Chapter 13
The next day, Reese adjusted her scarf as she stepped onto the frozen pond, the blades of her borrowed skates crunching softly against the ice. Ellen glided beside her, laughing as Catherine wobbled slightly before finding her balance.
The crisp air bit Reese’s cheeks. She hadn’t ice-skated since she was a kid and could only hope it was like riding a bike, with muscle memory kicking in.
“I should have known you would be good at this,” Reese said to Ellen, who executed a graceful turn with her usual elegance.
Ellen laughed. “You flatter me, but I assure you, it is only because Michael has been encouraging me to join him on the ice. He calls it great exercise.”
Catherine caught up with them, her cheeks pink with exertion. “We’re fortunate to have had this cold spell. Gareth says it’s often too warm to skate safely on the pond. The only bad thing is that you and Jem aren’t able to see all the work Ellen’s done on the gardens.”
“Yes, that is a shame. Michael has helped me so much.” Ellen glanced toward the towering trees that framed the pond. “He has taught me to see the estate as a whole, as Reese did with the tenant village.”
“All I saw was the basic needs of the people,” Reese said, proud of what her friend had become.
“You took the initiative and expanded on what we did. You helped them create a community. What you and Michael are doing together is so forward-thinking.” She pinched her lips to keep from saying more, since she had researched what Ellen and Michael had accomplished in their lives.
Catherine nodded. “I believe you would love a visit to the future if you could get over your fear of it. And I know you’re dying to see the projects Michael designed and created.”
Ellen’s smile faltered slightly, and she stared out across the ice. Her gloved hand went to the faint scar below her ear that hadn’t been there when Reese first met her.
“Just think about it.” Reese placed a gentle hand on her friend’s arm. “There’s no rush to decide. But if you do go, there will be people who love you to guide you.” She didn’t want to pressure her friend but also understood the importance of facing her fears.
Ellen nodded before taking a breath and declaring, “I am starving.”
“It’s a good thing I came prepared, then,” Reese said cheerfully.
After removing their skating blades, she led them to the bench on the edge of the ice, where a servant had left a small basket covered by a thick cloth. But the fabric had been disturbed. Reese pulled it back and checked the contents.
“Well, dang,” she grumbled.
“What is it?” Catherine asked.
“There were three pasties,” Reese said.
Ellen peered into the basket. “There is only one.”
“Exactly.” Reese straightened and put her hands on her hips, scanning the area, an uneasy prickle making her hair stand on end.
“I doubt a bird could have gotten away with two pasties,” Catherine mused. “But a fox might. They’re bold in winter, especially when it’s this cold.”
“Gutsy of it to come so close to humans.” Reese searched the treeline, half expecting to see a wily creature watching them. A shadow moved where no branch stirred, but when she squinted to see better, she saw nothing.
“We can split the pasty, but let’s make sure there aren’t any bite marks. There are plenty of other things in here.” She sighed. “It’s too bad you don’t have thermoses yet, or we could have some hot chocolate.”
Catherine gave a wistful sigh, but Ellen looked confused.
Reese and Catherine explained, stamping their feet between bites.
Ellen sighed. “That sounds like a lovely device.”
“On a completely different note,” Reese said carefully, “do you think Beatrice and George might make a match? She’s obviously into him and appears to have been for a while.”
“And he is quite taken with her,” Catherine agreed.
“He was angry and lonely for so long after he lost his wife. Michael described it as heartbreaking, and George’s grief nearly destroyed us all.
” Ellen distractedly brushed the scar again.
“Michael says his grandfather is like a different man now. With all that he and Beatrice have been through, I cannot think of two people more deserving of happiness than them.”
“Those two aren’t the only ones making up for lost time.” Reese nodded toward the house. “Have you noticed how inseparable Evangeline and Beatrice have been? Every time I turn around, they’re tucked into some corner together, talking. Often about the changes in fashion.”
Ellen gave a soft smile. “They have forty years to catch up on.”
