Once again, this is un-betaed so if you spot an error, or if something is unclear to you, please let me know.
The last weekend in March saw Lord Cullen attending a very correct Easter Sunday service in St James Church. He went mostly to please his mother who although absent, would enjoy reading about the service and the fashions on display there. The sermon was dull, a fact that lowered Edward's heart somewhat. The Season had only just started and the only text the Vicar could come up with was "The poor you shall always have with you." Edward could not be certain if the sermon was aimed at increasing social conscience or numbing it. He tried not to doze. The journey down south had been arduous in places; certainly the March storms had been much in evidence in the state of the roads. This would no doubt provide some small talk for his evening at the Clearwater's that evening.
It was, he realised, unfair of him to feel glum. Mrs Clearwater was one of his favourite hostesses. She was a sensible woman who had the great advantage of having married off her children very well and now had little to do except keep a weather eye open for equally advantageous matches for everyone else. She had long given up on him of course, but he enjoyed her quick sense of humour and intelligence. He was equally certain that of all the match making Mammas on the Town, she was one of the safest. There would be no encroaching mushrooms tonight lacking grace or class, no simpering misses ready to tie their garters in front of him in hopes of being compromised. Word would not be long in leaking out that Lord Cullen was at last on the look out for a bride and from here on in he must take even more care of potential hazards. One miscalculation on his part and he would be leg shackled to a harpy, will ye nil ye. The Clearwater's tasteful little musical soiree would be an excellent place to start his search.
From the service he strolled back to his residence on Upper Brook Street, pausing for a short while in the gardens of Grosvenor Square. The square was subdued, it being the Sabbath, but there was still activity to be seen. A few nursemaids were airing their charges in the spring sunshine; fashionable ladies returning from church; gentlemen about to stroll down the their Club. Edward found it a pleasant scene.
Many families were already in residence; some were still yet to arrive. Some like Lady Hale were almost permanent residents in Town. Edward smiled ruefully. Lady Hale was an Original, utterly uninterested in marriage and unnervingly blunt in her speech and habits. Edward liked her and had a great deal of respect for her. It was not easy for a single lady to stick to her guns and avoid either marriage or scandal but Lady Hale trod the line beautifully. Edward enjoyed her company but both of them were aware of the fact that if they spoke too much, wagging tongues would soon make them a couple: something that they both regarded with dismay. Her beauty was a byword in a society obsessed by good looks but he considered her a woman of sense and he wondered whether he might seek her help in his search. She would understand and her advice might well prove invaluable. He also wondered whether it was wise of him to have declined his mother's companionship for this visit. Her presence might have made this venture easier in one way, she suggested that he give dinner parties and for that a hostess was necessary, but Edward had not wanted her hopeful eyes on him just yet. He wanted to accustom himself to the idea of bride hunting first. He did not sigh but he turned for home, unaware of the grim set to his countenance.
2.
Embry stood in silence as his master wove the intricacies of the wide muslin cloth about his neck. The Oriental was devilish in its simplicity and one false fold would mean the end of it. The valet held his breath as Edward leaned into the glass, eyes narrowed. Then he nodded stiffly and reached for the neck pin with a pea-sized emerald that would be his only ornament. He placed it with precision and then was eased into his dark coat under Embry's careful hands. Edward cast a jaundiced eye over his person in the glass. He had his mother to thank for the outrageous colour of his hair falling as it did between amber and brown but it was his father that gave him the wild thickness and curl that made it fall without effort into the fashionably windswept style. He refused the bicorn hat from his footman waiting by the door; he had never liked that style. No one would notice if he went bare headed and it was with something of the air of a gladiator about to enter the arena that he picked up his cane and strode out into the night.
The good thing about Mayfair was that everyone lived within quite close quarters. Ladies were sometimes cast into severe doubt whether they should walk or order the carriage for a distance of a mere length of the street. Gentlemen did not have that difficulty and he arrived in good time at the Clearwater's. He was greeted by his hostess with great pleasure as she privately hoped that she might prevail upon him to play that evening. She had engaged some excellent musicians for this evening's entertainment, but Lord Cullen's skill on the pianoforte bordered on the genius and this was common knowledge; to have him play for her company would be a great feather in her cap.
Edward strolled about the rooms, catching up with old friends, exchanging news and greetings. He saw Lady Hale had cornered a fair-haired officer of the Rifles. She was flirting no doubt, but she also held an air gentle malice, which was hard to deal with if one was unaccustomed to her ways. Edward could see the man wore a hunted expression and had a sudden impulse to intervene.
"Lady Hale, good evening. How do you do?"
