Page 15 of An Enchanting Kiss (Captivating Kisses #5)

“Lady Lia also has two cousins. They are sisters to Lord Traywick.” He thought a moment, trying to recall their names. “Lady Verina and Lady Justina. If you call them by name, you must always say the word lady in front of their names, because they are the daughters of an earl.”

“What are their names again?”

“Repeat after me. Lady Verina. Lady Justina.”

Celia practiced the names several times until she seemed satisfied .

“That’s a lot of people at the picnic.”

“It is. They are our nearest neighbors, though.” Thinking he should clarify that term for her, Rupert added, “A neighbor is someone who lives nearby. Lord Traywick lives at Traywick Manor. It is the estate beside Crestbrook. That means Lord Traywick and his family are our closest neighbors.”

“Do we have other neighbors?”

He liked how curious she was. “We do. You and I will meet them now that I have to come to Crestbrook. I went to be measured for some new clothes when I arrived here, and they will be ready soon. The two of us will go into the village for those. You also need new gowns and some toys and books, so we will do some shopping for you, as well. In the meantime, today, I will ask Lady Lia whom we should see in the village for your clothes.”

“I like Lady Lia. Could she come with us?”

“Why, that is a brilliant idea, Celia Cummings. We shall ask Lady Lia today if she might do so.”

The lake came into sight, but they still had a way to go. He knew where the Traywick boathouse was since he had passed it many times as a child.

They walked several more minutes, and then Celia cried, “I see Lady Lia!”

Celia began waving and must have caught the young woman’s attention, because she began waving in return.

“She sees me, Uncle Rupert!”

“Yes, she does. Because you are so high up.”

He counted the people he saw and decided he’d named everyone who would be at the picnic. Lady Lia had separated from the group and came toward them.

When she reached them, she turned her gaze upward, shading her eyes. “My, Celia. You have grown so tall since the last time I saw you.”

Her words caused Celia to giggle. “I’m not tall, Lady Lia. I’m riding on Uncle Rupert’s shoulders.”

He reached above his head and lifted her to the ground. Celia immediately wrapped her arms about Lady Lia, saying, “I missed you.”

Embracing the child, she said, “I missed you, as well, Celia.” Still holding her arms about the girl, her gaze met his. “Good afternoon, my lord. I am so happy you were able to bring Celia to our picnic today.”

“She was eager to come. Even though she did not know what a picnic was,” he added, smiling at her, taking in how the sun caused her auburn hair to gleam brilliant shades of red. The light also caused her eyes to seem even a richer, deeper blue than he had remembered from before.

“Come and meet my family,” she said, taking Celia by the hand and leading them back to the others. He watched the gentle sway of her hips as she moved, sparking something in him that he quickly tamped down.

Rupert saw that servants had brought chairs and two tables. A couple of blankets were also spread on the ground for those who preferred to eat in a more relaxed fashion.

The two older ladies, who had been seated, came to their feet. Lady Lia introduced them first.

“This is my mother, the Dowager Duchess of Millbrooke, and my aunt, Lady Traywick. May I introduce you to Lord Cressley.”

He took the duchess’ hand first since she outranked her sister-in-law. “The pleasure is all mine, Your Grace.” He then greeted the countess. “Thank you for extending the invitation today, Lady Traywick. My niece was thrilled about coming to her first picnic.”

He indicated Celia, who still held Lady Lia’s hand. “This is my niece, Miss Celia Cummings.”

Then Rupert realized he should have taught Celia how to curtsey.

The two older women did not seem to mind, however, with Lady Traywick saying, “Miss Celia, it is good to get to know a new neighbor. ”

“Neighbors live close to you,” Celia said eagerly, showing off her new knowledge.

“They most certainly do,” Lady Traywick agreed. “Her Grace, however, lives quite far away. You must ride in a carriage for many days before you reach where she lives.”

Celia’s eyes grew wide. “That is a long time. I never ride in a carriage.”

He looked at the women apologetically, choosing his words carefully. “My niece’s mother was lost in childbirth. My brother, the previous viscount, had Celia brought to Crestbrook, feeling it more appropriate for her to be raised in the country.”

Left unsaid was how father had never visited daughter.

“Come meet the others,” Lady Lia encouraged, leading him to the younger people present.

“This is my cousin, Lord Traywick.”

The earl extended his hand, and Rupert took it. “It is delightful to meet you, my lord. I hear you are a student at Cambridge.”

“At least for one more year, Lord Cressley, and then I will return to Cumberland for good.”

