Page 18 of An Enchanting Kiss (Captivating Kisses #5)

R upert headed toward the two older women, still seated at a table. He was a bit intimidated by the haughty gaze the Duchess of Millbrooke cast upon him, but he put on his most charming smile.

“Might I join you ladies?”

“Please do so, Lord Cressley,” Lady Traywick said, her manner friendly. “We are delighted that you were able to join us for today’s picnic.”

“I appreciate the invitation more than you know, my lady. Since I have only recently arrived at Crestbrook, I have yet to meet any of my neighbors. This was a wonderful way to begin.”

“It will be good for Traywick,” his mother said. “My son took his title at a tender age and has had to grow up faster than his friends. Most of the peers in the area are a good two decades older than he is, so I hope the two of you will come to know one another and get along well.”

“The earl is an impressive young man,” he said. “Based upon what my steward has shared with me, Lord Traywick has been involved in the management of his estate for a good many years now. I will be the one who will need to learn from him.”

“Cornelia tells me that you are in need of engaging a governess for your niece,” the duchess commented, apparently ready to steer the conversation to its intended purpose.

“Yes, Your Grace. It is one of the reasons I accepted today’s invitation, so that I might speak with you and Lady Traywick regarding this matter. I have no experience with children and am not certain how to go about the process of finding the right woman to guide Celia.”

The duchess’ gaze turned to Celia and then back to him. “Tell me about yourself—and your niece.”

“You do realize you are as intimidating as any general in His Majesty’s army, Your Grace.”

That brought a smile to her lips. “Good.”

“As Lady Traywick may have mentioned to you, I was in the military. My commission was purchased for me by my brother, the previous Viscount Cressley. He was many years older than I was, and I can only recall seeing him a handful of times. My father enjoyed life in town, as my brother did, so he was rarely at Crestbrook. I learned from an early age to be independent and find my own way.”

“Did you attend university?” the duchess inquired.

“I graduated from Oxford. Once I finished my studies, I entered the military and served these past eight years.”

The duchess’ gaze met his. “And what do you think of Bonaparte, my lord?”

“I believe he is the greatest threat Europe has seen since Alexander the Great. Except the Little Corporal has none of Alexander’s finesse or sophistication. England is in for a long war, Your Grace. Long—and bloody.”

She nodded approvingly at him. “You do not mince words, Cressley. That is in your favor. Tell me about your niece. You seem very close to her for having only arrived at Crestbrook a short while ago.”

He shrugged. “It is not something I believe I can put into words, Your Grace. There has been an affinity between Celia and me since the moment we met. A trust that is natural and real. I will be honest and share with you that her previous nursemaid left much to be desired. I doubt my brother cared one whit for his daughter, most likely because she was a girl. My guess is the nursemaid was illiterate, and so Celia has not been taught as she should have. I found this nursemaid to be... negligent in her duties. Because of that, I dismissed her. That is why I seek to employ someone kind and gentle to guide Celia, hopefully for many years to come.”

“A good governess is difficult to come by,” Lady Traywick said.

“It is possible you might find one in the surrounding area, but my advice would be to write off to town for one. That is what I am having to do now that Miss Snow wed my nephew recently. Miss Snow was recommended to me by a friend, which is how one usually finds the best servants and governesses or tutors. This time, however, I plan to write to an employment agency I have used in the past.”

Lady Traywick paused. “If you would like, my lord, you may include your own letter with mine. I would be happy to add a postscript to my own request, recommending you.”

“If you would do so, my lady, I would most grateful. I want the best for Celia. She has been dealt a harsh hand in her five years of existence. I am quite fond of her and plan to treat her not as a ward, but as a daughter.”

“Do you plan to attend the upcoming Season, Cressley?” the duchess asked.

“Yes, Your Grace. I am well aware of the fact that I am only Viscount Cressley because my brother did not provide an heir for his title. I will not let that happen on my watch. I intend to take a bride as soon as possible.”

The duchess looked at him pointedly. “Will you tell your prospective bride of this close bond you and your niece share?”

He nodded solemnly. “I consider us a family. Any lady I am interested in making my viscountess must understand that she is not only to become my wife—but also a mother to Celia.”

