Chapter 17 #2
She listened, thinking the information quite extraordinary. 'Lord Upminster went mad? Are you sure it's not just the prattling of a child? Your niece's a little strange and might well have misinterpreted something that she heard.'
'I need to know before I speak to Charlotte. Which reminds me, my darling girl, you'll not refer to her by her title. She's Charlotte to you as she is to me. The other girls must continue to be formal, but not you.'
'I prefer to keep things as they are, I've no wish to antagonise her further.'
'I don't give a damn if my sister's upset by this, you're my future wife and she's the widow of a madman.'
She couldn't hold back her giggles. 'Really, James, you shouldn't refer to him like that. Charlotte's the daughter of an earl, a lady in her own right, it matters not that Lord Upminster could have been insane.'
'I'm jumping the gun on that subject, I admit. Was there anything else you wish to talk to me about, sweetheart?'
'No — well, actually there's something very important. Are we to have the banns called immediately as you suggested? If that's the case, then I must hope my new wardrobe arrives in time. I've nothing I like well enough to marry you in.'
'I'll get Smithers to set things in motion. Are you sure that you're ready to marry me so soon? Most betrothals last at least six months and ours will be just weeks.'
'If we're going to get married, and we both know that we are, then the sooner the better. It has occurred to me, my dear James, that four unmarried young ladies shouldn't be residing with an unmarried gentleman without a chaperone being in the house as well.'
He scowled. 'Exactly what my sister said to me – I pointed out to her that my grandmother filled that role even if she's living in a different part of the house.'
This was something else she wished to talk to him about. 'I know she's not a pleasant lady and you don't like her but I believe that if she was included in the family circle then her disposition might improve.'
'Please don't start the rehabilitation of my ancient relative until the problem with my sister has been solved. I'm going to find my nephews and speak to them. At sixteen and fourteen years of age they're mature enough to give me the answers I require about their father.'
'I can hear the refreshments I've ordered approaching so it's probably wise for you to depart. I love my great aunt dearly, but she can be rather acerbic and I've no wish for her to offend you so soon in your acquaintance.'
He'd been sitting where he couldn't be seen by anybody approaching the blue room. Sofia couldn't resist joining him so she could steal another disgraceful kiss – his kisses were intoxicating and irresistible.
This time his lips were hard on hers sending waves of heat to her nether regions. He released her immediately and strode off laughing, leaving her decidedly unsettled.
She oversaw the positioning of the two trays but dismissed the footmen not allowing them to arrange things. She was accustomed to doing things for herself and doubted she'd ever enjoy being waited on, for her every wish to be answered at a click of her fingers.
There was so much to tell her aunt and her younger sister that the delightful sitting room was soon filled with chatter and laughter as the pastries, patties, sandwiches and cakes were devoured. This impromptu meal would replace luncheon today, for the ladies at least.
'Should not Lady Charlotte be here with us, Sofia?' Aunt Jemima asked.
'No, she is not in favour with any of us right now. James is intending to send her to Bath.'
'My word, that man doesn't let the grass grow under his feet.'
'About Charlotte, she expected to take over the house and is sadly put out that this isn't going to happen,' Sofia said.
'Of course she thought that, no sensible person would have imagined a gentleman could become engaged to a complete stranger within weeks. Was this a long-standing invitation?'
Sofia quickly explained the circumstances and her great-aunt nodded.
'So, this family is not the only one ignoring convention.
We really should be wearing black gowns but I've had armbands made for all of us instead.
' She delved into her capacious reticule – this beaded bag was twice the size one might expect. 'Here you are, girls, put these on.'
Only then did Sofia notice the one on her aunt's sleeve. Annabel looked relieved that she wasn't obliged to follow suit.
'To return to your previous question, Aunt Jemima, Lord Upminster died recently too. I must own that I'm surprised the four of them aren't wearing black. James has gone to speak to the boys and find out exactly what happened before they came here so precipitously.'
The trays had been collected and the five of them were enjoying a comfortable coze when a very wet Eloise, closely followed by two equally wet muddy dogs, burst into the room.
Lucille, who was terrified of dogs, screamed and climbed onto the table. Aunt Jemima jumped to her feet and Sofia wasn't sure if it was the dogs or the child that had upset her. Colette and Annabel were struck dumb by this interruption.
'Othello, Caliban, go to your bed. Do it now,' she said sternly hoping to have perfectly emulated the tone that James used.
The dogs reversed as rapidly as they'd entered and seconds later the only sign that they'd been there were the wet paw marks on the boards. Eloise seemed unbothered by the consternation her unexpected arrival had caused.
'Eloise, have you been to the lake?'
The little girl looked at Sofia and nodded. 'I have, but only for a little bit, my dogs wanted to swim.'
'Uncle James told you specifically not to go near the water.
Those dogs do not belong to you, they are his.
I'm most displeased with you.' Sofia turned to Colette.
'Would you take her to mother, explain the circumstances, and make sure it's clear that Eloise must not come downstairs again until given permission. '
'I'm not a naughty girl, am I, I'm a very good girl,' Eloise said.
In that moment Sofia realised the child was indeed not quite as she should be, that her mental capacity was impaired somehow.
'Go with Colette. You must stay upstairs with your mama as it's not safe for you to be wandering about the place on your own.'
The child nodded. 'I did fall in a little bit but my doggies pulled me out.' Obediently she took Colette's hand and walked out chattering away but not much of it made sense.
Lucille had now clambered down and their aunt had resumed her place in the armchair that James had been sitting in a while ago.
'That child's a simpleton, Sofia, a sweet little thing, but I cannot imagine what this Lady Charlotte is thinking to allow her to be unaccompanied.'