by Tamara Gill
Sarah and her parents explored the rooms for a few minutes, but soon, Mr Payne began to insist that his wife rest from the journey. The pair of them retired to their assigned bedroom, leaving Sarah to decide how to spend her afternoon. Though she initially chose to read by the sitting room window, she soon grew weary and entered her bedchamber, climbing up on the big bed and falling fast asleep.
A couple hours later, Sarah and her family had washed up and changed into evening attire, and were making their way to the drawing room downstairs. As they entered the noisy room, their hostess spotted them, hurrying over to greet them.
“How did you like your suite? Did you see the view of the gardens? Is it not spectacular?” The duchess was clearly proud of her home.
Mrs Payne spoke for them all. “It is most gorgeous,” she said. “The view is spectacular. I am eager to take a walk amongst all the flowers while we are here.”
The duchess preened, clearly happy to hear praise of her estate. “Come,” she told them, linking her arm with Sarah’s, “I will introduce you.” So, the great lady did just that, guiding the Paynes around the room and introducing them to the few people that had arrived before them. She ended with a group of young people clustered together a little apart from the rest of the company.
“Anna,” the duchess began, speaking to a tall, blonde girl who looked very much like the duke. “This is Miss Sarah Payne. Do be a dear and introduce her to your friends.” Letting go of Sarah’s arm, she said, “Miss Payne, this is my daughter, Lady Anna Bramlett.”
Lady Anna looked Sarah over as though she were evaluating the cost of Sarah’s gown and therefore her worth, but then her lips lifted in a slight smile. “I am pleased to meet you, Miss Payne.”
Sarah curtseyed. “I am pleased to meet you, as well.” She smiled in return. Though she sensed that Lady Anna was a bit haughty, Sarah wanted and needed a friend to help her navigate the new situation she was in. Though she had been quiet and thoughtful so far this evening, Sarah could be witty and charming when the situation called for it. She decided that she would exert herself for the time she was here, and be the lively young lady those of her circle knew her to be. “What a lovely gown! It looks very well on you.”
“Thank you,” Lady Anna preened. “It is one of my favourites from the ones my modiste made for me this season.”
Sarah smiled. “She does excellent work.” Sarah wondered if the silk had come from her father’s warehouse, but knew better than to ask the daughter of a duke such a question. She doubted the lady would know.
“Allow me to introduce you to the rest of my friends.” In a gesture almost exactly like her mother’s, Lady Anna tucked Sarah’s arm under hers and began making introductions.
Sarah spent an enjoyable half-hour speaking with the young ladies and gentlemen. Lady Anna had rarely left her side; it seemed she wished to befriend Sarah, and for that, Sarah was grateful.
When the meal was ready, the duchess announced that as this was an informal meal, guests were not required to enter according to precedence. So, when a young gentleman standing nearby held his arm out to her, she laid her hand in the crook of his elbow with a smile. “Thank you, sir,” she said.
Sarah sat between her father and the young man who had escorted her in. The meal proceeded as all dinners do, with several courses and much conversation. Following the meal, the ladies removed to the drawing room and left the men to their own discussion. Lady Anna was standing at the end of the table, seemingly waiting for Sarah.
“There you are. It took you an age to walk around the table.” Lady Anna glanced back over her shoulder. “Though I daresay it must have required a deal of time, given all the gentlemen and chairs you had to walk around.” Taking hold of Sarah’s arm, Anna followed the other ladies. “I have ever so much to share with you, and I hope you will tell me about yourself, as well.”
“Certainly, my lady,” Sarah replied with a small smile. “What should you like to know first?”
They had arrived in the drawing room, and Lady Anna drew Sarah to a quiet corner where they could watch all the comings and goings of the room. The pair sat on a settee and arranged their skirts, sitting primly on the edge of the seat, as all well-trained young ladies are taught.
“Do you have any beaux? I have several, you know, but I plan to become a duchess like my mother,” Lady Anna declared.
