The Master of Winterbourne

‘Marcus Willoughby? What have you done?’ her aunt wailed, the cloth dropping unheeded to the floor. ‘You foolish, foolish girl.’ She took a pace towards the window, wringing her hands in her skirts. ‘Whatever possessed you? Where did I fail that you should behave so? Sir Matthew will never marry you now… we'll all end up in the Low Countries.’

‘I wasn't doing anything.’ Her aunt’s panic steadied Henrietta as sympathy never would. ‘I was up there alone, looking for peace to think in, and Marcus saw me. He tried to kiss me and Matthew found us, but he could tell I was unwilling. He sent Marcus off with a flea in his ear, no more.’

‘Then he has not broken the betrothal?’ Her aunt was urgent. ‘Tell me it is all right.’

‘No, he has not broken it,’ said Henrietta with a sigh. ‘Quite the opposite.’

A knowing smile touched the older woman's lips as she reached to touch the torn lace at Henrietta’s bosom, the tangle of disarrayed hair. ‘Ah, so jealousy made him passionate and that scared you?’ Without waiting for an answer Susan settled on the bed in a comfortable rustle of skirts. ‘I had meant to talk to you tonight, but I see we must come to it sooner. Sit by me.’

Henrietta sat down as she was bid, twisting the ends of her girdle between her fingers.

‘Now, you know what passes between a man and a woman?’

Face burning, Henrietta nodded.

‘What happened when he came to your room the night before he left?’

‘You knew he was here?’ Henrietta was startled. Her aunt had given no indication that she was aware of Matthew's visit.

‘Of course I knew. You do not think a man could go to my niece's room alone, at night, without my cognisance?’

‘And you permitted it?’ Henrietta discovered she was shocked.

‘You were betrothed, it is accepted.’ Susan hesitated, obviously finding this difficult. ‘And I thought the waiting was preying on your fears.’

‘He didn't… we didn't do anything.’ She wasn't going to tell her aunt about that kiss.

‘I know he did not lie with you, Alice told me. But did you not at least talk of your future together?’

‘We quarrelled. And again just now.’ Perhaps she could tell her aunt, explain how he still loved his first wife and how that pained her. Susan had so much more experience of life.

‘What ails you, girl? Not only is he a good man but he has been married before, he will understand and guide you. By all accounts his devotion to Sarah was admirable.’

Henrietta jumped up. The last thing she wanted was another lecture on the late Lady Sheridan’s virtues. ‘Don’t talk to me about Sarah! I am weary of hearing her name on every lip. Sarah was so perfect, the devoted wife…’

‘Niece, you shock me. She is dead. How can you speak so of her? It is sinful and unworthy of you. Look to your conduct, Henrietta, or your jealousy and shrewishness will drive him away. I have nothing more to say to you on this matter. I believed it was your innocence causing these problems, now I can see it is your wilfulness.

‘Be meek and obedient to your husband, be guided by him and all will be well. As for your wedding night, put away your frowns, at least pretend to welcome his embraces. Any right-thinking girl would rejoice at the thought of such a fine man for a husband.’ She frowned at Henrietta, her cheeks mottled with annoyance. ‘Now I have much to do. I have no time to spend on vapours and silliness.’

She swept out of the room, banging the door behind her, leaving Henrietta speechless and aggrieved.

‘Mistress?’ Letty sounded puzzled, and Henrietta, pulling herself together with a jerk, realised the girl must have been standing in the doorway for some minutes.

‘What is it, Letty? I did not call for you.’ She glanced down at her skirts as she spoke, realising for the first time how dishevelled she was. ‘Never mind, now you are here you can help me change. The brown linen will do.’

Henrietta sat down at her dressing-table and began to brush out, then re-pin her hair. ‘Hurry up, girl, there is much to be done.’ Perhaps by throwing herself into the preparations for the wedding she could regain some sort of composure.

‘But I've got a message.’ Letty still found it difficult to do more than one thing at a time.

‘Well, tell me. Your tongue will work while your hands are busy, won't it?’ Letty looked pained and Henrietta reminded herself yet again of the need for patience.

‘Master Weldon says,’ Letty began, the tip of her tongue stuck out in the effort of remembrance, ‘I was to give you his compliments and could he please speak with you as soon as possible?’

Henrietta's fingers clenched round the hairbrush. It must be the messenger from Oxford at last. And Matthew was in the house. Did Robert know the master was returned? She must act very carefully but speedily if the papers were to be safe away before she walked down the aisle with Matthew.

‘Thank you, Letty.’ She controlled her breathing and finished pinning her hair. Too much haste would arouse suspicion.

As she passed her aunt on the stairs she dropped a slight, repentant curtsy. ‘I am sorry, Aunt. You are right, and I am ashamed for what I said. Now I must see Robert, then I will come and help you. I know you have much to do and I have been neglecting my household duties.’ Despite her words Henrietta was guiltily aware of a little worm of jealousy still gnawing at her.