Cavendon Hall Part 10

He mentioned this to Felicity as they caught up with her, and she immediately agreed.

They returned to the pale green sitting room, and Felicity said, "Thank you again, Charlotte, and now I must be off. I have so many-"

"You can't leave, darling," the earl interrupted swiftly. "When I told you earlier I wanted you to see the South Wing, I also explained that Charlotte wished to speak to us. About something important."

The countess looked at Charlotte, frowning. "Do you have some sort of problem?"

"No, I don't, my lady. You and the earl do. And when the Inghams have problems, so do the Swanns."

"What is it, Charlie?" the earl asked, reverting to his childhood name for her, suddenly aware of her troubled expression, the worry flooding her eyes.

Taking a deep breath, she replied, "I think it would be a good idea if you both sat down..." Her voice trailed off.

Felicity appeared to hesitate, obviously longing to go about her own business, but Charles knew instinctively that something was awfully wrong. "Come along, Felicity, sit next to me here on the sofa," he insisted.

Reluctantly, Felicity did so, her eyes now riveted on Charlotte. "What is it you want to discuss? Surely it can't be that bad?"

Lowering herself into a chair next to them, Charlotte answered quietly, "It is indeed very bad, Lady Mowbray. You are both facing a situation that is almost insurmountable. It could be ruinous. It could easily bring down the House of Ingham."

Felicity was gaping at her, her eyes filled with bafflement, obviously unable to come to grips with such a preposterous suggestion.

Charles Ingham, the Sixth Earl of Mowbray, trusted Charlotte Swann with his life. He knew she was not exaggerating. That was not her way. His face paled and apprehension filled his light blue eyes as he focused on her.

"Let's have it, Charlotte," he said, bracing himself.

Twenty.

Taking a deep breath, Charlotte said, "Daphne's pregnant." Her eyes did not leave their faces as she uttered these fateful words.

They fell into the room like an exploding bomb.

For a moment Charles and Felicity could not say a word, so stunned and shocked were they. They looked at each other in alarm, and then gaped at Charlotte, obviously filled with total disbelief, based on the expressions on their faces. It was as if they couldn't comprehend what she had announced so bluntly.

"No! No! That can't be!" Charles exclaimed in a loud, angry voice. "Not Daphne! That's not possible! She doesn't know any men. So how can she be pregnant?" He shuddered as he said that word, shaking his head vehemently. Charlotte is mistaken, he thought; she has to be. There is no truth in her statement. Daphne cannot be pregnant. Not my Daphne.

Felicity found her voice at last. "I agree with Charles," she exclaimed, her voice shrill, harsh. She brought a trembling hand to her mouth in an effort to stifle the sobs bubbling up in her throat.

"She would never break her code of honor, or let us down. She is part of Charles's plan; she wants to marry the son of a duke. She has integrity, and it's true, she doesn't know any men, other than Julian Torbett, but-"

Felicity could not control her raging emotions, and she began to sob once more, tears coursing down her cheeks.

Charles moved closer to her on the sofa, and put his arm around her, endeavoring to calm her. But she was distraught, just as he was himself. He was still suffering from shock, and he felt as though his strength had drained away. For the first time in his life he was floored, so startled by this horrendous news that he was undone.

Holding his weeping wife in his arms, he looked across at Charlotte helplessly, and cleared his throat. His voice shook when he finally asked, "Who did this to her?"

Charlotte swallowed, and answered unsteadily, "I don't know. We don't know, and-"

"Do you mean she hasn't told you who her ... lover is?" Felicity cried, the pitch of her voice higher than ever, her face white as bleached linen.

"There is no lover, your ladys.h.i.+p. Daphne did not have a liaison with a man. She is the innocent victim. She was either attacked by a stranger, or forced by someone she knew. She was raped."

"Are you saying Julian Torbett raped her?" Charles exclaimed, his voice echoing with anger. He was astounded, and added, "Surely not Julian ... he was so meek."

"I don't know that it was him. She hasn't been very forthcoming about what actually happened-"

"When did this take place?" Charles demanded.

"On the Sat.u.r.day you had lunch with her and the girls. May the third. She went to Havers Lodge after lunch-"

"I remember that!" he interrupted, cutting her off. "Daphne told me she was going to Havers Lodge to see Julian, to tell him that he could invite Madge Courtney to come to the annual summer ball. Perhaps I'm wrong about him. Maybe he did force her; yes, that's what happened."

"You're right, Charles, I concur with you," Felicity said quietly, now endeavoring to control herself. "It must have been at the lodge, when she was there."

"No, no," Charlotte interjected. "It was in the bluebell woods..." She let her voice trail off when she saw the shock on their faces once again. This was hard for them to bear.

"On our land!" Charles shouted, his usual constraint evaporating. His anger was spiraling once more.