Sarah lifted her lips in a smile. “I do not, not yet, anyway. My father wishes me to marry soon, though. He is hoping one of the gentlemen here will suit.”
“What will happen if none of the gentlemen here catch your eye?”
Sarah held in a sigh. She hated thinking about it. “Eventually, he will choose a husband for me, if I do not catch one on my own.”
Lady Anna wrinkled her nose. “I should not like that very much.”
Sarah chuckled. “I do not, either.” She looked toward the door and this time did not hide her sigh. “There are so many gentlemen here; I am hoping one will capture my heart.”
Anna tilted her head. “You wish to marry for love?”
“I do, very much. Papa will not concern himself with that.” One side of Sarah’s lips quirked up in a half-hearted grin. “What about you? Do you wish to marry for love?”
“As long as I marry a duke, I care not a whit about love. I do have high hopes for a proposal this week, though.”
Sarah’s brows rose, and her eyes brightened. “You do? How wonderful! From whom, if I may ask?”
“From a gentleman who has not yet arrived. He is the Duke of Amblingshire, and his father and mine were friends for a long time, until the previous duke passed away. The current duke is dreadfully handsome, and quite a catch.”
“Congratulations.” Sarah’s heartfelt words were sincere. “How exciting for you.”
“You must not tell anyone,” Lady Anna shushed Sarah. “I have not yet brought him up to scratch, and I must not cause rumors to go around.”
“I will not say a word, I promise.”
By this time, the gentlemen were finished in the dining room, and the whole party began to remove to the garden to mingle and enjoy music. Each of the young ladies were to take a turn, something Sarah was nervous about, for though she enjoyed music and played well, she had never performed in front of such a distinguished group of people before. She hoped she would do well.
Suddenly, the butler entered the garden and announced a late-coming guest. “The Duke of Amblingshire and the Dowager Duchess of Amblingshire.”
Chapter Three
Edward Chancellor, otherwise known as the Duke of Amblingshire, grinned as his hosts and their children moved forward to greet him. He liked Haston and his family, and knew their parties were always enjoyable. Edward had always enjoyed meeting new people, catching up with old friends, and the dancing and dining that came with social activities.
“Amblingshire, how good to see you here,” Haston cried. “I was not certain you would come. My wife tried to tell me, but…”
“You should have listened,” the duchess said. “When have I ever been wrong?” Turning to the dowager, she held out her hands. “How are you, truly?”
“I am well,” Dorothy Wilton Chancellor assured her hostess and friend, grasping the hands that were extended to her. “It has been a difficult first year, but we managed.”
“I am glad to hear it.” Duchess Haston led her friend away. “Have you eaten?”
The gentlemen watched the ladies walk away. Then, Haston clapped the younger man on the shoulder. “When you missed dinner, I thought perhaps you had decided it was too soon to socialize. Is everything well?”
Edward nodded. “Yes, it is now. A tenant issue suddenly sprung up that needed my intervention.”
“That does sometimes happen. Often, the tenants will not take the word of the steward. They wish to hear directly from the master. Was it easily taken care of, then?”
“It was,” Edward assured him. “I spoke to both men and was able to make them see reason. I do not antic
ipate more trouble from them, at least not on that matter.”
“Excellent!” Haston patted Edward’s shoulder and dropped his hand. He gestured toward the other guests. “I will ask you what my wife did your mother. Have you eaten? Can you stand to make some new acquaintances before you go up to your room, perhaps enjoy the performances of the ladies?”
“I have eaten, though it was a while ago. Perhaps when I go up, you can send a tray to my room? Mother’s, as well?”
“Of course,” Haston reassured him.
“Then yes, I should enjoy making some new acquaintance this evening. Lead on.”
Edward greeted many old friends and was introduced to several new people. His general air of friendliness and the attention he paid to each person he spoke with made him well-liked wherever he went, and tonight was no exception. Thankfully for him, he liked the rest of the party as much as they liked him. It promised to be an enjoyable gathering.
