by Mary Beeken
Charlie waited for the mirth to subside before adding,
“Of-course all the screeching and commotion had brought most people running and Forrester, with a dead-pan face demanded that Peregrine make an honest woman of his Grandmother!”
“Oh please stop,” Erica wiped the streaming tears from her face with one hand whilst her other arm rested across her midriff. “My stomach hurts so much; I swear my sides will split!”
“But the best bit is yet to come,” Charlie continued. “Granny, once she realized she was not about to be murdered, caught onto her grandson’s jest and sidled up to Peregrine, rubbed her gnarled hand up and down his chest and reputedly said, ‘It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed the attentions of a fine young husband, and at my time of life we cannot tally. It had better be a special licence!’”
Everyone was convulsed with laughter when the door opened and Sir Richard Stanier walked in. He stopped on the threshold and surveyed the occupants of the room until they gradually got a hold of themselves and the laughing subsided. Just when order seemed to be restored, the unmistakable mirth of the hostess; helplessly clutching her sides, set everyone off again and it was quite five minutes before anyone was in a fit state to welcome the latecomer.
“I do apologize, sir. Charlie has been entertaining us with a tale I am sure he will share with you later,” Gerald greeted him. “Please join us, you’ve missed the first course I’m afraid but there’s plenty more to come. We’ve got a seat all ready for you. I’m sure you have met everyone before except the Marquis of Trevellyn. ”
“I’m pleased to meet you, My Lord.” Sir Richard shook hands with Trevellyn before turning to Erica.
“I hope you have room for an unexpected guest my dear, for I have a surprise for you.” He looked back towards the door and Erica followed his gaze.
“Haven’t toned down that distinctive laugh yet then Erica, I would recognize it anywhere.”
“Michael!” Erica cried, and dashing out of her chair, she launched herself at him flinging her arms around his neck as she in turn was swallowed up in a big embrace.
Gerald in turn was caught up in a hug but Trevellyn failed to notice. He was trying to combat the twist in his gut at the sight of that shapely body in the arms of a man other than himself. As much as he told himself it was no concern of his, he found it difficult to suppress the jealousy that threatened to consume him.
The gentlemen insisted on keeping to their ritual of after dinner port even with the informality of the gathering, so the ladies left them to their male bonding and retired to the drawing room. As one would expect, a natural grouping established itself with the young mothers congregating to discuss their offspring and various cures for gripe and childhood maladies; the older women settled themselves on the sofas in the middle of the room to discuss the latest scandals and the young single girls gravitated towards the far end of the room to discuss their beaux.
Erica, after fulfilling her hostess’ duties by ascertaining that everyone was comfortable and in possession of all they needed, drifted to the far end of the room where she opened the French doors onto the terrace before joining her young cousins.
“It’s such a beautiful evening,” she said, “I thought we’d enjoy the warm night air.”
The others agreed before resuming their conversation.
“I cannot wait until my come-out next year,” announced Sophie who at barely seventeen had been allowed to join the adults so, as her mother put it, she could learn how to behave at social gatherings before being taken to London for the season. “Not only am I looking forward to the parties and picnics and such like, but the thought of all that shopping!”
The others laughed at her naivety and assured her she would soon tire of all the dress fittings and having to change her clothes so many times a day.
“Oh I could never tire of shopping!” she assured them before adding. “What I do worry about is being a wall flower. What if no one asks me to dance? It would be dreadful to be left sitting out of every dance!”
“You won’t be,” assured Erica “You are really very pretty and all the young men will want to know you.”
“And besides,” added Charlotte teasingly, “With so many male cousins, you could always make them dance with you.”
“Who wants to dance with their cousins? Its not exactly romantic is it?” replied Sophie with a pout.
“Beggars and all that,” laughed Erica. “Besides our cousins, apart from being handsome and good dancers, also have attractive, single friends with whom they could introduce you!”
“I hadn’t thought of that. I shall have to start being nice to them then, won’t I?” sighed Sophie
“What a mammoth task!” Fiona, Sophie’s sister, said making a face of disgust that made everyone laugh.
Fiona had just announced her engagement to Charlotte’s brother, Stephen and so for several minutes talk revolved around wedding plans. The couple had known each other forever; meeting up each year at the family gatherings although, being from different sides of Erica’s family, they were not actually related. It had only been in the last year or so that stronger feelings had become apparent and Stephen had been spurred into offering for her when during the season, many other gentlemen began vying for her hand. Of-course everyone was delighted with the news and many people were now claiming that they had foreseen the marriage many years ago; in the days when Fiona had worn pig-tails and Stephen had put worms down her back.
“What about you, Charlotte?” asked Erica, “Was there any particular beau who took your fancy this year?”
Charlotte blushed and stammered a denial but was interrupted by Fiona “What about the Marquis of Trevellyn? He paid you a lot of attention in the two weeks he was in town. Didn’t he even take you driving in Hyde Park one afternoon?”
“And he sat with you at dinner tonight” added Sophie.
“He has been most kind but I am sure it is only because our parents are such good friends. It was the Duchess who introduced us after all, and he would not want to upset her feelings by not being all that is polite.”
