Before she could say anything else, he leaned forward and placed his lips on hers. She closed her eyes, losing herself entirely in their kiss.
“Rowena!” The voice came from the distance and ripped them both from their state of bliss. Horrified at having been caught out, she jumped up from her seat and turned toward where the voice had come from.
Beside her, Christopher also jumped up and together they glanced into the light, where a dark figure had just entered the church, just in time to observe their first, passionate kiss.
Chapter 21
Christopher rose early and stretched until his joints popped audibly. He stepped to the window and looked out over the vast landscape before him. Acres upon acres of land stretched out, almost as far as the eye could see. He’d already rode along the perimeter of the property with Henry, as Charles and Lord Hazelshire and assessed it.
The vineyard held much promise. He’d felt good about his decision to go into business with Lord Hazelshire without having seen the property for himself, but he’d known he could trust Henry’s judgement. He’d not been wrong.
He knew enough of the grape-growing business to know that, while this vineyard had been mismanaged, it could well be the answer to all of his money troubles. The land was fertile, the vines before him would soon grow heavy with grapes.
He looked out to the west where an abandoned winery stood. Once, this vineyard had produced its own wine, but the building was now in a terrible state and would need to be rebuilt almost from the ground up. It would be worth it though to produce here, instead of having the grapes brought to the winery that produced Summerwind Wines.
Christopher’s eyes were drawn to movement down below. Two women were walking with a parasol to protect their fair skin against the sun. He opened the window, feeling the heaviness of the hot summer’s day that lay before them. Leaning out, he peered at the women.
“Good morning,” he called out without using their names, for fear one of the women beneath the parasol was Lady Hazelshire. It was not. He was uncomfortably reminded of the day at St. George’s of Hanover when he’d first found the courage to kiss Rowena.
That terrible moment when he’d been certain they’d been caught out. That everything was over before it had the chance to begin. And the relief he’d felt when he’d seen the face of her sister instead. She’d come to warn them of the impending arrival of their mother. It had been a close call. Too close for Christopher’s liking. He treaded more careful now.
“Your Grace,” Lady Catherine waved at him, a smile on her face. Beside her, Rowena looked up. Her dark hair had been bound back into a bun with a few strands of hair falling into her face. “Join us,” Catherine called up. Rowena smiled up at him, her entire face lit up by the sunlight, giving her an even more ethereal glow.
He was about to reply when he heard a door open and the harsh voice of Lady Hazelshire drifted to his window.
“Catherine, it is entirely unsuitable for a lady to be hollering in such a manner. We might be in the country, but we still have our manners to maintain.”
Noticing the direction her daughters faced, she looked up. The expression on her face changed at once and she fell into a curtsy. “I am sorry, Your Grace, I did not see you there.”
He dipped his head in her direction. “Never mind, Lady Hazelshire. And please forgive your daughter. I drew her into conversation in this awkward manner. I shall join you presently.”
He stepped away from the window and dressed. He’d never enjoyed the aid of the valet when dressing himself, as he found it a rather tedious manner of dressing. Instead, he threw on a pair of trousers, a white shirt with a brown waist coat, and a matching hat. Peering into the small looking glass on the wall, he nodded at himself and made his way downstairs.
“You have risen at last, brother,” Henry greeted him when he passed through the parlor toward the front yard.
Henry was dressed down, like Christopher was.
“I did not find the need to rise early,” he replied causing his brother to chuckle.
“Is that so? I see this visit was just what you need to further your plans regarding the Lady Rowena. I saw you sneak away into the old well house last night, followed by your lady love not long after. I trust you had an enjoyable time,” Henry winked. Indeed, Christopher had found that the old property offered a great many places were two young people could hide away.
For the past few evenings, while Henry had kept the Earl and Lady Hazelshire busy with plans for the future, Christopher had taken the opportunity to at last spend time with Lady Rowena. They’d sat side by side, looking out over the landscape, their hands always clasped. The hours had flown past as they talked and found more and more in common with one another. The previous night, she had fallen asleep with her head leaning against his shoulder.
“It was a lovely evening indeed. Oh, Henry. Rowena is all I thought she would be and more. She is loving and caring to those around her. Kind, charitable, and ever so smart. If only I could free her from the clasp of Thornmouth. If only she could be mine already and we could start out life together.” He shook his head.
Am I making a cake of myself, allowing myself to live out this dream while we are here, removed from reality?
Henry patted his shoulder. “You are well on your way. This afternoon, we will speak to the Earl about the winery. If he is willing to front the money for the repair, and we provide experts, we will make a profit of this property very soon. And our money worries will be forgotten.” A smile spread on his brother’s face. “Havisham House might be within our reach before the next London Season, brother.”
Christopher nodded, “I can only pray you are right, Henry.”
