THE MAGIC TOUCH (Historical Romance) (8 page)

She wondered what A
unt Constance was going to eat, as a full meal would be too much of an onslaught to her digestion after being indisposed. “What are you having?” she enquired.

“Beef tea and toast.
And the cook sent word she’s boiled an arrowroot pudding for me.” To Hope’s amusement, her aunt gave a little shudder and the vestige of a smile.

“How simply delicious,” chuckled Hope, picking up her knife and fork
to tackle the plate of boiled beef and vegetables which was put before her. The least she could do was be thankful she didn’t have the same menu as Aunt Constance.

It had been a very busy morning for Hope and
, as she ate, she tried to put the events in order in her mind. She started with the most important. “Beaumont called to ask after you early this morning. He wishes you good health.”

Her aunt nodded. “He’s proving to be a considerate
acquaintance. The more I see of him, the more I understand why Eustace thought well of him. It does not, however, excuse his outspokenness.” She frowned as she sipped her beef tea.

Hope decided to omit the details of Isabella’s visit and the tutorials she was proposing to hold for literacy. But her aunt was entitled to a bit more news. “Beaumont asked me to assist him with the writing of a few sentences to explain the stories he shows from his magic lantern.”

“Oh? Why can’t he do that himself? Don’t let him, or anyone else, take advantage of you, my dear.”

Hope blushed at the thought…

* * *

After luncheon, Hope sought out Edna.
“We’ll hold the lesson in my room.”

“
It could be a little awkward. I told two of my friends in the kitchen you are going to teach me to read and they want to learn too. Would it be possible?”

“
I’ll be delighted to teach your friends. But you are right, it would not do for them to come to my room. Is there somewhere else we can go to begin our lessons?”

Edna nodded and replied, “
We could… no, that’s not a good idea.”

“Please tell me, Edna,” encouraged Hope.

“Well, the cook is going out this afternoon. I know it’s not proper, but you could come to the servants’ hall.”

“
That
is
a good idea.” Although the notion had crossed her mind she wanted Edna to take the credit.

Hope was sure she was not complying with the rules of etiquette, but if there was no one around to chastise her she would continue as she thought fit. After all, she was only trying to improve literacy; she was committing no sin.

They arranged to meet in a short while. Hope collected all the things she thought she would need and stealthily made her way down the back stairs. It was a shame the floor coverings were so worn here, any of the servants could easily lose their footings and trip. She would mention it to her aunt who must surely be unaware of these things. But how could she do that without implicating herself? At that moment, Hope felt she was being sucked into another thread of deception she had no right to be in, but she dismissed it from her mind for the time being. No one would know; no one would tell her aunt of her inappropriate visits below stairs.

On reaching
her destination, she gasped in shock. Standing, as if awaiting her, was Stevenson. He scowled at her and almost spat out the words, “How may I be of assistance, Lady Hope?”

H
ope put on her most authoritative voice. “It’s quite all right, Stevenson, please carry on.”

“Yes, Lady Hope.” Stevenson turned and walked back to the butler’s
pantry.

Hope tried to calm herself before entering the servants’ hall where Edna and
the two other young maids were seated. As soon as Hope walked in they stood.

“This won’t do,” Hope told them. “We must forget all the formalities. You mustn’t think of me as Lady Hope. I am simply here to teach you to read. Let’s start by looking at these pictures.” She spread the papers on the table and they all sat down and started
talking.

It
seemed like just a minute before Stevenson was standing in the doorway, looking over at them. “Lady Hope, the cook and the housekeeper have returned.”

Edna
hurriedly gathered together the papers and Hope scurried to the back stairs clutching them, allowing herself to breathe deeply and wonder at Stevenson’s change of heart.

Now s
he would write to Ruth and tell her all about her latest venture. But she must remember to use simple words.

Dear Ruth,

How are you? And your family?

I am very happy as I am teaching some of the servants to read. I use pictures, as I did with you.

I have so much to tell you about my stay in London.

Have you read any of the books you took with you? I would very much like to hear from you with your news.

Your friend,

Hope

She leant back in the chair and closed her eyes. It was only a few days before the twenty-first when she would be playing the piano at the magic lantern show. She had very little time to prepare the illustrations. Beaumont must call soon surely. For now she would lie on the bed and dream of their next meeting.

She was woken by a ta
p on the door. Edna entered carrying a parcel.

“Her Grace told me to bring this to you.
Mr Beaumont called and wished to see you, but Her Grace said it was quite unnecessary and she would have the parcel sent up to you. She also said there was no need for him to collect your drawings as she would have them sent to his house.”

