“Very well,” she replied, rising to her feet as the gong sounded. “We’re having lamb for dinner.”
“Good, I’m starving.” Maxwell took her into his arms and placed a gentle kiss on her mouth. “You look beautiful, Louisa, as always.”
*
As planned, Maxwelland Finlay left on Thursday morning. And, since the references had been verified, Louisa’s new lady’s maid, Mrs. Archer, arrived on Friday afternoon. On Monday morning, having taken the weekend familiarizing her new maid with theway of things, Louisa had Byron saddled and set off to Highfield Hall, taking the shorter route over the moor.
The visit would be a surprise for her parents and siblings, whom she hadn’t seen or spoken to since returning from her honeymoon. The warm and enthusiastic welcome she received made her realize how much she’d missed her family. To be living so close to them was, indeed, a blessing.
“Will you be staying the night, then?” Grace, her mother asked, upon learning that Maxwell wouldn’t be back till the end of the week.
Louisa shook her head. “No, Mama, it’s just a short visit this time, I’m afraid. I’m still sorting things out at the manor.”
“Of course,” Grace said. “Well, if you need any help or advice, dearest, be sure to let me know.”
“I will, Mama. Thank you.”
“But you are staying for luncheon, yes?” her father asked. “We want to hear all your news.”
Louisa smiled. “I’d love to stay for luncheon, Papa. I have so much to tell you all. First of all, I suppose you should know where we went.”
“Well, given the amount of time you’ve been away, I’m guessing it was probably somewhere in England,” he said, “or maybe Scotland.”
“Your first guess was correct,” Louisa said. “We went to the Lake District.”
“The Lake District?” Clara and Evie declared in unison.
“We thought Florence,” Clara said, looking decidedly unimpressed.
Evie assumed a similar expression. “Or Venice.”
“I thought Brighton,” Arthur said.
“Well, I think it’s nice that you stayed in England,” Grace said. “We have plenty to offer here, and the Lake District is an exceptionally beautiful area. How was the weather, dear?”
“We had two rainy days, Mama, but otherwise it was fine.”
“Lucky,” Julian said. “Where did you stay?”
“The Lakeview Hotel,” Louisa pulled a face at the twins. “And it waslovely, I’ll have you know.”
“One of the best hotels in the region,” Aldous said, nodding. “I’m assuming you took a ride on the new steamer? I read about the launch.”
“The Lady of the Lake. Yes, we did, and it was absolutely splendid.” Louisa reached into the cloth bag she’d brought with her. “But that was not the best part. I simply have to show you this. It’s a journal, a gift from Maxwell, and I want you to read the entry I made on the twelfth. Here, Papa, you first.”
She handed it to her father who turned to the appropriate page, where he blinked and blinked again as his brows lifted. “Good Lord,” he said, gaping at Louisa. “Is this authentic?”
Louisa laughed. “It certainly is. It had all been pre-arranged, apparently. We spent almost an hour in the gentleman’s company. He showed us around his beautiful garden, and I even sat in his writing-hut for a few minutes. I can still hardly believe it. He was quite charming, though a little sad too, I thought.”
“Who are you talking about?” Grace asked, and Aldous passed her the book, resulting in a gasp of obvious amazement. Similar responses continued as the journal made the rounds.
“Very impressive, Lou,” Julian handed the journal back to her. “How on earth did Maxwell manage it?”
“He wouldn’t say,” Louisa replied, hugging the book to her chest, “but it was one of the best days of my life.”
The rest of the day was spent like so many others in Louisa’s memory. Family chit-chat, friendly arguments, laughter over the lunch table, and afternoon games of cards and dominoes. Then, later in the afternoon, a stroll around Highfield’s gardens.
“So, no regrets, Lou?” Julian asked, in a private moment.
