“I think that is a perfect idea, Catherine,” Mrs. Everard piped in from across the table.
I shifted uncomfortably in my chair. How could I tell her I didn’t have any money? Aunt Ruth had finally succumbed to purchasing a small number of inexpensive dresses for me when securing the buttons on my old ones had become impossible. I knew my parents had left me with some money of my own, as well as a small dowry if I were ever to marry, but since coming of age, I didn’t know how to access it. Peter had the bulk of the inheritance, being my father’s heir, but he could not touch it until he was older. Until then, we were still under Aunt Ruth’s control in every possible way.
I swallowed and looked down at my plate. “I can’t afford a gown.”
“Oh, heavens, no!” Mrs. Kellaway shook her head. “I am not asking you to pay for it. Consider it a gift from me.”
“I can’t possibly?—”
“Yes, you can,” Mrs. Everard said. “We shall leave in one hour. Did you have anything else planned this morning?”
These women were relentless. I sighed. “No.”
“Wonderful!” Mrs. Kellaway exclaimed. “One hour it is.”
I sat back, forcing myself to accept their kindness despite the struggle within me. A ride to the nearby village did sound enjoyable, and so did the thought of a new gown. The idea caused a ripple of excitement to fly through me.
Mr. Everard looked up from his plate. I had nearly forgotten he was there. “I’ll look after the boys while you are away,” he volunteered.
I cast Peter and Charles each a sideways glance. “Be on your best behavior.”
“We will!” Peter vowed. “I’ve been practicing Mr. Everard’s trick every day, so I can show him how I’ve improved!”
I laughed as I remembered Mr. Everard’s invisible needle and thread. “I’m certain Mr. Everard would love to see it.”
“Indeed,” he confirmed with a smile.
In the carriage, I sat next to the window with Mrs. Kellaway beside me and Mrs. Everard across from me. It was a long drive to the village, and nearly the entire way, Mrs. Everard had been in raptures over how quaint and darling it was. While she spoke, her eyes were as wide as saucers. I had never seen a woman her age so full of life. The years hadn’t drained anything from her; they had only added a few lines to her face. I hoped to be the same when I was older, but it was implausible to think that Mrs. Everard’s spirit would ever be matched by anyone.
“Are you excited, my dear?” she asked.
“Yes,” I said with a smile. I gazed out the window. A distant estate caught my eye and triggered something in my mind. I had seen it before. I stared at it until it was nearly out of view. Tall and wide, with a hexagonal pond—it had to be Willowbourne! Owen had said it was close by, but I hadn’t known which direction.
To be sure, I tapped Mrs. Kellaway on the arm. “What is the name of that house?”
She squinted out the window. “That’s Willowbourne. Lovely, is it not? It belongs to my brother-in-law.” She smiled. “My sister married well.”
I took another glance out the window.Lovelydidn’t even begin to describe it. The sketch Mrs. Kellaway had done didn’t do justice to its perfectly symmetrical facade and vibrant gardens. I wanted to go inside.
“So your sister resides there?” I asked.
Mrs. Kellaway shook her head, a sad twist on her lips. “She died many years ago. She bore two children, Theodore andEmmeline. Unfortunately, Theodore is no longer with us either. At present, it is only my brother-in-law and young Emmeline who live there.”
The solemn silence clung to my skin as I gazed at the estate. “What a large house for only two people. I’m sorry for your loss.” My voice was sad, and so were Mrs. Kellaway’s eyes when she looked at me.
“Yes. There has been a great deal of tragedy within those walls. It isn’t often that we are invited there. I worry over Emmeline’s social opportunities. I have offered to bring her to London with Alice, but she insists on remaining behind to care for her father.”
“It is a breathtaking house,” I said. “I daresay I wouldn’t wish to leave either.”
Mrs. Kellaway gave a soft smile. “Perhaps we might call upon them while you are in town.”
“I would like that very much.” I longed to see the inside of the estate that had captured so much of Owen’s heart. Perhaps then I might understand him better.
As if she had read my mind, Mrs. Kellaway said, “Owen used to spend every summer there. He had a very special bond with his cousin, Theodore. After he died, Owen was lost in anger and resentment for so long.” She shut her eyes and shook her head, as if trying to forget an already banished memory. “He knew from a young age that he would need a profession, so it was only two years later when he began his schooling, determined to be an honorable physician and a great man. I think he has come to be both.”
Mrs. Everard perked up at that, giving me her full attention. “And quite handsome too, is he not?”
I laughed and looked down, feeling my face warm. “Yes.” It should not have been so embarrassing to admit, yet I felt like I was revealing some sort of secret. Owen was not handsome in adiscreet way that was dependent on the preferences of any given observer. He was the sort of handsome that was inarguable. Still, Mrs. Everard was far too pleased with my reply.
