Challenges (15)

'Tis a kicked wasps’ nest

A loud knocking roused Belinda Penkarding from slumber. A more timid knock on her bedroom door –

Yes?

Gertie Jupp came in. What can that be? she asked.

Belinda yawned and stretched and eased herself out of bed. La, mayhap Offerton has some emergency with his cattle and sends one of his stable-boys post-haste – let us go down and see what 'tis.

She pulled on a dressing-gown, and saw that Gertie was already sufficiently decently clad.

Gertie gave Belinda her arm down the stairs – sure, so suddenly roused, without time to rub and stretch it, her lame leg was recalcitrant –

Belinda leaned on the newel post, as Gertie went to unbolt the door.

Quite fell in a very dishevelled Bella.

Behind her, they observed a serviceable-looking cob –

Gertie grasped Bella.

Here, said Belinda, I will take Bella into the parlour and light the fire – you go take the horse to shelter –

She put an arm around Bella, that seemed nearly fainting, and managed to get her into the parlour, seated in a good comfortable chair, and then was about lighting the fire.

Gertie came back in, carrying a kettle.

I think, said Belinda, that while tea would indeed do us all good, Bella would be the better of a little brandy – in the cabinet over there.

Bella was shaking so much that Gertie had to hold the glass to her lips.

Blankets, said Gertie, and went to fetch 'em.

They wrapped Bella up, and the fire began to spring up and warm the room, and the kettle commenced to sing upon the hob, while Bella herself began to look less like some ghastly phantom and more like an exhausted young woman.

But, thought Belinda, they needed to know what brought Bella in this condition to her door, and what might come in its train.

Brandy, tea, and warmth, brought colour into Bella’s cheeks and restored her to her senses. She told them of the course of events that had caused her to borrow the cob she had found in Blatchett’s stables – I think you would quite agree, Belinda, that I should not have taken poor Thessaly, that was quite done up from her ordeal, though the groom had been exemplary proper attentive to her –

– and led him away, very quiet, until I was well clear of the house, and rode in I knew not what direction, just to get away, until I saw a signpost that showed I was in familiar countryside, and made my way here –

Quite right, said Belinda. Hackwold was just across the county border in Buckinghamshire – she could not place Blatchett’s hunting-box, but must be somewhere in those parts – could be no huge distance –

Gertie, she said, you had better turn out the cob to roam – send it in Offerton’s direction – would not wish it discovered here –

Gertie nodded. That will confuse 'em do they find it, she said.

And then – I am sorry to put it upon you after such a disturbed night – Gertie grinned and shrugged – I think you must go catch the earliest train to Town to go inform Her Grace Bella’s Mama what is afoot.

Bella made a little protesting noise.

When the searching-parties from Hackwold do not find you, some responsible person that is in that company will feel obliged to I daresay send a telegram to Mulcaster House – even go in person –

O, said Bella, of course.  

Belinda looked about. Did not wish to rouse any of the servants at this hour to be about preparing food for Bella – but there must be something in the way of sustenance she could find –

Gertie, do you go look in the pantry for somewhat to make up a plate for Bella –

And, said Gertie, while she eats I will put some coals from the fire in a warming-pan so that she does not go to a cold bed.

Good sensible practical Gertie contrived to provide bread only very slightly stale, butter, ham, and an apple, that Bella devoured with a relish that showed how famished she must be – did not dare touch the meal he sent in – feared it had some soporific about it –

Very like, thought Belinda. Would at the very least wish to make sure of his captive, did he have no worse designs.

They had to help Bella upstairs to the room she was wont to occupy on her visits here – 'tis no wonder your legs go fail you, Belinda assured her – and Gertie was able to take the part of lady’s maid, removing Bella’s boots, assisting her out of her riding-habit, unlacing her stays –

Ohhh, sighed Bella, that is such a relief, as Gertie slipped on her one of her own nightgowns.

Now, said Belinda, you sleep, and we will be about all the necessary business. Indeed, Bella’s eyelids were already drooping as she laid her head upon the pillow.

They tiptoed out. Well, said Gertie, would be foolish in me to go back to bed now. Will go wash and dress myself for Town, and by then the kitchen will be stirring I daresay and able to provide me with breakfast afore I go.

