An Agreeable Arrangement (5 page)

“We need to see Madam Bosque when we have
finished,” Lorna announced once she sat. “I’m sure
the modiste will manage to find you a gown or two.”

“Two?” Mrs. Upton grumbled and cast her charge
a stern look. “Three, more like, perhaps four.”

“Oh, very well, four. Madam Bosque always makes
my gowns and I do believe she might be persuaded to
provide you with something beautiful to wear for tomorrow evening.”

“If she knows which side her bread is buttered on,
she will.” Mrs. Upton set her cup and saucer aside
and stood. “I’ll send a footman ‘round to fetch her.
I’m sure you’ll have your choice of gowns”

“Surely she would prefer if I visited the shop”
Cassie did not wish to disturb anyone, not even a
dressmaker.

“But you’ve only arrived. Are you not fatigued?”
Lorna narrowed her eyes in concentration over her
Sevres cup.

Cassie didn’t have to think about that answer. She
was exhausted.

“If she knows what’s good for her she’ll come running tout de suite,” Mrs. Upton said before leaving the
room.

Madam Bosque and her assistant Madeleine arrived at Stewart Hall before the three ladies had fin ished with tea. They were led into a side parlor and
it became a makeshift salon for their use. There,
Madam Bosque and Lorna made suggestions about
color and style choices for Cassie, conforming to the
latest fashions. The modiste brought with her several
pre-made dresses that she could easily alter and could
be made ready to wear by tomorrow evening.

While Madam Bosque marked the gowns for alterations, Lorna went on to tell Cassie of the wonderful balls and assemblies she had missed since the
beginning of the season.

Lorna wanted to introduce her best friend Belinda
Hastings. They were of the same age and got along so
famously, it was not to be believed. They conversed
on all the important subjects such as dresses, parties,
and men, dancing slippers, balls, and oh, yes, men.

“We shall have the most extraordinary time tonight,” Lorna told Cassie. “Belinda and I have already
decided who we shall marry. I will wed the Honorable Jeffery Rutherford and Belinda-”

“It doesn’t do for you to set your cap on some
young gentleman,” Mrs. Upton scolded her charge.
“I think you might do best to ask the squire his permission first.”

Lorna ignored her governess and continued. “Belinda adores my brother, Edward. Although he is all
that is kind to her, I have informed her many times that
he is quite out of her reach and she must choose another. We have agreed that she might make an amiable match with Jeffery’s very good friend Thomas Wentworth.”

Lorna paid particular attention that she had not
omitted any descriptions of the especially handsome
men who had made her acquaintance. She spoke in
particular detail about the ones that captured her
capricious fancy, much to the horror of Mrs. Upton.

“Ze blue, is she not tres belle, Mademoiselle
Lorna?” Madam Bosque stepped back, admiring her
work.

Cassie gazed at her reflection in the full-length
glass that had been brought to the small parlor for their
use. She hardly recognized herself in a gown that fit,
and it was a shade of blue that brought out the color of
her eyes. It had been so long since she’d worn anything besides gray.

“Someday, I hope to marry someone as dashing
as my brother, Edward,” Lorna told Cassie. “Even if
I found him now, Julian would never permit me to
marry nor would he tolerate a serious involvement.
It’s only my first season, you know.”

“I would hope not!” Mrs. Upton reeled at the girl’s
implication.

Madam Bosque and her assistant ushered Cassie
away and helped her disrobe, careful not to allow the
straight pins to stick her.

Cassie returned in a cream-colored gown, the second gown they all agreed she would have altered for
tomorrow’s ball. She took her place in front of the mirror to be fitted. Lorna proceeded with her discourse.

“We haven’t a title but our wealth and land seem
to have blinded society. I think he’s terrified I might
form a tendre for a fortune hunter. Julian’s already
told me that I am to have my heart’s desire. As long
as he’s suitable.” Lorna drew herself back and continued with reserve. “He said making an immediate
match wouldn’t be a prudent thing to do”

I’m sure he did. Cassie could just imagine it would
be the exact words the squire, acting in his position
as dutiful guardian, would utter.

At dinner later that evening, Cassie would almost
have enjoyed the quiet except that Squire Stewart
was seated at the head of the massive table. He and
Lorna displayed healthy appetites, making their portions of ham and vegetables disappear.