“Oh.” Hope felt disappointed.

“And there is also this.” Edna handed her a white envelope. “I was with Her Grace when Mr Beaumont called and he slipped this into my hand. I think it says Hope on the envelope. I remember from when you showed us how you write your name in our lesson.”

Hope’s feelings soared. “Thank you, Edna, you may go now.
And well remembered. You are right, it does say my name.” She tore the envelope open with trembling fingers.

My dearest Hope,

I have written this letter with the thought that I may not be able to speak to you alone. I may have led you to believe I have feelings for you as a woman. Since meeting you I have felt
quite not myself and giddy. However I do not want to mislead you. I have never seen my future as a married man and I will soon be going back to my home town to oversee our mill. In spite of having a manager who knows the trade as well as I do, I still need to attend to certain aspects of the business. Maybe it is for the best, but meantime I would be honoured if you would agree to spend some time with me so that we may store memories to look back on.

Ever yours
,

Beaumont

What
ever did he mean? Hope read the letter several times before tossing it on the table. One moment it sounded as though he cared for her and the next he was leaving London. She would speak to him at the magic lantern show and find out exactly what he was trying to say. She undid the knot on the parcel and carefully unwrapped the slides. Several immediately appealed and she quickly found her sketch book and started the work knowing that she would please Beaumont, if not the audience.

* * *

Hope was in a state of consternation as the time drew near to attend the magic lantern show. She was still deeply puzzled by Beaumont’s letter, and the thought of being in his company with unresolved matters standing between them was more than she could countenance.

Aunt Constance was
feeling somewhat better and was going with her. Hope tried not to concentrate too much on her appearance, but hoped Beaumont would appreciate the plain style of dress she had chosen for the event.

As they entered the hall Hope immediately saw Beaumont and felt
a mixture of emotions. Her blood heated as she thought of the night of the ball. In Beaumont’s arms, she had felt she belonged to him and wished the feelings were mutual, but the letter he’d sent to her appeared to refute that. If he really cared for her he would stay in London or at least indicate his intention of returning to her. Her throat constricted with unshed tears which would not do at all. The evening ahead demanded her full attention. She led her aunt to a chair near the front.

“I think you will see well here, Aunt.”

“Thank you, my dear. I hope the music will give everyone a great deal of pleasure. Ah, what’s this?” A young man handed her a sheet of paper. “It’s your work. Hope. And very professional it is too. Yes, yes, quite perfect. Oh, my dear, I do wish Eustace was here. He would be proud of you.”

Hope felt
a breath on the back of her neck and she immediately knew Beaumont was behind her. “Would you like to take your place and play the introductory piece we chose?”

Despite her misgivings as to her competence at playing the piano, Hope performed well. In fact, she enjoyed matching the
tune to the pictures on the screen. She was also happy to see her aunt and several of the audience referring to her illustrated sheet throughout the performance. Pride goes before a fall, as the good book says, thought Hope when she brought her fingers down on two wrong notes. The jarring chord sounded atrocious, but she didn’t dare risk a look at either Beaumont or the audience in case she made more mistakes. The story came to an end and the applause was long and loud.

One of the committee
ladies from the Female Aid Society announced there would be refreshments in a side room. Hope should accompany her aunt, but first she had to prepare the sheet music for the pieces after the interval. As she scrabbled through the pages, there was a movement beside her. Beaumont, she knew.

“Outstanding,” he said, the glimmer of a smile on his face.

“Apart from the incorrect chord,” grimaced Hope.

“It came at the
appropriate moment. It enhanced the stormy scene. Very well placed indeed. Don’t tell me it was an accident.” His dark eyes bore into hers and she was at a momentary loss for words.

S
he laughed and confessed, “It was definitely an accident.”

“Then you should make them more often. Have there been any other mistakes you wish to admit to?”

He was surely teasing her. Hope shook her head thoroughly. She had no wish whatsoever to admit to anything! “I must accompany Aunt Constance. Please excuse me.” She stood up and made to pass him, but he positioned himself in front of her and she found herself with barely an inch between them. It made her heart flutter.

“Constance has already gone
through to the refreshment room. She has many friends here and it is an informal occasion.” Beaumont spoke lightly, but he didn’t move. “Hope, I must talk to you. I didn’t think we’d have an opportunity, but one has just presented itself. Please may we make the most of it?”

“I shouldn’
t be with you.” Hope looked around the room, but no one was taking the least bit of notice of them. Perhaps it would be all right for them to converse. There were things that needed to be said, although she wasn’t sure what.

