Chapter 14

 

 

Never ask such a thing, never tempt fate, Aphrodite scolded herself the next day when quite possibly the worst event she ever could have imagined came about.

That morning, on one end of the ballroom, the carpenters completed the stage with much shouting and banging of hammers; on the other end, in the guise of the rehearsal of act two, just as noisy a scene took place.

While Terpsi fidgeted with a gown that threatened to fall off both shoulders at once, Callum wore a frown that seemed to be carved into his forehead. Aski, in an excessively brilliant orange jacket with matching ribbons around his head, danced through the group as an outrageous and completely out-of-control Puck. Both of the squire’s daughters laughed and chased after him. A few feet from Terpsi stood Athena, quietly studying her lines with Frederick. In the middle of the room, Susannah stitched on the costumes. Seated on the edge of the stage, James, Fothergill, and Warwick discussed the merits of a chestnut James had recently acquired.

After Terpsi and Callum had shouted their lines at each other and Puck had spoken his verses, Aphrodite and Warwick stood to begin their parts.

“‘I love thee not,’” Warwick read.

“‘You draw me, you hard-hearted adamant,’” she said and wished the words were not so true.

When they finished their part of the scene, she and Warwick sat on the settee next to Susannah, and Aphrodite picked up a costume to sew.

“You’re very good actors.” Susannah cut a thread.

“Thank you.” Aphrodite eyed her stitches.

“One would almost think,” Susannah said as she sewed. “One would almost think, if one didn’t know you better, that there really is an attraction, a strong attraction, between the two of you. Not, of course, that you flirt. It merely seems that way.”

“Yes,” Warwick said. “One might say that. Or, one might say we are fine actors.”

“Yes,” Susannah agreed. “One might.”

The conversation confused her. It seemed as if the two had communicated in a language she couldn’t understand. Had his sister insinuated something he’d denied? About . . . certainly not about him and Aphrodite. Surely there was nothing to deny—on his part.

“Attention. May I have your attention.” Aski clapped his hands. “You are all too serious, too thoughtful. It is time for us all to do the versatella.” He sang the song with many “fa-la-las” and a few syllables that sounded slightly Italian. Aphrodite thought it was a different melody than they had danced to previously, but what did that matter? The younger members of the cast joined with him, hopping and leaping and turning.

“Come, James, that is just what we need to liven us up.” Susannah grasped her husband’s hand and pulled him into the line of dancers, where they pranced and laughed.

Throwing a challenging glance over her shoulder at Callum, Terpsi joined in, shaking her shoulders so violently that Aphrodite had to stop herself from leaping up to clench the neckline of her sister’s dress and tying it around her neck.

“Fair Patience,” Warwick whispered as he took her hands and pulled her to her feet. “Do not let your sister upset you so much. Come, join the dance. Forget your worries.”

“Oh, that I could.” Aphrodite looked up at him, longing to throw herself into the foolishness, to allow herself to let go, to enjoy herself and show the longing she felt for Warwick.

“Why can’t you, my love?” He put his hand on the small of her back and leaned toward her, his eyes caressing.

Aphrodite had just raised a hand to touch his cheek when a loud voice vibrated through the ballroom. She moved away from Warwick and glanced toward the entrance.

“Everyone!” Mrs. Horne shouted from where she stood at the door. She waved her cane at Frederick, who hurried to his mother so she could lean on his arm. “I have a surprise for you.” Then she stepped aside to show the two people behind her: the Marquis and Marchioness of Temple.

“Mama! Papa!” Athena turned from the dancers and dashed to her parents. After she hugged them both, she turned to her siblings. “Isn’t it wonderful? Mama and Papa are here.”

Aphrodite approached and embraced both parents. “What a delightful surprise.”

Of course more could go wrong. The only thing worse than having the Herrington siblings fall into all their usual multitude of scrapes was for their parents to witness them. No, Aphrodite thought, far worse was that she had joined her imprudent siblings in their folly this time.

