* * *
By the time Elsie and Lord Cameron had changed and returned to the drawing room the tea had been replenished and a fresh plate of still warm ginger cookies adorned the tray. I began pouring as the couple took their seats on the cream sofa. It was evident Elsie had needed the restoring element of washing up, for she looked a great deal more awake.
“I cannot wait to meet this steward you spoke so highly of,” Lord Cameron commented, accepting a hot cup of tea.
“I’m afraid you shall probably miss him,” I said regretfully. “He is away fetching me a companion and is due to arrive in three days’ time.”
Elsie’s cup sat suspended before her open mouth. “Whatever are you talking about?”
“I need a companion to lend me consequence. I must protect my reputation—and that of my steward’s—by placing a virtuous woman in the house.”
“You are a virtuous woman,” she said, a bit defensively. “I cannot recall the last time you cared to have a chaperone. You’ve acted the companion for the last few years.”
I placed my cup on the table beside my chair and picked up another ginger biscuit. They were particularly addicting, I was coming to realize. “Word has gotten out that I have come to reside in Corden Hall and I’ve been receiving visits from every woman in the parish. It has been quite eye opening to the expectations the people of Linshire hold, and I found that it was simply more comfortable to agree to a companion than to try and prove my independence.”
“What do you know about this companion?”
I shrugged. “Nothing, really. But I trust Mr. Bryce’s judgment.”
Elsie’s eyebrows hitched up. “You must really value his discretion if you are allowing him to choose a companion for you.”
“He has yet to prove me wrong.”
“Now I am tempted to let Cameron go see the estates for himself and remain behind. I would really like to meet this companion and make a decision for myself how well Mr. Bryce can judge what a female needs.”
Lord Cameron gave his wife a look. “You are expecting a hag?”
“It matters not what she looks like, but whether she values discretion. Does she know when to step in, and when to make herself scarce?”
“Elsie!” I reprimanded. “This woman will not be a servant.”
“Nor do I think she must be treated as one. I only imply that, as a companion, she is meant to lend consequence to the household, and there will be times when you, Freya, will need time to yourself.” She eyed me knowingly and I realized how very valid her point was.
I was not in the habit of having my every move noted or even cared about. As my companion, that would be her job. I dropped my head into my hands, rubbing the sockets of my eyes. I had to remind myself that there was a very valid purpose in hiring a companion. It was necessary at this juncture in my life; it would not be necessary forever.
“It is merely a formality,” I finally said, lifting my head. “And I made it clear before Daniel left that I would not need her permanently, for I don't even know how long I am to remain at Corden Hall. We simply need to guard our reputations.”
Elsie sat frozen. Her eyes were unblinking. Lord Cameron looked between his wife and me, as lost as I was as to why she was so bothered.
“Elsie?” he asked. “What is it?”
“Nothing,” she answered, snapping out of her strange mood and giving him a sweet smile. “I only feel like I should decide for myself if this companion is a worthy hire. And meeting this Mr. Bryce—or Daniel, was it?—would be an added bonus.”
I quickly thought back over my words. Had I referred to him by his given name? I was rather sure I hadn’t. I had been so careful to think of Daniel as Mr. Bryce when Elsie came in. Could I have slipped?
“We cannot leave Mr. Sweeney waiting, love,” Lord Cameron said apologetically. “He is showing us three estates and has them all planned out with the owners meticulously. It is a great favor to me and I cannot ask him to reschedule.”
Elsie frowned. “I know this. I only wish it wasn’t so.”
I found myself increasingly grateful that it was so. With Elsie’s astute observations, it was clear she was reading deeply into the situation. Deeper than it warranted, of course, but it was important that she did not begin having expectations which were both unnecessary and illogical.
I was really not doing well on my resolve to think of Daniel less as he was away. In fact, I was beginning to see that I was thinking of him more and more.
