“I haven’t worn the black in a few days so set that one out. I’ll bathe and dress at six,” he instructed his butler as they climbed the stairs to the first floor.
“I’ll inform Cook and make sure your water is ready.”
With a nod Samuel entered his office, started to pour a brandy then thought better of it. Turning back he set to work on the letters from his estate manager.
Chapter Twelve
On waking to a warm sunny day Samuel ordered his landau so he would be able to drive Brittany around Hyde Park later. With his first meal of the day finished, he took time to handle the morning posts before setting off to meet her at the dressmaker’s shop. As much as he had second thoughts about joining the ladies pleas from Eli at the Allen ball that convinced him otherwise.
Climbing down from his open carriage he saw the earl sneak out of the dress shop and step up to him.
“M’ lord, you seem a bit hazard,” Samuel uttered, shaking the poor man’s hand.
“Lord Samuel, if I knew what ladies went through in selecting a gown, between the design and material, I’d never have married. How they ever come to a decision is beyond me?”
When Samuel saw his future father-in-law slump his shoulders he suspected things were worse than he could have imagined.
“Do you believe the ladies would miss us if we slipped away to White’s?” Samuel queried.
“Most definitely they would. I direct your attention to the window behind you. There you’ll notice my mother and your sister, Lady Wallace, glaring at the three of us,” Cole announced, as he stepped forward from the doorway.
Samuel wasn’t surprised when his groan was parroted by Eli, which brought the men to laughter. Fashionable ladies and gentlemen strolling by stared at them. Then, to all his astonishment Lady Wallace, with the countess behind her, stepped out of the door.
“Gentlemen, I would recommend you follow me back in as decisions need making and for some unusual reason my goddaughter requests your opinion Lord Samuel,” she demanded.
Discretion being the better part of valor, Samuel realized he’d met with defeat, not that he appreciated having to surrender, he did as instructed. From the footfalls following, he knew the other two were reluctantly joining him as well.
With trepidation, Samuel stepped into the dressmaker’s shop to be met by Lady Wallace and the countess, both wearing scowls. Looking around the front room he didn’t see Brittany but heard her angelic voice coming from the back of the shop. Starting forward, a firm hand on his arm halted him. He looked at Barbara.
“Don’t even think of going in there. Follow me and I’ll show you to the viewing room where you may examine the gown to see if it meets with your approval, which I doubt,” the countess instructed.
He turned and started to follow Barbara when a hand on his shoulder stopped him.
“Worry not, the Hersey book has already been handed to my mother and hidden in one of the packages of gowns she’s collected. Right now, it’s in my carriage and guarded by several footmen,” Cole told him in a lowered voice.
“Thank you,” Samuel replied in a whisper.
With that problem resolved now Samuel had to deal with a bigger one, trying to understand all the intricacies of a lady’s ball gown. In the past he’d been more interested in helping said lady remove the dress, now he had to assist in choosing the perfect one.
Stepping into the parlor Samuel examined all of the different fabric colors spread out over several tables. He wondered how anyone could choose the right one. At least with him and other gentlemen of the ton the selections were simple; white for shirts and cravats, then blacks, browns, blues and greens for trousers and jackets. Not the rainbow he gazed upon.
“It would seem the countess has also decided she’s in need of a gown for the ball.”
Now, with this added encumbrance Samuel wondered if they would be able to depart the city as planned. His tailor could make a jacket and trousers in a day, but how long would the seamstress take to put together a multilayered gown?
“M’ lord, I can tell from your worried look something is bothering you? If it’s about being delayed in returning to the estate, fear not as we will. The Countess and Lady Brittany have used Mrs. Edgar for years. From what I understand, once the ladies choose the pattern and the primary fitting they won’t need another until it’s finished. The woman has already informed my wife she’ll be more than willing to deliver them to see if any alterations are needed,” Eli explained.