Aphrodite glanced over her shoulder. Aski had attempted to hide behind the plants, and Terpsi pulled her dress up to her neck, holding it in place with both hands. Of course, Aphrodite herself could not fault them, for she had nearly allowed Warwick to seduce her in the presence of a room full of people. She knew her face must mirror her guilt for those lascivious thoughts about Warwick. She knew well that her mother had she seen the glances she and Warwick exchanged, would recognize them for what they meant.

Of all of the siblings, only Athena looked completely innocent with her blue eyes wide and happy.

“What brings you here?” Aphrodite asked.

“We had to come, darling.” Hazel kissed Aphrodite and Athena. “This is a most important time for you, dear Ditie. I talked your father into allowing us to travel here, little by little. Mrs. Horne was so lovely about entering into the spirit of our little surprise. How marvelous that you will have such a sweet belle-mère.” She nodded regally toward Mrs. Horne.

“Now, let me see my other darlings. Terpsi?” The marchioness turned toward the group and held out her hands. When Terpsi stood, her mother gasped. Although Hazel possessed what could only be termed haphazard ideas about rearing children, she wouldn’t allow her daughters to tarnish their reputations.

“For heaven’s sake, child, go put on some clothes.” The marchioness spoke in a voice that allowed no argument and pointed to the door. “Do it now.”

Terpsi kissed her parent’s cheeks as she dashed from the room.

“Aski,” his father said. “Are you hiding? What are you doing back there in that ridiculous costume?”

Aski stood. “It’s a lark, Papa.”

“And for how long have you missed school?” The marquis strode toward his son.

“For two weeks, Papa.”

“For two entire weeks? We will deal with that later.”

The colour drained from Aski’s face. “Yes, sir.”

“What have you done with your hair?” The marquis circled Aski, looking at the curls with disbelief.

When his son didn’t answer, the marquis continued, “For the moment, you will comb your hair, then remove that terrible jacket and throw it away. Ask Gerard to help you. When you return, you will be dressed as a Herrington dresses in company.”

Aphrodite could read Aski’s expression. Their father’s valet, Gerard, was an estimable man, deporting himself with far more consequence than any noble. Gerard would not be amused by curls or spangled ribbons or brilliantly hued jackets and would give Aski a set-down, silent but deadly.

“Yes, sir.” Aski kissed his mother’s cheek before he left the room.

“Please continue with what you were doing,” Hazel said with a smile as she settled into one of the comfortable chairs a footman had provided for them, between her husband and Mrs. Horne. “The marquis and I will just watch.”

“Yes, yes.” The marquis waved his hand. “Please continue.” He moved his chair closer to his wife’s, leaned on the armrest they both shared, and placed his hand on hers.

“Now,” said Mrs. Horne as she sat beside them, causing the legs of the graceful little chair to bow under her weight. “Do tell me all about your wonderful family. How many children do you have?”

 

• • •

 

“Tell me all about what has happened at the wonderful house party.” The marchioness settled on the sphinx sofa of cherry-striped satin for a chat with Aphrodite that afternoon in the lovely suite Mrs. Horne had given the parents. She patted the seat for her daughter to join her.

“. . .” Aphrodite paused to consider. Should she begin with Athena’s cuddling with the footman or stealing Aphrodite’s unwanted fiancé? Or, perhaps, Aski’s foolishness, although she had no doubt her father had already uncovered that. She could mention the feud Terpsi carried on with her former beau. Or she could tell her mother that she would break her own engagement because she had developed a powerful passion for a man who had once before played her false.

“It has been fairly uneventful,” Aphrodite said. “We are putting on A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Terpsi is in charge.”

“Of course. And you and Frederick are one of the pairs of lovers?”

“Well, it started out that way. Athena and Warwick were to be Hermia and Lysander, but he frightened her, so we traded.”

“And so you are paired with Warwick while she is with Frederick?” The marchioness pondered this. “Well, it sounds like a nice time. How do you find Mrs. Horne? She was so pleased to help us.”

“Frederick is devoted to her.”

