Page 9 of The Rules of Courtship (Hearts of Harewood #3)

Chapter Nine

Rule #9: Beware of those whose accomplishments lie in the art of cunning, and not in the way of a perfect back stitch

The following morning, Lord Rocklin took the gentlemen on a fishing excursion just after breakfast, leaving the women to embroider together indoors, safely away from fresh air and sunlight. Ruth sat on a long sofa beside her stepmother, doing her best to embroider a sweet blue songbird to the corner of a handkerchief. She positioned the needle and pushed it through, pricking her finger for the third time that morning. She hissed through her teeth at the unexpected pain.

“Not again.” Lady Helena eyed her finger through dark lashes. “Are you distracted?”

Ruth pressed her fingers together, waiting for the pain to subside. “Not terribly. You know I’m not skilled with a needle.” She glanced at the sofa across from her, where the other three young ladies sat quietly, producing beautiful little works of art with ease. They were dressed similarly—pale pink, lavender, and blue, a perfect portrait of sweetness. What man would look upon that scene and not instantly deem them acceptable?

Each of them was accomplished in the art of embroidery. Ruth was, at best, tolerable. This morning, she would describe her skill as dangerous. It wasn’t a skill she cared to have, really, but it wasn’t lost on her that the search for a husband could be shortened when one possessed a lengthy set of desirable accomplishments. For some reason, embroidery was on that list. Heaven knew why.

“You have other talents,” Lady Helena said, suppressing a smile. She must have noticed the direction of Ruth’s forlorn gaze.

Ruth’s attention snapped back to the songbird she was attempting to stitch. “My first mistake was believing I could create a recognizable creature,” she muttered, tilting the embroidery hoop slightly. The bird’s rounded beak bore an unfortunate resemblance to a potato. She ought to have stitched a flower instead—one long stem, five petals, and she would have been done.

As she moved on to the feathers around the eyes, she questioned her sanity. She should have given up long ago. No one would choose to use this hideous handkerchief, least of all herself.

Lady Helena’s attention had returned to Mrs. Watson, seated on her other side. They had first connected as girls during the London Season years ago. Once they had married, Mrs. Watson moved with her husband to Devonshire, and they had not seen one another as frequently after that.

Ruth grew restless. The men had been gone for little over an hour, so the likelihood of their returning soon was slim. If she were forced to participate in needlework for another quarter of an hour, she might go mad.

If only she hadn’t overslept and missed the morning ride. She hoped Oliver hadn’t waited for her, though she hadn’t had the chance to ask before being dragged into the parlor by Miss Temple.

Ruth cast another glance at the young ladies. Catherine was speaking quietly to Miss Edmonds, who listened with her embroidery forgotten in her lap. The Temple twins seemed to be close friends with Miss Edmonds, as expected from women so like-minded and similarly talented.

Jane lowered her embroidery to her lap. “We ought to have a competition.”

Of embroidery? If that was the case, Ruth would undoubtedly lose.

“If you plan too many competitions, you’ll exhaust yourself before the end of the fortnight,” Catherine warned.

“I would much rather be exhausted than bored,” Jane muttered, smoothing a hand over her pink gown.

Ruth found herself agreeing with that sentiment. She lifted her bird, eyeing its misshapen beak. Sighing, she lowered it to her lap again. “I think if I stay indoors much longer, I’ll fall asleep. Would anyone care to walk outside with me?”

Catherine touched her cheek thoughtfully. “My complexion prefers to remain here. I avoid sunlight whenever possible, and I already spent a good deal of time outside yesterday.”

The very notion of avoiding sunlight made Ruth feel queasy. She longed for fresh air and wind on her face.

Jane looked as though she might agree to a walk, but a glance from her sister kept her silent. Lady Helena looked up from her conversation as though ready to accompany Ruth if no one else was interested.

“I’ll walk with you,” Miss Edmonds offered. “My handkerchief is best left as it is, or I will ruin it with too much detail,” she added, though her colorful bouquet of flowers suggested otherwise. It was a bright splash of various colors, the lines and petals obvious even from this distance .

Ruth instinctively covered her rudimentary bird, hoping no one else had noticed it. “That would be lovely.”

