Page 23 of An Impulsive Kiss (Captivating Kisses #2)

L ucy paused in front of the doors leading into the drawing room, hearing laughter within. She smoothed her gown and took a deep breath before entering the room. It was her first time to entertain guests as a married lady.

And she was late to tea.

She wondered what excuse Judson had given to her parents, Con, and Ariadne and Julian. They had both summoned help to dress when they realized how late it was getting and that their visitors would arrive at any moment. Where Judson only had to run his fingers through his hair a few times to look presentable, Lucy had to have Annie redo her hair completely. After their first bout of lovemaking, several pins had fallen from her hair. Her husband had collected them from the bed and then removed the rest from her hair. He liked her hair when it was down, enjoying running his fingers through it.

Annie had brushed it out and placed it in a simple chignon due to lack of time. Lucy would have to have her maid redress it again for the theater tonight. They were to attend a performance with Ariadne and Julian, the couple sitting in Judson’s box.

Taking one final, deep breath, she breezed into the room and headed toward her family.

“I am so sorry I am late to tea,” she apologized.

“That is perfectly all right, Lucilla,” Mama said. “Huntsberry told us you were finishing up interviewing candidates for when you open Huntsworth again. You can never be too careful when hiring your staff. You want to assess servants carefully and then check out the letters of reference they present. It is always best to speak to their former employers directly or at least write to them for a proper evaluation of a candidate’s qualities and skills.”

So, that was the white lie her husband had given. After Lucy had admitted going to see Antonia Amato, Judson had told her he wished for her to interview the servants which would be left behind, telling her that Cook was a real treasure and that Mrs. Worth, the housekeeper, and the other servants seemed to also do a good job. She had agreed to interview them all for consideration at Huntsworth, but Judson was to arrange those interviews to begin tomorrow morning. He said that he would send a note to Mrs. Worth once tea had concluded today, and she could inform the staff.

Others might have thought it odd that she would even contemplate hiring staff which had served her husband’s former mistress, but Lucy didn’t think those servants should suffer because her husband had ended his arrangement with his former mistress. It wasn’t as if Miss Amato would be taking any of the servants back to Italy with her. Liking Miss Amato as she did after only their brief acquaintance, Lucy knew the woman wouldn’t have tolerated mediocre help. The least she could do would be to interview the handful who would soon be out of a job. If she liked them well enough, she saw no problem in sending them to the country to help with the opening of the Surrey house. If Judson and Miss Amato had been pleased with their performance, she most likely would be, as well. And if she weren’t, she could dismiss them after a trial period.

“Yes, Mama. Opening Huntsworth will require hiring a bevy of servants to staff it.” Lucy took her seat, avoiding Judson’s eyes because she was afraid she might burst into giggles. “We will need a butler and housekeeper. Numerous maids and kitchen help, as well as footmen. And we have yet to discuss the stables.”

Her brother’s interest was sparked. “Do you have any horses in Surrey, Judson?”

“Not a one,” he admitted. “I do enjoy riding, however, and I know Lucy does, as well.” He looked at her with affection. “Darling, please add to your list a head groom and other grooms. I suppose we’ll also need to investigate getting a few cats to act as mousers in the stables.”

“If you need any help picking out horseflesh, I am at your service,” Con said. “Perhaps Julian and I could accompany you to Tattersall’s. You and Lucy will each need mounts to ride in the country, and you’ll probably want one or two others, as well.”

Two maids rolled in the teacart, and Lucy began pouring out for their company. She passed the first cup and saucer to Judson, who made sure Mama received it. She still hadn’t been able to look at her husband. Telling a small fib about Lucy interviewing potential servants was a far better choice than confessing they had made love twice in broad daylight and had had to scramble to dress in time for tea.

Somehow, though, she had a feeling that Ariadne knew exactly what they had been up to. Her cousin had flashed a knowing smile at Lucy as she had taken a seat.

After everyone had their cups of tea and plates of cakes, she asked, “How is little Penelope doing?” She knew that would be a safe topic of conversation.

“She becomes more brilliant every day,” declared Julian, elaborating on his daughter’s latest milestones. “Penelope is eating better and sleeping more restfully. While she still needs a little help with supporting her neck, I can feel it growing stronger every day. Soon, she will be like a turtle, holding it up and moving it about as she explores the world.”

“Penelope recognizes our voices,” Ariadne said proudly. “While I love to sing to her, Julian enjoys reading to her.”

“Isn’t she a bit young to be read to?” Con asked, baffled.

“While she does not understand the words, I can tell reading soothes her,” the proud papa said. “Besides, the more language she hears, the more quickly she will pick it up, in my opinion.”

Talk turned to their evening plans, and Papa asked, “What play will you see performed this evening?”

“It is Shakespeare tonight,” Judson replied. “ Henry IV, Part I . Falstaff is to be played by a relative newcomer. I look forward to his performance.”

“I always enjoy a good play,” Ariadne said. “At least it will be over before the usual ball.”

Con laughed. “You and Julian have slipped out early from many a ball this Season.” He glanced to Lucy. “You and Judson, as well.”

“It is what newlyweds do,” she retorted. “Perhaps one day you shall be a newlywed yourself and better understand.”

“Not for a long while,” her brother said. “I may be sprouting gray at my temples before I decide to wed.”

Mama glared at Con. “It is one thing to sow your wild oats, Constantine, and another bragging about them. You will wed. I need grandchildren from you.”

Her brother pointed to Lucy. “Look no further, Mama. I will wager that by this time next year, my little sister will have a babe growing in her belly.”

Mama sniffed. “That is all well and good, Constantine, but you are the heir to the earldom. That means you need sons, preferably more than one of them.”