"Lord Cullen," Lady Hale was very tall for a woman, only slightly shorter than his own six foot two inches and her disingenuous sky blue eyes met his own with composure. "It is a pleasure to see you here this evening. May I introduce Captain Jasper Whitlock of the Rifles. He has been unable to tell me if he is musical or not," her smile held the slightest touch of sardonic amusement. Edward felt needled for the man. He was obviously unused to London ways in general and Lady Hale in particular.
"Probably the Peninsular held little in the way of musical entertainment. Perhaps by the end of the evening he will be able to give you better information my lady?" he smiled blandly at the slight hardening of her eyes.
"Our armies are always grateful for allies my lord but one might have thought that an officer might be able to face a skirmish more effectively. Even in a drawing room," her tone was faintly disappointed.
Edward possessed her hand and brought it to his lips. "Every man needs aid when ambushed by beauty such as yours my lady."
Lady Hale laughed reluctantly and tapped Edward's cheekbone with her fan. "You were ever gallant my lord."
"You were ever worth the risk my lady."
Lady Hale turned to Whitlock. "You live to fight another day Captain."
The younger man just bowed and Lady Hale moved on.
"Don't breathe out just yet Captain," Edward murmured. "I believe Lady Hale has excellent hearing."
The two men watched her pass deeper into the crowd.
"Lord have mercy, what a terrifying woman," the captain breathed.
"She is more bark than bite," Edward replied. "Though to be fair her bite is pretty bad too, or so I have heard." He grinned at the younger man. "The trick is to show no fear."
"I believe I have heard that somewhere before. I will bear it in mind. Jasper Whitlock, at your service." The captain held out his hand and Edward took it in a firm clasp.
"Edward Cullen. It is good to make your acquaintance."
The men chatted for a while, Edward introducing Captain Whitlock to the less unnerving members of the gathering. He was glad to see that the man was merely nervous rather than an oaf. Although to be fair, he would not have expected to find an oaf in Mrs Clearwater's drawing room. This notion was confirmed when Clearwater himself approached Edward later in the evening.
"Glad to see that Jasper has found his feet. I was worried about him at first but I could see that you had taken him under your wing."
"He seems a decent fellow."
"Yes, he is the best of good men. He saved my sister's son when Tom was shot at Albuera. The man is a hero, although he would cut out his tongue before mentioning it. My wife has made him a particular project of hers so I daresay you will see him about."
"How is it that he is spared for so long from his regiment while we are still at war?
"He is on secondment to headquarters I believe. I think he mentioned something to do with Intelligence but he made it sound very dull I must say. I never can understand these military types. Hopefully he is here to stay for a while at least. May I presume on our long friendship and ask you to sponsor him a little?"
"I have little influence in the military Harry, you know that and I am sure that Whitlock can progress very well under his own merit."
"You mistake me Edward, I meant socially speaking. A word from you can fling wide the doors that would open only a crack for Susannah's protégé and I believe that he needs help in a few quarters regarding that matter."
"You are an even bigger gossip than my father Harry."
"Ah Carlisle, how is the old man?"
Edward lured his old friend away from dangerous territory and bided his time before making any commitments. He was not a military man but he knew to scope out the lay of the land before making a charge on another's behalf.
However, it was only a few moments later that the movement of the drawing rooms threw the two men into company once more. Mrs Clearwater, having allowed her guests time to both renew old acquaintances and possibly make new ones ushered them into the larger of the rooms where pride of place was occupied by a particularly fine piano. Chairs had been placed in strategic groups about the room but as Whitlock made to move towards one such grouping Edward laid a hand on his elbow and silently bade him wait.
"It gets overpoweringly warm at these affairs Whitlock. You might wish to stay a little closer to the door."
Understanding bloomed quickly in the Captain's eyes but he merely nodded. The two men moved towards the back of the room, well away from the performers but still within easy reach of the exit. A circumstance for which Edward was soon to give profound thanks. The last guests passed them and settled into the gold damasked chairs and Edward noticed the Captain's stance shift into sudden rigidity. The two men were much of a height and though the Captain's face had been wiped of all emotion, his gaze was filled with a peculiar intensity. Edward scanned the room to see what had captured the Captain's attention and was unsurprised to find it to be a girl, a debutante obviously, diminutive and clad in a charmingly simple but very expensive gown of crisp white muslin. Small pink roses nestled in her black curls and, as if she felt the Captain's heated gaze upon her, she returned to him such a clear and beaming look that Edward was not surprised to hear his new friend gasp.
"She wears my flowers," Jasper breathed, entranced.
