Chapter Fifteen
Later that night
“What is happening out there?” Rose asked her maid as she peered out her bedroom window.
The insistent orange glow of what could only be a bonfire somewhere on the rear lawn danced in the distance.
It went a long way in buoying her spirits after her heart had been nearly ripped out of her chest by Laurence earlier that afternoon.
The young woman grinned. Excitement reflected in her eyes. “Tonight, there is a bonfire on the grounds and a small harvest celebration ahead of All Hallow’s Eve. Everyone in the house is looking forward to it, and the village has been invited.”
“What?” Shock cycled through Rose’s chest. “Why? Who did it?” It was nearly dinner time, and she’d dressed accordingly, but now there was this. Did that mean there would be food carts with hand pies and other things one could eat while walking about? Her stomach growled at the thought.
“I couldn’t say, miss.”
“Well, I certainly wasn’t a part of it.”
The maid shrugged. “Ask Mrs. Henderson. She knows everything that goes on around the manor, and if she didn’t support it, she wouldn’t have allowed it.”
Rose frowned. Had her father authorized this from London?
“I’ll do that. Thank you.” As she left the room, the whisper of her skirting kept her company.
Tonight, she’d chosen to wear a gown in a deep maroon color.
The silk-wool blend would keep her fairly warm when venturing outside tonight, and once she secured a cape, she would be able to spend a fair amount of time out there.
Was it odd to feel such excitement for something as pedestrian as a bonfire?
When she gained the ground level, both Madison, the butler, and Mrs. Henderson, the housekeeper, waited for her, which was bizarre in and of itself.
“What has occurred? You both look as if you have a secret.”
“While Mr. Madison fetches your outer garments, let me tell you why you should immediately go outside to join the festivities.” The older woman took Rose’s arm and tugged her off to one side.
Amusement danced in her eyes. “If you wondered, the bonfire and party is only for tonight. Captain Danbury helmed the planning of it, and frankly, he did a marvelous job at it with only a few days notice.”
“But why would he even bother?” Especially after their disagreement from earlier.
“Can you not guess?” When Rose didn’t answer, the housekeeper blew out a breath in apparent exasperation.
“Unless I miss my guess, he’s nearly thrown his hat over the windmill for you.
The only reason he planned this autumnal bonfire night was because I’d told him you used to enjoy such things years ago, and he wanted to recreate a modified version merely to make you happy. ”
“What?” The captain is in love with me? As another wave of shock went through her, Rose became more nonplussed. “We’ve known each other for a week. Why would he do this?”
“You are not this dense, Miss Landry,” the housekeeper said with a wide grin. “He loves you, would do anything to make you smile, to bring you joy, because you’ve had such a dismal time of it these past years.”
Confusion filled her chest, and she felt as if she were drowning in far too many emotions. “He barely knows me.” Yet being in his company was as comfortable as if she’d known him for years.
“That doesn’t matter.”
“It’s far too soon to talk of love and romance.”
“When it comes to hearts and fate, there is no such thing as time. When a man knows what or whom he wants, that’s it. Especially a man like Captain Danbury. He won’t rest until he finally wins your hand.”
That made absolutely no sense. On the heels of their spat this afternoon, he should have spoken up. “He has made a hint or two, but I just assumed it was due to him being a man and trying his hand at seduction…”
One of Mrs. Henderson’s eyebrows rose. “Do you truly believe that of him?”
As much as it pained her to admit, she shook her head. “No. He’s proved himself quite different than the earl, and since that is all the experience I have with men, that’s not a large pool to pull from.”
“It doesn’t need to be. Love is love. It happens when it doesn’t without reason or a timeline.” The older woman peered closely at Rose. “The bigger question is, how do you feel about him?”
“I…” Was she doing herself a disservice by not allowing herself to usher in the romance that was right in front of her? “He is lovely, of course, but we had an argument this afternoon, and he’s planning to leave in order to find his sister. Would a man in love do that?”
“A man who values family over everything else.” Mrs. Henderson shook her head. “And every couple has arguments or disagreements. That is the way of it when one blends two lives together, but it also means there are sparks between you.” She laid a hand on Rose’s arm. “Did he promise he’d come back?”
“Yes, but—”
“And wouldn’t you want to align yourself with a man who will prove true to you and any children you may have should you marry?”
