Page 8 of Trusting Miss Austen (Miss Austen #3)

As the tea party progressed, I grew weary of talk of balls, dresses, and eligible gentlemen for one’s daughters. I wanted to go and check on Lucinda to make sure she was all right.

‘How long are they staying? It must be past four o’clock,’ I whispered to Jane. Henrietta had abandoned us to talk to more interesting prospects, and I was thinking of excusing myself when Elizabeth appeared with a giggling woman in tow, who seemed to be tiddly on an overload of sugar, unless she had smuggled in a hip flask of gin unbeknownst to our hostess. Her constant peals of laughter were already causing a pain in my temple.

‘Felicity! Jane! Have you met Mary Ellsworth yet?’

‘No, I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure,’ said Jane, nodding to her, and I also greeted her politely.

‘My sister-in-law Jane Austen and her friend Felicity Fitzroy.’

‘How do you do, ladies,’ said Mary, following it with a high-pitched giggle. She and Elizabeth settled themselves on the sofa adjacent to us, and I gritted my teeth.

‘Mary has just been telling me about her second cousin,’ said Elizabeth, leaning forward excitedly. ‘He sounds most amiable, and he is single .’

‘Oh yes?’ Jane replied warily.

‘His name is Leopold, which sounds highfalutin.’ Mary chortled. ‘But he has no airs and graces, I assure you.’

‘What is his profession?’ I enquired.

‘He is lately pursuing medicine at Oxford,’ Mary informed us. ‘But that may change. He was such a will-o’-the-wisp when he was younger, but he seems to have settled down in his later years.’

Later years? How old exactly is this second cousin? I wondered.

Elizabeth tsked appreciatively. ‘He sounds delightful and perfect for Jane.’

Jane tensed beside me.

‘Indeed! You are single too, Miss Austen, are you not?’ Mary tittered. ‘Oh, we must introduce them, Elizabeth!’

‘I do not think—’ Jane protested but was resoundingly cut off by Elizabeth, who held up a hand.

‘No, my dear. You are much too charming to remain unclaimed. It is time you settled down and brought happiness to a deserving gentleman.’

‘I believe my own happiness lies in remaining perfectly unclaimed,’ replied Jane serenely. ‘But do try to match us, dearest. I should like to see the outcome.’

Elizabeth laughed delightedly. ‘Excellent!’ She turned to Mary. ‘I have a particular gift, you see. I can sense hearts that belong together, and I am their guide .’

Jane’s lips twitched. ‘Yes, you have a formidable skill.’

Oh dear , I thought, trying not to laugh. Elizabeth didn’t know how Jane was very much amused by her attempts at matchmaking. She’d written to me several times poking fun at the gentlemen her sister-in-law had introduced her to. I thought she should put her foot down firmly once and for all and say ‘Enough!’ But maybe she was garnering information for a character for a new novel? If so, she could never let Elizabeth read it, but I myself would dearly love to.

The cakes had been devoured, and the teapot drained dry after several refills. There was movement and talk of heading back to various estates and resting before supper. I had just levered myself off the sofa with Jane’s and April’s assistance when a footman knocked and entered.

Elizabeth beckoned him over. ‘Yes, Jones?’

‘A Mr Harrington Hart is here, ma’am.’ The footman did not speak discreetly, and several ladies nearby heard him, as did we.

Elizabeth did not help matters by exclaiming in a bewildered tone, ‘Mr Hart! Here at Godmersham? ’ causing much intrigue amongst all the ladies, though they tried to conceal it. Lady Claridge, for instance, was putting on her pelisse extremely slowly.

I was as shocked as Elizabeth was. What on earth was Mr Hart doing here? Lucinda must have written to him. Now he had turned up! The foolish girl—she was going to ruin everything!

I began to say, ‘Perhaps it would be best to speak to him privately. ’ But I only got out ‘Perhaps it would—’ before Elizabeth said blithely to the footman, ‘Please ask him to come into the parlour. ’

‘She has kept him quiet,’ I overheard Mary remark softly to Henrietta.

She replied equally as softly, ‘Indeed. I wonder if he is single. April, come here, dear. There is a gentleman about to enter, and he needs to have a good view of you.’

