“I’m afraid I’ve already eaten, my lady, but I was hoping to ask a question of you. Lady Newbury and I were discussing the possibility for an egg and spoon race. I was wondering if she might have mentioned it to you yet.”
“Actually, she did ask me about it when I passed her in the hallway earlier. Sounds like a marvelous idea to me. Shall we see if we can manage to do it tomorrow? After all, we’re having the ball on Saturday.”
“Quite right,” Sarah said. She watched Lady Duncaster fill her plate, then said, “I realize this is short notice if we’re to have the race tomorrow, but I was thinking that it could be fun to consider other events as well where contestants can win prizes. I’d be happy to help with ideas.”
“You’re suggesting a game day?”
“Well, yes. I suppose I am. If it’s not too much trouble.”
“I think it’s a splendid idea, Lady Sarah. Perhaps you and I can discuss the details after breakfast so I can inform the servants?”
Agreeing that they would meet in the blue parlor half an hour later, Sarah left the dining room in search of some paper and a quill for taking notes. She then headed toward the blue parlor. She’d just entered the room when a soft voice spoke her name. Turning toward it, she saw Lady Mary coming toward her with hesitant steps. “Lady Sarah,” she said, her eyes straying from Sarah’s as if to ensure that they were alone, “I was hoping to speak with you in private for a moment.”
“I was just awaiting Lady Duncaster,” Sarah said. “Perhaps you’d like to keep me company until she arrives?”
“Thank you. I’d appreciate that a great deal.”
Saying nothing further until they were both seated on a light blue sofa, Sarah waited for Lady Mary to broach the issue she wished to address, but when she held silent, Sarah eventually said, “It’s a long time since we’ve seen each other. I hope you’ll forgive me for not writing as I told you I would, but with Grandmamma’s passing so soon after my first Season, life was turned upside down for a while. Eventually it seemed too much time had passed, given our brief acquaintance.”
“It’s quite all right,” Lady Mary said. “You’re not the only one to blame for our lack of communication these past two years, since I could just as easily have written to you, but my own life took a turn when Papa was named the new governor-general to India and he and Mama traveled there. It was decided that I should remain here with my aunt, since I’d have a better chance of finding a suitable husband in England rather than abroad.” She sighed. “Unfortunately, Aunt Eugenia prefers to avoid large crushes, so I’m pleased with her decision to spend the summer here, as it allows me the opportunity to meet other people.”
“And to find a potential husband,” Sarah suggested with a knowing smile.
Lady Mary’s eyes widened. “That is what I wish to discuss with you, since I know how it must have appeared to you and Lord Spencer when you saw me hurrying through the garden at dawn the other morning.”
“At least you were alone,” Sarah told her. “The same cannot be said about me.”
Lady Mary nodded. “I confess I did wonder about that later. Eventually I decided that he must be courting you.”
Sarah shook her head. “We're just friends, so I would appreciate your discretion. If you would please refrain from telling anyone that you saw us outside alone together, I’ll avoid any mention of seeing you.”
“I would be ever so grateful,” Lady Mary said.
Placing her hand reassuringly over hers, Sarah said, “I’m glad we had this conversation, for I truly do believe the two of us can be fast friends, and if there’s ever anything you’d like to discuss with me—anything at all—you may rest assured that I will never judge you.”
Lady Mary sighed. “You’re very kind to say so, but—”
“Lady Duncaster,” Sarah said, noticing the countess had appeared in the doorway and wishing to warn her friend from saying something she might regret. “I ran into an old acquaintance of mine in the hallway and invited her for a chat while I awaited your arrival. Have you met Lady Mary?”
“Oh yes,” the countess said, “though it’s a long time ago. Her grandmamma was a dear friend of mine. You parents are in India now, are they not?”
“Yes,” Lady Mary said. “I am visiting Thorncliff with my aunt.”
“That’s right,” Lady Duncaster said with a thoughtful nod. “Now that you mention it, I do recall seeing Lady Foxworth at dinner. Always was a bit of a bluestocking, that one. Does she still have a penchant for mathematics?”
