The Accidental Marriage Page 6

  *

  Frau Gunter’s power was greater than Julia had imagined, she admitted to herself a few days later. Frederick did his best to appear pleasant, and even took the girls to see the Christmas tree one of the bankers had imported, the first, he said, to be seen in Vienna.

  Christmas was happy for Fanny and the girls, and Julia rejoiced to see this harmony. She didn’t want to hazard a guess as to how long it would last, but allowed herself to enjoy the peace.

  Fanny was blooming again, with colour in her cheeks and brightness in her eyes. Even the news that the Russian Embassy, full of wonderful treasures, had burnt down and been completely destroyed on the last day of the year did not dim her happiness.

  ‘It had been given by a wealthy Russian Count, and they regularly had suppers there for over three hundred people,’ Mrs Pryce told them. ‘It even had a heating system, something like the Romans used to have during their empire,’ she added. ‘I don’t have any idea how it worked, but Mr Pryce could tell you. He’s fascinated by all these new scientific machines.’

  In January there was snow, which delighted the girls, especially when Sir Carey took them on a sleigh ride into the Wienerwald. The Polish question had, he told Julia, been finally settled.

  ‘But Lord Castlereagh is to go home, he is needed to defend the settlement in Parliament.’

  ‘Then who will negotiate for us here?’

  He smiled. ‘The Duke himself.’

  ‘Wellington?’ Julia gasped.

  ‘The very one. His reputation is such I feel confident he can get them all to agree on the remaining matters.’

  ‘Will you be going home with Lord Castlereagh?’ Julia asked, suddenly aware that their time here might be coming to an end.

  ‘I promised Angelica I would be home for our wedding in spring, and I can hardly miss that. I will probably be travelling with Castlereagh, but he won’t be going until the Duke arrives and they have had a chance to confer.’

  And I will not see you again, Julia thought to herself. She’d known they would one day part, and she had no cause to complain. She wondered when Frederick would decide he’d had enough of Vienna and set off home. Not until the snow had gone, she suspected. Then she would have to begin looking for another position herself.

  *

  The Duke arrived at the beginning of February, and Sir Frederick departed.

  Julia came in one day with the girls, all of them rosy-cheeked from having been playing in the snow, to find Fanny in floods of tears, and Maggie desperate.

  ‘I can’t get her to stop, miss,’ Maggie gasped. ‘I found her like this when I came back from marketing. She won’t tell me what’s the matter, but she’ll make herself ill if she goes on like this.’

  ‘There must be some smelling salts in her room. Fetch me those, and then take the children away and keep them amused. Don’t look so frightened, Alice. Your mama will soon be better. Be a good girl and play with Paula until I come to you.’

  Maggie took the children away, and Julia sat beside Fanny and took her hand.

  ‘Fanny, dear, what is the matter? Are you ill? Have you had bad news? Tell me what it is, and we can share it.’ Fanny gulped and handed Julia a crumpled sheet of paper. As Maggie came back with the smelling salts at that moment she left the paper while persuading Fanny to sit up properly and try to be calm. When Fanny’s sobs had dwindled into the occasional hiccup Julia spread out the sheet of paper, smoothing it down on her knee.

  It was short and to the point.

  I find I cannot endure life without Tania. We have gone away together to her home. When the roads are in better condition, hire another coach and go back to England. I will arrange matters with my man of business soon. I have left a roll of money in your dressing case. It should be enough for your needs until you are home and can call on my bankers.

  Chapter Five

  FANNY REFUSED TO leave Vienna.

  ‘He will come back,’ she protested, when Julia tried to persuade her to follow Frederick’s orders to go home. ‘I know he will, and if I’m not here for him, he may go back to – to her!’

  ‘He’s gone to Russia with her,’ Julia said patiently. ‘Even if he turns back soon, it could be several days. And he might choose not to come back here. He’ll be too ashamed to face people, I’d imagine. Besides, he’ll expect you to have set off back home, so he is more likely to head there.’

  ‘He will come back,’ Fanny insisted. ‘I have to wait here for him, or he will not know where to find me.’

