Charlotte entered, carrying a large rough piece of paper stock followed by Henry with a grubbier sheet of paper. “Look what I did?”
Wyle stood up and took the still damp work from her. “Why, it’s the rose garden at Fair Oaks.”
“You recognize it?”
“Of course. We will have it framed.”
“No, it’s not good enough for that. I want to keep it in my room to compare as I progress.”
“Well Henry, how did you do?”
Henry displayed a pencil sketch of a horse.
“It’s Warlock. A very good rendering.”
“His back is too long and his feet need work but you did know it was him.”
Marian slid into the room behind the children “We released Henry to sketch in the stable. I think he has a knack for animal studies.”
“After he overturned the brush pot,” Charlotte said. “He does not have a knack for paints.”
Henry smiled. “What’s next? I don’t want anything to do with music.”
“When Mr. Hill returns, we tackle estate accounts.”
“Oh.”
Wyle noted Henry’s face held resignation rather than the resistance he expected.
“That is something Charlotte should study as well,” Marian said. “A woman never knows when she is going to be left in charge of a whole estate.”
“You are right,” Wyle agreed. “Now, shall we all change for dinner so that we can practice our company manners?”
Wyle was glad they had pushed the dinner hour earlier so that he would have a longer evening with the children. As he changed into evening dress with the help of his valet Wyle wondered if that’s what had happened to Marian. Had she been left in charge of her father’s estate and failed? Had she lost the estate or was this position a desperate bid to save it still. Perhaps his man of business could find out for him. Or he could just ask Marian. But somehow he thought his interference in that matter would be unwelcome. She was an independent sort and might prefer to save the place by her own hard work rather than have him rescue her.
Chapter Six
Marian told herself the gown she had chosen, a dimity with capped sleeves and lace, was appropriate for a governess but in her heart she knew she wore the dress for him. When Marian arrived in the drawing room, a tall young man was standing with this back to the street window. He had dark hair and a ready smile for her. Wyle stood to introduce him. “Miss, Greenway, may I present Mr. Hill?”
“So happy to meet the Mr. Hill who hired me.”
“So happy that all has worked out to everyone’s satisfaction,” Hill replied taking her hand.
Wyle clapped him on the back. “I suppose we should call you Reverend L. Hill now that you have been ordained.”
“I’m glad you understood how important it was that I go home first to tell my parents.”
Wyle smiled. “Not everyone can care for aged parents and make it through Oxford. Our fresh reverend will take over for his father at Fair Oaks vicarage when he retires. But for now he is my devoted scribe.”
“And very glad for the chance to work on your memoirs, sir.”
“Actually Hill is writing them. I’m just jogging my memory. If the book is ever complete it will be more to his credit than mine.”
“You are too modest, sir.”
“I am too honest.”
“So I hear the ruffians are coming to practice spoons and forks?” Hill asked nervously.
Marian realized Hill must have been briefed by Trumby. If he had the ear of the staff he would be a good ally for her.
Wyle smiled. “Soon, I hope, though Henry is probably still struggling with his cravat. He won’t learn how to tie it if I do it for him every time.”
The butler opened the door and ushered the children in. “I have set a place for Lieutenant Frobisher just in case, sir.”
Wyle stared at the presumption, then just shrugged. “Probably a good idea.”
Dinner that evening was a raucous affair uninterrupted by Frobisher or any other caller. Hill was a natural wit and Charlotte well practiced in guessing his jokes and riposting. Wyle would have little to blush for when she was presented to the ton. Marian also thought there was an attraction there, at least a regard. And if that were so she hoped Wyle had the good sense not to trample it. Many women had done well by marrying a man of the cloth. At least they were unlikely to take ship for Spain and get themselves shot.
Marian had not laughed so much in years, not since her come out season. Mother had been proud of her until she’d refused the best offer that was likely to come to the daughter of a military man, even though her mother was Lady Elizabeth Parkening in her own right. It was from another soldier and though she did not dislike Colonel Pike, she could not bear the thought of waiting at home for letters, wondering if he were dead or alive. Better never to marry than to endure such suspense. If you let yourself love a soldier it hurt all the more when you lost him.
She recalled her mother’s confession, that she had been afraid to fall in love with Marian’s father because she always feared she would lose him. Now Marian had learned from Flora it had been a love match.
Finally she said, “It is time for the ladies to retire from the table but if you two gentleman mean to linger over the port I think Henry should come with us and study.”
Hill laid his napkin on the table. “I have to unpack but I will join you all in the drawing room in a bit.”
“Well, if everyone is going to work, I might as well quit the dining room rather than languish here alone,” Wyle said. They all left on their appointed tasks and he walked with Marian into the hall. “Is there anything else on the agenda for tonight?”
“I though perhaps a dancing lesson. Now that we have Reverend Hill, we can make use of him for that while I play and you…” She stopped herself when she realized she was inferring he could not dance.
He arched an eyebrow. “Criticize?”
