The Great Estate

by Sherri Browning

  “Anna will ride with me,” Sophia said authoritatively. “A young woman always takes a chaperone under such circumstances.”

  “I didn’t realize the etiquette books included chapters on manners in the event of flooding.” Gabriel smiled. “At any rate, I’ll call Dale to bring around the car. I haven’t been out to Higgins Farm since I’ve been home. It has been a year or two since Winthrop rebuilt the place.” He leaned in to whisper in Sophia’s ear, for her hearing alone. “Besides, I can’t bear the idea of having you out of my sight for long. Not in that skirt.”

  Sophia tapped her foot under said skirt, which Gabriel could now see was indeed figure-hugging. He felt his anger dissipating in favor of yet another emotion, lust. Her cheeks reddened, but it seemed to be more from annoyance than interest. “If you insist. I suppose you must have a look to be sure that I haven’t been neglecting our tenants. Why would you have any faith in me?”

  There was no point in answering her when she’d chosen to take everything he said the wrong way. He went off to get his hat and arrange for the car, having no idea what he had done to upset her. As far as he was concerned, he’d been the neglected one. Perhaps he was simply reading her wrong. Where was Aunt Agatha when one needed her?

  Eleven

  Gabriel planned to divorce her. It was her only conclusion based on his suddenly cool behavior and his commentary with Mr. Grant. I’ve got Mr. Grant working on something, he’d said. Something that clearly involved the solicitor. And drawing up papers. Gabriel was pretending to be interested in her, in love with her, only to lull her into a false sense of security until he could spring his surprise on her: divorce papers.

  His mother had probably planned the whole thing for him. “Here’s how we can be rid of her once and for all.” It explained Teresa showing up “unexpectedly.” And Gabriel just happening to be at their son’s grave for Sophia’s monthly visit? He only had to ask the servants to know which day she typically showed her respects. What better way to work into her favor than by taking advantage of her maternal tenderness.

  She slammed the hairbrush down so hard on her dressing table that Jenks came running from across the room where she’d been preparing Sophia’s dress for the evening. Sophia would have thought that hours of hard work loading bags with sand and lugging them to the water’s edge would have taken all the fight out of her, but no. Not that the men present had actually let her do much in the end. Now that she had a chance to think, she found her anger rising as swiftly as the waters of the creek and pond out at the Higgins’ place.

  “What is it, Lady Averford? Can I help?”

  “My hand slipped.” She smiled up at Jenks in the mirror. “All is well. I’ve had a change of mind on what to wear for dinner. Make it the new Worth.”

  “The cream silk with the black trim? I thought you were saving that one for a special occasion.”

  “My husband is home. Every night is a special occasion.” Another chance to remind him of what he would be missing, should he leave her.

  He had barely spoken a word to her at the farm, though they had worked side by side. His attention had been on Anna Cooper and on directing the garden boys they’d brought along. Despite bringing plenty of help, Gabriel had insisted on hauling the heaviest bags himself, as if he had something to prove to them all. Though she couldn’t blame him entirely. She knew the feeling of having to prove herself. She’d done the same thing when she’d been called upon to help with the sandbags to hold back the springtime floods only months ago. Then, it had felt freeing to do the work, to show that she had the will to take on any challenge. If only Gabriel could realize the change in her and still love her for it.

  “How romantic! I’ll get it ready.” Jenks’s blush told Sophia that news had already spread around the house about the afternoon’s adventure in the gardening shed. All of the servants were assuming that the earl and countess were rediscovering their love. Sophia had almost been fooled enough to think the same.

  But was she imagining things? Gabriel had loved her so tenderly. And fiercely. And then tenderly again. It had been romantic, hadn’t it? And lovely. And savage. It had been simply everything she dreamed their reunion should be, except not in a bedroom. But perhaps the unusual setting had made it all the more thrilling at the time. One way or another, she was wrong. Wrong that he really loved her, or wrong that he didn’t care for her at all. Her only option was to use her head and hope her heart didn’t lead her astray.

