Chapter 12
The overcast sky did not stop the picnic preparations, nor did Elena let a disheartening letter keep her from participating.
Blankets were draped like a patchwork across the courtyard and around the few trees.
Servants set up a table for the food, carrying tray after tray with delicious items. Families began arriving in the late afternoon with a handful of children shepherded by their nursemaids.
Anton had been busy greeting guests and seeing to arrangements, so Elena kept close to Mary and Mr. Gunther.
There was something about Banbury and the Crawford family that breathed new strength into her, giving her permission to enjoy life while she could.
“I am eager for you to meet Blake’s parents.” Mary tucked her legs underneath her and smoothed her dress. “Be warned. My future mother-in-law can be quite intimidating. Oh look! There is Lord Templeton.”
Gunther, who was leaning against a tree with his legs spread out, choked on his drink and coughed into his arm.
Mary put her hand on Gunther’s back. “I did not mean anything by it. I thought only to introduce him to Elena.”
Gunther wiped his face with a napkin. “Can Terrance do the favor? I hardly think it appropriate for you to make the introduction.”
Mary turned a beaming face to Elena. “Isn’t he darling when he is jealous? I do believe Lord Templeton is coming this way. Blake Gunther, be on your best behavior.”
A fine-dressed gentleman with dark hair and pleasing features weaved around the clusters of people, intent in their direction.
“Who is he?” Elena asked.
Mr. Gunther answered for Mary. “He is new to the neighborhood, and I have already made an enemy of him.”
“Have you?” Elena asked. She could not imagine anyone truly disliking the amiable man next to her, even if he was a bit of a dandy.
“He had eyes for Mary, and I am clearly the better man for her.” Mr. Gunther said, his voice dropping to a whisper as Lord Templeton stepped up to their blanket.
“Mr. Gunther,” Lord Templeton tipped his hat. “Lady Mary.” He looked at Elena. “I do not believe we’ve met.”
“This is my favorite friend, Miss Muffet,” Mary said. “Miss Muffet, meet Lord Templeton.”
Elena would never tire of hearing Mary’s affectionate words.
Lord Templeton bowed. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Are you visiting the castle then?”
“Yes.” Meeting a stranger was easier than in the past, but she still had to remind herself to look him in the eyes. “I hope to stay for the wedding.” Her gaze sought out Terrance and Sophia, only a few feet away, speaking with the rector.
“Of course,” Lord Templeton followed her line of vision. “I was hoping to gain an introduction to Mr. Hasting’s intended today. I have heard a great deal about her from the family.”
“Then you are here often?” Miss Muffet asked.
It seemed strange that he knew much of Miss Bliss when Elena had never heard or seen this man, and she had been there for several weeks.
The engagement of Mary to Mr. Gunther was surely the reason.
This poor man was one of many thwarted in matrimonial pursuits. She felt instant sympathy for him.
“Lady Crawford has been exceptionally generous to me. I have had the pleasure of becoming friends with both Mr. Hastings and Lord Crawford, though I have lived here not two months.”
At the mention of Lord Crawford’s name, Elena did her best to resist seeking him out with her gaze and focused on Lord Templeton. “We are both fortunate in our friendship.”
Lord Templeton’s eyes were soft and kind. She liked him immediately, and she wondered if it was because of his friendship with Anton that made her able to trust him so quickly.
“Everyone in this neighborhood is most exceptional. I am drawn to the history here too. This castle alone tells many stories. Have you seen the foundation stone?”
“No, I have not had the pleasure.”
Mary put her hand on Elena’s arm. “Oh, but you must. It’s a favorite tale of my family.”
“Allow me to show you,” Lord Templeton said. “I remember such few names of people here. I would be glad for an excuse to walk with you.”
“Is it far?” Elena did not want to miss speaking with Anton when he finished his duty as host.
“It is just around the back of the keep.”
“Very well.” Elena climbed to her feet and walked alongside Lord Templeton. They passed the refreshment table and walked away from the others.
“The stone has two stories to it,” Lord Templeton began. “There are those who believe it is a faerie stone which blesses or curses the inhabitants of the castle based on their good works.”
“And what is the second story?”
“That it is just an ordinary rock.”
Elena giggled. She would choose to believe the first story, since Banbury castle allowed her to laugh whenever she chose to.