Felicity, looking thoughtful, murmured in a low voice, "I know Julian was engaged to Madge Courtney, but mostly that was because Daphne never showed any interest in him romantically. Her heart was set on following the plans Charles had made for her. However, I always believed Julian was enamored of her. In my opinion, Madge was second choice. Anyway, Madge is rich, let's not forget. The Torbetts favor women with great fortunes, you know."

There was a long silence.

Charlotte broke it when she said, "I think I should tell you everything I know. After that you must talk to Daphne. She is terrified, and beside herself with grief and sorrow. She's trying to keep up a good front, encouraged by Alice to do so. But she really needs you, needs your comfort, your love and understanding."

"Of course she does," Charles agreed, endeavoring to calm himself. The shock had not entirely receded. "Daphne is a wonderful young woman, and obviously she is totally innocent. We must rea.s.sure her that we are on her side, and that we will help her in every way we can."

Felicity took a deep breath. "We will make sure she gets through this, Charlotte, but what are we going to do about her condition? How will we keep it a secret? Hide her pregnancy? Lead a normal life? What if the secret leaks out? She'll be ruined. The family will be ruined, as you warned. And what about next year? She's supposed to come out as a debutante, be presented at Court? What can we do to sustain the family's reputation?"

"I've come up with a plan. First, I would like to fill you in about Daphne's ordeal."

"Yes, do that, Charlie, tell us everything." Charles sat back, waiting, an expectant expression on his face.

Charlotte, leaning forward, her hands clasped together, did exactly that ... told them everything they had to know, however unpalatable this was.

Once she had concluded her story, Charles rose. After thanking her, he looked at his wife. "We must now go and find Daphne to console her, and give her our support. She must be beside herself."

"Yes, she must be." Felicity also stood up, but at that precise moment there was a knock on the door of the South Wing. It was Charlotte who ran to open it.

Daphne was standing there, looking truly beautiful in a pale blue outfit, and it was obvious she was apprehensive.

"Come in, come in, Lady Daphne. Your parents were about to come looking for you," Charlotte told her with a wide smile. "They understand you are totally innocent," she finished in a slightly lower tone.

Daphne stepped into the gallery. Her mother ran to her at once, embracing her. Charles followed swiftly, and put his arms around both women, holding them close to him protectively.

After a moment, Charlotte said quietly, "I shall be in the lavender bedroom, here in the South Wing. And when you are ready to hear them I will tell you my plans for Daphne. For the moment you must be together to discuss this problem, and comfort each other."

Charles simply inclined his head, half smiled at Charlotte. "Thank you," he murmured softly, and turned back to his daughter and his wife. His concern for them was apparent, as was his deep love.

Sitting at the small antique writing desk in the lavender bedroom, Charlotte used this time to refine the plans she had made in her head over the last few days. She thought they would work; she prayed they would. Once they were put into operation, she believed she and the Inghams could save Daphne, and their reputation as a family. That was her aim, and her duty. She was a Swann. And there were other Swanns to a.s.sist her.

A short while later, Daphne found Charlotte in the lavender bedroom and they went back to the sitting room together. She could tell that the Inghams were supportive of their daughter, very loving with her. Daphne was more relaxed, and looked relieved.

Once they were seated, Charles asked, "Who else knows about this situation, Charlotte?"

"The four of us, and Alice and Walter."

"So we're safe, it's a secret." He glanced at Daphne. "You haven't told any of your sisters, have you?"

"No, Papa, I haven't. Mrs. Alice told me that I shouldn't ... she said, Tell no one. Trust no one in this house, except your parents and the Swanns.' I listened to her, and I did as she said."

"I'm glad to hear that, Daphne." Turning to Charlotte, he asked, "So, what plans have you developed?"

"Maintaining the secret is the first vital rule," Charlotte replied. "If you feel the need to talk, if you're troubled-" She looked pointedly at Daphne and Felicity, then continued, "Talk to each other, or to Alice, or me. Try to speak in a private place where you can't be overheard. All right? Remember, there must be no gossip about you, Daphne."

They both nodded, and Charlotte went on. "The next thing is your demeanor. You must behave as normally as possible. All of you. Not one single person should think something is wrong or amiss. That is especially important as far as you're concerned, Daphne. As Alice told you, please keep up that happy front." She sat back in the chair, and paused for a second before saying, to Charles, "Your father once told me something I've never forgotten, and it's this: Never show weakness, never lose face."

Charles nodded. "He said the same thing to me, and it's good to remember his words, and to follow his advice."

"Now, let's get to the pregnancy. The attack on Daphne was May the third, today is July twelfth. By my calculation that's around two months into the pregnancy. So, for the next four months I feel certain we can conceal Daphne's condition."

"How is that possible?" Charles asked, raising a brow questioningly.

