Coralyn ignored it. “How are your parents? I hope they are in good health?”
Sadness stole into Christopher’s expression. “My mother is well, thank you. But my father…” His voice trailed off. He cleared his throat. “My father passed away a few years ago. It was very sudden.”
“Oh no! I am so sorry!” Coralyn stepped forward and placed a hand on his arm. “He was such a good man.”
Christopher nodded. “Yes he was. The best.”
They stood there in silence for a few moments until Christopher took a step back. Coralyn let her hand fall from his arm.
“I’m sure you came here for a reason. I ought to leave you to it,” he said, glancing around the clearing. “My mother and I are also staying with the Brickleys; she will be pleased to know you are here.” His smile seemed less genuine now. “It is wonderful to see you again, Miss Fairchild.”
He bowed crisply and stepped past her, hurrying down the path.
Coralyn watched him with confusion. How odd for him to leave so quickly. What could be troubling him? But even with her concern, she could not withhold her laugh.
Christopher. Here!
A thrill passed through her, having him around would make the holiday all the more delightful.
A cold breeze penetrated her coat, making her shiver. She looked around the clearing, letting the memories wash over her. She spun slowly, taking in every bit of nature. There would be many more days to spend time there in that treasured spot. She took one last look around, then returned to the trail before following the road the short mile to the house.
Before she could even begin to climb the front steps, the door burst open and Aunt Agnes hurried out.
“My favorite niece!” she cried with arms stretched wide.
Coralyn grinned. “My favorite aunt!”
They embraced part way up the stairs before Aunt Agnes held Coralyn at arm’s length, examining her closely. “You are pale, child, and seem tired.”
Coralyn laughed. “I have been traveling all day. Of course I am pale and tired.”
“And cold, no doubt. What possessed you to walk the last of the journey?”
“I love the country! I could not resist the temptation of experiencing your grounds first-hand.”
“There is plenty to be had here, that is certain.” She peered at Coralyn again. “Are you hungry?”
“Famished.”
Aunt Agnes smiled at last, taking Coralyn’s arm and leading her to the entry-way. “Good. Dinner will be ready in an hour, but I’ll send a maid up with some tea while you rest. Perhaps she’ll find a cake or two in the kitchen as well,” she said with a wink.
“You do know how I love the Christmas cakes you serve.”
“I have not forgotten.” She turned Coralyn toward the grand staircase. “I’ll show you to your room, and you must rest. I’ll not be allowing you to go to bed early tonight. Not when I am certain you come with delightful tales from London.”
Coralyn looked all around her as they walked, absorbing the familiarity the wonderful home brought to her. “I do not know if they are delightful, but there are many stories to tell.”
“You are a wretched girl to leave me with such anticipation.” She smiled as she pushed open the door to a room. “Here you are.”
Coralyn grinned. “My old room?”
“Of course! Where else would you stay? Now, get yourself situated. I’ll make certain your maid comes up with tea and to help you dress for dinner shortly.” She wrapped her arms around her niece once more. “I am so glad you have come, my dear. We have missed you in this home.”
Coralyn felt glad was a bit of an understatement to describe her feelings. The word ecstatic was a far better fit.
When Coralyn went down to join the guests before dinner, she walked with confidence. Though disinterested in the latest of London fashions, she was not daft enough to refuse her mother’s eager interest in providing her daughter with beautiful things to wear. She had taken extra care to look perfect, and she was pleased with the result.
As soon as she entered the room, her aunt hurried over, kissing her cheek. “My, my! Don’t you look the dream tonight?”
Coralyn smiled, feeling a little thrill at the looks of approval she garnered from the others. “Thank you, Aunt.”
“You are most welcome. Now, come with me.”
She led Coralyn into the room. It had been two years since Coralyn had last seen her relatives during their visit to London. “You of course remember your cousins John Junior and Rupert.”
“Of course.” Coralyn offered a smile and a small curtsy. The boys, who were now men, were six and three years older than her, respectively, and had rarely sought her out for company. They had, at least, always treated her with kindness.
