Chapter 4
The constant jostling of the carriage finally awakened Robertson from his self-induced stupor. He had no idea how much he’d drunk last night and only barely remembered getting home and climbing into bed. It seemed he’d only slept an hour before it was time to get up and get on the road for the house party in Guilford. Now he was suffering from that overindulgence.
He groaned and cracked open one eye. Noah was smirking at him.
“What?”
“Nothing,” Noah said. “Just wondering how you’re feeling, that’s all.”
“You’re an arse, you know that?”
Noah chuckled. “Oh, I absolutely know that, but it’s your own fault. I told you to stop, but you and Miles were determined to finish that whole bottle of whiskey. Who was I to stop your fun?”
Miles evidently was also feeling the effects of too much whiskey, as he lay slumped against the side of the carriage. “Could you two argue a little quieter? My head is about to explode,” he whispered.
“There’s an inn not too far up the road. I say we stop and get something to eat. I’m famished,” Noah said.
Robertson could only move his head a fraction because it hurt too much to do anything else. He wasn’t sure he could eat, but he’d agree to just as long as the jostling stopped and he could get out and stretch his legs.
Noah pounded on the roof, and the driver opened the trap door. “Yes, my lord?”
“Kindly stop at the next inn.”
“Of course, my lord. It’s only a few miles ahead.”
It didn’t take long before the carriage pulled into the yard of the White Swan Inn. A few other carriages were already there, but there was still plenty of room for theirs. When the carriage stopped, Noah opened the door and jumped down.
“I’ll go see about getting us some food while you two rouse yourselves,” he said, striding away.
“I do hate how chipper he is,” Miles mumbled before stumbling out of the carriage.
Robertson followed and walked to the front of the carriage. “Make sure to grab something to eat after you take care of the horses.”
The driver nodded. “Of course, my lord.”
Robertson needed black coffee and lots of it. Tea wouldn’t be enough to help the massive headache he had. He made his way into the common room, and Noah waved him over to a booth in the corner.
“Coffee is on the way, and the owner tells me his wife has made a delicious lamb stew today.”
Miles soon joined them after visiting the necessary, plopping down on the bench as one of the serving girls brought over a pot of coffee and three mugs. “Your food will be out in a moment,” she said.
Noah gave her a brilliant smile. “Thank you, miss.”
It always amazed Robertson how women flocked to Noah. He had an easygoing personality and loved to flirt with any female in his vicinity. Noah made every woman feel like a queen and serving girls were no exception. If Robertson were honest, he was a little jealous of him. No one would ever call him easygoing.
A blush stole up the young woman’s neck before she curtseyed and scurried away.
“Charming the serving girls now, Noah?” Miles said.
“Of course. Every woman deserves to feel special, and besides, someone has to be pleasant. Otherwise, one glimpse of the grumpy looks of you two, and we’d be lucky to get any service,” he said, pouring coffee for the three of them.
Robertson perked up a bit at the smell of the strong brew and took a sip. It had the rich flavor he preferred and it warmed his insides.
“Well, gents, we should be in Guilford in about three hours,” Noah said.
“I don’t know why I let you talk me into this,” Robertson said.
“Um…maybe because you were nursing a bit of heartache and needed to leave London before a certain announcement was made.”
Robertson’s head snapped up. He didn’t appreciate Noah bringing up his failed courtship again, but he couldn’t deny his friend was correct in his assumption. He didn’t want to be in London when the betrothal of Miss Grandier to Lord Evans was announced. He hadn’t fallen in love with Ms. Grandier, but he had admired her, and some of the ton mistook his fine manners and attention to her for love. He was incapable of that emotion, but that never stopped anyone from speculating. “Please don’t mention it again.”
“My lips are sealed,” his friend said with a chuckle.
Three bowls of hearty lamb stew were brought to the table by the innkeeper’s wife. “I hope you gentlemen enjoy the stew. Made it fresh this morning,” she said with a smile.
