Felicia Read online

  How typical of him, Felicia thought irritably, to invite more people without giving a second’s thought to the inconvenience it would cause. Now it would be impossible for her to cry off, for she could not leave Lady Louisa to entertain both men by herself.

  Lady Louisa was anxious to see her son alone, to apprise him of her findings. So she hurried through her toilette, much to the surprise of her maid, Lucy, and was downstairs waiting when her son’s arrival was announced.

  “I am so pleased that you are early for once, Ian,” she said laughingly. “For I have need to speak to you alone.”

  Lord Umber bowed over his mother’s hand gracefully, pleased to see her in such high spirits. “What is this?” he joked. “A long forgotten, deep, dark secret you want to divulge. Or gossip from Lady Jersey that you want me to confirm or deny?”

  “Don’t be such a goosehead, Ian, it’s nothing of the kind.” She paused dramatically. “I know who Felicia’s parents are.”

  Lord Umber jerked back his head in surprise. “By Jove!” he exclaimed. “That is good news.”

  Lady Louisa shook her head dubiously. “I am none too certain about that, for I do not know whether they are dead or alive.” Quickly she recounted what she had learned that afternoon.

  “Perhaps Paul is right, then, Mama. Miss Richards’ parents are of the first stare.” He broke off as he heard the sound of approaching footsteps and looked toward the door. He was momentarily dazzled by the beauty he saw standing in the entrance and hesitated slightly before moving forward to greet Felicia.

  “Miss Richards,” he said, making an elegant leg. “I need not ask if you are well, for ’tis obvious that you are.” His eyes strayed to her bosom, and he looked away quickly. The soft swelling of her breasts revealed by the low-cut dress was a tantalizing sight.

  Felicia was conscious of his scrutiny. “Good evening, Lord Umber,” she said somewhat breathlessly, acutely aware of his gaze and annoyed that she found his approving look pleasing. She turned away from the source of her confusion and smiled at Lady Louisa. “I am sorry to have kept you waiting,” she murmured, “but Lucy took longer than I thought possible to do my hair.”

  “As the result is perfection,” Lord Umber said huskily, “we will forgive you, won’t we, Mama?”

  The dinner surprised Felicia by being an extremely pleasant occasion. Lord Umber, looking resplendent in an ultrafine, close-fitting evening coat of the deepest shade of plum, set off to perfection by his champagne-colored pantaloons, went out of his way to be charming. Any restraint Felicia felt because of their last meeting quickly evaporated and by the time David arrived, a pleasing harmony had been achieved.

  Lady Louisa looked on indulgently and was delighted to observe her son and David so obviously enjoying themselves. Felicia, positively glowing from all the attention, seemed well able to hold her own in such company. She sighed contentedly, pushing aside the only cloud in her mind—for she had already decided that Felicia’s pedigree was good enough for her family, even though her father was a gambler.

  Nine

  Dr. Ross had cancelled all his appointments, except for Felicia. He had a feeling that their next session would be long and productive. Felicia arrived on time, and within minutes he had put her in a deep trance.

  “Tell me, Miss Richards,” he asked, “does the name Arabella mean anything to you?”

  “She is my mother,” Felicia answered promptly.

  “Then she is still alive?”

  “Of course,” Felicia replied.

  “Where is she now?”

  “At home with my father.”

  “And where is home?”

  “In Hereford. We live in a small cottage…it is so pretty at this time of year. In summer the roses grow all around the front door….” Felicia paused for a moment as childhood memories flooded back. Even her voice took on a childish quality.

  Dr. Ross sat back, barely able to contain the rising excitement he felt.

  “Papa has to go away again, though,” Felicia continued. “He…he says we need the money. I do wish he could stay at home, for Mama is so miserable when he is absent.”

  “What does he do when he leaves you and your mother?”

  Felicia looked unseeingly at Dr. Ross. “I cannot remember. I don’t know.”

  “He plays cards, doesn’t he? He gambles for money in order to provide you and your mother with food?”

  “I don’t know,” Felicia cried wildly. “It seems such a long time ago.”

  “Of course, you can remember, child, it is just that you don’t want to.”

