Chapter Twenty-One
Annalise came downearly for breakfast. She had made several decisions over the last couple of days.
“Good morning, my lady,” Mr. Cross said. “Tea, ma’am.”
“Yes,” she replied as she accepted the chair he held for her. Such would be her place when Beaufort returned. She would be expected to sit at the other end of the table if and when they hosted a party, but when they were together, she would be at his right hand. Lord Duncan had described Lady Elsbeth’s place at his right hand as his partner in life, and Annalise had bought into the idea of spending her life thusly at Navan’s side. “If it is not too much trouble, might I have two coddled eggs and dry toast?”
Since her arrival at Beaufort House, she had made no demands on his lordship’s cook, but, today, she wanted something not so rich tasting to start her day.
“Absolutely, my lady,” he assured as he poured her tea. “The paper has been pressed and is on the tray. I will fetch your meal.”
Annalise reached for the tea and sighed as the aroma filled her lungs. She would save the paper until later in the day. For now, she consulted the list she and Mrs. Mayo had constructed yesterday. Theitems on it were the most pressing issues for Beaufort House, that is, three necessities for the future stability of Beaufort House and one item on the list for her. While in Ireland, Annalise had thoroughly enjoyed her labors in Lady Klare’s gardens.
Flowers mean a woman plans to spend her life in a particular place. She smiled with the joy of her assumptions.To plant a garden is to believe in having a tomorrow. I suppose I shall also be expected to choose flowers for the barony estate and Beaufort Court. The smile returned to her lips.A lifetime of gardening. I shan’t complain. Flowers are restful to look at. They have neither emotions nor conflicts, of which I have suffered long and hard. Both Navan and I require something to slow us down and let us learn to practice patience. In that manner, a garden is an instrument of grace. Moreover, I like the idea of having my own gardens in my own house with my husband and the promise of children.
“Your eggs, my lady,” Mr. Cross said as he carried in a covered plate.
“Thank you,” Annalise said as he set the plate before her and removed the cover.
“Anything else, my lady?”
“Yes. Mrs. Mayo has asked the gardener employed by Lord Beaufort to call on me at one this afternoon, so I shall be expecting to use his lordship’s study during that time. This morning, I would like to call upon Mr. Manfried’s bookshop and choose a particular book to send to my grandmother in Derbyshire, along with a letter for the dowager viscountess. Could one of the footmen escort me? I am unfamiliar with London.”
“Naturally, my lady. Will you require a carriage?”
“Again, I am not confident of the distance to Mr. Manfried’s shop, but, if it is not too far, a good stretch of my legs would be welcomed. I hope to learn my way around the city over the next few months.”
“You appear to have thought things through, my lady,” Mr. Cross pronounced in what sounded of approval. “If you still have Mr. Manfried’s card, I can determine how best for you to travel.”
“I anticipated your request.” She placed the card on the table.
“I know this area,” Cross said. “It is a bit over a mile, my lady, but you could shorten the journey by crossing the park along the same street as where Manfried is located. Mr. Holt is more familiar with the area than the other footmen. I will have him escort you,” the butler explained.
“I like the idea of a park,” Annalise said. “Though the growing season is winding down, perhaps I might be inspired by some of the displays. I assuredly enjoyed the many different plants at Klare Fields.” She paused before adding, “I should warn you and Mr. Holt that before Lord Beaufort and I married, there was an incident where my former guardian sent one of his hired men against me. I do not expect such to happen again, for no one, not even my brother, knows of my return to London. My grandmother’s letter was sent to me here in anticipation of my eventually coming to stay at Beaufort House, not out of knowledge of my actual presence in the house. Mr. Holt may wish to carry a weapon.”
“Are you assured, my lady?” Mr. Cross answered in concern. “I could send someone to fetch the book if you prefer.”
“I do not wish to place another in danger, but I cannot think to conceal myself behind these walls forever,” she said. “Lord Beaufort charged me to practice caution, but he would not approve of my hiding away.”
“No, my lady. His lordship would assuredly not approve of your hiding,” the butler said with a nod of agreement. “Mr. Holt will be prepared to assist you.”
An hour later, Annalise set out with the footman at her side. She was more anxious than she had initially thought she would be, but she was determined not to be deterred.
“The park is up ahead, my lady,” the footman explained after they had traveled some three streets from the house. “If we cross it at a diagonal, we might exit on the opposing street. Mr. Manfried’s shop ison the right-hand side of the thoroughfare.”
“Excellent,” she informed him. “On our return, I would like to take note of the flower beds. Mrs. Mayo says most have small plates with the name of the flowers on display. I brought a few pieces of paper and a pencil to write down some of the names, so I might learn more about them.”
“My mother always liked lots of lilies,” the footman said with an engaging smile, “though I suppose you’ve no need to know such.”
Annalise assured, “Though I mean to be a good countess to his lordship, I am not so high in the instep as are many within London’s society. I do not mind the occasional suggestion coming from a servant or even the new Prime Minister. If you see the type of lilies your mother grew, I would be pleased to share the memory with you.”
The footman appeared a bit surprised by her response, but he nodded his approval. “This way, my lady.” He skillfully led her across the street traffic and into the park. They entered the park at an angle, and Annalise looked about several times, for a feeling of being followed crept up her spine. Though no one seemed even to have taken note of her presence, the feeling was similar to what she had experienced before she encountered Mr. Stark and Mrs. Sable. Thankfully, the number of patrons in the park was still sparse. She had not totally understood until this very moment how many of London’s residents left the city when Parliament was not in session. The park was not as large in comparison to the few she had shared with Caroline and the one in which she had briefly walked with Alexander, but it was still several streets in length.
Finally, they emerged on the parallel street and the footman pointed to the Manfried’s bookshop.
“How lovely,” Annalise declared as she studied the Manfried’s store front while the traffic on the street passed them by. “If I were to imagine an establishment for the pair, it would have a similar look to it.”
The footman made no comment on her whimsy. Instead, he placed himself in a position where she might cross the street safely. Within minutes, she entered the store and smiled when Mr. Manfried came forward immediately to meet her.