He started to reply when the curtain separating the changing area from the parlor opened. In swept Brittany. The air ripped from Samuel’s lungs. Between the gown she wore and her beauty, he became weak at the knees. The color of the dress matched the same shade of red as the rubies on the necklace he’d bestowed upon her. The gauze overskirt complimenting the emeralds, giving the illusion she was bedecked in jewels. Samuel grinned on seeing the bodice was just high enough to prevent any unruly gentlemen from gazing upon her breasts. Those, he swore, would only be gazed upon by him once married.
“M’ lady, you look lovely in that gown. It’s perfect for you,” he said, giving her a bow.
“Thank you, kind sir. I’m pleased you approve,” she answered, curtseying.
“Now, as we have a beautiful morning, I thought with the Earl and Countess’ permission, we’d take a drive around the park. Yes, I know it’s not the normal hour but with the weather being lovely, shouldn’t we take advantage of the day?”
“I’ve no objection and since I saw you brought your landau a chaperone will not be necessary,” the earl stated.
Samuel watched Brittany sweep from the room, astounded at how the gown seemed to flow with her every step. At the Christmas ball he’d have to keep a close eye on her in case there where a few swains around who might attempt to set their eyes or claws on her, proving to be interesting and not to mention a challenge.
“Dear brother, normally I would agree but considering, and this is nothing against you Lord Samuel, his new found behavior I feel my goddaughter should be accompanied by another lady. To that end and to aid in cementing the relationship between the families I will accompany them. With His Lordship being in agreement, of course,” Lady Wallace declared.
“My dear lady, we would be honored if you joined Lady Brittany and me on our drive,” Samuel said, bowing over her gloved hand.
“Wonderful. Then, everything is all settled.” Lady Wallace turned to her son. “If you would take the carriage home and make sure my maid packs both gowns. After which, inform Cook there will be two extra for luncheon as I feel a need to spend time with my goddaughter and Lord Samuel.”
“With pleasure, Mother. It will be interesting to see Palmer quake at the interrogation I’m sure he’ll be receiving,” Cole joked.
Almost immediately Samuel could feel his stomach churn as panic overtook him, considering the look he got from Lady Wallace, if his friend might be kidding or not. His die had now been cast and he must face whatever came his way. Samuel also had no idea exactly what Brittany and Eli had shared about her godmother. Right now, his primary concern, continue to woo Lady Brittany while discovering the secrets held within the pages of the book, now safely entrusted to his friend.
He wanted to attempt a counter at what Cole said, that no challenge would defeat him when Brittany stepped back into the parlor. As he watched her sweep up to him, Samuel noticed she was just as beautiful in a simple pale blue carriage dress as in the ball gown. With this vision standing before him and his physical reaction he was truly and wholly smitten.
Offering his arm to her, and the other to Lady Wallace, he bid her parents adieu then escorted the ladies from the dressmaker and to his carriage.
As they slowly made their way through the streets to Hyde Park, Samuel took the time to look not only at those out for a stroll but to Brittany. On several of their drives either around town or to the park he’d noticed she had been a bit reserved. Today, on the other hand, she radiated an absolutely brilliant smile. He wondered
if her happiness might have to do with the necklace or the new gown. Of course, he prayed they paled to being in his company.
They entered the park and Samuel directed his driver to pull into the line behind the other carriages. With some of the grass still white with snow he didn’t wish to risk Brittany catching a cold so, as agreed, they’d stay in the landau.
When they came to the turn in the carriage path, Brittany appeared startled. She was craning her neck to the right. Curious, he looked in the same direction to see Mr. Winterbottom. The man couldn’t be missed considering his shock of unkempt red hair and puffy cheeks. His jacket appeared slightly oversized, in a light grey with black splotches, probably ink, on the sleeves. The trousers were of the same color and looked like they’d been slept in not for only a night but several.
What made Samuel curious, the gentleman Mr. Winterbottom seemed to be having a heated discussion with. This person, taller by a foot, had neatly trimmed hair in one of the latest styles. His face was deeply tanned, the look of bronzed leather. Due to the distance Samuel couldn’t see the color of his eyes. Could the man be Lord Hersey?
