Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
The following morning, Seraphine descended the staircase, expecting another day full of carefully arranged activities.
“Good day, Lady Seraphine,” the footman said at the bottom of the stairs.
“Her Grace wishes to inform the ladies that the men have gone riding across the estate, and the ladies are gathered in the parlor for an informal breakfast, games, and lounging.”
“Very good, thank you,” she said and made her way to the parlor.
This left the ladies entirely to themselves, which created a noticeably different atmosphere within the house. Seraphine felt able to breathe knowing she would not have to face Damien.
She entered the parlor. Without the men present, the room had transformed into a haven of laughter, gossip, music, and comfortable disorder.
Several ladies sat around card tables playing simple games while exchanging the latest scandals from London.
Others occupied sofas with embroidery hoops balanced upon their laps.
Near the pianoforte, two young ladies took turns performing songs while their audience politely applauded every effort, regardless of talent.
Tea flowed freely from silver pots, accompanied by boiled eggs, ham, biscuits, cakes, and sugared fruits. The room hummed with feminine conversation and amusement. Seraphine felt herself relax completely.
She accepted a cup of tea from a footman and soon found herself seated beside Thalia near one of the tall windows. The Duchess appeared remarkably content as she watched her guests enjoying themselves.
“I must congratulate you,” Seraphine said as she stirred her tea. “The house party has been a tremendous success. Everyone appears thoroughly entertained.”
Thalia smiled as she reached for a biscuit. “That is because I threatened them all with additional charades if they dared look bored.”
“I knew there would be some dark secret behind your hospitality,” Seraphine smiled.
“There usually is,” Thalia said.
Seraphine laughed softly while Thalia took a satisfied sip of tea.
Around them, conversation rose and fell in pleasant waves.
It was difficult to imagine that only days ago Seraphine had arrived determined to secure a husband as quickly as possible.
Somehow Amberhall Manor had begun to feel almost like an escape from reality.
Unfortunately, reality remained patiently waiting for her beyond the estate gates.
“You seem thoughtful,” Thalia observed, lowering her cup. “That is generally a dangerous sign.”
Seraphine smiled faintly. “I was merely thinking how fortunate you are.”
“Fortunate?”
Seraphine smiled and gestured lightly with her teacup towards the bustling parlor. “You have built a wonderful life here.”
Thalia's gaze followed the motion of her hand. She looked around the room at the ladies laughing over cards. A softness settled over her features that had not been there a moment before. “I suppose I have.”
There was no vanity in the admission. If anything, she sounded faintly surprised by it.
Seraphine watched her friend for a moment and felt a small pang of envy she could not quite suppress. “You never expected it, did you?”
Thalia let out a quiet laugh and shook her head, setting her teacup carefully onto its saucer. “Not remotely.”
The Duchess laughed quietly and shook her head. “If someone had informed me five years ago that I would become a wife, a duchess, mother, and hostess of country house parties, I would have accused them of drinking too much brandy.”
“I would have agreed with you,” Seraphine said.
“Exactly.”
The two women shared a smile. Seraphine could not help noticing the genuine happiness in her friend's eyes.
It was not forced or exaggerated. It simply existed.
The realization once again stirred that uncomfortable ache within her chest. Thalia had married for love.
Rosaline had married for love. Meanwhile, Seraphine felt as though she was racing against a clock that only she could hear ticking.
Before she could dwell upon the thought further, another lady approached their corner of the room.
Lady Kane carried herself with her usual cheerful elegance, her dark blue gown swaying softly as she crossed the carpet.
She greeted both women warmly before accepting a seat beside them.
There was an air of purpose about her expression that immediately caught Thalia's attention.
“Lady Kane,” Thalia said pleasantly. “You look as though you have news.”
“I do indeed.” Lady Kane smiled apologetically. “I am afraid I must leave Amberhall earlier than expected.”
Thalia's brows rose in surprise, and she set her teacup carefully onto its saucer. Around them, the chatter of the parlor continued unabated, but her attention was now entirely fixed upon Lady Kane.
“Oh dear. Is everything alright?” she asked, leaning forward slightly.
Lady Kane waved a dismissive hand and offered a reassuring smile. “Perfectly fine,” she assured her. “I shall simply be departing one day before the rest of the guests return to London.”
