by Abby Ayles
“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 had 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.
“Mr. Hunsford and his sister—she is a sweet creature, a pity she is not yet wed—they are new, but I think you shall enjoy their company.
“Mrs. Hapson, of course. Mr. Hapson has passed, I’m afraid.”
“I am sorry to hear that.”
“Yes. She hosts dinner regularly now for everyone, poor thing. Something to distract her.” Edward sighed. “It can’t be easy for her, all alone in that big house.”
John nodded. The Hapsons had been living in the area for as long as John’s family. “We shall attend the dinner, providing we are invited.”
“Oh, you certainly will be. Mrs. Hapson will be eager to see you after all this time.” Edward smiled. “And we shall finally have a fourth man for bridge. Miss Hunsford is a lovely lady but helpless at the game, I’m afraid. She and Emma much prefer to talk together and take turns about the room leaving us quite out of it.”
“I look forward to it then.”
A quiet evening dinner did not at all sound like the kind of thing Miss Natalie would like. But it was better than nothing and perhaps she would find she enjoyed the company.
“John,” Father warned. “You’ve brought home what appears to be a lovely girl. I appreciate this effort towards maturity and stability. But you must still prove to me that you care about running this estate.”
“Yes, Father.”
“And if that girl proves herself to be of an immoral character…”
“She won’t, Father. I can promise you that.”
John dearly hoped he wouldn’t end up eating his words.
Chapter 19
Natalie dressed carefully for the dinner.
“You cannot look too pretty,” Louisa advised her.
“And why ever not?”
“Because you are an engaged woman now. You must not dress to flirt. You are already spoken for.”
“Is that why you dress in such a dowdy fashion?” Natalie asked.
Louisa looked hurt. Natalie felt guilt shoot through her. “Not that—we merely have different tastes in fashion, that’s all.”
“I wish you would watch your tongue more often,” Louisa said quietly. “It will get you into trouble if you do not learn to keep it quiet.”
“Have I the habit of offending people?”
“I am shocked that you have not managed to humiliate yourself as of yet,” Louisa replied. “Now, remember to be meek at this dinner.”
“Meek,” Natalie scoffed. “I shall be no such thing.”
“You are meeting new people and must make a good impression. It is better to stay silent and learn about them. There will be plenty of time for you to bask in everyone’s attention later on.”
“This dinner is already going to be boring enough, Louisa, you’ll make me not want to even attend at all.”
“You are to be the mistress of this manor and the wife of an earl. You will not be able to get out of dinners simply because you do not expect to like the company. You have a duty now, to your husband and to others.”
And here Natalie had always thought marriage would be fun. Something exciting. But no, apparently it was responsibility and duty and this rule and that rule and all the things she couldn’t do anymore.
It was exceedingly frustrating.
Still, at least there was the matchmaking to look forward to. A small, intimate dinner would be perfect for fostering feelings of romance.
Natalie, Miss Ridgecleff, and Louisa got into one carriage while Lord Ridgecleff and his younger brother rode on their horses alongside.
“This is rather an informal thing,” Miss Ridgecleff told them. “We are all quite comfortable with one another.”
“Are you comfortable with Mr. Cleary?” Natalie asked.
Louisa shot her a look of warning, but Natalie ignored it.
“Oh, yes, quite,” Miss Ridgecleff replied. “I have known him all my life. His parents lived nearby before they died.”
“You two must know quite a lot about one another.”
“I should think so. He is a most engaging gentleman.”
Natalie sat back in her seat. Miss Ridgecleff sounded happy and at ease when she spoke of this Mr. Cleary. Now Natalie just had to meet this man for herself and sound him out on his feelings towards Miss Ridgecleff.
The Hapson house was much smaller than Mountbank, unsurprisingly, but it was a well-kept place with a charming sort of air.
“My lord,” Mrs. Hapson said when she saw Lord Ridgecleff. “It has been far too long! I had heard you were still on the Continent! Such a pleasant surprise.”
Mrs. Hapson was a heavyset woman with a happy if slightly pink face. She looked exactly like the sort of busybody who tried to moth
er everyone. Natalie could feel herself cringing and forced herself to keep a smile upon her face.
“And who is this?” Mrs. Hapson asked, catching sight of Natalie.
“Mrs. Hapson, this is my fiancée, Miss Natalie Hartfield,” Lord Ridgecleff said, indicating her.
Natalie curtsied.
“A lovely lady she is as well, you’ve done well for yourself my lord—not that I thought anything less.” Mrs. Hapson all but pounced upon her. “Tell me, my dear, where are you from? Your family? Any siblings?”
Natalie was obliged to tell her entire life story to Mrs. Hapson by the time all was said and done. She liked the attention but found herself frustrated by the constant questions. Really, did the old lady have nothing better to do than natter on and ask Natalie about the most trivial of details?
They were introduced to Mr. and Miss Hunsford, and Mr. Cleary. Miss Hunsford was a sweet-looking girl, but older. Probably looking at spinsterhood, Natalie thought. Mr. Hunsford was handsome enough, she supposed. He was very quiet, though, very solemn.
Mr. Cleary was quite the gentleman. He was handsome, charming, and greeted Natalie as though they were old friends who had merely been parted for some time.
He greeted Miss Ridgecleff with a great deal of warmth and affability. Natalie could see that the fires of affection would easily be stoked between them.
“I am rather fearful of the look in your eyes,” Louisa said quietly.
“Whatever for?”
“You look as though you are scheming something,” Louisa said.
Natalie scoffed. “I am scheming nothing.”
“What do you think of the assembled company?” Lord Ridgecleff asked, coming up to her.
“I think them all quite agreeable,” Natalie replied. “Mr. Cleary is a charming man and I quite like his manner, wouldn’t you agree?”
Lord Ridgecleff looked over at Mr. Cleary, who was speaking with Miss Ridgecleff and making her laugh. “I suppose that he is. He has always had an easy way with people.”