Chapter Six
THE PARTY STOOD on the drive while Mary and Mr. Jennings argued—kindly—about how to arrange the carriages.
Mary suggested that the men ride in one carriage and the women in the other, but Mr. Jennings pointed out that there had already been a great deal of activities segregated by sex.
Miss Johansson suggested three different versions of arrangements in which herself, Dina, and David were all in the same carriage.
“What if we draw straws?” Dina said when it was all becoming tedious. She looked between David and Mary. “It is how we decided all manner of games as children, do you remember?”
“I remember,” David said, holding her eyes. “I’ll fetch straw from the barn.”
Five minutes and eight straws later—four long and four short—each guest drew a piece of straw from David’s hand one at a time.
Dina would journey an hour each way with Mr. Dewberry, Mr. Littlefield, and David’s mother.
But she wouldn’t have to watch David and Miss Johansson together, so she felt it a fair trade.
Despite suspecting Mr. Littlefield of being a wolf in sheep’s clothing, he was polite and well-mannered, if not even a tiny bit charming on the journey.
Mrs. Macarthur was equally kind, though Dina didn’t trust her either.
Mr. Dewberry, however, was enchanting and kept the party entertained with facts Dina found difficult to believe: “Did you know that in the Americas there is a miniature rhinoceros-like creature with a snout instead of a horn that can roll itself into a ball like a pill bug? It is true, I swear it.”
“Did you know that there has been honey discovered in ancient tombs of the Egyptians that was still edible? It is true, I swear it.”
By the end of the journey, Mrs. Macarthur and Dina were laughing so hard at his story of trying to cook a meal for his friends when they found themselves at a hunting cabin with no servants that Mr. Littlefield handed each of them a handkerchief, which made them laugh even harder because what man carries two handkerchiefs?
Such chivalry could almost make Dina forget that he might be a lecherous git.
Dina stepped down from the carriage while still attempting to contain her laughter but was able to sober herself only when she looked up to see David and Miss Johansson watching her. She swallowed the last of her mirth and inclined her head in greeting.
“It seems you had an enjoyable journey,” David said as he moved to help his mother step down from the carriage. She took David’s hand and attempted to explain Mr. Dewberry’s stories but could not communicate the true power of his diversion.
“I suppose you had to hear it for yourself,” Mrs. Macarthur said, then shared a knowing smile at Dina. “Two handkerchiefs.”
Dina laughed into her hand and no longer wanted to harbor the weight of their difficulties from all those years ago.
A grudge would not serve anyone, least of all herself, and Mrs. Macarthur had been right all those years ago.
David could not have loved Dina as a wife and an equal partner.
Mrs. Macarthur’s meddling had spared all of them so much pain they’d have felt if they had discovered the truth another way.
It was a relief to feel the burden of the offense melt away.
“As the senior member of this party,” Mrs. Macarthur said when everyone was gathered, “I insist that we return in the same carriages we arrived in.”
“Here, here,” Mr. Littlefield said, raising an invisible glass in a toast. The warm feelings tempted Dina to let go of her second grudge.
Mr. Littlefield had been an amiable traveling companion and made no attempt to find a way to ride in Miss Johansson’s carriage.
Would not a lover—even a secret one—want as much time in his beloved’s company as possible?
“You would leave the rest of us out of such diversion?” Mr. Jennings said with his eyebrows lifted in mock surprise. “What a very self-serving determination, Mrs. Macarthur.”
“Nevertheless, it has been decided,” Mrs. Macarthur said with a resolute nod. “Miss Cameron agrees with me too, do you not?”
“Most certainly,” Dina said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear before remembering that it was meant to hang by the side of her face.
She wished she’d gone with her more familiar style so that she would not need to worry about this one.
It felt too loose, but was that only because she was used to something more severe?
“And I would not argue with Mrs. Macarthur on this topic for all the pill bug rhinoceroses in America.”
More laughter from the long-straw carriage ensued until Mr. Jennings ushered them through the broken gates of the abbey. “I can only hope that the informative nature of today’s outing will not be entirely lost on you silly midges. Come along, let us begin.”
