Page 19 of An Enchanting Kiss (Captivating Kisses #5)
T he talk at breakfast centered on their outing to Kidsgrove that morning. She was surprised that Mama and Aunt Agnes had come down for the morning meal since they usually breakfasted in their rooms.
“I apologize that I cannot accompany you ladies,” Tray said. “Remember, though, that we are to take our ride on horseback around the area tomorrow. Be sure to remind Lord Cressley about it. I think he would enjoy going with us, but he did not commit yesterday.”
Having thought about Tray’s invitation to the viscount, Lia now said, “I am not certain Lord Cressley would wish to leave Celia by herself all day, especially since she has no governess. He has been keeping her with him during most of the day. If he does go, he would most likely wish to bring her along.”
“Nonsense,” Mama said. “As long as you will be gone, that is too long for a child. If Cressley does not trust his niece with his servants, then he may leave her with Agnes and me. We will see to her care.”
She exchanged a look with Tia, who rolled her eyes.
Mama had little to do with any of them while they were growing up.
She doubted that her mother knew the first thing to do with a child.
On the other hand, Aunt Agnes had been much more involved with her children, possibly because they had lost their father at such a young age.
Aunt Agnes was a favorite amongst all the cousins, and she likely would know how to keep Celia entertained .
“If you do not mind, Aunt Agnes, I will tell Lord Cressley that he could bring Celia here for the day.”
“Please do so, Lia. That boy needs a bit of fun. I cannot imagine being at war for years, only to come home and have an estate to worry about and a child to deal with.” Her aunt’s face softened. “Lord Cressley does seem quite fond of his niece, though.”
“I still think the child will be a drawback as Cressley hunts for a bride next Season,” Mama said. “Though he is quite good-looking and seems to have his financial affairs in order, he will certainly find someone to wed him. Whether she accepts the child as hers remains to be seen.”
Lia felt her face grow warm at that thought and turned her attention to her eggs as Verina and Justina began telling them a bit about the village.
“It is not as large as Willowshire,” Verina said. “You and Tia have been fortunate to have such a large village near you. We do have a wonderful dressmaker, however. Mrs. Penny will be the ideal person to see today regarding clothes for Celia.”
“And Mr. Penny is a shoemaker and bootmaker,” Justina added. “He shares the shop’s space with his wife, so if either of you need any new footwear, I can highly recommend Mr. Penny.”
“I could stand to have some new riding boots made up,” Tia commented. “Perhaps I will be allowing this Mr. Penny to fit me for a pair.”
They returned to their rooms to fetch bonnets.
Lia decided to slip into her spencer. The weather was certainly cooler in the Lake District this time of year than it was in Kent.
They met downstairs, and Larsen told them that a footman had just spied Lord Cressley’s carriage coming up the lane. They went outside to wait for him.
Lord Cressley exited the carriage, greeting Mama and Aunt Agnes, who had come to see them off.
“Thank you for entrusting me with the care of your daughters today,” he told the two older women.
“Here is the letter for you to post, my lord,” Aunt Agnes said, handing it to him.
“I shall have my coachman post both our letters once we arrive in Kidsgrove, my lady.”
They moved toward the carriage, and the viscount handed up each of them into the carriage. Lia went last, and as she boarded the vehicle, Celia said, “Sit with me, Lady Lia.”
She sat on the cushion beside the girl, who sat by a window. That meant the only remaining spot for Lord Cressley to sit in was next to her since her sister and cousins already sat opposite her.
He seated himself beside her, and their bodies were pressed together from their shoulders to hips. She had never sat in such close proximity to a man and found that odd sensation running through her again, the one she experienced whenever he was near.
As the carriage set out, Celia crawled into Lia’s lap.
Though there was now more space available on the cushion, she thought it would seem odd if she scooted away from the viscount, and so she remained where she was.
Celia began talking about how she was going to have new things to wear and that her uncle had also promised her new shoes, too.
“Since Celia enjoys being outside, you might consider having a pair of sturdy boots made up for her, my lord,” Lia suggested. “My cousins tell me that the shoemaker is husband to the dressmaker, and they share shop space. We could manage both errands at the same time.”
“I recall Mr. and Mrs. Penny, if they are the couple you speak of. Mr. Penny used to make all my footwear for me. I do like that idea, my lady. Celia does enjoy roaming my estate. I know you ladies will know exactly what my niece’s needs are. Feel free to order whatever you wish for her.”
