Chapter 28

As Agnes rejoined her husband, she noticed a woman struggling near one of the festival carts. "Confounded slipper," the lady hissed with palpable impatience, attempting to extricate her footwear which seemed ensnared in the wheel of the cart.

Quick to offer assistance, Agnes approached, her natural inclination to help taking over. "Oh, finally some help," the lady sighed in relief as Agnes knelt down beside her.

The slipper was tangled quite thoroughly in the wheel. With a bit of maneuvering and extra effort, Agnes managed to free it.

"It slipped off and got stuck," the lady explained sheepishly as Agnes handed her the rescued shoe.

"I cannot thank you enough. With all the festivities and distractions around, only a genuine soul would be so kind as to stop and help," she added, her tone infused with gratitude.

"It was no trouble at all," Agnes responded, brushing off her hands and preparing to return to Theodore.

Before she could move away, the woman introduced herself. "I am the Countess of Leighton," she said, extending her hand in formal greeting.

The name rang a bell for Agnes, but she couldn't quite place where she had heard it before. Before she could ponder further, the Countess continued, "And you are the new Marchioness of Gillingham." It was stated with such certainty that it took Agnes by surprise. It was not a question, and her confident tone made Agnes wonder how she had come to be recognized so quickly.

"Yes, I am," Agnes confirmed, her curiosity piqued about how her identity was so readily known. She smiled politely, her mind whirling with questions about the Countess" familiarity with her.

"Oh, I saw you when the dance began. And it was all the people around could talk about," Lady Leighton explained, responding to the unasked question on Agnes's face. Her tone carried a note of admiration that caused Agnes to blush slightly.

"You have a skill with children only your dancing talents could rival," the Countess praised, her eyes sparkling with genuine appreciation.

"Oh, you're too kind," Agnes felt some color in her cheeks, humbled by such compliments.

"There you are," she suddenly heard her husband's voice behind her. Theodore approached with his usual dignified stride, his eyes lighting up as he joined them. Agnes introduced him to the Countess.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Leighton," Theodore greeted, taking the Countess's gloved hand gently in his and kissing her knuckles in a gesture of refined courtesy.

Agnes noticed a flower in his other hand then. And when he turned back to her, he surprised her by adding it to her flower crown with a tender smile. "You danced beautifully," he commended as well, his voice carrying both pride and affection.

"The children were good teachers," she responded with a sheepish little chuckle, touching the petals of the flower he had just placed in her hair.

"And you, my dear, were a fast learner," Theodore replied, his gaze softening as he then kissed her own bare knuckles with a gentle reverence that made her heart flutter.

"Oh, how lovely," a voice sighed nearby. It was Lady Leighton. Agnes had momentarily forgotten about her presence right then, caught up in her intimate exchange with Theodore. She felt her cheeks warm, and when she glanced at her husband, his face had some color, too.

The woman's eyes held such curiosity in them, they practically shone with it. Lady Leighton"s interest in Agnes and Theodore was palpable, her gaze flickering between them with an intensity that spoke of more than mere social pleasantries.

"How about a cup of tea at my house tomorrow afternoon?" she suddenly suggested, her voice smooth and inviting. "I should like to know the Marchioness and Marquess of Gillingham a little better," she added, offering them a warm smile that seemed to draw them into her world.

Theodore and Agnes exchanged a quick, consenting glance, recognizing the opportunity to strengthen ties within their community and perhaps, to learn more about their own positions through the insights of an established member of the local gentry.

"We would be delighted," Agnes responded graciously, her tone reflecting both her eagerness and appreciation for the invitation.

All good things must come to an end. Alas, the festival was one of them. As the day"s festivities began to wind down, the laughter and music gradually fading into the evening air, Theodore and Agnes took their leave, their hands entwined.

Theodore was standing in front of his study window that overlooked his unremarkable garden when a soft knock on the door momentarily lifted his thoughts from what they had been lingering on. Agnes.

"Enter," he called, his voice steadier than he felt.

The door opened and Mr. Ingram, his other solicitor, stepped in. Theodore's brow furrowed slightly; he had expected to see Thompson.

"Mr. Ingram, I specifically summoned Thompson. Why are you here instead?" Theodore's tone was more of curiosity than irritation.

Ingram approached the desk with a respectful nod. "My Lord, Mr. Thompson has arranged a meeting with two merchants looking to embark on a trading journey to India and are in need of ships for lease. He thought it best to handle it personally, given the potential opportunity it could present for your company."

Theodore's heart lifted slightly at the news. "And the outcome?" he asked, a spark of hope flickering in his chest.

"I do not know yet, My Lord. The meeting was yet to take place when I departed London," Ingram replied. "It is scheduled for tomorrow."

Theodore sat in his chair, allowing himself a moment of silent appreciation for Thompson"s efforts. Ingram, clearing his throat softly, extended a missive him. "There is also this from one of the late Marquess' creditors."

Theodore took the letter with a slight hesitation, unfolding it to read the cramped, impatient handwriting:

Lord Gillingham,

I acknowledge receipt of your recent payment towards the outstanding debts of your late father. I must urge you to settle the remainder posthaste. My patience, though considerable, has limits, and I would be loath to take further action to recover what is duly owed.

