A Country Miss in Hanover Square (16 page)

Harry had taken his place at table, sitting between one of his elderly aunts and his friend Max Coleridge. She watched as he listened attentively to his aunt until she turned to the person at her other hand, and then began speaking to Max. Sitting further down the table, Susannah could not catch more than a few words of what they were saying, but she thought it concerned horses.

‘How do you like Pendleton, Miss Hampton?’

Susannah turned to her right and discovered that the Earl of Ravenshead had taken the seat beside her. He was smiling at her and she immediately felt at ease, for his look was one of approval.

‘I like it very well, sir. Lord Pendleton took me driving this morning, but I do not think we saw the half of it for we kept to good roads so that I could learn to handle my team, and I dare say there are many bridle paths that will be exciting to explore. I am to walk as far as the lake this afternoon.’

‘You will enjoy that, I am certain. The lake is natural, though it has been enlarged and landscaped,’ Gerard told her. ‘Pendleton is a large estate, though not, I believe, Harry’s favourite home. He has a smaller estate he favours when he has time to go there. I believe he spends only a few weeks of the year here.’

‘Yes, I think he mentioned some thing of the kind.’

‘These large houses are very well for a family gathering such as this,’ Gerard told her. ‘I would not care to live here all the time, and I do not think Harry does—but no doubt he will tell you about it.’

‘Yes, perhaps,’ Susannah said. ‘I believe you have a fine estate yourself, sir?’

‘It is not as large as Harry’s,’ Gerard told her. ‘It was mortgaged, but I have managed to pay my father’s debts. However, I am not sure whether it will suit me to live there.’

‘You would not sell your family home?’

‘Perhaps.’ He looked thoughtful and glanced across the table, at Amelia, Susannah thought. ‘I have considered living abroad, but as yet my plans are unformed…’

‘I am sure all your friends would miss you if you did,’ Susannah said and blushed. ‘I am too forward, sir. I should not have voiced an opinion.’

‘I invited it by speaking my thoughts aloud,’ Gerard said. He looked as if he had surprised himself by doing so and proceeded to change the subject. ‘Besides, as Harry’s wife you are entitled to speak to me as a friend. I hope we shall always be friends.’ He smiled at her. ‘Now, tell me, Miss Hampton, how are your driving lessons proceeding?’

Susannah told him enthusiastically. She wondered why he had confided as much as he had in her—was she supposed to pass the information on to Amelia? She did not think that she would do so, for he must tell Amelia himself if he wished her to know.

After nuncheon the party dispersed. Many of the older guests had wandered out to the gardens, where chairs had been set under the trees so that they could sit in the shade and enjoy the sunshine. Susannah fetched her bonnet, stole and parasol, meeting Toby in the hall, as arranged. He smiled at her and offered his arm.

‘I saw you talking to the Earl of Ravenshead at nuncheon,’ Toby said. ‘He is one of the members of the Four-in-Hand who will either approve or disapprove my membership. I rather wanted a word with him myself. He has proved elusive so far, but I shall see if I can corner him after dinner.’

‘Perhaps in the billiard room,’ Susannah suggested. ‘Invite him to play and you may have a chance to speak privately.’

‘You are always so easy to talk to,’ Toby confided. ‘I couldn’t talk to most young ladies the way I do to you, Susannah. You are a good sport! You under stand the way a man feels.’

‘I think we are good friends,’ Susannah told him with a smile. They were walking at a lei surely pace, leaving the formal gardens and the sound of laughter and voices behind. ‘I am beginning to enjoy myself at last. I felt terrible yesterday, but it is better today.’

‘You mustn’t let the old
crusties
upset you,’ Toby said. ‘They are curious, that’s all, mainly because Harry has never shown an interest in a young lady before. Not one he could possibly marry, anyway.’

‘Never?’ Susannah glanced at him. ‘Not even when he was first on the town?’

‘To my knowledge,’ Toby said. ‘My mother is de lighted that he is to be married at last.’ He pulled a face. ‘I suppose it is time, but I hope Mama does not start making plans for my marriage next.’

Susannah went into a peal of de lighted laughter, and then stopped as she saw his face fall. ‘My dearest friend! Forgive me, please. It is just that I do not see you tied to a lady’s petticoats. I think you enjoy your freedom too much.’

