“All right, it will do us no good to keep him waiting,” she said, looking toward Unity. Her sister nodded and offered her a reassuring smile.
“Good luck!” Sophia called as the other two sisters made their way back into the house.
“You know he continues to come back because you are the beauty of the county,” Unity said as they walked through the garden door into the kitchen. “If you were only a bit uglier, you would not be plagued by so many ill-mannered suitors.”
Tabitha grinned at her sister’s teasing tone. “It is a burden I must bear. I try to make myself as unappealing as I can. I avoid pretty dresses and baubles, and bury myself in books and art. How could any gentleman find me attractive?”
Unity giggled and rolled her eyes. “Your apparent disinterest in all things feminine I believe only adds to your appeal to the gentleman of the county. Not only are you beautiful, but you are an anomaly as well. They are fascinated by you.”
Some of Tabitha’s good humor dissolved at the truth of her sister’s words. Unlike her sisters, Tabitha was not interested in what was fashionable or fascinating for other young ladies. That included marriage. At one-and-twenty years old, she appeared destined for the shelf. She did not mind, in truth, though she knew her potential spinsterhood was an issue of grave concern for her papa.
The fact of the matter was that Tabitha was not necessarily opposed to marriage. She was simply opposed to the wrong marriage. An avid lover of romance novels, she had determined long ago that she would not settle for a loveless match of convenience. There would be passion between her and her husband, or she would rather not wed at all. Multiple gentleman had tried to pursue her, but none had held her interest.
Lord Burrows was the only one to not give up, and it was grating on her nerves. For three summers, she had been forced to endure his unwanted attentions, no matter how coldly she rejected him. The gentleman disturbed her, and neither of her sisters cared overly much for him either. Sophia was slightly more sympathetic to his plight, but she was only fifteen and too young to understand the intricacies and pitfalls of courtship.
She will learn soon enough, though. Most gentleman are dullards who only care for our beauty and wealth, not our souls or minds.
When she and Unity reached the parlor door at the front of the house, they paused before going inside. Tabitha dreaded this encounter, as she did every interaction she had with Lord Burrows. The issue was that he never did or said anything that stepped out of the bounds of propriety, but he was always just…strange. It was subtle things about him that had the hairs on the nape of her neck standing up whenever he neared.
The tone of his voice was always a little too intimate.
The gleam in his eyes too eager and greedy.
The things he said to her overly polite or flattering.
There was something else that hovered over his person like a dark cloud. Something she could not quite put a name to, but it made her nervous. She never felt completely safe with him, even though she was never alone with him.
“It will be all right,” Unity said, reading Tabitha’s worry. Her sister had a talent for knowing exactly how someone was feeling at any given moment. “I will be in there with you. You need only tell him no to whatever he asks of you and ask him to leave. Nothing more.”
Tabitha nodded, drawing strength from her sister’s words and presence.
“You are right. I will reject him once more and send him on his way. No reason to extend the visit any longer than that.”
“Exactly.” Unity offered an encouraging smile and squeezed Tabitha’s hand.
Taking a deep breath, Tabitha threw back her shoulders and pushed open the parlor door. She maintained her grip on her sister’s hand as they walked inside. Lord Burrows stood by the fireplace, studying the various trinkets displayed on the mantel. When he heard the sisters enter, he whirled toward them with a wide smile.
“Miss Walters! It is so good to see you again,” he declared in a voice so cheery, it pained Tabitha’s ears. “I have only just arrived back in the area for the summer, and knew I must immediately make my way here to see you. I have missed you so.”
And I have developed a deep fondness for the winter when you are safely tucked away in town.
Tabitha did not bother to smile, but she nodded her head in greeting.
“I hope you have been well, My Lord. I am flattered you would think to visit me so soon after your arrival. I am far from worthy of such attentions.”
The gentleman’s face fell slightly. “Why would I not visit you? I have been eager to see you again for months.”
