Brambles and Thorns Page 3

  “Travel by water! Where will I find funds to pay for a sea voyage?”

  “Some time ago, I persuaded your mother to set up a small account in your name. However, it is in my name also, and I have power to approve or disapprove its usage. You must go to your aunt, and I will not allow you to use the money for any other purpose.”

  “That is not fair, Mr. Coakley!” Elena cried. “The money is mine!”

  “My dear, it gives me great pain to distress you, but if I allow you to use the fund to remain in New York, you will be destitute in a week. You will have nothing, absolutely nothing. You have led a sheltered life and are perhaps not aware of the fate that can befall women of your class when they have no one to provide for them.”

  “But…but I believe I do have someone,” Elena stammered, trying to blink away her tears. “The day my mother died, we were expecting a call from the Duke of Simsbury. My mother believed he was about to make an offer for my hand.”

  “Yes, I have heard of his attentions to you. Again, my dear, you must trust me. After you have departed, I will send out notice to your friends and acquaintances of your new residence—you must give me a list. The duke, if his intentions are serious, will visit you there, and matters can be brought to a close.”

  “Yes, what you say has a great deal of sense, Mr. Coakley. But…Mystic. So far away from everyone I know…”

  “Your friend Miss Carville can visit you there.”

  Elena sighed. “Perhaps. But the humiliation of living in the wilds of Connecticut and receiving a charitable visit from Mrs. Wendell Prudie…I do not believe I am equal to it!”

  Chapter Four

  The Dove and the Gargoyle

  Three days passed with little progress on Elena’s part in preparing to leave New York. She might perhaps have at least set Willa to the task of packing her gowns and jewelry if it had not been for the steady stream of callers. How, she did not know, but everyone among her acquaintances seemed to have heard the humiliating tale of her poverty. Some friends, such as Prudence, called out of true affection and sympathy, but others clearly were taking great pleasure in her downfall. Girls jealous of her beauty and spiteful married women whose empty lives fed on gossip came to triumph over her like vultures at a carrion feast.

  At the end of the third day of this ghoulish parade, Elena instructed Catlett to refuse admittance to all callers except two: Prudence and the Duke of Simsbury. Every day she expected to see the duke enter the parlor, coming to her like a knight of old to the rescue. Poverty, Connecticut, a strange unknown aunt—all would fade away as soon as he said the magic incantation: “Miss Bellwood, will you marry me?”

  But the duke did not come. A week passed, a week in which necessary business was left undone, but still he did not come. Finally, in desperation, Elena seized paper and pen and quickly wrote the following:

  February 5, 1842

  Duke of Simsbury

  Hotel Excelsior

  Your lordship,

  I respectfully request you to call upon me at your earliest convenience. Haste is of the essence, and if you will be so kind as to call tomorrow, I will be most humbly grateful.

  Yours ever,

  Elena Bellwood

  Before she could change her mind, Elena folded the note and sent Catlett to deliver it. Catlett made no comment, but his expression displayed his astonishment at her boldness in writing to a gentleman on her own behalf. But who would speak for her? Mr. Coakley would not approach the duke until he had banished her to the north.

  Feeling certain of the duke’s calling on the morrow, Elena retired early and slept well. In the morning, she dressed carefully and instructed Catlett to refuse admittance to all callers—even Prudence—except the Duke of Simsbury.

  The doorbell rang at intervals during the morning, but Catlett brought in no visitors. Finally at eleven, as Elena sat reading in the parlor, the doorbell chimed once again. Catlett admitted the duke with a courteous “Good morning, sir.” The duke’s deep, cultured voice reached her in the parlor as he said with a laugh, “Too much snow is about, and the wind is as sharp as knives!” He stamped his boots and thanked Catlett for taking his greatcoat. Catlett then announced him, and he entered the parlor, still brushing snow from his trousers.

