Again and Again

Chapter 18

Guests began arriving at Netherton Castle a fortnight before Christmas. All of Jane’s family came; Ian’s parents as well. Even his brother stationed in India had arrived in time for the holidays. Then as Twelfth Night approached, the parties were enlarged to include the neighboring nobility and gentry. Wassail cups were raised; a yule log was dragged in from the forest and placed in the great hall fireplace; mummers performed for the guests; carolers caroled; plays were staged by the guests, the amateur actors taking to the boards with good cheer and high spirits compliments of the fine local whiskey.

Fortunately, Caroline was in charge of shepherding Hugh, Joanna, and their numerous cousins through most of the festivities, allowing her little time to interact with the visiting adults. With the children animated and energized by the multitude of gala events, they kept Caroline busy from morning till night.

In a way, she was grateful. She had little time to dwell on any unhappy thoughts. In the days since Simon had left, she’d had sufficient opportunity to come to terms with what might have been. But no matter how she rationalized-what he’d offered her was unacceptable.

As if she weren’t already touched with melancholy over her ill-starred relationship with Simon, she dearly missed having a family this time of year. Even in the midst of the cheerful company at the castle she felt alone, although, the busy schedule and great number of activities were a welcome distraction. Her opportunities to fall into moping were limited.

Furthermore, on her rare evenings of freedom, she’d begun working on her manuscript again, often writing late into the night. The heroine of the story seemed to be facing the obstacles in her life with a new determination these days, the imaginary world of fiction perhaps mirroring Caroline’s self-reliant spirit.

As soon as possible in the new year, she intended to send her manuscript off to London. If other indigent ladies could augment their income with great success, might not she? England had several female authors who had made tidy fortunes in the endeavor. It gave her hope. Or it gave her reason to hope.

Regaining her estate on a governess’s salary was unthinkable.

But with literary success, even such castles-in-the-air were possible.

On the fourth night of the Twelfth Night, shortly before dinner, Caroline received a summons from the countess.

When Caroline entered Jane’s boudoir, she found her mistress seated before her dressing table, her maids in attendance. One was arranging the countess’s hair, the other fussing with the sleeves of her gown. Gesturing Caroline forward, Jane dismissed the maids and turned from the mirror with a frown.

Employers’ frowns had taken on a new unwanted status in Caroline’s hierarchy of values. She forced herself to smile.

“I have a favor to ask,” Jane said. “My mother’s cousin, Viscount Fortescue has just arrived quite unexpectedly.” Her frown deepened. “He neither hunts nor shoots,” a small grimace was added to her afflicted expression, “so I was hoping you’d be kind enough to converse with him at dinner and save me the trouble. He’s been an undersecretary or something at some embassy or other,” she waved a dismissive hand, “and frankly-is… well… too educated,” she declared, a critical note in her voice. “I would be ever so grateful if you would take him off my hands for the evening.”

“Tonight?” Caroline murmured, glancing at the clock.

“Isn’t it just like a man to arrive so late?” The fact that he was uninteresting to the countess was left unsaid. “But I would appreciate it so if you would help me out.”

Caroline was in no position to refuse. “Yes, of course.”

“What a darling you are. Kitty, Claire, come back in,” the countess called, turning back to her mirror. “You can’t imagine how I dreaded having to ask questions about”-she leaned forward and adjusted her earring-“I don’t even recall what embassy he was in. And you speak all those many languages. There you are, Kitty. Fix this curl on my forehead will you? Thank you, Caroline. I’m sure you two will be vastly compatible.” She waved her off. “Here, Kitty, this curl. Don’t you think it should be just a bit higher?”

Compatible or not, more important, no longer a problem to the countess, Caroline thought, walking back to her room. It had taken a full measure of reserve to politely respond to Jane’s request cum command. She wasn’t by nature, deferential, although in her new station in life she was forced to accept a degree of humility. And also, apparently, converse with guests regarded by her employer as dismally too enlightened.

No doubt, the man would be elderly if he was Jane’s mother’s cousin, possibly dull-she unfortunately knew diplomats of that ilk-and he may take issue with having a déclassé governess beside him at dinner.

Reaching her room, she stood in the doorway for a moment repining her fate. She could have spent the evening in her room, taking her heroine to the Parisian opera, a scene she was delighting in writing.

Moving to her armoire, she drew out her azure velvet gown with a small sigh.

The evening was going to be tedious.

When Caroline was introduced to the viscount, she was pleasantly surprised.

Viscount Fortescue, for his part, was enchanted.

It turned out, he’d been undersecretary in Constantinople and knew Flora’s husband well.

It also turned out he was thirty-two, unmarried and boyishly handsome. Not magnificent like Simon. But fair and fine-featured, with deep blue eyes and a smile so sincere, Caroline didn’t wonder that he was successful as a diplomat.

They shared stories of Constantinople over dinner while the table at large talked of dogs and deer, grouse, and salmon fishing. Later over tea in the drawing room, they discovered further interests: books, opera, cards… Will was first-rate at whist and like Caroline, he spoke several languages. Although he didn’t care to hunt, he rode, and when he learned Caroline liked to ride as well, he insisted they go out the next morning.

Caroline hesitated. “I’m not sure… my duties__”

“Nonsense. Jane has enough staff to look after her children.” With a tactful authority, he made his wishes known to his hostess. Turning back to Caroline, a moment later, he winked. “There now. It’s taken care of. We ride tomorrow morning. I suspect, you could use a little holiday from the holidays.”

Caroline laughed. “It has been rather busy.”

“And different for you, I warrant,” he said, softly.

She smiled. “Perhaps, a little.”

“You should be the diplomat. I doubt you’ve spent your life chasing after little children.”

“The children are sweet and the earl and countess are pleasant in the extreme.” Her gaze was candid. “I’m not in a position to complain.”

“I understand.”

He looked at her with such kindness, she suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to cry. It must be the holidays, she thought, tamping down her twinge of sadness. “How early a riser are you?” she asked, quickly, steering the conversation to safer ground.

“You need but state a time, and I’ll be ready.” “How amenable you are.” Her tone was light and playful and suddenly she remembered another man who was amenable, but in an entirely different way.

“One learns in the diplomatic service, although tonight, obligation is not an issue.” The viscount smiled. “I’m vastly smitten and more than willing.”