by Ayles, Abby
John smiled. He knew at once who they were—his younger brother Edward and his even younger sister, Emma.
Emma was the one hurrying towards him. Her face was a study in pure delight, her hands in her skirts to lift them up out of the way, allowing her to hurry towards him.
“John!” she cried out, smiling and catching John’s hands as he held them out to her. “Oh, it has been far too long! Your letters are never enough.”
“You received my packages, did you not?” he asked. “I thought that you would especially enjoy the lace.”
“Oh, I did most enjoy all of your lovely gifts!” Emma smiled, squeezing his hands. “But they rather don’t make up for your presence.”
“You’ve grown quite a bit,” John remarked.
When he had last seen her, Emma had been a mere slip of a thing. She had their late mother’s pale, almost white blonde hair, the only one of the family. Father had quite spoiled her because of the resemblance to Mother, in John’s opinion, but fortunately it had not ruined her. Instead it had given Emma the opinion that the world was a fine and lovely place where no harm truly could come to anyone.
A bit naïve, perhaps, but John loved her dearly for it. She was a breath of sweetness in the mire of frustrations with which he was struggling.
“Oh, yes, I do believe I’ve grown two inches since you last saw me,” Emma admitted.
It was more than that, though. Emma had been a girl when he’d left. Now she was clearly an adult woman. She must have no end of suitors, John was sure.
Miss Natalie and Miss Louisa descended from the carriage. Emma turned to greet them.
“Emma, this is Miss Natalie Hartfield, my fiancée, and her elder sister, Miss Louisa Hartfield. Miss Natalie, Miss Louisa, this is my sister, Emma Ridgecleff.”
“I’m terribly pleased to meet you!” Emma exclaimed. She took Miss Natalie’s hands in hers. “When Father said that John would be bringing home a bride I admit I was terribly worried. But you look like just the sort of person I could be great friends with.”
That was Emma—making friends wherever she went. Always believing the best about people.
Many people were overwhelmed by Emma. Miss Natalie, however, simply squeezed Emma’s hands and gave a small laugh. “Your brother was quite awful not to mention what a delightful sister he had.”
Miss Natalie sent him a look that one might almost call flirtatious. John had to stifle the smile he wanted to instinctively return.
She was probably just putting on a show for everyone. He couldn’t forget the contrast between the flirtatious, fun Miss Natalie at the ball and the sullen girl in the carriage.
Introductions were made to Miss Louisa, and then Edward walked up to them.
John shook his younger brother’s hand. “I’m sorry. I’ve left you quite alone here to handle Father and the grounds. That was unfair of me.”
“Nonsense.” Edward shook his head. “You were living your life the way that you wanted to. I cannot begrudge you that.”
“Perhaps. But it was still unfair of me. I hope now you’ll get the chance to travel as you wish.”
Edward gave him a small, grateful smile. John and Emma were the boisterous ones. Edward, the middle child, had always been quiet.
He turned now and bowed to the two ladies.
“This is Edward, my younger brother,” John introduced. “The Honorable one.”
“Forgive my brother’s terrible puns,” Edward said.
It was customary, although not mandatory, to bestow a courtesy title upon the younger children of titled men. ‘The Honorable’ was the most common version. And so Edward would, technically, be introduced as the Honorable Mr. Ridgecleff, even though he could not claim the title of Lord.
The fact that it made for an excellent pun about Edward’s character was, in John’s mind, merely a bonus.
“It’s an honor to meet you,” Miss Natalie said, smiling charmingly.
It seemed that Miss Natalie knew how to flatter and please when she must. It was only in private, then, that John would have to see the other side of her. He supposed he could handle that.
It was quite difficult to remember that other side, however, when she was in front of him now, smiling so prettily and being so sweet.
“Perhaps we should go inside?” John asked. “We must introduce her to Father, after all.”
“An excellent idea,” Edward agreed.
