by Laura Beers
“I am not sure that is such a good idea—” Hannah started.
Martin spoke over her. “What a fun suggestion!” he exclaimed.
“I daresay that it is much too soon to have a picnic,” Hannah attempted. “The next logical course of action is taking a turn around the gardens, followed by a carriage ride through Hyde Park.”
Shifting in his chair, Martin turned to face her. “Wouldn’t it be grand if we defied convention?”
“No, it would not,” she declared. “There are specific steps one must take when determining an appropriate match for themselves.”
“You are no fun,” Martin teased.
“Finding a match is a serious matter,” Hannah asserted. “One should not take it lightly.”
Martin shook his head. “It is only a picnic, Hannah.”
Edward spoke up. “I find that I agree with Martin,” he said, “and I rarely do.”
Chuckling, Martin replied, “That is true.”
Hannah pursed her lips, knowing she was outnumbered. “Fine,” she muttered. “You win.”
Martin reached over and placed his hand over hers. “I promise you will not regret it.”
“I already do,” she replied as she removed her hand from under his.
“Perhaps now you can help me with Marianne,” Martin said as he straightened in his chair.
Kate grew serious. “Whatever is wrong with Marianne?”
Sighing, Martin shared, “She has decided that she is going to write a book.”
“Good heavens,” Hannah exclaimed. “When did she decide to do this?”
“It is a recent development,” Martin revealed, “but I have no doubt that it’s another way to goad my mother.”
Kate smiled. “I would not worry on that account,” she said. “I used to do the same thing to my mother.”
“You did?” Hannah asked.
Kate nodded. “I used to threaten to run away and work at the menagerie.”
“Truly?” Edward asked in amusement.
“After we first toured the menagerie at the Tower of London, I became obsessed with the lions on display,” she shared. “I started reading all the books I could get my hands on about lions, and I was determined to care for them.”
“Does the menagerie hire women to care for their animals?” Edward inquired.
Kate shook her head. “Sadly, they do not,” she replied, “which is why I had to give up my dream of being a lion tamer.”
Hannah wiped the sides of her mouth with her white linen napkin. “That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard,” she declared. “Why would anyone wish to be a lion tamer?”
“For the adventure,” Kate said.
“I suppose my soul does not crave adventure,” Hannah remarked. “I am content with the little things in my life, such as picking out fabric for a new dress or a new hat.”
“Not everyone is lucky enough to feel as you do,” Martin stated. “I believe it is natural for people to want a respite from their life, even for a moment.”
“But to care for lions?” Hannah questioned. “That is far too dangerous.”
Martin shrugged. “Marianne has also suggested that she could run off and join the circus.”
Kate grinned. “I can just imagine Marianne at the circus,” she said. “She has no fear when it comes to riding her horse.”
“That is true,” Martin replied. “She rides just like Hannah used to.”
“I was much younger then,” Hannah stated. “I was lucky I wasn’t killed when my horse jumped the hedge.”
“Instead, you only broke your right arm, and were laid up for weeks while you recovered,” Martin reminded her.
“Father was furious with me and threatened to sell my horse,” Hannah said.
Kate interjected, “But he never did.”
“No, he didn’t,” Hannah replied, “but I never rode again after that.”
“Which is a shame,” Martin remarked. “You were an impressive rider.”
Hannah grew silent for a moment before sharing, “Father constantly tried to coax me back onto my horse. He thought it was important that I didn’t give up on riding.” Tears came to her eyes, but she blinked them back. “He would often…” Her voice trailed off as she abruptly rose. “If you will excuse me, I just need a moment.”
Without waiting for a response, Hannah walked swiftly out of the dining room and headed towards the rear of the townhouse. A footman opened the door and she stepped outside onto the veranda.
She felt the tears flowing down her cheeks and reached up to wipe them away. How she missed her parents. This was why she never spoke about them. It always involved such an adverse reaction.
Martin’s voice came from behind her. “Are you all right, Hannah?” he asked in a concerned voice.
“Please go back inside,” she pleaded.
“I’m afraid I can’t do that.”
“Whyever not?”
“Because I am a gentleman, and you are a damsel in distress.”
Keeping her stiff back towards him, she replied, “I am no such thing.”
She could hear Martin’s booted steps as he walked closer to her. “I know you don’t like to talk about your parents,” he started, “but there is nothing wrong in doing so.”
“How would you know?” she asked. “Both of your parents are alive.”
“That is true, but I did lose my grandfather recently.”
“That is hardly the same thing,” she contended.
Martin huffed. “You are right, Hannah,” he declared. “You are the only person who has ever lost someone who is important to you.”
Hannah knew she was being entirely unfair at the moment, but she was too stubborn to relax her stance.
Martin came to stand in front of her. “Ever since your parents died, you hardly ever speak about them. Why is that?”
“It’s none of your business.”
“Do you want to know what I think?” he asked.
“No, I do not.”
Martin grinned. “I will pretend that I didn’t hear you say that,” he said. “I believe it is too painful for you to share your memories of your parents.”