“It smells delicious,” Robertson said, surprised that his stomach chose that moment to grumble loudly.
“Thank you, my lord,” she said, pleased, before heading back into the kitchen.
“Would you care for some ale with your stew?” the serving girl asked.
“That’s a fine idea. Thank you, Miss…” Noah said.
“Daphne, my lord.”
“A very pretty name for a pretty woman,” Noah said with a wink. “You must be new here. I haven’t seen you here before.
“I’ve only recently been hired,” Daphne said.
“No ale for me,” Robertson said.
“Me either,” Miles chimed in. “Coffee’s fine for now.”
Daphne nodded and hurried away to get Noah’s ale.
The coffee was helping clear out the fuzziness Robertson felt earlier, and he dove into the stew. He was pleasantly surprised at how good it tasted and soon felt more like his old self. Perhaps a hearty meal had been just what he needed.
Both Noah and Miles were enjoying their stew, although Miles was definitely eating slower. He still looked a little green, but soon even his color improved.
After they finished eating, Daphne brought three slices of lemon cake to their table. “Mrs. Hutchins sent these with her compliments.”
“That was very kind of her. Please thank her for us,” Noah said.
“Of course, my lord,” Daphne said, blushing. She was obviously falling under Noah’s spell. It was the same scenario everywhere they went. Women flocked to his friend’s winning smile, unlike Robertson’s stoic composure, which seemed to say to young ladies to stay away.
Robertson took a big bite. “Mmm…this is delicious. Good choice stopping here, Noah.”
“I aim to please,” Noah said.
Miles didn’t say anything, but soon, his slice of lemon cake was gone as well. He finally sat back with a self-satisfied smile. “That was good. I agree with Robertson—good choice stopping here.”
“I’ve eaten here before and enjoyed it. Mrs. Hutchins is an excellent cook, and I’ve never had a bad meal here. Are we ready to head back to the carriage?” Noah asked.
“I suppose we must. The sooner we get going, the sooner we can all relax at Fleming’s estate,” Robertson said.
The three men stood.
“I’ll take care of the bill,” Noah said, leaving an extra tip for Daphne. He walked to the innkeeper. “My compliments to your wife, Mr. Hutchins. The lamb stew was outstanding,” he said to the innkeeper.
“Thank you, Mr. Hughes. We hope to see you again soon.”
Robertson and Miles were already seated inside the carriage when Noah joined them. The horses had been watered and fed and were stamping their feet in the yard, anxious to be on the road again. He banged on the roof, and could hear the driver telling the horses to walk on. After such a hearty meal, he felt sleepy for an entirely different reason than earlier this morning. He closed his eyes, and sleep took him within minutes.
The next time Noah nudged him, he was surprised to see they’d arrived at Lord Fleming’s manor house. It was a handsome stone house with three stories and plenty of windows to let in the light. The grounds were beautifully landscaped, with rolling meadows beyond the formal garden.
The carriage stopped, and a footman opened the door. “Welcome to Fleming Manor, gentlemen.”
Two other footmen collected their bags, which were strapped to the back of the carriage, and brought them inside. The three friends got out of the carriage and walked to the front door.
A portly gentleman with dark hair and ruddy cheeks greeted them when the butler opened the door. “You’ve finally arrived. I was beginning to despair over your arrival,” he said.
“Fleming,” Robertson said with a nod. “We had to make a stop along the way, and it caused a slight delay in our trip.”
Noah and Miles greeted their host.
“Do come in,” Fleming said. “Care for a brandy before tea?”
The last thing Robertson wanted today was more liquor. “I’ll pass.”
“Me too,” Miles said.
Noah, ever jovial, said, “I’ll take you up on that offer.”
“Excellent. Gentlemen, follow me to the parlor. Some of the other guests arrived a short time ago and will be down shortly to join us for tea,” Lord Fleming said.
“I’ll join you in a moment. I need a bit of air after being cooped up in the carriage,” Robertson said, stepping off the porch.
