Chapter Five

“I ’m surprised you didn’t make some excuse to avoid this event.” The voice clearly belonged to Lord Sommerset, who seemed to find much about life humorous.

“I had three at the ready, but as this greatly concerns my sister, I could not in good conscience beg off.”

Dory grinned. That was most definitely Lord Harewood.

“Ah, so that is what this party is about. My wife was correct. Your mother wishes to extend the season for Lady Rose so that she might capture some man’s heart.”

“And yet my sister doesn’t care to.”

So Lord Harewood knew of his sister’s desire to go to the duchess’s school. She leaned over a bit more, wishing she could see their faces.

A chuckle emanated from Lord Sommerset. “I find that difficult to believe. All ladies aspire to find a husband.”

There was a pause before Lord Harewood answered. “Need I remind you that one by the name of Lady Amelia was in no hurry to marry?”

“Yes, well, uh…what is the Lady Rose’s hesitation? Surely, it can’t be painting her masterpiece.”

“Of course not.”

When there was no further statement following that one, she pressed her feet against the concrete spindles on the railing. Even as she did so, she heard the tiny debris particles fall off the edge.

Quickly, she stepped back against the doors.

“What was that?” Lord Sommerset’s voice moved closer to the building, away from where he must have been standing directly beneath her.

“It appears you have been dusted by a bird, or maybe…”

She held her breath as footfalls moved away from the building toward the end of the terrace. Lord Harewood would see her! She dropped to a kneeling position upon the balcony, hoping the angle would not give her away. If he descended the steps onto the lawn, she would no doubt be sent packing.

The footfalls halted. “It must have been a bird on the railing above.”

She sincerely hoped he’d be happy with his conclusion.

“But to be sure. Let me take a further look.”

Her heart stopped in her chest.

The sound of the terrace door opening caused her to groan silently. How many more people would come outside?

“Ah, there are you, Andrew. Felton, what are you doing over there?

“I was investigating a happenstance, Father.”

“That’s enough investigating. Your mother wishes you and Andrew to come inside for tea. We shall all humor her before slipping into the library for a real libation, right, Andrew? Port, if I remember correctly.”

Lord Harewood’s steps drew closer to the house until he was beneath her, but still, she didn’t move.

“You are quite correct, sir.” Sommerset sounded quite happy with the plan.

She listened to all three men’s footsteps until they grew muffled as the door was closed. Still, she remained where she was, frozen with relief.

A muted knock sounded from inside her room.

Of course. They would send for her for tea! Jumping up, she stepped back into her room and ran toward the door with a sinking feeling that she would have to watch every step she took at this house party. She just hoped she lasted the entire week without drawing too much attention to herself. If only she knew how to accomplish such a feat.

*

Lord Harewood stood at the fireplace, relaxed and pleased that his friend had arrived two days early, as he’d requested. What he hadn’t expected was that Lady Dorothea would accompany Lord and Lady Sommerset. That, in his estimation, had been a fortuitous turn of events. It would give him the opportunity to learn more about her and determine the best way to make her quite popular with the men attending his mother’s fortnight of activities.

He sincerely hoped he could discover some simple change that could then be applied to each woman in the school. What that change would be and how he would make it happen were still beyond his reach. But now, with his sister planning to attend the school, which was deemed scandalous simply by its goal of imparting young women of the peerage with knowledge and thought processes equal to that which was boasted of by Oxford and Cambridge, his task was even far more important. Obviously, the Duchess of Northwick had no knowledge of what other “lessons” young men availed themselves of while at school. No doubt her husband had kept those sinful activities from his wife, as any respectable gentleman would.

“You’re smiling, Harewood. That does not bode well for the rest of your guests.” Sommerset handed him the cup of tea his mother had poured, and he accepted.

“I am of the understanding that smiling is the preferred way to welcome others into one’s home, is it not?”

“Normally, I would agree, but with you, my friend, I know there is much more behind that grin than a simple welcome. Come, tell me. What is it that pleases you? It happens so rarely that something does.”

He took a sip of the bitter black tea, the only way he could stomach it. “Perhaps I am simply content that the rest of the guests have yet to arrive and I still have two days to enjoy my childhood home.”

