What About Cecelia? Read online

  After a few minutes, Julia restarted the conversation, “Before you go, would you like a puppy? Caro's litter is almost ready to wean.”

  “I'd love one, especially one out of Caro, but I can't.”

  “Why not?”

  “I'm planning to stay with my aunt in Swansea when Captain Wood wishes me to leave, and she may not like dogs.”

  Mr Landor added, “Anyone who doesn't like dogs is fit for treasons, stratagems and plots.” To which his helpmate replied, “Walter, don't go getting all poetic right now. We're discussing important things.”

  “Yes, dear. But my poetry is important.”

  “In its place.”

  “There's always a place for poetry.”

  Julia ignored his plea, “I know! Why don't we all ride down to Penyclawdd?”

  “You're not comfortable riding Ionie, will you be up to it?”

  “You can lead me.”

  When they walked to the stable-yard, where the groom had saddled the three horses, Cecelia gushed, “Is this Ionie? What a beautiful mare!”

  Julia admitted, “She is beautiful, but sour tempered. Mr. Landor can just handle her, but I'm not a good enough horsewoman to ride her.”

  Cecelia suggested, “My dear Awyrii is a calm ride. Why don't you learn to ride on her? I'll ride your Ionie and see if I can school her in good manners.”

  Mr. Landor approved, “You know, Julia. Cecelia's been riding almost as long as she can walk. She's by far the best rider of the three of us. If she can't school Ionie, the horse is irredeemable and we'll sell her.”

  Cecelia added, “I haven't met a horse I can't school. If you decide to sell her and buy another, let me help you judge.”

  “Of course.”

  On the ride down Cwm Bwchel to Penyclawdd, Ionie was skittish and tended to shy, but Cecelia kept her mount from outright bolting. Ionie wanted to run, and Cecelia let her canter ahead of her companions. Awyr was happy to walk behind and carry a novice rider. Much to her surprise, Julia found that she could easily ride a well-trained horse. Mr. Landor and his wife caught up with Cecelia at Penyclawdd. They asked, “Miss Wood, could Mrs. Landor borrow Awyr for the next few days, while you train our Ionie?”

  Cecelia agreed, but her groom expressed his misgivings at having such a handful of a horse in their stables. “Miss Wood,” he began, “This horse is a sour one. You can see from how she holds her head and the way she looks at you. It's like she's always measuring the distance for a kick.”

  “Yes, she's been left to her own devices too long. A couple of days working on her, maybe a week and she'll be well mannered. She's got the build of a good hunter.”

  “If you say so, Miss. I'd rather not work with such an ill-tempered beast.”

  “She just needs training. Even if Mr. Landor sells her in the end, with training she'll fetch a much better price.”

  The Landors followed Cecelia into the house and were introduced to Captain Wood and Miss Arnold.

  On his sixth glass of Madeira for the afternoon, Captain Wood swayed a bit as he stood, but that didn't stop him from welcoming his guests, once Cecelia introduced them.

  “Captain George Wood and Miss Jane Arnold, these are Mr. Walter Landor, the poet, and his wife Julia.”

  “Glad to meet you. Would you care for some wine?”

  “It looks like you've been having some yourself, Captain Wood. Is there any left?”

  “Plenty. I brought four or five casks of first rate Madeira from London.”

  Miss Arnold intervened, “I think you've had enough for now, Captain Wood.”

  He gave his guests a goggle-eyed stare. “I suppose so. Need to stay awake through dinner tonight.”

  Miss Arnold continued, “You must excuse my fiancée, it was a difficult journey yesterday and he was in need of some refreshments.”

  Cecelia thought, “I'll say. More like he needs some strong tea and fresh air to walk of that drunkenness.”

  Julia asked, “How long have you been engaged, and are you planning an unusually big wedding?”

  “Two months, tomorrow.”

  Mr. Landor asked, “Why aren't you two married yet?”

  Julia cried, “Walter, that's rude.”

  “No it isn't. We took, what, almost three weeks from the time I saw you at the dance to get hitched.”

  “But you're one of the wild Landors, aren't you?”