“And what about Evangeline and the Colonel?” Reese asked, glancing slyly at Ellen. “She lights up whenever he’s nearby. It makes me wonder why he hasn’t said something before now.”
“I’m with you there,” Catherine said and gave a huff of disgust. “Grandmama has said many times that she had several marriage proposals, but she refused them all because her father wouldn’t give his permission for her to marry Arthur.”
“Do you think he’s afraid to ask again?” Reese asked.
“I am sure that must be behind his hesitation. While Grandmama has spoken often of it to us, I cannot recall a time when she has mentioned it in his company,” Ellen mused.
Catherine’s expression turned shrewd. “So he needs a nudge...”
“A subtle nudge?” Ellen asked, her eyes bright.
“Yeah, I don’t think subtle would work. We’re talking about an old bachelor who’s stuck in his ways. A man who’s spent most of his adult life pining for her... Hmm.” Reese tapped her chin. “Catherine, have you read anything by Georgette Heyer?”
“My goodness, you’re thinking of Sir Bonamy Ripple.” Catherine gave a delighted laugh.
At Ellen’s confused expression, Reese said, “It’s a book that hasn’t been written yet, but let’s talk about it as we walk back. I’m getting cold.”
Catherine grabbed the basket, and they followed their trail back to the house.
“In the book,” Reese said, “there’s a secondary character, an older man who was madly in love with a woman in his youth. He used his love for her as an excuse to remain a bachelor all his life. Then, when she’s widowed and needs him to marry her, he has to put his money where his mouth is.”
“What she’s trying to say,” Catherine added, shivering, “is that his declarations of love had become a habit.”
“Oh, no. Do you believe the Colonel no longer loves Grandmama?” Ellen asked thoughtfully.
“I don’t,” Catherine said. “But I think he’s spent so much of his life believing Grandmama could never be his that he hasn’t accepted that things have changed.”
“So, he needs an attitude adjustment?” Reese teased.
“Exactly so,” Catherine agreed.
Ellen nodded. “Then we must help him see what is before him.”
They fell into a companionable silence as they walked. In the distance came the sound of children laughing as they played on the nearby hills, filling the air with their joyful cries.
Reese’s thoughts drifted back to Jem in the workshop yesterday, the way his entire demeanor had changed when talking about the puppet booth. It had been on her mind ever since.
“Can I ask you both something?” Reese asked, breaking the silence. “About Jem.”
“Of course,” Ellen said.
“It’s about his career.” Reese glanced at her. “You remember what I told you about his acting background and my pathetic excuse for a father.” When Ellen nodded, Reese continued for Catherine’s benefit. “Jem gave up a promising career in theater because of my daddy issues.”
“And you’re worried he’s unhappy that he had to give up his dreams?” Catherine asked, her voice soft.
Reese nodded. “It’s not fair for Jem to pay the price for my father’s abandonment.”
“But Jem adores you.” Ellen slid her arm through Reese’s.
Catherine shook her head. “He does, but if he’s unhappy in his job, it can sour your marriage.”
“There you have it.” Reese scanned the snowy grounds before meeting Catherine’s gaze. “As you would understand, since you spent even more time getting a degree you had to leave behind.”
“True, but we have found ways for me to use it.” Catherine gave Reese a gentle nudge with her elbow.
“I seriously doubt you’ll lose him, but you’re right to be watching out for his happiness.
Gareth stresses about mine all the time.
Let’s all give it some thought and see if we can help identify ways to balance Jem’s dreams with the life you are building. ”
“Thank you.” Reese managed a weak smile. “I don’t want to take him for granted, and it’s not something I feel comfortable discussing with our friends back home. They might think we’re having trouble with our marriage. Which we’re not.”
“You just want to make sure you don’t,” Catherine said sagely.
“Yep.” Reese chuckled. “So, besides my insecurities, we have two senior romances to nurture. We have some busy days ahead of us.”