Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Hugh arrived at Tyneham Manor, Pip in tow, on Tuesday for tea.
He tried to tell himself that meeting Georgie’s father this time would be different.
In London, Hugh had been an impoverished minister, fresh from university with no prospects.
Now, he was a vicar with a duke as his patron.
While it was still a far cry from the son of a duke, Hugh was not without resources.
And friends. That much was apparent by the warm welcome he received in the sitting room not only from His Grace but by Her Grace the First, Mr. Warden, Her Grace the Third, and even Sir Winfred.
“And this must be Pip,” His Grace said with his gentle smile, peering at the boy through silver-rimmed spectacles.
Hugh had schooled Pip on how to behave toward the duke. The boy managed a credible bow. “Yes, Yer Grace. It’s a right honor to meet you.”
The duke’s smile widened. “Any friend of Oliver’s is a friend of mine.”
Pip shared a grin with the other boy, who was seated near his father and Her Grace the First, before nodding his thanks to the duke and stepping back to Hugh’s side.
“And you remember my father, Colonel Bancroft,” Georgie added.
How could Hugh forget? He put on his best smile and bowed. “Sir. An honor, as always.”
“Caddington,” her father said. And that was all he said.
Hugh turned to introduce Pip to the others, then they all settled around the room.
Hugh would have liked to sit beside Georgie on the sofa, but her father had appropriated that spot, so Hugh led Pip to the chairs nearest the hearth.
The silver tea service had been placed beside Her Grace the First, who proceeded to pour and dispense the rose-patterned cups.
Mr. Kinsle carried around a silver platter with strawberry-iced tea cakes, slim ginger biscuits, and golden madeleines.
Pip took one of each, while Anastasia went from person to person, eyes bright, soliciting donations.
A shame Hugh didn’t have someone in the church that dedicated and difficult to refuse when St. Mary’s needed a new roof.
But he was glad he’d left King Saul at the vicarage with Mrs. Hallet.
He didn’t want the pug to develop any other odd habits.
“I know Oliver is eager to start school in the village until we move to Grace-by-the-Sea,” Mr. Warden said at some point with a smile to his son, who was hanging off the arm of Pip’s chair as if he didn’t want to be separated.
“So is Pip,” Oliver piped up with a look to his friend.
Pip hurriedly wiped his mouth on a napkin. “Could be fun.”
“Education is not meant to be fun, young man,” the colonel informed him. “The purpose is to mold the minds of youth into the proper form for doing their duty to God and country.”
“To give them opportunities for a bright future,” Georgie countered. “At least, that is our hope here at Tyneham.”
The duke lifted his teacup to her. “Hear, hear.”
There was little the colonel could say to that. His strict notion of propriety would prevent him from arguing with a duke.
“We have yet to find a teacher, however,” Her Grace the Third put in with a sigh. “The woman we interviewed recently decided not to relocate to Tyneham.”
“But His Grace offered us the perfect building,” Her Grace the First reminded the other duchess. “It requires a few modifications, but Ben will have it set to rights in no time.” She aimed a fond smile his way.
“And how fare the renovations on the manor?” Hugh asked.
“Coming along,” the architect allowed.
“Coming along splendidly,” Her Grace the First amended. “The conservatory is ahead of schedule. We hope to start moving in furniture within the next fortnight. We should be ready for our house party in August. Then Georgie can treat us to a song or two.”
The duke frowned as if he wasn’t aware of a house party, but Hugh smiled, remembering the many times Georgie had played for him.
She was beyond talented when it came to the pianoforte.
If only they had an instrument at the church now.
But then, a duchess would cause quite a stir if she played for services.
Not if she was the wife of the vicar.
He kept his smile pleasant. No need to advertise his fragile hopes.
“The conservatory will be a fine addition,” the colonel proclaimed, as if they had needed his approval. “You are to be commended, Mr. Warden. And congratulated, I hear. It’s not many men who can win the heart of a duchess.” He cast Hugh a glance as if daring him to claim as much.
Mr. Warden took Her Grace the First’s hand. “I am the most fortunate of mortals.”
Everyone smiled at the look they shared. Hugh couldn’t help glancing at Georgie and was more than a little surprised to find her gazing back at him with nearly as much tenderness. If they hadn’t had an audience, he would have been highly tempted to take her in his arms and kiss her.
A movement at his side pulled his gaze away. Mr. Kinsle offered Pip the sweet tray again.
