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“Yes.”
“I’ll find my own way.”
“Oh, Rose?Cook has made Coq Au Vin.Your favorite.”
Rose hurried to Rachel and hugged her, letting some of her anxiety go.“It is so good to see you, my dear.”
Dinner had been set up on the veranda, overlooking the small lake and the oak trees.The light breeze was refreshing if a touch on the cool side.The sun had just set against the horizon, but Rachel had a few outdoor lanterns lit.Matthew was as dashing as ever, and always clean shaven when others were about.
“Are the girls well?”Rachel asked quietly.Again, knowing the family secrets.Matthew was right about spilling too many details of one’s life.
Rose leaned toward her.“Not here,” she whispered.Rachel was aware of Rose’s concerns, but she wasn’t prepared to discuss it without the door tightly closed.Not anymore.She glanced toward Matthew.He pretended not to hear, but she knew he was keenly aware of the sisterly whispers.
A single footman assisted, ladling soups and removing dishware only to return with the next course.
“Should we ride tomorrow?”Rachel asked.“We can trot over to Tankerton Bay in the morning, perhaps arrange for a carriage to bring the children and food for a picnic lunch.The children might like to swim, too, while we are there.”
“Matthew?That sounds delightful.”
“It does, but I will only be in the way of your entertainment,” Matthew said.
“I won’t let you say you must write some letter or attend to some business matter while you are here,” Rose implored.
“Neither London nor Matthew Hardy sleeps,” he said, drawing a laugh from Rachel and Lewis.“What I will do is bring the children and food come lunchtime.I make an excellent carriage coachman.”
“It sounds as if there is nothing too challenging for your husband, Rose.”
“So far you are right, but I think there is much more I don’t know.”She smiled at Matthew.“I will remain watchful and feign surprise when he leaps one of the hills in Kent Downs.”
“As your host, I would be happy to travel with your, Mr.Hardy,” Lewis offered.
“Absolutely not.I am very unpleasant to be around when it comes to the dirty job of commerce.”
Matthew kept a balance between disclosing too much and peppering what he did reveal with humor.Yet, he remained unwilling to hide that he was immersed in those businesses all nobles found distasteful.
“Have you seen Aunt Cecilia?”Rose asked.
“I take the carriage into Canterbury about every ten days or so.I usually visit her then.We’ve done some shopping.She is considering moving to London to be with Jerome and Lucy.She’s lonely, as we all are from time to time.”
“Or she wants to be near her grandchildren.”
“That is most likely.They grow so fast.Are Ava and Elaina doing well in their studies?”
“I just hired new governesses for them last week.Elaina is taking to her French very well.Ava is still interested in painting flowers.Neither have mastered simple embroidery yet.”
“Nor have they taken instruction from me on remedial accounting and finance.They may be duke’s daughters, but I won’t have an unscrupulous ne’er-do-well take advantage of them.”
Everyone laughed; Rose knew Matthew was quite serious.
She also kept her gaze lowered, because when looking at his expression and now that heknew, she saw the same look she’d seen the first night at Madame DuPuis’.Pity.
* * * * *
Matthew, Lewis andhis son, Benjamin, collected fishing poles and walked to the small river at sunrise while Rose and Rachel took the girls for a stroll around the lake.The group was leaving for Tankerton Bay near eight.
The children were sent to their playrooms and governess while Matthew was given several admonitions to ensure he and the children arrived at the bay safely and on time.He waved the horse riders off.
What time Matthew had would be spent doing what he did best.