Sommerset chuckled, as expected. Though many men might consider Sommerset nothing more than a handsome rival with far too much humor to take seriously, he knew his friend was not only steadfast in his loyalty to those he cared for, but also generous with a sharp intellect. Many a man had underestimated Sommerset, but he had recognized the man’s potential even as a muscular lad at Eaton and had made it his first goal to befriend him. It may have been for self-preservation, as he had been a skinny youth back then, and Sommerset had had far more bulk to his build, so not the kindest motivation, but his instincts had been correct.

The parlor doors opened and Lady Sommerset and Lady Dorothea walked in. Sommerset immediately moved to greet his wife.

Harewood noticed that Lady Dorothea had changed from her traveling dress to a day dress of beige with tiny, dark-green leaves. He didn’t like it. The few times he’d noticed her, she had worn deep tones. This dress reminded him of one of the guest rooms upstairs. Had his mother assigned her to that room? She definitely wouldn’t become sought after wearing such mundane colors. But as she sat on the edge of an armchair next to his sister, she blended in with the others. Somehow, he was sure that had been her intent.

He studied the dresses of all the ladies, noticing that his mother’s mauve gown was the darkest in the room. Lady Dorothea glanced at him, and he gave her a nod to acknowledge her presence. She nodded back before accepting her tea from Rose.

“Thank you, Lady Enderly.” Lady Sommerset accepted a teacup passed to her by Rose. “I’m anxious to hear what activities you have planned for us all.”

His mother poured before answering. “I actually was hoping you might help me with one activity in particular.”

“Of course. How may I be of assistance?”

His mother handed the next cup of tea to Rose, who passed it to Lady Dorothea. The latter took a sip as the other two women continued their conversation.

He had to grit his teeth to keep from grinning as Lady Dorothea blinked rapidly and her brow furrowed before she hid her reaction to his mother’s overly sweetened tea. His mother thought everyone enjoyed her version of tea syrup, as he referred to it.

As the conversation continued among the ladies, he was content to observe. What he learned was that Lady Dorothea was well mannered and wished to speak more often than she actually did. When there was finally a lull in the conversation on painting and riddle making, he thought it best to join in. “Lady Dorothea, do you have any ideas for activities?”

Her eyes widened most likely at being asked directly, but she recovered quickly. “I admit to not being well-versed in house parties. However, I will say that I enjoy a stroll in the woods. At Silver Meadows, there’s a beautiful waterfall and what’s left of an abandoned mill. It is quite interesting to study the way nature is slowly taking back what man built long ago.”

Before he could champion her cause, his mother responded. “We have no waterfalls here. Only the creek that feeds the pond. But I’m sure the men will enjoy a few boating races, don’t you think, Felton?”

“I’m sure we will. But what of you ladies? A walk in the morning before the heat of the day might be pleasant.”

Though his mother frowned, his sister quickly jumped on his idea. “Oh, yes. That would be lovely. There is that little path in the wood to the creek.” She paused, looking to Lady Dorothea as if for support. “There are also the standing stones not far from the village of Marston Moretaine. Maybe we could take a ride there one morning and enjoy a light luncheon al fresco .” She turned back to her mother. “We could make it an outing for everyone. I’m sure the men wouldn’t mind giving up one morning to spend with us.”

He grinned. His sister could be shrewd. It was clear his mother was not at first excited by the idea, but once Rose mentioned the men coming along, which would not have been the case usually, his mother appeared to see the potential in such an outing.

As he expected, his mother gave Rose a nod. “I think that’s a splendid idea, Rose.”

His sister linked hands with Dorothea. “Is that the type of activity you were thinking of?”

“That is even better than my suggestion. I have no doubt it will be one of the high points of the day.”

Felton recognized how carefully the lady had worded her response. She both complimented Rose while not minimizing all the other activities his mother had planned. Whether that was because she attended Belinda’s school or because she’d been well-trained in her etiquette, he didn’t know, but he admired it nonetheless. “I’m sure with Sommerset’s help, we can make it something to look forward to for the men as well. Maybe a contest of some kind.”

“If you mean to see who can push down a stone first, you may as well sit with the ladies, Harewood.” Sommerset’s lips twitched. “I’m sure I would win handily.”

“Brawn is rarely better than intelligence, so I wouldn’t boast so.”

“But it is handy in a pinch, wouldn’t you say?” Sommerset raised his brows.

