THE CAPTAIN RETURNED TO OAKMONT on Saturday, in time to pick up his letters from the tray in the hall and take a bath before dinner.
Almost as soon as they were all seated in the dining hall, Laura sensed that some communication about her had taken place between Elspeth and her brother. Edward watched Laura and Sir Richard closely at first, and looked at Elspeth and smiled. It seemed they had surmised that the engagement had taken place.
“What news of your journey, Edward?” said Sir Richard.
“I have ordered work on the cottage to begin at once. There must be certain comforts for my bride when we arrive.”
“Assuredly,” said Elspeth.
Laura said nothing; she had no cheer to add.
“Most of the work will take place after we go to town. Evalina wishes to enjoy a season in London.”
“You must stay in my London house, Edward,” said Sir Richard. “It has stood empty since I can’t recall. I will order it readied for you.”
“That is very kind, Cousin.”
“It takes a great temptation to move me thither, as you know. Perhaps later in the season there may be reason for me to go to London.”
He seemed aware of making a small blunder for he looked down, reddening.
“There will be a lady to present at court,” said Elspeth, glancing sidelong at her sister.
Laura stiffened but Elspeth said, “I believe I could prevail upon Lady Clarydon to present your bride at court, Edward.”
Edward’s eyes lit up with pleasure. “Evalina will be highly gratified with the honour,” he said.
Elspeth smiled complacently. “I am happy to be of use to my family. The countenance of a peeress can only enhance dear Evalina’s consequence.”
Edward thanked her again, and finished his description of the improvements that were begun at Wintern Cottage.
It was not until the dishes were laid out for the second course, that Edward said, “You may have noticed a letter came for me from Lyme. It is good news from the surgeon whom I appointed to attend the injured boy.”
“Young Tom? How is he, Edward?” Laura could not keep a quaver from her voice.
“You are too kind to him, Sister,” he said.
“Mrs. Bell, you must be patient with us,” Elspeth said. “Miss Morrison saw an injured boy at Lyme.” Her lip curled a little. “He was the son of some fisherwoman. My sister insisted upon the captain going to his aid.”
“How kind!”
Elspeth raised her eyes heavenward.
Edward continued. “The surgeon re-set the boy’s broken leg, which should heal almost entirely in time.”
“I am happy to hear it!” said Laura.
“The lad’s eye is open and he sees from it.”
“I barely hoped for such a recovery.”
Edward shook his head. “The boy now tells a different tale, just as the surgeon predicted. He claims that he was running along the path from Charmouth, when he collided with two ruffians. He has an ‘irrepressible humour’, the good doctor writes, and suggested in colourful terms that the strangers were at fault. They left him in a pitiable state and made good their escape from the district. Fortunately, Tom was soon discovered and carried home upon a plank.”
“He was given a cruel lesson,” said Elspeth. “I hope he has benefited from it.”
Later, in the drawing room, Elspeth was playing the pianoforte and Sir Richard lounged in a chair listening to her, while Mrs. Bell sat at the table with a picture of the crest before her, making out the pattern. Edward sat with Laura on the other side of the room.
“I hope your doubts are settled, my dear Laura,” Edward said quietly.
“I am happy to hear about Tom’s recovery, but I am still puzzled by his saying that there was no gentleman with me that morning.”
“Do not trouble yourself so over these details, Laura.”
“Why should he say it?”
“Did he say it of his own accord, Laura? Did you ask him about the gentleman first?”
She could not speak. Her breath was carried away by his calm assumption that she was wrong in this too. He looked at her kindly. She found she could not say it; she could not be completely sure.
She was silent for a moment and he looked at her anxiously.
“Poor Edward,” she said. “What a trouble I have been to you.” She seemed to hear her own words as though spoken by another; she scarcely knew what she meant.
“Can you accept that the events are explainable?”
She hesitated, before saying, “I think I must.” He kissed her.
There was silence for a moment or two before Edward said, “I visited an old friend in Cornwall. Do you remember Albert Jenner, my old friend from school? He is settled not far from Fowey.”
“Yes—I met him while I still lived at Wintern.”
“He asked to be remembered to you.”
“I like his wife very much. It will be pleasant to renew our acquaintance when I visit Wintern.”
“Laura, I asked him if he had heard of a person mistaking someone for another whom they barely resembled.”
Laura looked at him, the expression in her eyes reflecting at once caution and a certain annoyance. “You have disguised the story of my ‘seeing’ Mr. Templeton in the Hollow, in order to gauge his opinion.”
“Don’t be cross. I am sure he thought I spoke of myself. He said it is a common occurrence.”
“Yet you have the advantage over me, Edward: your infatuation is with a real woman.”
Elspeth stopped playing for a moment, her eyes having left her music sheet as she watched them. She was too far away to hear them and resumed playing.
Laura watched as Sir Richard rose and went over to the table, leaning over Mrs. Bell’s work, a paper with rows of letters and numbers—the pattern for the banners.
Edward’s eyes followed hers.
“You have accepted him?” said Edward, quietly.
“Yes, do not fear.”
“I confess to feeling a little hurt by that reply, Laura. I want only what will further your happiness.”
She wanted to ask what happiness could be found for such as her. She looked at him, full of his successful love, anticipating all the joy of passionate love returned. She shook her head a little, as though to dislodge the uncharitable thought. At least of the three siblings, one was to be happy in matrimony, and he, of all of them …
She put her hand on his. “Edward, you have so earned your happiness.”
“Thank you, dearest Laura. You have merited more than life has served you thus far. The path you have chosen is the best.”
“I suppose so.”
“That is not graciously said.”
“I would have preferred an offer that had less generosity in it.”
Edward patted her arm. He was on the point of turning away, when she remembered. “When we came home from Lewton Hall on Tuesday evening, you went into the library with Richard and Elspeth. Why was that?”
He paused. “We discussed the terms of your marriage contract.”
“Before I had even accepted him?”
“What point is there in delay?”
She had no answer and he went to sit near the pianoforte.
Laura recalled her cousin’s mysterious absence on Wednesday, when he should have been with the colonel. Richard had been evasive in answering her innocent questions about his day. Had he gone to see his attorney?
How they scurried secretly about, like mice behind the wainscot.