by Karen Cogan
In the enjoyment she had taken in visiting the Westerfield estate, she had nearly forgotten about Mr. Tyler’s planned arrival. As the reality of his coming registered in her mind, she felt a nervous flutter in her stomach. She clutched Lord Westerfield’s arm. His stalwart strength comforted her now that a man she had never met was guardian of Grandfather’s estate, a man who had the power to eject her or allow her to stay.
She turned to Lord Westerfield and asked. “Will you not go in with me?”
His heart lurched to see her pale face and trembling lips. Yet determination to meet whatever lay ahead shone in her clear blue eyes.
“I should be glad to do so if it would help,” he replied.
He assisted her from the carriage and accompanied her as she walked, head held high, to the door. Arthur admitted them and announced the arrival of the new master. “He is in the parlor, miss, and has requested to see you upon your return.”
Anne brushed Jeremy’s hair off his forehead, straightened his shirt and smoothed her skirts. Then, with a deep breath she plunged them all into the parlor. The new Mr. Tyler was just taking tea. He rose when he saw them and Anne noticed that he was a thin man, tall and rather shabbily dressed in a gray waistcoat that was faded from wear and trousers that were frayed at the cuffs. His hair was gray and quite sparse. His lips were thin in his narrow face and he had the dark blue eyes characteristic of the Tyler family.
Anne curtsied and then gave him a tentative smile. “You must be Grandfather’s nephew. I am Anne Tyler, his granddaughter and this is my brother, Jeremy.”
She glanced up at her companion. “This is our friend and neighbor, Lord Westerfield.”
Mr. Tyler bowed. “It is a pleasure to meet all of you. Please will you not join me at tea? It has been a long trip and I have had little in the way of sustenance.”
“We have had our tea, but perhaps we might visit while you have yours,” Anne said.
Mr. Tyler nodded. “An excellent idea. Please sit down. I would like to get to know my relatives.”
Jeremy joined Mr. Tyler on the settee while Anne and Lord Westerfield were seated in chairs opposite the settee. After a moment of silence, Anne said, “Have you not brought your family, Mr. Tyler?”
“I have no family. My wife is dead and I have no children. And while I was distressed to hear of your grandfather’s death, I look forward to having a family again.”
“You mean Anne does not have to leave?” Jeremy blurted.
Anne sent him a look of stern reprimand for speaking out.
Mr. Tyler stared at the child in puzzlement. “Why should she have to leave?”
Seeing Anne’s disapproval, Jeremy turned his attention to Mr. Tyler, knowing it would be rude not to answer now. “She thought that you might not want her here and might send her away now that you are my guardian. But someday, the house will be mine and I could have her come back.”
Anne felt as though she would die of embarrassment.
Yet, Mr. Tyler threw back his head and laughed. Then he said, “Why should she leave only to come back? Would you not like her to stay with you?”
“Oh, yes. Only Anne was worried you would not let her.”
“I am not such an ogre as to throw my own relatives from their home. Of course Anne may stay.”
In spite of Jeremy’s lack of manners, Anne breathed a sigh of relief. She would not have to use up her pension on a new place to live. Nonetheless, she made a mental note to speak to Jeremy about his boldness with his elders.
Mr. Tyler devoured a small tea cake and turned his attention to Westerfield. “And you, sir, are you not the son of the Viscount of Westerfield? I met him once many years ago.”
“I am, sir. I have recently come from living with my uncle in London so that I might assist my father.”
“And how is your father? Is he in health?”
“Not as he would like to be. He has pains in his arms and legs that make it difficult for him to get around as he was accustomed.”
“That is too bad. He is a fine man. No doubt you take after him.”
“Thank you, sir. I should be pleased if I do.”
They sat a moment and then Westerfield asked, “And you, sir, what did you do in London?”
Mr. Tyler grimaced. “At one time, I owned a business selling coal and oil. I had a nice home and did well. And then, unfortunate circumstances came along and my business began to suffer. I was forced to sell it a few years ago and live on the profit ever since.”
“I am sorry to hear it,” Anne said. She wondered from the look of him, if his profits had nearly given out. In that case, he needed a home as much as she and Jeremy. Her curiosity was piqued as to the source of his misfortune. Yet, whatever the reason, she hoped he would be happy here.
Changing the subject, Westerfield asked, “Are you much given to hunt?”
“I have had little opportunity of late. I used to enjoy it as a boy.”
“Perhaps you would like to join me when you are rested and settled. I plan to shoot for pheasants in a day or so.”
“I should be very pleased to shoot with you, if you can overlook my lack of practice.”
“I am sure it will come back to you.”
