Page 132

Leaning back in her chair, Lady Elsbeth philosophically accepted her failure.

She’d held little hope of Jane confiding in her at this juncture, though her reticence did increase her curiosity.

One long slender finger restlessly tapped the letter.

"That is why," she began carefully, “I was interested in Serena’s letter. She writes most sincerely about your situation and laments your single state.”

Actually, she had scolded her younger sister for her failure to find Jane a husband, but Lady Elsbeth did not see fit to divulge that information to Jane.

"She believes you are merely lacking the proper environment for attracting gentlemen. She even praises us for retiring to the country when we did, for she is convinced a rural setting will be more conducive to matrimonial matters.”

“Oh, really, Elsbeth. What does she take me for? A milkmaid?”

Lady Elsbeth laughed. "My dear, I hardly think anyone could make that mistake. No, she writes that the social whirl has become too artificial and therefore not a proper conduit for making alliances. That is why she is in Margate for the summer, visiting Aunt Agatha Arbuthnot.”

“Toadying Great Aunt Agatha for her East India Company riches? I thought Tipton left her comfortably well-heeled."

“Jane, this penchant of yours for cant has got to stop. But to your statement about enough, I don’t think the word enough exists for Serena."

“That I believe.”

“By the way, Serena advises against traveling from London to Margate by way of a Margate hoy, though sailing on those sloops is popular these days. I gather she is annoyed that the middle classes share its popularity.”

“I’ve always known Lady Tipton to be an insufferable snob.”

“Yes, that I shan’t argue with you. She has been like that ever since our brother Simon died in a riding accident.

He was her twin. They were devoted to each other, and Simon was everyone’s darling.

I don’t know why it should have altered her as it did, but there it is.

But I’m digressing. Serena says she has achieved the notion that a provincial environment inspires matrimony. "

Jane choked and sputtered on a sip of coffee."That is the most featherbrained notion I have heard! Next to you being too old, that is.”

She coughed lightly to clear her throat; then her eyes narrowed until they resembled a stalking cat’s.

"I wonder who told her that, for I doubt she thought it up. The woman is not capable of an original idea. And I ask you, Elsbeth, who does she expect me to marry? This neighborhood is hardly replete with eligible single men. The only one I can account for is Henry Culpepper, and since he is only eight, I sincerely question his eligibility.”

“There is the Earl of Royce,” Lady Elsbeth suggested. "Though I don’t think she means for you to marry him. I gather she has set her sights on him as a possible second husband for Millicent.”

“Royce! He hasn’t been in England for years! Or has the prodigal returned? Is he at Margate wooing and ruining? Odd that. With his hedonistic reputation, I would have thought if he were in England, he’d be with Prinny’s crowd in Brighton!”

“Didn’t you know? He is in England! And in residence at Royceland Hall.

He has been for a week or more, according to Mrs. Chitterdean.

I swear that dear woman fatigues me just watching her.

She is a wonderfully amiable soul and such a dedicated helpmate for Reverend Chitterdean.

They are well wedded in that respect. But she also manages to know all the news in the neighborhood more swiftly than any servants who, I swear, Jane, are generally the first to know everything. ”

Jane dabbed her napkin to her lips to brush away crumbs. "I can well understand Mrs. Chitterdean’s knowledge. Most likely, the earl paid a duty call on the reverend, for isn’t the reverend’s living from Royce’s gift? But how came Lady Tipton by her information?”

Lady Elsbeth shrugged."Serena wrote, assuming I was as well informed as she.” She looked swiftly over at her niece, then dropped her gaze to her correspondence, her fingers nervously creasing one corner of a cream bond card.

"The earl’s presence at Royceland is the reason she is coming here next week,” she added with studied lightness.

“What?!” Jane exploded out of her seat, much in the manner Lady Elsbeth envisioned she would upon hearing that bit of intelligence.

“And Millicent,” she continued quickly. " I gather they will be bringing a small house party with them. A group on their way to Brighton for some social event or other. She convinced them to break their journey here.”

“If she is coming from Margate, Penwick Park is not on the road to Brighton. Besides, she is taking a great deal for granted.”

She paused, a frown drawing her raven brows together."You should write back to her and say this is not a good time for a visit. Say the children are sick, or something.”

“Jane, so long as the Earl of Royce is in the neighborhood, I doubt anything would give her a moment’s pause. And you know, your sister Mary espouses an open house policy. I’m certain she and Delbert often have the strangest assortment of people here.”

