One can begin so many things with a new person! ~ George Eliot  

Chapter 28

Introductions in London.

Beatrice arrived in London at dusk and straightway went to her godmother, Mrs.Fairfax. She caught the woman and Catrin completely by surprise.

"We were sure you were going to go to your uncle's!" Mrs. Fairfax stated when they had exchanged greetings and had the butler carry her trunk to the room Catrin stayed in,

"Oh, I am not in the mood to see my Mamma just yet," Beatrice sighed. "I have a headache from the road and want a little bit of peace and quiet before Mamma carts me off to balls and balls and parties and all that rot."

"I do not know, Bea," Catrin dared to argue. "I have been having a lovely time."

"Catrin really is the belle of the ball," Mrs. Fairfax smiled. "She never lacks for company when in society and is always cheerful and friendly. If you behaved like her, Beatrice dear, you may not always feel so miserable and cross when at a party."

Beatrice put on a fake smile and shrugged. "If I behaved like Catrin," she thought to herself. "I would have more suitors than I could handle,Mamma would be forcing me to choose one of them, and my life would be worse than it is now. I can't afford to be nice when Mamma is so determined to marry off to the highest bidder. Pity there doesn't seem to be anyone here who understands that."

After dinner Beatrice went up to wash and spent a lazy evening in the small parlor with Catrin and Mrs. Fairfax. They played together with Beatrice at the piano and Catrin at the harp. At last they bid their host a good night and went upstairs to the room they would share.

"So, you have become quite popular?" Beatrice teased as Amy attempted to brush out the curls for the night.

"Oh, I don't know," Catrin could feel the heat rising to her face.

"But you have to admit, Cadi, there is a certain amount of superficiality in society. So many snobby and annoying people."

"Oh, to be sure," Catrin agreed. "I have met many a silly girl and a man who was nothing close to a gentleman. But if you look for roses, you can find them in thorns, Beatrice. I have been a lot in the company of Lord Woodworth and I must admit he has been very agreeable indeed."

"Oh?" Beatrice raised an eyebrow. "Lord Woodworth is it. Yes, I remember Mamma mentioned that he was in London. Well, I am glad that you have found a friend in this mess of a city. Give me a day or two and I shall take you to see the darker side of London."

"Really, Miss Morton," Amy shook her head. "It ain't right to take Miss Cadi to the slums. It ain't a place for a young lady like her. It ain't even a place someone like you ought to go."

"Nonsense,"Beatrice shook her head. "I want to sketch. If I must come to this city I will do it on my own terms. Besides, I will speak to Mamma and tell her that since Cadi is already a grown woman she must have a lady's maid."

"Must I? I hardly know what to do with one."

"If I had to have one than so should you. Let us free another girl from that horrible poor house, Cadi. We who have means can do so much good if only we would take the time to realize this. It's not so much that you need a maid, but that a little girl out there will be given a good and proper home, fair work, enough to eat, and when she grows up she will have a chance at finding a respectable husband, settling down down, and raising a family of her own."

Catrin smiled fondly at her stepsister. "You have a good heart, Bea. If you put it that way I cannot refuse. We shall go as soon as you are rested. But better tell me how you have been? I heard so little from you I guessed you must keep very busy in Derwen Goch."

"She went out riding every day," Amy stated. "And could be gone for two, three, sometimes even four or five hours."

"I had real freedom at last," Beatrice sighed. "I explored a lot,and I did a lot of reading and sketching. Oh it truly was a pleasant time, was it not, my dear Argos?"

The great dog wagged its tail happily and let his mistress kiss his fury face.

"I am glad you had a wonderful time," Catrin smiled. "But perhaps now that we are in London together you shall have a pleasant stay as well."

Beatrice sighed. "Perhaps," she shrugged. "But I wouldn't count on it,"she silently added.

***

The next morning a note was sent to the home of the Earl Worthington and Mrs. Llewelyn came running to meet her daughter.

