REMEMBRANCE Page 8

  “Of course, Sir John.” Thomas answered, a little confused.

  When her uncle had left the room, Maria sank into the chair; she had been worried that he might not agree to her suggestion, as it may not be a proper way for the members of high society to socialize. She so very much wanted to go, as it meant that she could spend time with Tom and she knew deep in her heart that it was what she wanted to do more than anything else.

  “M, I shall have my carriage sent for you? Shall we say 7 o’clock the day after tomorrow?” Thomas made his presence known, interrupting her thoughts.

  “Pray, forgive me Tom, my mind was elsewhere for a moment. Yes, I shall be ready, thank you.”

  “Then if you will excuse me, my mother has another errand that she would like me to run for her,” he said reluctantly.

  Maria was disappointed at the fact that he had to leave so soon, as she was sure that he had wanted to speak with her before her uncle had come upon them. She so very much wanted him to stay, so that he may have the chance to finish what it was he wanted to say. Instead, she heard herself replying politely, “Oh, of course, Tom.”

  “Until then,” he said with a bow and then he was gone.

  * * * * *

  As Bella fussed with Maria’s hair, as she readied her for her evening at Nedgely Hall, her thoughts lingered over the past two days. The very same day that she had blurted out her brilliant—or not so brilliant—plan for the picnic, she had been shocked to find Tom in the sitting room with her uncle when she had come down for dinner. Her rather unorthodox picnic plans were the reason for her uncle wishing to speak to Tom before he left, as Tom had informed her later. Not that she had minded, of course, she was trilled. Still, she would have been even more thrilled, though, if her uncle hadn’t monopolised Tom’s full attention during the entire evening. She had to be content with whatever conversation they could get, snatched whenever her uncle took a breath. Several times she and Tom had been caught laughing quietly beside each other over the complete frustration of the situation.

  Her mind suddenly turned to this afternoon, when she and Tom had taken a stroll through Whitmore gardens. She sighed deeply, remembering every detail of it. What an afternoon it had been! He had walked close to her side, as they talked of the things they use to do as children, laughing at some of the pranks they used to play. His arm had brushed against hers several times, causing her heart to race and her pulse to quicken. It was a heady sensation to be that close to him, relaxed and unguarded in each other’s company. He had never brought up the conversation that had gone unsaid from the day before and she was reluctant to broach the subject out of fear that it would ruin the quiet contentment that had built between them. They had been alone when he had taken his leave. She recalled how, as he bowed over her hand, he had brushed his lips against her skin. She cursed herself for acting like a fool, for she remembered having just stood there with her hand pressed against her hot cheek as he took to the saddle of his horse. If she could be any deeper in love with him, she would drown in her own happiness. She was no longer concerned that this was a dream, as her other life seemed like an unwanted distant memory—a faded photograph, neither here nor there. This was all the life she wanted or needed—here, with Tom.

  “I must say, I am pleased to have received an invite from Lady Bradley herself.” Maria said, as she smiled at the young girl’s reflection in the mirror.

  “How very grand it will be to dine at Nedgely Hall!” Bella chirped in excitedly. “They say that, when Lady Bradley passes away, young Mr Bradley will inherit all of the Nedgely estate. They also say that, because he is the only living male relative of Sir John, he will also inherit Whitmore Manor and everything that goes with it.”

  Maria looked shocked. “He is to inherit Whitmore Manor?”

  “Yes Miss, he will be one of the wealthiest bachelors in the county,” Bella went on to inform her. “He will, of course, encourage some of the wealthiest ladies from these parts as a suitable wife for himself.”

  “Wife?” Maria shot out.

  “Of course Miss, he will be expected to marry—well, his mother will insist upon it.”

