Page 33 of An Enchanting Kiss (Captivating Kisses #5)

M iss Wilson had proven to be a godsend.

Though Celia had not taken to her at first, Lady Lia had done as Rupert suggested and continued coming to Crestbrook for another week.

She had also welcomed Celia and the new governess to Traywick Manor, as well.

During that week of transition, his niece had begun to fall under Miss Wilson’s spell.

By the end of it, Celia told him she liked the governess—but she would miss Lady Lia terribly.

It was less than a week before the Worthington women left Cumberland for Kent.

Since Miss Wilson had been there two weeks and seemed settled in, Rupert thought he could honor his promise to Lord Traywick and take the earl’s relatives to Grasmere for their overnight excursion.

Fortunately, he was more familiar with the town now since he and Adam Holson had bought one of his new horses in Grasmere.

They had found none in Keswick to their liking, but two new additions to his stables had been found in Penrith.

He had returned Ajax to Traywick Manor, and now Rupert alternated riding one of the three horses he now owned.

Holson made use of the ones Rupert didn’t, and so the new purchases were receiving ample exercise.

The only horse he hadn’t found was one to continue teaching Celia on, and so Lady Traywick had graciously agreed to allow Posey to come stay at Crestbrook for as long as Celia needed. That had made Celia happy, and Miss Wilson had continued the girl’s riding lessons.

Before he went to breakfast, he stopped in the schoolroom, where Celia and her governess were eating.

“I have come to say goodbye to you,” Rupert told his niece. “Remember, I am taking those from Traywick Manor to Grasmere.”

“You’ll be gone tonight and come home tomorrow,” Celia told him, echoing what he had told her numerous times.

“You are to stay here and make certain everything at Crestbrook is going well,” he said with a straight face. “Miss Wilson will help you watch over things for me.”

“And Prater and Mrs. Prater,” the girl reminded him. “They can help, too.”

“They most certainly can.”

While he didn’t like leaving Celia, it would only be for a brief period of time.

He didn’t want her lessons interrupted, especially since things seemed to be going so well.

Miss Wilson had given him a report at the end of each of the past two weeks, and even the governess seemed a bit astounded at how fast her new charge learned.

Bending, he kissed Celia’s brow. “Farewell, little love. I will see you sometime tomorrow.”

She pecked him on the cheek, the first time she had done so, and it gave him a bit of a thrill. Celia had come a long way since Rupert had first met her. The bedraggled, wild child was now his greatest delight.

He breakfasted and then rode to Traywick Manor, leaving his horse with a groom.

They would stable it overnight so that he would be able to ride the mount home tomorrow.

Rupert went to the front of the house, where the earl’s best coach sat, along with a second one which would convey servants and luggage.

He would not be taking his valet with him, but Damsley had already packed a small valise and sent it to Traywick Manor.

The ladies began exiting the house, and he watched Lady Lia, a deep yearning filling him. They had not spoken since he had ridden back with her on the day Miss Wilson arrived at Crestbrook. He wondered if she would converse with him on this short trip or if she would keep to herself.

“Good morning, my lord,” the women greeted, and his eyes went to the two older women.

“Your Grace. Lady Traywick. I hope you are ready for our outing.”

“I do hope I can find a new pair of gloves,” the duchess said.

“You will,” Lady Traywick promised. “We will enjoy shopping for ourselves for once and not our daughters.”

The plan was to arrive at the inn. The two mothers would shop, while he led the ladies on an excursion about Grasmere’s countryside, including seeing where William Wordsworth lived.

“Then let us begin,” he suggested, handing each of the six women into the carriage. He treated them all equally, and each one, including Lady Lia, murmured a thanks to him.

“Oh, the carriage is filled,” the countess said, distress in her voice. “I had not realized we would take up all the room.”

“I plan to ride atop with your coachman, my lady. If I took my own horse, he would be exhausted by the time we reached Grasmere, and I would have to rent another one. I will be fine—and it will leave the six of you to gossip to your hearts’ delight.”

Looking to the others, he said, “It is only a journey of about ten miles or so before we reach Grasmere. We will have plenty of time to tour the area.”

Rupert mounted the coach, climbing next to the driver, and soon the vehicle rolled down the lane, heading south to Grasmere. The second coach followed them.

They reached the town, and he directed the coachman to the inn where he had reserved rooms for their party. Rupert went inside to let the innkeeper know they had arrived.

