CHAPTER FOUR

C HAPTER F OUR

O riana and her aunt walked to the village using their usual quick pace. The unkind might describe it as a manly pace, but neither she nor her aunt liked to dawdle. They stopped first at the blacksmith’s shop to see about the progress of an obelisk Oriana had ordered for her kitchen garden.

Oriana spied the blacksmith working on something. “Good day, Miss Scully. How is the obelisk coming along?”

She took out a relatively clean cloth and wiped her face. “It’s almost done. Da has been poorly lately, but I’ve managed to complete most of it. Would you like to see it?”

There was no surprise there. Sally Scully had been in charge of most of the work for the past year and more. Although, lately, her father’s illnesses had caused her to be busier than before. “Yes, please.”

“Come along with me, then.” She led them into a room in the rear of the shop that was filled with partially completed items that would be finished when the item was ordered. Sally had explained that most of the components were the same, ergo it made sense to have the basic bits ready to complete.

The obelisk, tall and elegant, with a round ball and an arrow to show the direction of the wind, stood off to the side. It appeared to be ready. “What more is there to do?”

Sally pointed to the bottom. “I must add two more pieces to strengthen the structure.”

Aunt Prue sighed. “It is a shame you do not have more help.”

Oriana was strongly tempted to roll her eyes. “Do not mind her. She has been bitten by the matchmaking bug.”

Sally grinned. “No trouble at all. I have decided to wed, but with conditions. Lord Stanwood knows one or two men who might be interested.”

“Stanwood?” Oriana could not believe her ears. “Why would he care? I mean, I had no idea he might take an interest in matchmaking.”

The smith looked taken aback. “Do you mean because he’s a gentleman?”

“She does not know what she means, my dear,” Aunt Prue said drily. “She has taken him into dislike.” She cast Oriana a hard look, complete with one brow raised. “I, however, am fascinated to hear how it came about.”

“The earls of Stanwood have been tak’in care of this village for generations. I mentioned my problem to him, and he said he had some ideas. The trick is that I want to keep my property.”

“How interesting.” Aunt Prue’s tone was a combination of fascination and curiosity. “And very responsible of him.”

“I’ve been told he’s a lot like his father was.” Sally glanced at the obelisk. “I’ll have it finished in three days. I’m sorry, but I have ta get back to work. The shop has a reputation to keep.”

Despite how tight-knit the village was, there were bound to be some who would not like the idea of a woman being the blacksmith. “Of course. We are sorry to have kept you. Aunt Prue, are you ready?”

“Yes, dear. I would like to stop by the fabric shop.” She turned to Sally. “Miss Scully, have a good day.”

“Thank you, my lady.” She nodded her head at Oriana. “Miss.”

As they entered the main part of the smith, the heat of the furnace hit Oriana. She did not know how anyone could work in such conditions. That Sally was succeeding at it was a tribute to her skill and determination. “I look forward to receiving the obelisk. Good day.”

They strolled down the street to the fabric shop and entered. Several ladies and women were looking at trimmings and fabrics.

“Mama, may I have a new gown for the assembly?” Miss Cumberly, one of several of the older girls in the village, asked.

Her mother sighed softly. “I think you must. You have grown several inches since the last one.”

“Assembly?” Aunt Prue glanced at the ladies. “When is it taking place?”

“Next Saturday, my lady,” Mrs. Taunton replied. “Will you be attending?” The vicar’s wife, the daughter of a viscount, was a tall, elegant lady who took things in stride. The village was lucky to have her.

“Naturally. We would not miss it. Would we, Oriana?” Aunt Prue was smiling, but there was a warning look in her eyes.

“Of course not, Aunt.” Oriana would if she could find a way.

“Will it be at the Crown and Feather?” Her aunt mentioned the local inn.

“It usually is, but there is a problem with the floor. We have been casting about for another venue, but as yet have been unable to find a location.” Mrs. Bradshaw frowned. “How is it that you did not know about it?”

“We have both been busy with estate matters and have not had time to come to the village or go visiting.” Oriana hoped that would be enough of an excuse. She could not say she had been turning into a hermit.