Lady Mary chuckled. “She’s tutoring me, though I fear my skills, or lack thereof, are a great disappointment to her.”
Lady Duncaster snorted. “Never mind. I’m sure you have other interests that she would be equally inept at. That’s the beauty about differences.”
“Yes,” Lady Mary murmured, drawing Sarah’s attention to her flushed cheeks. “I’m sure you’re right.” Rising, she added, “If you’ll both please excuse me, I know you were planning a private conversation, so I’d hate to intrude. Besides, my aunt did say she was hoping to take a walk down to the Chinese pavilion with me—apparently the architecture there has some geometric elements she’d like to explore.”
“Well, I’ve no idea about that,” Lady Duncaster said. “I had it built solely on the basis of its esthetic qualities and the memories it provides me of my travels to China with my late husband.”
“Regardless of its purpose, it looks like a most impressive structure, even at a distance, so I’m looking forward to getting a closer look,” Lady Mary explained.
As soon as she had departed, Lady Duncaster said, “She’s such a lovely young lady, though I do believe she could benefit greatly from your acquaintance, Lady Sarah. She’s far too timid and . . . nervous. A bit of confidence would do her a world of good.” Then, without waiting for Sarah to offer a response, she dove straight into the subject they were there to discuss by saying, “Do you suppose we could also have a pie eating contest tomorrow?”
“That will probably be very messy,” Sarah said, considering it. “I think it’s a wonderful idea!” She made a note of it on the paper. “Perhaps a balance beam could also be placed on the lake. The ladies won’t want to compete in such an event, but I’m sure they’ll be amused to watch the men trying to stay dry.”
“Why, Lady Sarah,” Lady Duncaster mused, “how positively mischievous you are. Whoever would have thought?”
Sarah grinned. “I hope you’ll tell me if I go too far.”
“No need for that, my dear.”
“Right. I’ll make a note of it then, along with the egg and spoon race, which I’m rather looking forward to myself. A three-legged race will also be popular, and for the children we should definitely have blindman’s bluff.”
“What about an archery contest?”
“Archery? Don’t tell me you have a secret stash of bows and arrows.”
Lady Duncaster shrugged. “It’s not so secret really. In fact, I was quite fond of the sport when I was younger.”
“You’re not afraid of someone getting hurt? Unless the contestants are experienced archers, I fear it might be too dangerous.”
“Not if we use dull arrows,” Lady Duncaster said as she clasped her hands together with eager excitement. “We’ll award points on the distance traveled.”
Sarah was still skeptical about it, but Lady Duncaster seemed quite determined to have her idea brought to fruition, so Sarah wrote it down.
Picking up her teacup, Sarah took a slow sip. “There’s something else I’d like to ask you as well,” she said. “I was wondering if I might impose upon your cook one day.”
“Is there something specific you’d like her to make?”
Sarah paused for a moment before saying, “Lord Spencer mentioned that he was introduced to a dessert called choux à la crème during his travels in France—
a sweet pastry filled with some sort of custard. He said it was one of the tastiest things he’s ever tried, and upon his return to England, he described it to his parents’ cook in the hope she could replicate it. Unfortunately her efforts did not achieve the result Lord Spencer was hoping for.”
“Is it fair to assume that the Oakland cook is English?”
“She is indeed.”
“And you think because mine is French she’ll be more successful?”
Setting down her teacup, Sarah nodded. “Perhaps she knows what a choux à la crème is, which I daresay would be a good start.”
“Well, you’re welcome to ask her, my dear, and if she does know, then by all means have her make some. I love trying new food.” Her eyes held Sarah’s. “Seems to me you’re growing increasingly fond of Lord Spencer.”
A flush rose to Sarah’s cheeks. “Yes, I am.” She would not deny it.
“I can tell from the way you look at each other. It’s quite apparent that he’s very fond of you as well.”
“Not only is he a perfect gentleman,” Sarah said, “he’s also extremely thoughtful and entertaining to talk to. We have the most engaging conversations.”
