“I have a wonderful idea.” Leaning forward, she cleared her throat. “What we need to do is find Winterly a wife.” Which would keep Mama busy and her attention off her. “You and I could scour through the young ladies attending the Atkinson’s ball this evening and ensure plenty of introductions are made.”
“Unfortunately, Winterly isn’t currently searching for a wife.” Mama shoved her needle in with far less precision and muttered, “He insists he’s too busy with his maritime adventures, and speaking of those adventures, Mr. Tidmore and you enjoyed a particularly long stroll in my rose garden two days ago. You two seemed to be having a rather deep and meaningful conversation. What was it all about?”
“We spoke of the piano and the pieces we’re practicing together.” She’d never disclose the actual truth to Mama, that they’d hatched a plan to get Ashten out of Blackgale House, one that required the ruse of an elopement.
“He’s so charming.” Mama adjusted her eyeglasses which ensured each small stitch was placed just right. “Even though he’s an American, his mother is English and the daughter of a Baron. Were you aware?” A glance over those eyeglasses.
“He’s spoken of his mother often while we’ve played the piano together. She taught him, his elder brother, and three younger sisters how to play.” She rose and crossed to her treasured piano under the window then trailed one finger along the polished golden-red wood surface.
“Do you favor him at all?” Another pointed question.
“In what way do you mean.”
“I’m asking if you intend on allowing the gentleman to get down on one knee at any point in the future?”
“To do what exactly? Inspect my slippers?” She probably shouldn’t torment Mama so.
“You are a terrible tease, Ellie Marie, and so very like your papa in that regard.” A shake of her finger, a smile evident in her eyes. “I do miss his quick wit and ability to lighten any mood.”
“You wouldn’t mind ever so much if you only saw me half the year? Mr. Tidmore travels a great deal.” She collected the piano music she’d played the night before from the stand and tucked it away in the top drawer of the side table.
“I would miss you dreadfully should you travel, but every mother must allow her children the chance to spread their wings and soar from the nest. That is the way of life.”
“Mr. Tidmore is both caring, considerate, and honorable.” She’d noted that about him from the very beginning.
“Yes, he’s a most honorable gentleman, and he and Winterly get along so incredibly well.”
“Good morning, Mama, Ellie.” Sophia breezed in wearing a vivid blue morning gown with fluttering ribbons tied under the high waist. “Winterly and who get along well, if I might ask?”
“Mr. Tidmore of course.” Mama beamed at Sophia. “You look delightful in that color, my dear. It’s like that of a clear summer sky.”
“James Hargrove adores this color on me too. We’re to enjoy a carriage ride together later this afternoon.” Blushing, Sophia popped a kiss on Mama’s cheek, settled beside her on the settee and folded her hands in her lap. “I’ve just been with Olivia and she isn’t feeling well, an ache of the belly she said.”
“Yes, I’ve already taken her some chamomile in her tea earlier this morning.” Mama set her embroidery aside in the cane basket at her feet, their snoozing puppy in its padded basket on her other side. “If she rests adequately, then hopefully she’ll still be able to join us at the Atkinson’s ball this evening. Winterly is certainly looking forward to escorting all of his sisters to the gathering.”
“James will be attending the ball too.” Sophia’s gaze softened, her eyes watering a touch.
“All will be well, dearest.” Gently, Mama rested her arm around Sophia’s shoulders and hugged her to her side. “This war won’t keep your beau away for long, and he’ll be serving with the 18th Royal Hussars, right alongside Harry. Such an honorable young man Hargrove is.”
Ellie detested seeing her sister in such pain, and no matter Sophia’s brave face yesterday after her sister had relayed her news about her beau, she was most definitely in pain. She hugged her sister too, then rang the bell on the side table, which caused their wee puppy to lift its head for a moment before dropping it back down again. Tea and refreshments were needed, a suitable diversion which might help turn her sister’s thoughts from her current worry over Hargrove. Beast would help with that distraction too. She picked their puppy up from his cushioned basket, his floppy ears falling forward, then snuggled him in Sophia’s lap. As the housemaid arrived, she asked, “Meg, please bring us some tea and scones, and don’t spare the jam and cream. We need something sweet to lift our current mood.”
