Felicia Page 5

“Oh! …you…you despicable trifler. How can you call yourself a gentleman, and then recall that incident. I knew it was a mistake to stay here.” She moved to the door hastily, but her exit was halted by Lord Umber’s voice.

  “Now, wait a minute,” he said, his voice no longer teasing. “I apologized for that. I admit I made a mistake, which I regret. But if you think that I am going to let you leave my mother when your presence has brought about such a miraculous change in her, you are mistaken.”

  “You cannot hold me here against my will,” Felicia snapped. “And your mother knows that I intend to leave as soon as I have word from Mrs. Barton. So to leave a few days earlier will not matter.”

  “Mrs. Barton? Who is she?”

  “The lady in Manchester,” Felicia said in exasperation.

  “Oh! Yes. I had forgotten. But you promised to remain until you heard from her, is that right?”

  “It is what I promised Dr. Ross, yes. But now, I think it best if I leave immediately.”

  “Pray do not let my presence cut short your stay,” Lord Umber replied, his sense of humor overcoming his annoyance at Felicia’s hostility. “If I give you my word, as a gentleman, to behave with utmost propriety, will you agree to do as you originally planned?” His tone was compelling and friendly.

  Felicia hesitated and before she could answer, the door was flung open, grazing her shoulder slightly.

  “Ian, are you coming?” the voice of a young man called impatiently; “I have been waiting an age for you.”

  “Pray come in a moment, David, and meet my mother’s companion.”

  Felicia looked down at her drab dress in dismay. Whatever would Lord Umber’s friend think of such a dowd.

  “Miss Richards,” Lord Umber said languidly, “allow me to present a good friend, Mr. Burton. Mr. David Burton.”

  “Beg pardon, ma’am, didn’t mean to startle you,” Mr. Burton said as he stepped into the library. “Pleased to meet you.” His eyes took in her attire and he wondered silently what such a drab thing was doing as Lady Louisa’s companion. Then, he looked at her face, and realized how very beautiful she was.

  “How do you do, Mr. Burton,” Felicia was saying, her voice unsteady as she stared at his pleasant, open countenance. He shifted his stance uneasily at such close scrutiny, by a young woman.

  “I say, Miss Richard,” he said at last, “is something the matter? I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

  Felicia shook her head. “Pray forgive my manners, Mr. Burton. And, no, you didn’t hurt me.” She brushed her shoulder absent-mindedly. “I thought, for a moment, that I had met you before and I was trying to place the connection.” She shook her head, as though trying to clear it.

  “Never seen you before,” Mr. Burton said hurriedly. “Hardly likely to forget such a face, what, Ian?”

  “No, David,” Lord Umber agreed lightly, aware that his friend was wondering whether he had indeed met Felicia in some house of ill repute. “But it is interesting to hear Miss Richards say your face is familiar, because this is the young lady I was telling you about. The one who has lost her memory.”

  A look of relief spread across Mr. Burton’s face. “Ah! Yes. Well, I am sorry, Miss Richards. I wish I could help you, but as far as I know, I have never met you before.”

  A puzzled look still clouded her eyes as she took her leave. “Perhaps it was a long time ago,” she said thoughtfully, the disappointment obvious in her voice. “I am sorry I cannot remember more.”

  It had stopped raining when Felicia finally found Dr. Ross in the rose garden. She excitedly told him all that had happened. A pleased expression lit up his face as he listened. “We must probe this area further in our next session. It may be only a false trail, but it is worth exploring.”

  “Who is this Mr. Burton, anyway?” Felicia asked. “It is uncanny how familiar he seems to be.”

  “A friend of Lord Umber’s. A barrister of some repute. The youngest man ever to be admitted to the bar. Very well regarded by his peers.”

  Felicia looked unimpressed. “But that doesn’t help me,” she cried, stamping her foot. “Oh, why, why do I think I know him?”

