Chapter 10
PHOEBE PRESSED THE palm of her hand against the crown of her straw poke bonnet, looped her free arm through Ella’s, closed her eyes, and drew a deep breath of the late-afternoon air. “I’m so glad to finally have a moment alone to talk!”
“Are you certain you’re up for a walk?” Ella inquired as they stepped from Keatley Hall’s east entrance toward a footpath that led to the rear gardens.
“Indeed! A walk is just what I need, especially after being confined to the carriage for so long this morning. La, what a drive!”
“Was it terrible?”
“No, not terrible, but the rain did plague us most of the way, which was unpleasant. Oh!” Phoebe exclaimed suddenly as the full garden came into view, and she reached out to touch a climbing rosebush as it arched over the walkway. “I’ve always loved these gardens. How beautiful.”
Ella inhaled, allowing the floral scent of roses and late-blooming lavender to wash over her.
“We do our best to keep it tidy, but it’s quite a task.
The gardens were always Mother’s domain.
She always kept them so immaculate, but there are so many of them!
After the gardener left last autumn, we tried to have some of the students tend it, but over the summer I fear it’s been left to grow wild. ”
“Well, I think it’s charming. I could spend all day here.”
They resumed their walk down the brick path, careful to avoid the puddles from the day’s earlier rain. “Were your companions much company on the drive?”
“Father slept most of the way, but Miss Sutton was pleasant.”
Interest surged through Ella. New men were common in the Society, but women were not. “Speaking of Miss Sutton, I can’t wait to learn all about her. Who is she exactly? How are the two of you acquainted?”
“I can’t believe I’ve never mentioned her before.
Had you been in London more this summer, you would have undoubtedly met her.
She’s been positively everywhere! She and my father have become very friendly over the last several months.
I was not aware that she intended to join us until just two days ago; otherwise I would have written to let you know.
I hope her attendance is not an imposition for you or Mrs. Chatterly. ”
“Any friend of yours is welcome at Keatley Hall. That should never be in question, but where did they meet?”
“It was about seven months ago, just before the Season really began. They were introduced at a dinner at the Silvers’ home. I did not attend it, so sadly I don’t know many details, but they’ve been inseparable ever since.”
Ella cast a sideways glance toward her friend.
Over the years Ella had become adept at reading Phoebe’s unique mannerisms. At the moment she seemed quite content and easy with the topic, but Ella acutely recalled Phoebe’s distress two years prior when her mother had died.
Any talk of Phoebe’s father possibly remarrying would send her into hysterics.
“Do you like her? As a friend for yourself, not as a match for your father?”
Phoebe’s lip twitched before a full smile returned once again. “I do like her very much. She’s been nothing but kind to me, and she really has brought a new sense of life to our family gatherings.”
Sensing hesitation, Ella shifted the conversation away from Phoebe’s feelings. “And did I hear her introduced correctly as Miss Sutton? Has she never married, then?”
Phoebe plucked a small cluster of white yarrow and tucked it in her bonnet’s band.
“No, she never did. Is that not a marvel? A woman of her beauty and wit. She’s not shared a great deal about her past, at least not with me, but I’ve gathered from comments that her father was independently wealthy—a merchant of some sort—and she felt no pressure to marry. ”
The comment recalled Ella’s own situation. What would it be like not to have to force a matrimonial union? Determined to keep the conversation light, Ella continued, “I’m so glad to hear your father is happy.”
“He is. Very much so. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he were to make her an offer of marriage. Can you believe it? He was so devastated after Mother’s death that I wondered if he would ever smile again. And now, here he is.”
“I wish my father could find such a companion, but I fear he is far too set in his ways now.”
“It would help if he would venture to London every so often,” teased Phoebe. “How is he to meet anyone when he rarely leaves Keatley Hall?”
How often had Ella had the exact same thought? Many people filtered through the school, but mostly fathers and school-age boys. Never women her father’s age. Given his current health, she lamented that he likely would never find that sort of happiness again.
A chaffinch swept down from the boughs above the dirt path they were walking, and Ella glanced up in time to see it disappear in the branches of an ash tree. She then noticed the gathering, quick-moving clouds overhead. According to legend the bird’s song signaled a change of weather.
A sharp, decidedly cool breeze rushed in from a nearby meadow, thick with the scent of moisture. “I think we might get more rain. Shall we turn back?”
They turned to trace their steps back to Keatley Hall.
After several silent steps, Phoebe tilted her head playfully toward Ella.
“So we have recently discussed my impending romantic prospects and my father’s, but we’ve not discussed yours.
Mr. Rawlston behaved abominably and no doubt left you cautious, but surely you must have thought for your future. ”
It was Ella’s turn to hesitate.
She’d have to apprise Phoebe of her father’s plan regarding Mr. Abernathy sooner or later. The teacher’s attention toward her would likely become obvious. Perhaps if Ella was forthright about it, she could avoid awkward conversations later.
“There’s something you should probably know,” Ella began slowly.
Phoebe squealed and tightened her arm still looped through Ella’s. “I knew it!”
“I would save your excitement, Phoebe, for I’m not sure you’ll be pleased with what I am about to tell you.”
In the privacy of the garden, Ella told her friend all about the decline of her father’s health and his plans regarding Mr. Abernathy.
“Oh, Ella.” Phoebe paused to face her as they approached the garden’s gate, her wide-set eyes brimming with sympathy. “Mr. Abernathy! Are you sure there is nothing to be done?”
Her friend’s disheartening reaction dashed Ella’s hope for encouragement. “I’m not sure. You’ll see for yourself as you spend more time around my father. I really do fear for his health.”
“I could cry for you.”
Ella, however, straightened her shoulders. The entire situation with Mr. Rawlston had been embarrassing, but to Ella, it was far worse to be pitied. Humiliation she could handle. Pity she could not.
Ella forced a smile. “As I told you, that was my father’s plan. Nothing is certain until all is said and done. Who knows? Maybe a handsome stranger will show up at the symposium and change all of our minds.”
A misty rain began to drizzle as the women returned to Keatley Hall to dress for dinner, but even as talk of a handsome stranger crossed Ella’s lips, the image of Mr. Rowe floated through her mind. He’d be joining them soon, but it would be imprudent to allow thoughts to flow unfettered.
No, practicality and truth were more reliable than fantastical thoughts that risked disappointment. She needed to focus on discovering the truth about Mr. Bauer and leave thoughts of romance to the others.