  “No. No. It’s not true. Please say it’s not true.” Tears were streaming down her face by now and she was rolling her head from side to side in grief.

  “Your papa never returned, did he?” The question was asked gently, but Felicia twisted unhappily on the striped Regency chair and continued to shake her head. It was as though she was trying to shake off some terrible thought “But he must come back, he must. If not…” she broke off abruptly as a fit of sobbing overcame her.

  “There, there, my dear,” Dr. Ross soothed. “It’s all over now, isn’t it?”

  Felicia nodded, her distress evaporating under the doctor’s calm voice. “The man said he had been killed in a duel. I can see him now.” She shuddered as the remembrance of that fateful day flooded back, and she started to cry again.

  Dr. Ross took her hand in his and patted it. “I know how distressing it must be for you, Miss Richards, but if we are to get to the bottom of your trauma we must probe a little further. This man who came to tell you of your father’s death. What is his name?”

  “I cannot think,” Felicia replied, her voice losing the childlike resonance. “He said he was only an acquaintance of Papa’s. I have never seen him before.”

  “How did your father die?”

  “The man said Papa had been shot by a fellow card player, after Papa had accused him of cheating.” Felicia broke off again. “Why…why…did it have to happen to Papa? We were so happy.”

  Her storm of tears increased, and Dr. Ross gathered her into his arms and rocked her like a baby. “Try and calm yourself, Miss Richards. I think we have done enough for the moment. We will continue some other time.” He kept his arms about her until she regained control of herself, and then he gently smoothed her hair back under her bonnet before releasing her.

  Felicia sniffed loudly and gratefully accepted the large handkerchief he handed her. She blew her nose hard and then sat back and looked at the doctor questioningly. She was now quite obviously out of the trance. He rose from his chair and paced the room as he thought of the best way to discuss his findings with her. The exultation he felt at his remarkable breakthrough was difficult to suppress, for after the many fruitless sessions of the recent past, he had begun to doubt the validity of his experiment. Now, at last, he had broken through the wall of grief she had built up.

  “What did you learn today, Dr. Ross?” Felicia asked hesitantly. It was unlike him to be so pensive. “How did I respond this time?”

  Still he hesitated, and Felicia felt some alarm. “It is not good news then?” she asked flatly.

  “My dear,” Dr. Ross said, stopping at her side so that he could put his hand on her shoulder. “It is somewhat as we suspected. Your father is dead.”

  “And what of Mama?”

  “We didn’t get that far. I thought it best for you to take a rest. Your remembrances were somewhat upsetting.” Briefly, he outlined her recollections, and when he had finished, Felicia sprang out of her chair in agitation. “Poor Mama. Perhaps we can continue tomorrow, Dr. Ross, for I shall worry until I know whether she is all right. Maybe she is in need of me. Oh! How I wish I knew why I was on my way to Manchester.”

  Dr. Ross looked at her in amazement. Her selflessness was amazing. Even now, she was thinking of the discomfort her mother could be suffering—if she were still alive—instead of concerning herself with her own problems. “I know how you feel, Miss Richards, but I
think it advisable to give you a few days rest to digest all this new information. This way, you may remember more on your own. Why not come and see me, say in two days’ time.”

  “If you think so, Doctor,” Felicia said doubtfully, “but I will be on your doorstep sooner, should I recall even the slightest thing.”

  Dr. Ross laughed. “Then I hope to see you tomorrow. Now, be off with you, and give my regards to Lady Louisa and my apologies for being unable to join the theater party tomorrow.”

  Felicia picked up her pelisse and waited while Dr. Ross helped her into it. “Thank you, doctor,” she said softly. “Thank you for everything.” So my father was a gambler, she thought as she hailed a hansom cab. That would go a long way toward explaining her reaction to Cuthbert’s disclosure that Lord Umber grew those wretched orchids for a bet. She pondered whether or not she should explain to Lord Umber but decided against it. Too much had been made of that incident already.

