Chapter Six
Rowena dressed for the day, happy that she had given away her wardrobe of dreary, poorly fitted gowns. She no longer hid behind her gold spectacles, either, though she had kept them as a reminder of her days in town. She was able to do so, thanks to Papa’s will.
Two months had passed since her father’s death, and she missed being able to speak with him each day.
After the funeral, Ollie had arrived in town a few days later, and she had helped smooth his transition at the townhouse.
After introducing him to the servants, he had agreed to keep the staff intact.
She had hired a competent housekeeper, explaining to Ollie that she had functioned in that role for many years and that the townhouse would need one since she planned to remain in Dorset.
She and Ollie had met with Papa’s solicitor, and he had let her cousin know where Ollie stood financially.
Rowena already had a good grasp of her cousin’s inherited fortune since she had handled Papa’s business affairs.
The real surprise had been that Rowena had been given immediate access to her dowry.
Though she was supposed to gain control of it in three years if she were still unwed, Papa’s will stipulated that the entire amount go to her in the event his death preceded that date.
Ollie had accompanied her back to Stanfield, pressing her to live with him in the main house. She had agreed to for the first month, simply because the house had not been opened up in many years. Ollie himself had lived in the cottage designated for the steward of the estate.
Before they left town, she had hired a butler, housekeeper, and cook for Stanfield, along with two maids and two footmen.
She trained this staff to the best of her ability and also hired an additional two maids from Mossleigh, the nearby village.
Both would serve as scullery maids, which made the new cook happy.
While Ollie had a horse of his own and had cared for it himself, their coachman from town had come with them to serve the new viscount.
He had recommended his brother be hired as the groom for their stables.
Rowena had even gone with Ollie to purchase two more horses for riding.
One, Aurora, had been his gift to her. The horse would be stabled with the others at Stanfield, and she was allowed to come and ride Aurora whenever she chose to do so.
The new staff had helped prepare the cottage she now lived in, and Rowena looked about it, pleased that it was permanently hers, another gift from her generous cousin.
She had a girl named Betsy come in twice a week to clean for her, and Betsy took any laundry which needed to be done home with her, returning with it the next time she came.
The one thing Rowena had struggled with was cooking.
She had not known how to cook and had not thought of that when she decided to live on her own.
She had asked Ollie’s new cook for cooking lessons so she might learn the basics and taken everything to heart which the woman had taught her.
Unfortunately, her intellect did not extend to the kitchen.
These days, her breakfast was a light one, consisting of tea and toast and the occasional poached egg, which was all Rowena seemed to be able to manage.
Fortunately, Cook wanted Rowena cared for and asked Ollie if she might send meals to her cottage.
Her cousin had quickly agreed. Cook sent a footman with dinner every single evening at six, and the footman often brought scones and tarts for her to enjoy at teatime the following afternoon.
She took tea with Ollie once or twice a week and also had dinner with him at least once a week.
This saved her from having to cook herself, for which she was grateful.
After she finished dressing, she ventured downstairs, preparing tea and toast for herself, a copy of the newspapers Ollie had read yesterday waiting on her doorstep this morning.
Her cousin had newspapers delivered from town and then passed these down to her, so Rowena still was informed about the happenings in England and beyond.
She did skip over the gossip columns, however, no longer caring about the world of Polite Society and what happened with its members.
Once her leisurely breakfast ended and she completed reading the newspapers, she washed the few dishes and set out for the village.
Her first stop was the dressmaker’s, and Rowena tried on two new gowns, finding both fit her perfectly.
Gradually, she was having a new wardrobe made up for herself, but she included no ballgowns, knowing she would never attend a ball again.
She did, however, have a few nicer gowns made up for evening wear, knowing she would, on occasion, be invited to dine with other gentry in the neighborhood, including Lord and Lady Pebble, whom she had grown even closer to since Papa’s death.
She called at the stationer’s and picked up new paper for writing letters, as well as a new set of pencils.
Her art supplies had also been delivered to the shop, consisting of a sketchpad and pastels.
She had never taken up art before and found she enjoyed walking about the countryside or along the beach, drawing and painting the surrounding landscape.
Rowena doubted she would ever be very good at it, but it was something which brought her pleasure.
Returning to the cottage, she picked up the violin she had borrowed from the music room at Stanfield.
Ollie told her she was welcome anytime, so occasionally, she dropped in to play the pianoforte since it was impractical to have one at the cottage.
She had always played the instrument and decided she would take up the violin, something which could be easily stored within her cozy cottage.
She played for an hour, wincing a few times when she hit a sour note.
Practice would make her better, and she determined to devote some of each day to her violin.
After that, she indulged in reading for a couple of hours, one of the things she loved most in life.
Again, Ollie had told her the Stanfield library was at her disposal.
When she went to tea or dinner there, she would return books she had borrowed and collect new ones to read.
Her life was a simple one now, one she enjoyed.
And yet, despite her happiness, she was a bit lonely.
Her thoughts strayed to Lord Dyer, as they often did.
She never wanted to think of him, but somehow he appeared in them, nonetheless.
She believed she had met the true man during their conversation in the Purlington gardens.
He had been open about his life, and she had finally forgiven him for not coming to see her.
If he had, he might have felt a further obligation to ask her to dance at future balls or visit her.
Even though Rowena had been a part of the ton, she had never been the part of the world Viscount Dyer inhabited.
She allowed herself to think of that one magical night where she had sat at his cousin’s table, laughing freely and enjoying herself more than she ever had with any group of people.
She tried not to, but the thought of their kiss came back to her.
Rowena did not regret having kissed him.
Those kisses was her most precious memory, something unforgettable, which she would think fondly upon until she was on her deathbed.