“Totally understand. I’ll see you inside,” Lord Fleming said, leading Noah and Miles into the house.
Robertson’s driver steered the horses in the direction of the stables while he strode off toward the gardens.
***
Olivia looked around the guest room she’d been assigned. It was a lovely room painted in blue and cream with an expansive view of the beautiful garden below. The rose bushes were in full bloom, and the paths were lined with flowers bursting with color. Beyond the garden were rolling hills and meadows as far as the eye could see. She loved to walk and hoped to enjoy more of the outdoors this week. She was glad that Bett had been given the room next to hers. It made her feel safe, especially since her nerves were already on edge. This was the first time she’d left the estate since her marriage to Armstrong, and to make matters worse, she’d never been to a house party before and wasn’t sure what to expect.
Why did I let Bett talk me into this?
This is a bad idea.
I’ll make a fool of myself.
I’m not worthy.
Her lady’s maid, Emma, had nearly finished unpacking her trunk. “Would you like to change for tea, my lady?”
“Yes, I suppose I should get out of this traveling dress.”
Emma went to the armoire and looked through the dresses before pulling out a light-blue silk dress with small puff sleeves and a navy ribbon under the bosom. “This is such a lovely dress. Would you care to wear this?”
“Yes, that’ll be fine, especially since I won’t have to change again for dinner.”
Emma helped Olivia out of her traveling clothes. “Shall I redo your hair as well?”
Olivia reached up and smoothed the few wisps that had come loose from her chignon. “No. I think it’s fine for now.”
After helping Olivia dress, Emma scooped up her traveling dress and half boots, clearly planning to brush off the dirt from the road. “I’ll be back later to help you prepare for bed, my lady.” She curtseyed and exited the room.
Olivia wasn’t sure she wanted to go to dinner this evening. Maybe a tray in her room would be preferable, at least for the first night. She wasn’t sure her nerves could handle both tea and dinner. Baby steps were preferable until she got used to socializing again. Bett was right—it’d been too long since she socialized with anyone, and her stomach was in knots.
She glanced out the window and was surprised to see a tall specimen of a man striding through the garden toward the meadow, his broad shoulders and honey-blond hair striking, even from a distance.. She admired his fine form and long legs. “I wonder who that is,” she murmured, not that she was the least bit interested. She wasn’t here to meet anyone and had merely come to support Bett. But something about the power in that stride intrigued her just a little. It never hurt to admire an attractive man.
Olivia turned away from the window and, with one last look in the mirror, left her bedchamber and went to the room next door. There were no other guests in the hallway when she knocked on Bett’s door.
“Come.”
“Are you ready for tea?” Olivia asked as she walked into the room, where Bett’s maid had just finished putting the last of the pins in her hair.
“There you go, my lady. You look beautiful,” the maid said.
“Thank you, Lydia,” Bett said. She looked at her friend. “I’m ready. Let’s go down and meet the other guests.”
Olivia nodded, but she didn’t share Bett’s enthusiasm. Her stomach clenched tighter as she linked arms with her friend and walked out into the hallway.
Bett looked at her. “My goodness, you’re trembling.”
“Just a little nervous, that’s all. I’m thinking of taking a dinner tray in my room.”
“Liv, you mustn’t hide. We came here to get you out of your solitude, not so you can be alone in a different place.”
“I’m not hiding,” Olivia insisted, although Bett was right—she was hiding. Perhaps it was time to stop being afraid and start living again. “I suppose you’re right, but let’s see how tea goes first. Then I can decide if I want to stay downstairs for dinner.”
“I suppose that’s a start,” Bett said, leading Olivia down the stairs to the parlor. “You look quite lovely, by the way. I’m sure the gentlemen will be tripping over themselves to talk with you this evening.”
A shudder went through Olivia. She wasn’t sure she wanted all that attention.
I think I’ve made a dreadful mistake.