by Tamara Gill
“Miss Payne, I hope you enjoyed yourself,” Edward asked.
Sarah smiled and turned to her mother, who patted her arm before turning away to take Mr Payne’s elbow and ascend the stairs. Turning back to Edward, Sarah smiled again and replied, “I did. My partners were friendly and obliging and made it an enjoyable evening. Dare I hope that you were pleased, as well?”
Edward took a single step closer to Sarah and spoke in a low voice. “I was not as pleased as I would have been had I not been pulled away from your side. My companions were neither as pretty nor as sweet as you.”
Sarah blushed. She looked down and clasped her hands in front of her. She smiled up at him with twinkling eyes. “Oh, you are too kind, Your Grace.”
Edward smiled back, captured by Sarah’s gaze, which he could not look away from. “Would you walk in the garden with me again tomorrow?” He was eager to spend more time with her, since he had been denied tonight.
Sarah struggled to contain a grin. He was certain she seemed eager to join him. His heart soared when she replied, “I would love to, thank you.”
Edward did not bother to hide his grin, allowing it to spread across his face with impunity. “May I escort you to your chamber?”
“You may.” Sarah accepted Edward’s arm and he covered the hand resting in the crook of his arm with his own. Touching her hand made his heart race and he almost chuckled at his silly school boy reaction.
He stepped back and let go of her hand when they were outside the door to her room. He felt suddenly alone when the distance between them grew as she stepped into her chambers and closed the door behind her.
Chapter Twelve
Sarah and Edward walked through the gardens the next two mornings, their discussions giving them a deeper understanding of each other and the worlds from which they came.
The third morning after the night of cards, they woke up to a heavy rain. Sarah broke her fast with her parents. Edward did not make an appearance, but he often ate later than she did. With their plans thwarted and no Edward with whom to discuss alternatives, Sarah retired to the library. She had not been there more than a quarter hour when Edward strolled in.
“Here you are,” Edward exclaimed as he entered the open doorway. He bowed to Sarah, who had risen and curtseyed to him. “I dallied a bit this morning, seeing that dismal rain that is falling outside.” He gestured toward the window before he seated himself on the settee beside Sarah.
Sarah glanced out at the wet and stormy garden, quickly turning back to Edward as he sat. “I waited for you for a while,” she confessed, “but it felt awkward to stay longer when you did not come down.”
“Thank you for waiting for me. I feel bad now that I did not break my fast earlier.” Edward itched to hold the hand that rested atop her book, but forced his hands to remain in his lap. He did adjust his position so that he was facing Sarah with his knee resting on the settee between them, moving one arm to rest on the back of the furniture.
“All is well. You have found me, and we can now have the same discussion we would have if the weather had cooperated.” Sarah’s lips twitched as she held in a grin. The effort was lost, however, when Edward laughed.
Their merriment was interrupted when Lady Anna entered the library, stopping short when she noticed Edward and Sarah on the settee. A look of anger flitted across her face, and her hands landed on her hips, though she soon realized where they were and brought them together before her, tightly gripped. “Well, is this not the coziest thing I have ever seen?”
Anna’s eyes were narrowed, and her jaw clenched. The sarcasm that coated her words made her listeners uneasy. They remained silent as they waited to see what else she would say. They did not have to wait long.
“I am surprised, Your Grace, that you would allow yourself to be alone with a female of any sort. There are so many grasping women in the world. You ought to take care that you are not forced into something you will regret.” Lady Anna’s haughtiness was in full force as she spoke imperiously and looked down her nose.
Sarah’s eyes grew wide as she listened. She wanted to protest that she was not grasping, but remained silent. Clearly, she had lost the favour of her hosts’ daughter. It would not do to aggravate the young lady more. She could make Sarah’s last four days here very difficult.
“What are you saying, Lady Anna?” Edward was not at all concerned about insulting Anna Bramlett. “Are you accusing Miss Payne of something nefarious?” He and Sarah had stood when Lady Anne entered the room, so now he took a step toward her, getting between her and Sarah. His voice deepened and became more commanding.
