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After a very eventful evening with Nicholas and Cordelia, Althia's morning comes too soon for her liking.
Althia awoke groggily to the sounds of someone banging on her bedroom door.
"Althia, are you awake? I must speak with you." Cordelia's plea caused Althia to sit straight up. She glanced down and realized that she had fallen asleep in her dress from the night before.
"One moment, Cordelia," she called out as she quickly threw her robe on over her dress and opened the door.
"Oh, Althia," Cordelia cried out as she ran from the doorway to Althia's sitting couch. "All night long I had nightmares about the children and Edward. Do you think that anything terrible has happened to them? You know how easily I receive visions."
Althia never believed that Cordelia could receive visions, but now did not seem to be the time to argue about the matter. "It has only been one night. I am sure that nothing too dreadful has come upon them in such a short time." She walked over and sat down next to her.
"What if the house caught on fire? Or a horse trampled one of the children--or worse? I do not think I could bear to live with myself if something happened to one of them." Cordelia began to shake and Althia held Cordelia's hands in her own trying to calm her down.
"I am sure that if something was wrong, they would have sent word post haste. Come, we will go downstairs and have some breakfast and then take a walk. That should be most pleasant, do you not agree?"
"Yes. A walk would be most beneficial. The air will help clear my head. Thank you, Althia." Cordelia made her way to the door.
"I'll just finish getting dressed and then I will be down shortly," Althia called to her as Cordelia shut the door and headed to the dining room. Althia quickly changed out of her robe and dress into a yellow and white linen dress with three-quarters sleeves and white trim. She hastily braided her hair and twisted it into a bun and held it in place with a few hairpins. She pinched her cheeks and dashed by the mirror for a quick once-over before heading downstairs to breakfast.
Cordelia already sat at the table, attempting not to play with the corner of her napkin in a display of nervousness. Althia only hoped that Edward acted quickly on her post and would retrieve Cordelia sometime today. Althia looked behind her before she sat down to see if Nicholas was coming. It seemed natural now to expect his presence every day.
Not seeing him at the table or on his way, Althia asked, "Is the Captain well, Jane?" as the maid brought in their breakfast.
"Why yes, miss, he has already had his breakfast and went out riding this morning, miss. We did not think it would be against your wishes."
"No, no, of course not. That is perfectly fine, Jane, thank you," Althia replied as she eagerly dove into her food, hoping that she would not have to answer any of Cordelia's questions. Cordelia seemed to be concentrating on other matters, because the women ate their meal in silence.
As they finished, a ringing was heard coming from the front door. "Jane, would you see who that is, please?" Althia asked as Jane was clearing away the dishes.
"Yes, of course, miss," Jane replied as she set the dishes back down on the table and went to the front door. Both women waited silently to see whom the mystery guest would be.
Jane returned and announced, "It is Lord Vaughn to see Lady Vaughn, miss." She went back to gathering the dishes.
"Thank you, Jane," Althia responded.
"Edward?" Cordelia stood in exasperation. "Here? I cannot see him. I refuse to see him! He cannot treat me so harshly and then expect to just come and retrieve me like a piece of luggage."
"Cordelia!" Althia admonished as she pushed back her chair and stood up. "Just this morning you were fretting over the possible demise of your family and now your husband has come--hopefully in an attempt of reconciliation--and you are refusing him? I think not." She turned to Jane. "Where did you direct Lord Vaughn to wait?"
"In the parlor, miss." Jane replied as she returned to the kitchen, trying her best to control her laughter.
"Very well, then, that is where we are headed," Althia stated as she walked towards Cordelia and motioned for her to proceed to the parlor. Cordelia went off in a huff with Althia right behind her.
Edward paced in the room as the women arrived. "Cordelia!" Edward exclaimed as she entered the room.
"Edward," Cordelia responded coolly as she headed towards one of the covered benches along the wall.
"Edward, how pleasant it is to see you again," greeted Althia as she entered the room.
"Althia," Edward bowed to her as she curtsied and made her way to a chair in the back of the room.
Edward knelt in front of Cordelia and presented to her a large bouquet of flowers and a small blue box with a matching ribbon tied around it. "Cordelia, with everything that has been going on with my work and outside obligations, I have neglected many things, but none more regrettably than the anniversary of your birth. This is but a small token of my affection and retribution." Cordelia took the flowers and held them to her nose, breathing in their fragrance. Then she took the box, gingerly untied the ribbon, and pulled off the lid.
"The necklace! Oh Edward, you remembered!" She cheered as she threw her arms around her husband.
"There is even more awaiting you at home. That is...if you are returning home?"
"Of course I am! I could not imagine staying here another night. The rooms are too drafty and you can hear every noise imaginable. Althia, I do not know how you manage in such a squalor," Cordelia remarked as she stood and took the necklace out of the box and gave it to Edward to put on her.
"I make do, I suppose. Cordelia, that is a most exquisite necklace. Quite stunning." Althia stood nearer the pair.
"Shall I have Geoffrey and Roger gather your trunks then?" Edward asked as Cordelia was making her way out of the room to find a mirror.
"At once! I will just be a moment to gather my things and then we may leave." Cordelia went almost skipping down the hall as Althia escorted Edward to the front door.
Edward made a motion to his servants who nodded and then went in the direction of Cordelia's things. "Althia, I do not know how to thank you for your post. I would have most certainly been in a great deal of difficulty if you had not written."