“My dear, I cannot tell you how proud your father and I are of you.” Hazel leaned forward and patted her daughter on the knee.

“Proud? Of me? Whatever for?”

“You have always been our responsible child. Our only responsible child, although Ceto shows a disturbing tendency in that direction. Time will tell.” Hazel paused to reorder her thoughts.

“You were so different from the rest of us,” she continued. “We had no idea how to treat you when you were growing up. But, look at you! You’ve done marvelously. You are to marry a most unexceptionable young man with a lovely estate and a nice fortune. And he’s loving and loyal to his mother, which shows he’ll also treat his wife well. We’re delighted. That’s why I felt we had to be here to share this important time with you, to be here when you announced your engagement. Of course, your father has to take care of the settlements with Frederick, but I wanted to be here to celebrate with you.”

“Thank you, Mama.” She hardly knew where to start when she had to explain the past few days to her parents. Instead of saying anything, she kissed the marchioness on the cheek.

“Is there anything you would like to tell me?” her mother asked.

Aphrodite looked up into eyes filled with concern. “No, nothing,” she lied.

“Well, your father and I are very pleased,” her mother repeated. “I see that Warwick is here. Have you become acquainted with him?”

“He’s representing his father here.”

“So I would imagine. Have you become acquainted with him?” she asked again.

“Yes. He is, after all, playing Demetrius and I’m Helena. We’re together often in the play.”

“And, have you gotten better acquainted with him?”

“Yes, he’s a fine actor and has learned most of his lines.”

“Admirable.” Hazel studied Aphrodite’s face for a moment. “I’ll ring tea. Then you tell me all about Frederick and his mother. Did you know that she has set up a delightful evening of dancing for our entertainment tonight? Your father and I do so enjoy dancing.”

“Yes, Mama. I’m aware of that.”

 

• • •

 

“I believe your fiancé has fallen in love with your sister,” Warwick said as he and Aphrodite danced that evening.

Mrs. Horne had planned a lovely party. The doors of two parlours had been thrown open to accommodate the seven couples as the squire’s wife played a country dance on the piano.

Aphrodite looked up at her partner, who looked uncharacteristically serious, the sparkle missing from his deep blue eyes.

“I find that difficult to believe,” Aphrodite said as she followed the steps of the country dance. She studied Frederick and Athena across the parlours, then continued as the music brought them back together. “Frederick would never be able to introduce Athena to his mother as his future bride.”

“Why not?”

“Certainly you realize that Mrs. Horne would never countenance a Mad Herrington as a daughter.”

“And yet she accepted you, fair Patience.” Warwick turned to the left, then moved with the steps of the dance back toward Aphrodite.

“As you well know, I am not considered a Mad Herrington. In fact, people often state they believe I must be a changeling in this family.”

“Levelheaded, not one to give in to passion and the temptation of the moment? A pity. Do you and Frederick agree on the need to be levelheaded and composed?”

He smiled at her, the smile that she guessed had breeched the hearts of women far more sophisticated than she. Hers followed suit, but she acted unaffected. She moved away with the steps of the dance, fearing he could hear or feel its vibrations.

“My engagement is none of your concern.”

“As a member of the family, I’m concerned that you and your prospective groom will be happy together, content.”

“As you know, Frederick and I share many common interests and are comfortable,” she said. “Were we to marry, I believe we would live contentedly.”

“‘Were’ you to marry? Do you contemplate ending the engagement?”

“We aren’t formally engaged, as you know, but I believe Frederick’s wife will have a comfortable, serene life.”

“Dear Patience, you don’t value yourself highly enough. I cannot believe you’d be happy with a comfortable life. You’re more of a Mad Herrington than you believe. You’re a passionate woman.”

She attempted to study him coolly, as the Aphrodite of a few weeks ago would have, but failed.

“Your passionate nature is reflected in your eyes. They flash and sparkle.”

“It is? They do?” Aphrodite looked away, startled. Certainly the man couldn’t read how she felt, could he? But he was a connoisseur of women. Perhaps he could. She stumbled, but Warwick grasped her arm and kept her from falling.

