by Deborah Hale
“Oh, very well.” She inhaled a deep breath then raised her head to meet his gaze. “It is no great matter so you might as well hear.”
Before she could say anything more, they were interrupted by an insistent rapping on the study door. Miss Fairfax glanced toward the sound then back at Jasper with her brows raised in a silent question.
“Go ahead,” he growled, impatient with the ill-timed intrusion. “Answer it.”
She opened the door to admit a flustered-looking footman. “Begging pardon, Mr. Chase, but Mrs. Thorpe bid me fetch you straightaway. Your guests have begun to arrive.”
They were not his guests. Jasper barely stifled a gruff observation to that effect. They might be going to spend the next three weeks under his roof, but he had not invited them and he was far from certain he wanted them there. “Tell Mrs. Thorpe I will be along as soon as I am finished speaking with Miss Fairfax.”
That was clearly not the response the footman wanted. “Mrs. Thorpe was very insistent, sir.”
His mother-in-law was a good-hearted creature, but Jasper knew how little it took to throw her into a flurry and the effort it required to soothe her nerves again afterward.
“Oh, very well,” he muttered as he strode toward the door.
As he brushed past his children’s governess, he added, “This matter is not settled, Miss Fairfax, only postponed.”
On his march back to the entry hall, Jasper tried to arrange his features into a hearty smile of welcome, but they resisted. However well-meaning the motives of Miss Fairfax and his mother-in-law, he resented the prospect of sharing his family holiday with a pack of strangers.
Still, none of that was his guests’ fault. They would come to Amberwood believing he’d invited them. They did not deserve to be made uncomfortable or unwelcome. With that conscious alteration of his outlook, his features relaxed.
When Jasper spied a lanky gentleman in conversation with his mother-in-law, his lips spread into an unforced smile. “Norton! Welcome to Amberwood. It has been far too long, old friend.”
He and Norton Brookes had grown up together when Norton was a pupil of Jasper’s adoptive father. Though he came from a family of superior class and education, he had never lorded over Jasper, like some of the other boys. Jasper wished he had kept in closer touch with his old friend since their school days.
That made him regret the harsh manner in which he had questioned Evangeline Fairfax’s motives for arranging this house party. Perhaps she had simply decided he might need something more in his life than work and his children. If she had, he owed her thanks rather than suspicion.
He glanced back down the hallway and spied Miss Fairfax lingering at the foot of the servantsʼ stairs, watching his reunion with his friend. Jasper caught her eye and gave a rueful nod that he hoped would signal his apology. As soon as he was able, he would seek her out and properly beg her pardon for mistrusting her. He should have known a woman who cared for his children so well could not mean him any harm.
She acknowledged his nod with a fleeting smile that conveyed relief. Then she headed up the stairs.
“Jasper.” Norton Brookes seized his hand and shook it warmly. “How good to see you again. And how kind of your mother-in-law to invite us! You must remember my sister, Abigail?”
He turned toward a tall lady with dark curls and a long, but attractive face that resembled her brother’s.
“I do remember.” Jasper bowed over her hand. “Though I fear I never would have recognized you, Miss Brookes. The last time we met you were still in the nursery.”
Abigail Brookes’s green eyes sparkled with lively mischief. “I was out of it more often than in, as you may recall, roaming the countryside like a proper little savage. I have been civilized since then, however. You needn’t worry that I will smuggle hedgehogs into your house in my apron pocket.”
Jasper laughed heartily. “My children would not object if you did.”
“In that case I should very much like to meet them,” Abigail replied. “How many do you have and how old are they?”
“Five altogether. Emma is eleven years old, Matthew nine and Alfie eight. Owen is six and Rosie, my youngest, is five.”
They were too young to do without the woman who had cared for them the past several years. Somehow he must persuade his children’s devoted governess not to abandon them.
A flurry of activity at the door signaled the arrival of more guests.
Jasper’s mother-in-law greeted a tiny woman of her own age with a fond embrace then beckoned him over for an introduction. “You must have heard me speak of my dear friend Mrs. Leveson. Martha, may I present my son-in-law, Jasper Chase.”
He bowed. “Welcome to Amberwood, ma’am. I hope you will enjoy your visit.”
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance at last, Mr. Chase, after everything I have read of you in Hilda’s letters.” As Mrs. Leveson spoke, Jasper had the uncomfortable feeling she was sizing him up. He could not be certain whether he’d been judged adequate.
Next, his mother-in-law brought forward a young woman not much taller than Mrs. Leveson. Her golden-brown hair was tied up in two bunches of sleek ringlets that looked absurdly like sausages. Though Jasper guessed her age to be above twenty, she blushed and giggled like a child when he bowed to her.
“This is dear Martha’s daughter, Gemma.”
Jasper greeted Miss Leveson then turned to introduce her and her mother to the Brookeses. Mrs. Leveson appeared to size up his friend, as well. Gemma Leveson simpered when Norton asked if they’d had a pleasant journey.
Meanwhile, Abigail’s dancing eyes warned Jasper that she was in danger of laughing. He was hard pressed to stifle a grin.
