Chapter 20

CHAPTER TWENTY

D aniel walked into the house with Adam and Emily and their two children. Their footsteps echoed on the polished wooden floors. Daniel showed the children his favorite rooms and the nursery, and while Emily took the children to be settled, he made his way back to the drawing room with Adam. The warm glow of the candles illuminated the elegantly furnished drawing room as they entered.

Daniel felt a tightness in his chest, his thoughts consumed by Miss Montrose and the conflicting emotions that swirled within him. He moved towards the sideboard and poured himself a glass of brandy, hoping the amber liquid would calm his nerves.

"It appears you have a lot on your mind," Adam said, following suit and pouring himself a glass as he stood next to Daniel .

"I have always had a lot on my mind," Daniel said. "Today is no different."

"You seem rather agitated. Is it the children here in the house?" Adam's brow was furrowed, as if his thought might have merit.

Daniel smiled, hoping to alleviate his cousin's concern. "Your children are delightful, and I am glad they are here."

"Then you are cross with me for coming without waiting for a proper invitation?"

Daniel shook his head. "No. Again, I am happy you were able to come, even if the invitation wasn't given at first."

"Then I fail to see precisely what is wrong and why you look like you're expecting something terrible to happen."

Emily's laugh filled the room. "It seems to me that you are more shy around Eliza."

"I am not shy around Miss Montrose," Daniel grumbled, not wanting to think about her first name and how much he would love to use it when speaking about her. He'd hoped to talk with her this morning about what had occurred between the two of them the previous evening. He'd done a lot of thinking since their moonlit walk, and he needed to clear the air between them.

"I have found a lovely friend in Eliza. We spoke all afternoon, and I am looking forward to seeing her again tonight."

"Perhaps that is the problem, my dear," Adam said to his wife. "Perhaps you have commandeered too much of Miss Montrose's time. Perhaps Daniel wished for more time with her."

Daniel swallowed the last of his drink and then reached for another. "That is not a problem." Besides, he was not going to discuss such a delicate matter when he was entertaining houseguests. There would be little opportunity, unless he found her in the garden in the very early morning.

Adam raised an eyebrow. "I do not believe you in the slightest. Emily, it appears we have uncovered the mystery."

"It was hardly a mystery to me," Emily said, laughing. "And I think you should be thanking me, Daniel."

"How is that?"

"Simple. I took the initiative to invite her for dinner."

"That is not helpful. We are neighbors."

"And no one can ever have dinner with a neighbor . Perish such a ridiculous thought." Emily shook her head. "It is well that I have invited her, or you may not have for several more months. I saw the way you looked at her." She settled herself on the plush, golden velvet settee.

"I look at her in no particular way," Daniel protested.

Adam laughed. "I must side with my wife on this point, Daniel. You did seem more than a little delighted when she came over to be introduced."

Daniel took a sip of his brandy, the smooth burn providing a momentary distraction from Emily's probing question. He turned to face her, his brow furrowed. "I assure both of you there is nothing to discuss regarding Miss Montrose." He was not going to share with them what had happened last night. The more he thought about their kiss, the more he realized that he did, in fact, care for her. She had helped him last night and had been a boon to him for several days before that. But that was the problem. He was broken.

Adam raised an eyebrow, a knowing look in his eyes. "Come now, Daniel. I've known you all my life. I can see the way your eyes light up when you speak of her, even if you try to conceal it. There's no need to hide your true feelings from us."

Daniel sighed heavily, realizing that his attempts at evasion were futile. He walked over to the fireplace, gazing into the flickering flames as he gathered his thoughts. The warmth of the fire seemed to melt away some of the tension in his shoulders.

"You're right," he admitted, his voice low and tinged with resignation. "I find myself drawn to Miss Montrose in a way I cannot fully comprehend. Her spirit, her independence ... it both vexes and intrigues me. But I do not need your help to initiate an invitation. We have spent several days in each other's company. I am perfectly capable of extending invitations."

Adam smiled. "How excellent. We shall not pry though, shall we, Emily?"