  “He could have been the bearer of news at some point in the past.” Dr. Ross took her arm reassuringly as he continued gravely. “You must face the fact, Felicia, that you may well be an orphan. Quite frankly, that is the only solution I can think of to explain why you are having to earn your own living. There is no doubt in my mind that you are well born. It could be that Mr. Burton, in his capacity of barrister, had to break the news of your parents’ death. So possibly he spoke to a relative of yours—a brother perhaps, if you have one—and you may have caught a glimpse of him. I am sure if he had met with you directly, he would have remembered. I wish I could be more specific, but at the moment I can only conjecture.”

  “I understand, Dr. Ross, really I do,” Felicia said, smiling. “I think I have prepared myself for the worst—about not having a family, I mean.”

  They paused by the sundial and Felicia gasped as she saw the time. “Thank goodness the sun has come out to remind me of the hour. I must hurry back and change, for the guests will be arriving shortly.”

  Dr. Ross let go of her arm. “Off with you, then, and don’t be so busy that you forget to enjoy yourself.”

  “No, doctor,” she answered with an air of exaggerated decorum. “I will obey your instructions implicitly.”

  He was on his way to the stables thinking to find his host there when the butler approached him. “If you are not too busy, Dr. Ross, Lord Umber would like a word with you. He is in the library.”

  “The very thing,” Dr. Ross muttered to himself, as he followed the retreating figure of the servant.

  Dr. Ross was surprised to find Lady Louisa ensconced on the sofa in the library, with Lord Umber standing at the window. “Good afternoon, ma’am, Ian. You wanted to see me?”

  Lord Umber walked forward with his hand outstretched. “Paul, good to see you. A drink?” He indicated a tray filled with gleaming crystal

  “Not yet awhile, Ian. Think I will save myself for the festivities tonight. I hear Alphonse has been let loose in the kitchens.”

  “Sorry to drag you away from the roses, Paul,” Lord Umber said, “but I wanted to hear your prognosis on Miss Richards. My mother tells me that the bits and pieces she has remembered have not been too helpful.”

  “In essence that is correct, Ian. However, I am beginning to make some headway. I need time though, especially now when she thinks she knows David. This is the first real breakthrough I have had in the case. Maybe another piece of the puzzle will fall into place when we hear from Manchester. No word yet, I suppose, Lady Louisa?”

  “No, thank goodness,” Lady Louisa replied quickly. “And frankly, I don’t wish ever to hear.”

  Dr. Ross shook his head in a sympathetic gesture. “My real problem is time,” he continued, turning to Lord Umber. “I have just received word from my associate that I am needed in London.” He fingered the letter he had received that morning that still lay in a pocket. “And frankly, I have no alternative but to take my leave on Sunday.”

  “But what will happen to Felicia?” Lady Louisa cried. “Oh, dear, is there nothing we can do?”

  Lord Umber glanced at Dr. Ross with raised eyebrows. “As a doctor you have a remedy, I am sure. What do you propose?”

  “It really depends on Lady Louisa. If she will agree to the scheme I suggest, I think everyone will benefit.”

  Both men turned to Lady Louisa, who was now sitting up alertly. “Pray continue, Paul,” she ordered. “You have me in a positive lather of curiosity.”

  His reply, after a moment’s hesitation, was blunt. “Go to London on an extended visit.”

  A stunned silence followed. All three were aware that Lady Louisa has refused to leave Alverston since her husband’s death six years ago.

  “I cannot possibly,” Lady Louisa protested. “I mean, how can I?” She paused as she gave the idea some thought. “Do
you really think I am well enough to travel, Paul?” she asked incredulously.

  Lord Umber gave a bark of laughter. “I hardly think Paul would make such an outrageous suggestion, Mama, if he thought otherwise. Paul?”

  “If you can both bear the cliché, it’s just what the doctor is ordering. To be quite honest with you, Lady Louisa, you have no real need of my services any longer. Physically you are in perfect health, and if you can cope with the idea of a long journey, the mental rewards you will gain from a London Season will complete the cure.”

  “I think the suggestion is marvelous, Paul,” Lord Umber intervened hastily, as he saw his mother about to protest. “Can we leave it to you to inform Miss Richards?” His voice was light, but Dr. Ross saw the doubt in his eyes.

