The Artful Match

by Jennifer Delamere

  “Look, Cousin Langham! I caught a tadpole!” Amelia shouted, squealing with laughter as the creature squirmed in her cupped hands. It slipped free and plopped back into the water, but Amelia only grinned and pushed a bit of hair from her forehead with her damp hands. “I’m hungry. Are there any more biscuits?”

  “I’m afraid not,” Cara answered.

  “Perhaps it’s time to return home,” Langham said, brought out of his concentration by Amelia’s calling to him. “I’m famished. One benefit of having guests is that Mother will ensure dinner is spectacular.”

  “I have found all the dinners to be wonderful. It’s hard to imagine them being any better.” Cara couldn’t keep the wistfulness out of her voice.

  Langham shook his head. “I still don’t think it’s right, Henry and Mother asking you to play the part of a servant. Not after we invited you here as a guest.”

  “I don’t mind. It’s only for a few days.” Cara hadn’t told Langham how her relationship with Henry had changed. It was a secret she kept in her heart, waiting to be revealed when the time was right. “May I look at your painting?”

  Langham did not generally like to show his work, though he’d at times made an exception for her. He nodded.

  Cara came over to look at it. “It’s lovely,” she said, although the word did not really do it justice. “How well you’ve captured the place. Even the trees are influencing the mood of the painting. How did you get that effect with the shadows?”

  “I’m glad you asked,” Langham said proudly. He held out his palette. “See how I have the colors arranged? This is the first step.”

  They launched into a fascinating discussion that was cut off by Amelia proclaiming once again that she was hungry. They packed up and began the walk back to the house. Cara was dismayed to see that Amelia had splotches of mud on her clothes. Jeanne might not thank her for the extra work to clean it, but Cara thought it important that a child should be able to play and run freely.

  They stopped at the dower house to put away their canvases and supplies. Amelia pointed toward the drive as they emerged from the studio.

  “Look, a carriage is approaching!”

  “That must be Mr. and Mrs. Myers,” Cara said.

  Langham squinted to get a better look. “That’s odd. There are four people in the carriage. I can’t imagine Mother went to the railway station.”

  As the open carriage reached the main house, it was easy to see it held two men seated opposite two women. Henry and the other man got out of the carriage, while one of the ladies leaned over and whispered something into the second—and much younger—lady’s ear.

  “It isn’t the countess,” Cara said, surprised at what she was seeing. The young woman stood, offering Henry a smile along with her hand for him to help her down. This was easily accomplished, as the lady’s actions were smooth and graceful. She was pretty, too, dressed in a summer frock that was dazzling both in its rich pink color and the tasteful way it showed off her perfect figure. A cold feeling of dread began to creep into Cara’s heart. “Do the Myerses have a daughter?”

  “Mother didn’t mention it.” Langham’s voice went hard as he added, “But then, she wouldn’t.” His fists clenched. “Henry must have known, though. He might have had the decency to say something to us.”

  “What—what do you mean?”

  But Cara knew, even before Langham answered.

  “Mother has found a match for Henry. Someone who undoubtedly has a nice fat dowry.”

  “No,” Cara murmured, feeling as though the wind had been knocked out of her. “No.”

  “Miss Bernay, are you all right?” Amelia peered up at her with concern.

  “I . . . just need water and a bit of rest,” Cara stammered. “Why don’t we use the back stairs? Then we won’t risk disturbing the guests.”

  Unfortunately, avoiding them wasn’t going to be possible. Lady Morestowe came out to the main steps to greet the Myerses, and spotting Cara and the others, she motioned for them to come over.

  “Good,” Langham murmured. “I plan to find out just what is going on.”

  He stalked across the lawn. Cara and Amelia hurried to keep up. As they reached the newcomers, Cara’s embarrassment blossomed. She knew she looked dirty and disheveled, and so did Amelia. The contrast to Miss Myers was unmistakable. She was perfectly coiffed, and a lovely hat and delicate white lace gloves completed the ensemble. Her gown looked even more perfect up close than it had from a distance. Jealousy, that terrible sin, only fed Cara’s mortification.

