Carrie Bebris - The Deception At Lyme

“Mary,” her husband said in a low voice, “when we learned Mrs. Clay was in the family way, you declared that you would have nothing to do with the child.”

“What does that signify? I still should have been asked, and you should have, too. You have been part of the family far longer than Captain Wentworth.”

Further discussion between the couple was drowned out by a cry—the latest of many from the guest of honor. Alfred had cried during his baptismal rite. He had cried upon leaving the church. He had cried upon arrival at the Assembly Rooms. Indeed, the celebrated Elliot heir cried so often and so vehemently that he was at considerable risk of being ejected from his own party.

Sir Walter was not pleased. Clearly, he had expected better behavior from the week-old future baronet. While he might tolerate his son’s wails in the privacy of their own lodgings, the public display was an embarrassment, particularly as the infantile protests took place under the judgmental gaze of Lady Dalrymple, to whom Sir Walter offered repeated apologies.

Miss Elliot was even more displeased. When Lady Dalrymple had attempted to hand off Alfred to his eldest sister, he had baptized Miss Elliot with a bit of his breakfast. Miss Elliot now had a damp stain on the front of her gown which a hastily borrowed fichu could not effectively cover as she strove to greet her guests in a dignified manner.

And so Alfred had been passed down the phalanx of godmothers and sisters with each new outburst. Having exhausted the patience of his more exalted patrons, he was now handed off to the last of his godmothers just as Elizabeth was being formally introduced to her: Anne Wentworth, second daughter of Sir Walter Elliot, and wife of the rather handsome Captain Frederick Wentworth, who stood beside her.

Unlike her predecessors—who had awkwardly held Alfred at the maximum distance possible from their own fine attire while they forced the future baronet to face the press of well-wishing strangers—Anne settled the overwhelmed infant against her chest, his head on her shoulder, his countenance turned away from the crowd. As her hand stroked his back, Alfred quieted.

Captain Wentworth greeted Darcy congenially, the unusual nature of their initial meeting having done more to advance accord between them than would have weeks of stilted drawing room conversation. Mrs. Wentworth acknowledged him with equal warmth. Darcy, in turn, introduced the couple to Elizabeth and Georgiana.

“It is a pleasure to meet you,” Mrs. Wentworth said. “The Harvilles speak of you with great regard, not only for your recent rescue of their son, but also the kindness you showed to Mrs. Clay. I understand we have you to thank for Alfred’s safe delivery.”

Elizabeth gazed across the room, to where the Harvilles drank lemonade with a cluster of individuals whom she guessed to be fellow officers. Lieutenant St. Clair was among them. She was glad to see that Sir Walter had, despite their being “naval people,” demonstrated the grace to invite to Alfred’s christening the couple in whose home his child had entered the world, and the man who had helped carry the injured mother there. “If that is what the Harvilles told you, they were too modest about their own role.” Elizabeth turned back to the Wentworths. “Lady Elliot could not have known a better nurse than Mrs. Harville, nor a more compassionate household in which to spend her final hours.”

A shadow passed across Mrs. Wentworth’s expression, and Elizabeth regretted her statement. “Forgive me,” she added quickly. “I did not intend to mention her death at an event intended to celebrate life.”

“No—it is only that I am unused to hearing ‘Lady Elliot’ in reference to anyone but my own mother.”

Elizabeth now wanted to bite her careless tongue. She hoped she had not offended Anne Wentworth.

Lady Russell, who stood on Anne’s other side, heard her statement and turned to her. “Though the second Lady Elliot may have produced the heir, your dear mother shall always hold superior claim to the title ‘lady.’”

Mrs. Wentworth thanked the older woman and turned back to Elizabeth’s party with a friendly look that assured Elizabeth that she had not given offense.

“I believe I also have you to thank for the assistance rendered to my friend Mrs. Smith the day before yesterday,” Mrs. Wentworth said to Elizabeth and Georgiana. “She told me that two ladies named Darcy helped her after she fell on the beach.”

“We were glad to have been of use,” Georgiana said.

“Is Mrs. Smith all right following the incident?” Elizabeth asked. “She appeared fine when she left us.”

“She is. In fact, she felt well enough this morning that she plans to join me and Captain Wentworth here; we expect her to arrive any time now. I know she would enjoy talking with you again.”

“I will watch for her arrival,” Elizabeth said, “for I would enjoy speaking with her again, too.”

The press of other guests moved the Darcys through the remainder of the receiving line at a pace which allowed for no more than perfunctory acknowledgments of introductions. They formally met Lady Dalrymple, Sir Basil, the slighted Mary Musgrove (indeed Sir Walter’s youngest daughter) and her husband, Mr. Charles Musgrove. They then found themselves at liberty to circulate.

It was hot in the Rooms. The number of occupants only increased the August heat that had stolen inside along with them, and sunshine poured through a large window that overlooked the sea. Lemonade had been set out, and Darcy went to retrieve some for the ladies.

Elizabeth had not anticipated knowing many of their fellow guests, but discovered that in addition to the Harvilles and Lieutenant St. Clair, she recognized quite a few others. Mr. Shepherd, apparently not illustrious enough a personage to merit a place in the receiving line—he was only the guest of honor’s grandfather, after all—was present with Alfred’s brothers, Mrs. Clay’s older two boys. Elizabeth judged the boys to be perhaps eight and ten, dressed in mourning as deep as that of Mrs. Clay’s father. The family tree had not been kind in planting the seeds of their appearance. The elder boy bore his mother’s freckles and crooked tooth, while the younger had shockingly red hair which, for Alfred’s sake, Elizabeth hoped he had inherited from his father’s side. The boys had stationed themselves beside the refreshment table, a proximity ideal for sneaking rout-cakes each time Mr. Shepherd turned his head.

In the opposite corner, Mr. William Elliot observed the room and its occupants. He wore merely a black armband in acknowledgment of Lady Elliot’s passing. The minimal display of mourning for so recent a death declared to the world that he considered his connexion to the deceased only a distant one—a far cry from his efforts just days ago to take custody of her newborn son.

Darcy returned with three glasses of lemonade. Elizabeth gratefully accepted the one he handed her.

“Mr. Elliot is here.” She nodded in the gentleman’s direction. “Given the scandalous nature of his relationship with Alfred’s mother, I am surprised Sir Walter invited him.”

“I am more surprised that he accepted,” Darcy replied. “The invitation was actually a shrewd move on Sir Walter’s part. His marriage to Mrs. Clay thwarted any legal claim Mr. Elliot could make to Alfred or the estate—Alfred was born into a legitimate marriage, however tardily that union was formed—yet socially, the question of the child’s paternity remains fuel for gossip. By boldly including Mr. Elliot in Alfred’s christening celebration, Sir Walter publicly rejects any speculation regarding the true paternity of his heir, and at the same time reminds his rival that he will now never inherit the baronetcy.”