The debutante's companion had her back to the men but she reached out and laid her hand on the girl's arm, obviously drawing her attention away. Edward could see a hushed conversation take place and the older lady turned to see what had captured the girl's attention.
The singer and her pianist were fussing with their music. The entertainment was about to start but all Edward could hear was the sudden rushing of blood in his ears as twenty years fell away before him and he looked upon Isabella Swan once more. Deep brown eyes, hair of chestnut, a perfect heart shaped face, slightly cleft chin and full raspberry lips and, as always, utterly unconscious of the havoc that she wrought upon him. She looked at Jasper and nodded. Then she turned her attention to the musicians.
Sweat stood out all over Edward's body, his heart hammered inside his chest and he was shamed to wonder if he would fall. However he mastered himself and just before the first notes struck he murmured an apology to Whitlock and stepped unobtrusively from the room.
Never in his life was Edward so thankful to find a set of French doors open to the garden. Obviously there for the gentlemen to smoke a cigarillo in peace, it was thankfully deserted as all of Mrs Clearwater's guests were currently listening to the pleasant strains of a Hayden aria. The singer really was very talented and he really should return to the room before his absence was noted but he could not quite yet make his legs do his bidding. He found a small stone bench, sat and stared blankly up at the moon. He swallowed the bitterness that rose like acid. Of course, she had to be on the Town this year, the very year that he had committed himself to matrimony. They were older now and would be thrown into acquaintance. God, he may well have to endure her husband's company at Whites! Nausea started to roil within him but he knew that here was neither the time nor the place to indulge in such a reaction. So it was through a force of sheer will that he wiped his mind clear of such thoughts for the present. He could allow himself full freedom when he returned home: for now, iron discipline was required.
He allowed himself two minutes before re-entering the house only to find Captain Whitlock who had obviously come in search of him.
"My Lord, you may wish me to the devil but…"
"Not at all Captain, I am only sorry to have disturbed you. Come, let us return at once before out hostess misses us."
Whitlock just returned Edward's regard steadily and did not move.
"I might be inexperienced in the ways of London society my lord, but I know what it looks like when a man takes a hit. If I may be of service to you in anyway…"
"I appreciate your offer Captain and I may well discuss this matter with you later. But for now we must face the music as it were. We do not wish to cause offence."
"Of course my Lord."
As they returned to their previous place, Edward was glad to see that the entire company remained focussed on the very superior performance. Edward noted to himself to congratulate Mrs Clearwater on her choice of musicians and then surrendered to the need burning within him to cast his eyes over his long lost love while the cover of the company's diverted attention allowed him to do so. In case anyone might chance to look his way however, he took great care to keep his body relaxed and expression bland; no one would be able to guess the tumult within him as he drank in the sight of her like a man parched.
Her hair was simply dressed in a coil about her head, her neck and shoulders were as graceful as ever. Her deep purple satin gown was rather sombre for a such a young matron but no one could deny the beauty of its simplicity or how well her fine amethyst drop earrings complimented the shade.
When the song ended he leaned over towards the captain and under the cover of the polite applause he murmured: "I do not recognise the young lady who does you the honour of wearing your flowers. She is a debutante obviously."
"Her name is Miss Alice Brandon, daughter of the late William Brandon. Her mother sits guard beside her."
Oh God, she is a widow! Edward thought, ashamed of himself for being heartily glad for the poor man's death.
"My lord, I should not have blurted out what I did earlier, Miss Brandon and I do not have an understanding but I could not resist sending her a small posy to mark her first outing in the ton."
"I shall say nothing of it, other than to remark on your thoughtfulness. I take it that you are well acquainted with the family Captain."
"The Brandons are close neighbours of my family in Hertfordshire. I have known Alice since her birth."
Edward thought of his beloved, round with another man's child, and he could not help but close his eyes, lest they give away his pain to the man beside him. He need not have worried, the Captain's gaze had not shifted one inch from the dark haired debutante since he had re-entered the room. Edward continued with his information gathering.
"And her father is dead you say?"
"Yes, about eighteen months ago. You can see that his widow is now wearing colours, although they remain subdued. Mrs Brandon is determined to fire Alice off well this Season and is undoubtedly looking for a good match for her."
"Forgive me for saying so Captain, but it seems to me that a good match for Miss Brandon is already within easy reach."
