Lady Eugenia's Holiday Read online

  Lady Eugenia’s Holiday

  Shirley Marks

  To Kim and my darling husband for their time

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 1

  It occurred to Lady Eugenia Abbott that had she not taken her aunt Rose’s offer, she would have been the one left at home, again.

  Had Eugenia not refused to accompany her little sister Marguerite and her governess, Mrs. Moss, to the village that very morning, and had she not returned from her short walk at that precise time, Eugenia would have missed her elderly relative altogether.

  “Whatever are you doing here, Auntie? You are nearly a fortnight early for your visit.” It had been over a year since Eugenia had seen her great-aunt and had not expected her for another month. “Mama and Papa have not returned from Town yet.”

  “Yes, dear, I know all about that.” Aunt Rose stripped off her gloves and marched past Eugenia, directly into the green parlor. “Your mother has already informed me of their delay. I have taken advantage of the situation and suggested you accompany me on my excursion to Brighton. You may have been denied the delights of London but I daresay you shall be pleased with your share of entertainment and parties where we are headed.”

  “Am I really to go with you, then?” Eugenia nearly fainted dead away at the good news. At last she was to have a chance to enjoy herself as Frances had.

  “If you can manage to be ready in time.” Aunt Rose gazed wide and winked, suggesting that her niece make haste. “And,” she added, “I would like to leave in no more than an hour’s time.”

  Eugenia shot to her feet, uncertain of what action she should take next, and then moved toward the doorway. “Will you not remain long enough to see Marguerite?” Using her younger sister’s absence to keep her aunt a few more minutes at Langford Hall had been her first thought. “She and Mrs. Moss are due back from the village at any moment.”

  “I’m afraid that cannot be helped, dear. I believe there are fifty-seven minutes remaining of your hour.”

  “Mrs. Peterson!” Eugenia called down the corridor for the housekeeper, who rushed down the hall at an amazing speed for someone her age. “Please, Auntie, you must be tired from your travels. Why don’t you have a cup of tea and sit while I have my things packed.”

  “Sit? All I’ve done is sit!” she remarked rather sharply. “However, tea sounds splendid. I believe I shall … if the staff can manage. I am sorry to drop in like this—unexpected visitors are always unpleasant.”

  “Not you, Auntie, never.” Eugenia motioned to the housekeeper, hoping she’d join in the subterfuge to keep her aunt occupied. “Mrs. Peterson, would you be so kind as to see my Aunt Rose to the breakfast room?”

  “At once,” Mrs. Peterson replied. The housekeeper whispered to Eugenia, “I believe Cook is pulling some of your aunt’s favorite fruit tarts out of the oven just now.”

  “Serve her some of those as well. I’m sure the fruit tarts will detain her for an extra half hour.”

  “Near an extra hour, I’d say,” Mrs. Peterson amended, making Eugenia feel even more hopeful that she could be ready before her aunt’s departure.

  Eugenia dashed upstairs and ordered her abigail Marianne to pack for a stay in Brighton. After changing into her blue traveling gown, Eugenia rejoined Aunt Rose in the breakfast room.

  “Ah, yes. Here you are—I have just finished. Now we can be on our way,” Aunt Rose announced and popped the last bite of fruit tart into her mouth when Eugenia stepped into the room. “They were absolutely splendid, as always.”

  Three tarts and an entire pot of tea in total were consumed while Aunt Rose waited for her grandniece. To remain in her aunt’s good graces, Eugenia had several tarts wrapped to bring along on their journey.

  Aunt Rose laid her napkin on the table and collected her gloves and reticule. “It is most unfortunate you were denied your come-out, of course it was through no fault of your own.” She led the way down the hall and into the foyer. “I am told you shall make your bows this fall.”

  What could Frances do after her near-year long engagement had come to an end? Eugenia’s Town plans had already been made but neither she nor her parents wished for both daughters to be on the marriage mart at the same time.

  Eugenia had purposely kept her expectations, and her disappointment at relinquishing her Season, to herself, never allowing any hint of her true feelings.

