by Dayna Quince
“I thought we could go together. Show off our new countess.” She smiled.
“You’ve never been to the village parish before. Why now?”
“Why not, Bain? The real question is why not?”
“Foremost. Please, dispense with calling me Bain. Bain was my father. I prefer Bainbridge or Garrett if you will.”
She frowned. “I will not.”
Garrett sighed and rubbed his face. “The sun has not risen and yet you want us to wake for church? I do still not understand your reasoning.”
“It’s church, Bain. The tending of our souls, the worship of our Heavenly Father. What more do you need to know?” She shook her head.
“Why after all this time?”
She brought her hand to her mouth, and it shook just a little. She turned away from him, but he could see her face in the mirror. She picked up a handkerchief and dabbed at one watery eye.
“Because I wish it to be something Lady Hazel and I will do together. If you attend with us, then she will not deny me. Perhaps we could join a local charity and bond in that way as well. I just want to be closer to her, Bain. I’m trying very hard, you know.”
Garrett felt her words like a punch to the gut. He felt like a sod now. “Well, that’s all you needed to say. I just needed a reason for this sudden change.”
She turned to face him, a smile lifting her watery eyes. “Then you’ll come?”
“Certainly. I’ll wake Hazel. We’ll start a new tradition. Hazel will love it.” Garrett wasn’t sure of that, but he was sure Hazel wouldn’t mind. He returned to their chamber, resigned to the fact that Sunday mornings would arrive far earlier than he was used to. He leaned over Hazel, brushing her mouth with a kiss.
“Mmhmm.” She hummed in her throat. The sound alone was enough to awaken his desires, but then she stretched, the covers sliding down her naked body and revealing her breasts. He backed away and took a deep breath. There simply wasn’t time. His mood soured significantly.
“What time is it?” Hazel yawned and pulled the coverlet back up.
“Not an hour of which I wish to wake you, but we are to begin a new tradition this morning.”
Hazel lifted her head. It went against everything her body wanted to do. “Which is?”
“Attending church.”
Hazel sat up in bed and looked at the clock. It wasn’t even seven.
“What time does church begin?”
“Uh…” Garrett didn’t know. “I’m assuming early given that we’ve been wakened for the express purposes of attending.”
“Our family parish begins at nine, but I suppose it can be different elsewhere.”
“Did you attend church regularly?” Garrett asked. He was ashamed to say he didn’t. He never found solace in the pews. His aunt didn’t either. She claimed to seek the Lord alone but often invited the village rector to dinner.
“Only in the country. My father could be persuaded to attend most Sundays, but only for the benevolence of my mother.”
“I see.” Garrett decided he would attend only if Hazel did. Anything with her presence would surely be enjoyable. He bent and kissed her one more time and then ushered her back to her room to dress. He summoned Smith and hoped the man hadn’t gone back to sleep.
Hazel kept blinking to keep her eyes open. Garrett sat beside her, still as a statue. His eyes were open, but she was fairly certain he was asleep. Beside her, Mrs. Danford sat rigidly erect with a smile so wide it must hurt. To add to Hazel’s discomfort, her stomach was roiling with hunger. In normal circumstances, she enjoyed attending church. Sermons were often uplifting, as today’s sermon was, and the gentle singing of parishioners was always pleasant. But this morning was not normal. They’d hurried out of the estate and arrived a full hour before the service began.
They’d walked the courtyard to stay warm as the sun fought its way through the morning clouds. Garrett apologized many times. Hazel assured him it was fine, though, on the inside, she grumbled. Mrs. Danford had proclaimed her excitement numerous times. Hazel was startled to realize that Mrs. Danford had never attended before this day.
Hazel was mentally jolted out of her angry musings by the touch of Mrs. Danford’s hand. Mrs. Danford took her hand in hers. Hazel wanted to pull it away, but the fact of the matter was, their presence there had caused a stir, and even now, others took notice of them. It would look bad if Hazel pulled her hand away now. She kept her face forward. In her periphery, Mrs. Danford still held that frozen smile.