"How could you not come to be straight way?" She angrily reproached.

"Be glad that I came at all, Mamma," was Beatrice's only reply

There was a lot of discussion but in the end it was decided that Beatrice and Catrin would move to the Earl's home, as Beatrice refused to be somewhere Catrin was not.

"I only didn't take her away because I didn't want your dear godmother to be lonely," Mrs. Llewelyn had protested to her daughter's sarcastic comments on the subject of stemothers.

The move was quickly achieved and Beatrice and Catrin given rooms opposite each other.

"Tomorrow is a ball, my love," Mrs. Llewelyn informed Beatrice at lunchtime."We must hurry and get you a proper gown. It is a private ball, invitation only, being hosted by the Duchess of Forrmeter. Your uncle, being such a great name in society, was of course invited, as was all his family, of which you and I are a part."

"And Catrin too," Beatrice lifted her right eyebrow.

Mrs.Llewelyn grumbled. "And Catrin too," she acknowledged. "She is my stepdaugther after all, I could never leave her behind. A proper gown much be purchased for both of you, so off we go!"

Beatrice hated shopping, but there was no getting out of this. Catrin was excited and so Beatrice decided to skip the drama for the sake of her stepsister. A fancy, expensive gown was purchased for Beatrice and she had to admit it was very pretty and it went very well with her figure.

"I wonder that we can afford it, Mamma," she informed as they walked out of the shop.

Mrs.Llewelyn laughed. "My dear girl, we are not beggars, we have an entire manor. This dress, however, is a gift from your uncle. He dotes on you so. Perhaps this is because he has no daughter of his own. Only two sons."

"I wish he wouldn't bother," Beatrice muttered to Catrin.

"Why not?"

"Because,"Beatrice lowered her voice so Mamma would not hear her. "All these gifts come with a price. He expects to do what he wants because of them. It's very unfair. If his gifts leave me in debt then I would not accept them, unfortunately, he leaves me with no choice."

***

It was truly a grand ball, with many prominent figures of society invited. Charles lost no time coming up to Beatrice and Catrin the minute they arrived. With him came another man, tall and composed, with an upright bearing and a disciplined air. He was dressed in theuniform of a colonel in the king's army. Catrin gave a gasp from the sight of him and covered her mouth with her hand.

"Miss Morton," Charles greeted Beatrice. "How wonderful that you have come to London at last. I trust your health is in perfect order."

"I am well," Beatrice stated in a curious voice. "But Lord Woodworth, you must introduce us to your companion. When you do I will be able to reproach him properly for giving us such a dreadful fright this spring."

Charles turned in confusion to glance at his uncle. What dreadful frightcould she be talking about? "Uh..." he stuttered a little. "Miss Morton, Miss Llewelyn allow me to introduce my uncle, Colonel Iestyn Blethyn. Uncle Iestyn, Miss Beatrice Morton her stepsister, Miss Catrin Llewelyn."

Iestyn gave a polite bow. The ladies held out their hands and he gave each a kiss.

"I hadn't meant to frighten you that day," he stated in his deep voice, flavored with his Welsh accent.

"I suppose not," Beatrice gave a teasing smile. "But my dear stepsister nearly fainted. We had just been discussing ghosts and thieves when you showed up."

"You were on property that was not your own."

"But we were only looking." Beatrice let out a little laugh.

"What are you talking about?" Charles asked,

"We have met the colonel," Catrin spoke out. "Informally. It was in the spring when were were riding at Llys Gwyn and had stopped to admire the castle. He rode up from behind and gave us a little fright."

"Ah,"Charles nodded his head. "He never mentioned the incident to me. I assure you, my uncle is a man full of secrets."

The call to dance was given and Charles lost no time in asking Catrin if she was free. She blushed and took his hand. Beatrice caught sight of all the young gentlemen who had begun making their way towards Catrin and sighed when they noticed Lord Woodworth had gotten her first. There were other gentlemen making their way towards her, but to her delight, Colonel Blethyn had already taken a bow.

