Chapter Ten

March—Shadowcrest

A fter breakfast, Mirella went to the music room in order to practice her pianoforte. She had returned from a week-long visit to Georgie and August yesterday afternoon, and she was eager to get back to playing.

It had been wonderful to spend time with her older sister, who would not be attending the upcoming Season. Georgie was heavy with child and would give birth in mid-April. August was looking forward to the birth of their first child and had confided to Mirella that he hoped the babe would be a girl who favored her mother. She had teased her brother-in-law that it could very well be a boy, and August had said he would be happy no matter what the gender of the child was.

Mirella had found that refreshing. Most titled gentlemen only focused on having sons. Her own father and Uncle Adolphus were the best examples of that philosophy. She knew, however, that August and Georgie’s babe would be loved. That was all that mattered.

Mama had made her own announcement to the family recently. She and the captain were also expecting a babe, which would come in September. Mirella had been thrilled for her mother, seeing how she basked in the love of her second husband. Mama had assured Mirella that she would be attending events with her daughter during the Season despite her condition, helping to launch Mirella into Polite Society. It would also be the captain’s first time to attend social events given by the ton , and she knew Mama was ready to show off her handsome husband.

Because her mother was increasing, Mirella suspected Mama might only attend events for the first two months or so before staying home to rest. Mirella would have the escort of James and Sophie for the remainder of the Season, however. Mama would also be staying in town because of the captain’s work at Neptune Shipping. The couple lived in the Seaton townhouse at James’ insistence. The captain had jokingly told Mirella that while he was a proud man, he was no fool, and he did not mind living in his best friend’s large, ducal townhouse. The former sea captain, though, did pay rent to James for the rooms he and Mama shared in the east wing. Mirella understood that he did have his pride.

She thought it would be the best of both worlds. She would still see Mama and the captain on a daily basis during the Season, and she would also have James and Sophie with her at social affairs.

They had finally received a letter from Pippa, which revealed she and Seth were now parents to Adam, who had been born last October. Pippa listed the places they had yet to see and wrote that she believed they would return to England sometime this coming July or August. Mama had immediately planned once the Season ended to hold a house party for family at Shadowcrest, so that everyone might be able to spend adequate time with Pippa and Seth and meet the new addition to the family.

Once they had returned from the Lake District, Mirella had been pleased to learn that both her cousins had become engaged during the course of the house party given in their honor. Less than a week after she, Effie, Aunt Matty, and Miss Feathers had arrived at Shadowcrest, a double wedding took place in the chapel on the estate. It was wonderful seeing how happy Allegra was with Sterling, the Earl of Carroll, and the same was true about Lyric and Silas, Viscount Blankenship. Sterling’s country seat was in East Sussex, while Silas’ was located in Essex. That made it convenient since both estates were only a few hours’ journey by carriage from Shadowcrest.

Though she had thought she would have the company of her cousins when she made her come-out this Season, both twins were now increasing and would not be coming to town. They would each be six months along by the time the Season began, and both husbands had insisted they wanted to protect their wives and the health of the babes, so they would remain in the country during the social whirl of spring and summer.

Mirella believed Lyric might be carrying twins. Already, her cousin’s belly was much larger than Allegra’s. It would not surprise anyone in the family if that were the case since Lyric was a twin herself, along with her father and Georgie and Pippa.

The thought of so many babes arriving in their family warmed her heart, and she looked forward to the time when she, too, would give birth to her own children. Even now, she enjoyed spending hours with little George, who had been born at the end of last September, and was now Marquess of Alinwood, the heir apparent to the Duke of Seaton.

Seating herself at her pianoforte, Mirella began to play, finding her focus drifting as she did so. She kept at it, however, practicing for an hour before she gave up. This had been the case ever since she had returned from Grasmere.

And she blamed Lord Bridgewater for being the distraction.

She tried her best not to think of the marquess, especially after he turned tail and abruptly left Benbrook. She had stared at him as his carriage pulled away, mouthing the word coward to him. Mirella knew he had understood what she said to him.

