Chapter 15

Chapter 15

"Where are you off to, Louise?" Aunt Harriet asked.

Louise turned. The older woman had come out of the morning room, holding a book across her belly. She looked a little tense, but that was normal. Louise couldn't remember the last time she saw her aunt relaxed. She managed a slight smile.

"I'm going to Clarissa's garden party. It's today."

"Oh, is it? I didn't remember."

Aunt Harriet's cool tone made Louise bristle. She had pulled back a lot ever since Louise lost her temper, and now she was frostier than ever. Louise did her best to keep out of her way, doing her own thing and carrying on with her day. Aunt Harriet might still be upset about being scolded and was waiting for an apology, but Louise wasn't going to give her one. Granted, she did feel a little bad about what she had said and how she lashed out, but it had been a long time coming. Louise had needed to do it at some point. How it hadn't occurred already was beyond her.

Things were going to be more awkward than they already were, so it didn't matter much. Louise just wished that she could get away from it all.

"Do you want to come along?" Louise asked, almost immediately wondering why she did that. "Clarissa did extend an invitation to you as well."

Aunt Harriet wrinkled her nose.

"I don't think I'll be going. I've got better things to do. Who else is going?"

"Just a lot of acquaintances of Mark's. He likes being social, so he wanted to make the most of the nice weather we've had lately." Louise adjusted her gloves and flexed her fingers. "I won't be long, and if I do return late, I'll be with Mark and Clarissa."

"Was the Earl of Mansfield invited?"

The question was asked just as Louise put a hand on the doorknob. Her back to her aunt, Louise stifled her sigh and rolled her eyes before turning back.

"I don't know. I don't believe he and Mark are acquainted with each other."

Aunt Harriet's eyes narrowed.

"You really shouldn't address Lord Coleton so informally. It's really rude, Louise."

"We're old friends, and we're not out in public. Nobody's going to make a comment."

"Well, I don't think it's appropriate. So remember that when you're talking about your friends, Louise."

Louise sighed.

"Yes, Aunt Harriet. And I don't believe Lord Mansfield is going to be there, either."

"Why don't you have him chaperone you to the garden party? At least I'll know that you're safe."

This again. Even though it had been a couple of weeks since Louise had interacted with Mansfield—when he had apologized—it felt like she was being pushed into spending time with him again. Mansfield had backed down a little, to his credit, but Aunt Harriet carried on like nothing had happened. She seemed very insistent on it.

Louise wished that her aunt would just come out and say that she wanted her niece's approval for her courtship because Louise would be fine with that. It wasn't any of her business, anyway. If her aunt wanted to fall in love and find someone to marry, that was up to her. She hadn't wanted Louise's opinion before.

If this was Aunt Harriet's way of wanting to get Louise to be a part of her life, she was going about it the wrong way. And it was a bit late as well.

Louise would rather not have anything to do with it.

"By the time we've gotten a reply from Lord Mansfield, the garden party will be practically over," she pointed out. "And Bethany is coming with me, so I'm not going on my own."

Aunt Harriet sniffed.

"I would rather have someone I trust with you."

"And you don't trust one of your own servants?"

"That's not…"

"That's exactly what you were saying, Aunt Harriet." Louise sighed and shook her head. "Look, I think it's wonderful that you've found someone who can love you enough to want to marry you, but you don't need my input on him. You haven't wanted my advice and opinions before, so why are you starting now?"

Aunt Harriet blinked.

"What do you mean?"

"Just get married to Lord Mansfield, and don't worry about what I think. If you love him, marry him. Brilliant. But you're pushing a little too hard to get me to spend time with him like you're expecting us to get along. You don't need to do that. Just marry him and leave me out of it."

Her aunt looked bewildered, and Louise wondered if she had said the wrong thing. Why was she appearing to be confused about what was being said?

"Is that what you think is happening?" Aunt Harriet asked finally. "You think I'm pushing the two of you together because I want you to approve of him for me?"