  Maria suddenly felt quite queasy and the colour drained from her face. How could Tom marry and leave her alone after they had just been reunited? She didn’t want him to marry; she selfishly wanted to keep him all to herself, which she knew was wrong of her. Still, she had all these feelings towards him that she had never felt for anyone else, and if she was honest with herself, she did not want him to be with any other but her. It had never occurred to her that he should marry. No, he wouldn’t marry, he said so himself! She was being silly, had he not told her that there was no need for him to do so? Still, she couldn’t hide the look of dread on her face.

  “Are you well, Miss?” Bella asked, concerned.

  “Yes of course… I am quite well,” she lied.

  Shortly after seven, she stepped into the black shiny carriage with the Bradley crest adorning its doors, and placed herself upon the leather seat. She wore a green velvet dress that matched the colour of her eyes and the tiny sparkling clips that twinkled in her braided hair as the light caught them. The entire ensemble was completed by the delicate jewels that hung gently against her neck.

  As they drove through the estate, the open pastures spread out on either side of the carriage, as far as the eye could see. Within 15 minutes, they entered the grounds of Nedgely Hall with its long gravelled driveway.

  Maria sat with her hands upon the carriage window, admiring the serenity of the landscape. It was truly beautiful here! The greyness of the clouds had since cleared and the sky now held a yellowy glow, as dusk was fast approaching. Nedgely Hall came into view and Maria could not contain the gasp that escaped her lips. It was magnificent. It was akin to a medieval castle, with its grey stone walls and turrets. At either side, tall towers were incorporated into the main building. As they came upon the main entrance, the driveway swung round in a full circle and in its centre stood a low brick circular wall, where an exquisite water fountain took a centre place. Maria could hear the sound of the water trickling over the mottled carvings.

  She was helped from the carriage by the footman, who led her towards the open door, where a finely dressed butler stood, waiting for her arrival.

  “Miss Austin, if you would be so kind, I will show you through into the sitting room,” he greeted her politely.

  She smiled in his direction, “Thank you.”

  The sheer size of the entrance hall was overwhelming. The floor was a mosaic of small tiles, smooth and shiny, in several shades of green. An extravagant staircase took up the entire far end of the hall. Its huge steps fanned out as it neared the top, leading to different sections of the upper floor of the Nedgely Hall. Paintings in rich gold frames covered most of the walls and the high ceiling boasted the most beautiful crystal droplet chandelier that Maria had ever seen.

  The butler cleared his throat to gain her attention.

  “Miss?”

  “Yes, forgive me.”

  She followed in his direction. He opened the large panelled door and preceded her through it.

  “Miss Austin,” she heard him announce her.

  Upon entering the room, Maria realized that she would not be dining alone with Tom and his mother, as several other people stood at her entrance. She saw three gentlemen, one of whom was Thomas, and three ladies. Two of the ladies were in their forties, and the third seemed a little younger than she was, with a mass of red hair styled very prettily upon her head. She noticed that her slim figure donned in a rich red silk dress stood quite close to Tom’s side.

  They bowed and curtsied, as it was the custom, before the more elegant of the two older ladies stepped forward.

  “Miss Austin,” she said, taking Maria by the hands, her face warm and friendly. “It is a great pleasure for me to make your acquaintance again—it has been far too long.”

  “Thank you, I feel the same way, Madam” she smiled back. There was something v
ery familiar about her; she reminded her of someone.

  “Thomas has talked of nothing but your return.”

  Maria looked in his direction as the young red-haired woman tried her very best to distract him from Maria and his mother.

  “May I introduce you to the rest of my guests,” Lady Bradley offered, as she led her to the others in the group. “Colonel Grainger, a very close friend of mine, and his son Mr Alfred Grainger.”

  Maria recognised the younger man as the gentleman she had danced with at her Uncle’s house the other evening and had later dined with them.

  “Colonel Grainger, Mr Grainger,” she repeated their names in greeting, as they curtsied and bowed to each other.

  “And this is my companion, Mrs Webster,” Lady Bradley continued, introducing her to the other lady of the same age.

  “It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Austin; I have heard so much about you,” Mrs Webster confessed.