"If you are not engaged for this dance?"

"I am not," Beatrice smiled. Together they walked to the dance floor."So, Blethyn?" Beatrice said. "Are you by any chance related to the Earl of Llys Gwyn?"

"Not by chance," Iestyn smiled as the music started. "Rather by blood. I am his uncle."

"Uncle!"Beatrice blinked at Iestyn in surprise.

"Is that so shocking?" He chuckled.

"Only that I have realized the Earl is a lot younger than I originally thought. You cannot be older than forty, and to be his uncle, he must be very young."

"His Lordship is not yet thirty," Iestyn informed. "If the truth were to be told, I am but half uncle to him. My mother was the second wife of the former Earl, after his first one passed away. My brother and I have a good thirteen year difference."

"And you are also uncle to Lord Woodworth?"

"I am indeed. His mother was my sister. Lord Woodworth and the Earl are cousins."

Beatrice shook her head a little. She had always pictured the Earl to be a cranky old man."

"Does he still reside in Italy?" She asked at last.

Iestyn gave a sad nod. "His health is very poorly. He needs the mild, salty climate of the Mediterranean."

"And in the meantime his lands are going to waste. I wonder no one takes care of Llys Gwyn. Does he not have a secretary?"

"I'm afraid I can give little answers to those questions," Iestyn replied. "I am but an officer and I am often far from home, serving my king. I do not have time to look after the estate of my nephew, and he is far too ill to manage it himself."

"It is a pity," Beatrice sighed. "Llys Gwyn is a beatiful estate."

Iestyn shrugged. There was a little silent spell, but for once Beatrice figured she had an interesting partner and decided to make the best of it.

"You have served in many places I take it," she stated. "Were you apart of Wellington's campaign against Napoleon?"

A proud smile came to the handsome features of the colonel. "I was indeed. I had the great pleasure of serving under Wellington himself. He is a good aquaintance of mine, and is present at this very ball."

The music had stopped by now and Iestyn led his beautiful partner away from the dance floor.

"If you should like, Miss Morton, I can introduce you to him."

Beatrice's eyes lit up. "Colonel Blethyn, it would be a great honor for me. I have followed the war and the campaign with great interest."

"Have you?" Iestyn could not hide the surprise from his eyes. "I should not think a lady would be interested in the war with Napoleon."

Beatrice laughed. "I suppose that only shows how little you know of ladies. We are not all boring creatures with a mind for fashion and gossip."

"So it would seem," Iestyn gave another of his charming smiles."If that is the case, then the Duke of Wellington is right there,and I can assure you it is my greatest honor to introduce you."

Together they walked across the hall and up to where the hero of the campaign against Napoleon stood laughing and speaking with a few of his officer acquaintances.

***

"I cannot believe you! I cannot believe you!"

Beatrice rolled her eyes and tried to focus on her letter. Mrs. Llewelyn paced the room back and forth in great agitation.

"You spent almost the entire evening in the company of stuffy, military gentlemen all old enough to be your father!"

"I was in the company of the Duke of Wellington," Beatrice retorted."He is our nation's hero. If it were not for his campaign against Napoleon England may have well been added to that Frenchman's empire. I was given a great in-depth account of the whole campaign, it was very interesting. I don't think I ever had such a pleasant time at aball."

"No!Beatrice! No, no, no!" Mrs. Llewelyn marched over to her daughter."You do not go to a ball to speak with older officers about wars. It is not your place as a lady to even care about such things. That is the world of men and you leave the men to it. You are there to seduce Lord Woodworth. And what did he do the entire evening? Entertained your stepsister."

"He couldn't have done it the whole evening," Beatrice argued. "I saw Catrin in the company of many gentlemen. She is quite popular in social circles."

"Yes, she is and you are not! How can you do this to me? After all the work I put into you? This is unfair of you and I will not stand for it. You will dance with Lord Woodworth at the next ball, or I will drag you to Lady Garret's tea party!"

