Death at the Wedding Feast Part 5

They bobbed brief curtsies that suggested he was hardly worth the courtesy. Then Miranda spoke.

*Good evening, Mr Rawlings. I have remembered the name correctly, have I not? La, what a flutter with the house full of babies. How do you like your little bast- I mean your sons?'

*I like them very well,' John answered evenly.

Miranda continued, *We were saying how well Lady Elizabeth looks despite her ordeal. We think it is nothing short of a miracle at her age.'

She had made this kind of remark once before, at Lady Sidmouth's summer ball to be precise, and John felt his fury grow. *Elizabeth is a remarkable woman,' he said, *and has been through many ordeals to become the person she is today.'

There was another m.u.f.fled giggle and he realized that his answer could have been taken two ways.

*But one thing,' he continued firmly, *that one could never say about the Marchesa is that she is shallow. She is like steel compared with many of the drooping lilies that one sees around one. Would you not agree?'

There was silence, then Felicity said, *Shall we go down to dinner?'

*After you, ladies,' said John, and felt that he had just won that round.

During the night he was awoken by the sound of crying, and for a moment thought he had gone back in time and that it was Rose who wanted him. Then he came to his senses and was just about to get out of bed when he heard footsteps in the corridor and realized that maids had already picked the infants up and were at this very moment carrying them in to their mother. He thought of Elizabeth being woken up by two hungry boys and decided that as soon as she was on her own he would creep into her room and tell her how much he loved her.

He lay awake listening for the sound of the maids returning the boys to the nursery. Eventually he heard them, then the house grew silent and still once more. Softly John got out of bed and walked across the corridor to where Elizabeth lay sleeping. Her black hair was spread across the pillow like a fantastic web, shot with silver where the moon peeped in through the vents in the curtains. Walking quietly, John went to the window and drew them apart a little. Far below him the sea churned and leapt, and the Apothecary spared a thought for the many poor devils spending the night on the treacherous waves. Then he pulled the curtains closed and turned back to the bed.

A great surge of emotion filled him as he looked down at the woman who had so courageously undergone the mighty experience of giving birth. Then he bent and gently kissed her on the cheek before snuggling in beside her and a oh so gently a taking her in his arms and falling asleep.

Seven.

As dawn came creeping over the River Exe John kissed Elizabeth, who still slept deeply, and then went back to his own room where he enjoyed a couple of hours of perfect, dreamless sleep before the smell of distant cooking woke him up. Ringing for hot water, he washed, shaved and dressed in his terrible lime green suit then went down to the breakfast room. It was empty except for Lady Sidmouth who, as usual, was doing her busy bee act.

*Ah John,' she said, raising her quizzer to her heavily-lidded dark brown eye the better to observe him. *You look well and rested a but the colour of that suit is enough to put one off one's food. Would you kindly remove the jacket?'

John did so and, helping himself to a substantial amount from the servers placed on the sideboard, sat down in his violet waistcoat and prepared to tuck in. But the fork was only halfway to his mouth when the door opened and Miranda Tremayne, eyes downcast and looking excessively prim, entered and sat down.

Lady Sidmouth said, *There have been some interesting changes since you were last here, John.'

*Oh really? And what might they be?'

Miranda spoke up, eyes still not raised. *I have become betrothed, Mr Rawlings, and indeed am due to be married in June.'

*How very delightful. And who is the lucky bridegroom?'

Lady Sidmouth interrupted. *Miranda has done very well for herself. She is to marry the Earl of St Austell and will go to live in his grand house in Cornwall.'

*What a good match,' John murmured politely.

Miranda looked up and straight at the Apothecary and he noticed that her eyes were shuttered, all her secret thoughts hidden from the world. *The Earl is a very gracious man and I care for him greatly,' she said, just a fraction defiantly.

*What Miranda is trying to say,' Lady Sidmouth put in, *is that she doesn't give a toss for the fact that he is fifty-two years her senior; in fact she snaps her fingers at it. She says she loves the man and there's an end to it.'

*I am so pleased to hear it,' John answered politely. *Tell me, where did you meet him?'

*He is one of society's doyens in Cornwall. It was at a hunting a.s.sembly at Lord Austell's home that I was presented by my cousin Robin. They ride to stag on Exmoor, you know.'

*Yes, I did know,' John muttered.

*Well, he was so handsome and debonair a as only an older man can be a that I fell in love with him at first sight.'

*How nice!'

*And of course his wife had died just a few months previously after many years of being an invalid. Poor darling, I don't know how he coped with all those weeks when he tended her lovingly.'