Samuel could easily see from their tense body language, they shared a heated conversation.
Turning his attention back to Brittany, he noticed she seemed as puzzled at the scene playing out before them as he.
“Lady Wallace, I’m familiar with the owner of the book emporium but not the gentleman he’s talking with. Might you know who he could be?” Samuel asked, wanting to confirm his thoughts on the name.
“If you’re talking about those two men, the one with the unkempt red hair, the other is that horrible Lord Hersey. To speak the truth I’m surprised to see him in town as the Grande Dames have all but banned him.”
For a moment Samuel thought of inquiring but considering the stabbing glare from her he knew better. Mayhap at a more private time he’d ask as he’d not been informed of this fact in the reports he’d received on the man. This in and of itself told Samuel whatever Hersey had done struck at the heart of the ton while not criminal.
“Yes, Lady Wallace, I remember him from a few years ago when he gave a lecture prior to his departing for Africa. The man tried to lure me into a corner but Aggie stepped in, sending him scurrying with his tail between his legs,” Brittany added to the discussion.
With this information Samuel decided they should depart the park before he did something he might regret. With a word to the driver they took the first path to Kensington Road then to Lady Wallace’s townhouse and what he knew would be an interesting luncheon.
Chapter Thirteen
With a relaxed grin and nod to Stanley, Lord Samuel stepped through the front portico to be greeted by a modestly warm sunny day. In the courtyard his well-sprung traveling carriage with two drivers sat in the box. At their feet, he knew, were two shotguns with reduced length barrels for ease of maneuvering.
Behind the coach three outriders waited beside mounts selected for their sturdiness. To one side, Quinn stood mumbling something to his mount, Tempest. This had been an easy decision for Samuel, as he wished to take his brute out to explore the countryside with Brittany.
Fastened to each of the saddles a brace of holstered pistols, while the men had a cavalry saber strapped to their waist. Inside the carriage Samuel had two hidden compartments, each with three pistols loaded and set on half-cock.
These precautions had been discussed with Eli the previous afternoon upon returning Brittany to her parents’ townhouse. The luncheon, he did admit to the earl, had been an interesting experience. Over the table Lady Wallace’s interrogation of him would have made Torquemada, of the Spanish Inquisition, proud.
Seeing everything ready, with a wave of his hand he brought the guards forward.
“During the trip we will follow the Bemming coach. We’ll be stopping at a tavern about four hours out for luncheon. If everything goes well we should be at the estate before dinner and the stablemaster is aware of your coming. Also, I expect to receive excellent reports from him.”
“You will, m’ lord,” Quinn declared.
“Good, now let’s be off to collect Lady Brittany and her maid.”
Half an hour later his coach entered the Bemming townhouse courtyard to a bustle of activity. Footmen were loading trunks in the boots of three carriages, while John supervised. Climbing down, Samuel carefully dodged empty boxes as he walked to the opened front door and stepped in to be met by Eli.
“M’ lord, it would seem we have a pleasant day to make the journey. I appreciate the extra precautions you are taking as per our discussion.”
“Lord Eli I would never do anything to put your daughter in jeopardy. Each man is well armed and will use their weapons without a thought, without instruction.” He wanted to continue when from his side he heard Barbara and Brittany talking as they descended the staircase.
He stepped forward.
“Ladies, you both look lovely.”
“Thank you, kind sir,” Brittany uttered.
“Excuse me, but it’s time to be off if we wish to make the inn for lunch and the estate before dinner,” Eli spoke out.
Samuel reached for Brittany’s hand which was easily given and together they strolled over to the waiting coaches. After assisting Aggie in he handed Brittany up then joined them. With a knock on the carriage roof to signal they were ready he felt a gentle jolt as they started off.
Considering the previous evenings late hour before separating and returning to his home, it didn’t surprise Samuel at how soon Brittany, quickly followed by Aggie, dozed off.