“Do not forget about tomorrow’s ride,” Tia prodded, and Lia added, “Tray is taking all of us on a ride for several hours about the area. He expressly wished that you join us. You would be able to see places from your youth and if anything has changed since you were last in the area.”
He frowned slightly. “I gave it some thought. Normally, I would be happy to accompany you, but I am afraid that would be too long in the saddle for Celia. She does not ride yet, and so I would have her with me.”
Justina spoke up quickly. “Mama and Aunt Alice have said that you should leave Celia with them. They will make certain she is well cared for while we are gone.”
“I hate to impose,” the viscount said.
“It would not be imposing at all, my lord,” Verina told him. “Mama loves children. She has even told me that she wished she could go back in time to when we were Celia’s age and do things all over again.”
“Let us ask Celia.” Lord Cressley turned to his niece. “Would you like to go stay with Her Grace and Lady Traywick tomorrow while I attend to some business?”
“Can I bring my ball? They can toss it with me.”
Both Lia and Tia burst into laughter, thinking of Mama tossing a ball back and forth with the little girl.
“You may take whatever you wish. Would you mind staying at Traywick Manor while I am gone for the day?”
Celia nodded, and Tia said, “Then it is settled. Celia will be cared for while we see the surrounding countryside.”
They reached Kidsgrove, and the carriage stopped. The viscount said, “I asked to be dropped at Mr. Burrows’ shop. I will meet you at the dressmaker’s soon.”
He looked to Celia. “Be a good girl and do as Lady Lia says.”
Celia said, “I will, Uncle Rupert.”
The viscount kissed her brow and then left the carriage.
The vehicle started up again but slowed after only a minute, and Verina said, “We are here.”
A footman handed down each of them, and Celia took Lia’s hand. She was glad the girl trusted her, and a warm feeling spread through her as they entered Mrs. Penny’s dress shop.
“Lady Verina, Lady Justina, it is so good to see you again,” said a spry woman with kind eyes and gray curls piled high atop her head. “How was your visit to your cousins’ home?”
“We had a wonderful time in Kent, Mrs. Penny. In fact, here are two of our cousins. They came home with us for a visit. This is Lady Lia and Lady Tia Worthington. But our true reason for visiting you today is Miss Celia Cummings. She is Viscount Cressley’s niece and in need of a new wardrobe.”
Mrs. Penny smiled at the child. “Well, Miss Celia, let’s measure you first. Then we can talk about all the pretty new things you will have to wear.”
As the dressmaker took Celia’s measurements, she caught them up on the local gossip.
Then they began talking about all Celia would need, including shoes and boots.
That drew Mr. Penny’s attention, and he stopped cutting the leather he worked with and came to visit for a few minutes before returning to his workbench.
Mrs. Penny had them gather around a table. Celia crawled into Lia’s lap after she sat. They had only looked at bolts of material for a few minutes when Lord Cressley entered the shop and came toward them.
“Good day, Mrs. Penny. I hear you will make up some clothes for my niece. Spare no expense.”
Lia decided to intervene. “While I know you wish for Celia to have an abundant wardrobe, my lord, children grow quickly at this age. I think you should limit the number of gowns made up for Celia. We could ask for Mrs. Penny to make five or six gowns, and then she could also make up a few more which are slightly larger. That way, when Celia begins a growth spurt, she would have something to transition into while new clothes are made up for her.”
“That is very practical, my lady,” Lord Cressley said. He looked to the dressmaker. “Do as Lady Lia asks.” Then turning back to her, he asked, “Might I seem you in private for a moment, my lady?”
“Yes, my lord,” she responded, lifting Celia and placing her upon Tia’s lap. The girl did not protest, for which Lia was grateful.
Lord Cressley led them to a corner of the store, and she asked, “What is it?”
“I would like you to accompany me now to Mr. Shaft’s shop. I want your advice in selecting toys and books for Celia without her being there. She might be overwhelmed seeing so many items, especially after having had next to nothing up until now.”
“I would be happy to help you in choosing these items. Let me claim my reticule and tell Tia where I am off to. The others can meet us at Mr. Shaft’s when they finish. I know my cousins have shopping to do there, as well.”
She returned to the table and leaned down, whispering to Tia where she would be. Her twin nodded. Celia was enthralled looking at different bolts of material, and Lia doubted she would be missed.