The shadows in the coach rendered her view of him a little obscured, but she thought she caught a smile on his handsome face. Then he leaned forward and plucked one of her hands from her lap.
“Lily,” he whispered, her name a rasping sound from his lips, “let’s not stay in London. Let’s go somewhere new, somewhere without habits or distractions. Somewhere to just be ourselves for a time. Will you come with me?”
Had he proposed to her with this energy in the first place, she’d never have felt despair in it.
“Yes,” she answered at once, squeezing the hand holding hers. “Let’s go now, let’s go tonight, or in the morning, if we must, but yes, let us leave!”
His laughter at her response gave her wings, and the friction of his fingers brushing against hers warmed a long-chilled part of her heart. “If I’d known you’d be so keen, I’d have asked you last week.”
She beamed, unable to do anything less. “Where will we go? We have no other house but Rainford, and I cannot think that will be an improvement on London for us yet.”
Thomas shook his head. “No, I completely agree. How would you feel about removing to Cornwall?”
Lily reared back in surprise, the suggestion one she had not considered in the least as she’d dreamed of leaving. “Cornwall? How could we remove there? Do you know anyone?”
“I have significant business interests in Cornwall, though I have yet to see the place myself,” he shrugged, his smile undiminished. “I know a few gentlemen through those business interests, and they speak with great adoration of their home county. I have been discreetly inquiring as to houses available, either for purchase or to let, and there are one or two in a particularly lovely area that we might consider. What do you say to that?”
What did she say? She wasn’t sure what to say with such a plan, particularly set in a corner of England she knew so little about. Cornwall was universally considered the poorest of England’s counties, but it also boasted of the greatest beauties. She had never met anyone who had spent significant time there, and she had never considered it a place she’d wished to see.
She had nothing against Cornwall, she’d simply never considered it.
But with the prospects her husband mentioned and the equally enchanting prospect of being away from all that was familiar and known…
“Cornwall sounds perfect,” Lily told him, sighing with relief and delight at the idea. “I’ve no qualms about leaving as soon as we can—as soon as everything is prepared. I only have one request.”
Thomas covered their joined hands with his free one. “Which is?”
Her smile turned almost playful and yet a little shy. “Can we take a house that has a pianoforte?”
His grin was infectious, and his chuckle rumbled deliciously through the carriage. “Of course. I’d never think of anything else.”
“Then I shall have all that I require.”
“So shall I.”
Chapter Nine
Why he had never thought of removing to Cornwall before this, Thomas would never know, but he would consider himself a great fool and a slow one for it.
From the moment he and Lily had left London, he’d felt a weight lift from him, not only from his shoulders but from his entire being, down to his soul. He might have been years younger, and his marriage anew. He’d ridden in the coach the whole way from London, which was not particularly comfortable, but he was not in a great hurry.
At Lily’s own request, they’d not stopped at any inns for a night, only long enough to change horses and have a meal each time. She hadn’t made any particular comments about Cornwall to give him encouragement one way or the other, but she had made it very clear that she was thrilled to be away from London, and that might be enough.
He was reluctant to pin his hopes on this time in Cornwall, given his past experiences, but there was something thrilling about the venture and his wife’s eagerness about it. Surely they could find their way back to each other in Cornwall, away from their habits and patterns, their distractions and their familiar pursuits.
He could not dare to hope that his wife would love him as he loved her, could not pretend he would possess the good fortune of having her heart truly be inclined toward him. He dreamed of such things, of course, but he could not expect any such thing. All he wanted was to offer himself to her, to prove he was better than he had been, and to give her reason enough to be pleased she was married to him.
Was that so impossible?
Their conversation in the coach had been varied and companionable, and they’d also shared enough silence to render that comfortable as well. The strain and tension that had become so present during their mealtimes together had been delightfully absent in the coach, leaving him feeling more at ease in her presence than he had felt in some time.
That was a promising beginning if nothing else was.
And now that they had arrived in Cornwall, their task was simple: decide which of the houses they would take.
Had he really thought this out, he might have come ahead of her and seen that all was prepared and made the decision about the house on his own so she might be comfortable from the moment they arrived. But, as the decision to come had been made in haste, they would not have such a luxury. A night or two in the local inn, and then they should be able to take possession of whichever house they settled upon.
Thomas wasn’t particular about the houses. Both were situated along a stretch of coast, both were reputed to be in grand condition, and neither would remind them of Rainford or London. He really could not ask for more than that.
They had stayed at the local inn the night before, and now they were driving out to the first estate to have a tour and examine the place.
“Thomas,” Lily gasped beside him, one of her hands lashing out to grip his wrist. “Look at the wildflowers. On the moors, look!”
Thomas looked out of the window, smiling at the simple yet profound beauty before them. “Stunning. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.”
“If we’re anywhere near the estate, I will select this place on the basis of these moors alone,” Lily vowed, fixated on the shades of blue, purple, and pink dotting the gray and green moors about them.
“I’ll make a note,” Thomas assured her, even knowing that she wouldn’t hear him.
