“Why?"
“Dr. Davenport, his tutor, is inordinately proud of Henry's progress under him, and thought he could better prepare him for university.” Selina bit her lip and looked away. “I admit that I did not protest his decision. I thought it might be difficult for Henry at his age to suddenly find himself amidst boys who all knew each other and had been to school for some years.” Not knowing why she did it, she asked, “Was that wrong of me?"
“You were protecting him again,” he replied, but not with anger. “I think you would have found that he adjusted very easily. Why have you not asked Lord Leyburn's assistance?"
“I don't like him,” Selina replied frankly. “How could anyone be so heartless as to suggest that Henry be taken away when he was obviously unfit? Lord Leyburn came back a year later..."
“And?"
“Henry was still unable to walk, of course. I could see the disgust in the man's eyes when he looked at Henry, and he spoke of his six healthy children at home as though Henry were some kind of freak. Can you imagine what would have happened if he had taken Henry?” Selina shuddered in remembrance.
“How did it come about that Henry stayed?"
“There were some difficult interviews.” Agitated, Selina rose and began to pace the room. “Lord Leyburn said I was far too young to have charge of a boy his age. I told him that I had done very well so far and felt confident that I could continue to do so. He was not impressed, but he really did not want Henry in his home. In order to convince him, I ... told him I expected to be married, and could thus provide a more usual home for Henry. He accepted that for the time being."
“And were you to be married?” Rushton asked curiously.
“I thought so at the time."
“I see. When you didn't marry, what happened?"
“Oh, Leyburn came again a year or so later, all puffed up with his concern and self-righteous indignation that I had lied to him. It was the time when Henry was beginning to walk, but very ... awkwardly. Undoubtedly, Lord Leyburn had intended to take Henry away with him that time, but he really could not bear the sight of a cripple. Never once did he try to talk to Henry, or find out what he was like. I had the happy inspiration of suggesting that Lord Leyburn provide a tutor for Henry here, so that he need not leave. The solution recommended itself to him."
“And he has not come again?"
“No. He writes a note with Henry's quarterly allowance, and has regular reports from Dr. Davenport. We seldom hear from him otherwise. I have suggested that Henry write and tell him he wishes to learn something of farming and ease off his studies for a while, though I fear that may provoke him into coming here."
“He would not be disgusted by Henry now."
“No."
“You are afraid he would take your cousin away from you?"
Selina gazed abstractedly at the piles of paper on the floor as she fingered a volume lying open on the table. “Yes."
“Has his guardian boys of Henry's age?"
“One five years older and one much younger. The rest are girls."
“I can see no value in his going to them, then. And you are probably wrong that Lord Leyburn would want the responsibility of another member in his household. It seems to me he is relieved that he doesn't have to give Henry any thought."
Her chin came up and she asked with only the slightest shake in her voice, “So you will not find it necessary to urge Lord Leyburn to involve himself in Henry's affairs?"
Rushton was struck by her vulnerability, and moved forward to possess himself of one of her hands. “I told you I had no wish to harm you, Miss Easterly-Cummings. Disabuse yourself of that idea, I beg you. My annoyance at your high-handedness and your questioning of my word, as it seemed to me, are not matters over which I would set out to destroy your happiness.” He offered a wry grin. “I felt sure my ignoring you at Oak Park the other day was sufficient punishment for that."
“Did you?” Selina asked with an uncertain laugh, very aware that he retained her hand in his clasp. “I assure you I was crushed by your obvious displeasure with me."
“I must be losing my perceptiveness, for I didn't see that at all. You appeared totally impervious to my snub,” he retorted as he reluctantly allowed her to withdraw her hand.
Serious eyes met his hesitantly. “I never meant to ... irritate you, Mr. Rushton. Sometimes, from managing on my own for so long, I forget the social amenities and step on someone's toes. From organizing my own life and Henry's, I fear I unthinkingly take liberties that I should not. And I have just scolded Henry for doing the same,” she said, wonderingly. “It is easier to see faults in others than in ourselves."
Rushton made no attempt to answer, fascinated by the way her brows contracted when she puzzled over her own behavior.
Chapter 13
Suddenly Selina recalled how their interview had begun, and that he was not, after all, someone with whom she should speak so openly. “Now then, if you would have a seat, Mr. Rushton, I believe you wished to discuss the Sands’ glassed-in room."
Her abrupt change of manner, from confiding to businesslike, unaccountably disappointed him, though he had often said that emotional women were the very devil to deal with. During the entire interview, she had not, it was true, shed a single tear, though she had been on the verge several times, and only restrained by an obvious effort of will. As she seated herself, her dignity resumed in spite of the dusty smock and the disheveled hair, Rushton remained standing. “I was at fault to barge in on you as I did, Miss Easterly-Cummings, and impertinent to suggest that I best knew how your cousin should be reared. Do not let me detain you further from your work."
Selina smiled and said, “Let us leave off apologies now, Mr. Rushton. I am sure they could occupy the two of us for the rest of the day, and we would never discuss anything of importance. Did you like the Sands’ glass room?"
