Page 11 of An Enchanting Kiss (Captivating Kisses #5)

L ia awoke, feeling refreshed by a good night’s sleep. Tia was snoring softly, so she slipped from the bed to wash and dress. She didn’t have to worry about being quiet. Her twin could sleep through the Second Coming of the Christ. Of the two of them, Tia had always needed more sleep.

She rang for Esther and admitted the servant when she arrived, placing a finger next to her lips to indicate her twin still slept. Esther could be a bit boisterous, and Lia did not want her sister awakened. The maid helped her to dress and then took a seat in the room, waiting for Tia to awaken.

She made her way downstairs to the breakfast room.

Aunt Agnes had requested a buffet be set up for the first meal of the day, so everyone could choose whatever they liked.

Mama and Aunt Agnes both breakfasted in their bedchambers, so it was just Tray, Verina, and Justina who were in the room when she arrived.

“How are you liking your stay in Cumberland, Cousin?” Tray asked as she filled her plate and took a seat, a footman pouring tea for her.

“I know we have only been here less than a week, but I have fallen in love with the Lake District. Your estate is beautiful, and the surrounding land is so scenic. I wish Millvale had a lake on it as you do.”

“Since Tray is leaving in a few days, we should have a picnic by the lake as a farewell,” Justina suggested. “We could even take out the rowboats.”

“That is an excellent idea,” Verina agreed. “I know Mama will not mind us doing so.” She looked to her brother. “How would tomorrow afternoon be for you, Tray? Would you be available to take a respite from estate business and play a bit with us?”

“You know I am always up for a picnic,” he replied. “Shall we tell Cook about it since we know Mama will approve?”

“I will draw up a menu for us so that Mama does not have to,” Verina told them. “You can help me, Justina. Lia, since you and Tia are our guests, we will surprise you. We can decide what to have after breakfast and then meet with Cook.”

“I think I am going to go and practice the pianoforte after I finish eating,” she told them. “I have neglected it since we arrived and would like to get back to my usual routine. I trust you will include some delicious foods, especially ones which are local favorites here in Cumberland.”

“We also need to draw up a list of what we would like in a governess,” Justina said. “Mama told me that she plans to write to an employment agency in London to find our next governess.”

Curious, Lia asked, “Is that how Aunt Agnes found Eden?”

“It has been too long. I suppose that is what Mama did,” Justina said. “I was only ten when she came to us, and that was over five years ago.”

“Whoever is hired must be someone who is optimistic and pleasant to be around. Those were some of Eden’s best traits,” she said.

“While I love learning,” Verina began, “I almost feel as if I should focus more on readying myself for my come-out in two years. I want a governess who is well-versed in the ways of Polite Society. One who can help me with my dancing, music lessons, and social conversations. It will be important to comport myself in an appropriate manner. Justina is younger, so she will still need a governess who can continue with academic lessons with her.”

“Are you both still writing in the journals Eden gave you?” Lia asked.

“Verina is,” Justina said. “I have been a bit more haphazard about doing so.”

“I do think it is a good idea, to record your thoughts and feelings, whether you are undergoing new experiences or simply living your usual life,” she said.

“We have a few blank journals which Eden left behind if you would like one, Lia,” Verina offered. “I can put it in your bedchamber if you like. One for Tia, too.”

She laughed. “Go ahead and leave one for both of us, but I doubt Tia will take the time to write in hers.”

Tray excused himself, saying he had a meeting with one of his tenants.

Lia went to the music room and played for an hour.

She found some pieces from composers whom she enjoyed, as well as a few new to her.

She decided to tackle a new invention written by Bach.

It proved to be a bit frustrating, but she knew she would conquer the fingering with enough practice.

Leaving the music room, she went to the drawing room.

Neither her sister nor her cousins were there.

She thought Verina and Justina might still be meeting with Cook regarding plans for the picnic, so she decided to take a long walk.

She had ridden the estate with her cousins each day since their arrival, but walking was something she truly enjoyed.

It would be a different way to view things.

She decided to set out for the lake, which they had ridden partially around two days ago.

The body of water separated Traywick Manor lands from that of Crestbrook.

She thought to walk as far as the boundary between the two estates and enjoy the beauty and peace of the September day.