  *

  The visit to the theater was the first public engagement for Lady Louisa, and she insisted that Felicia wear her prettiest gown—a sapphire blue quilted silk, ornamented with a band of pale blue around the hem and the edge of the capped sleeves. The low, scalloped neckline revealed more of her bosom than Felicia deemed necessary, but Lady Louisa assured her it was the rage to be so daring.

  “Really, Felicia my dear, if you wore it any higher, you would feel a positive dowd. There is nothing wrong with exposing a little of your charms.”

  Felicia thought of the night the duke came for dinner and remembered how his eyes had strayed to these “charms.”

  “But I feel naked,” she complained, “and uncomfortable. Will not everyone stare at such daring?”

  “Only at your beauty, my dear,” Lady Louisa soothed. “Ah! That must be Ian now.” She turned to her maid. “Just finish dressing Miss Richards’ hair, Lucy. I will go on downstairs, for I have something to discuss with my son.”

  She left the room hastily, while Lucy fussed with Felicia. She smiled to herself at the dubious look on the child’s face. Such modesty was quite charming.

  “It’s right, what ma’am says,” Lucy said. “You ’ave a natural grace that most women would envy.”

  Felicia turned her head from the mirror to look directly at Lucy. “Thank you, Lucy, but I fear you are too generous with your compliments.”

  Lucy shrugged her shoulders in disagreement, but refrained from making further comment. It was a pleasure to work with such a kind person. Felicia was always so full of consideration.

  Lady Louisa made her way to the drawing room swiftly. She had been concerned that Ian would resent forfeiting another evening of pleasure to escort them to the theater, but it was apparent that he was in the best of humors and actually enjoying himself.

  “Good evening, Ian,” Lady Louisa said prettily. “I hastened down ahead of Felicia to insure that you are not adverse to spending yet another evening in our frivolous company.”

  “Far from it, Mama,” he answered smoothly. “I declare that I am quite looking forward to it How is Miss Richards? Paul has told me the sad news.”

  “She will be glad when it is all over, I think. She is doing her best to conceal her worries about her mother but, quite honestly, Ian, I do not think she is still alive. Nobody I have spoken to can recall Arabella Richards, and surely if she were still alive someone would have run into her.”

  “Not necessarily, Mama,” he said. “Especially if the family was in straitened circumstances. They probably lived quietly, out of the mainstream of any real social life.”

  “Well,” Lady Louisa said, trying to shake off her feeling of despondency. “We must not let Felicia suspect we have been talking about her, for that would really overset her.”

  “Quite so, Mama, quite so. Maybe the play will create a timely diversion.” His voice had softened imperceptibly, and Lady Louisa glanced at him quickly.

  “Your consideration is much appreciated, Ian. I am sure one day Felicia will thank you herself.”

  Lord Umber laughed. “I doubt it, Mama. I suppose we are all doing what we can to help her, without expecting anything in return.”

  Lady Louisa tried to conceal her surprise at the feeling in her son’s voice. Maybe her dream would come true. Quickly, she changed the subject, afraid that he would suspect the direction of her thoughts.

  The short drive to Drury Lane was uneventful and they were soon seated comfortably in Lord Umber’s permanent box. Lady Louisa nodded to several friends. She pointed out several other people to Felicia, and Lord Umber filled them in with all the latest on dits.

  “Lordie me! Ian,” Lady Louisa exclaimed at one point. “Is that Lord Davenport? My, my, how he has aged.”

  “He still likes to ogle pretty young girls though,” Lord Umber joked. “I remember your telling me that he wore his heart on his sleeve for you, Mama.” He turned to Felicia. “After Mama turned him down, he went into a sad decline, I am told, and swore he would never marry.”

  “And did he?” Felicia asked.

  “No,” Lord Umber replied, casting his eyes upward in simulated disbelief. “And all because of Mama!”

  “Tut! Tut!” Lady Louisa blushed. “Do not remind me of my youthful indiscretions. And do not exaggerate the story, Ian. You will have Miss Richards thinking me a dreadful flirt.”

  Felicia laughed. “And I swear you have not changed a bit, ma’am.”

  “And I get the feeling that she never will,” Lord Umber agreed.

