Chapter 2 (no.1)

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Iphigenia's convictions about the degree of comfort to be expected at Wynleigh were not easily to be overborne. She had suffered many slights and veiled insults whilst on the 'Marriage Mart' in London, but she had never felt so acutely uncomfortable before as she did during the course of that first evening at the home of her ancestors.

As she descended the gleaming white staircase after being dressed for dinner by Sukey, Iphigenia was almost in a mood of contentment. She felt greatly refreshed by changing out of her travelling habit, and after she had lain down upon the spacious and comfortable bed, looking out at the park for half an hour, had washed and had her hair tidied, she felt so much more the thing that she was able to resolve to think no further of what had passed between Sukey and Lord Wynleigh outside her door. After all, if she interested herself in the welfare of every servant, she would have no time for anything else; and why could the explanation not be that her uncle had justifiably and briefly reprimanded Sukey for some earlier trespass? Iphigenia saw all the force of her own argument, but was unconvinced.

However, despite not considering herself to be a vain creature, Iphigenia found that it was very difficult to be in a bad mood when she was dressed beautifully and in good health. She was very well satisfied with how well she looked in a light blue evening gown of sprigged muslin, with the slightest of demi-trains, and a string of pearls around her neck. Sukey, too, had beem full of praise - although, given the nature of Sukey's previous employment, Iphigenia was not sure how much emphasis to place on these effusions. At any rate, I look more breathtaking than a dressed leg of mutton! Cheerful reflections, indeed.

She was being most careful of her footing as she descended the final few steps of the great polished staircase, as she did not wish to suffer the pain and indignity of a fall. At least it could not make the slightest difference to any favourable impression that I might have made here. Just as she reached the bottom of the stairs, Commander Aldace walked past.

It would have been excessively rude of him not to have stopped to make his bow, although it was plain from the fleeting look of resignation that crossed his face that he would much have preferred to continue alone. However, good manners overcame inclination, and the Commander made his bow, sweeping off his chapeau-bras, and taking Miss Ffouldes' hand as she set foot on the cool tiles of the hall floor. The Commander was also in good looks, attired as he was in his dress uniform. Not all men were able to wear knee breeches becomingly, but Aldace was one of them, Iphigenia observed.

With a look of either abstraction or boredom, The Commander asked, 'Are you now on your way to the dining room, Miss Ffouldes?"

Amused as much as she was piqued by seeming so tiresome to Aldace, she replied brightly, 'Why yes, I am.'

In the same resigned tone, he further inquired, 'Will you allow me the honour, then, of conducting you the remainder of the way?'

She was unsure what answer to make. Would it be more painful for him to have to continue being pleasant to me all the way to the drawing room, or for him to be snubbed and sent about his business? A mischievous smile curled her lips. Well, there can be no comparison, can there? Besides, I don't know the way.

'Thank you so much, Commander Aldace. I confess that after traveling so far I am greatly fatigued, and will be glad of your support.' She slowed her pace, and deliberately added some weight to her arm.

Aldace merely contented himself with a smile that extended no further than the corners of his mouth. His eyes showed no amusement at all.

Iphigenia's did - they positively glittered. As she dawdled, she wondered which topic of conversation would be the dullest to introduce. 'You will be interested to note, Commander, that the state of the roads as we traveled was truly excellent.'

'Indeed, ma'am?' he answered woodenly.

'Oh yes,' she enthused. 'Quite dry, which is a remarkable circumstance at this time of year, and yet not so dry as to become uncomfortably dusty. I can think of nothing worse than a dusty road, sir, can you?'

'I regret to inform you that I can,' he replied. Is the gallant Commander indulging in irony?

'Oh?' she asked, inviting elaboration.

'On the sea, Miss Ffouldes, we find ourselves so accustomed to being wet that the experience of being coated in dust would, at least, have that of novelty,' he said, brusquely.

They travelled in silence for a moment down the white and spotless passageway whose sparseness was relieved only by the occasional landscape painting hanging in it. The pause in conversation was just long enough to put Aldace at his ease, thinking that Iphigenia had given up. She had not.