  She was oblivious to the excitement attending the Duke’s arrival. However, as he caught a cold and remained for some days in Castlereagh’s rooms, the people gradually lost their interest in him. The crowds waiting to catch a glimpse of the military hero grew less, as people went about their own business. They would no doubt have plenty of time to see him later.

  Frau Gunter, denied entry on the grounds that Fanny was too ill to see anyone, waylaid Julia and the children one day when they were coming back from a visit to the market.

  ‘Tell your sister I have lost all patience with her,’ she hissed. ‘I get rid of that Russian trollop and bring her husband back to her, at no little inconvenience for myself, and she’s not clever enough to keep him. I wash my hands of her and all her family.’

  ‘And of your grandson?’ Julia asked, her voice as cold as the slush on the road. ‘Surely his is the main fault? He did not have to make such a cake of himself by running off with the wretched woman.’

  Frau Gunter glared at her. ‘I didn’t ask for your opinion. No man will stray if his wife satisfies him, and looks after his needs.’

  Julia snorted inelegantly. ‘Where have you lived? Are you blind? Can you not see unfaithful husbands all around you here in Vienna? Is every wife inadequate? Can you honestly say your husband never strayed?’ And if I’d been her husband I’d have been off like a shot, she added to herself.

  ‘You’re an impertinent chit, not fit to be in charge of my great-grandchildren. Heaven knows what you are teaching them!’

  ‘I thought you had disowned them?’ Julia asked sweetly. ‘In which case you can have no possible interest in what I teach them. Goodbye, Frau Gunter.’ I hope your spleen chokes you, she added under her breath.

  Julia renewed her efforts to persuade Fanny to leave Vienna, for everything she saw or heard reminded her of Frederick, and she was constantly in tears. Then fate took a hand.

  They received a message from Frau Schwartz that the Congress was going on for too long, so she was returning and wished to reclaim the apartment in four days, and trusted they would not be too inconvenienced, as they could always return to stay with Frau Gunter.

  *

  In between his semi-official duties Sir Carey found time to worry about not hearing from Angelica. However often he told himself that she was at best an indifferent correspondent, and during the Christmas festivities would have had less time than usual, he grew more and more concerned. Was she ill? Had some accident befallen her? Was she snowbound on the Yorkshire moors, at her house party?

  Of course letters were lost. Some people, to make sure their news was delivered, might send two letters in the hope one would get through. But Angelica did not do that. He almost laughed at the thought of her penning two copies of her short letters.

  He found time to visit Lady Cunningham, but Julia said she was too distraught to see anyone. No wonder, he thought, for all Vienna knew of Sir Frederick’s elopement.

  ‘Give her my regards, if you will, and remember, if there is anything I can do, call on me.’

  ‘Are you busy?’

  ‘Moderately. Lord Castlereagh and the Duke need to spend a great deal of time together, there is so much to report, and the twists and turns of the negotiations all need to be explained. But with the question of Poland out of the way, even if we did not succeed in reuniting the country, the rest of the settlements should not take too much time. Many have already been almost agreed.’

  Julia nodded. ‘I shall
always be grateful to have been here, and seen history being made,’ she said.

  ‘Despite what has happened to your sister?’ he asked gently. It had not been a happy time for Lady Cunningham, and she seemed to be totally dependent on Julia for support. That must have been a strain on her, but she seemed a capable enough young woman.

  ‘I think it would have happened one day, wherever we were. Frederick always had an eye for a pretty woman, and he’s a restless sort of person. He’d have left Fanny in the end, I feel sure. I just wish she didn’t love him so. Love can be a trap.’

  ‘You will not think so when you fall in love,’ he said, and smiled as he thought of his own dear love. ‘Is there no fortunate man waiting for you in England?’

  Julia smiled ruefully. ‘Who, apart from a poor curate, would want to marry a portionless girl, especially now, when scandal has engulfed her family?’

