Chapter Seventeen
Du Priest Manor
Essex
Winnie looked out the window as the carriage drove through the majestic lion sculptures flanking Du Priest Manor’s gates.
The grand Elizabethan house, with its decorative array of chimneys that spanned the skyline, was an impressive sight.
The house itself was surrounded by immaculate green lawns, stately old trees, and rose gardens that filled the open spaces between the house and the road.
The magnificent, parklike setting overlooking a lake with a boathouse was grand yet not ostentatious.
Winnie could just make out a bevy of swans gliding across the blue water.
It was an enchanting landscape and one that she hoped to fully enjoy.
When the carriage stopped in the gravel drive, liveried footmen appeared to help Winnie, Felicia, and Felicia’s lady’s maid Alice out of the carriage. The door opened, and to their surprise, Basil exited the imposing front doors and greeted them.
“Lady Sinclair and dowager Baroness Sinclair, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Du Priest Manor.”
“Lord Du Priest, thank you. Charles wanted you to know that he will be arriving later in the afternoon. We were delighted to receive your invitation and look forward to spending time at your magnificent home. Our recent losses of Edwina’s dear parents and brother have made it difficult for Edwina to attend many happy occasions,” Felicia wistfully answered.
“Rest assured, I hope to provide a happy diversion for you both. I have been remiss, and it has been too long since Du Priest Manor welcomed friends and provided entertainment. Come, you must be parched and in need of refreshment. While your luggage is being unloaded and delivered to your rooms, which I hope you will find as comfortable as home, tea and lemonade are being served in the parlor, presided over by my mother. She is most anxious to make both of your acquaintances.” He told the butler, “James, please see to everything.”
“Yes, your lordship.”
Gallantly, Basil took Felicia’s arm and led them inside and down a long hallway.
Paintings adorned every wall, and Winnie turned her head left and right as she tried to glimpse each one.
The patriarch’s and matriarch’s portraits were displayed proudly, pointing to an illustrious family heritage.
Basil opened the door to a lovely room facing a garden, with tall casement windows and doors featuring leaded glass panes, which were open on this warm spring day.
The dowager marchioness sat holding court with a group of guests.
A tall man with broad shoulders stood at their arrival, and Winnie’s heart fluttered in her chest. Beside him sat a golden-haired young woman who smiled warmly at her.
Even with her contrasting hair coloring, the woman bore a resemblance to Lex, particularly in her eyes, which were a similar shade of blue.
Where he was the epitome of masculinity, she was a vision of femininity.
Basil introduced his mother to the dowager baroness as smoothly as if he were introducing the monarchs of three nation states. He then proceeded down the line, introducing everyone present to Winnie and her grandmother.
Winnie thought Lex’s mother was lovely, if a trifle shy, but she seemed very sweet and paid her a beautiful compliment.
“Your ladyship, I am most pleased to make your acquaintance,” Lex said in his rich, deep voice. Oh, how Winnie had missed hearing it. “We are glad you decided to attend the marquess’s gathering,” he continued.
Winnie couldn’t help but notice how charmed her grandmother was at Lex’s genuinely warm greeting.
When he turned to greet her, Winnie’s knees almost buckled.
While his words were polite and welcoming, his lips were warm as they brushed her hand, and the gleam in his eyes made her remember the heat he’d made her feel when his hands and lips had given her such decadent pleasure at Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s dinner party.
She had an overwhelming urge to run into his arms and feel his protective embrace, his lips upon hers. Seeing him made her realize how much she’d missed him.
“How was your journey?” Lex’s mother asked with a warm smile.
“Quite lovely and calm. Nary a rut along the road,” Felicia said.
“Oh, that is good to hear,” Basil’s mother said.
“I do wonder why it takes so long for roads to be repaired,” Lex’s mother added.
As the three older women engaged in conversation, Lex’s sister moved closer to Winnie.
“I’m so happy to meet you,” she said.
“I’m so happy to meet you as well, Lady Teresa,” Winnie said.
“Please call me Tess—everyone does,” Teresa said with an adorable shrug.
“Then you must call me Winnie.”
“Winnie, eh? And here I’ve been calling you Edwina,” Lex said with an arched brow.
“Well, I did not want to appear too bold and familiar during our acquaintance in London,” Winnie said.
