Page 12 of The Colonist’s Petition (Heirs & Heroes #2)

Eight

J ohnathan released Georgiana's arm and stepped back.

Although the press house was huge, the space felt smaller with her in it.

She moved past him, demonstrating the machinery's workings.

He caught the faint scent of apples and lavender.

He should focus on learning the estate's operation.

Instead, he watched her hands as she explained.

How could such delicate fingers manage such hard work as she did?

Cease these thoughts. You are here to save her from her father's poor management, not to... What? Court your cousin? Return to America with an English bride? Both ideas were equally impossible. Were they not?

Their talk of fidelity had him thinking of matrimony, and the woman who stood near him was a more than interesting prospect.

Did she have any idea what thoughts filled him when she looked at him with that soft innocence?

He was not even entirely sure, but he did not want to let such thoughts grow without more answers.

Under the guise of inspecting apples, he walked out of the shed to give their situation more propriety.

The last thing he wanted to do was anger Sir Lightwood or the earl by a perceived insult to Georgiana's character.

Georgiana closed the door behind her as she exited. She looked back towards the manor house. “Have you seen the ruins?”

“No, I have not.”

She pointed to a hill in the distance. “It is about a two-mile walk. Usually, we go there on horseback. It is too late in the day to go now, but if you wish, we can make a plan to go next week after the fair.”

“Do you think I will be at Kellmore that long?”

“I do not see Grandfather leaving before father does. And father will want to make a point.” Georgiana sorted through the apples until she found two that looked pristine. She handed him one.

Johnathan took the proffered apple. “I am confused. Your father is a baron, correct?”

“No, he is a baronet, which is lower in rank.”

“Still then, should your home not be part of his estate?”

“There is a small estate in Yorkshire where my father grew up. It is what belongs to his title. His widowed sister lives there. By agreement Grandfather allowed him to run Kellmore since it would be Father’s one day and Grandfather wanted my mother closer than Yorkshire.”

“How long has your Aunt been widowed?”

“Her husband was killed when a French frigate attacked some six years past. He was in the Navy.”

“Your father did not ask his sister to come live with you after your mother passed?”

Georgiana looked at him as if the idea had never occurred to her. “Father has never gotten on with his sister. I doubt such an invitation would have been made. Even if she did not have a child of her own.”

“A cousin?”

“I have never met him. I think he is seven or eight.”

“Surely her living here would have made everyone's life easier. Your aunt could have taken on much of the responsibilities you and your sisters must have. And she—pardon, I over step. I was raised with the notion that family cares for their own.” All of his cousins, aunts, uncles, and even Widow Black’s children were in and out of each other’s lives and homes as often as not.

Until his brother had eloped on Johnathan’s wedding day with his bride, most of his cousins didn’t even bother knocking before entering a house.

If he were to court another woman, it would be a very long courtship.

He took a small step further away from Georgiana.

She finished a bite of her apple. “I have only seen my aunt once, when my grandfather died, and Father took us to Yorkshire. There was a terrible row between them and my grandmother, for what reason I know not. I was only five then and my aunt was not yet married.”

“Help me to understand, if your father is to inherit a title from your mother’s father, are they cousins?”

“Distantly. A rather convoluted connection that Jane could unravel for you. It goes another two generations further back than the connection between us. It is not uncommon for much nearer cousins to marry.”

It was not that uncommon in America either.

As far as he knew, his church did not forbid cousins from marrying, and neither did the church in England.

Although nuptials of close cousins were not encouraged by many families.

Rumors suggested that marrying into the same lines repeatedly caused madness.

“I have heard of cousins closer than us marrying.”

“It is hard to think of you as a cousin at all when you are American.”

“Admittedly. If it was not for the earl asking me to take his place, I would have no reason to even ask if we could be related.” As Jane explained at dinner last night they were third cousins once removed, although most would simply call it fourth cousins.

“True. However, you favor your grandfather's portrait, so I might have wondered.”

“You have seen it?”

“I found it in The Willow’s attic when I was about ten on one of my expeditions.”

“You played in the attic?”

