When It Rained at Hembry Castle Chapter 21

The Ball

T

he night of Daphne’s ball Staton House was aglow with candlelight and lively bouquets of roses, peonies, and daffodils in silver epergnes. A cloak room was set aside for the ladies, a hat room for the gentlemen, a separate room for tea and coffee, and the dining room, featuring three long tables covered in the same pale-blue lace as Daphne’s gown, was set out to perfection. One table overflowed with tasty morsels such as salmon au bleu, Bayonne ham, smoked haddock, radishes, prawns, raw oysters, anchovies, sardines, olives, and gherkins, among other delicacies. On a second table garnished with roses and leaves were fresh fruits, cheeses, nuts, sweet cakes, and chocolates, as well as the orange custard made special for Daphne. Strawberry sorbet, lemonade, and negus were available for those who grew heated with dancing, and champagne served as a sufficient coolant as well. The main courses—dishes of stewed hare trimmed with parsley, sole cooked in tomato sauce, and roast beef—would be set out at midnight.

Daphne watched the footmen, Henry and Colin, as they set the refreshments out in the dining room under Mr. Ellis’ watchful eye, and she listened while the string quartet tuned their instruments in the assembly room. She knew there were balls scheduled that same night for other young ladies who had been presented alongside her, and she worried that everyone had gone to such a fuss for nothing. Who would attend her ball when there were darlings of Society to attend to?

The Earl of Staton beamed glee itself when he saw his niece. He clasped her hands and told her how beautiful she looked. Look, Hough, he called to the doctor, isn’t my niece the loveliest girl in the world? Look at the way the blue of her gown brings out the amethyst in her eyes and the rosy glow of her complexion. My niece has no equal. To which the doctor, who had always been kindness itself to Daphne, bowed and said, indeed Miss Meriwether, you will tower over every other young woman in grace, charm, and beauty, tonight and every night to come. Daphne was so happy to see her Uncle Richard in such good spirits, and she hoped it was a good omen. The people in the world who mattered most to her—her father, her Uncle Richard, and Edward—would be there, and that was all she cared about.

Daphne felt like Aschenputtel as she listened to the clocks chime 8 o’clock. She thought she should escape the ballroom before she transformed back to herself—a regular girl from Connecticut who dwelled in a regular house and lived a regular life. Pamela, who must have sensed Daphne’s anxiety, whispered, “People will visit some of the other balls first, Miss Daphne, then they’ll come. You’ll see.”

“But why?”

“A ball given by the Earl of Staton for his niece will be one of the most important events of the Season. They’ll visit some of the lesser balls first to make an appearance, and then they’ll come here, and once they’re here they won’t leave until dawn.”

“I don’t know how I’m going to entertain all these people I don’t even know.”

“I’m not worried about you, Miss Daphne. You have your father’s way of putting people at their ease. Besides, you look beautiful.” Pamela beamed as though she were admiring her own sister. Daphne was stunning in the sky-blue silk ball gown with off-the-shoulder sleeves and white embroidered accents. Flounces of sky-blue silk flowed from her waist giving her the appearance of a happy summer day. Pamela had been trusted to do Daphne’s hair without the guidance of Miss Rowland, and Pamela had curled Daphne’s golden locks and gathered them loosely on top of her head, holding everything in place with gold combs and a few dabs of lavender-scented pomatum.

Daphne checked herself in the mirror over the hearth, more from nerves than concern about her appearance. “Have you heard about Edward?”

“I heard Mrs. Ellis say he’s on his way now.” Pamela tucked one of Daphne’s curls back into place.

“Pamela, before my presentation you said my Uncle Richard was in London. How did you know?”

“You should know that his lordship is a good man, Miss Daphne. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. He’s done a great kindness for my family.”

Daphne heard the jingle of keys and there was Mrs. Ellis. Again, Pamela disappeared before Daphne could ask more.

“You look lovely, Miss Daphne. I know your ball will be a splendid success.”

“I was telling Pamela I’m not sure I feel up to it.”

“There will be jealous young ladies here tonight, but I say let them talk. Not one of them can hold a candle to you, I promise you that.”

Mrs. Ellis jingled as she left. Daphne wanted to call Pamela back and ask her once and for all what she knew about Richard. What kindness has he done? But there was no time. As Pamela promised, Staton House was full within the hour. Everywhere you turned were ball-gowned, bejeweled young women and gallant, finely attired young men only too happy to see and be seen at the ball for the Earl of Staton’s niece. They were curious about the American girl, and they were curious about the Earl himself, who had been seen about Society little enough since inheriting his title. That night the Earl looked handsome in his sleek gray trousers, black double-breasted frock coat, and white bow tie. He was every bit the doting uncle, dancing the first dance, a waltz, with Daphne. Since the ball was Daphne’s formal introduction to Society, after that first dance the Earl took her on his arm and introduced her to the other young ladies and gentlemen in attendance. Even with an errant Earl with questionable whereabouts, the Staton title still meant something, so an eligible niece was welcomed by aristocratic families, particularly those with one son too many, and even more particularly by those who heard that her father, the Earl’s younger brother Frederick, made a fortune of his own investing in American midgets.