Aphrodite could tell that she was succumbing to the dangerous pull of his charm and tried to think of something to say.

“And your hair,” Warwick continued. “It’s an unusual colour. Auburn and blond, mixed together. Glorious. It’s burnished gold in the sunlight.”

Thank goodness she was sensible to an inordinate degree, Aphrodite thought, or she would have thrown herself into his arms. “I do not believe there is anything special about my hair.”

Warwick took a tendril of her hair that had escaped from her tightly coiled coiffure and wound it around his finger. “You shouldn’t keep it pulled back that way. It should be loose, waving and curling down your back.”

“That’s not a proper hairstyle.” A delicate flush spread across her cheeks as she turned away. “It’s Athena who has the beautiful hair.”

Unfortunately, the mention of her sister made her look toward where Athena stood with Frederick. “She has that lovely almost white hair that everyone admires.”

As they watched, Athena smiled at Frederick, who stood with his hands held behind his back and his eyes firmly fixed on a spot a few inches above Athena’s head. But, when the steps of the dance turned Warwick away, Aphrodite saw Frederick’s eyes dart in Athena’s direction for only a moment, his body leaning toward the young woman with yearning, before he again studied the wall behind her.

She also noted that Terpsi, much more modestly attired in a high-necked gown of Sardinian blue sarsenet with a striped slip, laughed up at Hugh Ridley while Callum, who had earlier danced with Susannah, now stood up with Gwendolyn.

They had moved to the music in silence for a few moments, when Warwick said, “When will you and Frederick announce your betrothal? I believe the purpose for the ball on Saturday is to announce your impending marriage.”

Again, Aphrodite lost track of the steps of the dance. She stood still for a moment, motionless amid the flow of dancers moving around her and her partner.

“No,” she said. “I’m not sure. Perhaps, but possibly not.” She looked up at Warwick and thought she saw a softness in his eyes. Was it compassion?

Warwick took her hand and pulled her into the flow of the dance while Aphrodite contemplated how close the future was and how little prepared she was for whatever would happen.

Then the music stopped and he led her back to where her parents sipped arrack and nibbled on lemon biscuits.

“Do get yourself something to eat, darling,” the marchioness said. “Mrs. Horne’s cook has prepared a wonderful selection.” She waved toward their hostess, seated at a table and gobbling down delicious morsels.

“My lady.” Warwick bowed toward the marchioness, then led her out to dance.

Ignoring Hugh Ridley, who had started to bow in front of her, Aphrodite slipped out the French door, tiptoed down the stairs and into the garden, where she settled onto a solitary bench hidden by a row of carefully clipped yews.

In only a few days, she was supposed to announce her engagement to a man who was in love with her sister. She had to do something. Perhaps in the morning.

No, tonight. She would have to do something tonight, although her action might ruin her parents’ vision of her as the responsible Herrington.

What if Athena’s thoughts were as confused as Terpsi’s? Was it possible that Athena was pretending to be in love with Frederick to attract Warwick? She had, after all, stated that Frederick was an old stick and had wondered what Warwick’s kisses would be like. She was, after all, a Herrington.

But could Athena have pretended her fright when Frederick fell into the water or her relief when he emerged unharmed? Aphrodite sighed again. Who knew what her muddle-brained family really thought about anything? She must interrogate Athena carefully to straighten this coil out. Yes, tonight!

This time, when she stood, Aphrodite allowed the light and music of the parlour to draw her in again.

 

• • •

 

“Hello, darling,” Aphrodite said when she entered her younger sister’s chambers after the guests had retired.

Athena turned on the bench in front of the Egyptian dressing glass where she had been studying her reflection. She waved the maid away.

“Yes, Ditie?” she said with a quavering smile.

“Darling, I love you.” Aphrodite sat on the bed. “I want what’s best for you, but you have to tell me the truth.”

“The truth, Ditie? About what?” Athena began to brush her hair.

“I believe you are in love with Frederick and that he returns your affection.”

