Chapter Thirteen
The Sunday following Gilbert’s departure from Clayton House, Nancy Slade and her father attended services at Clayton Parish.
Nancy had tried not to appear too obvious as she scanned the Kendall family pew for a glimpse of Gilbert.
Disappointed to see him missing, she sat back, clutching her prayer book.
Where was he? Could he be unwell, or, perhaps, had become afflicted with the same illness as the young child at Clayton House? The very thought gave her chills.
Following the service, she and her father exited the church not far behind the Kendalls.
She greeted Frederick, giving him a quick compliment on his sermon, then departed ahead of her father, who lingered to discuss some issue of scripture upon which the sermon was based.
Nancy hurried down the path and caught up with Lavinia, who was walking arm in arm with her younger cousin, Selina Whittington.
Miles and Evan Kendall were farther ahead on the road, deep in conversation.
“Mrs. Kendall,” Nancy called, “Miss Whittington, good morning.” They stopped and waited for her. Nancy curtsied, to show her respect.
The two ladies greeted Nancy with a slight incline of their heads.
“Good morning, Miss Slade,” Lavinia said. “Did you enjoy the service?”
“Very much so. It was a happy day when Mr. Morton came to be our rector, for his speaking skills are much to be admired. Forgive me for inquiring, but how is your son doing? I have been praying for him ever since he was stricken.”
Lavinia seemed to stiffen at the mention of Dickie, and she pressed her lips firmly together a moment before replying stiffly, “It is kind of you to inquire, Miss Slade, considering he is no relation to you. Dickie is improving daily. In fact, I really cannot linger with you. I must return home, for I do not wish to leave him alone with our nursery maid for long. He is still in quite a delicate state, you understand.” She tugged at Selina’s arm and turned to leave. “Come, cousin.”
Nancy quickly fell in step with Lavinia.
“Of course, I shall not detain you. However, if I could just trouble you for one more thing. May I also ask if your brother, Mr. Kendall, is in good health? I was surprised to note his absence in church today. I do hope he has not contracted the same illness as your poor son.”
Lavinia blinked, as if perplexed as to why Nancy should even inquire after her brother. Then her eyes narrowed a bit, before mustering a smile and replying, “Oh, our dear Gilbert is in town just now, to enjoy the Season.”
“He… he is gone to town? He had not mentioned plans of any such trip the last time we spoke. London—gracious me. I am all astonishment at this news.”
“Indeed, it did come up rather suddenly. Gilbert accepted the offer of a friend of his to partake of the pleasures of the Season. I have no doubt he will find a lovely girl to whom he may make an offer. After all, he will soon take his orders and have a fine position as a curate right here at Clayton Parish. Therefore, he and his new wife will likely live at Clayton House, which will give them a very agreeable arrangement. Yes, indeed, I may have a new sister quite soon.” She curtly nodded her head, signaling her dismissal of the conversation.
“Good day, Miss Slade. I must get back.” She pulled Selina along, leaving Nancy standing in the road.
“Good morning, Mrs. Kendall,” Nancy said, in a soft voice. She watched the two retreating figures a moment, then turned away and went in search of her father.
When Lavinia and Selina were several steps down the road, Selina asked in a low voice, “A new sister? Why did you tell such a falsehood, Lavinia? Were you not telling me just yesterday that Gilbert has no intention of seeking a match, but is merely pleasure-bent in town?”
“Yes, but Miss Nancy Slade has no need to know all of our business, my dear. In addition, I wish to discourage her ideas of any attachment to my brother. It is clear to me she has designs on Gilbert. Oh, yes, I am quite certain she aspires to become his wife, that she may think of herself as a lady. Her! The daughter of a mere businessman.”
Selina was silent a moment before asking, hesitantly, “Well, but, Lavinia—is not Miss Slade rather… rich? Her father owns so many businesses, after all. Truly, her family is much better off than Papa and I are, and Papa’s career as a solicitor is doing what may be considered fairly well.
In addition, I know Nancy’s father paid for her education, while I was a scholarship student during my time at school.
And I am not the daughter of a landed gentleman.
As a second son, would not Gilbert do quite well to marry her? ”
Lavinia gave an exasperated sigh. “Money is not everything, Selina. Your father may not have an estate, but your mother was my father’s sister and since she came from such a family, you are of a higher class than she.
No. Miss Slade is nice enough, but she will not join the Kendall family in an effort to rise above her station if I have any say in the matter. ”
As soon as she entered Clayton House, Lavinia threw off her bonnet and shucked her Spencer jacket, threw them both on a bench in the entry hall, and ran upstairs.
Miles called after her, but she ignored him, set on her course.
He followed her to the nursery, where he found her in a rocking chair, hugging their son.
“Lavinia, we are nearly ready to have luncheon. You will join us, of course?”
His wife turned a face towards him that reflected her surprise at his words. “Dine downstairs? No, I have already instructed Mrs. Wilson to bring me up a tray. How could you think I would abandon our son? I cannot bear to leave him.”
Miles paused, trying to find the right words. He finally said, “But, Lavinia. That is—I assumed you would join us in the dining room. After all, you left Dickie alone and went to service this morning. Now you are returned and, as you can see, all is well.”
“I attended church this morning in order that I may pray to God in His own house for mercy and healing for Dickie, as is right and proper. But I shall remain with our poor son today, and, perhaps, every day that he continues to have these dreadful fits. He may have one at any minute. How you can be apart from him I cannot fathom.” She turned her face away from Miles and rocked Dickie in her arms, cooing to him.
“Please, Lavinia. Miss Austin is perfectly capable—” he began.
She turned fierce eyes to her husband. “I will care for our son. I am able to calm him much better than Becky can when he seizes.”
Miles stood waiting a time, hoping she might change her mind.
He crossed to her, and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Lavinia, my dear,” he murmured. Her stony expression did not alter, and she continued to focus all her attention on the child.
Finally, he sighed and left the nursery to join the rest of the family downstairs.