None of the other ladies wanted to join them. They fetched their bonnets and gloves. Miss Edmonds waited on the veranda when Ruth returned from gathering her things, spinning her parasol idly on her shoulder. She smiled warmly as Ruth approached, revealing nearly-straight teeth. Her pale blue gown looked well-worn but elegant, and her raven hair was styled impeccably. It was no wonder Oliver had seemed so taken with her last night.

“Have you walked in the garden yet?” Ruth asked.

“I have in summers past. Would you like to see the fountain? Lord Rocklin spent time in Italy and tried to recreate an Italian effect in his garden here. The sculpture on the fountain is meant to look similar in style to those he appreciated abroad. At least, that is what I’ve been told.”

“I’ve never been to Italy, so I’ve nothing to compare it to.”

They walked together along the pebbled path. Ruth adjusted her bonnet to shield her eyes from the sun. The garden was trimmed with precision, with flowers and shrubbery arranged in symmetrical patterns. It was a large square broken into paths by triangular plots and well-trained bushes. Ruth didn’t know the names of most of the plants, but she thought it looked romantic and exotic.

As the ladies strolled, they spoke of their homes and friends. Miss Edmonds shared her admiration for her brother’s loyalty and support as she searched for a husband. Four Seasons she had hunted, and thus far had only met with gentlemen who did not deserve the descriptor.

“Is Mr. Edmonds not in search of a wife?” Ruth asked. He had not seemed uninterested, at least.

“It is not his priority at present,” Miss Edmonds replied, frowning. “I do not think he’s opposed to marriage, exactly. He wants to see me settled first. ”

“That is commendable.”

“It’s simply reality. If I obtain a husband, Philip no longer needs to worry over my welfare. I’ll be cared for.”

“And your parents?”

There was a slight hesitation before she answered. “They grew ill nearly five years ago. We’ve been on our own ever since.”

“How awful,” Ruth breathed. Her mother had died when she was young, but while she felt the loss, Lady Helena had stepped into the role with elegance and love, and Ruth had not been left wanting. She did not know what she would do if she had lost both of her parents, if she had been left alone.

“My father was a landowner, and my mother the daughter of a vicar. But after they died, we discovered my father’s debts.” She looked down before raising her gaze to Ruth. “My brother sold the estate to pay the debts and purchased a small house in London. We are happy there, but it is not home.”

“Why did you choose London instead of a home in the country?”

“Philip thought it best. I think he would have struggled to see the house he inherited owned by another if we had remained.”

It had clearly been a sacrifice, all the same.

They came upon a tall, white fountain, enclosed in a ring of high shrubbery. The statue was raised on a stone pedestal with a round pool of water surrounding it. It resembled a maiden holding a bouquet. She had a wreath in her hair, carved from white stone, and small cherubs etched into the pedestal at her feet.

“Interesting,” Ruth said, unable to find a more flattering word.

Miss Edmonds gave her an impish smile. “It is meant to be Lord Rocklin’s wife and his two daughters.” She tilted her head to the side, studying it through narrowed eyes. “My brother has always thought it a strange homage. When the water is flowing, it sprays from the flowers in her hand.”

Ruth surveyed the cherubs meant to be Catherine and Jane. She did not know if they resembled the women as infants, but she found their expressions to be far from happy. “Would it not have been simpler to hire a portraitist?”

“I do not believe simple was their aim. Shall we keep walking? There is a path through there that leads directly to the pond. It is a bit of a walk. Did you bring your half boots?” She glanced at Ruth’s feet, seemingly pleased to see her in sturdy attire.

“Isn’t that where the men are fishing?”

Miss Edmonds affected false confusion, though her grin betrayed her. “I have no notion of what you could possibly mean. I think the sunlight feels pleasant but a bit warm, and walking along the water might be cooler.”

Did that mean the woman was manipulative, or merely interested in taking advantage of an opportunity to see the men sooner? Ruth didn’t know where the boundary lay between the two. As someone hoping to find love herself, she could not fault Miss Edmonds’ plan.

“If nothing else,” Miss Edmonds continued, “the view will be excellent.”

