An Agreeable Arrangement

by Shirley Marks

  The very next morning, Maxwell observed the squire waiting at the breakfast table until Lady Cassandra’s arrival. He stood as she entered the room and greeted her with, “Good morning, my lady”

  “Good day to you, sir.”

  With a polite bow, the squire left. Lady Cassandra sat at the table after helping herself to a cup of coffee and a piece of toast from the sideboard.

  The butler thought the first exchange, although strained, was a good beginning on both behalves.

  The second morning of Mr. Edward’s absence, Squire Stewart rose from the table as Lady Cassandra entered the room and said, “Good day to you, my lady”

  Lady Cassandra returned his sentiment with, “I bid you good morning, sir.”

  The squire then vacated the room, leaving Lady Cassandra to breakfast with her coffee and toast.

  On the third day, Maxwell noted a change. The squire rose from the table as always when Lady Cassandra entered the room. In a cordial but unenthusiastic fashion, he said to her, “Good morning, Lady Cassandra”

  “Good day to you, sir.”

  “I wish you a pleasant day.”

  “How kind of you, sir. May you have a productive day as well.”

  The squire left and headed for the study. Lady Cassandra remained, with her coffee and toast as her only company.

  After witnessing this morning’s tepid exchange, Maxwell thought it might be beneficial for the family’s welfare if they proceeded beyond simple conversation.

  “Excuse me, sir.” Maxwell approached the squire that evening in his study.

  “What is it, Maxwell?” The squire did not look up from the papers before him.

  “Lady Cassandra, sir.”

  Squire Stewart shot to his feet, dropping the pen onto the desk. “Is she here?” He looked past the butler to the doorway, where she might be waiting to have a moment with him. The squire’s first encounter with her, just outside this room, must have been as memorable for him as it had been for Maxwell.

  “No, I believe she has retired for the night.”

  At those words the squire seemed to relax and regained his seat. “Well, then, what is it … that concerns Lady Cassandra?”

  “It was Mr. Edward’s wish that his new family should-for lack of a better word-warm to one another. He asked that you begin by exchanging pleasantries.”

  “It is no easy task for me, Maxwell. I can’t tell you how it feels to wake and know that I have to face her every morning … the woman can’t abide me”

  “I only wish to mention that Lady Cassandra has no acquaintances here in town. Her only constant human companionship is that of Miss Lorna, who is not quite, shall we say, an equal?”

  “Loma’s a silly little thing.” The squire chuckled with a smile. “I shouldn’t think anyone at that age could cope with Lady Cassandra’s current difficulties.” He eased back in his chair and reflected. “An arranged marriage can be most challenging. It does not always work out for the best. I was a most fortunate man”

  Maxwell recalled the squire’s venture into matrimony which had him leg-shackled to a pleasant but ordinary daughter of a viscount, a friend of the previous squire’s. Both were content with the match but neither party was overjoyed to be with their chosen spouse.

  Such was the way of an arranged marriage.

  “I believe Lady Cassandra has every intention of respecting her father’s wishes and will marry Mr. Edward. Most couples in their position are somewhat discontent. I do not believe this is the case here. From what I have observed, she and Mr. Edward have an understanding.”

  The squire stared, with great interest, toward Maxwell.

  “Their difficulty lies with-I beg your pardon, sir-you.”

  “Me?” The squire looked affronted.

  “Although she finds her betrothal amiable, it is quite clear that Lady Cassandra harbors some residual resentment toward you.”

  “It is my responsibility to carry out her father’s wishes, whether it be tallying the quarterly expenses or paying for her dancing slippers.”

  “Yes, sir, and you have done so admirably since the earl’s death. Nevertheless, she does not look upon you kindly.” Maxwell tried his best to express his sympathy. “Before his absence, Mr. Edward made it clear that he wishes to resolve the discord within his family. Furthermore, I believe you have succeeded”

  “Why, thank you, Maxwell.”

  “What better reception could Mr. Edward have than to see you and Lady Cassandra welcome him home side by side?”