“I was going to say match Henry at chess but I assume you can do both at once.”
He laughed and caught her arm. “What’s the matter? You were laughing and then looked so sad for a moment.”
“Just thinking it will be hard to keep ahead of the children. I am not exactly an expert at geometry and I did promise.”
“Oh, I can teach them that.”
“You can? I mean I know you can but are you willing?”
“Eight years in the royal artillery. Best qualifications I can think of.”
“Was it dangerous?”
He feigned a blank look. “Geometry?”
She shook her head. “You know what I mean.”
“Only if one of our own guns blew up. Generally the French guns had trouble finding our range. That’s why we moved the guns so often.”
“So you had a good chance of coming back. It wasn’t like being in the cavalry or infantry.”
“I had a better chance than many. I don’t see them, the men I knew during the war, except Frobisher, of course, who won’t let me alone.”
“I suspect he would be a little lost without you.”
“Frobisher?”
“He has never really grown up. You were his commander and he still looks up to you, the way Henry wants to.”
“A father figure? You make me feel old.”
“A leader.”
He took her hand. “Do you look up to me?”
“I do now that you are taking an interest in the children.”
“But not because I’m a soldier.”
“I could never accept it if you went off to war again. That would be far too costly for them as well as you.”
“Do you imagine I would leave these children alone again with only servants for company?”
She pulled away from him. “I am a servant though one who cares so much about them.”
“I did not mean—“
”But we must remember that no matter how we share their education, we can never share anything more. I shall see you at seven o’clock.”
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“And you will play and Charlotte will dance?”
“Yes, if you wish it.”
* * * * *
Miss Greenway had unbent enough to abandon her cap and wear a gown that would not have been out of place at a formal dinner. And he had nearly blurted out that he wanted their engagement to be real. How could he convince her that he was serious about giving up the military life? He could sell his commission for one thing, though it was worth nothing at the moment. It had hurt his leg to ride but already he was feeling the muscles strengthen. Did he really want to give up his commission? He still got inquiries about returning to action. If he and Marian were to wed, the children would be safe with her. He could then do his duty without feeling that he was abandoning them.
Wyle mused as he went to his study and poured a small ration of port. He must take things slowly with Marian and he must not slip up and blurt out that he wanted her or voice any of the hundred endearments that bubbled up in his brain to say to her.
Of one thing he was sure. She was essential to the happiness of Charlotte and Henry. He could not risk driving her away for their sakes. Over time she would see that he could be a good father, even if he had to leave them again. But how much time did he have? The tide was turning, the French were retreating from Spain. He would give anything to be there at the final victory. Or would he?
That night she played country dance music and instructed Charlotte in the steps to show how it went. Marian hummed as she ran through the steps with Hill, then played for the couple while they imagined a dozen other couples were on the floor. Wyle laughed when Henry defected from the chess game and joined in, bowing to a fake partner. Watching their attempts was so much more fun than spending an evening with adults. Then Charlotte tramped on Hill’s foot and he had to sit down for a moment. Marian paired Henry and Charlotte but he was too short for her. Wyle got up and took a place across from Charlotte while Henry bowed to the phantom lady. As he suspected, dancing did not do much worse to his wound than riding. He felt almost as though he had a family for the first time in his life.
He tried to remember why his marriage had been so bad—Louisa’s pouting, weeping and self-pity. Was it because he was never there or simply because she was a weak woman? But Marian wasn’t like that. He could scarcely remember Louisa’s face now except the hint of it in Charlotte’s countenance, the mouth mostly. Thinking of Louisa no longer filled him with dread or guilt.
There had been no time for him to go to her, no need for him to go to plead with her. Her mind had been made up, perhaps before she left England. And he had not wanted to see her go. Besides, he was a soldier about to embark for the Peninsula.
Telling the children about the divorce had not been the traumatic experience he had feared and that had upset him. Charlotte had wept a little and Henry had asked to see her portrait. And no more was said of her. That’s how little she had meant to the children. It was both good and bad. Good that they were not devastated but bad that they seemed to have so little feeling for their own mother.
He had a notion that if anything were to happen to Marian Greenway, even after these few days, their reactions would be quite different. He tried to imagine how he would feel if she left them and the word was devastated. So he must move slowly.
Chapter Seven
The next day they rode again, the children with less supervision than before. Marian knew a few qualms as they went ahead with the groom leading the way to keep their horses in check. She wondered that Wyle stayed back beside her to make critical remarks about Charlotte’s hands or Henry’s seat when the information would have been so much more useful to the children.
“It is only their second ride, sir. Have some patience.”
“Odd, I had always expected someone to be teaching them all this in my absence.”
“And what was the case?”
“They’d been made virtual prisoners by overcautious servants after my wife abandoned them.”
“I’m so sorry. That must have been very painful.”
“Less for me than for them when I finally accepted that she was not coming back. In fact it was almost a relief.”
He could not have shocked her more if he had said he’d murdered the woman.