“My dear,” her aunt said in a voice that she dreaded, “why do we not host the assembly in our ballroom? It is not large, but it has more space than the rooms at the Crown and Feather.”

“Aunt.” Oriana desperately tried to find an excuse not to use it. “We have not even been in the room in an age. I have no idea what sort of condition it is in.”

“That is no matter at all, Miss Ognon.” The vicar’s wife literally waved away her objections. “I am certain a group of us would be happy to look at it and do what is needed to put the ballroom in order.”

“It is settled, then.” Aunt Prue smiled. “Send me a message when you wish to come.”

“Thank you, my lady.” Mrs. Bradshaw almost beamed. “It is most kind of you to offer your ballroom.”

“Yes indeed,” another woman said. “A most generous offer. I must say that we should still purchase the liquid refreshments from the Crown and Feather as we always do.”

The conversation continued until Oriana wanted to scream. Why in the name of God did Aunt Prue have to offer Oriana’s ballroom? It was not even her aunt’s house. Granted, she had the right to live there for the rest of her life or until she wed, something that was unlikely to occur. But the least Aunt could have done was ask Oriana for her opinion.

Over an hour later they finally left the shop and started home. “Aunt Prue, why?”

She turned her wide blue eyes on Oriana. “Why what, my dear?”

“The ballroom.”

Her aunt linked arms with her. “It is the perfect excuse for you to get out more. Do not even bother to try to tell me you were planning to attend the assembly. You would have found a way to stay home. Now you may remain home and attend. The best thing about it is that we are not being tasked to take part in the preparations.”

She supposed she should be happy about that part at least. Yet she was not. Nothing good had ever happened when she attended a ball. She hoped Lord Stanwood would not be there. Although why he would she had no idea. Most of the London gentlemen did not have the time or inclination to attend country village events.

* * *

Late the next morning Charlie strolled out to the hall and found Charlotte drawing on her gloves. “Are you on your way to Stern Manor?”

“Yes. As soon as Mary and Theo come down. I decided to visit Lady Stern before we go to Liliford.” His sister stared at him for a moment. “You should come with us. I am certain Sir Henry would like to see you.”

Charlie thought of the accounts he’d told his secretary he would review and approve before the man’s return. Then he considered his responsibility to their closest neighbor and friend. The accounts would have to wait. “Give me a few minutes.”

Charlotte nodded approvingly. “You might even arrive before the girls.”

It was strange that they were late. Theo and Mary were usually extremely prompt. As he climbed the stairs, his youngest sisters dashed by him.

“We are sorry,” Mary said. “My other shoe went missing. Apollo had taken it.”

Charlie winced. “Was it still in one piece?”

“Oh, yes.” Mary smiled. “He was sleeping with it.”

“That’s better than eating it.” The dog was only two and still in his destructive stage. “I’ll be down shortly.”

Less than a half an hour later they were shown into Lady Stern’s sunny morning room. The years had been kind to her. Not quite fifty years of age, there were a few white streaks in her black hair, but they enhanced her looks. Her skin was still smooth and her figure trim. Rising, she strode to greet them. “I am so happy to see you!” She stepped back and looked at Theo and Mary. “I cannot believe how much you two have grown since last summer.” She glanced at Charlotte. “When is the baby due?”

Charlie’s jaw dropped. She was pregnant again?

“My lady.” She embraced Lady Stern. “I will now have to swear everyone to silence. We want to wait another month before we announce the news.”

Theo turned a wide-eyed gaze on Lady Stern. “How did you know?”

“Charlotte’s mother had the same appearance when she was breeding. Grace as well.” Lady Stern turned toward the sofas. “Let us take our seats while tea is served.”

As if on cue, their butler entered with the tea tray. As he was setting everything out, a footman rushed into the room. “My lady. Lady Prudence Atherton has come to visit.”

“Show her in.” Lady Stern turned to Charlotte. “She does not usually visit this early in the day. I hope nothing is wrong.”

The butler announced the visitor, and a slim, tallish lady with brown hair wearing a fashionable gown and bonnet entered the parlor. Charlie judged her to be in her early middling years. Lady Stern made the introductions.