Anne sent Jeremy a warning look as she saw him scoot to the edge of his seat, eager to tell about his puppy. Westerfield noted his excitement and said, “Young Jeremy has just picked out a fine pup to be trained for retrieving. Perhaps if Miss Tyler does not object, he might come along to see what his dog will learn.”
“May I Anne? Oh, please,” Jeremy begged.
Anne looked panicked. “I will have to think on it. After all, there will be shooting. I should not want you to get hurt.”
“I promise to keep a keen eye on him. He will never be in any danger,” Westerfield promised.
Anne locked her gaze upon him, her face pinched in worry. “Are you sure he would not be in danger?”
“I am completely sure.”
“Very well.”
She turned to Jeremy. “You must promise to listen to Lord Westerfield and obey him at all times.”
“I promise.”
Westerfield felt his heart warm at the trust she had shown in him by agreeing to let Jeremy go. He knew how much the boy meant to her and how worried she had been for his safety. He must be making inroads to her heart if she would allow him charge of her beloved brother.
Westerfield glanced at the mantel clock. “It has been a pleasure to meet you and now I must go. I have business in the village.”
“And a pleasure to meet you, also. I shall look forward to our hunt,” replied Mr. Tyler.
“Please excuse me for a moment while I see Lord Westerfield out,” said Anne.
When they reached the door, Westerfield knew by her furrowed brow that something had displeased her. Her dark blue eyes shot a warning as she said, “Lord Westerfield, in the future, I would appreciate it if you would ask me before you invite my brother on an outing. I hate having to disappoint him when he has set his hopes upon something, but I shall do as I think best. If anything should arouse my fears on his behalf, I shall rescind my permission.”
Westerfield felt as though his patience was being stretched. “Nothing is going to happen to Jeremy and you are doing your brother a disservice by such protective behavior. He is a solid young chap, sturdy and forthright. Do you want to make him weak and fearful?”
“Of course not,” she sputtered. “But he is my responsibility and not yours and I shall decide what he does and does not do. So I will repeat my request. In the future, will you speak to me before you invite him on outings?”
Westerfield felt sorely tested and thoroughly out of sorts by Anne’s insistence upon having him humor her ridiculous fears. Nor was he used to having young women dictate his behavior. In doing so, she had insulted his judgment and hurt his pride.
He scowled down at her and said, “If you are going to be so peevish, perhaps I had best not invite the boy for anything at all. You can lock h
im in his chambers and serve his food through a slit and keep him there until he is an old man withered and pale from lack of sunlight.”
Anne could not believe the unfairness of his ridiculous suggestion. She did not want to deprive Jeremy of opportunity nor did she want to lock him away from the world. She simply wanted to be absolutely sure there was no immediate threat. Was it not right to be cautious until she knew?
She met his angry gaze with an equally irate stare. “You have no idea what it is like to be responsible for someone else. Jeremy is all I have left in the world and if there is any possibility of danger, think what you will of me, I shall not risk him. And if you do not like it, you need not feel obliged to invite either of us to anything.”
“Perhaps I shall not. I will leave you to hide in your house and jump at every shadow and hear danger in every footstep.”
Anne raised her chin, though her heart was bruised and her throat was tight. “If that is how you feel, then I shall bid you good day.”
Her small face was so hard set that she might have been carved from stone. She pressed her lips into a tight line and straightened her body to her full petite height.
He bowed. “Good day, Miss Tyler. Pray do not trouble yourself any further with me. I shall be off and let you get back to your vigil.”
He strode from the house and swung into the carriage, which clattered away down the drive and was soon out of sight.
Anne swiped at angry tears and told herself that she did not care what he thought of her or whether he ever called again. She had managed to take care of herself and Jeremy thus far without the help of Lord Westerfield and she would continue to do so. After all, she had known him too short a time to make any firm attachment. And yet, her mind balked at this untruth and it took her a full five minutes to compose herself enough to return to the parlor.
When she entered the room, she found Mr. Tyler laughing heartily at a story Jeremy was telling him about the monkeys in India. In spite of her battered spirits, she smiled as she remembered the funny imps that chattered from trees and occasionally scampered in through open windows.
Mr. Tyler wiped mirthful tears from his eyes and told Anne. “Your brother is an amusing young man. We have had a delightful chat and I cannot wait to hear more about India.”
“Would you like to see a book that Grandfather gave me? It has ever so many wonderful drawings of tigers,” Jeremy said.
Mr. Tyler smiled. “I should love to see it, perhaps tomorrow. Now, I am tired from my journey and I should like to go up and rest.”
“We have had a room prepared for you. I hope that it will be adequate. Of course, it is your choice if you should like to move to another after you have had a look about the house,” Anne said.
“I am sure you have chosen well for me and that I will be entirely comfortable.”