There was a swish of legs walking behind them, and she turned to find Anton coming toward them.
“Crawford,” Lord Templeton said in greeting. “I thought there would be rain today and the picnic would be canceled.”
Anton blew out his breath. “Yes, my mother has been worried about nothing else since yesterday. She thrives when hosting, and yet, it wears me out just to watch her.” Anton’s gaze swung to meet Elena’s. “Are you enjoying yourself, Miss Muffet?”
“Indeed. Lord Templeton was about to show me the castle’s foundation stone.” Did he approve? Something about his stance looked wary, but of what, Elena was not sure.
Anton looked from her to Lord Templeton. “Might I join you?”
“Won’t your guests miss you?” Lord Templeton asked.
“I think they can spare me for a few minutes. They all came to see Miss Bliss anyway.”
Elena wondered if Lord Templeton knew about Anton’s feelings for Miss Bliss. And what would they both think if they knew Elena’s feelings for Anton?
“Shall we?” Anton urged them all forward.
Elena fell into step between the two men.
“Miss Muffet—” Both men started at the same time.
Anton motioned for Lord Templeton to speak first.
“Where are you visiting from?”
“Heythrop,” she replied.
“Oh, that isn’t too far from here.”
“No, but I regret this is my first time to Banbury.”
Lord Templeton put his hands behind his back. “It is a hidden treasure, is it not?”
“Yes.” Miss Muffet stole a glance at Anton.
He studied the ground as they walked. Perhaps he had forgotten what he wanted to say.
The need to include him in the conversation felt necessary, but she was still honing her newfound social skills.
“Lord Crawford, is there any other tidbits of history about Banbury that I have not been made aware of?”
He lifted his gaze to hers. “More than I could tell you in this short walk. These old stones have seen both bloodshed and glory.” He stopped at the corner of the keep and pointed to the bottom.
“That blackish stone there is the one Lord Templeton was referring to. It’s not much to look at, but more eyes have studied it than any other in this great edifice. ”
Elena stepped forward and caught her foot on a loose rock. She stumbled, and soon both men had a hold of each of her arms.
“Forgive my clumsiness,” she said, heat filling her cheeks. Lord Templeton seemed reluctant to release her, but he did. Anton, however, did not. Two very handsome, and extremely worthy, gentlemen were both giving her all of their attention. What had she done to deserve it?
“Care to make a wish before we return to the others?” Anton asked.
“Does this stone grant wishes too?”
“Just one.”
She bent her head back to look into his eyes. “Did you use yours up as a child?”
“I’ve been saving it.”
“All these years?”
“I didn’t want to waste it. Gunther wished for a horse, and he got one. Terrance wished for a new sled, and he got one. It might just be an ugly rock, but it’s held quite a bit of magic for us.”
Lord Templeton chuckled, and she remembered he was still standing right next to them. “No one told me about this wish business.”
Anton gave an exaggerated frown. “We try to be discreet in case the enchantment runs out. I trust you understand.”
Lord Templeton bowed. “I swear to never reveal the full power of the Banbury stone.”
With a quick nod, Anton released Elena. “Very well, you may both touch the stone and speak your wish.”
“Aloud?” Elena asked. She wanted to make a wish but could never do so with these men watching.
“In your mind is sufficient.”
She wondered if he had said that merely to put her at ease.
She stepped forward just the same, bent over, and touched the stone.
In her mind, she wished with all her heart to have Anton’s love.
Lord Templeton put his hand down next to hers, and her concentration broke.
Pulling back, she almost laughed at herself.
The likelihood of her getting her wish was nigh impossible.
Anton cleared his throat. “I should get back to my guests.”
“I will join you,” she added quickly. She turned to see what Lord Templeton would say, but he was still staring at the stone.
“Go ahead,” Lord Templeton said. “I will follow in a moment.”
Anton put out his arm, and Elena accepted it. He motioned back with his head when they were out of earshot. “He is taking his wish very seriously.”
“I could say as much about you.”
He grinned. “Yes, you are right. But I think I finally know what I want.” His eyes met hers, and they seemed brighter than normal.
Why did she feel breathless beneath his gaze? “Is this a private wish like mine?”
“For now.” His hand came up and rested on top of hers, making her arms erupt in gooseflesh.
If only she could suspend time, then this moment would last forever. Tomorrow—and the end of her happiness—would never come.