He wouldn’t deny that it was a promising prospect, and he would especially consider it so if it would bring his wife such pleasure and joy. It would certainly be a foundation that he would happily build upon, as it might improve his chances of success.
But what if they weren’t close enough for this land to be on the estate they were inspecting?
Please, let them be close!
It was all he could do not to hold his breath as they turned down an overgrown lane, passing scattered sheep and three or four cows.
“Oh…” Lily breathed suddenly, perched on the edge of her seat. “Look at the sea.”
Thomas had seen it as well, and the same sense of wonder was filling him. Glimpses of shore and coastline dotted before them, the moors and cliffs doing their part to hide what they could as they descended down the lane. They must be near the house now, if the coast was so near.
Which meant he could be a very, very fortunate man.
They came around a slight curve, and the landscape opened to reveal the house, an imposing expanse of a place towering with buff-colored limestone, Elizabethan gables, and grand windows overshadowing anything else he could notice about it. The sun caught the glass windows perfectly, glinting off the surface with a welcoming glow. Ivy had begun to creep up the walls, though instead of creating an overgrown appearance, it added to the overall image and spirit of it all. Brambles lined the drive, scattered about the area without rhyme or reason, oddly fitting for the scene.
“It’s beautiful,” Lily breathed, her fingers touching the window of the carriage as though she could touch the house itself. “What’s its name?”
“Pendrizzick,” Thomas told her, the name bri
nging a smile to his face as he used it. The Cornish language was a fascinating one, of which he knew very little, but there was an undeniable musical quality to it.
Lily looked at him, a matching smile on her face. “Does it mean something?”
“I’m sure it does,” he replied with a laugh. “I’m just not sure what.”
She giggled for a moment before turning back to view the house. “Unless the interior of the house is filled with bats, rats, or cobwebs, I think we should take it.”
“Very well.”
“You don’t have a strong opinion?”
He shrugged, though she wouldn’t see it. “My strong opinion is that if you have a strong opinion, I would like to fulfill your wishes.”
Lily glanced over her shoulder, her smile gentle. “That’s very generous of you. Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“I don’t mind,” he assured her, amazed he could reply at all given how his heart pounded. “If the house makes you happy, we’ll take it. If you wish to look at the other house first, we will do it. The idea is for us both to be comfortable, and if either house does not meet that requirement, we will find other options.”
Her smile grew, rivaling the sun in its brilliance. “I am not accustomed to such a degree of freedom.”
One of his brows lifted. “Nor am I.”
“Is this an indication of how our lives might proceed from this time forward?” she asked, her dark eyes searching his with a severity that spoke volumes. “Free to do as we wish and pursue what makes us happy?”
Thomas paused, as any sane husband would, and sent up a silent prayer that her wishes and pursuit of happiness might not venture away from his own. “I hope so,” he said carefully. “Surely we ought to be permitted such freedoms, though a bit belated in doing so. Are we not?”
Lily’s chin dipped in a nod. “Certainly, we are. And away from the confines of the ton, we might be granted license to truly enjoy ourselves.”
“Heaven knows we haven’t done so there.”
They shared a smile, time seeming to pause while they did so. Lily noticed first and shifted to look out the window again. “The land is stunning. I’d heard of the beauties of Cornwall, but this is beyond what I imagined.”
“I believe Cornwall is beyond what many people imagine,” Thomas told her, still smiling, though his wife wouldn’t see. “One of the attractions to the place.”
He wasn’t sure if she heard him, so intent was her focus on the scenery. Not that it mattered, given his statement was irrelevant and paltry for what they were seeing. It was as though they had escaped England altogether and had entered a world all its own. Some enchanted place where time and space ceased to exist, and beauty had no comparison.
Fitting, then, that Lily should spend some time here.
The carriage pulled up to the house, stopping just before the long, gravel path to the entrance, and Thomas stepped out with an eager step, reaching a hand for Lily without thinking.
She took it, surprising him pleasantly, though she was entirely unaware of his hand at all as she took in the spectacle of the house.
“Pendrizzick,” she mused, seeming to try the name on her tongue. “I like it.”
He started moving them forward before she could think about releasing his hand, taking a moment to eye the grand edifice himself. It was a masterful construction, its architecture highlighting the passing years and styles with great efficacy. He would not venture to call it a relic, as the windows glistened with a bright cleanliness that spoke of meticulous care.
No matter how overgrown the grounds might appear, the house itself was anything but. And upon closer inspection, even the ivy creeping along the facade was well-manicured.
Part of the intended ambiance, then. Intriguing.
They had nearly reached the great, dark, wooden door when it swung open wide. A tall and fair-haired footman, without powdered wig, in plain livery greeted them. “Good morning. Might I have the pleasure of addressing Mr. and Mrs. Granger?”
“You have,” Thomas replied with a pleasant smile. “You are expecting us?”
The footman nodded. “Mr. Morgan, the steward, informed us you’d be coming by to see the place. If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to Mrs. Penrose, the housekeeper.” He stepped back, inclining his head and inviting them in.