“Two madeleines should be sufficient, Pip,” Hugh warned.
The boy pulled back his hand, but not before Hugh saw a glimpse of gold in his grip. “Right you are, guvnor.”
“I do hope this school of yours teaches children how to speak properly, Georgie,” the colonel said with a frown toward Pip. “And to show due respect to their superiors.”
Pip met his look with a scowl of his own, but Georgie merely smiled at the boy. “I think it more important that our school, and our church, teach children that they are worthy of respect and love.”
“I quite agree,” Her Grace the Third put in. “There will be no use of the cane in Tyneham’s school.”
The colonel shook his head. “You’ll never have discipline otherwise.”
Georgie turned her big blue eyes on her father. “Why, Father, you never had call to use such tactics with me.”
The colonel had the good sense to consult his tea. “Girls are different.”
“Not so different,” Her Grace the First insisted.
“But at the moment we’ve kept our young men constrained for too long, I fear.
” She turned fluidly to Pip and Oliver. “I saw a pair of shovelers in the reflecting pond this morning. There’s no mistaking that dark green head on the male duck.
Perhaps you’ll have the same good fortune to spot them if you look. ”
“Shovelers,” Sir Winfred scoffed. “You’d be better served to look for the storm-petrel. Rare in these parts unless we have a bit of a wind as we had last night.”
Both boys popped to their feet. Oliver bowed to the room at large, and Pip belatedly copied him. Then they hurried out.
“Birds?” the colonel asked.
“They are devotees to the sport of bird watching,” the duke offered. “A fascinating pastime that hones both observation and appreciation for creation.” He nodded to Oliver’s notebook. “But I believe they left their catalogue behind.”
Mr. Warden rose. “I’ll take it to them.” He offered his hand to Her Grace the First, who took it with a smile, and the pair left.
The duke rose as well, and everyone stood out of respect. He waved them back in their seats. “Colonel Bancroft, Sir Winfred, I had a question about an estate matter. I’d appreciate the insights of two gentlemen with greater experience and social acumen.”
“Your servant, Your Grace,” Georgie’s father said, inclining his head.
“Always glad to help,” Sir Winfred agreed.
They started toward the door. Her Grace the Third winked at Georgie. “Best I go with them. You never know what trouble they’ll cause otherwise. Come, Anastasia.”
Georgie’s pet trotted happily after her.
And just like that, Georgie and Hugh were alone again.
She shook her head. “Conspiring, the lot of them.”
“Not your father,” Hugh predicted.
She sighed. “No, you’re right there. He’s as determined as ever. Do you know he already chose another husband for me?”
Hugh couldn’t help his bristle. “Who?”
She waved a hand, dismissing the fellow with such ease Hugh could only congratulate himself.
“A captain in some regiment currently serving on the Peninsula as they try to stop Napoleon. As if I want to be ruled by a military man the rest of my life. Not that they are all as opinionated as my father,” she hurriedly added.
“No indeed,” Hugh said. “Few would have that distinction.”
She met his gaze, and they both chuckled.
He transferred himself to the seat beside her. “Are you certain about my courtship, Georgie? I would not put you at odds with your family.”
“My family,” she said, “are the people in this house. They think the world of you, and so do I.”
He took her hands. “And yet he is your father. Having never known my own, I would not deprive you of yours.”
“You won’t. I promise. Please, leave my father to me. I know exactly how to convince him to allow our courtship to proceed this time.”
* * *
After Hugh and Pip had made their farewells, Georgie looked for an opportunity to speak with her father. Fortunately, Sophia, Max, Claudia, and Sir Winfred set up a game of whist while Ben went off to see to the workers on the new conservatory.
“Penny a point?” Sir Winfred asked, shuffling the cards as the quartet sat around the table at the back of the room.
“His Grace allows gambling?” Georgie’s father muttered where he’d rejoined her on the sofa. “Does your vicar condone that?”
She wasn’t certain whether Max heard him, but the duke answered Sir Winfred. “I’d prefer a friendly game for points only. We are family, after all.”
“Of course, of course,” the baronet said, starting to deal.
Georgie nodded to her father. “Just so.”
Her father humphed.
She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “I understand you once told Hugh he was beneath me.”
He stroked one end of his mustache. “Did he complain as much?”
“No,” she admitted. “He simply assumed I knew. It seems you gave him the impression I bore the same opinion.”