Lady Anna Bramlett approached with an unknown young lady by her side. “Amblingshire,” Lady Anna greeted, “It has been an age since we saw you last.”
Edward bowed. “I apologize for that, Lady Anna.” He glanced at the stranger. “Will you introduce me to your friend?”
Anna smiled. “This is Miss Sarah Payne. She is here with her parents. Miss Payne, this is the Duke of Amblingshire.”
Sarah curtseyed. “Good evening, Your Grace.”
“Good evening,” Edward replied. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“Thank you, sir. I am pleased, as well.” Sarah darted a glance at Anna.
“Edward,” Lady Anna began, “I am parched. Would you escort me to the refreshments table? Miss Payne is taking her turn to play next, and I shall be all alone otherwise.” Anna batted her eyelashes at him.
“Of course.” Edward held out his arm to Anna, feeling badly that she had brushed off her friend so rudely. Edward knew his mother wished for him to marry Anna, but she had always been as she was now with Miss Payne: arrogant and haughty. Edward was not certain he even liked her, though he had promised his mother he would give Anna a chance.
Edward loved the whirl and dash of the season, and his social calendar was always full of card parties, balls, and dinners. He enjoyed himself so well and was so pleasant to be with that no one knew the truth, which was that he was easily bored. He had thought about it often over the years and had come to the conclusion that he enjoyed his social life so much because there was always something new and different happening.
Edward knew he must marry at some point and get an heir to the dukedom. At thirty years of age, he had been through many seasons and met dozens of eligible young ladies. However, none of those ladies interested him for longer than a few weeks. They were all full of nothing but gossip and fashion. He had yet to meet one who could carry on a decent conversation or who shared any of his interests. He could not imagine being tied to any of them for the rest of his life, so he kept looking.
Now here he was, escorting Lady Anna Bramlett through her parents’ garden. He could hear applause behind him as the first musician finished her piece. He thought about the girl he had just met, Sarah Payne, and wondered what her playing was like. His attention was drawn back to his companion when she spoke.
Later that evening, Edward had another opportunity to speak to Sarah. He had been talking to another group of young ladies, charming them with stories and making them laugh, when Sarah walked by. She appeared to be looking for someone. He excused himself from the group he was talking to and walked toward her.
“Miss Payne, how are you enjoying the entertainment?” Edward sketched a bow.
Sarah curtseyed. “I am enjoying it very well. All the ladies are such good performers.” She smiled, her hands clutching her skirts.
“That they are,” Edward agreed. He sensed in Miss Payne a reluctance to speak to him that he did not understand. He determined to draw her out. “You play very well yourself.”
“Thank you, sir. You are too kind.” Sarah blushed with the praise.
“Not kind at all; honest.” Seeing a bench behind her, Edward gestured toward it. “Would you like to sit for a few minutes?”
Sarah’s eyes darted back and forth for a moment before she answered, making him think once again that she was looking for someone, before she assented. When they were settled on the seat, he took up the conversation again.
“I do not think I have met you before, Miss Payne. Have you been a friend of Lady Anna long?”
“Oh, no,” Sarah replied, her hands clasped together in her lap. “I met her just this evening, before we dined. She is very generous, though, and kind.”
Edward nodded, privately wondering about the truth of that. Surely Sarah did not know Lady Anna well if she thought Anna was kind. “Tell me about yourself. What are your pursuits, your passions?”
Edward and Sarah spent the next quarter hour in conversation, with Edward drawing as much information out of Sarah as he could. He was puzzled by her coolness toward him. They had only just met, and his reputation was not that of a rake or rogue, so he could not imagine what her reason could be. As they parted, she to her parents, whose appearance at her side put an end to their time together, Edward’s brows drew together. It bothered him to no end that Sarah had behaved so toward him. He was not used to ladies who did not immediately fall at his feet. “After all,” he muttered to himself, “I am a catch. Any young woman would be more than pleased to have my attention.”