  Elena rose immediately and curtsied. The duke crossed the room in rapid strides. He was a tall man with a thin face and dark beard, and Elena trembled at the sight of him. She had always been disposed to favor him, but at that moment, she could even imagine herself falling in love.

  The duke took her hand and kissed it.

  “Thank you for coming, Your Grace.” She seated herself and the duke did likewise. Willa entered, and Elena ordered tea.

  “I owe you an apology,” the duke began, “for not attending your mother’s funeral. I was out of the city for a few days on business, and the weather forced me to stay in Queens for an extra day.”

  “Pray do not distress yourself. No one can stop snow when it decides to fall. You are here now, and I am deeply grateful for it.”

  Willa came in with tea, and Elena served it. The duke sipped the hot liquid and devoured two of the sweet buns Willa placed on the table. He said nothing while he ate, rather surprising Elena with his silence.

  Perhaps, she reasoned, he is gathering his courage for the presentation of his proposals. She attempted to wait patiently.

  Finally, he spoke. “Miss Bellwood, what are your future plans?”

  A thrill ran through her. “I…am not certain.”

  “Have you no family to go to? You are not contemplating remaining in New York alone, I trust.”

  “No. I have an aunt in Connecticut. I suppose I must go to her, unless…”

  The duke started to speak but halted his words. He sighed and took her hand.

  “I am fond of you, Elena, and because I care for you, I cannot be satisfied with being less than honest. To you I will speak the truth.”

  “My dear duke, what do you mean?”

  “I believe—correct me if I am mistaken—my attentions to you may perhaps have given rise to expectations…”

  Elena instantly decided to be as frank as he. She took a deep breath and attempted to speak calmly. “Yes, perhaps they did, on my mother’s part, if not quite certainly my own.”

  “If you recall, I was going to wait upon you on the day of your mother’s death.”

  “Yes.”

  “My purpose in calling was to request a private interview with you…”

  “A private interview?”

  “Yes. I feared that there had been some talk about us, and I wanted you to know, to forewarn you before the news broke.”

  “Forewarn me? Your Grace, what do you mean?”

  He smoothed his trousers. “Elena, a few days before your mother died, I engaged myself to Miss Julia Howarth—”

  “Engaged yourself! Do you mean…?”

  “Engaged to be married, yes.”

  “Dear God! You were dancing with me—flirting with me—while engaged to another woman! That is despicable!”

  He shrugged. “When you are in my arms, Elena, I find it impossible to think of anyone but you. I am not quite in love with you, but very near.”

  She stared at him in horror and disbelief. “You are half in love with me, but then you—but why not…?”

  He answered her unarticulated question. “My dear, you have no dowry, whereas Miss Howarth will bring the equivalent of thirty thousand English pounds. I am thirty-six years old, not a foolish young blade who would marry out of unalloyed devotion to the object of his desires. My inquiries as to your inheritance were met with the shocking information of your mother’s indebtedness. And now…rumor has it that you are destitute.”

  “Good God!” Elena cried, unable to control her tongue. “You, with your wealth, would spurn me because my mother left no money?”

  “Calm yourself, my dear, I pray you. The reason I am wealthy—and my family is wealthy—is because we never take any material step without a
consideration of the financial aspects of it. I find you extremely charming and attractive, and I was willing to make you my choice even if your mother’s estate had been moderate. But no man in my condition of life would be so foolish as to take a bride who brings nothing to the marriage—not wealth nor noble blood nor future property. I would be a laughingstock.”

  Elena leaned back in her chair, barely able to breathe from the shock of his revelations. She felt giddy and faint. She opened her mouth to speak but was unable to find breath to form words. The duke poured sherry and attempted to hold the glass to her lips, but she pushed his hand away with such force that the sweet wine spilled on the settee and splashed her silk gown.

  “Elena, I beseech you, calm yourself. I am here to offer you a different type of proposal, and you may very well find this one equally to your liking.”

  She raised her eyes to his face and stared at him. A cold chill ran down her back, and she shivered.