Hazel grew increasingly uncomfortable until blessedly, the service ended. They stood. Hazel turned to Garrett and he turned to her. He noticed the hold his aunt had on Hazel and smiled. He looked pleased by it. Inside, Hazel panicked. She dropped her fan and immediately bent to grab it. She ripped her hand away from Mrs. Danford in the process.
“You shouldn’t have strained yourself, Bain, tell her!” She cried.
The people around them took immediate notice.
“I’m perfectly capable of retrieving my own fan,” Hazel assured. She kept both hands tightly wrapped around it.
“Let’s make our way outside.” Garrett took her elbow and his aunt’s arm.
Reverend Simon was waiting by the door which slowed their progress. Mrs. Danford stopped it all together when they reached him.
“Reverend, it is my sincerest pleasure to introduce our new Countess of Bainbridge.”
Hazel’s nerves were abraded by the word our. Nonetheless, she smiled and shook the reverend’s hand. “I hope you will join us for dinner soon, so we may properly acquaint ourselves.” As much as Hazel wanted to meet more of the local people, she despaired at what else Mrs. Danford might do or say.
“I’d love to, my lady.” The reverend turned to Garrett. “Lord Bainbridge, it is a blessing to see you attend our service today. Shall we see you in the future?”
“Where ever my countess goes, I shall follow,” Garrett said.
Hazel was pleased to hear it. She would not like to forgo attending church simply because she couldn’t bear the time spent alone with Mrs. Danford.
“As long as his time permits it,” Mrs. Danford said. “But the countess and I will always be in attendance together.”
Hazel inwardly cringed. Now was not the time to discuss this. She smiled and thanked the reverend for the inspiring service and moved away.
Mrs. Danford took the reverend’s hand next and leaned in close. “I must beg of you, Reverend Simon, to say a special prayer for our young new countess and any hopeful offspring she may be carrying. A blessing on the house of Bainbridge.” Mrs. Danford let go and stepped away. Hazel turned away quickly, pretending to not have heard, and instead, intently kept her eyes on the ground as she moved away from the mass of people leaving the church. She didn’t know who heard Mrs. Danford, and at the moment, it was taking all her restraint not to react.
She knew her cheeks were rather red, but she couldn’t help that. She made it to the street where their carriage waited and the groom jumped down to open the door for her. She climbed inside and sat with her hands in her lap. Her fists were clenched tightly, but above all else, she didn’t want to cry. Not in front of Garrett, not in front of Mrs. Danford. It would be a show of weakness. Her emotions were so tightly wound, she couldn’t respond at all, not in any way that would be productive. What she wanted to do was scream irrationally at her, shout and berate her for her insensitive comments, intrusive and uncomfortable questions, and assumptions.
She needed to speak with Garrett. This was beyond anything Hazel had ever dealt with, and it was time he put a stop to it. Her behavior was so…strange. If he cared for her at all, and Hazel was certain he must, he would do something, anything to alleviate what it was doing to Hazel.
A moment later, Garrett handed in Mrs. Danford.
“You disappeared right before our eyes,” Mrs. Danford scolded.
“Are you all right?” Garrett said with more concern.
“I’m fine. We were holding up the cue,”
Hazel said a little more clipped than she preferred.
Mrs. Danford’s lips pinched together. Garrett seemed confused.
Hazel sighed. “May we return home now? I’m famished.”
“We may.” Mrs. Danford tapped the roof with her cane. Something Hazel only now just noticed. When did Mrs. Danford need the use of a cane? She settled both hands on its head and peered at Hazel. “I will have to invite the good reverend to dinner to make amends for this slight.”
Hazel stiffened. “I’m sure all will be forgiven in light of my delicate condition,” Hazel snapped.
“I beg your pardon?” Garrett said before Mrs. Danford responded. He looked back and forth between them, his gaze finally settling on Hazel.
“Should I be made aware of something?” he added.
“Yes,” Hazel said. She didn’t wish to do this here, but her emotional blurting got the best of her. She struggled for a rational argument. “It has come to my attention that Mrs. Danford has been alluding to others that I am with child—which I am not.”
