Under An English Moon

by Bess McBride

  An hour later, not only did Reggie and Phoebe set out to see the house, but William, Mattie and their child joined them.

  As Reggie had predicted, Phoebe loved the house, commenting effusively on how “new” it looked for a historic home. He reminded her that it was only approximately fifty-five years old, not at all historic in the true sense of the word. His hopes were realized when Phoebe sang the praises of the terraced view of the river and pastures beyond.

  “Oh, Reggie, this is beautiful! Just beautiful. You picked well.”

  “You are pleased then?” he said as he held her hands.

  “Oh, yes,” she breathed. “It’s perfect. It’s like a castle!”

  “A castle indeed,” he said with satisfaction.

  “I’m heading for the attics,” she said with a broad smile.

  Phoebe and Mattie, carrying Mia, continued on to explore the inside of the house while William and Reggie stood on the balcony and watched the river beyond.

  “An excellent choice, Reggie,” William said. “This will make a magnificent wedding present. I assume that you and Miss Warner have resolved your differences?”

  “A misunderstanding, no more. I apologize if I seemed melodramatic. I felt quite despondent yesterday.”

  “I am pleased to see that you were able to speak to each other,” William said. “Truthfulness is vital to a good marriage, I believe. Truthfulness, trust, and love.”

  “There is an element of the misunderstanding about which Phoebe is not able to be quite truthful though,” Reggie began. He hesitated to broach the subject, but Phoebe did say he should ask Mattie, and Reggie deduced that what Mattie knew, William also knew.

  “Oh?” William turned to him.

  “Phoebe tells me she is in possession of a secret that does not affect her but does affect me. She came upon it yesterday at some point, and she states that Mattie is privy to it. I think you and Mattie share every confidence if I’m not mistaken, and I wonder if you could not tell me what it is. You can imagine what it is like to know there is a mysterious matter about one’s self which one cannot know about.”

  William nodded and resumed his perusal of the river. Reggie thought he meant to dismiss the topic out of hand.

  “I am conflicted,” William began. “Mattie did speak to me in confidence, but she did not release me to speak to you. She and Miss Warner were sworn to secrecy. That is all I can say at this time. Let me speak to Mattie regarding the matter, and I will let you know her decision. It is not something that will harm you, Reggie. It is not something that should really overly concern you, in my opinion.”

  “Does it affect Phoebe in any way?” Reggie asked, ignoring an uncomfortable thump of his heart in his chest.

  “Not at all,” William said. “Nor Mattie, nor me.”

  “Then it cannot be so bad,” Reggie said. “I will await your decision.”

  The ladies rejoined them, and they returned to Ashton House in high spirits. Upon arriving at the front door, they found Samuel there dismounting from his horse and carrying a carpetbag. A groom hurried up, and John pulled open the door.

  “Samuel!” Reggie jumped down from the carriage. “Have you come to call?”

  “I hope to come to stay if William and Mrs. Sinclair will have me. Hamilton Place is intolerable in your absence.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Phoebe, helped down from the carriage by Reggie, turned to look at Mattie, who seemed unfazed by Samuel’s arrival.

  “I don’t blame you, Samuel,” she said. “Not one little bit. Of course, you can stay here.”

  The groom took Samuel’s horse, and John took his bag.

  “Up to the blue room, John. Thank you,” Mattie said.

  “This is most kind of you, Mattie,” Reggie said, wrapping an arm around his brother as they all entered the house.

  Jane came downstairs to take Mia for a snack. “Could you ask them to bring some tea to the drawing room, Jane?” Mattie asked. “Thanks.”

  “Come on into the drawing room, Samuel,” Mattie said.

  Phoebe marveled at Mattie’s ability to switch between a more formal speech pattern when speaking to strangers, and her modern-day Americanisms when speaking to family or her staff. Though Samuel probably didn’t know she was a time traveler, she seemed unworried about possible discovery by him. Phoebe wondered if she would ever be able to transition between the two eras as well as Mattie seemed to be doing.

  Reggie took her hand in his and pulled her gently by his side.

  “Samuel, please congratulate me. I had the honor to ask Miss Warner for her hand in marriage, and she has accepted.”