  “Surely you are aware that most men in my position in life marry for wealth or family considerations, often to women for whom they have little desire. In such cases, it is customary for a gentleman to…to…”

  “To keep a mistress?” Elena gasped, able to speak at last.

  He shrugged. “To put it plainly, yes.”

  Elena was so filled with sudden fury that she had to call on all her strength of will to prevent herself from slapping his face.

  “I am appalled! You have the impertinence to enter my home and suggest that I become your mistress? I, Elena Bellwood. You see me as desperate enough to become your mistress?”

  The duke drew back, unable to face the fire in her eyes. He reached back and pulled the bell and when Willa entered, said, “Have the butler bring my coat and hat, and call for my carriage to come round.”

  Elena rose and stood facing him. He rose also, and they stared at each other across the elegantly carved coffee table.

  “You had better think carefully of my offer, Elena,” the duke stated coldly. “You may have rejected offers of marriage in the past, but where are those suitors now?”

  “Get out!” she hissed. Catlett entered with the duke’s greatcoat and silk top hat. Elena snatched the hat from his hands and threw it across the room. “Take your hat and get out!”

  With a brief bow, he was gone.

  ****

  Phineas Coakley handed his cloak to Catlett and entered the parlor. He walked directly to the fireplace, for it was a very cold day, and his carriage ride had not been pleasant. As he was rubbing his hands by the fire, Willa entered.

  “Sir, Bella has brewed fresh coffee. May I bring you some?”

  “Aye, Willa, for I am chilled to the bone. Where is your mistress?”

  “She is writing letters upstairs and will be down shortly.”

  “Have you spoken to her about your wish to accompany her to Connecticut?”

  “No sir, I have not. The Duke of Simsbury was here two days ago, and…Miss Bellwood has not been well since his visit. I thought ’twould be better to wait a bit longer.”

  Coakley stepped a little back from the fire, rubbing his warmed hands. “Humph, I suppose she had some hopes of fixing him…foolish girl. Men of Simsbury’s ilk do not marry penniless maidens.”

  Willa was silent.

  Coakley pulled himself from his thoughts. “Willa, Miss Bellwood must be on the mail packet to New Haven the day after tomorrow. I purchased the tickets myself out of concern that she was dilatory in making her preparations.”

  Willa waited, her heart beating fast, like the rapid wings of a hummingbird in her slender body.

  “I purchased a fare for you also, Willa. I had no right to do so without Miss Bellwood’s permission, but I felt your offer to accompany her was greatly to her advantage. I had severe concerns at her traveling alone, as I told you when you called at my chambers.”

  “Yes, sir, and I will do all in my power to be a help to her.”

  “Good. Go, then, and fetch that hot coffee for me. I will speak with Elena myself about the circumstance.”

  “Thank you, sir, thank you very much indeed.”

  Coakley had just settled himself on the settee when Elena entered, and he was forced from the demands of courtesy to haul his bulk to a standing position again. He was rather shocked at her appearance, for she was startlingly thin and pale. The rosy bloom was gone from her cheek, and her beautiful face bore a look of resigned sadness. She did not speak, merely curtsied and seated herself in a velvet chair opposite him.

  “My dear…” he began, and then cleared his throat and tried again. “Miss Bellwood, your mother’s creditors will be in the house within three days to inventory the furniture and assess the property. It is essential that you remove yourself and your personal items before that time. To that end, I took the liberty of going myself to the harbor and procuring passage for you to New Haven. You will no doubt need to take a room in an inn there, for the mail packet to Mystic likely sails but once a week. You will have enough money for inns and meals on your journey.”

  Coakley waited for a response, but Elena merely nodded. He went on. “Something has occurred that will make your journey a bit easier. Your maid Willa was reared, she told me, on a farm near Mystic. She wishes to return to the country and find a new position, for she dislikes the city. She has offered to accompany you if her fare can be paid, and she has promised me that she will faithfully assist you on the journey.”