'I had forgotten that in your naval career the weather assumes an importance greater even than that it does for those of us who use the public highways. How fortunate that I hit upon a topic so well designed to please you,' she congratulated herself, with neither sincerity nor shame.

Blandly, he replied, 'I can assure you, ma'am, that I am quite able to converse on the topic of the weather. If it would amuse you, or edify you, I can detail even the tiniest distinctions between wind speeds and directions, discuss the implications of various weather systems for navigational purposes, and, without references to charts, describe the intriguing differences in tidal patterns in almost any port in Europe, the Indies, or as far as the Cape.' He paused, smiling at Iphigenia without warmth.

So. You are increasing the price of play, are you? Very well.

'But I leave it to yourself to determine how interesting you would find such conversation,' he added.

It appears that I must find a topic even less engaging ... now there's a thought. What could be more obnoxious than to think that I had set my cap at him? Odious as he finds me.

Iphigenia stared adoringly at him, and replied breathlessly, 'Oh sir! You are truly a man of information and sense - and your condescension in deferring to my own humble wishes quite, quite overwhelms me!' She hastily flipped open her fan, hanging from her wrist beside her reticule, waving it with vigour in an effort to cool her pretended ardour.

Aldace was stunned, and stared directly ahead, refusing to make further comment. Fortunately for him they had reached the drawing room where the family assembled before dinner. Iphigenia was quite delighted with her success at needling Aldace. She had been worried for a few moments, but felt that she was ultimately entitled to claim a victory.

Unhanding Iphigenia and bowing, Aldace gestured her to the doorway. 'We have arrived, Miss Ffouldes,' he said.

Iphigenia felt obliged to show mercy to a vanquished foe. She smiled most winsomely and said, 'Thank you for your escort,' before entering the room.

Her self-satisfaction did not last long. The rest of the party was assembled there, her mother decked out in a sober gown of grey satin, and darkly flashing with imitation jet jewels around her throat, on her ears and in the grey and white turban she wore. 'Ah, Iphigenia, there you are! Come and meet your ...' She stopped as she saw Aldace enter the room immediately behind her daughter. Lady Adeline smiled, showing a predator's excessive amount of tooth, and said in what she took to be a subtle tone, 'How pleasant to see Young People amusing each other so well. I am sorry to deprive you of my daughter's company, Commander Aldace, but I must present her to her aunt, Lady Wynleigh.'

Aldace's face was almost unreadable. He bowed curtly, and stalked over to the pianoforte to peruse the music sheets in solitude.

Iphigenia felt that the lustre of her victory was tarnishing, however she determined to banish any feelings of resentment towards her parent for spoiling what had previously been a shining moment in her life. After all, in what way am I surprised by her behaviour? Summoning a smile from the nether recesses of her soul, she moved across the room to where her mother had indicated her aunt was to be found.

A smile was a seldom-used weapon in Lady Adeline's repertoire; the one she attempted then had all the sincerity and warmth of a snarling tiger, which greatly unnerved Iphigenia: to see her without an insulating layer of duplicity was the same as seeing her naked.

Lady Adeline began, in her most affable tone, 'My dear sister, Lady Wynleigh, here is my only daughter, Miss Iphigenia Ffouldes,' And as Iphigenia curtsied politely, she continued, 'How charming it is to see you, my dear Iphigenia, making your bow to the wife of my dearest brother, in this, our ancestral home! How I have longed to make my cherished offspring known to all who are fotunate enough to make their lives in these, the very Halls of my Fondest Recollections!' Iphigenia was torn between revulsion at the melodrama, and a desire to know from whence these affecting utterances sprung.

Her parent, evidently well pleased by her own performance, patted the limp hand of Lady Wynleigh and said archly, 'I shall entrust Iphigenia to your care, my dear. An aunt's protection and affections can be second only to a mother's, so you see I have no qualms to afflict me in my absence! Lady Adeline unfurled her fan and moved away to do what she might to bring Kit, who was happily seated by fire reading a newspaper, more to the notice of his uncle who was equally contentedly stuffing a pipe with tobacco in the chair opposite him.

Iphigenia reflected that, although her mother might not be afflicted by qualms, she herself was. Lady Wynleigh, no doubt, wished every Ffouldes in the county at the bottom of the nearest convenient well; and, far from regarding Iphigenia as a dear niece, must consider her a leech, or some worse blood-sucking creature. And now to make myself agreeable!