Belinda kissed her. Sure you are doing excellent fine in this emergency!

Gertie giggled and then put a hand over her mouth, looking towards Bella’s room. Why, she whispered, Ma will tell tales of adventures she has seen!

Was hard to imagine of Sophy – and yet, Belinda did not doubt that where Clorinda was, there were adventures.

***

Lady Gabrielle was having hysterics – or rather, had been having hysterics until her brother had slapped her face in a fashion that suggested that he was used to such displays, and then run off weeping. Miss Octavia had retired to her bedchamber claiming an attack of the spasms and desiring that the local doctor be sent for.

Lady Inez Ambert tugged at Leah’s sleeve and murmured a suggestion that they repair to the library, signalling with a toss of the head to Leah’s brother Gerry that he should join 'em. Gerry had been up to some foolishness in the past but these days was a deal more sensible; a Merrett might be reckless and eccentric but was very seldom utterly stupid.

They looked around at one another. Gerry opined what they were all, Inez feared, thinking, that Blatchett had been most exceeding prompt in setting off after Bella when Thessaly bolted thus –

And, said Leah, I thought I saw Mr Mortimer nudging very close to her – that might agitate a high-strung mare even did he not –

Surely, said Inez, Blatchett would not have gone throw her into a carriage and make for the border? In these days of the Queen?

Leah, did not Uncle Geoff once say that abduction of heiresses was a most serious crime?

But, Inez wondered aloud, would Blatchett be informed as to the state of the laws?

Ambled in, stroking his mustachios, Barty Wallace. How now – fancied I would find the intellect of the party closeted here, lord, 'tis a kicked wasps’ nest below – here is Blatchett returns with a face like thunder – one observes that a groom comes with him a-riding Thessaly –

What?

Blatchett claims he found her wandering – no sign of her rider –

For all the Wallace menfolk would claim that they were no clever fellows, it was Lady Wallace was the brains of the family, did one come to know 'em a little better one came to perceive that there was a considerable shrewdness went along with their good hearts.

So Mortimer, that was all eagerness to set up a searching party, seems a deal less so, but Archie South Worpley is like to set off at once – Gerry m’lad, do you go down and see what goes forth there – I will go to the stables and see what the groom has to say –

He rubbed his finger and thumb together in a meaningful fashion. Doubt he has any feudal loyalty to Blatchett.

Well! said Leah once they had gone about this business, and leave us to sit and fret the while.

Came timidly in Lady Augusta, saying that the menfolk had fell to quarrelling, a shocking thing when they should be concerned about Lady Isabella.

I am in some consideration, Inez went over to the window and looked out, since the weather holds fine, that we might ourselves go see whether we might trace her tracks, are the fellows about brangling.

Lady Augusta opened her eyes wide and doubtless recalled all she had been told of that wild Merrett-Ambert connexion.

Leah snorted. La, and first we should have to go change into riding habits – is it not tiresome? – and then go to the stables, and persuade the grooms to saddle up our horses –

Indeed, Inez groaned, you make me see that heroines in novels must have advantages we do not, for I fancy our maids would think it improper we wished to go ride when there is this worry over Lady Isabella, &C&C. And there would be the head groom insists we ride out attended, o, entire ennuyant.

Lady Augusta said that Archie thought they should send a telegram to Mulcaster House, but the others pled that they might find Lady Isabella first –

Entered Barty, very jaunty. There was a fellow did not even require extensive persuasion and bribery. Hoped that the young lady had found her way back –

What!

– was very prepossessed by her putting care for the mare before herself – advizing a good rub down, a blanket over her, fomentations to her legs, a bran-mash &C – supposed His Lordship took her in for a sustaining cup of tea with a little brandy to it – a little surprized did not ask for the pony to be put to the gig – but there was Tipton the cob gone from his stall, she must have been in fit condition to ride – a very fine young woman –

They all looked around at one another.

The door banged open admitting Gerry, all agog with the news that a telegram had been delivered, from Her Grace of Mulcaster, to say that Mrs Mullen would be coming to pack up Lady Isabella’s things and arrange for their dispatch to Mulcaster House.

Why, cried Lady Augusta, one might fancy oneself in a tale by Lady Anonyma!