Regards,

Mr. S. Hargrove

The words were a reminder of the precariousness of his situation. Theodore exhaled slowly, his fingers tightening momentarily around the sheet.

"Please draft a response to Mr. Hargrove," Theodore instructed, handing the letter back to Ingram. "Assure him of our commitment to settling the debts, but do not mention when the remaining payment will be made."

"Yes, My Lord. Would you like me to include anything else?" Ingram asked.

"That will be sufficient," Theodore said. Then, after a moment's contemplation, he added, "Perhaps I should travel to London to attend the meeting with the merchants myself."

Ingram paused, considering Theodore's proposal. "While your presence might indeed influence the proceedings, Mr. Thompson appears to have the situation well in hand. Besides, society expects you to be in Essex for at least a fortnight."

Theodore nodded slowly. "Very well, let Thompson handle it. Keep me informed of any developments."

"Of course, My Lord," Ingram replied, bowing slightly before making his way out of the study.

Theodore turned his gaze back to the window, looking out at the grounds of his estate. He should have flowers planted for Agnes. It should be the very least he was capable of.

The following afternoon saw Agnes and Theodore riding to Lady Leighton's house for tea. The carriage journey was quiet, filled with the soft clatter of hooves and the gentle rocking of their transport. Agnes noticed her husband appeared deep in thought, his brow furrowed, perhaps dwelling on the myriad pressures of his current situation. She realized that despite their efforts, he had gained little relief from their arrangements, and she herself was still yet to fulfill her own end of the bargain.

"We cannot drop our guard with the Countess," Agnes broke the silence at last, her voice low and deliberate, cutting through the quiet tension.

Theodore turned to her, his expression shifting to one of attentiveness.

"She is a member of society, and even though she doesn't seem like the gossiping type, I think we should give her no room to doubt our marriage. Besides, I still need to fulfill my own end of the bargain," she added, her tone serious yet laced with a determination to manage the situation proactively.

After a brief pause, he nodded his agreement. There was something in his gaze which unsettled her, a complexity she couldn't quite decipher, its depth unnerving yet compelling.

He helped her down from the carriage upon their arrival and led her up the stairs to the entrance of Lady Leighton's elegant home.

"Are you all right?" He asked her as they ascended, and there was an undeniable warmth in his tone, one that seemed to seek more than just a superficial affirmation.

Agnes met his gaze, a bit of surprise flickering across her features at the concern in his voice. She was further surprised to find an echo of that warmth in the depths of his green gaze, a softness she had not anticipated but which made her heart flutter slightly with renewed hope and affection.

She nodded, desperately wishing it wasn't merely her imagination fueling the warmth she sensed from Theodore. How she wanted him to truly care.

The butler led them into the drawing room where Lady Leighton received them with open arms and a bright smile. "Oh, it is such a delight to have you over," she greeted them warmly, her voice echoing through the elegantly appointed room.

"You are back in the country quite early. The season is still ongoing," Theodore observed casually over tea, raising an eyebrow slightly as he accepted a cup from the hostess.

"I hardly stay in Town to be honest," Lady Leighton responded with a light wave of her hand, dismissing the notion as trivial. "Essex has been my home since marriage. And there really is no place which compares to it for me," she added, her tone affectionate as she spoke of her home.

"We all get attached like that," Agnes chimed in, relating to the sentiment of finding comfort in the familiar.

"A little too attached, some would say," the Countess chuckled sheepishly, a twinkle in her eye. "I haven't been to London in three years," she confessed, causing Agnes to feel her eyes widen in surprise.

"Three years?" Agnes echoed, her surprise evident.

"Yes. Three good years of uninterrupted fresh country breeze," Lady Leighton said, her voice rich with the contentment of a woman thoroughly in love with her lifestyle. "And those horrid gossip sheets, I am glad to be free of them. They are not allowed in this household, you see."

Agnes smiled, relieved. It seemed the countess was blissfully unaware of the scandal that had precipitated her hasty marriage to Theodore.

"You are missing nothing back in Town, My Lady," Theodore encouraged the countess, offering a reassuring smile. He plucked a sandwich from the platter and gently placed it on Agnes's plate, then leaned in slightly. "Is there anything else you'd like?" he asked softly.

Agnes smiled back at him, her heart light. "I'm quite all right, thank you," she replied, her eyes twinkling with appreciation for his attentiveness.

"Oh, it's been a while since I saw a couple so in love," the Countess clapped her hands together in delight, observing their interaction with an amused and fond expression. Agnes felt a warmth spread to her cheeks at the comment, her face flushing with a mix of embarrassment and happiness.

After tea, the Countess stood up, her movements graceful and fluid. "Shall I give you a little tour of our home?" she suggested with enthusiasm. Agnes and Theodore both nodded eagerly, curious to see more of the impressive estate.

Lady Leighton led them through her home, eventually guiding them to her portrait gallery. She proudly provided a history of her family, pointing out ancestors with stories that brought the painted figures to life. As they moved through the gallery, Agnes suddenly stopped in her tracks before a particular portrait, her surprise audible.

"Oh," Agnes let out in shock as they came across the portrait of a familiar figure. "Lord Asmont?" she wondered out loud, her voice tinged with disbelief.

"You know my nephew?" Lady Leighton asked, turning to face Agnes with raised eyebrows, a hint of curiosity in her voice.