"That's what it's coming across as. Your love life is none of my business, and I don't like being dragged into it." Louise turned the doorknob and opened the door. "I'll come back later. Goodbye."

She stepped outside, closing the door firmly before her aunt could say anything in return. Then she let out a heavy breath she hadn't realized she had been holding. That had been more tense than she thought. Why couldn't things be more relaxed around Aunt Harriet?

Maybe it was a good thing she wasn't coming to the garden party. Clarissa and Mark had invited her out of politeness, but Aunt Harriet was not the type to attend social gatherings thrown by people closer to Louise's age. She certainly hated garden parties. It made Louise wonder if she didn't burn once she stepped out into the sun after avoiding it so much.

Bethany was already out on the pavement beside the carriage, talking to the footman as he held the door open. She nodded at Louise as her mistress got into the carriage, climbing in after her. The footman shut the door and the carriage set off, Louise almost tipping onto the floor. She squeaked and braced herself against the wall as she regained her balance.

"Why does that happen all the time?" she grumbled as she sat down slowly. "I swear the drivers don't want the people they're carrying to sit down comfortably."

Bethany laughed.

"Maybe you should try and sit down faster."

"You mean I should be in the seated position as soon as I climb inside? Or maybe I adopt the position on the pavement?"

"Now, that would be a sight to see!"

Louise grunted, dusting down her skirts as she thought about the brief interaction with her aunt. If only Aunt Harriet would smile more and relax. She would be a lot prettier if she was able to do that.

Then again, Mansfield probably saw that all the time when they were alone. He must do if he was willing to court her. Louise wasn't about to go into all that; it was none of her business, and she didn't want it to be any of her business.

She just wanted to focus on finding her own way. Including somewhere else to stay.

"By the way, I forgot to ask," Bethany said as the carriage trundled along. "Did you say you were going to go to the bank at some point? I know you said you wanted to discuss something about the account you have in trust?"

"Oh, that!" Louise caught herself as the carriage jerked, almost knocking her into the wall. "I have an appointment later in the week to ask about that. The bank manager was very busy, but he was willing to give me some time to discuss it. Although he did want to talk to Aunt Harriet before he did that, I managed to persuade him not to do that."

"Do you think he's going to tell you what's going on? Because I'm beginning to think that there isn't any money left in the account. Aunt Harriet must have spent it all by now."

Louise didn't want to think about it like that, but she had to admit that Bethany had a point. If Aunt Harriet was the only one with access to the account, she had more than likely spent all of it or had come very close to it. She wouldn't want Louise to know about it.

She did feel like smacking herself, though. Louise couldn't believe that she hadn't paid close attention to it all. She should have asked more questions before, but given how her aunt behaved whenever she was asked a question, Louise knew the reason she hadn't pushed it before now. That woman was formidable and made even talking about something she didn't want to discuss a huge burden.

She could have gotten away with a lot.

However, despite her feelings toward her aunt, Louise didn't want to be too harsh in her opinion. She wanted to be fair regarding the woman who had taken her in. It was a shame that Aunt Harriet couldn't be the same toward her, but Louise had given up trying to get the older woman to approve of her and what she was doing.

This was too much for her, and Louise would be glad to get away from it. It wouldn't be ideal for her to leave and live on her own, but given how things were going, Louise would prefer it. If there was money in the bank account, she was going to use all of it for herself. She would do something of her own for the first time.

And, hopefully, nobody would get in the way of it.

"I hope things are carrying on as normal with that bank account," Bethany said quietly. "I know the servants aren't keen on Lady Holmes, but we don't want to hope that she's a horrible person. Not to the point where she would steal money, anyway."

"Nobody wants to think ill of anyone, Bethany. It's perfectly normal. And I do hope the same thing." Louise paused. "Aunt Harriet is many things in my mind, but I've never considered her a stupid woman. I don't think that she would do anything with that account."

"But you're not entirely sure."

"No, I'm not."

With any luck, she would find out the truth once she went to the bank and asked questions. Only then would Louise know what was really going on.

