by Ella Edon
He then proceeded past her, through the door. She stepped aside to let him walk past, but he froze beside her and gasped, moving back. Katherine looked to where he stood. She gasped as well when she saw Victoria in her grey dress standing there. Her hair was done up in a neat bun, and her green eyes stared back at Lord Shepherd. She looked from Katherine to him.
Katherine was about to tell Victoria to step aside so the man could be on his way, but Lord Bowmount was already squatting down in front of her. She rolled her eyes.
"Good morning," Lord Bowmount said and smiled, then stuck his right hand in front of Victoria.
Katherine's lips parted in disapproval. As a young girl, Victoria was supposed to curtsy before him, not shake his hand. Once again, Katherine felt the need to get rid of the man. Goodness gracious, he had no values to speak of.
Victoria creased her brows slightly then looked to Katherine. It took all Katherine's will power not to yell at Lord Bowmount. Instead, she smiled and said, "Darling, this is Lord Shepherd, your Papa's cousin. He would be staying here with us for a while. Go on," she urged. She hoped that Victoria understood she was supposed to curtsy.
Victoria then took his hands in her small ones, curtsied and offered a tight smile. "Good Morning, My Lord."
She proceeded to walk to Katherine, which pleased her so. Lord Bowmount arose, touched the tip of his hat and walked on.
Katherine sighed in relief. Perhaps it was for the best that he didn't have breakfast with them. For Victoria's sake.
"Why are you up so early? And who dressed you?"
Victoria took her usual seat by the one at the head and stared at it for a moment before she spoke. "You promised that I'd be able to see Agnes and Gregory today."
Katherine was taken aback. "Did I, now?"
"Yes Mother, a fortnight ago."
"Oh. Of course," she muttered, trying to recall such promise. Then it clicked. It had been so long. She wondered how Victoria could remember something she had said so long ago.
It had indeed been a long time since she had seen her friends. She'd told Anne and Esther that she was preparing for the arrival of Lord Bowmount. Perhaps they had not visited because they were not certain if the new Marquess was settled. She'd see them, and then go with Victoria.
Victoria looked up. "You didn't remember?"
"Of course, I did." Katherine grinned. "I will take you myself."
Victoria's brows were creased when Katherine looked at her again. They remained so, even as she settled down to eat, and even when everyone awoke and her grandmother came down to eat, as well.
"Good Morning, Grandmama," Victoria greeted.
The Dowager Marchioness raised her brow at the child. "I've told you not to call me that. Lady Bowmount is just fine, Lady Victoria."
Katherine smiled, waiting for the usual argument, where Victoria would quickly say. "But Mama is also Lady Bowmount, wouldn't that be too confusing to call you that, as well?"
However, Victoria never said such, or anything related, she simply cast her gaze away and looked at the empty seat beside her - not like she had joked like that in a very long time, but Katherine still hoped that one day, she would joke that way again. Victoria needed more space. More time alone, to heal.
* * *
"We haven't seen you in such long time. How are you?" Anne squeezed her in a hug.
Katherine pondered on the question as she rested her head on Anne's shoulder. How was she? Was she fine? Was she alright? Was she happy? Was everything in place? Did it finally not hurt that Victor was dead? None of these questions had positive answers, so she decided to drop them.
"The Marquess has arrived," Katherine grumbled as she moved back and plopped into one of the armchairs. She could not understand why she kept thinking about Lord Bowmount. Perhaps his arrival irked her so much, that only thoughts of him filled her mind. And she could not get the image of him sitting and looking so perplexed at the dining room table that morning. It had been a refreshing sight. How carefree he had been, how focused. It seemed new.
Esther was at the other end of the settee, looking through some papers that Stefan had sent his footman to get for him.
Katherine turned her attention to Anne who then decided to question her.
"He has? How is he?"
"Different..." she said in a low voice, because he was indeed different. Not what she expected. "I — I did expect that he'd be different, seeing as he has come from a very small town, but he is extremely different. He has no respect for the position, or for rules. He does as he so pleases and thinks himself superior."
Like how he'd decided with finality that he was going to practice as a barrister here in Somerset. His decision infuriated her.
"How do you mean?" Anne asked.
Katherine shook her head. "Despite the fact that he has a duty, he has decided to make his first priority his practice as a barrister! And has gone as far as looking for a place down in Old Street. He left early this morning again. And he has only been in Somerset for three days. He hasn't even requested to take a look around the manor. He cares not!"
He was such an infuriating man. He went against everything that certified one to be a Lord. He was different, and not in any way good. His actions annoyed her. And his presence made her feel so much discomfort, and yet, perhaps, in those blue eyes of his, merely thinking of him brought images to her mind. She still was not over how she had seen him that morning at the dining table — she shook her head. He was a man who knew nothing of her husband's legacy and would put it to ruin. She would rather be dead than let that happen.