“You are most kind, My Lord.” She did not bother to echo his sentiments. Tabitha was not usually so curt with her would-be suitors, but Lord Burrows had trampled over her last nerve long ago.
To her utter shock and frustration, he grinned.
“Oh, my darling, you have such a sense of humor. It is one of the many things I so admire about you.”
She stared at him, mouth agape.
Is he so intent on ignoring my feelings? Or is he truly this delusional?
“My Lord, I can personally assure you, my sister has no sense of humor,” Unity said in a dry tone.
The blasted fool only chuckled and shook his head.
“I believe I am acquainted with Miss Walters well enough to know better, Miss Unity.” His gazed bounced between the two sisters before settling back on Tabitha.
Tabitha shared a baffled look with her sister before meeting his eyes.
“My Lord, I do not know how I can make myself more clear to you. I have no interest in courtship or marriage, with you or anyone else at present. You waste your time in coming here. It would be better for you to pursue some other lady.”
The merriment faded from his eyes, and she thought that he at last was comprehending that she was not speaking in jest.
“Oh, my apologies, Madam,” he hurriedly said. “I did not mean to give you the wrong impression. Of…of course, you have made you disinterest perfectly clear. I merely wish to…to maintain a relationship of pure friendship with you, that is all.”
Tabitha did not believe that for one moment, and when she heard her sister’s soft tsk, she knew Unity did not believe him either. Still, she thought she might test him a bit. See if his resolve to maintain his ruse held strong, or if he crumpled when more closely scrutinized.
“Pure friendship? That is truly all you wish, My Lord?” she asked in a voice dripping with skepticism.
He nodded vehemently. “Yes, Miss Walters. I swear to you I have no other intent.”
“Would remaining friends with my sister not cause you unnecessary heartache, My Lord? Why would you wish to put yourself through such misery?” Unity’s tone was gentle and curious, but Tabitha was well-tuned enough to her that she could pick up the subtle hint of scorn underlying her words.
“You are kind to consider my feelings, Miss Walters,” Lord Burrows replied, resting his hand over his heart. “However, I am most certain that the greater agony would be to go without your sister’s presence in my life completely.”
Tabitha ground her teeth together.
Would nothing she said to him convince him to abandon his pursuit? She may have been impressed by his stalwart dedication had it not disturbed her so. It was growing increasingly clear that they would get nowhere with him this day. She needed to bring his visit to an immediate end.
“My Lord, was satisfying your desire to see me your only reason for coming here today?”
His mouth opened and closed like a fish as he scrambled for some response. She could only imagine what his true intent had been, before she and Unity had once again thwarted his hopes of securing courtship with her.
“I…I…I suppose it is, Madam,” he answered at last, with an air of defeat.
“Then I am happy we could meet again. Unfortunately, my sister and I cannot linger any longer. We have another pressing engagement, but perhaps we could have you for tea sometime?” She didn’t wait f
or a reply and dipped into a shallow curtsy, pulling Unity down with her, then turned with her sister to make a hasty retreat.
“Madam, wait!” Lord Burrows cried as if panicked.
Strong fingers curled around her upper arm and yanked her to a stop. Shocked, she whipped her head around to stare at his with wide eyes. His own expression was wild and desperate.
“My Lord, I beg you remove your hand from my person,” she spoke in a tight voice, anger and fear making her blood boil. That he would dare touch her, manhandle her, in her own home was beyond inappropriate. It was also frightening, in that it demonstrated how little he cared for the boundaries of propriety when it came to getting his way with her.
As though shaken from a crazed haze, Lord Burrows blinked and stared at her in surprise that she could not tell was real or not. He released her immediately and took a hurried step back.
“I am so sorry, Madam. I am not sure what came over me.”
She glared at him as she clutched her sister’s hand with her own shaking one.
“I would suggest, until you are able to determine what exactly came over you, you do not come around here again,” she snapped. “I do not think even friendship is possible between the two of us until you have better control of yourself.”