“Oh come now Charlotte, you are being too modest!” said Fiona.
“No I’m not. He probably only sat next to me at dinner because we were near each other when we walked into the dining room.”
“But you have not answered our question. Has he taken your fancy?” asked Sophie.
“No lets change the subject,” Charlotte said firmly but to no avail.
“But he’s so handsome!” exclaimed Sophie.
“Yes, he is handsome,” Charlotte agreed “but he seems very severe, don’t you think? He does not smile very much.”
“What do you mean?” asked Fiona “He was laughing as much as the rest of us at dinner and he was good natured with the children this afternoon.”
“Yes I know, but I mean in the general way of things. He hardly smiled at all in London.” She then laughed as she added “I feel he will probably turn out to be a very strict husband. Can you imagine; it would be like living your whole life in the school room!”
“What do you think, Erica?” Fiona asked. “Are you in danger of succumbing to those dark good looks and stern demeanour?”
“I cannot disagree; he is incredibly handsome and if I were at all romantically inclined, my knees would very likely tremble whenever he looked at me. But as you know, I do not have a romantic bone in my body,” she lied “and can safely say he has no affect on me!”
Just then the gentlemen entered the room and Erica found herself under his steely gaze. Her knees trembled substantiating her lie! But she prided herself on her acting abilities and remained calm as she continued, “I have to agree with Charlotte though, he does come across as stern, even slightly dangerous - very much the alpha male.”
“And you say you are not romantic!” Fiona laughed. “If I did not know better, I would think you were attracted to him.”
“Oh no,” again Erica felt a twinge that she was not being quite honest
with either herself or Fiona, “I leave him for Charlotte and if I am not very much mistaken, he will be making his way to her side very soon.”
As the men began to intermingle, Erica made her excuses and made her way over to Michael who stood in conversation with Gerald.
“Catching up on all the news?” she asked them as she drew near.
“Of-course, my dear,” replied Michael who, putting his arm around her shoulders pulled her to his side. “Its been a while since we were all together but hopefully we’ll be seeing much more of each other from now on.”
“Oh why?” asked Erica
“My father feels it is now time to pass on much of his case load to me and as the London office has an excellent staff who deal with our commercial and private clients, I will be based primarily down here. Obviously I will need to travel to London on a regular basis to oversee things but as I say, we are very fortunate in our employees.”
“That’s great news, Michael,” stated Erica “It will be like old times having both you and Gerald home again. I have missed you both.”
“Not quite like old times,” said Sir Richard as he came up to them. “I’m too old to be putting up with all your pranks. My days of rescuing you from trees or pulling you out of lakes is over.” They all laughed and Gerald said, “Oh come Uncle Richard, you know you would be the first to come riding to our rescue.”
“I know my son, but I would prefer to help in less physical ways! But it is good to have all three of you home together again. I feel myself getting all emotional.” He pretended to wipe a tear from the corner of his eye.
“Is there no man on the scene though Erica, who is likely to whisk you off? I find it hard to believe that there have not been a host of admirers wanting to marry you and I could never understand why you did not participate in more than one season.” Michael was truly puzzled.
“No there is no man and I was needed here. I enjoyed my season but found it a little tedious towards the end. I found it very fatiguing trying to behave like a proper young lady, I’m not cut out for it as you very well know.”
Having deflected Michael’s interest in her marital state, Erica announced her intention of stepping onto the terrace to savour the summer evening.
Meanwhile the Marquis of Trevellyn had paused to speak to his mother, who had been interested to note the frown that marred his handsome features at the sight of Erica with Michael’s arm around her. She refrained from comment however and was happy to discuss general things but a remark about the dinner prompted a query about the late arriving guests.
“Who are the gentlemen who arrived after the first course? Are they more relatives?”
“No, not actual relatives but like your father and me, regarded as honorary ones. The older gentleman is Sir Richard Stanier and the younger is his son, Michael. I believe they are attorneys and Sir Richard was one of the guardians appointed to care for Gerald and Erica on the tragic death of their parents.”
“It seems a might strange that he should hold that role when there are as we see, so many blood relatives who would have gladly taken them in?”
“That would have meant moving them away from here which his parents had stipulated they did not want. The family had been informed at the time the will had been drawn up and had been assured that they would have access to the children whenever they wanted. Of-course, no one had ever thought that the children would be left orphaned at all; let alone at such a young age.”
“A boating accident I believe,” Trevellyn murmured.
“Yes. But Sir Richard; himself a widower as his wife died giving birth to Michael, took his responsibilities very seriously. Although they lived here with Great Uncle James and Great Aunt Celia, they spent most of their time with Sir Richard and Michael. In fact the family speak very highly of him and say he took the two children to heart and acted like a real father to them,” The Duchess informed him.
“Now I can see Hebe beckoning me,” she continued “so I shall leave you to socialize. See you later, Ross.” Kissing his cheek she made her way to sit beside Hebe.
Trevellyn stood, mulling over what his mother had said before being hailed by Stephen.
“We’ve moved onto the terrace as it such a lovely night and wondered if you’d care to join us?”
