The Caged Countess

Your affectionate friend,

Anne.’

Claudia smiled to herself and set about writing a reply. She could not tell her friend where she had spent the last few weeks, but did provide as much local news as she felt would be of interest. In truth she would be glad to have some female company again, and Anne’s was particularly agreeable.

By the time she had written the letter, her sense of shame had faded a little. She wrote a few more, shorter, replies and seeing the pile diminish a little did something to ease her conscience. She spent the majority of the morning on the task and then, needing some fresh air, rose and retrieved her shawl from the back of the chair.

As she turned she glanced towards the fireplace and the portrait hanging above it. A tall, slender figure in scarlet regimentals returned her gaze. His expression was cool, aloof, giving no clue as to the thoughts behind those vivid blue eyes. Deep gold hair complimented the face with its chiselled lines and almost sculptural good looks. Claudia surveyed it steadily. How old had Anthony been when it was painted? Twenty, perhaps? It was probably an accurate likeness, but somehow it gave no real sense of the young man she had known so briefly. No doubt he looked different now anyway. Eight years of military campaigning must have left their mark. The picture was all that remained. But for that, she might have forgotten what he looked like. She sighed and turned away.

A discreet knock at the door announced the arrival of the butler. ‘The newspapers have arrived from London, my lady.’

‘Thank you, Walker. Leave them over there on the table.’

‘Begging your pardon, my lady, but I thought you’d like to see them at once.’

‘Why? What has happened?’

‘Napoleon has escaped from Elba.’

‘What!’

‘It’s true, my lady. Apparently he landed at Cannes on the first of March, and is now trying to rally support.’

‘Good gracious.’

Claudia seized The Times, scanning the front page. It was apparent that Walker had spoken the truth. She frowned. The paper was already several days old and the news older than that, so Napoleon had been at large at least a week. If he managed to rally enough men and raise an army it would mean war again. They’d had less than a year of peace, and now this. In addition there was a French spy on the loose who already knew too much about the British network. It had all manner of far-reaching ramifications that she didn’t like in the least.

She was afforded little time to dwell on the matter because, having been away for some weeks, there were matters of estate business requiring her attention. A meeting with the land agent turned her mind towards spring planting, lambing, and the purchase of a new seed drill. After that she sat down to study the account books. She was in the study with a pile of ledgers when Walker entered to say that a letter had arrived.

Somewhat reluctantly she took it from the salver, assuming it was from Duval to confirm his arrival the following day. However, one glance at the direction on the front revealed that it could not be from him. Her mouth dried. Although she had seen it on relatively few occasions, the elegant masculine hand was unmistakeable. With thumping heart she stared at it a few seconds longer. Then, taking a deep breath, she broke the wafer. The letter was a single sheet and contained only a short message:

‘My Dear Claudia,

I trust that you will forgive the brevity of this letter but, since I am now returned to England, it seems superfluous to write at length here. Rather I shall look forward to speaking to you in person when I arrive at Oakley Court tomorrow. You may expect me by three in the afternoon.

Your obedient servant,

Brudenell.’

Claudia’s stomach lurched. Anthony returning; coming here! Never! It had to be a mistake. Hurriedly she scanned the words again, but their import was unchanged. The realisation brought a surge of emotion so powerful that it almost undid her. Shaking, she sank onto the couch as her mind struggled to assimilate the news.

It took a minute or two and, as the initial shock wore off, it was replaced by cold fury. It was bad enough to discover that he was coming at all, but to announce his arrival thus, as though it were the most natural thing in the world; as though he had merely been away a week or two and not eight years, almost beggared belief. You may expect me by three … How dared he? The arrogance of it, the sheer brass-necked gall of the man was breathtaking.

‘Damn you, Anthony Brudenell.’

She crumpled the letter into a ball and hurled it on the fire. Then she began to pace the floor, her mind in a whirl. Did he seriously imagine she would welcome him back? That the last eight years could somehow be expunged and she would fall into his arms? It was this thought which brought reality home and she realised with a sudden chill that no matter how many years had passed, he was still her husband in the eyes of the law. The implications caused a knot of dread in the pit of her stomach. Then her late father-in-law’s voice spoke in her head:

‘When your husband returns, you will have no time to think of frivolity. You will fulfil your wifely duty and bear his children. I have no doubt he will wish to make up for lost time.’

Claudia swallowed hard. Although she had seen no outward sign of it in their brief association, would Anthony take after his father? Had the intervening years brought out the same brutal traits in the son? Her late father-in-law had no compunctions about the use of force to compel obedience:

‘Men are stronger than women and are therefore entitled to dominate them in whatever manner they see fit.’

Her fists clenched at her sides and she forced the image away, trying to put her thoughts in some sort of order. As more rational thinking returned so did the recollection of Duval’s intended visit. Claudia checked in mid-stride. Of all possible timings, it had to be the most disastrous. She had to put him off. It was at that moment she realised that she had no idea how to contact him. Foolishly, she hadn’t thought to inquire where he would be staying while he was in London. He might be anywhere. She had no idea when he meant to arrive either. The very thought of him walking in just before, or just after, Anthony didn’t bear thinking about. Things were difficult enough already.

Unable to bear the confines of the house any longer, Claudia picked up her shawl and let herself out into the garden. The breeze was cool but she barely noticed as her mind grappled with the implications of the morrow. It soon became clear that both of the forthcoming interviews must be faced. Duval’s visit would have to be brief, and whatever he had to communicate said in the fewest possible words. What she had to say certainly wouldn’t take long. Then she could send him on his way and turn her attention to the larger problem of Anthony.

It was counterproductive to let imagination run away with her. All the evidence suggested he had no interest in her at all. She supposed that he would expect to stay for a day or two; given their history it was not likely to be longer. Now that she was a little calmer, the thought occurred that it might be no bad thing if he did stay a while, since it would allow them to talk about the future. It was pointless to put it off any longer; the problem must be addressed for both their sakes. She was quite sure that he had no wish to continue with this farce any more than she did. Divorce was out of the question of course: it was both difficult and expensive to arrange. Moreover, it would create a scandal that would hurt others as well as themselves. An annulment, however, might be managed more discreetly. Then they would both have their freedom. It was the ideal solution; the only solution as far as she could see. Anthony could have no reason to refuse. That knowledge made her feel marginally more optimistic.