The pros were easy enough. She would get to experience a passion that was missing in her first marriage. Based on what Wilhelm had explained to her, there were ways of making love that her first husband either didn't know about or was uninterested in attempting. Although Wilhelm had not been terribly specific, she got the idea that her just laying there and allowing him to do all the work was not an option.
Another pro was being able to experience this with someone she'd truly come to care about. Wilhelm was everything she could want in a man. They shared a love of music and he was kind and considerate. He never looked down on her for her lowly position, but often defended her when she put herself down. He was gentle and loving and, moreover, he was a handsome devil.
The cons were easy to identify as well. Having sex outside of marriage was a sin. When she mentioned this to Wilhelm, he laughed. “Only for innocent women, apparently, since many married and widowed women throw themselves at me often.” She argued that just because people did it, did not diminish the sinfulness of it, but he would have none of it. It would bring some joy to their lives, so he thought nothing of it.
There was also the fact that she could very well have her heart broken, again. Wilhelm planned to return to Germany after the house party. He had told her that he missed his family and wanted to return to them. He had more than enough money to live the rest of his life with, and considered opening a school in Munich. Never once had he mentioned settling down and having a family of his own.
Once again, Charlotte picked up her quill, ready to write a note that would possibly change her life. If she denied him, she realized that her life wouldn't change at all. She would still be the poor relation of Lord Weston, barely tolerated. Knowing that Sarah would probably be marrying Lord Conway and leaving her, what would she have left? As miserable as her life had been, it would be worse so when her sister was gone.
Could she risk her heart to have some pleasant memories for herself during the bleak years? Would it be worth risking her immortal soul for a few nights in a man's embrace? Or would she do as she has always done. Nothing. The quill began to move on its own, scrolling her feelings across the page in broad, elegant strokes. Even as she was writing, she hadn't made a decision. Only time would tell if she would allow him in her bed or reject the only man she'd had feelings for since her husband's death.
Chapter 16
Crammed into a carriage, Ginny tried to get comfortable on the bumpy ride to the coast. If they had left early enough, they could have made it after dark, but naturally, her mother had delayed them. Lady Weston had explained that it was inhuman to rise so early, especially to spend the day in a carriage.
Late in the afternoon, after being forced to listen to her mother drone on and on about driving an offer from Lord Conway, Ginny thought she was on the verge of madness. Glancing at her sister, a level of envy came across her at how Charlotte could be both so still and silent. Knowing that thoughts of the week ahead filled her mind, Ginny wondered if Charlotte would go through with her affair. Even if Ginny did finally accept his offer, she knew that she wasn't likely to get laid this week, so someone might as well.
Stopping at an inn outside of Ashford, Ginny jumped from the carriage and walked into the inn. She was in need of a bathroom and some quiet. Lady Weston's voice was so grating that Ginny was certain that it would come to murder if she didn't get some peace soon.
Arranging for two rooms, with Ginny and Charlotte sharing, Lady Weston requested and received a private parlor as well. The women went to their rooms to clean up before dinner. It was like heaven to Ginny, who was enjoying the silence that her sister afforded her.
After washing the dust off themselves, both women entered the parlor to find Penelope staring out the window to the courtyard below. Clearing her throat to let her know of their presence, Ginny smiled at her friend.
“Oh my, Lady Sarah, Mrs. Stevens. What a surprise!” Penelope exclaimed, rushing over to give her friends a hug.
“Is it?” Ginny asked. “After all, we are all going to the same place and I'm sure your mother loathed the thought of getting up early enough to make the journey in one day.”
“Indeed, although I am glad for the reprieve. Riding in a carriage with only my parents can be such a trial.”
Ginny laughed, while Charlotte attempted a reproachful look and failed miserably. All three women ended up giggling since they were all essentially in the same boat.
“What were you looking at out the window?” Ginny asked Penelope, when she noticed her gaze turned back in that direction.
“Come see,” she responded, walking back to her spot.
Staring down into the courtyard of the inn, Ginny saw three men standing around speaking to the innkeeper. Without much surprise, she saw it was Lords Conway, Townshend and Devon. The three gentlemen were speaking animatedly to the innkeeper, laughing over some joke or another. As Ginny watched, she saw Devon look up toward their window, then tap Conway in the shoulder and point. Oliver turned and looked up, instantly recognizing Sarah staring back at him.
Ginny waved her fingers in greeting, only to see him stiffen and turn his attention back to his friends. It would seem that her beau was still angry at her for what happened at her home the previous day. A knot formed in Ginny's stomach. Was it embarrassment? Or did she feel guilty over once again rejecting him? Walking back to one of the room's comfortable chairs, Ginny sat down and warmed herself by the fire.
Penelope, who had been watching as well, came to sit next to her. “Is everything well between you and Lord Conway?”