Athena looked at her sister, her face glowing with joy. “Oh, Ditie, do you think he does? I thought so but I wasn’t sure. He’s so quiet and honourable.” A soft smile hovered on her lips. “I can’t tell because he doesn’t give me compliments or try to kiss me like all the other men.” She paused. “I didn’t mean to fall in love with your fiancé.”

“I know, and I’m surprised. You thought him dull only a short time ago.”

“I didn’t know him.” Her face took on a bemused and slightly unfocused look. “Frederick isn’t boring. He’s reliable. Trustworthy. He makes me feel protected and safe.” Athena smiled dreamily at her sister. “Most men make me feel stupid, but Frederick doesn’t. He likes me, as a person. He seems to enjoy talking to me, not just looking at me.”

“That must be very nice, dear. Do you want to marry him?”

“Oh, Ditie, how could I? You’re engaged to him. Almost.”

“You cannot think I’d be happy, married to the man you love, and who seems to care about you.”

“Oh, thank you. You’ve made me so happy.” Athena started to throw her arms around her sister, but Aphrodite stopped her with an upheld hand. “Athena, there is one more thing. If you were married, you couldn’t kiss other men.”

“Oh, Ditie, you think I’m a widgeon. Of course I wouldn’t kiss other men. It would hurt his feelings. Besides, if I were married to Frederick, I wouldn’t want to kiss anyone else.”

“Are you sure?”

“Well, fairly sure. I have not kissed him, but I think it would be very pleasant. Did you kiss Frederick? Did you like it?” Athena leaned forward.

“I hardly think . . .”

“It would not be wrong if you kissed him. You were, after all, almost engaged.”

“But not likely to marry.”

“Well,” Athena continued. “I think if I liked to kiss Frederick, and I do think I would, I believe no other man would appeal to me. You know . . .” She looked at her sister seriously. “I kissed all those other men because I wanted to know how it felt to love and to be loved, but now I know that love is far more than just cuddling and kisses.”

“You seem to have grown up.” Aphrodite stood. “One more question and it seems foolish. Nonetheless, I have to ask. You’re not just pretending to love Frederick to make Warwick jealous?”

Athena blinked. “Why would I do that? That is foolish. Oh.” She thought for a moment. “That’s what Terpsi is doing, isn’t it? Trying to make Callum jealous. Well, no, I wouldn’t. I’m not a complete cawker. Besides, why would I want Warwick when it’s obvious that you and he are perfect for each other?”

“Hardly so.” Aphrodite started toward the door.

“Ditie, I’m sorry.”

“Why, darling?” She turned to face her sister.

“I’m not completely innocent, Ditie. I did flirt with Frederick, on purpose, even though I knew you were to become engaged.”

“I’m sure you did, darling. I’d be surprised if you didn’t flirt with a man.”

“No, I mean, I knew what I was doing. I knew I could make him fall in love with me. Men do, except Warwick. I knew I was taking Frederick from you. I hope I didn’t hurt you too much.”

“No, darling. It’s a little confusing and unsettling, but not the least bit painful.” Except, she thought, to her confidence.

“I wouldn’t have done it if I’d thought you cared about Frederick, but you seemed comfortable with him, nothing more. Besides, this is best. You belong with Warwick.”

“Athena . . .”

“I told you that weeks ago, Ditie. You never believe me.” When her sister didn’t speak, Athena added, “What are we going to do, Ditie?”

“I’ll find time to speak to Frederick tomorrow, to let him know he is free to court you.”

“Oh, Ditie, you’re the most wonderful sister.” Athena jumped to her feet and hugged Aphrodite. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” She patted her younger sister on the back. “Now, go to bed. Everything will be fine, darling.”

Everything would be fine for Athena and Frederick, but how would she tell her parents that they would celebrate the engagement not of their responsible daughter but of her younger sister? she wondered as she entered her chambers. How would she tell them that the flibbertigibbet was to marry him. She felt very old at the moment.

