The Great Estate

by Sherri Browning

  Lovely, darling! Just what I’ve always wanted, a piece of the land I already live on and consider my own.

  But it wasn’t hers, not really. His gift made it all too clear, which is why she didn’t understand it, and why he was equally taken aback by her response. He had been so sure of himself, so convinced that he was giving her the most wonderful gift he could give. Why would it occur to him that the gift in itself would just remind her of how little she had on her own, that she wasn’t a true owner of Thornbrook Park no matter the efforts she’d poured into keeping it all thriving in his absence? To him, he might as well have been handing her a part of himself, his heart on a plate. And she’d carelessly dropped it and crushed it with her heel. Damn.

  To make matters worse, she’d prattled on about jewelry. Jewelry! Why not just let him believe that all she’d wanted was his money and status? That she had never truly cared about him? And he thought he was the one who’d created a muddle? They really were suited after all, both of them unaware of the effects of their words or actions until it was far too late.

  If she turned to him now, dropped to her knees and begged forgiveness, would he believe her? Or would he think it was one more attempt to hold on to an earl? As she got closer to the house, she could hear the sound of a child laughing. A second later, Mina came running around the corner, her father chasing after her.

  “Ah!” Marcus waved, calling out. “You’ve returned.”

  Sophia waved in response. One thing she’d learned as a countess was how to mask her true emotions and act as required. While visitors remained in the house, she would smile like she hadn’t a care in the world.

  “‘She walks in beauty, like the night…’” Marcus quoted as she got closer.

  “Save the poetry for your own wife, Lord Byron.” Gabriel stepped up to drape an arm around her. He too was skilled at acting, or had he forgiven her?

  “Eve prefers nursery rhymes these days. Or at least, that’s all we manage to quote to each other. ‘Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep’… Not very conducive to romance.” Marcus scooped up his daughter and placed her on his shoulders. “Can you see any sheep from up there, Mina?”

  “Nope. Just Aunt Soapie.” Mina beamed down at Sophia.

  “Hello, my sweet.” Sophia reached up to touch the girl’s hand, momentarily forgetting her troubles.

  “Aunt Soapie?” Gabriel regarded her with a bemused expression.

  Sophia shrugged her shoulders. “For a child, Sophia is quite a mouthful.”

  Back inside, they found Eve in quiet conversation with Gabriel’s mother while both babies napped. For all of Teresa’s fears about meeting Eve, the women seemed to be getting along. Glad as she was to see it, Sophia felt a small pang of envy. Perhaps Eve really was to be Teresa’s favorite daughter-in-law.

  “He didn’t sleep the entire time,” Teresa assured her. “Not until moments ago, when he fell asleep after nursing.”

  “I missed his feeding time.” Sophia felt flooded with regret. Perhaps she was going to be a terrible mother after all.

  “I had everything under control,” Teresa assured her.

  “And Agatha,” Sophia asked. “Where has Agatha run off to now?” Aunt Agatha had a habit of hovering close when there were guests in the house, perhaps waiting for the opportunity to read fortunes, but Sophia realized that she hadn’t seen much of Aunt Agatha, even before Agatha had gone away for the visit to Markham House.

  “Haven’t seen her for hours, and I don’t mind.” Teresa made no attempt to hide her dislike. “I had enough of her at Markham House, where she managed to stay at my side all too often. Charles and I could never manage any time alone. “

  Eve smiled. “Where is Lord Markham, come to think of it? He too disappeared almost as soon as we arrived.”

  Teresa shrugged. “He is getting on in years. Perhaps he needed a nap.”

  “Speaking of naps…” Eve gestured to Mina, who had fallen asleep on a pillow in the corner of the couch. “I suppose we should be getting one in before dinner.”

  “I think we all need some rest,” Sophia said, stifling a sigh. She needed time on her own to think about Gabriel and how to proceed after their afternoon took a turn for the worst. “I’ll take Teddy up with me.”

  “I’ll come with you, darling,” Gabriel offered, one brow raised as if unsure of her reaction.