Emily flicked open her fan. "I believe I must pry, Adam. For something does not add up. If he has been so comfortable as to spend several days with her, then why didn't he invite her for dinner before I offered?" She looked at Daniel. "What is your answer to that point? I shall try not to ask too many questions. But I have so many in my head that I must be allowed to ask a few of them."

"On that point, I had not yet thought of it." And he needed to have a conversation with Eliza about last night before he invited her to dinner, where they would be forced to speak to each other as if nothing had happened.

"Then perhaps it is a good thing that I stepped in as I did."

Adam stepped in and put his arm around his wife's shoulder. "My dear, perhaps we should slow our expectations while we are here."

Emily crossed her arms. "We are not here long enough for me to do that."

"Let's ask Daniel what he thinks about this evening and how it should go?" Adam turned to Daniel. "What are your expectations through the evening with Miss Montrose dining with us?"

"I should like it to be comfortable and light—a mere conversation between friends."

Adam nodded. "Let's take one step at a time. A friendly conversation at dinner will be just the thing. Emily and I will help you through it, won't we, my dear?"

"Of course we will."

The butler announced Miss Montrose into the drawing room. Her presence filled the room with a vibrant energy, her smile radiating a genuine warmth that seemed to melt away the shadows of the past.

"Miss Montrose," Daniel said, his chest tightening, making it difficult to breathe around her. "Thank you for coming."

She smiled warmly. "I'm delighted to be here, Captain."

Shortly after Miss Montrose arrived, the butler announced dinner, although there were only four people present. It was only a family dinner, along with the addition of Miss Montrose. Daniel knew that this was not a formal occasion; however, he'd insisted on using the most exquisite china available at Blackwood Manor.

He stepped forward, extending his arm. "Miss Montrose," he said, his voice low and composed. "May I have the honor?"

Miss Montrose looked up, her eyes meeting his with a glimmer of surprise and delight. She hesitated only for a moment before placing her hand lightly on his arm, her touch gentle yet steady. "Thank you, Captain," she replied, her voice just above a whisper, and together they moved toward the dining room .

As they walked side by side, Daniel leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a confidential tone, just enough for her to hear. "I should like to speak with you alone," he murmured, careful to keep his expression neutral so as not to draw Emily's or Adam's attention. "But not now—not with company around."

Miss Montrose turned her head, a soft smile playing at her lips as she glanced up at him. There was a quiet understanding in her gaze, a shared recognition of the unspoken connection that had been growing between them. "I would like that very much, Captain," she said softly, her words carrying a warmth that sent a pleasant jolt through him.

They entered the dining room together, and Eliza gasped. "You have a beautiful dining room," she said.

"Thank you," Daniel said. He took in the room as if he were looking at it for the first time while standing next to her. The room was grand, with high ceilings and rich, dark wood paneling that gave the room an air of quiet elegance. Above the grand dining table, a magnificent crystal chandelier hung. Its cascading prisms caught the light of dozens of candles and scattered it into delicate rainbows across the walls and ceiling. The table itself was a long expanse of gleaming mahogany, perfectly set with fine china edged in gold, and heavy silver cutlery that gleamed against pristine white linens. The centerpiece was a lavish arrangement of roses and peonies, their deep reds and soft pinks providing a vivid contrast to the more subdued tones of the room, adding a touch of liveliness to the stately atmosphere.

Though the setting was formal, the atmosphere quickly shifted to something more casual as they took their seats.

Emily, ever the conversationalist, kept the mood light. "Tell me, Eliza," she said as the first course was served. "Where did you spend your time before coming to Brighton?"

Eliza smiled, setting down her fork delicately. "I was living in Surrey, near my family. It's quieter there, but lovely. I decided to move closer to the sea for a change, and I've found Brighton quite charming."

Emily nodded eagerly. "I can imagine! Surrey must have been a peaceful place, though. I do love the countryside, but there's something invigorating about being near the coast, isn't there?"

"It is invigorating," Eliza agreed, her gaze drifting momentarily to Daniel. "And it's been nice to meet new acquaintances."

Daniel caught her look and offered a small, private smile before turning his attention back to the table. He listened as the conversation continued, the easy flow of questions and answers allowing him to relax a little more with each passing moment.

