Chapter Twenty-Four
“Theodora has asked Annalise over for tea twice,” Alexander said as they entered the halls of Parliament together, “but Lady Beaufort has refused each time.”
“If you want to know if my wife is purposely avoiding yours,” Navan replied with a bit of testiness in his tone, for he was beginning to tire of the drama of the Marksmans, “she is not. Annalise is simply reclaiming family and enjoying her grandmother’s tales of her daughter.”
“Assuredly, I do not think Annalise is purposely avoiding Theodora,” Marksman declared. “It is just that Dora recognizes her responsibility in assisting Annalise’s entrance into society.”
“In truth, I do not believe Annalise cares much for the prospects of joining society. She has found purpose again. The Smithfields have been filling her head with stories of a beloved sister and daughter. The dowager viscountess is even assisting my wife with some of the renovations going on at Beaufort House. My wife is also availing herself of her grandmother’s expertise in how to plan a supper party.
We are considering permitting my lady a practice party, of sorts, where she and I are the hosts.
Naturally, Lady Beaufort wishes to invite Lord Smithfield, his brother, and their wives, for neither Annalise nor I have ever performed in such roles. We will add a few others, I suppose.”
“Are Theodora and I to be included as guests?” Marksman asked in harsh tones.
“No formal guest list has been constructed,” Navan said in equal frustration.
“In fact, no date has been named. It may not occur until Parliament takes up business again after Christmastide. There are still many renovations to be completed before my wife can take on additional duties.” He nodded to where Lord Smithfield spoke to three other members of the Lords.
“If you will pardon me, Smithfield seems to have cornered the others interested in a canal in the northern shires. I want to put something similar on my grandmother’s estate and am most eager to speak to these gentlemen.
Please pardon me.” Navan meant to step away, but Marksman caught his arm.
“I would be interested in a canal system,” Marksman protested.
“We are still in the talking stages,” Navan assured as he prepared to join the others, “but I will keep both you and Duncan, as well as Orson, in the circle of interest once we see movement in our negotiations.”
“Pardon, my lady,” Mr. Cross said as he bowed to her and her grandmother. “Lord Graham has called. I have placed him in the front sitting room. His lordship has assured me that it is you to whom he wishes to speak, not Lord Beaufort.”
“Lord Graham?” she said with a smile. “I was wondering when his lordship would return to London.” She stepped down from the stool upon which she had been standing in order to reach the upper shelves of the library.
Annalise brushed the dust from the sleeve of her day dress.
Along with Mrs. Mayo and one of the maids, Annalise and the dowager viscountess had been rearranging the books and giving the room a good cleaning.
“Shall you be able to finish these three sections in my absence?” she asked the housekeeper.
“Yes, my lady. If we have questions on any of the books, Marybeth and I shall set those aside until you return,” Mrs. Mayo said graciously. “I like the way you are arranging everything. It gives the room more light, while providing coziness, at the same time.”
Though all she said was, “Thank you, ma’am,” Annalise was thrilled with Mrs. Mayo’s praise, for she knew the woman to be fiercely loyal to Beaufort, and Annalise was winning over some of that trust, simply for herself.
She turned to her grandmother. “Come along.” She laced her arm through Lady Smithfield’s to steady her grandmother’s steps as they walked.
“Have you taken Lord Graham’s acquaintance?
His lordship assisted with my marriage to Beaufort,” she explained as they crossed the passageway.
“I have not,” her grandmother responded as they entered the sitting room, but Annalise had already broken away to rush into Lord Graham’s waiting embrace.
“I have missed you terribly, sir,” she announced as she rose up to plant a kiss on his scarred cheek. “I have been asking Beaufort daily if you had returned.”
Lord Graham set her at arm’s length from him.
“Permit me a look at you.” He studied her up and down and smiled widely.
“I saw a girl to Scotland, and, in a few short months, you have blossomed into a full-fledged woman. Perhaps I should travel to Ireland and see if it is the luck of a four-leaf clover that will bring a person happiness.”
“You know more than many that it was not Ireland, but rather Beaufort who makes me happy,” she reprimanded good-naturedly.
“My Irish brother possesses the same silly look upon his countenance as does Orson,” Graham continued to tease.