“Right away, my lady.” The maid dipped her head and disappeared out the door.
“Speaking of the hussars.” Mama gently petted Beast between his ears. “I do worry about Ashten and the terrible rumors circulating about him amongst the ton. I miss that dear boy and wish he’d return to Society.” Mama pulled her white lace handkerchief from her gown pocket and dabbed her eyes, her gaze misting. “He and Harry were always thick as thieves in their youth, and the gossip surrounding Ashten at present is awful. Why, there is no way he had anything to do with Lady Ashley’s elopement and subsequent death.”
“Of course, he had nothing to do with it.” She wished she could tell Mama about her visit to Blackgale House, but unfortunately ladies never called upon an unwed gentleman unless they had some form of actual business to discuss, and her business of drawing the duke out of his self-exile, wouldn’t be a sufficient enough excuse for Mama. No, only her sisters truly understood her need to go. It was also best she moved this conversation along too. She didn’t wish to make a mistake and mention something about Ashten by chance.
“Here we are, my ladies.” The maid returned and set the tea tray on the table.
“I’ll serve, Meg.” Doing so would keep her hands busy. She poured the tea, handed Mama and Sophia their cups and perched on the settee next to her sister as she sipped the hot brew sweetened with honey. She munched on a scone smeared in jam and topped with a mound of cream that wobbled precariously since it sat so high. Delicious. Only when she eyed the last remaining scone, Mama gave her a disapproving frown.
“One scone eases one’s hunger, Ellie Marie, and two is simply giving into gluttony.” Mama promptly pinched the last scone and sat back with her treasure, a gleeful smile on her lips.
Sophia laughed and slipped the last bite of her scone between her lips. “We clearly get our sweet tooth from you, Mama.”
“I’m sure you do.” Mama reached across and patted Ellie’s hand. “This evening at the Atkinson’s, I shall be introducing you to Lady Foxeworth’s son who arrived into town recently from their country estate. Lady Foxeworth paid me a visit yesterday while you and Sophia were both out.”
“Oh, I’m sorry I missed her.”
“You were out for an inordinately long length of time.” Suspicion clouded Mama’s eyes. “Did you have trouble in town?”
“Yes, I, ah, got distracted at Madam Gonnier’s shop and spent far too much time there.” She set her cup and saucer down, plucked Beast from Sophia’s lap and cuddled him close to her chest. To her sister, she said, “I have my gown for the Atkinson’s soiree, but I’d hoped to visit Mrs. Smithmore’s shop and peruse her hats, ribbons, and wraps. Would you like to come with me? The milliner mentioned a new French organdie which had arrived, and I haven’t yet had a chance to see it.”
“Of course, I’ll come. I’m in need of a mask for the Campton’s War Society Charity Ball and I’ve yet to find one that suits my costume.” Sophia stood and eyed Mama. “Would you like to join us, Mama?”
“No, you two have a lovely day out together. I wish to remain here in case Olivia needs me. I’ll shop for a mask tomorrow, particularly since Winterly and Olivia still require masks too. There’s still plenty of time.”
“Should I see any masks you might like, I’ll ask Mrs. Smithmore to set them aside
.” Sophia swished out the door, calling over her shoulder to Ellie, “I’ll just fetch my cloak and meet you in the foyer.”
“I’ll be right with you.” She kissed Mama’s cheek, handed her Beast, then dashed out the door after Sophia.
With her own cloak fastened, she alighted into the coach after her sister and following the short trip into town, wandered into the milliner’s shop. While Mrs. Smithmore spoke at the front counter with another customer about hats, she and Sophia stood at the back sifting through the filmy fichus of pale pastel colors.
“I have to admit, I too have considered sneaking by Blackgale House for a visit.” Sophia kept her voice low as she made that admission. “Is Ashten well, other than for his injured leg?”
“He appeared well, except for his atrocious mood. It was as black as I’ve ever seen it.”