She looked Lady Wynleigh over carefully, for the first time. She was a woman of short stature, greying light brown hair, and equine features. Her gown was of the finest satin brocade, gold designs intertwined with burgundy ones on her overdress and her very large puffed sleeves. Two little slippers of gold peeped out from beneath the under-dress of the same colour. They matched a solitary and forlorn feather that rose out of a garnet-encrusted hairpin, rather like a flag on a ship that was ready to surrender. It was clinging precariously to the thin strands of her carefully dressed hair. Although no fault could be found with the ensemble itself, somehow when one included Lady Wynleigh herself, the whole managed to look incongruous. Iphigenia noticed how Lady Wynleigh's shoulders sloped unbecomingly, and how the gown appeared somehow too large for her, even though it proclaimed itself as having been carefully tailored, and how she made one think inexorably of a miserable child having been caught dressing up in her mother's good clothes. Lady Wynleigh was obviously agitated. Her brow was furrowed and she waved her fan fitfully, her reflexes bringing it up to hide the distress on her face, her upbringing forcing her to lower it again.

Chapter One (4) End of chapter.

'Enter,' sounded Lady Adeline's voice at its most urbane.

Around the edge of the door peeped a very pretty face. It possessed a pair of doe-like brown eyes; a small, full-lipped mouth; and was framed by a veritable cluster of corkscrew curls of burnished gold.

Perceiving the small, white cap of a servant was tied atop these, Lady Adeline felt free to assert herself. 'Come in at once, if you have something to say. There is no need for any of this lurking.' She infused the fault with all the gravity of a capital offence.

Blushing, and with downcast eyes, the girl made her way hesitantly into the room. She was very tiny, and this, combined with her timidity, made her seem much younger than she could possibly be.

Iphigenia instantly felt sorry for her, knowing that she was to be a pigeon for Lady Adeline's plucking. As she often did, she glanced at her brother in the expectation of wordless understanding. This time, Kit's eyes did not meet his sister's. However, she could tell that he was aware of the girl's beauty; he wore an expression of awed admiration and the entirety of his attention was fixed on the girl.

Lady Adeline, however, seemed to be completely impervious to the girl's charm. 'Well? And what have you to say for yourself?' she demanded imperiously.

Bobbing a curtsey, the girl replied softly with a countrified accent, 'If you please, ma'am, I'm here for Miss Ffouldes.'

One of Lady Adeline's eyebrows went up, and the interrogation continued. 'And what do you want of her?'

'Only to show you to your room, Miss,' she replied, somewhat nervously.

Making a show of her feelings of affront, Lady Adeline looked around at her offspring for support. Not finding any, she continued implacably, 'Do you take me for my daughter! If only I could believe such obvious flattery!' She emitted a rather forced-sounding laugh, and turned to her son, to encourage him to share her amusement. He, however, was not amused, and found that his feet were worthy of attention.

Iphigenia took advantage of this lull to go over to the poor girl, who seemed almost on the verge of tears, and she smiled kindly. Softly she introduced herself, 'I think that I am the person you were looking for. And are you indeed to show me to my room? I confess that I am exhausted - would you be so kind as to direct me immediately?' Iphigenia gestured the way to the door.

The girl gave a rather quavery smile, bobbed another curtsey and preceeded Iphigenia out of the room. Miss Ffouldes met her brother's eye just as she vanished from the room - she winked saucily, and he smiled approval at her swift intervention.

As she pulled the book room door shut with a soft click, Iphigenia gave the girl another encouraging smile. 'There, now,' she said. 'My father is fond of the advice get over rough ground as lightly as you can, and I think that we can flatter ourselves that we have done just that.'

The girl managed to regain some composure, and returned Iphigenia's smile. 'Follow me, if you please, Miss,' she said as they began their walk back to the hall.

In much the same way that everyone likes a lamb, a rabbit or a kitten, Iphigenia found that she really liked this girl. She had spent most of her own life in the country, brought up among other local people who were lacking what was called sophistication or town polish. Euphemisms, in Iphigenia's opinion, for conceit and subterfuge. The people that Iphigenia knew were undeniably unrefined, but there was an honesty and an integrity in them that compensated for awkward manners. She felt that she had known this girl her whole life, because she had known people like her for that length of time.

