Chapter 16
The next morning, Easton woke around nine. It was early for him, especially since they’d had a late night at Vauxhall Gardens. He wanted to go see Miss Parker today and make sure she was doing well after her ordeal, but it would be hours yet before he could show up at the Fletcher townhouse.
He pushed the covers back and got out of bed.
He wanted to have breakfast with his family while he waited for a suitable time to go see her.
He wasn’t sure how long Kathryn and Sam were staying in London and wanted to spend more time with them before they returned to Faulkner Manor.
After dressing in buff breeches, a tan waistcoat, and a hunter-green jacket, he put the finishing touches on his cravat and left the Albany.
It didn’t take long to reach Devon House, where Jeffers was in the open doorway to greet him.
“Good morning, my lord.”
“Morning, Jeffers. Is the family in the dining room?”
“Yes, except for Lady Devon.”
“Thank you, Jeffers,” Easton said, walking down the hall to the dining room. He could hear his father’s voice.
“That’s an excellent idea, Sam,” Lord Devon said. “I shall discuss it with my wife. I’m sure she’ll be delighted to spend Christmas with you this year.”
Kathryn looked up when he walked into the room. “Good morning, Easton. A pleasure to see you today. I want to thank you for arranging such a wonderful time last evening.”
“You’re most welcome.”
“We were just discussing where to celebrate Christmas this year. Would you like to join us at Faulkner Manor?”
Easton smiled at his sister. “How could I refuse such an offer? I’d be delighted to join the family there.”
“That makes me so happy. I’m also trying to get Eleanor and her family to come. It will be wonderful to see our sister again, and it’ll definitely be a lively group with her three children.”
“I say the more, the merrier,” Sam added. “I love to have the manor filled with children’s laughter.”
Easton went to the sideboard and filled his plate with eggs, bacon, kippers, and toast while the footman poured him a cup of tea. When he returned to the table and sat down, he asked. “So, can I assume everyone enjoyed Vauxhall Gardens last evening?”
“It was magical,” Kathryn said. “Between the tightrope walkers, all the brightly colored lanterns, and the fireworks, I can’t remember a more enjoyable evening.”
“I agree, my dear,” Sam said. “I was surprised I enjoyed the outing so much.”
“Why is that?” Easton asked.
Sam seemed a little reluctant to comment, but finally said, “The only time I went there with my brother, I found it quite distasteful, especially some of the gentlemen’s antics I witnessed.”
“Antics? Care to explain?” Kathryn asked.
“Not really. Suffice it to say, the dark walks are not filled with upstanding citizens.”
Easton nodded, knowing full well what Sam was talking about. Miss Parker had been one of those victims, but she was savvy enough to escape her attacker. “Do you think the young ladies enjoyed the outing?”
“Indeed they did. I heard a great many oohs and aahs for the fireworks as I did over the tightrope walkers,” Kathryn said.
“I’m glad to hear that. I wanted the outing to be pleasurable for everyone.”
“Well, you accomplished that. Will you be seeing Miss Parker today?” Kathryn asked while sipping her tea. “You seemed very attentive to her last evening.”
“Easton, my boy, have you finally found a woman you’re interested in courting?” Lord Devon asked.
“Perhaps.”
“Have you talked with Fletcher yet?”
“No, Father, but I plan to later today.”
There, he had done it.
He’d finally told his family that he was interested in Miss Parker, although of course both Kathryn and his mother already knew. Chandler was right. It was time he let everyone know his interest in the young lady.
Mia slowly opened her eyes to see sunlight streaming into her room.
She stretched her arms overhead and sighed.
Last night had been both exhilarating and terrifying, but the one thing she couldn’t forget was how Lord Easton had comforted her after that man tried to attack her.
Easton was her hero, and she wondered if he would visit today.
How was she going to let him know that her feelings about marriage had changed?
That was the dilemma. She couldn’t just blurt it out. She would have to work it into the conversation somehow, but she wasn’t sure how to do that yet.
A knock on her door interrupted her musings.
“Come.”
“Good morning, Miss Mia,” Beatrice said. “I’ve brought you some chocolate and toast.”
“Thank you, Beatrice.”
The maid placed the tray on her lap. “Let me see about your bath. Enjoy your chocolate.”
