Chapter 10
Ten
Isabel descended the stairs to find only Mamma waiting in the entrance hall. “Is David not coming to church?”
“He doesn’t dare leave Susanna alone for that long.”
“People are talking.” Isabel followed Mamma out to the coach. “Mrs. Pettigrew stopped me on Friday, inquiring why the doctor was so often at Leadon Hill this week.”
“That is not people talking. That is one person trying to start gossip where there is little to be had. Most will assume that one of them is ill or perhaps the baby. There is not much scandal in being ill. Our servants know better than to talk about Susanna’s condition.
However, if in a month Susanna has not returned, then there will be gossip.
” Mamma adjusted her gloves and picked up her prayer book.
It felt like ages since Isabel had been alone in the coach with her mother. Church had been the one place Mamma had been insistent about going since she started mourning. “At least we don’t have to announce that the harvest fair is canceled today.”
“Any word on whether Mr. Dalrymple will host?” Mamma stepped into the carriage first.
“I believe his decision depends on his mother’s willingness to come stay with him through Michaelmas. A live-in chaperone is the only way I can assist in planning with Jane leaving for The Willows for the entire month.”
“I could accompany you once or twice. This is not Town and few will judge me for an occasional call on a neighbor.”
“You would be willing to come? I hadn’t wanted to ask.”
Mamma sighed. “I desperately need to get out of our home for more than a stroll through my garden. Which fails to bring the joy it usually does as the rain and cold weather have damaged even the roses.”
“It will all be better once Edward and Deborah come.”
“I think not. David is considering asking them not to visit. However, he is torn about telling them why.”
Edward would demand an explanation of why he wasn’t welcome at his childhood home. “David may as well tell Edward the truth. Nigel and Morris will be home soon enough, if only for a week, and they will see all is not right.”
“Your younger brothers will know as little as possible in the few days they are home before returning to school. I will rely on you to keep them occupied as much as possible. They will only be here for three days at most.”
Isabel frowned. They were due home the following week for a fortnight before retiring to Eton. Obviously, that had changed. “Why not tell them? Would they not be better off knowing that many women feel some sort of melancholy after being with child? They will one day have wives.”
“We go to great lengths to keep our husbands happy. They do not need to know our burdens.”
Before Isabel could ask her next question, the coach stopped at the church.
This discussion would have to wait until later.
Isabel yearned for more information. Perhaps if Susanna’s sadness had been acknowledged earlier, she would not have gotten to such a state.
Of course, with father’s passing, everyone’s spirits were quite depressed.
Rose and Jane stood near the vestibule. Isabel hurried to them for a word before services.
Jane spoke first, which rarely happened. “Have you had word about my little knight?”
Of course she didn’t say her dog. Even in whispers, she was nervous.
“No, Mr. Conroy would have sent me a note if he fared poorly.”
“I long to see him. But father confined us to the house except for services. Otherwise, I would have come to visit yesterday.” Jane kept her arms folded around her prayer book.
“Your knight is not at Leadon Hill.”
The color drained from Jane’s face. Isabel took her elbow to keep her friend from fainting.
Sir Lightwood might not be in attendance this morning, but he would not have his daughter embarrass him by fainting at church.
“Not to worry. He is in Mr. Conroy’s care.
Only Mr. Conroy is now employed by Mr. Dalrymple. ”
Jane looked about. Her gaze landed on Mr. Dalrymple who was entering the churchyard with Lord Barlow. “He agreed to care for Sir, I mean my knight?”
Isabel could only nod before Mr. Dalrymple and Lord Barlow neared them.
Mr. Dalrymple was all politeness as he introduced Lord Barlow to Jane and Rose and commented on the fine day.
Jane stood mutely while Rose commented back. Isabel spent her energy hoping Mr. Dalrymple would not mention the dog, but at the same time hoping he would give Jane some little bone of information. So focused were her thoughts, she nearly missed Mr. Dalrymple’s next words.
“I received a letter from my mother last evening. She will be here no later than Sunday next.” He turned his gaze on Jane. “It seems that I have a plethora of visitors this week. All of which are welcome. I am told one is resting well this morning.”