No doubt the man was thinking of the many times he’d defended them from the older boys at Eaton. “I do not argue that point. However, a majority of instances can be solved with a simple thought process.”

Lady Dorothea opened her mouth then closed it, but her gaze was intensely focused on him. Surprised, he addressed her. “Do you disagree, Lady Dorothea?”

“Not at all. Seneca believed that the mind is what enables the body to have strength, for is it not the mind that determines how much to eat, exercise, breathe, and everything else that helps one to grow? Though to translate his words exactly, he did specifically refer to philosophy in particular, which is why I reread him often. How could one get on in life if the questions of life and why we live are not contemplated, dissected, and investigated? Without that, we are no smarter than the mules that turn the grist mill, going around in circles with no thought beyond our next meal and time to rest. There is no hardship but also no joy. It is simply to exist, which quite frankly seems a waste of life. After all women must go through to bring a baby forth, can it simply be to perpetuate the human race? But why? Have we accomplished much over the centuries? Yes, but to what end? It surely cannot be simply to accomplish an easier life of repetition, can it? I mean, if—”

The lady suddenly stopped, a red blush starting in her face and growing quickly down her neck to her chest. “I mean, it could be pleasant to have both physical and intellectual competitions, but as I said, I am not that knowledgeable on the usual activities your family enjoys.”

The silence in the room made it obvious that everyone had stopped to listen to her. A quick glance made it clear his mother was appalled, his father riveted, his sister envious, and Lady Sommerset amused. Sommerset himself raised a brow at him, indicating it was his turn to reply, and so he would. “Lady Dorothea, you have made the argument so much more eloquently than I could. I appreciate your knowledge on the subject and think your idea of having both types of competitions an excellent one. It will give the men a chance to show their prowess in some way.”

“And their weaknesses.” His father joined the conversation for the first time, his green gaze amused. “How else are we to see if these men are acceptable?”

His mother was not, as yet, ready to give up her primary focus. “We already know the men who have accepted our invitation are acceptable, my lord, or I wouldn’t have invited them.”

His father immediately capitulated. “Of course. I had forgotten that you had put so much work into the invitations. I am, as always, reminded of what a wonderful hostess you are and do beg your forgiveness.”

His mother patted his father’s hand on the arm of his chair. “Of course you are forgiven. This is why I must take care of all the details.” She turned to Rose, whose obvious excitement over the idea of multiple competitions could be seen in the way she sat at the edge of the settee, keenly watching the interplay between their parents. “But I do suppose it would help Rose determine which would suit her better.”

Felton was quite sure everyone in the room relaxed at his mother’s pronouncement. “Then may I offer my services as well as Sommerset’s in devising the competitions?”

“Oh, and you must allow me to aid you in the endeavor.” Rose turned to Lady Dorothea. “And you must help us as well. I do believe this will be the best house party of the year.” She faced her mother. “And you and Father can be the judges.”

Their father nodded his approval and even his mother smiled. “I do believe I would enjoy being a judge. Maybe I can keep all competitions from becoming too serious. I would not want anyone to be hurt.”

“And what of I?” Lady Sommerset cocked her head, her usual secret smile on her lips.

He had no doubt she knew exactly what she would do.

Her husband laid his hand on her shoulder. “You can help us create the competitions.”

“Absolutely not. You will need a third judge to avoid a tie. That is, if you don’t mind, Lady Enderly?”

“Amelia, I would enjoy that immensely. I do believe we will have quite an active two weeks.”

He would have to applaud his sister in private for how well she helped him avoid an embarrassing moment for Lady Dorothea. But he couldn’t be around the lady constantly. He needed to talk with her further in private to discover her reasons for her soliloquies. “Now that we have that settled, I believe Father had promised to show Sommerset the new painting.”

“Yes. Yes, I did.” His father rose much faster than he normally moved. “What do you say, Andrew?”

“I say if the ladies do not mind our absence.”

The marchioness waved at them. “You know my lord is always anxious to be out and about. Off with you three. We ladies have so much more to discuss that will absolutely bore you.”

He motioned to Sommerset to precede him. “What that means is that they plan to talk about us.”

Sommerset bent to give his wife a kiss on the cheek before walking toward the door. “I, for one, am quite pleased about that.”

He shook his head as he followed his friend and father out of the room. Love had definitely changed Sommerset…for the better.