Sixteen

Dinner for Lady Louisa that night consisted of dry biscuits. Her nervous stomach would not permit anything else. Lord Umber and Dr. Ross had not yet returned, and she did not expect them for a while. They had gotten the idea to visit all the hospitals in the vicinity of Harley Street to see if Felicia had been admitted as a patient, for somehow Ian had convinced himself that she had met with an accident.

Lady Louisa closed her eyes wearily. So much had happened so swiftly. The disclosure that Felicia’s grandfather was Lord Davenport and that he had been searching for her family for years was gratifying, for this confirmed the suspicion that lady had had all along that Felicia was well-bred. But when Ian informed her that he had decided he wanted nothing more than to marry Felicia, she had felt compelled to point out to him that Felicia would need time to adjust to her new family, and that he simply could not assume that she would return his feelings. Also such talk was premature, for there was no guarantee that she would be found. The anguished look on his face after she had spoken had been heartrending and indicated that Felicia’s disappearance had affected him as deeply as his father’s death had. She wished she could comfort him, but knew there was little she could say to ease his mind. It was a nightmare they would all have to live through.

She must have dozed, for suddenly she was jerked awake by the sounds of knocking on the front door. She pulled herself upright and patted her cap straight as she waited for the footman to answer the summons. A few minutes later her son stood on the threshold of the salon, his pale, drawn face proof that he had been unsuccessful in his search.

Without a word, he crossed to the drink tray that stood on the sideboard and poured himself a good measure of brandy. He tossed this down and poured himself another before speaking.

“Mama…Mama…” he said helplessly. “The truth is I know not where to start looking. She has vanished without a trace.”

“I know, son,” Lady Louisa soothed. “I know. But we must not give up hope yet.” She glanced up at the delicate, gold filigree clock on the mantle and was surprised to see that it was only eight o’clock. “There is still plenty of time for news tonight. Where is Paul?”

“He had some things to attend to, but he promised to look in later on to check on you,” he answered bleakly. He paced the room like a caged animal, stopping by the fireplace to kick the coals. “What else can I do? Whom can I approach? Where can I go? Damn, damn, damn.” He talked to himself, oblivious to his mother’s presence. “I know she is behind it. I know it.” He stopped abruptly and turned towards Lady Louisa with a triumphant expression on his face. “And I intend seeing her this very instant.” He tugged the bell rope impatiently.

Sims entered immediately. “Yes, my lord?”

“Order my carriage for me,” he instructed.

“Where…where are you going, Ian?” Lady Louisa asked hesitantly. She had never seen her son this angry before; it seemed to her that he was fairly spitting with rage.

“To Lady Ormstead’s. I am going to force her to tell me what she had done with Miss Richards, for I am as certain as I can be that she is responsible for her disappearance.”

“But, Ian,” Lady Louisa protested feebly, “you cannot force yourself on anybody at this time of night. And…and besides, she may not be in.”

“If that is the case, I will wait for her. No, Mama, my mind is set. I cannot sit here waiting for something to happen. It is unthinkable.”

“Then you must do as you suggest,” Lady Louisa answered with a calmness she did not feel. The frustration and forlornness her son was experiencing was too painful to watch and, although she was apprehensive about what he would say to this Lady Ormstead, she knew she was powerless to prevent him from going. “Leave her direction with Sims,” was all she said. “And I will send word to you, should I hear anything.”

Lord Umber nodded grimly and strode from the room, his features hardened into a ruthless expression.

Lady Louisa rose from her chair unsteadily, her sense of frustration as complete as her son’s. Where could Felicia have gone? She shook her head in bewilderment.

She started nervously as she heard the knocker sound again, and waited anxiously for Sims to announce the visitor. She heard the low murmuring of voices as people entered the hallway and she gave a joyous cry as she recognized the light tones of Felicia. Unable to wait for Sims to do his duty, she opened the door and quickly stepped out into the hallway.

“Felicia,” she exclaimed jubilantly. “My dear child!” Seconds later she was embracing Felicia, tears of relief falling down her cheeks. “Oh! Felicia, how glad I am to see you.” She stood back and looked her up and down, searching for outward signs of injury. Finding none, she asked, “You are not hurt?”

Felicia shook her head, too emotionally drained to speak. She glanced at David beseechingly.

Lady Louisa, suddenly realizing where she was, relinquished her hold on Felicia. “Shall we go into the salon? I am sure we will be more comfortable there.” She led the way, putting her arm through Felicia’s, leaving David and Adams to follow.