“Good evening, Miss Fairchild,” Cousin John said. “You remember my wife, Jane?” He motioned to the red-headed woman beside him.
Coralyn nodded to Jane, who smiled. “It is good to see you again, Miss Fairchild. I look forward to you meeting our little Ruth. She was so sad to have to eat in the nursery and miss all the fun. But the dinner table is no place for a two year old, now, is it?” She laughed heartily.
Rupert motioned to the woman who sat beside him. “I do not believe you have yet met my wife. Helen, this is my cousin from London.”
The young Mrs. Brickley stood and curtsied. “Pleasure to meet you, miss.”
“Thank you.”
Uncle Brickley stepped forward and kissed her cheek. “Welcome, my dear. It is so good to have you back.”
“It is good to be back.”
“How is your room?”
“As pleasant as always, Uncle.”
He smiled and nodded. “Excellent.”
A young woman Coralyn hardly recognized stood beside Uncle Brickley.
“This cannot be Dinah,” Coralyn said with a smile as she embraced her.
“Of course it is I. You look lovely, cousin.”
“Thank you. You are quite the beauty yourself.”
Dinah blushed but smiled.
Aunt Agnes pushed Coralyn further into the room, toward where Christopher and his mother stood. “Just look who we have here!” She waved her hand in Christopher’s direction.
Coralyn painted on a confused expression. She found it difficult to avoid laughter at the look on Christopher’s face.
Aunt Agnes looked at her expectantly.
“I’m sorry, who are you?” Coralyn said to Christopher.
Her aunt’s eyes went wide. “Can you really not know? This is Christopher. Christopher Eversley.”
Coralyn shook her head a little.
“For goodness sake, Coralyn! You spent nigh on every summer with the boy when you were children.”
Coralyn opened her mouth to deny recalling such a person, but Christopher spoke first.
“She is teasing you, Lady Agnes.”
“Ruin all my fun, will you.” Coralyn gave him a scornful shake of the head. “We could have had such a grand time fooling her into believing such a ridiculous lie.”
Aunt Agnes smiled, but pinched Coralyn’s arm. “You wretched girl. You’ve known all along.”
“Forgive me, Aunt. We met this afternoon during my walk. I’m sorry to have denied you seeing my surprise.”
Aunt Agnes chuckled. “Oh, my dear, it is nothing. As long as you were adequately surprised, I am satisfied.”
“It was startling,” Christopher said.
“It is good to see an old friend.” Coralyn gave him a smile he only partially returned.
“You remember my mother?” he asked as he motioned toward her.
“Yes, of course.” Lady Eversley had always been kind to her, a perfect model of what a lady of society ought to be. “Good evening, Lady Eversley. It is so wonderful to see you again.”
Memories rushed into Coralyn’s mind. Christopher’s father had been Thomas Eversley, sixth Earl Everlsey, but his passing made Christopher the current holder of the title.
Lord Eversley.
Coralyn smiled at the realization and looked at Christopher with new eyes. Yes, he looked like an earl. Confident, responsible, elegant, and refined.
The butler came in then, announcing dinner.
The couples began to line up near the door, Coralyn prepared to take her place at the rear of the line. But as Lady Eversley and Christopher walked past, the elegant woman paused. “Christopher, why don’t you escort Miss Fairchild to dinner. It would be nice for the two of you to reacquaint yourselves.”
“Of course, Mother.”
Christopher released his mother’s arm and extended it toward Coralyn. “Thank you,” she said.
Coralyn anticipated a lengthy conversation with Christopher, learning what he had been doing these last eight years. But she found herself disappointed as the dinner conversation was largely controlled by John Jr. and his wife. John talked excessively of his plans for the coming weeks, such as hunting, fishing, and fencing competitions. Things the women could take no part in.
Jane talked to Aunt Agnes about nothing but Ruth, and with enough volume that other conversation would have been challenging at best.