  “Maybe. But still, I'd like to know why they're taking so long. Have you even posted the Banns yet?”

  Jane answered, “We're waiting for permission from the head of my family, Lord Pershore. That and officially I'm still in first mourning for my aunt.”

  George continued, “I may have to sell the estate to fund Miss Arnold's portion. We're still thinking on how to do right by her.”

  “You might sell Penyclawdd? Sir, the south of Wales is paradise. I've said so in print and still hold to it.”

  2. A Disastrous Expedition.

  The morning rain was spraying down. It soaked everything that wasn't under cover, and made the fields a slippery mass of mud. Halfway through his first Madeira of the morning, Captain Wood gazed out of the window, and observed, “What a sodding miserable day.”

  Jane replied to him, “It is. The weather is so much nicer in London or Bath.”

  “It rains there too, and the rains stink of coal smoke and soot. At least the rain is clean here.”

  “There's something to do in London when it rains.”

  “I suppose so, but people out here seem to manage despite the bloody sodding rain.”

  Jane ignored his swearing, “They don't have any choice.”

  George let the conversation lag while he thought. After a few moments he asked, “What I am going to do about Cecelia?”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “She seems a nice enough girl Jane, but something tells me she'll be in the way when it comes time to set up our own home.”

  “I'm sure there is somewhere she can go. She must have some other relatives who would take her in.”

  “I hope so. How do you find her?”

  “We chatted while you were still in bed. She's a sweet girl. Although she is a bit bookish for my tastes. But I think we'll get on well. At least after we get to know each other better. She's polite and respects my station.”

  “I'm glad you're getting on.”

  “I just wish there was something we could do here while the weather is so miserable.”

  “Cecelia seems to have found something to do. Where is she?”

  “Over by the stables. She's schooling that skittish horse she rode here yesterday.”

  “Now that has to be worth seeing. Landor hinted she was one excellent horsewoman when I saw them off yesterday.” He put down his mug, and asked Jane, “Are you coming with me?”

  “In this weather? No, and the mud in the farmyard will ruin my shoes.”

  “Don't you have any patterns?”

  “I left them in London. I didn't think I'd need them.”

  “Every estate I own will have a farmyard. That farmyard will be muddy.”

  “That still doesn't mean I have to go out into it and get covered in muck.”

  “Nonetheless, I'm going to see what she's up to. Meadows was telling me yesterday as well as Landor that Cecelia has a reputation as a formidable horsewoman. He said it was well-worth seeing her in action.”

  “I heard you the first time. Please go. I'm happy with this book.”

  Captain Wood donned a cloak and walked out to see what his cousin was doing. He found Cecelia in a field trotting this huge horse around in a circle with a lead attached to its bridle. A small furry object was barking its approval of the process. When it saw him, it bounded over and demanded attention.

  “Miss Wood,” he called, “what's this?”

  Cecelia flashed him a smile before answering, which took his breath away. Her enthusiasm shown through the wet and only enhanced her beauty.

  “Heulwen, your new puppy. Isn't she cute?�
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  “My new puppy?”

  “Don't you remember? Mr. Landor said he would give her to us yesterday when he and Mrs. Landor escorted me home.”

  “No I don't. I must have been more bosky than I thought.” He stooped down to pet the dog and Heulwen obligingly rolled over to let him pet her belly.

  “See, she likes you.”

  “I've always wanted a dog, but not a mongrel like this one.”

  “She's not a mongrel. Her dam, Caro, is a renowned herding dog. Heulwen already shows signs of inheriting her mother's intelligence.”

  “Is that so?” Tired of stooping down, he picked her up and held her. “She does seem well built. What does Heulwen mean?”

  “Sunshine. Mrs. Landor thought she could bring some sunshine into your and Miss Arnold's lives.”

  “Maybe. That's a fine looking horse. Whose is it?”

  “Mrs. Landor's. Her husband bought it for her, but they're both a bit scared of it.”

  “That's understandable. She has an excellent conformation, but she's a sour-looking brute if ever I saw one. The look in her eye that she gives you. I gather you're not scared of her.”

