Oh, if you are going to fly into a temper, then I shall say no more. But if you want me to keep your secret from Mama, then you will have to find a way of persuading me.
Oh, Annabelle, Lydia said, laughing, you are such a mischievous child
Not so much of the child, if you please. I am old enough to fall in love.
Are you, indeed?
Yes, indeed. And do not tell me you do not know what it feels like, for I am persuaded that you do. I saw the look you had for the handsome stranger. Who is he, Lydia?
I told you, I do not know the gentleman.
So what are you going to do about it?
The stranger? Why, nothing. Why should I?
No, I meant about persuading me to hold my tongue.
You can have my silk fan, the one Grandmama gave me.
Can I? Oh, can I? her sister said eagerly, then laughed. You must love him very much to part with that.
Dont be silly. I have been thinking of giving it to you ever since we made that pink gown up. It matches it exactly and would certainly not go with my yellow brocade.
Oh, you are a darling! And Annabelle flung her arms about her sister in the rocking vehicle, making it sway more than ever. The best sister anyone could have.
They continued in silence for a few minutes, but Annabelle was still bubbling over and could not keep quiet. Do you think the Earl will allow the ball to go ahead? she asked.
I dont know, nor do I care very much.
Oh, Lydia, do not be such a misery. If we go to the ball I shall see Perry there and, who knows, your fine gentleman might attend.
And what good would that do? Lydia asked herself. Annabelle had said a bird in the hand was worth two in the bush. She knew nothing whatever about the handsome young man, not even his name, but she knew all she wanted to know about Sir Arthur Thomas-Smith. Tears pricked at her eyes and she was thankful that the darkness in the coach hid them from her sisters eyes.
Their mother had not waited up for them so, as soon as they arrived home, Lydia pleaded tiredness and went to her own room, thankful that now her older sisters no longer lived at home she had a room to herself. She could not bear another minute of Annabelles excited chatter, her bubbling optimism which hinged on Lydia marrying Sir Arthur in order to smooth the way for her own marriage. He was a respectable gentleman who had done nothing wrong; in truth, had done everything right, at least in her mothers eyes, but she did not want to marry him.
Oh, she knew perfectly well that most young ladies bowed to the superior knowledge and experience of their parents in the matter of matrimony and usually married the men chosen for them. Sometimes, it worked very well; if it did not, both discreetly took lovers. She did not think she could bring herself to do that. But if someone like her man from Chelmsford came along Oh, no she could not commit that sin, not even with him; she believed in the sanctity of marriage and if she married Sir Arthur she would be faithful to him. If Had she any choice?
She tossed and turned and fell asleep at last.
Next morning Lydia rose bleary-eyed and not in the least prepared for the bombshell her mother delivered at the breakfast table.
The Earl is back, Mrs Fostyn said, picking up a sheet of paper which lay beside her plate. I have had a letter from him, or, more precisely, from Mr George Falconer, his lawyer.
What about?
Our tenure of this house. It appears he wishes us gone.
Gone? Lydia repeated.
Yes, read it for yourself. She handed the letter to Lydia, who read it through quickly.
One month to leave, she said, her face white with fury. He has given us a months notice. The fiend! The indescribable charlatan! I have always hated him and I was right to do so. He cannot bear to have us on his land because it reminds him of his guilt. I knew this would happen as soon as he came back. You thought so too, didnt you? Thats why you spoke to me about marrying.
I thought it might. You see, if She paused, then went on. If the old Earl did not correspond with his son, then he would not know our circumstances
It would have made no difference if he had. He is entirely selfish. He could have exonerated Freddie, accepted the blame. But no, he must drag us all down with him. Only he is not down, but on top, and he means to grind us into the dirt.
Lydia, pray do not be so melodramatic, Anne said gently. The house is his to do with as he likes and he says he needs it, though why I do not know. If the Countess had lived and he had a wife and family, then of course he would expect his mother to live here, but as it is
Do you think he has a wife, then? Annabelle put in.
He is twenty-nine years old, so it is more than possible.
Then I feel sorry for her, Lydia said sharply. I wonder if she knows what happened? I wonder if he knows what people are saying about him?
What are they saying?
Oh, you know, Lydia said vaguely. About him murdering Papa.
I am sure they are saying nothing of the sort, her mother protested. And I wish you would not speak of him in that fashion.
Why not? It is the truth, isnt it? Papa was unarmed and he was only trying to stop him firing
Lydia, you would not spread calumny about him, surely? her mother said, horrified at the violence of her daughters feelings. That is deceitful and unjust.
Which is exactly what he is. He allowed Freddie to take the blame for something that was entirely his fault. Freddie was always under his sway, even when they were boys.
I do not think that is quite the case, dearest, and I beg you to curb your excessive feelings. It can only do you harm. Your papa preached forgiveness, remember.
If he had lived, do you think even he could have forgiven Ralph Latimer for what he did?
I like to think he would.
But he did not live, did he? And we are in this coil because of what thatthat devil did. She left her chair suddenly. I am going to see him. I am going to tell him exactly what I think of him.
Anne reached out and seized Lydia by the wrist as she passed her. No, child, you will do no such thing. He is within his rights. If you provoke him, he might not even allow us a month.
Lydia made no attempt to pull herself away, but stood passively, looking down at her mother. You mean you are going to buckle under and leave without one word of protest?
No. Anne smiled wanly. We have nowhere to go. I will speak to him myself, he may not know our circumstances.
Mama, you are never going to beg?
No, but we need a little more time, Lydia. And I shall make a reasonable request for that.
Time?
Time to bring our family fortunes on to a more even keel.
How? Oh, I see. When I have captured Sir Arthur. I am to be punished for what that man did ten years ago, just as Freddie was punished and you have been punished. It goes on and on. If I could think of a way to make him pay, then I would. I would see him rot in hell.
Lydia! her mother cried. This battling daughter of hers was so consumed by her hate, it was threatening to destroy her. You must not say such things. It is wicked. She paused. Sit down again, Lydia, and calm yourself. You know, you frighten me when you talk like that. Hate is a dreadful emotion, and you should remember that vengeance is for God, not man. We are none of us guiltless.