“Your Grace,” Rowena greeted him with a curtsy.
“Lady Rowena, you look lovely today. The sunshine appears to agree with you.” She smiled shyly, a light blush on her face.
“Indeed, Your Grace.” Their eyes locked and for a moment, he found himself lost in their unspoken love.
It was her sister-in-law who interrupted the moment.
“It is ever so hot. I am parched. Would you mind if we stopped for a cup of tea and perhaps a small bite to eat?”
She looked from Rowena to Catherine, as the younger sister broke into a wide grin.
She turned her face toward Henry. “What wonderful ideal, Margaret. Perhaps Mister Newmont might be so kind and accompany us to the kitchen for a tea?”
Taken aback, Henry’s eyes grew wide. “Of course, Lady Catherine. I am rather thirsty myself. I mean…I would–” Gatherings his wits about him, Henry extended his arm for her to take. He motioned for Lady Burton and Rowena to go before him into the house, but Rowena hesitated.
“Margaret, if you do not mind, I would rather continue my walk. I am ever so eager to take in the view of the vineyard. The afternoon sun bathes the property in such a lovely light. I thought I might take inspiration and paint it later.”
Her sister-in-law looked uncertain for a moment and glanced at Christopher, as if assessing him.
She is concerned to abandon her chaperoning duties, yet she knows she cannot be in two places at once. Very well, I shall ease her mind.
“The light is indeed charming at this hour. I wish I could see it for myself, alas I must depart. I am to meet Lord Waxworth at the Inn in the village. He owns the neighboring property. It is always good to know thy neighbors.”
As expected, this declaration of his imminent departure eased Lady Burton’s mind. With no unmarried bachelors roaming the property, Lady Rowena’s reputation would be quite safe.
“Very well then. The three of us shall take our tea and Rowena, I cannot wait to see the painting you will produce. I am sure it will be lovely.”
With that, she made her way into the house, while Lady Catherine took Henry’s arm and followed.
“I hear the well house has lovely views of the vineyard,” he winked at her as if they had not spent the last few evenings there. “You may wish to explore there, Lady Rowena. I would offer to show you myself, but I must depart.” He spoke loudly, knowing his words would carry into the kitchen.
“A shame, indeed,” she replied, equally loud. “But I am certain I will find it myself. I hope your meeting is a success.” She curtsied as he bowed.
“As do I.”
With that, the two departed into opposite directions.
* * *
A few short moment later, Christopher made his way around the back of the property, hidden from the view of the kitchen. He climbed the steps of the old well house and looked around to ensure nobody saw him. Then, he stepped inside.
To his delight, Rowena was already there, standing near the edge where the view was indeed, beautiful.
“I feel rather like a naughty child,” she said with a grin when he approached.
“As do I, however, I must admit, there is some fun in that as well. I have much enjoyed our explorations in recent days.”
They had been fortunate to have opportunity for such explorations, due to the unexpected freedom. The Countess, for example, had fallen in love with the vineyard and the beautiful scenery and the Earl had taken great pains to show her the area as well as the nearby village. This left Rowena and Catherine under the supervision of their brother Charles and sister-in-law, neither the ideal chaperone. Their brother was often too occupied to pay them attention, and Lady Burton was simply too exhausted.
Henry was correct, his plan to come to the vineyard with the entire family had at last given me what I so desired. Time with Rowena.
“I have had a letter from Betsy, it came with the messenger for Papa.” She showed him the letter, with the seal of House Portsmouth already broken.
“I trust she is still well?” Christopher swallowed, still uneasy with the fact that Rowena was forced to request the assistance of the dastardly Thornmouth to ensure Betsy was looked after.
“They have arrived at the Thornmouth Estate and will be staying at the Castle for the duration of the trials.” She sighed. “It is not what I had hoped for when the Duke arranged for Lord Portsmouth to be on the Commission. I had hoped he would leave his wife and children in Bedfordshire.”
Rowena turned and attempted to step onto a stone bench to sit on the wall surrounding the well house. Seeing her struggle, her by placing his hands around her waist and lifting her. She placed her hand on his shoulder for support. They looked at one another, reveling in the closeness that had developed between them.
