A Country Masquerade

by Margaret McGaffey Fisk

AUBREY WAS SUITABLY IMPRESSED WITH the horse as Ferrier ran through its gaits. Perfectly executed high stepping and controlled turns that would be ideal in a carriage horse. Had he been a twin birth or raised alongside another with equal skill, the horse would have made half of a wonderful pair. Even now, he could be trained to work with another, though the bond would be less.

  For all that the horse proved to be everything Jasper had described and more, Aubrey struggled to stay focused what with the possibility he’d catch sight of Barbara.

  A chorus of laughter rewarded his vigilance just then.

  He turned to see a group approaching with their arms full of baskets, his country girl in the lead.

  Ferrier followed his gaze, and out of the corner of his eye, Aubrey thought he saw a scowl. When he twisted to see more fully though, the farmer laughed. “It’s hard to think on horses when pretty young women are about.”

  THEY NEARED THE FENCE WHEN Barbara caught sight of a well-set figure and stumbled, almost taking Sarah to the ground when her friend collided with her back.

  Barbara steadied Sarah but turned her in the other direction. “Perhaps Georgie is right after all. Surely Uncle Ferrier will let me watch next time, and I wouldn’t want to anger him again.”

  The cousins sent her confused looks until Marian glanced past and clearly had the same realization.

  “You cannot avoid him forever,” her cousin said with a glance to Charlotte, “but somehow Father’s efforts to rush us about now make more sense. I suspect he’d be angered for a different reason should we continue.”

  Barbara linked arms with Marian and tugged her the way they’d come. “All the more reason to get on with the chore he set for us. You can teach me all about nature’s bounty.”

  Marian shook off the hold with a laugh, her sisters joining in. “For that you need Charlotte. She’s the one with the herb lore. We gather what she points us to and don’t nibble on anything we don’t know as well as our own names.”

  Charlotte fell into step with Barbara and Sarah both as they crossed the fields. “It’s an important warning, what Marian said. There are herbs and fungus we collect that can aid in a healing if prepared the right way, but nibbled in the wild can kill you as dead as any toss from a fevered stallion.”

  TURNING HIS ATTENTION BACK TO the girls, Aubrey found the group had changed direction and were now crossing the first field on the farthest side.

  Ferrier clapped him on the shoulder. “I remember what it’s like to be young, and my daughters make for a good distraction, but my horse deserves your attention.”

  About to agree to be polite, the middle of the man’s statement caught Aubrey. “They’re all your daughters?” he asked, stunned at the sheer number.

  “No, only the prettiest four.”

  Ferrier shifted to look at the horse again, and Aubrey followed suit, but his mind was not on the feats before him. He didn’t share the farmer’s fatherly eye judging from the various stages of wear on the girls’ clothing each time he’d seen them together. The most arresting of the group was the least well dressed, but that did little to diminish her appeal.

  He wanted nothing more than to stride after them right then, before they could get out of sight. Without realizing it, he’d twisted once again to mark their path.

  “Now that is a thing of beauty,” Jasper said in a reverent whisper. “When you’re ready, assuming you plan to sell the beast, let me give you a hand in finding the right buyer. I’d take him on myself, but I have no space in my stables at the moment. He should bring you enough to manage the larger stables and training area you’ve been mentioning over the past year,” he continued, facing Ferrier.

  Aubrey realized the two must have spoken on many an occasion, further complicating his situation with the servant girl. He no more wanted to ruin Jasper’s friendships than his reputation. At least she wasn’t the man’s daughter, though a landholder’s daughter would likely be somewhat educated and more capable of taking on a life in London than a servant girl.

  He smothered a groan at how his desire chose so poor a focus, though if it turned out to be simple lust or frustration, better the object prove unsuitable than that he raise expectations only to dismiss them out of hand.

