13. Chapter 13
T he first full day of the house party was upon us, and it was stifling. We’d spent the morning in the Cedar drawing room, reading and doing embroidery, but no matter how many windows were opened for a cross-breeze, the hot air was uncomfortable.
The midafternoon temperature seemed to surprise Ames, as well.
“We usually have a very mild summer,” he said as we stood in the Great Hall after luncheon. “It’s one of the benefits of living in Yorkshire and why so many people want to summer here.”
We were alone, something that had occurred by happenstance as I made my way toward the kitchens to discuss supper plans with Mrs. Pontipee and he had been coming in from visiting a tenant farmer whose cow had just calved that morning.
Our guests were resting, trying to find a bit of respite from the heat.
We had planned to visit the Ravenscar Beach later that week, but perhaps today would be better. “Shall we take our house guests to the beach to cool down before supper?”
Ames gave me a pained look. “Must I go?”
“I had hoped you’d want to show me the beach. I haven’t seen it yet.”
“Any of my brothers could assist you just as well.”
I smiled at him. “But it’s you I want, Ames.”
He groaned as he bent down and kissed me. “You must wield your powers responsibly, Your Grace. For I fear I cannot say no to you.”
My smile widened.
After a moment, he sighed. “Perhaps we should all go. Brant and Everett have been sulky all day. The beach would be good for everyone.”
Apprehension wound around my chest at the mention of Brant. I had chosen not to tell Ames about seeing Brant and Molly in the passageway. I wasn’t sure it was wise to withhold information, but since Brant promised to stay away from her, I would choose to trust him.
Later that afternoon, our entire house party made our way down a path toward Ravenscar Beach with an entourage of servants behind us carrying blankets and wicker baskets full of food and drinks from Mrs. Pontipee’s kitchen.
The older women carried umbrellas as the men helped us navigate the rocky cliffside in our cumbersome gowns.
“Let me help you, Miss Harrington,” Everett said as he reached out and offered Ruth his hand. “I wouldn’t want you to muss that pretty dress you’re wearing.”
Despite his best efforts, Ruth still tripped down the hill and needed his assistance, laughing at herself as she went.
Collins glared at his brother as he offered Mrs. Talmadge a hand.
The air cooled considerably as we descended to the shore.
A sense of awe and wonder caught in my chest at the sight of Ravenscar Beach unfurling before us.
The vastness of the North Sea shimmered beneath a bright blue sky painted with drifting clouds overhead, while the sandy beach fanned out like a broad, gentle arc, bordered by tall grass and clusters of heather that clung to the edge of the moors above.
The air smelled faintly of salt and distant peat fires, and the rhythmic crash of waves against ancient rocks echoed in the bay.
“Do you like it?” Ames asked me, not looking at the beach but at me.
“I pray the beauty of this place never ceases to amaze me.” I turned to my husband, my heart full. “Thank you for inviting me to be part of this place, Ames.”
He offered me a rare grin, one meant only for me, as he gave me his arm to step onto the sand.
“Robin Hoods’ Bay is just around that point,” he said to me, nodding to the left at a far-off outcropping of land.
“Where smugglers reside?” I asked with a lighthearted laugh.
He didn’t respond, and when I glanced at his serious face, I saw that he was inspecting the coastline. Had he even heard me?
As the servants set up our blankets, Davis offered Alice his arm and they began to stroll along the beach, their heads bent together and I imagined they were talking about a book they’d both read.
Mrs. Talmadge didn’t follow them, since she had a good view of her niece from where we would sit, but she watched them carefully.
Collins had brought along a kite, which he prepared to fly using his good arm as Ruth and Sarah stood near him.
Both young ladies laughed and tried to help as they asked questions and listened to his answers with rapt attention.
He appeared delighted with their interest and didn’t seem to notice Martha, who stood apart, looking out at the sea.
Everett didn’t even try to compete with Collins and his kite. He began kicking at seashells, walking away from the group, his hands in his pockets.
As the chaperones settled onto the blankets, using their umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun, I approached Everett.
He glanced up at me, his face set in stone.
“It doesn’t pay to sulk,” I told him, wrapping my arm through his as we strolled. “Martha is a wonderful young woman, and she looks just as miserable as you. Perhaps you should ask her to look for seashells with you.”
Everett glanced at Martha, who had turned to watch Collins teach Ruth how to fly the kite as Sarah smiled and clapped at Ruth’s efforts.
“I don’t know, Lily.” Everett kicked at a clump of seaweed on the beach. “She’s pretty, but she seems just as boring as her older sister.”