‘Yes, for a few years yet. Besides, I dare say I would be lucky to get someone to take me, because I am something of a madcap,’ Toby said and grinned. ‘I suppose that is why I like you so much. You always tell me the truth and you make no demands. I suppose a wife might—’ He stopped and pointed ahead. ‘There’s the lake—fine, ain’t it?’

‘Yes, it is lovely,’ Susannah agreed, watching the play of sunlight on the water. Two swans were sailing majestically towards the far side. ‘Does anyone ever go on the lake?’

‘Boating, you mean?’ Toby grinned. ‘Harry took me when I was a lad, but I don’t think the boat house has been used in years.’

‘Oh…’ Susannah glanced towards the other side of the lake, at what was obviously the boat house, though it had been built in a very grand style that looked more like a Roman temple. ‘I thought I saw someone leaving as we approached, though I am not certain.’

‘You intrigue me,’ Toby said. ‘Shall we walk to the other side and take a look inside? It may be locked, of course.’ He offered her his hand. ‘Come, the path is narrow and some times a little slippery. Let me help you.’

Susannah took his hand. However, they soon discovered that the path was quite dry and it looked as if someone had walked there recently, for the long grass had been flattened.

‘Someone must have been here more often than I thought,’ Toby said. ‘Perhaps Harry intends to have the boats out this season.’

‘Yes…’ Susannah’s keen eyes had spotted some thing lying in the tall grasses to one side of the path and she bent to pick it up. She saw at once that it was a woman’s kerchief. Toby was just ahead of her and had not noticed, so she slipped the scrap of lace into her pocket. ‘What fun it would be to spend an afternoon here. We could have a picnic and take turns on the lake.’

Toby was striding ahead now that he knew Susannah was in no danger of slipping. He ran the last few steps to the boat house and tried the door, giving an exclamation of annoyance as he discovered it was locked after all. He found a large stone to stand on and put his face to the window, peering inside. Susannah stood beside him, watching as he rubbed at the glass.

‘I would not say anyone has been here for years,’ he said as he got down. ‘However, I dare say Harry would have it opened up if we asked him.’

‘Oh, yes, we must,’ Susannah cried, eyes spark ling. ‘I should love to go on the lake.’

‘We’ll ask him at tea,’ Toby said and grinned at her. ‘I usually find the summer visit rather a bore, but it certainly looks like being more fun this year—and that is down to you, Susannah.’

Susannah laughed and took his arm. ‘You are such a good friend, Toby.’

‘It is a pity all females are not as easy to please as you.’

They made their way home, arms linked, laughing and talking, in such accord that anyone who saw them together could not doubt the real affection between them.

Standing at the back of the house with one of his grooms, Harry saw the couple and felt a twinge of regret. They looked so young and eager and he felt himself to be too old for Susannah, perhaps too set in his ways. She had promised to be his wife, but he was not certain that her heart was truly engaged. He knew that he could have offered for a dozen young ladies and been accepted, but only one had made him wish for her company on a permanent basis.

Susannah had seen him. She waved and then broke from Toby and ran to him, her face glowing with health and the fresh air.

‘We have been to the boat house,’ she told him. ‘Toby says that you used to have boats on the lake, Pendleton—please may we have them this year? I should so like to go on the lake.’ Her eyes appealed to him, making Harry’s heart lurch. She was so very lovely, so sweet and innocent.

‘If you wish it, of course. I shall instruct the servants to make all ready, Susannah—but I think it will take a day or two for them to inspect the boats and make sure they are safe to use.’

‘Thank you so much!’ Susannah clapped her hands and turned to Toby as he came up to them. ‘Harry says we can have the boats. Is that not exciting? You must promise to take me in one as soon as they are ready.’

‘We shall have a picnic by the lake as we used to,’ Harry told her and smiled, because her enthusiasm was infectious. ‘The day after tomorrow.’ He offered her his arm. ‘Come, we should go in, Susannah. Mama told me that she wished for a few moments with you before tea—if you will oblige her. She is in her private sitting room. I shall take you up to her now.’

‘Oh…’ She gave him a tremulous smile. ‘I have hardly had time to talk to her since my arrival, because there are so many people and they all wish to talk to me.’

‘That is why Mama asked for a few minutes alone.’ Harry smiled at her. ‘There is no need to be nervous. She is already very fond of you…’ He hesitated for a moment. ‘Susannah…I too have been hoping for a little time alone with you. I know that we went driving this morning, but you needed to concentrate on your horses. I feel we need to talk. Do you think you might come down to the library a little earlier than usual?’