Once they were all seated and David had made the necessary introduction of Adams to Lady Louisa, a silence fell.

“I…I…am sorry to have caused such a stir,” Felicia said softly, aware that Lady Louisa was waiting for her to speak. “It’s…it’s been such a…”

“That you have been restored to me is sufficient for the moment,” Lady Louisa said swiftly, seeing the distress on Felicia’s face. “Tomorrow is soon enough to talk.”

David nodded his approval. “Your thoughtfulness is appreciated, I am sure, Lady Louisa. Miss Richards has been through an excruciating experience.” He smiled at Felicia encouragingly. “She wanted to come here tonight, preferring to wait until the morrow to meet her grandfather.”

Felicia looked at Lady Louisa candidly, her blue eyes enormous with strain. “I cannot think properly this evening, so much has happened and I know…I know I have to go to Lord Davenport’s tomorrow, but I wanted nothing more than to sleep in familiar surroundings tonight.”

“My dear, I would not want it any other way. You are always welcome here, you know that. Come, let me put you to bed.” Lady Louisa turned to David and Adams. “I beg that you wait for me to return. I will not keep you above a few minutes.”

The door closed softly behind her, and David sat back tiredly. “Thank goodness that is behind us, Adams—though how Miss Richards is ever going to forget her experience at Newgate is beyond me. I swear the memory of Mistress James will be with me for a long time to come.”

“She was certainly not a pretty sight tonight,” Adams agreed. He stood up. “If you don’t mind, Mr. Burton, I will be getting along now. I dare say my missus will have given me up for dead long since.”

“By Jove! I am sorry, Adams,” David exclaimed. “I must confess I never gave her a thought. My thanks to you for all you have done tonight. I will see you in the morning.”

“Yes, sir,” Adams said as he reached the door. “Good night.”

As good as her word, Lady Louisa reappeared soon after Adams’ departure. “The poor girl is exhausted,” she fussed. “I swear she fell asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow.”

“I am not surprised to hear that,” David replied. “Thank you for not creating a fuss, for that was one thing Miss Richards wanted to avoid.”

“What did happen to her, David? I cannot stand the suspense a moment longer.”

David regarded her pensively, uncertain whether he should divulge everything without Ian’s presence. “It’s a harrowing tale, which I would prefer to relate when Ian is here. Will he be in shortly?”

Lady Louisa clasped her hands together in annoyance. “Oh! Lordie me! I clean forgot. He went off to Lady Ormstead’s, convinced she was at the root of Felicia’s disappearance and determined to force her to talk. Excuse me, I must ask Sims to send a messenger there to let him know that Felicia is safe.”

“I think it would be best for me to go, Lady Louisa. If Ian has gained admittance, then a great deal of discretion will be needed, for he was right. Lady Ormstead was indeed behind Miss Richards’ misadventure.”

“Oh no!” Lady Louisa said faintly, sitting down hastily. “Then you must get there before Ian loses his temper completely.”

“Of course. I will return as soon as possible, but I must stop in at Lord Davenport’s for I have promised to give him word of his granddaughter.”

“I shall look for you both within the hour, then.”

*

However, it was nearly two hours before they returned and, if Lord Umber was relieved that Felicia was safely asleep upstairs, the scowl on his face belied his feelings.

“I am sorry we kept you waiting, Mama,” he said, as he poured himself another drink, “but Lord Davenport insisted that we stay for supper. In the circumstances it seemed uncivil to refuse.”

“I understand, Ian. Paul has been here, and he looked in on Felicia. He seemed quite satisfied that she was sleeping normally and said to tell you he would call first thing in the morning. Was…was Lord Davenport glad of your news, David?”

“Enormously, Lady Louisa. He wants to do what is best for Miss Rich…I mean, Lady Felicia, and feels that perhaps it will be best for her to prolong her stay with you until she has adjusted to the idea of belonging to a family again.”

“How thoughtful of him, to be sure. He may be right, but I think we should ask Felicia in the morning what it is she wants to do. Mayhap we could invite Lord Davenport to luncheon, so they can become acquainted gradually.” She glanced at her son. “Don’t you agree, Ian?”

“Indeed, Mama, an excellent suggestion,” he answered absently. “Mama, are you certain that Paul said she was all right? I mean, he didn’t think that because she had suffered another shock she would lose her memory again?”