Whitlock laughed softly "I do not think that Mrs Brandon has a high opinion of my expectations. My family is comfortable, nothing more. We are from good stock but my father is only a squire and I have only my ambition to recommend me. I must chance to hazard for a battlefield promotion which is a danger all of itself and the life of an officer at war, following the drum... what life would that be for a young lady? No, I quite understand Mrs Brandon's reluctance to entertain my suit. The trouble is, I cannot bring myself to tear myself away either even though it will kill me to see her wed to another." Whitlock turned toward Edward and flushed a little with embarrassment: "You must think me an idiot," but he was surprised to see great compassion in Lord Cullen's green eyes
"I understand better than you think Captain," Edward replied softly. "Perhaps you might even find me an ally in your cause."
"God knows I could do with one I am desperately outnumbered now that Lady Hale does not care for me either."
"And what does Lady Hale have to do with it?"
"Alice and her mother are staying with her for the season."
Edward nodded but did not see any reason to despair.
"Lady Hale shows her claws for fun sometimes. She would not speak to you if she disliked you. I have seen that lady give the cut direct to Dukes," he nodded at Whitlock's surprise. "So if you would take the advice of one who knows this sort of terrain very well, I would say that she was merely testing you and, as she does not make hasty judgements, the jury is probably still out. We might need a more subtle approach than you are accustomed to but do not surrender the fight just yet Captain."
The musicians started once more and together the two men watched the objects of their affection, planning their next move until the interval arrived. Mrs Clearwater then declared that a light buffet had been prepared for her guests and was laid out in the dining room.
Whitlock nodded at his companion and then moved in a straight, purposeful line towards Miss Brandon. Edward took a more circuitous route but it was only the work of a moment for him to find Lady Hale. She was watching with amusement the crowd of young men clustering about her young friend. Edward did not so much as glance in their direction as he stood before her and smiled the short distance down to her eyes.
"Have you forgiven me Lady Hale?"
"What crime have you committed against me Lord Cullen?"
"For denying your sport earlier."
"Oh, did you do so?" her tone was unconcerned.
"I am wounded that you find our conversation so forgettable."
"Then perhaps that might serve as your punishment, sir."
Edward gestured an acknowledgement of a hit and his companion gifted him with a rare genuine smile, the brightness of which made him think suddenly of Emmett, he pushed that thought quickly to the back of his mind and proceeded with his plan of attack.
"May I escort you in to supper Lady Hale?"
Lady Hale's chuckled softly. "I was wondering when my popularity would increase thanks to my pretty young guest. Are you trying to steal a march on poor Whitlock and all the rest?"
"Hardly Lady Hale, the infantry has never been my line, as you are well aware."
"But things have a habit of changing do they not my Lord?"
Edward drew his companion's slim arm through his own as he answered her: "And sometimes they stay precisely the same my Lady."
Now that the game was afoot Edward felt pleasantly calm. Fate had granted him a second chance and he was not about to foul it up with overhasty action. This time he would woo carefully. There were many things to consider not least of which would be the sudden reversal of his position on marriage. It was likely that he would be in line for a fair share of ribbing from his cronies at Whites. All the while that he was considering this he kept up a steady stream of light banter with Lady Hale. He had made her laugh out loud twice so far so he could be certain that what ever part of his mind was occupied with his next step was not holding him back from being an entertaining supper companion. However, he had to give her great credit when, after he asked to be introduced to Alice Brandon and her mamma, she laid her fork down upon her plate and turned to him with a look of engaging frankness.
"Certainly Lord Cullen, she is my god-daughter you know and I suppose I am part way her sponsor in her debut. She is the most delightful child and I believe her mother's good sense cannot fail to please you even if one allows for a cousin's partiality."
"I was not aware you had living relatives still Lady Hale."
"My mother and Mrs Brandon's mother were sisters. Her father was Charles Swan, a very old Kentish family, well connected although they lived quite retired. Bella was their only child and Alice is Bella's only child, so what with one thing and another the little one will have a fair portion settled on her when it comes time for her to marry," Lady Hale smiled demurely when she saw Lord Cullen's raised eyebrow. "Well, my Lord, your mother is not here so I cannot impart these necessary details through the most proper channels."
"I am gratified, however…"
"Say no more my Lord. I was teasing you merely. Your position on matrimony is known just as well as my own. However you will have to beat a path I believe. I wonder how Isabella is coping with the crowd?" She smiled naughtily and took his arm, leading him over to where Mrs and Miss Brandon sat.
It was no surprise to Lord Cullen that it took a mere lift of Lady Hale's eyebrows to disperse the clutch of young cockerels pushing for Miss Brandon's attention. Jasper was nowhere to be seen and not one of the young men felt themselves up to sparring with Lady Hale and making a cake of themselves in front of the newest Beauty.