“I have an idea,” I said. “I need to write a neighbor of mine and beg off of a dinner she invited me to. Why don’t we all go for a ride when I am finished and I can show you around the estate?”
“Splendid,” Lord Cameron said.
“May I snoop around your house in the time being?” Elsie inquired.
“Snoop away.”
Chapter 11
“And that wood over there marks the property line.” I pointed. “I own the area that curves, but the trees off to the left belong to the owners of Fairlinn Court.”
Elsie scanned the horizon. “You have a significant area of land. I am suitably impressed.”
“I, as well,” Lord Cameron said.
I swept my gaze over the fields behind us and the woods to my right. “I did not know before I came how fortunate I am,” I agreed.
“Have you met your neighbors yet?”
“Of Fairlinn Court?” I recalled the conversation that led to my argument with Daniel. Mrs. Bennington and her superior ways were no match for Miss Chappelle and her saucy smiles, sending eyes to Daniel with everything she said. “Yes. Mrs. Heybourne was lovely.”
Elsie glanced at me quickly. “Is she any relation to the Major? I have not seen him since our first Season.”
“I did not ask,” I said. In truth, it had not occurred to me to do so. “Surely it is a common name.”
“Perhaps they are cousins,” Elsie said, musing. “Did he have a sister?”
Yes, he did. But that was hardly relevant. I said, “She is married to a Heybourne. Her mother is a Bennington.”
Elsie’s determined brow made her look like Rosalynn. It was not a look I appreciated. “We must find out. Shall we ride over and visit now?”
Could Elsie not see how that might be uncomfortable for me? I turned my horse toward home and my guests quickly followed suit.
“Perhaps dropping in unannounced would not be very polite,” Lord Cameron said. “We are here to see Miss Hurst, Elsie, not to step into her life and begin playing with it as though it was a game of chess.”
She was affronted. “I am no meddler!”
Lord Cameron’s face said otherwise.
“You are reminding me a great deal of Rosalynn,” I said, trying to keep a straight face. I knew the comparison would bother her. She would not like to have it pointed out that she tended to mother me, either. It was entirely possible, though, that she did not realize she did it.
“Who is up for a race back to the stables?” Elsie asked.
“You’re on,” her husband said, kicking his horse in the side.
They sped off at once and I watched them go. I was happy Elsie had found Lord Cameron. I only wished that her love for her husband did not blind her to my contentedness. It was acceptable for us to have different paths in life, both full of our own kind of happiness.
I entered the stable some little time later to find Lord Cameron and Elsie already dismounted and waiting inside.
“You have a fantastic selection of horses here,” Lord Cameron said as I slipped down from my mount.
“Most of them belong to Mr. Bryce,” I explained, lifting the hem of my skirt from the mud and tossing it over my arm. “He is dabbling in horse breeding.”
Lord Cameron’s eyebrows shot up. “Is he? Now I am even tempted to remain behind a day or two. I should like to question the man, if I am being truthful. I’ve heard he has some fine blood here.”
“I will tell him you said so,” I said, turning for the house. “There
is likely no greater compliment you could possibly pay the man than that.” Elsie and Lord Cameron fell into step beside me.
“You allow your steward quite a bit of freedom,” Elsie remarked. “It is rather unprecedented, is it not?”
I shrugged, my gaze on the rear of the house. “I am not sure. I do not have excessive experience in managing a steward or an estate. But Mr. Bryce has done a wonderful job this last year and he did ask me about the horses when I hired him on. He pays a boarding fee and covers the cost of their feed, so it is really none of my concern so long as I have room for my own animals and Mr. Bryce continues to do the job I pay him to do.”
“That is generous of you, nonetheless,” Lord Cameron said.
My cheeks warmed at the praise. It was not as though I had actually done anything for Daniel. I simply allowed him to do it himself. It was an odd thing to be praised for and I swallowed my discomfort.
“Tell me about Rosalynn,” I said, deflecting the attention from myself.