“I sent you a letter
...” began Beaumont looking and sounding uncharacteristically unsure of himself.

Regardless of her
own disappointment, Hope felt sorry for him. Hesitancy didn’t suit him. “You did,” she put in. Now was not a time to be cautious; there might never be another opportunity to air the questions she had. “I will inform you that I found your company at the ball very pleasing. You are a fine partner.” She gulped as she realised the implication of the word she’d chosen. “You dance well,” she amended. “I, too, felt we shared an affinity, but it seems it is not very strong on your part if you are to take yourself away before...” Hope was mortified. Whatever was possessing her to reveal her emotions like this? It was a most improper way to behave.

Her resolutions of asking Beaumont why he felt they couldn’t be together when he had confided some feelings for her
vanished. At the moment her voice would not come out without a wobble. And what did he mean about storing memories for the future? According to him, it didn’t appear as if they had one, at least not together. Perhaps it would have been better if he hadn’t sent the letter at all.

She felt his hand take hers, but could not pull away.

“Hope, I am not worthy of you
and it is better if I put distance between us.” He seemed on the verge of adding something else, but a member of the charity came to him and he let go of her hand, excusing himself from her.

Feeling distraught and dissatisfied, Hope trailed towards the refreshments, thinking a cup of tea would revive her. She didn’t understand what Beaumont meant. How could he be unworthy? He was one of the most worthy people she knew.

She was greeted enthusiastically as she made her way to the table upon which the food and drink were laid out.

“Such a wonderful performance. And the addition of the drawings and captions make the sheets a perfect souvenir
of the occasion.” Several of the audience echoed the sentiments and Hope began to feel restored. All she had to do was get through the rest of the show and then she could escape home with Aunt Constance. She edged nearer to her and was welcomed into the friendly coterie. Immersed as she was in the subject of the good works of the charity, she didn’t notice Beaumont until she heard his voice.

“Constance,” he said, much to the apparent consternation of the others present, “I need to have a word with your charming niece. There’s something she needs to be aware of during the next part of the programme. Will you excuse her, please?”

Aunt Constance inclined her head. “There is a little time remaining before the performance resumes.”

Beaumont offered Hope his arm and then led her to the almost-deserted hall. “If I could make you understand how I feel, I am sure you would
forgive me.” He looked so lost, Hope wanted to put an arm about him and comfort him. “I have been witness to much poverty and its attendant ills: disease, hunger, homelessness, degradation.” Beaumont shook his head and his eyes moistened. “Although I am not as privileged as some here today, I consider myself fortunate that I have a roof over my head and food on my table. I admire you greatly and one day you will be married to someone worthy of you. Please believe me when I say it gives me no pleasure to distance myself from you. I am growing fonder of you each day.”

At his words, Hope wanted to plant a loving k
iss on his cheek and reassure him the feelings were reciprocated. But she was aware her aunt was a short distance away. She must not bring disgrace to the family, even if she had already acted dreadfully at times.

A member of the audience approached them. “A remarkable show. Such a lot for the two of you
to execute. If you need an assistant, don’t hesitate to ask. I’d be honoured and willing to help.”

Beaumont looked his old self
and his eyes twinkled as he replied, “That is most kind. I did have the offer of help, but I was badly let down by the young gentleman in question.” Hope turned her back unwilling to witness the expression on Beaumont’s face.

Alone again, Beaumont whispered. “I understand why Richard couldn’t be here today. I’m glad you’re here instead of him.”

“Whatever do you mean?” Hope knew the cat was out of the bag. She sagged against a chair. “Yes, you’re right in your supposition. But I’ve put an end to it. It was meant for fun.”

The loud
roar of laughter that Beaumont let out startled Hope. “You’re unique, Hope. Do you know that?”

“Aren’t we all, Beaumont
?” Hope’s lips tilted upwards.

The audience was returning. “If Richard had one last wish, what would it be?” Beaumont’s tone was amused, but now his eyes were serious.

Without having to think about it, Hope replied, “To visit a gentlemen’s club.”

Beaumont nodded. “Consider it
arranged. Come to the fair on Thursday before luncheon and we will dine out.”

“The two of us?”
If Beaumont were found out he would be expelled from the club Hope was certain. Quickly she voiced her thought.

“I don’t care if I
am
drummed out,” shrugged Beaumont. “It would be worth it.”

Their eyes met and this time it was Beaumont who broke the contact.

Hope was on the verge of yet another exploit. Despite it being unseemly, it would be exciting and a wonderful experience. Also, it would give her time alone with Beaumont. Perhaps then she would find out the truth behind his puzzling letter.