  “I grant you that Brighton is not as exciting as London—” Aunt Rose paused at the open front door and observed Eugenia’s trunks being loaded onto the transport. “But I’m sure we can manage to amuse ourselves—and keep out of trouble.”

  Trouble? What possible trouble could they manage at a bucolic seaside resort?

  Not ten minutes after boarding the carriage, Aunt Rose turned to Eugenia to ask, “Has Frances written you of her young man? What do you know of her match?”

  Frances had corresponded with her sister. However she had not been forthcoming regarding her fiancée. Eugenia hadn’t learned much. “I know she is to marry Sir Russell Crawford and she does, by her account, find him …”

  “Tolerable?”

  “Oh, no, much more than that … she finds him more than acceptable.” Eugenia considered if it was appropriate to add her personal sentiments and decided against voicing her opinion on the topic of Frances’ impending marriage. “It is unfortunate that she feels compelled to accept his offer because of the approaching Season’s end.”

  “I should hope so after two Seasons—if she were to face another year … she would need to put herself on the shelf despite the difficulties it might cause for you to make a suitable match.”

  “Frances is hardly to blame, Auntie.” Eugenia fully understood why her first Season had turned into her sister Frances’ second. “Lord Aldolphus proved to be quite unworthy. He postponed the wedding until Frances had no choice but to hand him the mitten.”

  “If Frances had not behaved as if she were entitled to every luxury—I may be mistaken but she is not the Princess Royal. Although she may behave as if she were.”

  Eugenia could not disagree regarding the manner in which Frances conducted herself, always a bit high in the instep.

  “I must admit that misguided pride runs in the family … and if it is not unreasonably high expectations then fanciful notions drift through the young girls’ minds.” Aunt Rose’s gaze wandered to her grandniece, accompanied by a lifted eyebrow and a curt nod of her head.

  Had that comment been directed at Eugenia? Fanciful notions indeed!

  Aunt Rose’s gaze rested on her clasped hands. “It was her last chance—she was in the right to accept—she had no option, really. Frances was lucky to have found Sir Russell. His income is not large but I’m sure they will manage quite well … in the end.”

  They sat quiet during the remainder of the journey. Eugenia grew sleepy with the lack of conversation. She never imagined that traveling could be so dull.

  How her boredom would have been alleviated if only they were held up by a highwayman. Of course he would have been a very handsome one.

  How exciting that would have been!

  Eugenia was certain he would have abandoned his criminal ways right there and then at the sight of her. He would ignore their valuables and insist he have her heart instead.

  How very romantic that would be.

  She sighed at the very idea of the danger and excitement of their life together. Then she thought of how her parents would never
approve of an outlaw as a suitable match for her. Nor would she be happy spending the remainder of her life avoiding the law.

  Eugenia blinked, coming out of her reverie and gazed out the window. Perhaps it was best that she and Aunt Rose had an uneventful journey.

  Many hours passed before the undisturbed, pastoral country landscape gave way to more frequent crossroads, occasional farms, and homes. Soon they observed small villages and ultimately signs of a great number of inhabitants populating the city of Brighton itself upon their arrival.

  The carriage turned down a long drive and toward a modest brick cottage. Eugenia learned that her aunt had rented Grove House, a twelve-room residence complete with seven servants, for their stay.

  “See here, Genie.” Aunt Rose stood before the large window in the front parlor that displayed a splendid view of the Steyne. “I daresay our guests will enjoy this sight when they come to visit.”

  The concept of their guests sounded peculiar. Eugenia did not know a soul here in Brighton. She could not even imagine what kind of people would grace their interim home.

  “We shall end our day with a small supper and retire early in preparation of a busy week to come.”

  Eugenia did not argue. To be honest, she was too tired to do much except sit with her aunt and share a small repast before heading off to bed.

  “Is there anything else, my lady?” Katrina, Aunt Rose’s maid, followed Eugenia after supper and helped her settle into her room. “Your aunt, Mrs. Templeton, gave me instructions I was to see to your every comfort.”

