Chapter Seventeen
Du Priest Manor
Essex
Winnie looked outthe window as the carriage drove through the majestic lion sculptures flanking Du Priest Manor’s gates. The grand Elizabethan house, with its decorative array of chimneys that spanned the skyline, was an impressive sight. The house itself was surrounded by immaculate green lawns, stately old trees, and rose gardens that filled the open spaces between the house and the road. The magnificent, parklike setting overlooking a lake with a boathouse was grand yet not ostentatious. Winnie could just make out a bevy of swans gliding across the blue water. It was an enchanting landscape and one that she hoped to fully enjoy.
When the carriage stopped in the gravel drive, liveried footmen appeared to help Winnie, Felicia, and Felicia’s lady’s maid Alice out of the carriage. The door opened, and to their surprise, Basil exited the imposing front doors and greeted them.
“Lady Sinclair and dowager Baroness Sinclair, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Du Priest Manor.”
“Lord Du Priest, thank you. Charles wanted you to know that he will be arriving later in the afternoon. We were delighted to receiveyour invitation and look forward to spending time at your magnificent home. Our recent losses of Edwina’s dear parents and brother have made it difficult for Edwina to attend many happy occasions,” Felicia wistfully answered.
“Rest assured, I hope to provide a happy diversion for you both. I have been remiss, and it has been too long since Du Priest Manor welcomed friends and provided entertainment. Come, you must be parched and in need of refreshment. While your luggage is being unloaded and delivered to your rooms, which I hope you will find as comfortable as home, tea and lemonade are being served in the parlor, presided over by my mother. She is most anxious to make both of your acquaintances.” He told the butler, “James, please see to everything.”
“Yes, your lordship.”
Gallantly, Basil took Felicia’s arm and led them inside and down a long hallway. Paintings adorned every wall, and Winnie turned her head left and right as she tried to glimpse each one. The patriarch’s and matriarch’s portraits were displayed proudly, pointing to an illustrious family heritage. Basil opened the door to a lovely room facing a garden, with tall casement windows and doors featuring leaded glass panes, which were open on this warm spring day. The dowager marchioness sat holding court with a group of guests. A tall man with broad shoulders stood at their arrival, and Winnie’s heart fluttered in her chest. Beside him sat a golden-haired young woman who smiled warmly at her. Even with her contrasting hair coloring, the woman bore a resemblance to Lex, particularly in her eyes, which were a similar shade of blue. Where he was the epitome of masculinity, she was a vision of femininity.
Basil introduced his mother to the dowager baroness as smoothly as if he were introducing the monarchs of three nation states. He then proceeded down the line, introducing everyone present to Winnie and her grandmother.
Winnie thought Lex’s mother was lovely, if a trifle shy, but she seemed very sweet and paid her a beautiful compliment.
“Your ladyship, I am most pleased to make your acquaintance,” Lex said in his rich, deep voice. Oh, how Winnie had missed hearing it. “We are glad you decided to attend the marquess’s gathering,” he continued.
Winnie couldn’t help but notice how charmed her grandmother was at Lex’s genuinely warm greeting.
When he turned to greet her, Winnie’s knees almost buckled. While his words were polite and welcoming, his lips were warm as they brushed her hand, and the gleam in his eyes made her remember the heat he’d made her feel when his hands and lips had given her such decadent pleasure at Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s dinner party.
She had an overwhelming urge to run into his arms and feel his protective embrace, his lips upon hers. Seeing him made her realize how much she’d missed him.
“How was your journey?” Lex’s mother asked with a warm smile.
“Quite lovely and calm. Nary a rut along the road,” Felicia said.
“Oh, that is good to hear,” Basil’s mother said.
“I do wonder why it takes so long for roads to be repaired,” Lex’s mother added.
As the three older women engaged in conversation, Lex’s sister moved closer to Winnie.
“I’m so happy to meet you,” she said.
“I’m so happy to meet you as well, Lady Teresa,” Winnie said.
“Please call me Tess—everyone does,” Teresa said with an adorable shrug.
“Then you must call me Winnie.”
“Winnie, eh? And here I’ve been calling you Edwina,” Lex said with an arched brow.
“Well, I did not want to appear too bold and familiar during our acquaintance in London,” Winnie said.
He cocked a smile at her, and she once again recalled how those lips had claimed hers in heated kisses.
Lord, if I don’t stop blushing like this, everyone will think I’m a ninny or a wanton.
“Speaking of which, Lex hasn’t stopped talking about you,” Tess said.