“All in good time, Mama,” Con said placatingly.

“Would you like to show us more of the house?” Ariadne asking, obviously trying to smooth any ruffled feathers.

“I would love to give you a tour,” she told her cousin, trying to ignore how Mama would view her brother’s children as more important than Lucy’s own. “We can leave the men at tea. I doubt they care about talk of bed furnishings and carpets and new paint.” Lucy rose. “Mama, would you like to join us?”

“No. You two go ahead. I will make certain the gentlemen have all they need. Someone should remain to entertain them.”

She couldn’t help but feel that last bit was judgmental. Mama had always been hard on Dru and her, with Con easily being her favorite.

“We will be back in about half an hour,” she said, motioning for Ariadne to come with her.

Once they were in the corridor, her cousin said, “Is Aunt Charlotte always so... so...”

“Overcritical?” Lucy ventured.

“Yes. She did not overtly criticize you, but I felt she judged you all the same. Yes, it would be different if we were not family, but I see nothing wrong with leaving the men to chat while you show off your new home. We leave them to their port and cigars after dinner, and they do just fine without our presence for half an hour.”

“I think Mama wishes she had been born a man—and the heir to the dukedom. She always has held strong opinions and is never shy about expressing them. I do think she would have made for a good duke. She has a keen mind and is not afraid to use her authority. She also had little interest in her children growing up. Only Con has any favor with her at all, and it is because he is a male and the heir apparent. I believe Mama is happy to have me off her hands. I do dread things next year when Dru is to make her come-out.”

“Will she and Aunt Charlotte clash?”

Lucy chuckled. “Terribly. Dru has expressed no interest in making her come-out. She would be happy to stay at Marleyfield the rest of her life. Marriage and babes are of no interest to her. Where I have tried to play the peacemaker and been the good child who always obeys Mama without question, Dru has forever fought tooth and nail with her. Things have never been rosy between them. Whether Mama realizes it or not, Dru is just like her. Stubborn. Opinionated. Never one to back down.”

“Oh, Aunt Charlotte will have her hands full with Dru,” predicted Ariadne. “It might come down to Dru deciding to stay with you and Judson if they quarrel so much.”

“That is if Mama can even get Dru to come to town. I cannot imagine my sister spending hours at the modiste’s, deciding on fabrics and styles of gowns. Why, she even goes about the estate in breeches the moment Mama and Papa’s carriage is out of sight, and she remains in them for the most part until the Season ends and our parents come home. Except for church,” she added.

“I am liking Dru the more I hear about her. Perhaps I should invite her to Aldridge Manor before next spring. Get to know her some. Tell her about the Season. Have her play some with Penelope.” Her cousin smiled. “Being around Penelope might even change her mind about babes.”

“That would be lovely, Ariadne. She and Mama argue frequently, so keeping them apart is an excellent idea. Why, I could also ask her to come and stay with us at Huntsworth. I know Judson would not mind. That way, we both could see her. Oh, you would also need to ask Toby to come.”

“Toby?”

“He is Dru’s constant companion. A gray tabby that is two years of age. Toby does not like anyone but Dru. He will tolerate me, but he hisses at anyone else.”

“Oh, dear,” fretted Ariadne. “That would not be good if he acts that way around Penelope. Julian would toss the cat out the door.”

“And Dru would toss Julian out after him.”

Both cousins erupted in peals of laughter.

“Come, let us go look at my new home,” Lucy urged. “We can start at the top of the house. The nursery is bare except for a couple of cribs, but I would like you to see it anyway.”

Ariadne slipped her arm through Lucy’s as they climbed the stairs. “I do hope by next Season or the one after that you will have a babe to occupy it. You and Judson will be good parents, Lucy. I can feel it in my bones.”

They toured the entire house, with Lucy telling Ariadne about some of the changes she was making to various rooms.

As they made their way back to the drawing room, her cousin said, “It is a fine house. You have done well for yourself, Lucy. I know you were rushed into this marriage with Judson in order to save your reputation, but the two of you seem to be getting along well.”

“I visited his mistress yesterday. Told her to keep her hands off my husband,” she said proudly.

“What?” Ariadne cried. “You did not.”

“I most certainly did. Of course, I learned from Miss Amato that Judson had broken things off with her earlier. That she had not even seen him since he had met me. She is returning to Italy in the next few days.”

“Amato, you say?”

“Yes. She was an opera diva who wound up having to leave the stage due to problems with her vocal cords. Miss Amato has a man waiting for her in Tuscany. Her childhood sweetheart. I actually liked her quite a bit.”

Ariadne laughed. “Leave it to sweet Lucy to like her husband’s mistress.”

“ Former mistress,” she corrected. Then she grew serious and had them stop before they reentered the drawing room. “We love one another, Ariadne. Just as you and Julian do.”

“Have you said those words to one another?”

She nodded. “And we both meant them. I trust Judson with all my heart.”

Her cousin gave her a sly smile. “Were you trusting him before we arrived for tea? Is that why you were late?”

Her face grew hot. “Yes. I am interviewing servants tomorrow morning. We lost track of time, and I had to have Annie help me into my gown and repair my hair.”

“Oh, Lucy. I am so glad to hear this.” Ariadne hugged her. “This is wonderful news. Now, two of the cousins have made a love match.”

“Only eight more of us to go,” she said happily, and they returned to the drawing room.

Lucy knew how content she was and figured Ariadne was equally happy with her husband. She thought it would be interesting if all of their cousins were fortunate enough to make love matches. It would be up to Ariadne and her to lead the way—and possibly do a bit of matchmaking in the process.