Chapter Ten

A country party in late July to escape the heat of London was ideal. The Diamonds all felt cooler as soon as they left Town from the Euston Grove station. Breathing a sigh of relief as they got under way, Clarity relaxed in their first-class carriage, fashioned with mauve velvet seats and the darkest, polished wood. The only inconvenience was the noise of the train itself.

In quick succession, they crossed the elegant iron bowstring suspension bridge over the Regent's Canal and found themselves in the modern wonder of a 1,120-yard-long tunnel through Primrose Hill.

After coming out the other side and after passing through the much shorter tunnel at Kensal Green, they were truly on their way, leaving the outskirts of London and the bells of Westminster behind.

Clarity was more pleased than any of them to get away from the bustle of the Season, now grown tedious. While her second kiss with Alex at Chiswick House had made her knees buckle, causing her to want more from him, their interaction both inside and outside his home had made it abundantly clear that was not to be.

And then in case she didn't clearly understand his position, Alex had sent her a brief note on the thickest writing paper, which like a fool she'd sniffed to see if it held his cologne. It didn't. It was not a billet-doux after all, but further apology for his "lunatic actions at the labyrinth," as he called their delectable kiss.

On the other hand, he had suggested they try to return to their old footing as friends, which he said he valued. That was something, at least. She'd tried folding the missive into a heart shape, but it looked like a potato, and she put it in the bottom drawer of her wardrobe.

Clarity tried to relegate Alex into a small, bottom drawer of her heart, too.

Sadly, Lord Brennon seemed more wan and more tepid than before, although she knew it wasn't his fault. He was still the best choice of the gentlemen who remained on the field of suitors. And she knew she didn't have to marry him. She could wait and see if someone else caught her fancy, while simultaneously fearing Alex had ruined her for loving any other.

The warring emotions inside her, as well as the sticky late-July temperatures, had left her vexed. Leaning back upon the lace-clad headrest, with her closed eyes, she listened to her family chat.

"A fortnight is a perfect amount of time," Purity said. "And four days is the exact recommended length of a stay for guests."

"A single night is too long to have most guests," their father grumbled, but he was always a welcoming host and enjoyed playing cards with the men whom his wife invited to their house.

"Purity is correct," her mother agreed. "People have a chance to lose the stress of the journey, forget their worries from Town, and get excited for the ball. And then they're ready to return home directly after."

"How many?" Lord Diamond asked.

"From London?" Lady Diamond clarified, because unquestionably there would be locals coming to the dance at week's end. "Three couples. No, four, come to think of it. And enough singles to match up and dance with our daughters. Adam, your friend from school is coming, isn't he?"

Adam nodded.

"Lord Brennon accepted, of course," her mother continued, seemingly ticking off a list in her head.

Clarity startled, ignoring Purity's questioning expression, and raised an eyebrow. Logically, the man they all thought she would marry had been invited, but Clarity would have enjoyed time away from him in order to better understand her emotions.

Before Purity could ask if aught was wrong, Ray sighed loudly.

"I suppose Bri and I are supposed to stay in our rooms."

"Don't be silly. You will attend the evening amusements, Thursday and Friday and the ball on Saturday, but you shall not dance." This from Purity, whose bossiness sprang from her love of order.

"Is she right, Mother?" Ray asked.

Their lovely red-headed matriarch turned to her only red-headed daughter.

"It's for the best, dear one. You'll have your turn."

"When you have officially come out!" Purity added.

Clarity hid a smile. Her sister would make an excellent mother one day, or a soldier in the Queen's army!

"Also, because of his re-entrance into society recently, I invited Lord Hollidge," Lady Diamond said, looking now at her eldest daughter. "I thought it was the least I could do for my dear friend. His mother would enjoy knowing we'd renewed our connection and her son was once more at Oak Grove, which the Hollidges adored."

Momentarily speechless, Clarity finally found her voice.

"My understanding is he is not single. If not already engaged, then expected to be shortly. I would imagine a house party with single women without his intended would not be acceptable."

Certainly not in the eyes of his aunt!

"I don't know about that," her mother said. "I extended the invitation to Lady Aston, too." Her voice trailed off, sounding subdued.

An almost palpable quelling of any future amusement settled over the large family in the luxurious train car.

"I am ready for a cup of freshly brewed tea," Purity said, knowing she could not have one.

"I'm ready for a glass of brandy," her father quipped.

Their brother, who until then had been silently looking out the window on the other side of the train carriage, reached into his pocket and handed his father a silver flask.

"Bless you," Lord Diamond quipped.

"Really!" their mother said. "Do you condone our son carrying brandy upon his person?"

"Of course I do," their father said. "As long as it's not gin, what's the harm? Besides, I have more if his supply runs out." With that, he took a long sip and returned the flagon to his son.

While Clarity was enjoying the odd sensation of a blurred landscape going by, thinking as she always did how marvelous train travel was, her sister made a tsking sound that was quintessential Purity.

"I vow I saw another cloud of smoke and ash float past with cinders the size of walnuts," Purity said. "It will go right into the open sides of third class. Is this train run by savages or civilized people?"

None of them could help laughing at their proper Purity.

"Mother, did you bring sandwiches and lemonade?" asked Ray.

"I did indeed, and Cook packed cold tea and cake, too."

"Cold tea," Purity spat out the words with palpable distaste. "I would rather not, thank you."

"I swear you are the oldest nineteen-year-old alive," Clarity declared, "and I love you for it."

Purity crossed her arms and looked smugly superior.

Clarity closed her eyes again and considered her newly found interest in the gathering that began on Thursday. Her anticipation greatly lifted now she knew Alex would be there. However, a whisper of doubt floated into her brain. From what she knew of his recent behavior, taking off four days in the country seemed out of character.

