Chapter 3
The air had grown heavy upon their return, and although there were no dark clouds in sight, it did seem as though it might rain.
After breakfast, everyone retired to different parts of the house, and Camilla went up to see Dorothea, who sat holding Augusta.
She looked up when Camilla entered the room.
“Will you wet this cloth in the basin over there? She is red all over in this heat.”
Camilla hurried to comply and brought the damp cloth over to Dorothea, who cooled her baby by wiping her face and belly under the cloth dress and blowing on her. Augusta squirmed when her mother stopped but did not protest.
“Poor thing. Shall I walk with her a bit? Maybe she will feel cooler.”
Dorothea nodded and handed her the baby, who immediately nestled into the crook of her neck and caused Camilla’s heart to stir. She went to the side of the room away from the sun, where a window had been cracked and a slight breeze flowed through it. She rocked the baby gently in her arms.
“Have you eaten today? You weren’t at breakfast, but you must remember to keep up your strength.” Camilla looked back with a chuckle. “Listen to me. I sound like the mother now.”
Dorothea sighed and leaned back in the chaise longue. “Miles insists I take my breakfast in bed, and I have no desire to argue with him on the matter. It is all I can do to come down for dinner, for I am tired.”
“That is only natural, I suppose.”
A soft knock was followed by Sophia’s entrance. She came first to her niece and dropped a kiss on her head, saying, “Good morning, sweet girl.” She laid her hand on Camilla’s arm in greeting and went over to one of the chairs placed near Dorothea.
“I wonder what we shall do today,” Camilla mused. “It is too hot for anything out of doors.”
Dorothea threw aside the small blanket that was over her lap and fanned air into her skirt. “I believe Miles has challenged Pembroke in billiards. I am sure they will happily make up pairs if Felix and Evo wish for it.”
“Perhaps,” Sophia replied. “Felix is determined to teach Evo how to play chess, for he thinks it necessary if he wishes to develop any aptitude in strategy or governance. I suppose he will have to convince him to sit long enough, though.”
“Has Evo shown any desire to enter into politics one day?” Camilla asked doubtfully.
“He has little choice, I should think,” Dorothea said, covering her mouth with a yawn. “Excuse me.”
“Shall I ring for tea?” Sophia asked.
Dorothea shook her head. “I had breakfast not long ago. Perhaps I will take a little nap. Will you ring for Nurse to come?” Sophia had no sooner agreed than the baby’s nurse knocked and entered.
“My lady, I’ve come to ask if I should take the baby to the herb room and watch over her while she sleeps? It is cool by the kitchen, and Cook will not begin dinner for another two hours.”
“An excellent idea.” Dorothea indicated for Camilla to hand her the baby, and she did so, feeling immediately cooler. If her sister and niece needed to sleep, there was no reason to stay.
“I shall leave you then. Enjoy your rest.” As a matter of fact, Camilla thought, a little slumber on such a hot day did not seem a bad idea, even if she had not the excuse of convalescence.
“I will join you,” Sophia announced and followed her into the corridor after bidding Dorothea to rest well. “It does seem warm in her room. It must be ideal in the winter when the sunlight keeps out the chill but ’tis less so in the summer.”
“Where will you go now? To rest?” Camilla asked hopefully.
Sophia shook her head. “As a matter of fact, I should like to talk to you if you are not busy.”
With regret, Camilla watched her chance for a nap slip away. “Of course. Where shall we go?”
“To your room, if you’d like.”
It must be serious then, Camilla thought. Then again, Sophia was so discreet she scarcely uttered commonplaces even when sitting in the bosom of her family. Perhaps it was just for a coze. They had not really spoken since arriving in Kington, thanks to the excitement of their niece’s arrival.
Miles had spent the whole week before the birth pacing, and Dorothea laughingly scolded him that the wood floor was not thick enough to endure it.
The lying-in had lasted nearly twenty-four hours, which was enough to worry even Joanna, who had the most sanguine nature of the family apart from the earl.
After the birth, they were united in their love of Augusta and spoke of little else.
Evo, whom they had thought superfluous for the lying-in, had finally arrived and brought with him a return to some semblance of a daily routine. And now, Pembroke was here.
They entered Camilla’s room, which was only large enough to hold one chair. Sophia took a seat on the bed, and Camilla sat on the armchair, stretching her legs out before sitting more properly. “Felix and Miles seem to be getting on well.”