Emma smiled at Miss Natalie. “We’ll be great friends, I can tell.”
John could only hope that Emma’s optimism wasn’t misplaced.
Chapter 17
Natalie could only barely keep herself from gaping as they entered Mountbank.
Oh, it was lovely. Lovely beyond her dreams.
“Why, look how much room there is!” she exclaimed. “I could host as many balls as I liked in here.”
“I wish we could hold balls,” Miss Ridgecleff said wistfully.
She seemed like a rather lively young girl. Natalie liked her at once. Perhaps with a girl friend to gossip with, she wouldn’t be too terribly bored here.
“When I am mistress of this place,” Natalie assured her, “you may have all the balls you wish.”
“I doubt John would allow that,” Miss Ridgecleff said. “Father has never allowed it and John is rather like Father. I think that’s why they used to quarrel so much.”
“Quarrel? But Lord Ridgecleff seemed eager to obey his father’s wishes.”
“Oh, I’m certain that he is, what with Father being sick and all,” Miss Ridgecleff said quickly. “It’s only in the past. That’s why John went to the Continent for so long, you know. He’s always wanted to live a quiet life here in Mountbank.
“But he and Father quarreled so, John said to hang it all and that he would leave. And he hasn’t been back. Not until now.” Miss Ridgecleff smiled beatifically. “And he’s brought you!”
She shook her head. “But I’m certain that he’s told you all of this. I hope he hasn’t been too much of a burden. He does tend to brood. But you seem lively enough.”
Natalie felt her head spinning a little. This was another aspect to her fiancé’s relationship with his father that she hadn’t even considered.
What if Lord Ridgecleff’s father didn’t like her? Technically he couldn’t force the engagement to end but if he didn’t approve he could make her life miserable.
“Miss Natalie?”
Lord Ridgecleff was standing at the entrance to another room. “If you’ll come this way. I’d like you to meet my father.”
As if she had a choice in the matter.
Natalie walked with her sister and Emma down to join the two men. When she entered the other room, she was immediately struck by how dark it was.
“Father prefers it dark, now,” Miss Ridgecleff whispered. “Given his illness.”
His illness?
Natalie watched as Lord Ridgecleff approached the heavy chair where his father the earl was laid up. The older man was wrapped up in furs and seemed to be shivering despite the warmth.
“Father,” Lord Ridgecleff said. He sounded very unlike himself. Hesitant. Shy, even. “It’s me, it’s John.”
The old man snorted. “I’m ill, not mentally deficient. I’m well aware of who you are. Come to fulfill my conditions for your inheritance?”
Miss Ridgecleff and Mr. Ridgecleff, the two younger siblings, both looked rather uncomfortable.
“Perhaps I should wait outside,” Louisa whispered.
Natalie caught her sister’s hand up in hers. “Stay.” This was going to be awkward enough already. She needed at least one familiar person with her.
Louisa squeezed her hand reassuringly.
Natalie turned her attention back to the earl.
“I’ve brought with me my fiancée,” Lord Ridgecleff was saying. “Miss Natalie Hartfield.”
Natalie released Louisa’s hand and walked over to stand by Lord Ridgecleff’s side. No matter what they thought of one another privately, they h
ad to present a united front to everyone else. If she was forced by the earl to break off her engagement she would lose all reputation. She must convince him to like her.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lord,” she said, curtsying and bowing her head.
“You’re a right pretty thing, aren’t you?” the earl said, eyeing her up and down. “I hope you’ve got spirit in you as well.”
Natalie couldn’t help herself. It sounded as though the earl was challenging her, and she never backed down from a challenge.
“Oh no, my lord,” she said, making herself sound both playful and dismayed. “I was told that I must sit against the wall and look pretty.”
The earl laughed, to her relief. “Looks like you’ve found yourself a girl who can tease,” he said to Lord Ridgecleff. “And here I was worried you’d pick the first wallflower who said yes.”
“I had to beat them off with a stick,” Natalie said conspiratorially.
