“Aggie, pray tell is Mother upset I slept so late.”
“No, m’ lady, and she instructed me to notify you she’s ordered luncheon trays,” Aggie responded back with a knowing smile.
Brittany suspected she might not be in trouble, not that she’d done anything untoward of late. At least she didn’t believe so. Then again, what she might not think wrong, her parents could, so there was no way of telling why her mother wished to see her.
Dressed and her waist length light brown hair set simply she took one last glance in the mirror. Satisfied with how she looked, both for her mother then later Samuel, she scooped up the matching shawl from the bed and strolled into the hall.
At the door to the countess’ parlor she started to take in a calming breath when she heard…
“Rest easy, my dear, you’re not in trouble. I only wanted to talk with you before you met with Lord Samuel. Also, considering the time I thought we might enjoy a pleasant simple luncheon. So, please step in and not worry,” her mother called out through the closed door.
Releasing a half breath she did as directed. Taking a seat in an over-stuffed chair and with the smile from her mother, Brittany knew things weren’t bad but could be enjoyable.
“Thank you for arranging luncheon.”
“Yes, my dear, but shall we eat first for thoughts are best formed when one has dined,” Barbara said.
Brittany lifted the cover over the plate in front of her. Everything she loved which sent a warning to her, this conversation might be more than a pleasant discussion between mother and daughter.
“What would you like to know Mother?”
“What makes you think I wish to learn anything?”
“For one thing this meal consists of several items I adore, so you must have a reason.”
“Yes, I wished for you to relax since what I would like to discuss might upset you. Now, let’s eat before our meals get cold,’ Barbara requested, cutting into her slice of roast beef.
All the while they dined Brittany kept an eye on her mother, still not sure why this special and unusual meeting.
Finished with her meal, Brittany looked over to her mother.
“Now, would you care to explain why you wished to meet with me?” Brittany strongly asked.
“Only to learn what your heart and mind tell you about Lord Samuel? I understand you enjoy being with him both out in public but also here. My question, what are your feelings for him? If I remember correctly you thought him to be pompous, overbearing and demanding.”
Now, Brittany knew what this was all about. Her mother wanted to learn if her emotions were true or a false front to understand what he knew about the book that he had been so insistent on seeing.
At first, her reactions to Samuel had been harsh considering his comments at several balls, then literally running into him at the book shop. It wasn’t until properly introduced and she learned of his reason to study the Hersey book did her opinion change.
Add to that, his sudden change in attitude toward her, including bestowing upon her a pearl necklace. Were his affections true and from the heart for her? Until now, with her mother’s questioning her motives she began to wonder also. The only problem, how to find out his genuine feelings for her. That’s when she understood, with him at the estate over the holiday that would be a perfect time to find out.
“Mother, truthfully, I would like to think his attentions are real. I do enjoy being in Lord Samuel’s company. With other gentlemen, I had always been tense and nervous but not with him. For the first time I feel relaxed and comfortable in his presence, which is wonderful. My only question is his desire to review this particular edition of the Hersey book. I also do appreciate his assistance in safely removing it to our estate.”
“Daughter, I know he’s been invited to join us but if you’re desirous I will rescind the offer?” her mother suggested, but not too strongly.
“No, I would enjoy having him with us. This way, not only will we be able to decipher the handwritten notes but decide if our affections for one another are real,” Brittany said.
The smile she saw her mother give her confirmed what she desired. Together they would be able to search the book, while she her heart.
Hearing footsteps in the corridor Brittany glanced to the small mantle clock.
“If I’m not mistaken mother, I believe Lord Samuel is here. With your permission, might I be dismissed so I may refresh myself?”
“Of course, my dear. I’ve letters to write confirming suites for some of the guest at nearby estates for the ball, so have Aggie chaperone you.”
“I will and I’m sure she’ll be interested in seeing firsthand the change in his demeanor. We won’t be spending more than an hour or so. Then, if you are agreeable might I invite him to the family parlor?”
“That is a wonderful suggestion as it will give us a chance to discuss how to pass the book to Lady Wallace as you won’t have time to visit your godmother. I’ll make sure your father is also present. Now, off you go so you wouldn’t keep him waiting,” Barbara recommended.
Stepping out into the corridor she was met by a smiling Mrs. Frye.
“Has Lord Samuel arrived?”
“Yes, m’ lady. He’s with His Lordship in the office. Before you ask, I’ve no idea what they might be talking about. All I know, John is at the door so they won’t be interrupted.”
Hearing this, Brittany could feel her knees weaken and her stomach flutter as if a thousand butterflies had invaded her. With the two men locked in private conversation she wondered what it could mean. She believed they wouldn’t be discussing Samuel offering for her.
With a glance down the hall she saw their butler, arms crossed over his chest, which was unusual. What made his stature more imposing and frightening, the scowl he wore.
“Mrs. Frye, considering the expression coming from John, I feel it might be safer for me to use the servant stairs. I wish to refresh myself before undertaking the review of the book. Would you inform Lord Samuel I’ll meet him in the library in about twenty minutes.”
