One of the qualities he admired in his aunt was her ability to touch upon their shared past without reliving it. If he could find a wife as skilled as she, he’d be content. “I’m pleased you thought so. I would like your full opinion of her.”
His aunt took a sip of tea then set the cup down gently. “In a way, she reminds me very much of myself at her age.”
He agreed. Though he was young when she had taken over his upbringing, he still remembered her appearance. Had he perhaps unknowingly made that assessment and so felt more familiar with Lady Caroline? It was something to ponder. “In anything beyond appearance?”
Aunt Louisa laid her hand on her chest. “Oh, I was never so graceful as she. She has a poise well beyond her years. She listens attentively, has a lovely smile, and her manners are impeccable. I understand that she also plays the pianoforte, speaks French, and is an avid letter writer. She also has excellent skill with a needle.”
He raised his eyebrows at that.
“Oh, she showed me the work she had done on her dress. It was very detailed and perfectly done. I have no doubt she will make a man an exceptional wife one day.”
His aunt told him everything he wanted to hear, but he had the sense she held something back. Then again, as Lady Joanna had reminded him the night before, feelings were not logical. “Then you agree she is a possible candidate to be the mistress of Burhleigh Park?”
“I agree. But I do hope you will remain open to other possibilities.”
“Of course.” Since his marriage prospects were just that,hisprospects, he would make his own decisions just as he had since he was seven years old. Self-reflection, knowledge, and observation had stood him in good stead over the years. That he had found a woman of uncommon beauty and refinement so quickly in the season made him anxious to progress the relationship. It would take someone with superior qualities to catch his attention now.
His aunt dabbed at the corner of her mouth with a napkin before carefully setting it aside. “Speaking of possibilities, Elsbeth requested to go to the Pleasure Gardens this evening.”
He set his own teacup down with more force than necessary. “The Pleasure Gardens? How did she hear of those?”
His aunt waved her hand dismissively. “Really, James. You can’t expect the girl to be in London a month andnotknow about them. This is a city, and in addition to your paper, there are plenty of other news sheets and conversations to be had.”
“You mean gossip. I hope you informed her I would not allow it.”
His aunt’s chin rose, a common habit among all Huntingtons. “No, I told herIwould not allow it. In my estimation, I don’t believe she knows what they are. She only wished to go because she overheard Lord Mabry setting a time to escort his cousins to Vauxhall.”
How unfortunate that the Mabry family was interested in the Pleasure Gardens. “I’m surprised that the Mabrys would go to Vauxhall. That was not the impression I’d received.”
“Elsbeth mentioned their primary purpose was a particular treat one of the confectioners produce. If it is anything like this seed cake, I’d attend as well.” She took another bite of the caraway seeded, buttery cake.
“Be that as it may, we shall have to find another form of entertainment that Elsbeth can attend this week, so that she may practice her social skills. I don’t want her focused on only one person when she hasn’t come out yet.”
Aunt Louisa held up her index finger. “I’m so glad you mention that. We received an invitation to a small recital being given by the Worthington ladies. You remember them, the pretty daughters you met at the ball last week?”
He vaguely remembered two young ladies who held conversations as if they shared a brain, one adding a comment onto the other’s for a complete thought. “If you think she is ready for that, by all means, send our acceptance and I won’t plan to be at something else.”
“Wonderful. This will also give us an excuse to have a new dress made for her. I want her to enjoy the anticipation of the event.”
“Whatever you think best.” He rose. “Now, I must meet with my solicitor before paying a call on Lady Caroline.”
His aunt gave him a telling look, but politely refrained from commenting.
As he strode toward the library, he counted the weeks before they could repair back to the family estate. London to him would always be the city that took his mother. It made no logical sense, but he’d long ago accepted that fact and avoided it like a wasp’s nest. If not for his cousin’s need to find a husband of advantage, he would have contented himself with an appropriate lady among his neighbors near Burhleigh Park and never set foot in Haven House except when in Town for business.
James opened the door to the library and quickly shut it behind him. This room was the only room he felt at peace in. It was the one change he’d made to the house upon coming into his majority. He knew, even back then, that if he were forced to come to London, he would need a sanctuary.
Striding across the carpet, he quickly came to the narrow stairs leading to the second floor. He took them two at a time then followed the balcony along the eastern wall. There had been a minor debate last evening about the favorite food consumed by the Monk in Chaucer’sCanterbury Tales. Though he was absolutely sure that he’d been correct, he wanted to confirm his knowledge.
Passing a small nook where there was no shelving, just two armchairs facing toward the room, he continued to the second bookcase from the end and squatted. On the third shelf from the bottom, he carefully extracted a plain brown volume and opened it. Delicately turning the pages, he skimmed the words until finding what he sought. “Itisswan.” Pleased that he’d been right and could now tell Lord Landon next time he was in his company that it was indeed swan, he reshelved the book. Now, he could focus on his day.
Returning to the stairs, he descended far slower than he’d ascended, then strode to his desk. Taking a key from his waistcoat, he unlocked his top drawer and pulled out a ledger. Though his uncle had left a sizable dowry for Elsbeth, he wished to add to it as a way to make up for keeping her in the country so long. He hoped to entice as many appropriate gentlemen as possible for her to choose from.
Pulling the chair back to take a seat, he halted, his gaze pivoting to the open space on the shelf behind it. Pushing the chair back to the desk, he stared at the missing book. Had his aunt borrowed a book from his library without requesting his assistance? He shook his head. She would not. Elsbeth might, but this he also doubted, as she would inform him. Either a staff member borrowed it, which was not allowed or one of the guests had taken it.
He would not consider any of his guests close friends. He didn’t have anyone whom he felt any connection with or loyalty to beyond his aunt and cousin, so it could very well be one of the men from last night. Opening his second drawer, he pulled out a large sheet of parchment with a chart reflecting the titles on this particular bookcase. This was an ever-changing place for books he was accessing regularly, those he had purchased and not yet read, and his favorite rereads, so he kept a written account of them. Looking over his shoulder, he read the titles of the two books on either side of the space and quickly consulted his chart.
“What the devil?” He stared, dumbfounded. Who would takeEducating the Feminine Species? Had they actually opened the book, or did they really think there was such a treatise? His mind immediately flew to the three other men who had joined him last night for drinks and smoking. None had remarked on his library, something he would have been insulted by if any of them were of any import to him. The discussion had remained on politics, the clergy, alcohol, and horses.