Mia took a sip of the chocolate and sighed. There was nothing better, in her opinion, than a fresh cup in the morning. It had a way of starting the day off on the best foot possible.
Two hours later, she went down to the dining room. She hadn’t expected to see anyone and was surprised when both Fletcher and Audrey were there.
“Good morning. I must say, I’m surprised to see you both here this morning. I’d thought you’d be sleeping in.”
“Good morning, dearest. I trust you slept well,” Audrey said.
“I did indeed,” Mia said, filling her plate with a variety of dishes from the sideboard.
“Did you enjoy the outing to Vauxhall Gardens?” Fletcher asked.
She nodded. “I’ve never had so much fun. I loved it and must thank Lord Easton for making the arrangements the next time I see him.”
“Easton is a good man. Someday, he’s going to make a young lady very happy, if he ever decides to wed.”
“Has he mentioned anything of his intentions to you?” Mia asked her brother-in-law, trying not to seem too interested in the answer.
Fletcher shook his head. “No, and honestly, I wouldn’t expect him to confide in me on such a personal matter.”
“Of course,” Mia said, stabbing a piece of ham on her plate. She’d been hoping that Fletcher could tell her if Lord Easton even wanted to marry this year. Now she’d have to ferret out the truth herself.
After breakfast, Mia and Audrey went into the drawing room while Fletcher headed to his study to review the latest reports from his steward. “Dearest, have you practiced the pianoforte lately?” Audrey asked.
“I have not.”
“If you don’t keep up your practicing, your skill will quickly diminish.”
Mia walked to the pianoforte. “Do you really think gentlemen will only marry a woman if she plays the pianoforte well?”
Audrey chuckled. “No, not exactly, but Society is such a stickler for what a young lady should be accomplished in, and the opportunity to meet eligible gentlemen will only happen if the ton deems you suitable. It’s certainly not fair, but that’s the world we live in. Why do you ask?”
“Umm…”
Audrey walked over to her. “Dearest, what is it? You seem troubled. You can talk to me about anything. You know I won’t judge you.”
“I know. You’re the best sister a girl could ever wish for. It’s just…”
Audrey patiently waited for her to gather her thoughts.
Mia took a deep breath. “My feelings on marriage have changed.” There. She’d said it, and contrary to what she’d believed, her world did not collapse.
“Well, that’s certainly a change from the young woman who first came to London. Would you care to share why you’ve had this change of opinion?”
Mia was conflicted. She wanted to tell her sister about how her feelings for Lord Easton had changed so drastically, but to do so, she would have to tell Audrey what happened at Vauxhall Gardens.
She was afraid her sister would be most displeased with her, and that upset her more than anything.
She couldn’t bear to see disappointment in Audrey’s eyes.
Audrey reached out and squeezed her hand, but gave her the time to respond.
Mia took a deep breath. “Last night, something happened.”
Audrey’s eyes widened, but she didn’t interrupt.
Tears began to pool in Mia’s eyes.
“Dearest, please don’t cry. Just tell me what happened.”
“I’m afraid you’ll be so disappointed in me. I’ve been trying very hard lately to act like a proper young lady.”
“And you’ve been doing a fine job.”
Mia nodded and continued. “When we all were walking to the tightrope area, I was reaching into my reticule when two young boys ran past me, knocking the handkerchief I’d retrieved out of my hand.
It was the one Grace gave me for Christmas, and I didn’t want it to be trampled, so I bent over to pick it up, and that’s when someone else bumped into me, and I landed in the dirt. ”
“Oh my goodness. I had no idea. I’m sorry I didn’t see you fall.”
“Audrey, it was no one’s fault. I wasn’t hurt…
well, maybe my pride, but that’s all. When I went to get up, a hand reached down to help me regain my feet.
I grasped it and came face-to-face with a gentleman with piercing blue eyes who appeared concerned.
I thanked him for helping me to my feet and told him I had to catch up with my party.
The crowd was so dense, I couldn’t see any of you anymore. ”
“I’m glad you weren’t hurt, but there’s nothing to be worried about. It was very nice of him to help you.”
Mia nodded. “Yes. That’s what I thought as well. But that’s not all.”
“It’s not?”
“No. When I realized I’d lost sight of everyone, I explained that my party was going to watch the tightrope walkers. He said he knew a shortcut that would reunite me with all of you in no time. Oh, Audrey, I was so foolish and walked away with him.”