They walked together as if by mutual agreement. The path wound around the house and through a stand of trees. The downward slope was subtle, and they discussed the more popular haunts in London they had both enjoyed—Gunter’s for ices, Hyde Park, and the British Museum being their favorites.

Emboldened by Miss Edmonds’ frank conversation, Ruth slowed her steps and glanced at the woman. She was meant to be helping Oliver, and this opportunity was too good to pass up. “Are your sights set on a particular gentleman in the house?”

Miss Edmonds pressed her lips together. “Can I confide in you? ”

“Of course.”

She hesitated, swiping a stray hair from her face. “You will not run off to the Temple twins and share what I am about to say?”

“We are not friends of that nature,” Ruth said. She would not run off to anyone, but she did intend to provide hints to Oliver if need be. “To be honest, I’m not entirely sure why I was invited. I suppose it has to do with my father being a friend of Lord Rocklin’s.”

“You were invited to even the numbers.”

“But they aren’t even,” Ruth said. “There is one more man than woman in the house.”

“Yes, but there are four young ladies and four young bachelors. This way, neither of the Temple twins are without an eligible arm at dinner or a partner at whist.”

Which didn’t account for the older set—Lady Helena, the Watsons, Lord Rocklin, and Mr. Kellinger. “Do you think it was planned so impeccably? What would they have done if we hadn’t all agreed to attend?”

“There are other young men and young ladies in the vicinity. I assume Lord Rocklin would have invited one of them.”

The pond came into view. Three boats rested on the calm water, soft ripples moving at the heads as they made their way toward the shore. Some men held fishing rods, while others rowed. Mr. Kellinger’s vibrant yellow waistcoat was visible even from this distance, brighter even than Samuel’s raiment.

The rhythm of their conversation felt like it was coming to a close, but Ruth wanted to know the secret Miss Edmonds had dangled in front of her, if she could. “All that to say,” Ruth murmured, “the only person I typically confide in at this house party is my mother.”

It was the truth. Oliver had not been her confidante these last nine months. Anyway, she would not share any secrets she had been expressly asked not to share .

“Then I hope you will refrain,” Miss Edmonds said, smoothing her raven hair back into its knot and arranging her parasol over her shoulder at an angle. “I have already accepted an engagement from a gentleman in attendance, though we cannot say anything until his affairs are sorted.”

Ruth swallowed her surprise. “Which man?” It could not be Mr. Edmonds, which left three eligible bachelors. She would like to think it wasn’t Oliver or Samuel—surely she would have known—but the very notion it could be Oliver tightened her stomach. He had been so reserved for the better part of a year that he could have made any number of commitments without her knowledge. But no, if he wanted her help in finding a good bride, he could not have already committed himself to Miss Edmonds. That only left the enigmatic Mr. Bailey.

Miss Edmonds looked toward the boats. “I cannot reveal his identity without his permission, but you needn’t worry. There is no danger of you falling for him. You have a connection with Mr. Rose and Mr. Harding, do you not? Besides, my gentleman will not lead another to think there is a possibility of a connection when he loves me so dearly.”

Miss Edmonds could have directly admitted that the man she spoke of was Mr. Bailey. There was no one else…Ruth hoped.

Either way, she needed to quell the gossip about herself before it could spread. “There is no understanding between myself and anyone else. I know Mr. Rose and Mr. Hard?—”

“Yes, yes, I do not need your explanations. I will take you at your word.”

That felt unsatisfying. “Why the secrecy, Miss Edmonds? Why not tell everyone you are engaged?”

“Emily, please,” she said, looking at Ruth expectantly.

“Only if you’ll call me Ruth.” She knew the lady’s deepest secret now. She ought to call her by her Christian name as well, she supposed.

“Certain arrangements must be made first,” Emily said, a little impatiently. “My brother has been ruined once already. He will not approve a marriage for me unless the contract is impeccable, and the man is able to prove he claims a healthy income.” Emily looked out at the boats, her smile broadening. But which man was she looking at? “He is waiting for a letter from his solicitor to confirm everything is in order. Then we shall be married, and my brother will never have to worry about anyone but himself again.”