“Oh, um, I’m a governess for the Mason’s just down the road, they have a little boy who just turned seven and he is quite the handful”, she revealed.
“Boys always are at that age, aren’t they? No doubt with your charming face and soothing voice, the child refrains from his tyranny when you demand it of him”, he complimented back to her, continuing to stare admiringly in her direction. She took notice of this.
“I must say, you do flatter me, sir. The child has taken a liking to me, which has made my daily task of teaching him more enjoyable, but I cannot claim to have that kind of power. For I doubt the hand of the lord would be able to reign in his spirit when he decides he does not wish to do something”, Margery explained.
She blushed as Hugh smiled at her in entertainment from across the room, and she was saved by Charlotte rising and taking her by the arm exclaiming that they must go and help her aunt with the cleaning in the other room.
“Good gracious, Marge!” she chuckled once the two were out of earshot from the den.
“Whatever are you so excited about Charlotte?” she asked in amusement of her friend’s sudden outburst of ecstatic joy. “You are as giddy as a child receiving their first Christmas gift.”
Charlotte rolled her eyes at Margery and continued to babble about how Hugh had been fixed in town for so long and had never found a woman worth his attempt of courting.
“What does that have to do with the insanity that now spreads across your smiling face my dearest?” Margery pushed, trying not to sound as eager about Hugh’s intentions as she really was.
“You, my darling girl! My brother cannot help but to keep his eyes on you all of the time. I have never seen him so focused in all of my life. I am sure he must fancy you but of course why shouldn’t he? You are without a doubt the most beautiful woman he has ever beheld”, she whispered for fear of being overheard. The two paused a moment to ensure they had not ruffled his interest in listening at the door and then continued.
“You flatter me Charlotte, but I really cannot imagine a man such as your brother to have any interest in someone like me”, she added modestly as the two girls left the kitchen giggling together, trying to conceal their true discussion.
“Gracious, you two are quite mischievous, why don’t we three go for a walk in the sunlight and you can show off your beautifully decorated bonnets”, Hugh suggested as the girls entered the room. “I know Charlotte has been aching to see the yellow one that you described to her in a letter a few weeks back”, he added now picturing her in this new bonnet.
“What an excellent idea brother of mine! Will you fetch my new white bonnet from the carriage, and I will help Marge with hers”, Charlotte was nearly next to herself with excitement.
Margery had brought along an oversized yellow bonnet which made her fair skin glow excellently in good sunlight. The trio walked for hours down the cottage road and along the side of the lake whose stream ran a mere quarter mile from the back of the Firth household. Talking and laughing as they went, Charlotte kept a close eye and even closer ear on her brother and her friend. How perfect, she thought to herself as she watched them looking at one another and making jokes, commenting on the beauty of the day and so on.
Once they returned to the cottage, the carriage was all prepared for departure and Hugh escorted Charlotte into the seat once she had sufficiently hugged Margery farewell. The goodbyes between the ladies always took longer than one might expect. If they could glue their hips together their separation would not be made any more difficult than it already was. He then turned to Margery and put out a hand again which she offered to him. He kissed it once more, lingering on it for a moment longer than he had at his arrival which sent her heart into a fit. When he raised his head to meet her eyes, they were glistening in the setting sun and her hair had swung from her bun in front of her face. He brushed it away with the back of his hand.
“It has been a remarkable day with you, Miss Fairchild”, he bid. “I hoped I could have a moment to ask you if I could see you again soon”.
“You may, I am allowed my weekends to visit with my aunt and uncle and look forward to seeing you again”, she replied kindly.
Charlotte began to squeal from inside the carriage as Hugh continued.
“I thought perhaps somewhere more formal. There is a ball being held by a gentleman from my regiment and his family in London on Saturday, Colonel Bennett.” He continued, “I hope I may encourage you to come as my guest”, he expressed with the deepest desire in his voice.
“I believe I would like that very much. I shall speak with Mr. and Mrs. Mason this evening”. Margery thanked him as the carriage pulled away and she hurried to fetch Firefly to ask the Mason’s if she might have the evening to go to the ball.
Chapter 5
Mr. and Mrs. Mason listened to Margery’s request with conscious airs of concerned faces. Of course, this would be a wonderful opportunity for their young helper and she did promise to have Thomas’ lessons for the day completed before setting out for London as her friends would not be picking her up in the carriage until the afternoon. However, they could not help but worry that if the lady was to fall in love on such an occasion as this, they might lose the only governess that Thomas had ever liked. With some persuasion from the maids at breakfast that morning that it would really be quite cruel to keep Margery from such an event, they consented to her to be allowed to attend the ball on Saturday next.
“Your brother is exceedingly handsome my dearest Charlotte”, Margery remarked to her companion as they attempted various hairstyles on one another the following day. Hugh remained at their home that day to allow the women to speak freely of the upcoming ball, and of course, to discuss their opinions on his actions the day before.
“As is your hair madam”, said one of the maids passing by the two ladies on the sofa. Alice had always been kind to Margery even as a young girl when she came to visit her aunt and uncle at the cottage. A more kind-hearted person you were not to find anywhere.