“We must show you to your rooms so you can rest from your journey.” Jasper struggled to recall the expected duties of a host, which he had not been obliged to perform for quite some time. “Further conversation can wait until dinner.”
No sooner had their guests been ushered away than more arrived.
“Mr. Webster, welcome!” Jasper shook hands with his late father-in-law’s partner, a big, burly man whose genial air concealed a shrewd head for commerce. “You must feel as much out of your element in the countryside as I sometimes do. I trust business is thriving at Red Gate Mills.”
Piers Webster shook his head, though his smile did not falter. “Beastly, and getting worse. But I promised Margaret I would try to put it out of my mind during our visit. You remember my daughter, don’t you?”
“Miss Webster, of course.” Jasper greeted the fair-haired lady with a dapple of golden freckles on her pretty nose. “I hope you did not have too much difficulty getting your father away from his mill.”
“None at all,” she replied. “It was Papa who insisted we accept your invitation.”
Jasper and his mother-in-law talked a little more with the Websters until the footman returned to show them their rooms.
“Perhaps this house party was not such a bad idea, after all, Mama,” Jasper said when their guests were out of earshot. He was not certain about the Levesons, but Norton and Abigail Brookes would be good company, as would the Websters.
“I am pleased to hear you say so, my dear boy.” Mrs. Thorpe regarded him with a look that seemed to mingle relief and...pity? “You cannot grieve forever. Life moves on and there are the dear children to think of.”
What did she mean by that? Jasper had no opportunity to ask because just then more guests arrived. The first to enter was a tall, striking lady with an elaborate hat perched on her carefully coiffed dark hair. In contrast, the woman who followed her was small and mousy looking, clearly doomed to lifelong spinsterhood.
Something about that impression made Jasper uneasy.
The handsome lady kissed his mother-in-law on both cheeks, exclaiming over the charming house and beautiful countr
yside.
Mrs. Thorpe beckoned Jasper to introduce her. “No doubt you have heard me speak of my goddaughter, Penelope Anstruther.”
The lady thrust out her hand for Jasper to bow over. “It is a pleasure to meet you at last, Mr. Chase. It was vastly kind of you to invite me.”
“The pleasure is mine, Miss Anstruther and Miss...?” Jasper bowed toward the other woman, who started at his greeting and bobbed a timid curtsy.
“Oh...” Miss Anstruther seemed surprised to be reminded there was anyone with her. “Mrs. Dawson, my companion. I am informed you own a cotton mill, Mr. Chase. It sounds fascinating. You must tell me all about it.”
Her interest in his business surprised Jasper, for he could not imagine anyone who would look more out of place in a cotton mill.
Then Miss Anstruther fixed him with a gray gaze he could only describe as...predatory. Suddenly everything that had been troubling him about this house party collided in his mind with his mother-in-law’s earlier remarks. Though he had little experience with such gatherings, he believed it was customary to invite an equal number of ladies and gentlemen. This one had only two male guests while four were marriageable women—five if he counted Mrs. Dawson, who must be a young widow.
Why, this party was nothing more than a thinly veiled matchmaking scheme to find him a new wife! And his children’s governess was clearly the mastermind behind it.
He would soon make it clear to Evangeline Fairfax that he wanted nothing more to do with matrimony!
Chapter Two
Mr. Chase had figured out the reason behind this house party. Evangeline could tell by the way she caught him looking at her when he joined the children for their tea.
The Amberwood nursery was a large, well-lit chamber that served as schoolroom, dining hall and playroom for the children. At one end it led off to the boys’ bedroom and at the other to the girls’ and their governess’s. Previously, whenever Mr. Chase had visited the nursery, he’d scarcely seemed aware of Evangeline’s presence except to question her about his children’s health or their studies. All his attention had been focused on Emma, Matthew, Alfie, Owen and Rosie, as if to make up for the time he’d missed with them.
In all fairness, Evangeline had to admit Mr. Chase probably spent as much time with his sons and daughters in the course of a year as many fathers who lived under the same roof. That did not mean it was enough, she reminded herself, seeing the way their faces turned continually toward him, like flowers to the sun. With their mother gone, the young Chases needed more of their father’s time. Matthew and Alfie could use his fond but firm guidance to curb their boisterousness. Quiet Emma and Owen needed the assurance that they were noticed and loved. Rosie just needed more kisses and cuddles.
If their father was too occupied with his business to provide the attention they required, perhaps an affectionate stepmother could make up some of what they lacked. Better yet, the lady might persuade her husband to devote a little less time to his mill and more to his family.
Those justifications ran through Evangeline’s mind whenever she met a reproachful glare from her employer. However, they did not entirely soothe her conscience. She had always been an open, forthright person. What would her late mother think of the underhanded methods she had used to maneuver Jasper Chase into remarriage?
He had left her no alternative. Evangeline returned his challenging gaze with one of her own. Besides, her matchmaking scheme would not hurt anyone. If it succeeded, the result would benefit her employer, his children and her...not to mention one fortunate lady.
When they had finished eating and the nursery maid cleared the table, Mr. Chase addressed Evangeline. “We need to have another little talk, Miss Fairfax.”
