As Laura grew older, Lady Helena became anxious about her prospects. After Catherine left, Edward had shut himself up. He had also discontinued the tradition of holding festivities for the tenants. Without village assemblies and dinner parties, she was worried that Laura would not know how to go about in Society.
Laura had received a good education. She was well versed in the rules of etiquette. She could paint, embroider, and play the pianoforte. She knew how to keep household accounts. While not a blue stocking, she was better read than most young women of the ton. But she had no opportunity to learn the most important of social skills, which was to move among the ton. They only socialized with their closest neighbor who was a baron. His daughter Lydia was three years older than Laura and held her in true affection.
Lady Helena hoped Gareth would fix his attentions on Lydia. Though her father was a mere baron, she was well connected on her mother’s side. One uncle was a viscount, another a duke. If Lydia came into the family, Laura could have a successful Season. A husband might be found among her connections.
“It will be a good match,” she told Gareth. “Lydia is an amiable young woman and lovely to look at. I’m surprised you aren’t in love with her.”
“Love is a quagmire. I will not be caught in it,” Gareth replied.
“I know she is fond of you. If you encourage her, you can win her hand in marriage. The baron and his wife will be happy with the match.”
“Lydia is my friend. I’ve known her all her life. She wants love, Aunt Nell. I would be a cad to deprive her of it.”
***
One day the earl did not return from his walk. It was not unusual for him to disappear for several hours but when he was absent for a day and a night, Lady Helena sent men to look for him.
They found him easily enough, caught in the rushes at the river bend, fully clothed. And dead.
Jack, his valet for thirty years, told the family he feared the earl had willingly walked into the watery grave. For three days he had abstained from spirits and had stared gloomily in the direction of the river.
Gareth wrote to his mother, informing her of the funeral arrangements. The messenger returned without a reply.
Due to the nature of the death, the funeral was a small affair. Before the coffin was closed, Lady Helena placed a pair of gloves in it. They were Catherine’s. Her brother had kept them in his room.
After the vicar and the mourners left, Lady Helena said, “I didn’t expect this. Your mother ought to have come. She has shown a total want of feeling.”
Gareth nodded, clenching and unclenching his hand. “I expected her to come. I hoped ...to heal the breach.”
Laura whirled to face him. “How can you speak of reconciling with that unfeeling woman! She isn’t a mother at all! A mother l...loves her children. She doesn’t abandon them!”
Lady Helena waited a few days before talking to Laura. “My dear child, you must not harbor such strong sentiments against your mother.”
“How can you defend her? You were upset when she didn’t come to Father’s funeral.”
“I spoke in anger. It is my dearest wish that you and Gareth are reconciled with your mother. When I knew her, she was the sweetest of creatures. She couldn’t have changed that much.”
“She left us for another man. That could have changed her,” Laura said, her face heating up.
“We don’t know if that is true. You must not give credence to gossip. Laura, I’m happy we are having this conversation. You have never spoken about your mother. It is better to speak out than to let things fester.”
“What is there to speak about?”
Lady Helena sighed. “You are now a young woman so I needn’t mince words. Whatever happened between your parents caused a great deal of talk. It needn’t have. Many ton marriages are a sham with the man living elsewhere with a mistress while the wife and children are left in the family home. Married women have been known to cheat on their husbands after providing them with an heir. As long as they are discreet, they are respectable.”
“Do you mean to say that Mother should have been discreet?”
“Of course not! Your parents had a quarrel and were not able to reconcile. That should not have been cause for scandal. They didn’t do anything wrong. If Edward had let Catherine come back and stayed in London or elsewhere, no one would have cared to discuss it. Husbands and wives aren’t expected to live in each other’s pocket. But Edward loved your mother. He refused to see her but pined for her. Because he shut himself up, and Catherine also withdrew from Society, outrageous stories spread about them.”
For once, Laura gave in to her need to know about her mother. Until then she had listened at doors when the servants gossiped, or when her father spoke to himself when he was in his cups.
“Why did Father let her go if he loved her?” she asked.
“I wish I could answer that. I wasn’t here when it happened. Though it was lowering, I had to ask the housekeeper. The poor dear was devoted to your mother. All the servants were. It took a lot of persuasion before she told me that the quarrel was about a man.”
“Do you know who he was?”
“I can’t believe it was anything serious. Your mother adored Edward and doted on you and Gareth. She had a high moral standard. She couldn’t have flouted her marriage vows. It was either a misunderstanding on my brother’s part or a small lapse on the part of your mother.”
“Why didn’t you help them reconcile? Why didn’t you go and see her?”
“At first it was because I couldn’t leave Edward. He was in a terrible state. I feared for his mind. Later he wouldn’t hear of it.”
“And my mother? Did she not try to see us?” Laura asked. Before her aunt could answer, she sprang up. “I don’t want to know! She didn’t come to the funeral! She may have cared then but she doesn’t care for us now!”
***
Six months after Gareth inherited the title, Lydia made a brilliant match. Lady Helena was pleased for her but at the same time, her anxiety about Laura’s future increased. “You are seventeen,” she told Laura. “If we weren’t in mourning for dear Edward, I would have taken you to Bath, to visit with your great-aunt. That would have prepared you for a London Season.”
Laura stared at her aunt. She couldn’t be serious! Lydia had told her all about the Season.
“You can’t expect to meet eligible men by staying at home. Gareth has some friends but it will be the out and out of everything if we were to have a house party for only young men.”