Why, after six months, did the man still continue to invade her thoughts? She had already decided he was not the one for her before he even left Benbrook, despite the powerful pull she felt toward him. Just because he kissed deliciously did not mean he was meant for her. She had hoped they might become friends, however, but after he rushed away from Benbrook, she had lost all respect for him.

He had only come up in conversation a few times, mostly after their return from the Lake District. They had stayed another three days with Lord and Lady Benton after Bridgewater’s departure, with Mirella taking Effie and Miss Feathers on the same tour which she had gone on with the marquess. Effie had recovered from her cold quickly, immensely enjoying the scenic landscape they viewed.

Aunt Matty had taken Mirella aside only once and asked her how she felt about Lord Bridgewater. She had replied honestly, telling her aunt that while she was physically attracted to him, she did not believe he held the values dear that she did. Because of that, she could not see a future with him. Aunt Matty had let the matter drop after that, never mentioning the marquess’ name again.

But Mirella knew she would encounter Lord Bridgewater during the upcoming Season. It was inevitable. Lady Benton had mentioned how her nephew would be attending the Season for the first time since his arrival in England. What had surprised them all was when Lord Benton had shared that for the first time in decades, he and his countess would also attend. Lady Benton had confided that they believed her nephew would be perusing the Marriage Mart, and they wanted to help guide him in his choice of a marchioness.

Of course, Aunt Matty had been delighted that her oldest, dearest friend would be in town during the entire Season. Aunt Matty always looked forward to the events in London, and then she had usually traveled to Grasmere once the Season concluded, in order to visit with the Bentons at Benbrook.

Her aunt had told Mirella that because Lady Benton would be present during the Season, she might postpone her annual trip to Grasmere. What was left unsaid was that Aunt Matty thought Mirella might wed at Season’s end, and Aunt Matty would want to be present at the wedding.

She did not know how she might respond seeing Lord Bridgewater after what had passed between them. Despite wishing to banish all thoughts of him, every night in bed, she fell asleep thinking about him and those incredible kisses they had shared at the top of Helm Crag.

What Mirella did know was that she would never kiss him again. The Season would give her the opportunity to be introduced to other eligible bachelors, and she hoped she would find one who kissed even better than Lord Bridgewater. One who would be open to loving her as much as she loved him.

Deciding she needed some George time, Mirella went upstairs to the nursery. She got down on the floor and encouraged her nephew in his crawling, her heart melting at his sweet smile. Already, George had two tiny teeth in the center of his bottom row. When he smiled at her, it gave him an impish appearance.

“It is time for the wet nurse to feed Lord Alinwood,” the nursery governess told her.

“Give me five more minutes with him,” she pleaded, scooping up the babe and sitting with him cradled in her arms.

Mirella sang a lullaby to him, thinking what a wonderful singing voice Silas had and how her brother-in-law would no doubt sing to the babe—or babes—Lyric produced.

Her song completed, she kissed George’s brow and rose, handing him to the wet nurse.

Though she was restless and yearned for a walk, it had been raining since shortly after her arrival yesterday afternoon. She glanced out a window and saw the downpour continued, with no sign of letting up. She had hoped to get in a final walk about Shadowcrest before she left for town tomorrow morning. James and Sophie would accompany her to London, bringing George along with them. Mirella would be having a few new gowns made up for her debut. She had already tried on the ones Madame Dumas had sewn for her aborted come-out last Season, and they all fit beautifully. She still needed several more made up, however. It would be nice to return to town again so that she could spend time with Mama and the captain. James and Sophie would remain in London until Season’s end, both devoting time to their separate shipping lines now before the social activities commenced.

She decided to go and see if Caleb might be available. Usually, her cousin was out on the land in his role as steward to Shadowcrest, but the rain most likely had kept him housebound. Mirella went to his office, and he smiled warmly as she entered it.

“Just the person I wished to see,” he told her.

Taking a seat, she said, “I am leaving in the morning for town, and I was hoping to visit some with you today.”

He reached for a page resting on his desk and said, “I received a letter this morning. It is from someone you are acquainted with.”