The earl laughed again. “He’s quite a catch, isn’t he?”
Natalie turned to look at Lord Ridgecleff, pretending to survey him up and down. “Hmm. I’m not sure, my lord. He seems a bit down in the mouth.”
“She’s a lively one all right,” the earl said.
“You can say that,” Lord Ridgecleff replied. Natalie couldn’t quite read the expression on his face. Was he amused? Concerned? Playing along? Subtly insulting her?
She smiled at him anyway. Her best, sweetest smile. If she was going to put on a show for his father and everyone else then it was going to be a good show. The best she’d ever done.
After all, her future depended upon her getting this right.
She genuinely did like the earl, furthermore. Her own father was…well, almost nonexistent. Until he had lost their fortune and reputations to Lord Pettifer, he had been a nonentity in their lives.
Their mother’s death had gutted them all, but Father most of all. He had retreated from fatherhood and from Natalie and her sisters.
To be in the company of a man who seemed despite his illness to be quite lively and so invested in the lives of his children was a breath of fresh air. Natalie hoped to see more of him as time passed.
“We have quite a lot to talk about, don’t we, John?” the earl said. He was paying his whole attention to his eldest son now. “Perhaps Emma would like to take the Misses Hartfield on a walk through the grounds.”
The earl turned to Natalie once more. “They are lovely grounds, my dear. I’m certain that you shall enjoy them. I’m afraid that a spot of business must be taken care of now. If you can spare your intended for an hour or two.”
“I suppose I can leave him into your guardianship,” Natalie replied, smiling. “Have a care, however, for I have not yet got him properly trained.”
The earl laughed once again. “You cheeky thing. Off with you, then! Emma my dear, please show our guest a good time.”
Miss Ridgecleff nodded, smiling. “Come with me.”
Louisa leaned in as she and Natalie exited the room. “As you will only be with Miss Ridgecleff, perhaps I should see to our bags and where they have put us up.”
“Certainly.”
It was a smart idea, anyway, to have Natalie be alone with her future sister-in-law. That way she could get a proper measure of Miss Ridgecleff and establish, hopefully, the friendship that would last them throughout the rest of their lives.
If Natalie could make an ally out of Miss Ridgecleff, surely that would help her in winning over Lord Ridgecleff. It was obvious from the moment they had said hello to one another that Lord Ridgecleff dearly loved his younger sister. Getting in Miss Ridgecleff’s good graces could be just what she needed.
“The gardens are quite lovely,” Miss Ridgecleff said as they exited out onto the grounds. “I enjoy walking about them myself.”
“Is there not much else to do for entertainment?” Natalie asked. “I can well imagine that a young lady such as yourself would wish for more than mere flowers to spend her attention on.”
“It’s true,” Miss Ridgecleff said with a small embarrassed laugh. “There is not much around here but a local lady, Mrs. Hapson, often hosts dinners and we are longstanding guests.
“She is a fine lady, and I think lonely. Her husband passed away a few years ago and I think she feels the loss quite keenly. Mr. Hunsford and his sister and Mr. Cleary are often guests as well.”
“Are they young gentlemen, this Mr. Hunsford and Mr. Cleary?” Natalie asked.
“Oh, yes.” Natalie thought she could see a young blush on the lady’s cheeks and had to hide her smile. Matchmaking was a favorite pastime of hers and she fancied herself rather good at it.
Perhaps she could try her hand at matchmaking Miss Ridgecleff. It would be amusing and surely Lord Ridgecleff would be impressed with her ability to so accurately judge the hearts of others. She knew that she needed all the help that she could get to win his favor.
Besides, it would divert her attentions and give her something to occupy her time while stuck in this awful place.
“Tell me about them,” Natalie said. “These two gentlemen, I mean.”
Miss Ridgecleff thought for a moment.
