Chapter Ten
The carriage rocked gently as it wound along the coastal road, and Courtney leaned forward to catch her first glimpse of Danvers Hall through the window.
The Dorset countryside unfurled around them in a tapestry of emerald fields and wild hedgerows, the late summer light bathing everything in golden warmth.
Beside her, Ava-Marie bounced in her seat, her small face alight with excitement.
“Are we nearly there, Lady Courtney? Will we see the sea?” The little girl had been asking variations of this question since they’d left London two days prior.
“Almost there, darling,” Courtney replied, smoothing a wayward curl from the child’s forehead. “If I remember correctly, yes, you can see the sea from the house. It sits on a cliff overlooking the water.”
As they crested the final hill, the hall and grounds came into view, and Courtney’s breath caught in her throat.
Five years had done little to change its weathered stone facade, the ivy climbing its walls perhaps a bit more abundant, the gardens somewhat less tended.
But it was still the place where she and Lucien had spent countless summer days, where she had first realized she was in love with him.
“Goodness, it’s bigger than our London house. It looks like a castle,” Ava-Marie said in awe, pressing her small nose against the glass.
“It’s so big you can get lost in it,” Courtney said. “There are meadows where you can run, and a path down to a small cove where we can swim when the weather is warm enough.”
“I love swimming,” Caitria said. “I shall swim everyday while we are here. I’ll teach Ava-Marie.”
Courtney wondered if that was Caitria’s way of saying Ave-Marie was hers to look after? Was she going to have a problem with the young woman where Ava-Marie was concerned? She couldn’t blame her. Caitria had been a mother to Ava-Marie.
“I’d forgotten how big their estate is,” Julian said. “I’m looking forward to riding and swimming with you, my love,” he said, picking up his wife’s hand and pressing a kiss to her knuckles.
“Thank you both for coming with me.”
“What are big brothers for but to ensure my sister is chaperoned properly?”
Serena laughed at Courtney’s stricken look. “Not too properly, I suspect Courtney is hoping.”
Her brother didn’t reply as Courtney’s face heated. She turned to look out the window.
A memory washed over her unbidden. Lucien pulling her by the hand down that same path, both of them laughing as they raced toward the water.
She had been wearing her oldest dress, one she didn’t mind ruining with salt water, and he had rolled up his trousers to wade into the surf beside her.
They’d been so carefree and innocent then, before his departure for Ireland, before the years of believing him dead.
“Papa says there are ponies,” Ava-Marie said, her green eyes, so like Lucien’s, wide with anticipation. “He promised I could learn to ride.”
“Your father loves horses,” Courtney replied, grateful for the distraction from her memories. “He taught me to ride properly, you know. When I was younger, I was terribly afraid of falling.”
“Were you?” Ava-Marie looked skeptical, as though she couldn’t imagine the composed Lady Courtney being afraid of anything.
“I was,” Courtney admitted with a smile. “But your father was very patient. He chose the gentlest mare in the stables and walked beside me for hours until I felt confident enough to ride alone.”
What she didn’t share was how those lessons had led to long rides across the estate, galloping side by side over open fields, stopping to picnic by the stream that marked the estate’s eastern boundary.
How Lucien had taught her to jump fences, his pride in her accomplishments warming her from within.
How he had stolen kisses from her for the first time after one such ride, both of them windswept and exhilarated.
The carriage began its descent toward the hall, and Courtney caught sight of two figures waiting at the entrance.
Her heart sped up at the sight of Lucien and she also spied Mr. Roberts, the new estate manager whom Lord Wolfarth had recommended after Lucien’s father had been forced to dismiss the previous one.
Her heart quickened at the sight of Lucien, still unaccustomed to the miracle of his return despite the weeks that had passed since the scandal at Farah’s ball had been resolved.
“Look! There’s Papa!” Ava-Marie cried, waving enthusiastically though the men couldn’t possibly see her through the carriage windows.
“Yes, dear, we’re nearly there,” Caitria said, adjusting the child’s bonnet which had gone askew during her excited bouncing.
Julian, seated across from Courtney, glanced out the window with interest. “The place has good bones, though it’s clear it’s been neglected. I’m curious to hear what Mr. Roberts has already assessed.”
“I’m just looking forward to a proper walk after being cooped up in this carriage,” Serena remarked, smoothing her skirts. As Courtney’s companion and chaperone for the visit, she had borne the journey with remarkable patience.