"Mother, you said Alex had been invited. Did he accept?"

"Not in so many words, but his aunt did. And I believe she is his social manager until such time as he finds himself a wife."

Hm. It seemed strange that Lady Aston had agreed to be a part of the Diamonds' country party. Yet if Alex's aunt had accepted the invitation, there was no doubt he would appear.

After her family had settled in and were enjoying the routine of their country estate, it seemed far too soon when the guests began to arrive the following week. Doing their duty, Clarity as eldest daughter and Adam as heir met each carriage along with their parents to welcome their guests. Few arrived in their own conveyance. Most were in the Diamonds' own country coach, which they sent between their home and the Derby Midland station.

Three trains each day branched off from the main London to Birmingham railway at Hampton in Arden, which sent them on a short ride into Derby. Between private carriages and the first two trains of the day, Clarity was constantly summoned to the front of the house, all the while still wondering whether Alex and his aunt would come.

Lord Brennon had already arrived, along with the majority of the party-goers, when the butler announced the coach had returned from the last train of the day.

Finally, as their carriage pulled up to the house and emptied its occupants, Clarity had her answer.

Alex descended first and nodded in the direction of his hosts before turning to assist his aunt. As soon as Lady Aston's shoes touched the gravel, she looked past the Diamonds toward the house, perhaps recalling the times she'd been there with her brother and his wife many years earlier.

Maybe she had unpleasant memories, Clarity thought, walking forward with her family. Maybe she recalled her gown being worn by their old hunting dog.

Then they all halted as Alex turned to assist another from the carriage. A fawn-colored traveling gown came into view and then the placid visage of Miss Emmeline Brambury.

Sweet Mary! Clarity wished she'd had warning. No one had mentioned this paragon of perfection coming to the party. Even though her own beau was currently inside in the drawing room, drinking some of her mother's famed citrus and rum punch and amusing the other guests, burning jealousy at seeing Alex's intended roared through Clarity, stunning her with its ferocity.

At last, the three new arrivals and the Diamonds offered an exchange of greetings. Alex appeared if not exactly grim, then solemn. Perhaps it was merely the long journey by train. More likely, it was being in the dreadfully dour company of both Lady Aston and the coolly reserved Miss Brambury.

Not nice, Clarity chastised herself, making eye contact with Alex and smiling in an attempt to cheer him up. He nodded toward her without warmth.

Thus, despite his presence, this had become the worst country party ever. She would be spending four days with one lady who had already told Clarity of her blatant disapproval and the other who had taken the man holding Clarity's heart. And Alex, himself, appeared as if he were at his own funeral.

After all proper salutations had been given and received, they went indoors as a group. With her parents leading, Clarity and her brother brought up the rear, giving her an excellent view of the moment Alex took Miss Brambury's arm, as the couple lagged behind his aunt.

While footmen hurried to bring in the trunks that had been deposited upon the drive, a maid escorted the latest arrivals upstairs. Less than ten minutes later, upon removing their coats and hats and changing their shoes, the newest guests returned to join those gathered in the drawing room.

Momentarily pinned by Purity's discerning gaze, Clarity knew she must remain. She would give a year of pin money to exchange places with either of her younger sisters at that moment. They were free of hosting duties and could disappear up to their rooms if they chose. Naturally, they wanted to remain in the thick of things, whereas if Clarity could, she would leave the drawing room and keep her own counsel until dinner.

As eldest daughter, she should be the one to make introductions while her parents were otherwise engaged with Lord and Lady Fenwick, the eldest couple at the gathering and long-time friends of her father's father. Regardless, while reeling from the surprise guest, Clarity eschewed her position and welcomed Purity taking Alex, his aunt, and Miss Brambury around the spacious drawing room to introduce them to the other guests.

Staying where she was beside Lord Brennon and another couple who were friends of her mother, Clarity couldn't help noticing Alex said very little, letting his aunt do most of the socializing while he took in his surroundings.

Was Oak Grove Hall still familiar to him? she wondered.

Finally, Purity led the three directly to her.

"I am glad you could come," Clarity said, despite having said a similar vacuous phrase outside on the gravel drive. Instead of asking anything remotely untoward, she stayed with the safe and the inane. "I hope your journey was smooth and uneventful."

"It was," Lady Aston replied. "Hopefully this evening, we shall be excused from the fullness of social duties usually expected of guests. We are exhausted by the trip."

With that, she turned away to locate a seat on the sofa.

Despite how Alex's aunt had spoken for all of them, both he and Miss Brambury remained, not appearing in the least exhausted nor inclined to sit.

"It was good of her to use up her energy on my behalf," the latter spoke. "Obviously, if she hadn't, I would not have been able to attend."

"Lady Aston is playing the part of your chaperone?" Clarity determined. "But she was an invited guest," she added, leaving it hanging in the air that Emmeline was not.

Silence met her rudeness, as well it should. Clarity had erred egregiously. She could only be glad Purity hadn't overheard her.

Lord Brennon cleared his throat while Alex visibly clenched his jaw. It was up to Clarity to smooth it over.

"And we are fortunate Lady Aston had the foresight to know you would be welcome as Al ... as Lord Hollidge's friend," she concluded, hoping that sounded genuine.

"Thank you," Miss Brambury murmured, her cheeks a little pink. She lifted her chin slightly and turned away.

Clarity gave Alex an apologetic half-smile, which he returned with a disapproving shake of his head before following his lady love.

Lord Brennon leaned down and whispered, "Don't fret, Lady Clarity. It is the height of discourtesy for Lady Aston to have brought an extra guest, and Hollidge knows it. He should have put his foot down back in London."

He should have , she agreed silently, but he hadn't. He must really love Emmeline Brambury.