  He had always been amazed by the depth of Lord Umber’s affection for his mother. If one were to judge him by outward appearances, one would have called him a cynical libertine. He was well known in every gambling hall in London and the gossip about town gave him the reputation of being a dissolute rakehell. Very few people knew the real man, for Lord Umber went to great lengths to conceal his true character. Apart from insuring that his mother lived in utmost comfort, he quietly worked for several charities, donating and raising large sums of money for orphans. There was an unknown quality about him that set him apart from other men, and his few close friends knew him to be a sensitive, compelling person whom they admired and respected. They knew that, despite his reputation as a roué and his genuine enjoyment of female companionship, he was as often the pursued as the pursuer. Moreover, his personal sense of honor forbade him to seduce any woman who did not come to him freely, and, far from delighting in heartlessly discarding the wantons with whom he tarried (or in severing with unnecessary harshness the alliances instigated by highborn flirts), he took pride in arranging any inevitable farewells with great consideration.

  Dr. Ross could well guess what had transpired between Felicia and Lord Umber the day of the accident and understood how Lord Umber felt when he realized the mistake he had made—angry with himself and now dismayed at the prospect that Felicia might refuse to go to London on account of his behavior.

  “I think I can persuade her, although I am sure she will worry about the difference in the stagecoach fare from London to Manchester.”

  “Assure her that I will compensate her,” Lady Louisa said. “As I am powerless to resist you both, I will need her to travel with me. The very thought of embarking on such a journey by myself is frightening.”

  “Of course, Lady Louisa,” Dr. Ross smiled triumphantly.

  “I know we can rely on you, Paul,” Lord Umber said, turning to his mother, “I will escort both you and Miss Richards to London in a week—if that is convenient, Mama?”

  “Convenient!” Lady Louisa exclaimed in mock horror. “Since when have you been concerned with anyone else’s convenience?”

  “Seldom, Mama,” Lord Umber replied, repressing a smile. “This is one of those very rare occasions.”

  “And what of our house guests?” Lady Louisa inquired.

  “Oh! Not to worry on their account,” Lord Umber assured. “For I am sure that after a few days of idleness they will all be happy to return to London.”

  Acknowledging that all was settled with a nod of her silvery head, Lady Louisa rose from the sofa. “Well, in that case, gentlemen, I can see that I will barely have time to rest in the next week unless I start making the necessary arrangements now. Paul, if I did not know better, I would swear you are in league with my son.”

  She left the room without a backward glance and did not see the two men smile at each other in amusement.

  “Well, Ian,” Dr. Ross asked, “do you approve of the change in your mother?”

  “You have worked a miracle, Paul. I never thought I would ever see her sparkle like that again. It has been such a long time.”

  “Your thanks should go to Miss Richards, for ’tis she who was wrought the change.”

  “Aha! Miss Richards!” Lord Umber said nonchalantly. “If I did not know you better, Paul, I would suggest you have fixed your interest in that direction.”

  “Only professionally,” Dr. Ross responded quickly. “Although ’twould be difficult to find such a sweet-natured female again. She is a real puzzlement to me, Ian. I declare she is as well-bred as either you or I, and yet, I have never heard of a Richards in our circles.”

  “It could be that she is using a false name,” Lord Umber suggested. “Who knows, someone may recognize her in London and solve the mystery for you.”

  “But not for her,” Dr. Ross pointed out. “It has become imperative to me that I restore her memory for her. Can you imagine the horror of not knowing who you really are?”

  “Consider the possibility, Paul, that she may be better off not knowing. Suppose she really is a highly accomplished cyprian. That could explain her knowledge and manners.”

  Dr. Ross pretended to look shocked. “Ian, my dear friend, you are far too young to be such a cynic. Mark my words, Miss Richards is what she seems to be. A lady of quality.”

  “Enough, Paul,” Lord Umber laughed. “I hear the sounds of my guests arriving.”

  “Your latest flirt amongst them?” Dr. Ross questioned lightly.

  “The delicious Lady Barbara? Oh, yes. But I very much doubt that she will arrive early. She will be late enough to make a grand entrance, but not so late as to appear rude. Excuse me, Paul,” he gave a slight bow. “Duty calls.”