Jane’s eyes widened and she gave Mr. Dalrymple the smallest of smiles before rushing into the church pulling Rose along with her.
Inside the church, the organist changed hymns.
A silent signal to all that services would commence.
Mr. Dalrymple gestured for Isabel to enter first. Though she wished to ask if they could continue speaking after services, she had no chance, and Mr. Dalrymple and Lord Barlow turned the opposite direction from Isabel as she hurried down the aisle to Mamma’s side.
Isabel would have liked to say she paid attention to the sermon, but between thoughts of Susanna, for whom she said a prayer, and how to be sure to speak to Mr. Dalrymple before he left the churchyard, her mind was quite occupied.
She couldn’t help but wonder how many women dealt with sadness after the birth of a child.
According to other sermons, children were to be a joy.
Although they were also to be quiet and obedient, which in at least her case was not always true.
At last the benediction was given and the meeting concluded.
Jane, dragging Rose with her, came to speak with Isabel and her mother.
In a whisper Jane secured Isabel’s promise to write her at The Willows, especially with news of the “round table.” Isabel assumed that to mean more for news of Sir Galahad, than for news of the goings on in harvest fair planning meetings.
Rose disengaged herself from her sister and wandered off. Jane left to seek her sister out.
Several women came to speak with Mamma. Isabel glanced around for Mr. Dalrymple but did not see him, dashing any hope of a conversation. Mrs. Pettigrew approached. Wishing to avoid another quizzing, Isabel hurried off after Jane.
Bless Rose, she had cornered Mr. Dalrymple and Lord Barlow near the church entrance.
Jane seemed less than pleased about the delay as she folded her arms around her Book of Common Prayer.
The timber merchant’s daughter, who stood only feet way, no doubt waiting for an introduction, along with her cousin, acting as chaperone, who was at least ten years older than Isabel.
Lord Barlow flirted with them all with smiles and nods of the head.
Oh, dirty paintbrushes. Isabel agreed with Jane, this was not the place for Rose or the other young ladies—none of whom had been warned of Lord Barlow’s reputation.
She could hardly announce to the gaggle of women, that according to the ton, Lord Barlow was a rake and to be avoided by all who wished to keep their reputation intact.
“Excuse me.” Isabel stepped between the timber merchant’s daughter and the men. “I forgot to deliver a message from my brother.”
“You did?” asked Mr. Dalrymple.
“Yes, it is about the hounds.” What a stupid choice of topic! If Isabel was creating a story, she should at least pick something she knew something about.
However, the topic piqued Lord Barlow’s interest, and he turned his attention to Isabel.
If only she had something brilliant to say. “Yes, the hounds are accustomed to having a good run in the morning.”
“You don’t say.” Lord Barlow smirked. “Rather unusual for hounds.”
Parents and siblings guided the young ladies behind Isabel away.
Rose made a face as Jane took her by the arm.
Relief filled Isabel. The girls were safe from Lord Barlow for now.
Not for the first time, Isabel wondered at the relationship between Mr. Dalrymple and the Rake.
Mr. Dalrymple seemed like such an upstanding man.
Did he not know his friend’s frightful reputation?
“It is particular. He said nothing of the practice when I purchased the animals,” said Mr. Dalrymple.
Isabel glanced behind them. Except for her waiting mother, they were alone now. “I must have heard David wrong. I will ask him to clarify. I believe you both know my mother, Lady Katherine Godderidge?”
“The Dowager Lady Godderidge, though I prefer Lady Katherine,” corrected Mamma. “Lord Barlow, it has been some time. I was unaware you were in the area.”
“Only a short visit.”
“I hope you will do nothing to sully our bright corner of Britain while you visit.” Mamma could say such a thing, as until he took his father’s place, Lord Barlow’s standing did not equal hers.
Lord Barlow bowed slightly. “I shall not, Lady Godderidge.”
Mamma’s lips thinned, and she turned her attention to Mr. Dalrymple. “When your mother arrives, I would very much like to meet her. Sadly, we cannot receive at Leadon Hill at the moment.”
To his credit, Mr. Dalrymple replied without a pause. “It will be my pleasure to extend an invitation for you to take tea with her at my mother’s earliest convenience. If you are visiting neighbors now?”