by Deborah Hale
Though she spoke in a jesting tone, Jasper sensed something more behind it.
He had only ever courted one woman in his life, and it would be truer to say she had pursued him. Not that he’d minded—quite the opposite. But it meant he had little experience in the ways of women apart from his late wife and her mother. If he did take advantage of Miss Fairfax’s matchmaking scheme to find a bride, would he be capable of securing the lady of his choice?
“Nonsense,” he growled, casting his gaze down at his breakfast. “I would not be so disrespectful.”
“Indeed he would not!” Mrs. Leveson huffed. “Mr. Chase could just as easily have been looking at Gemma. You should not make mischief, Miss Anstruther.”
“Oh, Mama, she was only teasing,” Gemma Leveson giggled and on this occasion Jasper did not mind it. “I’m sure Mr. Chase knows that.”
“Of course.” For the sake of peace, Jasper feigned a smile. “Very amusing, Miss Anstruther.”
That did not entirely appease Mrs. Leveson, who seemed to have taken a dislike to Penelope Anstruther. “Young ladies were not so forward in my day as to rally their hosts.”
From the far end of the table, Jasper’s mother-in-law caught his eye. He sensed she wanted him to change the subject before the thinly veiled hostilities escalated.
“Speaking of amusing things—” Jasper raised his voice to include all his guests “—my children are eager for me to take them fishing this afternoon. If any of you would care to join us, you would be most welcome. Otherwise, my house, gardens and stables are at your disposal.”
At his first mention of fishing, Miss Anstruther turned up her nose, the way Emma and Rosie had done at the prospect of digging worms. But when Abigail Brookes and Gemma Leveson said it sounded like a jolly outing, she agreed.
“Count me among your party, too,” said Norton Brookes. “I can scarcely remember the last time I went fishing. Back during our boyhood, I reckon.”
“I shall leave fishing to the young folk.” Piers Webster mopped up the last of his eggs with a piece of bread. “But if Mrs. Thorpe and Mrs. Leveson would care to join me in a drive around this pretty countryside, I should be honored.”
Both ladies readily accepted his invitation.
“What about you, Miss Webster?” asked Jasper’s mother-in-law. “Would you prefer fishing or a carriage drive?”
“She’ll go fishing, of course,” said Piers Webster before his daughter could answer.
“And you, Mrs. Dawson?” Jasper asked when he realized Miss Anstruther’s companion had once again been overlooked.
“Verity will come wherever I go,” Miss Anstruther announced. “After all, what is the good of employing a companion if one does not have her company?”
Miss Leveson giggled, but her mother scowled, as did Norton Brookes.
Abigail turned toward Mrs. Dawson with an encouraging smile. “I’m sure it will be great fun!”
The timid young widow brightened visibly at the friendly overture. “Thank you, Miss Brookes. I believe it will.”
While Jasper appreciated Abigail’s show of kindness, he was not certain he could agree with what she had said. A simple fishing expedition with his children had turned into a sort of audition for a new wife.
* * *
An hour after Mr. Chase’s children and guests trooped down to the stream with their fishing rods and creels, Evangeline finally had a moment to catch her breath.
Miss Brookes and Miss Webster were larking about with Matthew and Alfie, channeling the boys’ high spirits while keeping them out of actual mischief. Miss Leveson had taken a great fancy to little Rosie, fussing over the child and addressing her in baby talk. The two sat in the grass by the riverbank chaining wildflower wreaths for their hair.
Mr. Chase and his friend Mr. Brookes were showing Owen how to cast his line into the water, while Miss Anstruther hovered nearby, frequently asking Mr. Chase for assistance as she fumbled with her fishing rod. Emma and Mrs. Dawson perched on the edge of the bank some distance away from the others. They talked quietly together as they held their rods and waited patiently for the fish to bite.
With the children all properly supervised, Evangeline took the opportunity to spread out the picnic rugs and unpack the vast hampers of food the cook had sent down.
