Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Charles stood on the terrace and watched as Lady Louise and Lara walked through the gardens. After the initial awkwardness that involved the family dog, it seemed that Lady Louise had relaxed, and now she and Lara were talking like they had known each other for years.

Charles had wanted to get involved as well, but he didn't want to interrupt the flow of their conversation unless Lara asked him to. He was content to sit there and listen to them, although his knees were regretting that he had sat down on a low stool instead of in a proper chair.

It was nice to sit there and listen to the two of them. Especially when Lady Louise was talking. She had a warm, smooth voice that wrapped around him like a blanket, and it made Charles relax hearing her. He could feel the tension from the night before ease from his bones. There was something about her that put him at ease, even with his chest tightening, looking at her profile as she talked with great animation to his daughter.

Lara was right. She really was lovely. It was a shock to him that Lady Louise was still unmarried. How had she managed to escape the bonds of matrimony?

Charles had been thinking that Lady Louise's husband was a lucky man. Now he knew that she was not attached to anyone…

It made him feel a little guilty for the jolt of attraction that had shot through him whenever he looked at her, though. She was closer to Lara and Archie's age than his own, so the fact he found her very attractive was disconcerting. She was too young for him. That shouldn't be happening.

And yet it was, but it wasn't as shocking as Charles was trying to make it out to be.

Lady Louise's maid, Bethany, stood on the edge of the terrace, watching her lady with her shoulders back, her hands clasped in front of her. Charles approached her, and Bethany turned to face him.

"My lord." She curtsied.

"How are you feeling now? I must apologize for my dog earlier…"

"It's fine. You couldn't know." Bethany managed a smile. "It's nothing to worry about."

"I'll make sure that Oscar is nowhere near any visitors when they come here." Charles looked across the lawn at Lady Louise, his daughter's laughter floating through the air. "It's been a while since we've had visitors, actually."

"Forgive me for asking, my lord, but is there a reason for it?" Bethany asked.

Charles shrugged.

"I was just not ready to receive anymore. After my…well, I'm sure you don't want me telling you about it."

Bethany tilted her head to one side, her expression saying she understood all too well.

"You were in mourning for a long time, weren't you?"

Charles blinked.

"What makes you think that?"

"It's the look on your face just now. You were sad. After mourning, you couldn't bring yourself to enter Society again without them, but now your children are grown, and you need to escort them. You have to do it."

Charles wondered if Bethany had sneaked into his house and listened at keyholes to know about this. That was far too astute for a maid.

"I can see why you're Lady Louise's maid," he said wryly.

Bethany flushed.

"Forgive me for speaking out of turn. I'm not normally like this around other people."

"Except when you're with your mistress?" Charles smiled. "It's fine, I'm not going to tell anyone. I'm sure you can keep your thoughts to yourself when you need to."

"Of course," Bethany said hurriedly. "I'm not going to speak out of turn. Not intentionally, anyway."

Charles could see why Lady Louise had her as a maid. They seemed to be well-suited to each other. Voices getting closer had him turning, and he saw Lady Louise and Lara walking toward them, arm-in-arm. Both of them were smiling, and Charles saw the smile reaching Lady Louise's eyes, making them sparkle.

She really was lovely to look at.

Feeling a fluttering in his stomach, Charles cleared his throat and hoped that he didn't look uncomfortable as he smiled at the girls.

"Enjoying yourself?" he asked.

"We were just talking about books." Lara beamed. "Louise has so many books in her house, and she's read pretty much everything."

Charles laughed.

"I don't think that's possible to read every book ever written."

"You'd be surprised," Lady Louise said with a smile in his direction. "It certainly feels like it."

"And she reads about astronomy," Lara went on excitedly. "She knows all the different constellations in the sky at night, and where to find them, and she doesn't even need to look at the book to know it."

"Oh, really?"

Charles knew that Lara was interested in the stars, and he had done his best to teach her about each of the shapes the stars made. They had spent many hours out on the lawn, the four of them, seeing what they could make to tell a story while lying on the grass staring up at the sky, the stars twinkling high above their heads.

It was surprising that Lady Louise would be interested in the stars as well. How was that possible that she liked astronomy like them?