  Samuel’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped.

  Reggie waited, and Phoebe thought she could feel a slight tension in the grip of his hand. She hadn’t realized his brother’s opinion was so important to him.

  Why didn’t Samuel say something? Was he worried he couldn’t come to live with his brother as they’d talked about?

  “You can still come to live at the house, Samuel! I wouldn’t stop that,” Phoebe blurted out. Reggie squeezed her hand.

  Samuel’s face reddened, and he bowed his head. “Many felicitations, Miss Warner. Reggie. Forgive my delayed response. I was taken aback, that is all.”

  “It is as Miss Warner says, Samuel. You shall come to live with us. I have this day purchased a house, and there is ample room for all of us...and more.” He turned an affectionate eye on Phoebe who blushed.

  She had no doubt he meant children. She hoped they looked like him.

  “That is kind of you,” Samuel said.

  John arrived with the tea, and the awkward moment was broken as Mattie busied herself pouring. They seated themselves and settled into a discussion of the new house and grounds. Phoebe noticed Samuel, standing by the cold fireplace, stared at her then at Reggie, and she wondered what he was thinking. She tried smiling at him when she caught him watching her, and he responded with a faint lift of his own lips, but she sensed that he didn’t really see her. She had a feeling something else was on his mind—not the news of his brother’s marriage and not the house.

  Was he thinking of the dressmaker? Sarah?

  A glance to her left showed that Reggie, seated next to her on a settee, studied Samuel as well with a frown on his face. Phoebe hoped she wasn’t coming between them.

  John opened the door.

  “Lord and Lady Hamilton,” he announced.

  Phoebe noted with a pounding heart that everyone in the room jumped up as Reggie’s father and stepmother entered the room with the exception of William who remained calm and rose to bow in a leisurely manner.

  “Samuel! We did not think to find you here.” His father boomed. “I wondered why we did not see you for luncheon.”

  Phoebe exchanged glances with Reggie. Didn’t he tell them he was leaving?

  “Tea?” Mattie murmured. Her cheeks were bright, and she looked tense. William resumed his seat beside her and covered her hand with his own. Mattie calmed down almost instantly and turned a loving smile on her husband. Phoebe sighed.

  Her own true love, Reggie, was speaking to his brother.

  “Perhaps now would be a good time to advise Father of your plans, Samuel?”

  “What plans?” Lord Hamilton asked with narrowed eyes. “Do not tell me you are now bound for America as well, Samuel?” He laughed but the laughter did not reach his eyes.

  Lady Hamilton watched the discussion alertly, but she kept her expression neutral.

  Samuel, maintaining his position at the fireplace, looked to his brother.

  “Perhaps you should begin, Reggie. It would seem that my news might be superseded by yours in interest and importance.”

  “What news have you, Reggie?” Lord Hamilton barked. “And why, if both of my sons have news to impart, do they not visit me in my own house, begging the Sinclairs’ pardon, of course.”

  “That would have been idyllic,” Reggie said in a surprisingly calm voice. Phoebe stared at him with re
newed respect. His father was a big man and a bit boisterous, but Reggie seemed to have no fear of him or of the news he was about to share.

  “Nevertheless, since we are all gathered in Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair’s home, I beg their gracious leave to announce the engagement between myself and Miss Warner.” Reggie took Phoebe’s hand in his, and she clung to him.

  Lord Hamilton jumped up.

  “What? What harebrained scheme is this? First, you decide to run away to America and now you are decided instead to marry an American of uncertain origins? And do you plan to return to America with her?” He approached Reggie and clenched his fists. Phoebe cringed. Was his father going to hit him?

  Across the room, William rose. Reggie squeezed Phoebe’s hand and stood, facing his father with an aloof, unyielding expression.

  “Sir, I beg you to remember that you discuss my future wife,” Reggie began.

  Lady Hamilton rose swiftly and placed a restraining hand on Lord Hamilton. “Come, Jonathan, let us resume our seats. Certainly, there is much to discuss and many questions to be answered, but we must offer Reggie and Miss Warner felicitations.”

