“Then she is a fool, and the quicker I can return her to the care of her brother, the better.”
“I’m not leaving Kurland St. Mary, Robert.”
“Good day, cousin, and get out.”
“May I at least speak to Miss Stanford before I go?”
Holding his cousin’s gaze, Robert shouted, “Foley?”
“Yes, sir?”
“Find James and escort Mr. Reading to the front door. Make sure he speaks to no one on his way out.”
“Yes, Major. Now come on, Mr. Paul. You know you aren’t welcome here.”
The look Paul shot over his shoulder at Robert was full of malice, but he followed Foley meekly enough down the corridor. Robert realized he would have to ask Mrs. Green to keep a close eye on Miss Stanford. He knew the ladies had originally intended to travel back to London together, but he thought it might be safer for Miss Stanford to remain at Kurland Hall until Andrew returned from his honeymoon.
If Miss Stanford was free to see Paul, there was no knowing what his scandalous cousin might do to ensure he gained a wife and a fortune. With a soft curse, Robert went back to his desk and finished the letter he’d been writing to Andrew and explained his intention of keeping Miss Stanford safely at Kurland Hall. Once Paul realized he couldn’t gain access to his supposed fiancée, Robert could only hope he’d move on to pastures new.
He sealed the letter with wax and the imprint of his signet ring and, deciding he was too agitated to remain at his desk, took the letter with him to the main hall. He placed it on the table where Foley would see it and then hesitated.
“Major Kurland!”
He looked up at the minstrels’ gallery to see Andrew’s daughter waving at him through the bannisters.
“Good morning, Miss Charlotte. Have you escaped your nurse again?”
“Not exactly . . .” She had the grace to look a little conscience stricken, which made him want to smile. “Are you going into the village?”
“I thought I might walk down there, yes.”
She skipped down the steps, her curls bobbing with every jump. “Can I come with you? Please say yes. I’ll be ever so good and . . .”
“Where is Terence?”
“He’s out riding with Mr. Fairfax.”
He held out his hand. “Then I suppose you should have a treat, as well.”
She gave a tiny squeal and leapt down the remaining steps. “Thank you, thank you. I’ll be very good, and I won’t pester you about anything or expect sweets or—”
He drew her toward the kitchens and asked James to tell the nurse where her errant charge had gone. Charlotte’s bonnet and pelisse were in the kitchen, being dried out from the previous day’s rain, so she had only to fetch her boots and they were ready to go.
She glanced over at him as they left the house.
“Can you walk that far with your bad leg?”
He appreciated the way she just asked the obvious question. It was so refreshing after dealing with the barbs and subtleties of adult society. “I’ll certainly do my best. I’ve been practicing every day.”
She scowled. “Like I have to do on the pianoforte. I hate it.”
“Then perhaps you should tell your new mama, and she can help you choose another instrument to play.”
She gave an extra skip. “That’s a good idea. You are so clever, Major.”
They progressed down the driveway and turned out onto the main road that led into the village. The old church loomed up on their right, and on the left was the open gate that led up the drive to the new rectory.
“Miss Harrington is very nice.”
“She is indeed.” He sighed. “Although she can be quite intimidating when she puts her mind to it, believe me.”
“She is the best friend of my father’s new wife.”
“That is true.”
“Which means that she will come and visit us in London and at Greenbridge House, doesn’t it?”
“I should imagine so.” It had occurred to him that unless she married, he would be bumping into Miss Harrington at the Stanfords’ and at home for the rest of his life. Which made it even more imperative that he mended things between them as quickly as possible.
Charlotte tugged on his sleeve. “Can I run a little bit? I promise I’ll be careful.”
They were approaching the High Street, and there were some flagstones laid in front of the local shops.
“Go ahead. Stay on this side of the road. I’ll watch you.”
He checked his pockets and heard the reassuring jangle of coins. He’d stop in the village store and buy Charlotte something sweet or a new ribbon for her hair. When Andrew had asked if he might leave his children at Kurland Hall until his return, Robert had worried whether he would be able to stand the noise and inconvenience children always seemed to bring with them. But the Stanford children had proven remarkably pleasant.