Lady Louise blushed.

"Well, it's just something that fascinates me, that's all. The books I have from Italy are really interesting."

"We know all about that," Charles murmured.

"Father has a telescope," Lara said suddenly, grinning at him. "Although I don't think he's used it in years."

"Oh. That." Charles cleared his throat. "I'm not entirely sure where it is. It's been years since we used it. But I'll see if I can find it."

"You don't need to do it on my account," Lady Louise said hurriedly.

"It's fine. We used to spend a lot of time learning about the stars as well. It was something…"

He broke off, realizing what he had been about to say. Lara's smile faded a little, and she turned to Lady Louise.

"It was something Mother was very interested in," she said solemnly. "It was infectious, and we became interested as well."

"I see." Lady Louise winced. "Forgive me for bringing up a sensitive topic. I didn't mean…"

"It's fine. How could you have known?" Charles managed a smile. "Lara, why don't you go inside and see if Archie wants to join us? And also see if you can have some lemonade brought out, possibly? It's getting rather warm now, and it's been a while since you had tea."

"All right, Father."

Glancing between him and Lady Louise, Lara headed into the house. Lady Louise twisted her fingers together.

"I didn't mean to bring up painful memories, my lord."

"Like I said, it's fine. It's been some years since she…" Charles gulped. "Since she passed."

God, he should be able to talk about this without feeling like it was going to make him break down. Mary would be telling him now that he was being stupid, and he needed to stop behaving like he had had his favorite toy taken away from him. Charles had no idea why that comment popped into his head, but that was Mary all over; she had the ability to bring in something completely irrelevant and distract everyone from the situation.

Lady Louise looked sympathetic.

"How long has it been since she passed away? If you don't mind me asking?"

"It's been five years now. I wish I could say that it was one that we were expecting."

"Even falling ill can be unexpected."

"If only it was an illness," Charles said bitterly. "She fell from her horse and broke…broke her neck."

There was a gasp from Bethany. Lady Louise's mouth fell open.

"Oh, my. Forgive me, I…please accept my condolences, my lord. Even if they are some years later."

"Thank you."

The two of them stood awkwardly, the maid looking on. Charles wasn't sure how he was going to move on from this. He felt like he was eighteen years old again, trying to figure out how to speak to a woman. How was he so tongue-tied around this woman?

He was saved from saying anything further by voices getting closer, and then both of his children appeared. Archie looked bemused when he saw Lady Louise, but he was gracious as he approached and bowed to her.

"My lady."

"Lord Simmons." Lady Louise curtsied. "I hope you're well."

"Yes, thank you. Are my father and sister boring you now?" Archie cast his father a sly glance. "They do tend to do that to people."

Charles frowned.

"Don't be cheeky, Archie. Lady Louise and I…"

"Your father is perfectly fine, my lord," Lady Louise spoke over him, casting Charles a small smile. "He's not completely incompetent when speaking to people."

"And neither am I," Lara declared, moving to stand beside her brother. "By the way, lemonade will be out shortly. It's just being made."

"Perfect." Charles nodded at Bethany. "Would you like to sit with us, Bethany? You don't need to stand all the time, especially when it's such a warm day."

Bethany's eyes widened.

"I…are you sure, my lord?"

"Of course. It's a warm day, and I don't want you to feel faint." Charles smiled. "I'm sure your mistress won't object, either."

"Of course not," Lady Louise agreed emphatically. "You can join us, Bethany. You don't need to worry about intruding."

Although the maid did look nervous about it, she nodded. Charles turned to Archie, who was watching everything with a raised eyebrow.

"Why don't you get the servants to set out the table and chairs on the lawn, Archie? Then we can all sit down."

He needed to before his trembling legs gave way. For some reason, being around Lady Louise was making him unable to stand upright properly.

What was going on there?

***

"I take it you enjoyed yourself this morning, my lady," Bethany said with a smile as the carriage started down the driveway.

Louise laughed.

"Is it that obvious?"

"Well, you've barely stopped smiling since you started talking to Lady Lara, and I've heard you laugh more than I have in the last few months. It's nice to hear you be so gay about things."