  He found nothing to say to this. She spoke the truth. Marriage without a dowry was unlikely. Pretty as she was, most men regarded marriage as a business arrangement, and if they liked the girl they married, that was a bonus. He doubted if many couples shared the sort of devotion he and Angelica enjoyed. Now Fanny’s troubles would affect Julia. If she did attract the attention of some poor curate, the scandal attached to Fanny’s husband would deter him. It seemed as though she would have to settle for a life as a companion or governess. A pity, with her looks and intelligence. She would have been an admirable helpmeet for a bishop, let alone a curate.

  He soon took his leave, and went back to fretting about the lack of letters from Angelica. Some time ago he had written to ask her whether she wished to make an extended round of visits to their relations, and if so, where did hers live, so that he could make plans.

  He told himself he would hear soon, and forced himself to concentrate on the work he was doing for Lord Castlereagh.

  *

  I’ll never see him again, Julia thought as she watched him walk away. Then she turned to more pressing concerns. Somehow she had to force Fanny to face reality, and set off on the long journey to England. They had three days in which to make plans.

  In desperation Fanny had suggested asking Frau Gunter to shelter them, but Julia poured scorn on the idea.

  ‘She would not speak to us, let alone share her apartment with us,’ Julia insisted. ‘Let me make arrangements, Fanny, before we run through all the money Frederick left you. It wasn’t a generous amount.’

  Fanny shook her head. ‘Let us wait one more day. He might come back. He left her once. It must be just infatuation.’

  Frustrated, Julia went to fetch the girls, who were spending more time with the Pryce children while she was needed to keep Fanny company.

  ‘She won’t agree to go,’ she said to Mrs Pryce. ‘Nothing I say will persuade her to make the effort to arrange the journey. I truly believe she imagines we can remain in this apartment.’

  ‘Well, Mr Pryce and I have been thinking. He must go back soon, for Lord Castlereagh will need his support in Parliament. So would Fanny come with us?’

  Julia looked at her, hope in her eyes. ‘She might,’ she said. ‘That’s very kind of you. I’ll talk her into it, if I have to talk for days and nights on end till she is exhausted.’

  ‘Then let us think about the practicalities. There are seven of us, with my maid and Mr Pryce’s valet. The coach will hold eight, but no more in comfort. Though the children are small, they take less room. What I suggest is that Edward’s valet, Spicer, travels in the second coach, with the luggage, and if you did not mind, you and Maggie could travel with him. Miss Jenkins will help to keep Fanny’s daughters amused, and my maid, Bessie, can help Fanny. I can’t do without either of them. Mr Pryce may have to do without his valet for a while,’ she added, and laughed.

  ‘But won’t the coaches travel together?’ Julia asked. ‘We only brought one; there was room for the luggage as well as us, so I don’t know how it is arranged.’

  ‘We will try to keep together, but it isn’t always possible. With your and Fanny’s luggage as well as ours and, if Fanny is like me, there will be far more going back than we brought with us, that coach may be too laden to keep up. We cannot afford to delay if we are to reach London in good time. Don’t worry, Williams is a very reliable coachman, and Spicer is totally trustworthy. He will have funds to pay your shot at the inns. What do you say?’

  ‘It sounds an ideal solution,’ Julia said slowly. ‘All we have to do is persuade Fanny. Will you come back with me and add your arguments to mine?’

  *

  To Julia’s relief, Fanny raised few objections, which the energetic Mrs Pryce soon disposed of. An hour later she departed to make arrangements, and inform her spouse he would in all likelihood have to manage without his valet for much of the three weeks or more it took to reach London.

  Julia and Maggie set about packing, The children, who had been subdued since their father had left, became very excited when told they were going home, and travelling with their friends Amelia and Charlotte. They did not understand, until the two coaches were at the door, that Julia would not be travelling in theirs.

  Paula began to cry. ‘I want to go with Aunt Julia,’ she sobbed, clinging to Julia’s hand.

  ‘I’ll be right behind you,’ Julia said, lifting her into the coach. ‘You can wave to me out of the window. And we will be together every time we stop for food, or to sleep.’

  Time enough, she thought, for Paula to discover they might not be able to keep up with the lighter, faster coach. Luckily Fanny had divided the money Frederick had left her and given half to Julia.