“You might be surprised. Martha is a good friend of mine. She’s very prim and proper, but she likes to have fun.
She loves horses, perhaps as much as you, and she is fond of dancing and singing and outdoor games, all things I know you enjoy.
Don’t be shortsighted and make assumptions about people before you get to know them.
You’re going to miss out on a lot of wonderful relationships throughout your life if you allow your first impressions to overshadow your opinion of someone. ”
Everett sighed. “Fine. I’ll ask her to look for seashells with me, but that’s all I’m doing with her.”
I laughed. “I’m not asking you to marry her.”
As Everett left my side to approach Martha, I made my way back toward the chaperones. It was hard, since I was the same age as my friends—yet I was now the Duchess of Severton, expected to cater to the older women and not join in the younger people’s antics.
Ames stood with Brant, away from the blankets, deep in conversation, or I might have joined them.
“I highly recommend English Female Bitters for your female complaints,” Mrs. Danby said with authority to Mrs. Talmadge as I approached the blanket. “It’s best suited for younger women just entering adulthood, and those who are—” she cleared her throat—“at the turn of life later on.”
Mrs. Talmadge blinked several times. “But my dear Mrs. Danby, all you will find in English Female Bitters is alcohol and a few spices for flavoring.”
“What of it?” Mrs. Danby asked.
“I’m a temperance woman.” Mrs. Talmadge gripped her umbrella in her gloved hand.
“Even medicinally?” Mrs. Harrington asked with disbelief.
“In every form.” Mrs. Talmadge nodded gravely. “I am a proud member of the American Temperance Society of New York. Patent medicine is often a gateway to addiction and illness, and rarely provides the health benefits the labels claim.”
“That’s rubbish.” Mrs. Danby gave Mrs. Talmadge a pitiful look. “You must get with the times. Progress is power, Mrs. Talmadge. Do not stay stuck in old-fashioned thinking.”
“How do you treat your ailments?” Mrs. Harrington asked Mrs. Talmadge.
“With healthy food, exercise, and fresh air.” She took a deep breath. “As God intended. Our bodies are designed to heal themselves if we take proper care of them.”
Mrs. Danby pursed her lips and lifted an eyebrow. “That sounds like too much work. I’ll stick to my patent medicine, thank you. It’s much easier.”
Mrs. Talmadge let out her breath slowly as she allowed her gaze to wander to the sea with peace and assurance on her face.
I liked that she didn’t feel the need to convince her peers but could rest in her own convictions.
“Ah, there you are, Your Grace,” Mrs. Danby said, turning her attention to me. She nodded at Collins, Ruth, and Sarah, who had the kite in the air and were taking turns holding the string.
“Why is Lord Brant not joining the other young people in their entertainments?” she asked me. “I was guaranteed an eligible earl for my Sarah, and yet he remains aloof and distant.”
“Guaranteed?” Mrs. Harrington asked, putting her hand on her chest in shock.
“I guaranteed nothing,” I said quickly, hoping Ames and Brant didn’t hear her.
“Oh, but you did.” Mrs. Danby set down her umbrella and opened her reticule. “I have your letter here.”
Frowning, I moved closer to the blanket. What on earth had I said in my letter that would give her the idea that Sarah was guaranteed a union with Brant?
“‘Mrs. Danby,’” she began to read, “‘I’m sorry to hear that you might not be able to come to Pickering Castle in July. I had so hoped to see you and Sarah again. My husband’s brother, Lord Brant, will be especially disappointed with the news.
I do not know how long Brant will remain at Pickering Castle, since he is set to inherit the Earl of Bedford’s title and estate one day soon, so this might be the only time he will be present.
I had so hoped he and Sarah could meet and get to know one another.
If you should change your mind about our invitation, please send your response soon.
Yours respectfully, the Duchess of Severton. ’”
Mrs. Danby lifted her gaze to mine with a challenge. “Does that not sound like a guarantee, Your Grace? Or was I brought to a haunted castle under false pretenses?”
Mrs. Harrington, Mrs. Talmadge, and Miss Beth Townsend all waited for my response.
My lips parted as I stared at Mrs. Danby.
“I have brought no one here under false pretenses—and the castle is not haunted, as you’ve already learned for yourself.
It’s true my brother-in- law will one day inherit the Earl of Bedford’s title and estate, but I made no guarantee that he would ask Sarah to be his bride.
I don’t have that kind of power or control over Brant—or anyone else. ”