The Marriage Market Page 4

  “I can see that making changes will be a bit ticklish, Victoria. Mrs. Hunt has been running this household according to your mother-in-law’s preferences for the past eighteen years,” Jemma remarked as they walked around the garden on a dry but windy November afternoon. “She does an excellent job with the household budget, ensures that the house is well-kept and the food properly prepared, and is a thoroughly reliable woman. I do agree with you that she is rather grim, but she would be difficult to replace.”

  “I know,” said Victoria, clutching at her hat as the wind threatened to tear it from her head, “but what a fuss she made yesterday when I told her that we would dine together at one end of the table rather than at the opposite ends. You would think that I was asking for the moon! And Mother Ladbrook might have preferred to breakfast in her room before coming down in the morning, but if I wish to breakfast downstairs with my husband and my guest and sit before a cozy fire in the morning room afterward, I do not see why it should inconvenience anyone.”

  “It is not an unreasonable request, my dear, it’s just a change. You must have patience with Mrs. Hunt, but you are right, you are not asking for anything outrageous. You are the mistress of this house now, and you will have to make your preferences known and be firm about them. However, would it not be best to submit your instructions directly to Mrs. Hunt, rather than asking the housemaid to light the morning room fire for you? Mrs. Hunt will not like feeling that you are undermining her authority. What if you were to hold a special meeting to inform her of all the changes you wish to make? Have it all out in one big battle, rather than fighting several little skirmishes?”

  “No doubt you are right, Jemma,” Victoria said with a sigh. “I guess that I must face the old dragon sometime if I want the household run my way.” And so Victoria set about making herself the new mistress of Eston House.

  Chapter Six – A Grievous Transgression

  Before it hardly seemed possible, Mrs. Greene’s visit was drawing to a close and plans were being made for her departure. David was to escort Jemma home in the family coach, procuring fresh horses on the road to Bath to shorten the travelling time. He would lodge one night with his in-laws before returning to Eston House and Victoria in time for Christmas. David did not wish Victoria to accompany them on the journey because he knew how fatiguing it would be, and Victoria decided to forgo the pleasure of seeing her family until a proper visit could be enjoyed.

  Privately, David was pleased that Mrs. Greene was leaving. Although he considered her a worthy companion for his wife and appreciated her efforts in helping Victoria settle into her new role, David secretly longed to have his bride to himself. No newly-wedded husband could fault him for his feelings. After all, David had shared his bride with friends and family ever since they had become man and wife, and it was difficult to express himself to his wife as freely as he would have wished with so many interested parties around.

  Before David and Mrs. Greene could depart, however, David’s mother contacted him concerning some pressing legal matters which required his attention in town. Mr. Wovington had been retained as the family lawyer and would be present at the meeting. Victoria’s presence was also requested. There were some family jewels which David’s mother wished to give to Victoria for Christmas, and she wanted her daughter-in-law to examine the pieces while there was still time to redo the settings.

  “But David, I do not understand why I must attend to this now,” Victoria said. “Jemma will be leaving shortly, and I should be assisting her with her packing.”

  “Victoria, you know my mother, and she will not be comfortable until you have seen the jewellery. She does not want to guess at the sizing or your preferences on resetting the pieces, and she has just over two weeks to have the pieces altered before Christmas. It will be easier for all of us if this matter is settled forthwith and her mind is set at ease. You will only be away from Mrs. Greene for one day, and the maids will see to the packing. Please, darling, take my advice and indulge Mother in this.”

  Victoria sighed and smiled ruefully at him. “As you wish, darling. You are right, your mother will be unhappy if this is not seen to right away, and I would like everyone to be happy on our first Christmas together.”

  All of the arrangements were made. David and Victoria were to drive to his mother’s house in the chaise, while Jemma would arrive on the following day in the carriage. David and Jemma would then continue on to Bath while Victoria returned to Eston House in the chaise.