  Elena looked up, but her expression bore no joy at this news. “I do not need her assistance or anyone’s. I’m certain I can manage a short sea voyage alone.”

  Coakley hesitated, considering his next words carefully.

  “Of course you do not need assistance, my dear. But think of the comfort of having a maid to fetch tea at the inn and…care for your attire, et cetera. And think, too, of Willa. The poor girl has been longing to return to the region of her childhood but has no means to travel there.”

  At that moment, Willa herself entered. She set the coffee down carefully and turned to Elena. “Miss Bellwood, I do beg your pardon for interrupting, but I pray you, please allow me to travel with you. I will be no trouble to you at all. When you have safely reached your aunt’s house, I will find work somewhere and you need not be concerned about me.”

  Surprised, Elena examined the girl. In that instant of meeting Willa’s tear-filled eyes with her own, she realized she had never actually perceived her before. She is a girl like me, with her own desires and emotions! Elena’s eyes filled with tears, and she sighed, not only for herself and her disappointed hopes, but for all women with their hardships and unfulfilled dreams. Her behavior had been cruel and ungracious! She rose and gazed from Willa to Coakley. Warmth rose to her cheeks as she spoke.

  “Mr. Coakley, I have not thanked you properly for your kind attentions to me. This…has been a difficult period, and I fear you have borne some ill-humor from me for circumstances that were not your doing…which, in fact, you tried hard to prevent.”

  “My dear, this is unnecessary.”

  Elena attempted a smile. “It is necessary to my conscience.” She turned to Willa. “I am pleased, Willa, that you will accompany me.”

  “Thank you, miss. Thank you indeed.”

  Mr. Coakley shuffled to his feet. “Miss Bellwood, I must speak of a few other small matters, and then I will leave you to your preparations.”

  “Very well.”

  Willa left the room, and Coakley stationed himself near the fire again. “Has Catlett spoken to you about his new position?”

  “No.”

  “I received a note from Bella yesterday, stating that she and Catlett had accepted positions with Mr. Clarence Greaves. They should have informed you directly, but I suppose they dreaded upsetting you.”

  Elena sighed. “It will be difficult to bid them farewell…difficult indeed.”

  “Certainly, you have known them from your infancy.”

  “Yes.”

  “They must leave you tomorrow morning. Willa
can prepare your meals for a day, I believe. And then the day following, you must board ship for New Haven.”

  “Very well.”

  “You must pack a valise for your journey and send your trunks by cart. I have arranged for a drayman to collect them tomorrow morning, so please inform Willa to have them ready.”

  She nodded.

  “One final matter, my dear Miss Bellwood—you must promise to write me when you have arrived at Miss Murdoch’s house. I must know you are safely under your aunt’s protection.”

  “Of course.”

  Mr. Coakley took her hand. “My dear, I realize you are not pleased with the fate that has befallen you. I will not importune you with vain wishes that it could be otherwise. I will only say Godspeed.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Do not concern yourself with the estate matters. I will finalize all your mother’s affairs. Here is a list of items that must go to the creditors. If you find some pieces of jewelry or art that are not listed here, you may take them.”

  Elena smiled at the solicitor’s broad ruddy face. “I will be sure to leave anything listed herein. Creditors must be paid.”

  He sighed. “Indeed they do.”

  Elena pulled the bell and Willa entered. “Willa, be so good as to fetch Mr. Coakley’s greatcoat.”

  “Yes, miss.”

  Willa returned with the coat. Mr. Coakley took Elena’s hand and kissed it, and when she raised her eyes to his face, she saw tears.

  ****

  The evening was spent in packing. Bella and Catlett gathered their own belongings in their own separate rooms, while Willa and Elena dragged heavy trunks from the attic and folded within them a seemingly endless collection of the latter’s gowns, jewels, and accessories. It was very late when the trunks were ready, and after resting a few moments, Elena entered her mother’s room to find a few harmless keepsakes to take with her. Willa followed and together they stood just inside the door looking about.