“Very much,” he admitted as he seated himself in a chair opposite her. “However, the one Lord John has designed for me would be a great deal larger, and more prominent, as it opens off both the drawing and dining rooms. And I have little interest in indoor horticulture."
“Could you draw me the layout, so that I would understand how the rooms are placed?"
“Certainly.” He rose and walked to the desk.
“There is paper in the top left-hand drawer."
In addition to a neatly arranged stack of paper, and a wooden tray with a number of pens, there was a delicate glass box with a red velvet floor on which rested two faded roses. From whom? Rushton wondered. And why hidden away in a desk drawer in the library rather than displayed on her vanity? He quickly drew forth a sheet of paper and chose a well-sharpened pen before carefully closing the drawer so as not to jar its contents. Without looking at Miss Easterly-Cummings, he dipped the pen in the standish and began to draw a rough sketch of Lord John's design for his hunting-box.
After a few minutes’ concentration, his dark head bent over the sheet, he returned to her and explained, “I may have the proportions slightly wrong, but this is more or less the idea. Actually the library, also, gives onto the glass room. Don't you think perhaps the library should be larger, with a simple terrace off it?"
Selina studied the plan and exclaimed, “But this will be delightful, Mr. Rushton! How clever of Lord John. It is hardly the cottage I expected, however! The major rooms must be thirty feet across. How charming that they all open onto the verandah room."
“Charming, yes, but what use will I make of it?” he asked a trifle impatiently. “I don't wish to grow pineapples and orchids like your Mr. Sands, and if I wish to read, I may do so in the library."
“Pooh. It can serve any number of purposes. A breakfast room in conjunction with the dining room, a more spacious reading area than the library, an informal drawing room. There is very little you can't do with such a room, Mr. Rushton.” His head was so close to hers over the drawing that she could feel his breath on her hair and she moved back on her chair. “A smoking room, a b
illiard room."
“A billiard room?” Rushton studied the plan more closely. “I believe you have something there, Miss Easterly-Cummings. Or a breakfast room. The dining hall is large for one person. I am mostly looking for comfort, and a lack of frills, though I shall entertain on a small scale occasionally, no doubt.” He crumpled the drawing and accurately tossed it on the hearth. “I should thank you for recommending Lord John. His work so far has been impressive, and I fear I gave him little enough to go on."
“We have gradually been restoring and replacing the estate cottages, and I was struck by his ability to grasp the cottagers’ way of life and build to suit it. Practical and yet innovative."
“Might I ask how you met him?"
“Through his brother, Lord Cathford. When Lord John first came here, Cathford brought him by to meet me."
Rushton raised a quizzical brow. “And how did you meet Cathford?"
Averting her eyes, Selina murmured, “When I was younger, I used to ride with the Quorn."
“You don't say,” he drawled. “Now I would never have guessed that."
She flushed at the innuendo in his tone, and rushed hurriedly into speech. “My father sometimes forgot that I was not the son he would have liked. Not that he did not care for me! It was just that he prompted me to many activities which most females do not indulge in. But hunting can be dangerous! I have seen any number of appalling injuries. And I did not stop Henry going with you."
“No, but you would have liked to. What other intrepid activities did your father urge on you, Miss Easterly-Cummings?” Rushton asked with interest.
“You are making sport with me, and there is no reason I need answer your questions.” She fixed him with a smoldering glare.
“Come, I am intrigued. Can you shoot?” Selina nodded.
“Fence?"
''Some."
“Fish?"
“Of course."
“Row a boat?"
Another nod.
“I know you dance and ride, drive a phaeton and climb trees. Perhaps you could teach Henry to box.” His eyes danced wickedly.
“I have never even seen anyone box,” she said scornfully, “and I have no desire to do so."
“But you won't object if I teach Henry?"
Selina dropped her eyes from his demanding gaze. “No."
“Good, because I have every intention of teaching him when his arm is fully healed."
“I would rather he didn't impose on you, Mr. Rushton,” she replied stiffly. “We may be able to find some retired pugilist in the neighborhood."
“I doubt it. You don't find them under every bush, dear ma'am."
He was laughing at her now, and the color rose in her face. “I am aware of that, sir, but your time will be consumed in directing the building of your house."
“Now you are attempting to manage other people's lives again, Miss Easterly-Cummings. I really would enjoy teaching Henry, you know."
“And what of his limp? I could not bear it if he were humiliated by finding that it hindered him."
His voice was firm and his eyes stern. “You could bear it, and you would, Miss Easterly-Cummings. Remember your resolve to be less protective of him. If he cannot box, he will have to bear the disappointment. You cannot shield him from everything.” His voice became more gentle. “I doubt the limp will hinder him much."