Thomas led Lily in, removing his hat and gloves as he entered. “Is the butler in residence, or has he gone with the family?”
“Mr. Griggs has gone with the family, sir,” came the reply in a decidedly formal tone. “My name is George, interim butler and head footman.”
“And how do you like being interim butler, George?” Thomas asked, giving the lad what he hoped was an encouraging smile.
One pale brow rose. “In truth, sir, I’ve no ambition to be a butler and find no satisfaction in the tasks now falling to my purview. I greatly look forward to returning to my duties as a footman alone.”
Lily turned to face him with a curious smile. “You don’t wish to be a butler? Then what would you consider your ambition? You can trust us, we’ve no opinions on the subject.”
George smiled hesitantly. “I hope to someday be a steward, madam. I was being trained up as an apprentice to a groundskeeper before I was brought indoors.”
Thomas nodded in thought. “That additional experience of the inner workings of the house itself should give you some valuable insight in that pursuit. I applaud you, George.”
True to the unwritten, expected conduct of a footman, George only nodded and continued on his intended path, leading them farther into the house. Thomas found himself examining the interior of the house, marveling at the plasterwork above him and the exquisite details sculpted there. Recessed arches in the entryway and leading into the corridors on all sides lent an air of grandeur to the place, the strapwork ceiling accompanied by scrolls and leaves, the occasional brambles appearing there as well.
He had to smile at the sight. Brambles without, brambles within. There was something charming about that.
“Ah, thank you, George,” a trim woman with a warm countenance said as she came into view from the rear of the house. She clasped her hands before her, smiling at the Grangers. “Mrs. Granger, Mr. Granger. Welcome to Pendrizzick. I am Mrs. Penrose, the housekeeper. I trust your stay at the Coach and Four in Breathreath was comfortable?”
“Very,” Lily assured her. “I don’t think I’ve ever found a more spacious or warm establishment for travelers. Quite a pleasant surprise.”
Mrs. Penrose nodded in pleasure. “My nephew is the owner, madam. With your blessing, I shall pass on your praise to him.”
“Of course.” Lily beamed at the connection, her delicate earbobs waving as though pushed by the smile. “Might we trouble you for a tour of the house?”
“No trouble at all, Mrs. Granger.” She spread her hands out to indicate their current position. “We are presently in the main corridor of the south-east face of the house. Given its unique shape, they have never been referred to as wings. This is the main entrance, and, if you noticed, the entrance hall extends up to the second story. When the Tremellion children were young, they used to greet family from the terrace of the second story overlooking the first story entrance.”
Thomas chuckled at the image of children doing so, tempted to go back to the entrance hall for a second look. “How many children are there?”
“All grown now,” Mrs. Penrose informed him, smiling fondly. “But there were six, all told. Very sensible, warm, caring children, if I might be so familiar.”
“I think you might, given your history with them.” Thomas smiled and gestured down the short corridor behind them. “I take it the south-east face ends there?”
Mrs. Penrose nodded. “Yes, sir. The corridor to the kitchens is to the side of the grand window, with the breakfast room just there. The kitchens and servants’ quarters take up the short south-west face. The dining room is down here, sir.” She indicated just ahead of them and started toward it. “There is
a billiards room behind us, as well as a formal receiving room Mrs. Tremellion admired greatly.”
Lily smiled up at Thomas with an almost childlike enthusiasm, nearly skipping after the housekeeper. He grinned in return, though her form retreated as she followed Mrs. Penrose. If that smile remained throughout their tour, he’d write to the elder Mr. Tremellion today and inquire as to purchasing Pendrizzick rather than only letting the place.
They only briefly paused in the dining room, which was expansive but surprisingly without the gilded details Thomas had expected to see. Instead, the walls had been papered in a rich cream color, the faintest intimation of vines etched into the surfaces. Another set of grand windows sat in this room along the eastern wall, the light of the morning streaming through and adding an almost ethereal glow to the room. The table lacked setting, which was understandable, as the family had left the house some months prior, but the carefully polished sconces on the walls and elegant pair of chandeliers in the room were pristine in their appearance.
On down the corridor they went, passing a large, richly stocked library that possessed several seating arrangements adequate for a family gathering rather than only a seat or two for individuals. At the easternmost corner of the house, an expansive ballroom sat, marble floors with walls of pale pink and gilded accents wrapping around the room. The ceiling bore exquisite murals of the heavens, extending high above even the floor above them, evidenced by balconies at the housebound corners of the room.
Doors at the far end of the ballroom extended out to a wide terrace to the rear of the house, where carefully crafted gardens lay near as far as the eye could see.
“Have we arrived in Eden?” Lily breathed as she moved toward them. “What a marvelous prospect.”
“The gardens are the envy of Pendrizzick, there is no question,” Mrs. Penrose informed them proudly. “There are three tiers to them, and the third and final tier boasts the most spectacular view of Dandrea Beach, which is on the estate.”
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