“M’ lady, I do believe that would be a wise decision. A moment ago when I walked by John, if I’m not mistaken, he growled at me.”
On hearing what the butler did to their housekeeper and knowing her perchance to retaliate Brittany tried her best not to giggle, but failed.
“Trust me, m’ lady, he will pay and pay dearly for his behavior.”
“All I ask, please keep everything downstairs,” she whispered.
“Fear not, for he will be dealt with once you depart for the country in a few days,” Mrs. Frye said.
With a nod of approval, Brittany turned and slipped up the rear stairs to her suite.
Stepping in she wasn’t surprised Aggie was waiting for her by the dressing table.
“M’ lady, please have a seat so I may redo your hair for His Lordship.”
A few minutes later, this time in a braided crown with several wisps framing her face, Brittany stepped into the corridor. Much to her amazement Aggie had agreed to chaperone her while in Samuel’s presence.
“Oh, stop with your grumbling,” Brittany tossed over her shoulder.
“I’m sorry, m’ lady, I still don’t trust him. I feel he’s using you to get what he wants, whatever that is and it’s not your hand.”
“No, that’s exactly what he wants. Lord Samuel just doesn’t know that yet. Now, let’s see what we can learn from the Hersey book,” Brittany said, stepping onto the first floor landing then marched up to her father’s office, still guarded by John.
“Please inform Lord Samuel I will be waiting for him in the library.”
“Of course, m’ lady, and I’m sure he’ll be right along as I believe His Lordship and Lord Eli have concluded their discussion.”
“And you have no idea what they talked about?”
“I’m sorry, but I’m not privy to that particular information. If you’ll excuse me I’ll inform Lord Samuel,” John said.
Chapt
er Eleven
“Now you understand the importance of this particular copy. On a different topic, my feelings for your daughter are real, which is more of a surprise to me than you, I suspect,” Samuel explained, then he heard the office door open. With a glance over his shoulder he saw a terrified John standing in the doorway.
“Yes, John?” Eli said.
“Lord Samuel, Lady Brittany said she’d meet with you in the library. I don’t believe she’ll wait very long as she seems overwrought about something,” the butler stated.
“Thank you.” Then returned his gaze to Eli, “Bemming, with your permission, I’ll withdraw and lay my attention to Lady Brittany.”
“Brockworth, I look forward to hearing what happens with this meeting,” Eli said with a sly grin.
Samuel knew things would be interesting since he’d pointedly mentioned what he’d planned. Not completely familiar with one particular aspect of courting a lady he’d sought out advice from Eli and had selected a necklace for Brittany. Wanting to keep the gift a bit of a secret until he presented it, he’d not said any more. He looked forward to seeing her reaction first which would happen very soon, that thought made him slightly nervous.
Mentally squaring his shoulders he strolled from his host’s office and downstairs to the library.
Stepping in he saw the object of his affection already thumbing through the book and jotting down a few notes. What he found interesting Aggie, not the countess, would be their chaperone.
“Good afternoon, m’ lady,” he said, announcing his presence then nodded to her lady’s maid.
“M’ lord, I hope you don’t mind, but I started in trying to decipher the handwritten notes,” she uttered.
“Not at all. Have you been able to make any sense of them?” he asked, taking the seat beside her, then gently brushed his hand over hers. Again, he could feel the same warm tingle at the tips of his fingers as he’d previously experienced.
Studying her face he could tell she had the same emotional reaction to his touch, one of pleasant contentment.
“No, I haven’t which continues to puzzle me. I thought of suggesting we look at them from another direction. We both agree many of the comments are in the section devoted to Nigeria. What if we compare them to a map of the area? That way we might find a pattern thus the key to solving the mystery,” Brittany declared.
“Lady Brittany, I do believe you might be on to something with that tact. If you’ll show me where the map section is I’ll hunt down the one we require.”
“Thank you for the kind offer, but as they will be most likely buried under others it would be easier for me to collect the folder,” she announced, then stood which brought him to his feet.
Samuel studied the elegant sway of her hips as the gown swirled around her, while she gracefully swept down the main aisle of the library toward the far end. Even a slight cough of annoyance coming from Aggie didn’t distract him. This he realized would be the perfect time to present her with his little token of devotion.
With a glare to Brittany’s maid, he withdrew the long thin deep blue velvet box from the inside pocket of his jacket. Carefully, he placed case in front of her seat. Glancing up on hearing her return he smiled seeing a large folder clutched to her breasts. Always the gentleman, he rushed to her aid.
“Please, m’ lady, allow me to take the bundle,” he begged, holding his hands out. With a nod from her, he accepted the package and waved her past him. Now, with her hands free she’d be able to easily open the present. He wondered what her reaction would be, hopefully one of excitement and joy.
Intentionally, he slowed his steps as she turned the corner to their work area. On hearing her cry out in happiness, he smiled, then glanced to Aggie only to be almost bowled over as Brittany rushed past him. Before he knew what happened she disappeared out the door. With a puzzled look he turned to her maid.
“M’ lord, I didn’t see what got my mistress so excited but I can assure you she was pleased. If I don’t miss my guess she’s rushing to show Her Ladyship the gift you presented her with, quite surreptitiously I might add,” Aggie pleasingly told him.