*He had a nurse to help him,' put in Lady Sidmouth with a touch of acerbity.

Miranda's eyes dropped once more. *Yes, of course.'

John thought most unkindly about the enormous wealth to be gained and the huge estate and all that went with it a fawning servants, splendid food, great occasions at which the beautiful Miranda would be belle-of-the-ball a and wondered that anyone could be taken in by her duplicity. He caught the canny eye of Lady Sidmouth and just for a moment read the same sentiments there.

The door opened and Milady's youngest daughter, Felicity, walked in. Though not exactly good looking she had improved during the few months that John had not seen her and was nowadays carrying herself with more dignity and poise. Having obtained her breakfast and seated herself at the large table, she turned to John.

*The twins are really sweet. I popped in and looked at them before I came down. How much longer are they staying?' She turned to her mother.

*That rather depends on Dr Hunter. He will call and examine the Lady Elizabeth today. It will be on his p.r.o.nouncement that we will await.'

*I am sure that the Marchesa will be anxious to return home and get into a routine with Jasper and James as soon as possible. Notwithstanding the generosity of your hospitality, Lady Sidmouth.'

*Nonsense, I'd have done the same for any of my friends. Not that my other friends are as likely to get into the identical sort of mischief as Lady Elizabeth, I might add.'

John laughed while the two girls t.i.ttered into their teacups.

*Well, we owe you a million thanks, none the less. But you will soon need to clear the place of guests if you are preparing a big wedding. I take it it's going to be celebrated here?'

*Indeed it is,' Lady Sidmouth answered cheerfully. *The ceremony will be conducted in St Swithin's Church nearby and the breakfast will be held at the bride's home, which is this house.'

*I cannot think of a more beautiful setting,' said John, meaning it. *Are you having many guests?'

*The world and his wife,' said Lady Sidmouth before Miranda interrupted, *Beg pardon, Cousin.'

The older woman inclined her head and Miranda went on, *Montague's family is quite large. He has an unmarried granddaughter who is dying to find a husband. Then he has two grandsons, Viscount Falmouth and Lord George. They are the children of Montague's son, who died when they were all quite young. They all hate me because they think I might present Montague with another baby and they wouldn't like that at all.'

*Why?' asked John. *The oldest boy is bound to inherit everything, isn't he?'

*Yes, unless he dies of course.'

The Apothecary's mobile eyebrows rose in surprise. *Surely he is not sickly?'

*Not he,' chimed in Felicity, *he's as fit as a pudding for a friar's mouth. And he's a clever devil too, always striding round with a book in his hand. All in all I think he's a crimping fellow.'

*There's no need to be rude,' Miranda retorted. *I know he's not handsome but he's a clever and kind.'

*Kind be blowed. If he would just remove his beastly spectacles it might improve his looks.'

*Well, he's going to be my step-grandson so I won't hear another word.' Miranda giggled. *Though secretly I rather agree with you.'

Lady Sidmouth opened her mouth to protest but John forestalled her. *And what about the younger brother? What's he like?'

Again Felicity spoke before Miranda had a chance to answer. *He's a handsome thing. As unlike his brother as chalk is to cheese. He's tall, dark, never wears a wig and his hair reaches his collar. He's a regular das.h.i.+ng blade and doesn't he just know it.'

John smiled. The word-picture had completely conjured up the man. He wondered vaguely if Felicity ought to write.

*Well,' Miranda said, somewhat defensively, *the grandson may be handsome but the grandfather is by far the most debonair.'

*I can't wait to meet him,' stated John, his voice free of expression.

*Well, you shall,' said Miranda, smiling sweetly. *We are giving an a.s.sembly a few nights before the wedding. You must come a and the Lady Elizabeth, if she is sufficiently recovered.'

*I am quite sure she will be,' John answered. *And I thank you.'

Lady Sidmouth spoke up. *You must both come to the wedding a and dear old Sir Clovelly Lovell. He is quite one of my favourite people.'

*And mine too,' said the Apothecary.

*Well, I shall be sending out the invitations shortly. And you are all three added to my list.'

*Excellent,' said John, and paid serious attention to his breakfast.

Dr Hunter proclaiming himself well pleased with the healing process of Elizabeth's scar, she and John left the glorious house on the cliff-tops exactly five days later. There was much to-do about their leaving. First Elizabeth was handed into her coach, then one baby followed, howling his head off and not enjoying this change in his routine. He was put into the arms of a nurserymaid who immediately calmed him by rocking him, somewhat wildly, from side to side. Another coach was pulled up behind the first and John got into this, was briefly handed the baby, before a second nurserymaid followed. This second child a was it Jasper or James, John wondered? a slept peacefully through the whole ordeal and did not wake until they reached Elizabeth's home, when he opened his eyes and gave a great yawn.

