Chapter FiveXXX

Chapter Five

In Which We Learn that Devoted Mothers can, and will, Outwit even the Most Skilled Offspring

After a few moments of silence, during which they both dealt with the quite dreadful possibility that their futures might be ripped from their hands and reshaped by a pair of overly-enthusiastic women, Garrett and Cherry slowly made their way back toward the Summer Room.

“How should we approach this situation?” Garrett glanced at her.

“With extreme caution, I would suggest,” she responded dryly. “As far as my Mama is concerned, I doubt she will say much of anything overtly personal. I cannot speak for yours, however.”

“I honestly have no idea what to expect. I’ve never imagined anything quite like this.”

“Really?” Her eyebrow flew up. “You have never, in your entire life, been the target of a matchmaking Mama?”

“Well of course I have,” he shot back. “Just not my own mother.” He frowned a little. “Well, with the proviso that if she did meddle, it was without my knowledge.”

She seemed to accept that statement. “I suppose that does make a difference. Perhaps we might be overthinking this, Garrett. If we’re lucky, they may have been discussing something completely different. Recipes, perhaps. Or fashions…”

He managed not to snort, but it was close. “Right. I’m sure that’s possible.” He also found himself absurdly pleased that she’d slipped into using his first name.

She sighed. “One can only hope.”

He opened the door for her and as she passed whispered low in her ear. “Look at their eyes. My mother won’t reveal anything anywhere else.”

She nodded in response, and together they braved the looks of the two older ladies, who sat together on the couch. The table in front of them bore testament to the tea, cakes, and other delicacies they’d been enjoying.

“Hello, my darlings,” began Lady Hazel. “Did you find the garden acceptable, Garrett? Not a patch on yours at Belcaster, I’ll warrant…”

“They are indeed delightful, Ma’am,” he bowed slightly. “I find this entire part of the country most agreeable. I’m sure Mama will concur.” He looked at his mother, and his blood chilled at the interested delight he saw brewing in the depths of her pretty eyes. He wondered if Cherry could see the goosepimples rippling over his skin.

“I understand from Miss Trease that you also have a considerable acreage of farmland, and that your crops are prodigious…” He continued, directing his comment to Lady Hazel.

“Indeed we do, but I’m not sure about the prodigious part. You’d need to speak to my husband for the details,” she replied, laughing. “I simply eat the harvests.”

“It is a lovely estate, is it not, Garrett?” Lady Henrietta glanced at her son.

“It is, Mama.”

“And I understand you have much to do with the grounds, Miss Cherry? Your Mama tells me you’re an avid gardener…”

“I am?” Cherry looked puzzled. “Not to disagree with my mother, Ma’am, but my knowledge and abilities in that area are primarily directed toward the forests.” She took a seat on one of the nearby chairs and folded her hands in her lap. “There are so many different species of plants living together in the woods. Not just the trees, of which there are numerous varieties, but also the ground plants. Everything from rhododendrons to wild azaleas offer colour in the spring, and the bluebells of course are always spectacular. As the season progresses other flowers and shrubs bloom, and those offer seeds to many of our lovely birds, not to mention cover for the creatures that call the forest home.”

“My goodness, such passion,” nodded Lady Henrietta. “It is most charming to see someone as young as yourself with what must be a profound knowledge of her surroundings.”

“I hope to learn even more, my Lady. I believe I was quite young when I determined that my future would be closely tied to the natural world, and I have made it the focus of my life here at Forest Grange.” She smiled calmly. “Where else could I find such a perfect laboratory for my education and studies?”

“A laudable goal, dear,” said her mother. “But you will allow your Papa to have a few things to say about it, I’m sure, especially before you start planting oddities nobody’s ever heard of.”

Fascinated, Garrett watched her cheeks flush with colour. “That was…well, never mind.” She glanced at him. “An incident with a plant that should have done well in our climate, but didn’t.”

“And we are all quite thankful for that. It made us sneeze for a week,” added her Mama with a sigh. “I shouldn’t say it, but I believe the entire family was relieved when it died.”