“I can never be easy to lose one’s mother but at least she is not dead.”
“I thank God I prevented her from taking Charlotte with her. Had she spirited my daughter away, I might never have seen her again.”
“Only Charlotte?” Marian wondered what sort of woman would favor one of her children over the other.
Wyle frowned. “She was ever Louisa’s favorite. Her birth had not hurt as much as Henry’s.”
“So they have always been dear to you. It’s just that you’ve been in Spain.”
“A poor excuse for not making sure they were reared properly.” He looked toward the center of the park, probably seeking to change the subject of his neglect. “How did you get word of your father’s disappearance?”
“His commanding officer wrote to us. It was at the battle of San Sebastian. I take it not many cavalry were involved but his troop was used for reconnoitering. His men reported he had ridden off toward the French position but never rejoined them. All returned safely by the end of the battle except him. They had thought him shot by snipers but neither he nor his horse was found, so they assume capture.”
“The war will be over soon. If he is being held by the French he will be freed.”
She felt a desperate flutter of her heart. “If? But what other possibility is there?”
“You’re right. Where else could he be?”
“I— Since you are so well informed, I’m sure you heard the rumors that he deserted.”
“But I knew him. He would never do such a thing.”
Marian felt herself smiling. “Thank you. It is a comfort to hear one who should know what he is talking about exonerate him.”
“He must still be alive and able to speak for himself. The French don’t tell us all the prisoners they hold.”
“Again I thank you.”
“For what?” He glanced at her.
“Hope. You must be the only other person on earth who thinks he might still be alive.”
“Including your mother?” Wyle seemed rattled and glanced at the children who were now besieging the groom with questions.
Marian bit her lip. “She always expected him to die in battle, gave him up for dead many times. I think she dare not hope.”
“If only my opinion meant something. I suppose your mother gets no pension.”
“No, nor his pay either. It’s much like being in limbo for her. Hence my foray into service.”
“But what about your father’s estate?”
“Though the war office does not admit his death, my father’s solicitor under the lash of my cousin has begun to probate his will. My uncle was to be executor. Indeed he was charged with the care of the estate in our absence, for we went with Father to the Peninsula. But since Uncle died in the interim, that duty fell to my cousin, Cole Greenway, by what right I cannot fathom.”
“Let me guess. He greased the palm of said solicitor and left you both destitute.”
She shook her head. “Not exactly. He offered my mother a roof over her head provided I marry him.”
“How generous.”
She saw that dent of concentration between his brows and the severe line of his mouth. It had nothing to do with the children breaking into a trot so she and Wyle urged their horses forward as well. “He said the same thing but without the irony. I must have inherited too much of my father’s pride since I had rather earn my bread. I did well at my first position.”
“I can imagine you did. Why did you leave?”
She found herself blushing. She did not want to tell him how Cole had come to the house and annoyed her employers about her until they virtually had no choice but to let her go. “Children have a way of outgrowing the need for a governess. Charlotte won’t need me in another year or so
and by then you will want to send Henry to school or get him a male tutor.”
“Why should I? They already have Mr. Hill for religious instruction, not to mention Latin and Greek. Besides, they have fallen in love with you. They will always need you.”
“You may change your mind about marriage and decide your new wife can handle their education.”
“I think I already have.”
She felt herself suck in a gasp and jab her horse in the mouth which was not like her. She patted the creature’s neck. But the groom returned to a measured walk and so did they all. “So you will not forever dodge your relatives’ efforts to supply you with a wife?”
“I see now, after the way the children have taken to you, that I wasn’t just depriving myself of companionship.”
“Then you will want to cancel our fake engagement so that you can look about you for a likely prospect. You don’t want to appear fickle.”
“No! Say nothing about this.”
“But why not?”
“Because that is the only thing that is keeping me safe from every harpy in town.”
“Harpy? I’m am not sure you are quite ready for marriage.”
“I need much work, don’t I?” He smiled sheepishly. “Perhaps you can give me a few pointers while you work with the children.”
“Pointers? On what?”
“How to be more amenable to women.”
She choked on a gurgle of laughter. “I shall try. But manners are best mended when a man is young.”
Now the children both brought their horses smoothly into the trot in imitation of Reed.
Henry waved. “Father, look, I am posting.”
“Excellent, Henry!” It was hard for Wyle to trot Warlock and match his long stride to that of her horse. After gazing at the children ahead of them he turned back to her. “Alas, can a graybeard learn nothing?”
“You have already made much progress, changed so much. I do not despair of turning you into a marriageable gentleman if you will be advised by me.”
“I shall be putty.”
* * * * *
After Marian finished the morning lessons she assigned the children their translation and descended the stairs. Wyle’s strange behavior in the park came back to her. He now wanted to look for a wife but only from the safety of their fake engagement. She supposed that made some sort of perverted sense. She was still dealing with it in her mind, trying to reason it out as a man would when she entered the drawing room to confront his Aunt Alva earnestly staring at Wyle.
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