Chapter 4
4 th May 1815
Four days after the entire debacle with Lord Bath, life had returned to more of what Georgiana had become accustomed to prior to their encounter in the bluebell wood. She spent part of her morning with Clarissa while Jane met with the Hemel Hill housekeeper, and in the afternoons, weather permitting, she rode Persephone around the grounds, trying the stablemaster’s patience with the length of her rides, if his tense expression upon her return was any indication. The day before, she had not returned until just before dinner, and the man had sent a note to the great house a half-hour before her arrival. The addlepate had been in a panic about her return. Nightfall was not until almost nine o’clock. The servant was unreasonable and had earned her haughtiness with his behaviour. He should just do his job rather than scowl at her. She was at the point where she despised the man’s officiousness. A word with the duke when the opportunity arose would certainly not go amiss.
This morning, she was holding Clarissa, who had just reached three months of age. How well she remembered Alexander’s and Sophie’s heart-warming toothless grins at this age! Jane’s little girl was no different, bestowing her happy smiles to anyone willing to speak to her. Falling in love with their cheerful countenances was unavoidable. They could melt the coldest of hearts; Georgiana was certain of it. Not to mention, Clarissa was a peaceful child and rarely displayed any fits of temper. An easy babe to love.
“You will be as pretty as your Mama.” Georgiana stroked the babe’s cheek while Clarissa’s tiny fists pumped. “Speaking of Mama, are you still keeping her up at night? Perhaps you should sleep so your parents can rest.”
A familiar prickling made her lift her gaze. Lord Bath stood in the door with a peculiar expression on his face. When their gazes met, he stiffened, gave a slight bow, and hastened away. She sighed and shook her head. Their interactions were all equally as friendly. At dinner, he spoke less than he had before, if that was possible, and after drinking brandy with his brother, retired for the night. He had a tray in his rooms for breakfast, and he never appeared at tea. Perhaps she should feel some guilt after their argument, but she could not. His boorish manner that day prevented any feeling of remorse from taking root.
“Do you know where Charles is going?” asked Jane, who must have entered when Georgiana was not looking.
“I beg your pardon?”
“Lord Bath? Do you know where he is going?”
“Oh. No. He did not say.”
Jane sat in the chair across from her and tilted her head. “What has happened between the two of you?”
“Nothing has happened.” Yes, it was a lie, but she had no wish to recount all that had occurred.” She returned her attention to the babe in an attempt to avoid Jane’s narrowed eyes.
“I do not believe you.”
“He came to the door, saw me with Clarissa, and departed. What else would you have me say?” She was feigning stupidity, of course. She did not want to discuss what was sure to arise if she spoke the truth.
“Have you not gone riding together since our arrival at Hemel?”
“Why should we ride out together? He prefers to race his horse through the fields, and I have sought out some of the attractive prospects on the property. We have two different objectives that would not suit for a ride in company.”
“Yet, the stablemaster said you returned together once not long after our arrival to Hemel, then you rode out together a few days ago.”
The stablemaster should mind his own business! “Lord Bath wished nothing more than to show me a place on the estate he thought I would enjoy. Once we rode to that spot, he departed to leave me to my own reverie.”
Jane stood and took the babe, setting her in a nearby cradle, before returning and squatting before her. “What happened Georgiana? I can tell something is amiss. Charles never takes a tray in his rooms unless he is unwell, he never makes excuses for tea, and when he does join us, he tries not to stare at you, yet his eyes betray him at every turn.”
“That means nothing.” She averted her gaze.
“You will not look me in the eye anymore, which means the two of you quarrelled or some such disagreement occurred. I have not even mentioned the differences in you: you no longer speak at dinner, and you avoid looking at Charles, though you sometimes fail in that endeavour as well. Do not believe you have fooled us by picking at your food. We know you are eating little. You mostly push your food around your plate.”
She squeezed her eyes closed then opened them. “What do you want me to say, Jane? I was invited here…No, I was told to come help you with Clarissa—not that I minded at the time—but you and Lizzy had an alternative motive, did you not?” At Jane’s flinch, Georgiana lifted her eyebrows. “Your response to my question tells me the truth of the matter. Why would the two of you scheme against me?”
“Against you? Our intention was to give you the happiness we know—a contentment you desire. If you let him—”
A derisive chuckle escaped before she could stop it. “If I let him? He somehow knew what all of you have been about. In fact, he told me of it. He brought me to a beautiful forest where bluebells covered the ground for as far as I could see into the trees, then when I least expected it, he unleashed his displeasure at being matched to me. He informed me why he would not make an acceptable husband as well. His anger at his present state is such he could never open his heart. He will not allow it. The manner in which he expressed himself on the matter made me question all Lizzy and Fitzwilliam have promised me; not to mention, what if any affection you have for me.” So much for keeping her hurt to herself.
Jane grasped her hands and squeezed. “Lizzy and Fitzwilliam have never lied. If you remain unwed, you may live with them or wherever you wish. As for me, I care for you and for Charles. I believe the two of you would suit, and I also believe that together, you would be more than you are apart.”
“I disagree. He is so full of pity for himself he cannot see anything but what he lacks.” Her heart split and bled at the idea of it. How could he value himself so little?
