A Heart Revealed (33 page)

It took some time to find an appropriate set, small enough to be easy to transport but not so fine as to be at risk for the journey. When he settled on his decision—a white porcelain set decorated in yellow flowers—he wrapped each piece in a dishtowel, packed them into a crate, and then brought it into the kitchen where he set it beside the basket.

He kissed Mrs. Berdsten on the cheek then put the parcel under one arm and lifted the basket with his other hand. He made his way to the stable, mindful of avoiding the patches of mud he had stomped through when wearing his working boots.

He had already asked the stable hands to prepare the curricle, as Farthing would not be able to accommodate such a load. The rain was still falling, and Thomas could drive the vehicle himself rather than need the assistance of a driver—though it was more dashing than necessary for this particular visit.

He loaded the crate and the basket into the curricle and was stepping up when he heard his brother’s voice.

“Where are you headed, Thomas?” Albert approached on horseback, likely coming in from surveying his own fields just as Thomas had done this morning. “I thought you would spend the day celebrating the victory.”

Just yesterday Mr. Llewellyn had informed them of the approval to properly transfer the parcels to Thomas’s ownership. Albert had come home with a full report. It was a great success after so many months of effort, and yet it had strangely paled in comparison to the eagerness Thomas felt toward having tea in a simple stone house this afternoon.

“I have been about the place since sunup,” Thomas said. “You can be certain that my celebrations were great.”

His brother’s attention turned to the curricle. “What is this?” Albert dismounted his horse, which was quickly taken in hand by one of the groomsmen, and looked at his brother curiously.

“None of your concern,” Thomas said, knowing that was not an adequate explanation but unwilling to offer more. “I had best be on my way though.”

Albert leaned against the side of the curricle and regarded his brother with suspicion. “I am quite used to your mind being filled with tasks and figures, Thomas, but I cannot help but wonder what additional things are taking priority amid your thoughts these past weeks. I had thought it was the transfer, but now wonder that it’s something else.”

Thomas turned to the horses—a beautiful pair of chestnuts Albert had secured on a trip to Tattersalls two years earlier—and busied himself with double-checking the harness of the one nearest to him. “Nothing of much consequence, I assure you.”

“I do not believe that,” Albert said with a laugh. “Diane seems to think it’s in regard to a woman, though I made her promise to withhold such suspicions from Mama.”

“I thank you for that,” Thomas said with sincerity. Should his mother begin to entertain such thoughts he would not hear the end of it until he admitted the whole. Should that occur he did not doubt she would be on her way to Step Cottage in a trice to see for herself the subject of his interest.

Albert’s commentary, however, made him mindful that he was not being as clandestine as he had hoped. If both his brother and Lady Fielding had noticed his change in focus, his mother would not be far behind. “And I thank you as well for not pressing me on this issue.”

“Am I not pressing you?” Albert asked, raising his eyebrows. “For indeed I think that I am.”

“Then I should thank you not to.” Thomas knew his brother well enough to know that he would not be quick to cast aside such interest without a compromise. “I shall see that my man fills the ruts in the western road if you shall spare me some consideration in this, Albert.”

Lord Fielding threw his head back and laughed. “You think grading a road is at all equal to my brother’s interests in a woman? You have not hidden your visits until today, but as you rarely visit anyone I cannot help but be curious about this Mrs. Chandler. No one seems to know a thing about her, and yet this is your third visit, is it not?”

“It is not what you think,” Thomas said, imagining how Albert would react if he knew Thomas had sat in a humble cottage reading Shakespeare to an empty room. How could he possibly explain any of this without giving Miss Sterlington away?

“What is she like?” Albert asked.

“I have not met her and am not inclined to add
on-dit
to the gossip mill should I have such an occasion to become acquainted with her today. She prefers her privacy, and I am of a mind to respect it.” His voice had become sharp, and he cleared his throat as though that were the cause of it.

“Don’t get so high on your horse,” Albert said. “I am merely curious. He paused, regarding Thomas for a few moments longer. Thomas shifted beneath his brother’s gaze “How old is this widow? I realize only now that I’ve had the impression of age, but perhaps I am mistaken.”