  With more effort than the situation warranted, he forced his thoughts to the horse as Ferrier launched into an explanation of the bloodline and his breeding choices. Aubrey would have enjoyed this opportunity on any other day. With thoughts of Barbara crowding their way into his mind no matter what he tried, he could not find more than a faint sense of wishing he were somewhere else. At least Jasper was capable of holding up their end of the discussion.

  “I’m enjoying our conversation,” Ferrier said at last, “And I could keep going all day given the chance, just ask my daughters. But as much as I am, I have other tasks to see to, as I’m sure you do as well.”

  Jasper laughed. “True enough. My lady wife will be wondering just what became of me.”

  Aubrey stirred himself enough to add, “I doubt that. She most likely anticipated what would occur and won’t send runners out until dark falls.”

  The statement drew a chuckle from the farmer even as he shook his head. “You’re lucky to still have your wife with you and should treasure this time, not squander it on horseflesh. I’ll consider your offer of assisting in the sale. I’ve yet to decide if I’m willing to part with him. I have a bit of a bond with the beast, and if he breeds true…”

  “Or if he would have and you had him gelded. I see your quandary. He’s a magnificent beast.”

  “You’re welcome to come view him again some other day,” Ferrier said with a smile. “I appreciate time spent with a man who knows his horseflesh.”

  Jasper accepted the compliment with a nod. “But we’ve taken up enough of your day. Until later.”

  They strode to where their horses were tethered and headed to the manor in silence, Jasper most likely thinking on the horse while Aubrey’s thoughts unerringly returned to his country girl.

  “Jasper, I’m weary of standing around for so long, and the thought of sitting holds little appeal. Would you object to my going off for a canter?”

  His friend gave him a long look, one eyebrow raised. “And this sudden desire has nothing to do with the gathering of young women, I suppose? You plan to ride out to the mill?” He waved in the opposite direction.

  Aubrey shrugged. “Perhaps I have some thought to encountering them as I ride, true.”

  Jasper laughed. “I’d join you if only to see just what this servant girl has to distract you so much, but as I said, Daphne will be waiting to hear about the horse and our visit. She must be something for sure to make even such a prime example of horseflesh lose your interest. Be careful or you’ll find yourself well and truly caught.”

  “Little chance of that. A servant girl does not fit into my vision of the future, and I’d no sooner torment myself with the struggle than I would any young woman who caught my eye.”

  “So you’ve said. It would seem you feel the need of repetition, a habit more revealing than any other.” Waving Aubrey off rather than continue their exchange, Jasper called after him, “If we were in White’s, I’d lay odds against you in this.”

  Aubrey kneed his horse around and set off across a pasture in the general direction he’d seen the girls headed. Jasper’s comment lingered, bringing a smile to his lips that had more to do with daydreams of a miracle proving the man right than collecting his winnings.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  As the day wore on, it became clear the cousins had spoken truly about their oldest sister’s knowledge. Charlotte pointed out each plant, showing Barbara its unique characteristics and telling her of how it could be used when she saw only green leaves, or sometimes grey.

  “You know so much about this. Have you always planned to be a healer?”

  Barbara saw a shadow cross her cousin’s face and wished she could withdraw the question.

  “When my mother fell sick, I was off
in London. Grannie let me help her when I returned though the doctor wanted both of us kept from her side. I couldn’t do anything then. I was too late and too ignorant. But Grannie has been teaching me in the spare moments since. I don’t plan on becoming what she is, but I’ll never be caught unable to help someone I love again.” Charlotte’s words came out quiet but filled with strength.

  Barbara could think of no good response.

  She’d been paying only half attention to the lessons, knowing she’d have little use for it once she returned to London. Her easy dismissal made her chest ache now when she imagined Charlotte desperate to help but unable. Though Grannie had also failed to save her mother despite having the knowledge, that fact would not change the emotions driving Charlotte.

  “Cousin, come see.”

  Grateful for the excuse, she hastened her steps to find Jane and Georgiana had not found some new wonder but had paused in their labors to enact the steps of a formal dance.