  He was right to be unsure. She had no idea what to think. “Not now, Gabriel. You men don’t look the least bit weary. Why not take the time to catch up with your brother?”

  “I’ve been dying for a game of billiards, old man.” Marcus clapped his brother on the back. “What do you say, Gabriel? We finally have a chance to play without the women and children getting in the way.”

  “All right,” Gabriel said resignedly. “I’ll be up to check on you and Teddy later, darling.”

  “Until then.” Sophia smiled weakly, scooped her sleeping son into her arms, and headed for the stairs.

  * * *

  By the next morning, she still hadn’t made up with Gabriel. Not quite. They’d been polite to each other and their guests at dinner, and they’d warmed up to each other again over cordials. She’d allowed him to sit close and even to embrace her before going up to bed. Teddy had begun to fuss though, so she’d run off to tend the baby and left Gabriel with a quick kiss on the cheek before they could have a chance to talk about how they’d left things between them in the afternoon.

  At least she’d had a chance to connect with Aunt Agatha again at dinner, and early in the morning when Teddy had just settled down to sleep and Agatha appeared at the nursery door.

  “I had a feeling you needed me,” Agatha had said. “I’ll look after him while you go prepare yourself for the day ahead.”

  “Prepare myself? Goodness, you sound cryptic. Am I in for a busy day?” Sophia had asked, but Agatha had remained as vague as she sometimes preferred to be when making her predictions.

  “Let’s just say that I hope you managed to fit in some sleep last night. You’re going to need to be ready for anything.” Agatha’s green eyes sparkled with mischief.

  “I’m ready for a bath anyway,” Sophia had said, leaving Teddy in Agatha’s capable hands while she went off to bathe and dress.

  When she returned, she felt refreshed and ready to face anything that Agatha could possibly imagine. Sophia smiled at the sight of Agatha making faces to entertain Teddy as she rocked him in the rocking chair. “You two seem to be getting along.”

  “Oh, we’re old friends, Teddy and me. He’s an old soul, did you know? We knew each other in a previous life.” Agatha paused to coo at the baby. “I was captured by pirates and auctioned at the slave trade. Teddy bought me and set me free. I’ll be forever grateful. He wasn’t called Teddy back then, of course. He was a benevolent trader known as Goldbeard, really an English lord in disguise.”

  “Oh, of course. What else would he be?” Sophia shook her head at Agatha’s imagination. How she loved her dear aunt! “And what was your name in that lifetime?”

  “I’ll never know. The spirits don’t like to reveal such things to protect us from unpleasant recollections. They only show me the very best things that are useful to know.”

  “How kind of them.” Sophia smiled. “But, Agatha, I’ve been wondering. How did you know where to find Teddy and me this morning? Gabriel had just presented us with the nursery, and I don’t recall telling you where it was yet.”

  “Miss Puss led the way.” Agatha nodded. “She stayed behind while I was off to Markham House and watched over the proceedings.”

  “Did she? And what does she think of it all?”

  “We both think Gabriel did a marvelous job of it.” Agatha rose with Teddy in her arms. “Who knew he had a skill for decorating? The kites are a wonderful touch.”

  “Aren’t they? I think so too.” Sophia took Teddy from Agatha, who
held him out for her.

  “Now if you excuse me, I’ll need some freshening up. We must be ready to meet our challenges when fate comes to call.”

  “Challenges, oh dear.” Sophia believed she’d had enough of those lately, but she knew better than to doubt Agatha entirely.

  She was still in the nursery dressing Teddy for the day when Mr. Grant dropped in. “Oh, Mr. Grant. How have you been?”

  She felt remorseful that she hadn’t even thought of Mr. Grant for at least a week or more. They used to meet every morning to talk over their plans, and yet she had forgotten him so easily.

  “I’m well, thank you. I wanted to see what you thought of the nursery. Lord Averford was so exacting about it, determined to get it all just right for you.”

  “It is. It’s lovely. He did get it right. He couldn’t have done better.”

  “I agree.” Mr. Grant looked around, though not for the first time apparently. Gabriel must have consulted him as he planned the room. “The kites especially. Well. You can imagine how emotional it was for him.”