It wasn’t quite enough to make him contemplate setting up his own nursery, but he was more open to the idea of fathering an heir in the future.
“Major Kurland!”
Charlotte was running back toward him, her expression determined, her booted feet thumping down on the flagstones. He took a step toward her and then was impeded by a figure that came out of the village shop. It was too late to call out a warning as Charlotte cannoned into the lady, and Robert attempted to catch them both as they fell backward into his open arms.
For a horrible moment he was almost suffocated by petticoats and the press of the two bodies on top of him. Eventually, order was restored, as Miss Chingford lifted Charlotte off Miss Harrington, and Robert was able to offer her a hand to assist her upright.
“Good Lord!” Miss Harrington gasped. “Are you all right, Charlotte?”
“I’m fine, Miss Harrington.” Charlotte gave an experimental skip and then beamed up at her rescuer. “You caught me like a ball.”
Robert managed to stand up using the window ledge of the store and looked for his hat, which had been knocked clean off his head.
“Do you need help, Major Kurland?” Miss Chingford came toward him, her hand outstretched.
“No. I’m perfectly fine.” Robert found his hat and dusted it down before placing it on his head. “I’m more concerned about the ladies.”
Miss Harrington was bent over young Charlotte, checking her for injuries. “We are both quite recovered, sir.”
Charlotte grinned at Robert. “You caught us both!” Her smile faded, and she ran over to him. “Is your bad leg hurting?”
“Not at all.”
She put her hand on his sleeve. “Are you sure?”
Miss Chingford came up and patted Charlotte on the head. “Major Kurland is a very capable gentleman, Charlotte. Perhaps we should take him back to the rectory for tea and thank him properly. There is something I wish to speak to him about.”
Charlotte looked up at him, and Robert found himself agreeing to the suggestion, despite the lack of an invitation from Miss Harrington. Charlotte took his free hand, leaving the other two ladies to walk ahead of them, which suited his slower pace admirably. By the time they reached the rectory, Miss Harrington had already taken off her cloak and bonnet and was issuing instructions to Betty about tea and buttered muffins.
She glanced at him as he ushered Charlotte into the parlor.
“Major Kurland, you are limping quite badly. Please sit by the fire.”
He did as she asked without comment. Charlotte came to lean on the arm of his chair, one hand patting his bad knee.
“It was quite funny to see you being bowled over, Major, but I’m sorry that you hurt your leg.”
He smiled to reassure her as Miss Harrington disappeared in the direction of the kitchen. “It’s all right. I’m sure I will be perfectly fine for the walk home.”
Betty came in with a tea tray, followed by Miss Chingford and Miss Harrington, who paused by his chair to lay a hot cloth on his knee. She didn’t fuss over him or issue any instructions, which was surprisingly comforting.
“Tea, Major?”
“Yes, please.” He glanced across at Miss Chingford, who had taken the seat opposite him. “How is Miss Dorothea?”
“She is feeling much better, sir.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” He hesitated. “Have you decided on your plans for the future yet?”
“Our solicitor, Mr. Brewerton, says that we shall have a small annuity from my mother and that we have been offered a home with my father’s oldest sister, who lives in Northumberland.”
“Ah.” Robert tried to think of something positive to say. “I’ve heard it is a beautiful part of the country.”
“Indeed. I’m not quite certain it would agree with me, sir, so I am continuing to investigate other possibilities.” Miss Chingford flashed a rare smile at Miss Harrington. “The rector has offered us a home for as long as we need it.”
“How . . . kind of him.”
“Miss Harrington persuaded him.”
Robert had nothing to say to that. He accepted some more tea and waited for the ache in his leg to subside, which it did more quickly with the addition of the heated cloth.
“I understand that Mr. Fairfax is leaving in a few days,” Miss Chingford said.