“I would hazard a guess that a London Season would not be your favourite pastime,” observed Lady Henrietta.

“That would be correct, Ma’am,” agreed Cherry. “There is no lack of interesting places in town, of course, but none can really compare to the peacefulness of the woods in the evening, or the scent of the countryside as the sun rises first thing in the morning.”

“That is a valid point,” agreed Lady Hazel. “And something you probably agree with, as well, Henrietta. I understand that Belcaster also possesses a sizeable forest?”

“Indeed yes. A very pleasant one, isn’t it, Garrett?”

Thus addressed, he found himself forced to participate in a conversation he really wished they weren’t having. So he took a moment to find the best non-committal response.

“Yes, it is. But of course, since it’s ours, we’re obliged to say that.” He strolled to the windows. “It is quiet here, as well as beautiful. But one cannot but be aware of the delights the Metropolis has to offer, as Miss Trease has pointed out. I myself have found the city offers much to stimulate the mind.”

“As any gentleman would,” Cherry nodded in agreement. “I cannot imagine a lot of people finding my dedication to my forest intriguing.” She glanced at the ladies. “It is quite understandable for gentlemen of his Lordship’s standing to prefer London pursuits. Business interests must also draw you often to London, sir, and I doubt they leave much time for idle appreciation of the trees in Hyde Park.”

“Well, you’re both here now,” said Lady Hazel firmly. “And the timing is excellent, since I learned just today that Mrs Anne Kimble is hosting a delightful country dance this weekend. And it’ll be at our Village Hall.” She turned to Lady Henrietta. “Do you recall how much fun we used to have at those things?”

“Oh yes, I do indeed.” The answer came quickly and with a broad smile. “We both wore holes in our slippers, and ended the evenings quite exhausted.”

Garrett knew with absolute and utter certainty what was coming next. So, apparently, did Cherry. He saw her quick frown and guessed that her mind was already working on this particular problem. He was right.

“Oh goodness, Mama. Wasn’t this the weekend you’d planned to travel north to Dingley Court? I understood that you and Mrs Featherhill were to discuss the new embroidery patterns to be created for Dingley Church…” She turned to Lady Henrietta with a smile. “I wonder if Mama had the same love for embroidery when she was a girl?”

“She did,” came the laughing response. “And she has already mentioned her latest project and shown me some of her lovely designs. But Hazel has given me to understand that those plans have been delayed, so you’ll both be free this weekend to attend the dance. Won’t that be lovely?”

“Oh. Well, yes. Yes, of course.”

Garrett wanted to laugh at the lack of enthusiasm in Cherry’s tone, but since he was caught in the same manoeuvre, he held himself quiet for a few moments. His mother turned her face toward him, with one eyebrow raised. He knew that look.

He sighed.

“Well, Mama, Lady Hazel, it seems you have us neatly trapped into attending this dance.”

“Not trapped , dear boy,” replied his mother smugly. “Terrible word. Look at it as a chance to learn more about Forest Grange, and Lesser Banthorpe. I’m sure the evening will prove to be quite delightful. Am I correct, Hazel?”

“Indeed you are, Henrietta. It will be everything that could be wished for in the way of charming entertainment, without a doubt.”

Garrett and Cherry finally exchanged glances, but instead of looks conveying eager anticipation of fun and merriment, they were more those of two people about to be led to the guillotine.

As the afternoon drew to a close, and Lady Henrietta began to gather her belongings, Cherry managed a brief whispered word with Garret.

“Tomorrow. Nine o’clock, in the woods at the rise. We need a plan.”

“I’ll be there.” He paused. “But you’d better bring the plan, because I have no idea how to manage all this. None at all.”

*~~*~~*

The carriage ride back to Myrtle Manor was mostly quiet, although Lady Henrietta did allow herself a few moments to rhapsodise on the pleasures of seeing her old friend again after so many years.