  “I hope that it was all to your liking?” Maria asked, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

  “Oh yes, people here speak most highly of you.”

  “They do?”

  “Of course, rumours of your beauty have preceded you, my dear. Is that not true Lady Bradley?”

  “And I am glad to say that they were correct; you are as beautiful as they say,” Lady Bradley added.

  Maria could feel the fire that tainted her pale cheeks at their compliments.

  “Oh and I almost forgot… You know my son, of course, and this is Miss Lucy Cartland.”

  The red-haired lady looked defiantly at Maria at their introduction, as she placed a possessive hand on Thomas’s arm.

  “Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Austin,” she said through curt lips.

  Maria could sense her resentment at her being there. The red-haired lady had quite obviously made her aware that she thought of Thomas as one of HER possessions.

  An uncomfortable silence stretched between them, with neither lady wishing to make small chit chat.

  “I hear that Sir John,” Miss Cartland finally said in a slightly high-pitched, but well spoken voice, “is to give a picnic at Upper Bank.”

  “Yes, that is correct,” Maria replied. “That is, if the weather remains fine.”

  “How very quaint… They say that Sir John’s guests are to bring their own picnic baskets.”

  “Yes.”

  “Mr Bradley tells me that it was your idea that prompted Sir John to make such unusual arrangements.”

  Maria glanced at Tom’s face; she noticed that he looked slightly uncomfortable at the way the other woman hung onto his arm.

  “I am surprised that Sir John agreed with your suggestion,” she said offhandedly.

  Maria couldn’t help but notice the cattiness to her words and had to bite her tongue to stop herself from saying what she really meant. Regaining her composure, she tried to keep her voice as light as possible, as she asked, “Oh, and why is that?” She smiled sweetly.

  Miss Cartland’s eyes sparkled dangerously, as she responded, “Surely, you would understand that the idea of having to carry one’s own basket is beneath—how should I say it—curtain class.”

  “So you believe that the servants should carry them for you?”

  Maria struggled to control the anger at this woman’s selfish attitude, and as was about to tell her so, when Thomas spoke.

  “Well, some may think that it is beneath them, but I, for one, found the idea fantastic and am looking forward to it immensely.”

  The look of shock crossed Miss Cartland’s face but she quickly disguised it, “Oh, I agree that it was a good idea, I was just stating that some would not appreciate it.” She smiled again in Thomas’s direction.

  “Still, I will, of course, have to seek the help from one of the gentlemen to aid me with my basket,” she drooled, as she looked adoringly at Thomas.

  “I am sure that there would be a number of gentlemen that would endeavour to help you,” Thomas cut in with a tight smile.

  “I do hope that it will not be too hot,” she continued, oblivious to his sarcasm. “I have an aversion to the heat. There will be some shade, I presume?” Although she aimed the question at Maria, it was Thomas that gave the reply.

  “There are any number of trees that will provide you with the shade that you require,” he informed her.

  “It is said, Miss Austin, that you have been in Scotland, at Bridges Academy for young ladies. I must say that I would not wish to be away from my home for so long,” she said snidely, suddenly changing the subject.

  Maria stood there, almost open-mouthed. Miss Cartland clearly couldn’t keep her highhanded opinions to herself; she just had to get her two pence worth in. Was making Maria look worthless and stupid her true intention? Maria knew that it was. Hence, what better audience than Tom to make herself look better in his eyes? Maria knew that she needed to remain in control, for there was no way that she was going to lower herself to this horrid woman’s level. She tried to keep her voice calm and not to let the disgust reflect on her face.

  “Then you must be one of exceptional circumstances to be able to afford the luxury of being tutored at home,” Maria replied stiff-lipped, but deep down she knew full well that Sir John could have afforded her that same luxury if he had chosen to.

  “That I certainly do, Miss Austin,” she said, turning her pretty face up to Thomas’s.