She didn't like having it in the back of her head, festering to the point it was uncomfortable. Truth, in her opinion, always won out, even if it took years.

Lies never held up well, even if they felt like they had become the truth. Louise knew so much.

***

Charles stood at the edge of the party and watched his niece Lucy talking to Lara. Both girls had been joined by Lady Coleton, who was getting both of them rather animated with laughter and smiles. It was nice to see the two of them like that; he had been worried that Lucy and Lara wouldn't be able to cope in bigger social settings when they weren't around Archie, Harvey, or himself. Lucy, certainly, was looking happier than Charles had seen her for a while. He did wonder if Elizabeth knew that her daughter was still struggling with her confidence, but decided against asking his sister-in-law; she never seemed that interested in her child.

Given how lovely of a person Lucy was, Charles found it a struggle to understand why Elizabeth would ignore Lucy in such a manner. Even if she wasn't the male heir that Elizabeth wanted to give her husband, she was someone to be cherished. Charles wouldn't have done that if Lucy had been his child.

"What's on your mind?" Louise asked.

Charles looked around. She was standing beside him, holding a glass of lemonade. The sun was on her, making her dark hair look like it had golden tints through her curls. She smiled at him, and Charles smiled back, feeling warmth spread in his chest. It was like that every time they exchanged looks, and Charles liked it. He wanted to keep it that way for a little longer.

Whoever thought that she wasn't ideal marriage material had to be insane.

Charles had been surprised when thoughts like that had started up in his head, but they weren't as shocking as he thought they would be. If anything, it felt good, and he felt like he had some purpose for the first time in a long time. Someone who could be there for him and make him feel good about himself, happy with his life.

Although Charles had a feeling the sentiment wouldn't quite be the same with Louise. He could see that she enjoyed his company, and she was really good to talk to. Would she want anything further? Charles had a feeling he would need to actually ask her, especially when Louise had struggled in the past with romantic courtships. He couldn't believe that people would give her a wide berth for that.

Who hated her that much that they made sure she didn't have anyone to love her?

"I was just glad that my children and niece are doing well here. Especially my daughter." Charles nodded at Lara, who was laughing at something Lady Coleton had said. "I'm surprised that she's this relaxed so quickly. That doesn't normally happen."

"That will be the work of Lady Coleton. She's very good at putting people at ease."

"I can tell." Charles looked around. "I must admit that I feel a little overwhelmed by all of this. It's just not something I was used to, even before my wife died."

"You were not a sociable person?"

"No more than what was normal. But it was…" God, why was he talking about Mary like this to Louise? Charles plowed on, though, not wanting to stop. "It was a struggle to be like that all the time. My wife was far better at these things. She was less willing to be in social gatherings, but she understood what was needed, and she was very good at acting. But both of us preferred to be at home or with our children, relaxing and having fun without so many people watching us."

Louise looked sympathetic.

"I understand. You would rather lie in the garden with a book than listen to someone talking about something inane."

"Or lie on the grass at night looking at the stars. Mary enjoyed doing that as well, although I had to stop her from doing it in the middle of winter."

"What? In the snow?"

Charles nodded, smiling as he remembered.

"She could often get so excited that she didn't care, said that she couldn't feel a thing. Then, five minutes later, she would be shivering and saying that she felt cold. We were surprised she didn't catch her death. But she still smiled about it, saying that it would be worth it."

Louise regarded him thoughtfully, to the point Charles felt a little uncomfortable. He wondered if he had said too much about his wife; not everyone would want to talk about people departed and who were still loved dearly.

"You miss her, don't you?" Louise asked quietly.

Charles winced.

"I didn't mean to lower the tone…"

"No, you didn't. I perfectly understand."

"You do?"

Louise nodded.

"Of course. You were with her for a long time, and she was your life. The mother of your children. Even though it's been years since she died, it's understandable if you still miss her and mourn the loss of your wife."

Charles didn't know what to say to that initially. He stared at her.

"I wasn't expecting you to be sympathetic about it," he said finally.