“Better than the ones you have with Mr. Denison?”
“Forgive me,” Sarah said, feeling somewhat disloyal. “How terribly ill-mannered of me to praise Lord Spencer when I should be complimenting Mr. Denison.”
Lady Duncaster waved her hand dismissively. “My dear, you would have to be blind not to appreciate Lord Spencer’s charms. Let’s face it. Mr. Denison hardly compares, which is why I’m all the more sorry for your determination to marry him.” She paused as she regarded Sarah with a knowing expression. “My husband was also the most wonderful man I ever met.”
“I never said—”
“Oh, Lady Sarah. You didn’t have to. It’s in the way your eyes sparkle whenever you speak of him.”
“I didn’t realize.”
With a nod of understanding, Lady Duncaster leaned back against her seat. “George and I were very fortunate to marry for love, Lady Sarah. If there’s any possibility that you might do the same, I strongly urge you to do what you can in order to make it happen.” She laughed, not with humor but with sadness. “It’s very odd, knowing George is no longer with me—that I’ll never hear his voice again or find him striding through a door in search of me—and that I’ve somehow managed to go on without him. There’s an emptiness within me. No, that’s not the right word . . . hollowness is better suited when it comes to describing the peculiar vacancy that’s taken up residency in my heart and soul. It helps to fill the house with people.”
“You were fortunate,” Sarah said, her eyes watering at the pain Lady Duncaster had been forced to endure by losing her husband. “Most people of our set marry for convenience and then go on to live separate lives. A love match is rare.”
“And yet it does look as though you have the chance to make one.” A pleasant smile stretched its way across Lady Duncaster’s face. “That makes you lucky as well, even if you choose to turn your back on it, though I daresay doing so would be incredibly foolish.”
“I suppose it would be,” Sarah agreed for the sole purpose of making the conversation easier. She didn’t want to talk about Lord Spencer or the potential for falling in love with him anymore. Her heart ached at the very thought of it, of how impossible it would be for her to even consider marrying him without him discovering that she wasn’t the innocent young lady he thought her to be. He’d resent her, and living with that for the rest of her life would be so much harder than sharing a future with somebody else.
Chapter 11
The following day, after luncheon, the guests congregated on the lawn, where the egg and spoon race was scheduled to start the game day. Taking her position next to Alice and Juliet, who’d been looking forward to that afternoon’s events with great enthusiasm, Sarah held her spoon steady, balancing the egg that lay on top of it, as she waited for the sound of a whistle to announce the start of the race, which consisted of eight competitors, including Lady Fiona.
The instant the whistle sounded, Sarah leapt into a run. The egg wobbled precariously as she moved into the lead, but once she’d gained the advantage, she found a steady pace that kept the egg stable. Now all she had to do was reach the chair that had been placed at the end of the track, circumvent it and return to her starting position. The task was easily accomplished, to the great disappointment of her sisters, who soon decided that the apple bobbing contest was far more to their liking.
“You weren’t exaggerating about your egg and spoon racing skills,” Chloe said as she approached Sarah with Lord Spencer at her side.
“I rather pity the other contestants,” Lord Spencer said with a hint of amusement. “They didn’t stand a chance.”
Sarah smiled at both of them. She felt exultant, not only because of the win but also because she’d clearly impressed Lord Spencer, the way he’d impressed her with skipping stones. It felt wonderful, considering that carrying an egg a hundred feet could hardly be compared to playing Beethoven’s Für Elise with flawless accuracy. Her talent was quirky at best, yet it was clear to her that Spencer approved, which in turn made her insides melt. “Perhaps I should join my sisters in bobbing apples. I’m terrible at that, since I can’t seem to help myself from breathing through my nose, which in turn makes me cough and sputter.”
“In that case, I’d advise against it,” Mr. Denison said as he sidled up to Sarah. He greeted Chloe with an elegant bow. Raising his chin, he acknowledged Lord Spencer with a polite nod.
“You don’t care for games, Mr. Denison?” Lord Spencer inquired.