As they pulled to a stop before the house, Lucien stepped forward to open the carriage door himself, his smile warm as he greeted them. “Welcome to Dorset,” he said, his voice carrying that slight Irish lilt that still startled her occasionally. “I hope the journey wasn’t too taxing?”
“It was worth every bump in the road,” Courtney replied, allowing her hand to linger in his as he helped her descend. “The estate looks almost the same.”
It was a slight exaggeration. Up close, she could see how the years of neglect had taken their toll.
The gravel drive was overgrown with weeds, the fountain in the center courtyard was dry, and several shutters hung askew.
But the bones of the place remained sound, and she could see the potential for restoration.
Julian followed, then helped Caitria down with Ava-Marie practically leaping out after her, while Serena descended last with the dignified air of someone determined to maintain decorum, despite the journey’s difficulties.
Mr. Roberts stepped forward, a stocky man with the weathered complexion of someone who spent much of his life outdoors.
“Welcome to Danvers Hall, my lady, Lord and Lady Montague,” he said with a slight bow to Courtney, Serena and Julian.
“I’ve been familiarizing myself with the property these past few days. ”
“Mr. Roberts has been invaluable,” Lucien added. “His knowledge of estate management is impressive. We’ve already identified several areas for immediate improvement.”
Julian nodded appreciatively. “I’d be very interested to hear your assessment, Mr. Roberts. Perhaps I can provide advice to Lucien if he requires it.”
“Of course, my lord,” Mr. Roberts replied. “I’ve prepared some notes on the tenant farms and the southern fields that I believe will interest Lord Furoe. A second opinion never hurts.”
Ava-Marie tugged at Lucien’s coat. “Papa, you promised to show me the sea! Can we go now, please?”
Lucien bent to kiss the top of her head. “Soon, darling. First, we must let everyone settle in. The journey has been long.”
“I’ll take her to wash up and change,” Caitria offered. “Perhaps Lady Serena and Lady Courtney would like to rest as well?”
“An excellent suggestion,” Lucien agreed. “The housekeeper has prepared rooms for everyone. Meanwhile, Lord Milburn, if you’d care to join Mr. Roberts and me for a brief tour of the immediate grounds?”
“I would indeed,” Julian replied with enthusiasm. “I’m particularly interested in seeing what stock you have on the property.”
As the men prepared to depart on their inspection, Courtney exchanged a warm glance with Lucien. “Don’t keep my brother too long,” she said lightly. “We’ve been promised a view of the sea, after all.”
“I wouldn’t dream of disappointing you,” Lucien replied, his eyes lingering on hers for a moment longer than was strictly proper. “We’ll return shortly.”
The small party separated, with the ladies and Ava-Marie being led inside by the housekeeper while the men strode off toward the fields, already deep in conversation about crop rotation and soil quality.
Inside, the huge hall was cool and dim after the bright sunshine, the familiar scent of beeswax and lavender bringing a rush of memories.
Courtney paused in the entrance hall, overwhelmed for a moment by the sense of the past pressing in around her.
This was where she and Lucien had danced during the midsummer party, where he had first told her he loved her, where they had planned their future together.
“Lady Courtney?” Serena’s voice gently pulled her back to the present. “I hope it’s not too overwhelming for you?”
“It’s only happy memories,” Courtney assured her, gathering herself. “Just taking in the familiar surroundings. It’s been some time since I visited.”
Ava-Marie looked around with undisguised curiosity, her bright eyes taking in the portrait gallery that lined the staircase. “Who are all these people, Lady Courtney? Are they Papa’s family?”
“Yes, they are,” Courtney replied, leading the child toward the stairs. “That’s your grandfather when he was young, and next to him is your grandmother. And there—” she pointed to a portrait of a young, dark-haired woman, “is your aunt Lauren when she was just sixteen.”
“She’s pretty,” Ava-Marie observed, then wrinkled her nose. “The house smells funny. Like old books.”
Courtney laughed softly. “That’s because there are a great many old books here. Perhaps Caitria can show you the library after you’ve rested.” She didn’t want to have to tell Ava-Marie that the house had all but virtually been shut up and servants released due to finances.
“Oh yes, please!” Ava-Marie’s enthusiasm was immediate. “Papa says I can learn to read properly now that we’re settled. Can you help teach me, Lady Courtney?”