CHAPTER FIVE (Part Three)
They were in the drawing room where Rosalind was instructing Pricilla in needlework. They sat together on the padded seat in one of the big bay windows overlooking the lawns.
‘You may both of you take your leave of me now,’ Melissa said pompously. ‘Brice will want to speak with me alone.’
Pricilla giggled. ‘Melissa is hoping for a proposal of marriage today, Rosalind,’ she said cheekily. ‘Look! She’s blushing.’
‘Be quiet! You horrid little creature,’ Melissa burst out. ‘You’re a child and can hardly understand grown-up matters. Take yourselves off!’
‘Won’t!’ Pricilla said stubbornly. ‘Papa told me particularly that I was to stay with you throughout Brice’s visit,’ Pricilla said. ‘Rosalind and I are your chaperons.’
‘Oh, this is outrageous,’ Melissa exploded. ‘I demand you leave immediately.’
At that moment Linda appeared in the doorway. She curtsied respectfully to Melissa. ‘Mr Brice Thomas has arrived, Miss Trevellian.’
Melissa’s hands fluttered to her curls and ringlets.
‘Well, don’t stand there, you dolt,’ she snapped at the maid. ‘Show him in.’
Linda dipped again. ‘He has his sisters with him, Miss.’
‘What?’ Melissa’s face turned stiff with disappointment.
Pricilla gave a hoot of laughter. ‘More chaperones, Mel. We’ll have a party!’
Melissa’s expression was thunderous but she managed to pull her features into a forced smile as their visitors trooped into the room.
The eldest of the three young women who entered moved quickly to Melissa and grasped her hand.
‘Melissa, my dear, it’s been ages since we met,’ she gushed. ‘I’ve been dying to see you. I have some wonderful news.’
‘Florence, yes, how nice to see you after so long,’ Melissa answered but her eager glance was on the young man who entered the room last.
Brice Thomas, fashionably dressed, was tall and handsome; his shoulders wide and his long legs sturdy in his riding breeches. Rosalind could readily understand Melissa’s interest in him.
He loitered near the doorway, surveying the room. Rosalind glanced away quickly when their eyes met and he smiled at her. She hoped Melissa had not noticed the exchanged glance, as brief as it had been, but darting a look at her Rosalind was met by a hostile stare.
The two other sisters came quickly to Pricilla. They were roughly her age but seemed older in their fashionable style of dress.
Rosalind decided quickly that she must speak with Cedric Trevellian and arrange a whole new wardrobe for his youngest daughter. Pricilla must not be outdone by the Thomas girls.
‘Pricilla, how exciting to call on you again,’ one said. ‘It’s been so long.’
Pricilla’s smile was weak. ‘It’s been two years, Julia. I’ve not seen you since just after my mother went away.’
Julia put her hand over her heart and looked astonished.
‘Oh, no! It can’t be that long.’ She glanced at her sister. ‘It’s not that long surely, Mary?’
Mary looked embarrassed. ‘Have you heard Flo’s wonderful news?’ she said quickly, obviously changing the subject. ‘She’s engaged to Mr Bowen-Jones, the richest landowner in Middleton.’
Florence Thomas must have heard her name mentioned because she hurried towards the window seat, drawing a reluctant Melissa along with her.
‘Oh! You’ve stolen my thunder, you wretch, Mary,’ Florence said without rancour. ‘But, yes, I am engaged. I’m so happy.’
Melissa sniffed disparagingly. ‘Mr Bowen-Jones of Middleton is old, at least thirty. I could never marry a man that old.’
‘He’s a dear man and very fond of me,’ Florence said stiffly. ‘It’s a good match.’
Florence glanced at Rosalind who stood up politely.
‘And who is this? A relative perhaps.’
‘She’s no one,’ Melissa said with a disdainful twist of her lips. ‘Nothing but a servant.’
