“I shall, Lady Sarah. And perhaps I will try my hand at lawn bowling. It appears that Miss Deborah has not an equal amongst the other girls. I shall see if I can challenge her.”
Sarah and Miss Wentworth curtsied to each other, and the younger lady left to speak to Christopher’s sisters. He was glad to have a private conversation with his wife.
She leaned her head briefly against his shoulder. He held his breath, but it appeared to be a sign of affection. He exhaled slowly and was disappointed when she lifted her head.
“I see that you were able to speak with Mr. Whitman and Mr. Robinson.”
“Ah yes, Harry and Brian are to accompany me to Westbrook Park on Monday.”
Sarah beamed up at him. “On a first-name basis already. You are a fast worker, Christopher.”
“Indeed. I married you after knowing you for only one week.”
Her countenance sobered. “And do you have regrets at the speed of our relationship?”
Shaking his head, Christopher did not fight his smile. He picked up her free hand and gently kissed the top of her glove. “Not even one.”
Chapter 14
Sarah could hardly believe thatshe’d been married to Christopher for longer than she’d known him. Nine days. She supposed, however, that if one’s entire relationship was less than a month’s acquaintance, it wasn’t entirely surprising.
Except that it was.
She had never intended to care for her husband. She didn’t wish to love obsessively like her father had. Not that she was in love with Christopher. Nor was she obsessed with him. She merely liked him more than anyone else of her acquaintance. Like her cousin Ralph, he treated her like an equal and not like a silly female who couldn’t understand complicated things. But unlike Ralph, Christopher sought actively to please her. Her London suitors had brought her hothouse bouquets and chocolates. Christopher would bring her one solitary yellow flower that he’d plucked when he’d thought of her.
And when he’d returned from visiting Reverand Robinson in the village on Thursday, he’d brought her an entire box of ribbons, tassels, and lace. He said that he had stopped at the village shop, and since he did not know precisely what Sarah would like, he’d purchased the lot, along with a lovely set of threads. It was the most thoughtful gift she’d ever received.
He’d also brought home small gifts for his sisters. He’d given Margaret several sheets of music, and she’d thanked him quietly. Deborah had squealed when he’d handed her five silver bangles. She’d instantly put them on her wrist and danced about the room.
Sarah had discovered that her youngest sister-in-law had quite exuberant spirits. She never walked when she could skip and had great difficulty sitting still. After breakfast each morning,Sarah had begun to teach both young ladies how to play the harp. Margaret picked up the notes and fingerings quickly. Sarah felt confident that Margaret was quite capable of fulfilling her dream to learn more musical instruments. Deborah, however, did not have the patience to listen or to practice the harp, nor the pianoforte. Although, she did have a lovely singing voice and happily sang while her sister played the keys.
This morning Margaret had played a simple piece of harp music perfectly. Deborah was still working on her scales and humming. Sarah doubted the younger sister would become proficient at the instrument. After squirming for most of the lesson, she’d left early to prepare for the arrival of the sewing circle.
Margaret had stayed in the sitting room to practice the pianoforte. Sarah strummed the harp to match the tunes her sister-in-law played. Margaret was a very talented pianist, having learned at school. Sarah could not recall ever hearing a better performer amongst the young ladies of theton. If ever asked to present, Margaret would shine. Deborah was another matter, but Sarah needn’t worry about her presentation yet. Younger sisters were not presented into London Society until their elder sister was married.
Margaret played the final chord from Handel. “Will you come to our sewing circle?”
Sarah had not wished to overshadow her sisters-in-law, nor had she much interest in the gossip of young ladies, so she had not attended the first meeting on Tuesday that was hosted by Miss Wentworth. “With such an invitation, how could I refuse?”
The younger woman smiled as she stood up from the pianoforte. “Deborah asked Mr. Wigan to set up a circle of chairs in the blue parlor.”
“The perfect room for this time of day. Allow me to collect my kit, and I shall join you both there.” Sarah stood reluctantlyfrom the harp. She’d found herself practicing it in earnest when Margaret and Deborah were not there and had hoped to spend more time playing it today. The tips of her fingers had been sensitive at first, but after several days of strumming the strings, they’d toughened up. When she played, she would close her eyes and pretend that her mother was there listening to her. Sarah wished she hadn’t ignored the instrument for so many years, because playing the harp made her feel closer to her mother.
Sarah brought her new threads from Christopher to the young ladies’ sewing circle’s second meeting, only three days after their first. Sarah did not think the sewing circle needed to gather quite so often, but she was fairly certain that the young ladies were simply delighted to have an excuse to get together and gossip. She took a seat but allowed Deborah and Margaret to greet and welcome their friends as the hostesses. She happily set about to alter her wedding dress for Nelly. Not even her lady’s maid was better than Sarah with a needle.
“Miss Everett is visiting her grandmother. Should we invite her to join our group during her stay?” Miss Wentworth asked.
Margaret looked up from her sewing. “Who is Miss Everett?”
Miss Lily smirked. “She is only the daughter of a sailor. Her grandfather Mr. Stephens was the vicar before he retired and Mr. Robinson took his place.”
The other young ladies paused for a little sigh at the mention of the handsome new vicar.
Deborah stuck out her chin. “If she’s the daughter of a sailor, I bet she smells of fish.”
The younger Whitman girls, as well as Miss Lily, laughed loudly at Deborah’s wit. One of them even made fish lips.
“Besides, there are not enough seats,” Miss Whitman said with another chuckle.