“I did not see you with anyone else. Who was the gentleman?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t get his name. Much to my horror, there was no shortcut, and it became clear very quickly what his intentions were.”
Audrey’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, no! Did he hurt you?”
Mia shook her head. “He grabbed me and tried to kiss me, but I remembered the story Lord Berkeley had once told me about a gentleman’s fragile spot.”
“I’m not sure I like where this is going.”
“I wasn’t going to let him hurt me, so I rammed my knee up, and he collapsed to the ground.
As soon as he let go of me, I ran, but I wasn’t sure which path was the right one to get back to everyone.
I was running blindly until I literally ran into Lord Easton.
I panicked at first, thinking it was another attacker, but he was so kind and gentle.
He calmed me down and reassured me I was safe before he walked me back to the group.
That’s when you saw me.” Tears were flowing down Mia’s cheeks.
“I’m so very sorry. Can you forgive my lapse in judgment? ”
“Oh my darling girl, I hate that you had to endure such behavior, but you used your wits and got out of a very bad situation.”
“I’m sorry I ever went with him.”
“I can imagine, but you used your instincts and got away unscathed. This time, you were lucky.”
“Yes. I know that.”
Audrey continued. “There are unscrupulous gentlemen who take advantage of young women, and you mustn’t put your trust in people you don’t know, even if it seems like they’re offering you help. Do you understand? Sometimes evil wears the most beautiful face.”
“I won’t ever do that again, I promise. Are you going to tell Fletcher? He’ll be so angry with me.”
Audrey pulled her into an embrace. “No, dearest. I believe you’ve had enough of a scare that you won’t be wandering far from us again.”
Mia hugged her sister back. “I promise I won’t.”
“Good. Now wipe your tears and tell me why your views on marriage have changed,” Audrey said, handing Mia her handkerchief.
Mia wiped her eyes before answering the question.
“I always thought of Lord Easton as merely a family friend whenever he came to Dandridge Manor to visit Kathryn, but ever since we’ve come to London, I’ve begun to feel differently about him.
The first time we waltzed together, I felt cherished and protected.
None of the other gentlemen I’ve danced with made me feel that way.
Ever since then, I’ve begun to look forward to seeing him, and then when he saved me at Vauxhall Gardens, I knew I’d fallen in love with him. ”
“You love Lord Easton?”
“I do, but I have no idea if he feels the same. Now I’m more confused than ever. What if he’s not interested in me?”
“Have you given him any indication of your feelings? Men do not always express themselves without encouragement.”
Mia’s mind wandered back to an odd comment Lord Easton had made during the Carter soiree. Sometimes it’s hard to appreciate what is right in front of us. Was that a clue to how he felt about her?
Before she could ponder that thought further, Beckwith knocked and opened the parlor door. “Lord Easton, my lady.”
Audrey turned toward the door. “Lord Easton, what a pleasant surprise. Please do come in.”
“Thank you, Lady Fletcher,” Easton said, striding into the room. His eyes sought Mia, and he smiled. “Good day, Miss Parker.”
She curtseyed. “Good day, Lord Easton.”
“I know it’s still early, but I wanted to see how you enjoyed last night’s entertainment,” Easton said.
“My lord, you’re always welcome. Would you care for a cup of tea?”
“Thank you, Lady Fletcher. That is most kind.”
Audrey walked over and tugged on the bell pull.
Mrs. Trotter appeared within moments. “My lady, do you wish something?”
“Yes. Please have Mrs. Culbert prepare a tea tray.”
“Right away, my lady,” Mrs. Trotter said with a curtsey.
When the tea tray was delivered, Mia poured cups for everyone.
The three of them talked about their favorite part of the previous evening for the next twenty minutes before Easton stood.
“Thank you for the lovely conversation, ladies. If you’ll excuse me, I have some business to attend to with Fletcher. ”
“Of course,” Audrey said with a curtsey. “Good day, Lord Easton.”
Mia stood and curtseyed as well. “Thank you for visiting, Lord Easton.”
After he left the parlor, Audrey turned to Mia. “I think you may have your answer soon.”
“Really? He didn’t say anything in particular to me.”
“No, but feelings can be conveyed in other ways besides words.”
“I do hope you’re right,” Mia said.