Chapter 12

The Dowager Duchess of Clairville had organized a range of activities for her guests. The party had enjoyed a carriage ride to a local viewpoint, followed by luncheon at a local tavern. In the evening, there had been singing by Beatrice and Elspeth, and Lady Caroline had joined in.

Audrey had avoided these events, pleading her duties looking after Sasha. She had no interest in a schedule of society activities.

Then Grace and Jane had lobbied for a games afternoon, keen to show little Sasha some of the games they knew. Audrey knew this was unavoidable and she would need to take part with a good heart.

The older girls spent the morning setting up an area of the park for the games. The gardeners had built a little temporary pavilion, ready for refreshments. Audrey came across the girls making a list of the games.

"What have you chosen?" Audrey asked them with interest, noticing the skittles they had set up already.

"Well, it looks as though it is a sunny day, so we've chosen nine-pin bowling, French cricket, and touch tag."

"And tug of war!" suggested Elspeth.

"There are hoops in the boot room. We could play that game where you run and have to pull a hoop over your head." proposed Beatrice.

"That's a good idea," said Elspeth, pen poised. "What's that called?"

"Hoops!" laughed Beatrice and collapsed into fits of giggles.

"How about Blind Man's Bluff," Audrey chimed in.

"I'd forgotten that," said Elspeth.

"We've got a whole afternoon of fun now," added Beatrice.

"Jane, Grace, and Sasha will love it," Audrey agreed.

***

Nurse Walters had refused point blank to have anything to do with an afternoon of games as she said she had far more important things to be doing. Mrs. Driscoll wanted to come and watch, and Audrey whispered to Beatrice that it would be kind to invite the housekeeper to play with them. Rules of society could be relaxed as they had been during the quarantine in London.

Audrey saw Lady Caroline arriving, twirling her parasol, a few minutes before the games were scheduled to start. Her mother accompanied her, and they went to the seating area that Robert had set up for guests to watch the games.

Audrey wondered if the duke would join them to watch any of the games. Sasha was so excited it was hard to contain her from jumping up and down continually.

It's such fun, thought Audrey. Everyone is having a great time, and it is not so competitive that anyone feels left out. She felt Beatrice and Elspeth had done an amazing job organizing the games.

Jane and Grace were keeping Sasha occupied and she had the luxury of watching the games without looking to check that Sasha was safe.

As Audrey watched, she became aware of a figure at her side. Lady Caroline smiled at her, though Audrey did not think the smile reached her eyes. It did not worry her, as she had worked out that Lady Caroline disliked governesses and was confused as to why Audrey was being treated differently.

Audrey rarely took up the offer, but the dowager duchess had made clear she was welcome to eat with the family and join the evening soirées. Audrey knew it was due to the fact that the duke and his mother knew her identity as Lady Audrey, but it probably confused a socialite and stickler for tradition like Lady Caroline.

Audrey acknowledged Lady Caroline with a curtsy. "Come join me for a turn around the perimeter, to that oak tree over there," suggested Lady Caroline.

"I wouldn't want to miss any of the games," said Audrey, doubtfully, but Lady Caroline insisted, and so Audrey agreed.

Lady Caroline led the way, commenting on the pleasure of the carriage ride the previous day.

"I understand Miss Sasha has had a difficult time. Mrs. Driscoll told Mama that His Grace is trying to locate her family," said Lady Caroline.

"That's right, and so far, there has been no clue as to her identity. We know most from what Sasha has told us herself. It's heartbreaking. She is so alone in the world."

"If there is any way in which Mama or I can help, then please say," offered Lady Caroline.

"I can't think of anything specific," Audrey replied, rather taken aback by the offer, "but you can continue to be kind to the little girl. She has lost so much and needs to have new relationships in her life."

Audrey looked at Lady Caroline, with her silk dress, straw bonnet, and impeccable hairdo. "You are, though, a very beautiful lady and she is so happy to talk to any lady of quality. If you could talk to her and listen to her creative stories, then I'm sure that will help," said Audrey.

Later in the afternoon, after many moments of happiness, Audrey reflected that she had felt a sense of unease since that conversation. Despite this offer to help if she could, Audrey saw no effort by Lady Caroline to engage in conversation or play with the child. Quite the opposite, in fact. If Sasha came near her, then Audrey got the impression that Lady Caroline would like to bat her away like a troublesome fly.

She overheard Grace and Jane talking about how they didn't like Lady Caroline as she never said anything nice to them. From what Audrey could gather, Lady Caroline had told Grace to be silent and listen to her elders for no real reason. "I just don't think she likes my voice," said Grace sadly.

"Nonsense," retorted Jane. "She doesn't like any of us, children that is. I thought she was going to shout at Sasha yesterday for treading on her toe, when she was pirouetting around the room."

"You're right. She isn't kind," agreed Grace.

Audrey listened, feeling uncomfortable that she was overhearing the girls, but hearing their views reinforced her suspicions that there was something false about Lady Caroline. She pretended such concern and compassion yet spoke harsh words to the children.

Lady Caroline does not seem genuine. I have no obvious reason not to like her, but I do not trust her, thoughtAudrey. I must make sure she is not left alone with little Sasha.

Toward the end of the afternoon, Audrey saw the duke and Robert striding across the park to join them. Her heart flipped at the sight of him, but she was getting used to this now. They walked in her direction, and she prepared to tell them what a wonderful job Beatrice and Elspeth had done in preparing for this fun-filled afternoon. But as they approached her, they turned away and joined Lady Caroline and her mother.

A tiny arrow of jealousy hit her unexpectedly, taking her totally by surprise. How ridiculous. I don't like seeing her with the duke, yet I have no right to expect him to pay any attention to me. Everyone says an announcement of an engagement between The Duke of Clairville and Lady Caroline is imminent. That is right and appropriate and none of my concern.

Maybe this was why she didn't warm to Lady Caroline.

I'm looking for reasons to dislike her because I'm jealous. I hadn't realized my affection for The Duke of Clairville had grown so strong, Audrey thought.