  She met his gaze. “Emotional? The kites? I’m not sure what you mean.”

  “Oh. You didn’t know. I’m sorry. I should let him tell you.”

  “Tell me what? What the kites mean to him emotionally? If he hasn’t revealed it yet, do you think he means to tell me at all? What of it, Mr. Grant? Please tell me.”

  Grant stared down as if considering. Finally, he looked up. “Every year, when your husband visits the grave of your first son, he brings a kite to leave behind. I’m sorry. I thought you knew.”

  “I had no idea. Kites, really? I didn’t know he visited Edward’s grave at all, let alone once a year. I thought perhaps he wanted to forget until I saw him there just a little while ago…” Her voice trailed off. So it wasn’t a chance meeting. He had purposefully gone to visit their son, as he had in previous years. He missed their Edward as much as she did. But of course. What did she think? “And these are the kites? How did he manage?”

  “Not all of them.” Grant walked over to finger the blue tail of one in the corner. “Some of them are the ones he’d left, gathered by Sturridge and tucked away for safekeeping once Lord Averford left them behind. The ones in the corners and a few in the middle. The rest are all new, bought to add to the collection. He means to take them down and fly them all with Teddy eventually, or so he said.”

  “What a lovely thought. He has honored our past and shown his excitement to move forward all at once, a tribute to both of our boys.” She felt the tears gathering. “And I had no idea how much it all meant to him.”

  Her steadfast, exacting husband was far more tender-hearted than she’d ever known. “Thank you, Mr. Grant. I love the nursery even more than I realized, now that I know the whole story.”

  “I’ll leave you to enjoy it then. Unless there’s anything else I can do for you?”

  She nodded. “Yes. Please forget what I’ve said in the past about waiting to cancel the guesthouse reservations. Follow Lord Averford’s orders. He does know what’s best for Thornbrook Park, and I’ve been distracted with caring for the baby.”

  “I’ll do that.” Grant was agreeable. “But I hope you’ll be able to join us again once you hire a nanny for the baby. I find you add a unique outlook to the management of the estate.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Grant. We’ll see.” Grant left her with much to consider. She’d almost forgotten how determined she had been to be a part of the decisions made at Thornbrook Park, and she missed it.

  Gabriel was quite capable without her, and she had Teddy to think about now. But did it mean that she had to step aside entirely, or could she be a mother and a manager? One thing that was certain to her now but that hadn’t been clear enough in the past was that her husband cared deeply—about the estate, about their sons, about her. There was still hope for them, plenty of hope.

  With Teddy in her arms, she went off to look for Anna. It was time to see about placing a notice to find a good nanny.

  Nineteen

  Gabriel waited patiently for Sophia to make her appearance in the morning. He didn’t want to burst in on her and risk waking the baby, but he desperately wanted another chance to get her alone. They needed to talk about what had happened between them. He wanted another chance to set things right with her after his second surprise had failed to make the desired impression.

  But when she appeared in the breakfast room at last, a happy baby in her arms, she looked distracted.

  “Darling.” He rose to greet her, dropping a kiss on her forehead and taking the baby from her arms. “Did you sleep well? Good morning, Teddy.”

  “Gabriel.” For a fleeting second, the worried look left her and she gazed up at him with such a look of love in her eyes that his heart nearly exploded. “I’m so glad to see you. I’ve been looking for Anna.”

  “Anna? I haven’t seen her.”

  Her brow creased and the worried look returned. “I can’t find her, and I’ve looked all over the house. I rang for her, and she didn’t answer.”

  “I’ve got Teddy now. Why don’t you have Mrs. Hoyle go look for her in her room? Perhaps she has taken ill.”

  “I peeked in but didn’t see her. I’ve sent one of the maids up to check again. I have a strange feeling about this, perhaps due to a meeting with Aunt Agatha this morning…”

  “Agatha. That explains it.” He tried to reassure her. “She’s not always right. I’m sure Anna’s around here somewhere. Maybe she went for a walk to the farm.”

  “But she didn’t mention it.” Sophia paced.