With a heavy exhale, Jane shifted back to her chair. “Henry told me of a boy near Clitheroe. He was born to a poor family in the village. The father worked wherever he could find work, and the mother took in sewing and any job she could to help feed them. When their son was born, he was like any other babe, but as he grew, the differences between him and the other children his age became apparent. He did not speak or respond when someone made a noise nearby or called him. The parents were dismayed. They needed him to be able to work when he was old enough and saw nothing of value in him.
“Henry and Charles both witnessed the child begging on the streets and how people threw food at him. Charles, in particular, saw a woman sneer at the boy before hitting him in the head with a rotten tomato.”
Georgiana squeezed closed her eyes. “Good Lord.”
“You know those without hearing are assumed addled in the mind. Charles knows he is not, but how those around him perceive him is not lost on him. My husband is seeking out a new stablemaster. We are thankful most of the servants do not look at Charles any differently. When they saw us learning how to speak to him, several enquired of learning themselves. His valet teaches most of them below stairs during meals and in their free time. We have wondered that if they had not known and admired him so well before his hearing was lost to him, whether we may have had a different response.”
“That poor child,” said Georgiana. She could not get the image of the small boy out of her mind. “Do you know what became of him?”
“I saw him in the village last we were at Clitheroe. The vicar has taken him in and has taught him to communicate. The young man tends to the church and the grounds, and the vicar has seen he is fed and has a place to sleep. Henry mentioned the language we have learnt, and the minister expressed an interest in the study. My husband sent a book [2] he found in London in the hope it can be of aid.”
Georgiana rubbed her forehead. “I understand this has influenced Lord Bath’s perception of himself, but he has so many who value him.”
“Do remember he only lost his hearing just after we wed. It has been nearly a year by my memory. I do not know how most people cope, but he seemed to be more at ease with the change in the beginning. Only of late has he become more withdrawn.
“Mayhap the significance of the change is truly settling in. I wish he did not feel so isolated, but we have done all we can think of to ensure he is included.”
What had begun as a slight ache in Georgiana’s head had begun to throb. “I do not know what you would have me do. I cannot force him into my company, and what lady, other than Caroline Bingley, would desire such an unequal marriage?”
Jane gave a slight smile.
“I have not thought of Miss Bingley in a long time. You correspond with Mrs. Hurst, do you not?”
With a nod, Jane’s smile grew. “I do. She gave birth to her own child last year—a boy. Mr. Bingley’s daughter is thriving. By Mrs. Hurst’s account, she resembles Mr. Bingley a great deal, from her blonde curls and blue eyes to her smile. She has Mr. Hurst bewitched too. He drinks little these days and is teaching her to ride her own pony.”
“I suppose ’tis a good thing some happiness came from such a tragedy,” said Georgiana.
“It is indeed.”
Georgiana rose and shook out her skirts. “I believe I shall ride before tea today.”
“Henry has indicated we shall journey north the day after Parliament ends for the year.”
“Near mid-July [3] then?”
“Yes. I am unsure if the long days in a coach will be easy for Clarissa at that time or not. She was undisturbed by the journey here, but we only travelled for a small portion of one day. It is much further to Bathwick.”
“Yet, you have your husband, Lord Bath, and myself to help you, not to mention the nurse. We shall manage.”
Before Georgiana could leave, Emmeline and Juliana appeared in the door. “Georgiana!” they both exclaimed when they saw her.
“We came to see Rissa!” Little Juliana had her hands clasped before her chest.
“Georgiana, I lost a tooth!” Emmeline gave an exaggerated smile to reveal a gap in the bottom front of her teeth. “I cried and cried at first, but Miss Fletcher said a new one will appear soon to replace it. Have you ever lost a tooth?”
“I have,” she said. “When I was your age, I believe I lost the very same one as you.”
Jane rose and waved the girls forward. “Come visit your sister before she decides it is time to eat. If Georgiana is to go riding soon, and she needs to change into her habit.”
“Will you read us a story tonight?” asked Juliana.
Georgiana tapped the little girl on the nose. “Of course, and you may choose the tale.”
She hesitated for a moment or two, watching Jane interact with the little girls. After Jane gently instructed Emmeline to sit in a chair, she aided the child in holding her baby sister. Jane was a doting mother not only to her own child, but also to the duke’s daughters. Their love of her was shown in how quickly they had begun to call her “Mama.” She was an excellent mother.
Georgiana finally rose and made to leave, but Jane called her name, making her look back.
“I know he is difficult, but give him time. Look at your brother and Lizzy. If you would have asked Lizzy her first impression of Fitzwilliam, she would have given you a litany of embittered descriptions; however, you would never know it of them now.”
After a nod, Georgiana walked to her rooms and requested her habit.
“But it is raining, Miss.”
She rushed to the window and stared at the steady shower that poured outside, her shoulders dropping. “When did it start?”
“About half an hour ago.”
“I suppose I have no need of my habit then.”
Ambrose excused herself while Georgiana glanced about the room. Her head still throbbed, and oft times being out of doors did much to relieve the discomfort, yet due to the steady shower falling upon the grounds, she was relegated to the house.
She poured a glass of sherry and sat for a time. When her eyes began to droop, she called for her maid to help her remove her morning gown, climbed into bed, and was soon asleep.