Chapter Eleven #2
“The sciences, especially natural science. It is a difficult topic for many to grasp, but I enjoy the work I do with the young lords who come to study at university.”
“Lady Pebble tells me that when you are not at Oxford, you live in our neighborhood.”
A shadow crossed his face. “Yes. My father is the Earl of Rowland. His health is fading fast. In fact, while I usually only come home between university terms, I have taken a leave from my work and am in Dorset for the foreseeable future in order to help care for Papa.”
Sympathy for his situation filled her. “You will not be going back to Oxford, will you, Mr. Barnes?”
“I doubt it. The door to my teaching days has closed. Once Papa is gone, I will step into my new role.”
“I did not mean to upset you in any way.”
He mustered a smile. “You have not, my lady. I agreed to come to Lady Pebble’s house party simply because she has always showed Papa great kindness over the years. Papa also encouraged me to attend. If I am needed at home, I can be summoned quickly.”
“Would you tell me about a typical day in your life at Oxford?” she asked, wanting to change the subject.
“With pleasure.”
For the next several minutes, she listened to Mr. Tompkins speak, wising she could have been born a man and able to pursue a university degree at Oxford or Cambridge and an academic career.
Then Lady Pebble’s bell tinkled, bringing all conversation to a halt.
“It is time to go into dinner,” their hostess said.
“If you gentlemen will be so kind as to escort the ladies into the dining room, there are cards placed at each setting. While you may sit wherever you choose at breakfast each morning, at dinner I will make certain you are constantly seated with different guests so that you might get to know one another better.”
Mr. Tompkins offered her his arm. “Shall we?”
They went into dinner, and she saw Ollie taking a seat of honor to Lady Pebble’s right.
Glancing down the table, she saw Miss Lawson was seated on Lord Pebble’s right.
She did hope both her cousin and Miss Tweedham might make a match during the house party.
Unfortunately, she found Lord Marley seated to Lady Pebble’s left.
And she was placed on his left.
She bid Mr. Tompkins farewell for now, and they promised to pick up their conversation again at a later time. A footman seated her, and Lord Marley turned to her.
“What a coincidence that we are seated beside one another, Miss Stanhope.”
“If I had not been watching you, I would believe you had slipped from the drawing room and changed the arrangements of the name cards so that we might find ourselves beside one another.”
“I am flattered that you were watching me,” he told her.
She winced inwardly, not wanting to show any sign of weakness around this man. “What I meant to say is that I did not witness any guests leaving the drawing room.”
“It is a clever idea,” he noted. “I shall keep it in mind.”
As the soup course was being served, Lady Pebble rang her bell again. She looked down the table at her husband expectantly, and Lord Pebble rose to his feet.
“My viscountess and I would like to formally welcome you to our table and this house party, which is being given in honor of our good neighbor, Lord Samuel. The viscount faithfully served as his uncle’s estate manager for several years and has now come into the title.
We hope that all of you here might get to know Lord Samuel and recognize his good qualities. Please enjoy your meal.”
Rowena made certain she did not speak a single word to Lord Marley throughout dinner.
She sat across from Lady Sarah and next to Lord Cramer and spent much of her time engaged with them, as well as conversing with Lady Pebble.
She sensed Lord Marley’s amusement at her not initiating any conversation with him and did her best to ignore him.
“I think it is time to leave the gentlemen to their brandy and cigars,” the viscountess announced. “We shall see them in the drawing room soon.”
She was not fond of the scent of cigars and decided to speak up.
“Must you gentlemen always smoke those nasty cigars? The smell clings to you and can be quite unpleasant to be around.”
A few gasps sounded around the table, and Rowena knew she had overstepped. Instead of apologizing, she pressed on, boldly asking, “Shall we take a vote regarding the matter? Raise your hand if you do not wish the gentlemen to smoke.”
She hoped her two friends would follow her lead and looked to Lady Sarah, who had turned bright red. Glancing about, she saw the other ladies looking at her with everything from astonishment to disdain.
