The Perfect Spinster: A Regency Romance (The Not So Saintly Sisters Book 2)

by Annabelle Anders

  Crawford’s letters had mentioned that some believed that if the mine hadn’t been cursed before, it became so when Olivia visited it. And, damn his eyes, Gabriel would take the blame for that, too.

  Hell, he only hoped she hadn’t heard of such ridiculousness. She’d seemed practical enough most of the time, but she’d also been innocent, naïve, too giving by far. Good Lord, she’d been willing to marry a common laborer so that she could help raise four children who were not her own.

  He wished he understood her better. Was she mourning the loss of her fiancé, despite the nature of their very short engagement? Crawford had also written that he and his duchess had taken responsibility for the raising of Smith’s orphaned children, moving all four boys over to Ashton Acres and setting them up as though they were their very own.

  Olivia had expected she’d become their mother. She would be happy that the children had been placed in such a bountiful home, but Gabriel knew it would be a loss to her, of sorts, to see her sister embrace the motherhood she’d been willing to take on herself.

  In far more primitive conditions.

  Olivia deserved more, damnit.

  “I’ll inform the servants.” He rocked back on his heels and shoved his hands into his pockets.

  His mother nodded. “And your fiancée.”

  “Eh?”

  “Victoria. You’d best inform Miss Shipley.”

  Ah. Yes. Mrs. Beasley would be none too pleased.

  Chapter 21

  Mothers and House Parties

  As it was, upon returning to Sky Manor, Gabriel found himself reliving far more happy memories than those of his father’s last days. The servants had greeted him enthusiastically with needed upgrades and a few staffing issues and since arriving, he’d had little opportunity to contemplate his personal affairs.

  Romantic or otherwise…

  His brothers had come and gone over the Christmas holidays and since then, life had reverted to such mundane matters as corresponding with political colleagues and addressing improvements with his estate manager. And after all the upheaval of last spring, he valued all of it.

  Contentment. Serenity. Peace.

  Even a certain level of boredom did not go unappreciated.

  He glanced up from a ledger of financial entries he had been working on and gazed unseeing at a picture mounted above the mantle.

  “Kingsley?” His mother peeked around the door of his study without knocking. Before awaiting an answer, she stepped inside carrying a piece of paper, a pair of spectacles perched atop her head. Priscilla followed with a smug smile dancing on her lips.

  He rose and made a slight bow. “To what do I owe the honor of a visit from both of you?” In fact, he was happy to see them. Although proficient in calculous and other sciences, his least favorite task was balancing the estate books.

  A necessary evil, however, when one wished to avoid being fleeced.

  “I’ve decided to host a house party next month, three weeks before Easter. Unless you have any objections, of course?” she asked with eyebrows raised. At the slight shake of his head, she continued, “Do you wish to go over this guest list with me?”

  And there went his serenity.

  If he were to be honest with himself, he was surprised his mother hadn’t done something like this earlier. For as long as he’d known her, she’d been something of a social butterfly. The manor boasted twenty-three bedchambers. He’d not begrudge his mother inviting a few friends to keep her company before returning to London for yet another Season.

  And his wedding. He’d not spoken with his fiancée in months.

  Again.

  He supposed his mother’s house party could help rectify this.

  “So long as you invite Miss Shipley, I don’t imagine I care much one way or the other.”

  His mother grimaced but sat down across from him anyway. “Of course, Victoria and her aunt will be invited. It will give us a chance to go over the wedding plans. And then, with a curious glance toward her daughter, she said, “Priscilla has asked that I invite Lord Lockley.”

  This was not something he wished to hear. He’d done some asking around, and although no one disparaged the man outright, Gabriel could not approve of the neglect he’d shown his first wife. In addition to that, he was smugly arrogant. The man said all the right things, knew all the right people and yet…

  “I think he’s close to coming up to scratch.”