'Can I ask your name?' Iphigenia inquired as they walked.

With another shy smile and ducking her golden curls again, the girl answered, 'Sukey Pyle, miss.'

'Well, Sukey Pyle,' Iphigenia began jokingly, 'you needn't fear that I am going to play the great lady and make every attempt to remind you of your place. That's my mother's job.'

Sukey stifled a little laugh, and glanced guiltily at Iphigenia, unsure of her.

Iphigenia was reassuring. 'No, no - you might as well laugh if that's what you feel like doing at the moment. After all, I shall probably have to ask you to do all sorts of things you might dislike, if you are to be my abigail while I remain at Wynleigh. So enjoy yourself now, by all means! Are you to be my abigail?'

Shyly, Sukey answered, 'I think so, ma'am.' She spent a moment considering something, and then said, uncertainly, 'Ive never done any abigailing before, ma'am. Just kitchen work. I hope you won't mind.'

'I am sure I shan't,' Iphigenia replied blithely. Just remember when you are stuffing me into my corset that I do not need to be coated in breadcrumbs or have an apple shoved in my mouth!'

It was a poor joke, but it worked. Sukey laughed, quietly, and Iphigenia hoped that she had found someone to talk to without reservation.

They had come to the great staircase in the hall once again. As they climbed, Iphigenia asked all kinds of questions about how Wynleugh was ordered - did they dress for dinner here, when did they dine, what amusements did Lady Wynleigh enjoy in the drawing room, when did the household retire for the night, were trays brought up to the bedchambers, or was there a breakfast parlour? The two young ladies chatted amiably and with ease as they mounted the staircase and walked for some way down the passageway at its top.

Stopping at a doorway, Sukey said, 'This one's called the Willow Chamber, Miss Iphigenia. This'll be yours for your stay.' She had her hand on the doorknob in readiness to open it when the sound of Lord Wynleigh's voice could be heard quite close behind them.

Iphigenia found it most disconcerting to discover that someone had been right behind her without her knowledge, but his lordship's presence seemed to exert a stronger influence on Sukey. She whipped her hand away from the door, grasping both hands in front of her, wringing them together, her head utterly downcast, bobbing a quick curtsey and keeping her eyes miserably fixed at a point on the floor.

Bluffly, his lordship said, 'What a charming picture you two present together! Dark and Light! But which is which, eh?' he asked, teasingly.

Iphigenia really felt that she had had quite enough of her uncle. She forebore answering and merely bowed graciously.

Laughing at his own wit, Lord Wynleigh gestured the girls to continue. Sukey opened the door and Iphigenia went in. She turned around to await Sukey's entry to the room, but was not quick enough to see what had happened. She heard first Sukey's stifled cry, and then her uncle's laughter again as he continued his progress along the passageway. Sukey entered the room cowed and timid once more and closed the door firmly behind her.

Iphigenia blinked in puzzlement, and began to ask, 'Sukey, what on earth has just ...'

Sukey was shaking her head unhappily. She said softly, 'Let me help you untie your laces, Miss Iphigenia, and you have a lie down while I unpack your trunk. You'll have to tell me what it is that you want to wear to dinner, and I'll get the creases out and help you dress.'

Without a word, Iphigenia sat down on the bed, and Sukey busied herself with the trunk that had been carried up to the room already.

She had hardly been at Wynleigh an hour, and already had decided that it was much worse than London - quite the last place in the world that she could ever feel comfortable.

END OF CH 1. CH 2 TO FOLLOW SOON!

Chapter One (3)

Waving a hand at Aldace, Wynleigh remarked teasingly, 'I shall say no more on that head, so I assure you!' Aldace forbore to reply. To his other guests, his lordship gestured to the seats, 'Sit yourselves down. Find a cosy spot while Waulmsley brings us a bite or two. You're all exhausted after a journey here, I'll be bound, and I'm all eagerness to hear what it is that brings you. Not sad news, I hope, Adeline, as regards your life's partner?' he asked banteringly and insincerely.