Daphne was indeed the star of the night, and she was called here and there by the young women who acted as though they’d known her their whole lives, they were truly the greatest of friends and shared secrets of every kind. You aren’t personally acquainted with Miss Meriwether? More’s the pity for you! As the night progressed, however, and the young men became increasingly captivated by Miss Meriwether, the young women, who had claimed the very closest of friendships with her at the beginning of the ball, were now no more than distantly polite. You find Miss Meriwether perfectly charming? I’m afraid I don’t see it myself. Those Americans are exuberant in a way I simply cannot understand. When the future Duke of Norley arrived with his sisters, the Ladies Lorelai, Ariadne, and Gertrude, Lady Staton was all smiles as she led the young man to Daphne.

“Daphne, my dear,” said Lady Staton, “you remember Lord Darges.” The young man bowed. Lady Staton reached for the ear trumpet dangling from the long chain around her neck.

“Of course. How do you do, Lord Darges.”

“How do you do, Miss Meriwether. I haven’t had an opportunity to see you since the Queen’s Drawing Room.”

“It was just a week ago.”

“Ah, but a week can seem a lifetime. My sister Lady Gertrude told me afterwards you did quite well during your presentation.”

“That was kind of Lady Gertrude to say. I’m afraid I felt very awkward.”

“And yet I understand you conducted yourself as elegance itself. I hope your dance card is not full, Miss Meriwether. I was hoping I might have the next dance.”

Daphne thought her grandmother looked giddy. “Of course, Lord Darges.”

Lady Staton sighed as she watched the waltzers glide across the floor with smooth steps. “Balls nowadays aren’t the same as they were when I was younger. Dancing was fun then, a way to get to know others, a time for chatting and flirting. The line dances we did then were a wonderful way to interact with others without being too informal. These closed dances you young people do, that salts, for example, what good is it if you can only interact with one partner at a time?”

“Interacting with one partner has its merits,” Lord Darges said.

Fortunately, the next dance was a lively Polish mazurka so Daphne didn’t need to speak much. When the dance was over, Lord Darges was pulled away by his sisters, leaving several other young men an opportunity to capture Daphne’s attention. But then Edward arrived, looking handsome in his black suit and blue and green-checkered waistcoat, his cravat tied in a simple American knot at the base of his throat which he had told Daphne he would wear in her honor. Daphne joined Edward near the wall, and she saw her grandmother, her Uncle Jerrold, her Aunt Hyacinth, and her Uncle Richard watching them, her grandmother and aunt tittering behind their fans. In a moment, Uncle Richard stood beside her.

Edward bowed. “How do you do, Lord Staton.”

“I’m so pleased you could join us tonight, Mr. Ellis. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like this next dance with my niece.”

Edward bowed his acquiescence, and Richard steered Daphne toward the dance floor. It was a slow Viennese waltz, and Richard twirled her around in graceful glides. They must have danced well because others stopped to watch.

“I didn’t know you were such a good dancer, Uncle Richard.”

“There are a great many things you don’t know about me, my dear.” Richard dipped Daphne backward, and those around them clapped their appreciation. He whispered in Daphne’s ear. “You should know that your grandmother has sent me here to ascertain your feelings for Lord Darges. She believes the young man is smitten with you. I tried to dissuade her for two reasons: one, you’re obviously in love with young Mr. Ellis, and two, whatever Lord Darges’ feelings of friendship toward you, he is not the man I would choose for you.” Daphne nearly stopped dancing, but Richard held onto her and slid her across the floor so they didn’t miss a step. “Do you have an agreement with young Mr. Ellis?”

“No. Nothing like that.”

“But you do love him?”

Daphne nodded. “Are you surprised?”

“My dear, I’ve known you were in love with Edward Ellis since the day I saw you two running toward Hembry Castle in the rain. I have a sense for such things, you know.”

“And you don’t mind?”

“No, Daphne, I don’t mind. I’ve been much impressed with him, and anyone can see you’re well suited.”

The dance ended and Richard escorted Daphne from the assembly room. When they passed the curious Countess, Richard shouted (her ear trumpet was down), “I’m taking Daphne for some refreshments, Mamma. How does strawberry sorbet sound, Daphne?”