Beatrice stiffened. She hated Lady Garret. Every since she had turned down that her son the annoying woman made Beatrice's life miserable everytime the two met.

"Oh, alright," Beatrice sighed. "I'll be sure to dance and entertain Lord Woodworth next ball."

Mrs.Llewelyn smiled. "That is good! And I hold you to your word, Beatrice. You go wrong, you will go to Lady Garret's."

Beatrice grumbled as her mother departed from the room. She then focused her attention on the letter she was writing. It must be finished today so she could take it to the post tomorrow.

"I hope he won't think me too detailed," she thought as she went over the very long letter. "Perhaps it is too much for a first letter." Reading over it a second time, Beatrice figured there wasn't anything she could cut out and decided to leave it as it was.

"I've only been here three days," Beatice sighed. "And I'm already tired of it. Though the colonel was rather interesting, perhaps I can find out all I wish to know about Llys Gwyn and the Earl."

Itwas a comforting thought and Beatrice found herself looking forward to the next ball. Lord Woodworth was wonderful and all, but she could let Catrin handle him.

"There are more interesting fish in the sea," Beatrice laughed to herself."And it is safe with the colonel since he is an older man and will not attempt to court me. Mamma won't be happy of course, but I can somehow work it out. I am entitled to my own life after all!"

Satisfied, Beatrice sealed the letter and placed it under a stack of papers, where it would remain safe from prying eyes until tomorrow.

"I wonder how he is doing?" Beatrice mused. "I hope he isn't too lonely. Wales is so far from here, and that tower seems a world away."

***

Elwyn folded the letter and placed it on the table. It was the first post he had recieved in over three years. 

"She's a good writer," he quietly said. "Makes London come to life. And to think she had met Uncle Iestyn. I wonder what his impression of her was."

Elwyn hesisted then took the letter again, opening it he scanned to the part that had perhaps been the most ironic.

I have made a new aqauintance in London. His name is Colonel Iestyn Blethyn, and he is the uncle to the Earl of Llys Gwyn. I have always imagined the Earl to be a mean old man, sick and disagreeable.

"That would be my father," Elwyn chuckled to himself. "She surely described him for what he was."

But it turns out the Earl is younger than thirty, and his uncle is only about fifteen years his senior. He is an interseting man with much to say about the war with Napoleon. He even introduced me to the Duke of Wellington himself. I cannot being to say what a great honor it was to meet him. I expect to see more of the colonel, he is the uncle of Lord Woodworth as well. I did not know that his Lordship and the Earl were cousins. I wonder that Lord Woodworth never mentioned it. I have never told you this, Captain, but I met Colonel Blethyn this spring when exploring Llys Gwyn with my stepsister. He was riding out to the castle and was greeted by Raj, though of course then I did not know who Raj was. 

I told none of this to the colonel, but I could not stop myself from asking you. Are you somehow aquainted with Colonel Blethyn? Was he somehow connected to how you came to live in the tower? If you are not comfortable with answering these questions I understand and you can rest assured I will not tell anything to the colonel. 

Elwyn stared out the window. So Beatrice had met Uncle Iestyn before, and of course Uncle Iestyn had never said anything about it. 

"Why doesn't he ever tell me interseting things like when women are exploring my estate and spying on my castle," Elwyn grumbled. He put the letter to his nose and let his nostrils enjoy the smell of Beatrice's perfume, which had scented the piece of parchment. He would write her an answer this evening. At the moment he had another task to perform.

For the first time in a long time, Elwyn would venture outside. Only for a little, but it was a start. When Miss Morton would return, he wouldn't be the feeble captain who couldn't even get down the stairs. She had been right, the castle had an entire courtyard that would hide him from anyone. There was more to life than this tower, and Elwyn was ready to venture out. Not for himself of course, but for Miss Morton. It would be a more pleasant time together if they could spend it out of this dark, tower and in the light.