'No, indeed, John. All was well with Colonel Ffouldes when last we had the privilege of communication from him,' Lady Adeline replied, shortly. So prim was her reply, in fact, that even had Iphigenia not already known her mother's opinion of news from her father, it would have been clear. Iphigenia hoped that Lady Adeline would not lay open their family business any further. Especially not in front of an uncle they barely knew. And extra-specially not in front of Aldace.

Adjusting herself more comfortably on her chaise lounge, her ladyship addressed herself to the Commander. 'Perhaps you are unaware, sir, that my husband has been stationed in India, and his business there has kept him from these shores for some time.'

Aldace had resumed his place near the fire and appeared nonplussed by the information. He replied, 'Is that so, ma'am?'

Blithely, Lady Adeline assured him, 'Indeed yes. It is always hardest on the families of those whose duties are of king rather than home.'

Aldace contented himself with a curt bow, which made Lord Wynleigh burst out laughing. 'Adeline, it has been so long that I had all but forgotten what a pea-goose you are! Aldace's just as guilty as most of us when it comes to choosing between duty and inclination!' He continued with a further chuckle or two.

Iphigenia noticed that Aldace's attention was seemingly entirely focused on the artifacts displayed on the mantlepiece. She was struck by his tactiturnity in not being able to share a pleasantry that had obviously been intended to include him. The man appeared to be almost entirely lacking in social graces.

Airily waving a hand, Lay Adeline conceded, 'Ah yes, you are both Naval men. I had forgotten,' and then, with raillery, 'But as to our business here - call me a pea-goose if you will, my dear John, but I am not the pea-goose who has forgotten that he was to receive houseguests!'

Laughter drained from Lord Wynleigh's face. Recollecting himself, he smiled, and inquired, 'Should I infer then, Adeline, that I should have a bed made up for you?'

With all the appearance of surprise, Lady Adeline rejoined, 'Has not Lady Wynleigh already done so?'

Realising that his sister was serious, he began making excuses, 'Well, of course she might have - isn't here, as a matter of fact - must have forgotten to mention it to me. I shall just go and consult with our housekeeper, perhaps.'

Wynleigh rose to go, with some audible creaking from his corsetry; but before he could exit the room, Waulmsley entered it with a tray bearing a selection of cold meats, cakes, fruit and some Madeira wine.

'Ah yes,' said Wynleigh, 'Our refreshments! Do help yourselves, everyone please!'

Kit eagerly grabbed a cake, and the others served themselves such items as took their fancy with rather more decorum.

While his guests were occupied, and before Waulmsley withdrew, Wynleigh took him aside and asked in what he assumed was a discreet tone, 'Lady Adeline is staying for the night. Doubtless Lady Wynleigh, before she left ...' he raised his eyebrows, prompting the butler to answer that all was under control.

Waulmsley's sullen face and reluctance to reply answered his master's question.

Rubbing his chin a little, Wynleigh went on, 'A lot on her mind, sort of thing one easily forgets, of course. Desire Mrs Pengreay to make up the Park Chamber for Lady Adeline.'

Silently bowing, Waulmsley withdrew. Wynleigh was fully sensible of his butler's disapproval, but as the conduct of this indispensable member of the household was beyond reproach, his lordship had to swallow his annoyance and continue the civilities with his guests.

'You will be pleased to hear, Adeline, that the Park Chamber is being readied for you for this evening,' Wynleigh announced jovially, patting his paunch with satisfaction. 'It is one of the rooms in the newer section of the house. Most comfortable.'

Looking up from a very small glass of Madeira, his sister caught him off guard again. 'And for the rest of my stay?' she asked, fixing him with a clear, unblinking gaze.

Smiling so hard that it seemed as if his jaw might break, Wynleigh improvised, 'For the rest of your stay, I have every confidence that my dearest Sophia will want to confer with you herself this evening to discover precisely what will suit you.'

Through a mouth slightly loaded with cake, Kit observed to his uncle, 'You know, these are really good.' He helped himself to another.

Looking much struck by an unpleasant suspicion, Wynleigh asked his sister, 'Had you any preferences for where your - most interesting! - offspring are to stay?'