  On the first day of their visit, David and his mother spent their time discussing legal matters with Wovington while Victoria had a lively visit with her sister-in-law and her four young children. Grace, David’s older sister and only sibling, was in confinement with her fifth child and welcomed the chance to spend some time alone with her new sister. This was difficult, however, with Michael, the youngest child, clinging to his mother’s skirts, and the other children running in and out of the room. Victoria was soon popular with her nieces and nephews, and obliged them with an energetic game of tag in the garden. She returned early the following morning at the command of the eldest girl, who wanted her aunt to witness her dancing lesson. Victoria arrived back at her mother-in-law’s residence just in time to greet Jemma in the late morning. Afterward, Mother Ladbrook, Wovington, Jemma, David and Victoria sat down to share a meal together.

  The travel plans were reviewed during the luncheon. “It is unfortunate that you have to make such an early start tomorrow, David,” Victoria said, stifling a yawn.

  “Yes, but if we leave first thing in the morning and do not breakfast until we stop to rest the horses, we will make a considerable start on the day,” David said. “I fear, however, that we will disturb your sleep in the morning with our goodbyes.” He brushed a stray curl away from her face with tender fingers.

  “Do not worry about that,” Victoria responded. “I intend to say goodbye to both of you before you leave in the morning. I will miss you both very much, and I want to spend every last minute I can with you.” She smiled and took hold of both David and Jemma’s hands.

  When they had finished their meal, Jemma asked Victoria for a few private moments to discuss something of consequence. They went upstairs to Victoria’s room and settled themselves comfortably around a pretty little table before the fire. Jemma wasted no time in getting to the point.

  “Victoria, something has occurred at Eston House that requires your immediate attention. Your maid was tearful when she came into my room this morning, so I asked her what was troubling her. It seems that Mrs. Hunt found the kitchen maid with one of your tenant’s sons in ‘compromising’ circumstances early this morning. She denounced the girl in tones loud enough to be heard outside her sitting room, and ordered her to leave the house by tomorrow morning.”

  “Who do you mean – Nan? She’s younger than my sister Tricia!” Victoria cried. “What did she do? And who was the boy?”

  “Diane told me that the boy was Toby Scott. As to what actually happened, Diane didn’t know. She overheard Mrs. Hunt berating Nan for her ‘disgraceful behaviour’ and saying that she would not remain under the same roof with her for more than one night. Then she set Nan to scrubbing the stove, so Diane was not able to speak to the girl. I promised Diane that I would bring the matter to your attention as soon as I could so that you might have time to intervene.”

  “Oh, what can all this fuss be about? What do you think I should do, Jemma? If Mrs. Hunt tosses Nan out of the house without a reference, her reputation will be ruined and she will not be able to find another place. But Mother always said that one must set a high moral tone for one’s staff.”

  “I agree with your mother, Victoria. You must set a high standard for everyone to follow, but your housekeeper may have exaggerated the girl’s offence. And there is another thing to consider. Normally, I would not recommend interfering with Mrs. Hunt when it comes to the disciplining of the household staff – that is the housekeeper’s domain – but you should make the final de
cision as to the hiring and firing of staff. I fear that Mrs. Hunt has overstepped her boundaries.”

  “I must talk to David and see what can be done. I will try to go home straight away before things can get any worse,” Victoria said, jumping up to find her husband.

  Victoria found David discussing estate business with Mr. Wovington in the library. She begged their pardon for interrupting them, and informed her husband of Nan’s situation.

  “I really must do something about this, David. You are leaving early tomorrow and do not have time to take me back to Eston House tonight, but I must return straight away. If I were to leave now, I could be home in time to prevent Mrs. Hunt from expelling Nan.”

  “I agree that leaving our employment under these circumstances would be ruinous for Nan, Victoria. In the two years that she has been a member of the staff, I’ve never heard anything against her. You could leave in the chaise immediately – it will not take long to prepare – but I do not like you travelling alone with the new coachmen, my dear. John is still in training and inexperienced in winter driving. Besides, there will be no moon tonight, and the roads may be icy.”