Sarah remembered that voice from the dancing a few nights previously, when he cut in on the viscount’s dance with her. She gripped her book tightly in one hand while the other played with the fingertips of the first. She looked anxiously between Anna and Edward.
“Why, I am not saying a thing, Amblingshire.” Anna’s eyes grew wide and one hand came up to rest on her heart.
“That innocent affectation of yours is just that – an affectation – and we both know it. Stop it. You just implied that Miss Payne has some disturbing plan to trap me into marriage.” Edward’s visage darkened further. “I demand that you apologize. I never thought of you as a tyrant, Lady Anna.”
Anna’s jaw set even further, matched by her stiffened posture and icy tone. “I have done nothing to apologize for,” she paused, “Your Grace.” She lifted her nose even higher. “If you do not care for your future, it is of no consequence to me.” Suddenly, Lady Anna’s countenance changed. “Perhaps your mother would care, though. Shall I inform her that you are dallying with the daughter of a tradesman?” Her voice dripped with disdain as she said the word tradesman.
“The door has been open the entire time we have been in this room. No one is dallying with anyone else. Miss Payne and I had just sat down to talk. If you will notice, she still carries in her hand the book she was reading when I interrupted her. Tell my mother anything you like. I care not. She does not make my decisions for me; I will talk to whomever I wish. Further,” Edward took another step toward Anna, lifting a finger to jab in her direction. “You will remain silent about this to the rest of the members of this house party, and anyone you meet in the future. You have never gossiped before, and you will not begin now. Miss Payne and I are both innocent of any wrongdoing, and I will not have you implying we are not. If I hear one rumor, even months from now, about Miss Payne, I will know from whence it came and will take it to your father.”
Lady Anna’s lips pinched closed. Her color began to rise, and for a moment, it appeared that she had something else to say. Instead, she turned on her heel and stalked out of the room.
When Anna was gone, Sarah let out the breath she had been holding and collapsed on to the settee. Instantly, Edward was kneeling in front of her and taking her hand.
“Are you well, Miss Payne? I apologize for Lady Anna. She had no right to speak to you in such a manner.”
Sarah stared into the space in front of her. She closed her eyes and breathed out another sigh, then licked her lips and swallowed. Her heart still pounded in fear, but she forced herself to calm. Opening her eyes, she replied to Edward’s concerned request. “I am well, only a little unsettled is all.” She swallowed again. “She is very angry.”
“She is. I confess I am surprised at her behaviour. She is always so controlled, no matter what she is feeling.” Edward’s thumb stroked the back of Sarah’s hand.
Sarah bit her lip. “Do you think she will spread rumors about us, about me?”
“No, I do not. One thing Lady Anna is not is a gossip. She threatened it because she was angry, but will do nothing else.” Reluctantly letting go of Sarah’s hand, Edward rose to resume his place beside her on the settee. “It is clear to me that my mother has spoken to Lady Anna about me and raised expectations about a proposal that will never come. Anna acted out of jealousy. She will calm sooner or later and will behave as though nothing happened.” Edwar
d smiled encouragingly.
Sarah continued to worry her lip for a full minute after Edward finished speaking. Then, she sighed and looked down. “I will have to trust you on this, I suppose. You have known Lady Anna far longer than I have.” She looked up again, a wry twist gracing her lips.
Edward smiled tenderly at Sarah. “I have, and you can. I will not lie to you, I promise.”
Sarah’s eyes examined Edward’s face, weighing his sincerity. Though he had not come right out and said that he cared for her, his words and the look on his face made promises to her that she hoped he would keep. She allowed herself to return his smile. “Thank you; I know you will be truthful with me and I appreciate it oh so much.”
Sarah and Edward remained in the library, sharing stories from their childhoods and school years, for another hour before separating. They came together again at tea time, meeting at the top of the grand staircase and descending to the drawing-room together.