“I would be interested to hear about your studies. I have fond memories of my own university days. Perhaps we might talk later. I also know that your steward and mine have developed a close friendship, despite being decades apart in age.”

“Yes, Hillman is always talking about Williamson and his vast experience. The four of us should meet before I depart next week.”

“I would enjoy doing so, my lord,” Rupert said. He read others well, and he had a good feeling about this young earl.

“Come meet my sisters and cousin, my lord,” Traywick said.

Lady Verina and Lady Justina were introduced to him, as well as Lady Tia. The latter bore a strong resemblance to her twin in the face, but Lady Tia was taller and had strawberry blond hair. In turn, he introduced his niece to them .

“It is so good to meet you, Lord Cressley. Celia, too,” Lady Verina said. “Your brother was absent from Crestbrook for many years. It is good the house will be occupied again.”

Lady Tia asked, “Will you be attending the Season next season, Lord Cressley?”

“Yes, my lady, I do plan to do so. I hear that you and your sister will make your come-outs next spring.”

“We will. It will be nice to have a friendly face amongst a sea of new ones.”

Traywick said, “It looks as if Larsen is signaling that it is time for us to eat. Shall we?”

Celia jumped up and down, her excitement apparent, and the earl, seeing that his cousin still held the young girl’s hand, said, “Why don’t you take Miss Celia through the queue first, Lia?”

“I would be happy to,” she replied. “Come, Celia. We have so many good things to choose from. Let us see what you might like.”

The two went to where the food was, and he held back, allowing the ladies to go first as he stood talking with the earl about Cambridge. He explained that he was an Oxford man, but he had served with several officers who had attended Cambridge.

“I envy you a bit, my lord,” Traywick said. “As the only boy in the family, my destiny was set in stone. I claimed my title at only ten years of age. Up until then, I had played tin soldiers with my brother and had dreams of going off to war.”

“An heir apparent rarely joins the military,” Rupert said. “I can only think of one lieutenant I served under who was the heir to his father’s viscountcy.”

“I gather your brother was a good deal older than you. You must have thought you would make a career of the army instead of coming home to Cumberland as the viscount.”

“I will admit it was a surprise, but I find I am happy being back in the country. Since I was not raised to be the heir, I am having to learn as much as I can about the estate and its management.”

“And caring for your niece,” Traywick pointed out.

He smiled. “Celia has been the best part of coming home. We have taken quickly to one another.”

“Come sit with us, Uncle Rupert,” his niece called, and he saw she and Lady Lia had taken a spot on one of the blankets.

“I will be right there,” he called, accepting a plate from the butler and finding Cumberland sausage, his favorite, along with several cheeses and fruits and sweets.

He joined them and Lady Tia, who had also taken a place on the same blanket, lowering himself to the ground.

“Do you have everything you need, Celia?” he asked.

She nodded. “And I save the sweets for last.”

“Yes, that is correct.”

She had wanted to eat sweets first at tea each day, and he had told her they were a treat and must come at the end of any meal.

“When you are older, Celia, you may eat sweets first,” Lady Tia said, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Really?” asked his niece.

“Really,” Lady Tia said solemnly.

“How old?”

They all burst out laughing, and Rupert said, “Eat your cheese and fruit first. Then you may have whatever you wish.”

“Can I ask Lady Lia about going with us to the village?” Celia asked.

“What is this?” Lady Lia said.

“Celia is in need of new clothing,” he explained. “I told her we would go into Kidsgrove to purchase what she needs.”

“And some toys,” Celia reminded him, causing them to laugh again.

“Yes, my lord. I would be happy to accompany you and your niece.” Looking to Celia, she said, “I know far more about what a little girl should wear than your uncle does.”

“But I think he will pick out good toys,” Celia said.

Clearly biting her lip to hide her smile, Lady Lia said, “I agree. Lord Cressley does know how to choose a toy, but I will help find you a doll.”

Celia clapped her hands, smiling widely. Her look of happiness warmed him, and he turned to Lady Lia as his niece began chatting with Lady Tia.

“Thank you for agreeing to go with us, my lady. Celia has taken to you.”

“I do love children. Celia is a darling girl. I am happy to help the two of you with this errand.”

She smiled at him, a genuine one which caused her face to light up and his insides to melt. Rupert felt a sudden rush of desire pour through him. Not because of how she responded to Celia.

Instead, he acknowledged to himself the growing attraction he felt for Lady Lia Worthington.