Cassie found the succulent repast could not tempt
her. The new surroundings were pleasant but the company was not-he was there. She managed to keep herself busy by cutting her boiled carrots into small pieces
and arranging them from one side of her plate to the
other, not tasting a morsel.

The squire might have noticed Cassie’s lack of interest in her dinner the few times he’d glanced in her
direction but he never bothered to inquire. She thought
it quite possible that he never noticed that she was not
eating nor ever wondered why.

Was the food’s temperature, aroma, or perhaps the
appearance not to her liking? Could he possibly conceive of any other reason her dinner had remained untouched?

It had not, however, dissuaded him from finishing
his. Laying his utensils to rest, he dropped his napkin
next to his plate. “If you ladies will excuse me”

“Of course, Julian, do not let us keep you,” Lorna
said with a gracious nod. “I know that your work is
calling for your attention.”

“Thank you” He rose from the table, gave a slight
bow, and left.

The squire’s behavior bordered upon rude. However, his absence was welcome. Cassie could feel herself relax once he had vacated the room.

“Julian can be a bit intimidating.” Lorna smiled
across the table at Cassie.

“I don’t find him intimidating at all.” Cassie took
a bite of carrot. “I just don’t care for him.” From what
Cassie could observe, he hadn’t treated Lorna with
any more warmth than he had her. “I cannot imagine
how you manage to be so cheerful when someone
such as he is your example of decorum. I’ve never
met a more uncaring, unfeeling, human being in my
life.”

“You make him sound positively odious.” Loma
straightened, clearly upset by Cassie’s forthright
opinion.

“Pray, excuse me, I did not mean to offend you” Cassie was sorry her words had hurt Lorna but she
spoke the truth. “I do, however, beg that you prove
me wrong.”

“He does mean well,” Lorna said in his defense
then stared into her plate. “It is not his nature. He
didn’t … you just don’t understand him.”

Returning to her plate, Cassie cut into her meat as
if it was his flesh. After causing sufficient injury to
her entree, she set her utensils on the edge of the
plate with a sense of satisfaction. Lifting her napkin,
she dabbed each side of her mouth and remained
seated until Lorna finished. She did not have to wait
long.

After dinner, Cassie declined a game of cards, wishing only to be alone in the quiet and solitude of her
room. Her first day at Stewart Hall had been long, very
full, and emotionally draining.

Changing into her chemise, she drew on her robe
and pulled it tight at the waist. She retrieved her book
of Byron’s poetry and moved to the settee near the
crackling hearth, warming herself. Cassie read for
ten minutes and found it impossible to keep her eyes
open. Soon the book lowered and found its final resting place on her chest, just under her chin.

Cassie woke a bit disoriented the next morning. It
took a few minutes of staring at the unfamiliar heavy,
deep-red curtains of her four-poster bed to remember
where she was and what she was doing there.

Despite what she had thought, despite what she
had hoped, it had not been a dream.

“Finally, you have awoken! It eez such a beautiful
morning!” Layette entered with a breakfast tray and
set it on the table near the bed. “I am told that you
have several gowns arriving for ze ball ce soir.”

Cassie could manage only a nod. Layette handed
her a cup of chocolate.

“Mademoiselle Lorna et Romeo are in the jardin.
I believe she loves ze little dog as much as you!”

And it was clear to Cassie that if Romeo did not
feel the same for Lorna, he would not be spending so
much time with her. Cassie smiled, remembering how
the two of them were running across the back lawn
yesterday. “They do enjoy one another’s company,
don’t they?”

“You must dress and join them. The air, she eez
good for the lungs” The maid pulled the untouched
cup of chocolate from Cassie’s hands.

“I really am not looking forward to facing the people below.” Cassie slid her legs over the side of the
bed. She hadn’t meant everyone, just him.

“Everything, everyone eez new-we are strangers
here. But you must not let them frighten you. Votre
pere-”

Yes, Cassie’s father wanted this for her. But did he
really? Losing her home, marrying a man she hardly
knew, making near-strangers a part of her family cannot be what he truly wanted. She felt so miserable and unhappy while away from Hedgeway Park and the
only way, it seemed, that she could return as its rightful owner was if she married Edward Stewart.