“Not when they result in foolish and unladylike behavior,” Mr. Denison said.
Lord Spencer’s brow furrowed. “Are you saying that Lady Sarah would be foolish and unladylike if she were to participate in the apple bobbing contest?”
Sarah cringed. She did not want him to intervene on her behalf lest it result in Mr. Denison saying something untoward, which Sarah considered a real possibility. Mr. Denison had not been pleased to discover that Lord Spencer’s ride with Victoria and Diana had failed to cement a deeper acquaintance. He had in fact complained about it incessantly the previous day, going so far as to blame Sarah for Lord Spencer’s lack of interest in his daughters.
Chloe chuckled. “Honestly, Spencer, must you be so serious? Mr. Denison is only trying to protect Lady Sarah’s reputation.”
“Precisely,” Mr. Denison said. He caught Sarah’s eye and smirked. “After all, a lady is nothing without her reputation. Is she, my lady?”
If a fiery pit of eternal suffering had opened up in the ground at that moment, Sarah would happily have jumped straight into it. That Mr. Denison would deal such a blow to her in front of Chloe and Lord Spencer was beyond the pale.
Struggling to maintain her composure, she said, “How right you are, Mr. Denison. I only thought my sisters might appreciate the opportunity to get back at me for beating them so thoroughly at the egg and spoon race, but I see now that it would be most unwise.”
“Do you see how fortunate I am?” Mr. Denison said, addressing Chloe and Lord Spencer. “To marry a lady who’s sensible enough to defer to her husband’s better judgment is indeed a blessing.”
At this, Chloe opened her mouth, closing it again when Sarah met her gaze and shook her head. The last thing Sarah needed was for Mr. Denison to disapprove of her friends and insist she stay away from them.
Lord Spencer, on the other hand, quickly remarked, “While I see your point, I do think I would like to encourage independent thought in the lady I marry.”
Mr. Denison didn’t even try to hide the look of amusement that settled upon his face. “You say so now because you’re still a bachelor, Lord Spencer, but I can tell you from experience that there is nothing more trying than an opinionated wife.”
�
�An interesting perspective,” Lord Spencer murmured, “though I would imagine that her opinion of you would be of some relevance.”
“Which is why I have every intention of assuring her affection by seeing to her every need,” Mr. Denison said.
The double entendre wasn’t lost on Sarah. She feared it might not be lost on Lord Spencer either, for his eyes narrowed into two fine slits as he stared back at Mr. Denison.
Worried one of the men might say something regrettable, Sarah said, “I still think the apple bobbing might be fun to watch.”
“Wouldn’t you prefer to see the archery contest?” Mr. Denison asked. “Word has it Lady Duncaster plans on competing, which is certainly something I’d like to witness.”
“A splendid idea,” Lord Spencer said.
Sarah nodded her head in agreement.
“As much as I would like to join you, I think I’d prefer a seat in the shade along with a cool glass of lemonade,” Chloe said. “Congratulations once again on your win,” she told Sarah before biding Mr. Denison a pleasant afternoon and turning toward the refreshment tent.
“Well then,” Lord Spencer said, swatting away a bothersome fly. “I do believe we ought to make our way over to the large lawn if we’re to watch the archery contest.”
“I’ll bet you ten pounds Lady Duncaster wins,” Mr. Denison said.
Lord Spencer slanted a look in his direction. “I’d be a fool to accept such a wager, since I have every confidence in the lady.”
Mr. Denison snorted. “She’s quite peculiar, but I daresay it’s impossible not to like her.”
“I’m surprised you think so,” Lord Spencer muttered. “After all, she does belong to the more opinionated variety of women.”
Sarah groaned. If only Lord Spencer would stop provoking Mr. Denison. She had no doubt that he was doing it deliberately. And of course Mr. Denison responded to each of Lord Spencer’s thinly veiled criticisms with rejoinders that, however polite they sounded, soon conveyed Mr. Denison’s growing dislike for Lord Spencer.
Lady Sarah's Sinful Desires Page 18