Thomas was determined to learn more himself before he invited anyone into his confidence but knew he would have to negotiate Albert’s support. “Please allow me my peace on this, Albert,” he said with all sincerity. “It is a delicate situation I do not yet fully understand myself. I would like your assurance that you will not speak of this to anyone, even Lady Fielding.” Especially Lady Fielding if she were trying to learn more about the woman in the cottage. “In return, I can promise you that when I am prepared to share my thoughts, you shall be the first to hear them.”

“You will give me no promise as to when you will confide? After the Thorton dinner tonight, perhaps? Or maybe Sunday afternoon we could go riding.”

“I will make you no promise other than the assurance that you will be the first to know.”

Albert frowned and shook his head. “You are so difficult at times.” He let out a dramatic breath and stepped aside so Thomas could enter the curricle. “Very well, I shall keep Diane’s curiosity at bay and press you no further, but I
shall
hold you to your word.”

“Thank you,” Thomas said gratefully.

Albert slapped the side of the vehicle and gave his brother a wink. “Carry on, then. Godspeed and good luck.”

Chapter 41

Amber paced back and forth in front of the fire in the library, mindful of Mr. Richards’s arrival, which could happen at any moment. She kept looking to the slot of the desk where she kept letters from her family and the anxiety regarding the newest letter did nothing to settle her nerves.

The weather had stayed fair and so Suzanne had gone to town again on Wednesday to dine with her blacksmith and returned the next morning with a letter from Lady Marchent, which could not have been a greater surprise to Amber. After all these months away, Amber was being invited home, and she could scarce decide how she should feel about it. Grateful? Nervous? Excited? Her mother’s letter had been written before Amber’s request for information about Constance, so there was no mention of her.

Darra’s wedding date was set for March 4, five weeks away. Amber was invited to return to Hampton Grove three weeks prior so as to be in attendance for a wedding ball held in Darra and Lord Sunther’s honor. The actual wedding would take place at Lord Sunther’s estate in Suffolk, and since Lady Marchent had not specified that Amber would attend that event, Amber assumed her behavior at the ball would determine whether or not she would receive greater inclusion.

It was not difficult to ascertain that Amber was being called back only to preserve the appearance that all was well with the Sterlington family. Lady Marchent also said that Amber and her parents would find time to discuss her future. Amber did not know whether or not that meant her parents were willing to accept her back with full favor but she could not forget that Constance had died in Yorkshire. Again, perhaps that answer hinged on how she presented herself at the wedding ball—her first social event in nearly nine months.

Two weeks ago Amber would have eagerly packed her bags in anticipation for the comfort of her childhood home. However, that was before she knew of Constance’s rejection from these same people. It was before she had put on her blue-striped day dress for the first time since her arrival at the cottage and had exchanged out three different caps before deciding on the one with the tighter ruffled trim. It was before Suzanne had painted on the eyebrows that did not look quite right to Amber, although Suzanne assured her they would appear to greater advantage with the low light of the library.

“Are you quite sure my appearance is that of a decrepit old woman?” Amber asked, looking upon her reflection with a critical eye. Since she was known as a widow, she thought it best to appear as an elderly one. Amber was quite certain she was only creating a joyful moment, not a step toward any kind of future.

“Quite sure,” Suzanne said. “The lighting will make the difference.”

Amber wondered at the maid’s confidence and almost dared suspect that Suzanne was hoping for Amber’s discovery since to herself she looked like a debutante wearing an old woman’s cap. But she was eager to meet Mr. Richards and trusted Suzanne, so she had stilled her arguments and been ready in the library a full half hour before he was to appear, giving her time to further obsess over her mother’s letter.

