Page 9 of An Enchanting Kiss (Captivating Kisses #5)

L ia allowed Esther to remove her gown and set it aside.

Moving to the jug of hot water that had just been delivered, she poured some into the basin and began to wash.

It had been hot in the coach for the second week of September, but Aunt Agnes said things would start to cool rapidly now they were in the Lake District.

“I hope Tray will be here for dinner,” Tia said as Esther helped her from her gown. Her twin joined Lia at the basin, wetting a cloth and moving it across her face.

“I heard one of the servants mention that he was out on the estate with his steward,” she said. “I am certain he will be here for dinner. He will have been informed that his family has arrived, along with us.”

Lia had noticed that Aunt Agnes had quickly learned all the names of the Millvale servants, and she decided it would be something she would do here while at Traywick Manor.

Eventually, she would be mistress of her own household, and she believed quickly learning the names of all the servants would be important.

The maid helped her dress in a fresh gown, which had just been unpacked, and she was glad Esther had accompanied them from Kent to Cumberland.

“Do you think you will miss Millvale?” she asked.

“I’m not sure, my lady,” Esther replied. “It’s a bit exciting going so far and seeing new places. I figure I’ll enjoy what I can, but when we get home to Millvale, I think I’ll be ready to sleep in my own bed. ”

That caused Lia to yawn. “My, I hope I will be able to stay awake through dinner.”

“The journey to Cumberland was long,” Tia said. “I am glad we have come here, however. It was nice of Aunt Agnes to invite us.”

“Our being gone will give Eden time to establish herself as the new Duchess of Millbrooke in Mama’s absence. Already, everyone at Millvale adores her. Aunt Agnes will need to find a new governess for Justina and Verina, though. I doubt any of them will live up to Eden, however.”

Neither twin needed anything done to their hair, and Lia suggested they head to the drawing room, where Aunt Agnes had said to meet before dinner. Upon entering the room, she saw Tray standing at the window. He turned, breaking into a smile.

“Cousins!” Tray came toward them, opening his arms wide and embracing them both. “You have changed so much. I would not have recognized either of you.”

“So have you,” she said. “You are so incredibly tall, just as your father was. You also have his coloring and deep blue eyes. We were but children when we last saw one another. You were still Hadrian then.” Lia paused.

“We are very sorry you lost Lucius and your father, Tray. It must have been hard, especially because you were so young.”

“It was the most terrible thing,” he admitted. “Lucius and I were a little less than two years apart. We were not only brothers. We were the closest of friends. And our entire household revolved around Papa.”

“I remember how kind he was,” Tia said. “To all the children. We were told that he and Aunt Agnes were a love match.”

Tray nodded solemnly. “The light went out of Mama’s eyes for a long time.

I know it was difficult for her, not only losing a child but also the husband she adored.

Fortunately, Mama is made of strong stuff.

She knew she still had three other children to raise. We are all very close to one another. ”

“How long will you be at Traywick Manor?” Lia asked.

“I will be going back to university next week.” He smiled. “I am glad I was still here to see the two of you and Aunt Alice. I was afraid I might miss you.”

“This is your last year at Cambridge, isn’t it?” asked Tia. “What are you studying?”

Tray began speaking of his interests, and Verina and Justina entered the room.

He paused to greet his sisters, and Lia could tell how much they loved one another.

For a moment, she missed Ariadne and Val terribly.

She had hoped to spend time with her older sister during last Season, getting to know Julian and playing with Penelope.

Hopefully, things would work out, and she and Tia would be able to make their come-outs next year and see Ariadne often during the Season.

Mama and Aunt Agnes joined them, and Tray warmly greeted his mother and aunt.

“My, Traywick, you have turned into a man,” Mama said. “A very tall, large man. Thank you for allowing us to stay at Traywick Manor for a bit.”

“My home is open to you at any time, Aunt Alice. I am thrilled you came to visit and that you brought Lia and Tia with you. I am only sorry that Uncle Charles is gone. I know you miss him.”

The butler appeared and announced that dinner was ready. They went to the dining room.

“Sit wherever you like,” Aunt Agnes said. “We do not stand on formality at Traywick Manor.”

The soup course was a brought in, and Aunt Agnes said, “Tell us news of the neighborhood during our absence, Traywick. I left early last march before the Season began in April. It seems as if I have been away from home a very long time.”