She had not been at her task long when Miss Brookes approached and sank onto one of the rugs with a breathless chuckle. “May I trouble you for a drink, Miss Fairfax? Keeping up with those two young gentlemen is thirsty work.”
“Gladly.” Evangeline handed her a cup and pulled the stopper from a cider jug. “You and Miss Webster seem to be enjoying yourselves with the boys.”
Miss Brookes nodded. “I haven’t had such a jolly time since I used to tag along with my brother and his friends when we were young. Now that I am the sister of a vicar, everyone in Norton’s parish thinks I ought to be prim and proper and never have a bit of fun. They forget what the Scriptures say about making a joyful noise.”
Evangeline smiled as she poured the frothing brown cider into Miss Brooke’s cup. The vicar’s sister reminded her so much of her friend Leah Shaw. She wondered how rebellious, high-spirited Leah would adjust to the scrutiny of being Duchess of Northam. Miss Brookes might be the ideal woman to bring more joy back into Mr. Chase’s life, the way Leah had with Lord Northam and his young son. While that thought brought Evangeline a sense of hope, it also inflicted a subtle sting, which puzzled her.
Miss Brookes took a deep drink from her cup then gazed around with a wistful smile. “I envy you your position here, Miss Fairfax. I’ve often thought what a fine thing it would be to earn an independent living.”
“I am not certain most governesses would agree with you.” Evangeline recalled the difficulties her friends had endured during their careers as governesses. “But I appreciate how fortunate I am to be employed at Amberwood. The children are all very good natured and Mr. Chase and Mrs. Thorpe never interfere with my management of the nursery.”
“My brother will not hear of my finding work as a governess. Our mother was one before she married and it took a toll on her health. I hate to be a burden on poor Norton. His living is not large enough to support a sister and a wife...” Miss Brookes grimaced. “I beg your pardon for rattling on so. I am not accustomed to having another woman to talk to.”
“There is no need to apologize,” Evangeline assured her. “It is kind of you to confide in me as an equal rather than order me about as if I was a servant.”
Abigail Brookes glanced toward Miss Anstruther and rolled her eyes. “I wonder if she would pursue Mr. Chase with such vigor if she knew what use he makes of his fortune.”
The casual comment made the back of Evangeline’s neck prickle. Could this be her opportunity to discover what the lady and her brother had been talking about last night? “One never knows. Miss Anstruther might consider it...admirable.”
Miss Brookes gave an unladylike snort of laughter. “I should be astonished if she did. Fancy a man squandering the profits of his business on his workers rather than wringing every last penny from their labor? I suspect she would insist he put a stop to that foolishness.”
Evangeline tried not to let her astonishment show. Yet part of her was not altogether surprised. She recalled her late-night conversation with Jasper Chase and how he had not scoffed at her dream to do something important in the Lord’s service.
Miss Brookes took another drink of cider. “You must be proud to work for such a charitable man. I would like to see the housing he has built for his workers. My brother tells me Mr. Chase sponsors all sorts of recreational activities so his workers will be less apt to spend their wages at the public house. If only more men in his position were so progressive.”
Evangeline tried to look as though none of this information came as a surprise. It must take a great deal of effort
to do so much for his workers’ welfare, in addition to running his mill profitably enough to support his family. Her insides tightened with shame to recall how she had chided him about the time he spent away from his children.
“Thank you for the cider.” Miss Brookes handed back her cup. “Now I must see if the boys have frightened all the fish away with their noise.”
She scampered off, leaving Evangeline to digest this revelation about Jasper Chase.
Why had he not told her that he was doing something more than amassing a fortune for his personal use? Did he think she would not understand or care? Or did he think so little of her that it never occurred to him to tell her anything of consequence?
Indignation swelled within her, fueled by a bewildering sense of injury. But her conscience was quick to deflate it. Had she given Jasper Chase any reason to believe she might be interested in his work? All this time she had lived under his roof and raised his children, yet in many ways they hardly knew one another.