  An hour later, she pasted on a serene smile, her finishing touch, and drifted down the stairs. Gabriel was there, pouring a scotch for himself and for Mr. Grant. Apparently, Grant had learned to not say no to Lord Averford. At the sight of her, Gabriel missed his glass and poured some scotch onto the table. Her smile became quite real.

  “Good evening, gentlemen.” She seemed to be the first of the women to join them in the drawing room. Finch approached with a cloth before Gabriel could bother with his own mess. He handed the crystal decanter to Finch to replace and came away with two glasses. Mr. Grant was too distracted to take his for a second, his mouth gaping slightly as he stared at Sophia.

  “Good evening, Lady Averford,” Grant stammered at last, taking his glass from Gabriel.

  “Sophia.” Gabriel gave a nod in her direction before heading to stand, back to her, at the window. He could feign nonchalance if he wished. She’d seen him spill his scotch. She knew she had achieved her desired effect. She looked breathtaking.

  “Lord Averford says that you built up the shoreline spectacularly.” Grant made conversation. “No chance of the waters rising to threaten the crops now.”

  “Yes. It was a simple matter. A lot of hard work, as you know, but we all managed. Anna knew exactly what to do. She should be down in a moment. I trust Ethan hasn’t arrived yet.” She imagined him, a simple country lad, back at the farm agonizing over what to wear for a dinner with fancy people. In the absence of the Higgins family, Sophia had felt it only right to extend an invitation to the young man. She wished she could tell him not to worry. They wouldn’t make a fuss. Though she might have chosen to stick with a plainer gown to make the newcomers more comfortable. As usual, she’d only been thinking of herself.

  “We’ve invited Ethan and Anna to join us for dinner. I felt it only fitting, considering that Anna is new here and Ethan seemed so grateful for her help.”

  “And Mr. Kenner will be joining us for a change?”

  She nodded. “To get to know Anna better, since they will be working closely for the next few weeks until she has a better understanding of her position.”

  Gabriel turned around at that, his finger in the air as if he were about to say something. But perhaps he thought better of it and turned back around to the window.

  What had come over him? It wasn’t like her husband to be rude to guests, though Grant wasn’t technically a guest. She had to suppose the cut to be intended for her. What could have upset him? She was the one who feared that he was planning to surprise her with a divorce.

  “What is so fascinating out there?” She joined him at the window.

  “Chauncey. The dog.” He gestured with his glass and then downed the contents in one gulp. “He’s chasing a squirrel, and I think he got him too. I’m surprised the kennel master hasn’t rounded Chauncey up yet. I was thinking of bringing him in here.”

  “Not with that squirrel between his teeth you’re not. I’m sure he’s fine where he is for now.”

  “Perhaps for now.”

  “And he could probably use a good bath before he becomes a house dog.”

  The sound of footsteps caused them both to turn around to greet their guests. Aunt Agatha was colorful as always in fuchsia with canary-feather accents and a jeweled turban. She clung to the arm of Lord Markham, who had apparently helped her down the stairs. Was Agatha getting frail and Sophia hadn’t noticed, or was she enjoying some male attention for a change? Sophia
couldn’t decide.

  “Agatha.” She stepped forward to embrace her aunt. “You’re looking well.”

  There was a certain look of mischief playing in Agatha’s cat-green eyes. What had she been up to?

  “Thank you, dear. And you too. As usual. Charles and I keep bumping into each other.”

  “So you do. Good evening, Lord Markham.” Sophia had decided that she was more comfortable on formal terms with Lord Markham, perhaps since Gabriel had seemed to take offense at her apparent intimacy with the man. Though perhaps she should rethink that. It wouldn’t hurt to keep Gabriel on his toes.

  “The Yorkshire air.” He winked. “It has restored me. I thank you again for inviting me.”

  “It’s our pleasure to have you. Isn’t it, Gabriel?”

  Gabriel hadn’t gone back to the window, but he seemed out of sorts. “Scotch, Markham? I was about to get myself another.”

  “I don’t mind if I do.”