“Ah, good morning to you, Lord Cressley,” the innkeeper greeted. “The rooms you requested are ready for you.”

“My entire party is here, including a couple of servants to see to the ladies. ”

“Then have everyone come in, my lord. I will see the bags are brought in for you.”

A quarter-hour later, all luggage had been taken to rooms upstairs, and the women had been shown to their rooms. He pulled the innkeeper aside.

“Remember that I would like a private supper for our group this evening.”

“It will be ready at seven o’clock as you requested, my lord,” the innkeeper assured him.

He returned to the group of ladies. “We can head to the stables now. Our rented horses should be ready for us. Is there anything you might need before I leave, Your Grace? Lady Traywick?”

“No, we are set, Lord Cressley,” Her Grace said.

Rupert explained they would dine together in an upper room at seven that evening, and then he escorted the four young ladies the two blocks to where their horses were already saddled.

“Got word from the inn that said you were here,” the owner of the stables told him.

“Thank you for having our mounts readied for us,” he said, helping to assist each young woman into the saddle, ignoring the ripple of warmth that filled him when he assisted Lady Lia onto her horse.

“Follow me,” Rupert called, and they cantered down the main thoroughfare of Grasmere.

He pointed out the river to them when they reached the edge of town, saying, “Grasmere is in the center of the Lake District. The town is on the Rothay River, which flows into Grasmere Lake, which we will see shortly.”

Heading north, he took them to the rock hill of Helm Crag and pointed.

“You can see the village is overlooked by Helm Crag. Many people enjoy hiking it to the top, but it is quite steep and would take us two-and-a-half or even three hours to do so. I would rather us ride and see more of the area. Look closely, though, for many people see a lion king standing over and looking down upon a small lamb.”

They stared at it, and Lady Justina was the first to call out. “Oh, I see it!”

“Where?” Lady Tia asked, squinting. Then she, too, said, “I do see it!”

It took Lady Verina and Lady Lia longer, but once they made out the figures of lion and lamb, he turned their attention in the opposite direction.

“Look to the opposite end now, which is regarded as the true summit. You are supposed to see an old lady playing an organ.”

Again, after studying the rock formation, each of the women agreed they could spy the old lady and her organ.

“This is marvelous,” Lady Lia said. “We have nothing in Kent which compares to this.”

“But our home is very beautiful,” her twin said.

“Of course, it is,” Lady Lia agreed. “But this is so different. A majestic kind of beauty.”

They rode throughout the area, obviously charmed by the landscape. A deep pride filled Rupert, being from such a place of beauty.

As they studied Loughrigg Fell, Verina said wistfully, “I cannot believe you will be gone by this time next week. Justina and I have so enjoyed these past few months with you.”

“You will see us sooner than you think,” Lady Lia said. “Before you know it, you will be old enough to make your come-out, Verina. We will be at the Season together.”

“Yes,” her cousin agreed, “but you will already have done a Season. You will be an old married lady by then, Lia.”

The others laughed, but Rupert felt a pang of jealousy grab hold of him.

“Do not worry,” Lady Tia assured her cousins. “While Lia longs to wed and have babes, I plan to have fun.”

“What do you mean?” Lady Justina asked. “Are you saying you will not wed?”

“Not immediately,” Lady Tia said. “I plan to enjoy at least two Seasons before I consider marriage. Possibly three.”

“What does Cousin Val think of that?” Lady Verina asked.

“Val has told me I do not have to wed until I am ready to do so,” Lady Tia shared. “Mama, now, will be another matter. She will be pressing me to wed from the opening night’s ball. That is why I hope Mama will focus on Lia’s wedding first and leave me alone.”

Lady Verina turned to Lady Lia. “What do you want in a husband?”

Rupert held his breath as she said, “I wish for a kind, gentle man. One who values family and is respectful toward me.” She hesitated. “I am hoping to find love.”

“Love?” Lady Justina said, scoffingly. “I know Val and Eden love one another madly, and you said that Ariadne wed for love. But for it to occur three times in your family? That may not happen, Lia.”

He saw determination fill the young lady. “Then perhaps Tia won’t be the only Worthington who does not wed after her first Season. I am not willing to compromise, Justina. If I cannot have love, then I do not wish to wed.”

“But what about babes?” Lady Verina asked quietly. “You say you want children. You cannot wait too long, or you could be left behind. You do not want to be placed on the shelf, Lia.”