Setting the folder down, he turned to the maid and smiled.
“Would you be as kind as to show me where Lady Brittany rushed off to so I might be the recipient of her thanks?” Samuel asked.
“Certainly, m’ lord. If I’m not mistaken we will find Lady Brittany and Her Ladyship in the family parlor.”
With a gracious wave of his hand Samuel directed Aggie to lead. As he followed the maid to the first floor Eli stepped from his office. Considering the excitement expressed by Brittany it didn’t surprise Samuel seeing the earl waiting for him.
“M’ lord, it would seem your selection has been received quite well. Now would you care to inform me as to the trinket?”
“Only a simple necklace which she might wish to wear at the Christmas ball,” he declared, as they strolled down the corridor to the sitting room.
Entering, Samuel saw a beaming smile from Brittany. From what he could tell, from her action she wished to leap into his arms, but decorum prevented her doing so.
“Countess, always a pleasure,” he said, bowing over her hand. Next, he turned his focus to Brittany and laid a soft grin on her.
“M’ lady, you dashed out of the library so quickly, pray tell what was the reason for your sudden departure,” he asked, with a teasing tone to his words.
“Lord Samuel, you are infuriating. You know fully well what had and still has me excited, almost to the point of being speechless.”
“I’m pleased to hear you’re not, speechless that is.” Again he goaded her.
The stabbing glare she tried to set on him made Samuel want to chuckle but he knew better than to as it would only make her furious. Of course, he did appreciate the way her nose crinkled when she was mad. Again, something he chose not to mention for fear of his wellbeing.
“This beautiful necklace will be perfect for the upcoming ball at the estate,” she announced to him and her father as she displayed the opened case.
He heard a gasp from not only her father but he suspected another from the countess. He knew they approved of his selection, which made Samuel proud.
“Brockworth, now I understand why you wished to keep it a secret from us and I commend you on your decision,” Eli told him, and received a nod of approval from the countess.
“M’ lord, what on earth ever possessed you to obtain such a beautiful piece of jewelry?” Brittany asked, patting the cushion beside her on the settee so he’d sit with her.
“I would love to hear the reason also,” Barbara urged.
“I will explain, but first and my apology for what I’m about to say. Is there a possibility one of the staff might be passing information along to Hersey?”
He wasn’t surprised when after a few heartbeats Eli answered. “No. Everyone here has been with us and in some cases my parents before us for years. I would trust them with my life,” he declared.
“Again, I’m sorry but the question needed to be asked as I suspect you all were wondering the same thing,” he replied, then took his seat beside Brittany.
“Now, m’ lord, we are waiting to learn the meaning for this precise trinket?”
With a relaxed grin Samuel directed his attention to Brittany.
“As I will be visiting the estate for the Christmas season and the ball I needed something which would set the tone for you, m’ lady. What would do better than a necklace of alternating rubies and emeralds? Both of which, considering their colors, are associated with the holiday. Then, this afternoon on seeing you, Lady Brittany, in that gown I knew I’d made the proper choice. Does that answer your questions?”
“For me, yes. However, I will need a new ball gown.”
“Then, that’s the perfect venue to pass the book to Lady Wallace. When you visit your dressmaker invite her to join you. Cole, if I’m not mistaken, will accompany her as he tends to dote on her every whim,” Samuel explained
.
“Yes, and if I was to hide the tome under my pelisse no one will be the wiser,” Brittany added.
“And since I feel comfortable in saying this, I should come along as well since I’m sure—” he cocked his head to the side where Eli was sitting. “—the bill will be sent directly to my townhouse. I should see firsthand what I’m buying.”
Laughter came from both ladies and Eli.
“Son, on that note, and bank note, you are more than correct. However, I would wonder at your sanity for wishing to join the ladies in a dress shop. Of all the years I’ve been married, not once have I been so bold as to venture into one and I don’t intend to now,” the earl emphatically announced.
“Ah, but my darling husband I do feel, even at this late hour in our marriage, the time has come when you do,” the countess declared.
“If that be the case, my dear, then I’ll have a brandy. Lord Samuel, would you care to join me?”
“Yes, thank you, then I must return home to dress for this evening.”
“As we’ll be attending the same ball would you care to dine with us?” Barbara asked.
Samuel peered over to the countess which brought Brittany into his range of vision and her smiling eyes. From the expression he knew what his answer would have to be as it seems he’d truly won her heart.
“It would be my pleasure to join you. I’ll come in my carriage so we can all travel together,” he suggested.
Later, with a promise to return at seven for dinner, Samuel climbed the front steps to his townhouse and was met by Stanley.
“M’ lord, you have several letters from your estates awaiting your attention.”
“Thank you. I’ll deal with them post haste. Also, I’ll be dining at the Sexton’s this eve. Have my town carriage in front a little before seven. Tonight have the bays set between the shafts as we’ll be attending the Allen ball.”
“Certainly, m’ lord. Which jacket and trousers will you desire?”
Lady Brittany's Love Page 6