“Thank you”, replied Margery graciously and they all giggled, admiring her in the mirror. Charlotte had tied most of her brown curls up into a twisted sort of bun with thin ringlets falling down around her face. She included some pearl pins in the twists and turns of her curls but there was something more that they needed.
“I have known it for many a year dear Marge, but it has been far too long since any other woman besides myself has told him so. It would not be so out of place if you mention it to him this Saturday”, Charlotte said proudly.
“My word, Charlotte! There is no keeping up airs and graces with you are there?” Margery exclaimed, shocked at her companion’s indiscretion.
“My dear, the last woman who told Hugh he was at all attractive was nothing more to him than a tease, she made him believe he was becoming successful in courting her but after six months she allowed him the information of her recent marriage”, she told Margery.
“Well, poor Hugh had better choose more transparent women in the future”, she added, winking in Charlotte’s direction in the mirror.
The two laughed hysterically. “Well now, I have never known you to be even the slightest bit cloudy in all my years with you, I think Hugh will be just fine”, teased Charlotte. “Remind me, my dear, when we arrive in London, before the ball we must go and get you some ribbon for your hair. Blue, I think would be best, like a sapphire”, she added, toying with a small curl that had sprung loose.
“Yes, yes he most certainly shall be and as to the ribbons, I shall choose my own colors”, Margery concluded with the utmost confidence, something she prided herself in.
“Ladies!” called Mrs. Mason from the kitchen, “It is time for tea; you may continue your hair amusements later.”
The girls put down the brushes and pins, stretched their fingers out and headed for the kitchen.
Chapter 6
Saturday finally arrived and Margery could hardly contain her excitement. Her dress and shoes had been packed into her
traveling trunk along with the best necklaces and cuffs she owned, in her opinion; there could not be a better day to come. The dress she had selected was white, in order to match any ribbons that might catch her eye in town, and her shoes were made of a soft black material and were simply decorated with a bow on the top.
Once loaded into the carriage by the assistance of the charming Hugh Edwards, Margery and Charlotte continued talking rampantly about the coming ball, the guest list, the musicians, and how much fun they should have there. Arriving in London, the trio fixed themselves into a small inn to which the girls shared one room and Hugh took on another down the hall. It was a pleasant yet quaint abode run by Mrs. Grant and her husband who were all too eager to hear about the coming ball.
“Tis the busiest time of year for us when the young folk hereabouts start having their celebrations of this manner”, she said happily, ordering her husband to help the ladies into their room. “You must allow me to tell you the finest ribbon shop is only minutes down the road if you go on foot, and I daresay some blue or gold ribbons would look lovely in your hair, my dear”, Mrs. Grant cooed at Margery as she passed. Mrs. Grant had never had any girls of her own but had two sons who had been involved in the militia over the years.
“Thank you ma’am, I think we shall have to pay them a visit”, added Charlotte.
“You must say hello to our sons for us sir, Charles and James, if you see them”, she added to Hugh. This took him somewhat by surprise.
“Oh, yes ma’am, I shall, if I ever see them. We are of two different um... dragoons”, he informed her.
No sooner had the ladies pulled the dresses from their luggage and hung them over the bedpost were they off in search of ribbons for the evening.
“They are exactly what you need to give you an extra bit of charm!” Charlotte piqued. “Not that you of course are not endowed with a serious amount of it already. It never hurts to have more”, she continued.
“I suppose they couldn’t do any harm, could they?” Margery said pleasantly content.
The ribbon shop was larger than expected and the variety of colors and materials to choose from was nearly enough to send Margery’s head spinning. Toying with the thinner strands of ribbon hung near the back of the store, which was all but empty with the exception of her, Charlotte and a few older ladies selecting with utmost care the best ribbons for their basket weaving, Margery could not decide which ribbons to choose.
She was so wrapped up in her wonder of ribbons and colors that she scarcely heard the doorbell ring as it opened and let in a gust of fresh air. She inhaled deeply and continued to peruse the lavender and blue hues of the thinnest sized ribbon.
“Good afternoon, Miss Fairchild”, came a strong and familiar voice from behind her. She could tell it was not Hugh, for he had stayed at the inn to ensure an adequate meal be prepared to keep them in good health for the evening.
Spinning around, Margery came face to face with the horse racing companion, Duke Avery Navarre.
“Good afternoon Your Grace”, she greeted, turning a slight crimson in the face. She had not the opportunity to be this close to him the other evening and now could see how structured his features were and how the curl of his dark, chestnut hair lay just so in perfect waves about his temples. It took her a moment before she realized she had been staring.
He noticed though, and cleared his throat with a cough, attempting to conceal the fact that he had been so observant. But he failed. “What brings you this far into town? I understand that you must have had a long journey, I hope it was not as unpleasant as long trips may be”, he said gently, filling the space which she did not know how to entertain.
“It was quite alright, the time passed so quickly I had not the slightest notion of it being at all unpleasant”, she assured him. “I have come from the Shire with my friend Charlotte and her brother Hugh to fix in town for the evening as Colonel Bennett has invited us to his ball this very day.”