‘Rosalind is not a servant, Mel,’ Pricilla said. ‘She’s my companion and my dear friend. She’s a Trevellian too.’
Without Rosalind noticing Brice Thomas had joined the circle at the window seat.
‘I see the family resemblance,’ he remarked genially. ‘I’m pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Trevellian.’
He held out his hand to her. Rosalind was confused. She could hardly refuse to take his offered hand and yet she did not want to anger Melissa further. But her good manners overcame her doubt.
Taking his hand briefly, she curtsied. ‘Thank you, sir.’
‘Pricilla!’ Melissa exclaimed hotly. ‘You and your companion must leave me with my guests now.’
‘Oh, no!’ Julia said. ‘We came especially to visit with Pricilla. She must stay, and Rosalind, too.’
Against her better judgement, Rosalind was drawn into their circle of conversation. Although she tried to remain as unobtrusive as possible Brice Thomas insisted on paying her some attention.
He sat on the window seat beside her, making her feel very uncomfortable. ‘Where are you from, Miss Trevellian?’
‘The village of Waunarlwydd, near Swansea, sir, until my father died.’ Rosalind said.
She hoped he would not persist with his questioning. She was aware of the Melissa’s malevolent glances in her direction, and knew she would feel the brunt of the girl’s malicious tongue later.
‘And your father, Miss Trevellian? What was his position in life?’
‘He was the parson at Waunarlwydd,’ Rosalind said.
‘There! You see, Brice!’ Melissa exclaimed, obviously unable to contain her jealousy. ‘Merely the daughter of an impoverished parson who happened to be a distant relative of our family. She traded on that thin connection to persuade my grandfather to take her in.’ She nodded. ‘Grandfather will regret it, I know he will.’
‘Melissa!’ Pricilla appeared close to tears. ‘How could you be so spiteful?’
‘I’m only saying what is true,’ Melissa insisted forcefully. ‘Rosalind may affect lady-like ways, but she’s no more than a servant and should keep her place.’
Florence, who had been sitting nearby rose to her feet. ‘I think I hear our carriage outside, Brice, dear,’ she said stiffly. ‘We must take our leave.’
Melissa’s face brightened. ‘Yes, of course. Thank you for calling, Florence.’
Julia and Mary rose too and said their goodbyes to Pricilla. Rosalind had the feeling that Melissa’s outburst had embarrassed everyone.
‘I must take my leave, too,’ Brice said.
'Oh no!' Melissa’s expression was horrified and she darted forward to clutch at his arm. ‘But it was agreed that you would stay to dine with us this evening, Brice. My father and grandfather will be back by then. I’m sure you will have much to talk about with them.’
‘I regret I’m unable to stay today, Melissa,’ Brice said evenly. ‘My father has charged me with an errand of business later.’ He glanced over his shoulder at Rosalind. ‘But I’ll gladly dine here at a later date. We must arrange something.’
With that he gently disengaged his arm from Melissa’s grasp and shepherded his sisters out into the hall, an agitated Melissa following in their wake.
Rosalind heard the party leave and expected Melissa to rush back into the drawing room to berate her and blame her for Brice’s departure, but there was no sign of the girl.
‘Melissa has gone to her room to sulk,’ Pricilla conjectured looking gloomy. ‘It’s such a long time since we had company and now my sister has spoiled everything.’ She shook her head. ‘I doubt the Thomas girls will call on me again.’
Rosalind patted her hand. ‘I’m sure they will, Pricilla. And perhaps you can call on them in return.’
Pricilla’s expression brightened. ‘Oh, do you think so?’
‘If I have my way there’ll be some changes made,’ Rosalind said. ‘You must get out more and have some pretty dresses to wear. I’ll have a word with your father.’
Pricilla jumped up from the seat and threw her arms around Rosalind’s neck.
‘Oh, I knew you were my friend as soon as I met you, dear Roz,’ she said. ‘I love you and I’m going to call you Roz, just as Maggie does.’