Anne Marie saw the mansion in the distance as they rode down the narrow pathway up a long, winding hill. It looked majestic, at the very top of the tall hill, surrounded by fields of green, foliage, and artful sculptures. There were many carriages, chaises, and barouches circling the front entrance of the huge home.
“They have a lovely house.” She breathed. “I have not seen such magnificence in a long time.”
Judith turned so that she could see the building from her seat in the carriage. “Yes, they are very proud of it.”
“When did you start up your hotel, Lady Ellingham?” Clara asked.
Judith turned to sit comfortably in her seat again. “The Cornwall's were the first to arrive in this area. Although I do believe there were a few people living here when they arrived, thus the name of the village is Bainbridge and not Cornwall. I came here as a child, when the Cornwall's were very young and their sons were yet to be born, so I have been here most of my life. I suppose if I counted it up, it has probably been around 25 years since I started the hotel, but you know, I have never counted the years. This is my home and I will live here till I die.”
“I don’t blame you at all.” Clara said. “It is one of the loveliest villages we have visited so far.”
“And there are eligible bachelors for both of you.” Judith smiled wide.
Anne Marie wondered if the older woman could see her feelings for her son. Judith was looking back and forth between the two of them, so if she was thinking of James, it was impossible to tell. Anne Marie had taken the last two days to think about the situation. Since the coach ride with the Earl, James, and Clara, there had been almost no contact between them all. The Earl had traveled to London for a day, claiming he had business there, and James had spent most of his time with the older Cornwall boys.
Anne Marie didn’t know how to feel about that. During those two days, she had thought about him almost non-stop. He had been in her dreams. His face was who she saw when she closed her eyes before she went to sleep at night and when she woke up in the morning, he was the first person to enter her mind. She wanted to tell him her deepest, darkest secrets. However, she couldn’t. He had made it clear when they returned after the coach ride that if he was interested in anyone, it would be Clara. He hadn’t said it aloud, but he had given her that impression. He’d said goodbye to her but his departure from Clara had felt different.
She was confused, too. She second-guessed everything her mind told her. He’d seemed friendly and interested that first night when he’d made her the cocoa milk. He’d seemed interested the next day, as well. However, something had happened to change his mind. She couldn’t put her finger on it and reviewed her own behavior before that time to see if there might have been something she had said or done to make him think she was not interested in spending time with him.
Whenever he looked at her, his eyes softened and she thought she could see a look of desire there. Since the coach ride, though, he had barely looked at her at all. His absence made her sad. She wanted to find him, grab him, and hold on for dear life.
She would resist, as it was the right thing to do. If he was not interested in a relationship with her, there was nothing she could do about it and she was not the type of woman to beg a man to be with her. She would be an excellent wife to whatever man she chose. If it wasn’t James, then it wasn’t, and she would have to live with that.
She listened with one ear as Judith continued about the Cornwall's and how the Duke and Duchess related to the villagers.
“It’s important to remember that although the Duchess is generous and kind, she is also firm and intelligent. She is much like the Queen in that respect. We cannot and should not underestimate her. There would never be an occasion where I would try to pull a hoax on the Duchess, but there have been people before who have tested her limits. She did not fold to them.”
“We are here to fool no one and gain nothing but that which we deserve.” Anne Marie said. Judith nodded in response.
“Oh, yes, my dear. I do understand. I would never suspect that you would do anything scandalous. You… you don’t seem the type.”
Anne Marie gave her a smile that barely raised the corners of her lips. “Thank you, Mrs Ellingham. I try to be an upstanding citizen wherever I go.”
The carriage pulled up in front of the building to let the ladies out. Judith had told them before they left the hotel that James was already at the Cornwall's, which was to be expected. He had spent most of his time with them over the last few days. He typically spent a great deal of his time with them, according to his mother. However, the last few days he had been gone nearly the entire time, not even eating at the hotel with his family. Judith had mentioned it was strange but not completely out of the ordinary.
Anne Marie pulled in a deep breath and stepped down from the carriage, holding on to the hand of the butler. He offered his hand to Clara, who took it and stepped out behind Anne Marie. Judith was the last one to step out.
Judith led the way as they went into the huge mansion. Anne Marie looked up and around her as they went closer to the tall front doors. There were matching columns on both sides of the doors, holding up the porch roof. There were vines etched into the columns from the bottom to the top that were colored green. Finely made furniture was placed to the left and to the right. Anne Marie wondered whether they were used often or were merely just for display. There were people standing about on the porch. Some nodded their heads to Judith as she passed by. They smiled at Anne Marie, but their eyes were curious.
“It’s not uncommon for me to bring strangers to these events,” Judith murmured in a low voice as the three women approached the doors. “Don’t worry about the way they look at you. Most of them will be very envious and you should pay them no mind. Small villages where everyone knows everyone else tend to be very territorial.”
Anne Marie nodded in agreement. “I have noticed that, yes.”
