Which gave Olivia pause to consider that she’d become somewhat accustomed to being on the receiving end of far too many cold stares and biting comments over the past month. She’d not realized the relief she’d feel to leave it all behind, if only for ten days.
Upon discovering that Olivia was unmarried, with no apparent prospects, Miss Shipley told her all about the school where she’d taught for the past five years: Miss Primm’s Ladies’ Seminary. If Olivia was so inclined, Miss Shipley would be happy to provide her an introduction to Miss Primm herself. They’d have an opening in a little over a year after Miss Shipley’s marriage.
“You are betrothed?”
Miss Shipley nodded and then shrugged. “My fiancé and I have just set the date for next May. I have no idea how I’ll spend my time when I’m done teaching.”
“Your husband and children will appreciate you, no doubt.” Olivia wondered why her eyes wanted to mist over at that moment. Miss Shipley was a delightful lady and any gentleman would be lucky to marry her. “Will he be joining you this week?”
Miss Shipley turned to stare out the window and released a long drawn-out sigh. But before she could answer, Louella rose from her seat and was smoothing her skirt.
“We’ll freshen up, then, so you can greet your other guests.”
Another caravan of carriages had arrived. After driving for most of the day, Olivia realized that she would, indeed, appreciate a brief respite to change and freshen up.
“I’ll show all of you to your chambers, and Mama can greet our new arrivals.” Lady Priscilla opened the door and was already leading Louella and Mary toward the grand staircase. Along the way, she pointed out a few of the more interesting pieces of artwork hanging along the stone walls, as well as the ubiquitous suits of armor guarding several of the doors. “The castle was a strategic fortress for centuries,” she explained. “When the stockpiled armor was discovered in one of the cellars, my father ordered them restored one by one so they could be displayed. We’ll take you for a tour while you’re here, and you can see the remainder of the collection displayed in the North Turret.”
The castle most definitely was different than any other home she’d ever visited. Upon arriving on the next floor, Lady Priscilla led them up another spiraling staircase which deposited them into a small foyer. Only after turning down another hallway, and then another smaller one, did Lady Priscilla indicate a heavy arched door that opened into a large chamber for Louella. They turned a few more corners before arriving at a chamber for Olivia to share with Mary.
Olivia simply hoped she would be able to find her way back to the main rooms in the castle.
Overall, she was enchanted.
* * *
Gabriel pulledup on his reins in order to allow his brother’s mounts to catch up. Nathanial arrived quickly, having ridden hell-bent for leather, whereas Gilbert, always the more conservative of them, followed at a more sedate pace.
“Looks like Mother’s guests are arriving,” Nathanial announced with one hand shading his eyes. From this vantage point, one could see the valley, the road leading to the manor, and on a clear day, a distant lake that signified the southern edge of his estate.
Gabriel ignored the new arrivals in favor of the natural landscape.
“Do you think she’ll go through with it this time?” Nathanial guffawed, his long blackish hair whipping about in the wind. At six and twenty, Gabriel’s youngest brother hadn’t endured an abundance of responsibility as of yet. Gilbert, on the other hand, shrouded himself in worry and, at times, seemed far older than his present age, which was eight and twenty.
“Don’t you think you should return to the manor to welcome your fiancée?” Gilbert nagged as he came to a halt beside them.
“She’ll prefer to be alone for a while.” When one was engaged to the same woman for most of his life, despite not seeing her much more than once or twice annually, he did, in fact, learn a few of her habits.
“Who are the other chits?” A new level of interest crept into Nathanial’s voice.
“Crawford’s sisters?”
Gilbert’s answer had Gabriel stiffening in his saddle.Sisters.Not sister-in-law.
He’d known his mother would invite the old duke’s widow but hadn’t expected the woman to accept. He’d thought the household would be in full mourning and unable to participate in any social functions.
“Perhaps this house party won’t be such a bore after all.” Nathanial grinned. “Leave it to good old mum…”
Chapter 23
She’s a Lady
“It looks fine,”Gabriel reassured Fritz. His mother had hired the valet the day before Gabriel arrived in London, and although Gabriel would have preferred to make such a decision himself, he could not argue with the man’s qualifications. He knew what Gabriel needed, on most days, before Gabriel himself did. It was as though the man could read his mind.
Who was he to argue with perfection?
“I cannot imagine anyone is going to care one wit if the pleats of my cravat are not perfectly centered.”
“Oh, but My Lord,Iwill care.” Fritz was a serious-minded gentlemen’s gentleman who cared far more about Gabriel’s appearance than Gabriel, himself, ever would. Gabriel winced inside at the realization that he was settling down.
