Chapter Thirteen
Though she had not returned to her cottage until almost ten o’clock last night, Rowena was up early, as usual.
It was nice not to have to go out to the well and draw water to boil for her tea, as well as collect enough to wash her dishes.
She looked forward to a typical English breakfast, one which she would eat and not have to cook.
She took care with her appearance that morning. She told herself it was not because of Lord Marley.
And knew she was lying to herself.
The former Viscount Dyer seemed even more handsome to her than that night when he had approached her at the Purlington ball.
Perhaps it was the more confident air he had about him.
While he had been everything from amusing to interesting the night they had met, she thought he was settling into his title well.
Rowena only wished that the urge to kiss him would vanish.
It was going to be difficult to be around him for the next week.
Then again, Lady Pebble had already revealed that she would mix up the guests at each dinner, so she doubted Lord Marley would be a dinner partner of hers for several days to come.
Rowena herself could make certain she joined small groups which did not include him.
If he called her out, her excuse would be that she was trying to get to know everyone who had been invited to the Pebbles’ house party.
The truth was that she saw others as a buffer to protect her from Lord Marley.
Most importantly, she must protect her heart.
She did not fancy she was in love with the earl.
Far from it. She told herself it was merely the physical attraction to him which was so bloody inconvenient.
Worry filled her, knowing if she did spend too much time in his company, her heart would begin to overrule her mind, and she would find herself in a pickle.
Under no circumstances did she ever wish to fall in love, especially with a charmer such as Lord Marley.
Once again, she waited by the window for Ollie’s carriage, which arrived promptly at a quarter till eight. Rowena went outside and allowed her cousin to hand her up.
As she sat across from him, she asked, “What were your first impressions of the female guests? Did any one of them stand out to you?”
He shrugged, looking a bit self-conscious. “I am not certain I should be discussing my situation with you after all, Cousin.”
“Why not?” she asked indignantly. “I thought you sought my advice.”
“I do not wish to place you in an awkward situation, Rowena.”
She studied him a moment. “Are you fearful that I would share any feelings you reveal to me to my friends?”
“No. Yes. Perhaps.”
“Let me give you my solemn word. You are family, Ollie. My first obligation is always to you. I can carry on conversations with my friends and not have you be a part of them. Do you trust me to do so?”
“Yes. I do.” He sighed. “I quite like Miss Tweedham. She is clever and interesting. I plan to make certain that I can spend more time in her company. As for Lady Sarah, she also seemed quite pleasant. We had a nice time discussing gardening before we went in to dinner.”
“What of our time in the drawing room last night? Did you speak to either of the other two ladies?”
“Only Lady Jewell. My, does she have some interesting stories to tell,” he declared. “I have yet to really talk with Miss Lawson, however. I feel I owe it to myself to get to know each of the four eligible ladies. At the moment, however, I am leaning toward pursuing Miss Tweedham.”
“I have known her for several years now, Ollie, and I can tell you that she has such a good heart. She is also intelligent and patient.”
“All those qualities would make for a good viscountess,” he mused. “I will continue to get to know all the ladies, however. It is only fair to do so. I fear I will have much to ponder once I do.”
Rowena reached for his hand and squeezed it.
“Do not feel as if you have to offer for anyone by the end of this house party. While they are known for engagements occurring, do not be in a rush. If you are not certain in a week’s time, do not leap to a decision simply for the sake of making one.
You could always exchange letters with any lady you are interested in and then spend time with her at next spring’s Season before you make up your mind. ”
“You are right. As always. I just do not wish to miss out and have one I prefer snatched up by someone else at the house party.”
“We can watch how things unfold over the next few days. See if any couples pair off from the rest of the group. You will also have more time around the various ladies, and that will help you, as well.”
They entered the house and were taken immediately to the breakfast room. A quick count told her only Miss Bailey was not present.
“I see we are an early group,” Rowena said, greeting the others and heading for the buffet, where Ollie already was.
