Chapter 13
It was over breakfast the next morning that the telegram arrived, brought to the table by one of Seton’s manservants.
“Goodness me!” Clodagh’s hand trembled as she read the slip of paper.
“My sister has been taken unwell, all most abruptly. She’s…
she’s asking for me, which must mean…And this was sent several days ago, only reaching me now!
The hotel in Cairo has kindly forwarded it but the river boats are so slow, aren’t they? ”
Onora, who was reading over her shoulder, felt a stab of fear.
Aunt Maeve would never have sent such a message were she not in the direst need.
She’d been in fine spirits the last time they’d been together, urging Onora to be happy, telling her to go and grasp all the adventures that awaited.
Moreover, she’d refused to allow Clodagh to miss out on accompanying her.
Their neighbor was going to call in at least once a day, and there was their cook and parlor maid living in the house itself. Aunt Maeve’s health was somewhat delicate, but she’d gotten over a recent bout of flu and had seemed so much stronger.
I would never have left had I thought otherwise.
“I do feel for you.” Mrs. Griffiths interjected. “It’s awful, isn’t it, when we’re far from our loved ones and can do nothing to help them.”
Others around the table made sympathetic noises.
Clodagh passed her hand over her eyes. “Oh dear! I really feel that I ought to, that is, it’s a great worry. My poor sister! She wouldn’t ask for me unless…”
“You must go. I’m sure Seton will arrange everything.” Onora looked beseechingly across the table.
To her relief, he gave his assurance immediately. The dahabeya was at her disposal, and the journey north would be much quicker, the river current being in their favor. The boat’s captain would purchase the necessary tickets for her onward journey, with all expenses charged to Seton’s account.
“You’re too kind, really.” Clodagh dabbed at an emerging tear. “I’m so sorry, Onora dear. I wanted to help you arrange your celebrations…whenever those might be, and here I am leaving you, at such an important time.”
“Perhaps I ought to come with you.” In her heart Onora knew that, if she did so, she would never come back. The urge to do so was strong; she could already see herself packing her trunk, joining Clodagh in heading to Cairo, then sailing off, across the sea.
“Nonsense, dear. We couldn’t let you do that.
” Gardenia Feathermount, who was sitting on Onora’s right, placed a protective hand upon her arm.
“Your aunt knows you won’t lack female camaraderie in her absence.
Hyacinth and I shall step in as your chaperones, and Mrs. Griffiths, I’m sure.
We shall be right here, offering whatever advice is needed.
Lord Seton has already extended his invitation for us to stay as long as we like. ”
“And one can’t be too careful in these cases. After a certain age, the constitution is unpredictable.” Dr. MacGregor nodded sagely.
“Quite right.” Seton gave a tight smile. “It’s a blow for your aunt to depart so unexpectedly, but she won’t want you changing your plans, my love. As for our nuptials, you have a whole company of ladies to assist.”
“And I’ve my trusty Kodak No. 4!” Colonel Harris-Corbet boomed from the other end of the table. “Daylight loading film, don’t you know. Takes a jolly nice photograph. My gift to you, eh! More pictures than you can shake a stick at. Can send as many as you like back home.”
“Comme c'est merveilleux!” Madame Auvray clapped her hands. “What a gesture! Your poorly aunt is sure to feel entirely better when she receives these pictures, n’est-ce pas? Perhaps this inconvenience will hasten you in becoming a wife, yes?”
Onora felt her cheeks reddening.
It was too much, having everyone looking at her, some with ill-concealed merriment. The serious nature of the telegram was far too swiftly forgotten.
The shift in mood was not lost on Aunt Clodagh, who sat up rather straighter. “I can see you’ll be well looked after, Onora. Really, you’re not to worry, but I must set off as swiftly as possible. Perhaps you’ll help me with my belongings, while Lord Seton informs his captain.”
Madame Auvray offered the services of her maid, but Clodagh insisted she preferred arranging her own belongings.
“You’re certain you don’t wish me to accompany you? At least as far as Cairo?” It was the third time of Onora’s asking.
“I shall be fine. It’s rather…yourself I’m anxious for.” Aunt Clodagh paused in sorting through the items upon her nightstand. “Are you sure you’re ready, Onora? To marry this man, and make your life with him?”
