Chapter Thirteen
The next day
“The papers just arrived,” Gabriel said as he handed his mother her gossip sheets. “Before Miss Vickers joins us, I have a favor to ask.” He served himself eggs, bacon, and toast, and then sat down at the other end of the table.
“I’d be happy to, son,” the countess said, shaking open her paper.
“When you see Mrs. Fitz, could you please ask her to pack some wine, cheese, and a few fruits in a picnic basket for this afternoon? I should have inquired as to what Miss Vickers prefers to eat, but this seems to be the standard picnic selection. If Mrs. Fitz has other suggestions that you think would be good, please feel free to ask her to include them. And kindly pass along my appreciation for doing this so last minute for me.”
The countess smiled. “I’ll be glad to do that, Gabriel.” She glanced out the long window to her right. “It seems the weather is cooperating with you.”
“So far, yes,” he said, buttering his toast.
“Did you sleep well, son?” she asked.
He looked up from his plate. “As a matter of fact, I did.”
“I can see that you seem much more rested. Where do you and Miss Vickers plan to go for your ride?”
“I thought we’d ride the higher ground on the property, since there’s been so much rain.
Miss Vickers might appreciate stretching her legs.
She mentioned that she enjoyed riding, and we have such beautiful paths.
Although I’ll have to keep an eye on the lower lands because of all the rain—they’ll no doubt be soggy.
But with the sun at our backs, there are several hill paths we can travel…
” He looked at his mother and gave a crooked smile.
“You’re rather interested in this ride, aren’t you? ”
“Yes. But it’s just that things seem to have happened in a rather unpredictable fashion this past week,” she said, her voice strained.
He set down his knife and gave her his full attention. “Mother, I can tell you are working toward making a point, so perhaps you’d best just say it.” He sensed whatever she was hinting at was connected to her recent campaign to encourage him to meet eligible ladies and think about marriage again.
“Gabriel, I’m not trying to play matchmaker…
at least, not this time.” She gave him a small, sheepish smile.
“But I can’t help feeling something is different.
Think about it. Miss Vickers arrives out of nowhere after a sudden thunderstorm.
Her carriage was in an accident, and she managed to find her way here in that storm with her maid and a boy who’d pretended to be a driver.
That same night, Caro sleepwalks again and ends up in Miss Vickers’s room.
A room that used to be Olivia’s. Miss Vickers has been spending time with Caro.
She’s visited her several times in the nursery.
And despite Caro’s sleepwalking episode, I haven’t seen her so engaged since before her parents died.
You haven’t had any of those horrible dreams. I’ve noticed them together several times.
I, too, have felt more at peace this week. ”
He shifted in his seat, suddenly uncomfortable with the direction the conversation seemed to be taking. “What are you saying, Mother?”
“Have you considered that perhaps Olivia and Juliet are watching over you, hoping to see you smile again? I’m not blind. I can see what’s happening…” She leaned forward and said in a lowered tone, “It’s clear—at least to me—that you’re attracted to Miss Vickers.”
“You’re suggesting… You can’t possibly mean that my former betrothed and my sister are somehow working together in the spirit world to send me Miss Vickers?” The absurdity of the idea startled him.
“And if they are?” his mother said, her eyes shimmering.
“Do you really believe that?” he asked.
“Do you not see the various signs? Take, for example, how Miss Vickers arrived on the third anniversary. I will add that I noticed your immediate attraction—the first since Juliet’s death.
Not only were you attracted to her, but I also noticed a protectiveness emerge—something that I haven’t seen from you in these three years.
You’ve blocked yourself off from the rest of us.
Yet she arrived, and it’s like my son is suddenly back.
” She picked up her cup of tea and took a shaky sip, her lips clearly trembling with emotion.
“Have you considered it is simply all a coincidence?”
“No. It is not a coincidence. And nothing about this is simple.”
He blew out a breath. “Well, when you put it like that, it makes me have to consider it. I haven’t met anyone like her,” he said. “She is beautiful, of course, and kind, and charming… We are fortunate that things have not been worse. And that she found her way here and we were able to help her.”