A flicker of distress crossed Thalia's face before she sighed dramatically and settled back into her chair. “That is disappointing.”
“It is for me as well,” Lady Kane replied with a small laugh, lifting her shoulders in a helpless shrug. “I assure you, I would much rather remain and enjoy your hospitality.”
Lady Kane accepted a cup of tea from a passing footman before continuing. “Unfortunately, my husband is returning from Cornwall sooner than anticipated. I should like to be home to greet him.”
“How terribly devoted of you,” Thalia said gravely.
Lady Kane laughed and teased. “I know. It is quite unlike me.”
“Truly shocking,” Thalia said playfully.
Seraphine hid a smile behind her teacup while the two ladies exchanged amused looks.
It was impossible not to enjoy Lady Kane's company.
She possessed a dry sense of humor that frequently caught people off guard.
Even Thalia, who considered herself very witty indeed, occasionally found herself outmatched.
“I shall miss having you here on the final day,” Thalia admitted. “Especially because I have something rather spectacular planned.”
Lady Kane groaned dramatically and pressed her hand to her chest as though she had received dreadful news. “You see? Now you are punishing me.”
“Only slightly,” Thalia replied, looking entirely too pleased with herself as she reached for another biscuit.
“What have you planned?” Lady Kane demanded, leaning forward in her chair. “Surely you can offer me a hint.”
Thalia shook her head at once, her curls bouncing with the movement. “If I told you, it would ruin the surprise.”
“Then I dislike it already.”
A ripple of laughter escaped Seraphine before she could stop herself. Across from her, Thalia laughed outright, drawing several curious glances from nearby ladies.
“I assure you that everyone else shall enjoy themselves,” Thalia said, lifting her teacup with an air of confidence that suggested she had already decided the matter.
“They had better,” Lady Kane replied, narrowing her eyes in mock suspicion.
“You are being terribly dramatic,” Thalia said.
“I find it helps me cope with disappointment,” Lady Kane laughed.
That earned another round of laughter from the small group.
Around them, the parlor remained lively and bright, filled with music, gossip, and endless cups of tea.
Yet as Seraphine listened, her thoughts drifted elsewhere.
Another day had passed. Another day gone from the month William had granted her.
The reminder lingered at the back of her mind even during moments such as these.
She glanced towards the windows overlooking the front drive.
Somewhere beyond the estate grounds, the gentlemen were still riding.
For reasons she preferred not to examine too closely, she wondered if he was enjoying himself.
More annoyingly still, she wondered if Damien had thought of her at all that morning.
The realization immediately irritated her.
He is not in the house and still your mind thinks of him. Foolish girl.
Determined to dismiss the thought, Seraphine reached for another biscuit and focused her attention back upon the conversation.
Whatever troublesome Duke happened to be doing at that moment was none of her concern.
Or at least that was what she firmly told herself as she smiled at Lady Kane's latest story.
Unfortunately, her heart seemed considerably less convinced. Seraphine excused herself from Thalia and Lady Kane and wandered towards one of the card tables positioned near the windows.
A game. That is the distraction I need. Focus on a winning strategy.
A lively game of whist was already underway, and she was quickly beckoned over by Lady Branson and her daughters.
The three women had taken a particular liking to her during their carriage journey to Amberhall and had continued to treat her with maternal concern ever since.
Seraphine settled into the empty chair beside them, grateful for the distraction.
Concentrating on cards seemed far easier than concentrating on her own increasingly complicated thoughts.
“At last,” Lady Branson declared as Seraphine joined them. “Someone sensible has arrived. Hannah has spent the last quarter hour convincing Katherine that she ought to marry a Viscount solely because he owns excellent horses.”
Hannah rolled her eyes so dramatically that Seraphine feared they might disappear entirely into the back of her head. “I said no such thing.”
“You implied it,” Lady Branson replied, arranging her cards with the air of a judge delivering a verdict.
Hannah huffed and leaned back in her chair. “I merely said that a gentleman with fine horses cannot be entirely foolish. I stand by that statement.”
“Of course you do,” Katherine said dryly.
Lady Branson shook her head in resignation.
“My daughters have reduced the noble institution of marriage to horseflesh and stable management.”