For Sarah, the evening had been mostly enjoyable. As she readied herself for bed that night, she reflected on her experiences. She had been disconcerted by Anna’s abrupt abandonment of her when Edward arrived, but she had already seen that Anna’s biggest concern was Anna herself, and making a match with her father’s friend.
Thinking about Anna brought another pang of unease to Sarah. There had been a few times, before Edward arrived as well as after, when Sarah thought she saw a glint of something in Anna’s eyes that she did not understand. Sarah had noticed, too, that Anna flirted with every gentleman she spoke to, which made no sense in light of the engagement that was expected. Sarah bit her lip as she climbed into bed. Her thoughts turned to Edward next.
Sarah found that she really liked the Duke of Amblingshire. She found him charming, and every bit as handsome as Anna had said he was. She had seen him flirting with the ladies, making them laugh and blush, and she was not certain she approved of that. Still, it was none of her concern. He belongs to Lady Anna, Sarah thought. I have no business thinking of him at all. Her heart hurt a little bit as she blew out the candle and snuggled under the covers.
Chapter Four
The next day, Sarah woke up when the sun was high in the sky. She stretched and yawned, then rubbed her eyes. Hearing her maid in the dressing room, Sarah rose and began her day, later meeting her parents in the sitting room they shared.
“Good morning, dear.” Sarah’s mother rose from her seat at the small table to greet her daughter, offering her cheek for a kiss.
“Good morning, Mama, Papa. How did you sleep?”
“Very well. This country air seems to be very refreshing.” Mrs Payne grinned. “I have not slept so well in ages.” She resumed her seat, picking up the needlework she had dropped when Sarah entered the room.
“She did,” Mr Payne concurred, eyeing his wife with a speculative gleam in his eye. “I wonder now if I should not purchase an estate myself. It would have to be close to town, though. I have managers aplenty, but I still need to oversee things.”
Mrs Payne stared into her husband’s eyes as her lips lifted in a small smile. “You do not have to spend so much just for me. If you find that you enjoy life in the country while we are here, then by all means, buy a small estate. I have been well and will continue to be so living in London.”
Mr Payne reached out his hand to gently cover his wife’s. “Have you enjoyed it so far?”
“Oh, I have, I do not deny it,” Mrs Payne replied.
Sarah watched in
fascination as her parents spoke to each other. She was certain they had once again forgotten she was there. “At least this time they are not embracing each other,” she thought, rolling her eyes. She stepped back and turned away, choosing to sit on the settee and wait for them to become aware of her presence once more.
Mr and Mrs Payne both caught Sarah’s movement out of the corners of their eyes, and it startled them. They unclasped their hands, blushing furiously. Mr Payne cleared his throat and his wife took up her embroidery hoop once again.
“So, Sarah,” her father began, “how many of your friends are here?”
Shaking her head at her parents, Sarah decided not to tease them this morning. “There are several here that I am acquainted with, but none are of my usual circle. I confess I sometimes feel a little lost, but Lady Anna has befriended me, so I am not totally alone.”
Mrs Payne tilted her head and examined Sarah’s expression. “I saw that she had taken you under her wing. I was uncertain if she did so because her mother asked or because she wished to.”
Mr Payne had been listening to the discussion between his wife and daughter. “She is a good connection to cultivate, Sarah. If you can maintain the friendship, it might lead to open doors later on.”
Sarah fought to keep her eyes from rolling again. “Yes, Papa, that is true. I am not sure how I feel about her and if we will be friends beyond this house party. She has a way about her that makes me a bit uneasy. She flirts with all the gentlemen but tells me she is expecting a proposal from one in the next fortnight. She compliments me but then abandons me for someone of her circle when the mood strikes her.” Sarah shrugged. “I have decided to give her a chance. We may end up friends and we may not.”
Mrs Payne nodded. “I do not wish for you to be hurt, but I think it is wise to give her an opportunity to be friends. There may be a tender heart under all that haughtiness. It would not do to crush it.”