  “No I'm not scared of her.” Cecelia mentally added, “It's not like she's a man asking me to dance or anything really scary like being asked to play pianoforte for company.” Then she continued, “I Haven't met one yet I can't handle. She was a handful on the ride from Llanthony, so I'm training her on the lead today.”

  Heulwen squirmed at the inactivity so Captain Wood set her down and she resumed running after the horse and yapping at her. “Is that helpful? Having that dog bark at your horse?”

  “Doesn't hurt. This horse needs to get used to dogs. I don't want her to try bolting again the next time she sees a farm dog.”

  “Suppose so.” He paused, unsure of what else to say or do. It certainly didn't look like Cecelia needed any help. “If you don't need me for anything, I'll head back inside.”

  “No, I'll be another hour or so at this, then I'll see if Ionie is ready for a ride.”

  Captain Wood turned and started to walk back to the house. The yapping little dog followed him and shot inside when he opened the door.

  Jane screamed “What's that!” She was accompanied by a now-familiar yap and the crash of a side-table.

  George entered the parlor to find Jane standing amid the ruins of an overturned side-table with tea, tea cup and teapot shards on the floor. Heulwen was barking at her. It was almost as if she were saying “Do it again funny lady.”

  “Heulwen, stop.” The dog quieted. “That apparently is our new puppy.”

  “I don't like dogs. Look at it, it's muddy and, ew, look at the muck it tracked all over our clean parlor.”

  “She's a gift from the Landors. From last night, do you remember?”

  “No.”

  “Good, I was worried that I was too drunk to remember anything from last night.”

  “You were too drunk last night, but you didn't agree to a puppy. At least not while I was present. There was a caller this morning.”

  “Was there?”

  “While you were asleep. For that matter, while I was asleep. He left a note.”

  George read it.

  Captain George Wood

  Penyclawdd House

  Dear George,

  I hope this note finds you in good health and recovered from last night's libations. Julia and I thought that one of our Caro's puppies would be just the thing as a housewarming gift. Julia suggested Heulwen, Welsh for sunshine, as a name. Let her bring sunshine into your lives.

  On another note, next sunny spell. Would you care to shoot grouse with me and the local gentry? We haven't shot Hatterrall hill for a good few months so there should be some excellent sport to be had.

  Sincerely

  Walter Savage Landor.

  Llanthony.

  George looked at Jane, “I wish we'd caught him before he left.” Pointing at the dog, he continued, “This complication could have been avoided. Now Miss Wood, if no one else, is attached to it.”

  “We could always take it back.”

  “No, that would be very rude. I'd like to be on good terms with our neighbors.”

  “Well in any case, it doesn't have to live inside. Does it?”

  George was about to agree when Cecelia came into the room. “There you are Heulwen. I've been looking all over for you.” The puppy ran over to her and she showered it with attention while it showered her with wet and mud. “Isn't she cute? I'll give her a basket in my room and she won't be any trouble to you.”

  “As long as you clean up her messes, I suppose you can keep her there.”

  “Thank you. She'll grow up to be a fine smart dog, just like her mother Caro. You won't regret this.”

  “I'm not sure that I don't already.”

  Jane studied Miss Wood playing with the dog. The thought occurred to her that Cecelia was in many ways still just a little girl. She didn't have the mature veneer of sophistication that life in the city could have given her. This prompted her to say, “Miss Wood, Cecelia, I cannot but feel we may have started off on the wrong foot yesterday. I hope that you'll consider Penyclawdd still your home as long as you need it.”

  Cecelia looked up from Heulwen and replied, “Jane, thank you. That is very kind of you. I know my aunt was worried about me living with her in Swansea. Besides, I knew you were still fractious from a long and tedious trip.”

  Jane continued, “Captain Wood, are we not planning to go Bath sometime in the next few weeks?”

  “Were we?”

  “I'm going to need to have a new gown for our wedding, and while I'm sure Abergav, Aber-whatever, has seamstresses, I'm also sure they aren't of the first stare.”