Autumn had now come to Cumberland almost overnight, and she could not wait to see more of the Lake District.

Tray had promised to take them on a tour by horseback before he left for university, and Lia looked forward to that excursion.

She continued along the path next to the water, and spied someone ahead of her, sitting on the bank.

As she drew closer, she saw it was a man with dark hair, who held a little girl about four years of age in his lap.

His hands were wrapped about a fishing pole, and the girl also had her small hands holding the pole.

It was a sweet scene, and Lia wondered if he might be Viscount Cressley since she was nearing the border between the two estates.

Lia moved toward them, and the little girl turned her head. “Look! A lady.”

The man fixed his gaze upon her, and her heart sped up.

Without a doubt, he was the most handsome man she had ever seen. His hair was dark as midnight, and he had light blue eyes which seemed to see all. His cheekbones were sharp, his lips sensual.

When had she ever looked at a man’s lips—much less thought them sensual?

Heat bloomed in her cheeks. She looked away from him, turning her attention to the young girl who obviously was this man’s daughter, thanks to her close resemblance to him. She was a beautiful child, with the same dark hair and blue eyes of her father.

“Forgive me if I am intruding, my lord. I do not wish to scare the fish away.”

Her words made the child giggle, causing the man to smile. He quickly kissed the top of his daughter’s head and said, “The fish have not been biting as of yet. But they did so quite a bit yesterday, didn’t they, Celia?”

The little girl nodded. She held up a hand, four fingers showing, and proudly said, “We caught this many fish.”

“How many is that?” her father nudged.

She frowned, looking at her fingers and then counted, “One. Two Three, Four. Four! We caught four fish.”

“We did,” he agreed good-naturedly. Then he turned his attention back to Lia. “Forgive me for not rising to introduce myself. I am Lord Cressley, and this is Celia.”

“I am Lady Lia Worthington,” she told him. “My cousin is Lord Traywick. I have come all the way from Kent with my mother and sister for a visit.”

“It is a delight to meet you, Lady Lia. Might you like to join us for a bit?”

“Yes!” cried Celia. “Please. Come help us talk to the fish.”

“All right,” she said, going to sit on the bank near them, a closed basket separating her from the viscount.

“When did you arrive at Traywick Manor?” Lord Cressley asked.

“This is our sixth day here. Aunt Agnes had come to visit us in Kent, along with my cousins Verina and Justina. My brother, who is the Duke of Millbrooke, recently wed, and Mama thought it would be good if we gave the newlyweds some time to themselves at Millvale.”

“Have you ever been to Cumberland before, my lady?”

“No, my lord. This is our first visit. In fact, it is really our first visit anywhere other than Kent.”

“I thought you might have gone to town by now for the Season,” he observed. “You look of age.”

“Tia and I were to make our come-outs this past spring, but our father suddenly passed prior to the Season. Those circumstances caused us to return to Kent. That is why Aunt Agnes and my cousins came to visit us. They have been a great deal of comfort to Mama. All of us, really.” She paused. “Do you attend the Season, my lord?”

“I have never done so,” he said. “My older brother also passed recently, so I have not been the viscount for long.”

Lia recalled now that Aunt Agnes mentioned he had been in the military. Not wanting him to think he’d been gossiped about at their table, though, she asked politely, “What were you doing before you claimed the title? Did you live in town?”

“No, I was a second son, so I became an officer in His Majesty’s army. ”

“It must have been difficult to leave the army behind. As a second son, you most likely grew up knowing you were destined for a career in the military. I cannot imagine how hard it must be to have to adjust to a radically different kind of life.”

“You are most perceptive, Lady Lia. It has been an odd transition, to say the least. A very unexpected turn of events.”

Celia was grinning at Lia, and so she said, “I am certain your daughter and wife are happier being in one place instead of always being on the move with the army, especially now that the action with Bonaparte is beginning to heat up.”

He smoothed the girl’s hair. “Celia is my niece, my late brother’s daughter.”

“Oh! Forgive me, my lord. There is a strong resemblance between the two of you, and so I assumed the relationship.”

Resolve filled his eyes. “Celia is mine in every way now,” he said fiercely. “I am the only family she has, and I would protect her with my life.”