When they retired to the drawing room, Coralyn hoped for a few moments with Christopher. But by the time the gentlemen came in, there was only one seat left at the card table and cousin John overtook it immediately. Coralyn watched as Christopher found a seat across the room and opened a book.
Aunt Agnes insisted on hearing stories from London while they played. Though hesitant at first, Coralyn found herself enjoying the storytelling and found that if nothing else, her mother’s tactics and insistence on social mobility did lend to good stories. She even found humor in her encounter with Lord Seton.
It bothered her, however, that Christopher remained at such a distance. She longed for a chance to get to know her friend again. As she looked at him for the hundredth time, she smiled to herself. Tomorrow would be another day, and she could surely find a moment to speak to him then.
Two evenings later, the party from Lynwood took two carriages to travel to the Crowned Tavern in Roselund. Christopher sat beside Coralyn, but did not say more than a few words in response to her remarks. Coralyn was growing more and more frustrated with his behavior. During the days since her arrival, he had managed to disappear for the greater portion, often claiming he had business to attend to, or giving no excuse at all. When he finally returned in the evenings, he was quiet and reserved. In the drawing room, he never played cards, though he’d been invited on more than one occasion, and never joined in the conversation for more than a moment.
Coralyn had been so worried for him, she’d even asked Lady Eversley if there was anything the matter. She declined the supposition, claiming she noticed nothing odd in his behavior. Coralyn found this even more concerning than if he had been ill. What has happened to my friend? She wondered this on more than one occasion and found herself ill equipped to answer.
Coralyn was more than grateful when the carriages rolled to a stop. The Crowned Tavern sat near the cliffs and the sea, and when the footman opened the door, she could hear the waves crashing on the shore. Christopher stepped from the carriage first before assisting his mother and Aunt Agnes. As Coralyn took his extended hand, her heart lurched in her chest.
What on earth?
She quickly counted it toward missing the friend she had grown to love, and being unsure of this man who now stood beside her.
They entered the ballroom and Coralyn looked around at the unfamiliar faces. Suddenly, one stood out from among the crowd of strangers. Someone she recognized. Rose! She wove through the crowd, her eyes fixed on Rose Beeton. When she was only a few steps away, Rose saw her.
“Coralyn!” she cried, stepping forward to meet her. “What are you doing in Roselund?”
Coralyn embraced her. “I’m visiting family. How did I forget you lived here?”
“It is rather rude of you,” Rose said with a smile. “After all, we spent so much time together in London this season.”
“Not nearly as much as I would have liked.” Coralyn thought again of her mother’s strict hand, but smiled at her freedom now. “However, I have traveled without my anchor, so there are no restrictions this time.”
Rose’s smile grew and she took Coralyn by the hand. “Then come, let me introduce you to my friends.”
Coralyn followed her the short distance to a small cluster of people.
“I have brought us a new friend!” Rose declared to them. She laughed, “Or rather, an old friend.”
Rose turned to two women who stood side by side. “Do you remember Coralyn Fairchild? She used to visit her aunt and uncle here when we were all younger.” She turned back to Coralyn. “You might remember Edith Colborne,” she pointed to the girl with auburn hair then to the one with dark curls framing her face, “and Joanna Leighton.” A wide smile spread on Rose’s lips. “Though she’ll not be Miss Leighton for long. This is her fiancé, Colin Aldridge.”
Coralyn curtsied. “I do remember both of you, but only vaguely. It is good to see you again.”
“And you, too,” Edith said.
“And this is our friend, Lady Fanny Brightmore,” Rose added. “She’s new to Roselund since you were last here.”
Coralyn offered a curtsy and Fanny bobbed into a wobbly curtsy of her own.
“What brings you to Roselund Heights after all these years?” Joanna asked, her arm laced through Mr. Aldridge’s.
“I am visiting my aunt and uncle again, a privilege I’ve been denied for far too long.”