Knowing it was time to change her gown, she donned a fresh one because she was to have tea with Lord and Lady Pebble this afternoon.
Lord Pebble insisted upon sending his carriage for her on these occasions, and it arrived precisely at a quarter till four.
She greeted the coachman and allowed the footman to hand her up.
Minutes later, they reached the viscount’s estate.
Pebblestone was larger than Stanfield, and the owners of each estate had been friends going back for generations.
She knew Lord Pebble still mourned the death of her father.
The butler escorted her to the drawing room, and Rowena was warmly welcomed by the pair.
“Rowena, my dear. It is so good to see you,” Lady Pebble said. “Come and sit. We have much to discuss this afternoon.”
The butler returned a few minutes later, announcing Viscount Samuel had arrived.
“I did not know you would be at tea today,” she said, greeting Ollie.
“It is good to see you, Cousin,” he said, brushing his lips against her cheek.
Lady Pebble poured out for them, and for the first few minutes, they gossiped a bit about the neighborhood. Their hostess seemed to know everything which went on in the surrounding area, and Rowena could always count on the viscountess for the latest news.
Now, the viscountess cleared her throat. “Lord Pebble and I asked you both to come to tea today because we wish to hold a house party at the end of this month.” She smiled at Rowena. “I will need your help in this endeavor.”
“You are quite organized, my lady,” she said. “I doubt you would need help from either of us. Unless you would like to discuss the guest list. I might be able to help you with it.”
Lady Pebble smiled. “We think it is time for Lord Samuel to take a wife.”
Her cousin blushed as he became the sudden center of attention. “I thought I might consider a bride next Season,” he told them.
“That is all well and good,” the viscountess continued.
“But the Season can be overwhelming, especially for one who has not attended it before. You have been buried in the country all these years, my lord. I thought I might help introduce you into Polite Society by hosting this house party in your honor. Of course, Rowena must attend, as well. It would help round out the numbers. Pebble also has a cousin whose daughter is most shy. She was to have made her come-out this past spring, but she was too anxious to do so and delayed it. I believe she will do better in the company of a smaller group, so I would like to invite her, as well.”
Ollie said, “I do know it is time for me to wed. I turned thirty last week and am conscious of the fact I must provide an heir. Yes, my lady. The idea of a house party in my honor appeals to me.” He looked at Rowena.
“Will you promise to come? I had already planned to seek your advice when I choose a bride. Even though I am older than you, you are much more worldly than I am and experienced in the ways of Polite Society.”
“If you insist,” she said. “Might I ask if a friend of mine be invited, Lady Pebble?”
“Ah, you must mean Miss Tweedham. I would be happy to have her attend. I would hope the both of you would befriend Pebble’s cousin’s daughter.”
“I would prefer staying at my cottage, however,” she told her hostess.
Ollie picked up on her cue. “I, too, could stay at Stanfield. We are just minutes away from Pebblestone, and it would free up bedchambers for your other guests so that no one need to share.”
“My thought exactly,” Rowena said, actually preferring the idea of escaping a large group of guests and having time to herself at the end of each day.
“As long as you promise to attend all the events each day,” Lord Pebble said. “Starting with breakfast each day.”
She chuckled. “Since I am the one who has to make my own breakfast each morning, I am more than happy to come and partake of food on your breakfast buffet. Assuming you will serve a buffet each morning.”
“Yes,” Lady Pebble said. “It is simpler to do so when you have a houseful of guests. Why don’t you and I go to my sitting room, Rowena?
You have been out a few Seasons now and are familiar with members of Polite Society.
Together, we can compose the guest list, balancing it so we have a good mixture of people and even numbers of gentlemen and ladies. ”
They retreated to the viscountess’ sitting room and discussed several names, especially eligible young ladies who might suit with Ollie. It was a mix of those who had attended the Season, along with several locals from the neighborhood surrounding Mossleigh.
Lady Pebble perused the list they had composed. “I believe this set of guests will be perfect. Hopefully, they will all be able to attend. We must have a few other names in mind in case not all are available.”
“It is very kind of you to hold this house party in Ollie’s honor. This way, he has an opportunity to be in the company of ladies and gentlemen of quality, but the setting will be far different than that of a ball.”
“Who knows?” Lady Pebble said. “He might find his bride amongst those on this list.”
Selfishly, Rowena hoped that her cousin would be drawn to Miss Tweedham.
Of all the friends whom she had left behind in the Literary Ladies Book Society, she missed Miss Tweedham most of all.
Her friend had always been excellent company.
If Ollie found that Miss Tweedham suited him, it would be wonderful to have her as the new Viscountess Samuel and living nearby.
Rowena would enjoy being a doting aunt to their children, much as Aunt Sylvia had been to her.
“I shall write out the invitations and issue them at once,” Lady Pebble declared. “Make certain you set aside those dates so that you are free, Rowena. You might even find a husband of your own.”
She laughed. “You know that has never been my goal.”
The viscountess frowned. “You have told me that for years. I simply do not understand why you do not wish to be a wife and mother.”
“I enjoy a simple life, my lady.”
A knowing look came into Lady Pebble’s eyes. “Even bluestockings need companionship, my dear. You might find some gentleman to your liking amongst this group of gentlemen.”
No matter how much she explained her position, Lady Pebble would never understand Rowena’s choice to remain on the shelf.
Yes, sometimes a yearning for children struck her out of the blue, but she always pushed it aside.
She would be an aunt to Ollie’s children, and that would be enough.
This way, she maintained her liberty. Control over her life and her funds.
Smiling brightly, Rowena said, “I am very much looking forward to this house party, my lady.”