  “So? Are we doing it correctly? Why do we stumble?” Georgiana demanded. “Lady Pendleton said we were to practice. She’ll be disappointed if we come back worse.”

  Barbara shook her head and pulled the two to the same line. “You’re trying to pair when you should be paired to a man. The steps are different.”

  Jane’s brow furrowed. “Then how are we supposed to practice? It’s not as if Father can practice with us. Even if he had the time, I don’t think he has any idea how beyond country dances.”

  “You won’t have much need for the skill anyway,” Charlotte said, her voice unnecessarily harsh. “No need to perfect it.”

  Georgiana planted both hands on her hips. “And what if I don’t want to disappoint my teacher? Lady Pendleton is sweet to be teaching us.”

  Charlotte looked like she had more to say on the subject, but the sound of horse hooves distracted every one of them.

  The rider came fast, but not so fast as to hint at a panic, though from the expressions on her cousins’ faces, Barbara knew that had been their first thought. Her own panic, rather than easing, grew stronger as the rider came into view.

  “Aubrey St. Vincent.” She hadn’t meant to speak his name aloud, but it came out in a hushed whisper as she knew her time of avoiding the man had come to a sudden end.

  “Look, Barbara,” Georgiana squealed in an overly loud voice. “It’s your nobleman. Just what we need.”

  Barbara turned to hush her younger cousin, but at least the girl offered a way to gain a momentary breathing space.

  Demonstrating his skill on horseback without being showy, Aubrey rode up close at speed then brought his horse to a slow halt so he could swing down to stand at Barbara’s side.

  What she’d expected Barbara couldn’t say, but to fall under his gaze and meet a confusion matched to her own had not been among the possibilities. He seemed at a loss for words once he joined them, neither claiming an accidental meeting nor stating intent.

  Barbara stared back, her mind a haze despite what she knew about the man. Her body warmed to his presence even with a chill breeze from the nearby forest. If he could find no words to break the silence, neither could she bring forth a single coherent sentence.

  Georgiana broke the impasse when she jostled Barbara’s elbow and whispered loud enough for the distant birds to hear her, “Well, are you going to ask him?”

  Barbara shook herself to dispel his effect, for a heartbeat lost to her cousin’s meaning.

  Georgiana executed a turn as though aware Barbara needed the reminder.

  With a laugh, Barbara glanced up at Aubrey.

  The warmth of his smile struck her dumb once again, but she marshaled her strength, knowing she must stay strong against his presence if the lesson she planned to teach would fall on his head rather than once again on hers.

  “Can you stand in for their practice?” she asked, her voice sharp and abrupt.

  Again confusion swirled in his deep brown eyes as he followed her gesture to take in the cousins, all but Georgiana waiting patiently for his answer.

  “The dance lessons,” Barbara added when he showed no signs of understanding. “Lady Pendleton asked them to practice, but they have no man to take his part.”

  Had she not been closely attuned to his expression, Barbara might have missed the wince before his smile widened.

  “As you wish. I only hope I can do such lovely company justice.”

  Though he held his arms out to pair with her, Barbara took a rapid step away and moved Georgiana into position. Even had he known her true station, she had little need of practice, and no need for his touch, or so she tried to convince herself.

  Still, the warmth he’d brought soon drained from her, and she pulled the shawl off her basket handle to draw about her shoulders as she watched him move from one cousin to another. Had she still been ignorant of his true nature, she would have found his willingness endearing. As it was, she could only wonder at what he hoped to achieve.

  Charlotte called a stop to their play soon enough. “We have more herbs to gather, and other chores await us at the farmhouse. We cannot spend all day dancing with a handsome gentleman.” Even she gave Aubrey a sweet smile, taken in by his accommodating manner.

  Barbara could only be grateful their time had come to an end for surely he’d get back on his horse and ride off to the manor for some activity planned with the others of his station.

