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Chapter 5
As the day progressed, more guests arrived. Many had travelled from all over England, so much of the house was filled. Thornbridge Manor had four wings, and all of the bedrooms were full of guests.
Lucy had never lived in such a crowded building before. She had always lived in the tiny home in London. First, with her parents and Aunt Joan, and now, with only Aunt Joan and herself.
What surprised her was that she couldn’t hear anyone moving around. Even footsteps were hushed by the thick carpeting in the hallways. Sometimes, one would hear snippets of conversation as two people walked past, but that was all.
Lucy sat at the vanity in her room, using an iron to curl her hair. She had pinned it back into a neat, but elegant chignon. She considered how she had expected Thornbridge Manor to be drafty and echoing, but that was not at all the case. It was luxuriously comfortable.
She was wearing her peignoir, waiting for her aunt to help her with her corset and then the buttons of her dress.
There was a knock on the door that separated Lucy’s room from Aunt Joan’s. Lucy recognized her aunt’s gentle knock immediately.
“Come in, Aunt Joan,” she called out. Her aunt peered through the door.
“Do you need any help dressing?” Aunt Joan asked.
“Yes, please, Aunt Joan.”
Lucy took off her peignoir, and Aunt Joan helped her lace her corset. Lucy then stepped into her dress for the evening, slipping her arms into the short, bell-like sleeves.
She turned so her aunt could do up the buttons on the back of her green muslin dress.
“There. You look as pretty as a picture.” Aunt Joan stepped back. “Are you ready to head down?”
Lucy sighed. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” The thought of the crowd, which was slowly growing larger, was intimidating. Her mind went to Miss Sweet’s brother—the handsome one. Her pulse raced a little at the thought of meeting him.
She and Aunt Joan went down to the parlour, where the guests were gathering to await the announcement of dinner. The parlour was a large room, decorated in white silk flocked wallpaper, a pale-yellow carpet, and dark cherry furniture. Over the fireplace hung a beautiful painting, which looked to be Flemish—of wild game, vegetables and fruits, on a black background. Lucy’s eyes feasted on the rich canvas.
Miss Sweet smiled, waving them both over. She was dressed in a beautiful cornflower blue silk gown, which brought out the blue of her eyes. She was standing with both of her brothers. Up close, both of gentlemen had their attractions.
They were dressed similarly, in dark navy frock coats, white linen shirts, cream-coloured breeches, and tall black boots. Lucy’s heart raced as she took in the one man’s deep blue eyes, as well as the fine line of his jaw and his well-formed lips, which were quirked upward in a grin.
“I want you both to make the acquaintance of Miss Joan Wilds, our mother’s good friend, as well as her niece, Miss Lucy Wilds,” Miss Sweet said.
Lucy and Aunt Joan curtsied, while both gentlemen bowed to them gallantly.
“These are my brothers, the Honourable Mr Silas Sweet, as well as the Honourable Mr Michael Sweet.”
“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Mr Michael Sweet smiled at them pleasantly. He was the one with the brunet hair. He didn’t look much like his siblings. Lucy’s eyes gravitated towards the other brother, who was regarding her curiously.
Mr Silas Sweet, Lucy thought to herself, wondering what was going on behind his handsome countenance. She couldn’t tell, though was deeply intrigued. She looked away from him, focusing on her aunt.
“And yours,” Aunt Joan said politely. “Your mother kept me apprised of all of your doings while you were all growing up.”
Lucy could feel Mr Silas Sweet’s gaze on her. For a while, she ignored it, but he continued to watch her. She finally dared to meet it, and when she did, she felt an electric charge. Her cheeks went bright crimson. He was gazing at her with a burning look in his blue eyes. Slowly, he smiled.
She raised an eyebrow. Her heart fluttered, an occurrence which had only happened once before in her life.Do not think of him. Not now. You know how feelings like this end, and it’s not well.
“Our mother spoke very highly of you, Miss Wilds,” Mr Michael Sweet said. Aunt Joan blushed, smiling beatifically. Lucy was silent. She didn’t want to ruin this weekend for Aunt Joan, who was having the time of her life.
She was shocked when Mr Silas Sweet stepped nearer to her, as Aunt Joan, Mr Michael Sweet and Miss Sweet all began to discuss the late Lady Thornbridge.
“I saw you, earlier, in the garden with my sister,” he said, his voice as smooth and melodic as honey.
“Yes. She was showing me around.”
“Did you find everything to your liking?”