Once in the room, the couple circulated, greeting the other members of the party and working their way around to a far corner, where the younger ladies and gentlemen had gathered. As always, the conversation amongst the young people was lively, and Sarah very much enjoyed the fast pace.
Sarah wished with everything in her that Edward would place his hand at her back, but propriety forbade it. But she did notice his eyes wandering toward her at every turn of the conversation. He seemed to watch for her reactions to the conversations or be waiting to hear what she might say.
She felt herself relax under his gaze and a certain ease cam over her in spite of her preference for smaller soirees. Sarah was fully aware of Edward’s scrutiny. She wondered for a brief moment why he stared, but then she recognized the same tender look he had bestowed on her before, and she knew that he admired her. Joy filled her heart to have gained the admiration of such a handsome gentleman.
When the tea tray entered the room and the party began to settle into groups to partake of it, Edward and Sarah found chairs near the fireplace. They settled in to talk, something that had become natural to them over the course of the last week. There was no topic that was off-limits to them, and they had shared their opinions, wishes, and desires with each other enough that they had begun to share a level of intimacy that bespoke of a deep friendship.
“Amblingshire!” A harsh voice called from across the room. “Attend me.”
Edward turned at the sound of his mother’s voice, seeing her wave him over to her. He looked over at Sarah with a sigh. “I shall return momentarily. Please excuse me.” With a longing glance at the plate of sandwiches he had just been served, he rose and went to the dowager’s side.
Smiling and nodding at the ladies who sat near his mother, Edward leaned down to the duchess’ ear. “How may I help you?”
The dowager was seated close enough to the fireplace that Sarah could see who was with her and hear the conversation if she strained hard enough. She made sure to appear to not be paying attention when she was in fact listening intently. Additionally, she was watching as secretively as possible out of the corner of her eye.
Gesturing toward Anna, who sat alone on a nearby couch, the dowager ordered him to sit. “Lady Anna requires some company. This is a perfect opportunity for you to spend time with her.”
Edward retained his composure quite well and simply shook his head. “No, Mother. I have a perfectly lovely plate of sandwiches across the room and a perfect cup of tea. There is where I shall sit.” He bowed to the dowager and the other ladies and strode back to Sarah’s side.
So happy to have him return to her, Sarah wasn’t even annoyed that he had not mentioned that he wanted to spend time with her, not Anna. When she thought a split second further on the matter, she realized he had said just that without using the words. His mother and Anna both should have received the proper message.
Chapter Thirteen
As he took his seat once more and reached for his tea, Edward glanced across the room. His mother stared in his direction, a deep scowl on her face and her brow wrinkled. Her jaw appeared to be clenched. He saw the moment she realized he was looking, because her eyes narrowed and her head snapped away from him and toward Duchess Haston. He sipped his tea then set it down, picking up the small plate with the smaller sandwiches and leaning back in his chair.
“Your mother is not best pleased, Your Grace.”
“No,” Edward replied flatly, “she is not. That is not my concern, however, and I am in no humour to make it so.”
Sarah’s brows rose, and she took another bite of food. After she had swallowed, she ventured forth with a question. “Did she wish you to sit with Lady Anna?”
“She did.” Edward moderated his tone. It was not Sarah’s fault that his mother was being difficult. “I am happy I left my plate and cup here, for it gave me an excellent excuse to ignore her.”
Sarah’s lips twitched. “Indeed,” she said, lifting her cup to her lips.
Edward heard the humour in Sarah’s voice and smirked, winking at her.
That wink made Sarah laugh aloud, and as she had just taken a sip of tea, she was forced to quickly lift her napkin to her mouth, lest she spew tea everywhere. She swallowed as quickly as she could, lifting twinkling eyes to Edward’s. “Very poor timing, Your Grace. That could have had terribly embarrassing consequences for us both.”
Edward said nothing, simply grinning and returning his attention to his plate.