  “That is easily remedied,” Wovington said from his comfortable chair. “I will return in the chaise with Mrs. Ladbrook and ride back tomorrow on one of your horses. Your mother can stable it until your return, and then you can take the animal back with you. If we make haste, we should still have an hour of daylight, and our journey in the dark will not be overlong.

  Victoria said, “What a generous offer, Mr. Wovington. I would not agree to inconvenience you if time were not of the essence, but I really must do something about Nan.”

  “Yes, James, it is very good of you. Are you sure that you have time for this?”

  “I am not the one who has to rise before dawn tomorrow morning, David. If you can bear to part with your wife this afternoon, I am your man.”

  Arrangements were quickly made. Victoria flew to take her leave of Mother Ladbrook, made a hasty but fond farewell of Jemma, and urged her husband to take care and to return as swiftly as he could.

  Soon she and Wovington were tucked into the carriage with several blankets and wraps to ward off the cold, headed out of Salisbury into the countryside. They chatted about the comforts of Mother Ladbrook’s new home at first, but Wovington had some urgent paperwork to study while the daylight lasted, and Victoria fell silent. Before long, the swaying of the coach, the warmth of the blankets, and the excitement of the last two days overcame her, and she fell asleep.

  After a time the light began to fade, and Wovington set his documents aside. He had been concentrating on his work so heavily that he had forgotten about Victoria. Glancing at her now, he saw that she had fallen asleep. He eased the papers back into his case and tucked it under the bench before stretching out his cramped legs. The evening had grown quite chilly, and he fastened his coat up to his throat. He noticed that the blanket had slipped from Victoria’s waist, and pulled it back over her lap, tucking it carefully around her. In the stillness of the carriage, he could hear Victoria’s soft breathing and smell her light floral scent.

  He turned sideways to study her peaceful face. He had not been alone with Victoria since business had taken him away from Bath before her engagement to David. While away, he had decided that he was more in love with Victoria than with any other woman he had ever known, and had come back determined to woo and win her. How shocked he had been to discover that he was too late; that his good friend had already captured Victoria’s heart. Out of loyalty to David, he had tried to shut away his feelings and replace them with brotherly affection, but he found it less painful to avoid Victoria’s company whenever possible. Today was an aberration, but he had intended to form a barrier between them with a briefcase of legal papers and meaningless chatter. He had not anticipated this intimacy.

  She had removed her bonnet and a curl had worked its way loose from the others. He reached toward it, hesitated, and then picked up the strand between his thumb and forefinger. He caressed its softness and brushed it away from her face as he had seen David do just a few hours before. Her skin felt soft and warm to his touch. He watched her in the fading light, her chest rising and falling rhythmically, her lashes brushing rosy cheeks. He leaned toward her, feeling the warmth of her breath upon his face. Victoria sighed in her sleep. Pausing for a long moment above her, the last of his resistance crumbled. Bracing one hand on the wall behind her head, Wovington lowered his face and kissed her tenderly upon the mouth.

  Victoria dreamt that she was under the fir tree in the garden with David again. The air was cool, but she was warm in his arms. He kissed her. She wrapped her arms around him and returned his kiss, her body swaying with the motion of the carriage. Sudden realization flooded her mind. She was not in the garden with David. She was in the chaise headed home to Eston House, and the man kissing her was not her husband! Her eyes flew open and she arched back into the seat with a gasp. Bracing her palms against Wovington’s shoulders, she pushed him away with all her strength. He fell into a corner of the seat and remained there, immobile in the shadows. Neither said anything for a shocked moment. Only their ragged breathing was audible.

  Regaining her ability to speak, Victoria said, “Mr. Wovington, are you mad?”

  He responded in a hoarse voice, “Mad? I do not think so, Mrs. Ladbrook. I am the worst kind of scoundrel, but not mad.”