Anne smiled at her. "Perhaps give him time, get to know him. He certainly won't have any bad intentions."
"What have I missed?" Esther sat down beside Anne. Her brown hair was shorter than it normally was. It now hung around her shoulders, instead of her back. She looked radiant. Katherine admired that they both looked so happy. She wondered if her own happiness would ever last for so long.
"Katherine does not like the new Marquess," Anne said. "My cousin, Arthur."
Katherine gave her a pointed look. "One you've never met."
"I shall stop in, to make his acquaintance." Anne smiled fondly. "I just wanted to be sure he's all settled and comfortable before I come visit. I am not sure he knows his uncle birthed an illegitimate. It would be too much to spring that on him."
Katherine sighed. If Anne was waiting for Lord Bowmount to get comfortable, then she would wait for a long time. She most certainly was sure he would never find comfort in her home. She wanted to do everything possible to send him back to Flitwick. Enough of all his nonsense. He'd barely stayed a week, yet he was already showing who he really was. He was certainly not the individual who should be in charge of the Bowmount title.
Esther raised her brows. "So, what happens now?"
"How do you mean?" Katherine asked.
"With the arrival of Lord Bowmount? Do you still intend to live there? "
"The manor is my home. Of course, I'd most certainly still live there."
Esther smiled. "I believe you should perhaps think of going home to Somerset castle. For a change, and to avoid ridiculous rumors from the ton as well. "
Anne nodded. "Very true, Katherine. I believe so as well. News fly very quickly and once the ton hears of the Marquis's arrival, they begin to spread rumors of all kinds. It would be a scandal."
Katherine shook her head. "I'm still in mourning. I do have the right to remain at the manor while at it."
Esther and Anne exchanged glances. And then, they both nodded quickly. "Most certainly."
"Of course," Anne said.
Katherine swallowed hard. She hoped that there would be no scandal. The Marquis had only just arrived. The manor had been her home for seven years. She couldn't just leave. He hoped that they understood how difficult everything was for her. She calmed herself. Anne and Esther had always been there for her. Even when she had been engaged to wed Lord Henry Huntington, who was now wed to Anne, and things d
idn't go well, they had been there for her. Through all of her worst moments, they were there for her. They were only looking out for her. They did understand her. All they wanted was the best for her. At this thought, she smiled.
"I bought a blue dress for that," Esther was saying when Katherine returned her attention to them.
"A blue dress? For what?"
Esther's smile dimmed. "Lady Alastair will be throwing a ball."
"Oh," was all Katherine managed to utter. Of course, as a widow who was mourning, her first six months were over, but she didn't feel any different. She felt like she needed to stay isolated some more, away from balls and occasions and anything that would make mix with people who were happy. She was not happy, nor would she ever be again.
The door opened then, and Agnes ran in. Her frown was deep, her brows scrunched. She approached her mother, Esther. "Mama, Victoria says she wants to go home."
Katherine looked at the child. "Victoria? Is she well?"
Agnes shook her head sadly. "She does not want to play. I don't think she ever wanted to come in the first place."
Katherine stood up immediately and ran to find her daughter.
Victoria was seated in the salon, her hands clasped together, her gaze on the hearth. She said nothing when Katherine walked in. Katherine took a seat beside her and touched her shoulders lightly. "Darling, are you alright?"
Victoria looked up at her. "Can we go home now, Mama? I feel tired."
Katherine was not sure she heard Victoria properly. Victoria had been the one eager to come. She had been the one who had gotten up early for this purpose. Now she wanted to go home? Katherine touched her again. "Did anyone hurt you here? Did you have a fight with Agnes?"
"No, Mother. I just want to go home."
Katherine's frown deepened. She was not sure what was wrong with her. It had been seven months since Victor's passing, but even in the earlier months, Victoria was not as isolated as this. She didn't keep to herself like this, and she didn't want to simply stay in her room all alone. She'd stayed with Katherine most times. And now, all she wanted was to be alone.
Katherine was worried for her child. The worst part was that she didn't know what to do. She wondered if she'd ever be able to heal, be able to accept that her Papa was gone forever. For that, Katherine feared that Victor's death may have scarred Victoria forever. She was afraid that her daughter was slowly but definitely shutting the world out. Including her. And for a young lady who was barely past six year old, Katherine feared how much it would scar her.
Chapter Six
It was the first time he'd ever seen Lady Victoria Willington. He'd heard next to nothing about her, but he knew that Victor had a child. She looked so much like Victor, only with Lady Bowmount's golden hair. The mere thought of Lady Bowmount made him swallow hard. He wondered what it was that made her so — so desirable to look upon. He groaned and shook his head. He had been thinking about Lady Victoria. She looked sad. She looked like she'd like to be locked up, to be alone, away from everyone else.
