Chapter Fifteen #2
And to her consternation, as she stepped back from Freya’s exuberant greeting, she almost bumped into Lord Roland Montgomery who had ridden over on Queen Mab and had just dismounted. He reached out to steady her with his hand. “Whoa there, pet,” he said softly.
It was the first time he had used that endearment for her since Robert had left and it did weird things to Gwendolyn’s insides.
Her stomach tumbled in a series of somersaults and her heart tried to mimic one of the new steam machines.
The touch of his hand on her arm seemed to sear her flesh, branding her as his.
She turned around, her face pink and her eyes reflecting alarm, embarrassment, uncertainty and a delight so deep it almost overwhelmed her.
Roland’s eyes scanned her face and a shutter came down over his features.
He stepped back. “My apologies, Miss Burroughs. I should not have taken such liberties.”
Gwendolyn felt bereft when Roland removed his hand and stepped away from her.
After all they had shared together, it was almost laughable that touching her so lightly could be considered taking liberties.
She wanted to turn around and insist that he hold her tight and kiss her.
But instead, she dropped a neat curtsey to him, ducking her head so he could not see the disappointment and hurt in her eyes.
She was saved from further embarrassment as Lady Maynard had descended from the carriage and came over to greet her.
The guests followed Mrs. Ewbanks into the house and the next few minutes were taken up with oohing and ahhing over baby Laura, who was on her best behavior and gurgled and smiled charmingly at all the attention.
By the time everyone was seated, Gwendolyn had been able to calm herself and was able to face Roland with equanimity, although he had chosen a chair right next to her.
Lady Maynard nibbled a slice of seed cake. “This is delicious, Mrs. Ewbanks. Would you let me have the recipe for it?”
Mariana was delighted to see the usually implacable farmer’s wife blush and simper at the compliment.
The first part of the conversation focused on the weather and the condition of the roads but when the tea things were cleared away and Freya had given the last piece of her cake to Popsy, her spaniel who was sitting beside her, she said, “Did you hear that Robert Walker is betrothed to Susan Edwards?”
Roland’s mouth tightened. He had carefully not shared that information with Gwendolyn wanting to spare her the hurt of knowing how quickly her former lover had abandoned his child and her.
But Gwendolyn’s response surprised him. “Has he? Poor Susan. I don’t know her very well, but she is a sweet, complaisant kind of girl.”
“Why do you pity her?” Freya asked. “I thought you would have been a little jealous after you almost married him.”
“Freya,” Lady Maynard chided. “Personal feelings are best left to private conversations.”
Freya pouted slightly and then sighed. “I do wish there were not so many rules of etiquette that prevent us from really understanding people.”
Gwendolyn laughed. “We’ll go for a walk later and then we can have a comfortable coze and share all our deepest secrets.”
Freya smiled. “I don’t think I have any secrets. The only interesting thing that has happened this winter, is the injured dog Popsy and I befriended in the woods between our house and a neighboring estate.”
Everyone laughed at Freya’s typical focus on animals. When they settled, Lady Maynard said, “Mrs. Ewbanks, thank you for looking after Gwendolyn and Mariana so well.”
Mrs. Ewbanks looked at her two temporary wards. “They have integrated well with the family and made themselves useful.”
This spare praise coming from the stern woman made both girls glow with pride, but Gwendolyn was desperate to know what the future held for her and Mariana, and her baby.
“Mrs. Ewbanks has been very patient with us, especially me. We have become quite adept at all kinds of household tasks although cooking is still beyond both of us.”
Lady Maynard smiled. “I am glad to hear that. Have you given any thought to what you will do now?” Her face became sober. “I do not think that returning to your parents is an option and, therefore, I do not see how you could be accepted back into Society.”
Gwendolyn and Mariana looked at each other. Roland felt tension in his shoulders as he waited for the answer. He had been thinking rapidly for the last few minutes. He knew what he wanted for Gwendolyn’s future, but he didn’t want her to feel trapped.
Mariana answered Lady Maynard’s question.
“We’ve thought about opening a little hat shop and haberdashery in Carlisle.
We are both fairly good at trimming bonnets and Gwen has a wonderful sense of style.
She can help people choose the right ribbons and shoe ornaments and I can do the more basic sewing and keep the books. ”
“That sounds like such fun,” Freya said.
Lady Maynard nodded. “That is a good idea. It might be more hard work than fun, but a little enterprise of that nature is exactly the kind of business that you could run.”
Gwendolyn bit her lip. “There is, however, a problem.” She shuffled uneasily but Lady Maynard saved her the embarrassment of having to explain.
“Such a venture will need to be financed,” she said.
“Lord Maynard has set aside a sum for me to draw on as I see fit. Perhaps we can take a trip into Carlisle the day after tomorrow and look at suitable venues. After that, we can draw up an agreement and have it signed by a solicitor.” She looked at Roland.
“Would you, Lord Maynard, be able to recommend a solicitor?”
Roland swallowed. This was all so unexpected and he blamed himself for not having engaged in a proper conversation with Gwendolyn about her plans. “Yes, yes of course. Mr. Murray looks after some of my business here, and he is competent.”
Gwendolyn nodded numbly as Mariana expressed their thanks.
She should feel grateful, she knew, but everything was moving so quickly now.
Baby Laura kicked out her little legs and began to whimper and Gwendolyn picked her up.
Every moment with her child was precious now, like a pearl on a necklace that she had to treasure and hold in her memory because there were so few left to her.
She held the child against her shoulder and patted her back, shushing her gently. But Laura was hungry and would not be placated. Her whimpers turned to yells.
Gwendolyn stood up. “Please excuse us. I need to see to my daughter.”
Roland watched her walk across the room feeling as if he were seeing her walk out of his life. It was time to take action.