The Harwoods had only been married for two months, and Miles and Felix had not known each other for long before the wedding. Dorothea’s husband had advised Felix on how to approach Sir Timothy, the earl’s guardian, to discuss terms.
“Yes, I think they enjoy each other’s company.” Sophia laughed softly. “I suppose it was inevitable. As the only two gentlemen in a household of women—that is, until Evo and Pembroke arrived—they must look upon each other as something of a saving grace.”
Camilla smiled, the fluttering at hearing Pembroke’s name chasing away all fatigue.
“How are you finding your time in Herefordshire now that Pembroke is here?”
Camilla looked up in surprise, and with consternation found Sophia regarding her steadily. “Why do you ask me?” As much as she dreaded the answer, she suspected she knew it already.
Sophia took her time in responding. “When I was in love with Felix—before he had declared his own feelings—you had guessed the state of my heart, did you not?”
Camilla thought back. “Yes, I think I did.”
“I am sure you did, for there were occasions when you left us without chaperonage, and I remain convinced it was to give us a chance to become better acquainted.”
“Well, I knew you were shy,” Camilla replied. “I wanted to help your cause however I could. So yes, there were times I made myself invisible. I wanted to be sure he could see your worth—and I am glad he did.”
A smile tugged at Sophia’s lips, and she nodded. “It is what I thought. You see, I think when you grow up with someone, you tend to know how they feel. Even the parts they keep hidden.” Camilla was now certain of where her sister was directing the conversation as she waited for Sophia to continue.
“You had guessed the direction of my heart, though I tried hard to hide my feelings. It was therefore not so very hard to guess yours, for you are not as reserved as I am.” Sophia’s eyes met hers. “I wanted to give you an opportunity to talk about your feelings for Pembroke should you wish to.”
Camilla froze as a dreadful thought entered her mind. “Did you guess it because I am too obvious? Does everyone know—does Felix?” She could not bear to ask whether Lord Pembroke might know.
“I don’t think so.” Sophia knit her brows, reflecting on the question.
“As your sister, I know you intimately, and that is how I guessed where your heart lay. Perhaps it is how you turn his way if he’s somewhere in the room.
And whenever he speaks, you are sure to pay attention and respond.
But”—she sent Camilla an encouraging smile—“I do not think such behavior would cause anyone else to notice. After all, you would not be the only one to behave in such a way. Pembroke is highly sought after in Society. He must be used to such attention.”
“Worse and worse,” Camilla groaned, sinking her face into her hands. “You realize I must give up any infatuation I feel for him now, don’t you?” She laughed and strove for a light tone but felt the pain in her bones. She sounded pathetic to her own ears.
“Nonsense,” Sophia said in a bracing tone that was new. “Why should you give him up just because you are a bit infatuated? After all, look at how well my infatuation worked out with Felix, and no one was a more hopeless case than I.”
“You mistake me,” Camilla said through a tight throat, though she covered it with more strangled laughter.
“Even if I own the tendre I feel for him—and I will own it to you, and you alone, if you please. Do not share it with anyone else.” Sophia gave her word, and Camilla went on.
“I must give him up as the masculine ideal, because I have too much pride to be another empty-headed woman in his court who hangs upon his every word.”
“I see.” Sophia was silent for a moment, and Camilla wondered if she would urge her not to give up. Perhaps she had seen promising signs that showed Pembroke returned some of her feelings. If she had, as Camilla’s sister and champion, she would not hesitate to share them.
“I suppose you are right,” Sophia said slowly, quashing the brief hopes that had sprung up.
“In Felix’s case, it tended to be other gentlemen who sought his counsel or companionship.
My hopes would have been thoroughly dashed had he been constantly surrounded by ladies, providing him temptation at every turn. ”
Her heart sank further. Not only was Sophia beautiful and capable of winning a gentleman’s heart—unlike Camilla—she was also perfectly right.
There could be no denying that when Pembroke entered a room, women drew to him like a magnet.
Why would he ever choose her when presented with such dazzling options?
It was her sister’s way of telling her to give it up.
Sophia studied her with sympathetic eyes. “I do not say you have no chance, and I am the last person to tell you not to feel something you feel—or that you would do well to give him up. I will only tell you to be cautious in revealing your heart so that you do not end up hurt.”