Though his mother frowned, his sister quickly jumped on his idea. “Oh, yes. That would be lovely. There is that little path in the wood to the creek.” She paused, looking to Lady Dorothea as if for support. “There are also the standing stones not far from the village of Marston Moretaine. Maybe we could take a ride there one morning and enjoy a light luncheonal fresco.” She turned back to her mother. “We could make it an outing for everyone. I’m sure the men wouldn’t mind giving up one morning to spend with us.”
He grinned. His sister could be shrewd. It was clear his mother was not at first excited by the idea, but once Rose mentioned the men coming along, which would not have been the case usually, his mother appeared to see the potential in such an outing.
As he expected, his mother gave Rose a nod. “I think that’s a splendid idea, Rose.”
His sister linked hands with Dorothea. “Is that the type of activity you were thinking of?”
“That is even better than my suggestion. I have no doubt it will be one of the high points of the day.”
Felton recognized how carefully the lady had worded her response. She both complimented Rose while not minimizing all the other activities his mother had planned. Whether that was because she attended Belinda’s school or because she’d been well-trained in her etiquette, he didn’t know, but he admired it nonetheless. “I’m sure with Sommerset’s help, we can make it something to look forward to for the men as well. Maybe a contest of some kind.”
“If you mean to see who can push down a stone first, you may as well sit with the ladies, Harewood.” Sommerset’s lips twitched. “I’m sure I would win handily.”
“Brawn is rarely better than intelligence, so I wouldn’t boast so.”
“But itishandy in a pinch, wouldn’t you say?” Sommerset raised his brows.
No doubt the man was thinking of the many times he’d defended them from the older boys at Eaton. “I do not argue that point. However, a majority of instances can be solved with a simple thought process.”
Lady Dorothea opened her mouth then closed it, but her gaze was intensely focused on him. Surprised, he addressed her. “Do you disagree, Lady Dorothea?”
“Not at all. Seneca believed that the mind is what enables the body to have strength, for is it not the mind that determines how much to eat, exercise, breathe, and everything else that helps one to grow? Though to translate his words exactly, he did specifically refer to philosophy in particular, which is why I reread him often. How could one get on in life if the questions of life and why we live are not contemplated, dissected, and investigated? Without that, we are no smarter than the mules that turn the grist mill, going around in circles with no thought beyond our next meal and time to rest. There is no hardship but also no joy. It is simply to exist, which quite frankly seems a waste of life. After all women must go through to bring a baby forth, can it simply be to perpetuate the human race? But why? Have we accomplished much over the centuries? Yes, but to what end? It surely cannot be simply to accomplish an easier life of repetition, can it? I mean, if—”
The lady suddenly stopped, a red blush starting in her face and growing quickly down her neck to her chest. “I mean, it could be pleasant to have both physical and intellectualcompetitions, but as I said, I am not that knowledgeable on the usual activities your family enjoys.”
The silence in the room made it obvious that everyone had stopped to listen to her. A quick glance made it clear his mother was appalled, his father riveted, his sister envious, and Lady Sommerset amused. Sommerset himself raised a brow at him, indicating it was his turn to reply, and so he would. “Lady Dorothea, you have made the argument so much more eloquently than I could. I appreciate your knowledge on the subject and think your idea of having both types of competitions an excellent one. It will give the men a chance to show their prowess in some way.”
“And their weaknesses.” His father joined the conversation for the first time, his green gaze amused. “How else are we to see if these men are acceptable?”
His mother was not, as yet, ready to give up her primary focus. “We already know the men who have accepted our invitation are acceptable, my lord, or I wouldn’t have invited them.”
His father immediately capitulated. “Of course. I had forgotten that you had put so much work into the invitations. I am, as always, reminded of what a wonderful hostess you are and do beg your forgiveness.”
His mother patted his father’s hand on the arm of his chair. “Of course you are forgiven. This is why I must take care of all the details.” She turned to Rose, whose obvious excitement over the idea of multiple competitions could be seen in the way she sat at the edge of the settee, keenly watching the interplay between their parents. “But I do suppose it would help Rose determine which would suit her better.”
Felton was quite sure everyone in the room relaxed at his mother’s pronouncement. “Then may I offer my services as well as Sommerset’s in devising the competitions?”
“Oh, and you must allow me to aid you in the endeavor.” Rose turned to Lady Dorothea. “And you must help us as well. I do believe this will be the best house party of the year.” She faced her mother. “And you and Father can be the judges.”
Their father nodded his approval and even his mother smiled. “I do believe I would enjoy being a judge. Maybe I can keep all competitions from becoming too serious. I would not want anyone to be hurt.”
“And what of I?” Lady Sommerset cocked her head, her usual secret smile on her lips.
He had no doubt she knew exactly what she would do.
Her husband laid his hand on her shoulder. “You can help us create the competitions.”
“Absolutely not. You will need a third judge to avoid a tie. That is, if you don’t mind, Lady Enderly?”
“Amelia, I would enjoy that immensely. I do believe we will have quite an active two weeks.”
He would have to applaud his sister in private for how well she helped him avoid an embarrassing moment for Lady Dorothea. But he couldn’t be around the lady constantly. He needed to talk with her further in private to discover her reasons for her soliloquies. “Now that we have that settled, I believe Father had promised to show Sommerset the new painting.”
“Yes. Yes, I did.” His father rose much faster than he normally moved. “What do you say, Andrew?”
“I say if the ladies do not mind our absence.”
The marchioness waved at them. “You know my lord is always anxious to be out and about. Off with you three. We ladies have so much more to discuss that will absolutely bore you.”
