14. Chapter 14
T he morning of the town festival dawned warm and bright as our house party arrived in the small village of Ravenscar. The town had a view of the North Sea, with winding roads, old stone cottages with red roofs, and small, windswept gardens.
It had been four days since the night I’d learned about the smugglers, and though our house guests had no idea Ames and I had quarreled, things had not returned to normal between us.
There was a quiet tension that filled the room when we were together.
I couldn’t stop wondering how much of Pickering Castle had been built on illegal activities and how many of the rumors were true.
And I also didn’t understand why Ames allowed it continue.
The festival was held in the village green with booths, food, competitions, and music.
It appeared as if everyone in the surrounding area had come to enjoy the day.
Children played games I recognized and some I didn’t.
There was a three-legged race, a ring-toss game, circles for playing marbles, and more.
Adults were also engaged in competitions.
There was a lively game of cricket in a nearby field, and another one of lawn bowling.
Besides the games, there were tables laden with food to buy.
Pies, cakes, breads, and more. Laughter floated on the breeze as people bowed or curtseyed in deference to Ames and our house party.
Many people stared at our guests, whispering behind their hands and openly admiring the American heiresses and their chaperones.
They were dressed impeccably, and far different than the villagers.
“There you are,” Aunt Eliza said as she approached, a wide smile on her face.
It was the first time we’d seen her since the night of her dance, and my cheeks flushed warm at the memory. I pushed those thoughts aside, though I’d been reminded of the incident every time I looked at my brothers-in-law, whose bruises were finally fading.
“Everything looks wonderful,” I said to her.
“Ames”—Aunt Eliza smiled at my husband—“I wasn’t sure if Lily could get you here, but I’m happy she did.”
Ames offered his aunt a slight bow but said nothing, his back stiff.
I turned to my guests, who were surveying the festival with curiosity, and wanted to shift the conversation. “Lady Torrington, may I present my guests to you?”
“I’d love to meet them.”
I made introductions as Ames watched me.
He hadn’t put up a fuss about coming to the festival—hadn’t complained about anything regarding the house party since the night of our fight.
Part of me wondered if it was his way of apologizing, or if he’d realized what he’d said to me was unfair.
Either way, he’d been more agreeable today, while also remaining distant.
“It’s so nice to have all of you in Ravenscar,” Aunt Eliza said to our guests. “I hope you’ll enjoy the festival today.” She placed her hand on my arm. “George and his children have arrived. I hope you’ll excuse me.”
I glanced in the direction she indicated and saw Lord Torrington standing on the edge of the village green.
His children were next to him, in descending order, their clothing without a wrinkle and their hair perfectly combed.
An older woman in a plain gray dress stood at the opposite end as Lord Torrington, her hair pulled back into a severe bun.
She was not the same woman I’d seen with the children before. Was this a new governess?
“Please enjoy yourselves,” I said to everyone in our little group. “There is a dance later, but if you’d rather return to the castle, please let me know and I’ll have our driver take you back.”
Just as I’d suspected, Davis asked Alice if she and Mrs. Talmadge would like to try their hand at a game, while Everett escorted Martha and her sister to watch the three-legged races.
Mrs. Danby and Mrs. Harrington had already spotted the booth of a local healer who was selling compounds and herbal remedies.
“I can’t participate in lawn bowling,” Collins said to Ruth and Sarah as he indicated his arm, which was still in a sling, his curls more disheveled today than usual, “but we can get some lemonade and watch the others.”
I caught Brant’s eye and gave him a slight tilt of my head as I pointedly looked at Sarah, hoping to prod him into asking her if she’d like to see the festival with him.
Brant looked away from me and crossed his arms.
Ames leaned toward Brant and spoke next to his ear. Whatever he said made Brant’s face darken, but he lowered his arms and approached Sarah.
“Would you like to see some of the villagers’ handicraft work?” he asked Sarah. “I’ve heard they’re being displayed over there, and many people are selling their wares.”
Sarah looked up in surprise but delight soon followed. “I’d love to, Lord Brant.”