“Grandmother's old dresses with their panniers,” George held her skirt out to either side to mimic the style of hoops that sat above each hip, “were so fun to dance in. We mostly tried to knock each other over on turns. I learned to dance the Minuet in them.”

“I do not know how to dance the English dances.” Johnathan felt heat rise in his neck at the admission.

“Are they greatly different from American dances?” A vee of birds flying overhead caught Georgiana's attention. She stopped to look up.

“I would not know. I have never been to a ball here. I’m afraid I’ll embarrass the family at the Harvest Ball.”

“The Harvest Ball is much less formal than even one at the Assembly rooms. Have you danced at all?”

“I have attended several dances, but not for some time, and never a ball.” The recent war had curtailed all but a few events and festivities—something he doubted she would understand, as it seemed as if English society carried on despite the many wars the British were engaged in.

“We can show you the popular dances tonight. Alex plays very well, and Jane and I often partner. I am afraid I am much better at the men's steps than I am at my own.”

“Your sisters would be willing to help me?”

“Of course. It would be much more pleasant than playing cards, especially if father is in a mood.”

They returned to the manor house sooner than he thought they would.

As they approached the front door, a carriage stood in the front drive.

The wails of a woman crying emanated from it.

The earl stood at the top of the stairs of Kellmore’s entrance flanked by two footmen.

Sir Lightwood leaned in the door of the carriage.

Georgiana grabbed Johnathan's hand and pulled him into the trees.

Silently they circumvented the residence and came round by the stables, entering the house by the door into the library.

Miss Lightwood and Miss Jane sat holding books in their hands, but clearly focused on something else.

“Are they still out there?” asked Miss Lightwood, closing her book.

“They were a moment ago.” Georgiana sat next to her twin on the settee. She motioned Johnathan to be seated.

“That woman arrived a half hour past. The shouting only lasted for a moment. I am surprised Father has not left with her,” said Miss Lightwood.

Miss Jane whispered just loud enough to be heard. “I am surprised Grandfather is still out there.”

“Should I do something to aid the earl?” asked Johnathan.

“No!” the sisters answered in unison.

“I am afraid there is nothing that can help when two stubborn men are locked in battle,” Miss Lightwood picked up her book again, “except read.”

“Or pray,” muttered Miss Jane.

The bang of the front door echoed through the house.

A moment later, the earl came into the room.

“I hope you do not mind. I have called for tea again. I find that I am in need of refreshment. Alexandra, will you tell your housekeeper Sir Lightwood will be staying at the coaching inn and requires his bag be sent over?”

Miss Jane stood. “I will go.”

The earl took the seat closest to Johnathan. “I do not wish to pressure you in your choice to seek the earldom, but clearly you can see why I cannot allow my son-in-law to inherit.”

After dinner, they convened in the music room where Jane and George, with the help of Johnathan and a footman, moved the furniture out of the way.

Alex sat at the pianoforte and thumbed through her music. “Let us start with this one. It is a simple country dance, and you may be familiar with it.”

“Would you like to watch first?” asked George.

Johnathan nodded, and George stood with Jane and worked through the steps of the dance.

“Oh, I know that one!” His excitement filled the room, chasing much of the tension away.

“I was sure you would know some of them,” said George as she hopped the next step.

“Are you in need of practice?” asked her grandfather.

Johnathan shook his head. “No, not on that one.”

Alex stopped playing. “Here is another dance.” She struck a tune.

Johnathan tapped his foot. “I may not be in as much trouble as I thought. This one is familiar to me too.”

The very suggestion that George feared came too soon when Grandfather spoke. “You should dance with Georgiana to be sure.”

They took their places. Georgiana stumbled more than once, having been so used to dancing the male part. Grandfather partnered with Jane and danced a more sedate version. Thankfully, Alex skipped most of the song, keeping it to the essential steps once through.

For the better part of an hour, they continued through the popular dances. Each time, Johnathan was familiar with the steps, although sometimes with slight variation.

Alex shuffled through her music again. “I do not know that there will be a waltz. Have you ever danced one, Mr. Whittaker?”

“I have.”