April dutifully went to stand by her mother in case Mr Hart turned out to be an eligible suitor.

Clutching Jane’s arm, I whispered urgently, ‘We need to remove him forthwith. He might say something incriminating about Lucy.’

‘Agreed,’ she whispered back. ‘I will do what I can to divert the conversation if he says anything. But surely she has not told him?’

I did not have time to reply as Mr Hart walked into the room, travel worn and clutching his hat. His resemblance to his brother, Dorian, was not marked. But it was enough to give me a jolt of unease. And he was obviously young and handsome enough to cause a flutter.

He became flustered when he saw all of us staring at him. Indeed, some were staring much more expectantly than others. After giving a low bow to the room, he looked around for a familiar face.

When he saw Jane, Mr Hart looked visibly relieved. ‘Miss Austen, please forgive my intrusion ...’

Elizabeth stepped forward to claim her rightful place as the host. ‘Mr Hart, I do not believe we have met. This is a surprise indeed, but a welcome one. Please do take a seat. I will ring for some more tea and refreshments.’

Oh no, what was she doing? The ladies had to leave—now!

But Elizabeth seemed to have forgotten what was at stake because she now had a real live gentleman to display to her friends.

All talk of the ladies leaving dissipated, and some murmured that they could quite do with another cup and perhaps fit in another petit four. Henrietta ditched her pelisse eagerly and made April sit next to her, in prime position across from Mr Hart.

Nervously, I greeted him, ‘Good day, Mr Hart. How nice to see you again.’

‘You as well, Mrs Fitzroy.’ Mr Hart nodded to me. His gaze dropped to my stomach, and his eyes widened. ‘And may I offer my congratulations.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Mr Hart is a new acquaintance whom Jane and Felicity had the good fortune of meeting in Bath last year,’ explained Elizabeth to the listeners.

‘Oh, were you there for the Season, Mr Hart?’ enquired Henrietta.

‘Yes, he was,’ said Jane firmly before Mr Hart could say anything to dispute this. Unfortunately, saying he was there for the Season suggested that he was indeed single and on the lookout for a wife.

But Mr Hart seemed happy enough to let the discrepancy slide. ‘Ah, yes, er ...? ’

‘I am Lady Claridge, and this is my daughter, Miss April Claridge. ’

‘Pleased to meet you both.’ He nodded politely.

‘Do tell us, did you happen to meet any particular young lady who took your fancy in Bath?’ asked Henrietta.

Mr Hart’s features softened, and a dreamy look crossed his face.

‘Why, yes, I did actually. Miss Lucinda Fitzroy. In fact, that is why I am here. I believe she is staying—’

‘Unfortunately, she has left for York already, Mr Hart,’ interrupted Jane.

‘Oh.’ His face fell, and the ladies murmured in sympathy. But Henrietta’s eyes grew steely.

‘Lucinda Fitzroy?’ She turned to me. ‘Is she a relation of yours, Mrs Fitzroy?’

‘Yes, she is my niece,’ I replied.

‘A delightful young lady,’ added Jane helpfully.

Henrietta sniffed. ‘If she is in York, then she is of no consequence. My April is here and readily available for walks and outings after church. Do you own a carriage, Mr Hart?’

Mr Hart’s mouth dropped open slightly. ‘I ... um ... yes?’

Poor April looked absolutely mortified and seemed to shrink into herself. Elizabeth’s attempts at matchmaking paled in comparison to Henrietta’s—the woman was a monster!

As much as I wanted to keep Lucinda’s condition a secret from Mr Hart, I could not stand to see him bullied by a desperate mama. He was obviously smitten with my niece as he had travelled all the way from London to see her. If there was a chance that he could overlook the fact that she was pregnant with his brother’s child, then he had to be given the benefit of the doubt.

In desperation, I let out a loud ‘OOOOOOH’ and doubled over, clasping my abdomen .

Jane, as I knew she would, reacted instantly. ‘Flissy! Whatever is it?’

‘The baby—I think it might be on its way. Owwww!’ I cried, hoping I sounded suitably anguished. Everyone gasped.

Elizabeth, by now realising that I was creating a drama on purpose, flapped around and gathered her guests into motion, saying it was bad timing, but that they would have to leave immediately as Mrs Fitzroy appeared to be in labour. Henrietta looked most put out, but how could she argue with an impending birth?