  Lord Hamilton, red faced, allowed himself to be guided back to his chair, and Phoebe eased out the air she’d been holding. Reggie, tense, his back ramrod straight, continued standing. Samuel’s face was red as he watched the conflict, but he said nothing.

  “Please sit down, Reggie. Your father was taken by surprise, that is all,” Lady Hamilton said. “It might have been better had you advised your father in private of your intentions. Forgive us, Miss Warner, for our manners.”

  “My sincerest apologies. Bad form,” Lord Hamilton muttered.

  “Oh, I...uh...no problem,” Phoebe said.

  William resumed his seat as well and watched the discussion with narrowed eyes.

  “And when do you plan to marry, Reggie? Has a date been set?” Lady Hamilton asked. Phoebe suspected she was none too pleased as well, but she masked her emotions much better than her volatile husband. If she had ever imagined loving grandparents for her own children, those images faded from her mind.

  “Miss Warner and I have not as yet discussed the matter, but I hope it will be soon.” He threw Phoebe a questioning look, and she gave him a slight nod with a smile. Reggie grinned. “As soon as the banns are posted then, I believe, in a fortnight.”

  “Such haste,” Lady Hamilton murmured.

  “And do you plan to remove to America?” Lord Hamilton asked.

  “No, Father, no longer. Perhaps Miss Warner and I might visit one day after we are married, but we will live here. As it happens, I have purchased a house nearby.”

  “A house?” Lord Hamilton half rose, but Lady Hamilton caught him in time. “We have a house already! What do you mean you bought a house?”

  “I would like to set up my own establishment, Father. Please do not distress yourself. I will not have gone far.”

  “But why can you not come home to live?” his father asked.

  Phoebe suddenly felt sorry for the older man. He sounded hurt. She fervently hoped though that Reggie wouldn’t change his mind.

  “I am sorry, Father, but I wish to be master in my own home, and at the risk of offending you, Lady Hamilton, I wish my wife to be mistress in her own home.”

  Lady Hamilton nodded. “I understand,” she said.

  Phoebe, surprised, eyed her. She did seem to understand. Perhaps she wasn’t so bad after all—from a distance.

  Lord Hamilton looked to his wife, as if for reassurance, and she patted his hand.

  “It is not unusual, Jonathan, for a man to want his own home, or for a lady to wish to be mistress in her own house. It does not mean that Reggie will abandon his inheritance or the estate. Samuel is still at home. You still have one of your sons with you.”

  Phoebe threw a look in Samuel’s direction. This wasn’t going to be good. Everyone in the room looked at Samuel in that moment, for various reasons.

  “Do you wish me to speak, Samuel?” Reggie asked in a low voice.

  Lady Hamilton turned a sharp eye on them.

  “What is this?” she asked. “Samuel’s news, I think. One hopes it is not as momentous as Reggie’s,” she murmured. “For your father’s sake.”

  Lord Hamilton looked up, attempting to rally himself. “Let’s have it then, Samuel. What news?”

  Samuel half turned to Reggie as if for help, then seemed to steel himself.

  “I have come to stay with William and Mrs. Sinclair for a spell, and then I will relocate to Reggie’s house when it is ready.”

  Lady Hamilton didn’t look surprised, but Lord Hamilton looked as if he were about to have a heart attack. He clutched at his chest for a moment.

  Phoebe jumped up. “Lord Hamilton, are you all right?”

  Reggie stepped forward quickly to peer at his father. William and Mattie rose as well. Samuel watched anxiously.

  “It is nothing,” Lady Hamilton said. She poured a fresh cup of tea and offered it to him. “Lord Hamilton has recently had some gastronomic concerns, and the doctor says he must avoid fatty foods. But he had a large helping of food at luncheon.”

  “Quite right,” Lord Hamilton muttered. “A man enjoys his food, even if his children choose to eat elsewhere.”

  “Father!” Samuel spoke up. “It is not the food.”

  “Then why must you leave as well? Why are my children abandoning me? Have I not been a good father to you? Cared for you as best I could in the absence of your mother?”

  “Yes, Father, yes, of course, you have,” Reggie answered. He patted his father on the shoulder.