  The countess made the introductions. She mentioned Cara only briefly and almost as an afterthought. She didn’t even bother to say why Cara was there; the Myerses would make their own assumptions that she was the governess.

  Mr. Myers was friendly in his greeting, shaking Langham’s hand and giving a tip of his hat to Cara and Amelia. Langham’s response was cool and perfunctory toward the guests, and he sent several glares in the direction of his brother and mother.

  “So you are Lord Morestowe’s little ward!” Mrs. Myers said cheerfully to Amelia. “Lady Morestowe has told me so much about you!”

  “She did?” Amelia’s eyebrows rose in surprise, then settled as she gave a suspicious frown. “What did she say?”

  Mr. Myers laughed. “She said you’re a precocious little girl! We can see she was correct.”

  “I apologize for our unkempt appearance,” Cara said. “We’ve spent the afternoon down by the brook.”

  “Well, that sounds charming,” Mrs. Myers burbled. “Lord Morestowe, perhaps you might give us a tour of your lovely property while we are here?”

  “I’d be happy to,” Henry replied, a stiff smile on his face.

  He looked supremely uncomfortable, which Cara was glad to note. That was entirely as it should be, given the terrible situation he had put her in.

  “You’ll want to get Amelia inside and cleaned up,” Lady Morestowe directed.

  Thus dismissed, Cara nudged Amelia forward.

  “Oh, Miss Bernay, there is one more thing before you go.”

  “Yes, your ladyship?” The humbleness with which she had to speak left a bitter taste in Cara’s mouth. She sent an accusatory glare at Henry. She thought the look he gave in return was beseeching, but surely she was wrong about that. After all, she’d been wrong about everything else. So utterly wrong.

  “Given that we are still renovating the east wing,” the countess said, “our sleeping space is limited. Miss Myers will be staying in the yellow room on the third floor, just down the hall from you and Amelia. I trust that you will give her every consideration, especially remaining quiet in the mornings.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  She could tell Miss Myers wasn’t any happier with this arrangement than Cara was. Not that the lady seemed happy about anything. She looked as though she’d been crying. But Cara wasn’t going to spend any time feeling sorry for her.

  She took hold of Amelia’s hand and set off, anxious to get away from them all. Everyone else followed, although they remained in the front hall while Cara and Amelia took the stairs. She didn’t know if Amelia comprehended the dark undercurrents of all that had just transpired, but she certainly must have felt them. She began to take the stairs with pounding thumps, just as she used to do in London.

  “Amelia! Don’t do that!” Cara scolded, more mortified than ever, knowing the guests would blame her for Amelia’s bad behavior. In a lower voice, she begged, “Please stop, for my sake.”

  Hearing her desperation, Amelia relented and resumed a normal step.

  Before they rounded the corner at the first landing, she could hear the countess telling the Myerses, “I’m afraid our ward has gotten a little out of hand these past few weeks. Miss Bernay is only a temporary governess. The real one will return to us at the end of September.”

  Never had Cara felt so thoroughly humiliated. She did not think she could ever forgive Henry for standing by and allowing it to happen. That seemed the worst bet
rayal of all.

  “That was low, even for you, Mother.” Langham paced the study in frustration. Henry’s anger was just as intense. He stood stock-still, glaring at his mother while she sat calmly in a chair, presiding over this meeting like a queen.

  Somehow, they’d been able to act as though everything was perfectly fine after Cara had taken Amelia upstairs. The countess had showed off the main area of the house to their guests and gotten them dispatched to their rooms to rest and prepare for dinner. It was a miracle that Langham had managed to control himself during this time. Even so, his stiff and acerbic manner, though aimed primarily at Henry and their mother, could not have gone unnoticed by their guests.

