Page 60 of Just a Little Daring

“How do, August, old man. Well met.”

“Afternoon, Charlie,” he said, holding out his hand to the woman as she pushed off the door frame and strode towards him. Charlie—Charlotte—Brooks, looked dapper and elegant in a casual country outfit of men’s riding attire. She had cut her hair short in a masculine style, and her gaze was confident and self-assured as she shook his hand. No matter what the world thought of Charlie, she knew exactly who and what she was and didn’t give a tinker’s cuss for anyone else’s opinion. August admired her.

“Congratulations,” she said, her expression genuinely pleased. “She’s a beauty and I’m so pleased you’re happy. Your mama worries for you, you know. It will be a weight off her mind to see you settled.”

“I know,” August replied, suddenly relieved that Mama had someone to look after her and to feel concern about her worries, too.

He turned to see his mother hugging Vivien fiercely and felt a sudden swell of emotion.

“And you must be Charlie Brooks. I am pleased to make your acquaintance.” Silas held his hand out to Charlie, who gave it a firm shake.

“My Lord Cavendish, I’m honoured.”

“Silas will do,” his lordship said blithely. “As it appears, we are to be family now.”

And with that, Lord Cavendish accepted Charlie’s place in his mother’s household and made everything right. Mama stared at his lordship, her eyes glittering, and it occurred to August that she must have been dreadfully worried about today.

“Shall we go in and have some tea?” she said brightly, her voice a little unsteady.

“A capital idea, Mama,” he said, offering her his arm and escorting her back into the house.

26th April 1841, Rother House, Burwash, Etchingham, East Sussex.

Vivien was in love with Rother House. The ancient manor cried out for someone to take it in hand, but its beauty and quiet dignity were undeniable. Not that it was in a terrible state of repair. The building had been well maintained, which she did not doubt was August’s doing, but the ladies of the house had far more important things on their minds than properly supervising the staff. On her way to the parlour, Vivien observed that there were cobwebs lurking in dark corners. The portraits needed to be taken down and given a thorough dusting, and no one had blacked the andirons for some time. Upon the arrival of the tea tray, she could not help but notice the silver needed a good polish, too. When the maid and a footman carried the tea things through, Viv also observed a dingy apron and the air of staff who had given up looking for either proper orders or appreciation. She longed to put things to rights, but she had agreed with August that they could not turn his mother and sisters out of their home, and she quite understood that living under the same roof with them was a recipe for disaster. The sisters she could have managed, but two mistresses of a household were a terrible idea, even if one of them did not care for domestic details.

So, they would look for another property in which to begin their married life, though she understood now why August was so regretful that they would not be living in his family home.

Nani Maa gave a great cackle of delight and Vivien looked up to see both her and her father snorting with laughter at something Charlie had said.

“Wicked creature!” her grandmother said, chortling. “Tell us another.”

“But I must introduce you to Lady Elizabeth Demarteau,” Mama said to Anna. “For you know, she runs a school for girls, doing just as you wish for those poor young women in the asylum. They are indeed taught practical skills like sewing and cooking, but they are also taught maths and how to read and write, and even the practicalities of running a business—”

Anna’s gaze was rapt as she listened to Mama explain about Eliza’s charitable school and Vivien’s attention drifted to her brother, who was standing by the fireplace whilst Gwen studied him with a frown of concentration.

“Move your hand, no, make a fist and put it on your hip. Yes… that’s it. Oh, that’s very good. You are dreadfully handsome, aren’t you? Will you pose for me?”

“For a painting?” Ash said, his eyes lighting with interest.

“No, so I can hang my scarf up—of course for a painting!” Gwen said impatiently.

Ash’s eyebrows flew up at being spoken to in such a blunt way, but he didn’t protest. After all, he was used to his twin speaking to him so.

“I don’t know what you were worrying about,” Vivien said to her beloved, suppressing a smug grin.

August laughed and shook his head as he regarded the two families getting to know one another. “They like each other.”

The astonishment in his voice was audible, and Viv set her teacup down and leaned into him.

“They do, and I like you, very much.”

His gaze darkened, falling to her mouth.

“Aren’t you going to take me for a tour?” she asked, suddenly breathless as the desire to be alone with him became quite unbearable.

August nodded and stood up, taking her hand and leading her to the door. “I’m er… just going to show—” His voice trailed away as he realised no one was paying him the least bit of attention. “Well, carry on then,” he said, shaking his head, and closing the door behind them.

They turned to the entrance hall, stopping in their tracks at the sight before them.