“-you must show zem you are not frightened of
zem. Especially za squire.” Layette paused and her
gaze met Cassie’s. It was clear they shared the same
opinion of him. They needn’t say another word, they
both understood quite well.

That horrid man.

Layette was right, Cassie decided. She needed
to show she wasn’t afraid. Cassie intended to keep
Hedgeway Park and she would do whatever was
necessary-even if she had to put up with the squire.
Marrying Edward would be the easy part.

“I am ready to dress.” Cassie stood, regained possession of the cup of chocolate and headed for the
dressing table.

The clinking of dishes and utensils attracted
Cassie’s attention upon her arrival downstairs. She
approached the breakfast room to find Mrs. Upton
watching the morning’s fare being laid out on the
sideboard.

“Ah, Lady Cassandra, good day to you” Mrs. Upton could not have sounded more pleasant. She gestured to the many serving dishes. “Have you had a
chance to-”

“No, only chocolate in my room.”

“Not to worry, the luncheon dishes will be out soon. I suggest you have a hearty meal since you’ll be attending the Addisons’ ball tonight. Have you seen Miss
Lorna about?”

“I believe she is in the rear garden with Romeo.”

“Romeo?” The shock in the governess’ voice was
apparent as if Lorna shared company with an undesirable young man.

“Romeo is my pet terrier.” Cassie hoped the explanation would belie any fears. “I am on my way out to
see them now.”

“Oh, yes, of course. When you see Miss Lorna, will
you ask her to please return to the house?” Mrs. Upton
collected two clean plates and set them on the table.

“I will be happy to relay your message”

Moving down the hall, she heard Mrs. Upton speak
to herself. “At the break of dawn the girl nibbles on
the corner a piece of toast with a sip of tea and thinks
that’s going to keep her until the ball tonight..

Cassie smiled but that smile faded once she thought
of continuing down the hall to the back door of the
house. Perhaps part of maintaining a peaceful association with the squire meant avoiding him. She went
out of her way to exit the house through the front door.
Cassie walked around the far side of the house to
avoid the library window and the squire who might be
gazing from it.

The gravel path around the low box hedges ran the
width of the house, past the fountain, toward the vast
lawn where Lorna and Romeo roamed.

“La-dy Cass-an-dra!” Lorna cried out, waving
from the expanse of lawn.

Cassie raised her hand, letting Lorna know she
would be there directly. Lorna and Romeo approached,
meeting Cassie halfway.

“Do not tell me you have been out here all morning” Cassie held her hand to her forehead, shielding
her eyes from the sunlight.

“We have been having a most delightful time.”
Lorna sat on her heels, patting Romeo who seemed
to devour the attention. “He is so wonderfully attentive and has boundless energy.”

Much like the young woman who uttered those
words. Cassie preferred the calm and sedate Romeo
who slumbered by her side as she read or did
needlework. In any case, it was Cassie’s opinion that
Romeo was a companionable canine who had a
great deal of insight into humans and their nature.

“Mrs. Upton asked that you return to the house”

Lorna groaned then stood. “Doesn’t she know that
I am far too excited to eat?”

Cassie could not imagine how Lorna would remain
standing for an entire day without nourishment. “Will
your growling stomach embarrass you tonight?”

Lorna gazed at Cassie as if she had come up with
the most brilliant observation imaginable. “You’re
absolutely right. I should have something to sustain
me, shouldn’t I?”

“They were getting ready to serve luncheon just as I left.” Cassie felt her own empty stomach beginning
to protest.

“Let’s be off then. I’m sure darling Romeo is famished!” Lorna motioned that they should all walk toward the house.

“Romeo is always famished,” Cassie repeated and
fell into step beside Lorna. “He should wait at the
foot of the stairs until we have finished eating.”

They reached the house and entered through the
back door.

“Why?” Lorna protested. “I’d like him to sit right
next to me at the table”

“It cannot be very pleasant for him to smell the
food in the very same room and not be allowed a bite.”
Cassie wanted to inform her that being kind to him
wasn’t really being kind at all. “I’ll wager he can still
smell the meat from where he sits.”