  “Then why must Samuel leave as well?”

  “I cannot answer for him, Father. Only Samuel knows that, but I will open my home to him for as long as he desires.”

  “Samuel,” Lady Hamilton said. “Why do you wish to leave Hamilton Place?”

  Samuel looked around with wild eyes. Phoebe wasn’t sure he knew the answer himself, or if he did he didn’t seem to want to share it.

  “I see that Samuel has become suddenly tongue-tied,” Reggie interceded. “You know, of course, that he has been keeping his own company overly much of late and is not now accustomed to gatherings even such as this, and certainly not speaking of highly personal matters in company. I asked Samuel to come to me here and to the new house because I wish to help him come out of the shell he has shut himself into.”

  Samuel stared hard at Reggie, his mouth working but no words came out.

  Reggie gazed around the room as if daring someone to question him. Lady Hamilton took on the challenge.

  “We can help Samuel in that direction, Reggie. Samuel, you could have told us you tired of your life of solitude and reading. We thought you content. I would have been more vigilant about inviting you to accompany us on dinner parties. I could have hosted some dances or a ball. Is it that you wish to meet eligible young ladies? Are you also desirous of settling down?”

  Samuel’s face glowed bright red, and he continued to look around the room wildly as if he would bolt.

  “Mother, pray do not begin matchmaking once again,” William said. “Samuel is fully capable of finding a wife when he wishes to settle down.”

  Lady Hamilton shot William a dark look, but he watched her unfazed.

  “Please, do not concern yourself with me,” Samuel finally croaked out. “Reggie speaks the truth. He thinks I am too often alone, and he wishes to effect a change in that, albeit slowly and without balls and dances. Thank you for your concern, Lady Hamilton. I will enjoy my brother’s company.”

  Phoebe knew he lied to support Reggie’s story, but she had the worst image of Reggie and Samuel riding, fishing, and generally hanging out all day while she sat in the bay windows of the new house and longed for company, her sewing forgotten at her side. Was that how it was in 1827?

  “Makes no sense. None at all,” Lord Hamilton muttered. He rose slowly, his hand still at his stomach. “We must be off. I am not feeling well.”

 
; Lady Hamilton stood. “Forgive us. Lord Hamilton’s stomach still pains him. This has been an eventful visit. Pray keep us apprised of your plans for the wedding. I wish to assist you in any way I can.”

  “Thank you, Lady Hamilton. Miss Warner and I have not yet discussed our plans, but you may be certain we shall call upon you for guidance if necessary.” Reggie bowed his head. “Be well, Father.”

  “Yes, thank you. I have a tincture at home.”

  “Good.”

  They turned to leave, and Samuel strode toward his father and patted him on the back.

  “I will visit often, Father. I am only just next door.”

  “Yes, my boy, I know,” Lord Hamilton said with a sigh. “I shall probably see much more of you, I imagine, now that you will have left the library.”

  “Just so,” Samuel smiled tentatively.

  They left, and Samuel turned to the room. “Do you have something a bit more stout than tea, William? For I have news to impart.”

  “Certainly!” William rose and opened a buffet to reveal a decanter and glasses. He poured a drink for Samuel but declined to take one for himself as did Reggie.

  All eyes followed Samuel as he took the seat recently vacated by his father. He swallowed his drink in two gulps.

  “I must say, that was decidedly inventive of you, Reggie,” Samuel said with a shaky laugh.

  “I think not,” Reggie said. “You have been buried in your books overly much, more so over the last year. I did not wish to say as much to you, thinking it to be your desire.”

  “And you have been buried with your dreams of moving to America. It was as if you had already left.”

  Reggie bit his lip and looked toward Phoebe.

  “Yes, I think I have not been a good companion to you of late, have I? Forgive me. It is true. I thought I was dreaming of America, I admit it, but my dreams have been realized—not of America—but of the woman who will become my wife. That is what I dreamed of and wished for. My future wife.”

  Phoebe’s cheeks flamed, and she smiled with a sigh. These men! So romantic!

  Reggie gazed at her with love as if she were the only person in the world.

  William cleared his throat. “You said you had news, Samuel?”