With a glance to her maid, Samuel wrapped an arm around Brittany’s shoulder drawing her to him. With his other hand he secured her against his side so she wouldn’t slip if the carriage took a dip in the road. Now with her comfortable, he hoped, he stretched his legs out on the squab opposite, crossed his ankles then dropped his chin to his chest.
The sound of iron covered hooves on cobblestones woke him. With care he looked down to see Brittany still napping then glanced to see if Aggie had woken. Much to his misfortune she had and glared at him. So not to disturb Brittany he drew his legs back and straightened himself.
“I only wanted to make her comfortable and safe. I can assure you nothing untoward happened,” he whispered.
“Of that, I’m sure,” Aggie replied, with a smile.
Giving her a nod he turned his attention to righting and awakening Brittany.
“Wake up, sleepy head. We’ve arrived at the tavern for luncheon,” he softly said.
“Ah, um. I’m sorry for having dozed off.”
“Think nothing of it, my dear. It would seem all of us needed a rest,” he barely got out as the carriage came to a halt and the door opened.
Climbing down he turned back and assisted Brittany then her maid out as the countess swept up to them.
“The earl has arranged for a suite so we may refresh ourselves before we dine,” she announced to them.
“And fear not, Lord Samuel, we’ve a room also. Maybe not as well appointed as the ladies but it will suffice of that I’m sure,” Eli said, before guiding his wife toward the tavern.
With Brittany’s hand on his arm, he covered it with his and followed the earl and countess in. As they stepped into the tavern the owner’s wife walked up and curtsied.
“If you’ll follow me, m’ lady, I will take you to the suite set aside for you,” the woman said.
Silently, he watched as the two ladies with their maids ascended the stairs then cocked his head to Eli and raised a brow.
“If you’ll follow me, m’ lord, to our room. I’ve already taken care of the luncheon.”
“Thank you. While you make sure everything for us is ready, I’ll see to the men. Can’t have them not well cared for,” he informed the earl, then followed him up the stairs to their room.
With his needs taken care of and cool water splashed on his face, Samuel raked his hair with damp fingertips. Looking into the mirror to make sure his cravat was stil
l in order he left the room and made his way downstairs to the tap. When he entered he found his staff sitting at a large rectangular table talking with those from the Bemming household.
As he approached Samuel waved them back to their seats. He was greeted with smiles from all around.
“I do hope you’re all being well cared for?” he asked the men.
“Yes, m’ lord. All we’re waiting for are the two maids to join us then we’ll eat. Not wishing to offend anyone I’ve been able to convince these reprobates to drink cider while I’ve ordered lemonade for the women,” Quinn informed his master.
Samuel was a bit amazed at what he heard. From what he knew of his men they’d much prefer ale if given a choice, so this set well with him.
“Very good choice, men. I do hope there won’t be any swearing or inappropriate language coming from any of you,” he said, turning to see Aggie and the countess’ maid standing behind him.
“Excuse me, m’ lord, but are we allowed to swear?” Aggie replied.
The reaction from the men was exactly what he expected, they laughed. To that he sent them a killing glare to behave.
With the staff settled, Samuel turned and marched across the inn to the parlor set aside for them.
Entering the room he smiled on seeing the ladies were already seated at the table. With a nod from Eli, he took the chair opposite Brittany as the innkeeper’s wife entered with steaming plates of food.
Later, with the meal finished, Samuel guided Brittany back to his carriage. Assisting Aggie first, then Brittany, he turned and walked over to where Quinn and the other guards waited.
“Over our meal His Lordship and I discussed how to continue on. As nothing untoward has occurred so far, we both feel something will during this portion of the trip. Quinn, select two guards and ride further to the rear. This way, if we’re stopped they won’t expect to be pounced on by you.”
“Aye, m’ lord,” he answered.
Samuel noticed Quinn had selected one of his and the other from of Lord Eli’s. This way he suspected there wouldn’t be any favoritism which showed well the man’s leadership skill. With that resolved he returned to his carriage and climbed in after informing John Coachman of the change in protection.
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