“What he needs is a good dose of Harry.” Her sister draped a pearl-colored silk wrap over her shoulders and eyed her reflection in the oval standing mirror. “It’s been an age since Ashten last visited our home and enjoyed an evening with us. I miss him.”
“He simply won’t forgive himself for what happened to Lady Ashley.”
“Well, now you’ve forged ahead with your plan of a fake elopement to draw him out, my fingers are crossed that Ashten will take the bait and attend tonight’s soiree.” The bell over the door rang and another lady entered the shop and drew closer toward them. Sophia caught her hand and led her farther down the aisle toward the ribbon display. Once alone again, her sister continued, “Mr. Tidmore is so wonderful to have come on side with you. Do you like him, Mr. Tidmore that is?”
“I do. He’s so easy to like, but I can’t be seen alone with him tonight, but rather dancing with a number of eligible men who would all make suitable beaux.”
“Yes, because if word gets out that you’re about to elope, whether that is a ruse or not, you don’t need for that to become an actuality, unless of course you wish to elope with the delectable Mr. Tidmore.”
“You think he’s delectable?”
A smile from her sister.
Chapter 4
That evening, the long burgundy skirts of her empire evening gown swishing about her ankles, Ellie stood at the fringes of the Atkinson’s ballroom and cooled herself with her delicate white-feathered fan. Sophia danced with James Hargrove, her sister’s cheeks all aglow, just as they’d been when Sophia had returned from her afternoon carriage ride through the park with James. Sophia had chosen to embrace every possible moment she could with her suitor before he rode out with the hussars into battle.
“You appear a million miles away.” Olivia nudged her arm as the music and chatter from the crowd drifted over them.
“Sophia and James are on my mind.” She wished only for her loved ones to experience happiness.
“They’re on my mind too.” Her sister tucked a golden lock behind her ear as she snuck a look through the dancing couples on the floor and found Sophia and Hargrove. A soft sigh escaped her lips. “She’s so in love. It’s impossible to miss.”
“When I spoke to Ashten, he promised to write to Harry and ensure he watched over Hargrove when he joined him.”
“Harry will keep him safe. That is a certainty.” Olivia swayed gently to the music, her white slippered toes peeking out from under the voluminous folds of her pink skirts. Her sister had recovered from her illness and appeared in her usual good spirits, her cheeks rosy and glowing.
“Is there any particular gentleman you’d like to dance with tonight?”
“That would be telling.” A cheeky smile from Olivia. “What of your dance card?”
“I’ve left a few dances free.”
“In case a dashing hussar changes his mind and takes you up on your offer to join us tonight?” Olivia lifted Ellie’s card which dangled from her wrist with a dainty white ribbon and perused it. “Perhaps I should write the duke’s name on this card for him. I don’t know how he could possibly turn down a request to join you after your visit.”
“He’ll turn it down if that’s what he wants to do. He can be as obstinate as Harry when he wishes.”
“Well, if any of us had the chance to draw Ashten out of his self-exile, it would be you.” Her sister glanced across at refreshment table, where Mama conversed with Lady Foxeworth. “Those two have had their heads bent together for half an hour. That mightn’t bode well for you, dear sister.”
“Mama wishes to introduce me to the lady’s son, although he hasn’t yet arrived by the looks.”
“Good evening, ladies.” Baron Herbarth whisked in and picked up Olivia’s dance card and signed his name on both the next dance and the last.
Olivia gasped, her voice pitched a little too high as she said, “My lord, you can’t possibly think to reserve two dances with me tonight.”
“I can and now have.” The baron arched a challenging brow at her sister. “Do you care to raise an argument over it?”
“I will if you try to claim both.”
Hmm, what on earth had raised her sister’s ire with the baron, and was something going on between the two of them that she wasn’t aware of?
“I overheard a gentleman speaking”—the baron straightened his cufflinks, a depth to his voice that brooked no argument—“about commandeering your card for himself for the remainder of the evening, so I thought it best I get in first. You can’t fault me for that.”
“I’m certain you heard no such thing.”
“I would never speak a mistruth to a lady.” With a suddenly mischievous grin lifting his lips, he went to sign a third spot, only Olivia pulled her card from his reach.