Alice herself was not attending to them, focussing rather on her dainty hands resting in her lap. She looked the perfect picture of demure young lady but there was a certain tension about her that Lord Cullen, labouring under the same sensation, found easy to detect. He had but a moment to sense her reactions before he had to pull all his attention to the introductions at hand.
He watched himself do the social pretty as if from a great distance; no one could possibly have guessed that here was the place where all Lord Cullen's hopes came to rest. Edward was amazed at how banal it was. There were bows, nods, smiles, it was all very light and carefree and if his gaze rested for longer than was customary on the debutante it was only because he could not trust himself to meet her mother's eyes. No one seemed concerned though and very swiftly the conversation progressed along conventional lines. Edward was in complete control, his expression one of polite interest and yet… and yet his brain blurred and fuzzed at the sound of Mrs Brandon's voice just as badly as it did with Emmett's wretched cheroots. She was just as soft and gentle as he remembered, but intelligence shone bright in her brown eyes as they discussed the relative merits of Hayden and Mozart. She was not musical but declared Alice to have a very pretty voice.
"But I cannot play at all well," that damsel declared. "Indeed I sometimes think my poor pianoforte positively whimpers whenever I set foot in the music room."
Edward laughed at Miss Brandon's expression of dismay. She was as Lady Hale said, a sweet little thing whose every feeling was laid out plainly in her expression for all the world to see. He watched as Mrs Brandon's eyes glowed with fond pride as they rested upon her daughter.
"Perhaps Miss Brandon, you would sing for us later?" he enquired.
"I only know folk airs by heart," Miss Brandon replied artlessly. "I never can remember Italian without my words before me and surely the musicians would take it amiss?"
"I am sure that this small gathering will only be delighted to hear some of the old traditional tunes and I happen to know that Mrs Clearwater particularly enjoys it when her guests feel so free as to join in the entertainments she provides."
"But the pianist?" Miss Brandon persevered.
Lady Hale interjected "I think Lord Cullen plays a little, perhaps he would accompany you?"
"What an excellent idea Lady Hale," Edward replied blandly
"So glad to be of service my lord," Lady Hale's voice was equally colourless but her eyes danced wickedly.
So it was that a short time later Miss Brandon set the seal on a promising first evening party as one who was not only beautiful and demure but also possessed of accomplishments enough to impress even such a notable talent as Lord Cullen. Edward had only the smallest of worries for her as she took her place by the piano. He was very certain that her godmother would not allow her to make a spectacle of herself if she not indeed possess a good singing voice. Miss Brandon held herself composed, not brash but quietly confident and Edward led her slowly into the opening bars of an old favourite. "Sweet Afton" was easy to sing and a lovely tune, no doubt the other matrons were suitably impressed at the liquid flow of notes and Mrs Brandon whisked a tear away but it was done so quickly that no one but himself saw.
Alice allowed herself only one more tune, not wanting to outstay her welcome when she knew there were other young ladies wishing to display their talents. However, she showed no hesitation in denouncing "Sweet Margaret" as too sad and asked instead if Lord Cullen knew "All in a Garden Green" he bowed in reply and filled the introduction with an intricate ruffle of notes to show to the best Alice's pure clear soprano. All went well until the second verse and she sang:
My troth will aye endure.
So be yet ye not afraid
But rest thee still secure
That I will love thee long
As life in me shall last
Now I am young and strong
Now I am young and strong
And when my youth is past.
Edward did not falter but the words struck close to the bone and he knew that he could play no more. As the song drew to its gentle close he picked up Miss Brandon's hand, kissed it and returned her to her mother while gentle applause and approving murmurs filled the room. As he watched Mrs Brandon's soft bloom of pleasure at her daughter's success he understood that where Alice was so too would be her mother and while he had no idea how to behave like a father he also knew that if he were to stand any chance at all at making a place in his beloved's heart then he would first have to win the approval and liking of her daughter.
With that single, most important piece of information Lord Cullen started to plan his courtship of the Brandons.
AN
Sweet Afton was written by Robert Burns and has been set to many tunes in its history. The one that Alice sings here is the orignal version (rather than the cover by Nickel Creek!) It is hard to find a version of the original that is not lugubrious but this one gives at least the element of the tune, even if the child playing it looks utterly terrified, poor lamb that he is!
www . youtube dot com/watch?v=go6cD1-uOsk
A lovely if rather quick version of All in a Garden Green, played on a mountain dulcimer can be seen here
www . youtube dot com/watch?v=ugJLf9QHCkU&feature=related
Take out the dots and the extra spaces and enjoy!