Surprised, Onora looked up from laying tissue paper between the folds of one of her aunt’s evening gowns. Clodagh had been the driving force in making the trip to Egypt, rather than letting her niece wait until her betrothed returned to England’s shores the following spring.
“Ready?” Onora laughed nervously. “Why, of course. As you’ve said yourself, I can’t put this off forever.
If I intend to marry, then now is as good a time as any.
” She was not indelicate enough to add that, for months, her aunt had dropped hints about a man having ‘needs’ and that they shouldn’t be left unattended for too long.
Her aunt had enough to worry about. She didn’t need to know all that had been running through Onora’s mind.
“Well, if you’re certain.” Clodagh gave a genuine smile. “I want you to be happy, my darling. In the absence of your mother, I’ve always seen it as my duty, to both her and your dear father, God rest their souls.”
Her aunt sniffed awkwardly as Onora came to embrace her. Soon, they were both shedding tears.
“This won’t do at all. We’ve the rest of the packing to finish, and I have something to give you.
” Opening her jewelry box, Clodagh removed a string of pearls and some matching earbobs.
“In our family for generations; we agreed you should have them next. I was waiting until the time came for your wedding. Perhaps you’ll like to wear them with your gown.
You must write and tell me all about it, when you and Seton take your vows.
In Luxor, or Cairo—wherever you go. I suppose Reverend Griffiths might perform the service, for the issuing of the marriage certificate.
” She sighed wistfully. “We have other things for you, Maeve and I; our great-grandmother’s tea service, you know the one, with the roses in full bloom.
You’ll have many beautiful things, in Seton’s homes, but we want you to have it.
When you’re back in England, dear, you will come and see us. You won’t forget?”
“How could I?” Onora squeezed her aunt’s hand, not trusting herself to speak without a rush of more emotion than she could possibly control.
Clodagh was sniffling again. “I would stay if I could. You know that, dearest. As it is, you’ll have to rely on others to guide you, and I must give you this.” Selecting a small-sized book from the table beside her bed, she held it out.
Across the cover, gold-embossed letters read The Lady’s Guide to All Things Useful.
“You might think it old-fashioned,” Clodagh passed her fingers over the slightly faded pink leather, “but it was a gift from my own mother and it’s given me confidence, now and then, to read the advice within its pages.
Some may be pertinent, being about the…ah…
marital state.” Clodagh was not managing to meet Onora’s eye.
“You and I haven’t had a chance for that particular conversation—at least, not in any detail.
If there’s anything pressing you’ve been meaning to ask me, I suppose now is the time… ”
“I shall study it most thoroughly.” Hastily, Onora tucked the edition beneath her arm, wanting to save her aunt—and herself—further awkwardness. If she were to seek enlightenment on anything relating to bedroom matters, she doubted it would be to either of her aunts that she’d turn.
They assembled close to the waterside to see off the boat and, all too soon, Onora could no longer see the figure of her aunt waving from the stern.
While the others drifted away, Seton remained at her side. “Time to think of happier things. A hand or two of bridge will remedy any gloom, yes? Then we might spend some time alone this evening. There hasn’t been enough of that.”
The surety of his forefinger beneath her chin brought her eyes to meet his. His stare made it impossible for her to prevaricate. There was little of suggestion and far more of command in the depths of his gaze.
“I’ll be inside shortly.” She blinked, endeavoring to break the spell, and was relieved when he released her.
“Don’t be long.” Seton’s slender lips curved into a smile. “I should like to know you better, and that cannot be achieved without us baring a great deal more of ourselves. That shall be easier without your aunt watching over you.”
The statement was strangely expressed, but Onora knew it to be true. She was sad to see Clodagh leave, but she understood it would allow her to step into a more mature version of herself—no longer the child that Clodagh saw, but the woman she was ready to become.
It’s time to cease being scared of that.
I may begin by playing a role, of behaving as I believe I should, but duties soon become habits, and I shall get used to them.
The unknown was always more frightening than the reality, wasn’t it? Before long, she needed to have a serious conversation with Seton about their wedding plans.
Onora glanced toward the encampment. Mr. Balfour had not come to pay his respects, wishing her aunt a safe journey. Then again, why should he? He and Clodagh barely knew one another.
She had almost reached the house, passing a hedge of oleander, when she stopped. For a moment, she thought someone was there, behind the bushes, watching—and that it might be Mr. Balfour after all.
There was no reply to her call.