The Wish by Angelina Jameson

Author:Angelina Jameson [Jameson, Angelina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-09-27T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Two more courses were served before Lady Bowles stopped peppering Lord Norfolk with questions. Camellia had made polite conversation with the man. Her duty was done. The marquess and her uncle had merely acknowledged each other that evening, making her wonder what had passed between them that afternoon.

The men stayed behind for brandy and cigars while the ladies removed to the music room.

Lady Bowles took a seat beside Camellia on a green damask sopha. “Helena tells me you both grew up visiting your uncle in the village.”

“Oh yes. Our mother is often unwell. Her nerves. Our father thought a few weeks in Downham Market every year would be a nice respite for Helena and myself.” She said the words matter-of-factly although she could detect some resentment in her voice.

“And your father is well?”

“Very well,” she replied.

Helena laughed. “He always doted on us girls. Camellia and I were quite spoiled, really.”

“I think it is very fortunate you came to the area, Helena,” Lady Bowles said with a wink. “If not, you would have never met Lord Rutley.”

Helena nodded. “Indeed.”

“How did you encounter your husband, Lady Bowles?” Camellia asked, curious as to why Lady Bowles never mentioned her own husband. “Perhaps I will meet him while I’m at Rutley House.”

“Lord Bowles does not like to leave our home,” the lady replied with a tight smile. “He pressed me to accept Helena’s invitation.”

There was a short silence.

“Are we going to have an impromptu musicale?” Miss Eliza asked.

Helena nodded. “When the gentlemen join us, I thought perhaps we could try a game of magical music.”

Eliza clapped her hands. “I adore that game!”

“I am so glad,” Helena said sweetly to the petite blonde who looked very much like a younger version of her aunt.

When the gentlemen rejoined them, Helena explained the rules of the game to her uncle.

“One of us leaves the room while the rest determine what chore he must complete. The player is guided in discovering his task by the playing of music. When the player is close to the object or action he must do, the music is louder, the further away the player is the music is softer. The music stops when you have completed the task.”

Her uncle nodded. “That sounds straight forward enough.”

“I will be the first player.” Lord Rutley stood and left the room.

There were several suggestions as to what task the earl should perform.

“There is a fan on that small table,” she said. “Rutley must locate the fan and use it.”

“A splendid idea,” Helena replied. She sat on the bench at the pianoforte. “Fetch my husband if you would, Camellia.”

Rutley followed her back into the room. She took a seat and Helena played a soft melody on the pianoforte.

The earl walked about the room getting closer and closer to the table. The volume of the music increased and stayed very loud when he stood beside the table. Rutley picked up the fan, the only other item on the table being a candelabra. The music continued. Finally, Rutley opened the fan and fanned himself.

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