Would I refuse the request to return
? she asked herself, then shook her head. Of course she would return to Hampton Grove. She was taking tea with a man who would think her elderly, not accepting a call from a potential suitor. And yet her concern at returning home was tied to him in ways her mind had not yet deciphered, and it made her uncomfortable. Perhaps if her mother’s letter had been worded with eagerness and a strong desire to know of Amber’s well-being she would feel differently. Perhaps Mr. Richards was nothing more than an excuse Amber was holding on to because she feared further rejection if she accepted her mother’s unspoken terms.

The knock at the front door caused Amber’s heart to race and she stopped near the edge of the carpet.
He is here!

Suzanne’s footsteps crossed from the kitchen to the front door while Amber moved to the side of the settee furthest from the chair, settled a rug across her legs to conceal her youthful figure, and adjusted her cap. The morning gown had a high neck and long sleeves, keeping her well covered.

Suzanne welcomed Mr. Richards and then led him to the kitchen where he could set down the items he’d brought for tea and which Suzanne would prepare. Amber caught sight of a candle on the mantel that had not been extinguished at the same time she heard his boots returning toward the library. She jumped up to extinguish the flame, returning to her position moments before Mr. Richards arrived in the doorway, blinking in the low light as he scanned the room. When his eyes settled on her, she
felt
it and had the strangest sensation of calm and tension woven together like a blanket.

Amber did not know if he could see her smile in the darkness, but she smiled all the same and straightened her carriage while taking in the look of him fully for the first time. He was neither fat nor thin, and his shoulders were broad and his legs long, which she already knew from her peeks at him on his prior visits. His smile was genuine and his eyes were intelligent. The sense of familiarity she felt must be from his earlier visits and their unusual interactions. She certainly didn’t know him past that, did she?

It was when she realized that those intent blue eyes were as focused upon her as hers were upon him that she looked away from his inspection. She smoothed the rug on her lap and took another breath she hoped would calm her heart, which was beating most erratically. What a goose she was to be reacting so intensely.

“The low light is easier upon her eyes,” Suzanne explained from behind him. “I hope it is not too uncomfortable for you, Mr. Richards.”

“It is quite fine.” Mr. Richards remained in the doorway, however, and after a few seconds, Amber remembered her role as hostess. He was awaiting her invitation.

“Do sit down, Mr. Richards,” she said, waving toward the leather chair he had occupied on his other visits. She caught sight of her hand—her youthful and elegant hand—and quickly drew it back, hiding it under the edge of the rug.

“Thank you, Mrs. Chandler,” he said, finally entering the room and crossing to the chair she had indicated. She dared a quick look at him now that he was closer, and when their eyes met, she was unable to look away. She found herself quite conflicted between wishing he could see her as she was, Amber Sterlington, and
needing
him to see her as the widowed Mrs. Chandler. She looked away and turned toward Suzanne, who was watching in the doorway. “Is everything in readiness, Suz—Mrs. Miller?”

“It shall be soon, Madam.” She bowed out of the room, and Amber took a breath before looking back at her companion. This time, he was the one to look away, much to her relief, but she wondered at the pleased expression on his face as he held out the slim volume of Donne’s poetry. She paused a moment before reaching for it.

“I thank you for the loan of the book. I am a great fan of Donne’s work and was able to copy out two of my very favorites. Have you read it?”

“I’m afraid I have not,” Amber said, quickly drawing the book back to her lap. She knew she would read it now that she had his recommendation. “I have, however, enjoyed many of the other volumes from this library through this winter. It seems to be a rather good collection for so small a library.”

“Based on my experience, it most certainly is,” Mr. Richards confirmed, his eyes locked upon her in a way that made her shift awkwardly. “Have you always been a great reader, Mrs. Chandler?” he asked, bringing his attention back to her.

“Not always,” she answered truthfully, though it seemed odd for him to ask about her past reading rather than discuss her current choices. “I was taught from the classics, of course, and was familiar with all manner of literature from my youth, but it has only been since arriving at the cottage that I have turned my mind to reading for pleasure or edification.” She met his eyes briefly and then lowered her head, hoping the brim of her cap would prevent him seeing her too closely. She was only six or seven feet away from him and mindful of his scrutiny. “Do
you
enjoy reading, Mr. Richards?”