  “No.” The word left Gabriel’s mouth before he could think it over thoroughly. That being said, he would not allow the man to offer for his sister.

  “You can’t be serious, Gabe! You don’t even know him. You can’t leave the country for two years and then waltz back, expecting to run my life for me!” Prissy had burst to her feet, dark eyes sending daggers his way.

  Oh, hell.

  “Just because you like how the man looks—”

  “I’m not that shallow of a person,” she cut him off.

  He turned to his mother for some agreement and she merely shrugged. “Give the man a chance, dear. And if, after spending some time with him, your disapproval persists… unless there is something specific?”

  He couldn’t very well discuss infidelity and sexual perversions with his sister and mother. Perhaps Lockley’s attractions would diminish upon closer inspection. Furthermore, an invitation to Gabriel’s mother’s House Party didn’t mean he approved of the match.

  “Very well.” But he didn’t like it.

  And he’d be damned if he’d stand by while some bounder took advantage of his sister.

  Not to mention her sizeable dowry.

  “Perhaps you ought to take the time to get to know your own fiancée, dear brother of mine.” Priscilla was definitely no longer the malleable young girl she’d been before he’d gone on his travels. Before he’d left, she’d idolized him.

  She’d most assuredly outgrown that.

  He simply nodded. And furthermore, she was right. It would be most beneficial for him to spend some time in Victoria’s company. “Duly noted.”

  His little sister could not argue with him when he agreed with her.

  “Are you certain you don’t wish to examine the guest list?” His mother held out the paper filled with what he knew would be utterly illegible handwriting.

  “Any other controversial guests I should be aware of?”

  “I don’t think so, darling.”

  He obviously wasn’t going to be granted a vote in such matters, anyhow. He waved her off. “Do what you must.”

  His mother nodded in satisfaction, but his sister sent him a scowl as they both rose, smoothed their skirts and turned to leave.

  “Don’t work too hard.” His mother said over her shoulder with a wink before following Priscilla out of the room.

  His response was a dry chuckle.

  The door closed and in the ensuing silence, Gabriel stared down at the account books unseeing.

  He’d have to set time aside for Victoria. Not that he minded entertaining, but he’d grown rather comfortable in his routine.

  It would be good to spend some time with his intended. Aside from the drive Gabriel had taken her on and one outing to the theatre, he had seen very little of her last summer.

  He shuffled his paper into a stack and turned to stare out the window. When he’d last undertaken to get to know a woman better, he’d uncovered the delights of Olivia. Literally. And God, but what a delight she had been. He only wished…

  Gabriel glanced down at the paper in front of him.

  Olivia. He’d scrawled her name at the top, as though she was secretly dancing around inside of his brain. Balling the paper up and tossing it across the room, he chastised himself for not moving on already. If he wasn’t careful, he’d find himself writing sonnets about her. And likely they’d not be very good ones.

  Or even fit for genteel readers, for that matter.

  Because despite the months that had passed, his hands itched to touch her, his memory strained to re
call the exact shade of her eyes, and his heart ached just to be with her. Other parts of his anatomy strained at the thought of her as well.

  “You will come, won’t you, Olivia?”

  Olivia had known Louella was up to something this morning when she’d arrived bearing extra cakes from the kitchen at Ashton Acres.

  “Crawford assures me the estate is lovely. And the drive will only take half a day.”

  Olivia hated it when Louella asked for anything—her younger sister being the one person in the world she could not say no to.

  But this…

  Louella was not done yet. “Her Grace insists she nor her daughters can attend, as their year of mourning isn’t up.” It was well known to Olivia that Crawford had insisted he nor his wife would mourn a man he’d hated. “Since Cameron has been so busy at the mine, he’s suggested that I take the opportunity to attend and meet some of his family’s acquaintances. He would attend with me but…” Louella grimaced. She need not explain anything to Olivia in regard to the demands of that horrid hole in the ground. “I think he feels guilty for neglecting me, even though I assure him that I understand. I told him I’d ask you to make the journey with me. There will be a good deal of people that I’ve not met before, and I… Oh, Livvy. I just really want for you to come as well.”

