A lovely face from behind a pot invaded his thoughts, but he forced the image away. That lovely face belongedto a woman who had no interest in him, and whose mother was best avoided. He let out a breath. “The east wing will be fine.”
“Excellent.” His mother returned to her collection of fabric samples. “Besides, the dower house needs a full renovation before it is liveable. And I did not think you would want to take that on at the moment.”
In that, she was correct. It had been a very expensive year, and he knew that the small cottage that was meant to serve as a dower house needed extensive work. It had sat vacant for decades. If that day ever came, it might be more cost-effective to simply build a new one. But for now, it was a non-issue.
Not wanting to continue the conversation, Oliver made his excuses. “I need to clean up from my journey before dinner.” Then he fled the room.
Chapter Three
Kittywatchedthegreencountryside move past the window of Lady Sampson’s carriage. They had left London the previous day and spent a night in a well-appointed inn before continuing on to Lord Sampson’s estate, Arbor Hill. As they traveled south, the settlements became further and further apart, and the landscape transformed from relatively flat to rolling hills. It was lovely.
When Lady Sampson had commented that Kitty needed to get out of London, she’d thought it a jest. Or at least an idle comment. And then the invitation arrived two days later. Lady Sampson planned to spend a fortnight at one of her estates in order to address some business with her housekeeper and check in on the tenants. Lord Sampson could not leave parliament, and she preferred to travel with a companion.
Kitty was unsure if the trip was truly necessary, or if Lady Sampson had manufactured an excuse. But she felt nothing but gratitude. A fortnight away from London sounded like paradise itself.
Mrs. Childs had been rather miffed at not being included in the invitation. However, she’d acquiesced after Kitty framed the excursion as an opportunity to build stronger connections with a baroness withtwo unattached stepsons and a nephew. Her own sons were, of course, already married.
Not that Kitty had any intention of pursuing anyone, connected to Lady Sampson or not. But it proved the perfect argument for her status-obsessed mother. And so less than a sennight after her introduction to Mr. Hicks, she found herself in a carriage in the wilds of Hampshire.
“What do you think?” Lady Sampson’s voice sounded from beside her.
Kitty turned her attention away from the window and back to her traveling companion. “This is a beautiful part of the country.”
The baroness nodded. “We spend less time here than I would like, but I do love Whickfield.”
“Whickfield?” Kitty tipped her head. “Is your estate not called Arbor Hill?”
The baroness let out a soft laugh. “Whickfield is the small village where Arbor Hill is located. It is a delightful little place, surrounded by one of my favorite neighborhoods in all of England.”
As they spoke, the carriage turned from the main road onto a less-maintained path and slowed its speed. A short time later, they drove past a small village before their conveyance pulled to a stop in front of a fine house with a large portico.
“Arbor Hill,” Lady Sampson commented with a contented sigh before the carriage door opened.
Kitty followed her hostess out onto the gravel drive. It felt wonderful to stand up straight and stretch her legs. She turned in a slow circle, taking in the surrounding view. Everything was verdant green, and the house, while not overly large, appeared finally situated.She took a deep breath and smelled the country air. Fresh and clean. There were things about London she enjoyed, and things she did not. The very top of the list of dislikes included the London air that could positively be chewed on heavier days. She took another breath. This was not Lincolnshire, but it would do.
Movement caught her eye, and she turned just in time to watch a tall figure with dark hair round the corner of the house and approach the carriage.
“Mr. Linfield!” Kitty’s hand flew up to her chest.
“Good afternoon.” The gentleman dropped into an overly exaggerated bow before popping back up. “It is so nice to see you. Have we met?”
“In London…” Kitty stuttered, confused. “Your aunt?” She thought about her unexpected meeting and later introduction to Oliver Linfield with more frequency than she cared to admit. To realize he did not even remember her felt, well, lowering.
A playful grin spread across the man’s handsome face. Completely different from the bland expression he’d worn during their introduction. “Ah, I suspect there has been some confusion. I have a brother who some people say favors me somewhat. Though I’ve never seen it.”
“Stop teasing her, Mr. Timothy,” Lady Sampson chided in a tone that held only affection. “You know full well that you have an identical twin, and most of the county cannot tell you apart.”
After a moment, the baroness’s words sank in. Mr. Timothy? Identical twins? This was not Oliver Linfield. That truth felt almost unbelievable as Kitty watched the familiar, yet unfamiliar, young man turn his attentionto Lady Sampson.
“Welcome, my lady.” He bowed again, though not quite as theatrically. “I hope you had a pleasant journey.”
“I did, thank you.” Lady Sampson then turned to Kitty. “Miss Childs, may I present Mr. Timothy Linfield? Mr. Timothy is our local vicar, though that information still baffles me somewhat. Before choosing to join the church, he was best known in the neighborhood for causing mischief.”
“Now Lady Sampson, you pain me,” the vicar paused for a half-breath before adding, “I believe I’m still best known for causing mischief.”
The unexpected comment caused Kitty to burst into laughter before clapping a hand over her own mouth at her unladylike outburst. Instead of censure, both her hostess and the vicar laughed right along with her.
With a broad smile on her face, Lady Sampson turned back to Kitty. “There was hope that his recent marriage would curb his more mischievous tendencies. But alas, I think our dear Arabella actually encourages his nonsense.”