  Sophia had never paid much attention to Gabriel’s drinking. It had never seemed excessive or worrisome in the past. But now she wondered about it. Had he taken to drinking more in Italy? Drowning his sorrows? Or perhaps celebrating his freedom? Though she was so sore from the afternoon’s labors that she nearly requested a glass of her own. Perhaps she shouldn’t think much of it at all.

  Mr. Finch had left his post by the cocktail cart, probably to stay near the front door since they were expecting more guests. He returned a minute later to announce the arrival of Ethan Nash. Sophia was taken aback to see the transformation in the man, from farm boy to what could have been a young gentleman. He wore a fine, dark suit, with his formerly unkempt hair tamed and brushed back from his face. He was much more handsome than she’d given him credit for, and she began to worry about Anna after all.

  “Welcome, Ethan. Or should I call you ‘Mr. Nash’?” She smiled in an attempt to put him at ease. “I’m so glad you could join us this evening.”

  “Thank you, Lady Averford. Ethan will do. I’m happy to have the invitation. I can’t stay very late. I’ll need to get back to tend the livestock. But it’s good to have the chance to feel civilized again.”

  Again? She wondered about his situation. Did he come from a good family? Merchants, perhaps? Or was he the son of a physician or lawyer? She hadn’t expected him to have any experience with dressing for dinner, but clearly he knew their ways. He wasn’t the bumpkin she’d expected him to be. So what had brought him to work on a farm?

  “Ethan.” Gabriel approached. “Good to see you could make it. Would you like a drink?”

  “No, thank you, Lord Averford. Perhaps some wine with dinner. I was just telling the countess that I have to be in shape to get back early and look after the livestock.”

  “Ah, good lad. Responsibility above everything.”

  Anna made her entrance not long after Ethan’s arrival, her simple pearl-gray gown flattering her despite its plainness. His whole face brightened up, but it was possibly from the relief of seeing an acquaintance closer to his own age. Anna had shown him some interest earlier, though not to any measure of great concern. But now? He looked entirely suitable, possibly even desirable for a sheltered young woman like Anna. Sophia knew she would have to keep watch over them. She hadn’t coaxed a young girl away from her home and family only to expose her to the greater danger of falling in love too soon.

  “Ethan, you came.” Anna’s freckled cheeks flushed with pleasure as she greeted the boy. “I wasn’t sure you would make it. Oh look, Mr. Kenner has come down too. Let me introduce you to Mr. Kenner, Ethan. He has been such a help to me.”

  To Sophia’s surprise, Gabriel came to stand by her, draping an arm around her waist. She felt a sensual thrill at his proximity. How could she want him so badly when she had so many doubts about him? She couldn’t control her body’s reaction to him, but she could certainly make sure nothing came of it again until she had made up her mind. Couldn’t she? Glancing up to see that gold gleam in his soulful, brown eyes as he looked at her made her wonder.

  “I don’t like the way Kenner looks at her. We’ll have to watch out for those two,” Gabriel whispered for her ears alone.

  “Kenner? I was worried about Ethan. There’s more to him than I expected.”

  Gabriel sighed. “I suppose having a pretty, young girl in the house will be more challenging than we anticipated. Good practice. We could have a daughter one day. If she looks anything like you, we’re in for a world of trouble.”

  “I do believe you’ve just paid me a compliment, Lord Averford. I thought we were on the outs.”

  “Why would you think so?” He kissed the top of her head. “Because I deigned to gaze out the window at a dog when you were in the room looking so resplendent? A man has to do something to hide his inflamed desire, darling. Especially when there are guests in the room. Were we alone, I might have already balanced you on top of the grand piano and…”

  “Gabriel.” She felt the heat of the blush rising to her cheeks. “Someone might hear you.”

  “So be it. If they have a problem with me wanting my own wife, well, to hang with them.”

  Agatha left Lord Markham and Mr. Grant in conversation and approached Gabriel and Sophia. “There’s something different about you tonight, Sophia, a certain radiance that has been missing of late. I’m pleased to see the two of you together.”

  “We could probably attribute it to our afternoon walk, yes?” The wicked smile was in place when Gabriel looked at Sophia. “It was a vigorous walk. It did us both a world of good, I think. I was hoping we could do more walking in London. Tomorrow. I have some business and I want you to accompany me, Sophia.”