"Daphne will be able to wear the clothes she has now, and for quite a few weeks. During that time Alice will make some very well-cut outfits for her, that will hide her condition. Also, Daphne is tall and slender like her mother, which helps. As I recall, her ladys.h.i.+p didn't show for a long time." As she said this, Charlotte looked at Felicity for confirmation of her statement.

The countess nodded and said to Charles, "I didn't actually show until at least six months into my pregnancies. Let's hope Daphne is the same."

He was silent, hoping his wife and Charlotte were right.

Charlotte leaned forward, and focused again on Felicity. "I believe Daphne can safely stay here at Cavendon through the summer season, and attend all of the events without anyone knowing a thing, your ladys.h.i.+p. The clothes she wears, her demeanor, and the way she's built will all work in her favor. Don't you think?"

"I certainly do, and it's good that things continue in a normal way."

For a moment Charlotte sat thinking, before finally saying, "Daphne will have to disappear at one moment, and I came up with another idea. Why not have her take a European tour? Many young women do that before becoming debutantes, and being presented to the king and queen at Court."

"That's an excellent idea," Felicity replied, and glanced at Charles. "Don't you agree?"

"Yes, I do. But who will accompany her?"

"If you wish, your lords.h.i.+p, I could do that, act as a chaperone and companion. I do think there will come a time when Daphne must leave here, when she begins to show."

"I would like her to do a European tour," Charles answered, finding himself more at ease the more Charlotte talked this out with them. "How do you feel about it, darling?" he asked Daphne, smiling at her, resisting the impulse to grab hold of her, keep her close, and safe, always.

"I would like that, Papa, and anyway there aren't many other solutions. I couldn't live at the Mayfair house, because of the staff. So this tour sounds like the answer." Turning to look at Charlotte, she added, "I would enjoy being with you, Miss Charlotte, and certainly it would mean I could relax. Because I would be showing by October, don't you think?"

Charlotte nodded.

"And after the tour?" Felicity asked, eyeing Charlotte. "What is the next step?"

"Perhaps Daphne could come home to Cavendon for a couple of weeks, and then she would tell you she would like to attend a finis.h.i.+ng school in either Paris or Switzerland. Obviously, she won't be going to a finis.h.i.+ng school, but she will have the proper tutors, and will learn a lot. We would be using a.s.sumed names."

"And Daphne could come home in the new year well polished, with French on the tip of her tongue, and a bit of real Parisian chic?" Charles threw Charlotte a questioning look.

"That's exactly what I had in mind, Lord Mowbray."

"Where will Daphne give birth?" Charles inquired quietly.

"In a good hospital in the south of England, maybe in Kent, one of the southern counties, anyway. And again, under an a.s.sumed name."

"And what happens to the baby?" Felicity asked in a low, troubled voice.

"That's up to the family, but I think you have plenty of time to make a decision about adoption. I'm not sure you have any other choice," Charlotte answered gently.

"Well, I think you've helped to ease our worries," Charles said, giving Charlotte a faint smile. "We're very grateful to you. We'll be discussing things and making the right decisions when the time is appropriate. Now, Charlotte, won't you join us for lunch?"

"Thank you, your lords.h.i.+p, but I did make an arrangement with Alice that is a bit hard to break. However, if you like, I could come to tea this afternoon. Would that be all right? I would love to see Guy."

"That would be perfect," Felicity said swiftly. "Aunt Gwendolyn is coming; in fact the whole family will be present. And naturally you are welcome."

Twenty-one.

Later that afternoon, Charles Ingham, the Sixth Earl of Mowbray, climbed the moors to an outcropping of giant-sized rocks. They dated as far back as the glaciers that had covered Yorks.h.i.+re in the time of the Ice Age, and they were known as High Skell.

The monolithic rocks were formed in a semicircle and created a secluded and protected area. It was a place Charles had always favored since his childhood.

The weather had clouded over slightly, and as he strode toward the rocks he glanced up at the sky. Despite its leaden aspect, he knew it wouldn't rain. He went and sat down on one of the flat stones and leaned back against a wall of rocks, closing his eyes for a moment, relaxing his taut muscles. He thought of High Skell as his private place, where he could think more clearly and sort out all of the machinations rumbling around in his head.

In this vast and desolate stretch of moorland, he found a certain tranquility, a deep sense of peace. There was nothing here but sky and moors, and the keening of the wind coming off the North Sea when the weather was inclement.

The vast emptiness was a blessing. Nothing intruded. He had only his thoughts to contend with. Here he could sort them out, find the focus to solve his problems. And so he had come up here to be alone. And to mourn.

He had been shaken to his very core by Charlotte's revelations a few hours ago. What had happened to his beloved daughter, his darling Daphne, had been a million-to-one chance. For a child of his to be raped on his own land was unimaginable, utterly appalling. It had broken his heart today, destroyed all of his plans and dreams for her. And her dreams as well.