“Well, we are delighted to have you back here,” Rose said, nudging her shoulder. “Now we’ve all been introduced, won’t you tell us who that wonderfully handsome man is who came in with you?” Rose asked, looking over at Coralyn’s party.
Though she knew full well who Rose spoke of, Coralyn followed her gaze. Christopher stood with the Brickleys, who were all engaged in conversations, yet Christopher stood by, mute and disengaging. Coralyn remembered how easily he used to speak to people, even at a young age. It irritated her that he had changed so much.
“His name is Christopher Eversley.” She paused. “I suppose I have to introduce him as Lord Eversley now.”
“Lord Eversley?” Rose looked at her with a raised brow. “And how do you know him?”
“We used to be friends.”
“But not any more?” Edith asked.
Coralyn kept her gaze on Christopher. “I honestly don’t know.”
An awkward silence settled over the group just as the first dance was announced.
Joanna looked up at Mr. Aldridge. “Are you dancing tonight, Mr. Aldridge?”
He smiled down at her. “Only with you, my dear.”
As they left to join the set, a slender man approached the group. His dark eyes searched Coralyn’s for a moment and he gave her a smile that made her heart race. He turned to Rose. “Good evening, Miss Beeton.”
She offered a light curtsy. “Hello, Mr. Farnsby.”
Coralyn noticed Fanny glance around the room, seeming nervous. Suddenly she straightened and met Mr. Farnsby’s gaze. “Good evening, sir.”
He gave her a strange look, as if determining something about her. After a moment he nodded to her. “Lady Fanny.” He turned his attention back to Rose. “How are you this evening?”
“I am very well, thank you.”
The glance he cast Coralyn forced a smile to her lips. “I noticed you have a new friend. Would you be so kind as to extend an introduction?”
Though she felt it odd for him to ask in front of her, Coralyn felt flattered by his interest.
“Of course. Mr. Farnsby, this is my friend Coralyn Fairchild.”
He turned his smooth gaze on Coralyn. “A pleasure, miss. I wonder if you would honor me with a dance?”
“I’d be delighted, sir.” Coralyn realized this was the first time in a long while she could answer the question with sincerity.
As they danced, Mr. Farnsby kept all his attenti
on on her, even when the steps called her away from him. While this was not an unusual occurrence in a partner, Coralyn had often found it unpleasant. Mr. Farnsby’s attention, however, was flattering and left her feeling exceptional in the crowd of strangers. She did not discourage the feeling.
“You must be new to Roselund Heights,” he said.
“What gave it away?”
“I would have noticed you before tonight if you were not a new resident.”
“Would you?”
He took her hand during a turn. “I make a point of knowing all the beautiful women in Roselund.”
Coralyn felt heat creep up her cheeks. “You are right on one count. I am new. But I am not a resident.”
“As I see it, that makes me right on two counts.”
Coralyn could not help the small smile forming on her lips. “Are you always so flattering?”
He smiled. “I prefer to admit the truth when I see it, rather than hide behind formalities.”
That was something Coralyn could relate to. She often wished she could express her mind when formalities insisted she remain silent. Formalities and her mother. She smirked.
Her mother was not there.
“Will you allow me the same privilege?”
“I would be delighted to hear all your thoughts, Miss Fairchild.” His eyes danced.
“I think you are perfectly charming, and would be disappointed if I could not spend more time with you.”
He pulled her close during a turn and smiled down at her. “That is precisely what I had hoped to hear.”
It had been a long while since anyone had properly flirted with Coralyn, and Mr. Farnsby’s comments filled her with delight.
“You said you were not a resident. You must be visiting.”
“I am. My uncle’s home is just east of Roselund. His name is Johnathon Brickley.”
“I am familiar with Mr. Brickley and his family. But I will have to have a word with him now.”
“What has he done to offend you?”
“He neglected to tell me he had such a charming niece.”
Coralyn laughed. “A great crime indeed.”
“It is unforgivable.”
Forgotten Friend (Roselund Heights) Page 3