Garrett turned to his aunt. “Why would you think Hazel is pregnant?”
“I was only hopeful for the future, Bain. Is it wrong to hope for the lineage of our family?” She pouted.
Hazel nearly choked on her contempt. “Hope does not warrant a very public announcement in front of everyone at church this very morning or asking Reverend Simon, whom I only just met, for a blessing.”
“Is that true?” Garrett turned to his aunt in disbelief.
“You didn’t hear her?” Hazel was aghast.
“No, I was speaking to Mr. Baker. When I turned around, you were gone.”
“I only asked that he bless our family, I never would have presumed to announce such a delicate matter in church.” Mrs. Danford sniffed and touched a handkerchief to her nose.
Hazel felt a hot flush of anger consume her.
“There, you see? You misheard her. There is no need to be upset.” Garrett offered.
Hazel turned to him. She swallowed the urge to scream. She looked back at Mrs. Danford who looked as innocent as a babe.
“I’m sorry you feel I stepped out of my place.” She gave Hazel a watery smile.
Hazel had no words for what she was feeling. She leaned back against the squabs and clenched her teeth together so tightly her jaw ached. Garrett moved to her side and put his hand over her clasped hands. Hazel turned her attention to the landscape outside the window and willed herself not to cry. She was so angry and frustrated that she could barely control her breathing.
Reaching the manor house, Hazel had regained enough of her composure that she waited stoically for Garrett to hand her out after Mrs. Danford.
“Lady Hazel, I’ve written a letter to Mr. Holston. He is the designer I used to update my parlor and bedroom. He will help you make any changes you wish to the manse.”
Hazel nodded.
“Shall we have breakfast together?”
Hazel could not stomach it. “I’m not feeling well. Do go on without me.” She smiled weakly at Garrett and Mrs. Danford. She paused toward the stairs to say, “Just to be clear, I have a headache. I will have Mary bring me something.”
Garrett looked after her, but Mrs. Danford ignored her altogether. Hazel turned her back on them both and climbed the stairs.
Garrett watched her go with unease. He knew she was still angry. He caught up with his aunt and stopped her. “I’m going to go speak with Hazel. I’m not entirely sure she is resolved about this morning’s misunderstandings.”
Mrs. Danford sighed. “If you must. She seems a bit sensitive in nature. I shall do my best to not offend her again, but I’m afraid I simply won’t know how to please her.”
“Just be the caring woman you are to me, and she’ll come around,” Garrett assured his aunt. He loped off after Hazel, finding her in her room. He closed the door behind him, but she didn’t turn around.
“I can tell you’re still upset about this morning. What can I do?” He walked up behind her and rubbed her arms.
“You can find a place for your aunt to live separate from us,” Hazel said.
He was taken back and a little disappointed she would jump to such a drastic solution. “You’d have me send away the only other family I have? There isn’t some other way to solve your differences?
Hazel turned to face him. “If there are, I am not aware of them. Please help me,” she pleaded.
Garrett felt a stab of guilt. She looked and sounded miserable. They’d barely been married a week. He sighed. “What would you have me do, Hazel? I’m the only family she has. She is like a mother to me. Has she been so terrible to you? Wounded you so deeply?”
“She is undermining me in every way she can. She forces the staff to feed me rubbish under the premise that I am pregnant.”
“That’s absurd,” Garrett said in disbelief.
“Yes, it is. I can’t have the breakfast I wish to eat in my own home. Mary is watched like a thief in case she tries to sneak me food.”
Garrett frowned. He didn’t know what to believe. “Is this what your maid is telling you?”
“Are you suggesting Mary would lie to me?”
“No, but I cannot see a plausible reason for what you say is happening. There must be a misunderstanding. If you could only have more patience. Give her some time to show you that she is a wonderful, caring woman. She cares for you, I know she does.”
Hazel was speechless. With profound disappointment, she realized that although her husband was very perceptive, he was completely blind in regards to his aunt. How would she ever convince him?
