His Heart's Delight
Page 24
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Was it the warmth of the day or perhaps the way the sunlight spread across the façade? Morgan was not sure but whatever the reason, Monksford was one of the loveliest houses he had ever seen. Large enough to impress, but not grand, it was a building that time and family had made into a home.
Any number of the leaded windows that marched across the front of the house and rose for three stories were thrown open to catch the summer breeze. It added to the welcoming feel. A maid was shaking a rug from an upper window, but ducked inside the moment she saw him.
It was most likely that the other guests were outside, perhaps by the folly he could see in the distance, but he went to the front door, to present himself formally and change his clothes before joining the company.
He watched the cricket match from his bedroom window. The teams were well matched though of varying ages from youngsters to grandfathers. The ladies sat nearby. He thought he could pick Christiana out. Had she cut her hair? He supervised Roberts as Roberts supervised the unpacking, and then rejected two neckcloths before he was satisfied with the knot.
Suddenly in a hurry to join the company, he rushed down the stairs, then changed his mind. It would be better to see her for the first time at tea, indoors where she could not easily leave. He decided to stop in the library and choose a volume to help him to sleep later on.
That was where John Monksford found him. His welcome was effusive and Morgan was impressed at how happiness took years from Monksford’s face.
“Braedon, put that book down and come with me. You have put off this meeting long enough.”
“What is it about the newly engaged, John? Do you think you have all the answers or do you want the reassurance that you are doing the right thing by urging others into the same state?”
“Both.”
“That’s another thing about happy couples. They almost never allow themselves to be annoyed.”
“Whereas, the unhappily single want to argue with anything that moves.”
“How is she?”
“Better than she was”—Monksford considered his answer a moment—“but not anything like she used to be. Joanna tells me that she is too calm. At first she was angry and upset, now she is little more than quiet.”
“I suspect that at least part of the change is permanent.” Morgan shook his head. “You know as well as I that loss like that changes one.”
“As it should. When my wife died, I determined that the best way to honor her memory was to make the most of the rest of my life. I think that is true for all of us. And I think that Christiana needs you in her life before that change for the good can take place.”
That was a large order. He tried to shake off his insecurity. “Enough melancholy, John! This weekend is a celebration. How many will be here for the engagement ball tomorrow?”
“Most every family for ten miles and about twenty or so from London. Our close friends and family are staying here and the rest are at near neighbors’. It makes for an engaging house party.”
Monksford seemed to relish the idea of spending the small fortune it would take to entertain them all.
His host walked to the doors that opened onto a terrace. “Come this way. Later I can show you the results from that new seed I used this year. Very satisfactory.”
Morgan followed him, relieved that some things did not change.
He knew the exact moment that Christiana realized who he was. Joanna rose from her seat to come and greet them, and Christiana turned to see where she was going.
He could have looked away, but he was so hungry for the sight of her that he held her gaze. Before Joanna claimed his attention he decided that Christiana looked thinner and much too serious.
“Welcome, my lord. It is so lovely to have you join. us. It reminds us both of the best parts of this past Season.”
Joanna and Monksford were a pair of smiling fools, Morgan thought, but their happiness was near irresistible. He held her hand a moment and then kissed it.
“Thank you, Miss Lambert, for including me. I trust your wisdom completely.”
Her smile dimmed a little. “Never say it will be easy, my lord.”
“Nothing worth winning is.”
In complete understanding the three of them turned back to the garden party. The cricket match was over, or at least suspended, and the group gathered in the shade had more than doubled. Youngsters hurried to the trees and began climbing the lower limbs, trusting that their parents were sufficiently distracted by conversation.
Christiana stood up, her face pale, and walked toward the three of them as though she were accepting a fate decreed but not desired.
He had longed for this meeting, but now that it was upon him he had no idea what to say. All he could remember was her demand that he never darken her door again.
Joanna Lambert rescued him. “Christy, I am so happy that Lord Morgan could join us. He was able to change his plans at the last minute.”
Someone called to Monksford and he and Joanna both stepped away with entirely too much alacrity.
“I very much wanted to share this celebration with your sister and Lord Monksford.”
“And so do I.” Christiana nodded, her face much too composed.
“I can only hope their happiness is contagious.”
Christiana looked at him as though he were asking for the moon. Then she smiled. Not her familiar gamine grin, but one that was more practiced and much less sincere. “The happiness they share is rare, my lord. That is something I have come to understand most clearly of late.”
He had no answer for that. Should he express sympathy again? He had done that once already. Now he wanted her to know how he felt, but this was not the place for a declaration.
Right now, even the easy friendship they had shared seemed beyond his grasp. Civil conversation was the most he could hope for. He had two days at least. He was not going to rush his fences again.
“My lord, you must excuse me. My father asked to have a few moments with me this afternoon.” With a slight curtsy, she turned and walked slowly across the grounds.
Morgan watched her until Monksford came up from behind and spoke. “I am sorry, Braedon. It will, I suppose, take time.”