  George chuckled, “I see. Yes we should. It's not fair that you miss all your favorite diversions. I suppose this is a hint that we should invite Miss Wood to accompany us?”

  “That, and maybe we can do a little husband-hunting for her.”

  “I suppose it could be nicer to be married, than to live with my aunt.”

  Jane was shocked at the idea, “You do not want to remain an old maid, do you?”

  “Why not? Unless I meet a man I could love, and who would love me.”

  “You read too many novels Miss Wood.”

  “I don't just read novels, poetry too.”

  “Too much of that as well.”

  The rainy morning cleared and gave way to a fine hot afternoon. Cecelia used the time to take Ionie for a short ride and pronounced her manners much improved. In the late afternoon tall lines of clouds built up over the black mountains in the distance. The hot afternoon gave way to a suddenly cool evening. The Captain, Miss Arnold and Miss Wood were enjoying a quiet cup of tea after dinner, when the crash of thunder rent the air. The Captain jumped up and yelled, “The French! They're here.” He grabbed a poker from the fireplace and ran out into the storm.

  Jane gave Cecelia a stricken look, “What are we to do? He gets like this when his memories of Badajoz are triggered.”

  “Is that why you let him drink so much?”

  “Yes. It keeps his nightmares away.”

  Cecelia thought for a moment, then volunteered, “Jane, you don't know the land around here. I do. See that something warm is made ready for the captain so he doesn't catch a chill. I'll saddle Ionie and look for him.”

  Jane wrung her hands with anxiety, but agreed with Cecelia. There wasn't much else either of them could do.

  Cecelia found the groom, upstairs in the stable and explained what she needed him to do. “Not Ionie. See how she's bucking down there.” The stable shook as she crashed her hind feet into the stall. “I'll saddle your old pony for you then come out and look for him myself.”

  “No I'll take Ionie. I have to ride fast and go cross country. She's a born hunter. We don't have any other horse that could do it.”

  “Miss, no.”

  “Do it. Please. I can handle her.”

  Ionie calmed
when Cecelia spoke to her, and they were able to saddle her without difficulty. A few moments later, Cecelia shot out of the yard. She called for Captain Wood at the top of her voice.

  It didn't take her long to find him. He stood at the base of Bal Mawr shouting to the winds about the French. He waved his poker like it was a saber and waited for his men to follow him. If any of the ghosts of his regiment followed him, it was only in his mind. His men remained in their quiet anonymous graves on the outskirts of Badajoz.

  Seeing Cecelia on horseback, he shouted, “The Cuirassiers! Men form a square and prepare to fire.”

  “Captain Wood, George! It's me! Your cousin Cecelia. You're safe, in Wales, home.”

  “They've got Cecelia! Charge.”

  With Cecelia steadying her, Ionie could stand thunder and lightning mixed with the occasional burst of rain or hail. She couldn't abide the addition of a crazy man shouting at her and charging at her with a poker. She bucked and threw Cecelia to the muddy ground. Then she bolted for shelter.

  George watched the horse retreat, shouted “Hurrah, see how they run!” Then he noticed Cecelia lying there on the ground. “You're wounded.”

  Cecelia moaned, then started to rise, and collapsed. He continued, “We can't leave a wounded man behind. Either the guerillos or the French will finish him off.” Picking her up, he continued, “You're light for a soldier Private Weeks. I'll get you to the hospital.” With that he carried Cecelia back to Penyclawdd.

  Cecelia awoke the next morning in her room. Her head hurt and she was achy all over. Miss Arnold was sitting in a chair and watching her from a corner. When Cecelia stirred, she put down her book and walked over to the bed.

  “We've had the apothecary visit. He said that you would probably recover. If you woke up, he said to make you drink this.” She handed Cecelia a vile potion and helped her to drink some of it. When Cecelia finally stopped gagging, she continued, “Miss Wood, I don't know how to thank you enough for last night. Captain Wood is home, and safe because of you.”

  Cecelia asked Jane, “You really do love him, don't you?”

  “I care for him.”

  “That's why you're so strict, isn't it?”