Across the room, Edward could tell his mother was quietly fuming. She watched him as he laughed with Sarah enjoying her company more each minute. Her eyes were like daggers though he was determined to not let her make his decisions for him. He had mentioned this many times, but she refused to give up hope that he would finally see her wisdom. He was prepared to deal with her wrath from now to the end of his days if that is what it took.
As the members of the party began finishing their tea and wandering away, Edward and Sarah ventured toward the long gallery on the second story. Lined with paintings of the Duke of Haston’s ancestors, the room made an excellent alternative to the gardens on a stormy day such as this day.
“It appears we are not the only ones who chose to walk here,” Sarah observed as she strolled beside Edward.
“Not at all,” Edward replied with a smirk. “I am grateful that there are so few other couples, though. I find I do not wish to share you today if I can help it.”
Sarah blushed, hope rising in her once more. “Oh?”
Edward glanced at Sarah before turning his attention back to where he was going. He itched to have her hand on his arm again, but did not wish to be too forward. He told himself there would be other times for that, especially if his hopes were to become truth. “I find that I tire of all the interruptions. It seems as though every time we are together, someone is calling me away or making wild accusations.” He shrugged. “I enjoy the time I spend with you, is all.”
Sarah lifted the ornate fan she held and opened it, hiding the grin she was unable to contain. “Thank you, sir. I enjoy our times together, as well.”
Edward glanced at Sarah again and, seeing from the sparkle in her eye that she was hiding a large smile behind her fan, he stopped and faced her. His focus entirely on Sarah, he forgot the other couples in the room. “I hope we have more experiences such as this in the future.”
Sarah swallowed, Edward’s intense gaze spearing her and holding her in place. She returned his look, pouring her heart out through her eyes and hoping he could see it.
Edward smiled softly at the love that shone from Sarah’s countenance. He held his elbow out to her, rejoicing when she tucked her hand in the crook.
Chapter Fourteen
The end of the house party was swiftly drawing near. Sarah had greatly enjoyed herself. She made some new friends and had fully participated in all the activities her hostess had arranged. Best of all, she had met a gentleman and fallen in love. She bounced on her heels at the thought of a future with Edward. Her heart soared at the realization that
she was deeply in love with the man of her dreams.
Finally, the last day of the party arrived. The morning was beautiful, so the young people went riding one more time. To Sarah’s delight, Edward asked her to ride with him again. His gentle behaviour toward her and tender smiles fed her hopes and her spirit flew high. She knew he might not propose today, but she was almost certain he would come to call on her in London and do it then.
In the evening, the duchess had another elegant dinner, this one more formal than some of the others. The guests entered the dining room according to precedence, which meant that Edward escorted someone else in. Sarah was last, escorted by a young gentleman who had the appearance of one barely out of the schoolroom. She discovered that he was a third son and soon to take up a commission in the army. While he was polite and amiable, he lacked something. Simply put, he was not Edward.
After the separation of the sexes, when the gentlemen returned to the drawing room, the Duke of Haston stood at the head of the room and cleared his throat. The guests all quieted, waiting to hear what he had to say.
“Sadly, our time together draws to an end. This has been one of the most enjoyable house parties I have ever attended, and certainly the best I have hosted.”
“That is because you did as I told you and stayed out of the way.” The Duchess of Haston’s comment drew laughter from the crowd.
The duke bowed toward his wife and with a laugh, agreed. “You are likely correct, my dear. Perhaps I should listen to you more often.” He winked, drawing another round of laughter from the guests, along with some teasing comments from the older gentlemen. As the joviality faded and the crowd quieted once more, the duke continued his speech. “I thank you, each and every one of you, for attending this gathering. You have made it the smashing success it has been.”
The duke held his arms up as everyone cheered. He gave them a few minutes to applaud and then raised his voice once more. “On a personal note, we end this party with some very good news. I am delighted to announce that my daughter, Lady Anna, has accepted a proposal of marriage from the Duke of Amblingshire. We could not be happier.”