Chapter Nine
James
By early March, the dining room of Ashford Manor had been brought back to life.
Georgiana and Ben’s team had produced a miracle.
Light from the newly restored chandelier spilled across the table, the cascade of crystal prisms catching fire with each flicker of candlelight.
Above, a stunning ceiling medallion crowned the fixture, its plasterwork sunburst pattern elegant and proud.
Walls once faded and cracked now gleamed with hand-painted wallpaper in muted olive and gold tones, delicate vines and flowering branches curling up the surface.
Twin gilt sconces flanked the carved white mantelpiece, their flames dancing beside a grand oval mirror whose gold frame had been polished until it glowed.
The fireplace below stood cool and formal, its surround a polished green marble that mirrored the garden glimpsed through tall windows behind billowing drapes of mossy velvet.
A gleaming mahogany table stretched nearly the length of the room, its surface so perfectly waxed it reflected the sparkle of cut crystal goblets.
Porcelain chargers ringed each place setting, and bowls of jewel-toned flowers in deep crimson, violet, and green anchored the center like bursts of life.
Mrs. Honeycutt had managed a miracle with roast duck, and Mrs. Ellsworth had set the table with crisp linens and polished silver that hadn’t seen light in over a decade.
The team of workers had labored all day to get the dining room ready for their first visitor.
James had assumed they’d eat downstairs but they’d finished in time.
He supposed he had to begin life as a gentleman, even though he preferred the cozy kitchen to the massive dining room. Regardless, here they were.
And here he was, having trouble focusing on anything about how lovely Georgie looked that evening.
Her deep plum gown had a modest neckline and the faintest sheen of lace at the cuffs.
She wore no jewels but the locket at her throat, yet somehow she looked regal anyway.
True beauty like hers needed no adornment.
Lavinia Linley perched at the far end of the table, a glass of claret in hand and her silk sleeves rustling with every affected movement.
She wore a gown of peacock blue. James didn’t know anything about fashion but he was slightly worried about his own wardrobe when he saw the color.
He must remember to tell her he wanted nothing garish.
He might be back in Society but he didn’t want to look like a dandy. That was going too far.
Lavinia had not stopped talking since they took their seats.
“It truly is a lovely old house. So much potential. I’ve always had an eye for these things.
That’s where my daughter gets her talent.
When I had a fine home, before my late husband ruined our lives, I was known in my social circles as someone with exquisite taste.
Alas, all that was lost when Edmund decided to gamble away our livelihood. ”
James speared a potato and gave her a benign smile. “That’s fortunate. We could use someone with vision.”
Across the table, Georgiana lifted her eyes at him and they exchanged a brief moment of humor.
Cecily, dressed in a sage green silk frock that complemented her fair skin, focused intently on her peas.
Lavinia leaned in, mistaking interest for invitation. “Of course, had you brought me in earlier, I might have helped with the drawing room. My daughter’s design, while nice, is a touch…outdated. Poor dear. She should have been born in the last century.”
“I disagree,” James said. “She restored it perfectly. I couldn’t be happier with everything Georgie’s done.”
Lavinia blinked, then laughed, as though he were joking. “Aren’t you a gem? You must tell me the story of your first meeting. Did you know it was a woman who offered her services?”
The question was obviously meant to stir up trouble. This woman was good. That is, if slithering, poisonous snakes could be good.
“I was surprised but quickly understood that she was the best around, regardless of gender.” James smiled brightly at Lavinia, even though he wanted to strangle her.
“Isn’t that nice?” Lavinia asked. “At least I have Cecily. My last hope for grandchildren.”
Georgiana caught his eyes again, raising one brow.
“On another matter,” James said. “I am in need of your expertise, Lady Linley.”
“Whatever could you need from me?” Lavinia giggled like she was a schoolgirl instead of a woman in her forties.
“I have two tasks for which I feel ill-equipped.” He set down his fork and folded his hands. “I’ve decided to host a ball once the estate is fully restored. Something to mark the manor’s return to Society.”
Lavinia brightened like a chandelier. “A ball? How deliciously ambitious. But dear me, will your staff know what to do?”
“Mrs. Ellsworth helped plan many balls and parties when my father was still alive,” James said mildly.
“But she has her hands full with running the house, hiring staff and all, so I was hoping I might hire someone to assist her. Someone schooled in the fine art of hosting such an affair? Someone tasteful and well-connected. Can you think of anyone?”