“That might eliminate a great number of candidates on the Marriage Mart,” the duchess informed him. “Are you in financial straits, or will you be able to wed a woman of your choice? ”

Rupert thought her question impertinent, asking him about his financial situation, but he gathered dukes made their own rules, and that might well include their duchesses.

Without giving anything away, he said, “I will be able to select a bride with no extenuating circumstances. And yes, Your Grace, I will make it perfectly clear from the start that I am almost as a widower, bringing a child into whatever union I seek. I will inform both the young lady and her family. No surprises.”

The duchess pursed her lips a moment and then nodded to him. “Good for you, Cressley. You seem to be a forthright gentleman, one filled with integrity and aware of duty to your family. I admire that.”

Lady Traywick cleared her throat. “Are there any specific qualities you are looking for in your governess, Lord Cressley?”

“I do not want a woman who is a harsh disciplinarian,” he began.

“Celia was left unsupervised on too many occasions in the past. Because of it, she has developed a bit of an independent streak.

While I do wish for her to learn to discipline herself, she needs a gentle, guiding hand to help her learn how to do so, not someone who is a strict authoritarian.

“Other than that, I would hope the governess would be genteel enough to teach Celia not only academic subjects, but also of Polite Society itself. I want my niece to grow up comporting herself as a young lady should. So, to answer your question, my lady, I seek someone who would commit to the post for a good number of years, hopefully a dozen or more. If I am pleased, I would expect this governess to remain with Celia until she makes her come-out.”

“That is a very long time for someone to devote to a child,” Lady Traywick said.

“Then again, many women do look for a long-term position as you are offering. I shall write my own letter requesting a governess when I return to the house this afternoon. If you will do the same, my lord, we can send both off in tomorrow’s post.”

He thought of the plans he had made to go into town.

“Celia is in need of new gowns, as well as some toys and books. Lady Lia has agreed to accompany us into Kidsgrove tomorrow to assist with these purchases. I fear I know nothing about the type of clothing my niece requires. Celia has also taken to Lady Lia. I can pick her up in my coach tomorrow and post our letters in the village tomorrow, Lady Traywick.”

“That will not do,” the duchess said emphatically.

“I am unclear, Your Grace, as to your objection.”

“Cornelia is not out in Polite Society, my lord. She will not be going anywhere with you alone, despite the fact your niece would be present. A five-year-old is not a suitable chaperone.”

“Alice,” Lady Traywick said gently, “we are in Cumberland and not town. Why don’t we have the other three girls accompany Lia on this errand?” She looked to Rupert. “If you would not mind escorting both my daughters and nieces, I believe that would be just the compromise necessary, my lord.”

He realized he had much to learn about the ways of the ton . “Yes, my lady, I would be happy to take all four young ladies to the village. I am certain Celia would be delighted to have so much company. More opinions would also be advantageous as we select a new wardrobe for her.”

Rupert paused, waiting for a sign from the duchess.

Finally, she nodded curtly. “All right, I shall agree to this outing.”

“If I may say so, Your Grace, I believe we may be in the village several hours. I am to have a final fitting on clothes for myself at Mr. Burrows’ shop.

I had planned to drop Lady Lia and Celia at the dressmaker’s, joining them once my fitting concluded.

I think it will take a good while for the four young ladies to talk with the dressmaker and choose materials for the gowns to be made up for Celia.

Then, as I mentioned, I wish to buy my niece some toys and books. ”

“Oh, you can do so at Mr. Shaft’s store. He carries all kinds of wonderful things,” Lady Traywick enthused. “I have bought many a thing from Mr. Shaft. Because you will in the village so long, my lord, perhaps you might treat everyone to sweets at Mrs. Shaft’s teashop and bakery.”

“I would be happy to do so in order to repay the kindness they are doing for me,” he replied. Looking to the duchess, he asked, “Is that to your liking, Your Grace?”

“I would prefer Traywick accompany your group, but I know my nephew is trying to finish up projects on the estate before he leaves for university next week.” She looked to Lady Traywick. “If you are agreeable, Agnes, then so am I.”

He breathed a silent sigh of relief, glad that he would have the advice of several young ladies, including Lady Lia’s opinion.

