Robert leaned out the window and scanned the landscape before leaning back and clasping his bride’s hand, bringing it to his lips for a kiss. “Yes, my dear, we are just now on the property. Soon, you will see the lovely home of which you will be mistress.”
“Oh, I shall be so glad to see it. And so eager to learn all about it.How many servants shall I have at my beck and call? Will I like the housekeeper? I do hope so. What did you say her name was, Mrs. Syme?”
Robert opened his mouth to reply, but she continued on.
“Is there a proper lady’s maid for me? There must be, of course. I need one who can do my hair to its best advantage. After all, I am certain I shall be entertaining visitors from all around the county once word gets out of our marriage, and I must look my best. Perhaps I should have asked little Sarah to come with me from my aunt’s house. She did a fair enough job on my hair. At least, I am not aware of any criticisms of it. I think I looked very well, indeed. Oh, but Sarah so dislikes the country life. She had told me so more than once, let me assure you. She said she dislikes the small towns in the country and the lack of shops, but if you ask me—and I know you did not, but I shall tell you in any event—I believe she has a young man in town upon whom she is pinning her hopes of marriage. Is that not just thrilling? So, no, I suppose I could not tear her away from that. It would simply be too cruel. Therefore, should younothave a proper lady’s maid for me at Brentwood, I shall have to query some of my future acquaintances in the county for their advice. Yes, that is what I shall do. I shall ask the older ladies I meet. They always enjoy being asked their opinion, do not you find that to be true—”
“And, here we are,” Robert interrupted her firmly as the carriage pulled around to the front of Brentwood. One of the liverymen jumped down to open the door, and Robert hopped out, then extended his hand to help his new bride out. She looked up in awe at the stately home and gazed at the lovely grounds, now showing off their peak summer glory. For a moment, Phoebe seemed speechless. But, it was just a brief moment.
“Oh, Robert, dearest—you have brought me to heaven. To heaven itself, I tell you. How beautiful. How elegant. I shall be so happy and content here.”
He kissed her cheek in appreciation of her enthusiasm. “I am the happy one, my dear. Brentwood is fortunate to have such a lovely and gracious lady as you to be its new mistress.”
He guided her toward the entry. Just as they reached it, Millard, the butler, opened the door.
“Good afternoon, sir,” he said. “Welcome home.” He turned an expectant gaze toward Phoebe.
“Thank you, Millard. I trust all is well here? Allow me to present my wife, the former Miss Phoebe Graham, now Mrs. Robert Morton.”
Robert knew that Millard was such an experienced servant, that he rarely let anything disrupt his implacable countenance, but this news was clearly so unexpected that Robert saw his butler could not prevent the briefest expression of surprise from crossing his face, though the man recovered quickly, bowing to his new mistress, saying, “Please, accept my sincere best wishes on your marriage, Mrs. Morton. We all will be most happy to have you here.”
Phoebe giggled before assuming an air of superiority. “Thank you kindly, Millard.”
Robert guided his wife past the butler into the house. “Please have the entire staff assembled here in the hallway in half an hour, Millard, so that everyone may meet the new mistress of Brentwood. And send Mrs. Syme up to us at once.”
“Very good, sir.” He bowed again.
“What’s that? What did I just hear you say, Robert?” a voice asked from the stairwell.
Robert looked up to see his brother coming toward him with an expression of complete astonishment on his face.
“Did you say the ‘new mistress’ of Brentwood?” Frederick reached the bottom of the staircase and walked over to stand before the couple. “Or did I mishear you?”
“No, you heard quite correctly. Miss Phoebe Graham and I were wed last week in Gretna Green. While I was in London for business,we reunited at a ball and, much to our surprise, we found our hearts were so in accord that we could not bear the thought of waiting to marry, so off we went.” He turned to his bride, who was preening and giggling with delight. “However, dearest, had we waited to wed, my brother Frederick would have likely performed the ceremony.”
“Oh, is this is Freddy?” Phoebe threw her arms around Frederick, increasing, if possible, his countenance of shock. “I am so happy to meet you at last. Robert has told mesomuch about you. I can hardly wait to hear one of your sermons. You will have to forgive me, though, if I do not pay complete attention to it. I am afraid dreary sermons quite often make my mind wander or put me to sleep.” She frowned. “Oh, but perhaps your sermons will not be so dour. I can certainly hope so for I should hate not to enjoy any sermon you should give. I guess we shall have to see in due time, though, shall we not?” She dissolved into giggles.
Recovering himself somewhat, Frederick bowed to his new sister. “I am…quite happy to, uh, welcome you to your new home. I hope you will find Brentwood to your liking.”
“Oh, I am certain I shall.” Phoebe gazed around the entry hall with wide eyes. “It is all so lovely and splendid.”
“Robert, might we have a moment in privacy to speak?” Frederick asked, glaring at his sibling.
“Not just now. I wish to give Phoebe a tour, and we need to get settled in a bit. But soon, Freddy, we shall speak very soon, I promise.” Robert looked past his brother to the housekeeper, walking toward them. “Ah, Mrs. Syme. Please allow me to present your new mistress to you. She was Phoebe Graham until just a week ago but is now my wife, the new Mrs. Morton. Dearest, this is our housekeeper, Mrs. Syme, and if you allow yourself to be in her hands, you will not put a foot wrong in your new responsibilities. Mrs. Syme has been a part of Brentwood estate and our family since my childhood. There is nothing she cannot tell you about your new home.”
“Good day to you, Mrs. Morton,” Mrs. Syme said smoothly with a small curtsy and composed countenance. “Why do we not go upstairs and I shall begin by showing you to your rooms?”
“Yes, dear—let us go along now, and then we shall come down to meet the full staff. I shall give you a full tour of our property in due course.”
Phoebe nodded happily and slipping her arm into his, she, Robert, and Mrs. Syme went up the stairs.
*
Frederick remained inthe hall, watching them go, trying to process this remarkable turn of events. Robert had sworn that he loved Miss Kendall—he had said he intended to propose. What could have caused this complete transformation in his affections? Frederick found himself beyond astonished at his brother’s actions and determined he would get to the bottom of it as soon as possible.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Another two weekshad passed and Evan’s condition slowly improved. At least, he was no longer in danger of dying. Gilbert had sent many letters home, and twice had asked to be allowed to leave University to attend their father, but Miles had forbidden it. Cousin Selina had sent preserves and flowers to Clayton House from her father’s home in Doddington, with a note wishing the family well, but clearly, Charlotte thought, she had no intention of sharing her good wishes with the family in person.