Hannah shifted her gaze away from his, not wanting to admit he was right.
“Your parents were ripped away from you by death, and it takes the heart a tremendous amount of time to let go,” Martin said. “You never had a chance to say goodbye to them, and things were left unsaid.”
Martin took a step closer to her. “Everyone goes through the process of grief at a different pace, but you must move forward, not backwards.”
Hannah brought her gaze back to meet his. “That is easier said than done,” she breathed.
“I may have oversimplified it, but I want you to know that I am here for you,” he said, placing his hand gently on her sleeve. “You are not alone in this.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I miss them,” she said. “I miss them so much.”
“I know, and a part of you always will.”
She reached up and wiped the tears that were rolling down her cheeks. “There is a hole in my heart where they used to be, and I don’t think it will ever be whole again.”
“Oh, Hannah,” Martin murmured as he pulled her into his arms. “I assure you that it will heal, but it will take time.”
“I don’t know how that is possible,” she whimpered, wrapping her arms around him. “I can’t even share a memory of them without crying.”
“It will get easier.”
Hannah laid her head against his chest and allowed herself to be comforted. It felt so natural to be in Martin’s arms, as if she had always belonged here. But this was just a temporary reprieve. She had no claim to his heart.
“You are braver than you believe,” he whispered in her hair.
“I don’t feel brave.”
“Then I will believe it for you,” Martin breathed.
Hannah felt buoyed by his words, and by his strength. “You are a good friend, Martin,” she said as she dropped h
er arms to her side.
“Didn’t I promise that we would always be the best of friends?” he asked with a smile.
“You did, but we were much younger when you made that promise.”
“It makes it no less true,” he assured her.
“I am glad to hear that.”
Martin offered his arm. “Shall we return to the dining room?”
“I think that is a splendid idea.”
Hannah’s eyes opened as she heard the birds chirping merrily outside of her window. She pulled a pillow over her face, muffling the incessant sound.
The door to her bedchamber opened and her lady’s maid exclaimed, “Good morning!”
She removed the pillow. “Good morning.”
“You have managed to sleep through breakfast, but I brought up a tray for you.” Sarah placed the tray on the dressing table.
“That was most thoughtful of you.”
Walking over to the armoire, Sarah pulled out a blue gown and held it up for her inspection. “I thought this dress would do nicely for your picnic today.”
“Yes, I suppose it would.” Hannah sat up and put her legs over the side of the bed.
Sarah eyed her curiously. “Whatever is the matter?”
“It is much too soon for a picnic.”
“Is that so?”
Hannah rose and walked over to the dressing table. As she picked up a piece of toast off the plate, she replied, “Lord Charles and I hardly know one another, and it makes it rather difficult with Lord Egleton always around.”
“Why is that?”
“Because Lord Egleton can be rather infuriating.”
Sarah smiled. “Is that so?”
“My plan was simple,” Hannah said. “Lord Charles and I would take walks in the garden, carriage rides through Hyde Park, and then he would offer for me.”
“And you want Lord Charles to offer for you?” Sarah asked.
“I do.”
“But what of Lord Egleton?”
Hannah took a bite of her toast and chewed it thoughtfully. Knowing her lady’s maid was waiting for her response, she finally admitted, “Lord Egleton intends to court another.”
“Oh,” Sarah murmured. “I am sorry to hear that.”
“There is no need to apologize,” Hannah declared. “Lord Charles is precisely the type of man I want to marry.”
“I know, but—”
Hannah continued as if her maid hadn’t spoken. “There is no use in dwelling on unpleasant things,” she asserted. “I could be very happy with Lord Charles.”
Sarah gave her a skeptical look as she walked over to the bed. “Shall we dress you?” she asked.
“I think that would be a splendid idea.”
A short time later, Hannah exited her bedchamber and headed down the stairs.
Cooper greeted her as she stepped off the last tread. “I was just informed that Mrs. Williams has prepared a basket for your picnic today.”
“Wonderful,” she replied. “I shall go down and retrieve it.”
Before she departed, a knock came at the main door. Cooper walked over and opened it wide. “Good morning, Lord Egleton,” he greeted.
Martin stepped into the entry hall and a smile came to his lips as his eyes landed on her. “What a pleasant surprise to see you here.”
“I was just on my way to the kitchen to retrieve the basket for the picnic,” she informed him. “Would you care to join me?”
“I would,” Martin said as he approached her. “I must say that you are looking enchanting today.”
“Perhaps you should save some of that flattery for Lady Emma,” she suggested.
He reached for her gloved hand and brought it up to his lips. “I assure you that there is enough to go around.”
“You, sir, are entirely too sure of yourself,” she said, slipping her hand out of his.
Martin brought a hand up to his chest, shaking his head in feigned disappointment. “You wound me, my dear.”
“I think not.”
“You certainly know how to keep a man humble.”
“I’m afraid it is the only way I find you tolerable,” she joked.
He chuckled. “You are a minx.”
“If we do not go and collect the basket soon, we might still be bickering when Lord Charles and Lady Emma arrive for the picnic.”