Anne turned to Jeremy. “Go and tell Betsy that Mr. Tyler wishes to be escorted to his room.”
Jeremy hopped off the settee and scurried off to find Betsy.
Anne smiled at Mr. Tyler. “It is very kind of you to allow me to remain in the house. We shall endeavor not to cause you any reason to change your mind.”
Mr. Tyler rose and gave Anne a long look. Then he said, “I should not want either of you walking on tenterhooks, worried to make a sound or utter an opinion for fear of being thrown out. I want you to go about just as you are accustomed. I assure you, I welcome both the company and the stimulation of having young people in the house.”
“Thank you, sir. You are kind, indeed.”
He bowed gallantly as Betsy appeared to escort him to his room.
Anne turned to Jeremy and said, “I am going to have a rest. I want you to remain inside the house until I arise. Then, perhaps, we shall have a walk about the garden.”
“But I want to go out and look at the goldfish in the pond. I promised Grandfather I would check on them. And if I am lucky, I may catch a frog.”
Anne shook her head. “We will do those things after a rest. For now, you may go to the kitchen and visit Cook or you may look at your books.”
Jeremy plopped onto the settee in a pout. Yet, he did not argue. Anne’s tone had already told him that there would be no use.
Anne plodded up the stairs, feeling nearly desperate to be alone. Her emotions were in a whirl and she wanted the comfort and safety of her room, with its rose print wallpaper and thick comforting rug.
She sank onto her bed and sighed. Things had begun so promisingly this morning. They had enjoyed a lovely time with Lord Westerfield and his father. And now, things had gone dreadfully wrong. She wondered dismally if the quarrel would be the end of the friendship, a friendship that had come to mean a great deal to her.
She repeated the conversation in her mind and wondered what she could have done to prevent the disagreement. She wished she had not felt driven to speak her mind. Yet, when she could think of nothing she could have changed, she decided that she had been in the right in her demand and that Lord Westerfield had shown an unbecoming arrogance. Nonetheless, she felt hurt and angry that he so easily dismissed her concern.
She lay down and shut her eyes. No matter how she tried, it was some time before she could get the scowling image of Lord Westerfield, his dark eyes flashing, out of her mind. For even in his irritation, he presented a handsome figure of a man, a man striving for patience even when he was annoyed. And in spite of her grievance against him, she found much in him to respect.
She awoke late in the afternoon and rang for tea. When it arrived, she found that she really had very little appetite. She nibbled at a sandwich and then sent the tray away. Feeling too restless to remain in her chamber, she decided a walk would do her good.
She donned her slippers and bonnet and set out the front door, walking toward the lane that led to town. She paused when she had walked a mile and decided she really had no interest in going into the village. She started to turn for home and then changed her mind. She wondered if it would be possible to make amends with Mariah. She hated the damage done to their friendship when their last conversation had gone so very ill. Perhaps if she paid a visit, things could be restored.
She continued along to the lane that wound to Mariah’s home. With each step, she breathed the delightfully sweet scent of honeysuckle in full bloom. Squirrels chattered as they scampered between the trees that lined the lane. Dogs barked in the distance and a lark sang his song from a stone fence. The azure sky supplied pasture to a fluffy cloud of white sheep.
Anne smiled and felt her spirits revive. It was a beautiful afternoon, the sort of afternoon where nothing could go wrong. She would talk things out with Mariah and all would be well.
She reached the austere, gray-bricked house and prepared to knock on the door. Her hand froze as she saw Mariah appear from the garden behind the house, holding a deep red rose. Anne flushed as red as the flower when she saw that Mariah was not alone. She was accompanied by Mr. Fletcher.
She desired to flee. When Mariah gave her an icy smile, she realized it was too late.
“Why, look, Mr. Fletcher, we have company.”
“Indeed, I believe it is Miss Tyler come to call.”
He bowed in front of Anne.
Mariah frowned and said, “I do wonder what she might want.”
“Perhaps she will tell you. I shall leave you ladies to your visit. I have business inside which needs my attention.”
With another bow, Mr. Fletcher walked past them and entered the house.
Mariah eyed Anne suspiciously. “What are you doing here?”
Anne swallowed, feeling unsettled by the awkwardness of the situation. Yet knowing she must offer an explanation, she said, “I felt distressed that you were upset. I hoped to make amends and restore our friendship.”
Mariah gave her a haughty smile. “I doubt we have anything in common anymore. You are both untitled and unmarried while I, at least, am married.”
Anne stared at her in disbelief. “How could this be?”
Mr. Fletcher and I stole away yesterday and were married. He said he could not bear to be apart from me any longer. Mama and Papa were not pleased, but they are accepting it. Perhaps we will have a larger ceremony later.”
