Chapter 1: Back to Blighty
Augustus experienced an uneventful journey back to England. Sadly he was unable to find an amorous married woman to enjoy pleasure with on his cruise. He arrived back at Southampton to meet his parents who were still in mourning and they whisked him off to Culbourne Park where he was able to mourn his brother's loss in the bosom of his family.
At last the official mourning period was an end and the Marchwoods were able to re-enter the social scene of Winterset such as it was. They began to dine with neighbours and pay visits again. Lord Marchwood lost no time in making clear to his son that he now expected him to assume the role of his eldest son and heir. He began to drive him around the local farms and introduced him to his tenants as well as other local landowners. Augustus began to spend time each day with his father's steward, understanding the estate's accounts and supervising the labourers on the home farm. Augustus had to admit that he preferred soldiering to farming but as a Marchwood he felt it was his duty to fulfil the role which now fell to him, so reluctantly at first he fell in with his father's wishes.
After a few months of this his mother announced that they would be decamping to their London residence. The London season was about to commence and Augustus would have a chance to make his mark in London society. Lady Marchwood, who was still a noted beauty, was much admired for her wit, charm and intelligence and all of fashionable London beat a path to her door when she was in town. Young Augustus felt that at last he might be introduced to some diverting people after months of discussing crop rotation and drainage systems. However, Lord Marchwood made it clear to his son that his primary aim during the season should be to secure for himself a suitable bride. As the heir to the Marchwood title, he would need not only to learn how to run the estate but also to produce his own heir and preferably a few spares.
His mother dragged him to a dizzying round of social visits, soirees and balls. A seemingly endless parade of mothers introduced their nubile daughters to Augustus, who was seen as one of the 'catches' of the season. As for Augustus he found all to many of the young ladies rather insipid. Many were pretty enough but seemed unable to do more than make polite conversation and perhaps sing a little and play the pianoforte. He thought back to his vivacious and sensuous mistress in India, Caroline Forsythe and the exquisite Christine Bell who had entertained him on the voyage out there. These were women of passion and experience, albeit rather older than himself. He could not bear to contemplate settling down for the rest of his life with one of these rather well-spoken but bland young women.
So the season passed with is mother pushing him towards first one young girl then another. His mother seemed particularly struck on Miss Lucinda Airlie, daughter of the Earl of Dunbar. She was a beautiful creature blessed with fair hair, the most perfect skin and enormous blue eyes. What is more her father appeared to own half of Scotland as well as an estate in the Midlands. She spoke French and German as was reputed to paint rather fine water colours. What is more one evening at a reception held by Lady Mountsteven she sang like an angel.
There was certainly nothing to object to in Lucinda, she was certainly pretty enough for Augustus to imagine enjoying sharing a bed with her and when his mother insisted on him paying a call on her one afternoon she conversed pleasantly enough asking with some interest about Augustus's military career. However, Augustus could not persuade himself to fall in love with her, no matter how hard he tried. Mama dropped numerous hints that he should work his way up to a proposal but the season ended with Augustus failing to secure that quarry and some months later Miss Airlie's engagement to a Captain Fitzpiddock, son of Lord Traherne was announced in the Times.
Back at Culbourne Park, Augustus resumed his training as the future Lord Marchwood. For a while all thoughts of marriage were put to one side. Then it happened. One day his parents dragged him rather reluctantly to a dance held by one of their neighbours, Sir Arthur Penbury. The Penburys were not wealthy but were an old county family and Lord Marchwood insisted that custom obliged that as the leading family in the county the Marchwood's should honour their invitation.
Augustus walked into the rather modest hallway of Penbury Manor and his father introduced him to Sir Arthur and his wife Lady Eustacia. Lady Eustacia then turned to a young woman at her side and introduced her as Miss Anne Penbury her eldest daughter. Augustus bowed in response to the young lady's curtsey as convention demanded and was then able to gaze on her face for the first time. Anne was no ravishing beauty but possessed a pretty face and a well-formed figure. What was more she flashed Augustus a radiant smile showing the most perfect white teeth, For some reeason his interest was piqued.
