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It seemed to take half an eon for the needlework ladies to finish their projects or at least conclude they had been sufficiently virtuous for the day. Several decided they needed to lie down for a bit and the small party broke up. Some of the female guests had never joined and of course none of the gentlemen had done so either. Constance wondered where the others had gone off to. But she didn’t suffer from feeling left out. Having a cozy visit with her hostess was going to more than make up for anything she might have missed elsewhere, she was certain.
“What do you think of Everleigh?” Lady Adelaide asked with gentle emphasis on theyouin her question, as though she were immensely curious of Constance’s answer.
“It’s lovely but intimidating,” Constance replied after a few sedate steps and many racing thoughts, causing her hostess to laugh.
“Yes, of course, but what do you really think of it? That’s what everyone thinks. But you’re not everyone.”
“Why did you invite me here, my lady? Was my eccentricity to be your entertainment?” Constance tried to keep her voice steady and even, but the very thought of being a mockery made her heart want to stop cold in her chest.
“Oh, dear heavens, no, why would you even think that?”
Constance was somewhat mollified by the horror sounding in the viscountess’ voice, but she couldn’t help her suspicions.
“I haven’t been invited to a house party in years,” she began. “And we have never really been friends. I was surprised to receive your correspondence after you’d wed and then your invitation was an even bigger surprise. I hadn’t thought we’d become such bosom friends through our letters.”
Lady Adelaide laughed a little although she still appeared uncomfortable despite her step never faltering. “I’m sorry if I haven’t made you comfortable here, Lady Constance. I have been curious about you, I will admit. I thought I wasn’t so vulgar in my curiosity as to allow you to be uncomfortable as my guest, and I apologize if that isn’t the case. But I had no intention of subjecting you to anything awkward or uncomfortable, I truly hoped to become friends. I was never completely conventional myself, so I thought we might have some things in common.”
“You married into one of the wealthiest titles in the realm, my lady, and appear to be thriving in that position. I do not see how we have much in common.”
Constance lifted her chin as her hostess stared at her. “You are far from an impoverished commoner, my dear,” Lady Adelaide finally said in a low, wry tone. “But I was thinking more along the lines of our thought processes or opinions, rather than our circumstances. Perhaps I was wrong. But whether we are similar or not, I had hoped you would enjoy a sojourn in the country and I could enjoy your company. If that is not the case, please do not feel obliged to stay even though you accepted the invitation.”
Now Constance felt small and petty. She should have remained delighted with the other woman’s attention and interest rather than become suspicious of it. In her own defence, though, there had been times that she had found herself as a guest for various events where she was viewed as a curiosity rather than a guest of equal standing as the others. She hadn’t conjured the idea.
“What do I think of Everleigh?” Constance turned the subject back to the viscountess’ original question. “I think it is grand and you ought to have at least ten children to make its size feel appreciated.”
Lady Adelaide laughed again but Constance was relieved to hear that it sounded genuine this time. “There are an inordinate number of rooms, aren’t there? But ten children might be a little excessive, even for Everleigh. We cannot use the royal suite for anything so pedestrian as housing our children.”
Connie laughed. “That suite is magnificent, but it does take up rather a great deal of space. Has His Highness ever visited?"
"The Prince of Wales has, from what I understand. Also, the King long ago. Adelaide just barely remembers it.”
“It does seem redundant to have an entire suite kept for a visit that might never happen.”
“It does, you are quite right. But what can you do?” Lady Adelaide laughed. “My ancestors never had such high aspirations so we had no such suite in my home. Did yours?”
“No, I cannot imagine there are so many out there.”
“Actually, I would expect there are. It seems to have been a condition upon which permission to build was granted, at least for a time.”
“It’s hard to imagine the Duke of Carlisle asking anyone’s permission, even the king.”
Lady Adelaide laughed. “You’re right. I would imagine he inherited that attitude along with his wealth from the previous generations of Carlisle. But I suppose, back then, when many of these beautiful, grand houses were built, it was an honor and a privilege, as well as a duty to house your sovereign monarch.”
“Of course,” Constance agreed immediately. “It probably still is,” she added, “so you ought to prepare your mind for the possibility.”
Lady Adelaide appeared suitably horrified for a brief moment before she covered it up with more laughter.
“Now, tell me truthfully, my lady, do you love wandering about or do you just do it to be interesting?”
Constance blinked at the sudden question. She tried to laugh it off but it was a very pointed, and somewhat insulting, question. How rude would it be for her to point out her hostess’ rudeness? Since they were alone, she supposed it needn’t become a scandal.
“Are you being intentionally provoking, Lady Adelaide?” she finally managed to ask with a reasonably even voice.
“Oh dear, was my question rude? I suppose it was. I do apologize. I didn’t mean it as such. I was just so anxious to ask but didn’t plan out the best way of doing so. Do say I haven’t offended you unforgivably.”
“Not unforgivably, no,” Connie answered with a light laugh.
“I suppose I ought to explain what I meant by my poorly worded question,” Lady Adelaide said with a sigh. “I often think it must be so lovely to not be so rooted in place. Being landed, as my husband’s family is, does keep one in place more than some might like. I have thought of you on your rambles and felt a twinge of jealousy from time to time. But then I walk in the portrait gallery and listen to the stories of previous generations and I’m rather proud to be trying to carry on what they began. So, I would imagine there are blessings and benefits to every situation. Even yours. I was wondering if you’ve ever thought about changing your mind.”