"Adam and I have just come from London," Emily said, her tone turning a bit wistful. "The city is bustling as always, but it can be overwhelming. Daniel, you remember the hustle of London, don't you?"

Daniel shrugged, adjusting his posture. "London has its charms, but I prefer quieter places now."

Emily laughed, her eyes dancing. "Perhaps we shall take you back to London one of these times."

"Do not plan on it," Daniel said.

"Have you ever been to London, Eliza?"

Eliza smiled. "I had two Seasons in London."

"There. You must help me convince Daniel to come back with us."

"I do not think I should be able to convince him," Eliza said, meeting Daniel's eyes, before she looked back at Emily. "Two Seasons was quite enough of London for me. I enjoyed my time, mostly, but I found the pace in London to be quite exhausting. I prefer the comforts and the lifestyle of the country. Brighton is large enough for me at present. There are socializing and amusements, without the frenetic pace of London."

After dinner, they retired to the drawing room, settling into the comfortable armchairs and settees arranged near the hearth. Emily quickly suggested a game of cards, and soon the table was set with a deck, the soft shuffle of cards mingling with the crackle of the fire.

Emily dealt, placing each card in turn in front of the others. "Daniel, are the Harcourts still living here? I haven't seen them in ages. "

"I do not know," he said, looking at the cards he'd been dealt, avoiding her gaze.

"How do you not know? I should like to call on Mrs. Harcourt if she is still in town."

"I've only been back a few weeks," Daniel said, trying to keep his tone light.

"A few weeks is long enough to know who is in town," Emily said.

"Perhaps you should inquire in town while you are here," Daniel said.

Emily frowned, though Daniel couldn't tell if the frown was meant for her cards or for him. "What about the Caldwells? The Browns? Lord and Lady Cavendish?"

Daniel shook his head, amused by Emily and her persistence. "I really couldn't say. I haven't visited with anyone not at this table in the last two minutes. You should inquire in town. I have not moved much in society since returning."

"That is absolutely unacceptable," Emily said. "Adam, how shall we remedy this?"

Adam looked to Daniel, then toward Eliza, who was watching the whole of the conversation. "I do not think there is anything to remedy, Emily. If Daniel wishes to be a recluse, I do not see how we can change his mind." Adam played a card.

Emily groaned. "Daniel cannot possibly wish to be a recluse for his entire life, can you, Daniel? No, indeed. I believe there is only one cure for this entire situation. "

Daniel held in his laugh. The protective side of Emily was endearing to see, but he was truly fine. There was no need to be reintroduced to the entire town. He'd seen quite enough in the quarter hour he'd been in at the assembly rooms. He didn't require more society, full of prying questions and looks of judgment and pity. "And what is the cure, pray?"

Emily grinned as she played her card. "You must throw a ball."

The word hit Daniel like a shot, the force almost knocking him back. "A ball? Here at Blackwood?" Daniel shook his head vigorously. "No, thank you."

"What? Why not? It would be the perfect excuse to get acquainted and reacquainted with everyone in town. It would be lovely. And you can use Adam and I as an excuse."

"If you want dancing, the assemblies are lively enough," Daniel said. "I can attest to having witnessed such a thing since being back."

"You've gone to the assemblies?" Emily's eyes widened, her face full of shock, and for good reason. "I must say, I hadn't expected that."

"I was there briefly. You and Adam would enjoy it."

"That could work," Emily said. "We could attend while we are here with Daniel."

"Oh, no, I don't need to be included," Daniel said.

"Nonsense, of course you would be included. You'll be the one to introduce us. "

Eliza covered her mouth, likely hiding a smile.

Emily turned to Eliza. "What is so humorous, Eliza? You must share."

"I believe the Captain is making his assumption based on less than four minutes of attendance at the assemblies. I imagine your introductions would be short-lived."

"One cannot dance in four minutes," Emily said. "Why show up if you won't dance?"

"I … had a message to deliver," Daniel said, catching Eliza's gaze and making her blush. "A very important message."

"It surely must have been of great import if you braved the assemblies. Very well. I am convinced that the assemblies will not be the place to socialize while we are here." Emily had a satisfied smile on her face.