Perhaps that was just as well, Evangeline decided as she watched her employer converse with Miss Anstruther. It would be hard enough to leave the children for whom she had come to care so much. She did not need any other ties to prevent her from undertaking the task the Lord had given her.
Yet she could not deny that becoming better acquainted with Mr. Chase might be an advantage in helping her decide which of the ladies would make the best wife for him.
Chapter Four
Perhaps this house party was not such a bad idea, Jasper reflected as he helped Owen cast his fishing line on that pleasant summer afternoon. When he managed to forget the ultimate objective of the party, he actually found himself enjoying it. How long had it been since he’d spent leisure time in the company of other adults? He provided his workers with plenty of opportunities for recreation, yet it was a luxury he seldom permitted himself.
There was an unexpected advantage to having so many other people around, he realized as his gaze ranged over the party on the riverbank. Each of his children had someone to pay him or her exclusive attention. The older boys were larking about with Miss Webster and Miss Brookes. Emma was having a quiet chat with Mrs. Dawson, while Rosie was being fussed over by Miss Leveson. That left Jasper free to fish with Owen, who sometimes seemed to get lost among his brothers and sisters.
It was something he should do more often. Jasper resolved to spend more individual time with each of his children rather than always with the whole group at once.
“Papa?” Owen’s voice was charged with suppressed excitement. “I feel something tugging on my line.”
Jasper noted the tension on the line and the way the tip of his son’s fishing rod dipped toward the water. “I think you have a bite there, lad.”
“What should I do?” The child gripped the rod so hard, his arms quivered. “I’ve gone fishing before, but I’ve never caught anything.”
“I shouldn’t wonder, with your brothers around.” Jasper gave his son an encouraging pat on the shoulder. “The trout likely hear them coming a mile away and swim off downriver. This fellow of yours must be hard of hearing.”
Owen chuckled and the tension in his shoulders relaxed.
“Don’t pull too hard,” Jasper advised him, “or your line might break. Try easing your fish toward the shore. If he swims the other way, let him go as far as you can then bring him back. Be patient and you will tire him out.”
It took a while and more coaching, but in the end Owen brought a fine fat trout near enough to the shore for Jasper to scoop it into a net.
That brought Matthew and Alfie running. “You caught a real fish! How did you do it, Owen?”
With an air of bashful pride, the boy gave a detailed account of how he had landed his catch. His brothers listened with avid interest and did not interrupt as much as usual.
Miss Fairfax strolled over to admire Owen’s catch, as well. She did not look quite so much like a governess today. Perhaps because there were guests present, she had forgone her usual severely plain dress for a white frock sprigged with tiny blue flowers. Her sash and the trimming on her bonnet were a matching shade of blue. It suited her complexion and brought out intriguing flickers of amber in her brown eyes. A stranger might have mistaken her for one of his guests.
Jasper found himself comparing her with the other ladies. She was as pretty as Miss Anstruther without being conscious of her looks. She had far more good sense than Miss Leveson would ever have. She possessed more spirit than poor Mrs. Dawson or even quiet Miss Webster. Yet she seemed more capable and self-contained than Miss Brookes. He had taken her for granted since his wife’s death, trusting her to raise his five greatest treasures without fully appreciating her many excellent qualities. In spite of her insistence to the contrary, he was certain it would be no easy task finding someone to replace her. It would be a far better use of his energies to persuade her to remain at Amberwood.
Miss Fairfax listened with patient interest as Owen once again recounted how he had caught his first fish.
“Well done!” She beamed with pride in her young pupil’s accomplishment. “When we get home, you must take your fish to Mrs. Gilman and ask her to fry it up for tea.”
“Papa must have some,” Owen insisted. “He helped me catch it.”
“I only gave you a little advice.” Jasper rested his hand on his son’s shoulder. “You were the one who hooked and landed it.”