  Maria stood speechless, heaviness weighing on her heart. Would that ‘lady’ be the one that Thomas would marry? she wondered sadly. Judging by her reaction, she would not take kindly to Maria and Tom’s friendship. As she chanced a glance at Tom from under eyelashes, she noticed that he looked as if he wanted to say something, but refrained from doing so. Did he feel as irritated by this lady’s remark as she did? She certainly hoped so. Still, there was a possibility that this woman would manage to hold his interest, in which case Maria had only been fooling herself into thinking that, this afternoon, when they had been together, there had been something special between them.

  Lady Bradley stepped forward and drew Maria away to the other side of the room.

  “Take no heed of Miss Cartland; everyone in the county knows that she has designs on becoming the next Lady Bradley.”

  Maria tried to smile into the warm face as she spoke. Lady Bradley was a very handsome lady for her years and she boasted the same sparkle in her eyes that her son held, except that her eyes were grey.

  “You are very kind, Lady Bradley, but I can assure you that I take no offence at her remarks.”

  “That is good. She may be a pretty girl, but unfortunately, she does hold a sharp tongue.” She glanced in her son’s direction, “I fear that Thomas does not hold her in the same esteem that she holds for him, but one can never tell—he does not talk of such concerns even with his mother.” She smiled sadly.

  Maria followed her direction. Just as Thomas lifted his head, laughing at something Miss Cartland has said, she caught his eye and looked away quickly.

  “It has been a long time since you have been here,” Lady Bradley continued, “I remember you and Thomas causing mayhem as you raced around these grounds; you were a wild pair,” she laughed.

  Maria suddenly felt uncomfortable, “I must apologise if I caused you any concern,” she offered.

  “Oh no, my dear, there is no need for you to apologise. I was more than happy to indulge the pair of you, you were like brother and sister, and I always saw you as the daughter that I never had.”

  “Oh,” Maria said, a little shocked. Is that how Tom saw her—as a sister?

  “Are you alright dear?” Lady Bradley asked, “I can recall the last time I had seen you this pale; you had come to me a little apprehensive, but also a little excited. You said that you could not go to your Uncle and that you needed to tell me something. You must have been 14 at the most—such a rebellious age, as I can remember.”

  “I did?”

  “I can tell you that I was a little shocked at what you told me.”

&nbs
p; “What was it that I said?” Maria asked, curious and a little confused.

  “Well dear, I remember that you and Thomas had been playing hide and seek around Whitmore. You had hidden in your room as Thomas tried to hunt you down. You were always playing such games and I never really paid much heed to it at the time.”

  “What did I say?” Maria asked again, eager to hear more.

  “You said that, while you were hiding, a ghost had appeared.”

  “A ghost?”

  “Yes,” she laughed quietly, “As I said, I didn’t really take much heed to it, but you insisted that you had seen it and that she was the most beautiful woman you had ever seen. When I asked what had happened, you told me ‘nothing’. Apparently, you had just stared at each other for a few seconds before her image had evaporated away. I thought that it was just a silly game that you and Thomas had thought up. Still, you were so insistent. You never saw her again after that, but I do remember you saying that you could feel her presence and that you felt calmed by it, as if she was watching over you.”

  Maria could think of nothing to say. Her mind tried to recall the event she talked about but the only picture she got was the ghostly image of a young woman in a white dress. It flashed briefly before her eyes, but it was gone before she could get to grips with it.

  “I remember Thomas teasing you mercilessly about it, but after awhile, it was all forgotten.”

  Maria took another glance over at Thomas, who was still engaged in conversation with the red head. Lady Bradley had moved on with her conversation and the moment for Maria to ask any more about the event they discussed was gone.

  “It wasn’t long after that that your uncle decided to send you to Scotland. I told him that he should not have sent you away for so long and that you needed to be with your family. But he insisted that you were truly wild and that you needed to be tamed for the ways of society; so alas, much to everyone’s disappointment, he still sent you.”