Louise hadn't realized that her spirits had lifted while she was visiting Lara. It had been incredibly refreshing to talk to someone with a similar mindset. Lara was, by her own admission, timid and shy when it came to social gatherings—she hated crowds, much like Louise—but she was incredibly bright.

She was very well-read, and their conversations were in far greater depth than any that Louise had had with other ladies. And the young girl was happy to show off her knowledge. Louise found it rather sweet.

Her father had certainly made sure that his twins had a good education.

Louise's pulse stuttered as she thought about the earl. He had stayed nearby for most of the visit, and Louise did get a chance to talk to him as well. He was well-cultured and intelligent, and he was happy to listen to her whenever Louise brought up a talking point that would have been something she shouldn't be discussing. Chesterfield was calm and conscientious with all of that, listening to her point and raising up his own side. He even agreed with her after a moment of surprise. Was he thinking that she wouldn't have anything in her head?

Whatever he was thinking, their interactions had carried on even with Lara present, and Louise found herself enjoying it just as much as she did talking to the daughter. Chesterfield made her feel welcome. But, then again, he was the host, so he would make sure that his guests were happy to be there.

Although something told Louise that there was something underlying it all. She wasn't sure what, and she didn't want to get a headache to find out.

"I suppose I needed that visit," Louise admitted, slumping contentedly against the cushions. "It's nice to talk to someone new, especially when they're like Lady Lara Simmons."

"Do you think you're going to be visiting them again?" Bethany asked. "Even with that huge dog of theirs?"

"If they ask, then I will."

"But not asking them to visit at home?"

Louise gave her maid a rueful look.

"Do you think that's a good idea, given how my aunt carries on every time I have someone visiting?"

Bethany hesitated. Then she cleared her throat.

"I see your point, my lady. She does make it uncomfortable for everyone, doesn't she? Doesn't she want you to have a social life?"

"I don't think I'll ever understand what's going on with her. She wants me out of the way because she can't seem to stand the sight of me, but then when I have a social life, she kicks up a fuss about it. It's like she can't decide what she wants to do with me."

Bethany spread her hands.

"Maybe that's just how she is, my lady. She's always been a little…odd. The household staff are very aware of this, so we're always talking about that. We don't really know what's going on with her, either."

Louise was glad that she wasn't the only one who was confused and concerned about what was going on with her aunt. Aunt Harriet had made it clear from the beginning that Louise was such a burden, so surely she would urge her niece to find her own place in the world and get rid of her as soon as she was able. Instead, it felt like Aunt Harriet wanted to keep her isolated from everyone.

Except Lord Mansfield. She was intent on having Louise and the earl in the same room interacting with each other whenever she could. Louise didn't like it, especially with the way Mansfield kept trying to get her attention. For someone who was planning on marrying her aunt in the near future, it felt odd that he was working so hard to get Louise's approval. As far as Louise was concerned, it had nothing to do with her.

Hopefully, it would be enough for her to say she was moving into another property so she didn't get in their way. If Aunt Harriet wanted the house to herself and start her married life alone, then she would jump at the chance. Louise would talk about that with her eventually.

Just not today. She didn't want to lower the good mood she was feeling after visiting the Earl of Chesterfield and his family.

It didn't take long to get back to the house, and they waited until the carriage was in the stables before Louise and Bethany jumped out. Louise dusted herself down and nodded her thanks at the carriage driver.

"Let's go for a walk in the gardens," she said, linking her arm with Bethany's. "I want to enjoy this nice weather before we go inside, and I face my aunt. She's probably wanting a moment alone with Mansfield, and she won't want me barging in."

"I don't think you will be able to give them that privacy, my lady."

"What do you mean?"

Bethany pointed.

"I can see them from here."

Louise looked, and she groaned. Aunt Harriet and Mansfield were in the garden, standing under the oak tree by the terrace, standing in the shade. Aunt Harriet had her back to Louise, and she couldn't see much from the angle, but it looked like her aunt and her suitor were having an intimate moment, their heads bowed toward each other as they spoke quietly.

So much for keeping away from Mansfield. They were going to have to walk right by them to get back into the house. Or they would have to go back into the street and up to the front door, which was an option.