Outside, he saw the two young women pass by, accompanied by their sister-in-law, who, to everyone surprise, had insisted on making the journey to the vineyard. His attention was at once diverted.
His brother shook his head. “I shall not keep you from your lady love,” he motioned toward the door and a moment later, Christopher stepped through, followed by his brother.
“Good morning, Mister Newmont,” Lady Catherine said, the moment she laid her eyes upon Henry. Lady Margaret Burton stood beside her, looking flushed from the sun and exhausted. She had served as chaperone whenever Lady Hazelshire was occupied but the task was clearly too much for someone in her condition.
Henry smiled at Catherine and bowed to the group. There was a slight blush on his face as he caught the eye of Catherine and Christopher tried hard to avoid grinning. He’d noticed that, while his brother still had his nose in a book most of the day when he was not occupied with business, he had been spending considerable amounts of time with Lady Catherine. He appeared to enjoy her company a great deal, as she did his.
“Your Grace,” Rowena greeted him with a curtsy.
“Lady Rowena, you look lovely today. The sunshine appears to agree with you.” She smiled shyly, a light blush on her face.
“Indeed, Your Grace.” Their eyes locked and for a moment, he found himself lost in their unspoken love.
It was her sister-in-law who interrupted the moment.
“It is ever so hot. I am parched. Would you mind if we stopped for a cup of tea and perhaps a small bite to eat?”
She looked from Rowena to Catherine, as the younger sister broke into a wide grin.
She turned her face toward Henry. “What wonderful ideal, Margaret. Perhaps Mister Newmont might be so kind and accompany us to the kitchen for a tea?”
Taken aback, Henry’s eyes grew wide. “Of course, Lady Catherine. I am rather thirsty myself. I mean…I would–” Gatherings his wits about him, Henry extended his arm for her to take. He motioned for Lady Burton and Rowena to go before him into the house, but Rowena hesitated.
“Margaret, if you do not mind, I would rather continue my walk. I am ever so eager to take in the view of the vineyard. The afternoon sun bathes the property in such a lovely light. I thought I might take inspiration and paint it later.”
; Her sister-in-law looked uncertain for a moment and glanced at Christopher, as if assessing him.
She is concerned to abandon her chaperoning duties, yet she knows she cannot be in two places at once. Very well, I shall ease her mind.
“The light is indeed charming at this hour. I wish I could see it for myself, alas I must depart. I am to meet Lord Waxworth at the Inn in the village. He owns the neighboring property. It is always good to know thy neighbors.”
As expected, this declaration of his imminent departure eased Lady Burton’s mind. With no unmarried bachelors roaming the property, Lady Rowena’s reputation would be quite safe.
“Very well then. The three of us shall take our tea and Rowena, I cannot wait to see the painting you will produce. I am sure it will be lovely.”
With that, she made her way into the house, while Lady Catherine took Henry’s arm and followed.
“I hear the well house has lovely views of the vineyard,” he winked at her as if they had not spent the last few evenings there. “You may wish to explore there, Lady Rowena. I would offer to show you myself, but I must depart.” He spoke loudly, knowing his words would carry into the kitchen.
“A shame, indeed,” she replied, equally loud. “But I am certain I will find it myself. I hope your meeting is a success.” She curtsied as he bowed.
“As do I.”
With that, the two departed into opposite directions.
A few short moment later, Christopher made his way around the back of the property, hidden from the view of the kitchen. He climbed the steps of the old well house and looked around to ensure nobody saw him. Then, he stepped inside.
To his delight, Rowena was already there, standing near the edge where the view was indeed, beautiful.
“I feel rather like a naughty child,” she said with a grin when he approached.
“As do I, however, I must admit, there is some fun in that as well. I have much enjoyed our explorations in recent days.”
They had been fortunate to have opportunity for such explorations, due to the unexpected freedom. The Countess, for example, had fallen in love with the vineyard and the beautiful scenery and the Earl had taken great pains to show her the area as well as the nearby village. This left Rowena and Catherine under the supervision of their brother Charles and sister-in-law, neither the ideal chaperone. Their brother was often too occupied to pay them attention, and Lady Burton was simply too exhausted.
Henry was correct, his plan to come to the vineyard with the entire family had at last given me what I so desired. Time with Rowena.
“I have had a letter from Betsy, it came with the messenger for Papa.” She showed him the letter, with the seal of House Portsmouth already broken.
“I trust she is still well?” Christopher swallowed, still uneasy with the fact that Rowena was forced to request the assistance of the dastardly Thornmouth to ensure Betsy was looked after.
“They have arrived at the Thornmouth Estate and will be staying at the Castle for the duration of the trials.” She sighed. “It is not what I had hoped for when the Duke arranged for Lord Portsmouth to be on the Commission. I had hoped he would leave his wife and children in Bedfordshire.”