“That’s correct. He hasn’t specified exactly which day yet, but I suspect he’ll tell me that soon.”
Miss Chingford raised her eyebrows. “But I thought it was all agreed that he was leaving on Wednesday. Isn’t that the day he said he would come and collect us, Lucy?”
Robert very slowly put his cup down on its saucer. “I beg your pardon?”
“I believe that’s what he said, Penelope.” Miss Harrington darted a look at Robert and then raised her chin. “Mr. Fairfax asked me if I would do him the honor of accompanying him to meet his household.”
“For what purpose?”
Miss Harrington looked at him as if he were an idiot. “He said that it was your idea, Major. That you recommended my housekeeping abilities and thought I might be able to help him make sense of what is required at his new home.”
“I don’t remember—”
“Be that as it may, Major,” Miss Chingford interrupted him with a sweet smile. “Isn’t it kind of dear Mr. Fairfax to take such an interest in our Lucy? One might wonder at his motives.” She flicked a knowing glance at Miss Harrington. “Perhaps he wishes to see if you will make him a good housekeeper, Lucy.”
Robert stared at Miss Harrington, who was blushing. Was it possible that Thomas was considering her as a potential wife? That wasn’t what he’d meant to happen at all when he’d recommended her housekeeping.
Patting Charlotte’s hand, Robert stood up, the cloth falling from his knee to the floor. “It sounds as if Thomas has arranged things to his satisfaction. Now, I really must take Miss Charlotte home before her nurse thinks I’ve lost her for good.” He bowed. “A pleasure, as always, ladies. Please remember me to Miss Dorothea and the rector.”
Charlotte obediently followed him to the front door and put on her outdoor things before joining him in the walk back up the long drive to Kurland Hall. Luckily, she seemed tired from her adventures and was more than willing to let Robert contemplate in solitary silence a future without Thomas and Miss Harrington in Kurland St. Mary.
He arrived at the manor house, deep in thought, only to encounter Charlotte’s brother Terence and Thomas in the kitchens. While the children were taken up to the nursery wing to be bathed and to have supper, Robert invited Thomas to join him for dinner.
As they sat drinking a glass of port at the end of the meal, Robert said, “I hear you are intending to leave on Wednesday.”
“That’s correct. Did Foley tell you?”
“It was Miss Chingford. She said that she and Miss Harrington were going with you to assess the state of the house and the staff.”
“When you suggested I ask Miss Harrington for her advice, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of it myself. She was more than willing to come and look over the house with me.” Thomas hesitated. “I suspect she longs to have a home of her own.”
Robert refilled his glass. “And do you think Fairfax Park might suit her?”
“I don’t know, sir. I thought if she went and saw it . . . I’d get a better sense as to whether a marriage proposal would also be acceptable.”
The clock on the mantelpiece ticked loudly in the silence as Robert considered what to say. “Do you think she will accept your proposal?”
“I’m not sure, sir. What do you think? You know her better than most people.”
“She would be a fool to turn you down. I’ve often thought you two would suit rather well. You both manage me very competently.”
Thomas frowned. “But there is the question of my illegitimacy. Miss Harrington is the granddaughter and niece of an earl.”
“If she cares about you, she won’t let that affect her decision. She is a woman of remarkably good sense.” Robert reached inside his pocket for one of his cigarillos so that he could avoid looking directly at Thomas’s earnest face. “The rector likes you. I’m sure he would prefer to see his daughter married than wasting away her talents at the rectory.”
Thomas stood up and placed his napkin on the table. “You . . . wouldn’t object if I courted Miss Harrington, then, sir?”
“How could I possibly object?” Robert managed a smile. “It has nothing to do with me.”
Thomas blew out a long breath. “Perhaps she doesn’t intend to marry at all and prefers to stay and manage the rectory.”
“You won’t find out unless you ask her, Thomas, will you?” Robert said rather too heartily. “Take her to Fairfax Park and see how you both feel after that.”
“Yes, Major Kurland, I will, and thank you.”