“The biggest news is that Lord and Lady Roy’s daughter accepted an offer of marriage from a viscount. She will be marrying next week at the church in Kidsgrove. And Mr. Peck has been ill recently. From what I gather, he will not see Christmas this year.”

Tray continued to mention others in the neighborhood, people that Lia hoped she and Tia might get to meet.

Then Tray said, “How could I forget some of the biggest news of all? Lord Cressley has passed.”

“He must have done so in town,” Verina said. Turning to Lia and Tia, she said, “Lord Cressley’s estate, Crestbrook, is adjacent to Traywick Manor. I have never laid eyes upon him because he never comes to the country.”

“Never?” questioned Tia. “That seems odd.”

“There are those who favor town over country,” Aunt Agnes said.

“Viscount Cressley was certainly one of those men who did so.” She frowned.

“He did not have a pleasant reputation. It is probably best that he left his estate in the care of his steward. Mr. Williamson does a wonderful job managing Crestbrook.”

“I agree,” Tray said, “He is in frequent contact with our steward. They enjoy sharing ideas.”

“Who has claimed his title?” Lia asked, curious.

Aunt Agnes said, “That would be his much younger brother, Rupert Cummings. He went into the army years ago. I suppose Cummings will need to sell out and come home now to take on his duties as the new Viscount Cressley. You cannot have a viscount traipsing about a battlefield, can you?”

“I vaguely recall Rupert,” Tray said. “He is several years older than I am, but I would see him in the village occasionally. Then he seemed to vanish.”

“From what I gather, he left for university and never returned to Crestbrook,” Aunt Agnes said. “There had to be at least a dozen years—if not more—between him and Cressley. They were never close.”

She thought it sad for brothers not to be close to one another. She and Tia were close to Val and Ariadne and could not imagine being distant or even estranged from them.

“Well, if he is worth his salt, the new viscount will come to Crestbrook and see how it is being managed, at the very least,” Tray declared.

“If he does, we must ask him to dinner, “Aunt Agnes said. “Cressley has no family to support him. It would do him good to meet his neighbors again after so long a time. I hope he will become involved in life in the neighborhood.”

The topic turned from the new Lord Cressley to other matters. After dinner, they adjourned to the drawing room. Verina and Justina played and sang for them, wanting their brother to hear some of the musical pieces they had been working on that summer.

“It just struck me,” Tray said. “Where is Miss Snow? She always dines with us.”

Justina said, “I cannot believe we forgot to tell you. Miss Snow wed our cousin Val!”

“Miss Snow... is now a duchess?” Tray said. Then a slow smile crossed his face. “She will do quite well in the position. Miss Snow—that is, Her Grace—is kind and intelligent. Good for her.”

Lia liked that her cousin had not been judgmental.

Even though Eden’s father was a viscount, she believed others might gossip some about her and the fact she had wed such a man of high rank and wealth.

Lia liked Cousin Tray all the more for his enthusiastic response to the news regarding Val’s marriage.

They made plans to go riding together after breakfast the next day, Tray wanting to show his cousins his estate.

“It is not as grand as that of your ducal brother, but I am proud of Traywick Manor. We will also need to introduce you around the neighborhood.”

He looked to both twins. “I have expressed condolences to Aunt Alice, but I neglected to do the same to you. I am sorry you have lost your father.”

“Thank you,” they said in unison, as they often did when others addressed them.

“It was long journey here. I believe I am ready to retire for the evening,” Mama told the group.

“I agree, Alice,” Aunt Agnes said. “Goodnight to you all.”

All four girls decided they, too, were in need of sleep, and bid Tray goodnight.

Lia was eager to ride out tomorrow and see more of Cumberland. The passing scenery in the carriage had been breathtaking, and she knew she would enjoy their morning ride.

*

Rupert understood he must keep his temper in check. He needed to glean as much information as he could from Newton before dismissing her.

A knock sounded at his study’s door, and he said, “Come.”

Prater stepped inside. “I have Newton for you, my lord.”

“Show her in.”

He remained seated behind his desk and watched as a woman came through the door. She was dressed better than the average servant and appeared to be in her mid-twenties or a bit older. She was fairly pretty, but he detected a hardness about her.

She came to stand before the desk, and he nodded at Prater and said, “That will be all.”

The butler closed the door, leaving him with Newton.