“She is well,” Elsie said at once. “Her child is growing quickly, according to her doctor. And the boys are all healthy.”
“She wishes for a girl, does she not?”
Elsie shot me a knowing look. “She won’t say as much out loud, but I am sure she does. She quit talking about genders when the last twins were born.”
“Poor Rosie. She just wants to dress up a little girl…”
Elsie added, “And put ribbons in her hair…”
“And lovely little coats and tiny shoes.”
I grinned, imagining a tiny Rosalynn and how darling she would be. I glanced at Elsie and the look of longing on her face caused my stomach to drop. This could not be a happy topic of conversation for her.
We went into the house and I left them at the top of the stairs. “I suppose we ought to change for dinner. I shall see you downstairs?”
Elsie nodded and Lord Cameron led her away after shooting me a commiserating smile. It could not be easy for him to watch his beloved suffer.
Tilly was waiting for me when I entered my bedchamber. We proceeded with changing for dinner and washing away the dirt and stench of horses in silence. We had an easy rhythm between us and I was grateful she was not a chatterbox. I valued quiet, thoughtful time for reflection.
The Nichols were already in the drawing room by the time I made it downstairs. Elsie seemed quiet and withdrawn, the smile she tried to give me an obvious effort. I wished I could ask her about her troubles, but it was not my place. It was obviously a personal struggle, and if she felt I would be a valuable confidant, then she would have to open that door of conversation on her own.
I simply had to convince myself that her husband was sufficient support and let it go.
* * *
Elsie found me in the morning parlor, the sun streaming through the French doors and warming the sofa where I sat, Cleo nestled beside me. “We are planning to leave quite early in the morning,” she said. “Cameron is having our things packed and we will say our farewells this evening. How shall we spend our day?”
“I have been considering a trip into Linshire,” I said. “Or we could walk to the brook. Tilly informed me there is a lovely stream that runs through the woods and makes for a nice afternoon walk. I’ve yet to see it though, so with me leading the group, we take with us the potential to get lost.”
“Part of the fun, I’d say,” Lord Cameron said, gliding into the room.
“I find I would like to see Linshire.” Elsie grinned. “It might be useful to see what sort of shops the little town has to offer.”
“Useful for whom?” Lord Cameron asked, his eyebrow raised as he stood over his wife’s chair.
“Freya, of course. Unless we found an estate nearby.”
Lord Cameron seated himself, letting out a long, drawn-out breath. “I would not be opposed to it, of course, but it is unrealistic. My man of business put together a comprehensive list of available estates that contained every one of our demands and there was nothing in Shropshire.”
“Do not fear, for I shall not pout. But let us explore Linshire anyway.”
I stood, forcing Cleo to jump from the sofa and scamper out the door. “I’ll call for the carriage.”
We found ourselves amidst the bustling main street in Linshire with more people than I had expected. A steady flow of foot traffic lined the streets and Elsie and I took our time moving between the shops, trying on bonnets and filling our reticules with sweets.
“I am sorry to leave you so soon,” Elsie said, popping a peppermint into her mouth. Her eyes followed me often through the day and melancholy seemed to seep from her, but I still could not place its cause. While I wanted to sympathize with her, it was impossible when she would not admit me into her confidence.
“You may quit watching me that way,” I finally said, more harshly than I intended.
She reared back slightly, her eyes growing wide.
I pulled her away from the front door of the milliner and down the walk. “I am sorry, I should not have snapped. But you see, it is difficult to think when you are throwing your sad eyes my way so consistently.” The temptation to ask what troubled her was sitting on me like a cat preparing to pounce, but I could not bring myself to say anything. I was not like Elsie. I could not confront others, regardless of how compelled I felt. I needed her to come to me.
“I did not realize,” she breathed. “I suppose I ought to tell you, but I had wished it wouldn’t come to this.”
“Then do not. I would rather not be a burden. You need not struggle further by rehashing your troubles in the middle of the street.”