‘Mr Hart, please can you assist me in taking Flissy upstairs?’ asked Jane.

‘Of course!’ They both took an arm and led me through the midst of the ladies, who murmured ‘Good luck!’ and ‘Hope it goes well’.

For dramatic effect, I let out a loud garbled scream and bent over as if another contraction was hitting me, and everyone drew back. If it wasn’t so imperative that Mr Hart was extricated, I thought I might burst out laughing at the looks of horror on their faces. But I managed to keep a straight face. All of them had children, so they obviously knew what I was in for .

I kept up the act until I was safely in my room as some of the ladies had ventured into the entranceway and were calling encouragement—‘Stay strong’ and ‘The pain is worth it’—up the stairs.

When the door closed behind us, I was practically lifted onto the bed by an anxious Mr Hart. He stood there, wringing his hands. ‘Shall I ride for the doctor, Mrs Fitzroy? Or I can ask the maid to boil some water? Oh, do let me know how I can assist!’

Lying on my back, I looked over at Jane. ‘Can you unlace my corset? I’m having a hard time breathing,’ I gasped.

Mr Hart turned away as she helped me to remove the padded garment. Taking a few gulps of air, I felt a lot better and several stone lighter without that bulk on top of me.

Turning back, Mr Hart saw me now sitting up and decidedly not with child. ‘What on earth!’ he exclaimed.

‘As you can see, Mr Hart’, said Jane, ‘Flissy isn’t expecting. She is only giving the illusion of it. Excellent acting, by the way.’

‘Thank you,’ I said, smiling at her. ‘That was rather fun.’

‘B-but why?’ Mr Hart looked at us as if we were both mad.

‘There is a good reason for it,’ I said. ‘But we cannot tell you.’

Mr Hart shook his head. ‘Oh no, not after that performance. If you can pull a stunt like that, I’ve a good mind not to believe you about Lucinda returning to York. I received a letter from this address written by her very hand. She is here, isn’t she? Is she ill? I demand to know and will not leave the room until you tell me. And if you do not, I will search the house and grounds until I find her! ’

Striding across the room, he stood in front of the door with his arms folded, effectively barring it .

Oh dear , I thought. Shades of Dorian indeed .

‘Calm yourself, Mr Hart,’ I said. ‘Lucy is well, or she was this morning when I checked on her. You can see for yourself shortly. We just have to wait until Elizabeth’s guests have gone.’

Jane stared at me, and I shrugged. ‘If he is determined to search the house and grounds, he will find her anyway.’

Mr Hart brightened. ‘Aha! I knew it! So she is here?’

‘Yes,’ I told him. ‘But you should prepare yourself. She is not the same Lucy as when you last saw her.’

He had to be content with that as I would not say any more. A short while later, Elizabeth knocked on the door and called out that it was all clear. Reluctantly, I had Jane lace me into my padded corset again in case there were curious servants around. I could not wait for Lucinda to give birth so I didn’t have to keep waddling around like this.

Mr Hart relented and let us leave the room, and we met Elizabeth on the landing. ‘Your ruse worked, Felicity,’ she said. ‘Everyone was most impressed. Mark my words, it will be the talk of the county: the woman who gave birth at a tea party!’

I frowned at her. ‘We are supposed to be avoiding society, not giving them a reason to talk about us!’

She inclined her head towards Mr Hart. ‘What have you told him?’

‘Nothing. But he knows I’m not expecting. He wants to see Lucy.’

Elizabeth pulled a face .

‘It is fine. I said he can. And it appears she wanted him to find her. Otherwise, she would not have written to him.’

Elizabeth sighed. ‘Well then, you had better come with us, Mr Hart. ’

We walked to the cottage in silence. Edward had been in his study this entire time, but Elizabeth informed him that Mr Hart had arrived from London and would be staying the night. There was some confusion as he thought she meant Dorian and became upset that he had come to cause trouble. But he calmed down when she explained it was his brother, Harrington, and not the rogue himself.

Of Dorian, Mr Hart had yet to mention a word. I did not feel it was my place to enquire what had become of him, even if I was curious.

