Page 3 of The Colonist’s Petition (Heirs & Heroes #2)
“Well, I hope that if he marries somebody, he marries you, Alex. You should have been first.” Rose's curls bounced as she spoke. With barely a dozen years to her name, her youngest sister did not understand the complexities of society. Nor why Phil was the first sister to marry.
“I believe he is the most handsome man I have seen in quite some time,” declared Isabel. “I am glad that you have no arranged understandings towards him. Best of all, he is easily four inches taller than me, so few men are.”
There was no reason for Isabel's musing to bother George.
Other than for the first time in her life, she took notice of a man for his appearance.
The tempting man wore a certain ruggedness about him.
Which could prove interesting, if one was of a mind to wed.
“We know very little of the situation. Or why he is here. I think it is best that we move our minds to other things.”
“Like the harvest ball,” said Rose. “Father said I could stay, but only for the first hour.”
“He forgets you will be away at school. But I would let you take all my dances,” said Jane.
The comment earned a pout from Rose. “I can’t miss the ball. It is tradition.”
The ball was part of the harvest fair and celebration hosted at the Godderidges’s estate for all people of the surrounding area. It was not unusual for children as young as eight or nine to be allowed to stay for the first part of the dance, which was held for gentry and tenants alike.
George rubbed her sister’s back. “There will be balls enough after you are done with school.”
Rose frowned and left them.
“Isabel, how is the planning? I’m afraid with Phil’s wedding we have not helped as we should.” Alex sat back down.
“Since David will run Leadon Hill, he is in charge. Mother declared it was time for him and Susanna to carry on the tradition.” Isabel leaned closer and whispered, “Still, mother is sharing her opinions freely.”
“I am sure it will be a grand celebration,” said Alex.
“Remember when our mothers spent hours together planning the harvest fair? And all the trouble we would find staying out of their way?” asked Isabel.
“I remember your brothers tormenting us,” said Jane.
Isabel laughed. “Only Edward—” she stopped and looked at Alex.
“David teased us just as much. And the little ones they certainly tried.” Alex's face showed no sign of pain at the memories. Before her accident, everyone thought she would marry Edward, but he married another, who was now Phil’s sister-in-law. Odd how things connected.
“I am looking forward to the apple cider contest,” said George, attempting to change the subject somewhat. “Our orchard has never looked so good. All we need is a fine frost, and we shall have the best cider in the county.”
“How can you be sure?” asked Jane. “Everybody else just needs a fine frost, too.”
Sometimes her sister possessed no imagination. George fought to keep the hurt out of her voice. “Well, we must hope ours is the best, Jane. Just because it is not practical for estates located in close proximity to experience different weather, does not mean it cannot be so.”
“You know I am only teasing you,” Jane smiled, one of her rare smiles in a public place.
Lady Godderidge came over. “Philippa's, I mean Viscountess Endelton's, wedding was absolutely splendid, and your grandfather provided the most excellent of breakfasts. Sadly, we must go. I should like to make it to Leadon Hill tonight. The inns along the way are less than I could hope for.”
Isabel said her goodbyes and reminded everyone they should call as soon as they were all home as she must hear more about the colonist who had joined them.
Jane looked to where father stood with another drink in his hand. “We must return to Kellmore so we can finish packing Rose’s trunks for school. She leaves in three days.”
Unlike the older sisters, Rose was to spend time at a finishing school.
Time she much needed. Over the past four years, Alex, Phil, and now George and Jane attempted to educate Rose without the benefit of a governess or formal education themselves.
Jane, whose love for books was only eclipsed by her love for her dog and sisters, was at her wits end, as Rose refused to do any of her schoolwork, and on those rare occasions Father was home, he liberated her from the schoolroom more often than not.
Alex stood. “We should see if Father is ready to leave. I have no more desire to stay in an inn than Lady Godderidge.” She directed Jane to check on Green, their maid, and sent George after Rose.
Their carriage was not as new as the Godderidges’s nor their horses as fast. They would be fortunate to return to Kellmore before midnight.
Rose pressed her ear to the keyhole of grandfather's study.
“Come away,” hissed George, not wishing to be found.
“But I must know,” Rose protested.
“Grandfather will tell us in time.” George grabbed Rose's wrist.
Rose twisted and slipped out of the grasp. “Do you not want to hear? He is our cousin, and he is from America.”
“You have already answered what we thought we knew. Now come along. We want to arrive home before nightfall. You know how difficult traveling is on Alex.”
Rose sighed. “Very well, but I will not tell you a thing that I learned.”
George stifled a laugh. Anything that Rose learned would be told to all long before the carriage crested the first hill. And what she did not know, Grandfather would supply in his own due time.