"Do not give it another moment's thought. I did what I felt was best for all the parties involved."
"You have done well maintaining the house." Edward fumbled for something to talk about. "I trust that John and Humphrey are capable help."
"Indeed." Althia recognized the small talk for what it was.
"Well, if ever you are in need of anything, you need only ask and I can send someone over for you." Edward glanced back down the hallway at the sound of footsteps, but it was only the men carrying trunks to the carriage.
"I appreciate that very much Edward, but I can assure you that things are well under control here."
"Are you ready, darling?" Cordelia reappeared with her jacket, bonnet, and gloves on, looking like a cat that had just finished eating its prey.
"Indeed, my love. Thank you again, Althia."
"Yes, Althia, thank you," Cordelia said as she gave Althia a kiss on the cheek. "Oh, Althia, I almost forgot--we will see you at the Wellston ball tomorrow night, will we not?"
"The Wellston ball?" Althia asked weakly. "With everything that has happened this past week, I had forgotten. Is it really planned for tomorrow? I do not think I will..."
Cordelia cut her off. "Nonsense! You are attending, and you must bring that charming Captain with you. I will inform the Wellstons to expect one more. They will be delighted! See you then!" She called out as Edward led her to the awaiting carriage.
"Safe travel," Althia called out as the pair entered their transportation. Their man Geoffrey put the last trunk onto the carriage as Roger climbed up the carriage and took the reigns. The reunited pair waved to Althia as they took off and she waved back, happy to see them go.
Nicholas returned to the house after his ride and found an almost giddy Jane in the kitchen. She told him that Cordelia's husband Edward had come and Cordelia was leaving. Nicholas walked out of the kitchen and through the dining room in time to see two servants carrying various pieces of luggage and Cordelia walking out as if she had just been named Queen. He fell back against the wall to keep from being seen. After the "parade" had passed, Nicholas stuck his head out of the doorway and saw Althia bidding Cordelia goodbye, although he could not make out what they were saying. Creeping slowly down the hallway, he watched through the open front door as the Vaughn's carriage took off. Nicholas was never more pleased to see someone leave. "Have they left already?" Nicholas asked none-too-sad.
Unaware of his presence, Althia jumped, startled, and clutched her chest with her hand.
"Captain Metcalf, I did not hear you approach," she explained as she turned around to look into his face. His cheeks were a bit flush from riding and his hair a bit tousled but he looked happy and refreshed.
"A thousand apologies, Lady Shevington, I did not mean to startle you. I only wished to inquire about Lord and Lady Vaughn. Have they left our presence so soon?"
"Yes, indeed." Althia walked back into the house and shut the door behind her. "Edward came and retrieved his bride and all is back as it should be." Althia smiled as she walked back to the parlor.
"Am I to understand that you had something to do with Lord Vaughn arriving so quickly?" Nicholas' tone hinted at his teasing nature.
"I merely took the liberty of sending a post to Lord Vaughn informing him that his wife was staying with me and that if he was unable to retrieve her I would be forced to notify her mother."
"And this was enough?" Nicholas asked as they sat down on the covered bench.
"More than enough. Lady Chanceler is pleasant enough when she enjoys your company, but if you cross her, she has the power to completely ruin someone financially. She has many connections in businesses all over London and England and I have seen her used them to exact revenge. To have Lady Chanceler against him would have ruined Edward. Indeed, Lady Chanceler's blessings may be the only thing sustaining Edward." It refreshed Althia to be able to talk openly and honestly about how she felt without worrying about ramifications.
"Then theirs is more of a . . .business partnership?"
"Oh there is love in their marriage, only it is a love of money and not of each other. They will both work their entire lives to keep such a love affair going."
"You do not approve then?"
"It is not my place to approve or disapprove. I only know that it is not what I would desire for a marriage."
"We do not often receive that which we desire, Lady Shevington," Nicholas thoughtfully replied. After last night, he knew that all too well. The one thing he desired most in this life sat a mere five feet away from him and he felt powerless to claim it. Or was he? Maybe--just maybe if he could explain things to her, tell her how he felt and the predicament he was in, there might just be a chance for things to work out.
She watched as he leaned closer and whispered, ""Pray tell, Lady Shevington, just what would you desire for a marriage?" Their faces were only inches apart and Althia thought she would faint right then and there, but she was saved by Jane's footsteps in the hallway. Althia quickly stood, as did Nicholas when Jane entered the room.
"Pardon me, miss, but we are nearly out of flour and salt and I do not know when the men are expected to return."
"There is not any in storage anywhere?" Althia began to fill with dread at the thought of going into town.
"I've checked everywhere, miss. Shall I send word to John?"
"No, no do not bother with that. It seems we will just have to make a trip into town ourselves. Captain, if you will see to the carriage, I will go and collect my things."
"Very well, Lady Shevington." Nicholas bowed fully now and made his way toward the stables.
Althia motioned to Jane before she left the room. "Jane, when you are able, would you please change the bedding in Lady Vaughn's room. She will not be returning."
"Very good, miss." She smiled as she went back to her duties.
Althia went upstairs to retrieve her bonnet, gloves, shawl, and money purse. She looked at herself in the mirror and turned to go, but something caused her to turn back and straighten things just once more. She then made her way outside where her carriage and the Captain waited for her.
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