She looked taken aback at once. “But they are not my troubles, Freya, it is—”
She was cut off at once by a loud voice bellowing across the street. “Do my eyes deceive me?”
We turned in unison and I found myself rooted to the spot as the man I did not want to see crossed through traffic, his jovial face a picture of delight—quite the opposite of what I was feeling.
“Major Heybourne!” Elsie stepped forward, giving him her hand. “I wondered if you had a relation nearby when Freya mentioned meeting a Mrs. Heybourne recently. I had not believed we would be so lucky to see you once again. It has been many years, has it not?”
“Yes, indeed,” he responded, his eyes swinging to land on my own. “But I am afraid it is just Mr. Heybourne, now.”
“I am not sure I will ever be able to think of you as a mister,” Elsie said.
I dipped my head at once in a curtsey, postponing the need for conversation by every beat of the clock that I could. It was odd to see the man who had so passionately begged for my hand in marriage, regardless of how long ago it had occurred. I found my cheeks heating at the memory and I looked away, begging silently for the uncomfortable reunion to come to a hasty end.
“And the Mrs. Heybourne of Fairlinn Court,” Elsie inquired, her eyes lit up. “Is she a close relation?”
“My wife,” he answered, his smile growing.
An odd sense of relief filtered through me. I made purposeful eye contact and tried to smile, Major Heybourne’s easy congeniality setting me at ease. There were no unfavorable feelings on his end, so far as I could tell.
“I liked her very much,” I said, as though my opinion carried any weight. I instantly regretted my words. Was I trying to show him that he had, indeed, made the better choice? To reinforce my avid refusal from years before? Warmth bled up my neck and toward my cheeks. The gall of it, really.
The Major, however, seemed inclined to look past my folly. “She returns the sentiment, Miss Hurst. She had nothing but kind words to say on her return home from your visit.”
“Naturally.” Elsie laughed.
“We would love to have you to dinner,” he replied, swinging his gaze between us. “Both of you. Can we schedule an evening next week?”
Elsie’s pout was very real. Lord Cameron came to stand behind her as she said, “I am afraid I leave in the morning. I would have loved to make the a
cquaintance of your wife.”
The men exchanged hearty greetings before we said our farewells and parted ways. It appeared Major Heybourne did not have a single bitter bone in his body. He was a saint, probably incapable of resentful thoughts. Though he had every right to despise me, I was glad he did not. Or, if he did, he hid it well.
We completed our shopping and made our way back to the estate, but I could not remove the encounter from my mind. Elsie was unaware that the Major proposed during our social Season years before. The event had been embarrassing and awkward, and I had succeeded in avoiding the man ever since.
One thought continued to present itself, and I could not shake it. Had Major Heybourne told his wife about our unfortunate past?
Chapter 12
Initially, Mrs. Overton was not the sort of woman I would peg for a companion. She was small, almost fragile-looking in both appearance and demeanor. Her hair was styled into a loose bun at the nape of her neck that complimented her soft features and added to the overall effect that she was delicate.
When Daniel led her into the drawing room and seated her on the sofa across from me, I felt immediate concern for her ability to complete her task. When she caught my eye and smiled though, I was instantly won over by her earnest gaze and intelligent bearing. She was, it seemed to me, a woman of advancing years that once held—and perhaps still possessed—a considerable measure of fire. Whether she was fiercely loyal, or simply steadfast and dependable, it was clear I could trust her.
“Thank you for stepping in with such haste,” I said. “It could not have been convenient for you.”
She looked to Daniel and affection filled her countenance, wrinkling the corners of her eyes and pulling at the edges of her lips. She had come for him; it was not even a question.
Daniel smiled back at the woman before directing his grin at me. “I think you will find that Mrs. Overton is particularly obliging. We had best not take too much advantage of her.”
Love For The Spinster (Women 0f Worth Book 2) Page 9