“Soon, everyone will know you are not here to cause any harm.” She smiled wide. “I must say, they would be hard pressed to think that just by looking at you. I cannot imagine what harm you would cause.”
“She’s a beautiful woman,” Clara whispered to Judith. “In a sea of hags.”
Clara and Judith burst out laughing, while Anne Marie’s cheeks turned red.
As she went through the doors, she noticed how grand and beautiful the inside was. The man who had led them in turned to Judith.
“I know who you are, my lady. But who are your companions?”
“This is Viscountess Anne Marie Wiltshire and Lady Clara Collingwood.”
Clara looked at Anne Marie. The Lady shook her head. There was no need to deny Clara’s status. She was a good companion and Anne Marie didn’t mind giving her a title she wasn’t due.
The butler announced their arrival.
Anne Marie looked around at the crowd. It looked like the entire village was there.
“Come, I will introduce you to the Duke and the Duchess.”
“I am parched.” Clara said. “I will get a drink for us, my lady.”
“The drinks are being brought through the crowd. I will signal for one. Come, follow me.”
As Anne Marie and Clara walked through the crowd, nodding at the other guests when they caught their eye, music began to play. She passed between people, looking for the band that was playing. To her left, there was a small orchestra. She was pleasantly surprised to see there were children in the orchestra, several on violins, one on cello, and another standing behind a large drum. Adults were scattered through the orchestra, as well, looking comfortable despite the age variations in the band.
She and Clara shared a small smile when her companion caught sight of the members of the band.
“How unique.” Clara murmured. Anne Marie nodded. “Look!” Clara’s voice, though it remained low, rose slightly in pitch as she excitedly grabbed Anne Marie’s arm. The Viscountess looked where Clara was looking, knowing full well what she would see.
<
br /> It was James, with the Cornwall sons, standing to the side drinking out of small mugs. She wanted to run over to him and grab him. Quickly realizing how completely inappropriate that would be. She giggled at her own thoughts.
“I will have to go say hello to him,” Clara said. “He spoke to me yesterday at length in the dining room while you were napping upstairs. He is a charming and lovely man.”
Immediate jealousy streaked through Anne Marie and she had to turn away. What had they talked about? Had her name been mentioned? Would James and Clara soon become a couple?
The thoughts made her lips turn down at the ends. She lifted her hand fan to block the lower half of her face so that others would not see how upset she was. It didn’t keep Clara from noticing, however, yet she didn’t say anything. She kept her eyes on James and continued following Judith to the Duke and Duchess, hoping James would turn his eyes to see her.
Anne Marie turned her eyes and not her head, to look at the young men. James was looking dapper in a dark blue tailcoat and white trousers. His cravat was a tasteful off-white and he wore no hat. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest. She hoped he would appreciate the dress she was wearing, though she refused to get her hopes too high that he would even notice.
She had chosen a light green dress made of delicate fabric. Its sleeves were made of lace, as was the frilled collar around the neckline. The sash came up just under her breasts and revealed how slender she was though she had an ample bosom. A necklace of large pearls was draped around her neck. The pearls matched the ones that were draped through her hair, which she had piled half on top of her head while long strands spilled over her shoulders.
James did turn his eyes to the ladies as they approached the Duke and Duchess. He raised his head in acknowledgment but she saw no difference in the look on his face. Not when he looked at Clara and not when he looked at her. She felt a sharp pang of disappointment.
His stand-off behavior signaled to her that she was not in the running for a chance with him. He’d spent his time with her companion and they had apparently had a very good time together.
She was irritated again, swinging from one emotion to another.
Before she knew it, she was standing in front of the Duke and Duchess, who were seated in high backed velvet cushioned chairs nearly in the middle of the ballroom. The guests to their party were given the full range of a circle around them.
“Duke and Duchess Cornwall,” Judith curtsied to them with a smile. Anne Marie and Clara followed her lead. “These are my newest companions, Viscountess Anne Marie Wiltshire and her companion, Clara Collingwood. They are travelers from London seeking adventure and new faces.”
CHAPTER TEN
THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF BELLHOUSE
THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF BELLHOUSE
The Duchess stood up, looking at Anne Marie and Clara through narrow wise eyes.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, your grace.” Anne Marie curtsied to the older woman. “I hope the day finds you well.”
“It does, thank you, my dear. From where do you come?”
“I am from London, your grace. You may know my uncle, Duke Allen Wiltshire?”
The Duchess laughed softly. “I have not traveled much, my dear. But I have the feeling you have. You are on a journey?”
Anne Marie felt a bit surprised. For a moment, she forgot about her frustration. She felt a warm feeling from the Duchess and took a step closer to her. “I am.”
“I would love to hear about it. Come, sit next to me.” The Duchess patted the chair next to her. Anne Marie stepped up on to the short platform and sat down. Clara moved to stand next to her.
“You will not allow me a moment to say hello to the young ladies?” asked the Duke, leaning forward with a smile on his face. His wife looked at him.