“You want me to have more patience?”
“Please. There must be common ground between you. You both are exceptional women.” He stepped forward and pulled her against him. He kissed the top of her head. “It pains me to see you both at odds when you could be having such a lovely time together.”
Hazel didn’t move or speak. He tipped her chin up to look into her eyes. “You’ve brought such magic into my life. Before you, I’ve never known true joy. We will all try a little harder to find our common ground.”
“With whom do you need to find common ground?” She frowned at him.
“Myself. All I want to do is be in bed with you every hour of the day, but I have to focus on my duties as well. You’ve intoxicated me, Hazel.”
Hazel didn’t know what to say. He’d disarmed her, but she wasn’t mollified. A knock on the door saved her.
“Enter,” she called out. Garrett stepped away from her.
Mary entered with a tray. “You won’t believe the miracle that occurred—” She froze. “Beg pardon, my lord.”
“It’s all right, Mary. I was just leaving.” Garrett kissed Hazels hand. He wondered what kind of person Hazel’s maid truly was. He would have Smith investigate her.
“Until dinner,” he said to Hazel and then departed.
Mary came forward and set the tray down. She removed the lid and smiled. “Look! Real food.”
Hazel could barely put forth the effort to smile.
Mary sobered. “Did you have a disagreement?”
“In a manner of speaking.” Hazel sat at the table and took a bite. She was too hungry for even her anger to get in the way of eating.
“I’m sorry, Lady Hazel. Your newlywed days should not be plagued by that woman.” Mary went about the room and straightened things.
“That woman is like a mother to him. What kind of person am I to come between them?”
Mary paused. “You’re not coming between them.” She came to Hazel’s side. “You are his wife. He chose you. You are the countess.”
Hazel didn’t feel that way. She felt like a usurper and it disgusted her. “I don’t wish to talk about it anymore. I need to find the patience to deal with her.”
“Well, when you find such divine patience, please share it. I’d like to have godly abilities, too.”
A small laughed escaped Hazel. “Godly patience. My mother will be so proud.”
Chapter 10
Two days later, Hazel was doing her best to exhibit godly patience. Mr. Holston was pouring over thick books of swatches for curtains, upholstery, wallpaper, and pillows. Mrs. Danford was beside her, silent as a peach with a pleasant smile. It was perfect. Too perfect.
“Which room would you like to begin first?”
Hazel looked around the drawing room. It was already a beautiful room. Perhaps only new curtains to brighten the ambiance would be needed. The only room she could see making her own was the bedroom.
“I’ll begin with my bedchamber.”
“Ah, excellent.” Mrs. Danford finally spoke.
It startled Hazel.
“An excellent choice.” Mr. Holston went on. He showed her swatch after swatch, texture after texture until Hazel was sure she’d felt every fabric known to man. She favored yellow, a buttery light shade that would brighten and cheer the room significantly. She couldn’t wait to see it all together.
Surprisingly, Mrs. Danford had nothing but positive things to say regarding Hazel’s choices. Hazel had been prepared to deflect her suggestions as kindly as she could, but none came. By the time Mr. Holston was packing up to leave, Hazel couldn’t believe the woman beside her was the same, Mrs. Danford. She summoned tea, hopeful that perhaps this was a new leaf being turned over for them.
Mrs. Danford had picked up her needlework and was quietly working. Hazel was hesitant to break the peaceful spell. She thought about what to say, what would be a careful beginning to a conversation that interested them both. Tea arrived and Hazel poured, garnering nothing more than a pleased ‘thank you’ from Mrs. Danford.
“You’re welcome,” Hazel replied. She spied her needlework. A lovely bouquet of flowers of great color and detail. “Your needlework is exceptional,” Hazel commented.
“Thank you, Lady Hazel. I take great pleasure in it.”
“Lovely,” Hazel responded.
They fell into silence once more.
Hazel searched her brain for easy topics to discuss.
“Did Bain tell you he would be leaving for a week?” Mrs. Danford said unexpectedly.