Together they made their way through the French doors where a debate was already under way as to whether music could be provided for dancing.
“I’ll just fetch my violin as I’m pretty sure I can play a waltz from memory,” Gerald said; heading along the terrace to the music room door. He returned shortly and after a quick tuning session declared himself ready to begin. There was a lot of bustle as people arranged themselves into pairs and Trevellyn, conscious of his resolve to become better acquainted with Charlotte, duly asked her to be his partner.
For such an impromptu performance, Gerald played exceedingly well and received a cheer upon completing the introduction. Trevellyn was an expert dancer and was able to swirl his partner around the other couples without any mishaps, which was just as well as most of his attention was on Erica and Michael, who appeared to be grappling in the middle of the terrace.
“I’m supposed to lead, not you!” Michael laughed
“Oh sorry! It’s been a while since I waltzed and I wasn’t very good at it then.”
“Look at my face, not my feet! Oops sorry Charlie.”
“I’m trying but how can I follow you if I don’t watch your feet? Mind out, Fiona!”
“You are the most coordinated girl I know, so how come you waltz with two left feet? Ouch that’s my foot!”
“Sorry!”
“LOOK UP”
“I AM. Don’t shout at me!”
I’m not shouting-just raising my voice a little!”
Trevellyn came to a halt beside the bickering pair.
“If Miss Pearson doesn’t mind swapping partners, perhaps I could assist Miss Wilmshurst in learning the steps,” he offered in a manner calculated to irritate Erica.
Michael sighed in relief and replied, “If you’re sure. That would be great.”
Erica threw him a venomous look which he deftly ignored “Oh no, I could not put your toes at risk, my Lord. I think I shall sit out.”
Whilst she spoke, Michael had nimbly caught hold of Charlotte and whisked her off along the terrace.
Erica harrumphed.
Turning to Trevellyn she said, “As I said, I’ll just sit this one out.”
“Coward!”
“No I’m not. I just don’t wish to dance!” she replied hotly.
“A coward and a liar.”
“How dare you!”
“Oh I dare, Miss Wilmshurst. Did you not inform me earlier that you are a fearsome adversary? And yet you are scared to dance with me! As I said; a coward and a liar.” His tone was light but still Erica could not mistake the edge of steel. He was not going to take no for an answer and to create a scene would only make her look ridiculous.
She was still debating how best to extricate herself without losing face when he stepped up to her and slid one hand around her waist to rest in the small of her back and lifted the other one, ready to hold hers. When she did not respond immediately, he raised an eyebrow at her and waited. Erica ungraciously placed her hand in his and rested the other on his shoulder before saying icily, “Your hand on my back is too low, please move it.”
His only response was to lower it slightly before pulling her closer to him and then they were off, waltzing along the terrace. Erica was too affronted initially to do anything other than follow his lead and then too amazed at the gracefulness of it to protest. It was only when she heard Charlie’s astounded, 'I say, Erica’s waltzing!' that she came to her senses enough to hiss, “You’re holding me too close!”
“I know,” Trevellyn smiled sardonically, “But I’m enjoying it sweetheart, aren’t you?”
Erica took a deep breath to regain control of her temper. She refused to be intimidated by his tactics; after all, she had seen off
many a young male who had tried to take liberties in the past. Trevellyn, she reasoned, was no different. Providing she could suppress the tremors that coursed through her whenever he touched her, all would be well. He was a conceited chauvinist, she was sure, who needed to be taught a lesson or two about women; especially strong women and she was the one to do it. If he thought he could carry on a flirtation with her while courting her cousin, he was riding for a fall and no mistake!
“But ‘sweetheart’ dancing this close could prove dangerous.” she answered him lightly. “I might accidentally catch you with my knee like this,” and so saying she brought her knee into contact with his lower thigh. Unfortunately his thighs were hard muscle and he did not so much as flinch, even though she had used as much force as her close proximity to him would allow.
“Oh come my lovely girl, you can surely do better than that? Perhaps I haven’t offered you enough provocation,” so saying, Trevellyn pulled her yet closer so that her body lay flush against his.
“Now my darling adversary, dancing this close is, I grant you, dangerous. Would you like me to tell you why?”
Erica shook her head, not trusting herself to speak. She could feel his arousal pressed against her stomach and therefore did not feel the need for him to put it into words.
“A pity,” he murmured “Perhaps I should show you.”
“”No!” she squeaked.
His lips brushed her ear as he whispered, “Are you sure?”
She was saved from making a reply by the music coming to an end and it was only then that she became aware of how far removed they were from the other dancers. Although still in sight it was unlikely anyone had witnessed the scandalous grasp in which she was held.
Releasing her body but trapping her hand on his arm, Trevellyn led her back towards the impromptu dance floor and to the safety of her relatives.
“Thank-you for a most educational dance, My Lord” Erica was all politeness for the sake of her family even though it nearly choked her.
“I very much look forward to teaching you some more,” he responded
“I need not trouble you again, sir. I know the steps now and I’m sure there is nothing more to be learnt.” She had no intention of being in such close physical proximity to him again.