Rising, Rupert said, “Thank you for your time this afternoon, Your Grace, my lady. I will see the letter is written and include it with yours. If you will excuse me, I will let the others know about tomorrow’s plans and then return to Crestbrook.”

He went to where Celia was tossing a ball to Lady Lia and Lady Tia.

“Oh, what have we here?” he asked.

“His lordship found a ball in the boathouse,” Celia told him. “I like playing with a ball.”

“Then I hope we will find one on our trip into the village tomorrow.”

Celia looked at him, wide-eyed. “We are going to the village?”

He nodded. “Lady Lia and Lady Tia are to accompany us, along with Lady Verina and Lady Justina. That is, if it is convenient for them to do so.”

Lady Justina said, “Good. I have needed to look at some new ribbons. And Verina, you mentioned needing new embroidery thread yesterday.”

“An outing to Kidsgrove sounds wonderful, my lord,” Lady Tia said .

He looked to Lady Lia, since she was the only one yet to comment. “Are you agreeable to this trip, my lady?”

“I would enjoy going into Kidsgrove with you and Celia, my lord,” she said demurely.

Celia yawned, and Rupert said, “It is time we head back home.”

“Do we have to?” Celia whined.

“Yes. A guest should never overstay their welcome. Let us go thank our hostess for inviting us.”

He took his niece’s hand, and they went to the two older women, where Rupert said, “Thank you for a lovely afternoon, Lady Traywick. Celia and I enjoyed ourselves immensely.”

His niece smiled brightly. “Thank you, my lady. I never went on a picnic before. I had so much fun.” Celia then handed the ball to Lady Traywick. “This is yours. Uncle Rupert might buy me one tomorrow.”

The countess returned it to Celia. “I think you should keep this one until you have one of your own, Miss Celia.”

She beamed at the older woman. “Thank you, my lady.”

He went and bid farewell to the others, arranging to pick them up tomorrow morning at ten o’clock, and Celia said, “Can Lady Lia walk with us?”

His gaze met hers, and she said, “I would be happy to accompany you part of the way to Crestbrook, Celia.”

“Goodbye!” Celia called, skipping ahead.

Rupert and Lady Lia fell into step beside one another and followed.

“Celia had the most marvelous time today, my lady. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the invitation to the picnic.”

“Celia was a pleasure to watch. It is nice to view the world through a child’s eyes. To me, the idea of a picnic was fun. Watching Celia experience her first picnic, though, made it quite special for me.”

She stumbled over a rock in the path, and he caught her elbow. “Here, take my arm. ”

Lady Lia slipped her hand through the crook of his arm, and Rupert felt suddenly at peace. He told himself not to develop feelings for her. That only a love match would make her happy.

And yet everything inside him yearned to stop and kiss her.

Celia turned and ran back to them, and he was glad he had not acted upon that impulse.

She asked if she could ride atop his shoulders again, and Lady Lia released his arm.

Losing her touch felt as if he had been cut adrift at sea.

Rupert swallowed the lump in his throat and picked up Celia, bringing her to rest upon his shoulders.

“I like being high,” she declared.

“You can see so much from your perch,” Lady Lia said.

“Maybe you can ride on Uncle Rupert’s shoulders, Lady Lia.”

The thought of her legs wrapped around him, his hands holding her calves, caused him to shudder.

“Are you cold?” Celia asked him.

“Not a bit,” he said breezily.

“I think I should turn back now,” Lady Lia said.

Their gazes met. Rupert thought he could lose himself in those deep blue eyes forever.

“Until tomorrow, my lady.”

He turned, Celia waving, and strode off.

“Too fast,” his niece complained, and so he slowed a bit.

Celia jabbered the entire way home, talking about the boat ride and the food and the ball she had been given. Rupert grunted every now and then, which satisfied her.

His thoughts lingered on Lady Lia Worthington, though. Worry filled him because while he knew he should put her from his mind, he neither wanted to—nor could he seem to. She was as a beacon of light, shining into his thoughts. He had no defense against it.

Rupert vowed he would allow her to assist him tomorrow. For Celia. Then he must fix his focus on Crestbrook.

And not a lovely, auburn-haired beauty who was charming her way into his heart.