“Enough of this, my lord,” she said as she turned to her grandmother. “Permit me to give you the acquaintance of my grandmother, the Dowager Lady Smithfield.”
Graham released Annalise’s hand to bow. He used his ever-present cane to assist with his balance. Annalise had noted his doing so previously, but had never given the situation much notice until now.
“Good day, my lady,” his lordship said with a debonair tone. “I am so pleased to learn that Lady Beaufort has reclaimed family. She deserves every moment of her contentment.”
“I agree, my lord,” her grandmother said with a gracious nod of her head. “And I am equally as pleased to claim my share of being reunited with my granddaughter, who is proving not only a delight but a woman with a fine head on her shoulders.”
Someone released the door knocker before more could be said, and Mr. Cross, who had been waiting by the sitting room door for orders, darted away to respond to the knock.
Lord Graham explained, “Likely, it is your uncles, my lady, and possibly your husband. I left them in a hearty discussion with the bank president after I agreed to assist in financing their plans for a canal.”
Several male voices could be heard in the hall, and Annalise recognized the approaching steps as belonging to her husband. Within seconds, Beaufort and the Smithfield brothers were entering the room. Navan bent to buss her cheek with a quick kiss.
“Lord Graham was just telling us he meant to support you in your plans,” Lady Smithfield said as she accepted a kiss from each of her sons upon her upturned cheek.
“Graham is quite useful in that manner,” Beaufort remarked in a teasing tone that Annalise recognized as the way Duncan’s sons spoke to each other.
“And in other ways,” she argued. “He is a most loyal friend.”
“True. Very true,” Beaufort agreed with a smile.
Before anyone could say more, Lord Smithfield said, “I do not mean to rush you, Mother, but Hilda and Evelyn wish to attend the evening of music at the art gallery this evening. We are to have a short session at the Lords this evening, so it would be best if you could see that my wife and Andrew’s do not lose track of time, so we do not make a late entrance into the gallery.
I understand that Prinny is also to make an appearance. ”
“Then we should be about it,” her grandmother announced. “In truth, I had nearly forgotten the day.” To Annalise, Lady Smithfield said, “I shall send a note around tomorrow, my dear, and we might confirm our plans.”
“Permit me to walk out with you,” Annalise said as she released Beaufort’s hand.
Navan had watched his wife’s departure with a sense of completeness. He was still quite fascinated by the gentle sway of her hips as she moved through the world, as well as the feel of said hips beneath his fingertips when they were in the throes of passion.
“Your wife has moved quite easily into the role of society wife,” Aaran said from somewhere off Navan’s shoulders.
“I do not think Annalise is quite ready to tolerate Prince George, as are the Smithfield ladies, nor could she compete with Lady Orson, but then again I do not hold the same type of aspirations as Richard does in government,” Navan admitted.
“Neither do I,” Graham commented. “Then again…”
Navan turned to confront his brother. “No more belittling yourself, Aaran, or you may be required to contend with me.”
Graham shrugged in embarrassment. “We are an odd pair, you and I. That is because we are the non-English members of Duncan’s family,” Graham observed.
“But you are also Scottish,” Navan said as he crossed to pour them both a drink. “That leaves me the bedlamite of the family.”
Graham accepted the glass, and they both took a sip of the port just as Annalise returned.
“Did you have a pleasant day?” Navan asked.
“Very much so,” she admitted with a sigh.
“Might I pour you a small wine?” he asked.
“I am well settled,” she said with a smile, and Navan marveled at how his wife’s temperament held no bitterness.
She had a temper when provoked, but she was not built for sourness.
“I want to hear Lord Graham’s news.” She sat in what had become her chair in this room, and Navan contentedly sat near her.
He had thought no one would ever fill this house with gladness, but Annalise had.
As well as she had done with his staff, she had won him over.
“There is not much to say,” Graham began as he sat. “I stayed at the southern estate until just recently. Then I traveled towards the lowlands before returning to England.”
Annalise frowned. “I had hoped you would have more to share of Lady Freya.”
Navan noted the slight blush on Graham’s cheeks. Perhaps Annalise’s speculation regarding Graham’s interest in the woman was correct.