  But this was Lady Kingsley’s house party.

  Gabriel’s mother.

  “I have not been invited.”

  “Lady Kingsley’s invitation included all of my sister-in-laws as well as the dowager and even the children. I doubt she’ll have any problem if I bring my sister along.”

  Olivia raised one skeptical brow.

  And then Louella sighed. “You’ve not quite been yourself, Livvy, ever since last spring. I think it would do you a wonder of good to get out of Misty Brooke for a few weeks.”

  Misty Brooke had grown tiresome. Although several months had passed since the cave-in, many of the locals refused to relinquish the notion that Olivia had had something to do with it. This made it difficult for her to move about town as comfortably as she had before. Most of them simply stayed out of her way. Some refused to meet her eyes—which was no new thing for Olivia—but there had been a few who’d dared to make unseemly comments.

  Never when she was with Louella or His Grace, or even any of his sisters. Only when Olivia was alone.

  “Could not Lady Lillian attend with you? I can stay at Ashton Acres… to assist with the children.” It was her best excuse. Olivia could not, would never, tell Louella about all that had transpired between her and Lord Kingsley. Even now, her behavior with Gabriel seemed shocking.

  “Her Grace insists all her daughters adhere to the full year. As to the other, Mrs. Habersham has them well under control. And she has two nurses to help her already. Please, Olivia?” Louella batted her eyes and pouted prettily. “Puuleeez?”

  “Who else will be in attendance?” She at least needed to have some idea before committing herself to something that could bring about a great deal of embarrassment.

  Would he be there? He’d traveled extensively over the last few years. She likely had nothing to worry about…

  “Lady Kingsley’s daughter, and I believe several of her acquaintances. Old friends to the dowager, from what I gather. I imagine most of the guests are friends of the countess, likely to be more advanced in years. Oh, Livvy, puleeez?”

  Olivia wanted to ask directly if Lord Kingsley would be present but… Louella would have mentioned him if that was the case.

  Wouldn’t she?

  Worst case scenario, Kingsley was there.

  Surely, the estate would be large enough that they could avoid one another for a few days. If Olivia brought along a few books, and she could explore the countess’s gardens, which she’d heard were quite spectacular…

  Olivia exhaled loudly. Louella, it seemed, was not about to allow Olivia to hide in Misty Brooke forever. “You are certain my coming along won’t be an imposition?”

  Louella squealed in delight. “Come up to Ashton Acres tomorrow morning. I have a modiste scheduled to measure Cameron’s sisters and myself. You must have something made up for the house party. You’ll feel much better wearing something fashionable. Trust me.”

  Olivia squirmed. “I don’t want any new gowns, Louella.”

  “But you need them! I won’t take no for an answer.” And then she rose from the patio, took up her reticule, and sent Olivia a rueful glance. “Am I acting horribly spoiled? All you need to do is tell me. It’s just that… I hate that I am so happy and yet since I’ve married, nothing seems to have improved for you. Before I realized that I would love my husband, being able to make your life easier was my main consolation for giving into Father’s demands. Now that I have everything I ever dreamed of, it’s all the more important to me that you find happiness as well.”

  Olivia reached out and squeezed Louella’s hand. “You are the best little sister in the world, did you know that? And no, you are not acting horribly spoiled. I will come up to Ashton Acres and be measured for one dress. And then we will pack up our trunks and go to this house party together.”

  Louella smiled tentatively.

  “And I will be happy,” Olivia added.

  Chapter 22

  Nice People… Mostly

  As it turned out, she was measured for seven new gowns. Seven! Olivia had protested but Louella insisted that they’d already been made for her, and it would be an awful waste. At which, Olivia had no choice but to give in gracefully.