How to answer, she wondered. Ginny wasn't concerned about Penny's loyalty and knew that anything she said would be kept in the strictest of confidence, but her pride stood in the way. Part of her did feel badly that she wasn't falling in line with the story, giving herself to a man who obviously wanted her in return. Another part of her felt badly that she couldn't have what she really wanted. After so many other lives lived, Ginny wanted to be a little selfish.
“I believe he is a little angry with me, Penny.”
Charlotte walked over and sat down as well. “Whatever for, dearest?” Her eyes scrunched in confusion and concern.
“Yesterday, he once again put off father from forcing him to make an offer because he feels that I may reject his suit.”
Both women gasped, which made Ginny laugh out loud. What kind of woman would reject such a man? Unthinkable!
“But why, Sarah? Is he not amicable? Has he done anything untoward to you?” Charlotte couldn't begin to fathom that her sister would turn down such an offer. The man would have to be a monster indeed.
“No. As I told Lord Conway, I just haven't been ready yet. I only asked for a little more time.”
Releasing a breath, Charlotte smiled. “You take as much time as you need. Do not let your father bully you into something you are not ready for. I should know.”
Before Penny could add her two cents, the door opened and a small chambermaid announced the gentlemen. As the men entered the room, Ginny noticed that Oliver would not even look at her. Instead, he wandered over to the same window she had been looking out and stared at the sunset.
Turning toward the other men, Ginny said, “Well, this is probably not such a surprise since we are all going to the same party. Will you gentlemen join us for supper tonight?”
Lord Devon, with his ever present smile, answered for all three. “I was hoping you would invite us since you have the only private parlor in the establishment.”
“Wouldn't want to eat with the masses, Lord Devon,” flirted Ginny.
“Not at all. I just prefer the company of beautiful women.”
Charlotte and Penny started talking to Townshend while Devon sat by the fire to warm his feet. Looking to Ginny he said, “I hope you would not mind, Lady Sarah. My feet got wet during the journey and have been cold ever since.”
“I don't mind, Lord Devon. I would hate for you to catch a cold. Please excuse me.”
Walking
over to the window, Ginny stood next to Oliver as he pointedly refused to acknowledge her. With a small smile, she asked, “And how was your journey so far, Lord Conway?”
Without turning his head, he responded, “Fine.”
“Would you talk to me if I apologized for my behavior the other day?” Ginny kept her voice down, knowing that if she had to make an apology, his friends would want to know why.
Glancing down at her, he said, “I might.”
Giving him her full, radiant smile, she whispered, “I do apologize, Oliver. I've been an ass and you deserve better than that. I promise that at the end of this party, any question you wish to ask me will be answered in the affirmative.”
Turning his body, leaning against the window casing, he regarded her for a moment before speaking. To say she was beautiful was an understatement, but that was only a small part of her appeal. Oliver had known women who would rather die than admit that they'd done anything wrong.
“I would call out any man that called you such a vile term. How should I punish you, Sarah?”
Her breath quickened at the implication. Punish, indeed. She realized that there was a part of her that wanted this man to kiss her. Not that that was an option at the moment. Even if they were in her time, public displays of affection were not to her liking.
“Punish me for being honest? What kind of gentleman are you?” Ginny raised an eyebrow in challenge and noticed that Oliver became very uncomfortable.
“The kind that would drag you out to that wooded area outside the inn and have my wicked way with you.”
“Oh, boy,” she mumbled in response. Feeling her face brighten, she spoke in her regular voice. “I'm so glad you will dine with us tonight, my lord. Just be warned that my mother is likely to join us as well.”
Taking her cue, he responded, “It is but a small inconvenience to have such an honor.”
Shaking her head and smiling, Ginny grabbed Oliver's arm and walked him over to the settee. Everyone was seated and the conversation hit several different subjects before Lady Weston and Lady Hammersmith entered the room. Oliver excused himself to order dinner for everyone and see to some refreshments. Lady Weston wasted no time sitting next to her daughter and congratulating her on having the men join them.
Rolling her eyes, Ginny turned and began speaking to Lord Devon about his horse. Not that she cared, it was just better than listening to her mother drone on about nothing.
Within an hour, servants had come into the parlor and set up a large table to accommodate their growing group. Lady Weston sat at the head of one side of the table, with Lady Hammersmith at the other end. Ginny sat next to Oliver on one side with Charlotte on the other. Lord Townshend sat next to Penelope, with Lord Devon on her other side. The conversation was light and jovial and the food was warm and delicious.
Once dinner was over, the men left to smoke outside while the mothers conspired. Thinking themselves overly clever, Lady Weston spoke loudly to her companion by the fire.
“My, Lady Hammersmith, I do believe that these trips are starting to take a toll on my health. I find myself so tired this evening.”
Lady Hammersmith immediately took up her cue. “Yes, I as well. I just feel badly about leaving the young ladies with no chaperone. But I really should check on Lord Hammersmith.”