Surprisingly, it was Lord Marley who came to her rescue.
“I think, as a gentleman, I would not wish to offend any lady present. I shall refrain from partaking in smoking cigars while at Pebblestone. I hope my fellow gentlemen will follow my lead.”
Ollie was the first to speak. “I have never smoked, so I am happy to do so, my lord.”
Mr. Tompkins said, “I hope I do not offend anyone, but I also find it a nasty habit. I, too, will not smoke during this house party.”
That left only two other gentlemen, and Baron Howell spoke first.
“I gave up cigars when my daughter told me I was stinky. Mary is two and already opinionated,” he shared.
Everyone at the table laughed, and then Lord Cramer said, “I am happy to make Miss Stanhope—and the other ladies comfortable. I, too, will smoke no cigars during my time at Pebblestone.”
Rowena smiled at those gathered around the table. “I apologize if my request proved abrupt, but I do appreciate your cooperation.”
“Shall we retire to the drawing room, ladies?” Lady Pebble asked, giving Rowena a look which caused her cheeks to flush.
She rose, and Lord Marley touched her arm, bringing about an odd sensation.
“You were right to speak up, Miss Stanhope. Do not let Lady Pebble be too hard on you.”
Her gaze met his. “Thank you, my lord, for smoothing over my faux pas.”
Rowena left the dining room, trying to avoid Lady Pebble as they headed toward the drawing room.
Lady Sarah caught up to her, slipping her arm through Rowena’s.
“My, you were so brave, Miss Stanhope. I have never liked the scent of cigars. My sense of smell is quite sensitive, and I always dread when gentlemen join the ladies in the drawing room after they have been at their cigars. I apologize for not being more supportive of you, but I wish to anger no one here.”
She patted her friend’s hand. “I understand. You seek a match at this house party. I will not stand in your way. In fact, I will try to aid you as much as I can.”
“Oh, thank you, Miss Stanhope. I have not been invited to a house party in ages. No one thinks of me anymore. It is as if I am invisible amongst the ton.”
They reached the drawing room, and she said, “There are some very nice gentlemen who are guests, my lady. Let us hope one of them will be for you.”
The ladies took seats, and as expected, Lady Pebble came to sit next to Rowena.
“You quite startled me with that outburst, my dear.”
“It will not happen again, my lady,” she promised.
“See that is true,” the viscountess said sharply, her disapproval obvious.
Having drawn her hostess’ disfavor, she tried to make amends.
“Shall I play the pianoforte for you, my lady?”
Lady Pebble considered it a moment. “Wait until the gentlemen have arrived. You may do so then.”
The group spoke of safe topics until the gentlemen, led by Lord Pebble, joined them.
Then Lady Pebble turned to her. “Would you care to play the pianoforte for us, Miss Stanhope?”
“I would be happy to do so, my lady,” she replied.
As she crossed the room, she heard Lord Marley say, “I will turn the pages for Miss Stanhope.”
How was she to play with him standing next to her? It had been difficult enough trying to eat her dinner with him so close, their elbows even grazing a few times. This would be much worse, however.
She seated herself, glancing at the pages before her and seeing it was a piece she recognized.
“I can turn my own pages,” she told the earl when he came to stand next to her. Too close.
“I know,” he said smugly. “But you will look churlish if you deny me now.”
“You have me between a rock and a hard place, my lord.”
He chuckled. “You are not comparing Odysseus’ plight to your own, are you?”
His words surprised her. She had referred to Homer’s work, where Odysseus had to travel through a dangerous place on his journey, facing the Charybdis, a perilous whirlpool as well as a cliff-dwelling monster which loved to dine upon men.
The hero had maneuvered through the challenges and continued safely on his way.
Rowena would soldier on for now, but she would need to draw Lord Marley aside and tell him to stop seeking her out.
Because if he didn’t, she might cave—and kiss him.