The stool he stood on wobbled. He gasped before skillfully jumping down and letting the stool fall on its own. The broom he held fell to the floor as his panicked heart beat rapidly. He had narrowly escaped falling. He raised the stool and sat down by the corner, panting hard.
He was cleaning out his office. Cobwebs graced every corner. In the reception corner, an elderly woman was cleaning the floor, wiping the cobwebs away; she had asked him to leave the inner office to her, but he had refused. He knew she'd be tired from cleaning all by herself, so he helped her with the other room.
The door to the office opened and the woman poked her grey-haired head in. "Is everything alright, My Lord?"
"I am fine, ma'am, just stressed a tad." He waved his hand.
The woman smiled. "It's getting late. I'd like to go home and finish up tomorrow, My Lord."
Arthur looked outside. It was indeed late. The sun was lowering behind the buildings across the street. "Of course, it's not a bother. I should be on my way, as well."
Arthur stared at the table where he kept the paperwork he had drafted for legal purposes, stating that he had rented and paid for the office in full. All he needed was Mr. Herondale’s signature and stamp — after he read through it, that is.
He packed up the papers in his briefcase and pulled it to his side. Then he walked out the door, just after the cleaning woman. He waved her goodnight, handed her a coin for the day - which earned him a thankful smile from her. He locked up the door of his office and swung the keys as he pocketed them.
He reached into his pocket, retrieving his watch. He whistled at how fast time had gone. He'd spent all day in his office, arranging and drafting paperwork that he didn't known that it was past five of the clock.
He hailed a hackney.
“Where to, My Lord?” the driver asked.
"Bowmount Hall."
The driver made an odd face.
"Is something wrong?" Arthur asked as he got in, closing the door.
"I simply wonder why you'd be visiting the Fallen House," The driver said, from up on his perch. He clicked his tongue, then urged the horses onward.
Arthur perked up, interested in this. "The Fallen House?"
"It’s what the house used to be called for a while,” the driver explained. “Although it has become better over the years, the name has stuck."
Arthur nodded in understanding. "I see."
"Pray tell, who do you wish to see there? The Marquess of Bowmount is passed, God rest his soul. We hear that the new Marquess will arrive soon, but we are yet to see him. However, only the Dowager Marchioness and the young widow reside there. So, whom do you go there to see?"
Arthur frowned. From the tone of the driver, he was certain that the man suspected him of something. Did he think he had any motive by going there? He replayed the question in his head. Slowly, realization dawned. There was no man in the house, and so he was a young man going there in a hackney. Was he insinuating that he was going there to see Lady Bowmount? Did he think that...? Oh, dear Lord. He thought exactly that.
Arthur hated small towns. It was filled with gossip and insinuations. If the man dropped him off with no idea of who he truly was, he would go on to spread a rumor, thereby soiling Lady Bowmount's name.
Quickly, but calmly, he responded. "I am the new Marquess of Bowmount. Lord Arthur Shepherd." He smiled. "I have only just arrived at my new estate."
"Pray tell, why do you order a hackney when you have carriages aplenty?"
"Because it is what I wish - we are here," he said quickly when the house came into view. He didn't want to spend another second answering the questions of this nosey stranger.
He paid him his coins and was about to turn when the man grinned at him. "Welcome to Somerset, My Lord."
Arthur had heard that a lot, but he never felt welcomed.
* * *
The house was quiet when he stepped inside. The curtains in the house were drawn, light bathed the entire hallway. The soles of his shoes clicked against the ground as he walked.
At the far end, he saw Darlene come out from the corner.
"Oh, I know. I read them sometimes, too," a voice called from inside.
Darlene was quick to respond. "Try the poems."
There was a loud laughter and then a chattering followed. It was the first time Arthur had seen anyone in the household smile. Since he’d gotten here, no one smiled. Now they were smiling. He didn't know who the woman in the inner room was. The cook, perhaps. He wanted to ask when dinner would be ready. He wanted to join the family for dinner at the table. He felt horrible for what had happened that morning. He hadn’t known that it was customary for everyone to dine together.
While at the University College, he had always made his own meals and ate at whatever time he liked. Early mornings, preferably. Here, he felt that what he was a constant disappointment to Lady Katherine. He was an interloper—someone who had been called in to fill shoes, which he could ne
ver hope to.
He was about to walk over to them when the Dowager Marchioness stepped out of one of the rooms. He nearly gasped. There were so many secret places in this house! The Dowager Marchioness glowered at him.
He smiled and bowed instantly. "Lady Bowmount."
She curtsied but said nothing.
In as much as he felt that both Lady Bowmounts were simply not happy about his arrival, he felt that they were all up to something. He needed to watch himself carefully. It was why he decided to spend the first few days getting his office together— so he could at least have someplace where he could escape to.