“For what?”
“For employing me here, for . . . trusting me.” Thomas swallowed hard. “I think I will deal with the Fairfax estate far more competently now.”
“You certainly need have no qualms as to your abilities, Thomas. They are all your own.” Robert forced himself to meet the young man’s gaze. “I wish you all the best with your future.”
“Thank you.”
With a smile, Thomas left the room, closing the door softly behind him. Robert remained at the dining table and helped himself to a large glass of port. He would miss Thomas.
He would miss Lucy Harrington even more....
With a curse, he downed the port and refilled his glass. Had she realized Thomas was determined to make her his wife? Surely she had. No young woman went to view a young man’s estate without realizing why he was showing it to her in the first place. Not that the estate was Thomas’s, but it might as well be his for the next ten years or so. And Miss Chingford had done her best to drop lots of hints to Robert about the possibility of Miss Harrington being stolen from under his nose. He suspected that was the only reason she had invited him back to the rectory at all.
Raising his head, Robert stared out into the night and caught the faint lights coming from the church and the rectory opposite. He’d asked Miss Harrington to marry him, and she’d refused. He’d told her that he cared for her, and she’d looked at him as if he’d slapped her face.
Perhaps it was time to realize that whatever he did would never be right and that Miss Harrington was destined to marry another. Thomas was young, healthy, and ambitious. He was also intelligent, personable, and of an even temperament, which Robert secretly envied. All in all, he was a far better candidate for matrimony than an irritable cripple with an uncertain temper and a terror of horses that refused to go away completely.
He should let her go. Glancing down, he saw his hand had curled into a fist. His fellow cavalry officers hadn’t called him “Forlorn Hope” Kurland for nothing. He still wasn’t certain if he was prepared to lose this particular battle without one last stand.
Chapter 18
Lucy yawned as the carriage made its way along the bumpy road. She hadn’t realized quite how far Fairfax Park was from Kurland St. Mary. They would have
to stay at the house for at least a week to prepare themselves for the return trip. The coffin bearing Mrs. Fairfax had already started its slow journey home, and the body would rest in the chapel at the park until the vicar held the funeral service later that week.
Mr. Fairfax was on horseback, leaving the ladies to the carriage. Due to Miss Chingford’s machinations and the need for a chaperone, they’d ended up taking Miss Stanford and Mrs. Green with them, as well. Lucy had assumed the two ladies would be leaving for London, but apparently, Major Kurland had insisted that Miss Stanford stay at Kurland Hall until her brother returned. The excursion to Fairfax Park was a blatant attempt to separate her from Mr. Reading, who had stayed in the village. Mrs. Green had privately confided to Lucy that Major Kurland had thought it a good idea to get Miss Stanford away from Kurland St. Mary while he dealt with Mr. Reading.
Lucy nudged Penelope, who was sitting beside her. Miss Stanford and Mrs. Green were both asleep.
“Do you think Dorothea will be all right by herself? I told Betty to stay with her at all times.”
“I don’t think she has any intention of running away again. She has nowhere to go. Neither of us does.”
There was a bleakness to Penelope’s tone, which made Lucy feel terrible. “You can stay at the rectory for as long as you wish. My father was very clear about that.”
“Which is very kind of him, but I suspect we would soon be fighting, Lucy. We are both rather managing.”
“I suppose that is true.” Lucy sighed. “Were you able to get Dorothea to tell you exactly what happened the night your mother died?”
“I believe I understand what happened now.”
Lucy sat up. “You agreed to tell me what you found out.”
“There is nothing to say.” Penelope’s shrug was unconvincing. “I am quite certain Dorothea did not harm our mother, and that is an end to the matter.”
“But did she see anyone else?” Lucy persisted.
Penelope flicked a warning glance over at the other side of the carriage. “Do you really want to discuss this now?”
Lucy subsided into her seat and gave Penelope her best glare. “We will talk about this later.”
Death Comes to Kurland Hall Page 20