Mr. Jennings knew a great deal about the county and its landmarks.
He rolled off facts and stories for nearly an hour before they made their way to a slight rise where the accompanying servants they’d brought with them had set out blankets and shade to accommodate the picnic lunch.
The group enjoyed cold chicken sandwiches, strawberries, oat cakes, and wine before Mr. Jennings released them to their own exploration until it was time to leave.
Dina was surprised at how enjoyable the day had been and how much the tensions had paled in light of the easy camaraderie.
Mr. Jennings had said there was a druid rock circle to the west of the abbey, but the group had chosen not to explore it due to an incline that could not be comfortably navigated by all members of their party.
Dina had no objection to the exertion for herself, however, and made her way in that direction only to be called back by Miss Johansson when she had just reached the base of the hill.
The same irritation she’d felt at Miss Johansson pushing in on her walk home from church yesterday rose up as she turned.
Miss Johansson was not alone, however. David gave Dina an apologetic smile as they approached, Miss Johansson’s hand tucked easily around his elbow.
“Are you looking for the druid circle?” Miss Johansson asked with that look of delight that Dina had come to recognize as her most common expression.
“It sounded like an interesting exploration,” Dina said, tucking her hair yet again.
“Might we join you, then?” She smiled adoringly at David. “We were headed in the same direction.”
Dina did not glance at David as she answered.
“Of course.” What else could she say? She brushed the blasted hair out of her face again.
She’d removed her bonnet for luncheon and then not known how to replace it without a looking glass.
Mary had already wandered off by the time Dina realized she needed assistance, so she’d left the bonnet behind since she would be alone anyway.
Her regret at not having time alone was shadowed by remembering why she had come on this outing—to get an up-close view of these people in hopes of determining her direction.
With that in mind, there was no reason at all not to be grateful for this time in Miss Johansson’s company.
“Excellent.”
Miss Johansson looped her free arm through Dina’s and managed to lead out even though she was the middle of the three. She talked about how delightful the day had been, and wasn’t Dina glad she had come?
Dina enjoyed her life in the Jennings’s household, adored the girls, and felt deep connection to Mary.
She had friends and even socialized in certain company from time to time, but she did not get this kind of recreation very often.
A new place, the fresh connection with people like Mr. Dewberry.
Part of her wanted to put away her feelings for David and concerns toward Miss Johansson and Mr. Littlefield long enough to truly enjoy it.
Another part, however, wanted to make sure she used her time with these people as effectively as possible.
They had just reached the crest of the hill when Miss Johansson came to an abrupt stop.
David and Dina on either side of her stumbled a bit as they, too, halted.
“Oh dear,” Miss Johansson said in a plaintive tone as she looked between them.
“I’ve forgotten my bonnet.” She placed a hand on her bare head and frowned at them in turn.
“One of the pins was sticking me quite badly at lunch, so I removed it but cannot risk any more time in the sun. I’ve already become so brown.
” She untangled her arms and turned back the way they’d come in a single movement.
“Let me retrieve it for you, Fiona,” David said, stepping forward down the hill.
“I would not dream of that. How will I ever learn to be responsible if people are continually making up for my deficits?” She slapped playfully at his arm.
“Carry on, I shall return as quickly as possible, and you shan’t even know that I was gone.
” She was scampering down the hill before either David or Dina could broach another argument.
They looked at one another once they were alone, and Dina breathed him in.
She immediately blamed the wine at lunch for making her wickedly happy about this circumstance.
“I should go after her,” David said, but he did not move.
“She is already at the base of the hill,” Dina said, waving in Miss Johansson’s direction. “I do not mind continuing on if you don’t.”
He held her eyes a moment, then nodded. “Very well.”
She smiled and turned back in the direction of the stones.
The breeze had changed, and she could definitely feel a section of her hair coming loose from her pins.
As much as she enjoyed David’s company, she feared that should they touch, even inadvertently, the sensation would be overpowering.
Therefore, she stayed well to her side of the narrow path as they meandered farther into the woods.
“It seems you have done very well for yourself, Mr. Macarthur.”