But then Mansfield glanced up, and he looked right at her. There was no hope of the second option now, especially when Louise saw him say something to Aunt Harriet, and she turned around. They would have to walk right by them.

"All right." Louise took a deep breath. "I suppose I was going to have to do this sooner or later. I was just hoping for it not to be sooner."

"I'm sure it will be fine, my lady," Bethany assured her.

From the scowl on Aunt Harriet's face, Louise highly doubted it. She and Bethany left the stables and walked into the garden, stepping up onto the terrace. Aunt Harriet intercepted them on the way to the door.

"Where have you been?" she demanded, practically blocking their way. She did not look happy. "You sneaked off this morning without any warning. Where did you go?"

Louise tried to maintain her composure as she responded.

"I went to visit a new friend I made last night. She wanted to meet me as soon as possible, so who was I to refuse?"

"So early in the day?"

"That's what we agreed on." Louise didn't look at Bethany, but she felt the maid's hand squeeze her arm in a comforting gesture. "She's only eighteen and just entered Society, so she didn't properly know the rules, but she was so eager that I thought that there wouldn't be any harm."

Aunt Harriet's eyes narrowed. She didn't look convinced.

"I see. Is that it?"

"You think I'm lying to you?"

"You could have snuck out to meet a gentleman."

Louise almost burst out laughing but stopped herself in time. She didn't want the argument to build. It didn't help that Mansfield was standing to her right, not too close but close enough that Louise felt nervous. He was also staring at her, which she tried to ignore.

"Why would you think that I was meeting a gentleman? Have I given you any reason for you to think that, Aunt Harriet?"

"Well, am I right?"

Louise sighed. She didn't want to argue over this.

"I went to visit Lady Lara Simmons, daughter to the Earl of Chesterfield. He and her brother, Lord Simmons, were present as our chaperones, but it was the daughter who I was going to visit."

Aunt Harriet's eyes widened.

"So there were gentlemen there! I thought so!"

"I told you that they were simply present, and I was making friends with Lady Lara. What's wrong with that? I wasn't alone with anyone, and I was very respectable." Louise nodded at Bethany. "And Bethany never left my side, either."

Aunt Harriet snorted.

"You think that you were respectable, Louise? Really?"

"Why would you not trust my word? I've never given you a reason to not trust me."

"I know about the Earl of Chesterfield. He's the type of person who's willing to take advantage of a naive girl who has no idea how to talk to gentlemen. I bet he was whispering sweet nothings in your ear."

Louise gasped.

"Aunt Harriet! He never did that! And he's a widower, so why would he find me, someone nearer his daughter's age, attractive in that capacity."

"That's gentlemen all over," Mansfield said stoutly, his arms folded. "They see someone who doesn't know the way of the world, and they know that they can seduce them until they get bored."

Louise glared at him. She didn't want to hear anything from him.

"First, that never happened. Second, I know how to handle myself, and I'm aware of when someone is taking advantage. Third, even if I was naive about how to interact with gentlemen, given how I'm not given a chance to find out for myself, can you put the blame at my door?"

"I'm sure your aunt did things to the best of her abilities."

Louise snorted.

"I don't think she did. Once you marry into the family, you'll understand that as well. And you'll see what she's really like."

Aunt Harriet gasped.

"How dare you talk about me like that! And apologize to Lord Mansfield right now for your attitude!"

"I think the ones apologizing should be you and Lord Mansfield for assuming the worst of me when I've done nothing to make you worried. I know you don't like me, Aunt Harriet, but I can do without you tearing me down in front of the earl." Louise tugged Bethany along. "Come along. I would like to go and rest in my room."

"I didn't say you could leave!" Aunt Harriet snapped as Louise stepped around her. "Get back here!"

But Louise ignored her, heading into the house. If she stayed, they were going to get into an argument, and Mansfield didn't need to see that. Louise wasn't about to jeopardize her aunt's relationship because they were arguing again. And she didn't like the fact it felt as if the two of them were going to pair up against her.

Louise was not about to go into that. She wanted to maintain her good mood, and that wasn't going to happen if those two dragged her into whatever nonsense they could think up.