He cocked a smile at her, and she once again recalled how those lips had claimed hers in heated kisses.
Lord, if I don’t stop blushing like this, everyone will think I’m a ninny or a wanton.
“Speaking of which, Lex hasn’t stopped talking about you,” Tess said.
Lex arched an eyebrow. “It seems that I can count on my sister to spill all my secrets.”
Tess’s cheeks turned rosy. “I’m sorry, brother dear. I really must think before I speak.”
“Nonsense,” said Basil with a grin. “You are a breath of fresh air and without artifice. Many young ladies of the ton are unaware of how to communicate effectively. All they do is flutter their fans and practice false intrigue, thinking that is how to capture a fellow’s attention.
” He pantomimed the superficial young women he referred to, fluttering his eyelashes and exaggeratedly puckering his lips.
“Thank you, Basil,” Tess said, giggling at his antics.
He replied with a wink, which Winnie couldn’t help noticing brought a charming blush to Tess’s cheeks.
The dowager marchioness, Elizabeth du Priest, interrupted affectionately. “Do sit down, gentlemen, and let the ladies have a refreshment after their journey.” She patted the sofa beside her. “Lady Capel, please come sit with us. Lady Sinclair, let me pour you a cup of tea.”
“I am most appreciative, your ladyship. Though not a long journey, it was tiring for those of us getting on in years.” Felicia sat and took the proffered teacup from Elizabeth’s hands.
“I couldn’t agree more. I heard you were in London. It has been years since I last visited. I much prefer to remain in the countryside amid the beauty of our estate.”
“I concur,” Lex’s mother said. “The only thing missing from our idyllic house is the sound of children’s voices. Something I pray will be righted soon,” she added in a meaningful tone.
“I understand too well what you mean,” Felicia said. “I would not even consider venturing into the mayhem of London were it not for my wish to see Edwina enjoy the company of those of a suitable age.”
Winnie couldn’t help but feel an added pressure to make her grandmother happy.
How strange her about-face just a few weeks back had been.
Winnie had come to the realization that she had just as much of a duty to her family as she had to helping those in need.
Indeed, marriage and children could only benefit society’s future generations.
How could she have been so blind that she had not realized it before?
Basil sat on the other side of Tess. “I think it best if we dispense with formalities and address each other by our given names—if you don’t mind, Mother.
I hope this will be a weekend of relaxation and amusement and that we shall all become good friends.
The less formality the better, in my estimation. ”
Tess turned. “Basil, although I am a capable equestrian, this will be my first foxhunt. Are there other guests who will be joining us?”
“Yes, Lord Waverly, his Countess Rose, and their son Marcus and daughter Anna. Marcus was at Eaton with Lex and me. He will also ride in the hunt. They live not far from here and will join us for breakfast. The Farnsworth twins, who reside in Bucks County, will arrive with their brother, Elliot, this evening. Elliot doesn’t ride, as he suffers from several ailments.
However, the girls were raised in the saddle, so we can expect a good show from them.
Their father, Lord Farnsworth, is one of the first officially recognized breeders of Thoroughbreds.
” Basil winked at Lex. “We’ll have our work cut out for us keeping up with those two. ”
“You ride, do you not, Winnie?” Tess asked with undisguised hopefulness in her voice.
“Oh, yes, I do, but I have never been on a foxhunt. I only wish I could have brought my mare Masquerade. She is an amazing jumper, and I would have given your Farnsworth twins a run for their money.”
“I’m certain Basil can provide you with a lively horse,” Lex said.
Winnie exchanged a smile with him and wondered again how foolish she had been to leave London in that way.
She’d have to ask to speak with him privately.
But not while on the hunt, for there would be too many people about.
Nevertheless, she looked forward to riding beside Lex.
It would be a new experience together, and it gave her a heady feeling.
“Fear not, Edwina, my stables will see that you are suitably paired with a steed that matches your prowess,” Basil said. “We are not without fine steeds. Racing is a passion of mine, as Lex knows. The auctions at Tattersalls commence in June, and I look forward to going.”
Tess sighed. “I have always wanted to attend the races.”
Basil winked at her. “It would be a great pleasure to make your wish come true.”
Tess clapped her hands. “Oh, Basil, that would be splendid.” Turning to her brother, she asked, “May I, Lex? May I attend the races with Basil?”