“It was as if we’d just parted, Garrett,” she beamed. “She hasn’t changed at all, still the lovely and funny friend I remember so fondly. I wish we had not lost contact for so long, but being able to meet again? An extraordinarily delightful experience.”

“I am glad you had a good time, Mama.”

There. That was polite and diplomatic.

She waved the comment aside with a brief gesture. “Of course I did. And I was charmed to meet Hazel’s daughter. What a beautiful young woman.”

He refused to rise to the bait.

She continued, undeterred. “And an excellent background, what seems to be a well-educated mind—although perhaps a little opinionated—and not to mention the likelihood of a healthy dowry.”

“So I assume from your delicate but pointed praise that you want me to offer for her?” Garrett stared at his mother, catching her surprise at his blunt words.

She recovered quickly. “You could do worse.”

“I could,” he agreed.

Henrietta sighed. “What do you want, Garrett?”

“I want to not think about marrying, Mama. Not yet.”

“I doubt I need to point out your age, my dear. Nor do I need to point out that it is high time you produced an heir.”

“I am quite aware of my age, and also that I have several more years before the need to breed is upon me.” He gazed from the window, not seeing anything of the passing scenery, but looking inward. “I had hoped that I would reach at least thirty-five before we needed to have this conversation.”

“Good Lord. Six more years?”

“Five and a half,” he pouted.

“I might be dead by then,” she shot back. “Without the chance of ever holding a grandchild.”

Garrett rolled his eyes. “Firstly, you have far too many plans and adventures ahead of you to even consider cocking up your toes. And secondly, I’m having difficulty imagining my vibrant Mama dandling a baby on her knee, especially in one of those amazingly expensive gowns from the finest modiste in London. You probably wouldn’t even have time in between engagements and soirées.”

Silence fell for a few moments.

“Well try harder, darling. I want what’s best for you. I want you to have someone special in your life, someone to laugh with, cry with, and love more than anything in the world. And I want you to have a child, at least one, if not more, just for the sheer joy they will bring you and your wife.” She sighed. “ And the pleasure they will bring me, gowns notwithstanding.”

“Really, Mama?”

She reached out and touched his hand. “Really, Garrett.”

He looked at her, and for once saw the woman who had been robbed of her life partner far too soon. “Are you lonely?”

She relaxed and smiled. “That is a hard question to answer. Not too often. I’ve learned to live alone, darling. To embrace the joys of the family I have left, and to cherish the memories of the family that has gone.” She straightened and met his gaze. “That does not, however, preclude me from desiring a daughter-in-law, and the consequent heir or heirs.”

“Oh.”

“I’d like to hear the laughter of children at Belcaster once more.”

“Better repair the banisters on the first floor then,” Garrett quipped, wanting to lighten her mood if he could.

It worked.

“Oh my goodness yes,” she burst out laughing. “You scared the devil out of Williamson when you shot down the staircase on that dratted thing…”

“He turned white as a sheet, didn’t he?”

“But he caught you. In spite of my scream distracting him a little.”

They both enjoyed the memory for a few moments, Henrietta’s shook her head, and Garrett chuckled as he recalled the utter ecstasy of flying from the second floor to the first on the highly polished wood. How fast it had seemed then, and how foolishly dangerous it seemed now.

He wondered if it would still hold him, but one look at his mother dissuaded him from finding out. Besides, Williamson wouldn’t be able to catch him this time around.

“How about we compromise, Mama? I shall certainly think about the business of marriage, if you promise not to nag me about it, or present a parade of eligible damsels for my consideration?”

Henrietta considered the proposal. “I will agree, under one condition, Garrett.”

“And that would be…?”

“That you keep your mind and your heart open to the idea of finding the right woman? That you understand nobody is perfect and we all are flawed in our own way. Sometimes those flaws make us who we truly are, and the result might turn out to be better than you expected.”

He blinked as he digested that rather complicated declaration. “Er, so what you’re saying is I should find the right woman, regardless of her faults?”

“Not quite,” she said gently. “I’m saying you should find the right woman for you .”