His mother arched a brow.
“But perhaps this is all temporary, meant to happen to help us in our grief, a diversion from our troubles. That’s all, Mother. And Miss Vickers is simply part of this diversion, and maybe that’s what we needed.”
He preferred not to think any deeper, because the past three years had been full of such sorrow and pain that he could not even allow himself to envision the possibility of a happy future.
“You actually believe what you are saying?” she said. “Let me make a suggestion—rather than standing firm in this particular belief, allow yourself to enjoy the moment. Perhaps it is time that you set aside your grief and begin to live again.”
Before he could respond, the door opened, and Miss Vickers walked in.
She looked stunning in her deep purple velvet riding habit.
A dark beaver top hat with an olive-green plume trailed behind it, crowning the braided chignon at the back of her head.
Wispy curls framed her face, and her lovely lavender eyes were the most beautiful he thought he’d ever seen. She was the very picture of elegance.
“I must apologize to both of you,” she said, her face slightly flushed.
“I insisted on finding my way here myself this morning. This manor house is gorgeous, but it’s massive.
And I got confused in the halls where your family paintings are—and a little anxious I’d miss seeing either one of you.
But when I examined the painting, I was standing in front of it, it was the one with you and your lovely sister in it, my lord.
And it seemed she was pointing toward a hall, so lost as I was, I took it, and here I am! ” she said happily.
Gabriel and his mother looked at each other, her wearing a self-satisfied grin. But luckily, Miss Vickers seemed oblivious to it.
“I can understand that, my dear,” the countess said. “This house has been added to several times over the past few hundred years.”
He had to admit, he thought Miss Vickers to be the most refreshing young woman he’d ever met. That she had a tender heart was clear, but she also had a way to make them all smile, including Caro.
Miss Vickers selected her breakfast and set her plate down on the dining table, across from his mother.
“I was afraid the buttered eggs would be cold,” she said, chuckling.
“But they are still warm and made exactly the way I enjoy them. And I love that Mrs. Fitz always seems to add shavings of cheese. It makes it so tasty.”
Gabriel chuckled. “Your enthusiasm makes breakfast taste even better than usual, Elizabeth. I cannot recall the last time anyone got excited about eggs.”
She smiled at him. “I confess, breakfast is my favorite meal.”
Before he could comment on that, his mother changed the subject.
“What time will you and Miss Vickers be going on your ride, darling?” she asked, as if their earlier conversation had never happened.
He looked at Miss Vickers. “Elizabeth, what time would suit you? I thought we might bring a picnic basket and have a bite to eat while we are out.” He glanced at his mother and back to Miss Vickers. “Is there anything you particularly enjoy eating in a picnic setting?”
Miss Vickers chuckled softly. “I’m thrilled to be able to get out and ride after being stuck inside for this long because of the rain.
” She turned to his mother. “Lady Ravensthorpe, please don’t take offense at that.
Your house is lovely, but I am used to spending a great deal of time outdoors.
I enjoy the outdoors and prefer it to being inside for days on end. ”
“In Boston?” the countess asked.
“Yes. I assure you, I frustrate my mother. But Boston has large parks, just like Hyde Park—places where you can ride. I enjoy the city, but Mama often teases that someone played a cruel joke on her and switched her child when she wasn’t looking.
She enjoys Society, whereas I can take it or leave it. ”
“But you came to London…” the countess persisted, looking perplexed.
“Yes. Because my cousin wanted to come. And for the adventure. I thought it would be a lovely escapade—and my cousin adores Society.” Miss Vickers’s expression grew thoughtful. “I hope she’s starting to feel better. She said she’d try to join us if her headache had passed. I’m hopeful she will.”
“So, the picnic…” Gabriel said.
“That’s so thoughtful of you, Gabriel. A picnic sounds lovely, and I’ll be happy with anything you choose to bring.
Just getting outside in the sunshine will make it perfect, I promise.
It’s such a considerate idea to bring food.