He let the words hang there, and Lavinia devoured them like sugar cubes.
“My dear Lord Ashford.” She set down her glass with a flutter. “You can count on me. I shall be honored to help.”
“Are you certain? You’re probably much too busy.” James picked up his fork, biting the inside of his mouth to keep from laughing.
“I am busy, of course, but never so much so that I would turn you down in your time of need. In fact, I am the perfect choice for such a momentous occasion. I know who to add to the guest list and how to decide a theme. It would keep me here for another few months, of course, but I don’t mind sacrificing my time for you. ”
“Really?” James asked. “That’s awfully generous of you. I’ll pay, of course.”
“How distasteful to discuss money at the dining table,” Lavinia said.
“But we can talk about all of that tomorrow. For now, I can assure you there’s no one better to plan a ball than myself.
Oh, you should have seen some of the parties I threw when I was younger.
They were always the talk of the Season. ”
“I’m sure they were,” James said. “I’d be grateful if you can keep me from looking a fool in front of Society. This will be my first venture out and it must be perfect.”
Lavinia’s smile spread, victorious. “Well, then. I will rise to the occasion.”
“I could use your help with another matter,” James said.
Lavinia arched a brow. “Oh?”
“My wardrobe. As of now, I have nothing worthy of a gentleman. I need to be dressed from head to toe for day and night and everything in between. Since I have yet to hire a valet, would you be willing to help me? I can’t think of a finer choice than to use a woman of your exquisite taste.”
“I’d be thrilled,” Lavinia said at once, her voice an octave higher suddenly. “You are naturally handsome but a true gentleman must look the part. It is only a matter of refinement. Do you have a tailor?”
“There is one in town. I’ve already spoken to him and he knows a tall order’s coming,” James said.
“I’ll need a significant budget,” Lavinia said. “For the right fabrics and accessories.”
“I ask only that you do not dress me up as a dandy.”
“I wouldn’t think of it,” Lavinia said. “Nothing but pure elegance for you.”
“Thank you, Lady Linley. I can’t tell you how delighted I am.” James was a better actor than he’d figured himself to be. It was actually kind of fun, playing her like this. She would be too worn out to cause trouble for her daughters.
Lavinia positively beamed. “Isn’t it fortuitous that I showed up at just the right moment to offer my services?”
“I couldn’t agree more,” James said, nearly laughing at the sight of the two younger women at the table hiding smiles under their napkins.
*
The fire had burned low by the time they entered the drawing room after supper, but the warmth lingered. James crossed the space and added a log with the toe of his boot, watching the embers glow red and gold.
Behind him, Cecily sank into the velvet settee with a relieved sigh, her hair slightly loosened from the evening’s formality. “Mother’s gone. I thought she might dig in and refuse to go back to the inn.”
“She asked me twice if I really wanted to send my poor mother off all alone.” Georgiana pulled off her gloves one finger at a time.
James found himself watching the deliberate movement, the slow revelation of her slender wrists.
“But I stayed firm,” Georgiana said.
“Which is nearly impossible with her,” Cecily said.
James turned, suppressing a smile. “You did not exaggerate when describing her disposition.”
Georgiana arched a brow. “No, we did not. Today, at the inn, she told us that Mrs. Cline’s husband tried to seduce her and that Caroline caught them and blamed Mother. That’s the story she’s come up with, but I don’t believe it for an instant.”
“Me either,” Cecily said. “I feel certain she was the failed seducer, not him.”
“I feel terrible for Mrs. Cline,” Georgiana said. “The woman’s been nothing but kind to all of us.”
“Yet Mother betrayed her. It’s horrible.” Cecily tucked a loose curl back into her bun. “We should write to her.”
“I plan to. If only to thank her for taking Mother all these months. I have no idea what we are to do with her.”
“We have some time,” James said. “The next few months will keep her busy.”
“Meanwhile, she’ll run up the bill at the inn,” Cecily said.
“Not to worry about that,” James said. “I stopped by this afternoon to speak with the proprietor. I assured him that I would pay the bill for her room and board, but requests for anything out of the ordinary should be denied.”
“You’re a smart man,” Cecily said.
“A quick learner too,” Georgiana said with a laugh. “How can we thank you? You’re much too generous.”