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“James,” I said, looking at her sharply and grasping onto the change in subject, “is married!”
“Yes.” She smiled, but sorrow lurked in the shadows of her eyes. “His bride’s name is Felicity, and she is a lovely and gentle soul.”
“Is she?” Lady Edith’s expression spoke to another emotion, and it did not seem pleasant.
“She’s wonderful, and you will like her. I’m sure of it. We did not have the most auspicious beginning. Suffice it to say there were rumors about her I chose to believe, and it nearly ruined all relations between us.”
Rumors were poison. I was aware of how those could ruin one’s life. “But you have mended things between you now?”
“We have. I love her dearly, and now that I know her, I wonder at how I could have ever believed the things I once thought were true. But she was a stranger when she came to us here. I did not know any better then, and I have learned from my mistake.” Lady Edith shot me a wry smile. “I have since promised to not form my opinion of another until I’ve had adequate time to know their character.”
“It is a good rule to live by.”
A footman carried in the tin tub, and another followed behind him with a bucket of steaming water. We watched them set up the screen and continue to fill the tub. “Everyone is home and eager to see you. Perhaps, after you’ve washed and dressed, you will come down to the drawing room? Henry, James, and Felicity will be there.”
“Of course.” Everyone except Benedict.
“Benedict had business to see to in Bakewell. He should return before dinner.”
I nodded, watching Hannah carry in another bucket of water, followed by a footman.
Lady Edith rose to leave. “I noticed you did not arrive with any servants, so I have asked Hannah if she would like to become your lady’s maid. If it is agreeable to you, I think she would do the job well.”
“I would love that,” I said, catching Hannah’s smile, trained as it was at the floor.
It was not until Lady Edith left that I found myself wondering how she knew I did not arrive with a maid, and what else she’d discerned from our clandestine arrival.
* * *
Benedict
It seemed to me the only way to ensure that Mother would not force Thea onto Cousin Matthew—a name I held onto with bitter force merely because it bothered him so plainly and he preferred to be called by his title, arrogant as he was—and his wife, Lady Claverley, was to discuss the matter with them myself. I rode up to the sprawling house and left my horse at the door to the stables, then crunched along the gravel drive and up to the front door.
The butler opened it before I could so much as knock and led me inside. “Lord Claverley is in his study and awaits you there.”
The benefit to a long, winding drive, I supposed, was the ability to foresee visitors and prepare accordingly. I followed the butler into Claverley’s study and dropped onto the seat opposite my cousin. He cringed, his wide face and rounded cheeks not bothering to hide his disapproval of my casual behavior.
“You look well, Cousin,” I said, using the title to remind him of our familial bond.
He nodded, as though agreeing with me. “Lady Claverley has me on a diet of red meats and potatoes, and it has done wonders for my energy.”
“I am glad to hear it.”
“You’ve been away a long while,” he said.
“So I have. I can never stay in one place for too long, you know.”
Claverley gave a little grunt of recognition.
“You might appreciate to learn your charge is in good health.” I tried to sound natural, but it was not very difficult. I was not lying. “I left her just this morning and she was absolutely radiant.”
“This morning? You came from York then?”
“No, from Chelton.” I was careful to maintain an innocent expression. If I delivered this inadequately, the game would be up. “Has my mother not come to see you yet?”
Claverley frowned. “Not recently, no.”
I looked to the ceiling as though considering this. “I suppose she has been overrun with preparation, of course. Perhaps I ought not to have mentioned Thea until my mother came first. You will forget I said anything, of course?”
