Jules winced. “She wasn’t pleased.” But neither had she collapsed in tears.
“Well then, old man. I suppose you have some courting to do.” Stone punched Jules’ other arm and damn it if the blighter held anything back. Jules returned the favor and proceeded to lead them out to the carriages.
He had something to show Charley on the way to the Abbey and was hoping she’d finally accept his offer.
And he was going to take his time kissing her, that was damn sure. Where he was taking her, there would be no interruptions.
Charley arose earlythe next morning so she could take breakfast downstairs, but before she was ready to leave her chamber, Mrs. Crabtree herself arrived with a tray laden with all her favorite foods.
“So, Miss Jackson can prepare for the day’s adventure,” she informed Charley and Daisy before seating herself, uninvited, in a chair near the window. Charley had expected to be on the receiving end of a plethora of admonishments for the archery contest the day before and yet none was forthcoming.
“Did you really learn to do that from Indians?” Charley was digging into her eggs when the woman asked her question, lookingalmostimpressed and a little in awe.
Biting back a grin, Charley shook her head and spread preserves on her toast. “I had one Indian friend, but I learned from one of my father’s employees.” Although she and Lyncoya had practiced together once. “And we shot mostly from atop a horse.” Astride, of course. Charley had seen ladies ride sidesaddle and would rather walk than put either herself or her horse at such a disadvantage.
“The contest itself was unseemly, which goes without saying, but Miss Somerset didn’t give you much of a choice.” Her companion’s newfound support astonished her even more than having breakfast served in her chamber. “She’ll want to look her best for the excursion,” Mrs. Crabtree said to Daisy, “but will need to wear comfortable shoes for the hike.”
“Have you been? To the abbey?” she asked Mrs. Crabtree.
“I have, Miss Jackson. When I was first hired on, five years ago. The steps were crumbling even then, but I imagine it will stand another five hundred years or so.”
As Mrs. Crabtree regaled her with the extensive arrangements Lady Westerley had undertaken, Charley realized that she wouldn’t be walking alone with Jules. Most of the guests planned to make the trip and take tea even if they had no intention of making the climb.
Her heart dropped, and she barely was able to keep herself from groaning out loud. Because if they couldn’t be alone, he was not going to be able to kiss her. Even more disappointing, she reminded herself, was the possibility that she and Jules wouldn’t be able to talk—just the two of them—about subjects that mattered and interested both of them.
Charley dropped her lashes and smoothed her skirts while Mrs. Crabtree jumped to the subject of the weather. There was no reason to be disappointed, really. The outing in and of itself promised to be a lovely one.
She’d heard mention of the Abbey earlier and knew it had been built in the late sixteenth century. Yet another aspect of England that had earned her reluctant approval. A structure that managed to remain standing for fifty years was a great accomplishment at home but only if it was maintained properly.
America was like a child, still growing, and would likely face a myriad of growing pains as it did so. Yes, it was home, and yes, she felt a great pride to be a part of something so bold and exciting as an entirely new country but…
She didnotapprove of the slavery. Or Mr. Jackson’s policies toward the Indians. And what bothered her even more was that she could not speak up in her disapproval. Even her own father didn’t want to hear her thoughts on the matter.
“Was I wrong to request that Lord Westerley accompany me?” She’d not thought she cared if she’d been right or wrong to do so but she was almost starting to feel as though she belonged, and she didn’t want to do anything that would threaten her newfound friendships.
On the other hand, she wasn’t sure if Jules had talked to Lady Felicity yet. What if she was in love with Jules? Charley was certain he was not in love with Lady Felicity. He never would have accepted the bet if he had been. But Charley hated to think the other girl would be hurt by any of their actions.
And then she stared at her hands.He never would have accepted the bet if he’d loved Felicity.The thought niggled at something in her brain, but she couldn’t quite make sense of it.
Enjoying her time in England while contemplating her life at home was setting her nerves on edge. She’d not foreseen this…doubt. She’d not expected to question who she was or what she wanted. She’d planned on enduring the season for her father’s sake, to fulfill her mother’s wish for her, and then return home as the same person she’d been when she left.
“You were not wrong. It’s what most ladies would have done. However, the countess has certain expectations.” Mrs. Crabtree’s voice jolted Charley out of her musings. “So long as you act with undue propriety, his accompanying you can likely be attributed to proper host behavior.”
The answer wasn’t at all what Charley had expected. It seemed that Mrs. Crabtree’s responsibilities extended beyond the normal duties of a maid or chaperone.
“What do you do when you are not looking after unruly American guests?” Charley raised her arms while Daisy assisted her out of her night rail.
Before the material covered Charley’s face, she barely caught a glimpse of Mrs. Crabtree clamping her lips into a stern frown. “A little of everything, one might say.”
Chapter 21
A DETOUR
When Jules stepped out the front door at a quarter-til-one to check on a particular vehicle he’d arranged to drive himself, he wasn’t surprised that none of the guests had, as of yet, presented themselves. They were members of theton, and it was not the thing to appear overly anxious for anything.
“Where is everyone?” Her question had him smiling before he even saw her.
He hadn’t heard the door, or even her steps but he ought to have known that to Charley Jackson, one in the afternoon meantone in the afternoon. A distinctly warm feeling spread through him at the sound of her voice. When he turned and caught sight of her smiling up at the sunshine and wearing the coat he’d delivered to her two nights ago, she looked as though she belonged right there, standing in front of his home.