Rowena turned and attempted to step onto a stone bench to sit on the wall surrounding the well house. Seeing her struggle, her by placing his hands around her waist and lifting her. She placed her hand on his shoulder for support. They looked at one another, reveling in the closeness that had developed between them.
“In any case, at least I know that the Duke will be available to assist Betsy, should the need arise.”
Christopher removed his hands from her waist and climbed up the wall beside her. Their legs dangled over the low edge, feet just above the ground.
“I am sorry you had to ask him for assistance. It makes our situation all the more difficult.”
She shrugged, glancing out over the vast expanse. “He did his best to assure me that the rumors about Lord Portsmouth are just that, rumors. He said not to pay attention to what the ton says, but there is something about him…something I cannot trust.”
“Rest assured, once your Father agrees to give me your hand in marriage, we will set up a home for ourselves and Betsy will come and work for us. She can be your lady’s maid if you like, or governess to our children.”
Rowena smiled and nodded. They had discussed what their future might be one day, and the promise of having her best friend live with them was one he had easily made.
Suddenly she turned and clasped his hand.
“Christopher, when will we be able to speak to my Father? I do not know how long I can keep this up. The Duke could make an offer, an official offer, any day now. I am certain he will once the trials are over and then it will be all the harder to convince Father that he is wrong for me and–”
He placed a hand on her cheek, and she pressed her head into his hand.
“I will speak to him, and soon. I only wanted to ensure that the whole family sees the potential in this property. I wanted to show your Father that I am capable of rebuilding my fortune and thus will make a good husband. I think he sees it now and it will allow me to make my move.”
“But when?” Her voice was full of worry. “I have this feeling of dread inside of me, of worry–”
She is right. I cannot delay much longer. I would have liked to wait until the first harvest, but I must speak to him.
“Henry and I will travel with your Father to visit the neighboring vineyard tomorrow. I will speak to him on our return. Once he is further reassured that this venture will be a success.”
She nodded and leaned her head against his shoulder, closing her eyes as they bathed in this quiet moment of solitude.
That evening, the group gathered for dinner around an old, oak table in the dining room. Like the rest of the house, it was in need of repairs. After an early evening shower, the roof had sprung several leaks and buckets had been placed around the room to catch the water.
“There is a leak in our bedchamber as well,” Lady Hazelshire said, nodding at the leak.
“Ah yes, the house has good bones but needs repairs,” Lord Hazelshire said before biting into a piece of fresh-baked bread. “At least the kitchen appears in a good state, judging by the delicious meal the cook has prepared for us.”
Lady Hazelshire sighed deeply.
“What is the matter, Mama?” Rowena asked. She was seated across from Christopher. Beside her sat Catherine who was opposite Henry, which was an arrangement that seemed to suit the young people just fine, for they stole glances at one another throughout the evening.
“It is nothing. I love this house, but it does vex me just how in need of repair it is. I had envisioned balls and dinner parties. In the future I am sure this will be a lovely house for entertaining, but in its current state?” She shook her head, poking her fork into the venison before her.
“Now, now. Let us not get discouraged. Balls and dinner parties can wait. First, we must get the vineyard up and running,” the Earl said before facing Christopher. “Your men are arriving by week’s end?”
He nodded. Christopher had sent for a group of his best workers, as well as his chief vintner, to help with the planting of the crop.
“I assure you, Lady Hazelshire, once our vintner Mister Carson takes charge of the property, we will be producing the finest wines in the region. Then this will be the country home of your dreams.”
The woman smiled at him. In recent days she’d warmed to him, something which delighted Christopher more than he could have admitted.
“We will need to conduct repairs on the winery, above all. Otherwise there will be no wine produced here. We could have the grapes taken to Lancashire to be produced there, but it would be an inconvenience,” Henry chimed in.
The Earl shook his head. “I have thought long and hard about the discussion we have had. I agree with His Grace, the Duke. It would be much more effective to repair the winery and produce Three Roses Wine here. And also rep
air the house. We must have a house to entertain. Connections, as Mister Newmont has explained to me, are everything in the wine business. So–”
He folded his hands on the table and looked around, a grin on his old face. The wrinkles on his forehead deepened with the wide grin.
“I have taken it upon myself to secure additional funding for our project. While I fund the renovations of the house, my investor will give us the money to repair the winery.”
Henry and Christopher exchanged an alarmed glance at once another.
“My Lord, we will not be in a position to repay any loans for some time. Not until we produce at least the first–”
The Earl waved a hand. “Not to worry, Mister Newmont. My investor will not hound us for the money. He has a vested interest in the success of this venture. He is about to be family, after all.”
A Forbidden Waltz With the Dashing Duke Page 17