  Olivia smoothed her skirt and then stretched her arms up after exiting the carriage. The scenery surrounding Sky Manor was jaw-dropping.

  “Aren’t you so very glad you came?” Louella slipped an arm around Olivia’s waist and led her toward the grand staircase leading up to the castle. Which was the only word Olivia could think to describe the magnificent structure set perfectly against the side of the hill, as though it was meant to be there from the beginning of time.

  Louella presented Olivia to the Countess of Kingsley, who in turn introduced the other ladies present.

  “Your Grace, I’d like to present my daughter, Lady Priscilla, Mrs. Beasley and Miss Shipley. Ladies, the duchess is Crawford’s bride, Miss Redfield is her sister.” Uncertain as to who should curtsey to whom, Olivia dipped into a half-hearted bob. Miss Shipley caught her eye, did the same, and grinned.

  “Come inside, please.” Lady Priscilla gestured them up the steps. “I’m sure you both must be ready for a cup of tea after your long drive this morning.”

  Olivia’s head spun around as a virtual army of servants began assisting the outriders and driver in unpacking and leading the untethered horses away to some unseen stable area. Mary stood off to the side of them, looking uncertain as to where she ought to be.

  For the past five years, she’d been much more than just a companion, maid, or housekeeper to Olivia. She’d been a good friend.

  Olivia gestured to her. “And this is my companion, Mrs. Mary Brown.” Olivia did not need Mary to sit around all day waiting for her to come back into her chamber. Louella caught Olivia’s eyes and smiled.

  An hour later, Olivia was so very glad that she’d given into Louella’s pleas and come along. Lady Kingsley was all that was pleasant, as was Gabriel’s lovely sister, Lady Priscilla.

  Gabriel was nowhere in sight.

  The only person in the room to avoid looking her in the eye was the rather unpleasant Mrs. Beasley, whom she’d discovered to be Miss Shipley’s aunt.

  Olivia simply adored Miss Shipley, however. At first, she’d seemed somewhat quiet, but as they conversed, she quickly proved herself to be clever and thoughtful.

  And friendly.

  Which gave Olivia pause to consider that she’d become somewhat accustomed to being on the receiving end of far too many cold stares and biting comments over the past month. She’d not realized the relief she’d feel to leave it all behind, if only for ten days.

  Upon discovering that Olivia was unmarried,
with no apparent prospects, Miss Shipley told her all about the school where she’d taught for the past five years: Miss Primm’s Ladies’ Seminary. If Olivia was so inclined, Miss Shipley would be happy to provide her an introduction to Miss Primm herself. They’d have an opening in a little over a year after Miss Shipley’s marriage.

  “You are betrothed?”

  Miss Shipley nodded and then shrugged. “My fiancé and I have just set the date for next May. I have no idea how I’ll spend my time when I’m done teaching.”

  “Your husband and children will appreciate you, no doubt.” Olivia wondered why her eyes wanted to mist over at that moment. Miss Shipley was a delightful lady and any gentleman would be lucky to marry her. “Will he be joining you this week?”

  Miss Shipley turned to stare out the window and released a long drawn-out sigh. But before she could answer, Louella rose from her seat and was smoothing her skirt.

  “We’ll freshen up, then, so you can greet your other guests.”

  Another caravan of carriages had arrived. After driving for most of the day, Olivia realized that she would, indeed, appreciate a brief respite to change and freshen up.

  “I’ll show all of you to your chambers, and Mama can greet our new arrivals.” Lady Priscilla opened the door and was already leading Louella and Mary toward the grand staircase. Along the way, she pointed out a few of the more interesting pieces of artwork hanging along the stone walls, as well as the ubiquitous suits of armor guarding several of the doors. “The castle was a strategic fortress for centuries,” she explained. “When the stockpiled armor was discovered in one of the cellars, my father ordered them restored one by one so they could be displayed. We’ll take you for a tour while you’re here, and you can see the remainder of the collection displayed in the North Turret.”