  ‘We don’t want to be beholden to Edward Pryce,’ she said, ‘so you can pay for your and Maggie’s accommodation, and if we are separated you have money for emergencies.’

  ‘I have most of what you have given me as salary,’ Julia protested. ‘Why should you pay more?’

  ‘I brought you here; it’s my responsibility.’

  There had been no opportunity to say farewell to Sir Carey, and in one way Julia was thankful. Seeing him would only reawaken silly longings. She had effectively made the break the last time they had met.

  As they drove out of Vienna she looked back for the last time at the magnificent buildings. It had been a magical time, an experience she would never forget, something she could never have dreamed of a few months ago.

  There was still snow on the ground, but on the roads it had been beaten down, and the horses had no difficulty keeping their feet. They were to go by way of Linz and Passau, then across Germany and through the Low Countries. It was over 700 miles to the coast, and then there would be the crossing, and the final journey to London.

  Elizabeth Pryce had promised, if they were separated, as seemed likely, to keep Fanny with her in London until Julia could rejoin them there. She would deal with what happened then, whether Fanny would want to go to Greystones at once, or remain in London. There was little point in fretting. Or in worrying about what Frederick would do. Would he try to divorce Fanny? Was he so infatuated with his wretched Countess Tania that he might wish to marry her? If he did, Fanny would need to be provided for, and Julia could foresee endless problems, as well as more heartache for her sister.

  She settled down to enjoy the wintry landscape, the river valleys they followed, the snow-covered trees on the hillsides, and the pretty villages they passed through.

  After they passed Linz, the coaches drew apart. On the next night Julia’s party halted at a large inn as darkness fell, to discover that the first coach had passed through two hours before.

  ‘So we’re on our own from now,’ Spicer said. ‘I must say it’s pleasant not to have to start work the moment we reach an inn, washing linen, ironing coats and starching cravats.’

  Maggie giggled, and looked apologetically at Julia. ‘Like a holiday,’ she said. ‘Of course, Miss Julia, I’ll be helping you.’

  ‘I’m accustomed to looking after myself, Maggie. You have a holiday too.’

  *


  Maggie and Spicer had initially been wary of Julia, but she soon put them at their ease, and they chatted together about the country they passed through, and their impressions of Vienna. Julia was amused to discover they knew almost as much as she did about the negotiations, and the disputes which had arisen among the participants.

  ‘Did you know they put lots of people as spies?’ Maggie asked, giggling. ‘One of the maids at Lord Castlereagh’s house told me these servants, the spies, were supposed to go through all the waste-paper baskets every day, and send anything they found which might be interesting to the chief man. Hager, I think his name was.’

  ‘If they knew this, what did they do?’ Julia asked.

  ‘Oh, someone had to stay up late burning everything.’ She giggled again. ‘It’s a good job we didn’t have need for extra servants.’

  ‘But we had nothing to hide,’ Julia pointed out, and shivered. The notion of being spied on in such a way disturbed her. Did the Austrians know in advance what the other ministers were planning? Was it always like this when different countries were trying to make treaties? If Lord Castlereagh’s people went to the trouble to burn their papers, presumably it was.

  They passed through Passau, and a week after they left Vienna were approaching Nuremberg. Though cold, it was a bright, sunny day, and Spicer had decided he would prefer to ride on the box with Williams. No doubt he found Maggie’s chat tedious, and wanted to be away from it. Maggie usually found plenty to chat about. If it wasn’t the scenery, or the weather, she would talk about Vienna. Occasionally she mentioned Sir Frederick, saying how terrible his behaviour was, then she would look apologetically at Julia and change the subject.

  ‘I’m sorry, miss,’ she said the first time it happened. ‘I forget you’re my mistress’s sister.’

  Julia reassured her, saying she deplored his behaviour too, but she hoped he would remember his duty and return to his family soon, so it was best not to talk about it. She did not want Maggie to become so partisan in defence of Fanny that she risked upsetting Frederick, and she had soon discovered Maggie found it difficult to conceal her feelings. She might remain silent, but she had a very expressive face, and from the way she had glared at one of the pot boys who spilt ale on her gown, Julia could imagine how she would look at Frederick.