  Exhausted from the day’s travel and the anticipation that Brighton would provide more excitement than the isolated existence of Langford Hall, perhaps Eugenia had appeared as if she was in need of aid.

  “I only thought …” Eugenia began. “I don’t know … I had hoped there would be something more awaiting us upon our arrival.”

  “Yes, indeed there will be. Mrs. Templeton has always preferred the evening entertainment here than in Town.” Katrina nodded. “Guests from London come to Brighton to relax after the strenuous months of the Season.”

  Eugenia sat on the bed and listened.

  “To be sure … there are private parties and assemblies,” Katrina went on, sounding as if she had attended those activities herself. “There is a public tea, a promenade on Sunday, and card games several days during the week. The Castle Inn has a masquerade ball the first of every month, which I daresay is quite exciting!”

  As fatigued as she felt, Eugenia thought that sounded wonderful and she could hardly wait.

  “I am certain it shouldn’t be too long before the Master of Ceremonies will pay a visit to this very house and deliver a personal invitation.”

  Eugenia hoped so. She fell into bed but had trouble sleeping the first night. Overtired from traveling and anxious for her life in Brighton to begin, she finally drifted off to sleep, trying to imagine the glorious balls and the fabulous parties that would occupy the many days to come.

  The next morning, Aunt Rose informed her niece of plans to attend a card party that evening. A card party? That was not at all what Eugenia had in mind.

  “Auntie, why do we not go to the assembly?” Eugenia asked over her cup of chocolate. She was sure the Master of Ceremonies whom Katrina spoke of last night would call that very day.

  “There is time, dear. There is time,” Aunt Rose stated amicably.

  “But there is a ball at the Castle Inn. Why do we not plan to attend?” Eugenia could not understand why they needed to wait.

  “We shall go, my dear. We shall go—all in good time.” Aunt Rose donned her hat and took up her reticule. “I’m off to the lending library. Do you wish to join me?”

  “No, Auntie, you go on—and please enjoy yourself.” Eugenia had no doubt her aunt had already paid her subscription dues far in advance.

  The lending library? Eugenia sighed. She could not have imagined anything more dull.

  Eugenia realized there was no avoiding the card party that evening. What she had expected to be a simple gathering turned out to be quite a crush with an astonishing number of people in attendance.

  She partnered her aunt for a few hands. Eugenia normally enjoyed cards but this evening, with all the people, she was simply distracted beyond belief.

  “This is quite enough. Here, now, come with me.” Aunt Rose scolded her grandniece then ushered her from the card room to the refreshment room. “I did not attend to observe this dismal display of skill.”

  “I am sorry, Auntie.” She felt her aunt’s loss was entirely her fault. “I’m afraid I’m not very attentive this evening.”

  The real problem, Eugenia decided, although there were many who attended, was the lack of guests her own age. No sooner had that thought occurred to her when Aunt Rose led her to one side and made an introduction.

  “Eugenia, dear, this is Lady Coddington and her daughter, Lady Penelope.”

  “I am very happy to make your acquaintance, Lady Eugenia.” Lady Penelope glanced around them. “I’m afraid this gathering seems to be missing …”

  Eugenia waited, curious to what opinion her new acquaintance would voice regarding the guests attending card party.

  “…youth.” Lady Penelope took the liberty and linked her arm through Eugenia’s. “Let’s take a turn about the room, shall we?”

  As she stepped alongside Lady Penelope, Eugenia noticed the two of them stood about the same height. Her new friend was very pretty. Lady Penelope’s hair was perhaps a touch darker, her blue eyes sparkled, and her rosebud lips must have been the envy of all.

  “I believe we have very many things in common,” Lady Penelope began.

  “We do?” Eugenia knew nothing of Lady Penelope.

  “You are the daughter of the Earl of Langford, are you not?” Lady Penelope asked directly.

  “Yes.”