  The squire’s eyes grew wide as he considered the notion.

  “To this end, if Lady Cassandra were to acquaint herself with you”-Maxwell hoped the squire, who was not a feckless man, would catch on-“spend time with you and you with her, it may benefit you both.”

  “What would we do, Maxwell?” The squire had, clearly, spent too many years locked up in the study, alone, busy with his work and correspondence. He was far more comfortable with a full ink bottle and a pile of work papers.

  “I should not think it inappropriate if you, as her impending new family member, offered to accompany her for a daily activity-such as a stroll through the gardens, a drive through the park, or a morning ride.”

  A light flared behind the squire’s eyes. “Brilliant suggestion,” he shouted. “Maxwell, you’re a genius!”

  “Thank you, sir.” The butler bowed and concealed his smile.

  The next morning, Julian sat at the breakfast table as he had the three previous mornings, waiting for Lady Cassandra’s arrival. He stood when she entered the room.

  “Good morning, Lady Cassandra.”

  “A good morning to you as well, Squire,” she returned with a ring of finality.

  He did not move to leave. “Would you mind if I remained and took coffee with you?”

  She froze in the doorway. “I … that would be … by all means, stay. I welcome your company.”

  Julian returned to his seat.

  “I thought”-Julian found that words were not coming easily to him-“that is to say … you spend a great deal of time with my sister.”

  “Miss Lorna is excellent company as well as very entertaining.”

  “However, in the mornings you are-” He paused.

  “Lorna does not wake until noon,” they said at the same time.

  Quiet mirth eased the tension between them and they both offered shy, polite smiles.

  He began again. “We have a fine stable.” Or so he was told. Julian didn’t ride much.

  “Lorna does not ride,” they said, again, at the same time. It seemed they both knew Lorna’s habits quite well.

  “Exactly,” he said. “I thought that … well, since you are an early riser, as I am”-he wondered what he would say next-“and as we both are not occupied at this hour of the morning, or so it would seem, except for taking coffee”-he glanced from his cup to her-“I thought perhaps”-he paused again-“I thought we might go out riding together one morning,” he blurted out at the same time she said, “I can’t very well head out on my own”

  “Excuse me?” Lady Cassandra set her cup and saucer on the table.

  “I said, I would be delighted to accompany you,” he repeated more bravely this time. “If you would care to do so” Then he added, “At the time of your choosing, of course”

  She blinked and turned her head, looking at him out of the corner of her eye as if she did not trust him. “I shall think on the matter, if that is agreeable to you”

  Julian stood, preparing himself to leave the room. “You have only to ask, my lady” He bowed and left.

  Cassie wondered what had come over the squire. This morning’s conversation went beyond mere pleasantries. Offering to accompany her on a morning ride? She had thought he was quite indifferent to her. Then she thought that perhaps she ought to attempt to understand Squire Stewart, for Edward’s sake.

  It wasn’t until that afternoon, when she and Lorna sat in the two tapestry-covered chairs by the hearth with needlework i
n hand, that she was able to put those disturbing thoughts aside. Mrs. Upton sat in the matching solid-colored sofa reading but not oblivious to the younger ladies in the room.

  “Whatever shall I do?” Lorna sighed. “I’ve received permission to waltz at Almack’s and I wanted my first to be with Edward.”

  “That is disappointing.” Cassie drew her needle and pulled the thread taut. “I suppose in his absence your other brother will have to do”

  “Do? He won’t do at all, I’m afraid.” Lorna sighed, disappointed with the situation.

  “I admit that the squire is not Edward but I suppose you’ll just have to make the best of it.”

  Lorna’s hands came to a stop and dropped the needlework into her lap. She glared at Cassie with exasperation.

  “Miss Lorna is despondent in losing her prestigious dance partner,” Mrs. Upton clarified. “It has always been her dream that her first waltz would be with Mr. Edward.”

  “You have little choice, Lorna. I’m sure the squire will do his utmost to fill Edward’s shoes” Cassie did not see any way around the problem.