Collins glanced in their direction, but I couldn’t tell if he was disappointed, angry, or jealous that Sarah had so easily thrown him aside.
“Did I ever tell you about the time I participated in a lawn bowling tournament in Newport?” Ruth asked Collins, capturing his attention.
He returned his gaze to her and shook his head. “I don’t believe you did.”
“I made a complete fool of myself,” she laughed. “I’m simply not athletic as you can plainly tell, but it was quite fun. Perhaps I can join in the tournament here.” Her eyes lit with pleasure. “If you promise to cheer me on, Lord Collins.”
“I promise.” He no longer seemed aware of anyone else as he offered Ruth his arm and they walked away.
It was now just Ames and me as laughter, conversation, and a soft breeze, scented with the aroma of fresh bread, filled the air around us.
“I’m sorry, Lily,” he said, watching the festival goers.
“I should have apologized earlier, but—” He paused and let out a breath.
“I’m a stubborn man and ever since I became the duke, I’ve answered to no one.
” He turned to face me. “I cannot expect you to bow down to my every bad mood or misplaced word. I should have been kinder the other night, and there is no excuse for what I said. I was scared when I heard that you discovered the—” he glanced around to see if anyone was close enough to hear him—“caves. The men who operate there are not to be trusted in any way. No doubt they are aware of you, but I don’t want to give them any reason to—” He paused again and pressed his lips together, taking a moment.
“I don’t want them to have any reason to hurt you. ”
I studied his handsome face, realization breaking through the haze of questions I’d had for so long. I stepped closer to him and lowered my voice. “Have they hurt other people in your family? Is that how your grandfather and great-grandfather died?”
Instead of denying my claim, he said nothing, telling me everything I needed to know.
“Why weren’t they brought to justice?” I whispered.
“Because there was no way of proving it. They were the ones who spread the rumors that the duchesses were to blame. After my great-great-grandmother had fallen from the cliffs, everyone agreed it was a horrible accident. But the smugglers started to suggest she haunted the castle and compelled the other duchesses to murder their husbands.” He placed my hand inside his elbow and walked me toward a quieter part of the village green.
“But our family knew. Their deaths were warnings. The smugglers knew far too much about the Welby family and our secrets, and if someone told the authorities about the caves, it would ruin the Welby name. Perhaps even cost our family the dukedom.”
“Why didn’t your family tell the authorities about the smugglers first? The authorities could have set a trap for them, and then it would have been your word against theirs.”
“You’re right,” he agreed. “And my father should have done that, but the castle was already falling to ruins and he needed the money, so he allowed them to use the caves for a cut of the profits. I believe that was part of the reason my mother and he fought all the time. She hated smuggling and wanted nothing to do with it, but he continued to give in to them, because he wanted the income.”
I stopped and looked up at him. “Why don’t you stop it now?”
He watched the cricket game for a moment and then said, “I’ve wanted to.
After my father died, I spoke to my great-uncle, the Earl of Bedford, and asked him to help me stop them.
But he refused. He still benefits from their activities.
I washed my hands of them long ago and told them that as long as they don’t interfere with anyone at Pickering Castle, I would not interfere with them. ”
“But—”
“Things have changed with your arrival, Lily.” His dark brown eyes were full of an emotion I couldn’t quite identify.
“I don’t want them in the castle any longer, but I fear that if I try to stop them, they may retaliate the same way they did when my great-grandfather and grandfather crossed them.
It is a new generation of smugglers, but they are just as familiar with the history between our families as I am. ”
A shiver ran up my spine.
“I don’t want to take any chances,” he said, his voice softening, “now that you’re here.”
Warmth and affection filled me at his sweet words, yet dread knotted in my stomach fearing what could happen to Ames, or his brothers, if we tried to stop the smugglers.
“I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you,” I said. “I should not have gone into the passageway.”
Ames laid his hand over mine and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Let me worry about this, Lily. You have your hands full with everything else.”
I let my gaze wander around the village green, smiling when I saw Davis and Alice laughing together, and Martha and Everett trying their hand at the ring-toss game. Collins and Ruth were walking slowly toward the lawn bowling tournament, apparently in no hurry to get there.