  But Lady Louisa’s attention had been caught by a vulgar-looking woman in the lower section of the theater, who was staring up at Felicia. She seemed quite agitated and every now and then would bend over and talk excitedly to a pimple-faced girl seated next to her. Lady Louisa discreetly indicated the object of her interest to Lord Umber and raised her eyebrows in question.

  Lord Umber shook his head slowly in answer to the unspoken query, for he had never seen the woman before. He looked quickly at Felicia and with an inexplicable sense of relief was pleased to note that she was unaware of the attention being paid her. Surprised that he should feel so protective toward her, he decided perversely that he would find out who the woman was. It was just possible, he thought, that she might know Felicia. Suddenly it seemed quite important for him to find out the truth of her background. He glanced urbanely at his mother and settled in his seat to watch the first act.

  Lady Barbara, seated several boxes away, fumed inwardly as she realized that Lord Umber had not even seen her. She gave a snort of anger as she looked at Felicia’s beautiful profile and then consoled herself with the thought that Lord Umber could not possibly be attracted to such insipid looks. It was well known that he preferred the more vibrant looks she possessed.

  “Lord Umber is remiss in acknowledging you tonight, dear child,” her mother observed sarcastically. “You have not said anything to offend him, I hope.”

  Lady Barbara bit her lip and lowered her long silky lashes as she avoided her mother’s questioning eye. He must be snubbing her because of the disagreement they had had at tea the other day over her remark about Felicia. Maybe it would have been wiser not to have repeated a conversation of her mother’s she had overheard, that Felicia was merely using Lady Louisa as her entree into Society. Cousin Milly had certainly implied her comment was out of turn.

  “Well, child?” her mother asked sharply.

  “No, Mama,” Lady Barbara said hastily. “I can think of naught. Mayhap his distraction is caused by a loss at the gaming tables.”

  The curtain rose at that point, ending further interrogation by her mother, for which Lady Barbara was thankful. Presently she turned her attention to the players, but was so busy planning her next move to ensnarl Lord Umber that she did not hear a word.

  At the intermission, Lord Umber excused himself. “I have just seen someone I must pay my respects to,” he said, and nodded slightly as Lady Louisa tossed her head lightly in the direction of the woman.

  Felicia, who had seen Lady
Barbara waving in their direction, assumed it was she Lord Umber wanted to see and felt a momentary depression of her spirits. However, she returned the wave before turning to Lady Louisa to ask about one of the actors.

  Once outside the box, Lord Umber walked quickly into the foyer and recognized without difficulty the vulgar woman. He made his way, unhurriedly, over to her and bowed deeply. “Excuse me for intruding on your privacy, ma’am,” he said in a deceptively mild voice. “But I noticed you looking at the young girl who is seated in my box….” He paused expectantly.

  “What of it?” the woman snapped unpleasantly. “A cat can look at a queen, can’t it?”

  Somewhat taken aback by her unnecessary rudeness, Lord Umber raised his quizzing glass and looked at the woman and her charge disdainfully. He bowed slightly. “I am truly sorry to have bothered you, but I was merely wondering if you recognized the young lady in question. However, it is quite obvious I have made a mistake.”

  “Yes, you have, young man, for I don’t recognize you nor her. And what is more, I do not like to be seen talking to strangers.” She turned to the girl who had been standing in a bewildered silence during this exchange. “Come child, let us return to the safety of our seats.”

  Lord Umber stayed where he was, as he watched the two ladies pick their way through the crowd. His suspicions had been aroused by the woman’s violent reaction to his question, and the snippet of conversation that floated back to him caused him to pursue them. He was certain he had heard the girl ask why they could not acknowledge Felicia.

  Before he could reach them, he was stopped by David Burton. “I say, Ian,” Mr. Burton said. “You look in a devil of a temper. What’s amiss? Lady Barbara turned you down?”

  The scowl that had caused Mr. Burton’s remark vanished from Lord Umber’s face as he greeted his friend. “Far from it, old boy. You know better than most I am not in that line. No, I have just had a very strange encounter. See that lady over there. No, not Mrs. Hardcastle, the one behind her in the puce. See, she has Miss Pimples at her side. Do you know her?”