Her pulse jumped in her throat. Without having to be told, Mirella knew it came from Lord Bridgewater.

Caleb’s next words confirmed her suspicions. “It is from the Marquess of Bridgewater. He mentioned having met you at Grasmere at his aunt and uncle’s estate there.”

“Yes,” she said evenly. “He had been an army captain and had come into his title. Lord Bridgewater told me he was having to learn about estate management and had spent a good deal of time with his uncle’s steward at Benbrook during his visit. I casually mentioned that he might wish to visit Shadowcrest, as well, in order to meet with you and learn a bit more.”

Her cousin smiled. “That is exactly what his note to me said. Lord Bridgewater wrote that his steward would be retiring after next autumn’s harvest, and he was looking for guidance in hiring a new one. He also mentioned that you told him how well run Shadowcrest was.”

“Well, it is,” she said, laughing. “Just because you are my cousin does not mean that I brag on you for that alone. You have helped Shadowcrest to thrive, Caleb. If you are willing for the marquess to visit and learn something from you, I would encourage you to invite him to do so.”

Mirella was grateful that she would be gone and not have to be in the same house as Lord Bridgewater.

“I just wanted to speak with you before I replied to his letter,” Caleb said. “I will tell him that he is welcome to come. I know James will not mind. You know how he leaves the running of the estate to me so that he can focus his attention on Strong Shipping.”

Her cousin paused. “I am only sorry that you will not also be here to visit with Lord Bridgewater.”

“It cannot be helped,” she said brightly. “James wishes to leave in the morning. He and Sophie have business to conduct, and Sophie also needs to have several new gowns made up for the Season. I will be doing the same and visiting with Mama as much as I can. Now that she spends most of her time in town, I miss seeing her on a daily basis.”

She rose. “I will leave you to write to Lord Bridgewater. I assume he will try and come to Shadowcrest before the Season begins. He is expected to attend, according to his aunt and uncle. Lady Benton said the marquess will be taking a bride.”

Caleb beamed at her. “He could not ask for a better wife than you, Cousin.”

The hot blush heated her cheeks. “Oh, no, Caleb. I am not interested in the marquess. While I believe you will get along with him quite well, I already know the two of us will not suit.”

Her cousin looked at her questioningly, but Mirella did not elaborate.

“I am off to pack. Will you be at tea this afternoon? Or perhaps dinner?”

“If the rain lets up, I will not make it to tea,” he shared. “And I am meeting a friend in the village this evening for dinner.”

“Then be sure to come to breakfast tomorrow so I can see you again before we depart.”

“I will,” he promised.

Mirella exited the office and returned to her bedchamber, where a maid was in the midst of packing Mirella’s things. Effie arrived, and the two sisters talked about the different gowns Mirella hoped for Madame Dumas to create for her.

“Are you certain you do not wish to come to town?” she asked her sister.

“Definitely not,” Effie replied. “First of all, you will be too busy going to events and having dozens of gentlemen call upon you to spend any time with me. Besides, I am calling this summer my Summer of Freedom. It is the last time I will have full run of Shadowcrest without having to think about gowns or husbands or making my own come-out.”

She wondered what her sister’s debut would be like since Effie despised wearing gowns and hated small talk.

“I know it is more than a year away, but you will give yourself the chance of finding a husband, won’t you?” Mirella asked.

Effie shrugged. “I have promised Mama and the captain that I will attend the Season next spring. Whether or not I find anyone interesting—much less wish to wed them—remains to be seen. Why, with all the babies coming in the family, I may be our generation’s Aunt Matty and simply flit from one household to another, spoiling all my nieces and nephews.”

She wished she could share with Effie that Aunt Matty had found a man she wished to wed—and that she still loved him decades later. That Aunt Matty would have been thrilled to have wed her lieutenant and given birth to his children. Instead, she had made a conscious choice not to wed and had become the foundation of the Strong family, someone they all leaned upon and went to in good times and bad.

Whether or not marriage lay in Effie’s future would prove interesting. It would take a very special man to make her sister happy.

Mirella prayed that she would be fortunate enough to find her own soulmate in the Season which lay ahead.