“You may say hello if you wish, husband, but I reserve this young lady for myself.” The Duchess gave him a wide smile. The Duke looked past her to Anne Marie.
“Hello.” He said simply.
She stood again and curtsied to the man. “It is good to meet you, your grace.”
He looked at Clara. “Lady Collingwood.”
“Your Grace. Thank you for allowing us to attend your ball.”
“It is our honor to have you as guests, young lady.”
Clara looked down at Anne Marie. “May I mingle, my lady?”
“Yes, Clara. Go ahead.”
“Thank you.” She turned and moved back through the crowd, making a beeline for James and the Cornwall sons. Anne Marie watched her go with a sinking heart. She sat back down.
“I see a friend. I will speak with you later?” Judith was pleased with the reception the royals had given Anne Marie. She had a pleasant smile on her face.
The Duchess smiled at Judith. “Yes, certainly.”
Out of nowhere, the Duchess reached over and placed one hand on hers. “Tell me about yourself, Lady Wiltshire. You look to be about the same age as my sons. You have met them?”
“Yes, my lady. I have met them several times since I arrived here earlier in the week. They are gentlemen in every sense of the word.”
“You have met James Ellingham, as well, I assume, since you are staying at the hotel?”
“Yes, my lady.”
“He is quite a gentleman, too. You are seeking a husband?”
“Yes, my lady. How did you know?”
The Duchess laughed. “A beautiful woman like you, unmarried, traveling with a female companion? It can only be a search for a husband. None of my sons are married, you did know that, did you not?”
“I did.”
“What sent you on this journey, my dear? Are you only looking for a husband or do you have some soul searching to do? Do you know what you want?” When Anne Marie didn’t answer right away, her eyes straying around to the men in the corner, the Duchess smiled and nodded, patting her hand again.
“It’s all right to be confused, young lady. You have time to come to the best decision possible. Tell me, how long have you been traveling?”
“Approximately a year and a half.”
“How is it in that amount of time you did not find a suitable husband? You are a beautiful woman.”
Anne Marie looked at the older woman. The Duchess was looking at her with eyes filled with compassion and kindness. She could tell the woman was interested in what she had to say. It was a good feeling.
“I… I would like to find a man who not only possesses the qualities required for it but also a man I am able to love and who will make me happy.” Anne Marie debated whether she should tell the Duchess the reason for the requirements. She wasn’t comfortable telling people she had to choose between love and money. How much did she want the money, really?
Two finely-dressed ladies approached the Duchess and curtsied, greeting her with wide smiles.
“Good evening, Duchess.” They said.
Anne Marie smiled through the introductions. She thought about her dilemma while the ladies spoke with the Duchess. If she were to marry a commoner, which, at this point in time, was what she wanted, it would be wise to have money if she wanted to retain the lifestyle she had been living all her life. However, if she did not marry for love – her eyes strayed to where James and the Cornwall sons were talking to Clara and another young woman – she would have whatever wealth and money the nobleman she married would have. It seemed redundant for her to marry a man with a title to keep the money she was to inherit, when she would actually need it if she married a commoner.
She shook her head and pulled in a quiet sigh. None of it seemed fair to begin with.
Before she knew it, Earl George Kipling was in her line of sight, smiling at her, flashing straight teeth. He ran his eyes over her, which made her feel slimy. She smiled anyway.
“Good evening, my lord. I trust you are well.”
“Yes, my lady, I am. And you?”
“I am feeling fine, thank you.”
“I would like to take a spot on your dance card,
if you are willing.”
Anne Marie hesitated without meaning to. When she handed him her card, she hoped he hadn’t noticed the pause. He didn’t seem to. He took the card, signed his name, and handed it back to her. “I look forward to dancing with you, my lady.”
She nodded and looked down at the card as he left. He had signed not just for one dance, but three. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying her best to hide her disappointment. He had taken the first, fourth and last dance, ensuring that he would see her from beginning to end. She wanted to see James’ name written from the top her card to the bottom.
Her eyes lifted to look at the men again. She saw out of the corner of her eye that the Duchess was looking at her. When she turned her eyes to the older woman, she saw the sparkle in her eyes and knew the Duchess thought she was looking at her sons.
“Perhaps you would like to come to dinner here in the next few days? We can get to know each other.”
Anne Marie couldn’t help giving the woman a smile. “I would like that, your grace.”
“Good.” The Duchess nodded vigorously. “I would, too. I will make sure my sons are present.”
Anne Marie giggled softly.
“Bring your companion with you. It looks like she and James Ellingham are getting along very well. Maybe James will come, as well.”
“He does seem to spend a lot of time with your sons.” Anne Marie said.
“Yes, they are very good friends. He is closest to Nicholas in age but gets along with Tyler better than the other three. Cameron, being the youngest, has his own set of friends.”
Anne Marie nodded. “I noticed. I see your older sons frequently at the hotel. They spend a lot of time with James. Do they have business together?”
The Trouble With These Gentlemen (The BainBridge - Love & Challenges) (The Regency Romance Story) Page 7