She peered at herself in the mirror. If Frederick didn’t find her attractive, why would Warwick? She doubted it herself, in spite of his honeyed words.

That night as she changed into her night rail and slipped into bed, she refused to ask what more could go wrong. The answer was only too obvious. Everything. And more.

 

• • •

 

Stretched out on the bed, the marquis studied his wife as he had every night for the past twenty-six years as she brushed her hair one hundred times in front of the mirror.

When they met, she had been a blond, her hair as pale as Athena’s. Over the years it had darkened until she reached forty and the gray had begun to lighten it again. She was not the slender nymph he’d fallen in love with, but he loved her more with every year.

Their courtship had been the love story of the season. He was just down from Cambridge, and it was her first season. He had fallen in love with her when he first saw her. Their parents had not been happy and made them wait six months before they allowed the wedding.

Of course, he was not the gallant she’d married. Time had thinned his light hair and added to his waist, but she still seemed to find him as virile as ever.

Was there ever a man so fortunate?

When the marchioness put the brush down and began to massage milk of roses onto her face and neck, the thin strap of her nightgown slipped off her shoulder. As seductive as this was, the marquis knew it was not an invitation. His beloved chewed her lip, a sign of agitation that would need to be calmed before more amusing pursuits began.

He stood and moved to the mirror, where he put his hands on her neck and began to rub her shoulders. “What worries you, my love?” he asked.

“The children.” Hazel sighed.

“Well, of course the children. Terpsi?”

“Oh, no. Her outrageous behavior is to be expected. She has never forgotten Mr. McReynolds so is attempting to attach him again. Why she believes flaunting herself is the answer, I do not know. No, I understand Terpsi, although I shan’t allow her to behave like a strumpet.”

“Then is it Athena?”

“Oh, no. Neither of her sisters would allow her to ruin herself with a footman. However,” she said as she turned to look up at him, “we do need to find a husband for the widget soon.”

“Then it must be Aski who worries you.”

“No, my dear. He is foolish, but he is young. Were you ever such a loose screw, Clive?”

“If I was, I didn’t consider myself foolish. Perhaps half-flash. By the time we met, my sweet, I considered myself quite dashing.”

“And so you were. And so Aski will be, but he does need to return to school.”

“I will see that he is there by Sunday.” The marquis settled himself on the end of the bed. “You cannot be worried about Aphrodite.”

“Oh, yes, Clive, I am.”

“But she has always behaved properly. Why do you worry?”

“Because she doesn’t look happy. She doesn’t act at all like herself. And because it’s time and past for her to behave improperly, and she doesn’t know how.” Hazel paused and nibbled on her lip again. “I saw something today that worries me. I saw her look at Warwick, and he at her. There is something between the two of them. I would not want her to be hurt. If she marries Mr. Horne, she will miss out on the passion you and I have shared. But if she refuses Mr. Horne, I cannot be sure that Warwick would offer for her. You know his reputation.”

“How did Warwick look at Ditie?”

“He looked at her as you look at me. With passion but also, I believe, with love.”

“Then do not refine on this, dearest. Ditie is surely old enough to decide what she wants.”

“But Warwick and our Ditie?”

“You remember what our parents said when I told them I wished to offer for you? My parents laughed because I was so young. Yours worried and almost did not allow me to speak to you because of my reputation.”

“But you were young, not jaded. Warwick is nearly thirty. He may be set in his rakish ways.”

“And you, my love, were as naughty a puss as London had seen, but we have been happily and lovingly married for years. There has never been another woman for me. Perhaps Warwick only needs to fall in love to change.”

“Yes, we’re happy and have wonderful children although, perhaps this is the last one.”

“Last one, darling wife?”

“Aren’t you getting tired, having fathered such a family?” She glanced at him and recognized the look in his eyes. “Clive, remember, our next child has already been conceived.”

“But, my love.” He stood and took her in his arms, loving the feel of her against him and the look of expectation in her eyes. “We can practice for the next one.”

He kissed her neck and slid the straps of Hazel’s silky nightgown off both shoulders.