“We can invite your cousins, Aunt Nell.”
“I doubt they will accept. Poor Edward ordered them off the property when they slandered your mother. It will be best if we go to London next year. Perhaps we should attend the Small Season.”
“ Aunt Nell...”
“Yes, dear?”
Laura flushed a deep pink. “What if nobody invites us or gives us the direct cut?”
“What a nonsensical idea! Who has been filling your head with such talk?”
If possible, Laura turned a deeper shade of pink. “Some months ago I overheard you and Great-aunt Esther. She said the Scandal about Mama had never died down. There were those who would judge me by her behavior. Families high in the instep would not want to associate with us.”
“Aunt Esther talks a lot of moonshine! I’m more than ever determined that we should attend the Season. I’ll speak to Gareth. If he agrees, we will visit Bath. It will give you an opportunity to meet people outside the family. We needn’t put off our mourning or take part in assemblies.”
But Gareth flatly refused. Six months later, Lady Helena tried again. Gareth was going to London to attend to some business. It would be the easiest thing for them to accompany him and spend a few weeks in London.
“We are out of mourning now, Gareth. There are still a few weeks of the Season left. You must think about Laura. How is she to wed if she doesn’t have the opportunity to meet young men?”
“I have a few close friends who are eligible. I’ll give them permission to court Laura. Give me some time, Aunt Nell. I care too deeply about Laura’s happiness to trifle with it.”
“I know you do, dear. You are the best of brothers. I fail to understand why you are set against her having a London Season?”
Gareth gave a wry smile. “Our parents’ separation is still a topic of wild conjecture. I had to put up with a lot of chaff in Eton. Oxford was only better because no one said anything to my face. I don’t want Laura to listen to any of that.”
“You can’t shield Laura for ever. Neither can you let the past dictate the future. I expect our presence in London will give rise to some gossip but it will soon die down.”
“Aunt Nell, Laura is not ready for a Season. She has led a sheltered life. She may fall prey to a fortune hunter.”
“You give her less credit than due, Gareth. Laura is rather shy but she’s nobody’s fool.”
“Laura is only eighteen. It isn’t as if she’s on the shelf. If you insist, we shall attend the Small Season next year.”
Lady Helena let the matter drop. “I have received a letter from my dear friend Harriet. She is the Duchess of Severn and is in London for the Season.”
“When did you receive the letter, Aunt Nell? I didn’t see it in the post.”
Turning a guilty pink, Lady Helena blustered her way out of the tight corner. “That is of no import! You are going to London tomorrow. It is a happy coincidence that Lady Severn has opened up her townhouse for the Season. You must call on her.”
“Does she have a daughter, Aunt Nell?”
“A granddaughter. From what I hear, you will suit,” Lady Helena answered eagerly, forgetting to dissemble.
“Since when did you turn matchmaker, Dearest?”
“Gareth, it is time you wed. I was hoping you would fix your interest on the baron’s daughter. Now Lydia is betrothed to her cousin’s friend.”
“Must I wed because Lydia is getting married?”
“You must marry for your sister’s sake. Your wife can launch her into Polite Society. If you chose wisely, your wife’s connections will help Laura make a good match. Apart from that, Laura needs a woman closer to her age. With Lydia leaving next month, Laura won’t have any friends.”
“You know I’ll do anything for Laura.”
“I hope you will fall in love with a good woman and make her your countess.”
“Daventons are unlucky in love.”
“Enough of that fustian! Your father spoke a lot of nonsense when he was in his cups!”
“You sat up with him when he got maudlin. Are all Daventons devoted to their siblings, I wonder?”
“They are!” Lady Helena said, turning the jest to her advantage. “That’s why you must wed soon for Laura’s sake. Lady Harriet and I have maintained a steady correspondence. In her last letter, she suggested a match between you and her granddaughter, provided you are both agreeable.”
***
A few days later, Lady Helena had the most unbelievable news. Gareth was betrothed to the duchess’ granddaughter, Lady Maria. He had also gone to Wrenrose, to see his mother. Lady Catherine had been ailing for some time but was on the mend. And she was eager for all of them to attend the London Season together.
“Can it be true?” Laura asked, looking dazed. She read the letter again.
When I went to Wrenrose, our mother was very poorly. The news of our father’s death was a terrible blow to her. She took to her bed. Two months later her childhood nurse, Flanders, died. Mother slipped into deep melancholy which is why we did not hear from her. I was shocked at her condition. The physician has told me it a malaise of the heart. You may well be surprised to read that she has been pining away for us since ever so long. When her nurse was alive, she contrived to make her eat and keep her engaged.
Laura, I cannot tell you how wrong we have been about our dear mother. She is innocent of any indiscretion. Father blamed her because of a misunderstanding. Another misunderstanding arose to keep them apart. I shall, or rather Mother shall tell you about it.
Let it suffice for now that you are held as dear to Mother as you could have ever wished. She remembers every little thing about us. I am convinced that only her memories have kept her alive all these years.
Our departure to London depends on Mother’s health. She is making good progress though I fear she is trying to do too much. She wanted to write to you but she tires easily. I had to promise on oath that I would send you her love. She fears that you hate her. I have told her you are incapable of the sentiment.
Your devoted brother,
Gareth.
“Dear child, it appears your mother has suffered a lot. You must try to keep her in good spirits and do everything to help her regain her health,” Lady Helena said.
Laura nodded and escaped to her room.