‘Oh…’ Susannah looked shy, her cheeks pinker than normal. ‘Yes, of course—if you wish it, Pendleton.’

‘I think we must talk privately,’ Harry told her and stopped walking. ‘Here we are—Mama’s sitting room. I shall take you in and then leave you to talk together.’ He carried her hand to his lips, drop ping a kiss in the palm. ‘Until this evening, Susannah…’

Susannah discovered that Lady Elizabeth was as kind and gentle as she appeared, making her feel at ease and assuring her of her welcome at Pendleton.

‘I am sorry the relatives have been so particular with you, my dear,’ she told Susannah as they sat together in her elegant sitting room, which was comfortable and pretty, just like its owner. ‘You must know that Harry has never asked me to invite a young lady to this gathering before. Now that he has chosen a wife, they are all curious. Our little visit here is usually just for the family and a few of Harry’s gentlemen friends. Everyone was excited to meet you, naturally, but Lady Booker does tend to be rather out spoken, and she does not realise how her voice carries. I do hope you were not uncomfortable yesterday?’

‘A little at first,’ Susannah admitted shyly. ‘I was not expecting quite so many people—or such a magnificent house.’

‘Ah, yes, the house…’ Lady Elizabeth laughed softly. ‘It is rather awe-inspiring. When I first came here I was terrified. I almost broke off my engagement, for I did not think that I was suitable to be chatelaine of such a house. However, my husband was madly in love with me and he persuaded me that the house was not important. He promised me that we should spend only a part of our lives here, and he kept his word.’

‘You were frightened at first?’ Susannah was surprised, for her hostess appeared to have been born to her role in life. ‘I have never stayed in such a large house before—and there are so many treasures. I am almost afraid to touch anything.’

‘Accumulated over the years and worth a king’s ransom in themselves,’ Lady Elizabeth agreed. ‘Harry is the custodian of Pendleton, Susannah. His duty is to preserve the estate and its treasures for his sons, and he takes such things very seriously. Per haps too seriously. He was very different as a young man, but he has had much to do to ensure that the estate is in good shape. How ever, I am very certain that he will not wish to live here all the time.’ She gave Susannah a reassuring nod. ‘His apartments are in the west wing. I have no doubt he will show you one day. If you wish it, I shall take you on a tour of the rest of the house tomorrow, after you return from driving with my son.’

Susannah looked at her thoughtfully. ‘Do you think that I would be a worthy chatelaine of a house like this, ma’am?’

‘Please, you must call me Elizabeth in private.’ Lady Elizabeth’s smile was warm. ‘If you make my son happy, that is all I ask, my dear. As for the rest—I shall always be near at hand if you need me. I should not dream of interfering, but if you wish for help I am always ready to give it. I can teach you the things you need to know. Besides, the servants are so well trained that you will hardly need to do anything except keep your accounts and inspect the menus.’

‘Oh…’ Susannah blushed. ‘I shall try, but I am sure there must be much more to marriage.’

Lady Elizabeth smiled gently. ‘Harry will teach you, my dear. My son is meticulous in all things.’

‘Yes, he is,’ Susannah agreed. She could not tell her kind hostess that Harry’s attention to detail and preference for perfection were exactly what frightened her. ‘I am not certain that I can live up to his example, ma’am.’

Lady Elizabeth went into a peal of laughter. ‘Oh, my dear, do not put my son on a pedestal. I assure you that he has his failings, as you will no doubt discover before too long.’

‘I know that he has a temper some times…’

‘He is also very untidy and he can be both arrogant and blind to some thing that is under his nose. However, he is very dear to me and the kindest of men.’

‘Yes,’ Susannah said and smiled. She liked Harry’s mother very well indeed, and this little talk had made her feel better.

Susannah chose a simple white evening dress, which she wore with a spangled stole and a string of seed pearls. She had some pearl earrings her mama had given her and she chose those to finish her ensemble. She was trembling inside as she left the apartments she shared with her mother and Amelia and made her way to the library.

Entering, she saw that Harry was standing by the fire place. He was dressed in a coat of blue super fine and pale cream breeches, his cravat a miracle of his valet’s art and set off by a magnificent diamond pin. On the little finger of his right hand he wore a diamond ring that sparkled in the light of the candles. He smiled as she entered, his gaze intent as she walked towards him.