  “I have already explained to Henry my reasons for what I did,” their mother said archly and without a trace of apology. “All you need to know is that Miss Myers is a worthy marriage prospect—one we cannot dismiss lightly.”

  Langham turned on Henry. “Are you seriously thinking about marrying someone just for her money? I know you were devastated by losing Olivia, but I didn’t think your heart had turned to stone.”

  “Langham, keep your voice down!” their mother admonished. “We don’t want the entire household, from staff to guests, hearing this conversation.”

  “Yes, it would be terrible to reveal what grasping, coldhearted people we are.”

  “You don’t know anything about it,” Henry said. “The situation is complicated.” He wanted to add that Langham had multiplied their troubles by his irresponsible behavior over the years, but what would be the point? That argument had never yet penetrated Langham’s thick skin and hard head. “I do not agree with Mother’s tactics, but now that we are in this situation, we must make the best of it.” He didn’t like the way his mother smiled in triumph at his words. “However, let me clarify that I do not intend to do anything merely for money. I will do my best to get acquainted with these people and discover what they want.”

  Langham’s reply was a sneer. “I should think it’s obvious what they want. A title for their American princess.”

  “And what’s wrong with that?” the countess demanded. “Miss Myers would make a perfectly adequate wife and countess. She is lovely, well-educated, reasonably cultured—”

  “And rich.” Langham hit the point hard. They all knew it was the most important one.

  “While they are here, I will extend them every hospitality,” Henry told his mother between gritted teeth. “However, one thing I will not allow is your public treatment of Miss Bernay as a mere servant. She has agreed—very kindly, I might add—to remain out of the way during the Myerses’ visit. But I will not have you shaming her, as you did today. It was unconscionable and mean.”

  “Well, hoorah for Henry’s chivalry,” Langham put in dryly. “Somewhat belated, don’t you think?”

  “I will do my best to make it up to her.” Henry knew this sounded weak, but he couldn’t say more in their mother’s presence. If he could persuade Myers on the business deal, then something could be salvaged from this mess. If Henry was free financially, he would be able to marry Cara. He hadn’t realized the depth of his feelings for her, not even after the kiss they had shared. It came to him, full-blown, as he’d seen Cara today, disheveled and with paint stains on her fingers. With her compassion and decency and tender heart, she would be so much more than “adequate” as a wife and countess. Refined social behavior and “cultured” speech were mere outward trappings that could be acquired later. The most important qualities were intangible, and Cara possessed them.

  “If you don’t want me to speak to Miss Bernay, then she had better keep out of the way,” his mother snapped. “She can keep Amelia with her, too. There is no need to trot the child out before the Myerses again, now that they’ve met her. The last thing we need is her bad manners ruining everything.” She stood. “Now, if you two are finished with your ranting, I am going to prepare for dinner. I expect both of you to be on your best behavior.” She spoke as though Henry and Langham were children.

  Langham looked ready to retort, but Henry took him by the arm and motioned for him to stay quiet. With one last reproving look at the both of them, the countess left the room.

  “Henry, what has gotten into you?” Langham asked. “You can’t tell me you are turning into our mother.”

  “Will you tell Cara that I didn’t know about Miss Myers? Will you tell her I am sorry for what happened today?”

  “You should tell her yourself.”

  “How in the world am I supposed to do that? I won’t even see her. I certainly can’t go knocking on her bedroom door. Even you must see the impropriety in that—not to mention that Miss Myers is staying on that floor. You’ll see her, though, tomorrow at the dower house.”

  “Do you truly expect a secondhand message to have any effect?”

  “Cara will understand. She . . . she knows me well enough by now.” He looked away, embarrassed, not wanting to reveal more. Not yet. He could not risk jeopardizing this opportunity to secure their future. “Will you please be nice to these people at dinner? Will you do it not because Mother demands it but because I ask it? These next few days could make a big difference to us all.”

  Langham gave him a cold look before answering. “Fine. I won’t like it, but I’ll do it. I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  “So do I,” Henry answered with feeling.