When we reached the cottage, I said, ‘I will go in alone so she can ready herself for your visit.’

It was highly unlikely she was indecent at this hour, but a girl likes to be given warning that she has a gentleman caller .

I rapped on the door, opened it, and quickly slipped in, not giving Mr Hart a chance to see into the room. She was not in the parlour. Had she gone for a walk?

‘Lucy?’ I called. ‘Where are you?’

‘In here, Aunty Fliss’ came her plaintive voice from the bedroom.

I found her in bed with a book propped on her belly and her hair still in its plait .

‘Dearest, you must get dressed and pin your hair,’ I said, not wanting to alarm her, but time was of the essence. If Mr Hart grew impatient, he might barge in unannounced.

‘Why should I?’ she asked, sounding grumpy. ‘No one came to see me, so I went back to bed.’

‘Because you have a special visitor—a gentleman.’

Her eyes widened. ‘Not Harry?’

I nodded, and her cheeks flushed with pleasure. ‘He’s really here at Godmersham?’

‘Yes. Oh, Lucy, why did you write to him? That was not wise.’

Lucinda heaved herself upright. ‘It was only a short note,’ she said defensively. ‘I had to let him know I wasn’t in York. Otherwise, he would have written to me there. I asked Mrs Busby to post it. I did not see the harm.’

‘Yes, dearest. But now he has turned up and is desperate to see you. He is outside the cottage right now with Jane and Elizabeth.’

Lucinda’s face fell. ‘Outside?’ she whispered. ‘Oh, I want to see him, but I cannot. If he finds out I’m with child, he won’t want anything to do with me.’

‘He has come all the way from London, dearest, and I sense that he cares for you a great deal. I think he can be trusted not to abandon you in your hour of need.’

Lucinda looked thoughtful.

‘Give me ten minutes. Knock and come in,’ she said at last.

‘Very well.’

I went back outside and relayed the information that Lucinda would receive us shortly.

We waited in silence, and Mr Hart kept taking his watch out of his waistcoat to check the time .

When ten minutes had passed, we entered the cottage to find Lucinda sitting on the sofa wrapped in her eiderdown. As the fire was burning merrily in the grate, she looked uncomfortably hot, but the disguise was effective. You could not tell she was pregnant. She was obviously still trying to conceal it from him so that he would leave none the wiser after his visit.

Lucinda smiled happily at him. ‘Harry, what a surprise!’

He walked over and knelt by her side, grasping the small hand that was visible outside the eiderdown. ‘My dear Lucy. But why are you staying out here in this cottage? Are you ill?’

Her gaze dropped to their linked hands. ‘Of sorts.’ A droplet of sweat ran down the side of her face, and I held my breath.

He placed a hand lightly on her forehead. ‘Is it a fever? Did the doctor tell you to wrap up like this?’ He shook his head. ‘These country doctors are quacks. You need to—’

He tugged at the eiderdown, and she clutched at it, but it was too late—her swollen belly was revealed.

Mr Hart sucked in his breath and quickly covered her again. Lucinda immediately burst into tears.

Mr Hart looked over at us hovering in the doorway. ‘So this is why you are all pretending Mrs Fitzroy is expecting?’

I nodded. ‘My husband and I are going to raise the child as our own when it is born. Everything has been arranged.’

Mr Hart rubbed his forehead tiredly. ‘It’s Dorian’s, isn’t it?’

There was no point lying. ‘Yes,’ I said.

‘I am so sorry,’ gulped Lucinda, tears running down her cheeks. ‘Please don’t hate me, Harry. I couldn’t bear it. ’

He sighed and took her hand again .

‘My feelings for you are too strong to let you go that easily, my darling. I love you,’ he said and kissed her hand fervently.

Lucinda burst into fresh sobs, but they sounded less desperate than a moment ago. They are almost , I thought, tears tinged with happiness.

We deemed it best to leave the young lovers alone to commiserate or celebrate their fate—whichever it was—and crept silently out of the cottage and shut the door on the touching scene of Mr Hart kissing Lucinda full on the lips .

As Elizabeth remarked on the walk back, she would not usually leave an unmarried couple unchaperoned. But Lucinda was already pregnant, so Mr Hart could hardly do any more damage, could he?