“I should enjoy that, Mrs. Kendall, to be sure,” he replied. “However, we four playing would leave your father with naught to do.”
“Do not worry on my account, Mr. Morton,” Mr. Kendall quickly rejoined. “I shall happily sit by the fire and read my book while you all enjoy your game.”
“You meandozeover your book, do not you, Father? You are so prone to fall asleep after dining,” Lavinia teased. “Very well, then. Let us take our places at the table.”
After more than an hour of card playing, during which Frederick surprised everyone by coming out the winner, Lavinia played the pianoforte, singing in her somewhat nasal voice. At ten o’clock, servants brought in refreshments and, after filling his plate, Frederick maneuvered himself to sit next to Charlotte. Mr. Kendall was, indeed, now dozing by the fire, and Lavinia was conversing with her husband about needed work on one of the side gardens.
Frederick kept his voice soft as he asked, “May I inquire, Miss Kendall—have you set a firm date to return to Haverstone?”
“Not yet, Mr. Morton. I have been delaying writing to Dorothea, but I fear I must reply to her letter soon. So far, I have been able to use my father’s illness as my excuse to remain here, but he is fully recovered now so I suppose I must return within a week or ten days.”
“Then, we shall just miss each other,” he replied. “For I shall leave day after tomorrow to collect my things. I am told it will be nearly two weeks for the workmen to make all the changes we have ordered so by the time I return here to the renewed parsonage, you will havegone.”
“It seems so. I am certain you will make an excellent rector to the parish, Mr. Morton. I am so happy for you. You have a promising future.”
“Thanks to your father.”
“He would not have chosen you had he any doubts, believe me.”
“But, when might we next see each other? I am eager to renew my—that is,resumeour drawing lessons.”
Charlotte made a helpless gesture. “I cannot say with any certainty when I shall be back at Clayton House. I shall, however, look forward to continuing our lessons someday, and I promise, I shall practice all that you have taught me quite diligently in the meantime.”
Frederick glanced over at Miles and Lavinia before turning slightly on the settee to face Charlotte. He leaned in and spoke in a low and urgent voice. “Miss Kendall, I know it has not been very long since your disappointment, but may I ask you—are you…that is—do you feel more recovered from the pain my brother inflicted upon you? Because I should very much wish to be assured that you are not plagued with romantic thoughts and longings for him in any way.”
Charlotte took a long moment to answer. “I am not quite certain of my feelings. At times, there is still pain and sorrow over what transpired between us. Then again, some days it recedes to the back of my mind and troubles me but very little.” She gave a small smile. “You are so kind to take note of and care for the discomposure of my spirits. It is why I know you will be an excellent pastor here.”
“It is not just in that role that I ask or care, Miss Kendall,” he said, focusing his eyes on her. “I would wish to tell you that—”
“Charlotte! Do come join me at the pianoforte,” Lavinia loudly called. Mr. Kendall, dozing by the fire, dropped his book and snorted awake. “I wish to play this duet. And do not worry, I shall give you the easy half. Come, come.”
With an apologetic nod to Frederick, Charlotte went to oblige hersister. They performed for another hour before the party broke up, and Frederick thanked his hosts and returned to the parsonage for the night.
*
That night, Frederickfound himself unable to sleep. He rose from his bed and rummaged through some papers he had hastily packed before coming to Clayton House. Finding what he had hoped, but was not certain would be there, he gave a cry of delight and set the paper aside. The next day, he would make a final trip into Doddington for a special commission. One he hoped would help convey to Charlotte what, in words, he had been unable to this evening.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Charlotte did notsee Mr. Morton all the following day. The upgrades to the parsonage were set and the workmen scheduled, so there was no reason for her to go there. And, to her surprise, Frederick had declined to join them for dinner that night, saying he had much preparation to do for his return trip. The evening meal seemed rather dull with just the four of them, Charlotte thought.
The morning of his departure, Frederick walked over to Clayton House and took his leave of the family, thanking Evan profusely for the living and the improvements to what would soon be his new home.
“I cannot fully express my happiness and gratitude to you, Mr. Kendall,” he said. “I never could have imagined such an opportunity would be in my future.”
“We look forward to your return in two weeks, Mr. Morton,” Evan replied. “And then, I hope you will join us at Clayton House for dinner at least thrice a week. Your company is so amiable, you seem like one of the family.”
“Father,” Lavinia scolded. “You should not press Mr. Morton for any such commitment so soon. He will have a great deal of work to do when he returns and begins his duties. Other families will want to invite him to dinner, too, I am sure. We must not be greedy.” She giggled and turned her attention to Frederick. “Please know you are amost welcome addition to our evenings, Mr. Morton. I know Miles is hoping to have another chance to best you at Commerce.”
“I am most eager to play again and to enjoy the company of the entire Kendall family,” Frederick said. He turned to Charlotte and bowed. “Miss Kendall, I do hope to see you upon my return. That is, should you not be happily settled back at Haverstone.”
“I likely shall be with my sister, Mr. Morton,” she said in a soft voice. “However, at the very least, I hope to be back here for the annual harvest festival. That event has always been a favorite of mine.”
The two held a gaze before he bowed his head again, first to her and then to the rest of the family. He climbed into the carriage Evan had insisted on providing to take his new rector to the post stop. As it pulled away, Frederick leaned out the window, waving and smiling. To Charlotte, it seemed his eyes sought hers, but she told herself she was only imagining things.
As the family walked back into the house, Lavinia sighed. “Such a pleasant young man. His society will be in high demand by every family with an eligible daughter, to be sure. I’ll wager he’ll find himself engaged by Christmas. Dear, do not you think our dear cousin Selina would be a good prospect for him? She is quite pretty, and all charm and lively manners.”
Miles laughed and put an arm around his wife. “Oh, dear, Lavinia fancies herself a match-maker. Perhaps I should write a letter of warning to Mr. Morton.”