“Kind sir.” Olivia fluttered her lashes. “Two dances shall be quite sufficient for you tonight, unless of course you wish to cause a stir this evening?”
Ellie couldn’t help but smile at her sister’s quick response and clever wit with the amorous baron. This was only Olivia’s second Season, but she was already quite adept at managing herself.
“Causing quite a stir with you sounds divine.” Herbarth placed one hand behind his back and bowed as he offered Olivia his arm. “Shall we begin by dancing the next set together?”
“Provided you don’t give my mama anything to caution me over later, then yes.”
“I shall do my best.” He chuckled, and Olivia accepted the baron’s arm, sent her a quick I’m sorry look over her shoulder and moved away into the swirling mass of dancers. Something was most certainly up between Olivia and Baron Herbarth, and she intended to discover exactly what it was, or at least she would once she’d dealt with the very frustrating Duke of Ashten. One problem at a time.
“Your sisters are like two rare butterflies fluttering about the garden tonight.” Winterly stepped in beside her, the ice she’d requested of him now in his hand, his overly indulgent gaze on Sophia and Oliva as they twirled about.
“What of me? Am I not a rare butterfly too?”
“Are you seeking more compliments, dear sister?” He handed her the ice.
“I wouldn’t mind one, perhaps even two if you’re feeling a little generous.”
With a chuckle, he tapped her nose. “You aren’t a rare butterfly, but instead a ray of sunshine brightening the entire garden bed.”
“I am?” Her brother appeared to be in a good mood tonight.
“Yes, which is what Mr. Tidmore told me this afternoon during one of our meetings, and which I’m simply repeating.” A twinkle lit his eyes, the blue the exact same shade as Papa’s had been. No matter five years had now passed since Papa’s death, she’d still never forget anything about him. Her brother held the same dark hair as Papa had, as well as cut short and combed back, all except for one errant lock that curled forward over his brow.
“I love you,” she whispered to him, unable to help herself.
“I love you too.” He grinned and said, “I noticed you and Mr. Tidmore had quite the deep conversation in the garden the other day.”
“You and Mama were clearly both watching me.”
“Did Mama speak about it?”
“Yes, and I’ve been told she heartily approves of him.” She sipped her cool drink. “Do you?”
“Absolutely.”
“So, if Sophia and Olivia are rare butterflies, and I’m like a ray of sunshine brightening the entire garden bed, then what kind of spring flower would you like for yourself, dear brother? A fragrant rose, or perhaps an elegant lily?”
“You’re turning this conversation back on me.”
“Yes, so answer the question.”
“Well.” He twiddled with the buttons of his blue silk waistcoat, his gaze deep and suddenly filled with longing. “In truth, I’d rather have a wildflower, one which bloomed with freedom no matter where it was planted.” He eyed her circumspectly. “Ever since your first Season, you’ve never truly allowed any man to get too close to you, yet with Mr. Tidmore you seem more at ease. You two also have a great deal in common, not only with your love for family, but in how quick your minds both are. My question therefore, is if he comes to me requesting a betrothal, I would like your approval in considering it. There is Sophia and Olivia to think of. You can’t continue turning down every eligible gentleman who offers for you.”
“I understand.” Except the only man she’d ever truly wished to wed had decided on his return from the war to pursue another woman. “I shall let you know in due course.”
“Thank you, but why is it I can still sense something is wrong. Is your heart stuck on a certain man you used to follow around our country estate as a child?”
“Which man would that be?”
“We’ve always been honest with each other, Ellie, and I’m certain you’re aware of whom I’m speaking of. You certainly have too much love to give to ever be content as a spinster.” Winterly motioned to the balcony door. “Take a look outside. That is the man I speak of.”
Frowning, she did as he’d requested. Beyond the rear garden wall, candlelight shone from the upper floor of Blackgale House, and six windows across from the left, within the chamber belonging to the Duke of Ashten, the outline of one very familiar man took form. A man with a telescope currently raised to his eye.”
The Duke's Bride: Regency Romance (Regency Brides Book 1) Page 4