“Well, Mr. Hunsford is rather concerned with marrying off his sister. She is already seven and twenty and I think he fears for her future. He is a very quiet man. Quite respectable.”
“Does he have a profession?”
“Oh, yes, he is formerly of the Navy. He had to be sent home because of an injury in his leg, but he has made a great deal of inheritance and should want for nothing.”
“Ah.” A naval man was tempting to be sure, but a quiet man with a limp or some such? Surely Miss Ridgecleff could do better.
“And what of Mr. Cleary?”
“He is a man of two thousand a year,” Miss Ridgecleff said. “A very lively and charming person, I should say. I think you two shall get along. He and Edward are great friends.
“He is a most skilled dancer and conversationalist,” Miss Ridgecleff went on. “I think that he is quite wasted out here where we have so few young people and balls to entertain oneself.”
Natalie smiled understandingly but inside she was elated. Here was a wonderful example of a young man for Miss Ridgecleff!
Of course, she should have to see for herself. She would have to see about getting herself invited to one of these dinners. But already he sounded most commendable. And Miss Ridgecleff spoke of him most animatedly and in a genuinely friendly manner.
It would be the work of but an evening to turn the gentleman to thoughts of romance towards such a lively and pretty girl as Miss Ridgecleff. Natalie could already feel excitement bubbling up in her veins. This would be entertaining and gain her favor with her betrothed.
It was practically perfect.
Chapter 18
John waited patiently as the ladies exited. Edward made to exit as well after them, but Father stopped him.
“No, no, Edward, you must stay as well.”
Despite the frailty of the voice itself there was steel in the tone. The earl was an ill man—much sicklier than John had anticipated.
Why had neither Edward nor Emma written to John of their father’s ill health? Surely this was something of which he should have been informed immediately.
He had thought his father was still hale and hearty and only calling John back out of his own impatience with his eldest. And why should he not be impatient? John had certainly wasted enough time on the Continent.
To learn that it might have been because of his father’s health…that there was another incentive, perhaps, to his father’s ultimatum…
It was rather like a punch in the gut.
“Now,” Father said, clearing his throat. “Edward, I shall expect you to help show your brother the grounds. I am too frail for that. But I shall go over the bookkeeping with you, John. You must understand fully the affairs of the house.”
“Father,” John ventured, knowing he could not keep his peace without knowing. “Are
you quite well? Has the doctor given you a worrying report?”
Edward looked at Father, alarmed. “Did you not tell him of it in your letter?”
“No, he did not,” John said. Some firmness crept into his tone which he knew to be possibly unfair, but he couldn’t help it. How could his father not have told him of his illness?
“I thought that it would be invoking pity to tell him,” Father said. “He ought to come home because it is his duty as the eldest son. Not because he pitied me.”
John could see his father’s point. But still…
“I wish that you had told me. I do not like the idea of you suffering and my being unaware.”
“You had already made it quite clear that you did not care about the state of my health or anything else concerning me,” Father replied.
John held his tongue. He didn’t want to fight, not now. “What do you think of Miss Natalie?”
“A most charming girl,” Father said. “High-spirited. You will need that. I think she should keep you in line well. Which you also need.”
He didn’t need anyone, least of all the flighty Miss Natalie, to keep him in line. But he didn’t dare say that to Father. He needed Father to believe that he and Miss Natalie truly cared about one another.
Especially now. He wasn’t going to trouble Father about his deception concerning his fiancée with Father so ill. John would just have to put up with Miss Natalie, and she with him. Keeping Father happy was what mattered now.
“We must introduce her to the locals,” Edward said. John held in a sigh. It was clear that his younger brother was trying to keep the peace between John and their father.
“There aren’t many locals about to whom she might be introduced,” John pointed out. “Unless things have changed drastically since I was last here.”
“No, there still are not many people, but it will help her to grow used to the place.” Edward thought for a moment. “There is Mr. Cleary, whom I’m sure you remember. His parents have passed on and so he has had to come home to manage the estate.