  “Fill his shoes? My dear, he can’t possibly!” The governess chuckled, folding her book closed in her lap. “Squire Stewart cannot dance!”

  “What’s that you say?”

  “Didn’t you know? Julian can’t dance.” Lorna repeated. “Did you not notice last evening at the Addisons’ ball? Not once did he step onto the dance floor.”

  Cassie could not recall seeing the squire partake in any of the dances. She smiled at the exposed minor imperfection of Squire Stewart. “Imagine not knowing how to dance in this day and age”

  “There’s no need really. It’s not as if he enjoys social affairs.” Mrs. Upton went on. “The squire learned the minuet so he could dance at his wedding but that was ages ago”

  “I see” A hint of a smile threatened to betray her. How very odd he is. Even in Yorkshire, most of the farmers had the simple skill of leading a lady across the floor to music.

  “I wouldn’t worry, Lorna. I’m sure everything will work out.”

  “There will be plenty of young men there. You’ll have your chance at a waltz.” Mrs. Upton saw no reason to panic. She opened the book to where she had left off.

  “I was really looking forward to waltzing with Edward first.” Lorna sighed heavily, deeply.

  Cassie knew how much Lorna worshipped him and could wholeheartedly sympathize with her. And truth be told, Cassie missed Edward’s kindness and smiling face too.

  Edward had been gone for nearly a week. The exchange in the breakfast room between Cassie and the squire that morning had been unremarkable. Why had she ever agreed to this folly of Edward’s? It felt silly, almost comical, that the start of every day should begin with her and the squire trying to make meaningless conversation.

  Day after day he greeted her with a banal salutation. And day after day she countered with a polite but equally absurd reply.

  Cassie had promised to cooperate and so had the squire. As much as she disliked it and no matter what her opinion of this action, she understood they would continue in this fashion until Edward’s return.

  Cassie wondered, if only for a moment, if she ought to have accepted the squire’s offer to accompany her for a morning ride. It would certainly be a pleasant way to start the day.

  At three o’clock in the afternoon, Cassie glanced around, looking for Romeo. He was nowhere to be found. She walked to the far side of her sitting room. In one swift movement, she parted the sheers and her eyes began to search for the slightest movement of her terrier in the rear gardens. There was not a trace of him.

  She turned away from the window, allowing the light panels to hang in their normal, softly pleated, resting position. Cassie left her room, descended the stairs and came upon Maxwell.

  “Have you seen Romeo about?”

  “No, my lady.”

  “Is he with Miss Lorna?”

  “It would appear doubtful. From what I understand, Miss Lorna has gone driving with the Honorable Jeffrey Rutherford”

  “Oh, I see” Which meant Mrs. Upton would be absent as well. “If you see Romeo you will let me know, won’t you?”

  “At once, my lady.” Maxwell resumed his duties, leaving Cassie to locate the whereabouts of her terrier.

  Cassie really didn’t know where else to look. There was a remote chance that he could have gotten lost. However, Romeo preferred the company of people too much to run away. So that was one option she immediately ruled out. A squirrel could have distracted him and led him on a wild chase beyond the boundaries of the estate.

  She clasped her hands behind her back and started for the back door. A low spine-tingling growl permeated the air. Chills ran up Cassie’s arms and caused her to stop dead in her tracks.

  It was Romeo’s growl.

  She followed the sound down the corridor, stopping just short at the library doors. As Cassie peered around the doorway, she saw clenched in Romeo’s jaws some fabric or perhaps an article of clothing. Squire Stewart, the opponent, held the other end in a game of tug.

  Romeo noticed his mistress’ presence and released the linen clenched with desperation in his teeth. The suddenly free end threw the competitive squire off guard, sending him backward with his arms flying. Off balance, limbs flailing, he finally landed flat on his backside.

  Cassie could not stop her laughter from escaping.

  Still sitting on the floor, the squire pushed himself up with his arms. She could sense his reluctance to peer over his shoulder, afraid that someone might have seen his undignified antics.