“I believe bickering with you may be my favorite pastime.”
“Is that so?”
“It is.”
“Then I encourage you to pursue other hobbies, my lord,” she said sweetly. “Perhaps you should try boxing.”
“I already box.”
“Whist, then?”
He puffed out his chest. “I am quite good at whist.”
“Is there anything you are not good at?”
Bringing a hand up to his chin, he rubbed it thoughtfully before replying, “I don’t believe there is one thing that I do poorly. I suppose excellence is a curse I must bear.”
“You poor lord,” she teased.
“Thank you for that,” he replied, lowering his hand down to his side. “I’m glad that someone finally understands my plight.”
Hannah laughed. “Come along,” she said, spinning on her heel. “I want you to meet our cook, Mrs. Williams.”
As they walked down a hall towards the servant’s quarters, Martin glanced over at her and asked, “Do you often go down to the kitchen?”
“I do, nearly every day,” she replied.
“I find that surprising.”
“How so?”
“I am just having a hard time imagining you spending any time in a kitchen.”
Hannah came to a stop outside of a door. “That is very closed-minded of you,” she replied. “I am very dear friends with Mrs. Williams.”
“Frankly, I do not even know the name of our cook,” Martin admitted. “Mother just hired a new cook after she dismissed the previous one.”
“Mrs. Williams has been with us since I was a little girl, and she became almost like a second mother to me after my parents died.”
“I had no idea.”
A wistful smile came to her lips. “I used to bring my needlework down here and practice next to the hearth in the kitchen while Mrs. Williams would cook our meals,” she shared. “She even taught me how to make biscuits.”
“You can cook biscuits?” he repeated back in surprise.
“I don’t know why you sound so shocked.”
“Not many women of your station know how to cook.”
Hannah nodded. “That may be true, but I find cooking to be quite a rewarding experience.”
Martin’s lips curled into a smile. “There you go, surprising me again,” he said.
“I find it is quite enjoyable when you underestimate me.” Hannah reached for the door, opened it, and proceeded to walk down the stairs.
In the kitchen, a woman was standing next to the hearth, stirring the contents of a pot.
“Mrs. Williams,” Hannah greeted.
The plump woman turned around with a bright smile on her face. “Miss Blackmore,” she responded, wiping her hands on the big white apron tied around her waist. “I was wondering when you were going to come down today.”
“I have come to collect the basket for our picnic.”
Mrs. Williams walked over to the counter and retrieved a large basket covered with a white napkin. “I placed freshly baked bread, meats, cheese, and biscuits in the basket for your enjoyment.”
“That sounds wonderful,” Hannah acknowledged before she turned towards Martin. “Allow me to introduce you to Lord Egleton.”
Martin tipped his head. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Williams.”
“You don’t remember me,” Mrs. Williams said, “but I remember you. You used to steal the biscuits that were cooling on the tray when you visited the country home.”
“I’m afraid I do not recall that,” Martin replied.
Mrs. Williams laughed. “I know it doesn’t seem possible, but I have bee
n with the Blackmore family for almost sixteen years.”
“That is an impressive feat,” Martin acknowledged.
Mrs. Williams shifted her gaze and smiled at her tenderly. “There is no other place I would rather be,” she declared. “This is home.”
“I feel the same way,” Hannah stated as she walked closer to the cook.
Mrs. Williams extended her the basket. “I do hope you have a pleasant time.”
“I will try,” she said, lowering her voice, “but, unfortunately, Lord Egleton is coming along.”
Martin laughed as she had intended. “I do hope you realize I can hear you,” he remarked good-naturedly.
Hannah accepted the basket and turned around to face him. “Shall we go pick out the perfect spot on the lawn for a picnic?”
“I think that’s a grand idea.” Martin placed his hand out for the basket. “May I carry that for you?”
“You may,” she replied as she held it out towards him.
As he retrieved the basket, their fingers brushed against one another, and her skin quivered at his touch. She resisted the urge to snatch her hand back, but rather calmly released the basket to him, despite her heart pounding in her chest.
It was evident that Martin didn’t have the same reaction, because he turned his attention towards Mrs. Williams. “Thank you for the offering,” he said, holding the basket up.
“You are most welcome,” Mrs. Williams replied.
10
“I think this spot is perfect,” Martin declared as he came to a stop on the lawn. “It is adequately shaded by a tree.”
Hannah glanced up at the tall oak tree, admiring the beauty and majesty of it all. “I must admit you did find an ideal spot for a picnic.”
“Was that an elusive compliment from you?” he joked.
“It was,” she replied, smiling, “but I am tempted to take it back.”
Martin chuckled as he placed the basket down onto the ground. Then he held his hand out to Hannah and asked, “May I have the blanket, please?”
She handed it to him and he unfolded it. After laying it on the ground, he placed the basket in the center of the blanket and sat down.
Hannah gracefully lowered herself down. “It is lovely here,” she said as a light breeze blew through the trees.
“It is,” he replied, keeping his eyes on Hannah. “I’m just now beginning to understand how lovely it truly is.”