  A maid, Lucy, came in. “Forgive me for interrupting. I knew you would want to see this at once.”

  Sophia took a note from the maid and read aloud. “‘By the time you read this, I’ll be Mrs. Ethan Nash.’ Oh dear Lord.” Sophia stopped reading and covered her mouth with her hand.

  Gabriel took the note from her and continued reading. “She doesn’t say where she has gone, just that the two of them have eloped.”

  “Eloped?” Teresa came in. “Who has eloped? Foolish decision. What point is there in marrying without any fanfare or new clothes?”

  “An elopement? How romantic!” Agatha trailed behind Teresa, with Lord Markham entering the breakfast room after her.

  “Between Anna Cooper and Ethan Nash. It’s disastrous. What will I tell her mother? And Mrs. Dennehy! They trusted Anna to my care.” Sophia pressed a hand to her forehead.

  “How could I have read the spirits wrong?” Agatha wondered. “I knew we would have quite the day ahead, but not like this.”

  “They’re children,” Gabriel said. “Without resources, as far as I know. Anna was here last night with us for dinner, and we all went to bed late. They can’t have started out long before dawn. We can find them and talk some sense into them. But where would they have gone?”

  “Gretna Green!” Agatha volunteered. “It’s where I would go to elope.”

  “Or London,” Sophia said. “She lived in London as a child and she has mentioned that she longed to go back.”

  “They couldn’t marry as easily in London, and certainly not quickly, but they could get lost in a crowd,” Teresa said.

  “Let’s divide up then, shall we? I’ll go with Agatha to Scotland while you and Lady Averford check London,” Lord Markham suggested. “Teresa, you look after things here, just in case they return.”

  “Why can’t Agatha stay? I’ll go with you, Charles.” Teresa seemed taken aback.

  “Agatha has her second sight. It might prove helpful.”

  “And you can watch Teddy for us,” Gabriel suggested, hoping to placate his mother.

  “I hate to leave him.” Sophia pouted. “Maybe your mother should go with you, Gabriel.”

  “Out of the question. I need you by my side, Sophia. Anna is our responsibility.” He needed time to convince her that he
was worthy of her love. What they had was more than lust, if only she could open up to him. It seemed that he wouldn’t get the chance if he waited for the time to be right. He had to make his own opportunities.

  “True.” She tipped her head in that adorable way of hers, considering all options. “We’ll have to leave at once.”

  * * *

  “Where do you think she would have gone in London?” Gabriel asked, as the train pulled closer to the station. “He would be eager to please her.”

  “I’m not sure that’s the way it goes. She’s younger, more impressionable. He might be leading her along. She would want to show him that she’s up for anything.”

  “No,” Gabriel disagreed. “It’s always the man willing to do whatever it takes to get a reaction. Look at peacocks. The females are dull, meant to fade in to the background and stay safe. It’s the men who strut and show off.”

  “Ha.” She didn’t even bother with a genuine laugh. “That’s your example? Peacocks? Everyone knows they are the exception, not the rule. What are you wearing? A gray suit. You look very fine in it.” She paused to admire him, only for a second. “Meanwhile, I’ve taken great pains to both match and pleasingly contrast my dress with my shoes, my jewels, right down to the petticoats.”

  She showed him how one shade of light blue on her trim worked with the darker shade of her bodice and the lace on the sleeves, all set off by the opal and sapphire ear bobs. “My coat is a sapphire blue. Even my corset… Well, never mind. I’ve made my point.”

  “Exactly. All I’m thinking about is your corset.” His gaze dropped down to her décolletage. “What were we discussing?”

  Playfully, she slapped his arm. “Peacocks, of all things. Besides, as you pointed out, the female of that species is meant to blend into the background. The men are flashy to distract predators away from the female and chicks. It’s all about survival. With people, it’s completely different.”

  He shook his head. “I would do anything to protect you from predators.”

  “Ah, but you don’t have to spread your tail feathers and put on a show, do you? No. That’s the woman’s job. Without our female prancing around for your male benefit, humans would become extinct. We need the elaborate costumes.”