“As you wish, sir. But first I must take the children out to play in the garden then get them ready for bed.” By that time, their father would be expected to dine with his guests. She would be asleep long before the party broke up for the night.
“Then I will join you in the garden.” Mr. Chase smiled down at Rosie, who clung to his leg. “Would you like that, my love?”
Rosie gave a vigorous nod, making her red-gold curls dance.
Did he mean to confront her in the presence of her pupils? Evangeline’s spirits sank. Would he tell them what she’d done? How could the children understand, especially Emma, who cherished the memory of her late mother?
“I would like it too, Papa!” cried Alfie. “What shall we play?”
The children argued about the choice of game in a good-natured way as they headed out to the garden.
“Let’s play hide-and-seek,” Mr. Chase said, putting an end to the debate. “You hide then Miss Fairfax and I will look for you. Off you go now. We will stand over here with our backs to you so we can’t see where you go.”
“Don’t peek, Papa,” called Matthew as he ran off.
“Come with me, Rosie.” Emma took her little sister by the hand. “Help me find a good hiding place.”
Their father lowered his voice, for Evangeline’s ears alone. “Matchmaking, Miss Fairfax? I never thought you would stoop to such nonsense.”
“It isn’t nonsense,” she replied in an emphatic whisper, vexed with him for confronting her now, when she must watch every word for fear of being overheard. “Your children need a mother and it is high time you found them one. Since you have little opportunity for courting, I thought I would make it easy for you by bringing several eligible ladies together. You ought to thank me.”
“Thank you?” Jasper Chase thundered, then remembered where they were and tried to cover his outburst in a tone of false heartiness. “I mean...thank you...Miss Fairfax, for reminding me it is time to look for my hiding children.”
As they made a show of searching the garden, he continued in a casual murmur that could not disguise his exasperation. “If you had bothered to consult me, I could have saved you the trouble of arranging all this. I am done with matrimony. I have no time for anything but my mill and my children.”
Had she gone to all this effort for nothing? The possibility stung Evangeline, as did a bewildering pang of pity for Jasper Chase.
“Do you even have time for them?” she muttered as she brushed past him to call out Matthew. The boy never could stay still long enough to win at this kind of game.
Mr. Chase soon found the rest of his children, though it took a while to discover Owen tucked between a shrubbery and the garden wall. The quiet little fellow seemed very pleased to play a game at which he could excel.
“Now you must all hide.” Owen motioned them away with a sweep of his arm. “You, too, Papa, and Miss Fairfax.”
“Come along, Miss Fairfax. You heard my son. We must find a hiding place.” Her employer took Evangeline by the hand in much the same way Emma did little Rosie. She knew his motive was much different than his daughter’s...as was her reaction.
Her strong will resented his taking charge so forcefully, yet another part of her responded to the warmth and restrained strength of his grasp.
A moment later, she and Mr. Chase were crouched behind a small shed where the gardener kept some of his tools.
Her employer turned toward her and continued in a forceful whisper. “I spend as much time with my children as I can, while still earning enough to provide a good life for them. Don’t you think I would rather come home to them every night when my work is done? There are times I miss them so much it is like someone gouged a great bleeding hole in my heart. But this is the home they have always known and the Vale is a healthy place for them to grow up. So I do what I must and make the best of it.”
Suddenly he seemed to recall that he was still holding her hand. He released it abruptly with a rueful scowl.
Though her fingers tingled from being gripped so hard, Evangeline was too stunned by his outburst to take much notice. The raw regret in his blue-gray g
aze made it impossible for her to doubt his sincerity.
For the past six years, she had been acutely conscious of how much her young pupils yearned for their absent father. She had suffered those same feelings after the deaths of her parents, so her heart had been quick to sympathize with the Chase children. She’d never stopped to consider how their father might feel about being parted from them.
“I did not realize, sir.” She wished he had not let go of her hand, for just then she would have liked to give it a comforting squeeze. “You always go back to Manchester without any sign of reluctance.”
“My work is important to me.” A defensive note crept into his deep North Country voice. “You of all people should understand that it is about more than earning a wage. But I assure you, I leave Amberwood with much greater reluctance than I show. The children do not need me to make them feel worse about my going.”
His explanation dealt Evangeline’s conscience a smarting blow. At the same time she fought a bewildering urge to console him as she would one of the children.
“I found you.” Owen’s voice broke in on Evangeline’s confused thoughts. “It was easy because I heard you talking. You must keep quiet if you don’t want to be caught.”
“Excellent advice, son.” Jasper Chase emerged from behind the little shed. “I will do my best to remember it after this.”
Evangeline followed, still feeling off-balance from the drastic shift in her perception of her employer.
While Owen hunted for his brothers and sisters, she addressed Mr. Chase. “I beg your pardon, sir, for being so insensitive to your true feelings. But you cannot deny you used to come home a good deal more often before...”
She hesitated, reluctant to speak of his wife’s death with the children nearby.
Mr. Chase seemed to understand. He gave a curt nod that warned her there was no need to continue. Then he heaved a sigh. “I cannot deny it. Much as I enjoy being with my children again, coming back to Amberwood always reminds me of our loss.”