  Five

  Felicia paused at the bottom of the formal staircase to admire the floral display she had arranged. A maid had placed it on the large, hand-carved oak pedestal that one of Lord Umber’s ancestors had brought back from the West Indies. The fragrance from the flowers filled the hallway. Lilies of the valley interwoven with delphiniums set off to perfection the delicate, almost translucent white orchids she had discovered in one of the greenhouses. Seeing her handiwork, she felt pleased. Even if she could not remember under what circumstances, for the moment, it was reassuring to know that she had been raised to take care of domestic details.

  “I think they will please his lordship,” she said to herself as she crossed the tiled floor to the green drawing room. “And I am certain that Lady Louisa will enjoy them.” She slipped into the room unobtrusively and found, to her dismay, that a few of the guests were already assembled. She quickly made her way to Lady Louisa’s side, but her desire to go unnoticed was thwarted when David Burton detached himself from a group of people and joined her.

  “Good evening, Lady Louisa, Miss Richards,” he said as he bowed deeply. “What a charming picture you both make. You quite brighten up this dark corner.”

  Felicia blushed prettily and Lady Louisa chuckled. “Go and make an elegant leg to Miss Fitzroy, David, and take Miss Richards with you. I refuse to be cast into the shade by having her stand next to me.”

  Mr. Burton smiled. “That will be my pleasure, Lady Louisa,” he answered and drew Felicia’s hand onto his arm. “Miss Richards?”

  Felicia curtsied and moved gracefully toward the group in the center of the room, unaware that everyone was looking at her for she was busy whispering to Mr. Burton, “It is not necessary to introduce me around. After all, I am Lady Louisa’s companion, not a relative.”

  “What? And be accused by all my friends of keeping you all to myself? They would never forgive me.” He drew her deftly into the group and made the introductions quickly. He knew they would all be curious as to who she was, but also knew that their good manners would prevail and keep their questions for later.

  He had barely recognized in Felicia the dowdy girl he had met earlier in the library. The dress she wore now was the height of fashion, and fitted beautifully. It was light blue silk falling to the ground in soft pleats, and was caught at the waist by a girdle of roses. A frill of sapphire chiffon framed her alabaster white shoulders. Matching roses were threaded through the curls that Lady Louisa’s maid had coaxed into a Psyche knot, with a f
ew careless tendrils, caressing her cheeks.

  She acknowledged the introductions with a polite nod and stood to one side, listening to the general talk, trying to remember all the names.

  Lord Rowbotham, a dandy of the first water, eyed her appreciatively. He liked what he saw and wondered if she also had a fortune. He regretfully decided that the answer must be negative, for Lord Umber would have mentioned it. He beamed at her anyway and sidled over to her.

  Felicia tried to suppress a smile at the sight he made, and almost succeeded until she caught Mr. Burton’s eye. However, she managed to turn her smile into one of polite inquiry which set Lord Rowbotham at ease.

  “I say, Miss Richards, what’s the latest on dit about Umber and his orchids?”

  Taken aback by the question, Felicia stared at him blankly. “I beg your pardon? Orchids? I am afraid I don’t understand.”

  “Flowers, you know,” he explained kindly. “I noticed a maid putting a whole display of them in the hallway on my way down tonight. Never thought that Umber would agree to wasting those precious blooms on us.”

  “He didn’t,” Felicia replied faintly, as a cold feeling gripped her. “I cut them myself.”

  Lord Rowbotham looked at her in amazement. “You mean he ain’t even seen them yet? I thought it peculiar when I saw them. They are far better than mine, and he would easily have won the contest…”

  “You mean that he was growing them especially for an exhibition?” Felicia queried. She wondered why Lady Louisa had not said anything, and then remembered that she had cut them at the last moment, without consulting her.

  “Far worse,” Lord Rowbotham said gravely. “A wager.”

  “I fear he will not be pleased then.” At the moment she felt only disdain for her host. Gambling was such a petty reason to grow such magnificent blooms.

  Lord Rowbotham nodded his head in agreement before saying placatingly, “But he cannot blame you, if you didn’t know what they were, now can he? What say you, David?”

  Mr. Burton raised a questioning eyebrow. “What’s that, Cuthbert?”