“But, Miss Walters…”
“Good day, My Lord,” Unity said curtly, turning from him and tugging Tabitha after her before he could try and stop them again.
Out in the hall, they came upon a maid who stopped and curtsied as they neared.
“Find Mr. Neil, please, and have him make sure Lord Burrows finds his way out,” Unity quickly ordered before pulling Tabitha further away from the parlor. The maid hurried to obey and find the family’s butler.
Unity dragged Tabitha back the way they had come earlier, through the kitchen and out into the garden without slowing. When they had reached the bench Tabitha had occupied before, Unity finally came to a stop, though she did not yet release her sister’s hand. She turned to face Tabitha, her expression one of concern as she studied her older sister’s face.
“Are you all right?” she asked at length.
Tabitha released a shaky sigh, nodding.
“Yes, I…I think I am,” she answered honestly. She was shaken, but well, overall.
“Tabitha, we should tell Papa what happened…”
Tabitha shook her head. “No, I do not want him to worry for me more than he already does. Please, Unity, keep this between us. I do not think Lord Burrows will cause us further issue.”
Unity stared at her, her uncertainty clear in her bright blue gaze.
“Are you sure, Tabitha? He startled me greatly. I do not think we should so readily act as though he did not pose a threat to you.”
“To acknowledge it further would only make the matter worse, and perhaps anger Lord Burrows. Please, Unity, swear you will say nothing.”
Her sister hesitated a moment more, and looked as though she wished to argue further, but Tabitha gazed at her pleadingly.
At length, Unity sighed. “Very well. If that is your wish, I will honor it.”
Tabitha released a breath of relief. “Thank you, sister. I just want to put this unfortunate situation behind us.”
It was obvious Unity was still unconvinced, but she was at least willing to respect Tabitha’s wishes, and that was all the mattered. Forcing a smile, Tabitha pushed her feelings of anxiety and unease back into the corner of her mind. She was determined to ignore them and forget about Lord Burrows’s behavior. He had been horrified by his actions, and she was certain he would leave her alone now.
Tabitha refused to acknowledge the tingling of doubt that flitted along her spine.
Chapter 3
“My Lord, you really must meet my granddaughter. She is such a treasure, and so beautiful! I am sure you would find no fault in her whatsoever.”
Edwin forced a painful grin as he tipped his teacup up to delay responding for several moments. It was only the second day of his and Habtage’s stay in Laurelborough, and already he was realizing how naïve he had been to think he would find complete peace and quiet here. News of the two bachelors’ arrival had apparently spread through the county like wildfire, and they had been issued an invitation to tea that very morning.
The Countess of Brookshire, who had declared herself a dear friend of the Duchess, had bid them attend her at her neighboring estate. She had claimed to merely want to acquaint herself with her new neighbors, and assist them by introducing them to the local ton. Upon their arrival to her manor, it had taken her all of ten minutes to bring up the fact that she had a very lovely, and notably single, granddaughter ripe for the plucking.
“I am sure that must be true,” Habtage said with a charming grin. He had always been much more skilled than Edwin at dodging and deflecting aggressive matchmaking plots. “Are there many young ladies of her station here in Laurelborough?”
“Oh, indeed there are, My Lord,” Lady Brookshire said with a wide grin and enthusiastic nod. “Though none holds a candle to my lovely Lady Jane.”
“Indeed, I have no doubt,” Habtage nodded.
How he is able to handle such mindless babble is beyond me.
Edwin had no patience for it, and less so here, in the place he thought he would finally be able to escape the grasping claws of over eager mothers and grandmothers. He supposed matchmaking ambitions were not limited to the ladies of town, however. There were mothers and grandmothers out in the country who wished to see their girls married off to the most illustrious gentleman they could manage.
“What else should we know of the social life here, Lady Brookshire?” Habtage asked, smoothly transitioning the conversation away from the lady’s granddaughter.
