—Twelfth Night,act 3, scene 4
Louisa had never slept so late, but then she’d never been up so late the night before either. Mrs. Colthrust had assured her on the way home that every night would be as late or later during the Season and that after a few evenings, she would get used to the change in her sleeping habits. Louisa could tell she wasn’t going to like that.
After much talking last night, she’d finally made Gwen admit that she would have to wait until Mr. Standish offered for her hand before she could start planning her wedding. Though Gwen continued to insist that it was love at first sight for both of them and she had no doubts Mr. Standish would ask her to marry him. Louisa thought the conversation would have gone much better had Mrs. Colthrust not agreed with everything Gwen said.
Louisa had spent most of the morning wringing her hands behind her back while helping Gwen get ready for her very first ride in the park. Louisa thought it ridiculous that she wanted to try on every dress in her wardrobe when she’d just had them all made in the last four weeks. But in order to prove she wasn’t the hovering nanny Gwen had accused her of being, she indulged her sister and watched while she tried on every dress and some more than once.
Louisa still thought it much too soon to allow Gwen to go for a ride with a gentleman, especially one who was a known heartbreaker, but Mrs. Colthrust had insisted it was perfectly fine. Because of the duke’s warning, Louisa had reservations about Mr. Standish that brought her to the point of pacing in the drawing room while she waited for Gwen’s suitor to arrive.
Gwen was nervous, too, but for a different reason, of course. Why couldn’t her sister have been attracted to Mr. Newman? He was handsome and seemed like a kind and sensible young man.
Louisa heard footsteps rushing down the stairs, and moments later, Gwen flew into the drawing room. “Am I late? He’s not here, is he?”
“No, no, don’t fret so. You are dressed in plenty of time,” Louisa said.
“How do I look? Do I need to change anything?”
Gwen twirled, and Louisa had to laugh. She’d never seen such enthusiasm from her sister.
“You look beautiful, and you know you do.” Her pale green dress was sprigged with a darker green thread. She held a matching bonnet, parasol, and pelisse in her hand.
“Thank you, Louisa.” She ran over to the window to wait and watch. “He’s getting out of his carriage.” She spun back toward Louisa. “Are my cheeks rosy and my lips pink?”
“Calm down, my dear. You look perfect. I have Mrs. Trumpington making tea to go with the apple tarts she made this morning. I think he will enjoy them, don’t you?”
Gwen clasped her hands together and said, “Oh, do we have to stay here for tea? Please can’t we just go out and enjoy a lovely afternoon in the park? Please.”
“It’s the polite thing to do. You don’t want him thinking we don’t have proper manners. Besides, it will give both of us more time to get to know him before you go.”
“You shall have plenty of time for that, Sister, but not today. Let me get to know him first, please?”
Louisa opened her mouth to deny her sister’s request when the door knocker sounded. Gwen kissed her cheek and started to rush out of the room but stopped short when she saw Mrs. Colthrust standing in the middle of the doorway.
“Turn around, young lady. Mrs. Woolwythe is going to answer the door. She will show Mr. Standish in here.”
Gwen looked at Louisa for help, but Louisa ignored her request. Gwen stomped her foot, then turned her back to both of them.
A couple of minutes later, Mr. Standish was shown into the drawing room and seated on the settee beside Gwen with a respectable amount of distance between them. Mr. Standish was tall, a handsome man perhaps just a couple of years younger than the duke but not nearly so arrogant. His dark brown hair was a conservative length, but his brown eyes had a mischievous twinkle in them that caused Louisa a little worry. While they waited for the tea to be served, Louisa thought he seemed a little too comfortable and at ease with himself. She would have much rather he be a little bit intimidated or at least nervous to sit across from Gwen’s older sister and chaperone, but he was relaxed and handling himself very well.
“How often do you visit the earl’s estate in Dover, Mr. Standish?” Mrs. Colthrust asked.
“We just came from spending a couple of weeks there,” he said, and took the teacup. “My uncle is generous to my parents, and all his family. He seems to enjoy it when we go for a visit.”
“That’s lovely to hear. I went to Dover once, and it was peaceful to walk along the rocky cliffs and look down at the water. Do you find it peaceful, Mr. Standish?”
“There’s no other place like it, though it can be quite windy there, especially through the winter months.” He looked at Gwen. “Have you been there?”
“No,” she said, looking at him with dreamy eyes. “I’m afraid my travels have been limited to only short distances from the village where we grew up. In fact, London is the farthest I’ve been from the Wayebury estate. I would love to go to Dover one day. I’m sure I’d love it.”
“Perhaps you shall,” Mr. Standish said. “I do believe the moon shines brighter there than any other place in England.”
Louisa remained quiet and let Mrs. Colthrust and Gwen do most of the talking to Mr. Standish. Louisa was content simply to watch the beau and see how he spoke and how he looked at Gwen. So far, Louisa hadn’t found a thing wrong with his manners or his demeanor, and she saw no reason for concern. She wanted to see if he seemed to be as smitten with Gwen as she was with him. His eyes and voice softened just a little every time he looked at her and talked to her. And was there a reason he’d mentioned the moon when talking about Dover? Was he moonstruck, too?
When the tea had grown cold and the conversation paused, Louisa stood up and said, “You two should get started on your afternoon ride.”
Mr. Standish thanked them, and Louisa and Mrs. Colthrust walked to the front door with them. Lillian, Sybil, and Bonnie sat with Saint on the bottom two stairs. Gwen introduced them to Mr. Standish, and he greeted them warmly.
“Can I go for a ride, too?” Bonnie asked him as he took his coat and hat from Mrs. Woolwythe.