Jane sighed, knowing better than to argue with that truth. "In all events, I trust she does not expect us to introduce her to the earl. I didn’t even know he was in the area, and I am certainly not going to go out of my way to make his acquaintance.”

“I have no doubt Serena and Millicent will somehow contrive to meet him,” said Lady Elsbeth dryly.

"But I do wish she’d given me more notice.

A house party in less than a week! She was also rather vague about the number of guests accompanying her.

I must speak to Mrs. Phibbs about airing some rooms and stocking the larder.

And what shall we do about entertainment? ”

A slow smile spread across Jane’s lips.

Lady Elsbeth, seeing her niece’s expression, repressed a shudder. "I know that look. You’re planning mischief.”

“Not at all. I am merely contemplating how we might use Penwick Park for entertainment that may swiftly chase off my dear aunt and cousin.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Unless Aunt Serena and Millicent have drastically changed in the past few years, they hate to bestir themselves unless it is for dancing or shopping. Their idea of enjoyment is to sit in a central portion of a room, strike an elegant pose, and allow the world to come to them. No, not allow, demand the world come to them. Consequently, what do you think would happen if we plan sports and games, picnics, and outings; in short, all manner of active country pastimes? Perhaps we could also make a point of including the children whenever possible. Yes. We shall contrive entertainments that are anything but sedentary. Then we will see how much my aunt and dear cousin like the country!”

Lady Elsbeth’s answering smile was all that Jane could hope for.

“You won’t throw a rub in my way?”

“I? I should say not. I don’t know what has happened in the past between you and Serena, but I’ll wager you’ll take the ribbon this meet.

I must confess Serena has never been a favored sibling of mine.

And I cannot help but wonder if she wishes my spinster services somehow, which is why she is so anxious to see you married.

While I, too, wish to see you married, I have no intention of becoming her unpaid servant when that happy event transpires.

No, plan what you will. I shall be a cheerful spectator of this game. ”

Jane’s expressive green eyes narrowed in thought. "Games. . .games. . . Yes. I shall plan recreation totally in keeping with Penwick Park’s attributes, and therefore above suspicion. I might even come to enjoy this visit.”

“I wouldn’t care to hazard funds on that likelihood, but I shan’t interfere.” Lady Elsbeth gathered up her correspondence. "As I stated before, I have household plans to make with Mrs. Phibbs. May I ask a boon of you?”

Jane set down her coffee cup and absently brushed muffin crumbs from the tablecloth into her hand. "Naturally, Elsbeth. You know better than to ask.” She emptied her hand over her plate.

“I know, but as I am the one here on sufferance, I feel a need to ask and not presume.” She ignored Jane’s annoyed expression.

"I was to take a decoction of herbs over to Mrs. Chitterdean this morning. Her maid has contracted a perfectly wicked grippe that is threatening to descend into her chest. Mrs. Chitterdean is frantic, for evidently, Mr. Chitterdean is susceptible to every ill, and whenever he does take to his bed with an illness, he invariably loses his voice completely. Not a sound can he make, not even a whisper!”

Jane laughed."I understand her concern. For a man of the cloth to lose his voice must be a veritable disaster! I shall be happy to take your medicinal syrup over to the parsonage.”

“Thank you. And I promise to do all I can to make this proposed visit from my sister as short as possible. Are you sure you don’t want to tell me what contretemps lies between yourself and Serena?”

Jane smiled, albeit wistfully, as she rose from the table.

"No, best of my aunts, not even for you shall I wallow in my unhappy past. It is done. It is obvious that even Aunt Serena sees it in that light. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must speak to Twink about delaying the boys’ lessons for the day.

You know,” she mused with a tiny laugh, “I do believe that were I forced to earn wages, I should make a frightful governess.

I can always seem to discover an excuse for putting off lessons. "

Lady Elsbeth laughed as she tucked her sister’s letter into a small pocket at the side of her high-waisted morning gown. "But just the sort of governess the boys would prefer. Nevertheless, I don’t know why you insist on taking over their lessons.”

“Because poor Twink is barely capable of supervising the boys. I dare not ask her to do more than that. Besides, the subjects the boys are studying would leave her baffled and querulous if she were asked anything. But if we do not attempt to establish some measure of discipline in this household, we shall be ridden roughshod.”

Lady Elsbeth laughed and shook her head."No matter. Come down to the stillroom when you are ready to leave. I shall make up a basket for Mrs. Chitterdean and leave it on the worktable.”