The Duke was surprised that she should be found in such society as Colonel Bennett who was an upstanding captain in his own unique way but rather reckless when it came to the discipline of his officers and their misconduct around gentlewomen. He was a notorious drinker even if he was one of England’s most intelligent and talented militia leaders. It made him slightly nervous to consider the kind of male company she would be in this evening.
“It is a considerable matter of coincidence that I shall be in attendance as well, Miss Fairchild”, he lied, but with all intention he meant to change that. “I hope I shall have the honor of persuading you to keep me in mind for a set or two”, he offered, only partly aware of what he had just said.
A look of regret passed over her face, and he knew he should not be permitted to dance with her.
“I am sorry Mr. Navarre, but I have the first two sets promised to Hugh Edwards”, she said with a tone of sadness, for the Duke was extremely agreeable in every sense of the word. “But I hope you may find me in the later part of the evening when my time might be less otherwise engaged”, Margery added with a bat of her lashes to keep herself from staring once again.
That is an offer I will not refuse, he thought to himself as he excused her from his annoyance and made for the door. Distracted in his thoughts, he almost bustled straight into the man coming in through the door; it was Hugh Edwards.
“I say good sir, are you alright?” Hugh asked as he passed.
Startled, the Duke looked up, apologized and kept on before hearing Margery’s voice pick up from behind him. This made his nerves shoot through him and he was out the door as quickly as possible.
“Oh Hugh! We thought you would never arrive, however are we to determine which ribbons will suit us best at the ball from a gentleman’s perspective without the help of such a person as a gentleman”, she teased as Charlotte joined her.
The three continued to search for ribbons while, on the other side of the glass in the window, Avery Navarre stood puzzled and wrapped in concern for his racing partner. He could not shake the feeling that he had met Hugh Edwards before and it had not been a pleasant encounter.
For a man of his standing, unpleasant dealings were common and he could not expect to remember them all, but something was seriously troubling about Mr. Edwards, and he feared for Margery being so innocent and gentle. But it was not only Mr. Edwards that concerned him, it was his own growing jealousy which he could not compare to any other feeling he had had before. Determined, he set off to find Colonel Bennett for an invitation for the night’s festivities.
Chapter 7
The Duke spent the remainder of the day in search of Colonel Bennett hoping to gain access to this ball. He had to see her again, if not to win her for himself, then to ensure this Mr. Edwards or any other man present meant her no harm.
Hugh Edwards, he thought, where do I know that name from? He knew it had to do with the militia but it wasn’t like he moved in intimate circles with anyone from the regiments in London but the name was exceedingly familiar to his mind yet he simply could not place it.
Avery Navarre finally found the Colonel in a book shop a few streets over where the Colonel was perusing their collection of war materials of history.
“Ah, Colonel, it is so good to see you again”, he chimed, recalling the last meeting he had with the man. They had been dealing with one of his officers who had had a run in with the law and was being held in custody by the city of London. The two worked well together and had a good understanding of one another’s manners. It had been quite a few months ago and had been long since out of his mind.
“Duke Navarre”, greeted the colonel, surprised to see the Duke approaching him so confidently. Perhaps there was a problem. “What can I do for you my dear sir?” he asked kindly, smiling as some pretty girls walked into the shop.
“I wondered Colonel, if I might press you to hand out only one more invitation to your ball at Hilliard Hall this evening. There is a...um...” he trailed, not sure what his excuse ought to be.
“A woman is it sir?” inquired Colonel Bennett. He could see the Duke go somewhat pink in his cheeks and continued, “Don’t fret Your Grace, you are now cordially invited to entertain yourself at my party this night, I only declined to invite you sooner assuming you had more important folk to attend to and less time on your hands to enjoy such frivolity”, he added apologetically. “This lady, who is she? I hope she is one who might induce even yourself into matrimony. I know how much you avoid that kind of sentiment but I have never seen you thus dedicated to the attentions of any young lady”, he continued.
“Thank you Colonel, it means much to me. She is a woman with no considerable prospects but she is beautiful and I merely mean to look out for her. I have yet to contemplate marriage sir, you know that”, Avery said graciously.
He was still thinking on where it was he knew that man Edwards from. It was a long shot he thought but he asked anyway. “By the way Colonel, might I ask you what was the name of that gentleman of your regiment which you and I were forced to pay bail for on the assault of women account? It is nearly a year ago now I do believe.” He waited patiently as the Colonel thought it over in his mind. Officers came in and out of regiments frequently and he could not always recall every scandal although this one had been on quite a large scale.
Finally, a light bulb went off over his head and he looked up with alacrity as aging gentlemen do when they recall something that could easily have been lost to memory forever. “Stu wasn’t it? Stu Edwards?” asked the Colonel.
The Duke all of a sudden could not contain his fear for Miss Fairchild and began to sweat. He knew by the certainty in his comrade’s voice that although he had mislabelled the first name he had hit the second one on the nose. “No, I think you must be mistaken sir, was it not Hugh then, Hugh Edwards?”
Historical Hearts Romance Collection Page 17