  “London.” She nodded, considering. They could be alone again, but in London. She had determined that she would make a point of going with him more often, but so soon? She had just been there. “What am I to do there while you’re off attending business? I suppose you imagine me staying at home, accepting social calls…”

  They both knew no one would call on her. She had been away from that scene for too long, and good riddance. She didn’t fit in with the London ladies. They would find her provincial or, worse, out of fashion.

  “You’ve never objected to shopping. I would keep my business short to make sure we have plenty of time there together.” Together alone. She knew what he wanted from London, and she didn’t object. Perhaps it was time to expand her horizons.

  “I’ll think about it.”

  “I believe you should.” Agatha winked at Gabriel. “London is the place for walking. Walking is good for the body and soul. I do recommend more vigorous walks.”

  Agatha knew! Gossip had most assuredly already made its way all over the house. Sophia shouldn’t be surprised. Of all the servants, Agatha’s maid, Mary, was perhaps the most unrepentant of busybodies. Too late, Sophia recalled that she had also put Mary in charge of dressing the Dowager Countess. As if on cue, Teresa swanned into the room, wearing a nearly identical gown to Sophia’s.

  “I’m sorry to have kept you all waiting.” It was just like Gabriel’s mother to assume everyone waited on her. In fact, they did, but it pained Sophia to pay her any unnecessary attention. “Oh dear, I’m afraid we’re twins.”

  Fortunately, Teresa looked even more appalled at the idea than Sophia felt. “I thought your new Worth gowns weren’t being sent for a few weeks.”

  Teresa sighed. “All but this one. This one I had to have immediately. Jean-Philippe assured me it was one of a kind.”

  Sophia cocked her head, looking it over. “It could be. He’s used the same fabric and same idea for both of our gowns, but there are obvious differences.”

  Differences, besides that Teresa’s fit like a shelf designed specifically to put her ample breasts on display. Teresa’s gown had black draping that crossed the front in more of a Grecian style, while Sophia’s pleated under the beading on the bosom and dr
aped to the sides like a robe over her ivory gown.

  “Still, I’ll have words with Jean-Philippe. One of a kind indeed.”

  “I wouldn’t be too hard on him. We both have impeccable taste.” Sophia tried to remain unflustered.

  “You’re stunning, both of you. This Worth fellow must be a genius to know exactly what becomes a woman most.” Lord Markham smoothed over the faux pas of the two of them appearing in strikingly similar gowns.

  “Shall we go in?” Gabriel took Sophia’s arm.

  She still didn’t know what to make of him. How badly she wanted to put her heart in his hands and believe the best, but she couldn’t afford to take chances. At stake was her whole way of life, her home, and her happiness.

  * * *

  Gabriel couldn’t imagine what was going on with Sophia. Was she angry with him or not? Did she regret their lovemaking or want more of it? If they shared a room, he would have more time with her to try to figure her out. The sooner he broke down her defenses, the better. To that end, he hoped she would say yes to accompanying him to London. He would take the opportunity to move along his plans to gift her with the land, which wouldn’t take more than a visit to his solicitor’s office, and they would have the rest of the time together. Perhaps he would slip into her room again tonight to try to convince her.

  All through dinner, he tried to distract himself from his desperate urge to get her alone by keeping watch over the curious trio of Cornelius Kenner, Ethan Nash, and young Anna Cooper. Kenner seemed to have a passing interest in the girl, but nothing unseemly as far as Gabriel could detect. Working in proximity with her, Kenner might become more obvious with his intentions, if he had any.

  Nash, on the other hand, seemed more at ease in a formal dining room than Anna Cooper did. More than once, Gabriel saw him silently gesture to indicate which fork she should use or how to cope with the footman’s attentiveness at table. Gabriel suspected that Ethan belonged to one of the fine families in the area and had taken to farming as perhaps a sort of rebellion or out of a genuine interest in horticulture. He might be one of those fops who studied agricultural sciences at Oxford and then became interested enough to try to gain a better understanding of the principles in practice.