Chapter Five

 

 

All the houseguests attending breakfast the following morning agreed what a great success the ball had been. Both Philip and Arabella looked pleased, albeit modestly so, at the comments; afterwards they gathered with the household in the family chapel, situated at the eastern end of the house, where the chaplain took the service and Philip read the lesson.

A shaft of light pierced through the stained-glass windows on Philip as he conducted the reading in a strong clear voice. Julia thought once again how handsome he was, his hair shining like burnished gold in the winter light; certainly he had a much more impressive mien than his cousin, the chaplain.

Arabella, in Prussian blue velvet and chinchilla furs, followed his every word, looking up at him adoringly, and Julia thought again how fortunate they were.

Also present was Lady Edward Illingham, the widow of Philip’s elder brother who had been tragically killed in a carriage accident earlier in the year. The mother of three young daughters who were not present, she was dressed in full mourning and accompanied by her spinster sister who resided with her in the dower house situated on the estate some five miles away.

From all accounts Lord Edward had been a sad rake like his father and had not been greatly mourned, though there was plenty of sympathy for his widow.

She shivered slightly, and though the sage green pelisse and sable muff should have been adequate, the large chapel was freezing, despite hot bricks for the feet to try and warm the air. Fortunately, the service was kept relatively short and after an hour-and-a-quarter and the last hymn, the service was over.

To the strains of organ music they left the chapel and began the long walk to meet for nuncheon. As they marched crocodile fashion to the main staircase, Philip made his way back to join Julia who was walking with Mortimer.

The cheerful Mortimer dropped back, as Julia complimented Philip on his reading.

He shrugged nonchalantly. ‘I never thought I would find myself in the position of having to do it as a younger son, but to be honest I quite enjoy it.’

Julia noted the reference to his late brother, and replied, ‘You do it all so well, and Arabella compliments you perfectly.’

For a moment Julia wondered if she had been a trifle impertinent in making such a remark, and gave him a sideways glance to see his reaction. He looked serious, but pleased at her frankness and answered, ‘Thank you Julia. Arabella and I hope you are able to become a regular visitor to Sharnborough, for you have become quite a favourite of my wife and aunt.’

Julia had the grace to blush at this compliment. Philip continued; ‘I owe you an apology, as I intended to ask you to stand up with me at the ball, but regretfully I was unable to do so. Whenever I saw you during the evening you were either dancing or had a group of admirers gathered around you,’ he added with a smile.

‘I quite understand Philip. As the host you were kept busy all the night long, so please don’t even consider the matter,’ said Julia, though she would have given much to have danced with him. She knew however there were many ladies of rank and influence that were ranked of greater importance than she was, so she could not be surprised. Life and training at Court had taught her many lessons in etiquette.

‘You are quite sure you do not want to interview Seth Wyatt, Julia?’ he asked unexpectedly changing the subject.

‘No, not at all. In all fairness to the man he was probably not in the village when the crime took place, and I have no wish to rake up old coals,’ she said with a shudder.

‘I fully understand your feelings, and have no fear, that is now all behind you.’ He pressed her hand warmly as they parted and he rejoined Arabella, whilst Julia joined the other ladies to change for nuncheon.

 

***

 

After nuncheon in the Elizabethan Room, Philip took his guests on a tour of the staterooms of the house with their famous paintings and bibelots, before joining Arabella in the Chancellor’s library where the treasures of the house were displayed in glass cases, and objects d’art brought out for inspection.

Lady Furnbridge took over half the party from Philip, as she was extremely knowledgeable and knew the history of the objects on display. For, as Arabella said softly, she was still learning from Philip and was not yet competent to instruct anyone.

At one of the small tables Julia found herself alone with Arbuthnot examining a beautifully engraved gold embellished Book of Hours some six hundred years old, and curiosity got the better of her.

‘You asked me Mr Arbuthnot, when I first arrived at Sharnborough, if I knew Gerald Hamilton at Winchelsea,’ Julia said quietly.

He raised his head quickly from the book and gave her a piercing look.

