Page 36 of An Unforeseen Kiss (Captivating Kisses #4)

E den moved briskly, watching as the stalls were being erected.

She consulted her notes as she went, checking with each vendor, making certain they were setting up in the right place.

She’d had the girls assign the places for the vendors, telling them to mix things up, not wanting food next to food or handkerchiefs next to handkerchiefs.

The four had done an excellent job, leading to variety down each row.

“Miss Snow!” called Verina. “Would you please come and check on the children’s games now?”

“I will be there in five minutes,” she promised, wanting to walk the last row.

As she moved down the way, a few women gave her samples of the food they would be selling tomorrow.

“Oh, those scones are heavenly,” she told one. “And these sweets will have people lining up at your booth,” she complimented another.

Everything seemed to be falling into place—except for the fact that the Duke of Millbrooke had yet to make an appearance.

He had written to her once, a brief note, encouraging her to speak with his mother if she ran afoul of anything.

While not everything had gone smoothly, Eden knew she had done an excellent job in putting the fete together.

Yes, the duchess had helped her in recruiting the judges, but for the most part, she and the four young ladies had done the bulk of the work.

She could already tell, however, that Mr. Clarke would take credit for much of what had been done.

The clergyman had been strutting about all afternoon like a peacock as booths had been assembled and the obstacles for the riding course were being set up for her to test it a final time.

He kept saying how delighted he was that everything he and Mrs. Clarke had planned had come out so well.

Eden was only glad Lady Tia was not around to hear him.

Of the four, she was the one who would confront the vicar—if not bash him in the nose.

Eden enjoyed being around all the girls, but Lady Tia was definitely the most entertaining of the lot.

Satisfied that everyone was in the right place, she walked down to where the games were being set up.

It had taken hours to create some of these games, as well as come up with the small prizes to be awarded.

Lia and Verina had worked out the volunteer schedule for adults to take turns supervising these games, and she had accompanied the pair as they called upon various residents in the community, asking them to take a turn for an hour, watching over the children and administering the games.

Because they were young, pretty, and the sisters and nieces of the local duke, not a person had turned them down.

Eden went to each station, seeing how the games would be set up, and even having the girls test out things when possible. Children would be doing everything from an egg toss to racing with a partner, their legs tied together, so that they would have to work as a team to reach the finish line.

She gathered the four young ladies. “I cannot tell you how proud I am of you. It is your hard work which will pay off tomorrow when the community comes calling at Millvale.”

“Where on earth is Val?” Lady Tia complained. “He should be here.”

“He promised he would be home in time for the fete,” Lady Lia assured her twin. “Have faith that he will.”

Eden wasn’t as certain as Lady Lia.

Rollo appeared. “Miss Snow, Miller has Andromeda saddled for you. He’s waiting for you to run the course a final time.”

“Excuse me,” she told the girls, accompanying the groom back to the large meadow.

“There you are, Miss Snow,” the head groom said. “Rollo, toss Miss Snow into the saddle now.”

Rollo assisted her and once she was settled, he handed her the reins. “I’ll climb onto the judge’s platform and time you from there.”

The course consisted of several different fences of diverse heights, as well as a couple of ditches of varying sizes which they had dug and filled with water.

All those would need to be jumped, as well as the competing riders making turns around the poles.

Competitors would be timed, and while a point would be awarded for each clean jump, one would be deducted for missed ones.

She went to the start position and looked to Rollo, who declared, “Go!”

Off Eden went, making each turn with precision, jumping each obstacle with ease. She crossed the finish line, to the applause of a few of the workers who had stopped to watch her.

“A perfect ride, Miss Snow,” said Miller. “I am only sorry you refuse to enter the course or the race tomorrow.”

“I want everything to be aboveboard, Mr. Miller,” she told the head groom. “How would it look if I won—when I had prior knowledge of the course and had been able to practice on it?”

“Then at least enter the race,” he urged. “No one could beat you and Andromeda. It is a straight shot, so no one has an advantage over another.”

“No, we must let some local win so that he—or she—might defend the title next year. Remember, I will be back in Cumberland.” She swallowed, trying not to think of leaving Millvale, which had begun to feel like home to her.

