Page 39 of The New Earl’s Convenient Wife

‘Not at all.’ Which wasn’t exactly the truth but she wasn’t prepared to disclose everything about their complicated arrangement, either. ‘As I mentioned, we’ve been friends since childhood. We’re…comfortable with each other.’

She nodded. ‘Rafe always insisted friendship formed the best basis for marriage. Although it’s quite obvious you share more.’

Not being good at deception, she had meant to curtail any further discussion of her feelings for Rafe, but at that, she found herself blurting, ‘What do you mean?’

Claire laughed. ‘Sparks fly when your husband looks at you, my dear. Which is a very good thing.’

Surprised and somewhat embarrassed that their physical attraction might be so obvious, she said weakly, ‘We are good together—in that way.’

‘It’s a true bonus in a marriage.’

After replying with a noncommittal murmur, she said, ‘Won’t you tell me what it was like following the drum? I want to hear everything!’

‘Very well. But only if you agree to tell me all about yourself afterwards.’

‘A rather unequal bargain, as I promise you, there’s not much to tell. But please, begin!’

‘My, how to start? First of all, being allowed to accompany one’s husband happens by chance, no matter how desperately a wife might want to go. Officers may bring their wives, but must provide for them. Each unit of soldiers is allowed only a fixed number of wives to accompany it, the names drawn by lot. It results in quite a heartbreaking scene at the dock when the soldiers embark!’

‘Was the sea journey difficult?’

Claire nodded. ‘The transports were crowded. Fortunately, I’m a good sailor, but not all wives fared as well. Marches were difficult, there’s no denying. Fierce sun and rocky, dusty roads in summer that only donkeys could tolerate—no fancy steeds for we women! Hot as summer could be, winter was worse; rain that turned such tracks as passed for roads into slicks of mud, freezing wind that could cover everything, from your tent to the blanket under which you slept, with a glaze of ice. But there was entertainment and enjoyment, too. The friendship and hospitality of the Portuguese, even in the smallest village, was famed. Winter quarters in Lisbon were often quite merry, with dances, parties, dinners and fetes to make one forget the travails of the march. And the men were almost uniformly chivalrous and helpful. Yes, it was difficult…but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. But that’s more than enough about me! Now, tell me about you. Rafe says you are quite the naturalist, knowledgeable about all about the birds, animals and even the fish in the Lake District area.’

‘I’m no expert,’ she protested. ‘I’ve just always enjoyed tracking, observing, and sketching them. To be honest, I’m much more at ease with creatures of nature than with the human of the species. I’m hopeless at clever drawing room conversation. When I was in London with my sister during her Season, Mama ended up forbidding me to speak when we entertained, as I asked too many questions and apparently made my impatience too apparent if I received a lackwit response. Or challenged the accuracy of some gentleman’s boast. Nor did I ever master the art of flirting. Fortunately, I didn’t have to. When my elder sister, whom our parents initially intended for Ian, received an offer from the son of a marquess, both Ian and I were content for me to replace her.’

Claire looked like she wanted to question the depth of Juliana’s ‘contentment’ but after a moment, said instead, ‘You helped with Thornthwaite while you were engaged to Rafe’s elder brother, you said?’

‘Yes. Even before the…illness that incapacitated him later, like his father, Ian was more interested in literature, poetry and painting and left estate management to his manager. Which was fine while the original manager worked at Thornthwaite, but the man who took over when he retired was…venal. I’m certain he was embezzling estate funds, though it could never be proven. Certainly he never invested anything back into the estate. I witnessed what was going on, tried to help as much as I could, but as we were not yet wed, I had no authority to intervene.’

‘A difficult situation,’ Claire commented. ‘Enough said about that distressing matter. What is Thornthwaite like?’

‘Beautiful! Much of it is forested, with some stands of trees pollarded and coppiced for wood products used on the estate or sold. Upland meadows reaching to the heights of the fells are given over to sheep—wool being another primary source of income. There are cattle, too, and a few crops, mostly corn to provide feed for the livestock. Have you ever visited the Lake District?’

‘No. I understand it’s magnificent country.’

‘Oh, it is! Such vistas from the heights of the fells! Hills, peaks, valleys; the long blue lengths of the lakes! The crystal clear water of the rivers, teeming with fish, soared over by sea-birds, played in by otters. The meadows home to red deer, stoats, badgers, squirrels and a variety of smaller creatures, all of them endlessly fascinating.’

‘Creatures you capture excellently in your drawings, Hart says.’

‘I do draw them all, though I’m not so sure how excellently. How I wish I could truly capture all their wild beauty! Speaking of beauty, it’s obvious looking at your appearance that my wardrobe is quite out of date. Much as I’d rather avoid it, I expect I shall have to attend a few social functions and I don’t want to be an embarrassment to Rafe. May I count upon your good nature to help me shop for a few gowns that won’t make Rafe blush when his wife meets his army or Parliamentary colleagues?’

‘Of course! What lady could refuse a chance to shop? I can also show you to the bookstores and lending libraries and advise where you can find anything else you might need for Thornthwaite. Though I know Rafe told Hart you were observing strict economies while he works on building back up the estate’s income.’

A knock sounded at the door and the butler bowed himself in. ‘Excuse me for interrupting, Your Grace. Nurse says you wished to be called when the Young Master woke from his nap.’

A smile lit Claire’s face. ‘I did.’ Turning to Juliana, she said, ‘Would you like to meet one of the lights of my life?’

‘Very much!’

‘Do you like children?’ she asked as they left the tea things and she led Juliana up the stairs towards the nursery.

‘I’ve not been much acquainted with them. I don’t much like my sister’s,’ she added with a grimace. ‘They always seem to be either quarreling or whining.’

‘All children quarrel or whine at times, but it sounds as if they are not well managed.’

‘My sister gives them whatever they ask for. And scolds their Nanny if the older ones tell her she tried to discipline them.’

Claire shook her head. ‘She may not keep that Nanny much longer, then.’