He glanced up to find Owen’s governess watching them with a tender glow in her brown eyes that surprised him a little. He had never doubted Miss Fairfax gave his children the best possible care and instruction, but now he realized that she actually loved them. Was she aware her feelings for her pupils ran so deep? If so, how could she think of leaving them?
Miss Anstruther strolled over and spoke to Jasper. “How clever of your little boy to catch a fish, Mr. Chase. I have had no luck at all. You must show me the secret of it.”
Owen pursed his lips in a frown of annoyance, perhaps at being referred to as a little boy. Meanwhile, Miss Fairfax withdrew to admire Rosie’s wildflower crown.
“There is no great secret.” Jasper tried to stifle his impatience with the interruption. He knew he ought to take advantage of this opportunity to become better acquainted with the lady, as he had promised Miss Fairfax. “It all comes down to a little good fortune and a great deal of patience, which Owen has in abundance.”
“Owen,” Miss Anstruther repeated. “What an interesting name. Were your ancestors Welsh, by any chance, Mr. Chase?”
Jasper shook his head. “All Cumbrian folk, as far as I know. My son is named after a friend of mine. Robert Owen shares my ideas about the responsibility of employers to provide their workers with a decent life. We believe it makes good business as well as moral sense.”
“Indeed?” Miss Anstruther feigned a look of interest, but Jasper could tell she was uncomfortable with his radical ideas. “I was named for my grandmother. She was a Hervey.”
Jasper tried to appear impressed, for it was clear she took pride in the connection. But he had no idea who these Hervey people might be.
“Do you come from a large family?” he asked her as Owen took up his rod and cast again.
“Alas, no.” The lady heaved a sigh. “I envy your little ones all their brothers and sisters. My parents began their family late in life. I was their only child and now I am quite alone in the world.”
Jasper knew how that felt. It made him warm to Miss Anstruther in a way he had not expected to.
“Shall I show you how to cast a line?” he offered.
The lady’s face lit up, making her look even more attractive. “Could you, please? I fear I am all thumbs when it comes to outdoor pursuits. But I am keen to learn.”
“That’s the most important thing.” Jasper picked up her fishing rod and showed her where to place her hands to ge
t the best control.
Miss Anstruther made an effort, but he had to admit she’d told the truth about being all thumbs. At least she was able to laugh at her mistakes, in which he joined. When she finally made a fair cast, he complimented her.
To his surprise, Jasper realized how much he missed female company. Perhaps becoming acquainted with the other ladies would not be such an ordeal, after all.
With that in mind, he glanced toward Evangeline Fairfax, who was summoning everyone to eat. When their eyes met briefly, he offered her a broad smile to let her know he no longer resented her matchmaking efforts. Regardless of what came out of this house party, he knew she’d had his and his children’s best interests at heart.
He expected an answering smile or perhaps a nod of approval. Instead, Miss Fairfax looked vaguely annoyed, though he could not imagine why. Was there no pleasing the woman?
* * *
What had come over her? Evangeline asked herself as she got everyone seated and served their picnic luncheon with the help of the footman and one of the maids.
Mr. Chase was doing precisely what she’d asked—getting better acquainted with one of the ladies. She should feel pleased, hopeful or some other positive emotion. Instead, when she’d watched her employer talking and laughing with Miss Anstruther, an unfamiliar sensation flared within her, making her insides clench and her cheeks burn. No appeals to reason could banish this perverse feeling, much to Evangeline’s dismay.
Fortunately, everyone else appeared to be enjoying their excursion. The children were clearly delighted with the special attention being paid them.
“Look what we made, Emma.” Rosie showed off the circlet of wildflowers nestled in her red-gold curls.
“How pretty!” her sister cried. “It makes you look like a woodland princess.”
“Or a bride,” Verity Dawson suggested.
Perhaps she had not meant to voice the thought. When the others looked at her, she ducked her head and mumbled something about ladies wearing floral wreaths on their wedding day.