“I understand,” Miller said. “You have done something good for Millvale and the surrounding area in planning this fete, Miss Snow. I hope His Grace will appreciate your efforts.”

She smiled at the groom and dismounted, handing off the reins to him and collecting her journal and pencil which she had left with Rollo.

The duchess and Lady Traywick approached her, and Her Grace said, “I have never seen anyone ride as you do, Miss Snow.”

“Oh, Andromeda makes me look better than I am. She is the true talent.”

“You must have ridden from a young age,” Lady Traywick commented.

“I did. My father was an excellent rider. Both he and my mother encouraged me to do so.”

“I do not recall your parents, Miss Snow,” the duchess said. “They were Lord and Lady Brownley, Agnes? Is that what you told me?”

“Yes,” Lady Traywick said.

“I doubt you would have met them, Your Grace. My parents did not attend the Season after their marriage,” Eden explained.

“Mama was increasing with me the Season after they wed, and so they stayed at Brownstone Manor.” She paused.

“Then after birthing me, she was in a riding accident and never left her bed. Papa refused to go to town without her, and so they remained in the country.”

“Such devotion,” Lady Traywick said. “It reminds me of my late husband.”

Wanting to change the subject, Eden asked, “Will either of you come to the fete tomorrow?”

“I think it important that I make an appearance,” the duchess said. “I do not plan to stay long, but it will be good to see everyone gathered. You have outdone yourself, my dear. You must plan the fete every year.”

“No, that will be something His Grace’s wife will need to do,” she said, gently correcting the duchess. “But I will leave all my diagrams, lists, and maps for the future duchess in case she might find them useful. Lady Lia and Lady Tia will also be able to share what they know.”

“They will be gone next year at the Season, making their come-outs,” Her Grace replied. “It may just be Millbrooke who leaves town and comes down for the day to watch the games and competitions.”

Her belly tightened, thinking of Val bringing his betrothed with him to Millvale to take part in the fun and games.

“If you will excuse me,” she said, hurrying away before tears could spill.

Eden returned to the house, yearning filling her. She scolded herself for letting her thoughts turn to Val. After all her efforts on his behalf, he most likely would not even be here tomorrow to see how the fete turned out. Anger filled her, and she decided she must hold onto it.

Or else she might die of a broken heart.

*

Eden retired early, exhausted from the long day.

Sleep, however, did not come. She finally got out of bed and went to sit in the chair by the window, her feet curled under her, a slight breeze coming in through the window.

Darkness surrounded her as she looked out at Millvale.

From her view, she could see silhouettes of the temporary wooden stalls which had been erected.

Pride washed through her at all she had accomplished during the past several weeks.

After tomorrow’s fete, though, life would go back to normal.

It would be time to pick up her lessons with Justina and Verina.

They would return to the routine of their studies in the morning, followed by music lessons, riding, and afternoon tea.

She wondered how she would be able to sit in the same room with Val and not crumble.

Eden told herself she was strong, though.

She had lost both parents and her childhood home and had taken up governessing for a living and been successful at it these past five years.

She would continue to prepare her charges for their come-outs.

A light tapping sounded. She froze, listening. It wasn’t coming from the door which joined her room with that of the girls. It was at her bedchamber’s door. She quickly rose, tossing on her dressing gown, belting it as she crossed the room. Opening the door, she found her heart in her throat.

Val was on the other side.

He looked taller and more handsome than she remembered. His hair was windblown, and he seemed out of breath.

“Eden,” he softly. “Eden.”

She could only stand there, dumbfounded. Then she realized she was in her nightclothes.

“Oh!” She started closing the door, knowing how inappropriate the situation was.

He firmly planted his foot so that she could not shut it all the way.

“Your Grace,” she whispered. “You cannot be here.”

“Come to me,” he begged. “Come to the library. I will wait for you there. We must talk, Eden. It is important.”

Without waiting for her reply, he strode off. Eden even stepped into the corridor, watching him move quickly down the long hallway. She couldn’t do what he asked.