Page 7 of Summer Storms

Christine swallowed her misery. She was beginning to dry out before the heat of the fire, and even her toes were coming back to life. It had been a horrible few moments, but she told herself it was over now.

“I didn’t expect it to rain,” she said, looking suspiciously at the windows, which had been dark with storm clouds just a moment ago. “And now it is sunny again! Such things do not happen to me.”

Zek cleared his throat, but she could tell that he was trying not to laugh at her ridiculousness. She was being ridiculous, she supposed, but she could not seem to help it.

“Miss Starling, I could have told you to prepare for the possibility of a summer shower. Have you already forgotten what the weather is like here in Barton Lacey? Never trust it this time of year, especially when the sky is blue and the sun is shining.”

There was some truth in his words. In London, there was always something close by to shelter under if one were caught in a downpour. But she had been so close to the Lady’s House when this had happened. It was as if the weather gods were mocking her.

Mrs Nash returned with a glass of something that looked like brandy. “I do hope you don’t catch cold, Miss Starling. This should help warm you from the inside.” She gave it to Zek, who handed it to Christine. She took a sip and tried not to choke.

“Best brandy money can buy,” he said seriously.

Despite herself, Christine gave a little laugh. Being able to buy the best brandy meant something to Zek, and she supposed she understood why he would be proud. “Thank you. Thank you both. I am feeling much better.”

“You won’t be walking home, that’s for certain!” Mrs Nash declared, with a look at her son. “Zek can accompany you in our coach.”

She said it very proudly, just as Zek had about having the best brandy. Christine supposed that for a family who had been as poor and unfortunate as the Nashes, such things mattered a great deal.

“There’s no need,” she began to protest.

“Nonsense. There is every need, and I won’t be sending you home on your own,” Zek informed her in an authoritative voice. “I will deliver you safely to your door.”

That sounded... Well, it sounded very nice, if she were being honest.

“I am sorry to cause you so much bother,” she said, turning to Mrs Nash.

The woman assured her she hadn’t, and that she was very glad to see her. “I enjoyed your play very much, even though you died in the second act,” she said a little shyly. “Zek took me to see it.”

“Next time, please tell me you are coming. I will arrange for tickets, and you can meet the rest of the cast.”

Mrs Nash became speechless with delight. She quickly left to order the coach to be brought around.

“That was very kind of you,” Zek said. “I do believe she will be talking about this day for weeks to come.”

Christine didn’t know what to say to that. She had meant to be kind, and she normally was, it was just that she had never been kind to the Nashes. Even her visit here today had been more of a performance, her wanting to appear to be better rather than a true desire to be better.

It occurred to her that Izzy’s response when she saw her just now had been very much like Christine’s reaction when she saw Zek at the dinner party. It was how a child would behave. Izzy was probably still childish enough to hold on to old grudges and blurt out what she felt, but Christine should have grown out of it.

Mrs Nash had not behaved badly, had she? She must recall Christine’s bad behaviour in the past and yet she had been generous enough to welcome her inside, see her warm and dry and then send her safely home. Could Christine emulate that generosity of spirit?

Yes, Izzy was right that they had not been friends, but surely it was time to put the past to bed? Or at least change it for the better.

CHAPTER FIVE

Just before Christine stepped into the coach, she was enveloped in a cloak with a fur lining. It felt so warm and good that she gave a quiet gasp. She looked at Zek, who had a smile on his face, as if he was gratified by her surprised bliss.

“Thank you,” she said, and meant it. “I’m sorry my visit didn’t turn out as I had planned.”

“Think nothing of it. I’ll soon have you back at the Hall,” he said easily, and took his place opposite her once they were inside. “I wanted to speak to Reeve, so I will stop at Ansford Keep on my way back.”

“Oh... of course.” He wasn’t doing this for her then; it was simply convenient. Somehow, that made her feel disappointed, which made no sense. She blamed the rain for upsetting her equilibrium.

“I think Abby and Reeve are looking forward to their child arriving,” he said after a moment.

Christine dragged her eyes away from the window, where the rain had decided to start another brief assault upon Barton Lacey. “They are. Very much so.”

“As they should be,” said Reeve. “They have so much love to give, and I know Reeve has always wanted children. He himself was an only child.”