Daniel let out a breath. "Thank you, Emily."

"It is my pleasure. We do not need to go out for society, when it is clear that it will be easier to have society come to us. A ball will be the perfect thing."

Eliza laughed this time, quickly covering her mouth with her hand.

Daniel shook his head. "There wouldn't be time to arrange things," Daniel protested. "Besides, the staff is not used to such a burden. I should hate to put them out."

"Not to worry, Daniel. I am fully capable of helping your staff with every detail. Ten days could easily give us a modest party. I will start with the invitations tomorrow."

"You are here on a holiday, not to be planning and working through each day," Daniel said, trying to appeal to her. "Besides, you know that balls are not something I do regularly."

"You've been doing nothing society does regularly for years, so I will hardly count that as an argument. You do not know if the people you knew before the war are still here. It's time to change that."

Daniel looked at his cousin. "Adam, help me talk some sense into your wife. This project is much too large to accomplish in so short a time, and I do not wish to add such a burden to her."

Adam laughed. "You will not get me to agree with you, Daniel. If there's anything I know about my wife, she is most determined when it comes to her plans."

"You are no help to me," Daniel said.

"Face it, Daniel. You are outnumbered, and my husband is right. I will just keep bringing it up until you let me have my way. The faster you agree with me, the more time you will give me to carry out my plans."

"I don't believe it's a reasonable time frame," Daniel said again.

Emily huffed out a breath. "Very well. We shall trespass on your hospitality longer if necessary and move the ball out a fortnight. And as for the workload, I'm sure that I could convince my dearest new friend, Eliza, to help me with the details." She smiled broadly at Miss Montrose, who'd been watching the entire conversation. "What do you say, Eliza? Will you help me so that Daniel will let me host a ball here?"

Miss Montrose looked at Daniel as if she were looking for permission before she turned to Emily. "I should be happy to help you, Emily, as long as Daniel fully agrees with the idea. I should not like to create unhappy relations with my neighbor."

"Daniel, do put Eliza's worries to rest that you will not hold any animosity toward her for being a good friend to me by helping me in this endeavor."

"This is madness," Daniel said.

"Yes, but it will be an elegant madness, Daniel. Now, will you please give your blessing so we can start playing our game instead of talking in circles?"

Daniel glanced at Eliza, who was watching the exchange with a bemused smile. He could tell she was curious to see how he would handle Emily's enthusiasm.

He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with a smirk. "You're welcome to throw a ball, Emily, if that's what you want. But I want nothing to do with it."

Emily gasped, placing a hand dramatically over her heart. "Daniel, how can you say such a thing? You must at least make an appearance!"

Daniel chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No, I mustn't. I'll happily grant you use of the manor, but don't expect me to join the festivities. I'll be content to stay out of sight and avoid the whole affair."

Emily groaned in mock exasperation, but Daniel's firm expression only made her laugh. "You are impossible, Daniel. But fine, if you won't join, at least let us make it a proper event. I will handle the details."

"By all means," Daniel said, raising his glass in a mock toast. "I trust you'll make it a grand affair."

"I will with Eliza's help. We shall make it the most talked of ball of the year."

Daniel looked at Eliza and smiled, then turned back to Emily. "Emily, you must not force Miss Montrose into this scheme. It is completely her decision if she wishes to help you or not. She must not be persuaded against her will."

Daniel, Adam, and Emily all looked toward Miss Montrose. She gave a small smile. "I am always happy to help, though I am not sure I am an expert in such matters."

Emily reached over to Eliza and squeezed her hand. "Nonsense, you will be the perfect help to me."

"It sounds like an adventure," Eliza said.

Emily clapped her hands together, beaming. "We shall start planning tomorrow. Come for tea, and we will have so much to discuss. This will be the talk of Brighton!"

Daniel glanced at Eliza once more, catching the sparkle in her eyes, and found himself relaxing further. Though the prospect of a ball held little appeal for him, the thought of Eliza being involved softened his stance. Perhaps it wouldn't be so terrible to have a bit of noise and laughter fill the halls of Blackwood Manor, after all.