“You know, Mr. Rushton, before you came to this area, my life seemed infinitely less complicated. I look back on those days—only a few short weeks ago! —when I had no intention of selling the vale, had almost seen Henry through another hunting season without his joining the field, had never had to defend my rearing of my cousin—and I consider them golden days. Yes, cloudless, happy times,” she sighed, poking a stray strand of hair under her lace cap. “People did not invade my library unless I asked them. No one yelled at me that I was smothering poor Henry with my good intentions. No one even knew I had good intentions, and no one cared. Fancy your caring,” she said sweetly, her eyes mocking. “If anyone had asked me, I should have said, ‘No, Mr. Rushton will not care how I raise Henry. Mr. Rushton is far too busy with his own concerns.’ It just shows you how wrong you can be."
“Did you get your sharp tongue from your father, too, Miss Easterly-Cummings?"
“Probably. He didn't toad-eat anyone, Mr. Rushton."
“Toad-eat! Sometimes you are barely civil. I thought we had called a truce."
“Yes, but you started to pinch at me about Henry again,” she remarked with asperity.
“No more than you deserved.” He tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair and regarded her thoughtfully. “Did you know Cathford well?"
“Fairly. He was Pen's friend, and I Maria Southwood's. We often rode out, the four of us. The earl spoke of his family with genuine affection, and when Lord John settled near Leicester, Cathford made a visit to him, and they came round to call.” Selina noted the puzzled quirk on his forehead and asked, “Do you find something strange in that, Mr. Rushton? I thought it unexceptional myself. Mrs. Morrow, my companion, was still with me in those days, you understand, so there was no impropriety, even though Henry was not much in evidence as yet."
“How long has Lord John lived here?"
“Oh, four years, I imagine. Is there some significance in all this, Mr. Rushton?"
He pulled himself out of his reverie and smiled apologetically. “I was merely curious. Forgive me."
“We are back to apologies,” she grumbled. “Did you have anything further to discuss, Mr. Rushton?"
“I think not,” he replied languidly as he rose, his blue eyes trained on her face. “I will not apologize again for disturbing you, but I will thank you for your assistance about the glass room. Lord John will be instructed to include it in his design."
“I feel sure you won't regret it.” Selina smiled and offered him her hand, and for just a moment she thought he intended to raise it to his lips, but the upward movement was changed into a hearty shake.
“I'll see myself out."
“Please see that you do this time. I should not like to run into you in the hall this afternoon."
“Am I not then welcome to call again?” he asked, only half teasing.
Selina adjusted the smock that covered her morning dress. “If you are to teach Henry to box, I imagine we will see you often enough at Shalbrook. Or shall he come to you at Oak Park?"
“I will be moving soon to the Horse and Hound. Pen and his family are off to London for Cassandra's Season in a few days. Mr. Evans at the inn spoke highly of you."
“He's an excellent innkeeper. Did you by chance take the rebuilt rooms?"
“Yes, Miss Easterly-Cummings, and heard of the hand you had in them."
“I made only one suggestion, Mr. Rushton."
“Ever involved,” he murmured, and watched her eyes flash. “Mr. Evans himself assured me that you would not dream of interfering in the running of the Horse and Hound."
“Do leave before we have another quarrel,” she begged. “I am quite spent from our discussion."
“Are you? For a moment I thought you looked ready to do battle again. No, no, I shall say no more. If it is agreeable with you, I will come here for Henry's boxing lessons. I don't feel Mr. Evans would appreciate our appropriating his yard for our sport."
“There is ample room at Shalbrook, Mr. Rushton. The least we can do, if you are to donate your time to Henry's instruction, is to provide a place for you to teach him. His arm, however..."
“Will be fit in another week or so. I shall call then,” he said firmly.
Selina turned away from the intent blue eyes. “Very well. Good day, sir.” After his murmured farewell, she heard his footsteps cross the room, and only looked in his direction in time to see him glance at her just as he was closing the door behind himself. No hint of triumph, or mockery, rested on his countenance, but rather almost a questioning look, as though he were concerned about her. Nonsense, she scolded herself, as she returned to the piles of
paper. He might feel uneasy about upsetting her, as well he should, but concern for others was doubtless foreign to his nature. Well, not in Henry's case, perhaps, but certainly in hers.
When Henry did not present himself for luncheon, Selina sighed and went in search of him. He was not in the study, nor in his bedroom but she tracked him down at last in the stables, where he attempted to ignore her. Since there was no one else about she said softly, “Henry, if you wish to be treated as a man, you must learn not to sulk. I have seen Mr. Rushton, much against my wishes, and he persists in his claim that he will teach you to box. Are we agreed that I have a right to see whom I wish, and refuse anyone I don't?"
“Yes, Selina."
“Excellent. Then blame yourself for this morning's contretemps, Henry, as you should. It is a sign of immaturity to blame others for your own errors. Our household is run very informally, which we both enjoy, but it should not dim our awareness of each other's rights. I shall endeavor not to interfere with your pursuits except where I consider it my duty to do so. Mr. Rushton tells me I am too protective of you, and I know that it is true. You have been very patient with me, all things considered, and I promise you I am struggling very hard to reach a reasonable perspective. Please bear with me, dear Henry."
“Oh, Selina,” he groaned as he hugged her. “You have been so good to me, I don't know how I can act so churlishly to you. I knew I was wrong this morning but ... it meant so much to me, and I was sure Rushton would change his mind."
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