And, inside the church, there would be a short organ recital by Sir Ifor Rhys, her father-in-law, at midday and a presentation by the adult choir. She told them what they could expect during the afternoon, mostly at Ravenswood—the log-hewing and archery contests, the displays and judging of the needlework and baking and carving contests.
“Please note,” she added, “that I did not saywood-carvingcontest.This year we have one stone carving, and rumor has it that it is in the running for a prize.”
“How IwishAndrew could hear,” Winifred said.
“And a picnic tea on the lawn before the house,” Mrs. Rhys said. “And, of course, dancing this evening in the ballroom. Now go and enjoy yourselves.”
There was an enthusiastic burst of applause.
“But how could anyonenot?” Winifred said. To her, all this was purely breathtaking. It was the most exciting thing she had ever experienced, even including Trooping the Colour. And while she always loved the concerts and picnics and parties that happened with some frequency at home, there had never been anything on this scale, everyone in the community and beyond gathered for the simple purpose of enjoying one another’s company and the many and varied activities that had been prepared for their pleasure throughout the day.
“I do not believe it would be possible,” Colonel Nicholas Ware said from beside her, and she realized that it was to him she hadspoken, sounding like an overenthusiastic child. She chuckled anyway.
“I suppose,” she said, “I ought to be waving a fan languidly before my face and looking about me as though I found the whole scene almost unbearably rustic and tedious.”
“But then I would not like you half as well,” he said.
“Oh.” She felt the color deepening in her cheeks. “Doyou like me, then?”
“Twice as much as I would if you were feigning ennui,” he said.
They both laughed. But of course, she realized why everything had been feeling so very magical in addition to everything else. It was because he had remained standing beside her throughout the opening ceremony. Andhehad not shown any signs of ennui. He had applauded with everyone else. He had raised two fingers to his lips when the children finished singing and let out a piercing whistle of appreciation. Just like an exuberant boy.
She ought not to be enjoying herself just because he was her companion, however. Nor was she, if she was strictly honest with herself. She would be enjoying herself anyway, even if she were standing here alone or with someone else. But…
Well, she chose not to explore thatbut.
Where was Miss Haviland anyway? He had not walked down here with her. He had not sought her out when they got here. She was with Lady Rhys and Mr. Idris Rhys and Owen, Winifred saw when she took a quick glance around.
“Winnie.” Alice was tugging her arm, while other little girls beamed up at her. “Come with us tothatstall.” She pointed. “They have the most darling purses and bags and handkerchiefs and all sorts of things.”
“Will you come?” Olwen Cox said. She was Joy Ellis’s friend, whom Winifred had met a few days ago.
“Uncle Nick.” Bethan Ware was tugging his hand. “Come too?”
Joy and Julia Taylor, one of the children staying in the rooms above the smithy with her parents, gazed eagerly up at him.
“I suppose this is going to be an expensive morning for me,” he said with a sigh.
“Not on my account,” Joy said. “Papa has given me spending money.”
“My papa did too,” Alice said.
“And mine,” Olwen said at the same moment.
“Grandpapa gave me some,” Julia said.
Bethan sighed. “We all have money, Uncle Nick,” she said. “We did not come to beg.”
“It would, however,” he said, his eyes twinkling down at them, “be a pity to spend all your money in one place almost before the day has begun. Come along, then.”
Alice took Winifred by the hand and bore her off with them.
The small reticules and coin purses had been made by hand and brightly decorated with embroidery and sequins and beads. The reticules had bright plaited shoulder or wrist straps. The handkerchiefs had also been brightened with embroidered flowers of all colors. There were headbands too and woven plaited bracelets. The whole stall was exuberant with color and was a young girl’s dream come true. Winifred found everything enchanting and engaged the two young ladies who had made the items in conversation. Needlework had never been her forte, but she admired those for whom it was. The girls each bought something—with their own money. Alice bought a bag with a shoulder strap for herself and a purse for Mama.
Colonel Ware stood back and watched the girls’ enthusiasm indulgently, giving his opinion when it was called upon. But he did not suggest paying for anything, to Winifred’s relief. It seemed important to the girls to spend some of the money they had been given.
“And look at thejewelry,” Julia said, glancing at the next stall after she had made her purchase. “Do we have any money left?”
