she gets snappy with you or
George it's because she's worried.”

“I hadn't thought of it like that. Perhaps you
have a point.”

They might have gone further with this
discussion, but Mr. Landor and Miss Arnold came out and haled them.
“George is bringing around their gig. I was wondering if you would
prefer to ride with Jane and George instead of me.”

“Why?”

“What happens if Ionie acts up? You can't handle
her, but Miss Wood can.”

Jane added her voice, “And, Julia, we hadn't
finished when the message came about the Captain being in distress.
I'd so much like to continue our conversation.”

Julia shrugged, and then whispered to Cecelia,
“Think about what I've said.” Then she dismounted and walked over
to Miss Arnold. “It would be my pleasure to get to know both you
and your fiancée much better.”

Mr. Landor drove his gig off first, with Cecelia
beside him and Ionie trotting on her lead behind. They reached the
main road to Abergavenny before either said much to each other.

“Mr. Landor?”

“Yes, Cecelia?”

“There's one thing I don't understand.”

“Only one thing, Egeria?”

“Who?” Mr. Landor started on a description of
the various Goddesses and Muses of Wisdom. Egeria was the Muse who
instructed the early Romans on ritual and religion. He hadn't gone
very far into the subject when Cecelia interrupted him. “Please
stop with my classics lesson, I have a serious question for
you.”

“Ask away.”

“Why are you suddenly so helpful? I hardly saw
you or Mrs. Landor before Captain Wood and Miss Arnold
arrived.”

“There are several reasons, Miss Wood.”

“Really?”

“First, your father asked me to keep an eye on
you. As long as it was just you running the estate, I didn't have
much to do.”

“Why?”

“You're a better manager than I am.”

“No, that can't be true.”

“Penyclawdd makes money, doesn't it?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“Llanthony has been nothing but hole in my
pocket. If my books didn't sell, I'd be starving.”

“Do you want my help?”

“That takes me to my second reason. You know
I've tried to get the local farmers to adopt modern and more
profitable methods.”

“Now that's hard. They're so stubborn,
especially when you're an outsider. You really should let me talk
to them first.”

“I'm applying the same charity to you. Help you
find a mate or at least somewhere to live once the Captain tires of
your company.” The thought that George might tire of her company
made Cecelia's chest tighten.

“Is that all?”

“No. I like you and George. You're pleasant
company.”

“And Jane?”

He paused, “Her too. At least when she's on her
good behavior. Finally, I need you to pick out a good horse for
Julia.”

Once the two parties arrived at the Raglan fair,
they found stabling for their horses and headed for the horse
sales. Cecelia's initial impression of the livestock on offer was
not high. “Jane, I'm not sure I've seen any horses here that I
would want you to ride. Certainly none I would ride given the
choice.” Mr. Landor caught her attention, “Miss Wood, how about
this mare?”

It was a brown and white horse. Its owner had
spent considerable effort grooming its coat into something
resembling a healthy gloss. Cecelia looked at it, and commented,
“She's a long-legged curby backed brute. How much are they
asking?”

“Ten pounds.” Cecelia mentally calculated a
bargaining price. It might be worth one pound. Then she said,
“Maybe we can bargain, but only if I think the horse is otherwise
sound. Let me look at her mouth.” After she spent a few moments
looking at the teeth, she said, “Have you been plowing with this
horse? Her bite is ruined for riding.”

Together they moved on to look for another
horse.

While they were looking, Sir Charles Somerset
found Mr. Landor in the crush and asked him, “I'm looking for a
hunter as a wedding present for my daughter Elizabeth, and I've
heard that you have a fine full-blooded one for sale.”

“My Lord, if you would follow me. Ionie is over
here.”

When Sir Charles examined Ionie, he said, “She's
a fine mare, but clearly ill-mannered. Can she be ridden by a
lady?”

“Miss Cecelia Wood rides her. Would you like to
see Ionie put through her paces?”

“Yes, if you could.”

“Miss Wood, would you be willing to
demonstrate?”

Cecelia looked at Ionie, who was showing signs
of distress at the crowding and bustle. “I don't see why not. She's
a bit upset with the noise of the fair, but it's nothing that
getting her out and exercised won't fix.”

The side-saddle was brought from the gig and
mounted on Ionie. While this was happening Captain Wood attracted
Cecelia's attention. “Miss Wood, please don't. You are not
completely recovered from your fall and that horse has a wild look
in her eyes.”

“Captain Wood, the only reason she threw me that
evening was my lack of preparedness. I'll be fine today.”

“Still, please humor me. That horse is not worth
the risk to your health.”

“What risk? There isn't a horse I'm scared of.”
Cecelia was unpersuaded, and short of restraining her by force
there was nothing else he could do.

George watched in trepidation as Cecelia mounted
Ionie and trotted her around the field. All went well until there
was a loud crash from one of the stalls at the fair. Ionie put her
ears back and bolted for freedom. Cecelia pulled back as hard as
she could on the reins but the horse kept going. They jumped the
first hedge and shot off across country.

George saw someone leading a saddled horse out
to demonstrate its paces to a prospective customer. “That's what I
need.” He ran to them, closely followed by Mr. Landor. George
pushed the men aside and took the horse, “Sorry, but this is an
emergency.” He mounted the horse and galloped off in pursuit of
Miss Wood.