  “Mr. Wovington, I don’t know what to say. How could you behave so abominably?” Victoria pulled up the blanket to shield herself from any further advances.

  “There is no excuse for my behaviour, madam. I am gravely sorry for my transgression. I never intended to upset you. I apologize a thousand times. But we are not very far from the house now. Only let me borrow one of your horses, and you will be rid of my company tonight.”

  The carriage wheels crunched upon the gravel laneway leading to the manor house. “Tonight? What, ride all the way back to Salisbury tonight, and with no moon? Believe me, sir, I do not want you under the same roof with me, but it is too far to attempt safely. Besides, what would David and Mother Ladbrook say if you turned up suddenly tonight? What explanation could you possibly give for returning early?”

  “None, Mrs. Ladbrook. I will ride directly to my lodgings and stable the horse somewhere in town tonight. I will not return the animal to your mother-in-law until tomorrow morning.”

  “No, Mr. Wovington, that’s not good enough. I am sure that Mother Ladbrook would hear of your return to town tonight. You must stay overnight as planned, although neither one of us wishes it, and leave Eston House in the morning.”

  All conversation ceased as they continued through the grounds. Finally, the carriage arrived at the manor, and the driver jumped down to help Victoria alight. She hurried up the stairs to the front door with Wovington trailing behind. Morton, the butler, answered her knock.

  Trying to hide her embarrassment, Victoria was very brisk with the servant. “Morton, I am home a day early with Mr. Wovington, as you can see. He will need a room for tonight, and will be borrowing one of the horses to return to Mother Ladbrook’s in the morning. Please ask Cook to send something up on trays to our rooms as we are tired and hungry.” Then she remembered the reason for her early return, and added, “And please let Mrs. Hunt know of my arrival and ask her to join me in my chamber.”

  “Very good, madam,” Morton said, taking their things.

  Victoria hurried up to her room and collapsed onto the bed. She groaned. She had still to deal with the kitchen maid’s predicament tonight despite what had happened. Yet she could not calm herself; thoughts of Wovington’s outrageous behaviour roiled through her mind and replayed themselves over and over. How could it have happened? Mr. Wovington was a gentleman, was he not, and David’s closest friend. How could he have betrayed David and insulted her like this? What should she do? Before very little time has elapsed, however, Victoria was roused by a rap at her door. She rose just as Mrs. Hunt entered the room.

  �
�Good evening, Mrs. Ladbrook. You are home earlier than expected,” Mrs. Hunt remarked.

  Victoria turned away from the housekeeper to prevent her countenance from betraying her. She began to remove her gloves. “Yes, Mrs. Hunt. I heard that there was a problem at home that required my immediate attention. Mrs. Greene led me to understand that Nan has committed some indiscretion that has resulted in her dismissal. I wish to discuss this with you before she is gone in the morning. Please explain what has happened.”

  “Indeed, ma’am, I saw them in the kitchen myself very early this morning when Nan should have been emptying out the grate. If I had not woken before my usual time and come downstairs to boil some water for a cup of tea, I would not have known what was happening here under my very nose.”

  “And what were they doing, Mrs. Hunt?”

  “Well, Toby Scott was sitting in a chair at the kitchen table and she was sitting in his lap. They were kissing each other, and not in a very Christian way, if you understand me.”

  “Was that the extent of the indiscretion, Mrs. Hunt – a kiss?”

  “I do not like to talk about such things, but the top two buttons of her dress were undone, and his hands were on her where no decent girl would allow them. No properly brought up girl would have allowed it, I’m sure.”

  “So, Mrs. Hunt, Nan’s transgression consisted of allowing young Toby to kiss her and take certain other liberties when she should have been cleaning out the kitchen grate, is that it?” Victoria knew she was making light of the situation, but she couldn’t help it. Her anger with Mr. Wovington was spilling over into her interview with Mrs. Hunt.

  “I will not have such goings on among my staff, Mrs. Ladbrook. Once you have one bad apple, the whole works goes rotten.”