  “I am the daughter of the Earl Coddington—we are both middle children, are we not?”

  “I have an elder and younger sister,” Eugenia declared. Perhaps they would not be well-known to one another, but it would be very nice to have at least someone known to her when she arrived in Town.

  “My siblings are brothers, but I am nonetheless the middle child.” Lady Penelope brightened as she announced, “I am to come out at the approaching Little Season.”

  “I’m to have my come-out during the Little Season as well!” Eugenia grew more excited that she might have discovered a true friend.

  “Your aunt is Mrs. Templeton?” Lady Penelope gazed at Eugenia’s elderly relative who stood with her mother in deep discussion.

  “She is my great-aunt, to be precise,” Eugenia clarified. “My mother’s aunt.”

  “Do you see that woman in the feathered turban looking at them?”

  Eugenia regarded the lady taking extraordinary interest in her aunt and Lady Coddington.

  “That is the Countess Tynsdale. She’s concerned her position with my mother will be usurped by Mrs. Templeton.” Lady Penelope giggled.

  “Why ever should she worry about my aunt?”

  Lady Penelope blinked at Eugenia. “Why they are currently the best of friends and Mrs. Templeton threatens that position. She is much better liked in society than the countess.” Lady Penelope gestured again to their relatives. “See how there are so many people waiting to speak to her?”

  “She does appear to be quite popular.” A small crowd had gathered around the two ladies. Aunt Rose seemed to be more occupied with the guests than the cards.

  “I suppose if one traveled as much as your great-aunt, one would meet anyone who is of any consequence sooner or later.” Lady Penelope turned back to Eugenia. “I believe she met my mother in Bath ages ago. Her mother—my grandmother—introduced them.”

  Aunt Rose had never spoken of her connection with Lady Coddington nor did she, it occurred to Eugenia, speak of any persons in particular.

  “It is a pity that our families were never close. You see, I believe that even the most casual acquain
tances can be beneficial to one’s position. From what I hear, your aunt is greatly admired. It is entirely possible she may know Prinny himself!”

  Eugenia couldn’t imagine anyone she knew would know the Prince Regent personally.

  She and Lady Penelope reached the far corner of the refreshment table and turned to walk along the perimeter of the room, heading toward the card games.

  “Perhaps we are destined to become fast friends!” Lady Penelope cried. “Here and now in this little town, we must acquaint ourselves with the eligible gentlemen. Once we two arrive in London for the Little Season, we shall reacquaint ourselves with them and both make perfect matches!”

  Yes, that sounded quite splendid. Eugenia would love to have a close friend, especially in a place where she knew no one. She considered what Lady Penelope had said. Indeed, one could never truly know what might come from a casual meeting. Lady Penelope might make an advantageous marriage to a duke and then Eugenia would be the very good friend of a duchess!

  The evening came to an unsatisfactory end when Aunt Rose halted their coze to announce to Eugenia, “I am ready to leave now, dear.”

  “Now?” Only minutes after making her first friend since arriving perhaps her greatest friend.

  “I am so very fatigued and there are so many arrangements to make for tomorrow.”

  Tomorrow? How could Eugenia think of tomorrow when tonight might have held so many possibilities?

  First thing the next morning, Aunt Rose made sure the staff clearly understood there would be plenty of tea on hand. Then with her next breath she continued, “Cakes and sandwiches, and oh, yes, fruit tarts, ample fruit tarts. Strawberry, current, and apricot. Have Cook bake plenty. I shan’t have my callers going away unsatisfied!”

  “Do you really think we’ll have many callers?” Eugenia naively asked. How was she ever to know what to expect? Did everyone who said they would stop by truly stop by?

  Aunt Rose leveled one of her knowing looks at her niece. It made Eugenia feel as if she were seven years old again.

  “They’ll come,” Aunt Rose said with a regal air. “They’ll all come.”

  Promptly at 11 o’clock they had their first visitor. Each and every person they had met last night who said they would call was true to their word. Lady Penelope arrived with her mother Lady Coddington.