I’m really looking forward to riding again—it’s been a couple of months since my last ride. ”
A few minutes later, Caro and Biscuit entered the room. Caro held her finger to her lips, demanding that Biscuit be on his best behavior.
“Good morning, Caro,” Ashlyn said, thrilled to see the little girl. She had been spending time with her in the evenings, hoping to teach her more sign language. “Are you and Biscuit having a good time?”
Caro nodded and smiled.
“That’s good. Biscuit is obviously enjoying himself,” Gabriel said.
“Sweetling, what do you have there?” the countess asked her granddaughter.
Caro unrolled what appeared to be a drawing and handed it to her grandmother, who looked at it and wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. She handed the picture to her son.
Gabriel stared at it and showed it to Ashlyn.
The picture looked like a delightful drawing of Caro and Biscuit, both smiling happily on the front lawn of a huge house.
Ashlyn supposed it to be Gabriel’s estate.
Next to them, there were figures of people—a tall, dark-haired man and two women, also with dark hair.
Over the house were two big, fluffy clouds.
“Is this a picture of your mama and papa?” Gabriel asked.
Caro shook her head. She pointed to one of the clouds and, with an open hand, palm up, touched her thumb beneath her chin and looked to Ashlyn.
“Are you saying your mother is in the clouds?” Ashlyn asked. “An angel?”
Caro nodded and touched the other cloud. Again, taking her open hand, palm up, she touched her forehead with her thumb.
“And your papa is in the clouds?”
Caro nodded, ran to Ashlyn, and hugged her.
“You taught her these signs?” Lady Ravensthorpe asked.
“I did. I hope it was all right to do so,” Ashlyn said, suddenly worried.
“We’ve spent time together in the evenings.
Caro comes to visit me for a little while each evening, and I read her a story—well, her and Biscuit.
I’ve been teaching her some signs that I learned from my uncle’s friend, who developed a sign language.
I know there are probably three or four different types of sign language, but this one seems so convenient and easy.
After a half-hour or so, I take her back to bed. ”
“I…I think it’s wonderful. To know how Caro sees her life… You’ve given us such a wonderful gift, my dear,” Lady Ravensthorpe said, her voice trembling. “Please teach me some of the signs you’ve taught Caro. I want to keep working with her, so we can communicate.”
Gabriel stood and picked up his niece, who insisted on holding her puppy.
Laughing, he adjusted his embrace so he could better hold them both.
“I love you, Caro. Your mama and papa love you, too. They are angels, and they watch you every day. And right now, I’m certain that they are very, very proud of you.
” He squeezed her and kissed her on her forehead.
The little girl pointed to Biscuit and then to her heart.
“You love Biscuit, don’t you?” Ashlyn asked.
Caro nodded and tugged the little puppy more tightly into her arms.
“Caro, we will work on a couple more signs. You are doing so well with the ones you’ve learned,” Ashlyn said. “I’ll be happy to share these with you, my lady. I’ll write a description of them down for you.”
The countess turned to the little girl. “Sweet Caro, your mama and papa are so proud of you for learning so much this week. And I just know your mama loves Biscuit and is happy you found him.”
“This has been a very informative breakfast,” Gabriel said. He looked at Ashlyn. “You’ve helped my niece so much, and I thank you.”
“We are still going riding, aren’t we? I’ve been thinking about it since you mentioned it,” she said eagerly.
“Yes, shall we head out in about an hour?”
Ashlyn nodded. “I’d love to. I’ll change into my riding habit.”
“Excellent. I’ll meet you in the kitchen in about an hour. By then, Mrs. Fitz will have finished packing up our picnic lunch,” Gabriel said.
As he left the room, Gabriel thought about the arrival of the adorable puppy.
Biscuit had come the day after Miss Vickers.
Mr. Grimes had asked the neighbors if they were missing a puppy, but oddly, there had been no indication of anyone owning Biscuit—or even having puppies at this time.
Caro was clearly smitten with him, and the puppy loved her back.
Could Mother have been right?