*Which child is this?' John asked Elizabeth anxiously.

She peered into his face. *Why, this is James. He has less hair than Jasper. Besides Jasper is the noisier of the two. If anyone is going to cry it will be Jasper.'

*May I hold them a minute?'

*Of course you can.'

With a bundle in each arm, John sat down in the Blue Salon and stared at both his sons' faces intently. He could never have imagined in a thousand years that Elizabeth would give birth to twins. And then he remembered Rose, his first-born child, recently giggling and saying words to the effect of wait and see. She had known, the pretty minx, with her wonderful ability to envisage future events, exactly what was going to happen.

His thoughts switched from his two sons, who were awake but thankfully quiet, to his daughter. Would she love them, he wondered, or might she be jealous of these two rivals for her father's affection? But then he knew that with her generous, warm heart she would love them as much as he was starting to, would play with them and teach them all the wonderments of the world so that they would grow up as fine a person as she was going to be. He suddenly glowed with happiness, looking down at the little sc.r.a.ps who were looking back at him, and feeling a tremendous sense of well-being and affection. A true family man.

He heard a noise behind him and looked over his shoulder. The two maids, presumably hastily appointed by Elizabeth after she had given birth, were bearing down on him.

*I'll take Master Justin, if you please, Sir.'

*And I'll take Master James.'

Somewhat reluctantly he handed the twins over and watched them being swept up the grand staircase to their apartments on the first floor. Before following them he sat a moment and imagined Sir Gabriel's and Rose's faces when his letter arrived. He had written it the day after he had shown up at Lady Sidmouth's and knew that it must have been delivered to Kensington by now. No doubt Sir Gabriel would send for champagne and allow Rose a thimbleful. Then they would clink their drinking vessels and toast the newborn. How sad that neither of them would be able to see the boys for some while.

He went up the stairs rather slowly, thinking of this, and made his way to Elizabeth's room where he knocked on the door.

*Come in,' she called.

She had changed from her travelling dress and was sitting deshabille at her dressing table, brus.h.i.+ng her long black hair.

*Ah,' she said, *how timely. You may do this for me.'

*A pleasure, Milady.'

He looked at her reflection and saw that though the birth had weakened her she was now recovering and some of the old fire was returning to her. He thought of Dr Hunter's description of her a red wine and spice a and realized yet again what a rare creature she was.

*Do you remember the first time we met?' he asked.

*Very clearly. I can recall fighting you in the fog.'

*I was thinking more of when we came back to this house.'

In the mirror he saw her smile up at him and then turn to look at him. *I can remember that. I said I longed to kiss you. And that is what I want now. If it is no trouble, Mr Rawlings.'

*Never a difficulty as far as you are concerned, Madam.'

And he bent his head to her upturned face and kissed her full on the lips while one hand reached down inside the open robe she was wearing to caress her lovely neck and shoulders.

They went to bed but did not make love, for John knew how bad for her this would be. But for all that they gently played and embraced until Elizabeth finally fell asleep. Then the Apothecary rose quietly and tiptoed along the corridor until he reached his own room. His trunk had arrived long since and some clothes had been sent up to him at Lady Sidmouth's so that he had been able to abandon the ghastly green and was now soberly attired in Venetian blue. Looking in the clothes press he determined to go to Exeter on the morrow and see a tailor. And also to renew his acquaintance with Sir Clovelly Lovell and try to glean some more information on that soon-to-be-married fellow, the elderly Earl of St Austell.

Eight.

*The trouble with old St Austell,' said Sir Clovelly Lovell, thoughtfully nibbling with sharp little teeth upon a sweetmeat, *is that he won't act his age. Still thinks he's a h.e.l.luva fellow. Can't a or will not a accept the fact that he's seventy-two.'

*Good gracious!' exclaimed John, who was sitting opposite him, toying with a gla.s.s of sherry. *I hadn't realized that he was quite that old.'

*In his younger days he was the very devil of a rake. And with respect to Mr Hogarth, St Austell's progress was from woman to woman. Just couldn't get enough of 'em. Different one every night a that is, when he wasn't on the ran-tan.'

*He was a heavy drinker?' asked John.

*He was everything you can imagine,' said Sir Clovelly with weight, and allowed his words to sink in.