  Cara finished reading the note Jeanne had brought up to the nursery while she and Amelia were eating breakfast. She folded it and put it in her pocket. Amelia looked at her questioningly, even as she chewed her porridge.

  Cara gave her a cheerful smile. “Her ladyship says we are not required to attend the adults at tea or any other events. She suggests that we spend most of the day at the dower house and its garden. Doesn’t that sound nice?”

  This was the kind of news Amelia would normally welcome, and yet now she frowned.

  “Is something wrong?” Cara asked.

  “It’s my fault Countess is being mean to you. She was always mean to Miss Leahy, too.”

  It was hard to tell whether Amelia said this because she understood the true meaning of the note—that they were to stay far away from the others—or whether the mention of the countess had merely brought back the memory of their run-in with her yesterday. Cara might have bet on the former because Amelia was a perceptive child.

  “It’s not your fault. You’ve done nothing wrong. We shall enjoy these days on our own, yes? We can work on the practice tasks that Mr. Perrine set for us.”

  “And another riding lesson,” Amelia said, brightening. She seemed to have lost all interest in her art lessons now that they had acquired Maisie.

  “Perhaps. We’ll ask Mr. Hart.”

  “Do you think Cousin Henry will come to the lesson?”

  “I don’t think so. He’ll be busy with the guests.”

  Amelia nodded. “Countess said we were to be quiet, but it seems to me that Miss Myers is the one making all the noise.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I passed her door this morning, and I could hear her talking really loud to someone else. It must have been Mrs. Myers. They were arguing. Very loudly,” she added again, to prove her point.

  “I hope you were not eavesdropping.” Though in fact, Cara was very curious to know what they’d been arguing about.

  Amelia shrugged. “I only heard a little. Something about her not behaving correctly. The usual things.”

  It was sad that Amelia always associated adults with harsh reprimands. As though there were no way to correct a child with love and kindness. It hurt Cara’s heart, and it was one reason she had decided to stay and act as Amelia’s governess despite the hard way she had been used yesterday. She might have expected such treatment from the countess, but it was unforgivable coming from Henry.

  It was heartbreaking, too. Cara had spent the night in anguish, tossing over and again in her mind what she should do. She could not simply leave the house. Even if she had the abilit
y to do so, she could not abandon Amelia to the countess. And so, although her heart ached, she was going to stay. Besides, as soon as she had an opportunity to confront Henry, that was exactly what she planned to do. It might be unrighteous pride, but she would not be treated like that, not even by an earl. Not even by a man she had thought she loved. Simply because she was no longer fooled did not mean she would walk away without speaking her mind.

  But all these things would have to wait. There was nothing she could do today. She directed a smile at Amelia. “Have you finished eating? Let’s gather our things and go over to the dower house.”

  “Can we go to the stables first and visit Maisie?”

  Cara didn’t bother to correct the child’s grammar. Today was not a day for browbeating, but for finding peace and pleasure where they could. “Yes, that’s an excellent idea.”

  CHAPTER

  30

  THIS IS IMPRESSIVE,” Myers said. He tapped the prospectus, which they had just finished reviewing together. “Did you really assemble this yourself?”

  They had spent the two hours since breakfast in the study, discussing a variety of topics mostly centered around manufacturing. Myers had not been shy in detailing his rise from a poor messenger boy to a millionaire. He pointed out several times that it was accomplished not only through hard work, but by recognizing opportunities overlooked by less-diligent men, and then making the most of them. “I’m a good negotiator, too,” Myers had said after sharing how he’d bought two rival companies and managed to merge them to everyone’s satisfaction. “That is an indispensable quality for success.”

  Henry appreciated being able to spend time with such a successful man and gain valuable insight from him. He was gratified by the compliment about the prospectus, because he did not think Myers was the type of man to give false flattery, especially when it came to business. “I am the main author of it, although I received valuable input from Jacob Reese.”