  He caught up his reins, but only to loop them around one arm as he moved to her side, the horse keeping up with them. “What kind of gentleman would I be if I left you young women to wander on your own?”

  “We do so all the time,” Marian said, but Jane quickly hushed her, sending a pointed glance between him and Barbara obvious enough to bring heat to Barbara’s cheeks.

  “Surely you have responsibilities at the manor,” she said, her face turned half away to hide the response.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him shake his head. “I am a man of leisure for the time being at least, and the same cannot be said for my friends. I’d be grateful if you would accept my company rather than abandoning me to lonesome pursuits.”

  He sounded so sincere that Barbara had to struggle to remind herself of his sharp condemnation of her and all others of her nature. But how could she reject his request without seeming a shrew, and even had she not decided to put Sarah’s plan into effect, her cousins would plague her endlessly should she give him harsh treatment after he’d been so helpful.

  If she were being honest, Barbara enjoyed both his enthusiasm and apparent interest as the day wore on. He left her side only to admire whatever plant the girls pointed out, and she had the chance to demonstrate—to Charlotte, not Aubrey—that she had been listening earlier as she answered some questions with only small corrections from her cousin.

  He made for a good companion, though she knew it to be but a mask, and when the time came to part ways, she felt his absence no less than the others. Her weakness where Aubrey was concerned made the decision of how to treat him harder.

  It seemed the choice to stay distant had been taken from her hands, though, and so Sarah’s plan offered the only hope of reclaiming her confidence. Still, she feared it would not be as easy as all that.

  AUBREY LEFT THE GIRLS MUCH later than he’d expected. Who would have thought a day spent walking at Barbara’s side would have brought such contentment.

  His feet ached in his riding boots, but his heart ached the stronger.

  She’d been nothing but proper as she let him keep company, hardly speaking to him at all except when he caught her with a question.

  Her knowledge of the plants surrounding Ferrier’s farmland should not have surprised him, but her polished tones surely did. He’d suspected as much before, but now he felt sure she’d been raised among the farmer’s daughters despite her station, giving her a smoother, cultured nature than the general servant girl could claim.

  Still, they’d spoken hardly at all, and he had to wonder if shyness held her tongue or if she had n
o thought beyond those necessary to complete her chores.

  How she drew him would seem to make that worry false, but what proof had he?

  The day had shown little more than that his preference lasted beyond the stray moments of their first meeting. It offered nothing either to boost his confidence in her suitability, or to cull her from his consideration once and for all.

  He laughed aloud at the last, the action startling his horse into a sidestep. If nothing else, he could be sure his interest held more weight than a passing fancy, though if it had true endurance, whether she turned out to be capable or not, remained to be seen.

  Daphne would be delighted in this event no matter how unsatisfying it had proved for him. She saw the possibilities without the barriers, but what could he expect from a lady who had defied both society and family to make her dreams a reality.

  He had a more pragmatic approach and so did not plan to tell his friends of the encounter for all Jasper knew he’d sought it out. He had little need to pore over every aspect, and would better serve his thoughts and sanity if he contemplated the meaning on his own—at least until he had more to consider than as of yet.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Baskets full of the various plants they’d gathered, the girls headed to the farm. The cousins were laughing and teasing as they were wont to do, leaving Barbara and Sarah to grin and enjoy the spectacle. Or so Barbara thought until Jane turned her attention on Barbara with a speculative look in her eyes.

  “He’s not seeking a simple tumble in the hay, dear cousin.”

  Barbara gave Jane an innocent look, pretending not to understand.

  “No wonder you had too many suitors to choose from and couldn’t make up your mind.” Marian came up on her other side, slipping between her and Sarah. “You managed to secure the interest of the one unattached nobleman for miles, and in Charlotte’s worn castoffs. He might think you an ignorant country girl, but he’s willing to waste a whole afternoon just to be at your side.”