“He didn’t mention that possibility, as I was unable to supply him with any of the details of her ordeal. He thought it best not to speculate.”

“A wise doctor,” David murmured before turning to Lord Umber. “Ian, I am sure Lady Louisa has waited long enough to hear the story. Do you want to listen to me again, or would you be more comfortable with the telling?”

“No, no, David. It is something you had best repeat. Excuse me, Mama, but my temper is on a very short rein at the moment. Pray disregard any oaths that you may hear me utter.” He lapsed into an unhappy silence as he stared into the dancing flames of the fire.

He had paid scant attention to his mother’s words of caution not to rush into proposing to Felicia, but the last hour spent in Lord Davenport’s company had forced him to conclude that it would be most unfair of him to say aught until Felicia had had time to enjoy her new life. Now doubts were assailing him, for Lord Davenport had made it quite clear that he intended presenting Felicia to Society. How could he declare himself and deny her the opportunity of having what every young lady coveted—the romance of a Season in London. Yet, if he bided his time, it was always possible that she would form an attachment for some unworthy whelp. He let out an oath.

Lady Louisa looked at him anxiously, wondering what it was that was still bothering him. “I trust you left Lady Ormstead in one piece, Ian?” she asked lightly. There was something in his brooding expression that made her feel uneasy.

“I found him on the doorstep,” David answered. “He had been quite unsuccessful in his attempt to wake up anyone in that house, even though he caused the devil of a commotion and had most of the neighbors complaining of the noise.” He smiled reassuringly at Lady Louisa, trying to allay her fears. He, too, was concerned about Lord Umber, for the black mood of despair he was presently suffering had descended suddenly in the midst of their supper. It was difficult to console him, not knowing the cause.

“And well might she hide,” Lord Umber said suddenly, “for this is the last night she will ever rest easy. I was correct in my assumption, Mama. She was indeed responsible for Lady Felicia’s disappearance….” He broke off, rage choking him into speechlessness.

David quickly broke in, sensing that Lord Umber’s behavior was far more disturbing to Lady Louisa than the actual story of Felicia’s plight would be. “The ugly truth is that Lady Felicia has spent the better part of today in Newgate prison because Lady Ormstead accused her of purse-snatching.”

Lady Louisa sank back into the cushions as all the color drained from her cheeks. She felt strangely lightheaded as she absorbed this information, unwilling to believe her ears.

“The poor girl. The poor, dear, sweet girl. It is hardly any wonder she was so distraught tonight.” With an effort she struggled into an upright position and fumbled for her purse. The room spun in front of her and, as she tried to focus on a low coffee table in front of her, she was suddenly aware of a pair of strong arms forcing her back on the chaise. Somewhere in the distance she could hear a bottle being uncorked and a quiet voice whispering instructions. Then the familiar odor of her smelling salts steadied her vision and the faintness that had threatened to overwhelm her receded.

“That’s better,” she heard her son say. “She will be all right in a moment.”

“I am sorry, Ian. It never occurred to me that she would react so. Indeed, I would have held back if I had known.”

“She had to know sometime, David, so don’t be worrying yourself needlessly. And, I am sure my behavior affected her adversely.” He smiled ruefully. “My indisposition must be due to the combined effect of knowing that I must wait to declare my ‘honorable’ intentions to Lady Felicia, and thinking of Lady Ormstead. Mama,” he said as he patted her wrists lightly. “Mama, are you feeling better?”

Lady Louisa nodded. “Yes, thank heavens. I am sorry to be such a wet goose. I don’t know what came over me. Please, David, continue.”

“There is little else to say, except that I will settle the score with Lady Ormstead tomorrow.”

Lord Umber broke in quickly as he saw an apprehensive look enter his mother’s eye. “There is no need to worry that I shall interfere, Mama. I have already given my word to Lord Davenport and David that I will stay well away.”

“That is a relief,” Lady Louisa murmured faintly.

“And,” David continued with a smile, “I will insure that she never attempts to see Lady Felicia again.”

“Do you think she will listen to you?” Lady Louisa asked. “She sounds to me like a person who will do exactly as she wants and bully anyone who stands in her way.”

“She will listen. Lord Davenport calls it blackmail, I merely regard it as tightening the purse-strings. You see, I control her late husband’s estate, and consequently have to approve all her major expenses….”

“Call it what you will,” Lady Louisa laughed. “I approve of your plan entirely.”