3 #3
“Archer, you have monopolised Miss Jane for too long.” Dr Moore was standing in front of her, an expression of concern on his kind face. He had been watching from across the room, and seen the fleeting change of expression cross her features.
Archer Maitland stood up immediately, vacating his chair for his friend.
“A thousand apologies. I think I will give orders for our carriage to be brought round. It will not do to outstay our welcome. Hopefully the weather will be cooler tomorrow. Perhaps if you and Miss Courtney will have recovered your energy, you will accompany Andrew on a walk through the woods and show him some of the more intriguing sights of the area.”
“I am sure we would be pleased to have his company.”
“And you, Sir? Will you be joining us?” Susannah asked.
Archer shook his head. “Sadly, I must accompany my grandmother on visits tomorrow.
But I would suggest, Miss Jane, that you show Andrew the waterfall and the strange circle of standing stones that are to be found nearby.
Indeed, their age and purpose is lost in time and such ancient things are of great interest to him.
With that, he bowed to Jane and the rest of the company and left the room, leaving her feeling thankful that he had gone and annoyed that she had not had the chance to tell him that she loved to dance and was considered better at the art than either of her sisters!
She turned her attention to Dr Moore, her ruffled feelings soothed by his gentle words.
Here was a gentleman whose manner and demeanour were very much to her liking.
No barbed comments but kind conversation that needed no effort to understand.
They discussed a time and place to meet the following day and she felt soothed by the pleasure he showed at these arrangements.
Eventually a footman appeared to inform Dr Moore that the carriage was waiting and with many promises for the following day, he left.
“Such a clever gentleman,” Celeste said brightly when the door closed behind him. “And I do believe you have made a conquest, dear cousin.”
Jane laughed at the absurdity of the remark. She was not the type of girl who attracted men on their first meeting.
“He is a pleasant man,” she replied. “Indeed, I think he is the type of gentleman who would always be polite and considerate to any young woman he met. I do not think I would ever imagine myself to be in a special position where that is concerned or set out to be the target for his attentions.”
“I fear I have annoyed you! Made an embarrassment! But you must forgive me. I was only thinking what a happy thing it is for a man to be attracted to you. What a delight it would be for all your family and connections to see you settled in life. I am so sorry. I should not have spoken. Perhaps I used the wrong words. I try very hard to speak English well, but I know I am not always correct. Oh please do not look at me like that! As if you are so angry with me.”
Celeste’s lip trembled and her eyes filled with tears, as if she was upset that her remarks had caused Jane distress.
“My dear, do not worry yourself so.” Colonel Fitzwilliam was all concern, placing a kindly hand on the young girl’s shoulder. “Jane knows that you meant no harm, don’t you, Jane?” And he flicked a warning glance at his goddaughter.
“Of course.” Jane was bewildered. The Italian girl’s sudden flood of emotion seemed so exaggerated and unnecessary. She was not aware that she had given her any angry glance at all and it was upsetting that the Colonel should think that she had.
“Well, I for one am very tired. It has been a long day.” Eager to calm the situation, Susannah stood up and moved to the door.
“Jane, it is getting late—let us retire. Colonel Fitzwilliam, I bid you goodnight and thank you again for your hospitality in this lovely house. I look forward to exploring it tomorrow. I am sure it has all sorts of secrets to reveal.”
The Colonel took her hand and bowed over it. “The pleasure is all mine, Miss Courtney. I will be delighted to show you all that Deerwood Park has to offer.”
Jane followed Susannah from the room and, taking a candle from a footman, followed her up the winding oak staircase.
“Sleep well, dear Jane,” the older woman said as they reached the passageway leading to her own room. “We will no doubt talk in the morning when we have had a chance to think over the day’s events.”
She smiled and Jane watched as the gleam from her candle vanished into the dark, then turned to find Tabitha waiting in her bedroom to unpin and brush her hair and help her undress.
The bed was not the one she was used to and when the maid had gone, pulling back the heavy curtains so the moonlight glittered in across the floor, she blew out her candle, sure she would not sleep a wink.
The journey, her distress over Digby, her pleasure at seeing the Colonel once more, Andrew Moore’s kind eyes, Celeste’s odd behaviour, all raced through her mind.
But, as she fell at last into slumber, her main thought was annoyance that she had failed to tell Archer Maitland that she liked dancing!