“I am certain that my Charlotte would be happy to chaperone the girls while we retire. Tomorrow is another long day in the carriage and my old bones need to rest before then.”
“Oh, that would be such a help. Would you mind, Mrs. Stevens? I am ever so tired.”
Penny and Ginny exchanged rolling eyeball glances as their mothers continued on about how tired they were. Trying to outdo each other, by the end, the girls should have thought that each woman was at death's door. Finally leaving the room, Ginny leaned back against the wingback chair and sighed.
“Is anyone else exhausted just listening to those two talk about how exhausted they are?”
The ladies laughed together in shared commiseration. Once settled with a cup of tea each, Charlotte asked, “Sarah, Lord Conway seems to be more attentive toward you again.”
“Yes, I apologized for being such a ninny. He seems to like self-deprecating women.”
Tsking much like her mother, Charlotte smiled to take the sting from her words. “Perhaps he likes mature women, which you have been more and more since the season began.”
Rolling her eyes for her sister's benefit, Ginny turned to Penny. “How are things between you and Lord Townshend?”
Penelope dropped her eyes to her lap, but not before both women saw her smile. “Well, I think. He has come to call on me several times a week. He takes me for a drive or simply enjoys tea with me at my home.”
Giving her sister a knowing look, Ginny said, “Sounds as though he's very interested in you, Penny.”
Keeping her eyes squarely on her lap, Penelope murmured, “I would not wish to jinx it, but I like him very much.”
“What's to jinx? If he likes you and you like him and you do have a love of plants in common. Sounds like a good match to me. What do you think, Charlotte?”
“I would agree. I noticed how he looked at you during our earlier conversation. I believe he might be quite smitten.”
The girls continued to gossip about this and that when the men returned, all smelling of sweet tobacco and the crisp outdoor air. As though by design, Devon engaged Charlotte while Oliver and Martin sat by their respective partners.
After an hour of sedate discussion, the group parted ways for the night. Before they could separate, Oliver pulled Ginny aside in the parlor.
“Are you and Charlotte sharing a room tonight?”
Although asked innocently enough, Ginny felt her heartbeat quicken at the idea of him coming to her room in the middle of the night. Nothing could ruin a girl quicker than that, as Ginny was well aware from her experience with her second husband, Colin.
“Yes,” was all she managed to say in return.
Looking down, but managing a roguish smile, he uttered, “Pity,” before ushering her from the dining room and up a short flight of stairs to her room. At the doorway left open by her sister, Ginny turned toward Oliver and issued a goodnight.
Before she could disappear into the room, Oliver grabbed her hand and kissed the palm.
“Sweet dreams, Sarah.” Turning on his heel, he left to go find his own room.
Ginny smiled at his back, wondering if she was ready to give up the past and move on to her future with yet another man. Without a proper answer, she decided it would be easier to just go to sleep.
********
The second part of the carriage ride was much like the first with Lady Weston talking non-stop and asking if Sarah had made any headway with Lord Conway. Ironically, although she asked many questions, Lady Weston required very few answers, mostly sticking to her plans to trap Lord Conway if necessary.
Their first look at Lady Hopewell's home made Ginny giddy in surprise. Surrounding a typical manor house of the time period stood tall stone walls and towers, reminiscent of a medieval castle. The outer walls stood at least twenty feet from the ground and left plenty of room inside for the house and a large garden.
Practically jumping from the carriage, Ginny wanted to explore the space immediately, but her mother would never allow that. Even Ginny could concede that it would be rude to snub their hostess in order to sneak around the structure. Instead of being rude, Ginny sedately followed her mother and sister into the house.
Lady Hopewell greeted them personally, while her butler went to see that their luggage was taken care of. Glancing around the foyer, one could see just how rich old man Hopewell had been. The floors were polished marble, with matching columns around the oval space. There were fine paintings on the walls and delicate furniture placed around the room. A large mirror was set just inside the door, in order for the ladies to check their appearance as they left. The faint smell of furniture polish lingered in the air.
“
Lady Weston, thank you so much for braving the long journey.” Lady Hopewell was a very young widow, having married a much older man. They never had children together, making many wonder if the old man had been able to consummate his marriage. Ginny thought she'd been rather shrewd. She'd only lived with her husband a few years before he died, and now she was both wealthy and free to do as she pleased. And from what Ginny had heard, she was doing Lord Devon at the moment.
Before Lady Weston could respond, Lord and Lady Hammersmith entered the foyer. Penelope was close behind, spectacles on, admiring the architecture and finishings. While the hostess greeted the others, Penelope took Ginny aside and whispered, “Do you think the men have arrived?”
Whispering back, Ginny said, “I believe so. They were on horseback, after all, so it wouldn't have taken them as long.”
A Lesson in Friendship Page 15