“And you are living here?”
“For the time being. Mr. Fletcher says it may take a little time to find the perfect house. He does not want to settle for a small estate.”
Anne caught her lip. She would have thought in the time he had been here, Mr. Fletcher would know whether or not there was anything to his liking. Yet she dared not say this to Mariah. Instead she said, “I hope you shall both be very happy. Perhaps you might like to come for tea in a few days.”
Mariah gave a disdainful shake of her head. “Married women are very busy. I shall not be as you are, with time to fritter away.”
The cutting remarks stung, leaving Anne feeling unworthy and dismissed. As she desired no further conversation with Mariah, she said, “I must go and leave you to your many tasks. You are welcome, should you ever have the time.”
Mariah bestowed a stiff smile. “Thank you, but I fear that I shall not.”
“Good-day, Mariah.”
“Good-day.”
Mariah might choose to cut her, but it did not change her opinion of Mr. Fletcher.
She turned and walked back down the lane. The day did not seem at all cheerful anymore. She did not notice the birds and squirrels, nor take the least comfort from the scent of honeysuckle. She wished only to get home and nurse her wound.
She followed the lane until the tall turrets of her home welcomed her like an old friend. She felt some of her tension melt away. At least one thing had gone well today. Mr. Tyler had spoken kindly to her about desiring their company in the house. And that was worth a great deal to Anne. And as long as she had this house, with its memories of Grandfather, she would always have a place to find comfort.
When she got inside, Arthur gave her the message that Mr. Tyler was too fatigued to come down and would be taking his supper in his room that evening. Anne nodded, realizing that she felt relieved. While he was a pleasant man and she was grateful to him, she did not know him well enough yet to feel relaxed in his company. Now that she was free to plan the evening, she decided to invite Jeremy to supper in her room. They would eat and play some of his favorite games. That was sure to make him happy as well as cheer her from her melancholy mood; for Jeremy’s lively enthusiasm always lifted her spirits when they were low.
She found Jeremy in the library pouring over a large dusty volume. He glanced up accusingly and said, “I have been waiting to go to the pond. You said we might when you awoke.”
“I did promise and I am sorry to have taken so long.”
She did not mention her walk to Mariah’s house.
“We can go now. And would you like to have supper with me tonight? Just the two of us. We can play a few games before you go to bed.”
Jeremy’s eyes lit. “Yes. But what about Mr. Tyler?”
“He is taking supper in his room.”
Jeremy grinned as he sprung to his feet. He grabbed Anne’s hand and began to haul her towards the French doors that led to the garden. “Hurry. We do not want to waste any time.”
Anne laughed and allowed him to tug her along until they were both flushed and out of breath. At the far end of the garden, Jeremy knelt along the rock wall of the small pond and peered into the water. A fat orange fish swam to the surface and Jeremy grinned.
“This is Willy. He is telling me hello.”
Anne leaned to peer into the murky water. “Hello Willy. Are you alone in there?”
“No. The last time I counted, we had eight more.”
She dusted the rocks and sat on the ledge of the pond. “Grandfather would be proud of the way you care for the fish.”
Jeremy sat beside her on the ledge. “They make me remember Grandfather and the way we came here together.”
Anne looked across the pond to the grove of old oak trees that grew just past the clearing. “It is a lovely place to spend time.”
“You can come out here any time you like.”
She smiled at Jeremy. “Thank you. Perhaps I shall come again. But this will always be your special place and will always remind you of Grandfather.”
They remained awhile longer while Jeremy fed the fish and grabbed at a fat frog that he was unable to catch. Finally, it was time to go in to supper.
“Bring your maps and we shall play a game,” Anne reminded him.
They spent a pleasant evening eating a light supper of baked pheasant and boiled potatoes. They took turns quizzing each other with the maps and Jeremy won every turn.
“I must study before we play again,” Anne said when it was time to send Jeremy to bed.
“Then I shall not be able to beat you.”
Anne laughed. “Even if I study, you shall always be able to beat me.”
Exhausted from the day, Anne prepared for bed. She wished only to seek respite in the blessedness of sleep. Yet for some time she tossed and turned, wishing she could talk to Lord Westerfield about what had happened with Mariah. She felt a deep loss, an ache in her heart, which made her realize just how much she had enjoyed his company. She wondered if he felt the same about her.
When she finally drifted to sleep, she was awakened in the morning by voices just outside her room. She recognized loud protests from Jeremy interspersed by murmured words from Mr. Tyler.
She threw a wrap around her and hurried to investigate, determined to discover what could possibly have caused such a scene. She was unprepared for the sight that greeted her when she opened her door.