Daphne followed her uncle into the dining room crowded with those helping themselves to the fine food. Richard handed Daphne a bowl of strawberry sorbet, a spoon, and a napkin. After she finished her ices, Richard brought Daphne to the dark-paneled library and closed the door behind him. He stood on the red rug in the center of the room and stared at the frieze of the family’s coat of arms carved into the mantelpiece. The flag that flew over Hembry Castle when the family was in residence was green and blue—representing hope and loyalty. The family emblems were a cornucopia for the bounty of nature’s gifts, a heart for contemplation, a ram for authority, and a phoenix for resurrection, the coat of arms supported on either side by centaurs since the first Earl had proven himself in battle. Daphne never paid much attention to her family’s crest before, but since her uncle was staring at it with such intensity she stepped closer for a better view.

It was cold in the library, the fire dwindling low since the servants had been paying more attention to the front rooms where the guests were socializing, and Daphne’s dress was off the shoulder, providing little warmth. After the initial shock of the cool room she relaxed. She was getting used to being cold. It was part of life in England, she decided. Richard was still staring at the crest on the mantelpiece, still preoccupied with some thoughts, some secrets perhaps, and she wouldn’t disturb him. Finally, he sat on the chaise lounge.

“Are you all right, Uncle Richard? Is something troubling you?”

“Not a thing, my dear.”

Daphne waited, certain there was more. When Richard said nothing, she thought it might be best to change the subject.

“While we were dancing you said Lord Darges isn’t the man you would choose for me. I have to admit, you surprised me. I thought the future Duke of Norley was exactly the kind of man you would choose for me.”

“Lord Darges is your grandmother’s choice, Daphne, not mine.”

“Why not? I thought you had become friends with the future duke.”

“Which is precisely why I wouldn’t choose him for you. I know him too well, and I know he would not make you a good husband. If it comes to it, I’d say he wouldn’t make any woman a good husband. If you want nothing more than to be a duchess, then it might be all right. If you want to be in love with your husband, and he with you, which is what I wish for you, then I tell you to run in the opposite direction of Lord Darges as fast as your bustle will allow.”

“Grandma would blush to hear you talk like that.”

“Your grandmother is easily vexed, I’m afraid. But heed my words, Daphne. Sometimes the answer to our most pressing question is standing right before us.” Richard grasped Daphne’s hands so tightly she felt the warmth of his skin through her silk gloves. “My darling niece, if you’ve found love, whomever you’ve found that love with, you must grab onto it, keep it, hold it close to your heart no matter the cost. True love, the kind that makes your heart swell, your knees weak, and your eyes glow whenever your beloved is near, why, what a blessing that is in this cold, cold world. Whatever makes you warm inside is worth any sacrifice. Do you understand?”

Richard’s aquamarine eyes widened, but then his stoic mask slid back into place, his features flat again. Daphne was reminded of Edward’s story about the Englishman who caught fire and jumped calmly into the lake so he wouldn’t inconvenience anyone. Is that what Richard was doing—jumping calmly into the lake? Was he on fire inside?

“Uncle Richard…”

“Listen to me, Daphne. If I ever felt for someone what you feel for young Mr. Ellis, then I would do anything in my power to keep that person close any way I could.” He checked the time on his watch and tucked it back into his waistcoat pocket. “Your father gave me this watch, and it is one of my most cherished possessions. Now you must forgive me, my dearest, but I have to go.”

“Now?”

Daphne wished she had a magic lock to Staton House that kept everyone she didn’t need out and everyone she loved in. The library door opened and her father peered inside.

“Everyone is looking for you, Daphne. Why are you both hiding in here?”

“Uncle Richard said he’s leaving.”

Frederick shook his head. “You cannot leave now, Richard. I simply won’t allow it. It’s Daphne’s ball, and it’s nearly midnight. Where must you go at this hour?”

“Nowhere you need concern yourself with.”

Frederick grabbed his brother’s arms. “Tell me what’s wrong, Richard. Tell me what you need. I’ll do everything in my power to help you.”

Richard held Frederick’s hand close to his heart. It was an unusually affectionate gesture for the English, Daphne thought, and she saw a flicker of sentimentality in her uncle’s eyes. She was certain now. Her uncle was suffering from some internal inferno and he was afraid to call attention to his pain. Daphne heard a cough, and she saw the doctor, John Hough, near the open door.

“Frederick,” Richard said, “you needn’t worry about me. Daphne.” He held his hand out to his niece. “It has been my honor to introduce you to London Society, but I see now the only introduction you needed was to Mr. Edward Ellis.” He kissed Daphne’s hand. “Now, I insist that you both enjoy the rest of this night.”

Richard held the library door and waited for Mr. Hough to follow. Uncle Richard looks happy, Daphne thought. He looks better than he has since we arrived in England. And yet she still felt her misgivings lingering like the dying embers in the hearth.