  “I am sorry”-Cassie stopped herself from chuckling as she spoke but her voice still wavered-“I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

  The squire rose to his feet, brushed at his clothing and tugged at his cuffs, straightening his shirtsleeves. “My fault really,” he replied. He flashed a warm smile at Romeo, who in turn showed his affection by wagging his tail. “If one plays rough, someone is bound to be hurt. Besides, it was all in good fun. Wasn’t it, boy?” He bent and gave Romeo a good-natured pat on the head.

  Clearly Romeo enjoyed his company. That spoke volumes for the squire’s character. Perhaps Cassie had been too harsh at judging him and too quick to dismiss his offer to accompany her for a morning ride. The thought of spending any amount of time with him had been unbearable but now … now Cassie looked upon him the slightest bit more favorably.

  Romeo dropped the knotted rag at the squire’s feet and backed from it, as if daring him to take it.

  Her pet seemed very fond of the man.

  The squire snatched the toy and cried, “Aha! I’ve finally got it, you rascal.” He then lobbed it across the room.

  Romeo scrambled across the floor toward his prize. Cassie grew concerned that his claws might damage the expensive carpet with his rough play.

  The squire seemed wholly unconcerned with the carpet, only delighting in Romeo’s fun. Cassie thought she truly might reconsider the man’s merits.

  Romeo recaptured the toy and shook it while trapped between his teeth. He ran to Cassie and dropped it at her feet. It was her turn to toss for him.

  “We should be doing this outside,” Cassie said to the dog as much as to the man.

  “Nonsense, in here is as good a place as any,” said the squire. “We’ve plenty of open space.”

  Had he meant in front of the well-stocked bookshelves or the area in front of the hearth, around the two winged-back leather chairs?

  Cassie used her forefinger and thumb to pick up the sodden, knotted rag and held it gingerly. “Very well, pet” Cassie meant the endearment for Romeo, not the squire, and tossed the toy across the room.

  “Well done” The squire praised her.

  “Sir,” she directed at Squire Stewart.

  “My lady?”

  “I would like to accept your offer for a morning ride.” Cassie managed a genuine, effortless smile. “If you have not changed your mind”

  The squire regarded
her then said, “It would be my pleasure. Shall we say at nine tomorrow morning?”

  “I shall be waiting at the stables.” She accepted with a slight incline of her head then had a sudden surge of remorse. “I thank you, sir. You are most gracious.” But that was not precisely Cassie’s true feelings.

  Dinner that evening was a quiet affair. As always, Lorna dominated the conversation during the meal with her talk of men and parties.

  Neither Lady Cassandra nor Julian spoke of the arrangement they’d made for the next morning. The few times their gazes met across the table, it surprised him to see a fleeting, temperate glance from her instead of the usual contempt-filled glare.

  The knowledge that only the two of them knew of their plans felt delicious. Maxwell, who would never breathe a word to another, might have known. It was, after all, the butler who’d suggested the squire take this arduous step out of his sphere of comfort.

  After everyone had finished eating, Julian excused himself and retreated to the library. The ladies bid him, “Good evening,” and retired into their parlor.

  All seemed calm and equitable. Life around Stewart Hall looked very well, indeed.

  Dressed in her new bottle-green riding habit, Cassie arrived at the stables and found the squire waiting for her. He greeted her with more enthusiasm than before. Had she not known better, she might believe that he may actually be looking forward to their impending outing.

  Their horses stood ready: A small chestnut with a sidesaddle and a light bay for the squire. Cassie approached the chestnut and stroked his neck. She stepped onto the mounting block and settled into the saddle.

  Cassie moved her horse forward, away from the barn. The squire placed his foot into the iron and pushed off the ground to mount. He slipped and the boot in the iron dropped to the ground.

  The bay shied, moving away from him. Cassie could not watch after the second attempt. She presumed there might have been a third. Subsequently, squire, horse, and groom disappeared around the corner where Cassie had used the mounting block. The squire might have used it as well for he emerged atop his horse, ready to leave the grounds.