‘Indeed I did,’ he said slowly, and waited.

‘Mr Hamilton was an acquaintance of mine. Almost a neighbour in fact,’ she answered. He said nothing further, so Julia pressed on. ‘May I ask how you knew Mr Hamilton, Mr Arbuthnot?’

He looked steadily at her, before he answered. ‘I have never met the man.’

Julia felt confused. ‘Then why did you ask me if I knew him?’

‘I only know of him, and what I know makes him sound a most disagreeable acquaintance and neighbour,’ he answered grimly.

By the look on his face she felt it would be unwise to pursue the subject, so instead she asked, ‘Is the Chevalier d’Augusseau a particular friend of yours?’

He looked surprised at her question.

‘Alain? Not a close friend but I have met him several times in London and found him to be good company, with a most agreeable disposition. One sees him everywhere in town as he visits often. He has some position I believe with the French government since the Bourbon restoration, and that would explain why he is staying with Hudson.’

Before she could form an answer Arabella drifted over to them. ‘Oh, you are looking at one of my favourite objects, is it not magnificent?’ They agreed it was and then Lord Reefton came up and any chance of continuing the conversation ceased.

Questions flooded through Julia’s mind. Somehow she felt Mr Giles Arbuthnot was not being exactly truthful. Why ask her about Gerald, if he had never known him? She knew Gerald had a wide circle of male friends or acquaintances that he had gambled and attended the races with, as well as all the attractions of town.

As for the Chevalier, well, that sounded plausible for indeed he was charming, but not the sort of man she would have thought that would hold any sort of government appointment.

It gave her much to mull over even as she listened to Lady Reefton complaining of the superfluous number of penniless younger sons, as Julia watched Lady Cecily gazing longingly at a bored looking Dominic Sinclair-Wells who was studying a miniature surrounded in diamonds.

 

***

 

Dinner was served in the Venetian Room, where Lady Edward and her sister joined them for it. Before the meal the nurse had brought in the two elder girls and the baby where they were much admired. Julia noticed how Arabella nursed baby Olivia with genuine warmth, while Philip looked on benevolently.

Lady Cecily, pretty in pink, sang sweetly after dinner in the music room, while keeping her eyes fixed on the same gentleman in the same worshipful fashion.

Her mother played the pianoforte as she sang, and Sir George nobly turned the pages, but no adoring glances were bestowed on him.

Julia tightened her cashmere shawl around her shoulders, as despite the fires in the room, the chill was palpable. There was much clapping, and cries of encore which the young lady dutifully did. After that it was Julia’s turn to play, and she did not disappoint for she had felt sure it would be expected of her at some time during her stay, and she had practiced on her great uncle’s old pianoforte before her visit.

Next, Sinclair-Wells gave a poetry reading, which was well received, as he was surprisingly good. Arbuthnot followed with a series of card tricks, and all were amazed at his expertise and dexterity of hand. Mortimer and the Colonel did a comical skit, which had the audience convulsed with laughter; and finally Lady Furnbridge playing the pianoforte accompanied Philip and Arabella who sang a duet which was so moving it brought tears to Lord Wetherby’s eyes, and then they sang a jolly sailor’s shanty to thunderous applause.

So the evening ended; after breakfast the next day all the guests were leaving, except Lady Furnbridge who was going to stay with Lady Edward at the dower house, and the Wetherbys who were staying on at Sharnborough.

Julia said her goodbyes with kind comments from the Reeftons who hoped to see her in London when she visited next, and the gentlemen were all affability itself.

Sir George seemed a trifle abstracted, and it appeared that his suit to Lady Cecily had not been returned with any favour.

Arbuthnot did not make any further reference to Gerald Hamilton, and the Colonel promised to pass on her personal good wishes to the Princesses Augusta and Sophia when he was next in waiting.

Both Philip and Arabella stated their hope that Julia would visit them again in the future, and then in misty rain Julia and Smithers climbed into the hired chaise and were soon bowling down the long driveway on their way back to Winchelsea.