“Of course, yet—”
“Miss Landry, you are deserving of walking into a good life, a happy life.” Mrs. Henderson clasped Rose’s hand before releasing it. “If you feel the same for Captain Danbury that he does for you, throw yourself into it wholeheartedly and see where fate leads this time.”
“And if it shows me the wrong path like last time?” Why couldn’t she simply trust?
“Then it will, but isn’t it better to have love and been loved than not?”
She didn’t have a chance to reply, for Madison rejoined them with her black cape and her serviceable straw bonnet in hand. He’d also brought a pair of black kid gloves. “Thank you, Madison.”
“Of course, Miss Landry.” As he held out the cape, she turned about for him to slip it over her shoulders, then she tied the strings at her neck.
Then she donned the bonnet and gloves. “I suppose I’m ready.” These two wouldn’t settle for anything else than her joining the celebration.
Both of them beamed as if she were their daughter.
Mrs. Henderson nodded. “You are lovely, dear.”
The butler smiled. “The captain will be a fool not to ask for your hand tonight.” He winked. “In lieu of your father being here, he discussed the possibility at length with me last night.”
The bottom fell out of her stomach as she gawked at him. “He did?”
“Yes.” Madison’s grin showed a line of slightly crooked teeth in his lower jaw. “But he’s feeling vulnerable because he considers himself unworthy of winning you.”
And that was the reason for the argument earlier. Knowing he was all too serious about being with her, this time when excitement welled in her chest, she let it flow instead of tamping it down. “Well, he’s not wrong. A woman does want a man who can take care of her in every stage of life.”
The butler scoffed. “The captain is a hard worker. He’ll find a way, and he’s not one of those layabouts.”
It was adorable that the austere man acted personally offended as if Laurence was his son being rejected. “I am aware of that, Madison.”
“And one last thing, Miss Landry?” Madison cleared his throat, but his expression of hope fired her own. “I have had a letter from your father apprising me of the fact that his estate foreman has resigned due to age. He’ll stop by to leave important papers and other things next week.”
“What does that have to do with this situation?” Truly, she couldn’t puzzle it out.
“Just this. There is an opening for an estate foreman. I’d think that a man with military training and a sterling reputation might prove the perfect fit for the position, don’t you?”
Oh, dear heavens. She trembled from the knowledge.
“It is a lovely idea, Madison, and one that requires thought.” When she bounced her gaze between them, it was as if the clouds obscuring her vision suddenly cleared.
“I’m going outside to find the captain. The pair of you have mucked about in my love life enough, so let me take care of the rest, hmm? ”
“Good luck, dear,” Mrs. Henderson whispered with a wink.
“And if the staff wishes to go down and partake of the celebration, by all means let them. I am the only one here, and I don’t mind the break in propriety.”
“I will pass along that tidbit,” the older woman said with a nod.
She’d made it as far as the darkened terrace just off the ballroom when one of the footmen came after her.
“Miss Landry?”
In the shadows, it was difficult to see, but she recognized John. “What is it?”
“It’s the captain, miss. He has packed his knap sack and is planning to leave before the night is out.”
Her chest tightened. “How do you know that?”
“Uh…” The young man shoved a hand through his hair. “I serve as his valet when he needs the help. After dressing him for tonight’s celebration, he mumbled something about stubborn women and that you’d fare better without him.”
Drat the captain’s eyes!
“Thank you, John. Do you know where he is now?”
“Try the bonfire. He was quite proud of that.”
“I will.” But first, she needed to stop by the outbuilding that housed her archery equipment. If Laurence thought he would leave without talking everything out with her, he had another think coming.
Eventually, after touring the bonfire, watching village children play games on the darkened lawn, walking by handcarts where delicious scents were emanating, Rose tracked the captain to earth at the edge of the estate.
He had his knapsack in hand, but he wore a lovely charcoal superfine jacket and a pair of dove gray breeches that hugged his legs and made her think highly inappropriate thoughts.
“Captain Danbury, halt right there!” She followed the command by shooting an arrow so that it lodged in the tall grass two feet in front of him.
He stopped short, and for a few seconds, his shoulders slumped, then slowly he turned around to face her. “Don’t think to bar me from leaving, Rose. I need to find my sister.”
“Oh, I’m well aware of that, but we’ll revisit that part in a bit.” As she spoke, Rose nocked another arrow to her bowstring. “We need to talk.”