They passed on to mingle with the other guests but later when the dancing began Lady Marchwood suggested to her son that he ask Miss Penbury to dance. Normally, Augustus would have been reluctant but for some reason he wanted to get know this young lady a little better so he crossed the room and reintroduced himself. Anne was only too happy to comply with his request to dance and he was soon leading her around the floor.
When he got home Augustus simply could not put Anne Penbury out of his mind. She was pretty enough with neat regular features and straight dark brown hair but she lacked the beauty of many of the girls he had met in London, such as Lucinda Airlie. However, there was something about her slightly naughty smile and the sparkle in her eyes which he found very alluring. When they had conversed she had spoken naturally and without affectation. Whereas most young women at least pretended to be impressed when he told them how he had relieved the siege of an Indian fort with a small force of soldiers, Anne rather made fun of him but in a gentle teasing way.
Soon he was visiting Penbury Manor on a regular basis, though sadly Anne was always closely chaperoned so there was little opportunity for more than conversation over tea or a walk in the park with Anne's mother or younger sister trailing behind. Lord Marchwood could soon discern that his son harboured more than a passing interest in this young lady and one day called him into his study.
"Augustus you seem to be showing more than a passing interest in young Miss Penbury. I wonder wheher you would care to share your intentions towards her with me," his father began.
"I am not sure that I have any intentions," Gus replied. "She is a delightful young lady and I enjoy her company."
"That's all very well but if you really like this girl you must make your intentions plain," Lord Marchwood continued. "You know your mother and I have been keen to see you married ever since your return from India. Now Miss Penbury's family are not quite of our station but her father is a baronet from a good old county family, you could do a lot worse."
"Father, I am not sure that I am ready for marriage, I don't want to rush things," Gus protested.
"I have some understanding of your fears," his father replied. "I was pushed into my first marriage by my father simply because the girl was a rich heiress. We were entirely incompatible and spent several miserable years together before our unfortunate divorce. I just thank god that I finally met your beloved mother and had a second chance at happiness. I don't want to push you but if you think this girl might be the one don't let her slip through your fingers. Now what I suggest is we invite the Penburys for luncheon sometime soon and then you and Miss Penbury will have the chance to spend some time together. Perhaps that will allow you make a decision."
Augustus knew that his father was applying subtle pressure on him but could hardly object to him inviting the Penburys. He had to confess to himself that his feelings for Anne were growing stronger and he would be more than glad to spend some time with her again. However, if he were to propose to her that would mean committing the rest of his life to her. All his relationships with women had been fleeting sexual relationships without commitment. Even his affair with Caroline Forsythe had not required commitment, as she was already married. Now he was being asked to decide if he wanted to marry Anne despite the fact that he had never slept with her and had no idea whether she would be able to fulfil his needs. He wanted to be faithful to the woman he married but how could he know whether this would be possible until after he had married her? These thoughts whirled around in his head but brought him no closer to a final decision.
About a week later the Penbury's carriage rolled up the drive of Culbourne House and the butler escorted Sir Arthur and his wife and daughter into the withdrawing room where they were greeted by Lord and Lady Marchwood and Augustus. Everyone enjoyed a very convivial luncheon after which coffee was served on the terrace. It was beautiful sunny afternoon with just a gentle breeze to soften the summer heat. After some pleasant conversation, Sir Arthur suggested to Augustus that he might show Anne around the gardens and perhaps even the surrounding park. Augustus asked politely if anyone else would care to accompany them, assuming that Anne'e parents would wish to see her chaperoned. However, Lady Penbury suggested that the two young people might appreciate a little time alone and encouraged them to leave their elders to converse together.
Gus suggested to Anne that they might take a little stroll down to the lake and perhaps admire the grotto and the Grecian Temple which were nearby. They wandered down the path filling one another in on what they had been doing since they last met. When they reached the top of the lake they could see water gushing from what appeared to be a cave cunningly constructed from stone.
"So is this the famous grotto?" asked Anne. "And what do you do with young ladies when you take them into your grotto?"