When Charlie was introduced to her, she seemed to regard him closely. “I had heard you had arrived in the area, my lord. Do you intend to remain long?”

“Until it is time to return for the autumn Season, my lady.”

Her eyes widened a bit. “No house parties or other travels?”

He wished he knew why she was so interested. Surely she didn’t intend to set up a flirtation. “No. I must tend to my estate.”

“Excellent. I am always impressed when a gentleman decides to do his duty.” She turned to Lady Stern. “Cordelia, I came to invite you to the Liliford assembly. It is being held in our ballroom. Something to do with the floor at the inn needing to be repaired.” Lady Prudence glanced at Charlie and his sisters. “You are also invited. It will be held on Saturday next.”

“Oh, may we attend?” Martha Stern stood in the doorway.

Her ladyship glanced from Mary to Martha and then to Lady Prudence. “They are fourteen.”

“Our village is small enough that all the children who are old enough to behave will be there.”

“Very well, then.” Lady Stern nodded. “A bit of experience is never a bad thing.”

“By next week most of our family will be at Stanwood,” Charlotte said. “I can guarantee that all of our husbands will look out for them.”

Lady Prudence picked up a cup of tea. “The village will not know what to do with so many fashionable gentlemen.”

Lady Stern regarded her friend. “I suppose with the ball at Rose Hill, Oriana must attend.”

“Oh indeed.” A sly smile appeared on Lady Prudence’s lips. “It is for that very reason I offered the ballroom when I discovered they were searching for another venue. She has been avoiding society lately.”

Charlotte picked up a biscuit. “Oriana?”

“Ognon,” Lady Stern said. “The daughter of the late Viscount Ognon. Unfortunately, her brother died and a cousin inherited.”

Charlotte took a bite of the biscuit and slid Charlie a look. He gave an imperceptible nod. She glanced at Lady Prudence. “Does she live with you?”

“It is more correct to say that we share the estate. She inherited it from her grandmother, who was my mother and her mother’s mother. I have a life estate, so to speak.”

There was one thing he didn’t understand. “Why does her cousin use the property as a stake when he gambles? It was never even owned by her father.”

Lady Prudence lifted one brow. “He is an idiot, and the men with whom he gambles are even greater idiots. Why did you gamble with him?”

He was damned if he’d be lumped in with the rest of the fools. “To give the property to whoever was living there.”

She nodded approvingly. “I had heard something about that. If only other gentlemen were as responsible. However, that is not the only fault Ognon has. He is ridiculous enough to think he can talk Oriana into marriage by ensuring he will not gamble her property away.”

“That makes no sense at all,” Theo commented.

“No, my dear, it does not,” Lady Prudence agreed. “Unfortunately, all of this has put her off gentlemen and marriage.”

Lady Stern cast an amused look at Charlie, and he could have sworn Charlotte was sniggering behind her teacup. If he did indeed wish to attract Miss Ognon, he had his work cut out for him.

In for a penny, in for a pound. “I surmised that she does not like gamblers. Are there any other traits she finds objectionable?”

The older woman’s eyes danced with mirth. “The usual things most ladies do not appreciate in a husband. Being addicted to intoxication, lack of attention to their duties”—she slid a look at the younger ladies—“all of their duties.”

The same things his sisters wouldn’t like in a gentleman. “Does she enjoy dancing?”

Lady Prudence took a sip of tea and regarded him over the rim of her cup before answering. “She does, but I would suggest you ask her when she is with me or some of the other women.”

Her ladyship was clearly intending to promote his interest. “I appreciate your suggestion.” Sir Henry entered the room and Charlie rose. “Sir. I’m happy to see you.”

“Stanwood, I’m glad you’re here.” He went to his wife and kissed her cheek. “I am going to steal him away for a few minutes. There is an issue I wish to discuss.”

Lady Stern smiled. “Of course, my dear. Steal away.”

Their marriage was yet another example of what Charlie wanted. He thought Oriana might be the right lady. His desire for her was the first step. Well, he’d soon find out. The ball ought to provide him with more information.