Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
Sariah settled into her father’s coach opposite her parents who had also been invited to Marquess Harville’s house party. Her maid, Sophie, was riding with their coachman.
At first, Sariah was disappointed that Reed had not chosen to travel with them, but he’d told her that the marquess himself had offered to send a carriage and he hadn’t wanted to refuse such a generous offer.
Although he was undoubtedly correct, she wished that he’d declined the offer, because it would have been an infinitely more enjoyable journey had he done so.
As it was, she was stuck watching her father read while her mother dozed in the corner. She was bored senseless.
Not only that, but she looked forward to their time together.
Once her prejudices had softened toward him since their initial interaction at the Pond, she realized that he was more than just a rake.
He truly was a noble gentleman. It truly was a pity that he hadn’t been born into the aristocracy, as their betrothal might have been in truth, rather than a fabrication.
For someone who had long abhorred marriage, that was saying a lot.
It still angered her that the Duke of Ganoway had treated Reed so harshly.
Just because he had a glorified title, it did not mean that he had the right to treat others as he pleased.
At least she could take heart that he was not that well favored in society.
He had long been known as someone who was particularly contrary and now Sariah understood why.
If getting to know Reed had taught her anything, it was that it made her more empathetic to others similar to his situation.
She had been raised to understand the difference in stations within society, and yet, she was starting to learn that those divides were entirely too wide for her tastes.
Just because someone was born a commoner, it did not make them any less worthy of notice or regard.
As a woman, she had long understood those divisions, however she had not fully considered that it was not just women who suffered the same fate.
It made her more determined to see that everyone deserved the same equal standing.
Of course, at the same time she had been considering these injustices, Sariah found it difficult not to keep replaying the kiss she’d shared with Reed on the terrace.
Every time the vision fluttered through her mind she grew warm, her stomach erupting in a flurry of butterflies although it had been a couple days since it had occurred.
The gentle kiss he’d bestowed on her hand the day before at the park had only brought that fiery sensation tumbling back into her awareness.
She was equal parts excited—and nervous—about spending an entire fortnight in Reed’s company.
Granted, her father would be present for much of that time and they would be forced to separate from various events, but there would surely be ample opportunity for them to sneak away from the festivities and find a quiet moment alone.
The prospect of kissing Reed again definitely held certain appeal. She’d very much enjoyed it the first time and had yearned for an encore ever since.
And if they should be caught? They were betrothed, after all.
That is when those horrible doubts would arise, because as far as society was concerned, they were completely respectable.
Only a trusted few knew that it was merely a sham engagement.
Unfortunately, the longer she was around her Adonis, she found she was disappointed it wasn’t actually in truth.
But that was a desire she had to keep to herself.
Without anything else to occupy her time, Sariah decided to doze on and off for a time, until finally, the grand estate belonging to Lord Harville soon came into view.
It was a magnificent structure, one that would stand the test of time to honor English aristocracy.
It was one of the few structures she knew of that was built in the Baroque period shortly after the Great Fire of London in 1666 from locally quarried sandstone.
It was an impressive sight to behold as their coach rambled down the long drive.
A large pond sparkled in the front gardens and a stone bridge separated the narrow valley to one side.
A forest of sturdy oak trees lined the edge of the estate and beckoned to any adventurous hunter.
She knew that her father was eagerly anticipating the foxhunt that would take place during their stay.
She wasn’t sure if Reed was looking forward to the same entertainment or not.
There were still so many things that she did not know about him, but no doubt, she would learn a lot more within the next few days.
Personally, Sariah was looking forward to the archery tournament.
While her mother had always attempted to keep her preoccupied with more household activities suitable to a young lady, Sariah actually preferred the outdoors and could always be found swimming in the summer with her brother or shooting a bow and arrow in the spring and autumn months.
The winter was reserved for sleigh rides and snowball scuffles, which she generally lost as the younger sibling.
Again, she wondered if Reed enjoyed the same sort of sport with his fellow bluecoats, but perhaps that wasn’t a subject he was comfortable discussing. She had not delved too much into his past yet, because she hadn’t wanted to bring up something that would make him feel even more inferior.
As the coach halted, she stepped to the ground with her father’s assistance.
The moment she glanced up, she spied Reed silhouetted in the front doorframe.
Her heart immediately skipped a beat and her pulse skittered across her skin.
She wanted to believe that he had been anticipating her arrival, but perhaps that was wishful thinking on her part.
He was standing with their host and as the pair greeted them, Sariah allowed her parents to speak to the marquess while she fixed her attention on Reed. He offered her a wink that made her smile.
“I am glad you were able to join the party, Miss Kent, Lady Foxworth,” Lord Harville was saying, forcing Sariah to slide her gaze back to the host. “My wife will be overjoyed. She would not hear of it if I had not invited a few ladies to partake of the latest gossip.”
Sariah wanted to roll her eyes, although her mother piped up, “I shall endeavor to do my best to
entertain our hostess.”
“It is about time you got here, Sari.” As the newcomer walked along the foyer toward her, Sariah gave a stunned, but happy gasp.
“Richard!” She rushed forward and embraced her brother warmly. He pulled back and started to ruffle her hair like they used to do when they were children, but he stopped himself just in time.
“I keep forgetting that you are not a child anymore.”
She spread her arms out. “Time has a way of doing that,” she teased. “But I am more interested in what you are doing here. I thought you were still in Egypt. I had no idea you were coming!”
“That is because it was meant to be a surprise.” His lips twitched. “Father thought you would be pleased.”
“I am, indeed.” Happiness likely radiated from her every pore.
Although there were times during their childhood when she would become rather cross with her elder brother, she adored him like no other.
She wondered if this reunion had been planned for another reason, but she decided she would file that suspicion away for later.
“You will have to tell me how your trip was. I admit I am green with envy that you got to see the massive pyramids in person!”
He gave a light shrug. “It is not so magnificent when you factor in all the sand and heat you must endure.”
She rolled her eyes. “No doubt that is true. You have never been a fan of particularly warm weather.”
“Which is why I am thankful to be back in England. July is much easier to bear here than attempting to dig up old fossils with the sun beating down on your neck.”
Sariah noticed that he had gained some color from his time abroad, his mahogany hair lightening slightly from the sun’s rays. Although his brown eyes were just as dark as she had always remembered, their edges crinkled slightly, marking his age as he looked down at her.
She glanced to the side and saw that Reed was still in conversation with her parents and the marquess, but as if sensing her regard, his gaze slid to hers and held. Her breath immediately caught.
“Hmm. I have been wondering about your Mr. Carrington,” Richard murmured. “I can see it is more serious than I thought. Are you sure this is a sham engagement?”
Sariah worried they might be overheard, but her mother took that opportunity to retire to her rooms and the men were still in deep discussion—likely about business—and none of the servants were in close proximity. “We have become good friends, is all.”
He lifted a brow. “If you say so.”
Sariah snorted as Reed strode over and extended his arm to her. “Care for another escort, my lady?”
She easily accepted the gesture, as her other arm looped through her brother’s, her smile broadened. “I could not think of a better scenario. What a lucky girl I am to have not one, but two handsome gentlemen at my side!”
“I would ask who is the more favorable out of the two, but truly there is no contest,” Richard murmured in a teasing fashion.
Reed accepted the bait. “I appreciate you being so accommodating, Lord Richard. I thought perhaps we might have to arm wrestle for the honor of that title, but since you have conceded that honor to me, it seems that won’t be necessary.”
Richard threw his head back and gave a rich bark of laughter. “Well done, Sari. I might just get along with this fellow.”