“Oh! Well, I am happy to say we have very robust social life here in Laurelborough. Of course, we cannot compete with the grand balls and banquets in town, but this county is a very wealthy one with very high-class occupants to provide various entertainments.”
“Indeed? I had not realized Laurelborough was so influential,” Habtage said, genuine interest entering his tone. “Though I suppose I should have suspected that, as the Duchess spends so much time here.”
“Ah, but even the Duchess is not the wealthiest resident of the county,” the lady replied, her tone taking on a note of excitement. “That designation goes to the Baron of Narnwood.”
“A Baron?” Edwin’s own curiosity was snared by the news. “What did the gentleman do to have amassed greater wealth than my godmother?”
“The Baron owns a very lucrative shipping company,” Lady Brookshire explained. “He has gained a fortune through his endeavors. It is somewhat odd, however.”
“What is odd, My Lady?” Habtage questioned.
“Well, the Baron could easily spend most of his time in town, but he elects to stay out here in the country for most of the year. It is rumored he does so to keep his three daughters from running afoul of trouble.”
“Really? Are they so difficult that he cannot control them?” Edwin knew of a young lady or two who had been banished to the countryside by her family in order to avoid some scandal or another.
Lady Brookshire shook her head. “It is nothing of the sort. Each girl is an angel, and all so lovely. The eldest is especially beautiful, though rather strange in some ways. No, I believe the reason he does not take his girls to town is because he is a widower and does not know how to conduct their socializing among the ton. The poor doves have had no mother to guide them through their formidable years.”
A pang of sympathy made Edwin’s heart ache. He knew the unique pain of losing a parent. In his case it was both, but he could not imagine what it must be like for a young lady to grow up without her mother. He would not have the faintest idea of what to do with a young lady in society. Edwin sympathized not only with the man’s daughters, but with the Baron himself as well.
“Are any of the gentleman’s daughters married or engaged?” Edwin glanced toward Habtage, curious as to the reason
ing behind his question.
“Sadly, no.” Lady Brookshire released a heavy sigh, as though personally affected by the marital status of the Baron’s daughters. “The youngest is but fifteen, so still too young. Her older sisters are well into marriageable age, however. Miss Unity, the second born, I believe is eighteen, and the eldest Miss Walters is one-and-twenty.”
“Have there been no prospects for the young lady?”
Edwin could not understand his friend’s sudden fascination with the Walters sisters. What did it matter to them if the ladies were married or not? He had not come to the country to find a wife. He had come to the country to escape such topics, not pursue an innocent country girl who had no experience with London high society.
“Oh, there have been plenty.” Lady Brookshire appeared to be warming up to the topic. Edwin guessed she was among the most prolific of the county’s gossipers. “The eldest Miss Walters appears to have no interest in marriage whatsoever. Truly, she seems uninterested in much of what we of the fairer sex hold dear. She has turned down every offer for her hand that has come along.”
Edwin felt a grin tug at his lips. He was not sure why, but he found Miss Walters’s apparent aversion to marriage amusing. It was very unusual for a young lady to actively avoid the institution, especially one who seemed to have no difficulty securing a husband if only she gave one poor bloke a chance. She sounded like a very interesting individual indeed.
“My Lords, I almost forgot! Have you yet heard about the soiree Lord and Lady McKenzie are hosting this Saturday?”
Of course we have not. We have only just arrived in the area, after all.
Edwin did not continue to listen to the lady’s incessant chatter, leaving the responsibilities of polite socializing to Habtage. As he sipped his tea, his mind wandered back to the Walters sisters. Particularly the eldest Miss Walters. Something about what the Countess had said about the lady held his interest. Most ladies he knew could think of little else but marriage and frivolous things, like fashion and pretty ornaments.
To meet a lady whose mind was not consumed by the pursuit of a wealthy husband could be a very refreshing change of pace.
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