Taking another small sip of her wine, Lady Adeline replied easily, 'No. Wherever it will least discommode you, my dear brother. We should be sorry to put you to any trouble.'

Wynleigh's expression was less a smile and more a grimace. However he spoke graciously, 'Aldace will be happy to entertain you for a few moments. excuse me while I discover who will show you to your rooms. You will all want a chance to recover from your journey before we dine.' He let himself out of the room without a backward glance.

Aldace had all the appearance of a man who was anything but happy at being requested to be civil to his host's other visitors. With an expression of disbelieving repugnance he turned again to his study of the mantlepiece.

Iphigenia would ordinarily have ignored such behaviour, and have satisfied herself with conversation with her brother. However, she was by now almost incensed at the seemingly ceaseless flow of snubs from Aldace. She decided it would be her pleasure to inflict the full measure of her distasteful presence on him.

Smiling brightly, she enquired, 'Commander Aldace, have you known my uncle long?'

He brought his head upright quickly, and glanced at her over his shoulder.

Iphigenia knew that, despite being tired, and her clothes being travel worn, she presented quite a pretty picture. She had seen for herself at the last inn at which they had stopped that the sleek coils of her long, brown hair had worn well and were very becomingly spilt over one shoulder; that her Brunswick green travel habit suited her complexion and figure admirably; and as she had been complimented on her looks by admirers she was well aware that the expression of vivacity was one which showed off her even features to advantage.

Aldace seemed oblivious to all of it. He merely replied in a bored tone, 'As he commanded the fleet in the Mediterranean for several years, ma'am, and I have served in it for eleven years myself, you may infer an acquaintance of some length.' He returned to his interrupted study of a porcelain snuffbox of Oriental design.

Iphigenia would not yield so meekly. She tried again, 'Very well, Commander Aldace, i shall make what inferences I can from this information. However, I shall need you to supply me with a little more if I am to be satisfied.'

Resignedly, Aldace turned around to face the room, and leaned against the mantle. 'I would be loathe to deprive you of satisfaction ma'am,' he replied, the gallantry spoilt somewhat by the sarcasm of his tone. 'What do you require of me?'

Playfully, she began, 'You see, sir, I know very little of the customs binding you Naval men. Is it in his capacity as a retired Admiral of the Fleet that my uncle is now entertaining you?'

'I would not like to hazard any remarks about Lord Wynleigh's business, Ma'am,' he replied depressingly.

'Quite right,' agreed Lady Adeline, sectioning an orange.

Laughing a little, Iphigenia pressed on, 'I am sure I am not trying to be impertinent, sir! Only to make conversation,' she added, pointedly.

Taking her meaning, Aldace looked up. Their eyes met.

Iphigenia had hoped that Aldace would be shamed into doing all that was proper for their entertainment, but she forgot all her machinations in noticing how unexpectedly green his eyes were. Almost a blue. Rather like the sea itself - how appropriate.

She recollected herself, blinked and continued, 'Perhaps you would prefer to introduce a new topic for discussion?'

Aldace was uncomfortable. He shifted the sbuffbox between his hands as he attempted to collect his thoughts, 'I would not wish ... I am ...' Abruptly he placed the snuff box back on the mantle, schooled his features, and said calmly, 'I pray you will all excuse me.' He made a slight bow, and left the room even before Kit could struggle to his feet, still chewing, and attempting to catch the crumbs that fell off his lap.

Calmly contemplating a piece of her orange, Lady Adeline observed impeturbably, 'What an awkward young man.'

Blushing hotly, Iphigenia tried to capture some of her mother's air of serenity. 'Yes indeed,' she agreed. 'He certainly lacks something in his address.'

'He does. However, it was a shame that you chased him away, Iphigenia. I dare sau he is a protege of my brother's and has very good prospects,' replied Lady Adeline blandly.

Too outraged for speech, Iphigenia stood up and took a very energetic turn about the room. A little rap at the door sounded before she had fully regained her equilibrium, and she was grateful to whoever it was for obviating the necessity to continue so undesirable a conversation.

TO BE CONTINUED ... AND CHAPTER 1 TO BE CONCLUDED ... SOON.