Louise tilted her head to one side.

"Why wouldn't I be sympathetic? She was your wife. It's not something anyone can change, and I'm sure you would like her to be here again."

Charles hesitated. While he would like Mary to be back again, it wasn't an overwhelming desire. And that made him uncomfortable. He cleared his throat.

"While I would like some answers to what happened that day…when she…I think it's best to leave people in the past. Mary always said we shouldn't wallow in the past and focus on going forward, to something we can actually change."

"Your wife sounds very wise."

"I often said so."

"And she's right," Louise continued with a gentle smile. "There's nothing wrong with starting something fresh. And I'm sure she would approve of your choices, no matter what you do. She would want you and your children to do whatever you can to make yourselves happy."

Charles would have said before that having Mary back would make him happy, but not now. He had settled more with his current state, and it wasn't as shocking to him to think about starting fresh without the mother of his children. She would understand if she was looking on them now.

"You know, Louise," Charles said quietly. "You're the most understanding person I've ever come across."

"I…" Louise blinked. "I wouldn't say that."

"Well, I would." Not caring that someone might see them, Charles leaned in and kissed her cheek. "And you know that I mean it when I say something like that."

Louise didn't respond, her mouth open as she stared at him. Then her cheeks turned a dark red, and she licked her lips before quickly glancing away. Charles smiled at the sight. She was really lovely today. If only he were allowed to kiss her properly.

A shout from near the house distracted Charles, and he looked around to see Lucy. She had moved away from Lara and Lady Coleton at some point, and now she was being bothered by two young gentlemen who were crowding her in. Lucy looked distressed, trying to get away from them, but they wouldn't let her.

"Oh, no," Louise groaned.

"What is it?"

"It's the ones who bothered Lara that night. The ones who were harassing her." Louise scowled. "It looks like they're not interested in listening."

Charles looked around, but he couldn't see Harvey anywhere. He was more than likely inside the house discussing something with Lord Coleton. But Elizabeth was present, talking to a baroness with one of those smiles that said she was engaged and nothing was going to drag her away.

Charles pondered about going to Elizabeth and telling her that she needed to help her daughter, but he already knew the answer; Elizabeth was not going to listen to him. She wouldn't care that her daughter was in trouble.

"If you'll excuse me, my lady," Charles said as he turned to Louise. "I'd better sort this out."

"I'm coming with you."

"What?"

Louise put her glass onto a tray that a footman was carrying as he walked past. Then she turned to face him, lifting her chin and squaring her shoulders.

"I'm going to join you. Someone's got to look after your niece while you're dealing with those two. I'm sure you want to give them your undivided attention."

Charles would have laughed at that if the situation wasn't so bad. Instead, he nodded and beckoned for her to follow him. They skirted around the edge of the party and made a beeline for the group. Lucy pushed one of the young men away and darted by, whimpering as she almost ran into Charles. He grabbed her, and as soon as Lucy looked up at him, she burst into tears. That broke his heart. He put his arms around her and glowered at the two gentlemen.

"Did you not learn the last time that you shouldn't accost young ladies at social gatherings?" he asked icily. "How did you get an invite to this if you can't behave?"

One of them blinked in confusion, but the other groaned.

"Oh, great. It's you."

"Yes, it is. And that's ‘my lord' to you!" Charles snapped. He shifted Lucy over to Louise, although he knew it would be too tempting to take a swing at them. "First my daughter and now my niece? Do you have something against my family, or are you just fools who don't know how to behave?"

"We didn't know she was your niece," the other lad protested.

"And that is going to make it better, is it?" Charles shook his head and signaled a nearby footman to join him. "Let Lord Coleton know that there are two young men behaving badly, and they need to be ejected."

"You can't do that!" cried the first lad.

"I can, and I am. If you don't want people to see you being thrown out, then you'll do the decent thing and leave." Charles stepped toward them. "Unless you would like me to throw you out. You were lucky I wasn't around when you accosted my daughter, but you can get the privilege now."