“I think our guests are simply eager to begin a new day with one another,” Lord Pebble said, smiling at Miss Lawson. “Now that all the young people are here, what will they be doing today, my dear?” he asked his wife.
“After breakfast, I think a stroll along the beach is in order,” the viscountess said. “The weather is pleasant this morning. There is nothing like the salt air.”
“Are there shells?” asked Lady Sarah. “I have never been to the beach before, but I have seen shells which others have brought back.”
“Yes, my lady,” Ollie said. “They will be easy to spot. The sand along the beach can be a bit hard to navigate, but as you approach the water’s edge, it is more packed down and easy to maneuver along.
A majority of shells will be found along that sand, the water washing them up to the shore’s edge. ”
“I walk the beach regularly with my daughter,” Baron Howell said. “I can help you find seashells, Lady Sarah. We might even save a few for Mary, as well as the ones you might wish to collect.”
“I would appreciate your escort, Lord Howell.”
Rowena thought it interesting how the baron had jumped into the conversation.
Ollie had certainly lost that round if he was interested in Lady Sarah.
She glanced at her friend, who was still talking with Lord Howell.
Her face was alight with interest. For the first time since she had known Lady Sarah, Rowena thought her not plain at all.
It was amazing how a bit of attention from one gentleman had helped in this transformation of her friend.
“That will take a couple of hours,” Lady Pebble continued. “After you return to Pebblestone, Lord Pebble has promised to lead the gentlemen on a hunt. The ladies can gather in my parlor and catch up on their correspondence.”
She had no one to write to, other than Aunt Sylvia, and she had posted a letter to her aunt only yesterday, informing her of the house party she planned to attend.
Her two closest friends and only other living relative were at this house party.
Besides, writing letters were meant for cold, rainy days by the fire.
With this end of September still nice, being outside was her preference.
While she had no plans to join the gentlemen on the hunt, Rowena determined she would take a ride on Aurora.
Ollie had both their horses taken to Pebblestone the day before the house party began, knowing that riding would likely be one of the activities the viscountess would recommend they indulge in.
For now, she would keep her plans to herself, however.
Once breakfast had concluded, the ladies went to freshen up and claim their bonnets. Rowena had brought several and chose a straw one with sky blue ribbons, tying them into a bow beneath her chin.
Miss Tweedham grinned. “Your taste in bonnets has also greatly improved.”
“It is our local millinery’s work. If we have time to go into Mossleigh, we must visit her shop. She has several bonnets already made up, and she will also create one for you if you wish.”
Her friend’s eyes brightened. “Yes, we simply must do so. I find it hard to resist an attractive bonnet.”
They met the rest of their party in the foyer.
All ten of them were going down to the beach.
Miss Bailey was nowhere in sight, and Lord and Lady Pebble had wished them well at breakfast, so Rowena knew their hosts would not be going either.
She found she liked these relaxed rules of house parties held in the country.
She made a point of skirting around Lord Marley and joining Lady Jewell, Lord Cramer, and Mr. Tompkins. The four of them walked together to the beach, and she found herself next to Lord Cramer when they reached it.
“Are you fond of collecting seashells, Miss Stanhope?” he asked.
“I have never done so, my lord. Although I was born but a stone’s throw from here, I have spent most of my time in town. My late father preferred town to country.”
“I am the opposite,” he admitted. “I feel when the Season comes along, I must drag myself to town. I only bother attending a few events.”
She looked up at him, thinking his auburn hair and green eyes an interesting combination. “Why do you prefer the country? I know I do and plan to make Dorset my permanent home, but I would be interested in your opinion.”
Though he had seemed taciturn before now, he opened up to her. Rowena found he was a serious, solemn man with a bent toward learning. The time in his company was most pleasant.
“I have a superb estate manager, which frees me up to focus on intellectual pursuits. I am interested in astronomy. Biology. Literature.”
“Mr. Tompkins is a science tutor at Oxford,” she said. “Have you had a chance to visit with him?”
“No, I have not. I will do so.”